Gambler's Tactic? A Visitor from the Divine Might Army, Zhao Xing's Shock!

The Ten Thousand Arts Cloud Chart is a masterpiece among Preaching Painting, because it contains a complete range of mysteries of Cloud Method, and it also has another characteristic: it can present corresponding insights according to the viewer's mind.

For example, Zhao Xing's previous Earth Palace Void Image painting also had a top-quality painting called "Ten Thousand Arts Earth Palace". Whatever Earth Palace Art Zhao Xing wanted to comprehend, he would most likely obtain that type of technique.

That's why Lu Qian wrote, "May all your Wish Fulfillment."

The Ten Thousand Arts Cloud Chart truly can make the Wish Fulfillment of those who comprehend it come true.

Before delving into the mystery, Zhao Xing also made a selection in his mind:

"Among the mid-level Cloud Method, the Flowing Cloud Art is quite well-known. The clouds flow endlessly, and when Supporting Cloud, they are as powerful as great rivers, and they move very fast."

"The Weapon Cloud Art has the strongest attack power. The clouds can be transformed into various Divine Soldier, and its destructive power is the highest when Cloud-Striving Spell Duel."

"The Blood Cloud Art is the most bizarre. It can backfire on the caster through the cloud energy. Once entangled by the blood cloud, it is impossible to break free in a short time. Both the blood energy and the cloud energy will be excessively consumed. The one who wins the battle for the cloud will cause the greatest damage to the enemy."

"Thunder Cloud Art can enhance the power of thunder techniques."

"There's also the less common Frozen Cloud Art..."

"However, the Way of Cloud Method is primarily about dominance, and I believe the most domineering is the Devouring Cloud Art! This is also a spell skill that I was quite familiar with in my previous life."

"It can cut and devour the enemy's cloud energy, turning it into its own, and can even temporarily gain the effects of other Cloud Method."

"Its main characteristic is its domineering nature, and it gets stronger the more it fights in large-scale battles."

"My beginner-level Cloud Method already has the subtle characteristics of the Devouring Cloud Art, but it is still not perfect. It is only the effect caused by my operation method and experience."

After some reflection, Zhao Xing confirmed his thoughts before opening his eyes to look at the painting.

The scene of enlightenment depicted in the painting is a Cloudsea.

The Cloudsea contains clouds of various shapes, some of which resemble mountain peaks, and are relatively common Cloud Method.

Zhao Xing flew past quickly.

Some are shaped like weapons; this is the Weapon Cloud Art, Zhao Xing also skipped.

Some of the clouds were colorful, and as soon as Zhao Xing had a thought, these clouds drifted past him.

He held onto one thought throughout: the Devouring Cloud Art!

"Why haven't we found it yet? Isn't the Ten Thousand Arts Cloud Chart supposed to Wish Fulfillment?"

"Could it be a counterfeit?"

Zhao Xing felt that his resolve was firm enough, and he should be able to find the Cloud Devouring Cloud Art easily.

But many kinds of clouds drifted by, and it couldn't find the one it wanted.

"I want the Devouring Cloud Art!"

Zhao Xing shouted in his heart.

Sudden--

The clouds in front of us suddenly disappeared, all of them drifted away, revealing a clear blue sky.

"Is it over? Was it really a fake? No way... Hmm?"

Just as Zhao Xing was wondering, he suddenly looked in one direction.

All the clouds we had just seen were now drifting in this direction.

In the distance, a dark vortex of clouds appeared, absorbing all the clouds into it.

Each time it absorbs a cloud, it flashes briefly, then grows stronger.

With this terrifying speed of absorption, the black clouds expanded rapidly, filling Zhao Xing's entire field of vision in the blink of an eye.

"Buzz~"

Zhao Xing was also absorbed into the black cloud vortex.

At the center of the cloud vortex.

Tiny specks of black light entered Zhao Xing's body.

Zhao Xing's body flickered, bathed in black light, making him appear extremely sinister.

It flickered seven times before the blackness gradually subsided.

The next moment.

In the real world, Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

Four meters above their heads, a pitch-black Dark Clouds appeared, with a huge vortex in the center of the cloud.

"The Devouring Cloud Art! This is the Devouring Cloud Art!"

Zhao Xing looked up, somewhat pleased.

"Phew~"

The Preaching Painting suddenly burst into flames and quickly turned to ashes.

Unlike other Preaching Painting, the exquisite Myriad Laws series offers only one chance to comprehend them.

But the effect of the Ten Thousand Arts Cloud Chart is even more powerful!

During his comprehension, Zhao Xing's body flashed with black light seven times, proving that he had comprehended the spell to the Seventh-Turn level!

Reaching Seventh-Turn in one go demonstrates the sheer power of its effects.

