Chapter 137

The Nine-Section Agricultural Official specializes in fighting.

At the very beginning, when mentioning Military Agricultural Officials, it referred solely to the Nine-Section Agricultural Officials, because initially, Military Agricultural Officials didn't need to be responsible for the army's food supplies; they were purely responsible for fighting.

It was only with the development of the Qi-Luck Dynasty that battlefields usually didn't occur within the national borders, but abroad. Therefore, there were higher requirements for Military Agricultural Officials, and there were more subdivisions.

After Zhao Xing left Fuchun Garden, he took out the Earth Mirror and looked at the specific information about the [Nine-Section Dao Field] while walking.

By the time he walked back to the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing already knew the relevant information about the Nine-Section Dao Field by heart.

The [Dao Field] is a venue for soldiers in the Soldier Realm to conduct actual combat practice.

The [Nine-Section Dao Field] is a sub-category prepared for the sparring of Military Agricultural Officials.

The [Dao Field] adopts a winning-match point system; draws don't earn points, wins earn 1 point, and losses deduct one point.

It has one-on-one combat, ten-person squad combat, hundred-person team combat, and ten-thousand-person army combat.

Above that, there are even larger-scale legion battles.

The grandest activity for legion battles is the [Soldier Realm Legion Grand Drill].

However, the Dao Field in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven only provides up to "ten-thousand-person army combat."

The [Nine-Section Dao Field] spent a huge price to set up different environments with magic arrays, providing tens of thousands of battle maps.

"The layout of the Dao Field comes from a peerless divine weapon, the 'Dao Source Pearl.' Its rarity is equal to that of the Great Dream Academy, and this peerless divine weapon also contains a great secret." A hint of greed flashed in Zhao Xing's eyes. But in an instant, he extinguished the thought.

"It's too early to think about these things now. Even if I were to become a First-Rank Grand Agricultural Official, it wouldn't be my turn to manage the Dao Source Pearl."

"To plot for the Dao Source Pearl, I must at least wait until after the Wu Di Dynasty, when signs of the Qi-Luck Dynasty's collapse appear."

Zhao Xing applied for the [Dao Field] practice permission on the Earth Mirror. As long as the [Dao Field] is opened, the [Nine-Section Dao Field] can naturally be used.

[Divine Might Army Zhao Xing, you have opened the Dao Field permission (Ten Suns Cave Heaven) and can enter the Dao Field for various types of training.]

[The following is your personal information:]

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Affiliated Army: Divine Might Army]

[Matches: None]

[Rating: None yet]

[Dao Field Points: None]

"Now it's just a blank account." Zhao Xing put away the Earth Mirror. "No rush to go in now. Better to practice a bit first. Going in now would easily lead to being bullied."

Personal training in the Nine-Section Dao Field randomly matches opponents, and this range covers all Agricultural Officials in the entire Ten Suns Cave Heaven.

The rule for random allocation is to match those of the same rank for sparring. Although Zhao Xing is a reservist, he is currently Eighth Rank, so it's possible to be matched with some regular Military Agricultural Officials.

Zhao Xing isn't fighting to rank up points, but mainly to verify what he has learned and comprehend the three great secret scriptures.

"Da da da~"

Just as he arrived at the gate of the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard, he heard the sound of a bamboo horse galloping behind him.

"Old Gao?" Zhao Xing looked at Gao Ming, who was carrying a large bag. "I didn't buy anything."

"There's a letter," Gao Ming said. "Sent from the outside. The mailing address is Gucheng, Nanyang Commandery, and it went through the County Magistrate's channel."

"A letter?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. Although he said it was a letter, Gao Ming handed over a box.

"I'm off." Gao Ming left with a "da da da."

Zhao Xing pushed open the courtyard gate, went in, and opened the box.

Inside was a Mirage Pearl and two letters.

The first letter was signed by Zhao Ruide.

The second letter was signed by Zong Shichang.

Zhao Xing first opened Zong Shichang's to take a look:

"'Seeing the letter is like meeting in person, may your face be relaxed.' It's been several months since we parted in Gucheng, Brother Zhao, how have you been lately... Is this damn thing written by Zong Shichang? Brother, you must have found a secretary to write it for you, right?!"

Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh.

Sure enough, being an official is different; he even knows how to use a secretary to polish his letters.

The content of the letter wasn't much.

Because what really needed to be said was in this Mirage Pearl.

"Weng~"

Zhao Xing followed the instructions in the letter and injected a trace of vital energy into the Mirage Pearl to activate it.

The next moment, the light inside the Mirage Pearl flowed, projecting a three-dimensional image in the room.

The first thing that came into view was Zong Shichang's face. He was wearing a Ninth-Rank Lotus Carp Robe, and judging by the background, it should be his own residence.

When the image flowed, Zong Shi was still looking down and dusting his sleeves.

Until a voice-over came: "Young Master, it's started."

"Oh, oh."

Zong Shichang hurriedly raised his head and cleared his throat.

"Zhao Xing, I've been transferred back to Nanyang Commandery!"

"Hehe, look at this Lotus Carp Robe, proper Ninth Rank!"

