Gathering Favors Left and Right-A Year Later, a Top-Tier Dharma Body Is Complete!
A clone of Zhao Xing arrived at the Azure Water Daoist Academy.
The "Azure Roaming Azure Sea" skill at the Azure Water Daoist Academy can help you travel quickly.
With Qin Hongying absent, the Azure Water Daoist Academy mobilized a large number of experts under Princess Youruo's command to join the sea defense against the aquatic tribes.
Of the seven island chains in the East China East Sea, three remain unbroken, mainly due to Princess Youruo's influence.
He was greeted by Wen Ji, a beast tamer at the Yuan Soul Realm, who looked somewhat tired. "The route from the Azure Roaming Azure Sea to Datong Prefecture will open at Rat Hour. Chen'an, you will need to wait for two more hours."
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Wen," Zhao Xing said. "I wonder if you have seen Mr. Zhai?"
Wen Ji and Zhai Zhong, the two heads of the Beast Taming Division, had spent some time together, and Zhao Xing had learned a lot about beast taming from them.
Wen Ji sighed and said, "Zhai Zhong has betrayed us and left the Azure Water Daoist Academy."
"What?" Zhao Xing was stunned. The head of the Beast Taming Division had actually defected?
He couldn't help but recall the turbulent period in the East Sea when islands were constantly attacked.
Rumors circulated that Zhao Xing had seen Zhai Zhong, and at the time he thought it was a Daoist from the split-off Azure Water Sect impersonating Zhai Zhong.
Now it seems that the rumor was actually true.
"Zhai Zhong -————" Zhao Xing couldn't help but think of the beast tamer's appearance. He always had a cheerful and approachable demeanor.
Back then, he was just Sixth Rank official, while the other was Fourth Grade official in charge, yet he had no airs whatsoever.
Unexpectedly, this person betrayed them; perhaps he had already defected to the Liang King long ago.
"Ten years have passed, and things have changed so much," Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh.
Wen Ji wasn't in the mood for further conversation, Zhao Xing didn't continue either, and followed Wen Ji to wait in front of a circular lake.
The lake has a radius of five kilometers, which is already a very large area.
The water moves on its own even without wind, and waves often appear three to four meters high.
It doesn't resemble a lake; it's more like a surging sea.
The lake is often shrouded in mist.
A short while after Zhao Xing arrived, a phantom image appeared in the sky above the lake.
An ancient city is reflected in the image above, with its buildings clearly visible: magnificent palaces, towering towers, bustling markets, and even street vendors.
Seeing Zhao Xing's strange expression, Wen Ji explained, "This is a mirage, reflecting the next teleportation location."
"Azure Roaming Azure Sea can only be used within the Pinghai Province, because Pinghai Province was originally part of the Vast Sea area."
"However, after thousands of years, the veins of the Vast Sea have gradually shifted, and the effects of the Azure Roaming Azure Sea have also weakened."
"If this were during the reign of Grand Ancestor, you wouldn't even need to wait; you could appear within the territory of Datong Prefecture immediately."
"Look, the tide is coming in, and people are coming over. Let's move back a bit."
Wen Ji pulled Zhao Xing back.
Zhao Xing seemed somewhat dazed.
He only used the ability to the Azure Roaming Azure Sea three times in his previous life.
Because this license is actually quite difficult to obtain.
It costs a lot of money each time.
Moreover, there's a feeling of drowning; unless it's urgent, Old Master Zhao wouldn't want to use this method to teleport.
"Splash!"
Suddenly, waves of twenty or thirty meters high surged up in the sea.
Then it quickly collapsed downwards.
The waves reversed, and a small boat appeared and disappeared among them, as if someone were surfing.
Suddenly, "Steel!"
As the waves reversed, the boat was thrown out.
The sea level suddenly dropped.
The seawater in the teleportation area seemed to have turned over.
Zhao Xing stared at this scene, seemingly enlightened.
He keenly noticed that some of the seawater was no longer the same as before.
In an extremely brief instant, a stream of Shuitu appeared and replaced the original seawater.
In that instant, the seawater tangled and vibrated.
Transmission complete.
It brought the distant seawater, along with the people and things within it, to this place.
"District~"
Thirteen Sixth-Rank Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivators and two Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan Realm cultivators disembarked from the small boat that had been flung away.
The thirteen Heavenly Star Realm, upon disembarking from the small boat, all clutched their stomachs and began to retch.
The Fifth-Rank Pure Yuan Realm cultivator was slightly better, but he still shook his head, his breathing clearly not smooth.
" For Sixth Rank Azure Roaming Azure Sea, the symptoms will subside within the first three days, but it generally takes about a month for the drowning sensation to completely disappear."
" Those at the Fifth Grade are slightly better off. After a day of rest, they can get back into battle; the impact isn't too significant. After three to five days, the effects will be completely dispelled," Wen Ji explained.
"Of course, it also depends on the scope. If it's a teleportation to the westernmost salt lake, spanning the entire Pinghai Province, then the severity would be more pronounced."
"If it were Third Grade Fate Soul, it would completely disregard this price."
"Chen'an, if you need to go to Datong Prefecture on urgent business, it's best if it's non-combat official business," Wen Ji said. "Otherwise, it will still have some impact."
Zhao Xing nodded. "Thank you for the reminder."
The impact of the feeling of drowning is neither too great nor too small.
If we went there, we would immediately encounter a life-or-death battle, and even the slightest influence would allow the opponent to seize an opening.
Of course, Wen Ji was unaware that his Fate Soul had already reached the Third Grade, and he had no need to reveal it to show off.
Suddenly, a short sound came from the conch shell at Wen Ji's waist.
Water flowed onto Wen Ji's palm, the water droplets trembling with a unique rhythm.
Zhao Xing glanced at it; this was a confidential communication method used within the Azure Water Daoist Academy.
Dozens of water droplets tapped lightly on Wen Ji's palms and the backs of his hands, instantly conveying complex information.
