Chapter 105: Departing Fire Dao Academy, Borrowing the Path

"Getting impatient?" The moment Long Xiao saw Zhao Xing, he knew why the other had come.

"If we don't leave soon, my family will be sick of me." Zhao Xing said, "Whose family can keep up the lingering farewell for a whole month?"

He had already had several farewell meals with the old Agricultural Officer.

Zhao Xing had grown tired of saying goodbye to his family.

Just give me a straight answer — can it be done or not? Waiting too long for the transfer is no good thing.

If something goes wrong on the Divine Might Army's side and they can't transfer him, then Zhao Xing would have to prepare for the Military Agricultural Officer's examination.

Every year there is a fixed examination time, mostly concentrated in spring; miss it and you have to wait another year.

Given Zhao Xing's situation, he felt that even if he went to take the exam now, he might well pass — he just lacked the opportunity.

After all, his spell comprehension was already on par with many old Eighth-Rank Agricultural Officers; the Four Seasonal Arts and the Geographical Advantage spells were mostly at the eight or nine revolution level, with even seven-revolution ones being rare.

He had even created his own spells!

Compared with a true Eighth-Rank, Zhao Xing only lacked the ranks of Convergence and Life Soul.

Long Xiao spoke up: "Crossing administrative regions to process the paperwork is indeed slower, and your transfer also crosses the civil-military system, but rest assured — I stake my life on it, it will definitely work."

With things said to this point, Zhao Xing also breathed a sigh of relief; as long as the matter could be done, he didn't mind waiting a few more days.

"Whoosh~" Just then, a gust of wind swept past outside the door.

Chen Shijie's figure appeared in the main hall.

"No need to wait."

"We leave the day after tomorrow."

Long Xiao looked up: "News came?"

Chen Shijie nodded: "Mm, just received a letter. The Marquis wants us to arrive at West Er Commandery on the second of March."

Long Xiao said: "The timing is a bit tight; we can only get there through the divine altar of the Departing Fire Dao Academy."

Chen Shijie said: "I've already contacted the branch academy in Dayuan Prefecture. The Departing Fire Divine Altar will be activated the day after tomorrow, and we'll borrow the path to get to West Er Commandery."

Long Xiao pointed at Zhao Xing: "What about his matter?"

Chen Shijie pulled a document from his robes and said: "I just took the opportunity to fetch your transfer order from the county office. You've already been transferred to the Divine Might Army, but according to procedure, you still have to complete training in the Soldier Realm before you can take up your post."

Zhao Xing took the document and looked — it was a transfer order issued by the military department: "Which grotto-heaven will I be assigned to?"

Chen Shijie said: "The Divine Might Army's grotto-heaven garrison has been changed to another location. There are eight other armies stationed in this grotto-heaven as well."

In the last Soldier Realm Grand Military Tournament, the Divine Might Army ranked 587th, so it had no exclusive grotto-heaven garrison and had to share one with the other stationed troops.

Only eight armies sharing one — that was actually on the low side.

In some places, over a hundred armies shared a single grotto-heaven; just thinking about it felt cramped.

But there was no helping it — there were too many wolves and too little meat.

To have a grotto-heaven all to oneself, one had to rank in the top three hundred of the Soldier Realm Grand Military Tournament to qualify.

Because a grotto-heaven was more than just a training ground — it came with many benefits, and the troops stationed there would naturally be the first to enjoy them.

"Not in Jinting and Danxia anymore — what's the new grotto-heaven called? What's special about it, and what benefits does it offer?" Long Xiao asked.

Chen Shijie said: "Ten Sun Grotto-heaven. I don't know the specifics; the Marquis's letter didn't go into detail either. Anyway, we'll arrive at the start of March, so we'll find out once we're there."

Ten Sun Grotto-heaven?

Zhao Xing's heart stirred.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao didn't know the situation of Ten Sun Grotto-heaven, but he did.

"Ten Sun Grotto-heaven was discovered in the tenth year of Jingxin. It's now the sixteenth year of Jingxin, which means it's only been discovered for a little over five years. It's still in the early stages of development, with vast areas yet to be explored."

"The Divine Might Army being stationed at Ten Sun Grotto-heaven is probably more than just a training ground — they'll also have to take on exploration missions. As it happens, I happen to know where many treasures are located…"

This time Zhao Xing controlled his emotions very well; even his thoughts only lingered briefly before he reined them in.

Ever since mastering 【Discerning the Subtleties】, he had been paying particular attention to such details. One had to know that when a high-level expert cast this spell, it was terrifying — it could not only discern lies, but even grasp the mental activity of those in lower realms.

It was one thing to know things others didn't, but if he also had a thorough grasp of a newly developed grotto-heaven like Ten Sun, that would be impossible to explain.

