Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven and the Military Agriculture Official's Training Program (Third Update)

Chen Shijie spoke calmly and in a simple tone.

Helian Lie glanced at the Thunder Surname Middle-aged beside him, who shook his head slightly and then transmitted his voice telepathically:

"We didn't fall for it. That Military Sima Nong. We still need to send people away, so we can't waste any more time. Let's find another way."

"Hmm." Helian Lie put away the jade pendant and quickly left with the three young men and the Thunder Surname Man.

"Those people from the Blazing Sun Army are too arrogant!" Long Xiao watched their retreating figures. "What do they mean by saying their orders are more important than ours? They're practically insulting the Divine Might Army! I really want to stab that bastard to death with my sword..."

"Long Xiao!" Chen Shijie shouted in a low voice, a cool breeze swirling around Long Xiao's ear. "Wake up! You've fallen for their trap."

"Hmm?" The cold wind blew, and the anger in Long Xiao's eyes subsided, then his expression changed slightly.

"How come your alertness has become so poor?" Chen Shijie frowned. "You really need to train harder when you get back."

This time, Long Xiao didn't refute, but nodded seriously. "Yes, I'll remember."

Zhao Xing asked with some suspicion, "Was that a Ritual Cultivator just now?"

"Indeed, a strategist in the army," Chen Shijie said. "With his clarity, he can confuse others; that Ritual Cultivator just used a Provocation Method tactic."

Zhao Xing suddenly realized. "That's damn insidious."

The so-called Provocation Method, in Ritual Cultivator's case, is not just about verbal provocation.

It is one of the methods in the "Radiant Wisdom Method," which can subtly shake a person's Wisdom Soul and Intelligence Soul.

This makes the opponent confused.

"If Long Xiao really can't help but attack them, no matter who comes to the No. 9 Fire Pond first, we will be driven out of the Dao Academy, and they will have succeeded."

Long Xiao cursed, "Ritual Cultivator is truly insidious and cunning. I'm utterly fed up with these sons of bitches."

Chen Shijie said, "You haven't dealt with Harmony Ritual Xiu enough in the past five years. When you get to Xier County, find Brother Jia and have a good training session."

Long Xiao immediately looked worried. "Can we find someone else? I'll ask Brother Clarity Heart. Jia Pu likes to use the 'Intelligence Reduction Method,' and he has a foul mouth. Every time I finish practicing with him, I feel like an idiot."

"Whatever."

Zhao Xing asked curiously, "Why didn't that person cast a spell on me? I'm clearly much weaker than Long Xiao."

Chen Shijie shook his head. "He and Long Xiao are on the same level. If the Provocation Method works, there's nothing to say if you're not as skilled. It's common for soldiers to spar with each other, and we won't cause trouble afterward."

"But if he attacks you, that goes beyond the scope of normal sparring and breaks the rules. If we go after him, he will be punished and the whole army will be ridiculed."

Zhao Xing nodded. No wonder that person chose Long Xiao as their target instead of himself.

The young man in the Yellow Robe was also completely confused, but he was much smarter than the previous one, so he pretended not to hear anything. After all, he was just a little Daoist disciple, so it was best for him to be invisible.

After a while, the fireworks in the No. 9 Fire Pond rose, exceeding the height of the previous highest fireworks by one meter.

Upon seeing this, the young man in the Yellow Robe was overjoyed. "Lord Chen, Lord Long, someone Returning the Dao to the No. 9 Fire Pond. The Fire Pond Magic Array is sufficient for you to reach Datong Prefecture. You can go in ahead of time and don't need to wait any longer."

Upon seeing this, Chen Shijie cupped his hands to the young Daoist boy in the Yellow Robe and said, "Thank you. Please convey my gratitude to my master for his help."

"I will definitely pass it on." The young man in the Yellow Robe nodded.

Following Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, Zhao Xing, they walked along the slope towards the Fire Pond in the depression.

"Phew~"

The fireworks were spectacular, but the temperature was not high, only slightly higher than the human body temperature.

"Soothe the Mountain Cat, tell it not to be afraid, this process will be quick." Chen Shijie looked at Zhao Xing: "Just walk in and relax your body. Long Xiao, you demonstrate for him first."

"Okay." Long Xiao walked into the center of the Fire Pond, and soon he was engulfed by the flames.

Zhao Xing observed, the flame-like silk patterns on Long Xiao's body had deepened.

Once the second layer of Entanglement was complete, the next moment, Long Xiao plummeted downwards.

With a soft popping sound, Long Xiao disappeared into the Fire Pond.

The flames then dropped two feet in height.

