The Second Mandatory Training Course: I Plant, You Eat!

"Fourth, scoring criteria: Producing 1,000 catties of [Second Level Supplies] per day will earn you a base score of 100. The higher the supply level and the greater the quantity, the more points you will receive."

"Fifth, the Agricultural Official can obtain normal food, but cannot take elixirs or use any treasures other than those provided by the standard system."

"Six, [Supply Training] will last for one month, and rankings will be calculated based on the final scores."

When the new mandatory training courses were announced, the people of the Agricultural Supervisorate were somewhat restless.

Many people have had this type of "Supply Training" in their previous military, but the one here is obviously more difficult.

"To grow a thousand catties of Second Level Supplies in a single day? That requires Tier 2 plants! That's way too difficult!"

"Favorable Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage Institute have a huge impact; the environment is random, and who knows what harsh conditions we might encounter?"

"It shouldn't be too demanding, right? If it were a Five Suns in the Sky shines brightly and the earth's fire is blazing, without even water, who could possibly grow it?"

"No food for half a month, and they're eliminated? That makes sense. If they're not given food for half a month, the martial artists will probably be skin and bones from hunger. What fighting power will they have left?"

Zhao Xing wasn't too surprised by the content of the second mandatory training course.

"I Plant, You Eat"—this is a classic training course for Military Sima Nong.

Farming was the primary duty of the Military Sima Nong.

The Military Sima Nong not only had to be skilled in farming, but the standards were also very strict.

Given the vast territory of the Great Zhou, no amount of grain could be sufficient if it were transported from the rear.

Who can withstand a grain transport line stretching hundreds of thousands of kilometers?

Moreover, Ranked Martial Artist have an astonishing appetite; if they cannot eat on the spot, they simply cannot survive by relying on luck.

Equipping the Military Sima Nong is equivalent to equipping the army with a series of mobile granaries!

Gains from fighting are secondary; solving the food problem is the priority!

"As long as the Military Sima Nong carries a Wen Bamboo Box, and the environment is suitable, one Military Sima Nong can support an army."

"However, the environment can't always be suitable. The purpose of Supply Training is to test the grain production level of the Military Sima Nong under various conditions," Zhao Xing pondered. "This Supply Training will probably be a comprehensive one."

Since we've mentioned the Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage Institute, these two factors must have a significant impact.

"Within half a month, I must quickly master a Solar Terms Decree, Earthly Advantage Faction technique, and also a plant-based version of Earth Treasury Return to Origin."

During the period when Lawless Training, Zhao Xing continued to study the three great secret manuals. His progress was not slow, but it was not fast either, after all, his energy was limited.

When the Agricultural Supervisorate announced the mandatory training content.

On the other side of the Martial Office, someone was also shouting.

"The second mandatory training course is called [Environment Training]!"

"You will be thrown into all sorts of environments, including high-temperature areas, miasma areas, and icy regions... In different environments, you will have to maintain high-intensity physical training."

"During this process, you also need to focus on cultivating the 'Gluttony Art'."

"Because there will be Speed Eating Training during this period, your food will be provided by Agricultural Official."

"I can tell you frankly that most of the food grown by the Agricultural Supervisorate this time is extremely unpalatable, and some are even poisonous. However, this is precisely the time to train you in the 'Gluttony Art'!"

"You don't have much time to eat on the battlefield. Sometimes, to survive, you have to eat poisonous food, but you also recover your strength and energy. An army recovers faster, and the outcome of the battle is naturally different. Even if there is some poisoning and aftereffects, they can be completely made up for by doctors and pharmacists afterwards!"

"Therefore, you must finish all the food produced by the Agricultural Official within a limited time. Whoever eats the most, eats the fastest, and can endure the longest will be the scoring standard for the Speed Eating Training!"

The martial artists below immediately turned into bitter faces.

Training in harsh environments is nothing compared to training even to eat?

Although one can eat food containing toxins after practicing the "Gluttony Art," the process is inevitably very painful.

"What Reincarnation; no one escapes the wrath of Heaven."

"We just beat up Agricultural Official a month ago, and now it's Agricultural Official's turn to torment us."

One of the shorter martial artists' expressions changed. "Damn it, I'm only at the first level of the Gluttony Art, will I be poisoned to death? Speaking of which, do all the tests from the Agricultural Supervisorate provide poisonous and hard-to-digest food? Don't they have any normal food?"

"Wu Zheng has explained it very clearly, and you still don't understand?"

"Only one floor? Bro, you're doomed."

