Chapter 192: Rivals Coming to Steal Credit

The eruption of the Dong Sang Volcano shook the tens of thousands of troops under Jiang Ming's command.

Night suddenly turned to day on that day, only gradually subsiding until noon the next day.

The surrounding thirty li were covered in thick volcanic ash, and the air contained scorching fire poison.

"This dead volcano has completely become an active one, and is in its most vigorous and energetic period!"

"You said your High-Grade Volcano Art only has three turns; how does this not look like something a High-Grade three-turn Volcano Art could achieve?"

The next day, Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing came again to observe this active volcano.

Because the first wave of volcano activation had passed, it was no longer as dangerous as before.

Jiang Ming also learned his lesson, directly maximizing the defense of the Sea-Covering Warships.

Regardless of whether they were near the crater, as long as Zhao Xing boarded his ship, he would pull the defense barrier to the maximum.

"Didn't I tell you there was a bit of metaphysics involved?" Zhao Xing said, "This time the effect was a bit too good."

Not just a bit good, but too good.

Zhao Xing's panel contained many records:

【You used the High-Grade Volcano Art on a dead volcano. This casting triggered 'Luck Blessing', increasing spell efficiency by eighty percent.】

【You used the High-Grade Volcano Art on a dead volcano. This casting triggered 'Luck Blessing', doubling spell efficiency.】

Until the final eruption, the record read as follows:

【Because you consecutively used the High-Grade Volcano Art on a dead volcano a total of seventy-two times, this casting triggered 'Luck Blessing', increasing spell efficiency fivefold!】

【You activated a Level Five Fire Vein! Subterranean fire erupted for thirty li, with efficiency radiating one hundred li!】

What concept is a Level Five Fire Vein?

Back when Zhao Xing was at the Subterranean Fire Plains in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven, the underground vein disturbance caused then was merely Level Three frenzy.

A Level Five Fire Vein surged from the depths to the sky, and the intensity of that instant frenzy had already reached Level Five.

In military campaigns, many people like to build camps relying on mountains.

If one does not consider large-scale machinery, divine weapons, or defenses.

Jiang Ming's thirty thousand troops were within a ten-li range; basically, no one could survive.

Even Jiang Ming, a Sixth Rank, would find it hard to escape death.

In the range from ten to twenty li, only a Seventh Rank could survive.

Beyond thirty li counts as a safe distance.

Because Zhao Xing's Volcano Art was not cast as a single spell in a single instance.

It utilized geographical conditions, using a dead volcano as a foundation, casting a total of seventy-two times, and triggering the great success of the Luck Blessing.

Its power far exceeds that of single-target High-Grade spells.

The Volcano Art can already be regarded as a natural disaster strike method.

Just as the Witches of the Southern Wasteland could use the Canglan River to launch natural disaster strikes against the Great Zhou.

Unique geographical advantages often allow High-Grade spells to unleash power beyond the ordinary.

"The Southern Barbarians have many volcanoes, both dead and alive. If you use this Volcano Art to destroy enemies in the future, the lethality will be simply terrifying," Chen Shijie assessed.

"You also said 'in the future'; using it to kill enemies now is still very forced," Zhao Xing said.

The Volcano Art is strong, but the preparation time is too long.

It took him three days and three nights to create this effect.

With that much time, the enemy army would have long since fled.

Moreover, one or two hours before the eruption, the commotion was not small, and it would still be easy for them to escape.

Of course, it cannot kill people, but destroying buildings and plants is very effective.

Cloud Arts and Rain Arts cannot compare to the large-scale destructive power of the Volcano Art.

In this current area, fragile plants cannot survive at all; Fifth-Grade engineering structures and mechanisms must be burned down.

Unless Zhao Xing reaches Fourth Rank and the High-Grade spells are perfected, at which point his casting would be completely silent.

He would only need to cast once to fully activate the volcano.

