Eight Years Later, News of Mi Fu, and a Breakthrough to Fifth Grade!
In Heaven Competition City, Zhao Xing, accompanied by the Mountain Cat, the Azure Luan, and the Tiger Flood Dragon, landed at the Kaiyang Hall amidst countless gazes.
Ji An was completely stunned.
"The Mountain Cat... it actually belongs to Brother Zhao?!"
The other leaders of Seven Stars Island quickly stood up and assumed defensive stances.
They only relaxed when they saw the Mountain Cat enter the adjacent yard.
A short while later, Zhao Xing ran over to say goodbye to Ji An: "Brother Ji, I'm afraid we'll cause you trouble later, so we're preparing to find another place to stay."
Ji An asked, "Has Brother Zhao been found yet?"
"It's already been found."
"Okay, let's get together another day."
After Zhao Xing and the others left, the person next to Ji An said:
"Brother Ji, is this cat his? It's truly extraordinary."
Why didn't you try to persuade them to stay?
Ji An glanced at the person who spoke, and it was Gu Yi, who had previously opposed inviting Zhao Xing to join the operation.
"You didn't agree before."
"What's the point of saying this now?" Ji An said calmly. "Keep looking for the flag."
Zhao Xing bought a manor and moved his people to a new place to settle down.
For the next six days, he spent the manor familiarizing himself with the charioteer's magic.
The Flag-Seizing Contest ended on the 11th.
A large number of war beasts were eliminated.
The ' Survival Competition ' Celestial Horse.
Wang Xuanyi, Third Grade Agricultural Official, stirred up the Earthly Advantage Institute Heavenly Timing and location of Heaven Competition Island.
Apart from the city center, the rest of Heaven Competition Island was filled with terrifying celestial phenomena.
Earth erupts, extreme cold freezes, acid rain falls from the sky... a cloud covers the entire Heaven Competition Island.
For seven whole days, everything on the island withered and died, and apart from the areas where humans were active, no other places received any supplies.
In harsh environments, one's vital energy is greatly depleted, and there is no replenishment available.
When the survival competition ended, both Tiger Flood Dragon and Azure Luan were on the verge of death, and their bodies had become noticeably thinner.
The Mountain Cat were no longer as lively as before; as soon as they returned, they ate the fish in large mouthfuls.
The Survival Competition ended on December 18th.
In just Heavenly Timing, the Tiger Flood Dragon and the Azure Luan were far from fully recovered.
Because the "Icebound Training" will be launched immediately on the 19th. The competition venue is underwater. It will start from the north of Heaven Competition Island, go east, south, and west, circle the island, and return to the Qidian.
Zhao Xing didn't send the Azure Luan and Tiger Flood Dragon to their deaths; instead, he had both beasts withdraw from the competition.
Only the Mountain Cat made it to the third test.
Ten days later, in a sea area, Mountain Cat broke through the ice.
It lay sprawled on the ice, its stomach growling with hunger.
Because Mountain Cat had not received this kind of training, and Zhao Xing was only a novice rider, Mountain Cat was far behind in this level.
Swim back to the Qidian as the 10700th person.
But it didn't get much rest, because the next day it would immediately be engaged in Aerial Melee.
The beasts cannot land and must fight continuously in the air, making it another competition that tests endurance and combat ability.
The final hurdle is where things truly begin to get brutal.
The Frost-Soaring Giant Bear, the Wrathful Soul Dragon clad in custom-made dragon armor, the Emperor Crocodile and the Spirit Rhino Chong, equipped with Divine Soldier sets, began to join forces to eliminate the remaining war beasts.
One by one, the war beasts died, and then their life essence was devoured by even stronger war beasts.
Countless war beasts fell in the sky. The Mountain Cat had learned their lesson and only roamed the edges, dodging with their agile movements.
Two days later, three thousand war beasts passed the preliminary selection.
The sea turned blood red. The Mountain Cat returned to the city and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Zhao Xing looked at the Mountain Cat covered in blood, cleaned it up, and found that it was the blood of the other war beasts, which put his mind at ease.
"The Mountain Cat is not a true battle beast after all. Although it is strong, it still lacks a lot compared to a true battle beast. It needs to train more in the future."
"I need to become a true rider, otherwise I'll just be a burden to the Mountain Cat."
Zhao Xing summarized his experience and decided not to participate in the qualifiers for the next few years, but to focus on training Mountain Cat, Sky Howl, and Inverted Sheep.
After returning at the end of December, Mountain Cat's performance attracted the attention of many forces in the Purple Firmament Islands.
Many people heard the news and flocked to the Twin Dragon Horse Bureau, wanting to buy Mountain Cat.
"Marquis Yuan Rang, name your price. This Mountain Cat is a waste in your hands."
"Can't you even speak properly? Get lost!"
