Chapter 121: Training Teacher: Top-Grade Resources Secured!

Zhao Xing saw that he was not the only one; other officials had also come out onto this pavilion, waving to Zhuang Ziqing and Shi Yong and the others.

"I don't even know what to say."

After going up to the second floor of the pavilion, Lu Bang and Zuo Zizhi brought Zhao Xing to a secluded private room.

"Greetings, Lord Zuo, Lord Lu."

"Sit," Zuo Zizhi said with a beaming smile. "No need to be formal."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and took his seat.

"May I ask what instructions the two lords have for me?"

Zuo Zizhi spoke: "No instructions, just a casual private chat, to ask what you think."

"The path of the Agricultural Officer can be divided into three major sects. Each type contains ten thousand spells, and a person's energy is limited, so it is best to focus on one as your main practice and the other two as supplements."

"Furthermore, for the reserve military Agricultural Officer, the sect you focus on also relates to your future position in the army."

"Do you have any plans in mind?"

Hearing Zuo Zizhi's question, Zhao Xing also began to think.

Which period to practice which sect — he had long since decided this.

But specific problems must be analyzed specifically.

For example, here in the Shiyang Grotto-Heaven, why are there four great academies instead of three?

The Celestial Timing Academy and the Dili Academy are easy to understand.

The Taicang Academy corresponds to the Benwo Sect.

The Pinghuai Academy, however, is not divided according to sects, but serves military purposes.

The reason it was singled out as its own academy is mainly because the place where Zhao Xing is located is Pinghai Prefecture.

A part of Pinghai Prefecture was originally the Vast Sea.

Later, the Vast Sea was artificially interfered with; the aquatic races were driven into the deep, and it became land.

But Pinghai Prefecture still has abundant Water Virtue, with many rivers inland as well; the most famous are the four great rivers: the Canglan River, the Yuan River, the Suspended Tianhe, and the Wind River.

These four water veins relate to the stability of Pinghai Prefecture, and also to the livelihoods of countless common people.

Therefore, in Pinghai Prefecture, any coastal or island city has its Agricultural Monitor set at a higher grade; the Pinghuai Academy being singled out within the military realm is also for this reason.

Even the official positions include Pinghuai Commander, Pinghuai Captain, and Pinghuai Commandant.

If Zhao Xing's future plans include water management, or if the Divine Might Army's future plans involve attacking aquatic-specializing foreign races, then he could consider entering the Pinghuai Academy.

Additionally, certain positions also have very obvious sect leanings.

For example, the Jitian Prefect and the Pingdi Commandant — these military Agricultural Officers specialize in improving the terrain environment; their main duty is to open up farmland at army stations, providing cultivation resources for the army.

The Nine-Joint Captain, who specializes in combat, needs to stay by the army's side at all times.

The Zhisu Captain, the Yanhua Commandant, and so on, focus on practicing the Benwo Sect, searching the world for strange plants and trees, carefully selecting and cultivating them, finding 'derivative species' suitable for human consumption.

Of course, regardless of the position, Celestial Timing, Dili, and Benwo are all indispensable.

The dominant Celestial Timing Sect does not reject the other sects; it is simply a matter of primary and secondary.

These primary and secondary distinctions are reflected more obviously in certain positions.

"In my personal opinion, the Celestial Timing Academy, Dili Academy, Pinghuai Academy, and Taicang Academy are all important."

"The Divine Might Army has not yet made arrangements for me, but I find it easier to practice Celestial Timing Sect and Dili Sect spells on a regular basis."

Zhao Xing first stated his view, believing all four academies were important — this way he offended no one.

Next he presented facts, saying that in his usual practice, Celestial Timing Sect and Dili Sect spells progressed faster for him.

This was to say that he could enter any of the branch academies.

In fact, Zhao Xing truly thought this way; the Celestial Timing Sect and Dili Sect could both produce results for him now.

As for the Benwo Sect, Zhao Xing planned to devote energy to it only after reaching fifth rank.

Only after gathering yuan to the fiftieth stage and practicing the Benwo Sect does one truly enter the path.

