Chapter 214: Derivation Four

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Realm: Vice Sixth Rank Upper (Mid-Tian Gang Realm)】

【Occupation: Minister of Agriculture】

【Fortune: Derivation Four】

【Qi Gathering: Forty-Third Stage】

【Destiny Soul: Sixth Rank Mid】

【Extra Lifespan: 160 years】

"Extra lifespan only increased by 10 years, but Fortune has finally climbed to Derivation Four!"

Zhao Xing pondered this change, then seemed to realize something.

"Last time, promotion before war added much lifespan, sixty years, but this time only 10 years were added."

"Perhaps because my extra lifespan is already considerable, and my Destiny Soul has also reached Sixth Rank."

"Heavenly Mandate and Heavenly Fortune must rise correspondingly."

"Calculated by the Vice Sixth Rank status, my fate is already high enough, hard enough, but Fortune remained Derivation Three, so this baptism first strengthened my Fortune with the Golden Dragon of Fortune."

"If I next promote to official Sixth Rank, I fear it will be lifespan increasing more than Fortune."

How long should a Vice Sixth Rank live? Two hundred years is about right; Zhao Xing estimated his lifespan was already nearing the Vice Sixth Rank limit.

But Fortune still had vast room for improvement, so the added Fortune exceeded the added lifespan.

Of course, many possibilities exist; perhaps the Jing Emperor strengthened the Fortune of a genius from commoner origins, which also aligns with the Jing Emperor's policy of wanting to replace the army with fresh blood.

Strong Fortune means the subsequent official career naturally proceeds more smoothly. If Fortune were merely ordinary, like old Minister of Agriculture Xue Wenzhong, who endured sixty years before becoming official Ninth Rank, longevity would be of little use.

"The Jing Emperor was generous this time; last time lifespan increased greatly, this time Fortune increased greatly."

"Both exceed the increase levels during non-war times," Zhao Xing thought silently.

During non-war times, many Fifth Rank officials only have Derivation Three Fortune.

Now, Sixth Rank can also reach Derivation Three Fortune! Those as unique as himself have even reached Derivation Four.

Even if he had not inherited part of the Great Li's Fortune, Zhao Xing estimated he could still reach Derivation Three!

Because he participated in the battles at Huolong Pass and Jihun Pass, never suffering a single defeat, with outstanding war merits! Placed on the Sixth Rank list, he would belong to the top three thousand.

Of course, others cannot see these things; unless one reaches high ranks, one does not know how strong one's Fortune truly is, and has no idea how the Jing Emperor arranged it.

"Regarding the Realm, my path for advancement has opened."

"According to convention, if I have the ability myself, I will only hit the threshold of the Fortune Dynasty when cultivating to official Fifth Rank, and the panel will also display the words '(Cannot Advance)'."

"Entering the Middle Grade Realm, the difficulty of my own cultivation also becomes greater; Qi Gathering at the Fiftieth Stage is the first hurdle, requiring the birth of Pure Yuan Soil, and the Three Great Secret Scriptures must all achieve breakthroughs, truly moving one hair and shaking the whole body."

"After passing this hurdle, there is another hurdle considered quite difficult, namely the Fourth Rank Yuan Soul Realm."

Fourth Rank requires strengthening the seven physical souls; for the Minister of Agriculture occupation, having been accustomed to being a spellcaster, suddenly having to practice body cultivation? It is equivalent to letting a delicate-skinned city lord, under the scorching summer sun, go to the countryside fields to bend over and plow.

Regarding spells, Zhao Xing already possesses twelve high-grade spells.

High-Grade Heavenly Timing Spells:

【Five Elements Mist Concealment: Fifth Transformation】【Lei Ting Break Delusion Finger: Fourth Transformation】【Nine Heavens Gang Wind: High-Grade Third Transformation】【Dripping Rain: Seventh Transformation】

During the days of secluded cultivation at Jihun Pass, breaking through the 'Tian Gang Realm' and drawing the Nine Heavens Gang Wind into the body, the former 'Small Nine Heavens Gang Wind Art' also smoothly advanced to the high-grade level.