"Then I'll go back and prepare." After appropriately expressing his curiosity about Ten Sun Grotto-heaven, Zhao Xing took his leave of Chen's residence and returned home to prepare.

Kangping Ward, the Zhao residence.

"The transfer order has come through. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow with Chen Shijie, heading for West Er Commandery." At lunch, Zhao Xing mentioned it to his family.

"West Er Commandery…" Zhao Ruide pondered for a moment. "It's tens of thousands of li from home."

Zhao Xing said: "Mm, still in Pinghaizhou, but at the upper reaches of the Canglan River. The round trip is over forty thousand li."

At the time, Long Xiao had traveled by fire-escape through the divine altar of the Departing Fire Dao Academy, and the straight-line distance alone was twenty thousand li.

If one took the land and water routes, it would be even farther.

Now that the Divine Might Army's garrison had changed, the distance was probably even greater.

"Take care in everything. If you have the time, come back to visit often." Zhao Ruide only gave a simple instruction — after all, in this past month or so, everything that needed to be said had been said many times over.

Now everyone's emotions were relatively calm.

Zhao Zheng, this little brother, had gone from the initial reluctance of "Brother, don't go, I'll definitely train hard in martial arts" to now the disdain of "Brother, why haven't you left yet? Stop nagging me about training."

"Brother, I can't bear to part with you!" Zhao Zheng said, "But Father says a man's ambition lies in the four corners of the earth. I'll definitely miss you!"

"Cut the act — the corners of your mouth are already grinning back to your heels." Zhao Xing pinched his little brother's cheek. "Don't think that just because I'm leaving you can slack off and skip martial arts training."

"Foster Father, I've invited people from Zong Zong Shichang's side. From now on, Zheng'er will go there to train every day, so you won't have to worry about it."

Zhao Ruide nodded. Lady Cai opened her mouth, but in the end said nothing.

Although she couldn't bear to see her son suffer hardship, seeing Zhao Xing's brilliant performance over this past month had gradually changed her mind.

Who wouldn't want their son to make something of himself?

The only one who disagreed with this was Zhao Zheng. "Nooo, Brother, how can you do this to me? I object!"

"Objection overruled. Eat your food!"

"Sigh…"

The twenty-fifth of February.

Chen Shijie stepped down as the chief official of the Agricultural Supervisor, and Xue Wenzhong temporarily took his place.

Chen Shijie's residence in Gucheng and all his other family assets were left entirely to Guiniang, including that stretch of Tianyuan Pear Orchard.

Only at this moment did everyone realize that Chen Shijie also had a lover in Gucheng.

But no one dared to set their sights on Tianyuan Pear Orchard.

Not only because the laws were strict, but also because Chen Shijie had accumulated quite a bit of prestige in Gucheng over these five years.

Added to that, Chen Shijie also had connections in the commandery, so although his family wealth was considerable, no one dared to harbor any ill intentions.

Of course, most importantly, Chen Shijie also left behind the protective straw effigy he had once used to protect Zhao Xing.

The twenty-sixth of February, the Hour of the Rabbit.

Zhao Xing shouldered his bamboo case and left his home in Kangping Ward.

When he arrived at Chen's residence, a Flowing Cloud Flying Vessel was already waiting on the drill ground.

Chen Shijie piloted the Flowing Cloud Flying Vessel through the dark night, circling Gucheng three times, then heading straight for Dayuan Prefecture.

Dayuan Prefecture, located in the southern part of Pinghai Province, was also the superior administrative body of Nanyang Commandery; its Prefect was a Third Rank official.

The Lihuo Dao Academy had established a branch in the eastern part of Fucheng.

As one of the seventy-two Dao Academies of the Great Zhou, the Lihuo Dao Academy only set up branches in the prefectures.

Even so, the number of its branches spread across the nineteen provinces, and its influence could be said to radiate throughout the entire Great Zhou.

Riding the Flowing Cloud Flying Vessel, it took only half a day to get from Gucheng to Fucheng.

After entering the city, the three headed straight for the Lihuo Dao Academy branch.

"The predecessor of the Lihuo Dao Academy was the Lihuo Sect. Its ancestors were once illustrious, ranked ninth among the Shen Sect."

"After the old sect system was broken, the Lihuo Sect submitted to Great Zhou, no longer styled itself as a sect, and changed its name to the Lihuo Dao Academy."

"The Great Ancestor serves as the honorary head of all Dao Academies, and thereafter his descendants have successively taken on important positions in the various Dao Academies."

"Today, the Vice-Head of the Lihuo Dao Academy is the Huang Shi Sect member 'Ji Changkong'. He is the Son of Heaven's cousin, and five hundred years ago was enfeoffed as the Prince of Li Yang."

"The Head of this branch in Dayuan Prefecture, 'Dean Ji Qingshan', is also a member of the Huang Shi Sect, but he is still very young, only two hundred and one years old, and is the Son of Heaven's grand-nephew."

