Daoist Official

Grand Protector's Mansion.

The entrance.

Following behind Feng Xi'er, Zhong Shenxiu slowly walked out. He suddenly felt a wave of relief.

After all, my highest combat strength was merely a Vengeful Spirit equivalent to the Divine Ability Realm... And in the Second Yanhan Empire, there were quite a few genuine Sword Immortals and even Primordial Elixir experts...

He secretly warned himself not to become carried away.

"Su Daozhi."

Feng Xi'er said to Zhong Shenxiu, "The Grand Protector has approved your emancipation document. From today onward, you are no longer a convict."

"Many thanks for the Colonel's great kindness." Zhong Shenxiu hurriedly bowed in thanks.

Of course, he knew how miserable convicts were. They were discriminated against everywhere, with ceilings in every field. The highest position they could reach in their entire lives was that of a minor clerk. Becoming an official of an established rank was utterly impossible.

Unfortunately, although the visible ceiling is gone, the hidden one remains... Obtaining cultivation Daoist Arts through official channels is still as difficult as climbing to heaven...

Zhong Shenxiu sighed inwardly, then heard Feng Xi'er continue, "However... your position as Company Commander of my Black Armored Iron Cavalry is gone... But it doesn't matter. I've already recommended you for the position of Subordinate Ninth Rank Deputy Envoy of Exorcism, still under my jurisdiction. The appointment document will be issued soon. With this identity, you can enter the official martial academy without hindrance."

"Many thanks, my lord."

Zhong Shenxiu's face was full of delight, without the slightest gloom.

Of course, he knew that the Company Commander of the Black Armored Iron Cavalry was a trusted subordinate. At the time, Feng Xi'er had merely been placating him.

As a High-Ranking Individual, crossing the river and tearing down the bridge was instinctive.

Now that she had made up for it with an official position of Subordinate Ninth Rank, it was probably because Feng Xi'er was still young and not thick-skinned enough.

"Excellent."

Seeing Su Daozhi's attitude, Feng Xi'er felt much more at ease. She raised her hand and tossed him a key. "I have a small courtyard in Sweetwater Well Alley. I'll give it to you as well."

What a rich girl.

Zhong Shenxiu sighed inwardly. Although it's only a house in a remote area, it's still in the urban district. This girl's family must be loaded.

Sweetwater Well Alley.

Zhong Shenxiu opened the courtyard gate and saw a modest yard, with a well and a plum tree inside.

"Congratulations on your promotion and fortune, my lord."

Huang Xie followed behind him, grinning as he offered his congratulations. He very consciously went to find brooms and the like and began cleaning.

"This kind of manual labor can be left to Shiqi."

Zhong Shenxiu thought for a moment, took out several White Emperor Coins, and handed them to Huang Xie. "Go buy some food and wine, and give some to the neighboring households while you're at it. Since we've just arrived, we'll need everyone to look out for us."

"Right away, my lord. You truly are a thoughtful person."

Ever since learning that Zhong Shenxiu was going to become an official, Huang Xie's attitude toward him had grown even more respectful.

Zhong Shenxiu knew that Su Daozhi's old friend would never return. He felt somewhat sentimental.

He looked over the residence. There were many rooms here. Besides the master bedroom, study, and main hall, there were guest rooms, a kitchen, stables, and even side rooms for servants. Everything was fully equipped.

Zhong Shenxiu naturally chose the largest master bedroom, and no one contested him.

That evening, one man and two dogs feasted on the food and wine they had bought. The two dogs remained busy as ever, and no one knew what they were tinkering with.

Zhong Shenxiu, meanwhile, began cultivating.

"The Spiritual Turtle Breathing Technique has already reached its limit. There's not the slightest improvement left..."

"The [Shepherd] profession is even worse. I forced myself into the profession without rhyme or reason..."

"Looking at it this way, continuing to cultivate would only be futile. I must obtain a new Daoist Art. I hope the official martial academy can give me a few surprises."

He then thought of the two dogs.

With his current status, teaching his personal guards Qi Refining techniques was no great matter.

But Zhong Shenxiu still wanted to be more cautious. If he taught them Xiantian Qi Gong, then no one could find fault with it. It would also give them a chance to rise above their station.