Wen Ji did not avoid the question; Zhao Xing was Classics Scholar at the Azure Water Daoist Academy and was one of their own.
"Chen'an, I've received an urgent transfer order and can't stay here with you."
"Alright, business is more important, you can go now."
The two bowed to each other, Wen Ji transformed into a stream of water and disappeared into the ground, heading east.
The sky gradually darkened.
Rat Hour - 1 AM).
A mirage appeared in the sky over Datong Prefecture.
Zhao Xing jumped onto the flying boat.
"Splash!"
The waves rolled and rolled, the small boat turned over and was swallowed up along with its occupants.
Datong Prefecture, Erhai County, Azure Water Daoist Academy.
"Splash!"
A small boat was swept away by a wave.
Zhao Xing flew off the small boat, and before the boat had even come to a complete stop, he transformed into a streak of light and flew into the sky.
Those waiting to be teleported all turned their gazes toward it.
"Why is it empty?"
"What just passed by?"
"The Wandering Boat was barely stable before the person flew away; this must be Third Grade expert."
"Wow, that's amazing! I wonder when I'll be able to have that kind of skill, moving so high and fast, without anyone noticing."
"I'm so envious. Every time I finish riding the Wandering Boat,' I feel like my feet aren't on solid ground. My Sky-Dancing Technique' makes me fly crookedly. Last time, I almost crashed into a mud pit."
"You're right! Every time I eat seafood, I feel like throwing up. Ugh."
"I heard that the Borrowing Fire to Travel at the Li Fire Dao Academy is much better."
"What a load of bull! Li Fire Divine Altar is used up, you'll still be running yourself ragged!"
Erhai County is far from the prefectural city, and its main mode of transportation is through the Azure Water Daoist Academy, which is limited by its Earthly Advantage Institute.
Today, half of Datong Prefecture is controlled by the Liang King's camp, while the other half remains under the command of the imperial court.
The half controlled by Liang King basically involved the passage to the Grotto-Heaven.
For example, Five Plate Mountain in Datong Prefecture, the entrance for Zhao Xing to enter Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, had already fallen into the control of the King of Liang King.
Datong Prefecture now has two prefecture-level institutions.
The original city of Datong Prefecture is now covered by the Black Dragon Flag of the Liang King.
The original official offices of Datong Prefecture were moved to Ye County in the west.
Luo King upgraded Ye County to a prefecture city and moved all the original officials there.
But some things cannot be moved, such as the Li Fire Divine Altar in Datong Prefecture.
Therefore, Zhao Xing had no way to reach Datong Prefecture through this method.
"Looking at the map, Datong Prefecture is roughly divided in two by the Song River. The western prefectures are under the control of the imperial court, while the eastern prefecture is occupied by the Liang King."
"Linhai County is on this dividing line, and Xia Jing and his men are fighting guerrilla warfare here."
Linhai County had severed ties with the imperial court two months prior, returned to the court's camp in March, and by April, it was under the control of the Liang King. Countless prefects had already died.
The reason for the repeated back-and-forth is mainly because Linhai County is not very important, so neither side has invested much military force in fighting for it.
"No wonder Xia Jing said he was like a headless fly; he's probably confused too, not knowing where to go," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Liang King didn't care about the rest of Datong Prefecture; he only wanted the strategically important passageways. Luo King wasn't confident he could reclaim them easily. Datong Prefecture had a relatively high population density. If a high-ranking official led a large army into battle, regardless of the outcome, Datong Prefecture would likely end up almost completely deserted.
Without clear battle orders, and with Xia Jing, a fourth- Fourth Grade military officer, having consolidated the Ten Suns Army, there was really no one to know what to do here.
"Brother Xia, I'm almost at Linhai County. Let me report your location."
"We are in Anshan County," Xia Jing replied quickly.
Zhao Xing glanced at the map, then transformed into clouds and disappeared from the spot.
Linhai County, Anshan County, outside the city.
""brush""
A cloud dispersed, and Zhao Xing's figure appeared in the sky above the county town.
"Who goes there?!"
Immediately, three Golden Light appeared in the city, Supporting Cloud.
"Whoosh~"
Sixteen God-Breaking Crossbow were fired at Zhao Xing's location.
This one move immediately triggered a chain reaction.
Within the city's defenses, mechanical devices, Divine Soldier warships, warriors in formation, and the resounding drums filled the air.
"Dean Mei, Senior Li, General Wei, it's me!"
Zhao Xing immediately sent Rising Wind message to the three people in front of him.
Because he used the technique of "Ruler of the Horizon).
The first to notice the change in the Heavenly Timing was Li Yuanzhen, the Military Sima Nong of the Black Armor Army.
In February of the eighteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, a temporary ceasefire took place. He and Liu Tianning appeared at Soul Offering Pass to cover the withdrawal of Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, and Chen Shijie's troops from the front lines.
Mei Zhiru is the head of the Celestial Timing Academy in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.
Wei Yuan was the Agrarian Commandant of the Tigron Army. He once invited Zhao Xing to join the Tigron Army.
All three were officials in charge of agriculture, according to the principles of the Heavenly Time.
Zhao Xing did not deliberately conceal his use of the Ruler of the Horizon.
A cloud of mist suddenly appeared above the county town, and they noticed it very quickly.
"It's Zhao Xing!"
"Stop!"
Li Yuanzhen, Wei Yuan, Mei Zhiru immediately called a halt to the attack.
Soon, Xia Jing led a group of people and hurriedly rushed out of the city.
"Marquis Yuan!"
"It's Zhao Xing!"
"The genius of Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven has returned!"
Zhao Xing cupped his hands in greeting to the three people, and was soon surrounded by a group of people from the same period.
"Hahaha, the boss's here!" Che Shihai exclaimed joyfully. "Boss, it's me, Che Shihai. Do you remember me?"
"Of course I remember. After the breakout training ended, it was you who drove the airship into the ditch and stepped on Wang Ji's head," Zhao Xing laughed.
