Chapter 262: Curse Technique, Xia Jing Exits the Stage, and Is Meng Kun Stirring Things Up?

"This is quite the novelty."

The ninetieth floor of the Secret Arts Tower at Tianyuan Academy was a restricted area, accessible only to Doctors of Ritual Studies.

Anyone capable of cultivating the Myriad Law Manifestation was undoubtedly a prodigy of the Self School.

Yet, this individual also seemed to be exploring top-tier cloud techniques.

Li Boqian's curiosity was instantly piqued.

"Senior, your cultivation is profound, and your methods are beyond comprehension. Would you be willing to offer some guidance?"

Zhao Xing immediately cupped his hands respectfully in the direction of the voice.

His Myriad Law Manifestation was not something an ordinary person could easily discern.

Moreover, within the scope of the Mist Concealment Technique, layered with multiple veils of obfuscation, it should have been impossible for anyone to see through his current state.

Yet, the intruder not only appeared abruptly within his concealed domain but also spoke with keen insight, as though they had seen through everything.

How could Zhao Xing fail to recognize that he had encountered a top-tier expert?

It didn't matter who this person was or whether they revealed themselves; what mattered was whether this master would offer him guidance.

Skipping over his initial shock and the trivial details of questioning the identity of the mysterious individual, Zhao Xing seized upon their apparent interest and immediately began demonstrating his understanding of the Heavenly Thunder Finger and Cloud Gate techniques.

"Senior, your insight is as sharp as a torch. Please critique my Heavenly Thunder Finger and Cloud Gate!"

Li Boqian hadn't even processed the boy's sudden request when Zhao Xing began to display his techniques.

"Interesting," Li Boqian muttered.

His curiosity deepened.

The Heavenly Thunder Finger derived from the Prison Lightning Chapter of the Xuantian Lightning Technique, while Cloud Gate was an advanced method branching from the ultimate Cloud Sky Dao.

Where had this kid come from, daring to explore such pinnacle-level techniques through a Myriad Law Manifestation?

Moreover, the boy didn't seem overly concerned about who had trespassed into his domain or whether they would be willing to offer pointers. Instead, he jumped straight into showcasing his techniques.

Ha! What a clever one!

Li Boqian watched with increasing interest.

"Zzzzt—"

At Zhao Xing's fingertip, arcs of lightning crackled, forming what appeared to be a black dot.

The dot was pitch black, as though it could devour or annihilate everything, while arcs of lightning swirled around its perimeter.

When Li Boqian saw the black dot at Zhao Xing's fingertip, even he was taken aback.

"This kid wasn't exaggerating. His Heavenly Thunder Finger has already taken shape."

Boom!!!

The black dot, surrounded by swirling lightning, struck the test wall of the chamber.

The wall, constructed from specialized materials to endure high-grade training, briefly caved in, spiderweb-like cracks spreading across its surface.

Despite its strong resilience and self-repairing capabilities, the black vortex of lightning imprinted on the wall exhibited extraordinary destructive power. The wall required seven full breaths before it restored itself entirely.

"Huff…" Zhao Xing exhaled deeply and added, "Please, senior, correct my faults."

He couldn't tell if the mysterious individual had left, as he was utterly unable to sense their presence.

Not only had Li Boqian not left, but he also chose to reveal himself.

"In terms of your understanding of the Dao of Lightning Techniques, your cultivation of the Heavenly Thunder Finger is already on the right path. There's nothing that requires correction."

When Zhao Xing saw the elderly man in hemp robes emerge from the mist, he froze.

At once, he bowed deeply and said, "This humble official, Zhao Xing, greets the Grand Shennong!"

Li Boqian smiled faintly and nodded. "No need for formalities. Here, I am not a Grand Shennong, merely an old man who has lived a few hundred years too long."

The reason for his concealment was simple: his image as the Grand Shennong was widely recognized.

Were he to appear openly in the Secret Arts Tower, it would likely cause chaos, with countless cultivators abandoning their training to approach him in reverence.

But now, curiosity had gotten the better of him, and he chose to show himself. Without doing so, his questions might go unanswered.

"Thank you, senior," Zhao Xing replied, standing straight.

Li Boqian asked, "You practice the Liu Family's Straw Puppet Techniques. What is your relationship with Liu Tianning?"

"Liu Tianning is my master," Zhao Xing answered.

"And how did you end up sneaking into Xuantian Academy as a Doctor of Ritual Studies?"

"I earned my position by distinguishing myself in the competition for quotas at the Ancient Dragon Court Ruins, where I was recommended by Lords Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, and Simayi Yunhai," Zhao Xing explained truthfully.

"I see," Li Boqian mused. "Your true body must be cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit in the Star Palace, which is why you could not come in person."

"That is indeed the case," Zhao Xing admitted without hesitation.

While his cultivation of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit was a tightly guarded secret from most, it was not something he needed to hide from Li Boqian.

"You've embarked on the path of the Self School. Why have you come to Xuantian Academy?" Li Boqian asked, his tone betraying a hint of expectation.

Zhao Xing answered without hesitation, "This junior hasn't only come to Xuantian Academy; I'm also on my way to Kunyuan Academy."

"I aim to unify the Three Schools—Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Self—and bring the Way of the Shennong to an unprecedented pinnacle."

"Hahaha!" Li Boqian burst into laughter. "What grand ambition! Boy, you have more resolve than Liu Tianning!"

He was visibly pleased. This was precisely the answer he had hoped for.

Still harboring a desire to test Zhao Xing further, he asked, "Even your master, Liu Tianning, merely seeks to lead the Self School to the ultimate path. Let me ask you this: do you understand your master's aspirations and why he was chosen as a candidate for Shangluo Academy?"

Li Boqian wanted to see if Zhao Xing truly had a vision and a clear path forward, or if he was merely indulging in fanciful talk to curry favor.