Before that, it is all small-scale dabbling; one may practice it as a supplement, but will not devote too much energy to it.

"Mm." Zuo Zizhi nodded slightly. Zhao Xing's answer was not beyond his expectations and aligned with most people's current thinking.

"Which Dili Sect spells have you practiced?" Lu Bang asked.

"The Mysterious Earth Spell, the Earth Palace Spell, the King Di Zang Spell, and the Split Earth Spell — I have practiced all of them," Zhao Xing deliberated. "In the Mysterious Earth branch, one spell at the seventh revolution. In the Earth Palace branch, two spells — one at the seventh revolution, one at the eighth revolution."

"In the King Di Zang Spell branch, one spell at the sixth revolution; in the Split Earth Spell branch, one spell at the seventh revolution."

He did not mention the specific spell names, mainly because the King Di Zang Spell was still somewhat taboo.

However, Lu Bang did not need to know such detail; he only needed to know the spell realm and the number of spells practiced.

After hearing Zhao Xing finish, Lu Bang also revealed the true purpose of calling him in for a talk: "Since you say you are skilled in both Celestial Timing and Dili, this official will not beat around the bush."

Lu Bang continued: "You will certainly be evaluated as a top-grade talent. Whether you enter the Celestial Timing Academy, Dili Academy, Taicang Academy, or Pinghuai Academy, the other three academies' meditation treasures and precious resources will not shortchange you."

"Which academy you enter only makes a difference in the teacher you apprentice under. Do you understand my meaning?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "I understand."

He would certainly receive top-grade training resources now; as long as it was top-grade, no matter which branch academy he went to, he could also enjoy priority access to the precious resources of the other branch academies.

Of course, if it were second-grade, there would be some differences; certain resources would still require queuing, or he might not even get a turn.

Lu Bang said: "Since you understand, I'll be direct."

"Tian Hou of the Dili Academy has asked this official to keep an eye out for good seedlings."

"After hearing you finish listing the Dili Sect spells you are skilled in, this official also feels you are suited for the Dili Academy."

"Tian Hou is willing to personally take you on. As long as what you just said is not false, entering the Dili Academy will guarantee you top-grade resources."

Zhao Xing listened quietly; this was the Dili Academy planning to intercept at the fourth trial.

No wonder after the exam they still hadn't gone down, remaining suspended in the sky.

The Celestial Timing Court is probably on guard too.

"Of course." Lu Bang smiled and said, "If you're willing to enter the Grand Granary Court, I am also willing to spend extra time personally training you. But since you've already stated your thoughts, I won't make things difficult. Come participate in my selection training in the future."

Tian Hou? Just from the title of this Hou Jue, Zhao Xing couldn't tell anything. Tian Hou could be a third-rank Hou, or a second-rank; it mainly depends on merit and strength.

Zuo Zizhi seemed to see what Zhao Xing was thinking, and immediately said: "Tian Hou's name is Tian Shan; his Hou rank was inherited. Duke Tian was granted the founding Commandery Duke title during the Grand Ancestor's era, with his fief in Gouliu Commandery. During the Grand Ancestor's era and the Wen Emperor's era, the title was passed down and reduced once each time. Now it has become a Hou Jue, but it is still a second-rank Hou."

Zhao Xing had a clear picture in his mind. In the Great Zhou, only five titles enjoy perpetual hereditary succession without reduction: Prince of the Blood, Commandery Prince, Heir Prince, State Duke, and titles specially approved by imperial edict. The last category can vary greatly in scope; there are even hereditary Viscounts with perpetual succession.

All others must be reduced by one rank with each successive inheritance.

Lu Bang added several of Tian Shan's strengths: "Tian Hou is at the fifth realm, has considerable family wealth, and is also very kind and generous."

Zhao Xing originally didn't think much of it, but the phrases 'considerable family wealth' and 'kind and generous' immediately made his heart stir a little.

"You don't need to rush to reply. You may also see if the Celestial Timing Court has sent you any notification."

"If another teacher has taken a liking to you, you may weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Lu Bang spoke very frankly.

It was a two-way selection to begin with, so naturally one goes wherever is better.