"Hehe, boss, my skills are pretty good now, I can even pilot a warship!" Che Shihai patted his chest. "Zhao Shennong, do you remember me? I'm Chen Fang, I used to eat the Numbfish Fruit you grew with Brother Xia." A martial artist squeezed in.
"Chen Fang, you scoundrel, can't you suggest something else?" Xia Jing scolded.
Zhao Xing grinned and said, "Of course I remember. During the breakout training, you were affected by Ritual Cultivator's Intelligence Reduction Method; Zhang Jie was squatting there taking a dump, and you were there watching him drool."
"Yi~~" Everyone immediately looked at Chen Fang with disgust.
"Nonsense, I didn't!" Chen Fang argued. "I don't remember at all!"
"Hahahaha." Everyone burst into laughter.
"And me, and me too! Jiang Ming from the Sea Pacifying Army, Zhao Xing, do you remember me? I gave you a turtle!"
"I remember." Zhao Xing nodded with a smile.
"Of course he remembers," Xia Jing said, pointing at Zhao Xing. "When we were resting at the Soul Offering Pass, he chopped up the tortoise, keeping only the shell and not the meat."
"Back then, Zhao Xing was in charge of logistics. My unit, along with Liao Rulong Wen Shaoyang's units, literally ate turtle meat for a month or so!"
"When the soldiers went to the toilet in the middle of the night, they would see turtle spirits crawling all over the ground."
"I almost scared the person half to death."
"Ha ha ha ha.""
Another burst of laughter erupted from the surrounding area.
"Zhao Xing, do you remember him?" Xia Jing brought another person over.
The others were all unrestrained and laughing loudly, but this man was meticulous, his clothes were neat and tidy, and he was carrying a wooden board. However, when he saw Zhao Xing, there was a hint of excitement between his brows.
"You are, Zhang Yi?"
"Indeed, Zhang Yi greets the Prime Marquis." Zhang Yi cupped his hands in greeting.
"So many years have passed, and you're still so proper. You've quit being the Ceremonial Official and become Ritual Cultivator instead." Zhao Xing doesn't even need to return the courtesy now, because his Official Rank rank is far higher than Zhang Yi's.
However, in order to facilitate Zhang Yi's cultivation, he returned the greeting.
"Yes," Xia Jing laughed. "Back in Cloud City, you taught Zhang Yi Invoking the Gods without sending them off. Those ghost warriors like Bai Biao... well, they've quit being Ceremonial Official and become ritual practitioners."
"What? Prime Marquis actually did such a thing?"
"Hahaha, the Military Sima Nong is all about practicality, what can't he do? Back then we were short of manpower and in a hurry to resist the Insect Witch's calamity, Zhao Xing didn't even intend to spare ghosts."
"Ha ha ha ha.""
That's how it is when you reunite after a long separation; you always have so much to say.
Most of the people here are acquaintances from the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven period.
We trained together and fought together on the battlefield.
Although everything has changed a lot and everyone has grown, mentioning those days feels like returning to the time in Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.
"Come on, let's go downstairs and talk! Don't stay up there!" Xia Jing put his arm around Zhao Xing's shoulder. "Let's go downstairs for a drink! Unlimited drinks today!"
"Oh~" The crowd cheered.
They went down to the county government office in Anshan City.
Soon another group of people arrived after receiving the news.
Among this group was Fan Zhaoli, the former director of the Earthly Advantage Institute.
There are Lu Bang and Zuo Zizhi from Great Beginning Institute, and Nong Zhengtian from Earthly Advantage Institute.
There are also Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming from the Celestial Timing Academy.
Those who received training at the same time included Si Nong Shi Yong, Zhuang Zi Qing, Feng Yuan, and Guan Jun Yang.
Martial artist Wang Meng, Military Physician Yuan Yang, and some others whose names I don't know, but I've seen them all during training.
Of course, this is still fewer people than before.
For example, Feng Qiu, Hua Zhilin, and Cai Jin died in that disaster and in the subsequent war.
"Master Lu, Master Tian, Dean—" Zhao Xing bowed to these people.
"Haha, don't stand on ceremony, get up quickly." Tian was very happy.
"The genius of the True Self Faction has returned," Lu Bang said with a smile.
"Nonsense!" Fan Zhaoli shouted. "He's a genius of our Earthly Advantage Faction School!"
"What are you arguing about?" Mei Zhiru pulled a scroll from his sleeve. "Our Marquis Faction leader has already issued the Celestial Seasonal Decree. Don't you know that this decree was issued for the Holy Son of our Time Faction?"
"You're really shameless," Lu Bang chuckled.
"You—shameless." Tian and Fan Zhaoli also looked down on them.
"What's wrong? It's one thing for Brother Lu to rant, but with his 'Theory of the True Self Heavenly Creation Theory,' who can rival him?" Mei Zhiru shook his head. "But what are you, the ' Earthly Advantage Faction,' up to? Why are you getting involved?"
"You—" Tian and Fan Zhaoli were speechless.
The news of Zhao Xing's assassination by Liang King Faction had already spread throughout the middle and upper echelons of Pinghai Province, and they were naturally aware of it.
At this time, all three factions regarded Zhao Xing as one of their own, but the Earthly Advantage Faction was somewhat untenable because they discovered that Zhao Xing had not published any Jinglun of the Earthly Advantage Faction.
"Brother Mei, don't be so arrogant, you Time Faction," Zuo Zizhi said from the side. "Take a look around you."
Mei Zhiru:
Because Cheng Qingming and Ge Jinsong were standing next to him.
Cheng Qingming and Ge Jinsong:
The two glared fiercely at Zuo Zizhi.
It's been over a decade, why are people still bringing this up?!
"Zuo Zizhi, are you out of your mind?!"
"Your Yin Yang True Self Scripture mastery of the art of being strangely Yin and Yang is unparalleled!"
The two retorted without hesitation.
"Ha ha ha ha."
The onlookers immediately burst into laughter.
A long-awaited reunion is undoubtedly one of the most joyful things in such turbulent times.
Xia Jing invited most of his acquaintances over and they had a big meal together.
