Five Great Grotto Heavens, Four Great Royal Courts, and Zhao Xing's Appointment

When Zhao Xing left Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, he was a "Official Eighth Rank Upper" official, which meant he could not be promoted.

That's because he was Ninth Grade official at the time, but he didn't actually hold any Official Rank in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. At most, he could only cultivate to the Official Eighth Rank.

Logically, Seventh Grade official position should only be assigned after the completion of the Nine Ring Mission, but I have only completed the third-ring mission. Why was my temporary position downgraded from Lower Seventh Rank, Junior removed?

After carefully examining the nine rings of military affairs reflected in the Earth Mirror, Zhao Xing suddenly realized what was going on.

"It turns out that once you achieved the highest rank in the third round, you would be granted a formal official position."

"I accepted Nine Ring Mission. If I achieve the highest rank in the first three rings, I can be promoted to the Lower Seventh Rank, Junior."

"If one achieves a first-class rank in the Middle Three Rings, one can be promoted to the Seventh Grade."

"If the last three rings are of the highest rank, one can be promoted to the Official Seventh Rank, Lower."

"I thought the closure wouldn't be possible until the Ninth Ring Road was completed, but I see."

It's not fair to blame Zhao Xing for not understanding, because he never had such a high Qidian in his previous life. Only the original top-level geniuses in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven were qualified to take on the Nine Ring Mission. Among the Military Sima Nong, only seventy-five people were qualified.

Of course, if you include all professions, there are many more geniuses in Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven who can take on the Nine Ring Mission, probably around a thousand people. After all, the number of people trained in Agricultural Official is not the largest, and the evaluation of other professions is not as strict as that of Military Sima Nong.

"Now, as long as I go to the temple to receive my salary, I can become a formal Seventh Grade Waterways Magistrate, no longer a temporary one."

"In this way, the dynasty's fortune enters the body, Eighth Grade and Seventh Grade are achieved together."

I received a burst of energy into my body in Gucheng before.

But that was the Ninth Grade.

"I need to break through my own level first, otherwise the nation's fortune will have to divert some of its power to elevate my cultivation level."

Zhao Xing was already capable of breaking through to the Seventh Grade, but he couldn't advance further due to the limitations of the Great Zhou Dynasty of Fate.

In fact, his understanding of the Dao has reached the Seventh Grade level.

Mastering multiple advanced techniques proves that one is sufficient to break through.

"The Water Drop Art is a high-level technique, the self-created Thunder Technique, the Thunder Breaking Illusion Finger is a high-level technique, and the Divine Swift Guard is also a high-level technique."

"I have three Solar Terms Decree are at the Fourth-Turn of the Knowing Realm, so I don't need to waste the nation's fortune to help me improve my realm."

Of course, Zhao Xing wouldn't waste the nation's fortune by doing things on his own; this was something he had planned long ago.

He wanted to channel the power of the imperial court entirely into good fortune and extra lifespan.

In this way, even if he is demoted in the future, the loss he suffers will be much less than that of those who rely entirely on the court's promotion.

"Wang the Engineer," Zhao Xing said, opening the window and sticking his head out, "Land the airship. I need to make some arrangements in this area."

"Received." Wang Ji immediately steered the flying boat to descend.

"Have you discovered other barbarian tribes?" Xia Jing's eyes lit up immediately, and he ran over to ask.

"Hmm, there's something suspicious," Zhao Xing said. "When we go down later, you take some men and search the area to see if any barbarians are hiding there. Some earth shamans can burrow underground and like to dig tunnels and caves."

"Okay." Xia Jing was most afraid of not having any work to do, because in other places, many martial artists had already started fighting against the barbarians, but there weren't many barbarians appearing here yet.

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture is vast, and it's impossible to say which way the barbarians will come.

"Phew~"

The airship landed on a mountain.

The Priest cast spells to summon spirits and check for any alien souls nearby, the Agricultural Official cast spells to Rising Wind and explore the surrounding area, while the warriors ventured into the forest and caves, each fulfilling their respective duties.

Zhao Xing, however, used his escape technique to burrow underground.