"Brother, don't do anything else for the next two weeks. Just focus on cultivating the Gluttony Art. If you have points, use them to buy treasures to level up quickly. If you don't have points, borrow some from your brothers in the army, otherwise... you'll be in big trouble."

People around him cast sympathetic glances.

The short martial artist said with a bitter face, "Our Great Zhou is no longer what it was during the reign of Grand Ancestor. Resources and products have gradually become more abundant, and the Gluttony Art is no longer a mandatory method for local armies. Who would have thought... Hey, what level are you all at?"

"I have two layers, but with two layers, I can probably withstand much more than you," the tall martial artist said. "With two layers, my digestion and detoxification abilities are greatly enhanced, and my absorption efficiency of vital energy from food is also significantly improved."

"I'm at level four, which is considered top-tier among our reserves. I also entered the Black Tortoise Martial Division using this technique," said another bald martial artist with prominent cheekbones.

The others immediately cast envious glances at them.

But the bald martial artist smiled wryly and said, "Don't envy me. Do you know how much suffering I endured to reach the fourth level?"

"The Gluttony Art is notoriously difficult to master. In order to join the Tigron Army, I was prepared to die when I attempted to break through to the fourth level."

"I almost died back then. When our general broke down the door and took me to the doctor, my intestines were rotting, all my teeth were out, and I was bleeding from all seven orifices..."

"It was because I slightly miscalculated the dosage of a certain medicinal herb when using the supplementary food ingredients that caused serious problems in my cultivation."

"Although there weren't any major problems later, and I even entered the fourth level by chance, my hair can never grow back, and there are still a few scars on it. I estimate that it's unlikely to recover since I'm not at the Sixth Rank."

The bald warrior recalled the past and couldn't help but sigh.

"Wow, buddy, you're really ruthless. You've trained so hard you're practically insane. I'm truly impressed that you got into the Black Tortoise Division." A bystander gave him a thumbs up in admiration.

" With the Black Tortoise Shield on your back and the Gluttony Art within, if you're not invincible, who is?"

"Damn it, I... I'm going back to practice right now!" The short martial artist gritted his teeth and hurriedly ran away.

Xier County, Divine Might Army Camp.

Military Hall.

"Whoosh~" Flames rose, and a letter emerged from the fireplace.

A large, burly hand picked up the letter, and Long Xiao called inside, "Old Chen, a letter has arrived."

"Why don't you break it down and read it aloud? What are you yelling about?" Chen Shijie's voice came from behind.

"Whoa!" Long Xiao opened the secret letter and immediately exclaimed, "Zhao Xing has made rapid progress! He has already built a Heaven and Earth Spirit Bridge and entered the Eighth Grade."

"Hmm? He also mastered three sonic martial arts techniques, one of which, the Kui Ox Thunder Roar, reached the Seventh-Turn?!"

"They even eliminated the Martial Office genius Fu Ying once?! Excellent, well done!"

"Let me see." Chen Shijie heard Long Xiao's mutterings and came over. After taking the letter, he saw that it contained some information about Zhao Xing's training in April.

However, this letter was not written by Zhao Xing, but by a captain of the Divine Might Army stationed at Grotto-Heaven.

"Sonic martial arts, Kui Ox Thunder Roar? He's already at the Seventh-Turn, where did this kid get so many points to cultivate?" Chen Shijie said. "Grade A resources, he wouldn't be able to afford so many auxiliary cultivation materials."

The Kui Ox Thunder Roar and the Gluttony Art both require precious materials to cultivate; otherwise, practicing them haphazardly will lead to serious problems.

"He worships Tian Hou, Tian Hou's famously wealthy," Long Xiao said. "You don't even know that?"

"That's true." Chen Shijie suddenly realized, "It seems that Tian Hou provided some assistance."

"You'd better work hard," Long Xiao said with a smile. "This kid is more talented than you. Don't let him surpass you after training."

"I'm overjoyed that he's surpassed me," Chen Shijie laughed. "He's added another great general to the Marquis."

"By the way, Captain Huang said that Zhao Xing asked us to inquire about a man named 'Mi Fu'," Long Xiao said. "Who is Mi Fu? Do you know him?"

"Mi Fu?" Chen Shijie frowned, then looked at the letter again carefully. "I don't know him, and it doesn't say where he's from or what his Official Rank is. How am I supposed to find him?"

"Didn't he say that Mi Fu is skilled in the Condensation Art? He learned about this person when he was buying magic books."

