Chapter 106: Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, Training Regulations for Military Agricultural Officials

Chen Shijie's words were very calm, and his tone was very simple.

Helian Lie looked at the middle-aged man surnamed Lei next to him, who shook his head slightly and transmitted his voice:

"They didn't fall for it; that military agricultural official on the other side is not simple. We still have people to deliver, so we can't waste time. Let's find another way."

"Hmm." Helian Lie put away the jade pendant and quickly left with the three young people and the man surnamed Lei.

"People from the Fierce Sun Army are too arrogant!" Long Xiao looked at their backs. "What do they mean their military order is more important than ours? It's simply insulting the Divine Might Army. I really want to stab that dog thing to death with one sword..."

"Long Xiao!" Chen Shijie shouted in a low voice, a cool breeze circling Long Xiao's ears: "Wake up! You've fallen for their trap."

"Hmm?" With such a cold breeze blowing, the anger in Long Xiao's eyes faded, and then his face changed slightly.

"How did your vigilance become so poor?" Chen Shijie frowned. "You really need to train properly when you go back."

This time Long Xiao didn't refute and nodded seriously: "Hmm, I'll remember it."

Zhao Xing asked somewhat suspiciously: "Was that a Ritual Cultivator just now?"

"Correct, a military strategist," Chen Shijie said. "Using their brilliance to make others dim; that Ritual Cultivator just now used a provocation tactic."

Zhao Xing suddenly realized: "How damn insidious."

The so-called provocation tactic, for a Ritual Cultivator, was not just verbal stimulation.

It was a type of "Zhao Hui Law" that could imperceptibly shake a person's Wisdom Soul and Intelligence Soul.

Making the opponent become dull.

"If Long Xiao really couldn't help but attack them, no matter who came to Fire Pond Number Nine first, we would be kicked out by the Dao Academy, and they would have succeeded."

Long Xiao cursed: "Ritual Cultivators are truly insidious and cunning; I really admire these sons of bitches."

Chen Shijie said: "You have had too little contact with Ritual Cultivators in the past five years. When you get to Xier Prefecture, find Brother Jia and practice properly."

Long Xiao suddenly looked a bit distressed: "Can I change to someone else? I'll find Brother Chengxin. Jia Pu likes to use the 'Intelligence-Reducing Law', and his mouth is foul. Every time I come out after practicing, I feel like I'm a fool."

"Suit yourself."

Zhao Xing asked curiously: "By the way, why didn't that person cast a spell on me? I am clearly at a much lower realm than Long Xiao."

Chen Shijie shook his head: "He and Long Xiao are at the same realm. If the provocation tactic succeeds, there's nothing to say if one's skills are inferior. It's very common for soldiers to spar and compete with each other, and we won't go looking for trouble afterward."

"But if he attacks you, it goes beyond the scope of normal sparring and competition, breaking the rules. If we go looking for him afterward, he will be punished, and the whole army will be ridiculed."

Zhao Xing nodded; no wonder that person chose Long Xiao as the target instead of himself.

The yellow-robed youth was also confused, but he was much smarter than the previous one and pretended he hadn't heard anything. Anyway, he was just a small Dao child, and being a small transparent was the best.

After a while, the flames of Fire Pond Number Nine rose, exceeding the height of the highest flame just now by one meter.

Seeing this, the yellow-robed youth was overjoyed: "Lord Chen, Lord Long, someone has repaid the path at Fire Pond Number Nine. The fire pond array is enough for you to reach Datong Prefecture; you can go in ahead of time, no need to wait any longer."

Seeing this, Chen Shijie cupped his hands at the yellow-robed Dao child: "Thank you, please tell your teacher for me, many thanks for his help."

"I will definitely convey it." The yellow-robed youth nodded.

Immediately after, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Zhao Xing walked along the slope toward the fire pond in the depression.

"Whoosh~"

The flames were heavy, but the temperature was not high, just slightly higher than the human body temperature.

"Comfort the mountain cat, let it not be afraid; this process is very fast," Chen Shijie looked at Zhao Xing: "Just walk straight in and relax your body. Long Xiao, you demonstrate for him first."

"Okay." Long Xiao walked into the center of the fire pond, and soon he was swallowed by the flames.

Zhao Xing observed that the flame-like silk pattern on Long Xiao's body had become one layer thicker.

When the second layer was finished wrapping, the next moment, Long Xiao fell downward.

"Poof~" With a light explosion of flames, Long Xiao disappeared into the fire pond.

Then the height of the flames dropped by two feet.

"Meow?!" The mountain cat widened its eyes, as if asking where the person was? Where was such a big person just now?

