Chapter 230

"What? Nineteen and Liu Tianning clashed? Two subordinates killed, and dozens of Battle Golden Giants lost?" On the Black Dragon Warship, Prince Thirteen Ji Chen stood up immediately upon hearing the news.

"Yes, the news has spread." A scholar reported. "Ji Ye broke Liu Tianning's rules by deploying a Fifth Rank hunter to pursue his disciple Zhao Xing."

"Foolish." Ji Chen shook his head. "Even I dare not break Liu Tianning's rules—he went and tested them anyway."

"He's always been like this—unconventional, always trying what others dare not."

"Now it's backfired."

Ji Chen stared at the image in the Mirage Pearl: "Liu Wanfa truly has grown stronger again!"

"Your Highness should immediately write a letter and send precious treasures to apologize on behalf of Prince Nineteen," the strategist advised.

"Let me think," Ji Chen said. "It was a minor dispute before, but now he's killed one of Nineteen's top lieutenants. If I do this, I'll be criticized for lacking unity among brothers."

The strategist explained: "Not so, Your Highness—you are his elder brother. This act will showcase your magnanimity."

"Besides, Liu Tianning is only one hundred twenty-seven years old."

"The imperial court has never had a Grand Agricultural Minister from the Benwo Sect, but Liu Tianning is very likely to gain the Benwo Sect's full support and become its new leader—even possibly ascending to Grand Agricultural Minister!"

"You're not just signaling to Liu Tianning alone—you're securing the support of an entire faction!"

"Even if there's gossip, what does it matter? To accomplish great things, one must not be bound by trifles."

Hearing this, Ji Chen was swayed: "Fine, do as you say."

"Liu Tianning acted." Pei Pei Yuanchang studied the intelligence. "Hmm? Zhao Xing held out this long against a Fifth Rank hunter?"

Pei Pei Yuanchang's focus wasn't on Liu Tianning—it was on Zhao Xing.

Though both were Fifth Rank, he and Liu Tianning were generations apart.

Cultivating ties with Liu Tianning was less valuable than cultivating ties with Zhao Xing, so his attention centered entirely on Zhao Xing.

"What an outstanding Marquis Yuanrang—just over a month ago, he was only Mid-Tian Gang. Now he's reached Tian Gang's peak—and even cultivated a magical domain?"

Carefully observing the image in the Mirage Pearl, one could see Zhao Xing was surrounded but calm, still composed amid the flames.

Around him lingered a faint mist.

Clearly, he still had more tricks unrevealed.

"Master is invincible; disciple, too, bears an invincible bearing," Pei Pei Yuanchang mused. "Thankfully I acted decisively back then, inviting him over—even giving up a territory for him."

At first, no one had a clear sense of how much weight Zhao Xing carried in Liu Tianning's eyes.

Yet Pei Pei Yuanchang had placed his bet early—himself, a royal grandson of a king, Fifth Rank peak, calling Zhao Xing, then merely Sixth Rank mid, "brother."

"That's what you call vision," Pei Pei Yuanchang lay back in his chair, gently patting his thigh. "Send someone."

"Yes."

"Go to the fish hold, bring out my private stash, and deliver it to Marquis Yuanrang."

………

"Qin Chongwu and Brother Huangfu Song are dead?" Xing Ming gasped, staring at the Mirage Pearl handed to him by his friend.

Liu Tianning had spared the Sixth Ranks; the footage above came from the elite exploration team under Ji Ye.

Xing Ming activated the Mirage Pearl, and instantly the pursuit sequence and Liu Tianning's arrival appeared.

"Over three thousand Wanfa clones!" Xing Ming gasped in awe.

Liu Tianning would never use fake tricks—he revealed them because each clone possessed formidable combat strength.

"I just heard—he claims each clone has Fifth Rank peak power," said the giant with the great axe. "Ninety years of research—Liu Tianning's Straw Man Art has become monstrous."

"Liu Tianning shouldn't be Fifth Rank," Xing Ming chuckled bitterly.

What kind of Fifth Rank is this?

Fighting Liu Tianning alone is like fighting thousands of Fifth Ranks.

Even this time, Liu Tianning deployed only part of his clones—no battle formation, no Benwo Sect plant soldiers.

"He truly shouldn't be Fifth Rank," said the giant with the great axe. "I heard from my father he paid a price when he challenged the Dao Academy."

"In the end, Luo Hou Wang intervened as guarantor, letting Liu Tianning remain at Fifth Rank for a hundred years to settle the matter."

"I never knew this," Xing Ming said in surprise. "I thought it was just an ordinary sparring trial."

"An ordinary sparring trial wouldn't leave zero footage?" the giant scoffed. "The Dao Academy elders were too ashamed to let it leak."

Xing Ming shook his head: "With a Fifth Rank like him, how can we compete?"

The giant with the great axe said: "Don't worry—my father said, if you follow Liu Tianning's rules, you'll be fine. He himself seeks nothing."

