Xiao Jinglin said, "Option one is to implement the Honorary Merit Rank of the Principal Sixth Rank Purple and Azure Grand Master."
If Brother Deng were to acquire this status, and then transfer to a military post in the local area, he could at least secure a substantive position as an Eighth-Rank Commandant, commanding at least five hundred soldiers."
Deng Qing raised an eyebrow and began to secretly calculate. This was different from having an eighth-grade talisman around his neck.
If he truly had five hundred soldiers under his command, he would be considered a significant figure in the local area.
Xiao Jinglin said, "Option Two is to implement the Military Selection Aide."
Speaking of this Military Selection Aide, I have something else to tell you. This imperial decree was obtained for you by Elder Jian.
According to my father's inquiries, Elder Jian said that since you were unable to obtain the title of Sword Examiner in your lifetime, it should be posthumously conferred upon you.
Elder Jian was renowned and influential, so the appointment of him as Military Selection Aide was later confirmed.
Deng Qing was taken aback for a moment, then felt a little touched.
Deng Qing composed himself and asked, "What exactly does this Military Selection Aide do?"
"Let me break down the bun for you and tell you about the filling."
Xiao Jinglin said, " Military Selection Aide refers to those who have been selected through the martial arts selection process and are employed by the Martial Dao Institute. What they do specifically depends on their individual abilities. The Sword Examiner you previously sought to join is one such position."
Strictly speaking, it belongs to the teaching profession system.
Brother Deng, which one will you choose?
Deng Qing smiled and said, "I see a smile hidden in Brother Xiao's eyes; there's something going on here."
Xiao Jinglin said, "Brother Deng, your eyes are sharp, nothing can be hidden from you. I must apologize to you first."
Although I told you to choose just now, actually, when my father and I were planning this, there wasn't enough time, so I made the decision for Brother Deng and chose Military Selection Aide.
In my opinion, leading a few hundred soldiers in a local area and becoming a military general is not bad. But in terms of future prospects, the Martial Dao Institute is much better.
I know that Brother Deng's ambitions lie beyond a county or prefecture, and he probably wouldn't want to stay in a local area and deal with those trivial military affairs. So I took the liberty of making this decision for you. You won't blame me, will you?"
Deng Qing slapped him on the shoulder, "What's it to you? I was just worried about not finding a way."
Having traversed the Desolate Soil, Deng Qing's worldview had undergone a significant transformation. He was acutely aware of the prestige of the Martial Dao Institute, and even a child could easily choose Military Selection Aide.
Staying in the local area as a military officer, all you earn is worldly money; you might as well stay at the Celebration Hall and sell soap.
Deng Qing asked with a smile, "If I choose this Military Selection Aide, will I still need to take the entrance exam after I get to the Martial Dao Institute?"
Xiao Jinglin laughed, "What's there to test? This is a merit you earned with your life. The purpose of our efforts is to ensure this reward is truly realized; otherwise, what are we busy with?"
"Do I have to hand over my official seal as Eighth-Rank Commandant?"
"This was something you already had, it's unrelated to this time, it's just that Purple and Azure Grand Master is gone."
The more Deng Qing listened, the more relieved he felt; he hadn't expected such a good thing to happen.
After thanking Xiao Jinglin, Deng Qing asked, "By the way, what are you doing at the Martial Dao Institute these days?"
"What else can I do? Further studies, of course."
Xiao Jinglin spread his hands and said, "To be honest, it's all thanks to you. After I made a solid contribution to Liangshan, I was specially approved to enter the Martial Dao Lower Court, and I'm already a first-term student."
"First generation? What does that even mean?"
"Students in the Lower House are divided into four terms, each lasting two years, and they can graduate after eight years."
Deng Qing said, "I see that your physique has changed quite a bit, it seems that your cultivation has also improved considerably."
Xiao Jinglin puffed out his chest. "Finally, you noticed. I've been working on this for ages."
Deng Qing chuckled, "You were waiting for me to ask, weren't you?"
"I can't very well boast in front of Brother Deng."
Xiao Jinglin laughed heartily, "Thanks, you've reached the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer. You're already preparing to break through to the Furnace Realm."
Deng Qing was somewhat surprised. "So fast?"
"What's so fast? It's been over a year."
Xiao Jinglin shook his head, "From now on, if I encounter any trouble, I won't need to hide behind Brother Deng anymore."
Deng Qing thought to himself, "You've only just begun; you should still keep your distance."
Deng Qing didn't feel that the year he spent underwater was wasted. He felt it was worth it to absorb all that Wasteland Baleful Intent and gain this terrifying physical body in return.
The two chatted for a while longer, then Xiao Jinglin pointed to the sky and said, "It's about time, Brother Deng, let's get going."