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "The Straw Puppet Techniques can be divided into three branches: the Liu Family's Straw Puppet Techniques, Wu Family's Straw Puppet Techniques, and Shangluo's Straw Puppet Techniques."

"The Wu Family's methods trace back to the Grand Shennong Wu Cheng of the early Great Zhou era, who recompiled ancient Straw Puppet Techniques."

"The Shangluo's Straw Puppet Techniques represent an older, original version from antiquity."

"The Liu Family's Straw Puppet Techniques were created by Liu Zonghai."

"Of these, the Shangluo's techniques have significant flaws in their intent, form, and spirit. Moreover, some of the materials required for constructing avatars are now extinct. This branch preserved only one method for cultivating a top-tier Dharma body, whose power was limited, leaving the Shangluo methods with only historical importance as the origin of the technique."

"During the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Wu Cheng and Liu Zonghai, two great predecessors, simultaneously carried out inheritance, improvements, and innovations to the Straw Puppet Techniques."

"This led to the emergence of three tiers of techniques: low, middle, and high."

"Wu Cheng was primarily a theorist. Although he did not practice the techniques himself, he collaborated with other greats of the Self School, using the Creation Disk to formulate forty-nine Straw Puppet methods, spanning the spectrum from basic to advanced. At their peak, they could cultivate seven top-tier Dharma bodies."

"In theory, the Wu Family's methods can also lead to the ultimate path."

"Liu Zonghai, on the other hand, was a practitioner. He created eighty-one Straw Puppet techniques."

"Of the techniques developed by these two sages, forty-nine were identical in substance, though their effects differed due to the variance in materials used."

"The Wu Family's methods focused more on accessibility, prioritizing the laws themselves rather than rare materials. The middle- and lower-tier techniques promoted by the imperial court are based on the Wu Family's methods."

"The Liu Family's methods, in contrast, pursued an elite path, valuing both laws and careful selection of materials."

"However, whether following the theoretical Wu Family's path or the practical Liu Family's path, neither achieved the creation of an ultimate Dharma body."

"The successive Deans of Shangluo Academy only reached the level of top-tier Dharma bodies."

"Even so, the Myriad Law Manifestation, when perfected at the top-tier level, is already comparable in power and efficacy to the ultimate techniques of other schools."

"Hence, the leaders of the Self School have set their requirement as mastering multiple top-tier Dharma bodies to perfection."

"My master, Liu Tianning, aims to merge nine top-tier Dharma bodies into one, carving out a true ultimate path for the Self School and re-compiling the Straw Puppet Techniques. This is his aspiration."

Li Boqian, clearly intrigued, asked, "You intend to unify the Three Schools. How do you plan to accomplish this?"

Zhao Xing responded promptly, "Aside from the Myriad Law Manifestation, I aim to create another ultimate path for the Self School."

"For the Earth School, I aim to develop the Ultimate Mountain Technique and the Ultimate Mysterious Earth Technique, completing the five ultimate methods of the Earth School."

Seeing Zhao Xing fall silent, Li Boqian smiled and asked, "The Heaven School already has seven ultimate techniques. What do you intend to do about that?"

Zhao Xing replied, "The Heaven School doesn't lack techniques. What it needs is the refinement of the Five Elements and Four Seasons Theory."

"Hahaha, well said! If you can accomplish these goals, you'll truly be a pioneer unmatched by anyone before or after!"

Li Boqian laughed heartily, clearly satisfied.

"You have the Dao in your heart and techniques in your hands, but the road beneath your feet must be tread more steadily."

"I've asked you six questions. For each one, you may visit my Nanshan Garden for guidance six times."

Zhao Xing's heart leaped with joy. He knew this was a stroke of great fortune.

The guidance of the Grand Shennong far surpassed that of Lords Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, or Simayi Yunhai.

"This junior wishes to ask for guidance on how to fully grasp the Heavenly Thunder Finger."

Li Boqian considered for a moment. "As I mentioned earlier, your understanding of lightning techniques has already taken form and requires no correction."

"The reason you cannot execute it fully is because you're using a Myriad Law Manifestation."

Myriad Law Manifestation? Zhao Xing fell into thought.

"The Myriad Law Manifestation has its limitations. For example, it cannot practice the internal Hou Transformation techniques."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. The Myriad Law Manifestation indeed lacked the capacity for internal transformations—at least with the techniques currently available in this era.

This was because internal Hou Transformations required substantial changes to the physical body. The materials composing the avatar differed significantly from a natural body, and attempting internal transformations would cause the avatar to collapse irreparably. This was the irreplaceable advantage of a true body.

"Furthermore, while the Myriad Law Manifestation can comprehend three major secret canons, it cannot use Seasonal Qi Commands or house plant-based soldier types," Li Boqian explained.

At his fingertips, a vortex of black lightning swirled, slowing the speed of the Heavenly Thunder Finger's execution by countless times.

Simultaneously, a Seasonal Qi Command floated out of his body.

It was the Awakening of Insects Seasonal Qi Command.

However, unlike the green color typical of spring commands, Li Boqian's token glowed with a brilliant violet hue.

"The Heavenly Thunder Finger draws from the Seasonal Qi Commands of Major Heat, Minor Heat, and Awakening of Insects. By combining these with a Seasonal Qi Command, one can comprehend the true meaning of lightning techniques. At the entry stage, the Seasonal Qi Command serves as an essential supplementary method."

"The structure of your Myriad Law Manifestation differs from that of your true body," he continued.

"This means you've achieved its form and grasped its essence, but you lack the true intent of lightning, and you haven't yet adapted to the differences between an avatar and a true body."

"The materials used to create your Myriad Law Manifestation lean heavily toward the Yin Five Elements, as its foundation lies in the Soul Binding Straw Puppet. This conflicts with the cultivation of Yang Lightning techniques, creating interference in your practice."

Hearing this, Zhao Xing was struck with sudden clarity.