"Buzz~"

The Divine Swift Guard formed an octagonal cage, enveloping Zhao Xing as he continued to fall.

To break through from the Eighth Grade Spirit Bridge Realm to the Seventh Grade Earthly Fiend Realm, one needs to draw in fiendish energy.

For magic-based classes, breaking through this barrier doesn't require spending money, because they can escape and draw upon the Earthly Fiend energy.

Martial artists can only buy evil energy beads, find natural treasure lands, or use the Engineer Family Formation to absorb the power of Earthly Fiend.

"Boom!"

The deeper you go, the greater the resistance becomes. In the Southern Barbarian Lands, the Earth Vein are chaotic and the five elements are not manifest, mainly due to interference from the power of the Earthly Fiend.

There's nothing else here, but it's still quite convenient to draw upon the power of the Earthly Fiend to break through.

"That's about it."

Zhao Xing stopped sinking at a depth of 3,000 meters.

He then sat cross-legged in the octagonal cage.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

The Earthly Fiend energy from underground was impacting and compressing the octagonal cage.

But they were all blocked by the Swift Travel Earth Palace.

Having adjusted to his peak condition, Zhao Xing pointed.

"Whoosh~"

The Heavenly Spirit Bridge appeared, extending out from the octagonal cage.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

The power of the Earthly Fiend seemed to have found an outlet, and it seeped in through the Heavenly Spirit Bridge.

"Such concentrated Earthly Fiend energy."

Zhao Xing controlled the absorption rate.

Normally, one absorbs vital energy through the Heaven and Earth Spirit Bridge. It is very comfortable in Yang City because the environment of Yang City is suitable, and the vital energy is mild and abundant.

However, at this time, the absorbed energy is very little, and it is all Earthly Fiend energy.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

Smoke began to rise from Zhao Xing's body, and every inch of his skin became scalding hot, as if he had been plunged into a vat of boiling oil.

"Hiss~"

The pain drew the Earthly Fiend into his body, as if he had been thrown into a vat of boiling oil. He felt every inch of his muscles and bones being pulled by this violent force, and his meridians and acupoints were being forcibly expanded.

During this process, Zhao Xing had to constantly repair himself with his vital energy, resisting the tempering of the Earthly Fiend while also preventing his physical body from collapsing.

"No wonder everyone wants to be promoted. The nation's fortune enters the body, and one can break through in an instant, comfortably going from the Eighth Grade to the Seventh Grade, without feeling much pain at all."

Self-cultivation is a painful process, and there is a chance of failure in the breakthrough.

However, once you join the Dynasty of Fate system, as long as you are granted an official position and receive good fortune, it's a 100% painless breakthrough.

There is no difference in combat power between natural breakthroughs and breakthroughs promoted by national fortune.

The Seven Po of the physical body are all equally strong.

"But those who break through their own level will inevitably have stronger willpower and need not worry about their level dropping drastically after being demoted."

"Ancient methods of spiritual practice put one's aptitude and mental capacity to the test."

Zhao Xing carefully felt the impact of the Earthly Fiend Power on his body, while simultaneously circulating the Yin Yang True Self Scripture to observe the changes in his body and make continuous adjustments.

The physical pain also allowed Zhao Xing to take a holistic look at his cultivation.

This is also a process of enlightenment.

"Drawing in the power of the Earthly Fiend to temper oneself causes drastic changes in the Inner Five Elements Heavens the body. Isn't this a sign of a person's aging process?"

"This transformation is more dramatic than when I was at the Ninth Grade. However, it's not on the same level as the transformations that occur over a hundred or Millennial Climate Shift."

"Starting from the Seventh Grade rank, there is a risk of Going Berserk."

"The so-called 'Going Berserk' can be seen as a terrifying natural disaster occurring within one's internal world."

Zhao Xing recalled some theories of the True Self Faction human body changes, and at that moment he actually saw a stream of the five elements, like silk threads, moving throughout his body.

"Hmm? Yin Yang True Self Scripture broken through to the second level?"

The Yin Yang True Self Scripture, First Level: Introspection of the Five Elements.