"Marquis Yuan Rang, I am willing to exchange ten Fourth Grade battle beasts for your Mountain Cat, all of which possess divine third-tier bloodlines."
"Do you think I'm stupid? Show them out!"
"Marquis Yuan Rang..."
"No visitors!"
Some wanted to buy openly and honestly, while others had ulterior motives.
The Purple Firmament Islands are large islands with relatively high-level government agencies, including officials of the Fourth Grade.
Since they won't sell the cat, then let's poach Zhao Xing too!
Isn't he Sixth Rank? If we promote him and transfer him to our prefecture as Fifth Grade, then the cat will be ours too.
Thus, a strange scene unfolded in Chongming Prefecture.
Many high-ranking officials of the Fourth Grade went to Chongming Prefecture Chongming Prefecture lobby for Zhao Xing to be included in the list of candidates for promotion.
Zhao Xing was both amused and exasperated upon learning of this.
He wanted to use the Mountain Cat to infiltrate the Dragon Court Ancient Land and get promoted, but he didn't expect to be promoted so quickly.
However, Zhao Xing chose to refuse. If he wanted a promotion, he would have to earn it through his own abilities!
If you want to get things done through back channels, do you even need these profit-driven people?
Furthermore, Zhao Xing is still preparing to break through to the Fifth Grade, and being promoted now would disrupt his plans.
So in January of the twenty-second year of the Jingxin Calendar, Zhao Xing made a trip to Chongming Prefecture and asked Wang Xuanyi to stop all these ill-intentioned people.
The reason is simple: he has only been here for less than two years and has only received an excellent rating for one year. How could he possibly be promoted to the Fifth Grade? This would be tantamount to ruining his future prospects.
Wang Xuanyi personally promised that he would not allow anyone to interfere with Zhao Xing's promotion.
On the 10th day of the second month of the 22nd year of the Jingxin Calendar, the Spring She Day.
Zhao Xing took Tower Ship back to Dongyang County Bixian County Prefecture, to celebrate the New Year.
Chen Shijie and Gui Niang also returned, but Long Xiao still did not come home.
"Long Xiao, you didn't go to the White Cloud Wu Family for the New Year, did you?" Zhao Xing asked.
"No, that's not it," Chen Shijie said. "He was really kept behind by his superiors this year."
"Huh? Didn't Bai Ling conscript him?" Zhao Xing asked.
"It's said they had a fight, and Bai Ling asked Long Xiao's superior to give him more tasks and forbid him from leaving Red Stone Island."
"..."
Zhao Xing was speechless. Why did this sound like yet another Princess Youruo?
Speaking of which, it seems that Princess Youruo has been having some disagreements with Liu Tianning lately.
Zhao Xing arranged a date to visit her in advance, but Princess Youruo didn't even reply to his letter.
It was Ji Ziyun who secretly told him that Princess Youruo had recently lost her temper and berated Liu Tianning in the palace.
Zhao Xing also asked Ji Ziyun for the reason.
It is said that Princess Youruo wants Liu Tianning's true form to come and keep her company, while the affairs can be handled by his clone.
As a result, Old Liu declined, citing being too busy with official duties.
The old hag didn't go to accompany Emperor Jing this year; she planned to spend the festival with her sweetheart.
As a result, they had a huge argument, and Old Liu not only didn't come in person, but he didn't even send a clone.
"Old Liu is really inconsiderate. I'm still working on his turf," Zhao Xing sighed.
However, he also knew that he couldn't blame Liu Tianning.
Because the mid-level battle will begin at the end of this year, the training of low-level troops will come to an end.
Emperor Jing will send seven more armies from the Ten Great Grotto-Heaven: Reaching Seclusion, Nine Heavens, Yellow Springs, Dark Nether, Heavenly Granary, Grand Void, and Wuyao Army to participate in the battle.
The mobilization of powerful armies from the seven great Grotto-Heaven represents the highest level of deployment, second only to the emperor's personal campaign.
If Emperor Jing were to personally lead the campaign, he would bring his three personal guards: Golden Guard, Luan Yi, and Divine Lodging.
With the mid- Third Grade battle about to begin at the end of the year, Liu Tianning, as the Transportation Envoy, was naturally extremely busy. Although he had tens of thousands of clones, his mental energy was limited, and he really didn't have time to come at this time.
Perhaps I could send a clone over to make a show of it, but the real body is absolutely out of the question.
"Teacher... Teacher and Princess Youruo also had a fight." Zhao Xing. "I'm afraid I won't even be able to enter the Princess's Residence this year. Old Chen, you're right. A person still has to be able to stand on their own two feet. No backer is as strong as oneself."
"Last year, even just having a belated coming-of-age ceremony brought a bunch of officials visiting, but this year my house is much quieter."
Chen Shijie laughed and said, "It's good to have some peace and quiet. It's a holiday, so let's not talk about these things. Let's go and make Shefan together."