Li Boqian had pointed out two critical issues. First, Zhao Xing had not used a Seasonal Qi Command for assistance during his cultivation, creating an additional layer of difficulty compared to others.

Second, he had failed to recognize the unique properties of his avatar. While he sought to cultivate a top-tier Yang Lightning technique, the heavy presence of Yin Five Elements within the avatar disrupted his comprehension.

Had it been his true body, he might have already succeeded. This was the inherent drawback of relying on an avatar.

"To resolve this, the solution is simple. You're only one step away from success. Devote some time to having your true body train instead."

"Once you've truly entered the door to mastery, you'll have a commanding perspective. Revisiting your avatar's cultivation path will then become much easier."

Zhao Xing felt a wave of understanding wash over him. His previous mastery of the Dao had allowed him to easily overcome barriers in lower-level techniques, enabling his avatar to swiftly execute high-level methods with increasing power.

However, when it came to top-tier techniques, the challenges had multiplied.

Now, with Li Boqian illuminating the path forward, he immediately knew what needed to be done.

It seemed simple in hindsight, but without Li Boqian's guidance, Zhao Xing might have taken much longer to realize it.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I now know how to proceed."

Li Boqian smiled. "This question won't count toward your six opportunities. Consider it a 'hush fee.' I'm here incognito, and you must not reveal my presence. Visit Dean Lu Chunhua at the academy; he'll arrange for the Ritual Studies department to place a 'Triple Silence' spell on you."

"Yes," Zhao Xing replied, cupping his hands respectfully. The Triple Silence was a spell from the Ritual Studies department, commonly known as a sealing spell for confidentiality.

Li Boqian had a significant mission here and could not afford to be exposed.

After meeting with Li Boqian, Zhao Xing's avatar made its way to the administrative office of the academy dean.

Lu Chunhua arranged for a Ritual Studies practitioner whose cultivation realm couldn't be discerned to cast the "Triple Silence" spell on Zhao Xing.

This spell worked directly on the Life Soul, ensuring that both Zhao Xing's true body and avatar were incapable of revealing Li Boqian's location.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xing's true body resided in the Star Palace. With eyes closed, he pretended to rest, donned in the Heavenly Mechanism Robe, carrying the Guardian Jade Pendant and the Soul-Calming Bell as he entered his dream state.

Inside the Memory Palace of his dream, Zhao Xing replayed his meeting with Li Boqian.

"Li Boqian, the Grand Shennong, is highly regarded in historical evaluations. Unlike Liu Tianning's brutal methods, Li is known for his gentler approach," Zhao Xing muttered to himself.

"Winning his favor so easily, earning these six opportunities for guidance, is truly a windfall," Zhao Xing reflected inwardly.

Initially, Zhao Xing had expected to expend significant effort to gain Li Boqian's acknowledgment. However, his straightforward expression of ambition had unexpectedly earned him such a valuable opportunity.

Luck aside, Zhao Xing knew his strength played a significant role. Without the Myriad Law Manifestation, his true body entering the Secret Spell Tower might not have caught Li Boqian's attention.

More importantly, Zhao Xing's actions had aligned with his ambitions. The Myriad Law Manifestation proved that he not only had grand aspirations but had also taken real steps toward realizing them. As Li Boqian had said, Zhao Xing "had the Dao in his heart and the techniques in his hands."

"I must make full use of these six opportunities, aiming to learn his Primordial Seal Technique. But that will have to wait until the final session. At my current level, attempting such a transfer would be too strenuous—I can't waste this precious chance."

Should he succeed, his position within the Heaven School would soar. To inherit an ultimate technique for the school would be tantamount to preserving the sages' legacy—a monumental contribution.

Although the Heaven School already boasted seven ultimate techniques, the value of such methods did not diminish with quantity.

"The Derivation of the Divine Spirit is the foundation of all learning. With my Life Soul imprint at three stars, my learning capabilities have increased tenfold."

"My affinity with spells, comprehension of techniques, and even my ability to innovate and deduce laws—everything has shown significant improvement."

"I'll spend the next few days testing these enhancements," Zhao Xing concluded.

Time flew by, and before long, it was December 10th.

In the Star Palace, Zhao Xing's true body was in cultivation, but instead of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, he was focused on mastering the Heavenly Thunder Finger.

"Zzzzz—"

A vortex of black lightning swirled around his fingertip. It was stable yet brimmed with overwhelming destructive force.

"The essence of destruction embodied in lightning… I've finally grasped the fundamentals of the Heavenly Thunder Finger." Zhao Xing smiled faintly and dispelled the technique.

Since his avatar and true body shared the same Life Soul, their comprehensions were interconnected.

While the avatar remained within the Secret Spell Tower for ten continuous days, Zhao Xing's true body had temporarily paused work on the Derivation of the Divine Spirit. Instead, he used the Seasonal Qi Command to assist his comprehension.

Finally, after spending ten days within the Secret Spell Tower, Zhao Xing achieved the first transformation of the Heavenly Thunder Finger.

"My true body has mastered the basics. Now, I just need the avatar to adapt," Zhao Xing mused.

He was fully aware that the avatar's progress would lag behind the true body.

In terms of casting top-tier techniques, the true body was like using both eyes and limbs freely, whereas the avatar functioned as if blind in one eye and crippled in one leg.

"Based on my experience with higher-level techniques, once my true body reaches the third transformation of the Heavenly Thunder Finger, the avatar should be able to cast it, albeit barely."

Suddenly, the Earth Mirror buzzed with urgency.

Zhao Xing glanced at it, his expression shifting to mild exasperation.

"Sigh… The Lord Tianyan is pestering me again. Does he think I'm slacking off?"

Initially, the Lord Tianyan had approved of Zhao Xing taking a two-day break.

By the fifth day, the Lord Tianyan grew restless.