The second level involves introspecting the Five Elements, whose energy is as fine as silk threads.

The third layer is the inner observation of the Five Elements, where the Five Elements Particles are visible.

"Although we only saw a glimmer of it, it was a qualitative transformation."

Zhao Xing was overjoyed.

By being able to perceive the subtle, thread-like Qi of the Five Elements, he can gain deeper control and make more perfect adjustments to his body.

"The spells of the True Self Faction will thus gain additional power."

Thump thump~ thump thump~

The Earthly Fiend have entered the body, and have already begun to alter the Seven Po of the physical body.

The pain receded like a tide, replaced by the strong beating of the heart, and the tingling and numbness completely disappeared.

Zhao Xing felt an unprecedented sense of strength.

"I suddenly felt like I was incredibly strong, strong enough to shatter the heavens," Zhao Xing chuckled.

At this moment, his Silver Bone were just beginning to grow, his blood and qi were like mercury, and his physical body was as strong as those genius Eighth Grade martial artists.

Of course, the most important thing is the improvement in the total amount and quality of vital energy, reaching the Thirty-first Level of the Essence Gathering.

"The tempering of my physical body and Seven Po by the Earthly Fiend has deepened my understanding of the Five Elements and the principles of Yin and Yang."

"The Seventh Grade realm is achieved by continuously tempering oneself with the power of Earthly Fiend. When this transformation reaches its limit, one reaches the perfection of the Seventh Grade."

The breakthrough was achieved very quickly, taking only about an hour.

The main reason is that the effects of the Dao Embryo Pill have been fully realized, the individual's aptitude is excellent, and the understanding of the Dao is sufficient, so there is no possibility of failure in self-breakthrough.

"Go up."

Zhao Xing manipulated the Octagonal Cage Underground Palace to rise.

He was more than twice as fast as when he came down.

"What did you discover?"

As soon as Zhao Xing surfaced from the ground, Xia Jing ran over to ask him something.

"No, what about you?"

Xia Jing shook his head. "Some traces have been found, but a long time has passed. After all, this place is too close to the Boundary Marker of Yingyuan Prefecture. Even if scouts come, they won't stay for long."

"Let's call it a day then. Let's get that guy from the Hana Tribe out of his mouth first. The Hana Tribe alone is enough for us to take a beating."

"That's true." Xia Jing waved his hand, his shout spreading outwards, "Fall back!"

As soon as I entered the cabin, I saw Cao Shuang walking over in a beaming smile.

"Haha, Brother Zhao, thanks to you, I've completed the Third Ring Mission!"

"No manners!" Han Bing said expressionlessly, "You should Lord Zhao!"

"Yes, yes, thank you, Lord Zhao!" Cao Shuang bowed with a grin.

"Thank you, Lord Zhao." Cao Shuang had Junior Minister of Agriculture behind him, and they all bowed with their hands clasped.

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "There's no need for such formalities, everyone. The prevention and control of Cloud City is not something I did alone; you all contributed."

Che Shihai, "That's different. If you hadn't come early and gotten things sorted out in Cloud City, how could we have been officially promoted now?"

"Hehe, I'm now Official Eighth Rank Agricultural Inspectorate, that's fast!"

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one whose Third Ring Mission ended; for all the Agricultural Official in Cloud City, the Third Ring Mission ended at this point.

Because their tasks were all in the same direction, and some were even easier than Zhao Xing's.

Many temporary Official Rank, such Ninth Grade and Eighth Grade Agricultural Official, were converted into formal Official Rank.

"I am an Eighth Grade upper. This temporary appointment has been revoked. You can obtain a formal appointment upon returning to the temple."

"Me too, hahaha."

Because Cloud City's prevention and control standards have reached an extremely high level, while the Southern Wilderness alien races are only using low-grade troops for training, there is an upper limit to the impact of natural disasters.

The results of the Creation Disc showed that Cloud City could no longer suffer large-scale damage, so the Third Ring Mission was settled for the Agricultural Official of Cloud City.

"I'm so envious," the members of the Martial Office chimed in, adding to the commotion. Their Third Ring Mission wasn't over yet.