"You go in," Chen Shijie said. "I'm watching you."

"Okay." Zhao Xing hugged the mountain cat and walked into Fire Pond Number Nine.

Sizzle, sizzle~ The tongues of fire licked Zhao Xing's skin, and the clothes on his body seemed to be completely ignored.

But the clothes were not burned.

The mountain cat was restless in his arms, but under Zhao Xing's comfort, it endured the flames wrapping around its body.

"Poof~"

With a light explosion, Zhao Xing and the mountain cat disappeared instantly.

The height of the flames dropped by another two feet.

After Chen Shijie entered, he disappeared.

The flames in the fire pond dropped by three feet, and were already less than one meter high.

………………

Datong Prefecture, Li Huo Dao Academy, the fire pond area where the Divine Altar was located.

"Whoosh~"

A flame that was originally only one meter high suddenly rose, revealing a figure.

Long Xiao walked out of it.

He looked at his hands: "I have to repay the path for eighty thousand miles; I'll have to run like crazy when I go back."

Immediately after, the flames jumped again, and Zhao Xing and the mountain cat also walked out.

"Truly magical."

"The quality of this Five Elements power is extremely high, and the array is incomparably exquisite; it seems to have used the power of the Fire Element Earth Vein to travel quickly through the Earth Vein." Although Zhao Xing had also passed through fire ponds in his previous life, he had no feeling.

Now, he felt the magic of it.

"A layer of Fire Element power is wrapped around the body, and it also carries a unique power."

"It is ethereal, but it has truly existed, as if it is directly linked to heaven and earth. If you don't complete it according to the rules set in the dark, the pattern formed by the wrapping of the Fire Element power will keep reminding you, and the pressure will become greater and greater."

After borrowing the path, one must not rely on magic arts or external forces, but only on oneself to walk the double distance of the borrowed path.

Repaying the path within a month has no effect at all.

If it exceeds a month, the pressure brought by the mysterious pattern will cause any magic arts or secret techniques cast to be distorted.

The degree will become more and more serious; what if it exceeds a year?

Then there's no need to repay it in this life.

"We've arrived at Datong Prefecture?" Zhao Xing asked. "In half a quarter-hour, we crossed twenty thousand miles?"

"Hmm." Long Xiao nodded, "To be precise, it's twenty thousand and eighty-three miles."

"After you enter Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, it's best to finish walking within a month, without using magic arts or external forces, purely relying on your physical body to walk the double distance; the little cat is the same."

"Meow?!" The little mountain cat was a bit dumbfounded.

Doesn't that mean walking more than thirteen hundred miles every day?

It's simply going to tire the cat to death!

"Woo woo~" The mountain cat rubbed against Zhao Xing's arms.

Can I not walk?

"Do you want to become a dead cat?"

The mountain cat's ears drooped down instantly.

Forget it, more than thirteen hundred miles a day isn't very far.

"Poof whoosh~"

Chen Shijie also walked out of the fire pond.

Afterward, the three left the Divine Altar fire pond and went out of this branch academy.

Taking the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat in the prefecture city, the three continued on their way.

"The westernmost part of Datong Prefecture is Xier Prefecture."

"Then why is this boat flying east?"

"Long Xiao and I are going to Xier Prefecture to see the Marquis; you go to Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven first."

Chen Shijie said: "You have to complete the new recruit training, including the training regulations for military agricultural officials."

"We will send you to the grotto-heaven entrance in the east first, then rush to Xier Prefecture."

Zhao Xing understood; he looked at the mountain cat in his arms: "Can I take it in?"

Chen Shijie said: "The training regulations are very full; you don't have the energy to take good care of the mountain cat. Let me raise it for you first."

"Okay." Zhao Xing didn't say anything else and handed the mountain cat directly to Chen Shijie.

Anyway, it had been eating and drinking at the Chen residence before, so it was familiar. The mountain cat didn't resist this decision, but it was a bit reluctant to leave Zhao Xing.

"If you need anything in Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, just tell us," Chen Shijie said slowly. "The assessment and training for military agricultural officials are very strict, and the competition is huge."

Long Xiao also said: "There are nine garrisons in Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven now; presumably, the number of people training with you will not be small. If you are bullied by someone, we will definitely help you get your dignity back."

"If you lose to someone at the same realm, then we won't care."

Zhao Xing nodded: "Rest assured, I will definitely not let the Divine Might Army be disgraced."

The Flowing Cloud Flying Boat flew east for half a day, and after crossing many cities, towns, and villages, it began to enter a vast mountain range.