By the tenth day, he began persistently reminding Zhao Xing not to fall behind.

The dignified Lord Tianyan had effectively become Zhao Xing's cultivation overseer, fearful that Zhao Xing might miss the opportunity to break records.

"Zhao Xing, get back to cultivation! Come out now!" The Lord Tianyan's voice echoed outside Zhao Xing's door. "Your total break time has already exceeded ten days! Even the horses at Tuoquan Palace don't rest this much!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Zhao Xing sighed, swiftly leaving his quarters.

Advancing the Life Soul imprint from the third to the fourth star posed a significant challenge.

Even Liu Tianning had required over six months to make this leap.

After mastering the Heavenly Thunder Finger, Zhao Xing was compelled by the Lord Tianyan's supervision to set aside technique comprehension. He shifted focus entirely toward cultivating the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit.

"To achieve a four-star Life Soul imprint, I estimate it will take until January of next year," Zhao Xing calculated. "I wonder if this pace is fast or slow and whether I'll manage to complete it within three years."

Starting from the third star, the difficulty of each step increased dramatically, demanding more time and effort.

Of course, Zhao Xing lacked specific metrics for comparison. Since the Lord Tianyan didn't disclose others' progress, Zhao Xing had no way of knowing whether others were faster than him.

Where did he rank among the thirty-seven others?

These details remained top-secret.

"Judging by the Lord Tianyan's impatience, my speed might not be particularly impressive. I'll have to work harder—I can't underestimate the talents of the Great Zhou Dynasty," Zhao Xing resolved.

What Zhao Xing didn't realize, however, was that he wasn't just the fastest among the thirty-eight participants but also the fastest in the history of this cultivation system.

If he knew the truth, he might have sarcastically retorted to the Lord Tianyan: "I'm already this fast, and you're still rushing me? Do you think I'm dead last or something?"

By the Jingxin Calendar's 31st year, January 15th arrived.

Within the Star Palace—

"Boom—"

Runic patterns on a star swirled as Zhao Xing stood atop the Star Platform, quietly observing.

By now, the pain no longer caused him to cry out.

The process of cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit had tempered his mental resilience.

The current intensity far exceeded the pain of forming the first star, but Zhao Xing maintained his composure.

Even the Lord Tianyan couldn't discern whether Zhao Xing had succeeded or failed.

After a long wait with no sign of Zhao Xing consuming Life Soul Liquid or crying out in pain, the Lord Tianyan finally materialized.

"Well? Have you broken through or not? You've been standing there for ages!"

If Zhao Xing had succeeded, he should announce it immediately—the king still had records to document!

"My respects to the Lord Tianyan. I have indeed broken through," Zhao Xing said with a nod.

At this moment, his Life Soul now bore a fourth star, this one located on his back alongside intricate runic patterns—a testament to his mastery of soul cultivation.

"The fourth Life Star?" The Lord Tianyan's face lit up with joy. "Good, very good."

"Your Grace, how does my speed compare in achieving the fourth star?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Of course, it's…" The Lord Tianyan, in his excitement, almost blurted out the truth. Catching himself, he remembered Zhao Xing's ten-day break and quickly altered his response. "Ahem. Let's just say there's plenty of room for improvement."

Zhao Xing couldn't make sense of the ambiguous reply and simply said, "Your Grace, may I take a few days off?"

"What for?" The Lord Tianyan asked suspiciously.

Why was Zhao Xing already asking for another break? He certainly wasn't like this back in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven!

"Spring Festival is approaching, and it's the New Year. I should return home for the occasion," Zhao Xing explained. "The last breakthrough consumed one of my avatars in the Secret Spell Tower, and another is on the way to Kunyuan Academy. The others dissolved due to the vibrations of the Life Soul."

"I could send an avatar home, but my younger sister often calls me a foolish brother. I'd like to visit in person."

Faced with such reasoning, the Lord Tianyan had no choice but to relent. "Fine. You may take half a month off."

After all, progressing from the fourth to the fifth star would not happen overnight.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Don't rush off just yet," the Lord Tianyan added. "Wait until the holiday is closer—it's still half a month away."

"Understood."

In Chongming Prefecture, within a hidden private estate.

Yin Qiquan stared at the stack of documents before him and glanced toward his subordinate, his tone laced with irritation. "What is this mess? I instructed you to bring me all the official records signed by the Palace of the Earth Gods' supervisors. Why do these all bear Chen Shijie's signature as the Right Supervisor, while the Left Supervisor, Zhao Xing, has only applied the official seal?"

The subordinate looked equally exasperated. "My lord, this can't be blamed on me! Zhao Xing has practically turned the Palace of the Earth Gods into his personal vacation spot. He sleeps all day in the office and refuses to manage anything!"

"All the responsibilities of the Palace of the Earth Gods are left to Chen Shijie to handle."

Zhao Xing's idleness left his subordinate helpless. What could anyone do when a supervisor refused to work and spent his time loafing around?

"What? That scoundrel! How dare he govern so lazily!" Yin Qiquan angrily slammed the table.

He had been tasked with acquiring items tied to Zhao Xing to send them secretly overseas as part of a broader plan. Collecting such materials now would serve as leverage for future opportunities.

Yet, despite Zhao Xing's extended tenure at the Palace of the Earth Gods, the man had contributed nothing substantial. All matters, big and small, were left for Chen Shijie to resolve. Zhao Xing resembled a temple statue—present to watch but refusing to speak or act.

"Are you telling me there isn't a single document with Zhao Xing's signature?" Yin Qiquan pinched the stack of documents in frustration. "Not even one? Answer me!"

His subordinate hesitated before replying, "My lord, there are three documents with his signature."

"Really?" Yin Qiquan's eyes lit up with surprise. "Where are they?"

The subordinate quickly shuffled through the disorganized pile of papers, extracting three specific documents.

"Good. You're dismissed." Yin Qiquan waved the subordinate away.