Mid-Grade spells Heavenly Frost and Heavenly Fire remain mid-grade, with no new changes.

Among them, 【Five Elements Mist Concealment】has cultivated the 'Five Elements Poisonous Miasma', capable of obstructing enemies over a large area.

The Dripping Rain spell has reached 'Ten Thousand Lines Flow'; the talents for Rain Spells and Straw Man Spells are the two strongest of Zhao Xing's spell talents.

As for Cloud Spells, the Swallow Cloud Spell remains mid-grade perfection; high-grade Cloud Spell cultivation had not yet been undertaken at Jihun Pass.

High-Grade Change Spells:

【Soaring Snake Transformation: Fourth Transformation】【Startling Thunder Change: Third Transformation】

Soaring Snake Transformation, external practice, is a pure enemy-killing spell. Internal practice ultimately transforms oneself into the divine beast Soaring Snake; to practice internally, one must at least be above the Seventh Transformation.

Startling Thunder Change is a cultivation-type spell; although it can utilize side effects to kill enemies, its main function is cultivating strange beasts.

High-Grade Earth Advantage Spells:

【Yin Wind Evil: Fifth Transformation】【Earth Evil Thunder: Fifth Transformation】【Volcano Spell: Third Transformation】

Yin Wind Evil is a soul-damaging spell; Earth Evil Thunder is 'Yin Thunder'; both possess maximum destructive power on the ground and underground. They can be cast in the sky, but power decreases by one or two transformations.

Volcano Spell is a spell whose range is second only to Cloud Spells, also a gambler's tactic betting on Fortune.

【High-Grade Spells: Self-Method】

【Instant Primordial: Sixth Transformation】【Ten Thousand Spells Straw Man: Fourth Transformation】

Instant Primordial is a high-grade Yuan Analysis Spell; among the Four Self-Methods, only this one is a high-grade spell.

Nine Dragons Breaking Joint Method, Strong Foundation Method (Wild Growth), and Condensed Flower Method (Wasteland Condensed Flower Art) are all mid-grade perfection, none having reached the high-grade level.

"Ten Thousand Spells Straw Man can indeed create the fourth one; I can give Old Liu an explanation when I see him later," Zhao Xing looked at the panel.

Ten Thousand Spells Straw Man reaching the Fourth Transformation counts as a small achievement; the first three transformations were merely entry-level.

Liu Tianning has very high demands on his disciples; Zhao Xing fought no battles and did no work for two months at Jihun Pass; if there is no progress, Old Liu will likely explode in anger.

【Great Expansion Gazing Fortune Art: High-Grade Fifth Transformation】

High-grade spells, derived from the 'Great Expansion Scripture', can observe others' Fortune, and from the Fortune, judge some simple changes in luck.

【Heavenly Eye Spell: High-Grade Fourth Transformation】

This spell advances as the Destiny Soul Realm advances; after consuming the Destiny Soul Pill, the Destiny Soul climbed from early stage to mid-stage during the two months at Jihun Pass, and the Heavenly Eye Spell naturally broke through to the Fourth Transformation.

【Sleepy Bug Spell: High-Grade Fourth Transformation】

Upon reaching high-grade, the Sleepy Bug Spell not only increases range and power but can also be considered an alternative self-cultivation method for the Destiny Soul. It can extract parasites from the Destiny Soul, which also promotes Destiny Soul growth.

At Jihun Pass, Zhao Xing basically did not sleep but could still persist, relying on this spell.

"The Five Fingers of Fate, the Turtle Coin Divination Method, and the Weather Divination Method are all high-level secret arts, but I have only mastered the intermediate techniques within them."

"Fate-based spells are difficult to cultivate during the Great Zhou era, yet I have cultivated all of them to the level of intermediate perfection." Zhao Xing looked at these three spells and revealed a faint smile.