"The entrance to Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven is in the Wanfeng Mountain Range of Datong Prefecture; we have entered the military-controlled area."

"Look, many people are already rushing here."

Zhao Xing looked up and saw many Flowing Cloud Flying Boats appearing. Looking into the distance with bright eyes, he could find at least a hundred of them, all rushing in the same direction.

"Roar!"

Just then, a clear dragon roar sound came vaguely from the clouds behind.

Hearing this, Chen Shijie immediately controlled the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat to lower its altitude while dodging to the side.

"Whoosh~"

A moment later, the thousand-meter clouds behind were suddenly rolled up.

A huge dragon head suddenly poked out from the clouds.

A small vortex formed in the dragon's mouth, and the surrounding clouds were rolled and shattered, setting off bursts of wild wind.

The dragon head was already big enough, but it was still just the tip of the iceberg.

Zhao Xing discovered that the dragon head was growing on a long ramming horn nearly a hundred meters long.

Immediately after, the deck, the hull, and the nine-story pavilion on the ship were slowly revealed.

A behemoth!

Zhao Xing looked at this dragon-headed building ship, and only one thought appeared in his mind.

"That is the flag of the Tiger Jiao Army," Chen Shijie introduced. "It is also the highest-ranked of the nine armies stationed in Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven. In the last Legion Exercise, it ranked 309th. The one in charge of the Tiger Jiao Army is the Martial Marquis of Mingwu."

"We'll let the dragon-headed building ship pass first."

When encountering a dragon-headed building ship, one could only move far away, because the dragon-headed building ship swallowed wind and clouds, and its body was so huge that if it were too close, the small Flowing Cloud Flying Boat would be rolled over.

When the dragon-headed building ship passed by, Zhao Xing watched from afar as teams of soldiers stood on the deck, their blood and energy vigorous; even from a distance, they felt majestic and extraordinary.

The flag of the Tiger Jiao Army was also very eye-catching; the baring-fangs-and-brandishing-claws Tiger Jiao flag fluttered in the wind, as if it had come alive, soul-stirring.

"Let's go, continue on our way."

After flying for another half an hour, the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat finally began to descend.

In the mountain range below, a huge lake appeared, and surrounding the lake were continuous camps for dozens of miles.

"Whoosh~"

The Flowing Cloud Flying Boat landed in front of a small palace in the center of one of the camps.

"We're here. This is the outer garrison of my Divine Might Army. This palace is one of the armories of the Divine Might Army; let's take you to collect your equipment first," Chen Shijie said.

After Zhao Xing became a Ninth-Rank official, some of the equipment for agricultural officials had not yet been issued. Since he was transferred to the Divine Might Army, he naturally came to the army to collect it.

"Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, long time no see." Entering the palace, they soon saw an old man in casual clothes.

"Uncle Fang." Chen Shijie and Long Xiao immediately cupped their hands and saluted the old man.

"You two are a bit late in sending people; the new recruits of the other departments have already been sent in," Fang Hong smiled. "Is he the Zhao Xing you brought from Nanyang Prefecture?"

"Yes," Chen Shijie said. "Hurry up and meet Uncle Fang."

"Zhao Xing of Gucheng, greets Lord Fang." Zhao Xing saluted; before coming, he had also learned that this Fang Hong was the Armory Superintendent.

"Everything has been prepared for you," Fang Hong laughed and had someone carry over a box. "The standard configuration for a Ninth-Rank Agricultural Official is all here."

Zhao Xing opened the box and checked them one by one.

Except for the familiar Fierce-Repelling Yellow Calendar and the literary bamboo box, there were four new pieces of equipment.

[Golden Coir Raincoat]

[Quality: Third-Rank High Grade]

[Effect: A magic garment woven from Five Elements materials, repelling water and fire, blocking sharp weapons, and enhancing Earth Vein perception.]

The Golden Coir Raincoat was named for its bright yellow weaving material.

The Five Elements materials possessed gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, having the ability to repel water, insulate heat, not fear sword stabs, and also enhance Earth Vein perception, improving the effect of the Self-School's magic arts.

[Hundred Flowers Bamboo Hat]

[Quality: Third-Rank High Grade]

[Effect: Woven from a hundred kinds of flowers and plants from the twenty-four solar terms, it can enhance all Heavenly Time School magic arts.]

[Cloud and Rain Bead]

[Quality: Fourth-Rank Low Grade]

[Effect: Can collect a large amount of rainwater and cloud energy.]

[Cloud-Stepping Boots]

[Quality: Third-Rank High Grade]

[Effect: Stepping on clouds, mist divine movement.]