Once alone, Yin Qiquan descended into a secret underground chamber, carrying the documents. The underground palace was illuminated by the steady burn of a massive fire pit. He tossed the three papers into the flames.

This fire pit was an ancient artifact left behind by the True Fire Sect, modeled after the Lihuo Altar of the Lihuo Divine Sect. While only a replica, it still retained some of its original functionality, though limited to transmitting objects instead of people, and only in small quantities.

"Whoosh—"

The three documents were sent to the distant depths of the Three Mountains beneath the sea.

From the altar emerged the Blood Spirit Sovereign, descending from the platform while holding the transmitted documents. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his perception.

Moments later, an image materialized in his mind—a man with scruffy facial hair, a somewhat square face, faint eyebrow ridges, and narrow eyes over a small nose.

"Yin Qiquan, you idiot." The Blood Spirit Sovereign sneered coldly.

This wasn't Zhao Xing's signature. It was clearly forged by Chen Shijie!

The Blood Spirit Sovereign discarded the documents carelessly.

A dignified fourth-rank inspector failing to obtain an item from a fifth-rank official was bad enough, but to deliver the wrong material? Yin Qiquan was utterly useless!

The Blood Spirit Sovereign's planned use of the Curse Killing Technique required significant sacrifice, potentially even a life. He certainly wouldn't waste it on Chen Shijie, who wasn't even on the ranking lists!

He promptly sent a message back to Yin Qiquan.

Back in the underground chamber, Yin Qiquan received the response. Reading it, his anger surged.

"Idiot! That's Chen Shijie's forged signature!"

"What?!" Yin Qiquan's face turned red with fury. "Damn that Zhao Xing! How can you shirk your duties like this? This is infuriating!"

Time flew by, and soon it was February 4th.

By now, most officials in Chongming Prefecture had begun their annual leave for the Lunar New Year. However, the Palace of the Earth Gods was busier than ever.

With the Spring Festival approaching, countless individuals flooded the temple to pay homage to the Earth God.

On this day, Zhao Xing was finally granted a half-month holiday by the Lord Tianyan. Emerging from the underground chamber, he returned to the Palace of the Earth Gods.

Entering the administrative office, he noticed a continuous stream of documents flying into the supervisors' chamber.

As soon as one batch was processed, another set materialized, delivered through the fire transmitters. Meanwhile, junior officials bustled in and out, seeking guidance from Chen Shijie.

When Zhao Xing walked in, the surrounding officials froze for a moment before offering formal greetings. "Greetings, Supervisor Zhao."

Though the greetings were polite, some officials' expressions betrayed their dissatisfaction.

Zhao Xing's habit of sleeping on the job had left all responsibilities to Chen Shijie, the Right Supervisor. Many junior officials had all but forgotten Zhao Xing's existence and only remembered him after being reminded.

"Carry on, carry on. Don't mind me," Zhao Xing said with a cheerful smile as he walked into Chen Shijie's office.

Inside, Chen Shijie was buried under a mountain of documents.

He was so overwhelmed that he didn't even notice Zhao Xing's presence—a stark contrast to his usual alert demeanor as a Military Shennong.

"Ah-hem." Zhao Xing cleared his throat twice, grabbed two stacks of documents from a junior clerk, and approached. "I'll handle these. The rest of you, leave."

"Understood."

"Pretty busy, huh?" Zhao Xing muttered as he flipped through the documents, only to realize there wasn't even a space to sit. Resigned, he stood while working.

"What are you doing?" Chen Shijie finally looked up and noticed Zhao Xing with documents in hand.

"Just helping you process some of the work."

"You? Process official documents? Hand them over. These two are urgent from Mingyang County."

"Yes, sir." Zhao Xing quickly handed them over, amused by Chen Shijie's vigilance.

Without moving his hand, Chen Shijie controlled multiple pens with wind energy, swiftly signing approvals for the submitted reports from subordinate counties.

The Palace of the Earth Gods, usually quiet, had turned into a frenzy of activity as Spring Festival approached. 祭祀(Ji Si)—sacrificial ceremonies—was one of the most significant events in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the Spring Festival stood out as particularly vital.

Sacrificial ceremonies were of such importance that even routine county-level rituals required approval from the prefectural government during the Spring Festival. Normally, county matters would bypass the prefecture and be handled at the regional level, but this year was different.

"Why is there so much to handle this year? Aren't county-level affairs usually out of our jurisdiction?" Zhao Xing asked, frowning as he scanned the endless documents.

"It's a temporary directive," Chen Shijie replied without looking up. "A month ago, Zhou Chengwen reassigned county-level Spring Festival affairs to the prefecture."

"Zhou Chengwen? The Star God Priest of the prefecture's Star God Temple? Is he aligned with King Liang?" Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes.

Zhou Chengwen, a third-rank Star God Priest, was effectively one of their superiors in the administrative hierarchy.

"I don't know. He's hard to read," Chen Shijie admitted, shaking his head. "His reasoning for the change was sound enough—this year's grand Spring Festival ceremonies warranted stricter oversight. Bringing county matters to the prefectural level seemed logical."

Zhao Xing sighed, realizing the situation was unavoidable. "So, he's not necessarily targeting us. It's just an unfortunate addition to our workload."

Chen Shijie nodded. "The Palace of the Earth Gods doesn't solely handle rituals. Agricultural oversight also falls under our purview. With Chongming Prefecture's size, especially including the island counties and districts, it's no wonder we're overwhelmed."

Zhao Xing rubbed his temples. "Fair enough. Still, it's a mess. Can we finish this before the New Year?"

"Absolutely not," Chen Shijie answered bluntly. "The New Year is the busiest time for us."

"Why?"

"Because the Palace of the Earth Gods is responsible for both the Spring Festival sacrifices and overseeing agricultural preparations. These two months are the peak of our workload."