It's mainly related to the local conditions. The area around Wangnan County Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture is all near the Canglan River, so the Southern Barbarians started by attacking with natural disasters, and naturally the Agricultural Official completed the task first.

In some places far from Jiang He basins, the situation is different.

If the Priest is facing a tribe skilled in controlling Yin Soul, he will first complete the Third Ring Mission.

In some tribes that primarily rely on melee combat, warriors can complete the Third Ring Mission more quickly.

As for the Mechanism Master, physician, and Ritual Cultivator, the speed at which these three professions complete the Third Ring Mission depends only on their own abilities and is not greatly affected by their location.

Due to varying enemy situations, the speed at which officials and soldiers in different regions completed their missions also differed.

It's hard to say whether it's good or bad. Some people even died in the Third Ring Mission. Where can you go to reason with them?

"Thanks to Cloud City, my Third Ring Mission was completed the fastest and most smoothly, though it was a little tiring," Che Shihai sighed. "I have a friend in Jiangbei County who died in the Third Ring Mission."

"Yes, I have a friend in Fancheng. His three-ring mission has ended, but it ended in failure. He was originally Eighth Grade Spirit Bridge Realm, but he only got a Ninth Grade official position."

"Fancheng? Tsk tsk, it's good that your friend is still alive. I heard that Fancheng was attacked by geniuses under the command of the Purple Dragon Royal Court. Of the three thousand martial artists and two hundred Military Sima Nong in Fancheng, seventy percent of the martial artists and half of the Military Sima Nong were killed. The only force that wiped them out was a hundred-man alien team."

"What? That's so exaggerated?"

"It's no exaggeration to say that there are geniuses in the Southern Barbarians as well. The geniuses trained under the Purple Dragon Royal Court are not to be underestimated in terms of combat strength."

A group of people were discussing it.

While staying in Cloud City, everyone was also paying attention to the situation in other regions. Whether through Military Intelligence Gazette, communication via Earth Mirror, or the death list published above, they could see what was happening outside.

Not everyone had such a smooth journey; it was just that those who stayed in Cloud City successfully completed the Third Ring Mission and were promoted!

In other areas, both sides suffered losses in the campaigns against the Southern Barbarians.

"My third-ring mission is over, and there aren't any more definite missions after that. If I want to get promoted, I'll have to make meritorious contributions in battle," said a Ninth Grade Agricultural Official. "Promotion will be even more difficult now."

"It is difficult," another Agricultural Official said. "The series of missions in the Military Realm are a continuation of the training at the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. They are less difficult than normal promotions. Without this mission, you will be competing with everyone in the Pacify Barbarian Legion."

"You make it sound like it's easier for us," Cao Shuang sneered. "We also have to kill enemies in our fourth-stage mission."

"That's right, that's not how it works," Che Shihai said. "It's true that the missions for top-tier geniuses are targeted, but the difficulty themselves is not low either."

"Brother Cao, Brother Che, you are mistaken," said an Eighth Grade Agricultural Official. "Without the missions from the Military Realm, our promotions would have to be calculated and summarized by the Ministry of War of the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture. Who knows if there will be any changes? Meanwhile, those with missions that have completed a certain number of stages can be promoted immediately. The Military Realm is absolutely fair."

Cao Shuang and Che Shihai remained silent. Indeed, the top-tier geniuses received better treatment.

Their Official Rank were directly granted by the Military Realm. However, once the chain of missions was lost, the Ministry of War of the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture would be responsible for calculating their merits, which would be more complicated and could potentially lead to disputes over credit.

Xia Jing said, "Everyone need not worry. This campaign to quell the barbarians is very different from the past; it is no longer a small-scale operation."

"The imperial court will soon publish Pacifying Barbarians Merit List!"

"Once it is activated, no matter if you are in a strong or weak army, or what your background is, as long as you have meritorious service, there will be no situation where you are embezzled or your reputation is distorted."

"The Pacifying Barbarians Merit List?" Chen Fang asked in surprise. "Really? The Pacifying Barbarians Merit List is open so quickly?"