After Zhong Shenxiu wandered around Fufeng City for several days, his emancipation document and appointment were finally issued.

He casually put away the emancipation document. The Subordinate Ninth Rank Deputy Envoy of Exorcism, however, was rather interesting.

This was a Daoist Official!

In the Second Yanhan Empire, besides civil and military officials, there was another class: Daoist Officials. They were specially bestowed upon out-of-the-world immortal cultivators who rendered service to the empire. Among the common people, they were also called "Immortal Officials."

The greatest threshold for these positions was cultivation.

Those above the Xiantian level could serve as Subordinate Ninth Rank Deputy Envoys of Exorcism or Principal Ninth Rank Envoys of Exorcism. At the highest, they could serve as Principal Eighth Rank Enforcement Envoys!

Cultivators of the Gang Sha Realm had already truly stepped through the gates of cultivation. As long as they were willing to serve the nation, entering officialdom would earn them the position of Subordinate Seventh Rank Deputy Envoy of Demon Subjugation. After three years, they would immediately be promoted to Principal Seventh Rank Envoy of Demon Subjugation!

Divine Ability experts entering officialdom would become Subordinate Sixth Rank Deputy Envoys of Examination and Summoning. At the highest, they could become Principal Fifth Rank Golden Palace Grand Masters!

As for Primordial Elixir Grandmasters? They were already rare powerhouses in the immortal path. They would start at no lower than Subordinate Fourth Rank Five Talisman Spirit Officials!

Above Fourth Rank Spirit Officials, there were also positions such as Heavenly Masters and Imperial Preceptors. As for the exact cultivation realms required, outsiders might not know.

"These Daoist Officials have leisure in their daily lives and can even receive a free stipend. They're the highest class, surpassing civil and military officials. But there's nothing to be done... This is a world where great power belongs to the individual. If the imperial family of the Second Yanhan Empire hadn't possessed terrifying strength, it wouldn't have been their turn to be emperors."

Zhong Shenxiu changed into the official uniform of an Envoy of Exorcism. It resembled a Daoist robe, yet appeared even fresher and more elegant. Paired with an ivory waist token, it made Huang Xie and Er Ha's eyes shine as they loudly praised him.

Zhong Shenxiu couldn't be bothered with the two idiots.

Ever since he said he would teach them a Qi Refining technique he had obtained by chance, he had instantly gained two loyal lackeys.

But being flattered like this every day was also rather boring.

"Take good care of the house. I'm going to have a look at the official martial academy."

He instructed the two of them before walking out of the courtyard gate on his own.

Zhong Shenxiu had been looking forward to this trip for a long time.

Officials were common in Fufeng Prefecture, so no one was particularly surprised by a Deputy Envoy of Exorcism. At most, they were astonished by how young and handsome Zhong Shenxiu was.

The journey was peaceful. He encountered none of the entertaining incidents one might expect, and soon arrived at the official martial academy.

This place could be considered a massive martial academy. Whenever officers or soldiers were promoted to a crucial position, they had to come here to study military texts and Martial Arts.

Through this martial academy, the Second Yanhan Empire firmly kept military power in its grasp.

After all, when a military official was promoted, the empire could use the opportunity to transfer him away from his original post, completely dissolving his influence.

Besides that, it provided an excuse for an isolated investigation. Whether one went there to study and improve or went straight from studying into prison depended on one's own fortune.

Zhong Shenxiu showed his waist token and entered the academy. He did not look at the officers and soldiers drilling on the practice field, instead going straight to the place where secret manuals were stored.

This place resembled a massive library. Water vats were arranged all around, with dedicated personnel guarding them.

When he entered, he saw a vast interior space. The rows of bookshelves were filled with military texts, Martial Arts manuals, and the like.

An ordinary martial artist outside might bitterly seek a single true-transmission formula and fail to obtain it. Here, such formulas were everywhere.

The surroundings were silent. Only the occasional rustling of pages turned by several martial artists could be heard.

Zhong Shenxiu smiled and went straight to the second floor.

The grade of the Martial Arts on the second floor was even higher, reaching the Xiantian level. Arts such as the Ten Directions Beast Art were all kept there.

As for cultivation Daoist Arts? He might as well stop dreaming.