The eruption time would be controllable, the range controllable, and the power controllable.

Moreover, it would erupt in an instant, making it impossible to guard against.

For now, it can only be used for farming and such.

"Nothing else can survive, but the Subterranean Fire Lotus specifically needs such an environment."

"Old Chen, take people to plant the Third and Fourth Grade seeds on the periphery first and get them alive."

"Call me when they mature; I'll rest first."

Zhao Xing was also exhausted; using High-Grade spells continuously for three days and three nights caused a mental fatigue that sleepiness could not diminish.

"Go rest with peace of mind," Chen Shijie nodded. "Leave the rest to us."

The Subterranean Fire Lotus seeds they stole from the Lava Caves of the Fire Dragon Pass numbered only a few hundred, mostly Third Grade, with Fourth Grade in the minority and not a single Fifth Grade.

The Divine Might Army had no Agricultural Officials who mastered the Benwo Sect's High-Grade spells.

Therefore, breaking the growth constraints still had to be handled by Zhao Xing.

But rushing the Third and Fourth Grade seeds to maturity, breeding them, and spreading them on a large scale did not need to trouble Zhao Xing.

They only needed to call Zhao Xing to cast Instant Primal once they matured, causing the Subterranean Fire Lotus to break its growth constraints.

The entire process could not be left entirely to Zhao Xing; otherwise, supplying Fifth-Grade materials for tens of thousands of troops would kill him from exhaustion.

Chen Shijie arrived on a Cloud-Rain Pavilion Ship; more than half of the Ninth Section Camp was transferred over, and many Seventh-Grade Agricultural Officials skilled in farming, such as Han Bing, were reassigned from the rear.

Now that the volcano is open, it is their time to exert force.

Each person being responsible for one seed is more than enough.

The first batch was distributed, and the military agronomists of the Ninth Section Camp immediately began planting seeds of the Earth-Flame Lotus in the volcanic ash.

The Tier-3 Earth-Flame Lotus seeds began to sprout after one double-hour, entered the growth stage after three double-hours, and entered the maturity stage after five double-hours.

The Tier-4 Earth-Flame Lotus seeds sprouted after two double-hours, entered the growth stage after six double-hours, and matured after twelve double-hours.

Such speed met the requirements of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven for military agronomists.

But it was still slightly slow; if not planted near the volcano, this speed would be greatly weakened, and even the survival rate would not reach one hundred percent.

At this moment, Zhao Xing did not need to act; first, harvest a batch of new seeds to expand production.

Thus, Chen Shijie sent people to pick the seeds and begin replanting.

When harvesting the third crop and beginning to replant.

Jiang Ming arrived at the Yunyu Tower Ship; he piloted a flying boat and brought a group of agronomists from the Zhenhai Army.

"Brother Chen, may I let my people help too?"

Chen Shijie looked at the agronomists behind Jiang Ming and immediately understood Jiang Ming's intention.

He must have seen something, so he wanted to participate.

"Commandant Jiang." Chen Shijie looked at Jiang Ming's hopeful gaze, "Your people may help, but they must obey my orders."

"Additionally, if the Commandant wishes for deep cooperation, it is best to send a letter to Marquis Lan."

"The matters ahead, neither you nor I can decide."

Chen Shijie spoke very plainly; attacking Dragon Fire Pass was not something Jiang Ming could simply join just because he wanted to.

He was merely a Commandant, with only thirty thousand auxiliary troops, and they were a naval force.

Attacking Dragon Fire Pass would be of little use.

Besides, the Shenwei Army currently lacks no partners; Xia Jing ran over the day before yesterday.

Isn't the Black Armor Army far superior to the Zhenhai Army?

By rotation, the Zhenhai Army wouldn't be chosen anyway.

"Brother understands the trade; I have already informed General Lan, and I believe news will arrive soon," Jiang Ming said gratefully. "I just want to help now."

"They are all under your command."

