Chapter 121

Zhao Xing saw that it wasn't just him; other officials on the pavilion were also coming out and beckoning to Zhuang Ziqing, Shi Yong, and others.

"I don't know what they want to say."

After walking up to the second-floor pavilion, Lu Bang and Zuo Zijhi took Zhao Xing to a quiet private room.

"Greetings, Lord Zuo, Lord Lu."

"Sit," Zuo Zijhi said with a beaming smile. "No need to be restrained."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and sat down.

"I don't know what instructions the two lords have for me?"

Zuo Zijhi began: "No instructions, just a simple private chat to ask about your thoughts."

"The path of the Agricultural Official can be divided into three major schools. Each category has thousands of spells, and human energy is limited, so it is best to specialize in one and supplement with two."

"In addition, the main school of a reserve Military Agricultural Official also relates to your future position in the army."

"Do you have any plans in your heart?"

Hearing Zuo Zijhi's question, Zhao Xing began to ponder.

He had long since thought about what school to cultivate at what stage.

However, specific problems also required specific analysis.

For example, here in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, why are there four major academies instead of three?

The Heavenly Time Academy and Earthly Benefit Academy are easy to understand.

The Great Granary Academy corresponds to the Self School.

The Equalization Academy, however, is not divided according to schools but serves the military.

The reason it was singled out as an academy is mainly because Zhao Xing is in Pinghai Prefecture.

A part of Pinghai Prefecture was originally the Vast Sea.

Later, the Vast Sea was artificially interfered with, driving the aquatic tribes into the depths, turning it into land.

But Pinghai Prefecture is still rich in water virtue, and there are many rivers inland, the most famous being the four great rivers: the Canglan River, the Yuan River, the Hanging Heaven River, and the Wind River.

These four water veins are related to the stability of Pinghai Prefecture and the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people.

Therefore, in Pinghai Prefecture, for any city near the sea or on an island, the specifications of the Agricultural Official Supervision must be one level higher; this is also the reason why the Equalization Academy within the military realm was singled out.

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

If Zhao Xing's future plans include water management, or if the Shenwei Army's future plans involve attacking exotic tribes skilled in water, then he could consider entering the Equalization Academy.

In addition, certain positions also have very obvious school characteristics.

For example, the Field Registration Order or the Flatland Commandant; these Military Agricultural Officials specialize in improving the land environment, and their main duty is to farm in military garrisons to provide cultivation resources for the army.

The Nine-Section Captain, who specializes in fighting, needs to follow the army at all times.

The Grain Management Captain, the Evolution Commandant, etc., mainly cultivate the Self School, searching for strange plants in the world, carefully selecting and cultivating them to find "derived species" suitable for human consumption.

Of course, regardless of the position, Heavenly Time, Earthly Benefit, and Self are all indispensable.

The prevailing Heavenly Time School does not exclude other schools; it just means there is a distinction between primary and secondary.

These distinctions are more evident in certain positions.

"I personally think that the Heavenly Time Academy, Earthly Benefit Academy, Equalization Academy, and Great Granary Academy are all important."

"The Shenwei Army has not yet made arrangements for me, but I find it easier to cultivate the spells of the Heavenly Time School and the Earthly Benefit School in my daily practice."

Zhao Xing first stated his point of view, thinking all four academies were important, which offended no one.

Secondly, he presented the facts, saying that he cultivated Heavenly Time and Earthly Benefit spells faster.

This was saying he could enter any branch.

In fact, Zhao Xing really thought so; he could achieve results in both Heavenly Time and Earthly Benefit schools now.

As for the Self School, Zhao Xing planned to spend energy on it after reaching the fifth rank.

Cultivating the Self School after reaching the fiftieth stage of Qi Gathering is when one truly enters the Dao.

Before that, it was all small-scale; one could supplement it, but wouldn't spend too much energy.

"Hmm." Zuo Zijhi nodded slightly; Zhao Xing's answer did not exceed his expectations and was in line with the thoughts of most people now.

"Which Earthly Benefit School spells have you cultivated?" Lu Bang asked.

"Mysterious Earth Technique, Earth Palace Technique, Earth Treasury Technique, and Earth-Splitting Technique, all have been cultivated," Zhao Xing pondered. "The Mysterious Earth school has seven-turn spells. The Earth Palace has two, one seven-turn and one eight-turn."

"The Earth Treasury school has a six-turn spell, and the Earth-Splitting school has a seven-turn spell."

He didn't mention the specific names of the spells, mainly because the Earth Treasury Technique was still a bit taboo.

However, Lu Bang didn't need to know in such detail; he just needed to know the realm of the spells and the quantity cultivated.