"Hmm." Xia Jing nodded. "I reckon it should be soon. The court's determination this time should not be underestimated."

"Young Marquis is right. I've heard that small-scale battles have already broken out in quite a few places. This time, with the reorganization of the border troops and the large-scale deployment of reserve Military Realm, the scale of the training is unlike anything seen in the past hundred years."

"Wow, is there really going to be a big battle?!"

"My demands aren't high. I'd be happy to get an Official Eighth Rank before the main army leaves the battlefield."

"You're hopeless. You've already fallen from the Eighth Grade, you should at least be aiming for the Seventh Grade."

"Who knows how the battle will develop? I was lucky to be assigned to be the commander Zhao Xing, and to be led by the young Marquis and the others."

"One should be appointed according to one's abilities. Even if I were to become Seventh Grade official, I wouldn't be able to immediately unleash the combat power of Seventh Grade. I haven't even mastered a single high-level technique."

"That's true..."

On the way back, many people were discussing the recent Military Intelligence Gazette and the imperial court's determination to quell the barbarians.

As time went by, even those below gradually sensed that the imperial court was likely to launch a major operation to pacify the barbarians.

It was no longer a small-scale skirmish, because a more powerful tribe had emerged in the Southern Barbarians lands.

In the past, even if it was just small-scale training, and only Third Grade soldiers were sent out, they were all ordinary lower- Third Grade.

Where would such a large scale exist now?

Although Zhao Xing knew that the Great Zhou was determined to pacify the barbarians, he couldn't remember when the Pacifying Barbarians Merit List was first created.

To avoid any errors in his information, he immediately searched for various intelligence reports upon returning, including those concerning Zhuang Ziqing, the direct grandson of the Dream Marquis.

Inside the Military Hall of the Directorate of Waterways, a phantom image was projected in front of Zhao Xing; it was Zhuang Ziqing.

"This time, the Military Realm dispatched Five Great Grotto Heavens and a total of forty-nine armies to train troops, while the Southern Barbarians also dispatched Four Great Royal Courts and one hundred and eight tribes to respond."

"The Five Great Grotto Heavens, besides the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven Grotto-Heaven, are the Illusionary Seclusion Grotto Heaven, the Danxia Grotto-Heaven, the Inception Grotto Heaven, and the Primal Splendor Grotto Heaven."

"The Four Great Royal Courts of the Southern Barbarians are the Golden Feather Royal Court, the Purple Dragon Royal Court, the Sacred Spirit Royal Court, and the Blazing Light Royal Court."

Zhuang Ziqing said, "The Four Great Royal Courts of the Southern Barbarians have also sent out many geniuses. I almost suffered a great loss these past few days."

"I estimate it will take some more time to complete this Third Ring Mission."

"Shi Yong and I both suffered considerable losses, but thankfully the Insect Witch didn't succeed. Be careful, don't be too careless."

Zhao Xing nodded and said, "You too."

Buzz~

The phantom disappeared.

A moment later, Chen Shijie's phantom appeared inside the hall.

"Zhao Xing, the letter has been sent. It contains the casualty list of Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture, as well as the casualty lists of various military towns along the Datong Prefecture and Anping Prefecture in March and April. Some of them are statistics from the Military Realm, and some are statistics from the prefectures. There may be slight differences."

"I received it." Zhao Xing waved the official document in his hand. "When will you cross the river?"

"I'll come over as soon as the Pacifying Barbarians Merit List opens," Chen Shijie said. "Be careful."

"Don't worry," Zhao Xing said with a smile, "I won't be reckless."

After speaking with Chen Shijie.

Zhao Xing looked at the list in his hand; it was the list of casualties since April.

Only the situation within the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven was listed.

But more than three thousand people have already died.

It may not seem like much, but this only includes the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, as well as the standing army and county-level officials who were originally in the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture.

"This is just the beginning; the casualties so far are relatively small."

"Once the Great Zhou's Pacifying Barbarians Merit List is published, Southern Barbarians open the Spirit Court Golden List, both sides will go crazy trying to gain merit," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Normal promotions are extremely difficult. If you slowly accumulate political achievements, it might take decades or even a century to reach the highest rank.