"How long has it been since you've taken a break?" Zhao Xing asked, glancing at the weary Chen Shijie.

"I haven't taken a day off since I started here," Chen Shijie replied matter-of-factly.

"..." Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

"Alright, you need to take a break. Go home for the New Year. I'm giving you time off," Zhao Xing declared.

Chen Shijie looked skeptical. "And who will handle all this in my absence?"

"I will," Zhao Xing said with a grin.

"You?" Chen Shijie looked him up and down. "You're serious?"

"Who are you underestimating here?" Zhao Xing retorted. "I'm not incompetent; I've just been busy with other matters."

Though Zhao Xing had spent much of his time seemingly idle, his deep understanding of the government's inner workings came from years of meticulous study. He had even gone through the Comprehensive Governance Guide compiled by countless players, which detailed the most efficient ways to handle official duties.

"You're not going back home?" Chen Shijie pressed. "This year, not only is Long Xiao returning for the New Year, but even Xia Jing plans to come to Donghai after Spring Festival."

"Xia Jing's coming too?" Zhao Xing was surprised. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"How could we? You're never around! I've been helping you check in for attendance," Chen Shijie said, pulling out Zhao Xing's supervisor seal for emphasis.

"I mean, why would Xia Jing even have time to come?"

The Southern Barbarian Campaign was still ongoing, and Xia Jing, now a high-ranking fifth-grade general, should have been deeply entrenched in his duties. Why would he leave?

Chen Shijie's face darkened. "Xia Jing was gravely injured—both arms severed, and he's been poisoned by a shaman."

"What?!" Zhao Xing's expression shifted. "How bad is it?"

"He says it's not too serious," Chen Shijie replied. "Xiang Kui procured a millennium-old Broken Bone Ginseng from Guangling Cave-Heaven for him, but the poison in his arms has left them unsalvageable. He'll need time to regrow them, and even the poison will take a year or more to fully purge."

"That's… far more serious than he admits," Zhao Xing muttered, his brows furrowed. Xia Jing's external cultivation was based on the Black Turtle Shield, while internally, he practiced the Devouring Technique. To sustain such severe injuries indicated an extraordinary foe.

"At least his life was spared," Zhao Xing finally sighed. As long as someone wasn't dead, there was always hope for recovery.

"Your decision back then seems even more prudent now," Chen Shijie remarked quietly.

The fortune of avoiding the worst of the conflict had been theirs to enjoy, while calamity had bypassed them entirely. If they had been directly involved, even Chen Shijie and Long Xiao might not have survived the campaign unscathed.

The Southern Barbarian Campaign had escalated in intensity, with increasingly powerful forces joining the fray. If Xia Jing had been injured by a shaman, it suggested third-rank combatants were beginning to take the field.

Though currently limited, the appearance of third-rank combatants signaled an inevitable escalation. Sooner or later, one side would break and fully deploy high-ranking forces.

"Judging by the timeline, that escalation is only a year or two away," Zhao Xing thought grimly.

In Jingxin Year 35, King Liang's rebellion would plunge the empire into chaos. High-level combat would dominate the Southern Barbarian Campaign in the three years leading up to it.

This meant that by Jingxin Year 32, the battlefield in the southern wilderness would transform into an unparalleled slaughterhouse—a true nightmare.

"When he arrives, I'll advise him to use this opportunity to fully recover," Zhao Xing said with a solemn tone. "If Xia Jing withdraws now, he can retain his fifth-grade rank, keeping his title and honors intact."

"You're planning to return to Dongyang County too?" Chen Shijie asked, raising an eyebrow. "What about things here?"

Zhao Xing smirked. "Have you forgotten I have clones?"

Though his focus on cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit had reduced the number of his clones to just two, they could easily be replenished. With the abundant materials in his Pure Essence Soil, Zhao Xing could replicate a hundred clones in an instant.

Handling official duties was trivial in comparison.

"Fine, I'll leave it to you," Chen Shijie finally relented, a rare smile appearing on his face. Setting down his pen, he collapsed into a well-earned slumber.

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Xing used wind energy to lift Chen Shijie and transport him to the official residence.

Summoning projections of his Pure Essence Soil, shadows coalesced as a stream of clones emerged.

The clones seamlessly replaced Chen Shijie's workload, swiftly reviewing and signing off on documents.

Jingxin Calendar Year 31, February 10th, Spring Festival

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie celebrated the New Year together at Zhao Xing's residence in Dongyang County.

On February 13th, Long Xiao arrived in Dongyang County with Bai Feng.

Shortly after, on the afternoon of February 14th, Xia Jing also reached Dongyang County in Bixian Prefecture. Thanks to Zhao Xing's familial connections at the Lihuo Dao Academy, Xia Jing had the privilege of taking a direct route to Dongyang.

By this time, the four companions of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven had finally reunited, eleven years after their parting in Jingxin Year 20.

"Time flies. It's been eleven years already," Xia Jing remarked while seated at the table. His appearance had not changed much, but his hair had completely fallen out—a lingering side effect of the poison inflicted by the Southern Barbarian Shamans. Though his recovery was ongoing, his demeanor had matured significantly, gaining a calm and steady presence.

"Come on, let's drink! Xia Jing, I toast to you! Surviving an encounter with a third-rank Earth Shaman—now that's what I call a true man!" Long Xiao raised his cup in tribute.

"Keep your voice down," Chen Shijie warned. "Why are you shouting? The madam is resting in the side hall."

"What's there to fear? It's just the four of us here today. Let's drink to our hearts' content!" Long Xiao exclaimed.

The gathering had already reached its second round, and their families were deliberately absent from the small four-meter-wide private room.

Xia Jing also lifted his cup. He was currently equipped with two seventh-grade prosthetic arms. Although the Broken Bone Ginseng he had consumed was working to regenerate his limbs, the process was slow. In the meantime, he relied on the specialized prosthetics to function. These prosthetics, slightly larger than his original arms, had internal compartments to allow his new arms to grow within.