During the two months at the Soul Sacrifice Pass, the number of turtles he killed reached thirty-two thousand!

A veritable 'Turtle-Killing Demon', the nemesis of turtles.

Jiang Ming of the Zhenhai Army grew afraid just from delivering them.

He thought Zhao Xing had some special fetish, enjoying the slaughter of turtles to satisfy his perverted psychology.

It got to the point where he would deliver the turtles and run away every time, unwilling to say even a single extra word.

Xia Jing, Liao Rulong, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Wen Shaoyang also held very strong opinions.

Over thirty-two thousand turtles!

Zhao Xing only wanted the blood and the turtle shells; what about the meat?

Of course, eat it!

How could the meat of spiritual turtles of the seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks be wasted?

Meat is rare on the front lines; the Agricultural Officials can grow plants, but they have no way to produce meat, which all depends on transport.

Zhao Xing, as the logistics supervisor, ordered that the turtle meat be given to the officers to eat.

At first, the officers were very happy.

But they couldn't stand eating it every day!

So they all went to their superiors to complain.

Xia Jing even went to Zhao Xing and asked if he held a grudge against him; otherwise, why was turtle meat served every single day?

The Priest 'Zhang Yi' also couldn't help but complain, saying that turtle ghosts were wailing inside the pass every day, and the soldiers were constantly dreaming of the aggrieved souls of turtles; this couldn't go on, as he, the priest, couldn't even calm enough souls to keep up!

Finally, under the protests of these high-ranking officers, the supply of turtle meat to the senior officers was stopped, and Zhao Xing no longer asked Jiang Ming to deliver turtles.

From then on, Jiang Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the rest of the soldiers were finally liberated.

It wasn't that Master Zhao had a soft heart, but rather that he had finally cultivated the 【Turtle Coin Divination】 within the 'Turtle Coin Divination Method' to the level of intermediate perfection.

It was just that from then on, Zhao Xing acquired the nickname of 'Turtle-Killing Demon'.

"My Turtle Divination Method reached perfection; these turtles contributed greatly to it." Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh.

The Turtle Coin Divination Method originated from the Six Lines Classic; with a deepened understanding of this spell, the meaning of the scriptures became clear, and once one understood one thing, a hundred things were understood, which in turn caused the progress of the 'Five Fingers of Fate' and the 'Weather Divination Method' to surge.

In the end, all three high-level secret classics had spells that reached the level of intermediate perfection.

After leaving the temple and returning to the Eighteen Willow Courtyard not long after, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing also completed the promotion process.

Zhao Xing used the Great Expansion Gazing Technique to take a look at Old Chen.

"The gray-white of the Fortune Pillar has disappeared and is no longer perceptible; although the red pillar is still not as solid as Long Xiao's, after this promotion, it has finally reached the level of Great Expansion Third Rank, Initial Stage."

"Long Xiao's red light pillar is deeper; if fortune also has Initial, Intermediate, High, and Peak stages, then he possesses the fortune of Great Expansion Third Rank, Intermediate Stage."

At this time, Old Chen was already Official Sixth Rank, Lower Grade, one rank higher than Zhao Xing's position.

This rank is the watershed from the 'Cong' to the 'Zheng'; theoretically, this promotion should primarily add fortune, so Old Chen should have reached at least Great Expansion Third Rank, Intermediate Stage, if not Great Expansion Fourth Rank.

The result, however, was Great Expansion Third Rank, Initial Stage; although the gray-white color was tiny, mixed colors still existed.

"According to the Great Expansion Classic, this means the fortune is unstable; encountering a great disaster, one cannot turn bad luck into good, cannot withstand dangerous situations, and is easily knocked back to one's original form, still possessing great volatility."

"Old Chen truly has innate deficiencies." Zhao Xing sighed inwardly.

With the current situation, it was unknown whether he could withstand the wave of disaster from the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

But, all in all, it was much better than before.

