Chapter 194: The Weaver Weaves a Magical Robe, Night Climb of the Fiery Mountain (5K)

Hearing the number five hundred, Jin Ming was instantly stunned.

He looked at Xia Jing in disbelief: "Is the Heir apparent joking?"

Xia Jing said calmly: "I am the General of the Dragon Cavalry Camp; serving in the military, I never joke."

Jin Ming's breath hitched; Dong He and Zhao Xing had both started their work at the same time.

Moreover, the configuration on Zhao Xing's side was even inferior to this one.

Yet Zhao Xing had already cultivated five hundred plants!

It was simply unbelievable!

Could it be that the reason he refused those external aids was not to yield power, but because he feared Lord Dong's speed was too slow?

In that case, he was not afraid of the Black Armor Army personnel stealing credit; he was afraid their efficiency was too slow and would delay the progress!

Thinking of this, Jin Ming's face burned with shame.

They had judged a gentleman's heart with a petty man's mind!

"Heir apparent..."

"Call me General!" Xia Jing cut Jin Ming off directly, his expression serious: "There is no Heir apparent in the army; do not make this mistake again."

Jin Ming's heart shivered, and he immediately changed his address: "General, may this subordinate be permitted to go observe? Perhaps we can learn from their methods to improve the planting efficiency for the three armies."

Xia Jing knew Jin Ming still harbored some disbelief, but he did not expose it, nodding lightly: "You may go; it would be best to take the various commanders of the Imperial Agriculture Camp with you to observe together."

"Look closely at how they plant."

"Yes, General."

Jin Ming led his men flying from the north of the volcano to the south to observe.

Chen Shijie saw the friendly forces arriving and immediately shook his head with a light laugh.

He knew Xia Jing's intention to use Zhao Xing to strike at his own group of arrogant soldiers and proud generals.

Zhao Xing had just finished planting a batch, and they were already eager to return to compare the situation.

Seeing Jin Ming and the others rushing over, Chen Shijie knew this numerical gap must be significant.

He just did not know how effective this move by Xia Jing would be.

After Jin Ming and his men arrived, Zhao Xing became even more industrious.

A good brother needs help to hold the fort; how could he let him lose face?

He immediately went all out, pushing the array's operation to the limit, causing Wang Ji to almost struggle to keep up with his hand movements.

But the effect was obvious.

Jin Ming watched helplessly as Zhao Xing, within one double-hour, caused one hundred fourth-rank Earth Fire Lotus plants to undergo a second growth, reaching the fifth-rank level.

"What technique is this? How is it so powerful?"

"Is it the Strong Foundation Method? But how can a high-rank Strong Foundation Method be executed so casually?"

"No, if it were a high-rank Strong Foundation Method, this Artisan Family array could not possibly withstand it!"

"The Condensed Flower Method? The Bent Branch Method? Neither seems to fit."

"The Analyze Origin Method! It is the most difficult high-rank technique among my four methods!"

"One double-hour, simply terrifying; how high must his realm be?"

"Mastering a high-rank technique to the point of entering the hall; is Zhao Xing really a seventh-rank Imperial Agriculturist? Simply terrifying."

The Black Armor Army's Imperial Agriculturists were thoroughly awed.

To put on a grand show for Xia Jing, Zhao Xing pushed the spell effects to the maximum.

Originally, his 【Instant Primal Origin】 was high-rank six-turn, but combined with the array Wang Ji and others set up here and the assistance of five hundred Imperial Agriculturists, it was sufficient to rival spells of seven-turns or higher.

Do not think this is just a small difference in rank; it is the distinction between a spell being merely accomplished and one having entered the hall.

Therefore, on the faces of Jin Ming and the others, there was nothing but shock.

Compared to Zhao Xing, Dong He's efficiency was far too slow.

Nor was it as casual as Zhao Xing's; the man stood in the sky waving his hand, how ethereal, how handsome!

Old Man Dong still had to plunge into the magma, working hard to strengthen the foundation of the Earth Fire Lotus.

Unwilling to give up, Jin Ming circled the perimeter once more.

He even went to inspect the materials used in the array.

He tried to find traces that Zhao Xing had used powerful external aids.

The result made him even more depressed.

There were none; everything was of medium quality. The array, the materials, the manpower... all were inferior to the configuration on Dong He's side, falling short overall.

Jin Ming led the Black Armor Army's Imperial Agriculturists away in disgrace.