"Don't worry, this room is soundproof. You can shout as loud as you want," Zhao Xing said with a grin, raising his cup. "Indeed, this calls for a toast. To Brother Xia—cheers!"

"Cheers!" The four of them downed their drinks in unison.

"Ah, good wine!" Xia Jing exclaimed after finishing his first cup, his face flushing bright red. His current physical state was far from peak condition, and even a single cup of fifth-grade fine wine was enough to bring color to his cheeks.

"Xia Jing, you escaped from the hands of a third-rank Earth Shaman. Tell us the full story!" Long Xiao urged. "Today, you've earned the right to boast!"

Instead of replying immediately, Xia Jing looked toward Zhao Xing and lifted his cup. "To be honest, I owe my life to Brother Zhao."

"Oh? What does this have to do with him?" Long Xiao's curiosity was piqued.

Even Chen Shijie looked up from his drink.

Xia Jing turned to Zhao Xing. "Do you remember what you told me before we parted?"

Zhao Xing nodded slightly. "I remember."

Xia Jing continued, "Before you left, you gave me a drawing of a flag and told me to run the moment I encountered it."

Zhao Xing's pupils contracted. "You came across the Nine Nether Army of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain?"

Xia Jing gave a bitter smile. "Yes, I did. At the time, I was leading a unit of the Dragon Cavalry Battalion on a reconnaissance mission for Xiang Kui. Suddenly, I saw a flag that I had never encountered before."

"The moment I saw that flag, your words came rushing back to me, and I immediately decided to retreat."

"So, you didn't engage them in battle?" Long Xiao interjected.

"No, I turned tail the moment I realized what I was up against," Xia Jing said. "But just as I thought I had successfully retreated, I realized I'd been poisoned. My hands wouldn't stop trembling, my blood-qi formation began to collapse, and I started experiencing hallucinations."

"What kind of hallucinations?" Zhao Xing asked sharply.

"I saw nine black insects with hideous mouthparts suddenly appear out of thin air and burrow into my body," Xia Jing said, his tone heavy. "At first, I thought it was some kind of Worm Shaman technique. But it wasn't. I carry high-grade antidotes with me at all times, and they were completely ineffective."

"My body began to deteriorate, even my Golden Body was breaking down. So, I made the quick decision to sever both my arms."

"Fortunately, I had cultivated the Azure Dragon Essence Conversion Method to the seventh layer. My Black Turtle Shield and Devouring Technique also played a significant role. After severing my arms, the hallucinations stopped, leaving only the poison's effects."

Recalling the experience, Xia Jing shivered. "You have no idea. I didn't even see the enemy. I had no idea what kind of technique this was. All I could think about was escaping with my life."

"I collapsed after returning to camp. It was only afterward that I learned I had encountered a third-rank expert."

"The outside world claims I ran into a third-rank Poison Shaman, but I'm certain that wasn't the case. This was no ordinary third-rank technique. There's no record of such methods in the military annals. You all know the rest—I left the battlefield to recover."

Long Xiao turned to Zhao Xing. "Zhao Xing, do you know what this technique might be?"

Zhao Xing's expression grew serious. "The Nine Nether Army is the ultimate trump card of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain. Within the Southern Barbarian hierarchy, they hold a status equivalent to the Ten Elite Guards of the Great Zhou."

"They trace their origins to the ancient Nine Nether Divine Sect. Every member of the Nine Nether Army is trained to be an all-rounder commander."

"They start by cultivating a subordinate army. The standards for these subordinates are incredibly high, comparable to the top twenty elite guards of the Great Zhou."

"What? Even their subordinates are held to such standards?" Long Xiao was stunned. "Do they have few soldiers, then? Is it some sort of elimination-based cultivation process, picking one in a million?"

Zhao Xing shook his head. "No, there are many. The Nine Nether Army numbers over fifty thousand, and their subordinate army exceeds ten million."

"You're joking!" Long Xiao was thoroughly shocked. "Ten million subordinates, each matching the top twenty elite guards of the Great Zhou? The Great Zhou doesn't even have that many soldiers! And those fifty thousand must be absolute prodigies, every single one of them?"

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible," Chen Shijie declared. "The Southern Barbarians are just a minor faction. How could they have such deep reserves?"

Only Xia Jing remained silent, watching Zhao Xing intently. He was the only one who did not doubt Zhao Xing's words.

Zhao Xing paused, then explained, "The Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain is special. The Nine Nether Army doesn't use conventional training methods. They have ways to alter an ordinary person's aptitude. However, they are restricted by certain conditions—they cannot leave the Southern Barbarian region and are limited to a defensive role."

"As for further details, I can't elaborate. I don't want to lie to you. You'll understand in time."

The mention of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain brought a somber silence to the room. Zhao Xing's tone made it clear that he was withholding further details, likely due to their sensitive nature.

The Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain wasn't just any territory. It was a crucial area, rich in spiritual energy, and one of the last bastions of abundant cultivation resources in the Xuanhuang Realm. It was also the key to ascension. Naturally, it had always been a prime target for conquest by Fortune Dynasties seeking to control its treasures.

However, the deeper truths about the Sacred Mountain and its connection to ascension were closely guarded secrets, known only to emperors. Zhao Xing couldn't divulge much without risking severe consequences. For now, he could only allude to it through fragments of rumor and implication.

Of course, all of this changed during the reign of Emperor Wu.

Unlike previous rulers who hoarded the knowledge of ascension, Emperor Wu openly shared these secrets with his people. He transformed the dream of ascension from a privilege of the ruling elite into a goal for the entire populace. His ambition was to ascend not alone, but with his entire empire, a vision fundamentally different from his predecessors who prioritized only the nobility and powerful cultivators.