"Good."
In the third month of the twenty-second year of the Jingxin Calendar, Zhao Xing returned to the Twin Dragon Horse Bureau.
The main tasks were threefold: first, to train warhorses for the Black Armor Army, Wuluo Army, and Jiujiang Army.
This forms the foundation of his political achievements; as long as there are orders every year, his performance will not be bad.
Secondly, the orders from the Azure Water Daoist Academy are mainly custom-made for the Beast Taming Division Department.
Zhao Xing added a condition to his contract renewal this year: he wanted to hire a high-level beast tamer from the Azure Water Daoist Academy to teach him.
The third task is to train Howling Sky Dog, Proud Sky Cat, and Inverted Sheep.
This is his ticket to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Land. The rare treasures within the Dragon Court Ancient Land have a far-reaching influence and must not be missed.
There's also a chance to find spiritual items in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, which would greatly benefit him in cultivating Pure Origin Soil and practicing the True Self Faction.
There are also precious Plant Soldier, Void Seed and Parasitic Seeds.
"Old Liu's Ten Thousand Laws Clone is strong, but not strong enough. If my Ten Thousand Laws Clone is based on the ancient dragon vine, with the true dragon as its bone and the dragon blood as its source, then I can possess a Ten Thousand Laws True Dragon Clone extremely terrifying combat power."
"Void species can still be found in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, taking root in the void. This is enough to make up for the lack of firepower in the air by the Primal Sect's Minister of Agriculture."
"As long as I can get my hands on these things, I can smoothly take over Old Liu's position at the Shangluo Academy and become the leader of the True Self Faction."
We absolutely must visit the Dragon Court Ancient Land; that's exactly why Zhao Xing came all the way to the East Sea.
Tuoquan Palace.
The Mountain Cat Aotian, was staring intently at the little boy, Sky Howl.
"Woof woof~" The Howling Sky Dog barked twice at the Mountain Cat and even tried to bite the Mountain Cat's tail.
"Smack!" Heaven Defier swept his tail and sent it flying, revealing a disgusted expression.
But Sky Howl ran up from the ground again, sniffing here and there, and slowly slithered over.
"Meow!" The Mountain Cat suddenly bristled and pinned the Howling Sky Dog down with one paw.
That bastard actually licked its belly! I'm a male cat, where would I get milk for you to drink!
"Woof woof~" Sky Howl felt very wronged; it was hungry.
Helpless, the Mountain Cat unleashed a gust of Astral Wind, instantly striking the bronze bell hanging above the palace.
A short while later, Tao Anchun from the Divine Feeding Bureau appeared outside the door.
It came in carrying several large buckets of food, looked at the bronze bell, and seemed somewhat puzzled.
"Why is the Origin Alert Bell ringing? It's not time to feed them and replenish their vital energy yet."
Since they were already there, Tao Anchun still gave all the war beasts extra food.
After Tao Anchun left, the Mountain Cat pointed to the bronze bell, then to the food laid out on the ground, and barked at the Howling Sky Dog.
Howling Sky Dog suddenly realized.
That night, at Rat Hour.
"Clang! Clang clang clang clang clang!"
Tao Anchun's expression changed just as he was about to go to sleep.
Why is the Origin Alert Bell ringing again?
He's made eight trips today!
"Could it be that the warhorses have broken through and are lacking food?" Tao Anchun immediately got up again, dragging a boatload of food towards the Tuoquan Palace.
Upon arriving at the Tuoquan Palace, they found Zhao Xing there as well.
"Sir, were we alerted by the Origin Alert Bell?" Tao Anchun asked.
"Yeah, I just happened to come and take a look."
"I wonder how many warhorses broke through."
"No breakthrough, it's Azure Lion Dog's doing." Zhao Xing pointed to Howling Sky Dog's door, "It chewed up the access control, it's banging against the Origin Alert Bell."
Tao Anchun: "..."
Zhao Xing found the Mountain Cat lying nearby. "Did you teach it to do that?"
The Mountain Cat nodded obediently.
"I asked you to train the dog, not to teach it to play this game," Zhao Xing said irritably.
"You're not training a dog, you're training a person."
"I was wondering why Tao Anchun came to the Tuoquan Palace to feed the animals eight times a day."
Tao Anchun chuckled and said, "My lord, these two war beasts are truly intelligent."
"This won't do. I still need to find a professional beast tamer to teach me," Zhao Xing said. "Lord Tao, when will Zhai Zhong from the Azure Water Daoist Academy arrive?"
"The appointment is for the first day of April."
In the early April of the 22nd year of the Jingxin Calendar, the spring tournament of the Beast Competition began.
After Zhao Xing completed the delivery of the new round of orders, Qin Hongying, the branch dean of the Azure Water Daoist Academy, sent Zhai Zhong to Twin Islands to instruct Zhao Xing on the art of beast taming.