He enjoyed himself until late at night before dismissing everyone else and talking to Zhao Xing alone.
"Brother Zhao, what small matter do you need to do? I have 400,000 men here, all of them are troops left over from the original Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, as well as officials of various levels in Yang City."
"So many?" Zhao Xing was taken aback.
"When you said that the Liang King would rebel, I immediately began preparations after I returned from the East Sea," Xia Jing said. "Before the incident, I secretly transferred a large number of people."
"After the incident, a riot broke out in Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. Liang King's Black Dragon Army carried out a great purge. Those who did not obey him either died or fled."
"Over the next three months, I spent gathering the remaining troops everywhere. Now we have 400,000 men, but that's only because the imperial court transferred some of them."
Zhao Xing nodded. Xia Jing had been temporarily appointed as Upper Fourth Rank Bandit Suppression Cavalry General and concurrently as a fourth-rank Imperial Stud Department in Imperial Stud Envoy the Shangyu Division of the three southern prefectures of Pinghai Province.
In terms of Official Rank rank, Xia Jing and I were of the same grade, and our power was not much different.
Zhao Xing thought for a moment, then dipped his finger in the wine and wrote two words on the table: Save the People.
"Save the people?" Xia Jing pondered.
"How exactly do we do it?"
"Firstly, build shelters far from cities, preferably underground, in mountainous areas, or in locations with little strategic value."
"Second, establish mobile medical stations and warehouses, prepare a large quantity of protective clothing for both cold and heat, as well as a large quantity of food."
Xia Jing asked with some confusion, "Then haven't I been doing the work of the Transportation Department, the Medical Division, and the Engineering Office?"
"Besides, if we want to rescue people, don't we still need to conquer cities and territories?"
"Do you think all ordinary people live in the city?" Zhao Xing shook his head. "I don't want you to save the high-ranking officials and nobles in the city; I want to save the people in the countryside. You need to understand this concept."
Xia Jing was born into nobility, and his mind still carried innate prejudices.
In Xia Jing's eyes, "humble families" refers to aristocratic Noble Families with lower social standing and influence, also known as commoners, not the poor class.
Seeing him nod as if he understood, Zhao Xing couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xia, what kind of person are you?"
Are they considered ordinary citizens?
Xia Jing scratched his head and said, "The lowest-ranking taxpayer in my father's fiefdom was entitled to five mu of house in the city and twenty mu of fertile land outside."
Zhao Xing:
Seeing that Zhao Xing's expression was off, Xia Jing humbly asked, "Brother Zhao, have I misunderstood something?"
"Brother Xia, your words are truly heartbreaking and bring tears to my eyes."
"But I can't blame you. In your eyes, this is all there is to poverty." Zhao Xing waved his hand. "Your family's fiefdom is rich in resources, and your uncle is kind and benevolent."
"The people there are indeed living better lives. But that's not the case all over the world."
"You must have met the people of the Southern Wilderness, right?"
Xia Jing recalled the poorly dressed, emaciated civilians of the Southern Wilderness tribes and suddenly realized, "Oh, I understand."
"However, in this case, not all of my 400,000 men may be willing to follow me," Xia Jing said.
"The army is for fighting wars. What army would go out of its way to rescue rural people, let alone fight floods and do that kind of hard labor?"
"No military achievements, no rank promotion, and no monetary reward."
Zhao Xing said in a daze, "I've seen it. An army with ideals and beliefs would do these things."
"Oh? Where?"
"Not here."
Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "In short, I need you to select people who are willing to work with us like this."
"You need to make it clear to these people that our goal is not to gain merit through war, nor to get rich, and we won't be promoted anytime soon."
Xia Jing hesitated, "Your approach is unlike anything I've seen in the military. I don't know how many people you can mobilize. The only advantage is that the risk is lower."
Instead of conquering cities and seizing territories, they should try their best to treat the civilians mentioned by Zhao Xing.
Therefore, the resistance encountered is very small.
The Liang King has rebelled, he hasn't gone mad.
His army consisted of elite troops, and he would not send anyone to kill or conscript these people unless it was a strategic location.
What use are these people to him?
Unranked; they're completely useless and only a hindrance.
Of course, if the Liang King could conquer the country, governing the world would be a different story.
People like Zhao Xing also emerged from rural towns.
But now, Liang King certainly doesn't want these people.
Zhao Xing said, "Do your best."
Xia Jing nodded. "Then how many supplies should I request from the imperial court?"
Zhao Xing shook his head. "My plan is that the funds shouldn't come from the imperial court, at least not the bulk of them. Otherwise, it's still military expenditure, and we'll still attract attention."
"This is no small sum," Xia Jing frowned. "Where will the money come from?"
Zhao Xing laughed and said, "They're those clans you just mentioned; they're loaded with money."
"You mean---"
"Brother Xia, you have a wide network of connections, and I have also made quite a few acquaintances with you."
"In these turbulent times, if we don't ask these people to contribute their labor, to fight on the battlefield, or to donate some money to do good deeds, surely we won't take their lives?"
"You mean seizing power from local wealthy families?"
"It's about donating money to do charity."
"Isn't this still robbery?"
Looking into Xia Jing's clear eyes, Zhao Xing straightened up and took a deep breath:
"Alright, I won't discuss the financial matters with you. I'll discuss it with Tian Hou. You just need to contact the appropriate people according to the plan."
"Okay." Xia Jing nodded.
"The third step is the manpower issue," Zhao Xing said. "We need to mobilize a large number of Mechanism Master, doctors, Weaving Girl, and Agricultural Official."
"The Agricultural Official is easy to handle; I'll go and call in people. But you still have too few doctors and Mechanism Master here."
"Leave it to me," Xia Jing said. "The Hundred Weapons Daoist Academy, the Mohist Defense Academy, the Heavenly Medicine Dao Academy, the World-Saving Academy, the Heluo Dao Academy, the Divine Weaving Academy —my father and uncle know people who can mobilize quite a few powerful individuals."