"Thank you, Lord Lu and Lord Zuo, for the guidance." Zhao Xing took out his Earth Mirror and looked.

Sure enough, there was a notification on it.

It was sent by the Celestial Timing Court.

The general meaning was that Zhao Xing had performed outstandingly in the four trials and could enter the Celestial Timing Court for training.

Zhao Xing skipped the preceding nonsense and looked directly at the training resources at the end.

【If you are willing to enter the Celestial Timing Court, you will receive 'Upper-Middle Grade A' training resources, and your training will be overseen by the Celestial Timing Court's agricultural teacher 'Ge Jinsong'.】

"Only Upper-Middle Grade A?" Zhao Xing frowned slightly. "Not giving me Top Grade A—is it because they think my Wind Method is lacking?"

The first trial, Wind Passing Message, had no ranking, so nothing could be discerned from it.

Only in the third trial, Thunder Method Hunting, when he jumped down, was his Wind Method tested a little.

"The Wind Method I displayed at the time was weak; the Lesser Nine Heavens Gang Wind was only at the third revolution."

As for the Yin Wind Method at nine revolutions, for the strict Celestial Timing School, Yin Wind in their eyes doesn't even count as part of the Celestial Timing Method. Even if Zhao Xing claimed his Yin Wind was at nine revolutions, it might not be recognized.

"Forget it. Better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail."

"The Celestial Timing Court looks down on me and only gives Upper-Middle Grade A, so I'll just go to the Earth Advantage Court." Zhao Xing had made his decision. He quickly raised his head and said to Lu Bang: "I am willing to enter the Earth Advantage Court and receive training under Tian Hou."

Lu Bang had facilitated a transaction, and immediately smiled: "Good. When we land in a while, I'll take you to meet Tian Hou."

Before the Cloud Rain Tower Ship landed, all two hundred trial-takers had to make their choice.

The Celestial Timing Court was the mainstream school of thought, so quite a few signed up.

But in the end, the Celestial Timing Court only took fifty outstanding candidates.

Those who received personal notifications numbered only twelve slots.

"Zhuang Ziqing refused." The four people in charge of the Celestial Timing Court in the pavilion were chatting. "He wants to enter the Earth Advantage Court."

"What a pity, Zhuang Ziqing is a good seedling." One of them felt a bit regretful, because he had wanted to take Zhuang Ziqing as a student and offered Top Grade A treatment, but the man didn't come.

"Zhao Xing also refused." Ge Jinsong put down the Earth Mirror in his hand, expressionless. "Upper-Middle Grade A training resources still didn't move him."

"I told you we should have given Top Grade A." An elder laughed. "His Wind Method is a bit lacking, but what does it matter that he has no military experience?"

"But his Gang Wind is also too poor, only at the third revolution." Another person said. "And he has no experience. In my view, by the rules we could only give him Lower Grade A. Lord Ge was willing to take him in and gave him Upper-Middle Grade A training resources, and he's still not satisfied?"

One person spoke up, another spoke down, and a third offered no opinion. Ge Jinsong thus split the difference.

He hadn't expected that even so, he still couldn't move Zhao Xing.

Actually, it wasn't that the people of the Celestial Timing Court looked down on Zhao Xing. Upper-Middle Grade A was already considered the second-tier training resources, and Ge Jinsong was also a fifth-realm powerhouse.

If Tian Hou hadn't stuck his nose in, Zhao Xing might well have agreed. After all, once inside there was also a chance to upgrade his treatment.

But with a better choice available, he naturally refused.

"Forget it." Ge Jinsong shook his head. "Fate didn't align. No need to force it. Perhaps he simply didn't want to major in the Celestial Timing Method."

After the Cloud Rain Tower Ship had sailed for two quarter-hours, it suddenly entered a stretch of fierce wind.

When it came out again, there were only two suns in the sky.

Clouds drifted around, and the greenery was lush.

Yangcheng was also visible in the distance.

After everyone disembarked, they split into two groups.