If Zhao Xing had not gone to Liao Rulong's unit, Chen Shijie would never have obtained a million battle merits; he would probably still be hesitating before the Fire Dragon Pass. "Xia Jing's fortune is very strong." Zhao Xing looked at Xia Jing again. "His red contains green, and occasionally purple qi starlight comes from the east, adorning the top of his head; this is a sign of Great Expansion Fourth Rank, and moreover, a Great Expansion Fourth Rank as steady as an old dog."

Zhao Xing could not see his own fortune pillar, but he speculated that Xia Jing's fortune might even be stronger than his own.

Putting aside the fact that he possessed foreknowledge, Xia Jing's fortune had been on a steady rise since the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven!

First, he met Zhao Xing during collective training; originally having a conflict with Zhao Xing, he knocked Zhao Xing out of the ring multiple times during the 【Impossible Training】, drawing out Master Zhao's anger.

Then, during the 【Supply Training】, Xia Jing happened to be assigned to Zhao Xing's group. After a bout of torment, he took the opportunity to get to know Zhao Xing.

Afterwards, during the large-scale 'Combat Training' and the Yun City internship, he was assigned to Zhao Xing's group again!

Especially in the critical Yun City; if he hadn't been grouped with Zhao Xing, but with some other Agricultural Official, Xia Jing would have found it very difficult to complete the internship with the highest evaluation.

Even if he completed it, he wouldn't have been able to save time to prepare for the Pingman Battlefield.

Afterwards, he was even able to meet Zhao Xing at the Fire Dragon Pass, form an alliance, follow along to eat the two fatty pieces of meat that were the Fire Dragon Pass and the Soul Sacrifice Pass, and consolidate his position in the Black Armor Army.

Xia Jing's fortune was already strong, and after meeting Zhao Xing, it was further consolidated.

His current official rank was the same as Zhao Xing's, both being Cong Sixth Rank, Upper Grade, yet he had already reached Great Expansion Fourth Rank, even approaching Great Expansion Fifth Rank.

Viewing it through the Great Expansion Classic, if Xia Jing's fortune were drawn as a curve, the low points were very few; no matter how unlucky he got, he wouldn't get that unlucky, but the peak periods of fortune explosion were very numerous.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Did I become handsome after my promotion?" Xia Jing joked. "If I had known this, I should have asked the imperial court for the title of 'Handsome Marquis', rather than some 'Xuan Ying Marquis'."

"Young Master, you are a bit too narcissistic." Long Xiao said disdainfully. "He is looking at your fortune."

"Oh?" Xia Jing was somewhat surprised. "You understand this path?"

Zhao Xing slaughtered turtles at the Soul Sacrifice Pass, but Xia Jing didn't even bother to look once. The reason was simple; he couldn't stand the fishy smell of the sea ships.

"I know a little."

"Then what have you seen?" Xia Jing smiled. "How is the fortune of the three of us?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xing pondered, "I have indeed seen something; there is great auspiciousness, and there is great disaster; I just don't know if you believe it."

Long Xiao laughed, "I believe it. Last time you said I had good fortune, I broke through a few days later; I feel you have truly cultivated some skill."

Xia Jing said, "Why would I not believe it? My family also has physiognomists who can examine strange beasts, picking out the few that will grow best from millions of cubs. It is said they can also examine people and see others' fates; I don't understand it deeply, but this path is not false; the imperial court has a group of magical 'Fate Officials'."

"You might not know, but the almanac has not only the 'Evil-Averting Almanac', but also the 'Fortune-Seeking Almanac'; I once saw one at my aunt's house."

Xia Jing's paternal aunt had married into the imperial clan, so he counted as half a royal relative.

Chen Shijie said nothing, but since the journey to Flame Mountain, he had felt that Zhao Xing was somewhat extraordinary.

Clearly, when he led the team forward, everything went wrong, yet after Zhao Xing stepped in, the journey to Flame Mountain proceeded smoothly.