Returning to the north of the volcano, he saw Xia Jing again.

Jin Ming and the others dared not be arrogant in front of Xia Jing anymore.

They had been transferred here to assist Xia Jing, and what they prided themselves on was this skill of cultivating treasures.

Now they were brought over, yet they could not even match the small Divine Might Army; what face did they have to remain arrogant?

To speak the truth, if Zhao Xing were transferred to the Black Armor Army, they could be directly replaced.

Given the relationship between Xia Jing and Zhao Xing, this was not impossible.

"How was it? Did you learn anything?" Xia Jing asked.

"The world is vast; beyond the mountains there are mountains, beyond men there are men." Jin Ming shook his head. "We dare no longer underestimate the heroes of the world."

"In the future, please urge us on constantly, General."

"Since you all have this ambition to improve, your spell realms will sooner or later reach a higher level." Xia Jing smiled: "Do not be discouraged by a temporary setback. Now, go prepare to transplant the fifth-rank Earth Fire Lotus cultivated by Lord Dong."

"As you command." Jin Ming led his men to work.

Originally, Xia Jing could not command them; below Jin Ming, all followed Dong He's orders, not Xia Jing's.

They had previously addressed Xia Jing as "Young Master," not "General," because they refused to accept this young man so quickly rising to the position of Camp Commander.

They believed he relied solely on the title of Young Master Xia Hou.

Now, for Xia Jing not to mock them even once shows his magnanimity.

Instead, he even encouraged them with a few words.

A person's conduct and breadth of mind determine their height.

At this moment, setting aside their prejudices, Jin Ming and the others seriously reviewed Xia Jing's military achievements since joining the army; whether in personal ability, breadth of mind, intelligence, background, or connections, Xia Jing was outstanding, fully qualified to be this Camp Commander.

It was only from this moment that they finally submitted to this young Dragon Cavalry Camp Commander.

Watching Jin Ming and the others obediently follow orders and carry out tasks.

Xia Jing looked south, revealing a gratified smile.

"Old brother, you have done me a great favor."

Now, whether Dong He submits to him or not no longer matters.

He has already initially secured the foundation of the Agricultural Camp; as long as he does not lead them to defeat, he will sooner or later establish deep authority.

"Brother Zhao is truly useful."

"Why didn't the Black Armor Army recruit him back then? Instead, they went to find Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming as envoys; that was truly a blunder."

Xia Jing felt immense regret; if Zhao Xing had simply been in his Black Armor Army.

There would be so many complications; perhaps they would have already captured Huolong Pass.

Day after day, Zhao Xing and Dong He led their people around the Dong Sang Volcano, farming for a full half-month.

It was now the thirteenth of September; Dong He, who was cultivating the Earth-Flame Lotus on the north side of the volcano, was suddenly awakened from his spellcasting.

"My Lord Dong, come up and rest."

Dong He opened his eyes and saw it was Xia Jing: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master; I am still fine."

To say Dong He was truly a workaholic; once he started working, he toiled without sleep or rest.

For half a month, he had not left the magma lake; he was practically stuck in the ground.

When tired, he napped on the spot; when hungry, he rolled up his own food, refusing others to bring it; whatever the Eighth-Rank Agricultural officials ate, he, the Sixth-Rank official, ate the same.

Setting aside his temper, this man was extremely dedicated.

Xia Jing shrugged and said, "It is not that I insist on caring for My Lord Dong; it is just that the first batch of Earth-Flame Lotuses has already begun being made into magical robes."

"The quantity of the first batch is nearly sufficient; if My Lord Dong wishes to continue working so hard, then so be it."

"However, the people of the Agricultural Camp must be sent out in batches to rest, to prepare for the upcoming great battle."

Dong He looked at Xia Jing, puzzled: "Wasn't the first batch of materials ten thousand portions? We have only cultivated three thousand stalks these past days; some must be kept as seeds, and the rest used for finished products..."

As he spoke, Dong He could not continue.

Looking at Xia Jing's half-smiling face, his eyes trembled: "Are you saying..."

Xia Jing nodded: "The Shenwei Army has already cultivated fifteen thousand stalks of Fifth-Rank Earth-Flame Lotus."

"Fifteen thousand stalks..." Dong He murmured this number, his gaze distant, "The number of people in the Shenwei Army capable of cultivating Fifth-Rank supplies cannot be much higher than ours; that means Zhao Xing's speed exceeded mine by five times."