After hearing Zhao Xing finish, Lu Bang also stated the real intention of calling him in for a talk: "Since you said you are skilled in both Heavenly Time and Earthly Benefit, I won't beat around the bush."

Lu Bang continued: "You will definitely be rated as a Grade A talent. Regardless of whether you enter the Heavenly Time Academy, Earthly Benefit Academy, Great Granary Academy, or Equalization Academy, you won't be short of a share of the enlightenment treasures and precious resources of the other three academies."

"Which academy you enter only makes a difference in the teacher you serve; do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "I understand."

He was now guaranteed to get Grade A training resources; as long as it was Grade A, no matter which branch he went to, he could prioritize enjoying the precious resources of the other branches.

Of course, if it were Grade B, there would be some differences; some resources would still require queuing or might not even be available.

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

"Marquis Tian of the Earthly Benefit Academy asked me to keep an eye out for some good seedlings."

"After hearing you finish talking about the Earthly Benefit School spells you are skilled in, I also think you are suitable for the Earthly Benefit Academy."

"Marquis Tian is willing to take you on personally; as long as what you said just now is not a lie, entering the Earthly Benefit Academy will guarantee you Grade A-plus resources."

Zhao Xing listened quietly; this was the Earthly Benefit Academy planning to intercept him in the fourth round.

No wonder they didn't go down after the test and remained in the sky.

The Heavenly Time Academy was probably guarding against this.

"Of course," Lu Bang smiled, "if you are willing to enter the Great Granary Academy, I am also willing to spend extra time to train you personally. However, since you have already stated your thoughts, I won't make things difficult for you; just come and participate in my selection training in the future."

Marquis Tian? Just from this marquis title, Zhao Xing couldn't tell anything; a marquis could be third-class or second-class, mainly depending on merit and strength.

Zuo Zijhi seemed to see what Zhao Xing was thinking and immediately said: "Marquis Tian's name is Tian Shan. His marquis title was inherited. Grand Duke Tian was enfeoffed as a Founding Commandery Duke during the Taizu period, with his fief in Gouliu Commandery. He completed one inheritance descent during the Taizu period and one during the Wendi period. Now it has become a marquis title, but it is still a second-class marquis."

Zhao Xing had an idea now; in the Great Zhou, there are only five titles that are hereditary and perpetual: Prince, Commandery Prince, Heir Prince, Duke, and titles specially approved by imperial decree. The last situation can be big or small, and there are even hereditary perpetual viscounts.

For the others, each time it is inherited, the title must be reduced by one level.

Lu Bang added several advantages of Tian Shan: "Marquis Tian is at the fifth-rank realm, has quite a bit of family wealth, and is also very kind and generous."

Zhao Xing originally felt it was nothing, but the words "quite a bit of family wealth" and "kind and generous" immediately made him feel tempted.

"You don't have to rush to reply. You can also see if the Heavenly Time Academy has sent you a notification."

"If another teacher takes a fancy to you, you can weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Lu Bang spoke very bluntly.

It was a two-way selection, so naturally, one should go where it is best.

"Many thanks to 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 Heavenly Time Academy.

The general meaning was that Zhao Xing performed excellently in the four rounds and could enter the Heavenly Time Academy for training.

Zhao Xing skipped the nonsense at the beginning and looked directly at the final training resources.

[If you are willing to enter the Heavenly Time Academy, you will receive 'Grade A-mid' training resources, and will be trained by the Heavenly Time Academy Agricultural Master 'Ge Jinsong'.]

"Only Grade A-mid?" Zhao Xing frowned slightly. "No Grade A-plus? Is it because they think my wind technique is not good?"

The first round was just passing information, there was no ranking, so nothing could be seen.

It was only in the third round's thunder technique hunt that his wind technique was tested when he jumped down.

"The wind technique I cast at that time was weak; the Small Nine Heavens Gang Wind was only at the three-turn level."

As for the nine-turn Yin Wind Technique, for the strict Heavenly Time School, they didn't even consider Yin Wind as part of the Heavenly Time techniques. Even if Zhao Xing said his Yin Wind was nine-turn, it might not be recognized.

"Forget it, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix."

"The Heavenly Time Academy looks down on me and only gives Grade A-mid, so I'll just go to the Earthly Benefit Academy." Zhao Xing made his choice. He quickly raised his head and said to Lu Bang: "I am willing to enter the Earthly Benefit Academy and serve under Marquis Tian for training."

Lu Bang facilitated a deal and immediately smiled: "Good, when we land in a moment, I will take you to see Marquis Tian."

Before the Cloud-Rain tower ship landed, all two hundred challengers had to make a choice.