"We don't need them to be super strong," Zhao Xing said. "We don't occupy strategic locations, so why would we need strongmen? This time, we only need quantity, not quality."
Xia Jing thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense. Even Ninth Grade physician can treat a commoner Unranked one."
"A robe that can withstand the cold of level five can be woven by a group of Seventh Grade Weaving Girl."
"By staying away from places of trouble, the risk of natural and man-made disasters is greatly reduced. Brother Zhao, don't you agree?"
Zhao Xing clapped his hands and laughed, "That's exactly right."
Xia Jing reached out and took out a map, unfolded it, and examined it carefully.
"I only saw how small the map was, and I didn't realize how big the actual place was."
"In this way, there are suitable living spaces everywhere."
Zhao Xing also pointed on the map. "Not bad. Ignoring living space and just talking about theory, the entire population of Pinghai Province, lined up horizontally and vertically, could be piled up in Anshan County."
However, the strength of individuals varies, and so does the size of their survival requirements.
"Brother Xia, your Azure Dragon Body Method allows you to travel over a thousand meters with a single movement."
"If you live in a small manor, you'll naturally feel cramped; after all, if you move your body even slightly, you'll find yourself bumping into a wall."
"The stronger a person is, the more space they need."
"Why do the strong always occupy such large fiefdoms? Because these are the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation."
"The strong always rise from the weak." Zhao Xing slid his finger across the map.
"What we do today may be overlooked by many, or perhaps they disdain to do."
"However, Brother Xia, in a few years, or even decades, you will realize how Boundless our actions today have been!"
Looking at Zhao Xing's triumphant appearance, Xia Jing was taken aback. "Brother Zhao, did you cast a spell?"
"No, what's wrong?"
"Then why do I feel like you're glowing all over?"
"Hahaha.""
Starting from May 14th, Zhao Xing's clone, who remained in Linhai County, began their plan to protect the people together with Xia Jing.
This decision received strong support from Lu Bang, Tian, Fan Zhaoli.
Tian even stated that he was willing to use 80% of his family fortune for this project.
Mei, Ge, Cheng, and others from the Time Faction were initially puzzled, but they were quickly persuaded by Zhao Xing.
There's nothing we can do; after all, he's our Holy Son.
Isn't it just burning money?
The Holy Son spoke up, "Don't even mention burning money, I'd burn myself!"
Zhao Xing's prestige in the Agricultural Official meant that he could unify the thoughts of these people with little effort.
Even military Military Sima Nong like Wei Yuan and Li Yuanzhen, who were used to fighting and making meritorious contributions, initially resisted but eventually followed Zhao Xing's lead.
However, many soldiers still did not understand.
First, they don't understand why elite troops would do such a thankless and arduous task.
Saving a person or earning a reward for meritorious service is not as fast as cutting off an enemy's head.
Secondly, they didn't understand the unpaid and unrewarded system established by Zhao Xing. They didn't even understand why people like Tian were paying out of their own pockets.
Zhao Xing did not insist on this.
We are not on the same path, so we cannot work together. We are brothers, and if you have a good place to go, I will not stop you from leaving.
Zhao Xing instructed Xia Jing to report to his superiors in the Military Realm to transfer these officers who were unwilling to participate to other positions.
After reaching a consensus on the action plan, the remaining people began to work on the specific implementation plan.
Besides the operation that began in Linhai County, Zhao Xing's other clones were also busy.
Pinghai Province, Tianyue Prefecture, Yulong County.
The bright moon hangs high, its gentle light spilling into the ancient courtyard.
A woman dressed in plain clothes sat gracefully in front of a beautiful guzheng, her posture elegant, like a moving painting.
Her fingers gently caressed the strings, like a spring breeze brushing against flower petals. With each touch of her fingertips, a clear and melodious note flowed out like a spring, instantly breaking the stillness of the night.
The voice was like heavenly music, ethereal and pure, as if it could penetrate one's soul.
The woman lowered her head slightly, her expression focused and serene. Her fingers danced across the strings, sometimes as light as a swallow.
At times, it is powerful and vigorous. Each strum seems to carry a mysterious power, drawing the listener in irresistibly into its world.
When she played the stirring melody, the notes poured down like a storm, full of power and passion.
The strings vibrated violently under her hands, producing a series of clanging sounds, as if telling the story of a magnificent battle. The intense rhythm quickened one's heartbeat, as if one were in the midst of a fierce battle.
"Stop!" A low shout suddenly interrupted the music.
Opposite the zither table, a burly general clad in golden armor stood up.
He walked towards the woman step by step, like a tiger eyeing a little rabbit.
When he got closer, he put one foot on the zither table and looked down at the musicians below.
"Qin Qingqiu, I'm tired of hearing war music these days," said the blue-armored general. "I've fought enough battles. Why don't you change it up?"
"My Marquis, I am a musician from the Music Office, not a courtesan from a brothel."
"Oh?" The blue-armored general shifted his feet, fidgeting with the sheet music beside the guzheng. "So what?"
Qin Qingqiu felt a pang of heartache in her eyes, but still said, "My Marquis, I can only play war music, not decadent tunes."
"I insist that you play." The blue-armored general looked at Qin Qingqiu's back with a half-smile.
A hint of humiliation flashed in Qin Qingqiu's eyes, but she had many sisters from the Music Office behind her.
Otherwise, she would have died long ago, why would she have come to suffer the insults of this barbarian general?
"You don't want to?" The blue-armored general pulled a musical score from his robes. "You'll regret it if you don't play it."
Qin Qingqiu glanced at the soldiers around her, took a deep breath, and then played the zither, saying, "I have just learned this, so please forgive me if I play poorly, my Marquis."
Then Qin Qingqiu began to play this piece intermittently.
As the music slowly drifted in, the soldiers around them were immediately captivated, their breathing becoming rapid.
Qin Qingqiu's expression changed, because she discovered that this was actually an erotic song with aphrodisiac effects!
"You—" She stopped immediately.