"I'm now the same rank as the Old Agricultural Official!"

"Isn't this young master amazing? It only took me three months to get transferred back to Nanyang Commandery, and I even got promoted!"

"How are you doing in the army? Did you get promoted and get rich? You have to work hard, otherwise, next time you see me, you'll have to call me Lord Zong, hahahahaha..."

Seeing Zong Shichang's smug look, Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile.

It must be said that Young Master Zong still has some ability. In just a few months, not only was he promoted, but he was also transferred back to Nanyang Commandery.

"Alright, it's my turn, it's my turn."

"Second Brother Zong, have you finished talking yet?"

Just then, another voice-over came.

Seeing this, Zong Shichang waved his hand toward the front.

Then a figure jumped into the picture.

It was Zhao Zheng.

He was wearing a white practice suit with bandages on his feet. He looked a bit thinner, but he had grown taller.

"Big Brother! I..."

Zhao Zheng opened his mouth, but suddenly didn't know what he wanted to say, so after calling "Big Brother," he stood there.

"Why aren't you talking? Weren't you just shouting that you wanted to talk to your Big Brother?" Zong Shichang rubbed Zhao Zheng's head.

"But I'm not facing Big Brother, I'm facing Uncle Tang." Zhao Zheng scratched his head. "Facing Uncle Tang's face, I really don't know what to say."

"That's too much." Zong Shichang patted Zhao Zheng's head lightly. "Steward Tang isn't ugly."

"Ah, I didn't mean that..." Zhao Zheng didn't know what to say either, suddenly shook off Zong Shichang's hand, and ran closer. "How about I perform a set of punches for Big Brother!"

Saying that, Zhao Zheng began to practice his boxing technique in a serious manner.

"Heh!"

"Big Brother, watch closely, this is called 'Tiger-Subduing Fist'!"

Zhao Zheng combined his waist and horse stance, rushed forward, and punched the pillar of the Zong residence.

His movements really had some momentum, but he ran a bit out of the frame.

Steward Tang adjusted the angle, and then Zhao Zheng was seen again.

But the next second, Zhao Xing laughed.

Zhao Zheng was squatting under the pillar, clutching his fist and blowing on it non-stop.

"Hahaha... what's wrong with you, hitting my house's pillar? It's century-old hardwood, you fool." Zong Shichang laughed mercilessly.

"Ah, Second Brother Zong, why didn't you tell me earlier..." Zhao Zheng's tears were coming out from the pain.

Zong Shichang finally managed to soothe Zhao Zheng, and Steward Tang reminded him that the recording time of the Mirage Pearl was almost up.

Zong Shichang hurriedly said: "Zhao Xing, I'll make a long story short. Everything is fine at home, the Profound Heaven Sect hasn't appeared again, and your family is healthy and safe. The martial arts teacher I hired for Zhao Zheng is very attentive. Don't look at him crying in pain now; he's actually already at Tier 2 of Yuan Gathering."

"You don't need to worry, just train well in the army. If you need anything, write back and tell me. Just use the county government's channel; my father also has some connections in the army... Little Zheng, do you have anything else to say?"

Zong Shichang tilted his head and asked.

Zhao Zheng walked over with red eyes and leaned in front of the Mirage Pearl: "Big Brother, when are you coming back to see me? I miss you."

"Weng~"

The picture ended here.

Zhao Xing was originally smiling, but after hearing Zhao Zheng's last words, he couldn't help but be stunned.

He rubbed the Mirage Pearl with his fingertips and revealed a smile again.

He put away the Mirage Pearl and opened Zhao Ruide's letter.

The content was also relatively simple, mainly talking about trivial matters at home, and the letter also mentioned the Xue family.

The Old Agricultural Official's temporary position was confirmed, promoted from Ninth Rank Upper to Proper Ninth Rank Lower.

Zhao Xing estimated that Xue Wenzhong benefited because the Profound Heaven Sect's den was destroyed.

Being a leader in his old age, and his grandson Xue Bai having found a proper job, the Old Agricultural Official's body was now healthier, and his spirit was much better than last year.

Zhao Ruide also complained about Madam Cai in the letter, saying that she wanted to see if the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree had blossomed every day, and that she cared more about taking care of the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree than taking care of her husband, and so on.

After reading the letters, Zhao Xing also wrote two replies.

He also used the Mirage Pearl to record a passage, briefly introducing his situation. In short, the core was four words: Everything is fine.

After writing the letters, he placed an order on the Earth Mirror.

Soon, Gao Ming came to the outside of the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard with a "da da da."

"Need express delivery?"

"Yes, make it express."

Zhao Xing still had quite a few points, and the 5,000 points for the new month had arrived, so he didn't care about these few points at all.

"You're quite generous." Gao Ming smiled and took the box. "You want express delivery for such a short distance, but then again, you are a high-tier Grade A genius now, so you don't lack these points."

After a pause, Gao Ming asked again: "By the way, do you really only sleep one hour a day? And use all the rest of the time for cultivation?"

Zhao Xing was stunned: "Who did you hear that from?"