In May, Howling Sky Dog and Inverted Sheep left their cub stage and entered their growth stage, reaching the Eighth Grade Spirit Bridge Realm.
The absorption rate of vital energy has increased, and I'm eating more.
"You've taken good care of him." Zhai Zhong pinched Sky Howl's bones.
"The Azure Lion Dog originally possessed the bloodline of the Ancient God Suanni. Through long-term training, it has grown very well, and its bloodline power has been activated to the third stage."
Zhao Xing nodded. If you eat and sleep all day, even the strongest bloodline will be ruined.
Human Race cultivators are the same; if they are lazy and gluttonous, even geniuses will become useless within three years.
"I hope Master Zhai will continue to guide me in the future."
In mid-April, the Spring Tournament of the Beast Competition began.
The Nine Dragons Island Kunte, having put in a lot of effort, brought fifty battle beasts with Divine Beast beast bloodlines to participate in the competition.
However, he did not see Twin Islands on the list.
Zhao Xing also did not participate in the Summer and Autumn seasons.
The scene of the Mountain Cat killing the god last winter seems to have been just a fleeting moment.
On the 7th day of the 11th month of the 22nd year of the Jingxin Calendar, Beginning of Winter.
The low-level training exercise ended on the Pacifying Barbarians Battlefield.
The original four major Grotto-Heaven —Shiyang, Cinnabar Glow, Phantom Seclusion, Origin Splendor, and Genesis— have been relegated to auxiliary roles.
The seven great Grotto-Heaven Reaching Seclusion, Nine Heavens, Yellow Springs, Dark Nether, Heavenly Granary, Grand Void, Wuyao Army participated in the battle.
All those Sixth Rank were withdrawn from the battlefield.
The Sixth-Rank Heavenly Dipper Realm became the lowest threshold for participating in the battle.
The Fourth-Rank Yuan Soul cultivator became the commander.
Zhao Xing's familiar commanders, Marquis Yang An of the Divine Might Army, Marquis Xiang Kui of the Black Armor Army, Marquis Xu Xinming of the Tiger Dragon Army, and Marquis Ding Yang of the Blazing Sun Army, once again took to the battlefield.
"Even after Lu Yuanwei was promoted to the Fifth Grade, he stayed behind and fought alongside the Divine Thunder Army."
"Xia Jing also rose to the Fifth Grade and continued to participate in the mid-rank war alongside his cousin Xia Tong."
"And Pei Yuanchang, Ji Chen..."
Zhao Xing looked at the intelligence reports, closed his eyes, Entering the Dream.
"Compared to the previous life, the Mid-Rank War started three years earlier. It was originally supposed to start in the twenty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar and end in the thirty-fourth year of the Jingxin Calendar."
"But things have changed so much now. It seems that the influence of the Ten Suns in the Sky has altered the course of events," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The Ten Suns in the Sky in this era saved many mid-level generals from death.
Of course, Zhao Xing's guess that fewer people died was not the main reason.
Ultimately, the nature of the Ten Suns in the Sky has changed.
In the past life, it was classified as a natural disaster, but in this life, it is mixed with man-made disasters.
"The discovery of the Profound Heaven Sect has further enraged the Great Zhou, and Emperor Jing immediately dispatched seven of the top ten strongest armies."
"In the past life, there were only three Imperial Guards at the beginning, and it was supposed to increase to seven later."
"I don't know what the impact will be."
Zhao Xing pondered for a while in his dream.
He then regained consciousness.
He arrived at the temple in the Twin County of Wan Island and activated the Earth Mirror to remotely contact Liu Tianning.
"Teacher, I heard there have been some changes on the Pacifying Barbarians Battlefield. Will this affect you?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I also serve as the Yuqing Envoy of the Imperial Stud Department Pinghai Province, and I have sent some clones to the Blazing Light Royal Court," Liu Tianning said.
"Imperial Stud Department?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. Wasn't that an intelligence agency? Why was Old Liu resorting to this kind of undercover work?
However, Liu Tianning did not elaborate further. "You should also be careful in the East Sea and be wary of those with ill intentions."
"Who is the teacher referring to?" Zhao Xing asked.
"The Liang King Faction, the forces of the Eastern Wasteland, and the Seventy-Two Heretical Sects," Liu Tianning said. "Since you are in the East Sea, even if I wanted to help you, it would be too far for me. You should keep a low profile over there."
"Yes."
Zhao Xing seemed to be deep in thought.
Old Liu must have found out something, otherwise, he wouldn't have asked me to be wary of Liang King when I've already come all the way to the East Sea.
What about the Seventy-Two Heretical Sects and the forces of Eastern Ying?
After ending his conversation with Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing went back to Entering the Dream.
He discovered that the effects of the Ten Suns in the Sky were far-reaching.