"Hahaha, you'll regret it even more if you play it!" The blue-armored general immediately took off his armor, his face full of lewdness.
He grabbed Qin Qingqiu.
Behind her, the soldiers also charged toward the imprisoned musicians with strange cries.
The musicians weren't originally without a fighting chance, but now they're all imprisoned and have no instruments at all.
How can we possibly stop these ferocious soldiers?
Just as she was about to be humiliated, Qin Qingqiu tapped the strings with her thumb, and a flame rose from her fingertip along the strings.
She wasn't going to kill the enemy; she was going to self-immolate.
Because she couldn't beat this person, and didn't want her body to be desecrated even after death.
"The Heaven-Burning Melody that ignites without fire? Hahaha, can you even burn it?" The blue-armored general's right foot moved with lightning speed, kicking the guzheng away in an instant. Then, with another kick, he directly stepped on Qin Qingqiu's lower abdomen.
This stomp extinguished the flames, and with them, extinguished Qin Qingqiu's hope.
She was powerless to resist.
However, after waiting for a while, the barbarian general still did not make any move.
The cries behind me had disappeared at some point.
Qin Qingqiu looked up and saw a large black hole on the barbarian general's forehead.
A faint flash of lightning spread across the wound.
"Thump~"
This Fifth Grade peak barbarian general fell heavily to the ground.
As the barbarian general fell, a man dressed in Silver Moon Ritual Robe and wearing a bamboo hat appeared behind him.
The man held a pen in one hand and a tablet in the other. After writing a few strokes, he put the pen in his mouth and looked at himself in a mirror.
"Yulong County Qin Qingqiu? The Nanlong Qin Family, right? Did your ancestors possess a Heavenly Devil Zither?"
Qin Qingqiu stood up from the ground somewhat blankly. She didn't stand up on her own; rather, she was lifted up by a gust of wind.
"Yes, it's me. May I ask who you are, sir?" Qin Qingqiu finally realized that she had been rescued, and hope returned to her eyes.
"Zhao Xing, the Agriculture Official, is from Nanyang County, Dayuan Prefecture, and happens to be passing through this area."
Zhao Xing took off his straw hat and placed it in front of his chest. He bowed slightly and spoke, and then casually killed a barbarian general who was still crawling on the ground and not quite dead.
Elegant, truly elegant.
Qin Qingqiu could never forget that handsome face.
She subconsciously patted her clothes and curtsied, saying, "Lord Zhao, I... I am Qin Qingqiu. My ancestors possessed the Heavenly Devil Zither, but it has been lost and its whereabouts are unknown."
"Miss Qin, don't be nervous," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "I have dealt with the rebels in Yulong County. You can take them north to find a way to survive."
In Zhao Xing's eyes, at this moment, the black aura that was the pillar of Qin Qingqiu's fortune dissipated and turned into a light red.
Since her fortune lay in the north, Zhao Xing told her to go north to seek survival.
"I've prepared a flying boat for you. Oh, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, you know how to fly it, right?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Yes, I can!" Qin Qingqiu burst forth with a powerful survival instinct. "I can do any model!"
"That's good. Surviving such a calamity is a blessing from your ancestors," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "If Miss Qin escapes alive, she can often return home to visit and pay respects to her ancestors."
"Wh-what?" Qin Qingqiu didn't understand. How did the conversation suddenly turn into something mystical?
"Oh, okay, sure."
"There may be pursuers coming, so I won't say any more to you, Miss." Zhao Xing stretched out his hand, and the flying boat outside slowly descended. "Miss Qin, please take them away quickly."
"Yes." Qin Qingqiu immediately called the many sisters to board the ship, and flew north according to Zhao Xing's instructions.
Watching the flying boat depart, Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile slightly, "The owner of one of the three great divine artifacts of the musicians— the Morning Bell Evening Drum Heavenly Devil Zither —has been found."
After a quick calculation, he realized that many people were heading this way, so his clone quickly left as well.
In Tiancang County, in a marquis's mansion.
"Jump! Jump faster!"
A young man dressed in fine clothes, holding a coin, was excitedly shouting.
Before him stood a mountain of knives, surrounded by burning flames.
"My lord, spare my life!"
Dancer Master died one after another amidst the flames and dangers.
"How could you possibly spare my life?" the richly dressed youth sneered. "Legend has it that the Blade Mountain Dance and the Sea of Fire Dance are compulsory courses for Seventh Grade Dancer Master, capable of plunging their enemies into a mountain of knives and a sea of fire."
"Are you all just a bunch of useless slackers holding positions without doing any work?"
"You all earn dozens of times more than I do, how can you be so lazy?"
"But, but sir—we are musicians!"
"I don't care, you all deserve to die! Jump!"
The young man in fine clothes brandished a whip, and with each swing, the sea of fire grew even hotter.
Just as these people were about to Yellow Springs, suddenly...
""call"
All the flames suddenly went out, and the mountain of knives collapsed instantly.
"Who!""
Realizing something was wrong, the young man in fine clothes immediately threw away the fire whip and fled for his life towards the artificial hill.
"Pfft~"
The Heavenly Thunder Finger pierced through it.
Zhao Xing landed among the survivors and began asking questions.
"Do you have a Dancer Master here named Lin Yichen?"
"Yes, from out of town."
"Oh? Really? He's only been registered for three months?"
"Great, where are they?"
"Locked in a dungeon?"
"Okay, please wait here for a moment."
Zhao Xing immediately burrowed underground and began searching the dungeon.
Sure enough, they found the person they were looking for in one of the cells.
At that moment, a man was dancing gracefully in the prison cell.
Although he was wearing prison clothes and the surroundings were filthy.
But Zhao Xing still felt that his dance was full of beauty, as if the primordial energy of heaven and earth were dancing together.
There wasn't much usable spiritual energy left in the dungeon. After a careful inspection, Zhao Xing discovered that Lin Yichen had almost completely destroyed one of the Magic Array that blocked the view.
When Zhao Xing appeared, Lin Yichen, upon hearing the footsteps, immediately stopped and restored everything around him to its original state.