"Meow?!" The Mountain Cat's eyes widened, as if asking, "Where's the person? Where did that huge person go?"

"Go in," Chen Shijie said. "I'm watching you."

"Okay." Zhao Xing, carrying the Mountain Cat, stepped into the No. 9 Fire Pond.

Hiss~ The flames licked Zhao Xing's skin, as if his clothes were completely ignored.

But the clothes did not catch fire.

The Mountain Cat was restless in Zhao Xing's arms, but under Zhao Xing's reassurance, it endured the flames Entanglement its body.

"Pfft~"

With a soft bang, Zhao Xing and the Mountain Cat vanished instantly.

The height of the flames dropped another two feet.

After Chen Shijie entered, he disappeared.

The flames in the Fire Pond dropped three feet, now less than a meter high.

Datong Prefecture, Li Fire Dao Academy, the area of Fire Pond where the altar is located.

"Phew~"

A flame that was originally only one meter high suddenly rose up, revealing a human figure.

Long Xiao walked out from there.

He glanced at his hands. "It's Returning the Dao a long way back, and I'll have to run like crazy when I get back."

Then the flames flickered again, and Zhao Xing and the Mountain Cat came out.

"That's amazing."

"The quality of this Five Elements power is extremely high, and the Magic Array is also incredibly ingenious. It seems to be utilizing the power of the Fire Attribute Earth Veins, rapidly traversing through the Earth Vein." Although Zhao Xing had also passed through the Fire Pond in his previous life, he didn't feel anything.

But now I'm experiencing its wonder.

"His body Entanglement a layer of fire elemental power, and he also possessed a unique strength."

"It is ethereal yet real, as if it is directly connected to heaven and earth. If it is not completed according to the rules set in the dark, the pattern Entanglement by the power of fire will keep reminding us and the pressure will become greater and greater."

After borrowing a path, one must not rely on magic or external forces, but solely on one's own body to complete twice the distance of the borrowed path.

Completing the Returning the Dao within a month will have no impact whatsoever.

If it exceeds one month, the oppressive feeling brought by the mysterious pattern will cause any spells or secret techniques to be distorted.

The condition will worsen over time, especially if it exceeds a year?

You won't have to pay it back in this lifetime.

"Have we arrived at Datong Prefecture?" Zhao Xing asked. "You've covered 20,000 li in just half an hour?"

"Yes." Long Xiao nodded. "To be precise, it's 20,083 li."

"After you enter the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, it is best to complete the journey within a month, without using magic or external forces, relying solely on your physical body to complete double the distance. The same applies to the kitten."

"Meow?!" The little Mountain Cat was a bit dumbfounded.

Wouldn't that mean walking more than 1,300 miles every day?

This is exhausting!

"Woo woo~" The Mountain Cat rubbed against Zhao Xing.

Can I stay?

"Do you want to become a dead cat?"

The Mountain Cat drooped down immediately.

Well, 1,300 li a day isn't that far.

"Pfft~"

Chen Shijie also came out of the Fire Pond.

Afterwards, the three left the altar and the Fire Pond and exited the branch courtyard.

The three continued their journey aboard the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat in the prefectural city.

"The westernmost part of Datong Prefecture is Xier County."

"Then why is this ship flying east?"

"Long Xiao and I are going to Xier County to see the Marquis. You go to Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven first."

Chen Shijie said, "You must complete the basic training for new recruits, including the training regulations for Military Sima Nong."

"We'll take you to the eastern entrance of the Grotto-Heaven first, then head to Xier County."

Zhao Xing understood. He looked at the Mountain Cat in his arms. "Can I bring it inside?"

Chen Shijie said, "The training program is very demanding. You don't have the energy to take good care of the Mountain Cat. Let me raise it for you for now."

"Okay." Zhao Xing handed the Mountain Cat to Chen Shijie without saying a word.

Anyway, having already gotten to know everyone at the Chen Residence where she had been eating and drinking, Mountain Cat didn't resist the decision, but she was a little reluctant to leave Zhao Xing.

"If you need anything while you're in Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, just let us know," Chen Shijie said slowly. "The Military Sima Nong training is extremely rigorous, and the competition is fierce."

Long Xiao also said, "There are currently nine garrison units in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, so the number of people training with you must be quite large. If you are bullied by someone stronger, we will definitely help you get revenge."

"If you lose to someone of the same level, then we won't interfere."

Zhao Xing nodded. "Don't worry, I will definitely not let the Divine Might Army be disgraced."

The Flowing Cloud Flying Boat traveled eastward for half a day, crossing many cities and towns before entering a mountainous region.