"Under the effect of a top-grade Preaching Painting, unless one's talent is extremely poor, it is unlikely that after comprehending the spell, one will only reach the first or second level."

"With normal talent, if you comprehend the Cloud Method you desire, this opportunity will allow you to reach the Third-Turn Sixth-Turn."

"Seventh-Turn is the limit of the fourth-order cloud map transmission."

Although it cannot compare to the "Myriad Laws Spiritual Elegance" of the major Spirit Mountain, the effect is already quite good.

After all, how rare are the Myriad Laws Spiritual Elegance? They only appear during major mountain closures and openings.

Preaching Painting can be mass-produced, making them much more reliable to acquire.

"With the Devouring Cloud Art, I can barely say that I have Four Seasonal Arts." Zhao Xing was in a good mood.

Once the Four Seasonal Arts are complete, the combined spells become even more powerful.

Of course, the [Yin Wind] that Zhao Xing learned cannot be considered a normal mid-level Wind Art, and it doesn't provide much of an boost when paired with the Devouring Cloud Art.

However, other spells, such as casting the Devouring Cloud Art followed by the Guiding Thunder Summoning spell, are much more powerful than before, and the same goes for the Rain Art.

The Four Seasonal Arts are so named because they are interconnected and can enhance each other.

Similarly, the four methods of Earthly Advantage Institute — Mystic Earth, Earth Treasury, Earth Split, and Earth Palace —are also interconnected.

"The final painting."

"A mid-grade fourth-tier Preaching Painting, [Earth Rift]".

After resting for a while, Zhao Xing opened the last box and took out the scroll.

"Boom!"

Zhao Xing felt the ground beneath his feet shake, and a large mountain in front of him was also shaking violently.

"Click click click~"

Cracks appeared in the earth, bottomless cracks that spewed out terrifying power from the Earth Vein.

"Hiss~"

Just as Zhao Xing was about to jump over the crevice, a fiery red beam of light suddenly burst forth from in front of him.

The scorching lava, carrying intense heat, splashed around, melting even the hard boulders nearby.

Zhao Xing quickly retreated, but a crack also appeared behind him.

Another surge of violent Earth Vein power appeared, but this time it was the familiar, Yin Wind that blew!

Whoosh~

Zhao Xing felt as if his soul was about to be blown away, and he felt himself teetering on the brink of collapse.

Just as I was gritting my teeth and persevering, suddenly—

"Boom!"

A loud crash was heard as the mountain in front split in two, and huge rocks rolled down from the top.

Zhao Xing tried to dodge, but found that unknown vines had appeared under his feet at some point, quickly wrapping around him like crawling insects.

I finally managed to break free.

"Gulu Gulu ~"

Another fountain suddenly appeared beneath his feet, sending Zhao Xing flying.

When he lands freely.

"Clang!"

A sharp object pierced his chest.

However, a huge stone sword appeared underground.

His entire body was completely pierced.

Pain, tearing pain, but strangely, Zhao Xing's mind became increasingly clear.

Just like the Yin Wind and lava he had encountered before, he was still able to observe the mysteries of these terrifying phenomena.

And so, Zhao Xing was pierced through by the stone sword and hung horizontally in the air, watching the terrifying scenes unfold on the ground.

"Buzz~"

Half an hour later, Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

[You have studied the fourth-tier mid-grade Preaching Painting 'Earth Rift', and you have comprehended the mid-grade spell 'Five Elements Earth Splitting'. Remaining comprehension attempts: 3]

[Five Elements Earth Splitting: Intermediate-Tier Spell]

[Progress: Third-Turn (3546/9999)]

[Effect: The Earth Veins Surge, wreaking havoc on the world, attacking using random elements of the five Earth Vein.]

"The Five Elements Earth Splitting Art? He actually comprehended this particular technique within the Earth Splitting Art." Zhao Xing looked puzzled. "This Earth Rift Map contains many Earth Splitting Art, yet he specifically comprehended this one?"

Zhao Xing's strange expression was entirely due to the nickname of this spell.

The Five Elements Earth Splitting Art is also known as the "Gambler's Tactic"!

The effectiveness of this spell in actual combat depends entirely on luck.

It will randomly produce one or more effects from the five elements.

When it's strong, it's terrifyingly strong. All five elements unleash their power, one technique equals five!

When it's weak, it can use the Five Elements Earth Splitting Art to sprout a small sapling, which can only be used to add excitement during battle.

"The Earth Vein in each place are different. For example, the Earth Vein in Nanyang County are very stable, but this spell can only be used to its fullest potential in places where the Earth Vein are turbulent."

"The Gambler's Tactic relies entirely on luck, which is not bad. The probability of me getting the effect of all five elements should be quite high." Thinking of this, Zhao Xing felt a little comforted.

After all, he is now the Derivation Three of destiny, so the chance of triggering a great success when encountering this kind of "luck-based" spell is relatively high.