The Cloud-Stepping Boots allowed agricultural officials to fly short distances; when using the treasure, a cloud and mist would rise under their feet.

Not only could they fly, but when encountering danger, the cloud and mist also had the effect of blocking the enemy's line of sight.

Zhao Xing was no stranger to the four new pieces of equipment, so he just took a look and put them into the literary bamboo box.

The new literary bamboo box was also a Third-Rank High Grade treasure.

In addition to the effect of constant temperature storage, its internal space could also expand to a certain extent; it looked only half a person's size, but if stuffed hard, it could support three meters high and two meters wide.

In addition, the four sides of the literary bamboo box were engraved with Artisan School arrays, which could help the bearer reduce the burden.

"How is it? Do you need some time to get familiar with it?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No need." Zhao Xing packed the things neatly into the literary bamboo box. "When does the training start?"

"Starting from the You hour on the first of the third month," Chen Shijie said.

"Today is the first of the third month, and it's already the Wu hour." Zhao Xing looked around in surprise. "We haven't reached Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven yet, have we?"

"No, but the training starts from the garrison outside the grotto-heaven," Chen Shijie explained. "We can only send you to the outside; entering the grotto-heaven, including finding the training camp, is part of the training regulations for military agricultural officials."

"We rushed here from Nanyang Prefecture and arrived relatively late, so you only have two hours to look at the small map now," Chen Shijie took out a map and handed it to Zhao Xing. "When the You hour arrives on the dot, you and all the officials participating in the training from the nine garrisons will enter Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven together."

"You have to go to the Agricultural Official Supervision inside the grotto-heaven to report yourself."

"The environment inside Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven is complex; here is a booklet that records the terrain and landform characteristics of Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, as well as special celestial phenomena."

Zhao Xing nodded: "I'll read it now, you continue."

Chen Shijie continued: "In order to motivate the various armies, the military department has set up point rewards for officials participating in the training."

"For example, this time, among the officials from various armies participating in the military agricultural official training, whoever arrives at the Agricultural Official Supervision first will be rewarded with ten thousand points."

"So many?" Zhao Xing was a bit surprised; he knew that training in the Military Realm had rewards, but Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven rewarded too much, ten thousand for first place?

One had to know that military points were very valuable; a Fourth-Rank treasure only cost two or three thousand points.

Just reporting first could be rewarded with ten thousand points?

Long Xiao laughed: "Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven is a new grotto-heaven in the Military Realm. In addition to being used as a garrison training ground, various armies also have tasks of exploration and development."

"If they don't give more, where would they have the energy to work?"

"To tell the truth, in some areas inside Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, I would rather fight the barbarians outside for three days and three nights than stay inside for half a day."

Why is Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven called Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven? That's because there are ten miraculous existences similar to 'suns' inside this small world!

Some places can really heat people to death; in extreme environments, if the rewards aren't high, no one is willing to do this kind of work.

Of course, Zhao Xing is just a "new recruit" now, and the exploration tasks in cruel and extreme areas are not yet the turn of these reservists to do.

"Nine garrisons, about how many reserve military agricultural officials are there?" Zhao Xing didn't lift his head, still reading the book.

"There are relatively few reserve military agricultural officials; the nine garrisons add up to about ten thousand people."

"……"

That's not a small number, okay!

"Not all reservists can eventually become military agricultural officials," Chen Shijie said. "If after this round of training, the military department feels you are not suitable, you will not be granted the position of military agricultural official."

"According to convention, only about one-tenth can be granted the position, and the rest can only slowly grind it out in the coming year."

…………

Two hours passed quickly, and when the time approached the You hour.

Zhao Xing followed Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, took the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat, and arrived above the huge lake.

"Can you lower it a bit? Don't be afraid that he's afraid of heights," Long Xiao said to Chen Shijie.

"I'm not afraid of heights," Zhao Xing said.

"Don't close your eyes when you jump down in a moment. After falling into the lake, you will be inside Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven; you must quickly use the Cloud-Stepping Boots to stabilize your figure," Chen Shijie said. "Quickly adapting to a strange environment is the basic quality of a military agricultural official."

"Understood." Zhao Xing licked his lips, somewhat excited. This was much more stimulating than the assessment in Gucheng, and there were so many people together.

"Hmm? Look, are those the two scumbags we met at Fire Pond Number Nine before?" Long Xiao suddenly looked in one direction. "So they were also here to send people?"

Not far away, there was also a Flowing Cloud Flying Boat hovering, and Helian Lie and that Ritual Cultivator were standing next to two men and one woman.

Work-rest schedule is reversed, it's a bit hard to handle.