One group was the fifty people who had already chosen the Celestial Timing Court, and whom the Celestial Timing Court had agreed to take. Their trials were over, and they returned directly to the Yangcheng Agricultural Supervisor.

The remaining one hundred fifty people continued to participate in the trials.

The fifth and sixth trials were the Earth Advantage Court's trials.

The seventh and eighth trials were the trials of the Pinghuai and Grand Granary Courts.

But they were relatively simple.

Because those who could cultivate the Celestial Timing Method to a relatively high realm would not be too poor in the other two types of spells either; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to serve as military agricultural officers in the secondary legions.

Now, all one hundred fifty of these people could enter the other three courts; it was just a matter of what training treatment they would receive.

"Shi Yong and Feng Qiu went to the Celestial Timing Court, but Zhuang Ziqing stayed, as did Guan Junyang, Hua Zhilin, and Han Bing." Zhao Xing looked at the people around him.

"They say the Celestial Timing Court even offered Zhuang Ziqing Top Grade A treatment, but he still didn't go." Zhao Xing shook his head. Those who wanted to go couldn't, and those who didn't want to go were offered high treatment—such is the fickleness of fate.

The Earth Advantage Court's trial was to cast spells in a hard rocky terrain.

The trial-takers simply needed to display their Earth Advantage spells.

After Zhao Xing displayed the Five Elements Earth-Splitting and the Boundless Earth Palace in the fifth trial, he immediately received a notification in his Earth Mirror.

It was a symbolic run-through of the process before he was taken away.

Also taken away were Zhuang Ziqing, Han Bing, and ten people in total.

Zhao Xing figured all this had already been discussed on the ship.

Riding the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat, they arrived at the Earth Advantage Court.

Afterwards, Lu Bang escorted Zhao Xing once more, this time to the gates of a sprawling estate.

Before the estate's gate, rows of fruit trees had been planted, laden with rare and exotic fruits, some of which Zhao Xing couldn't even recognize.

But one could tell their grade was absolutely not low.

"This is Tian Hou's Fuchun Garden."

Lu Bang pointed and said.

"Tian Hou is also one of the Agricultural Assistants of the Earth Advantage Court."

Agricultural Chief, Agricultural Assistant, Agricultural Master — these are the three ranks within the Earth Advantage Court. Above them is the Grand Agricultural Chief, the top position, equivalent to the head of the entire Earth Advantage Court.

When Zhao Xing and Lu Bang landed, Tian Shan was already waiting at the gate.

It wasn't for any other reason — mainly because without an invitation, Zhao Xing couldn't get in.

"Tian Hou, I've brought the man to you." Lu Bang smiled. "This is Zhao Xing."

Tian Shan's hair and beard were somewhat grey, but his complexion was rosy and ruddy, without a single wrinkle.

He had a fleshy face and plump, fair hands and feet — the kind of well-fed, slightly portly look.

Seeing Lu Bang arrive with Zhao Xing, Tian Shan welcomed them with a smile. When he smiled, his brows and eyes curved, giving him a very approachable air.

"You've worked hard, Lu Bang. Won't you come in and sit for a while?"

Lu Bang shook his head: "I won't come in and disturb you, Tian Hou. There are still people waiting for me at the Grand Granary Court. I'll take my leave first."

After Lu Bang left, Zhao Xing bowed with hands clasped: "Student Zhao Xing greets Teacher."

"Good, good, good, come inside." Tian Shan smiled. "From today on, you are my student, Tian Shan's."

Once through the gate, Zhao Xing immediately felt the climate inside was warm as spring, extremely comfortable.

Within Fuchun Garden there were mountains and waters, groves of fruit trees, a hundred flowers in bloom, and countless rare herbs and plants.

Following Tian Shan as he walked, Zhao Xing saw along the way many pavilions and towers, artificial mountains and little streams.

The layout was extremely tasteful, subtly conforming to the principles of feng shui. Just from looking at where he lived, one could tell this teacher knew how to enjoy life.

"Zhao Xing, sit." Tian Shan led Zhao Xing to the main hall.

"Thank Teacher for granting me a seat." Zhao Xing couldn't quite gauge Tian Shan's temperament, so he remained quite polite.