Most other spells are highly stable.

Luck is only triggered when one is just starting out and at a low level.

Of course, there is a chance of success or failure.

The power of spells fluctuates greatly, which is actually a manifestation of the unstable spell control in the novice stage.

Once you get started, your Essence Gathering level and realm will become more stable, and the probability of triggering will be very low.

During battle, being at one's peak condition occasionally can slightly increase the power of spells, but as for breaking through during battle? The probability of that is extremely low.

"We'll see if there's an opportunity to use it later. If we really have a chance to gamble on luck, or if we encounter extremely Earthly Advantage Institute circumstances, we might be able to use this trick."

The first three paintings exceeded my expectations, and the last one was barely satisfactory.

On October 4th, Zhao Xing was a guest at the Zong Residence.

On October 5th, Zhao Xing was a guest at the Xue Residence.

On October 6th, Zhao Xing was a guest at the Chen Residence.

During his Heavenly Timing at the Zong Residence, he completed his comprehension of two of the Preaching Painting.

Xue Wenzhong had intended to learn another method from the Old Sima Nong, but after only one night, he had to go to the county town to visit his grandson, Xue Bai.

So on October 6th, he came to Chen Shijie's residence as a guest.

At dusk, a mysterious guest arrived Chen Residence.

Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing were conducting their daily training in the front training ground, while Zhao Xing was meditating in the Pear Garden.

Suddenly, Chen Shijie noticed some unusual fluctuations in the breeze and looked out sharply.

Through the door, he saw a blurry dark figure appear outside.

"Who dares to spy on me, you lowly scoundrel?!"

"Chen Shijie, what an arrogant official you are!" The shadowy figure stopped moving, stabilized its position, and transmitted its voice secretly, an old voice entering the ear.

Upon hearing the voice, Chen Shijie's face lit up with joy. "Long Xiao? Why are you here so early?!"

"It's boring. I've changed my voice, how can you still recognize me?" The shadowy figure's voice returned to normal.

"We're brothers, I'd recognize you even if you were ashes," Chen Shijie said with a smile. "But why did you arrive so early?"

"Shouldn't you invite me in first?" Long Xiao said.

"Oh, I almost forgot, please come in."

After Chen Shijie finished speaking, the figure outside the gate leaped over and appeared inside the training ground.

Long Xiao removed the Black Robe he was wearing, revealing his true face. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and carried a large sword on his back. Standing on the training ground, he looked like a sharp sword that had just been drawn from its sheath.

"Good lad, your Divine Firmament Sword Art has improved again." Chen Shijie looked him over and praised him.

"You haven't been idle either. In the five years since you left the Divine Might Army, your senses have become even sharper." Long Xiao stared intently at Chen Shijie. "You spotted me as soon as I arrived outside your residence."

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily.

They both realized that the other hadn't let up during the years they'd been apart. With just a glance, they knew that the other was still the same like-minded brother they'd always been!

"Come on, let's go inside and talk."

The two walked into the main hall side by side.

At this moment, Zhao Xing, who had finished his comprehension, also went outside the hall. Although he did not hear Long Xiao's voice, he heard Chen Shijie's voice.

"Lord Chen, what has happened?"

"It's alright. A guest has arrived. You've come at the perfect time. Please come in, and I'll introduce you."

Once inside, Zhao Xing saw Long Xiao next to Chen Shijie and looked somewhat surprised.

"Hmm?" Long Xiao noticed the change in Zhao Xing's expression. "You seem to know me?"

Of course I know you, Divine Firmament Marquis Long Xiao... I even worked under you, but in which year was I granted the title of Marquis? Not New Splendor Era, I think it was during the Great Governance Era?

"I don't know you, but I felt your aura was amazing, like a sharp sword. I was intimidated by your power." Zhao Xing bowed and quickly composed himself.

Long Xiao nodded, then turned to Chen Shijie: "This is the kid you were talking about? He seems pretty average."

Chen Shijie said calmly, "He is still young and hasn't seen many sword masters like you. If he joins the army and trains for more than ten years, you might have to rely on him for a living."

"Oh? It's one thing to rely on you, the Military Sima Nong, for a living, but you're saying you'll rely on him for a living in the future?" Long Xiao took another careful look at Zhao Xing. He had thought Zhao Xing was just average because he was intimidated by his aura, but after Chen Shijie's words, he looked at him again and found that Zhao Xing's temperament was extraordinary.

"Zhao Xing, let me introduce you. This is Long Xiao, the Yiwei Commandant of the Divine Might Army, and also my good brother."

"Greetings, General." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in Yiwei Commandant Xiaowei was a Seventh Grade Official Rank, meaning that Long Xiao was at least Seventh Grade expert, and could only be higher.