"Sizzle sizzle~"
Zhao Xing appeared at the cell door and shattered the Magic Array with a single point.
"Who are you?" Lin Yichen asked Zhao Xing curiously.
"Stop talking nonsense and get going." Zhao Xing immediately Rising Wind, which swept Lin Yichen up.
"You seem to know me quite well, knowing I like to talk nonsense." Lin Yichen, being carried, continued to chuckle. "There's no reason for that. I'm from Tianyong Province, and I don't know anyone here."
"I traveled here a year ago, but ran out of money and joined the local Music Office. If I were an acquaintance, how could I have fallen so low as to end up like this?"
"Excuse me, could you perhaps adjust the direction of the Astral Wind? I've already banged on the roof beams several times."
Zhao Xing:
I shouldn't have saved this guy!
Speaking of which, he and Lin Yichen were indeed very familiar with each other. In his previous life, when they were doing missions, they traveled together through many prefectures and counties.
At the time, I thought I could receive some kind of mission from this person.
After hanging around for a while, I realized there weren't many tasks to do.
Even if there's no mission, I'll just raise my favorability rating. I always felt that this wandering Dancer Master was something special.
As a result, he gained nothing but hunger and wasted a lot of Old Master Zhao's money in supporting him.
"My name is Zhao Xing, and I am an inspector from the Five Prefectures. I rescued you when I was passing by this place."
"Oh? An inspection tour of the five prefectures? I wonder if Lord Zhao would be able to—"
"No!""
"My lord, I haven't said anything yet."
"Shut up!"
Zhao Xing recalled his past life and was almost driven to the brink of collapse by this chatterbox.
I simply used the Sleep Bug Art to make him fall asleep.
"You can run south, where the imperial army is stationed. Following this route, you can pass through without hindrance."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Zhao."
"Jiang Li in a poor alley, and wild goosegrass grew in the east wing."
"Liang King's perverse and tyrannical rule will inevitably lead to his downfall!"
In Ruo County, in a heavy prison, a young man named Ritual Cultivator cursed loudly.
"Jiang Li, can you shut up for a second? You've been cursing for seven days straight!" A martial artist in the next cell picked at his ear.
"They can't hear anything outside, but we're the ones who are really annoyed."
"I want to die quietly, okay?"
Jiang Li suddenly pressed his head against the fence. "Zhao He, don't lose your fighting spirit! Evil cannot prevail over good. We'll get out of here sooner or later!"
"Alright, alright, Lord Jiang, you're absolutely right," Zhao He replied perfunctorily. "I just want to rest a bit, is that alright?"
There was no sound from that side.
Zhao He lay down on the straw bed, ready to take a nap.
However, after a short while, another recitation could be heard from the other side.
"He inhales the essence and exhales the turbid air, defying the evil world and seeking no acclaim."
"Carrying a long sword and carrying the king's bow, though my head and body are separated, my heart remains unyielding."
"Sigh—" Zhao He couldn't help but cover his ears.
However, at that moment, a cracking sound came from the lock.
The door was suddenly opened.
"Hmm?" Zhao He suddenly straightened up.
But he was cautious and did not act immediately; instead, he listened attentively.
A moment later, Jiang Li suddenly pushed open the door.
"Zhao He, you see, I told you someone would come to rescue us!"
"Let's go! Follow me and fight our way out of this prison, Zhu County!"
As time passed, Zhao Xing's clones continued their activities throughout Pinghai Province.
Having a top-tier magic ability, with strength comparable to Third Grade clone, using it to save people of mid-to-low rank is simply a waste of talent.
If the imperial court is wasting its manpower like this, the Liang King's camp must be laughing all the way to the bank.
How many low- and mid-ranking officials are there?
Even if they noticed, they wouldn't care; on the contrary, they would be happy for the court to do so.
Of course, Zhao Xing's actions were actually inconspicuous, and no one connected these matters.
After all, Pinghai Province is too big; the area of just one prefecture is equivalent to the area of the Earth.
How could the rescue of a few low- to mid-grade items attract any attention?
Even without war, countless people are dying and being born every day.
The absence of a few or more is like the loss of Water Drop in the ocean; it has virtually no impact.
However, the rescue operation launched by Zhao Xing in Linhai County attracted the attention of both the enemy Fang Zhen.
Because Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, and the group from Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven began to use their connections to expand the scale of their work.
"Brother Wu, I've heard that your family's merchant guild has a large stockpile of Huang's Grass. Could you lend me some? No problem, how much do you need?"
"Two billion dan."
"Can."
Brother Liu, since our last parting at the Grotto-Heaven, I never imagined you would have become Classics Scholar at the Hundred Weapons Daoist Academy.
I currently need a group of blacksmiths who understand the "Qushan Outline Creation Method." Could you recommend a few talented individuals to me?
"I am Tian. Immediately send all the money and valuables that your family can call upon to Shangdang, Zhenxun, and Wu Mountain."
The seven major prefectures were Heavenly Traversal, Nine Rivers, Tianxiong, and Baiguo.
"Furthermore, deploy all commercial Tower Ship Office to these seven major counties as well."
"Contact these 136 marquises, nine princes, and three dukes. Tell them I need their favor. They don't need to risk their lives; just give me money or resources!"
"Prime Marquis, the Shangluo Academy currently has 14,357 Third Grade- ranking Agricultural Official, and over 11,000 Sixth Rank and Fifth Grade Agricultural Official, who are at your command."
"Chen'an, are 20,000 Earth-Traveling Boat Ships enough? If not, we can transfer more from the Yueya Branch, but that will take half a month, no, Heavenly Timing."
"You're digging an underground shelter? What level?"
"Only level five? Then I, as the branch dean, can make the decision."
By the time the Jingxin Calendar came to August, the scale of the operation had already become quite large.
However, just as Zhao Xing had predicted, as long as the target was not a strategic location and the people being rescued did not affect the overall situation, the resistance would be much smaller.