"Good." Chen Shijie nodded; helping to plant some Earth-Flame Lotuses would not steal any merit.

The Soldier Realm currently has a huge shortage of fire-averting materials; one Ninth Section Camp cannot finish it alone.

Making things easy for others is making things easy for oneself.

After sleeping for two and a half days, Zhao Xing awoke; his soul-spirit had rested, and he woke up refreshed.

He discovered he had actually reached the thirty-ninth stage of Gathering Yuan.

"Only one stage away, and I can break through to the Sixth Rank Heavenly Gang realm."

"Since receiving my title, my realm has finally become stable today," Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

Previously, when he became a Senior Seventh Rank, his realm had remained unmoving.

This was mainly because his cultivation speed was too fast, and his comprehension of techniques and the Dao gradually caught up.

Now that it has improved, it proves the foundation of the Seventh Rank realm has been firmly laid.

He walked out of the room, crossed the corridor of the tower ship, and arrived at the deck at the front.

Zhao Xing saw Chen Shijie discussing with a group of agronomist commanders.

When he approached, Chen Shijie immediately ended the meeting: "You're awake?"

"Mm, how is the situation?"

He had been sleeping on the Yunyu Tower Ship; looking down, it seemed many lotuses had already bloomed.

"There are already one hundred and twenty thousand Earth-Flame Lotuses," Chen Shijie said. "I have ordered replanting to stop and to maintain this scale for now."

"One hundred and twenty thousand? That's fast." Zhao Xing was stunned.

"The Shenwei Army alone has over a thousand agronomists; the Zhenhai Army and the Black Armor Army both sent some people to help."

"The one hundred and twenty thousand are the ones I harvested and replanted; with a Level-5 Fire Vein, replanting Tier-3 Earth-Flame Lotuses has no difficulty."

"Tier-4 ones are fewer, but there are already ten thousand." As long as environmental conditions keep up, a thousand military agronomists can easily produce one hundred thousand Tier-3 plants in a day.

These thousand agronomists of the Shenwei Army are not mediocre talents.

A portion of elites was drawn from Wen Shaoyang's unit; when Xia Jing arrived, he also brought some agronomist elites from the Black Armor Army.

The Zhenhai Army also provided several dozen people; additionally, genius agronomists like Han Bing were drawn from the rear supply city.

"Has Wang Ji arrived?" Zhao Xing asked.

"He has arrived; the arrangement of the Earth-Flame Yuan-Refining Array is one-quarter complete." Chen Shijie pointed to a corner of the volcano.

"I do not know the planting difficulty of Tier-5 Earth-Flame Lotuses, so I have configured some arrays at the foot and the mid-slope of the mountain."

"I did not send anyone to the summit; we will discuss it when you wake up."

"Wang Ji is currently responsible for an array at the lower mid-slope."

Zhao Xing nodded; Old Chen's work is very meticulous and thorough.

Now that he is awake, he doesn't need to think about anything else; just go cast the spell and that's it.

No wonder he likes partnering with Chen Shijie.

Because Old Chen has very strong execution and is a perfect adjutant!

"Then I will go cast the spell first."

"Wait." Chen Shijie called Zhao Xing back again. "Don't rush; there are still a few people you need to meet."

"Who?"

"Xia Jing brought people over; he said cooperation requires your presence, so Liao Ru and Pu Zhong also came along."

Zhao Xing showed a slight smile.

Good brother, true loyalty!

No wonder he liked partnering with Xia Jing back in Yun City; that man knows the ropes!

If Xia Jing wants to come cooperate with the Divine Might Army, he has the confidence; the Black Armor Army is simply stronger than the Divine Might Army.

The Divine Might Army has none of the Simnong who master high-level Benwo Sect techniques, but the Black Armor Army has two.

Xia Jing debuted as a Top-Tier Genius, starting at Upper Seventh Rank and holding the title of Heir Apparent.