Chen Shijie's fate had been fraught with misfortune since childhood; only after becoming an official did his luck change, so he truly believed in such things.

"I see that the three of you will soon have a great omen of good fortune, governing wealth and growth."

"But it is accompanied by great disaster; after a great rise in fortune comes a great fall. As for the specifics or where it will manifest, I am not entirely clear. Do you feel any intuition yourselves?"

Zhao Xing spoke vaguely and generally; he could not speak plainly, so he could only use a tone of speculation to guide the three to guess for themselves.

Upon reaching the sixth rank, the life soul intersects with heaven and earth, allowing for some sensation; by letting the three guess, he could take advantage of the momentum and continue speaking.

"I have none," Chen Shijie shook his head.

"Now that you mention it, I do indeed feel it," Long Xiao said. "I also feel that great fortune will come my way this year, hahaha."

Though it was a joke, Zhao Xing knew Long Xiao would indeed encounter great fortune; the future Marquis of Shenxiao would certainly not die in the disaster of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

Xia Jing pondered: "Governing wealth and personal growth? We have no transfer orders coming up, so we will remain in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. Could it manifest here? I might return to ask my aunt and the physiognomist in my family."

Zhao Xing nodded: "That is good. I am merely a half-baked amateur; it is best if you go back and ask."

After Xia Jing and the other two left, Zhao Xing stayed in the Huai Willow Courtyard for a short nap, sorting through memories in his dream.

He said these things without fear of suspicion, because the eruption of spiritual beauty in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven had been anticipated by many nobles in advance.

The nobles possessed auspicious almanacs and kept physiognomists and fortune-tellers in their households; many would discover that the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven was about to bring great benefits.

The Creation Disc of the Military Realm had also long ago calculated the eruption of spiritual beauty in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

However, they only calculated the great good fortune, but the great calamity was either uncalculated or, rather, ignored.

This was because, after the eruption of spiritual beauty, many Agricultural Bureaus in the Military Realm believed that the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, after more than a decade of transformation, had successfully stabilized and truly become a blessed land.

Subsequently, an official announcement was issued; Liang Wang even submitted a memorial to Emperor Jing on this matter, roughly meaning: Your Majesty, by subduing the Southern Barbarians, the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven has been upgraded to a blessed land; such an auspicious sign means heaven and earth are aiding Your Majesty.

Once political factors were involved, the small portion of great calamity omens deduced by the Creation Disc were ignored by people.

"After the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven erupted with spiritual beauty, several important areas were sealed off; for those arriving later, entering would be as difficult as climbing to the sky, unless they were already there from the start."

Once it was confirmed that this was a great opportunity, the imperial court swiftly enclosed the land.

All resources within the Grotto-Heaven belong to the state; how they are distributed is, of course, decided by the imperial court.

How could ordinary soldiers and minor generals possibly share in such benefits?

Even in unimportant areas, if low-ranking officials picked up treasures, they had to turn them over to the state, receiving only a token reward in return.

"I must seize the initiative; one person certainly cannot do it alone."

"The Polar Night Sea to the north, the Inverted Peak Mountain Ranges to the east, the Pengli Marsh to the west, and the Crimson Lake to the south—these several important areas must be visited, because the spiritual beauty born in these places is either longevity or fortune!"

"The Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pool, the Earth Fire Plains, the Sky Fire Path, and the Gang Wind Mountain Ranges—these four places primarily nurture treasures; while spiritual beauty is scarce, the value of the treasures is very high."

"There are also several areas where seventh-rank 'Native Species' will be born; such seventh-rank Native Species are produced only in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven."

"There are too many benefits; I cannot consume them all alone." Zhao Xing woke from his dream. "I must find people."

"Moreover, I must find those with strong strength and strong fortune to enter those important areas together."

Do not look down on the fact that I am currently a sixth-rank official; in the face of such an opportunity, even if I pick something up, I must turn it over. No problem, then I will just be blasted out.

This is still a 'safe area'.