"The entrance to the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is in the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range of Datong Prefecture. We have already entered the military control zone."

"Look, there are already many people rushing this way."

Zhao Xing looked up and saw many Flowing Cloud Flying Boat appearing. With his Bright Eyes, he could see that there were at least a hundred boats around, all heading in the same direction.

"Roar!"

Just then, a faint Dragon's Cry Resonance suddenly came from the clouds behind them.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shijie immediately controlled the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat to descend and simultaneously dodge to the side.

"Phew~"

A moment later, the thousand-meter-high cloud layer behind them was suddenly stirred.

A huge dragon head suddenly emerged from the clouds.

A small vortex formed in the dragon's mouth, which shattered the surrounding clouds and stirred up gusts of wind.

The dragon's head is already quite large, but it's still just the tip of the iceberg.

Zhao Xing discovered that the dragon's head was attached to a ram that was nearly 100 meters long.

Then, the deck, the hull, and the nine-story pavilion on the hull were slowly revealed.

Giant!

As Zhao Xing looked at the Dragon Head Tower Ship, only one thought came to his mind.

"That's the banner of the Tigron Army," Chen Shijie explained. "It's also the highest-ranking of the nine armies stationed in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. Last time, it ranked 309th in the Legion Military Drill. The Tigron Army is commanded by Marquis Mingwu."

"Let the Dragon Head Tower Ship go first."

When encountering Dragon Head Tower Ship, one can only give it a wide berth, because the Dragon Head Tower Ship is so huge that if one gets too close, even a small Flowing Cloud Flying Boat would be overturned.

As the Dragon Head Tower Ship passed by, Zhao Xing looked at the rows of soldiers standing on the deck from afar. They were full of vigor and looked majestic and extraordinary even from a distance.

The banners of the Tigron Army were also very eye-catching. The fierce Tiger Flood Dragon banners fluttered in the wind, as if they had come alive, captivating people's hearts.

"Let's go, let's keep going."

After flying for another half an hour, the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat finally began to descend.

In the mountains below, a huge lake appeared, surrounded by camps stretching for dozens of miles.

"Phew~"

The Flowing Cloud Flying Boat landed in front of a small palace in the center of one of the camps.

"We've arrived. This is the outer outpost of my Divine Might Army. This palace is one of the Divine Might Army's Arsenal. Let me take you to collect your equipment first," Chen Shijie said.

After Zhao Xing became Ninth Grade official, some of the equipment for the Agriculture Official had not yet been distributed. Since he was selected to join the Divine Might Army, he naturally came to the army to collect it.

"Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, it's been a long time." Upon entering the palace, one soon encounters an elderly man dressed in casual clothes.

"Uncle Fang." Chen Shijie and Long Xiao immediately bowed to the old man.

"You're a bit late in sending him off; the other new recruits from all the other departments have already been sent in," Fang Hong said with a smile. "Is this Zhao Xing you brought from Nanyang County?"

"Yes," Chen Shijie said. "Quickly greet the Prefect."

"Zhao Xing from Gucheng greets Lord Fang." Zhao Xing bowed. Before coming, he had learned that this Fang Hong was the head of the Arsenal.

"Everything's prepared for you." Fang Hong smiled and had a box brought over. "The standard equipment for Ninth Grade Agricultural Official is all here."

Zhao Xing opened the box and examined each item one by one.

In addition to the familiar Evil Aversion Almanac and the Wen Bamboo Box, there are four new pieces of equipment.

Golden Raincoat

[Quality: Upper Third Tier]

[Efficacy: This robe, woven from materials of the five elements, wards off water and fire, deflects sharp weapons, and enhances the perception of the Earth Vein.]

The Golden Raincoat gets its name from the bright yellow color of its woven material.

Materials containing the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) possess the properties of repelling water, insulating against heat, being impervious to blades and swords, enhancing the perception of Earth Vein, and improving the effects of spells from the True Self Faction.

[Hundred Flowers Hat]

[Quality: Upper Third Tier]

[Effect: Crafted from a hundred kinds of flowers and herbs associated with the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, it can enhance all Time Faction spells.]

[Cloud Rain Pearl]

[Quality: Lower Fourth Tier]

[Effect: Can collect large amounts of Rain Water and cloud vapor.]

[Cloud Stepping Boots]

[Quality: Upper Third Tier]

[Effect: Allows one to ride on clouds and Divine Movement mist]

The Cloud Stepping Boots allow Agricultural Official to fly short distances, and when using the treasure, a cloud of mist will rise from beneath his feet.