The Heavenly Time Academy was the mainstream ideology, so quite a few people signed up.

But in the end, the Heavenly Time Academy only took the best fifty.

There were only twelve spots for those who were personally sent notifications.

"Zhuang Ziqing refused," the four people in charge of the Heavenly Time Academy on the pavilion chatted. "He wants to enter the Earthly Benefit Academy."

"What a pity, Zhuang Ziqing is a good seedling." One of them felt some regret because he wanted to take Zhuang Ziqing as a student and gave him Grade A-plus treatment, but the person wouldn't come.

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

"I said we should have given Grade A-plus," an old man laughed. "What does it matter if his wind technique is a bit worse and he has no military experience."

"But his Gang Wind is too poor, only at the three-turn level," another said. "And with no experience, if you ask me, according to the rules, we should only give Grade A-low. Master Ge is willing to take him and give him Grade A-mid level training resources, and he's still not satisfied?"

One said up, one said down, and another didn't express an opinion, so Ge Jinsong compromised.

He didn't expect it still wouldn't move Zhao Xing.

Actually, it wasn't that the Heavenly Time Academy looked down on Zhao Xing; Grade A-mid was already considered second-tier training resources, and Ge Jinsong was also a fifth-rank powerhouse.

If Marquis Tian hadn't intervened, Zhao Xing might have agreed; after all, there were opportunities to upgrade treatment after entering.

But with a better choice, he naturally refused.

"Forget it," Ge Jinsong shook his head. "Fate is not there, no need to force it; perhaps he never wanted to specialize in Heavenly Time techniques."

After the Cloud-Rain tower ship traveled for two quarters of an hour, it suddenly entered a patch of Gang Wind.

After coming out, there were only two suns in the sky.

Clouds floated around, and it was lush and green.

Yangcheng was also visible in the distance.

After everyone got off the ship, they split into two waves.

One wave was the fifty people who had chosen the Heavenly Time Academy and whom the Heavenly Time Academy had agreed to accept; their tests were over, and they returned directly to the Yangcheng Agricultural Official Supervision.

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

The fifth and sixth rounds were tests for the Earthly Benefit Academy.

The seventh and eighth rounds were tests for the Equalization and Great Granary Academies.

However, they were relatively simple.

Because those who could cultivate Heavenly Time techniques to a higher realm wouldn't be too bad at the other two types of spells, otherwise they wouldn't be able to serve as Military Agricultural Officials in secondary legions.

Now, these one hundred and fifty people could all enter the other three major academies; it just depended on the training treatment.

"Shi Yong and Feng Qiu went to the Heavenly Time Academy, but Zhuang Ziqing stayed, and Guan Junyang, Hua Zhilin, and Han Bing also stayed," Zhao Xing looked at the people around him.

"It is said that the Heavenly Time Academy gave Zhuang Ziqing Grade A-plus treatment, but he still didn't go," Zhao Xing shook his head. Those who want to go can't, and those who don't want to go are given high treatment; the world is just so fickle.

The Earthly Benefit Academy's test was to cast spells in a hard rocky area.

The challengers just needed to demonstrate their Earthly Benefit spells.

After Zhao Xing demonstrated the Five Elements Earth-Splitting and Boundless Earth Palace in the fifth round, he received a notification on his Earth Mirror.

It was equivalent to going through the motions symbolically before being taken away.

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

Zhao Xing guessed that these had all been discussed on the ship.

They took the Flowing Cloud flying boat to the Earthly Benefit Academy.

Afterward, Lu Bang took Zhao Xing to a spacious manor.

In front of the manor gate, rows of fruit trees were planted, laden with rare and exotic fruits, some of which Zhao Xing couldn't even recognize.

But it could be seen that the grade was definitely not low.

"This is Marquis Tian's Fuchun Garden."

Lu Bang pointed and said.

"Marquis Tian is also one of the Agricultural Ministers of the Earthly Benefit Academy."

Agricultural Official, Agricultural Minister, and Agricultural Master are the three levels in the Earthly Benefit Academy; above them is the Grand Agricultural Official, who is the head, equivalent to the dean of the entire Earthly Benefit Academy.

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

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

"Marquis Tian, I've brought the person to you," Lu Bang smiled. "He is Zhao Xing."

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

He had a lot of flesh on his face, and his hands and feet were fair and tender; he had that kind of wealthy, slightly chubby look.

When he saw Lu Bang bringing Zhao Xing over, Tian Shan welcomed them with a smile; when he smiled, his eyebrows curved, appearing very approachable.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lu Bang. Come in and sit for a while?"