"No need to be so stiff. It was I who chose you." Tian Shan said, "You can relax a little."

"Yes."

"Since you've entered the Earth Advantage Court and taken me as your teacher, the training for this coming year will be my responsibility." Tian Shan said: "Beyond the mandatory training, I will devote myself to helping you with elective training and personal cultivation."

"You have Grade A-Upper training resources. The three treasure sites of the Earth Advantage Court — the Profound Heaven Prison, the Seventy-Two Earth Palaces, and the Earth Vein Hall — you may enter for inner contemplation."

"You have three free opportunities. Additional opportunities must be earned in subsequent training—"

Zhao Xing listened quietly. The places he'd contemplated in before were open and free to all. At the Profound Heaven Prison, Zhao Xing could only observe the lower-grade exotic beasts. The Seventy-Two Earth Palaces he could only gaze at from afar. And the Earth Vein murals within the Earth Vein Hall also had their high and low tiers.

"Additionally, the Hundred-and-Eight Solar Term Inscriptions of the Heavenly Timing Court, the Primordial Dao Field of the Grand Granary Court, and the Thirty-Six Waterways of the Level Huai Court — you may also go contemplate them twice for free."

"With Grade A-Upper resources, your monthly initial points increase from 100 to 5,000 points!"

"Native-origin treasures produced within the Ten Yang Grotto-heaven may be purchased at an eighty-percent discount, and you have priority purchase rights. However, you may only use them yourself. Once purchasing on behalf of others is discovered, or selling them outside the grotto-heaven, the punishment is extremely severe."

"Yes, student understands." Zhao Xing nodded. Military supplies sold on the black market — that was a grave crime; he wouldn't be foolish enough to do it.

"Beyond this, I will personally give you one more meeting gift, worth 50,000 points." Tian Shan waved his hand, and a large chest floated over, appearing before Zhao Xing.

"There is mandatory training in one month. These 50,000 points are prepared for your mandatory training one month from now."

Worth 50,000 points? Zhao Xing clicked his tongue inwardly — this teacher was truly generous. A meeting gift worth 50,000 points right off the bat.

"Many thanks for Teacher's reward." Zhao Xing said quickly.

"The mandatory training in one month? It will be very arduous, very bitter. Great expectations are now placed upon you. Your performance concerns not only the face of the Divine Might Army, but also my own face." Tian Shan said solemnly, "Your entry into the Earth Advantage Court is only the beginning. If you receive so many resources yet fail to show corresponding results, you will be downgraded."

"Currently the four courts have twenty-one Grade A-Upper. Your competitors are only the other twenty."

"If you can maintain Grade A-Upper throughout training, you might even directly become a Seventh-Rank official!"

"But precisely because of this, the screening is very strict!"

"If you rank in the bottom five three times in a row, that proves you don't deserve these resources, and you'll be downgraded to Grade A-Middle, and so on… and this ranking happens every single month."

"So you cannot slack off in the slightest. Understood?" Tian Shan said solemnly.

"Yes, student will bear this in mind. I will absolutely not disappoint Teacher." Zhao Xing declared his attitude.

"Good, go." Tian Shan smiled. "Come to me once every three days. I will arrange additional elective training based on your cultivation progress."

"Remember, your opponents are only the other twenty. Even if you surpass the other nine thousand nine hundred-plus, it means nothing."

"Yes, student takes his leave."

Carrying the chest back to the Eighteen Pagoda Trees Courtyard, Zhao Xing saw on the way a reminder from the Earth Mirror that 5,000 points had been credited to his account.

He could hardly wait to open the meeting gift Tian Shan had given him.

Fixing a BUG: before entering the grotto-heaven, Zhao Xing was at Fifteenth Order, late-stage Ancient Method Origin Gathering. The second volume had been mistakenly recorded as Fourteenth Order. Corrected now!

Also, the third update will probably be very late, mainly because fixing some continuity errors took up time.

The author plays no games, goes nowhere, and aside from eating and sleeping does nothing but type all day. Really hasn't been slacking, and isn't delaying on purpose.

That's all!