"My Lord Dong need not worry about such details; in any case, the task has now reached a pause, and you may rest."

At this moment, Jin Ming also flew over, landing beside Xia Jing: "General, the Agricultural Nine-Section Camp, the Divine Bamboo Camp, and the Heavenly Thunder Camp have arrived at Zhiyou City; the Tianci Camp has already received your orders and proceeded to Zhiyou City to await commands."

"Should My Lord Dong not come out from inside so we may discuss further? You have worked hard," Xia Jing said. "Jin Ming, you should also persuade My Lord Dong."

Jin Ming looked at Dong He: "My Lord, follow the General's order and come out first."

Hearing the two words "General," Dong He fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded, flying out from the magma lake.

Facing reality, Dong He chose to accept it and did not inquire about Zhao Xing's situation; that would be asking for humiliation.

The stubborn Elder Dong finally lowered his proud head and addressed Xia Jing: "Yes, General."

He knew that from this day forward, the actual authority of the Agricultural Camp had passed into Xia Jing's hands.

And all this was because, in this invisible competition with Zhao Xing, he had been utterly defeated, losing his authority.

"Hiss~ hiss~"

In the northeast corner of Zhiyou City, a tower ship was moored; the Frost-Glass Looms emitted a faint chill, turning continuously.

Pairs of clean hands danced within the Frost-Glass Looms; fiery red threads, brewed from Earth-Flame Lotus leaves, rapidly formed a piece of cloth.

Ice and fire, two forces of heaven and earth, swayed back and forth within the looms.

The Earth-Flame Lotus possesses extreme fire attributes; processing it requires the power of Han Bing.

Weaver Huang Canying walked through the weaving mechanism hall, inspecting every step of the process.

Huang Canying was already fifty-seven years old, but for a Weaver Official of the official Sixth Rank, Upper Grade, this age was still young; she still maintained a appearance of around thirty.

Inside the Frost-Glass Loom hall, over a hundred weavers were busy.

She crossed the covered corridor, reached the end, and descended the stairs.

Arriving at the basement level of the 'Weaving Magic Tower Ship'.

"Gurgle~"

Inside were more than nine hundred large vat-like tall cylinders, filled with a mixture of many viscous substances; beside them lay many fiery red lotus leaves, all of Fifth-Rank quality.

After scanning the area and seeing no problems, Huang Canying proceeded to the upper three floors of the Weaving Magic Tower Ship.

Upon reaching this floor, it was much quieter; the sounds of various mechanisms were gone, and the number of people was far fewer, with only dozens of weavers threading needles.

This floor served as the finished magical robe room.

Huang Canying walked behind one of the Seventh-Rank weavers; on the rack beside this weaver, the eighty-ninth magical robe was already hanging.

Huang Canying casually picked up one piece, felt it, then brought it to her nose to sniff, nodding in satisfaction.

"Yaoyao, your technique grows more skilled by the day; before the day is even half over, you have already woven the eighty-ninth magical robe," Huang Canying praised softly.

"Teacher." Tu Yao heard the voice, immediately stopped his hands' movements, and was about to rise.

"No need to rise; busy with your work." Huang Canying gently patted Tu Yao's shoulder, "Once affairs in Zhiyou City are settled, your teacher will report your merit, and also introduce you to several generals in the army to know; later when you independently command a Weaving Law Tower Ship, you will inevitably have dealings."

"Thank you, Teacher." Tu Yao nodded lightly, then buried his head in his work again.

Flying from Dongsang City to Zhiyou City with people, Zhao Xing also saw the Weaving Law Tower Ships parked east of the city.

Outside the tower ship at this moment, many beautiful figures flashed into view; colorful light shimmered on their bodies as they flew up and down the tower ship.

Drawing cheers from a group of single soldiers in the distance.

Now it was the Weavers' rest time; some bold soldiers even ran over to give the Weavers food.

Among them was the artificer Wang Ji.

"Boss, when shall we also go exchange with the Weavers?" A farmer following Zhao Xing winked and blinked.

"Learn from Wang Gong; using work as an excuse, he brought the artificer brothers up to the Weaving Law Tower Ship twice in three days."

"Che Shihai, were you going there to exchange?" Han Bing sneered coldly, "Did the Divine Might Army recruit you just to look at Misses?"

Che Shihai originally was not a farmer of the Divine Might Army, but with the war continuing to the present, frequent exchanges and cooperation between armies had led to secondments, or even personnel swaps.