He is fully qualified to represent the Black Armor Army in this operation at Fire Dragon Pass.

By naming Zhao Xing specifically to be present, he intended to place Zhao Xing into the ranks of high-level commanders.

Why?

Because during the Great Zhou's collective battle merit distribution, commanders account for a large share.

Take an example: once Fire Dragon Pass is captured, the greatest battle merit belongs to Liao Rulong.

Because he is the commander of this army; even if he stands in Zhiyou City watching the show, the result is the same.

Of course, rights and obligations are equal; if the siege fails and losses are heavy, Liao Rulong's battle merit will be heavily deducted.

If the situation is serious, he might even lose his head.

Since Xia Jing requested Zhao Xing's presence, if Fire Dragon Pass is taken, he can share the merit as a member of the joint command.

Zhao Xing understands these tricks, and Xia Jing understands them too.

"Besides Xia Jing, there is one other person you must meet," Chen Shijie said.

"Who?"

"It is a strategist sent by Tantai Ming. How did you get involved with this Fourth-Rank Water Commissioner?"

"What happened?" Zhao Xing asked. "Why did he send someone?"

"The Zhenhai Army's Jiang Ming wants to join the battle sequence for the assault on Fire Dragon Pass."

"Lan Hongming and the Marquis have no real friendship, but he asked Tantai Ming to act as a mediator."

"When Tantai Ming spoke to the Marquis, he mentioned you. The Marquis, not knowing your relationship with Tantai Ming, handed this decision over to you," Chen Shijie said, looking at Zhao Xing.

"The Marquis gave you the decision, thinking that if you owed Tantai Ming a favor, this would repay that debt for you."

Zhao Xing was left speechless; Tantai Ming was originally the backer his teacher had found for him.

As it turned out, before he could use Tantai Ming, the other party came to use him first.

The Zhenhai Army's main general, Lan Hongming, indeed had only an average relationship with Yang An, but finding an intermediary in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Mansion was simple; searching and searching, it turned out to be connected to him.

However, the Earth Fire Lotus was sought out by him, and the Fifth-Rank cultivation must be grown by himself, so Yang An giving him the decision was not unreasonable.

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment: "Tantai Ming was my direct superior when I was an official in Yun City. I was able to quickly purge Yun City's administration and consolidate the power of the Five Offices because he gave me considerable support."

"He has a deep friendship with my teacher, Tian Shan."

Zhao Xing did not mention the specific past between Tian Shan and Tantai Ming.

It is true that the other party was saved by his teacher's life, but he might not wish for this matter to be flaunted everywhere.

"Then shall we meet?" Chen Shijie asked.

"How would adding the Zhenhai Army affect us?" Zhao Xing asked.

"The Strategist says they are optional; the Zhenhai Army has few men and weak combat power. Even if they participate, how much merit they gain is up to us."

"Right now we are on the front lines, and the Black Armor Army, our biggest partner, has specifically designated you to discuss matters, so your decision suffices."

"The Navy might be useful later; we will have to cross the Canglan River several times eventually... Alright, I will go meet them first." Zhao Xing nodded.

He decided to meet the person sent by Tantai Ming first, then see Xia Jing.

By rank and by his relationship with his teacher Tian Shan, he must meet Tantai Ming's confidant first.

On the Yunyu Lou ship, Zhao Xing met Tantai Ming's confidant, "Zhu Zhu Xinwen".

Since they barely knew each other, Zhao Xing and Zhu Zhu Xinwen skipped much formalities and got straight to business.

"Zhao Xing, Marquis Lan contacted Divine Might General through Lord Tantai, but Divine Might General said you have the authority over this matter."

"After Lord Tantai learned of this, he sent me secretly to find you."

Zhao Xing said, "Then what is Lord Tantai's meaning?"

"Lord's meaning is that if you find it difficult, just pretend I never came," Zhu Zhu Xinwen said, "and treat it as Divine Might General's excuse."

