What? How Many Did You Say He Planted?

"This Engineer Family Formation should not use the Zhaoyang Earth Fire Array, but the Chongguang Earth Fire Array. The array base should not be 'Earth Copper Soil', but 'Overlord Gold Sand'."

"Time is of the essence, and the craftsmen of your Divine Might Army are not very proficient in this field. They can be used to a minimum, but it would be best to replace them later."

"How can this patch of fourth-tier Earth Fire Lotus be cultivated using the Foundation Strengthening Art? Don't you know that the Element Analysis Art is the best?"

"The Yaoguang Return to Origin Array was set up in the Qian position, but the Earth Vein fire wasn't fully utilized... Who placed the Return to Origin Sect Array's foundation here?"

Dong He pointed out the planting area around East Mulberry Volcano, with Zhao Xing and Wang Ji accompanying him.

When Dong He questioned him, Wang Ji replied in a muffled voice, "Your Excellency, it was I who did it."

Dong He said calmly, "It's understandable for young people to be careless. Fortunately, it's only the third or fourth level of cultivation. Fifth-level Magic Array can't be done haphazardly; they need to be much more meticulous."

Wang Ji opened his mouth, but in the end he just cupped his hands and replied with a "yes".

As soon as Dong He arrived, he started giving Wang Ji pointers on his work. The problem was that Dong He wasn't completely clueless about the subject, which made Wang Ji extremely frustrated.

"Lord Zhao," Dong He then looked at Zhao Xing, "I heard you possess a high-level Origin Analysis Technique?"

"Yes, it's called..." Zhao Xing was about to speak when Dong He turned his head away again and pointed to a lotus area in front of him, "You can stand in the Kun position of the fourth-order Earth Fire Nurturing Array and cast a spell to assist me."

"I'll have the Black Armor Army adjust the Magic Array. Also, I'll arrange for you to work as Agricultural Official, brought by the Black Armor Army, to help you. If the survival rate in your area exceeds 30%, that'll be pretty good..."

Looking at Dong He's endless chatter, Zhao Xing felt somewhat helpless.

Dong He seemed to be used to giving orders, and he completely regarded himself as his adjutant.

Moreover, this person is extremely decisive, which stems from his extreme confidence in his own knowledge.

After all, in the Black Armor Army, Dong He was a figure revered by all the battalions.

In just one hour, Zhao Xing and his men had received guidance from Dong He.

This guy does have some skills; everything he said is correct, but he's too much of a "father figure."

No wonder Xia Jing had a headache with him.

"Lord Dong, shouldn't we discuss this again?" Zhao Xing said. "You've just arrived in East Mulberry City, and I see everyone..."

Dong He waved his hand to interrupt Zhao Xing: "Lord Zhao, there's no need to discuss this anymore, the matter is urgent..."

"Clang!"

Suddenly, a mechanism clicked at Wang Ji's waist.

A track behind him turned, and a row of crossbow holes flipped out from behind his shoulder. The mechanism was loaded, and a cold glint flashed as it was aimed at Dong He.

Dong He was interrupted, and like everyone else around him, he looked at Wang Ji with surprise.

Wang Ji looked at Dong He and said loudly, "Lord Dong, your eyes are sharp. Please take a look at this crossbow. Is it effective?"

Dong He glanced at the miniature crossbow bolt on Wang Ji's shoulder and nodded. "Not bad."

Wang Ji sneered, "The material used in this item is the fifth-grade Qilin Gold Wood that Lord Zhao planted."

"Why don't you listen to Lord Zhao's opinion?!"

Dong He remained silent, finally understanding why Wang Ji had suddenly erupted.

Looking into Wang Ji's eyes, Dong He had no doubt that if he dared to underestimate Zhao Xing again, this young man would really shoot an arrow at him.

Zhao Xing was already furious at being interrupted by Dong He time and time again, but he remained silent, pretending not to have seen Wang Ji's rude behavior.

Damn it, I really can't tell the difference between the big and small kings anymore!

Dong He was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Please continue, Lord Zhao."