The lives of rural people are as worthless as grass; a new generation grows out, but only for fourteen or fifteen years. What use are they?
Despite wasting so many resources and manpower on this, some people in the Liang King's camp actually mocked it.
Of course, some people seemed to have seen through Zhao Xing's intentions, but as mentioned before, because the level involved was low, even if there was some obstruction, it was a relatively low priority.
It's not something that needs to be dealt with immediately.
While the clone was busy with his own tasks, the main body, residing in the Star Palace, was constantly cultivating.
Except for October and December of the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar, when I think about external matters.
At other times, Zhao Xing's true form focused on researching the breakthrough of the top-level Dharma Body, the Soul Devouring Law Body.
"In October of the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the scale of resources mobilized had already approached the trillion-level."
"Although the projects are distributed throughout Pinghai Province and the amount of money invested in each project is insignificant, the total amount has already exceeded one trillion yuan."
"My clone is busy rescuing people and running around, and my insights are gradually increasing," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Normally, the Ten Thousand Laws Clone are mostly used for fighting, and rarely for other purposes.
The spells used are very concentrated.
The eighty-one Straw Man Art are not all used.
Now that my mobility has greatly increased, I encounter more things: Divine Movement, Repeat Movement, Holy Shield, Might, Vajra.
Entanglement, Reconnaissance, Invisibility, Illusory Form, Sacrificial Explosion, Skyflight, and Divine Valor —this is the forging of all aspects.
Zhao Xing finally understood why Liu Tianning's Ten Thousand Laws Palace had so many clones that each went their own way.
"This method of experiencing the mortal Straw Man Art."
Zhao Xing resumed his cultivation.
In December of the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Calendar, he once again broke out of his self-absorbed state and began to pay attention to important events in the outside world.
"Liu Si, cut in half at the waist?" Zhao Xing looked at the information in the Earth Mirror, then closed his eyes.
"Just like in his previous life, he died."
"Those two really are brothers."
"One beheaded Gu Wenhe, the other beheaded Liu Si."
"With Liu Si dead, the legitimacy of Purge the Emperor's Entourage has decreased dramatically. Liang King will probably convene a meeting of the feudal lords soon and try to break out of Pinghai Province."
"The real chaos will begin the moment Liang King loses the summons of the Yin Spirit, and Li Boqian will make his move at that moment."
"I need to hurry up and start cultivating."
After thinking it over, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and continued his cultivation.
"The Soul Devouring Law Body of the Ten Thousand Laws Clone pulls at my Fate Soul with every cultivation session."
"If it weren't for the Derivation God Art, practicing like this would probably have driven him mad long ago."
"Now I feel a sense of hostility all over my body, and I have more negative emotions." Zhao Xing frowned.
"Does this mean that the side effects of the Ten Thousand Laws Clone are unavoidable?"
"There's no reason for that. They were practicing just fine Spiritual Energy Era."
Zhao Xing stopped cultivating and began to repeatedly deduce the cultivation direction of the Soul Devouring Law Body.
He eventually determined that the Ten Thousand Laws Clone could indeed affect people's emotions to some extent.
This is a limitation of the times for the "method grass man" (a term referring to someone who uses methods to manipulate things).
The main reason is the Soul Devouring Law Body, a top-tier technique that causes a significant degree of fragmentation of the Fate Soul.
Otherwise, even top-tier clones cannot enhance the power of their spells.
"If it is not improved, the main body's Fourth-Turn spell, Ten Thousand Laws Clone, will still only be able to cast First-Turn spells."
"The basic essence of the Five Elements, at a minor level, distorts the rules; at a major level, it alters the rules. Each avatar can influence the rules of heaven and earth; it is inherently a method that defies the heavens."
"It's too potent, so it's normal to have side effects," Zhao Xing Xingmo said.
As for this method, can it be improved through spiritual energy?
That will have to be verified later.
"The side effect I'm experiencing right now is a violent temper, making me very bloodthirsty."
"With my 49,999 divine thoughts at the first level of the Derivation God Art, I should be able to control a top-tier Dharma Body."
Zhao Xing is now ready to break through the final barrier at any time and has a vague idea of what will happen after the training is completed.
After much deliberation, Zhao Xing decided to make a breakthrough as soon as possible.
Because possessing a top-tier Dharma body is far more beneficial than harmful.
"Call"
On the Star Platform, hundreds of straw figures rose to their feet, and then began the process of disintegration and fusion.
Each clone is currently fusing with eighty-one types of Straw Man Art, and through continuous fusion, it seeks an even more powerful path.
There are eighty-one upgradeable paths and seven major Dharma bodies.
Zhao Xing's current main focus is on the Soul Devouring Law Body.
Immersed in contemplation, unaware of the passage of time.
The number of clones on the Star Platform gradually decreased.
One day, Zhao Xing suddenly opened his eyes.
On the Star Platform, only one clone remained.
The clone also opened its eyes at the same time.
"Bang bang"
Two heartbeats sounded, and a strong killing intent flashed in the eyes of both the main body and the clone.
However, in an instant, the murderous desire in his eyes was suppressed by the Mystic Rune Stars.
On the 25th day of the fourth month of the 36th year of the Jingxin Calendar, the ultimate Dharma body was successfully cultivated.
At this point, a year had passed since Zhao Xing began his secluded cultivation.
"Splash!"
The Star Palace's treasury opened again, and materials flew out like a torrent.
As these precious materials appeared on the Star Platform, figures emerged.
In the blink of an eye, it had already broken through a thousand!
"After a year of careful cultivation, striving to minimize the negative effects, I have finally reached the Thousand Laws Body Realm, and now the negative effects are also very small," Zhao Xing reflected.
"As long as my Derivation God Art surpasses the progress of the Straw Man Art, it will be enough to suppress it indefinitely. Finally, when the Spiritual Energy Era arrives, the negative effects will completely disappear."
However, Zhao Xing Wuxin to think about these things at the moment.
"I have achieved the highest level of Dharmakaya; it is time for me to emerge from seclusion."