"No need for formalities. I haven't been reinstated to my official military rank yet; I'm only a low-ranking officer." Long Xiao waved his hand.

"Have a seat," Chen Shijie said.

Zhao Xing cupped his hands in greeting and took a seat.

He appeared calm on the surface, but was inwardly quite surprised.

Because the current Yiwei Commandant Long Xiao, and the Divine Firmament Marquis Long Xiao are vastly different.

Long Xiao is currently quite outgoing and cheerful, but Divine Firmament Marquis is calm, reserved, and even somewhat melancholic.

Zhao Xing had never heard of Chen Shijie in his previous life, but now it seems that Chen Shijie is a member of the Divine Might Army.

Long Xiao both achieved the rank of Martial Marquis, but Old Chen is nowhere to be found. Did he die halfway through his career?

"So Long Xiao also came from the Divine Might Army? Then his current superior is Divine Might Marquis?"

"Divine Might Marquis is gone, Old Chen is gone, and this legion seems to have been wiped out..." Zhao Xing thought carefully, but couldn't recall it for a moment, since the Divine Might Army had already ceased to exist when he was on the mission.

"You still haven't told me, how did you get here from Xier County so quickly? It's such a long distance. You set off the day you received the letter. Even if you were on the army's Dragon Head Tower Ship, there's no reason you could have arrived so quickly, right?" Chen Shijie's words suddenly jolted Zhao Xing awake. The phrases "Pacify Barbarian Six Counties" and "Xier County" brought back some memories for him.

However, he was still not entirely sure, so he decided to listen more.

Long Xiao laughed and said, "I didn't come by the Dragon Head Tower Ship. I came from the Li Fire Dao Academy, first to Dayuan Prefecture, and then to Nanyang County."

"How about that, brother? Am I being generous enough? We've borrowed your fire to help us, but we'll have to travel at least 80,000 li back to repay that Li Fire True Lord."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing subconsciously used the Five Elements Observation to glance at Long Xiao. He saw that there was a very faint but extremely high-quality layer of fire element power Entanglement around the man's body.

If one's level were higher, one could probably discern that the power of fire would form a divine image.

Long Xiao sensed this and asked curiously, "Kid, did you understand?"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "I understand. What you mean by 'borrowing fire to travel the way' is to use the Li Fire Divine Altar of the Li Fire Dao Academy to instantly travel from Xier County, which is thousands of miles away, to the Li Fire Branch Academy of Dayuan Prefecture using a fire escape Magic Array with an extraordinary distance."

"That's right." Long Xiao nodded slightly. "Then do you know why I had to travel 80,000 li (approximately 40,000 kilometers) to get back?"

Zhao Xing continued, "Since it's a loan, it must be returned. The Li Fire True Lord, enshrined at the Li Fire Dao Academy, is a figure from ancient times. He feared that his disciples would not be able to protect the Li Fire Divine Altar, so he cast a spell to establish a grand vow for heaven and earth."

"Any outsider who uses the Li Fire Divine Altar to escape to a certain distance must then rely on their own two feet, without using any magic, and purely on their physical body to complete twice the distance of the Fire Path they borrowed."

"The general borrowed the road for a round trip, which is about 40,000 li. So after completing the borrowing, you need to travel 80,000 li to Li Fire True Lord."

"Not bad, you have some knowledge." Long Xiao was somewhat surprised. For a mere Agricultural Official to know about the Seventy-Two Dao Academies of the Great Zhou was enough to show his extensive knowledge. In this respect, he at least met the requirements of the Military Sima Nong.

Knowing the world and its affairs allows one to adapt quickly to any place they go.

The fact that the Military Sima Nong can quickly adapt to unfamiliar environments means that the army they belong to can also adapt quickly and gain a foothold.

"I told you not to underestimate him," Chen Shijie said with a smile. "Being young doesn't mean being inexperienced."

"Haha, that's true." Long Xiao laughed heartily. "But you're too reserved, kid. Why do you keep calling me General? I've already told you, I haven't been reinstated yet. Be bold and call me Brother Long."

Zhao Xing didn't know what to say; seeing Long Xiao had simply triggered certain habits in him.

Then Long Xiao pointed at Chen Shijie: "Call him Chen Lao Er."

Seeing Zhao Xing's somewhat bewildered expression, Chen Shijie gave a cold laugh, "Trying to take advantage of me, huh? Once we get back to the army, I'll definitely give you a good spanking!"

"Hahahaha. I was wrong, I was wrong, I admit my mistake." Long Xiao quickly laughed and moved on from the matter, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen, you're the eldest, let's talk about serious matters."

"Now that I've arrived twenty days early, and I guarantee no one will know, could you help you wipe out this entire Profound Heaven Sect stronghold?"

The concept of "Fortune Critical Success" appeared at the beginning but has not been mentioned since. Here, we'll patch it up and standardize it.