Zhao Xing thought carefully and said, "Please reply to Mr. that I am willing to speak on behalf of Lord Tantai. However, how effective the Zhenhai Army can be in battle is beyond my control."

Zhu Zhu Xinwen smiled and said, "Alright, your words are enough."

After meeting Zhu Zhu Xinwen, he rushed to another place to see Xia Jing.

The Black Armor Army promoted Xia Jing to the temporary rank of Sixth-Rank Vice General.

Sitting beside Xia Jing was a Sixth-Rank Dian Nong Official.

Zhao Xing knew at a glance this was a Military Simnong, and since he sat at Xia Jing's lower-left position, it proved Xia Jing was the master and he was the assistant.

The Heir Apparent's prestige was fully displayed.

"Brother Zhao, you finally woke up," Xia Jing said. "How did the talk with Tantai Ming's person go?"

"You know this too?" Zhao Xing was surprised; didn't Zhu Zhu Xinwen say he came secretly?

"If you can get involved with a Fourth-Rank official, why can't I know that Marquis Lan asked Tantai Ming to act as a mediator?" Xia Jing smiled.

"Do you think I should agree?" Zhao Xing didn't state the result but asked first.

"Of course agree, why not?" Xia Jing said. "It's a trivial effort to connect with Tantai Ming and Marquis Lan; this benefits you."

"I mean, do you feel there are too many people? Jiang Ming's unit is clearly here to share the merit," Zhao Xing asked.

"The small amount of merit he takes is negligible; if Fire Dragon Pass can be taken, there is a huge piece of fat meat ahead," Xia Jing said calmly. "If you agree, it is certainly more advantageous. Am I, Xia Jing, the kind of person with a narrow mind? Besides, Jiang Ming's unit is not useless."

"After we pass Fire Dragon Pass, we might need to cross the river; at that time, that will be Marquis Lan's territory."

"Thanks," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Between brothers like us, why be so polite?" Xia Jing smiled. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Dong He, a sixth-rank Military Agricultural Officer of our Black Armor Army, Lord Dong."

"He is a practitioner of the Benwo Sect specializing in agriculture and masters high-level spells."

"I have the honor to meet Lord Dong," Zhao Xing clasped his hands. "The planting of the Earth-Fire Lotus this time will rely on Lord Dong."

Dong He clasped his hands indifferently and said, "You flatter me. This official also needs the assistance of Lord Zhao."

Hearing the other's choice of words, Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow.

They say colleagues are rivals. Dong He also knows high-level spells of the Benwo Sect. Hearing these words, does it sound a bit like he has come to snatch my livelihood?

? cO

He looked at Xia Jing. The latter's eyes held some helplessness, indicating he could not stop this person from coming to snatch work from you.

"Lord Dong, Brother Zhao and I have some private matters to discuss," Xia Jing said. "Please, Lord Dong, go down and rest for a while."

"Hmm." Dong He nodded indifferently and left the room.

"What is wrong with this person?" Zhao Xing asked, looking at Dong He.

"The Black Armor Army wants to accelerate the planting speed of the Earth-Fire Lotus, so they sent a Military Agricultural Officer to help," Xia Jing said. "Two people planting is better than one."

"Fine, fine, fine. You sent people to undercut me, right?"

"How could that be?"

"Speak the truth!"

Xia Jing said helplessly, "This person acts like a master in my camp. I have just taken command of the army and find it somewhat difficult to give him orders."

A sixth-rank Military Agricultural Officer who is also skilled in high-level spells of the Benwo Sect; it is normal for him to have some temper.

Zhao Xing looked at Xia Jing: "So you want..."

Xia Jing nodded: "Exactly. I specially chose him to bring along."

"Dong He acts like he's my father every day in my camp. Brother, I simply cannot stand it."

"Zhao Xing, you must help your brother."

"You must make him know that there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people!"