Lu Bang shook his head: "I won't go in and disturb Marquis Tian; there are still people waiting for me at the Great Granary Academy. I'll take my leave first."

After Lu Bang left, Zhao Xing bowed and cupped his hands: "Student Zhao Xing, pays respects to Master."

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

After entering the gate, Zhao Xing felt the climate inside was as warm as spring, very comfortable.

Inside Fuchun Garden, there were mountains and water, fruit trees formed forests, flowers bloomed, and there were countless rare and exotic herbs.

Following Tian Shan as he walked, they saw many pavilions, towers, rockeries, and small streams along the way.

The layout was very particular, secretly matching the Dao of Feng Shui; just looking at this place of residence, one knew that this teacher was someone who knew how to enjoy life.

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

"Thank you, Master, for the seat," Zhao Xing couldn't gauge Tian Shan's temper and remained very polite.

"No need to be too restrained; I am the one who chose you," Tian Shan said. "You can relax a bit."

"Yes."

"Since you have entered the Earthly Benefit Academy and have taken me as your master, I will be responsible for your training in the coming year," Tian Shan said. "Apart from the mandatory training, selection training, and personal cultivation, I will help you with all my heart."

"You are Grade A-plus training resources; you can enter the three treasure lands of the Earthly Benefit Academy—the Mysterious Heaven Prison, the Seventy-Two Earth Palaces, and the Earth Vein Hall—for internal enlightenment."

"You have three free opportunities; extra opportunities must be earned in subsequent training."

Zhao Xing listened quietly; what he had enlightened before were public and free places. In the Mysterious Heaven Prison, Zhao Xing could only observe lower-level exotic beasts. The Seventy-Two Earth Palaces could only be looked at from afar, and the various Earth Vein murals in the Earth Vein Hall also had distinctions in quality.

"In addition, you can also go to the Heavenly Time Academy's 108 Solar Term Inscriptions, the Great Granary Academy's Primordial Dao Field, and the Equalization Academy's Thirty-Six Waterways for two free enlightenment sessions each."

"For Grade A-plus resources, your monthly initial points are increased from 100 to 5000 points!"

"You can purchase native species treasures produced in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven at a 20% discount, and you can purchase them with priority. However, you can only use them yourself; once discovered that you are purchasing on behalf of others or selling them outside the cave heaven, the punishment will be very severe."

"Yes, student understands," Zhao Xing nodded. Selling military supplies was a felony; he wouldn't be stupid.

"Besides this, I will personally give you a meeting gift worth 50,000 points," Tian Shan waved his hand, and a large box floated over, appearing in front of Zhao Xing.

"There is mandatory training in a month; these 50,000 points are prepared for your mandatory training in a month."

Worth 50,000 points? Zhao Xing clicked his tongue secretly; this teacher was truly generous, giving a meeting gift worth 50,000 points right away.

"Many thanks for the reward, Master," Zhao Xing said quickly.

"Mandatory training in a month? It is very arduous and bitter. You are now being placed with high hopes; your results not only concern the face of the Shenwei Army but also my face," Tian Shan said seriously. "Entering the Earthly Benefit Academy is just the beginning. If you take so many resources and don't have corresponding performance, you will be downgraded."

"There are twenty-one Grade A-plus students in the four major academies now; your competitors are only the other twenty people."

"If you can maintain Grade A-plus level training, you might even be directly appointed as a seventh-rank official!"

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

"If you are in the bottom five for three consecutive rankings, it proves you are not worthy of these resources and will be downgraded to Grade A-mid, and so on... and this ranking happens every month."

"So you cannot have the slightest slack, do you understand?" Tian Shan said seriously.

"Yes, student will remember. I will definitely not let Master down," Zhao Xing stated his attitude.

"Good, go," Tian Shan smiled. "Come to me every three days, and I will arrange extra selection training according to your cultivation progress."

"Remember, your only opponents are the other twenty people; even if you surpass the other nine thousand nine hundred plus people, it is useless."

"Yes, student takes his leave."

Carrying the box back to the Eighteen Sophora Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing saw a reminder on his Earth Mirror on the way that 5000 points had been credited to his name.

He couldn't wait to open the meeting gift Tian Shan had given him.

Fixing a BUG: Zhao Xing was at the fifteenth stage before entering the cave heaven, late-stage Ancient Method Qi Gathering; the second volume was always recorded as the fourteenth stage. Now corrected!

In addition, the third update will probably be very late, mainly because modifying some errors in the context took time.

The author spends all day, doesn't play games, doesn't go out, and besides eating and sleeping, he is coding; he is really not lazy, and it is not a deliberate delay.

That is all!