Although the Great Zhou Dynasty characterized it as a combination of natural disasters and man-made calamities, with natural disasters being the primary factor.
However, the propaganda of the Southern Wilderness completely attributed the credit to the Profound Heaven Sect.
The Blood Spirit Venerable overturned the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, greatly inspiring the Outer Sects sects.
In addition, as the low-level training phase came to an end, the Great Zhou Dynasty began to decline, causing restlessness to spread Four Seas.
"Emperor Jing urgently needed a great victory to intimidate the Four Seas, which is probably why he launched the mid-level war three years ahead of schedule."
"The Seventy-Two Heretical Sects split off from the Seventy-Two Dao Academies. What kind of Outside Forces are there deep in the East Sea? The Azure Water Heretical Sect? The Tenth Heavenly Stem Heretical Sect?" Zhao Xing felt that the aquatic races might become unruly.
"The future is uncertain. I hope Emperor Jing doesn't suffer a crushing defeat this time. Otherwise, who knows what will happen when Wu Emperor arrives? Hmm? He's been born three years early. Will Wu Emperor even be born then?"
Zhao Xing suddenly realized that the Jingxin Calendar originally lasted for thirty-seven years before it ended. If it was three years shorter, would Emperor Jing still be able to give birth to Wu Emperor?
"Never mind, it doesn't matter who becomes emperor, it won't affect my position as Grand Minister of Agriculture."
"As long as I can become the leader of any faction of the Agricultural Official, I will be able to sit in that position sooner or later."
In the twenty-third year of the Jingxin Calendar, Zhao Xing remained on Twin Islands as the Left Director.
In the first half of the year, Zhao Xing still did not see Princess Youruo.
The old hag seemed to have completely forgotten about Zhao Xing's existence.
However, Zhao Xing still sent gifts and greetings to the Princess's Residence on important holidays.
To Zhao Xing's relief, the old hag accepted the gifts he gave her.
I just don't want to see him.
In the middle of the year, Mountain Cat advanced from the early stage of the Fifth Grade to the middle stage of the Fifth Grade.
Howling Sky Dog and Inverted Sheep have entered the late stage of the Seventh Grade Earthly Fiend Realm.
Zhao Xing's beast-taming magic also became more and more proficient.
At the end of the year, Chongming Prefecture still gave him an excellent performance evaluation.
In the twenty-fourth year of the Jingxin Calendar, at the beginning.
Yang An killed Third Grade Heavenly Witch with a single sword in the Southern Wilderness, becoming famous throughout the world and being granted the title of Divine Might Marquis.
That same summer, Shang Ziyan and Su Minghui from the Beast Taming Division of the Azure Water Daoist Academy participated in the summer preliminary selection and began to stand out.
In winter, the Mountain Cat reached the late stage of the Fifth Grade, while the Howling Sky Dog and the Inverted Sheep reached the early stage of the Sixth Rank.
In the autumn of the twenty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar.
Howling Sky Dog and Inverted Sheep have entered the early stage of the Fifth Grade and passed the preliminary round of the Autumn Tournament.
Zhao Xing kept a low profile this time, and Sky Howl and Inverted Sheep did not display any particularly strong abilities.
In the penultimate preliminary round on Heaven Competition Island, Sky Howl and Inverted Sheep barely made it through.
By the end of December, the preliminary rounds of the Beast Competition would be over. All that remained was to participate in the group stage once within five years to qualify from the East Sea.
After participating in the Beast Competition, Zhao Xing followed Liu Tianning's advice and quietly farmed on Twin Islands.
Even the Pacifying Barbarians War received little attention.
Aside from daily administrative affairs, he devoted all his energy to researching the Ten Thousand Laws Straw Puppet, cultivating battle beasts, and comprehending the three great secret scriptures.
He would only occasionally write to Yun Yi, Li Fuhan, and Yue Lingzhi, whom he had previously invested in, sending them some precious medicinal herbs and resources from the island.
Time seems to fly by as people farm and cultivate themselves day after day.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Calendar.
On the fifth day of the third month of the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the Awakening of Insects.
In an unnamed sea area far from the Twin Islands, at a depth of 5,000 meters.
A black Azure Lion Dog -like creature floats on the seabed.
"Gurgle~"
Sky Howl exhaled a bubble circle, which suddenly expanded to a diameter of half a meter.
A wisp of red light appeared in Sky Howl's mouth.
"Pop!" It was as if a fire dragon emerged from Sky Howl's mouth, and a dragon-shaped pillar of light instantly spread to a distance of a thousand meters.
The powerful impact created a negative pressure gas explosion in the deep sea.
"Boom!" A red beam of light struck a floating Law Wall in the distance.
On the sea, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the deck of Tower Ship, while the clear sound of wind chimes rang out beside him.
"Ding-a-ling~"
Zhao Xing opened his eyes and saw a crystal next to him projecting a character onto the ground.