"Two hundred years old still counts as young?" Zhao Xing asked, feigning surprise.

"At the Third Rank realm, two hundred years old is indeed young," Chen Shijie explained. "A Third Rank cultivator, factoring in life extension and their own Yuan-gathering grade, can live to five or six hundred years."

"Having only lived a third of one's life—how could that not be young?"

"That is true, I suppose."

…………

The Lihuo Dao Academy covered over five thousand mu, and within the academy there even existed Spirit Mountains and Spirit Lakes.

The seventy-two Dao Academies of Great Zhou had a very unique enrollment system; the vast majority set up Dao Child Courts, only accepting children under ten years old.

Moreover, there were dedicated personnel patrolling various places to scout seedlings with outstanding aptitude and bone structure.

They were also divided into inner and outer courts, and both inner and outer courts had upper and lower divisions.

Those who performed outstandingly in the various local academies and schools could sit for examinations to enter courts of different levels for study.

Back then, in order to make the sects submit, the Great Ancestor established the system of appointing officials from Dao Academy members. Anyone who graduated from the seventy-two Dao Academies could go directly to serve as officials in various places—in other words, graduation guaranteed an assignment.

Under the old Gulaode Sect system, the relationship between master and disciple was very deep, even surpassing blood ties. The saying 'son-disciple, son-disciple' meant that a master treated his disciples just like his own sons.

A disciple, in turn, could never betray his master for life, nor switch to another school.

But in today's Dao Academies, although respect for teachers and the Dao was still emphasized, the terminology had changed; there were only teachers and students.

Teachers were not responsible for a student's personal future, only for completing the teaching tasks assigned by the imperial court. Students also did not have to learn only one teacher's method, and there was no longer any talk of betraying one's school.

Of course, some Dao Academies still retained some of the old customs, with formal apprenticeship and disciple-taking ceremonies.

But as long as they did not engage in things like 'clearing the household'—killing a student simply for defying their teacher—and everything was handled according to the laws of Great Zhou, the imperial court did not care about your private relationships.

…………

The gate-tower of the Lihuo Dao Academy was very tall, grand, and ancient.

Since entry and exit required credentials, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao all waited at an entrance for someone to come receive them.

"The teachers of the Dao Academy are divided into five ranks: Hundred Arts Mage, Transmission Mage, Classics Doctor, Vice-Head, and Head."

"The Marquis knows a Classics Doctor at the Dayuan Prefecture branch; he will send someone to receive us," Long Xiao explained.

The Shenwei Army and the Lihuo Dao Academy seemed to be on quite good terms. Before long, a youth in a yellow robe flew out and landed before the three of them.

He held half a jade pendant, the other half of which matched the one in Chen Shijie's hand.

"Are the two of you my lords Long Xiao and Chen Shijie?" the yellow-robed youth asked.

"That is correct."

"My teacher ordered me to take you to the Lihuo Altar," the yellow-robed youth said, glancing at Zhao Xing. "Hmm? Why is there an extra person? And a cat?"

"He is also a member of our Shenwei Army."

"Can it withstand a True Lord's Dao?" the yellow-robed youth asked, looking at the mountain cat, somewhat puzzled. He was only a student of the lower court, with ordinary discernment, and could not tell the grade of the mountain cat.

"This is a Mountain Cat, a strange beast, Eighth Rank," Chen Shijie briefly explained. "You need not worry about it."

The yellow-robed youth nodded and asked no more.

"Please, the three of you, follow me."

The Lihuo Altar was situated in a mountain hollow surrounded by five small fire-red hills.

The hollow contained numerous fire pools.

When Zhao Xing approached the altar, he immediately sensed a wave of scorching heat.

He was not unfamiliar with this place.

The Departing Fire Divine Altar is an advanced teleportation array, and it also incorporates an escape technique.

In the era of the Qi Fortune Dynasty, the Departing Fire Divine Altar's ultra-long-distance teleportation with low side effects was a one-of-a-kind existence.

The other Dao Academies had similar methods, but the side effects were absurdly large. In an era when spiritual energy had not yet revived, the cost to bear was too great—either the expense was extremely high, or there was a threshold for the user, or it carried severe side effects.

By comparison, the conditions for using the Departing Fire Divine Altar were very low.

Borrow the path to travel—the further you teleport, the more you must walk back.

Once you arrive at your destination, you can simply rack up some steps to 'repay the path'—it's practically too friendly to the common folk.

"We've arrived." The yellow-robed mage pointed to a spot ahead: "Number Nine Fire Pit will open in two quarter-hours."

"Once it opens, just walk straight in. I see this brother here brought a cat with him—looks like your first time?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "Yes."