"That's like finding a needle in a haystack. Let's keep an eye out for him."

On the very day that Zhao Xing finished his first mandatory training session, he arrived at Tian Yan's Fuchun Garden.

"You did a good job last month. Both the Agricultural Supervisorate and the Martial Office have praised you highly."

"I am very satisfied with your performance. I didn't expect you to improve so much in such a short time. There are only five Hundred Beast Throat Pills and Earthly Fiend Lung Refining Pill in total, and you have already refined the Kui Ox Thunder Roar to the Seventh-Turn level."

Tian Yan smiled and, unusually, praised Zhao Xing.

Although Tian Yan was kind and generous, he was very strict with his disciples. Over the past month, Zhao Xing had come to receive guidance from time to time.

It's rare to hear praise from him, so his words now prove that Tian Yan is truly satisfied.

[Lawless Training] In one month, Zhao Xing had mastered the sonic martial arts to a high level, which caught the attention of the higher-ups and was mentioned by many people.

As a teacher, Tian Yan naturally felt proud.

"Teacher, you flatter me. I actually spent a lot of points and relied on external help to train Kui Ox Thunder Roar to the Seventh-Turn," Zhao Xing said modestly.

"I know." Tian Yan nodded. "You spent points, but don't others spend them too? The resources for Grade A teachers are about the same. I gave you a gift, and other teachers will do the same."

"But the fact that you chose to practice the Kui Ox Thunder Roar proves that you are not afraid of hardship and have high comprehension."

Zhao Xing listened quietly.

"A good performance is a good performance; there's no need to be overly modest," Tian Hou said. "Are you confident you can maintain a top-twenty-one position in the next [Supply Training]?"

"I'm barely confident," Zhao Xing said.

He didn't know what kind of situation he would encounter this time, and he dared not make any guarantees.

The Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage Institute are entirely random; he hasn't yet mastered the Solar Terms Decree, and the Earth Treasury Art still lacks specific techniques for plant cultivation.

Among the twenty-one Grade A geniuses, he was the youngest, lacked local experience, and had little time to learn the three great secret manuals.

"Don't force yourself, I'll give you something worth 30,000 points," Tian Yan said with a smile.

"Teacher, won't this..." Zhao Xing was a little surprised. He didn't know whether Tian Yan's actions were good or bad for him. Wouldn't people talk about it?

"Your situation is rather special," Tian Yan said. "I discussed it with several senior officials at the Earthly Advantage Institute and also applied to Fan Zhaoli to get special approval for you."

"You were selected for a transfer right after you were promoted from a junior clerk position. Despite your weak foundation, you still managed to pass the fourth stage."

"Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming of the Celestial Timing Academy are blind, but I'm not."

"Giving you another 30,000 points is nothing."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

Tian Yan said, "It's because you maintained your Grade A performance that I'm giving you this extra help; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to explain it to my superiors."

"Remember, you must remain in the top twenty-one out of more than ten thousand reservists."

"You can't let your guard down. There are many people eyeing the top twenty-one spots, all trying to push you out."

"If you fall, not only will your treatment be reduced, but it will also be difficult for me to take care of you privately in the future."

"The student understands." Zhao Xing nodded.

"Go ahead and prepare well for the Supply Training."

"Yes, student takes his leave."

June 7th, at the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard.

"Da da da~"

Gao Ming galloped over on his Bamboo Horse.

"Ah!"

He exclaimed "Gao Ming!" and then strode away.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Xing opened the courtyard gate and came out.

All I saw was the dust kicked up by the Bamboo Horse.

"This Gao Ming is getting lazier and lazier," Zhao Xing muttered.

At first, Gao Ming would deliver the goods to your door, calling out, "Zhao Xing, your goods have arrived! I've left them at your door!"

Gradually it became:

"The goods have arrived, they're at the door."

"At the door."

Today, all that's left is "ah".

"He's not afraid of bad reviews either. Oh, I forgot, there are no bad reviews here."

Zhao Xing carried the suitcase inside.

He didn't buy it; Tian Yan bought it for him.

The treasure, worth 30,000 points, is earmarked for specific purposes, mainly to help Zhao Xing address his weaknesses.

The first type of treasure Tian Yan bought was a Heavenly Timing -related treasure—the [Gale Wind Stone].

The ore was mined from the Astral Wind Mountain Range of Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

Zhao Xing's Yang Wind technique has always been a weakness; among the Four Seasonal Arts, the Lesser Nine Heavens Astral Wind has only Third-Turn.