The identification test technique is a high-level technique called "Flame of Destruction".
[Testing power: Early stage of the Yuan Soul Realm]
[Test distance: 1200 meters]
[Lethality radius: 3 meters]
"Even a strike from 1,200 meters underwater has reached the power of the early Yuan Soul Realm. This trip was definitely worthwhile." Zhao Xing smiled.
"Sky Howl, come up here."
"Woof!"
The Azure Lion Dog in the deep sea immediately transformed into a ray of rainbow light and swam upwards.
Whoosh~
An explosion occurred on the sea surface, sending a column of water shooting into the sky. A black and red figure darted out with a whoosh and landed on the deck.
"Woof woof!" Sky Howl grinned, stuck out his tongue, and wagged his tail at Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing pointed and took a drop of blood from Sky Howl's body, placing it into the "Shang Heng Instrument".
Its detailed information is presented in the advanced Shang Heng Instrument.
[Name: Azure Lion Dog]
[Grade: Mid- Fifth Grade]
[Bloodline: Divine Rank Seventh Order]
[Innate Secret Technique: The Suanni Power]
[This ability, inherited from the Ancient God Suanni, greatly enhances the user's bloodline power to the mid-stage of the Yuan Soul Realm upon activation. Estimated duration: two hours.]
[Innate Secret Technique: Suanni Dharma Form]
[Upon reaching the Seventh Order of the Suanni bloodline, one can unleash the Suanni Dharma Form, increasing the power of all fire-based secret techniques sevenfold for one hour.]
[Innate Secret Technique: Destructive Impact]
[Attack Power: Mid-stage Yuan Soul Realm]
[Innate Secret Technique: Fire Element Domain (Triple)]
[Effect: Uses the power of fire from heaven and earth to scorch all enemies within the area.]
Effective range: 3,000 meters; maximum lethal range: 300 meters.
[Dual Transformation: Blazing Sun Pure Yuan Body]
[Pure Yuan Possession: (Conditions for possession have been met)]
[Overall Combat Strength Rating: Mid-stage Fourth-Rank Yuan Soul]
"Overall combat strength evaluation: reached the mid-stage of the Fourth-Rank Yuan Soul. No wonder he possesses the bloodline of Divine Beast." Zhao Xing closed Shang Heng Instrument.
"However, there is still a lot of room for improvement."
Howling Sky Dog is currently only at the mid-stage of the Fifth Grade, while the highest limit for participating in the Beast Competition is the Fourth Grade.
"Let's see where the next maritime climate change will occur."
Zhao Xing stepped into the Tower Ship.
Inside the Cloud Rain Tower Ship, there was a very spacious room containing only one thing: the Turtle Shell Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Turtle.
After eight years of fire forging, the shell of the Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Turtle shrank tenfold, finally making it fit for loading onto a ship and taking away.
If it were still in its original form, this Cloud Rain Tower Ship wouldn't be able to hold it all; warships would be needed.
"My Divination of Climate Art has reached the advanced Third-Turn level. This technique is specifically used to predict changes in the weather between heaven and earth."
"Although it is only a high-level Third-Turn, the Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Turtle shell can achieve the effect of a high-level perfect item."
The "Divination of Climate Art" is divided into two parts: land and sea. In recent years, Zhao Xing has been practicing what he has learned specifically for predicting weather changes at sea.
His own Startling Thunder Transformation has certain limitations; it works best against earth-attribute beasts, but is less effective against other attributes.
The higher the level of the battle beast, the more difficult it is to successfully complete the Startling Thunder Transformation.
So, starting seven years ago, Zhao Xing began pursuing "maritime climate change".
"The number of climate changes on and under the sea is far greater than on land, and the types are also more diverse."
"In seven years, a total of 594 'decade-long climate change' events and 24 'centennial climate change' events were discovered."
"We've never discovered anything at the level of Millennial Climate Shift," Zhao Xing recalled.
"Only one-fifth of the ten-year-level climate change events are actually useful."
"The number of climate changes is even smaller, with only six suitable periods in a century. The rest are very risky, and the consequences are uncontrollable."
Once the location of the sea change was found, Zhao Xing cleared out the marine life, leaving only Sky Howl and the Inverted Sheep to occupy the change zone.
As for Aotian Meow, even a change of magnitude over a hundred years is of little use to it.
Amidst the changing seasons, Howling Sky Dog and Inverted Sheep have grown tremendously.
The Spirit Illusion Goat breed is skilled in illusion magic, has reached the mid-stage of the Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan realm, and its overall combat strength is also at the mid-stage of the Fourth-Rank Yuan Soul.
"I remember there was Millennial Climate Shift in the East Sea, where a giant Kun transformed into a giant Peng bird."
"I've been calculating for seven years and have found a landmark, but I don't know exactly where it is or when it happened."