The yellow-robed youth said enthusiastically: "Then let me give you a few extra reminders. When borrowing the path to travel, don't move around carelessly, and don't try to comprehend the Dao of Fire. After you come out, repay the path as soon as possible—best to finish within one month, otherwise there will be some unpleasant effects."

"Many thanks." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in salute.

"You're welcome." The yellow-robed mage said a few words, then fell silent, quietly waiting for it to open.

Zhao Xing looked around. Several fire pits were burning with red flames. From time to time, people emerged from the flames, and others went in—only each time someone entered or exited, the flames inside the fire pit would shrink considerably.

And the shrunken flames would transform into lines that coiled around the user's body.

While waiting quietly, someone suddenly approached, accompanied by the voices of several people.

"Lord Helian, we've arrived. This is Number Nine Fire Pit… huh? Why is someone already here?"

Zhao Xing turned his head to look and saw another yellow-robed youth had arrived, leading five people to the waiting area of Number Nine Fire Pit.

Among the five, two appeared to be in their early forties, wearing armor and military boots. Three were younger—two men and one woman—only at ninth rank.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao also noticed this scene. The two exchanged a glance, their brows slightly furrowed.

"Friend, what's going on? Number Nine Fire Pit is already taken—why did you still lead them here?" The youth beside Zhao Xing could not help but ask.

"That doesn't make sense." The tall, thin youth on the other side said, puzzled. "I checked the fire registry just two quarter-hours ago. Number Nine Fire Pit to Datong Prefecture at the fourth quarter of the Chen hour was listed as empty."

"Then did you register it?"

"I, I should have registered it…" The yellow-robed youth on the other side's face changed.

"Impossible. If you had registered on the fire registry, then I couldn't have registered on it a quarter-hour ago." Zhao Xing's yellow-robed youth said. "Friend, you were too careless. Hurry and take your honored guests to find the next suitable time slot."

"I'm sorry, Lord Helian, Lord Lei—i-it was my mistake." The tall, thin yellow-robed youth hurriedly apologized.

Helian Lie's voice was low: "Besides Number Nine, which other fire pits that can carry five people to Datong Prefecture still have openings?"

"It seems, it seems…" The tall, thin yellow-robed youth stammered, clearly not the sharpest.

The yellow-robed beside Zhao Xing could not stand it any longer and answered for him: "Fire pits that can carry five people to Datong Prefecture also include Number Fourteen, Number Twenty-Six, and Number Forty-Nine."

Helian Lie looked over: "When do they open?"

The youth thought for a moment: "Number Fourteen opens tomorrow at the Mao hour, Number Twenty-Six tomorrow at the Wu hour, and Number Forty-Nine won't be until the day after tomorrow."

"Too late." The man surnamed Lei beside Helian Lie shook his head: "After arriving at Datong Prefecture, we still need to travel for six hours to reach the Grotto-Heaven entrance. We'll miss the military deadline."

Helian Lie looked at the yellow-robed beside him: "Is there any other way? Temporarily arrange a passage."

The tall, thin youth was nearly in tears: "M-my lord, th-this seems impossible…"

Helian Lie immediately turned his gaze to Long Xiao and took out a jade pendant from his chest: "I am Helian Lie, a Valiant Captain of the Blazing Sun Army. We carry military orders and must rush to Datong Prefecture. I ask the three of you to let our five go first. This Dragon Crystal Jade Pendant shall serve as compensation to the three of you."

Blazing Sun Army? Long Xiao and Chen Shijie exchanged a glance.

The Blazing Sun Army was precisely another garrison force within the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven, and its ranking was even higher than the Divine Might Army.

In terms of rank, Helian Lie's position as Valiant Captain was a full level higher than theirs.

This was no coincidence either, because the assembly orders issued by the military to the nine garrison forces inside the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven all shared the same date.

To avoid trouble, Chen Shijie also stated his own affiliation: "I am Chen Shijie, a Ninth Section Military Agricultural Officer of the Divine Might Army. Beside me is Deputy Commander Long Xiao."

"My apologies, but we also carry military orders and must reach Datong Prefecture as quickly as possible."

"Heh, so it's the military order of the Marquis of Boping County." The middle-aged man surnamed Lei beside him suddenly chuckled lightly. "Does the order of a third-class county marquis outweigh the order of a Wu Hou? In the Soldier Realm Legion martial tournament, does the Divine Might Army rank higher than our Blazing Sun Army? I say let us go first! Our military order is more important!"

"Bullshit! Is my military order not a military order?"

A flash of fury passed through Long Xiao's eyes, and the scabbard on his back trembled incessantly.

Insulting him was fine, but insulting the Marquis and the Divine Might Army was not.

At this moment, he very much wanted to draw his sword and fight this man to the death!

Chen Shijie held Long Xiao back, shook his head slightly, then said: "The two of you please find another way. Don't waste your breath, otherwise you'll only be wasting your own time."