Chapter 18: The Command Token and the Almanac

[You have obtained the Thousand Mile Command Token!]

[Thousand Mile Command Token (Special Edition)]

[Quality: Tier Three Superior]

[Effect: Upon activation with Yuan energy, it automatically sends a distress signal to the designated location and tracks the target's position.]

[You have obtained the Evil Dispelling Almanac!]

[Evil Dispelling Almanac (Special Edition)]

[Quality: Tier Three Superior]

[Effect: Provides warnings based on the user's Qi fortune level. The higher the level, the stronger the effect, with the maximum applicable level being 'Yan San'.]

Having acquired these treasures, Chen Shi made a few jokes, and the group expressed their gratitude before leaving.

Zhao Xing held the two treasures, feeling somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the appearance of the Xuantian Sect to allow him to obtain these two treasures ahead of time, and they were even special editions.

"The Thousand Mile Command Token, compared to the Thousand Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, has the added function of automatic tracking and positioning. In urgent situations, there's no time to speak, making the token much more useful than a one-time talisman," Zhao Xing thought as he examined the token, which was embedded with red, blue, and green gems. Each color corresponded to different levels of urgency, with red indicating extreme danger, typically an enemy invasion, requiring at least a small army to investigate upon receiving the signal.

Recalling what Wang Longzhi had said about the East Lake army, Zhao Xing suspected that this token was specially made for military use. Judging by its quality, a Tier Three Superior treasure was not something ordinary people could possess.

The almanac, however, was common, often found in the homes of ordinary people, but most were of inferior quality. However, those that reached a certain quality level usually had miraculous effects, like this Evil Dispelling Almanac.

"It's not a complete version of the almanac, but it's a special edition that removes the 'fortune-telling' effect and enhances the 'evil dispelling' effect," Zhao Xing noted. "The higher the Qi fortune level, the more apparent the effect."

The complete version of the almanac was extremely rare, as it was kept in the imperial palace, classified as a 'world treasure'. All almanacs in the world were derived from that supreme treasure. Its ranking was not inferior to the later 'Yunmeng Academy', though it was still slightly below the Great Dream Academy, which was a national treasure.

Even so, obtaining the Evil Dispelling Almanac was still quite impressive. Almanacs with 'fortune-telling' effects were rare and required at least a Fourth Rank quality, and to achieve a truly powerful effect, a Seventh Rank quality was necessary.

The Qi fortune system of the Wang dynasty was generally set up this way to prevent people from using these items for nefarious purposes and to avoid unearned gains. Moreover, if everyone could 'foretell fortune', it would be as if no one could.

"The poor and struggling have no way to obtain a 'fortune-telling' almanac, and those who possess it are neither rich nor noble, so they generally won't use it for profit," Zhao Xing mused. "Hmm, my Qi fortune level is Yan Er, so the effect of the Evil Dispelling Almanac should be decent... huh?"

Just as Zhao Xing left the Department of Agriculture, planning to visit his fields in the Eastern Suburb, the almanac suddenly activated on its own.

With a rustle, the almanac flipped open and stopped on a specific page.

[Year 15 of Jingxin, July 22, at the third quarter of the hour.]

[Evil Warning: Medium evil; danger lurking in the east.]

This was the warning displayed by the almanac. Simultaneously, a prompt appeared on the panel.

[You have used the Tier Three treasure 'Evil Dispelling Almanac'. Based on your Qi fortune level and known information, you receive the following prompt:]

[You will encounter hidden Xuantian Sect disciples at a teahouse in the Eastern Suburb, leading to unforeseen calamity. Do not proceed!]

"Damn, danger lurking, could it be that those lunatics from the Xuantian Sect have really come near Valley City?" Zhao Xing thought as he compared the almanac with the panel prompt, feeling speechless.

Evil omens are divided into four levels: minor, medium, major, and extreme. Generally, the latter three are rare. He hadn't expected to encounter a medium-level evil omen right after obtaining the almanac.

Since Zhao Xing was already aware of the existence of the Xuantian Sect and various related information, the panel provided more detailed insights.

"Is my Qi fortune really this useful? I just got it and already received such a prompt?"

"Not far to the east, danger lurking, huh? Better avoid it," Zhao Xing decisively chose to avoid the eastern area, deciding not to visit the Eastern Suburb that day.

As for reporting it? That was impossible. There was too little information, and there were many teahouses in the east. Who knew which one had the demons? Even if he knew the detailed information, he couldn't explain it now. The almanac didn't provide such detailed insights.

The Great Zhou had no sects, and any sects that once existed had been expelled from the Nineteen States. 'Expelling Sects Beyond the Borders' was a feat attributed to a certain emperor.

Thus, as long as the unified Qi fortune system of the Wang dynasty was established, there was no room for evil gods, sect demons, or sect monsters, at most some minor skirmishes.

"However, under these circumstances, the Xuantian Sect's influence can still stir up trouble every few dynasties, showing its terrifying power. It's one of the few ancient sects with active members even in the Wang dynasty era."

"The main sect is mostly sealed, in a dormant state, but the remaining disciples and followers still form a significant force, at least for someone like me right now," Zhao Xing pondered.

"I wonder if others will notice, but if there really are Xuantian Sect disciples plotting in the public Tianzhou..."

Turning around, Zhao Xing returned to the Department of Agriculture, finding Chen Ziyu and Qian Winter.

"Ziyu, Qian Winter, what are your plans for today?"

"Ziyu and I plan to go to the Eastern Suburb, then return home for lunch, and head back to the Eastern Suburb afterward," Qian Winter lazily replied. "The Department of Agriculture's meals don't suit my taste."

"It's already the Great Heat season, and re-cultivating Yuan rice requires constant use of 'cultivation' magic arts to survive. It's really exhausting, sigh..." Chen Ziyu lamented.

"By the way, what did Chen Shi call you for?" Qian Winter asked.

"He said there were demons causing trouble, specifically targeting the Department of Agriculture and Heavenly Workshop staff. Chen Shi joked that we should be careful and even gave us some protective items," Zhao Xing explained, as it was already widely known.

The security in Nanyang County was generally good, at least in his impression, so Chen Ziyu and Qian Winter didn't mind. Instead, they were curious about the two treasures Zhao Xing had obtained and insisted on seeing them.

Zhao Xing also discouraged them from going to the Eastern Suburb, and the three of them simply ate in the city. By the afternoon, he took out the almanac, walked east, and found no warnings, which eased his mind considerably.

"No warnings appeared, so they must have left? Maybe they were just scouting? I heard Li Chengfeng and other First List talents didn't take it seriously and deliberately went to the Eastern Suburb to patrol, hoping to make a contribution. I wonder if anyone went missing," Zhao Xing thought, hoping the Xuantian Sect would cause some trouble and capture some of the First List talents, reducing his competition.

But such thoughts were wishful thinking. Until early August, no one had gone missing, and Valley City remained peaceful, with even the East Lake army withdrawing some forces.

On August 2nd, after ten days of sick leave, the old Sinoong Xue Wen returned to Huailiu Courtyard, and everything seemed unchanged.

The Department of Agriculture soon forgot about the incident, as the autumn assessments were about to begin.

(End of Chapter)