Seeing this, Zhao Xing glanced to the side and said, "Wang Ji, the brothers from the Black Armor Army are here to help. You've lost your composure. Go find Han Bing and accept your punishment!"

Wang Ji sought out Han Bing to receive some kind of punishment. But those who didn't know better, hearing Zhao Xing say this, would think Han Bing was a judicial officer.

It was all just a ruse by Old Master Zhao, a way to give Dong He a way out.

"Yes." Wang Ji snorted and left.

"Lord Dong," Zhao Xing cupped his hands in greeting and said calmly, "What you just said is not without merit."

"However, it was my order to use the Zhaoyang Earth Fire Array instead of the Chongguang Earth Fire Array, and it was also my order to use 'Earth Copper Soil' instead of 'Overlord Gold Sand' for the formation base."

"What you're talking about is good, but it's twice as expensive. My Divine Might Army can't afford such extravagance."

When the topic turned to professional matters, Dong He became argumentative again. "Without these aids, wouldn't the success rate decrease? Wouldn't that be another kind of waste?"

Zhao Xing was too lazy to argue with Dong He.

Everyone has different breeding philosophies.

Dong He was used to fighting battles that brought him wealth, and as Sixth Rank Military Sima Nong, he was equipped with the best of everything in the Black Armor Army.

But Zhao Xing was used to being frugal; he was content as long as the configuration met his requirements.

Take the Earth Fire Lotus as an example. There is not much difference between a robe made of low-grade fifth-order and a robe made of mid-grade fifth-order when crossing the Flame Mountain.

The two have different areas of expertise in magic.

Dong He is skilled in advanced Foundation Strengthening Art, which require these auxiliary methods to enhance his foundation. However, Zhao Xing is skilled in the Element Analysis Art, which does not require such stringent conditions.

Zhao Xing directly stated his allocation plan. "Lord Dong, you and I will each lead people to cultivate the Earth Fire Lotus."

"If you need manpower or materials, the Divine Might Army will prioritize supplying them to you."

"Give me priority in supplying?" Dong He looked at Zhao Xing with suspicion.

He felt that Zhao Xing's words carried a different meaning.

It seems his magic is stronger?

"As for how effective it is on my end, Lord Dong need not worry about it," Zhao Xing said.

"Alright then." Dong He nodded. "This will make things easier."

Flying back to East Mulberry City from the Flame Mountain, Chen Shijie asked, "I heard you and Dong He didn't get along very well?"

"The news spread so fast?" Zhao Xing asked, having just returned.

"Why do you want Wang Ji to find Han Bing to receive some punishment? He doesn't care about that."

"Han Bing was completely confused, and then she brought Wang Ji to see me," Chen Shijie said. "I knew what had happened as soon as I asked."

"He looks down on people a bit," Zhao Xing said. "Wang Ji loaded the fifth-tier shoulder crossbow directly in order to get him to listen to me quietly."

"Can I really make Wang Ji punished? I was just saying it casually. By the way, where is he?"

"Wang Ji is a bit of a stickler for things; he actually went to the judicial officer and got twenty lashes," Chen Shijie said. "Now Han Bing is putting medicine on his buttocks."

"..." Zhao Xing was speechless. The Mechanism Master were intolerant of any flaws, and Wang Ji was even more stubborn.

"Sigh, they're all stubborn guys."

Where are you going?

"Go find the army doctor to heal his buttocks; I'm waiting for him to start working again."

The seeds of the Earth Fire Lotus were stolen on August 24th.

The volcano was activated on August 28th.

On September 1st, the number of Earth Fire Lotus increased by 150,000.

Starting September 1st, Zhao Xing and Dong He each formed their own teams, leading a group of Agricultural Official to begin cultivating fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus.

One person began casting the spell from the South Volcano, and the other from the North Volcano.

Zhao Xing kept his word and entrusted most of the elite troops of the Sea Pacifying Army, Divine Might Army, and Black Armor Army to Dong He for assistance.

Most of the precious materials prepared for planting were also given priority to Dong He.

Others assumed that Dong He was in charge of planting Earth Fire Lotus.