Deng Qing knew that there was no time to lose, so he told Xiao Jinglin that he would go back to the Celebration Hall to report the news and return immediately.
Xiao Jinglin nodded in agreement, and Deng Qing turned and headed into the city.
Upon finding Fan Sheng, Deng Qing quickly explained the cause and effect, and the more Fan Sheng listened, the brighter his eyes became.
Upon hearing that Deng Qing's registration had already been completed, he couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, "Great news! Shall we leave now?"
Deng Qing nodded. " Xiao Jinglin is still waiting for me outside the city."
Fan Sheng rubbed his hands together. "Yes, of course I'll go. Don't worry about things in the hall; I'll take care of them for you."
After saying that, he opened a drawer, pulled out a stack of Silver Note, and stuffed them directly into Deng Qing's hand. "The accounts haven't been finalized yet, but whatever's more or less, it's all yours. Take it."
Deng Qing took out two bills. "Keep them and manage them slowly. I reckon you won't have much Gold and Silver to use once you get there. I'll write to you when you really need money."
Fan Sheng nodded, his mood somewhat heavy.
Deng Qing patted him on the shoulder, " The Martial Dao Lower Court isn't far. I'll come back as soon as I have time off. From now on, give way to me in any situation, and wait for me to return."
Fan Sheng frowned. This was clearly a normal instruction, so why did it give him a bad feeling?
After bidding farewell to Fan Sheng, Deng Qing went straight to his own grave. When he arrived, Xiao Jinglin was already sitting in a wicker basket.
Upon seeing him arrive, the Cloud-Carrying Vulture flapped its wings, lifted off the ground, and a rope hung down.
"Brother Deng, come up here!"
Deng Qing lightly touched the ground with his feet, leaped up, grabbed the rope, and with a slight push from his hands, he soared into the air, flipped over the edge of the basket, and landed gracefully inside.
The basket was more spacious than he had expected, with a thick cushion underneath and soft pillows on both sides for him to lean on.
Xiao Jinglin moved aside to make room and then put the rope away.
With a clear whistle, the Cloud-Carrying Vulture spread its wings and flew upwards.
Deng Qing felt his body lean back slightly and quickly grabbed the edge of the basket.
The tombstone below rapidly shrank, while the slope, official road, and fields beneath their feet merged into one.
Looking further into the distance, the city walls of Everjoy County come into full view, with the crisscrossing streets and alleys resembling ditches.
The Cloud-Carrying Vulture flew higher and higher, farther and farther.
Before long, a great river winds its way out from between the mountains, and the sun sets on its surface, making the river look like a shimmering silver ribbon.
Deng Qing held onto the rim of the basket, watching it with a somewhat greedy gaze.
Having spent too long in the underground training room, now that I'm suddenly up here in the sky, I feel a sense of openness and clarity in my heart.
He faced the wind and couldn't help but let out a long howl.
Xiao Jinglin didn't take it seriously and joined in the howling.
After fiddling around for a while, Deng Qing sat back down, and the two resumed their conversation.
Deng Qing asked, "You've already reached the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer. Among the first-term students, you can be considered outstanding?"
Xiao Jinglin shook his head. "There are too many capable people in the academy. I was considered above average among the first batch of students, and there were several at the Furnace Realm. By the second batch, Furnace Realm were a dime a dozen, and by the third batch, almost everyone was at the Furnace Realm."
Deng Qing was secretly surprised.
In Everjoy County, the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer is enough to support a martial arts school, and wherever you go, you'll be looked up to.
Unexpectedly, even such a powerful individual couldn't be considered the top performer among the first-year students at the Martial Dao Institute.
However, Deng Qing was not surprised.
The Martial Exam Student were all very talented. Long Xiu, whom he had met, was already one of the best at the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer. Even he might not be able to pass the Provincial Examination.
At this moment, those who can enter the Martial Dao Institute as students are naturally the most outstanding talents, selected from among thousands.
Deng Qing thought to himself, "A place where elites gather is where I should go."
After a moment of self-satisfaction, he inquired about Jian Ruyu.
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I haven't heard from Elder Jian in a long time. It seems he's no longer in the courtyard. I don't know where he went."
Deng Qing's heart skipped a beat. "No way! This is my most powerful backer."
On second thought, with Jian Ruyu's skills, she could roam freely throughout the world, so it seemed that it was not his place to worry about her.
It's only a matter of time before she returns.
Suppressing the matter, Deng Qing added, "As far as I know, all those at the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer are qualified to attempt to break through to the Furnace Realm."
With your family background, surely you can gather enough resources to break through to the Furnace Realm? Why not hurry up and attempt it?"
Xiao Jinglin said, "It's not that simple. The higher you go on the path of Martial Dao, the higher the requirements for aptitude."
Countless people at the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer either got stuck there and couldn't move forward, or failed to break through to the Furnace Realm, their years of hard work destroyed in an instant.