Che Shihai had achieved remarkable results in the Straw Man Department; he was also a Grade A genius. He belonged to the Taicang Institute and had once followed Zhao Xing in a simulated breakout drill.

Among the farmers mobilized by the Divine Might Army this time, Che Shihai from the Blazing Sun Army was targeted and poached over.

"Old Che, do you want to marry a Weaver?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I do," Che Shihai said. "Weavers are capable and beautiful, clever-handed and clever-minded; the unmatched choice for a wife."

"That Weaving Law Tower Ship is specially dispatched by the Military Realm. A mobile Battlefield Weaving Bureau; the Weavers inside are at least Seventh Rank, or about to reach Seventh Rank."

"Younger brother, you are only Eighth Rank Upper; if you marry a Weaver home, at formal occasions you must still perform the subordinate's bow to your wife; can you bear it?"

Che Shihai was indifferent: "Brother here has a poor appetite; I just like eating soft rice. What's the matter of bowing to a wife?"

Han Bing suddenly said, "Then if after conjugal duties she gives you an order, insisting you do it several more times, can you bear it?"

Che Shihai: "..."

Zhao Xing: "..."

Han Bing, you truly are a talent; your angle is too unique.

Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "Old Che, if you want to go, take the brothers and find a reason to satisfy your eyes; after so many days of busyness, you can rest."

"But remember, do not cause any trouble for me. There are Sixth Rank Mechanical Beasts patrolling the ship; if you get handsy and get castrated, there's no one to appeal to; once that thing is gone, it won't grow back."

"How could I, old Che, be that kind of person?" Che Shihai trotted off happily.

Zhao Xing saw Han Bing still standing there, "You're not going?"

Han Bing shook his head: "Nothing interesting."

Zhao Xing asked in surprise: "Nothing interesting?"

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Han Bing said, "Just satisfying the eyes, saying a few words—what's interesting? I'd rather fight grass with the brothers."

Zhao Xing's expression was strange: "Brother, your thinking is very dangerous."

Han Bing said, "It is indeed so; if not for continuing the lineage and that matter between the legs, I prefer drinking and making merry with big men."

"Hey? I find your words quite reasonable," Zhao Xing said. "Since you're not going, go rest yourself."

"What about you?" Han Bing asked.

"I, of course, must go to the council." Zhao Xing spoke solemnly: "If the Southern Barbarians are not pacified, how can there be a home? A true man's ambition lies in enfeoffment as a marquis and appointment as a minister; how can he be burdened by romantic sentiments?"

Han Bing stared at Zhao Xing: "I always feel you have other thoughts; for a moment I don't know why."

"You rascal actually cultivated the Bright Eye Method to the point of seeing the finest autumn hair; you even dare to pry into this official's mental activities. This official truly should beat you with several army rods." Zhao Xing scolded playfully twice, "Go play quickly."

On the thirteenth day of the ninth month, Zhao Xing returned to Zhiyou City; the moment he arrived, Liao Ru pulled him over to the Army Hall for council.

Others could rest, but Zhao Xing had little time.

At this moment, many high-ranking officers had already gathered in the council hall.

"Everyone, the first batch of Law Robes, totaling three thousand pieces, was completed five days ago!"

"Five days ago, after repeated verification by our dispatched scout teams, the Fire-Repelling Law Robes made from Earth-Fire Lotus are sufficient for our Eighth Rank soldiers to safely pass through Flame Mountain!"

Liao Ru, right from the start, released good news.

"Now our Divine Might Army has found seven routes for concealed passage, avoiding the Fire Demon Clan's patrol teams along the eastern side of the mountain."

Upon hearing this news, everyone's expressions were elated.

This great mountain, Flame Mountain, which could not be crossed on a large scale, had finally been solved!

Fire Dragon Pass was no longer the only pass for entering and exiting the Fire Demon Clan's territory!

Days of preparation and planning had finally borne fruit!

"Tomorrow, generals from each army will come to the council to decide the joint assault plan!" Liao Ru said.

"But the Earth-Fire Lotus was obtained by our people, and the materials were also grown by us."

"Therefore, today our Divine Might Army will dispatch a three-thousand-person force to climb Flame Mountain at night, secretly infiltrate inside the pass, and seize the initiative!" Liao Ru glanced around at everyone,

"Which commander is willing to join this three-thousand-person vanguard force?"