Chen Shijie and Xia Jing even came over to confirm, and found that Zhao Xing was not sulking, but simply did not need as many of Dong He's assistance methods, so they left with peace of mind.

East Mulberry Volcano, south.

Zhao Xing rode on the clouds and arrived above a lava lake.

"It's Zhao Xing!" He Yu excitedly as she watched Zhao Xing's figure. "He's here."

"Boss, why are you so agitated?" someone asked, puzzled.

"Hey, a high-level spell! How can anyone not be excited when someone casts a high-level spell right in front of you?" He Yu said.

"You don't know this, but I have a special connection with him. Back in the day, during the Cloud Rain Pass in the branch school exam, Zhao Xing and I were in the same group," He Yu said proudly.

"Why don't you mention how Zhao Xing tricked you at the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool?" Ouyang Song laughed. "That's fate, isn't it?"

"..." He Yu glared at Ouyang Song. Why did you have to bring that up? You were almost dying of thirst on the Earth Fire Plain.

Zhao Xing glanced down below, his voice carried on the wind.

"Please return to your positions and await my command to activate the Earth Treasury Return to Origin!"

Wang Ji immediately gave a command, and the workers in the Engineering Office immediately began operating the mechanisms.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

One by one, the array bases that had been suspended five meters in mid-air crashed down.

"Swish swish swish swish~"

The five hundred Agricultural Official below were all of the Eighth Grade or above, with the highest being the Seventh Grade.

Currently, many Magic Array have been set up in this lava lake. The largest of these Magic Array is the Earthly Advantage Faction's classic Earth Treasury Return to Origin Grand Array.

Wang Ji led fifty people as the main control team for the mechanical Magic Array, while the remaining five hundred Agricultural Official stood at various phases to provide energy to the Magic Array and relieve pressure on Zhao Xing.

In this location, there are tens of thousands of fourth-tier Earth Fire Lotus plants.

Casting spells one by one would not only be slow, but also a huge waste of Zhao Xing's energy.

Therefore, a large-scale planting assistance Magic Array is essential.

The current Magic Array is still in its infancy and not very large in scale.

Back then, Cao Xi set up the Return to Origin Waterwheel in Gucheng and repaired the thirteen canals of Huai Equalization Office. These thirteen canals were the foundation of the Magic Array.

It enveloped the entire Gucheng and even nurtured the East Lake Spirit Mountain.

That area was much larger than it is now.

"One group, in position!"

"Group two, ready!"

"Three teams in position!"

"Ten teams, in position!"

Reports came from all directions; Ouyang Song and He Yu were the leaders of the Agricultural Official group.

At this moment, I was also filled with excitement and shouted at the top of my lungs.

They are only Eighth Grade, yet they are able to participate in the large-scale casting of high-level spells. How honorable!

Of course, whether it will be successful or not depends on Zhao Xing!

Once everyone was in place, Ouyang Song, He Yu, Han Bing, Wang Ji... hundreds of people all stared intently at Zhao Xing in the sky.

"Start!"

Zhao Xing gave the order.

The Earth Treasury Return to Origin Formation was activated first, and the vital energy of the five hundred Agricultural Official was injected into the earth.

Zhao Xing felt that the fourth-order Earth Fire Lotus Pool was filled with boundless primordial energy!

In terms of Earthly Advantage Institute advantages, it couldn't be any better!

Zhao Xing pointed to the sky, and a Solar Terms Decree flew out from his dantian and soared into the sky.

Suddenly, a change occurred between heaven and earth.

It was as if a blazing sun had risen from Zhao Xing, instantly making the surroundings oppressive and scorching.

The Heavenly Timing Solar Terms Decree of Start of Summer begins!

"Buzz~"

The Solar Terms Decree to fly high, directly breaking through the Astral Wind layer and hovering at an altitude of two thousand meters.

The Solar Terms Decree the Fourth-Turn of the Knowing Realm can break through the Astral Wind layer of up to four thousand meters, but to maximize its power...

Stopping at about two kilometers is about right.

"Buzz~"

The second and third Solar Terms Decree followed immediately.