Not only can they fly, but when in danger, the clouds and mist can also obscure the enemy's vision.

Zhao Xing was familiar with the four new pieces of equipment, so he only glanced at them before putting them into the Wen Bamboo Box.

The new Wen Bamboo Box is also an Upper Third Tier treasure.

In addition to its constant temperature storage function, its internal space can also expand to a certain extent. It may appear to be only half the size of a person, but if you squeeze it in, it can actually be three meters high and two meters wide.

In addition, the Wen Bamboo Box has inscriptions of Engineer Family Formation on all four sides, which can help the bearer reduce the burden.

"How about it? Do you need some time to familiarize yourself with it?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No need." Zhao Xing quickly packed the things into the Wen Bamboo Box. "When does the training start?"

"Starting from the hour of You (5-7 PM) on March 1st," Chen Shijie said.

"Today is March 1st, and it's already noon." Zhao Xing looked around in surprise. "We haven't arrived at the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven yet, have we?"

"No, but the training begins at the outpost outside the Grotto-Heaven," Chen Shijie explained. "We can only send you outside. Entering the Grotto-Heaven, including finding the training camp, is all part of the Military Sima Nong Training Regulations."

"We came from Nanyang County and arrived quite late. You only have two hours to look at the small map." Chen Shijie took out a map and handed it to Zhao Xing. "At the exact hour of You (5-7 PM), you and all the officers from the nine garrisons who are participating in the training will enter Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven together."

"You must go and find the Agricultural Supervisorate in the Grotto-Heaven yourself to report."

"The environment inside the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is complex. There is a booklet here that records the topography and landforms of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, as well as special celestial phenomena."

Zhao Xing nodded. "I'll look now, you can continue."

Chen Shijie continued, "In order to motivate the various armies, the military headquarters has set up a points-based reward system for officers who participate in the training."

"For example, this time, the officer from each army who participated in the training of the Military Sima Nong will be awarded 10,000 points as the first to arrive at the Agricultural Supervisorate."

"So much?" Zhao Xing was a little surprised. He knew that there were rewards for training in the Military Realm, but the rewards from Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven were too much. The first place winner received 10,000.

You should know that military points are very valuable; a fourth-tier treasure only costs two or three thousand points.

You get 10,000 points just for being the first to report it?

Long Xiao smiled and said, "The Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is a newly discovered Grotto-Heaven in the Military Realm. In addition to serving as a training ground for the troops, each army also has the task of exploring and developing it."

"If we don't give them more, how will they have the energy to work?"

"To be honest, there are some areas within the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven that I would rather fight the barbarians outside for three days and three nights than stay inside for even half a day."

Why is it called the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven- Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven? It's because there are ten wondrous beings in this small world that resemble the Solar Yang!

Some places are so hot they can kill you. In such extreme conditions, no one would be willing to do this kind of work unless the reward is high.

Of course, Zhao Xing is just a "new recruit" now, and it's not up to these reservists to do exploration missions in brutal and extreme areas.

"Nine garrisons, approximately how many reserve Military Sima Nong?" Zhao Xing didn't even look up, still reading his book.

"The reserve Military Sima Nong is relatively small; the nine garrisons combined probably number around ten thousand."

"..."

That's quite a lot, isn't it!

"Not all reservists will eventually become Military Sima Nong," Chen Shijie said. "If the military deems you unsuitable after this round of training, you won't be granted the position of Military Sima Nong."

"According to convention, only about one in ten will be granted a position; the rest will just have to wait it out next year."

Two hours passed quickly, and it was almost dusk.

Zhao Xing followed Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, riding the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat, and arrived above the huge lake.

"Could you lower the height a bit? Aren't you worried about his fear of heights?" Long Xiao said to Chen Shijie.

"I'm not afraid of heights," Zhao Xing said.

"Don't close your eyes when you jump down. After you fall into the lake, you'll be inside the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. You need to use your Cloud Stepping Boots to steady yourself as soon as possible," Chen Shijie said. "Quickly adapting to unfamiliar environments is a basic skill of the Military Sima Nong."

"Understood." Zhao Xing licked his lips, somewhat excited. This was much more exciting than the assessment in Gucheng, and there were so many people with him.

"Hmm? Look, aren't those two bastards we ran into at the No. 9 Fire Pond before?" Long Xiao suddenly looked in a direction. "So they were here to deliver someone too?"

Not far away, another Flowing Cloud Flying Boat was also suspended, with two men and a woman standing next to Helian Lie and that Ritual Cultivator.

My sleep schedule is completely messed up, it's a bit tough.