It would be much faster if a war broke out.

However, opportunities are always linked to dangers.

"By the end of April, the list of war merits should be released. The first batch of training troops from the Five Great Grotto Heavens, consisting of forty-nine armies, will fight for a period of time. Once most of the soldiers have died, some of the old, weak, sick, and disabled will be eliminated, and then a new batch will be formed."

The Pacifying Barbarians War lasted until the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar. In the years leading up to it, both the Great Zhou Military Realm and the Southern Barbarian Royal Court sent low-ranking soldiers to fight.

The goal is to eliminate as much of the opponent's core talent pool as possible, leaving them without a successor. This is also a form of internal self-elimination and selection.

During this period, Fifth Grade experts rarely participated in the battle. It wasn't until one side felt that the time was right that they mobilized a large number of Fifth Grade experts, which was when they were truly going to fight to determine the outcome.

"Go to the Heaven's Heart Palace to receive your title first."

Zhao Xing collected his thoughts and went to the temple early the next morning.

The process was the same as when he was in the Ninth Grade. He entered the Heaven's Heart Palace, paid homage to the statues of Grand Ancestor and Wen Emperor, and then paid homage to Emperor Jing.

The two statues and the memorial tablet all emitted specks of Golden Light, which quickly filled the entire Heaven's Heart Palace.

The sting was so intense that Zhao Xing couldn't open his eyes.

When Zhao Xing opened his eyes again, he saw a huge Heavenly Gate.

Last time, he flew over the Heavenly Gate and entered the Heavenly Palace.

This time, he was already in the Heavenly Palace, among the civil and military officials, so this process was unnecessary.

A golden giant sat on a huge throne, overlooking the heavens and the earth.

When Zhao Xing looked over, the giant pointed lightly.

Buzz~

Golden Light entered his body, Zhao Xing felt a magnificent and majestic power enter his body.

Zhao Xing felt as if a barrier had disappeared. His understanding of the Five Elements magic, which had seemed to be shrouded in a blurry shadow, was now suddenly clear.

Immediately following was the activation of his Fate Soul. He involuntarily closed his eyes and introspectively perceived the existence of his Fate Soul.

A thin layer of Golden Light had been laid beneath the feet of the Fate Soul.

But now there are two more layers.

They were ranked as Eighth Grade and Seventh Grade, respectively.

"Golden Light shines beneath the feet of the Fate Soul, forging the foundation of the Life Palace."

"This time, only a very small portion has been dispersed across different realms again," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

He cultivated to the Seventh Grade, with a solid foundation, so most of the two layers of Golden Light were absorbed by his Fate Soul.

One part increases lifespan, the other part increases fortune.

The process ended quickly, and Zhao Xing knelt down in front of him.

"Your subject Zhao Xing bows in gratitude to Your Majesty!"

"May our Emperor live forever!"

"Rise." Emperor Jing's voice echoed in the Heavenly Palace. As the voice rang out, Zhao Xing noticed that his body had grown taller.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Xing glanced back and saw many short officials standing behind him.

Those are the endless ranks of the Ninth Grade and Eighth Grade of the Great Zhou.

Being ranked as Seventh Grade already puts you ahead of many others!

After the worship ended and the illusions disappeared, Zhao Xing followed the procedure and worshipped again. Only after leaving the temple did he check the changes on the panel.

Name: Zhao Xing

[Realm Level: Lower Seventh Rank, Junior]

Occupation: Agricultural Official

[Fortune: Derivation Three]

[Essence Gathering: Thirty-first Level]

[Fate Soul: Early Stage of Seventh Grade]

[Extra lifespan: 140 years]

"When the Fate Soul reaches the early stage of the Seventh Grade, the extra lifespan increases by sixty years."

"Emperor Jing has been incredibly generous this time. I'm only a Lower Seventh Rank, Junior, yet he's granted me an extra sixty years?"

However, upon closer reflection, Zhao Xing understood.

This is going to be a war!

Moreover, fighting in a foreign land means that soldiers often have to Invoking the Gods. However, in foreign lands, Invoking the Gods comes at a great cost, as it can shorten one's lifespan.