Zhao Xing pointed, and flames erupted from inside the room, engulfing the entire Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Turtle shell.
Zhao Xing activated his third eye and scanned the tortoise shell, obtaining the same result as before.
In his mind, a black sea appeared, and within it, three strange islands stood like battle swords between heaven and earth.
Seeing no further information, Zhao Xing opened his eyes. After the burning, the tortoise shell shrank slightly.
"Since I can still see it, it proves it hasn't happened yet," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "I wonder if Long Xiao can help me find this place."
It is now spring of the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Calendar. Since the end of the twentieth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the three of them have come to the East Sea to serve as officials.
Now, Long Xiao has been promoted to the Fifth Grade, left Red Stone County, and joined the White-Eyed Azure Dragon Army, becoming a Fifth Grade patrol envoy.
He and Chen Shijie remained at the Official Sixth Rank, Upper.
Long Xiao was faster than the other two, having been promoted in twenty-seven years. That was a special speed for him. Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing would have to wait another two years, which is the normal speed.
Of course, Zhao Xing could be promoted at any time, but he didn't want to because the Fifth Grade meant leaving Twin Islands and being transferred to the big island.
Liu Tianning told him to keep a low profile, and he did not object. The Liang King Faction's influence in the East Sea was growing, and in recent years, some Outer Sects had even caused trouble at sea, disguising themselves as pirates and intercepting shipping routes.
Since he could level up anytime, he figured he might as well develop on Twin Islands. He did, however, spend a considerable amount of time and effort on Twin Islands.
"If I still can't find a place with Long Xiao's help, then it's just that I'm not meant to be here. If it's not meant to be, I won't force it."
Zhao Xing once again used the Divination of Climate Art to predict the celestial changes over a hundred years. After receiving inspiration, he prepared to set sail south.
During the voyage, Zhao Xing used the Five Finger Heavenly Mandate to calculate his fortune.
"Heaven's mandate seeks the cause, long-cherished wishes are fulfilled, good fortune arrives."
"Hmm? What does this mean? A long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, could it be..." Zhao Xing closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, the Ten Thousand Laws Clone on Twin Islands went online.
As soon as he logged on, Zhao Xing noticed that the Earth Mirror on his clone was trembling.
Zhao Xing discovered that the message was sent by Xia Jing.
"Buzz~"
A phantom image appeared, revealing Xia Jing's figure.
At this time, Xia Jing was already a Fifth Grade military officer in the Black Armor Army. Compared with a few years ago, he had become much more mature and had even grown a beard.
"What's wrong, Brother Xia? Is the attack going poorly?" Zhao Xing asked.
At this point, the middle stage of the Pacifying Barbarians War to Subdue the Barbarians had been going on for seven years, and the situation was no longer as smooth as it had been at the beginning, but had entered a protracted war.
The territory captured today may be snatched back by the Southern Wilderness tomorrow, and even many Fourth Grade generals have died.
"No," Xia Jing said. "Our army has been resting and stationed in Mingfeng City for three months, and General Xiang has not yet made any further plans to attack."
"Then why did you suddenly contact me?"
"We've got news about Mi Fu, the guy you asked me to find before." Xia Jing cursed, "Damn it, we brothers have been looking for that old dog for almost ten years. I never thought he'd be exiled to ' Returning Ruins City.' No wonder we couldn't find him."
Zhao Xing was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "Are you sure this Mi Fu is Fifth Grade Agricultural Official and knows the magic of the True Self Faction?"
"Yes, the Node-Folding Method and the Element Analysis Art, I'm sick of hearing about them!"
Zhao Xing suppressed his excitement. "Go on, let me see if it matches."
Xia Jing said, "This person's resume is quite impressive."
"He is 154 years old this year, and is from Guangyuan County Yuan Pin Province."
"However, this person did not begin his official career until he was fifty years old."
"In the 149th year of the Renovation Era Calendar, he was admitted to the Lotus Flower Academy to study."
He graduated at the age of sixty as a Daoyuan (道员) and went to Lingli County as a Agriculture Official), starting as Ninth Grade Upper Rank Registered Field Magistrate), a ninth-rank official.
"The first ten years went very smoothly, and I quickly rose to the Official Seventh Rank, Upper."
"Thirty years later, when he was one hundred years old, he achieved the rank of Senior Fifth Grade."
"For some reason, he remained at the Fifth Grade rank for the next fifty-four years."
"In 54 years, he moved to 17 different places. He could only stay in one place for a maximum of three years before he was transferred or dismissed."
"From the Fifth Grade to the Fifth Grade, and then back to the Fifth Grade Fifth Grade, he went up and down more than ten times. What's strange is that every time he was demoted, he was able to be promoted again not long afterward."
"Until the seventeenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, he was demoted to the Sixth Rank and exiled to Returning Ruins City. This time he was not promoted so quickly. It was not until the beginning of this year that he was promoted again."