"The mastery of the solar terms involves the interaction of the five elements and yin and yang. To master the solar terms, I must be proficient in all four methods."

Tian Yan bought eight fourth-tier Gale Wind Stone, which were relatively cheap, costing 2000 points each.

"Apart from clouds, which have no distinction between yin and yang, Rain Art."

"My Icy Rain, Water Drop and causes blood and qi to freeze, can also be considered a yin-type Rain Art."

Rain Water nourishes all things, but Zhao Xing's Icy Rain is designed to kill. He now has too many offensive techniques and too few support techniques.

"However, I have a talent for water-related techniques. Last month, I comprehended a mid-level technique called [Fine Rain] from the Rain Water Diagram. Although I haven't had time to practice it, I've reached the mid-level Sixth-Turn with just a little practice."

"The second gift from the teacher, worth 10,000 points, should help me make a breakthrough."

The second treasure Tian Yan gave was also related to Rain Art, named "Spring Rain Spirit". It was a top-tier fourth-order item and was kept in a crystal box.

The third treasure is a high-grade fourth-tier Preaching Painting technique, also known as the plant-based version of [Earth Treasury Return to Origin]. It is worth four thousand points.

With the three treasures, Zhao Xing's magical progress improved rapidly.

On June 8th, the spell [Earth Treasury Return to Origin - Plant] reached the Seventh-Turn.

The plant-based and human-based versions of Earth Treasury Return to Origin share a common aspect in their utilization of the Earth Vein.

Zhao Xing also had a foundation in the initial stage of the [Earth Veins Synthesis], and with the help of the Preaching Painting, he comprehended it and immediately reached the Seventh-Turn of the realm.

The Eighth Rank Realm primarily enhances the breadth of spells; one can master any type of spell.

With the help of treasures, it's naturally easy to learn.

On June 9th, Zhao Xing used the "Spring Rain Spirit," and a gentle drizzle fell from above, washing over Zhao Xing for a full twelve hours.

This allowed Zhao Xing to fully experience the wonders of the Yang Rain Art.

[Fine Rain] Dharma also broke through from the Sixth-Turn to the Nine Turns.

Starting on June 10th, Zhao Xing made a detailed plan for his cultivation.

"Starting today, practice the 'Lesser Nine Heavens Astral Wind' technique for one hour every day, using the Gale Wind Stone as a guide."

"One hour of [Earth Treasury Return to Origin]"

"Two hours of [Barren Condense Essence Art]."

"After four hours, go to the Celestial Timing Academy to study the Solar Terms Monument."

"The remaining two hours will be used to practice other spells."

Ten hours are used for cultivation.

With two hours remaining, one hour was used to review and analyze the problems in the cultivation process. If he had cultivated but the progress on the panel had not increased, Zhao Xing could easily sense that the cultivation direction was wrong.

Therefore, it is also important to review and summarize the events afterward.

As for rest? With the help of the [Sleepy Bug] spell, an hour is barely enough.

Immersed in cultivation, time flies by.

In the First-Turn, half a month has passed.

June 22nd, 5:00 AM.

Thump!

The familiar drumbeats began.

Zhao Xing woke up with a start.

The second mandatory training course has begun.

This time, however, there was no need to rush; instead, they gathered directly at the Earthly Advantage Institute.

Fifty Flowing Cloud Flying Boat were moored in the square inside the Earthly Advantage Institute.

The cabins of each airship seemed to be full of people.

Zhao Xing used the Five Elements Observation to sense the people on it. They all had strong blood and energy, and were obviously the martial artists in each group.

"The fifty people in the Earthly Advantage Institute will be randomly selected to flyships. After selection, they will proceed to the training location," Fan Zhaoli said. "Get on board quickly!"

Zhao Xing casually jumped onto a flying boat numbered 1 and then entered the cabin.

"Um?"

As soon as he entered, Zhao Xing saw ten martial artists inside the cabin.

There were several familiar faces among them.

"Chen Fang, Hu Bing, Zhang Jie... Hmm?"

My gaze fell on the last person's face. He was handsome, with slightly raised eyebrows that revealed confidence and composure, and deep eyes that darted around him.

Zhao Xing knew this person all too well; it was Xia Jing, who had repeatedly knocked him down during the last mandatory training session.

"Brother Xia, it's you." Zhao Xing grinned, revealing a slight smile.

"That's right, it's me." Xia Jing couldn't help but smile wryly after seeing the Agricultural Official in his group.

There will be a third update, before 1 a. m.