It was impossible for him to be generous; all of Emperor Jing's gifts had already been priced.

"The fortune hasn't changed; it's still Derivation Three."

"It's estimated that things might only change Sub-Sixth Rank."

The level of fortune is the hardest to advance. Zhao Xing was originally at the Derivation Three, and he still needed to reach the Eighth Grade and Seventh Grade levels to climb to the Derivation Four.

It should be noted that many officials of the Fifth Grade are only at the Derivation Three Luck.

Of course, no one else could see these things. Even Fifth Grade official didn't know how strong his luck really was, and had no idea whether Emperor Jing was stingy or not.

" From the Lower Seventh Rank, Junior, to the upper Seventh Grade, to the Official Seventh Rank, Lower, and to the Official Seventh Rank, Upper, there are three more ranks to cross. Each rank you cross will increase your lifespan and fortune, but you will only be allowed to enter the Heaven's Heart Palace for an audience when you are promoted."

"There's no need to go through all that trouble later."

As for magic, there's been no change. The court has simply opened up avenues for advancement, but there won't be much improvement in one's understanding of the Dao.

Of course, if your comprehension of the Dao was slow before and your aptitude was particularly poor, it will return to normal after you are promoted.

But Zhao Xing didn't need it, so when he was granted the title, he didn't disperse his power. He put almost all of it into his extra lifespan and luck, and a small portion into his 'Fate Soul' level.

After leaving the temple, Zhao Xing headed to the Cloud City County.

After a night, he figured that Zhao Ke should have been thoroughly investigated.

Upon arriving at the County Office, Zhao Xing went straight to the Prison Division.

Many officials stood around, representing branches of the martial arts profession, which, along with the Patrol Office and the Martial Office, were known as the Three Martial Arts Departments.

However, in Zhao Xing's view, the Sikou were actually a hybrid of martial artists and Ritual Cultivator, because they were more skilled in mental attacks and were the most adept at interrogating prisoners.

Upon arriving at the Prison Division, Zhao Xing saw Xia Jing and Duan Ren.

After bowing slightly and going through the proper etiquette, Zhao Xing looked at Xia Jing.

"How about it?"

"We got the information," Xia Jing said. "We're now conducting the third comparison."

"That's about enough." Zhao Xing took the interrogation file and looked at it. "We need to act quickly. Heavenly Timing has passed. If Zhao Ke, the young clan leader, doesn't return soon, the Hana Tribe might relocate."

"Even if it's just a lateral migration, it would be very difficult for us to find it again in the vast Phoenix Cry Mountain."

"You're right," Xia Jing said. "Let's set off now."

"Hand this guy over to me." Zhao Xing pointed to Zhao Ke in the cell. "And call Yuan Yang over here too."

"What are you going to do?" Xia Jing asked in surprise. "If you loosen the restrictions even slightly, he'll commit suicide. He's not going to be a collaborator."

"I don't want him alive." Zhao Xing pulled Yuan Yang aside. "I want his skin, and it needs to be as intact as possible. Any problems?"

"No problem." Yuan Yang nodded. "I'll peel it for you. You wait here."

"No, I'll go with you," Zhao Xing said. "This man is a treasure trove; I have other uses for him."

Xia Jing overheard their conversation, but he didn't react.

Duan Ren was Ritual Cultivator and could not bear to hear such things. He shut his ears as soon as Zhao Xing spoke his first words and walked straight out.

Zhao Xing carried the Wen Bamboo Box and entered the prison cell with Yuan Yang.

Chen Fang and the others went out.

"Pfft!"

Yuan Yang's needle Zhao Ke's heart, instantly killing him.

"Rise!"

Zhao Xing rolled out a pile of materials from the Wen Bamboo Box and immediately made a black and white striped straw figure.

[Soul Capturing Straw Figure]

Whew~

A gust of Yin Wind swept by, and a faint phantom image appeared on Zhao Ke's body.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Yang's hand trembled. The Bright Eyes Art was a universal spell that everyone could learn, and he saw Zhao Ke's soul.