"It was at this point that my uncle-in-law identified him from the list of officials in Guangling Prefecture."
"That old guy is really neglecting his duties."
Xia Jing sighed, "He was a teacher at the Shangluo Academy, and then worked as Military Sima Nong in the Thousand Halberd Army of Yuan Pin Province. He later changed careers to become a blacksmith at Heavenly Craft Workshop. At the end of the Renovation Era Calendar, he also served as Patrol Office and then changed careers to become a martial artist."
"Five years ago, he even took the exams to become a court musician and Dancer Master. It's said that he's also quite good at painting and can even create Preaching Painting..."
"No wonder we couldn't find him. He's hardly ever done any Agricultural Official in the last few decades. The thing is, he actually passed the exam and even got a good political evaluation. He's a real genius..."
Zhao Xing listened to Xia Jing's complaints, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Yes, yes, that's him!
Mi Fu was a genius!
Otherwise, how could such a secret technique as the "Profound Yellow Origin-Analysis Technique" have been created?
Zhao Xing took a deep breath and said, "Brother Xia, this is the man I've been looking for!"
"Please tell me where he is now?"
Xia Jing said, "He was assigned to the Star Ruins Realm in Guangling Prefecture and is serving in Returning Ruins City."
"The Star Ruins Realm?" Zhao Xing frowned. "I've never heard of it."
Xia Jing said, "My uncle told me that the Heavenly Mystery Hall calculated that this small world is about to reach the end of its life and enter the ' Annihilation Period '."
"It's a large and chaotic place because it has so many entrances that it's constantly being contested by various forces."
"It has never been included in the Military Realm domain of the Great Zhou because the Great Zhou only occupies a small part of it."
"The exact location of the Star Ruins Realm is uncertain, as the Great Zhou Great Zhou seized the 'entrance'."
Upon hearing the doorway, Zhao Xing understood.
No wonder I'd never heard of it before. The location of any small world with such a gate is always elusive, drifting in the void.
The entrance to the world is unstable, while the gate is a spurious opening created by ancient sects using Divine Soldier and Magic Array to stabilize it.
Once the entrance is lost, it's equivalent to permanently losing contact with the smaller world, and you can't find it anywhere.
"Okay, I understand," Zhao Xing said.
"Is there anything else my uncle can do?" Xia Jing asked. "But the place is in Guangling Prefecture."
"No need," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "I have connections in Guangling Prefecture, have you forgotten?"
"That's true." Xia Jing suddenly realized that Zhao Xing had accumulated a lot of goodwill by selling quotas at Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.
"You must be careful in the Southern Wilderness. You're just a commander now," Zhao Xing reminded him.
"Don't worry, I know," Xia Jing said. "It would be difficult for you to kill me. You have internal cultivation of the Gluttony Art and external cultivation of the Black Tortoise Shield. Even Fourth Grade might not be able to kill me."
"Be careful in the East Sea. I've heard that East Sea haven't Taiping Granary there in recent years, and there have been evil sects appearing."
"Don't worry," Zhao Xing said. "I'll keep a low profile and farm quietly. No one can find out anything about me."
After ending the call with Xia Jing, Zhao Xing also received the detailed information sent by Xia Jing through the Earth Mirror.
After watching it several times, Zhao Xing became very excited.
"Mi Fu, oh Mi Fu, I've been looking for you for so long!"
"Thirteen years! Do you know how I've spent these thirteen years?!" Zhao Xing exclaimed excitedly.
He had asked Chen Shijie and Long Xiao to look for him when he entered the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.
Xia Jing only searched for ten years, but he had been looking for Mi Fu for thirteen years.
"Now that I have news of you, I finally don't have to wait anymore."
On the vast ocean, aboard Cloud Rain Tower Ship, Zhao Xing's true form immediately began to break through to the Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan Realm.
Now that Mi Fu has appeared, he no longer needs to wait.
Because over the years, all his spells have reached the high-level perfection!
Aside from the three great secret manuals and the Ten Thousand Laws Clone, Zhao Xing has already exhausted all the techniques he can learn!
Now that we have found out where Mi Fu is, we expect to obtain the "Profound Yellow Origin-Analysis Technique" soon, and then opening up the Pure Origin Soil can be put on the agenda.
Of course he needs to reach the Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan Realm immediately!
"Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan Realm, break through!"
I wasn't very satisfied with the part about taming beasts; the feeling wasn't right, the level of understanding was too low, and it didn't pique my interest.
Next, let's adjust the pace and quickly transition through some of the tedious and boring daily training routines.
In addition, Mi Fu has finally been found, so it's time to help Old Master Zhao break through to the Fifth Grade.
The following plot will focus on Mi Fu, the Dragon Court Ancient Land, and the Liang King Rebellion. I'll try to keep it concise.