What about unsafe areas?

In certain places, Emperor Jing, to squeeze those nobles, specifically set the 'ticket' price for entry very high and erected the Forgetfulness Stele, intending to make noble families fight to the death inside.

Even so, a huge number of heirs from great families rushed to enter.

Why? Because after many great families have passed down for several generations, they face certain awkward situations: to maintain certain rights and interests, the family must have a certain number of rising talents.

Here, one must mention the particularity of the title inheritance system: the inheritance of many titles does not inherit 'fortune', nor does it extend life, nor does it help advance one's realm.

A title is not equal to an official post (except for Wu Hou); take Xia Jing as an example; his father is a First-Rank Marquis.

If he inherits, he will be demoted to a Second-Rank Marquis; at this point, he is still considered a Wu Hou, and the imperial court will also arrange a corresponding official post for Xia Jing, sending him to serve as an official.

Under normal circumstances, even if Xia Jing were an ordinary person, he would become a Fifth-Rank official, possessing Fifth-Rank strength and corresponding fortune.

But if Xia Jing achieves no merit, and it is passed to his son, the Second-Rank Marquis becomes a Third-Rank Marquis.

At this point, the Marquis title does not include an official post; the inheritance of fortune is limited to property, fiefdoms, and fields.

The problem arises here: having a huge pile of family assets and a title, yet lacking corresponding strength and an official post, makes one a sure target for others to devour.

But at this time, the upward channel is still open; because of the title, one can cultivate oneself without holding office and still reach the Fifth-Rank realm. With this strength and realm, whether seeking an official post or protecting one's family interests, the hope is great, and one need not struggle through the Dao Official System or the Clerk System.

From this perspective, noble families and aristocrats are still far better than commoners.

It is just that being a noble under Emperor Jing is truly hard; for opportunities like the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, not only is the ticket price very high, but fighting for benefits inside does not prohibit killing.

But if they win, those children of great families can solidify their titles upon exiting, protect their family interests, and even gain appointment.

Originally, achieving merit on the battlefield was a channel, but subduing the Southern Barbarians does not require so many people, so one must find ways elsewhere.

"If a great opportunity appears in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, it will inevitably attract many noble children to fight over it."

"Which thigh should I grab onto?" Zhao Xing pondered.

Tian Shan is unsuitable; Teacher Tian is already of an advanced age. He holds no good official post, merely being a teacher at the Geography Institute. Although he has connections, at this moment, connections are not the most critical factor.

Leaving aside his strength for now, Tian Shan probably no longer has the competitive spirit.

Yang An? He is already a Fourth-Rank military general; he cannot participate in many places, and the relationship is not at that level yet.

Fan Zhaoli? The Dean of the Geography Institute has combat power, but his position is lacking a bit. Moreover, last time he acted, it was only out of respect for Teacher Tian; this time, facing many nobles competing, he may not be willing to help Zhao Xing greatly.

Old Master Zhao thought and thought, and ultimately settled on Liu Tianning.

Liu Tianning is Fifth-Rank; he can go to almost anywhere. He is also a member of the Military Realm's Supervision Department; even if he does not seek spiritual beauty, the imperial court will send him.

Liu Tianning's strength is strong. As for fortune? Zhao Xing had never peered into Liu Tianning's fortune; straw men do not carry fortune, and during the retreat, there was no time to look.

But one can imagine it would not be poor; a man who can reach the First-Rank Great Agricultural Bureau, how could his fortune be bad?

"Well, we agreed not to get involved with him, but now the entanglement is getting deeper and deeper," Zhao Xing felt somewhat melancholy. "Whatever benefits Old Liu brings now, an equal amount of hatred must be brought later."

But as for what comes later, that can wait.

For now, Zhao Xing still had to seize this opportunity.

Immediately, Zhao Xing tidied himself up, took out the Earth Mirror, and requested an audience with Liu Tianning.

After receiving the other's consent, he flew toward the Myriad Dharma Palace.