"Why are your hands shaking? This is an officially certified Soul Capturing Straw Figure," Zhao Xing said. "Don't panic."

"I'm not panicking," Yuan Yang said, but there was a hint of fear in his eyes when he looked at Zhao Xing Soul Capturing Straw Figure technique was very similar to the evil magic of Extraterritorial Demonic Person.

It's not as simple as just saying you're not panicking; even Yuan Yang, standing beside him, felt his Fate Soul being pulled.

Although Zhao Xing claimed to be an officially certified Soul Capturing Straw Figure, and he knew Zhao Xing was one of his own, he was still afraid.

"Alright."

Yuan Yang quickly removed Zhao Ke's skin.

"You've worked hard." Zhao Xing rolled up the human skin and took it to another cell. Then he boiled water in a pot, put the human skin in to dry it, and poured some scraps out of the Wen Bamboo Box and threw them into the pot.

Chen Fang and Yuan Yang outside couldn't help but swallow hard.

"How come I didn't know the Military Sima Nong operated like this?" Chen Fang's voice trembled. "Brother Zhao, you don't have any perverted fetishes, do you?"

"He said these are Soul Capturing Straw Figure and Illusionary Form Straw Puppet approved by the imperial court," Yuan Yang said in a low voice. "I've never seen them before either."

They had never seen it before; they learned it from Liu Tianning.

The Soul Capturing Straw Figure and the Illusionary Form Straw Puppet are the best combination.

A short while later, Zhao Xing walked out of the cell, followed by a naked man.

When Chen Fang saw it, he immediately got goosebumps.

Because this person looks exactly like Zhao Ke, even their aura is the same.

"What about his clothes and accessories?" Zhao Xing asked.

"There, there, I'll go get it." Chen Fang immediately ran over and brought over all of Zhao Ke's things.

"Phew~"

A strong wind blew by, Zhao Ke quickly put on his clothes, looking exactly the same as before he was captured.

"Chen Fang!"

Zhao Ke.

"What do you think of my disguise?"

Chen Fang forced a smile and subconsciously took a step back, "Okay, um, very good."

Zhao Xing was speechless. "Chen Fang, aren't you usually pretty bold? Why are you such a coward now?"

"Listen carefully to how this straw figure speaks the common language of the Southern Barbarians."

Chen Fang thought for a moment and said, "It also has a bit of Great Zhou accent."

"I can only practice slowly," Zhao Xing said. "I'm not very good at this."

Xia Jing walked out with the Illusory Form Soul-Capturing Straw Figure, and waited at the door.

Seeing Zhao Ke come out, he was immediately taken aback. "Why haven't you killed him yet?"

Seeing Zhao Xing smile but remain silent, Xia Jing examined him more closely, then his expression changed slightly. "This is the Soul Capturing Straw Man Art? You want his skin for this?"

"Mm." Zhao Xing nodded.

The Priest Shen Mingyu, who had just arrived to gather, changed his expression. "Lord Zhao, this method... is against the will of Heaven!"

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "After defeating the Hana Tribe, shouldn't this young master lead his people to seek refuge with other tribes?"

"Insect Witch is a rare find. If he goes to seek refuge, would others want him?"

"If we follow the trail and take down a whole bunch of people, that'll be a huge achievement!"

"Lord Shen will not only be able to make up for his previous oversight and performance evaluation, but he will also be promoted. Do you still think it's against the will of Heaven?"

Shen Mingyu thought for a moment and said, "The law has no inherent good or evil; it is just that it is used correctly! Lord Zhao is right."

"What do you mean by 'a great Confucian scholar will explain the classics to me'?" Zhao Xing laughed as he boarded the boat.

April 11.

Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Zhang Yi, Yuan Yang, Wang Ji, along with 1,800 people from the Five Offices, entered the Phoenix Cry Mountain Range aboard two flying boats.

Three hours later, they discovered the hiding place of the Hana Tribe.

"Prepare for battle!"

I'll be releasing two chapters combined, as a minimum. No extra chapters today, continuing to adjust my schedule. I'll definitely make up for the 14 chapters I owe this month.