Deng Qing said, "Since we have some time, Brother Xiao, why don't you tell me in detail how to break through to the Furnace Realm?"
Xiao Jinglin said, "Alright, since you have time and Brother Deng is in the mood, I'll have a detailed chat with you."
According to my father, everyone below the Divine Ability Realm is busy doing one thing: building their apertures.
Deng Qing said, "Concentrating Origin Aperture and storing one's Internal Breath is the entry into the Bone-Forging Realm. I can understand that."
Xiao Jinglin nodded, "Once you open the True Aperture and absorb True Qi, you will enter the Furnace Realm."
To open the True Aperture, one must condense the Earthly Baleful Intent Earthly Baleful Intent and use its power to transform the Internal Breath energy into Sha Qi.
Then, by using the True Condensation Pill, the Internal Breath transformed into Sha Qi is rapidly compressed, and the True Aperture is opened, and it is complete.
Deng Qing asked, "Before the invention of the True Condensation Pill, how did people break the Great Furnace?"
Xiao Jinglin said, "You've come to the Desolate Soil and you're still asking this question? Martial Dao civilization is always moving forward, otherwise what's the point of studying the Desolate Soil?"
The introduction of the True Condensation Pill, like the introduction of the Martial Origin Pill, was intended to reduce the difficulty of breaking through cultivation barriers.
Deng Qing said, "If that's the case, does it mean that aptitude is no longer important?"
Xiao Jinglin said, "Of course not. Aptitude has always been important. It's not obvious except in the Skin Tempering Realm, but it becomes more and more important as you progress."
Take the example of breaking through the Great Furnace.
Martial Artist with good aptitude and strong control over their Internal Breath energy can often succeed by refining the earth's veins after only three to five attempts.
Those with poor aptitude may need seven or eight attempts to succeed.
Earthly Baleful Intent are precious, and opportunities to extract them are few and far between.
Those with poor assets are extremely vulnerable to failing at this hurdle.
By the way, speaking of refining the Earthly Baleful Intent, Brother Deng, rest assured, I promised to lend you my family's Baleful Veins for refining, and I will never go back on my word.
"Once you Bone Tempering Fourth Layer, just let me know, and on a day off, I'll take you back to refine the Earthly Baleful Intent."
Deng Qing had been thinking about this matter, but he was too embarrassed to bring it up. Now that Xiao Jinglin had mentioned it, he quickly followed up, "So that Brother Xiao may know that I have already reached the Bone Tempering Fourth Layer."
Xiao Jinglin pointed at Deng Qing and chuckled, "You're praising me for advancing quickly? Your speed is just as fast."
Deng Qing thought to himself, "I've been bedridden for a year, but I have a panel, so don't compare yourself to me."
He said, "Brother Xiao is making progress, and I must follow suit, step by step, and keep up with him."
Xiao Jinglin smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Let's not talk about anything else. Whenever we have a long holiday of more than three days, I'll take you back to the Xiao Family to refine the Earthly Baleful Intent."
Deng Qing nodded his thanks and asked him to continue explaining.
Xiao Jinglin said, "There's not much else to explain. Refining the Earthly Baleful Intent requires talent, and so does taking the True Condensation Pill."
The True Condensation Pill is a product developed by the Martial Dao Upper Court. It is very powerful and reduces the difficulty of breaking through levels, but it also has drawbacks.
The drawback is that taking it can easily cause a surge in qi and Qi-Blood, leading to bleeding from all seven orifices and posing a risk of Qi Deviation.
The crucial point is that many people, even after taking a single True Condensation Pill, may not be able to completely compress the Internal Breath transformed into Sha Qi within their bodies.
"When it comes to taking two True Condensation Pill, it's almost always a matter of life and death for any cultivator attempting to break through to the next realm."
Deng Qing seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly, the Cloud-Carrying Vulture lowered its body, and the two of them swayed in the basket.
Deng Qing looked up and saw a Da Shan coming towards him, with a very wide tunnel running through its waist.
Several thick wooden fences stood across the entrance, and two teams of men were on guard at the entrance.
The Cloud-Carrying Vulture raised its neck and cried out twice, and a layer of blue light appeared on the iron plaque hanging on its chest.
The gatekeepers acted quickly, removing the wooden fence blocking their way.
So, the Cloud-Carrying Vulture folded its wings slightly and flew into the Cave Entrance, skimming close to the entrance.
The sky darkened suddenly, the howling mountain wind carried a chill, and the loud commotion caused by the flapping of bird wings echoed between the stone walls.
The tunnel ahead was wide but unusually long; it took over a hundred breaths to see light before it appeared.
With a whoosh, the Cloud-Carrying Vulture flapped its wings and burst out of the tunnel, Deng Qing's vision suddenly opened up.