Gao Ming said: "The Agricultural Official Bureau is spreading it like that. Is it true or false?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "More or less."

Gao Ming gave a thumbs up: "You're amazing. Now many people in the four major academies are ordering items to refresh their minds to assist in cultivation. I think they are going to learn from you. You Agricultural Officials are too hard-working."

Zhao Xing shrugged: "You Mechanism Masters aren't much better; you often stay up until you're bald, but you're an exception."

Gao Ming touched his head and said: "I'm not skilled enough, so I can only run these miscellaneous errands to earn some points. Alright, I won't talk anymore, I'm off."

"See you again."

Heavenly Time Academy, inside a magnificent hall, stood 108 stone steles.

The steles were engraved with mysterious patterns, and each stele was forty or fifty meters high.

Different steles emitted different auras; some were scorching like fire, some were cold like ice.

Zhao Xing sat cross-legged fifty meters away from one of the steles, quietly comprehending this [Start of Spring Stele].

"Start of Spring, the first of the twenty-four solar terms."

"The Qi of the Five Elements passes and continues here; and the Qi of Spring Wood arrives, so it is called the Start."

"The Start of Spring Stele, and the twenty-six steles around it, all depict spring."

"The first layer of the Solar Term Order is the Knowing Realm. What is knowing the Heavenly Time? Knowing the changes of the Five Elements contained in the solar terms, knowing the three climate changes in the solar terms, and knowing the effects of Heavenly Time spells in different solar terms."

"Spells, climate changes, Five Elements. Nine turns of the Knowing Realm; the first three turns comprehend spells, the middle three turns comprehend climate changes, and the last three turns comprehend the Five Elements."

"The six Solar Term Orders I condensed before, [Start of Spring] and [Start of Summer], have both reached the second-turn realm."

"Comprehending here for three days, I completed the remaining eighteen Solar Term Orders and also brought the Start of Summer and Start of Spring Solar Term Orders to the third-turn realm. It truly deserves to be a treasure ground of the Heavenly Time Academy."

Zhao Xing had two opportunities to comprehend, and after ending the second training, he finally used one.

The effect was also significant. Now, twenty-four Solar Term Orders were floating in his dantian. These twenty-four Solar Term Order phantoms, with the Start of Spring and Start of Summer being the most solid, were rotating around the Post-Earth gravel.

"The third turn can boost spells. I comprehend the stele, can see plants grow, can see naturally formed Heavenly Time spells, and even comprehended three new Heavenly Time spells, but I still can't see very obvious phenological changes."

Zhao Xing knew that he should go out; there wouldn't be any particularly great progress in comprehension in the short term.

"Go to the Nine-Section Dao Field."

Zhao Xing left the Heavenly Time Hall and ended this comprehension.

After leaving the hall, he stepped on the Cloud-Stepping Boots, rose into the clouds, and flew toward the northwest of Yangcheng.

"Three new Heavenly Time spells, [Heavenly Frost], [Heavenly Fire], [Fog Concealment]. Each spell, once comprehended, is at the seventh-turn realm."

"They were comprehended from the three solar terms of Start of Spring, Start of Summer, and Frost Descent."

"The three Heavenly Time spells also have the greatest power in these three solar terms."

"Start practicing from these three Heavenly Time spells to verify the insights of the past three days."

"These three Heavenly Time spells are also a manifestation of phenology. If they can be perfected, perhaps there will be a chance to enter the fourth turn of the Knowing Realm and master phenological changes."

The entrance to the Dao Field was in the northwest of Yangcheng. After Zhao Xing flew for about half an hour, he arrived at the entrance of the Dao Field.

That was a huge Cloud Gate, one hundred meters high and fifty meters wide, and the door frame was completely condensed from clouds and mist.

"Register first."

Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror and found the Nine-Section Dao Field elective course.

This elective course was in charge of an Agricultural Official named 'Cen Sanji.'

"[Nine-Section Dao Field] elective course, requires Grade C geniuses to obtain a seven-star rating within one month."

"Grade B geniuses, obtain fourteen stars within one month."

"Grade A geniuses are required to obtain a twenty-one-star rating within one month. During this month, Cen Sanji will occasionally give lectures on the square outside this Cloud Gate, and even perform demonstrations himself."

"Three days have passed, and more than 2,500 people have completed the elective training." Zhao Xing looked at the information on the Earth Mirror. "But most of them are Grade C passing."

Many people went to the [Nine-Section Dao Field] for training as soon as they came in and had long since fought enough levels, so they could pass this elective course directly.

"There are 75 people who passed Grade B, and currently only 12 people who passed Grade A."

The [Dao Field] rating is one tier and seven stars, which means Zhao Xing must reach a Tier 3 rating within one month to get the score for the elective course.

"I don't know how the intensity is. It stands to reason that reservists have all come to the Dao Field for training, so there should be many rookies." Zhao Xing looked at the figures coming in and out of the Cloud Gate. "Go in and try."

Whoosh~ Zhao Xing also followed the crowd and flew into the Cloud Gate.

A bit of writer's block, stayed up all night to write one chapter, and there will be another update after waking up in the afternoon.