They stop flying at a distance of 800 meters.

It is the Solar Terms Decree "Minor Heat" and "Great Heat".

The Earth Fire Lotus thrives in intense heat, but not pure heat; rather, it prefers a humid, sultry heat.

So Zhao Xing rose up again, Supporting Cloud.

It quickly enveloped the area south of the volcano.

"Drip drip drip~"

A light rain fell into the lava lake.

Soon, the Celestial Timing Conditions were maximized.

Standing on the south side of the clouds, there was a spaceship, and Chen Shijie was watching Zhao Xing cast a spell.

He did not participate in the fourth-order planting because the Nine Section Battalion he led was going to cultivate fifth-order Earth Fire Lotus seeds.

"I never imagined that the boy I casually brought from Gucheng back then would have become so powerful." Chen Shijie looked at this scene and recalled his first meeting with Zhao Xing during the Lesser Heat Assessment.

At that time, when Zhao Xing faced the minor "Grain Eating Bird Calamity" test, all he knew was to Repeating Straw Puppet away.

Even a pile of dry straw would be fought over with other officials.

It's only been a few years?

Then, one can Heavenly Timing in this desolate Southern Barbarians land and take the lead in cultivating a fifth-order Earth Fire Lotus.

"The Start of Summer the Minor Heat, and the Minor Heat eventually merges into the Great Heat."

"The fusion of the Solar Terms Decree allows the full power of the three periods of intense heat to be unleashed."

Chen Shijie was deeply moved.

Xia Jing and Guan Junyang were also on the boat. Instead of going over to watch Dong He farm, he came to cheer on Zhao Xing.

"Impressive!" Guan Junyang exclaimed. "His Time Law is worlds apart from that of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. I'm afraid even Shi Yong can't compare to him."

Shi Yong was the top genius of the Celestial Timing Academy back then, but now Guan Junyang feels that Zhao Xing is more than capable of surpassing Shi Yong.

The True Self Faction magic doesn't actually need such favorable Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage Institute.

However, the Earth Fire Lotus is quite special.

To say it's delicate is an understatement, considering it grows in lava.

But can you say it's durable? If the surrounding conditions are even slightly worse, it'll die right before your eyes.

In addition, since this is a large-scale spellcasting operation, Zhao Xing also needs to take good care of the Earth Fire Lotus.

"The Instant Primordial!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Xing caused starlight to appear and fall into the lotus pond.

All five hundred Agricultural Official who had learned the "Five Elements Observation" method of identification stared wide-eyed at this scene.

Because in their microscopic view, a meteor shower was falling from the sky.

Countless meteors hurtled towards the Lotus Pond area.

However, most people can only see the outward appearance; once the meteor enters the interior of the Earth Fire Lotus, it becomes difficult for them to detect it.

Only a few Seventh Grade Agricultural Official in charge of agriculture who had cultivated the "Yin Yang True Self Scripture" and Sixth Rank Agricultural Official like Chen Shijie were able to observe it.

"The method of the True Self is profound and mysterious." Chen Shijie looked at it for a while, then gave up observing it, because he couldn't figure it out at all.

Even if you use several fifth-tier Preaching Painting, you might not be able to learn the advanced spells of the True Self Faction School.

As everyone knows, the entry threshold for the True Self Faction is at least the Fifth Grade rank.

In other words, the mainstream view is that one should cultivate to the Fifth Grade before studying the techniques of the True Self Faction, in order to truly master them.

Of the millions of Seventh Grade Agricultural Official in the Five Great Grotto Heavens, only thirty to fifty possessed advanced spells of the True Self Faction.

Even including the Sixth Rank Agricultural Official, the number would not exceed two hundred.

Under the gaze of Chen Shijie and Guan Junyang, the already mature Earth Fire Lotus in the fourth-tier lotus pond suddenly began to grow again for some unknown reason.

Experts can see the intricacies, but even these experts can't see the intricacies of the True Self Faction school.

All that is known is that in this lotus pond, there are many fourth-order Earth Fire Lotus that have begun to break through their growth shackles and grow again, transforming into fifth-order lotuses.