Realizing Zhao Xing's unwillingness to say more, the others refrained from pressing him further. However, the revelation had cast a shadow over the mood. Until now, their impression of the Southern Barbarians had been dismissive, considering them weak and insignificant compared to the invincible Great Zhou.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, who had retired before witnessing the latter stages of the mid-tier wars, were particularly surprised. Even Xia Jing, though injured, had not completely shifted his perception. Deep down, he still believed his encounter was an extraordinary exception, a stroke of bad luck rather than evidence of a systemic threat.

The uneasy quiet was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Husband, are you still drinking? I brought you all some snacks to go with your wine," came Bai Feng's voice from outside.

Long Xiao glanced at Zhao Xing, who deactivated the array protecting the room.

Bai Feng, visibly pregnant, entered with Gui Niang and a team of maids carrying trays of food.

"Much appreciated, Sister-in-law," Zhao Xing said, rising to help set the table. "We can handle it from here."

"I'll take that, Gui Niang," Chen Shijie said, relieving her of one of the dishes.

"Indeed, Sister Bai, you should rest," Long Xiao said with an ingratiating smile as he jumped up to help.

"How much have you all had to drink?" Bai Feng asked.

"Not much, not much," Long Xiao said hurriedly. "Just a tiny bit."

Xia Jing couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Chen Shijie's restraint was expected, but Long Xiao, who once carried the airs of a seasoned soldier, had become entirely deferential in his family life.

But his amusement was short-lived. Long Xiao placed two large platters of fish directly in front of him.

"…" Xia Jing's throat tightened as he shot Long Xiao a sharp glare.

Long Xiao, however, appeared innocent. His expression clearly conveyed: This isn't my fault.

After all, Bai Feng was from the Eastern Sea. It would have been unthinkable for her not to bring some of the region's specialties.

"Why aren't you eating, Lord Xia?" Bai Feng asked, noticing his hesitation. "I carefully selected these fish. They're of the finest quality, and Gui Niang prepared these dishes herself."

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie struggled to suppress their laughter. They hadn't expected Xia Jing to escape his notorious dislike of fish after all these years.

"Thank you, Sister Bai. I've already had quite a lot. I'll rest for a bit and eat more later," Xia Jing replied with a forced smile.

"Nonsense. At least have some soup," Bai Feng insisted. "Gui Niang made it just for you, so you should try it while it's still hot."

"Yes, yes. It's best when fresh," Long Xiao chimed in, smirking. "You really should try it, Lord Xia."

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie added their encouragement, their faces betraying no sympathy.

Resigned, Xia Jing closed his eyes and took a sip of the fish soup. Forcing a smile, he declared, "Excellent! Sister Bai, your culinary skills are unmatched. And the ingredients are top-notch—this is unforgettable!"

"I'm glad you like it!" Bai Feng beamed. "Long Xiao, make sure Lord Xia eats well."

"Of course, of course."

With that, Bai Feng and Gui Niang left the room.

"Pfft—" The moment the door closed, Xia Jing spat out the soup, unable to hold it any longer.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, caught off guard, were sprayed in the process, while Zhao Xing had already moved aside as though anticipating the reaction.

Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Xia Jing glared at the others. "You call yourselves my brothers? Unbelievable!"

Their laughter filled the room.

On February 18th, Long Xiao and Bai Feng departed Dongyang County, returning to their duties at sea.

By February 19th, Zhao Xing's half-month leave had come to an end, and he prepared to return to the prefectural capital. Chen Shijie, however, was granted a few more days of rest.

Xia Jing, persuaded by Zhao Xing, decided to remain in the Eastern Sea region for a few months to recuperate. Having a manor in the area, he settled into life in Dongyang County.

February 20th: While Zhao Xing's main body focused on cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit in the Starlight Palace, his progress on the fifth star had noticeably slowed. It was estimated that achieving full condensation would require another six months.

One of his avatars continued training in Xuantian Thunder Techniques and Cloud Gate at the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch Academy. Meanwhile, a second avatar finally joined Meng Kun and Gu Changqing in the headquarters of the Kunyuan Academy in Daoyuan Continent.

"Starting last April, we've been working continuously until now, late February," Gu Changqing remarked on the deck of the warship. "We've finally fulfilled our obligations to the court and can take a break."

Meng Kun, standing with his hands clasped, observed the joyful officials below. "The subordinates may rest, but we cannot. Zhao Xing's induction into the Kunyuan Academy must be finalized without delay."

"Getting him inducted is the easy part. The hard part is allocating resources for his entry into the treasure zones for enlightenment," Gu Changqing said with a wry smile. "You agreed to this so easily back then, but now you'll need to scrape together three billion resources for him. Mark my words, people will curse you and your ancestors for generations."

Meng Kun shrugged. "That's fine. As long as they don't do it where I can hear. If I catch them, I'll personally send them to meet my ancestors so they can curse me to my face."

Gu Changqing laughed. "You're willing to go to such lengths for this?"

Meng Kun gestured toward the cabin behind him. "Haven't you noticed? Zhao Xing's soul has grown significantly stronger in just a few months."

"In fact, I've sensed faint traces of top-tier Heavenly Timing Techniques from him on several occasions."

Gu Changqing pondered. "Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case. It appears his training at the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch Academy is progressing well."

Meng Kun nodded. "A person's focus is finite. If he's investing more effort into Heavenly Timing Techniques, it means he's spending less on Earthly Advantage Techniques."

"That's why I plan to temporarily transfer my own rights to the Kunyuan Dao Field to him. This way, he can concentrate more on our side. What do you think?"

Gu Changqing was momentarily stunned. This offer exceeded their initial agreement. The Kunyuan Dao Field was an unparalleled location for enlightenment, highly coveted even by third-rank cultivators.

Meng Kun's generosity was remarkable. Still, Gu Changqing couldn't help but wonder—

Why had this suddenly become a competition of magnanimity?