After the first incense stick had burned, fifty fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus appeared, producing fifth-tier lotus seeds.

But at this moment, Zhao Xing felt his vital energy decreasing.

Many lotus flowers in the lotus pond are withering because there are too many of them, making it impossible for too many Earth Fire Lotus to survive at the same time.

"Rise!"

Upon seeing this, Wang Ji immediately organized the Mechanism Master of the Engineering Office to manipulate the second array base to rise.

Thousands of black cylinders emerged from the ground; these were the foundation stones they had just placed there.

Wang Ji Jiqi used two types of guiding arrays: Earth Fire and Earth Element.

Its principle is similar to the water pump used in ordinary households to pump water from wells, except that this Magic Array guides the Earth Vein energy.

Following Wang Ji's actions, Zhao Xing felt a surge of vital energy flowing into his body. The number of withered fourth-tier Earth Fire Lotus below decreased, while the number of fifth-tier ones increased.

After a short rest, Zhao Xing cast the spell again.

This process is repeated.

After the fourth incense stick had burned, the number of fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus had exceeded five hundred!

The fiery red lotus blossoms, and the lotus seedpod at the center is like a ball of flame, within which some deeper, crystalline red lights shimmer.

Those are the lotus seeds of the fifth-order Earth Fire Lotus.

"It's done! It's done!" Guan Junyang clenched his fist excitedly. "A fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus, its leaves can be used to make Fire-Warding Robe."

"These lotus seeds are also capable of growing to the fifth rank. If we give them to others to replant, the fifth-rank Earth Fire Lotus will soon experience exponential growth."

"It's not that simple," Chen Shijie said. "Normally, after three replantings, the rank will drop. The Earth Fire Lotus is more demanding. Even with careful cultivation, it will drop in rank after two replantings."

The descendants of plant life always weaken towards lower levels. In ancient times, towering trees were everywhere, but now they are rarely seen.

"Even so, it won't be long before we can equip the entire army with fifth-tier Fire-Warding Robe." Xia Jing rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Lord Chen, there's nothing wrong with Zhao Xing. I'll go check on Dong He."

"Please proceed, Your Heir Apparent." Chen Shijie nodded.

Xia Jing excitedly piloted his flying boat to the North Volcano, where Dong He was also casting a spell.

However, he employed Foundation Strengthening Art, which was completely different from Zhao Xing's method.

Dong He was wearing Fifth-Tier Premium Fire-Warding Robe, and he was floating in the lava river.

At this moment, many Earth Fire Lotus floated around Dong He, and as Dong He cast his spell, the lotus pond in the lake began to rotate.

As the lotus flower revolves around the Dong He, it also forms rotating vortexes beneath itself.

Countless vital energies gathered within the fourth-tier lotus, and with Dong He's breath, the entire lotus pond seemed to breathe as well.

Xia Jing pressed the button on the flying boat and quietly asked Dong He's adjutant, Jin Ming, "Lord Jin, how many plants are there?"

The adjutant, Jin Ming, was also a Seventh Grade Agricultural Official. Upon hearing Xia Jing's question, he arrogantly replied, "Your Heir Apparent, Lord Dong has already cultivated one hundred fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus!"

Xia Jing nodded and smiled; this speed wasn't slow at all.

Seeing that Xia Jing smiled but didn't praise his boss, Jin Ming immediately asked, "I wonder how the Heir Apparent's good brother is progressing?"

"It's not that I'm being nosy, but we didn't come to the Divine Might Army for poverty alleviation. If they can't keep up with the progress, it would be a huge delay for our Black Armor Army."

"Your Heir Apparent should rely more on our own people."

The implication was that Xia Jing was placing too much emphasis on the outsider Zhao Xing in this collaboration, and should have relied more on their own Sima Nong Camp.

Xia Jing flashed a bright white smile and held out his palm, "My brother didn't plant many either, just five hundred."

"Not bad either." Jin Ming nodded, then turned back in surprise. "What? You said he planted how many?"

There's another chapter in 5K.