Xing Ming pointed at the Mirage Pearl: "He seeks nothing, but his disciple Zhao Xing? He's a master at fishing. He's already Sixth Rank peak, and his strength keeps growing."

Even before Liu Tianning arrived, Zhao Xing's performance had drawn Xing Ming's attention.

Two Fifth Ranks, dozens of Battle Golden Giants—still couldn't quickly subdue him.

The battle looked fierce, yet Zhao Xing suffered not a scratch, and still had energy to spare.

The giant with the great axe shrugged: "Let him eat his fill. Zhao Xing is already Sixth Rank peak—no matter how much he eats, he can't consume much spiritual essence. The Night Sea is vast."

"I even think we should send him some spiritual essence—get him full quickly. Once he leaves, Lord Liu Tianning will leave too."

Xing Ming's expression turned odd.

If you can't eliminate him, just feed him until he's satisfied?

"That… is actually a valid strategy."

The Military Realm, Hundred Weapons Tower.

The Three Kings were staring at a scene on the Earth Mirror.

"Over three thousand Wanfa clones?" Commandery Prince Ling De Wang couldn't help exclaiming. "Luo Hou, is this Liu Tianning's full power?"

He couldn't help being astonished—Commandery Prince Ling De Wang was merely a Commandery Prince, his strength barely reaching Upper Fourth Rank, and even with imperial enhancements, he barely crossed the Third Rank threshold to achieve soul travel through the Void.

But purely on his own merits, Commandery Prince Ling De Wang faintly felt he couldn't suppress Liu Tianning.

"Full power?" Luo Hou Wang smiled. "You're underestimating him."

"Imprisoned in the War Realm for ninety years, he specialized in studying the Straw Man Method, and his mastery has already surpassed that of his ancestor."

"With no more than ten thousand avatars, how can he be called Liu Wanfa?"

"What?" Ling De Wang was startled. "Over ten thousand paths?"

Just the ten thousand avatars of Wanfa alone, let alone the pure yuan soil Liu Tian has cultivated and the plant soldiers he hasn't released yet—how strong would that be?

"As expected of Luo Hou; your insight is indeed sharp," King Tianyan praised. "If you hadn't vouched for him back then, that seedling named Liu would likely have been ruined."

"Hmph, those old stubborn ones? Emperor Wen was too kind to them!" Luo Hou Wang snorted.

"Ancient matters, better not to mention them; Liu Tian himself has already let them go." Seeing Luo Hou Wang showing signs of criticizing court politics, King Tianyan immediately changed the subject. "Now he has taken on a good disciple; this disciple of his is far more smooth."

"Indeed," Luo Hou Wang said with a smile. "Lurking at Fire Dragon Pass, crossing the Flame Mountain... a twenty-something-year-old Liu Tian could not have done that."

"He is too headstrong; he would only rush straight to the bandit gang's nest and kill them all."

"Killing them all—doesn't that count as a kind of lurking?" Ling De Wang said humorously.

"Hahahaha." Both King Tianyan and Luo Hou Wang laughed.

"Although his strength has risen quickly, his path is still solid." King Tianyan waved his hand, and the image on the Earth Mirror rewound to the beginning of Zhao Xing's pursuit.

"Look; separated by ten li, he discovered Qin Qin Chongwu and Brother Huangfu Song. The two were still wearing invisible magical robes."

"Indeed," Ling De Wang nodded. "He seemed to be in cultivation; if he were in a normal state, he might have discovered them even earlier."

"The subsequent spell domain, the Hou Bian Method, further drastically reduced the two's speed. If not for the two Dragon-Drifting Boats themselves moving at high speed, he would have escaped."

"This young man has many tricks," Luo Hou Wang nodded. "If he were in a normal state and able to set up his formation, whether he would need to run or not is debatable."

Qin Qin Chongwu and Brother Huangfu Song were launching a surprise attack, while Zhao Xing's flying boat was stationary, and he was still in cultivation.

Under such circumstances, all three nearly escaped; the three kings unanimously agreed that although Zhao Xing's level-up was fast, his foundation was still very solid.

On the way back to the Ten Thousand Swords Tower Ship with Liu Tian, Zhao Xing also carefully observed Old Liu.

He was carrying Zhao Xing while flying, yet the flight speed was still astonishingly fast, much faster than a flying boat!

"Old Liu's Floating Parasitic Seed is rare in this era," Zhao Xing said with some envy.

The Floating Parasitic Seed is a seventh-rank plant soldier; it can take root in flesh and blood, growing together with its master.

Once the Floating Vine matures, it can form Floating Vine Armor according to the master's will!

Even the Jin Yu War Armor of the Wang Ting Jin Yu is weak compared to it.

Because this thing cannot be mass-produced; it must be planted inside the body from the seedling stage, and it can only be used by the Minister of Agriculture.

It has many wonderful uses, but the most important is the amplification of 'speed'.

"The Floating Heaven and Earth can cover ten thousand meters in an instant; if one burns their life force, it can be even faster."

Lord Zhao had also witnessed the power of the Floating Vine; in his past life, he joined a team to assassinate Old Liu in his later years.

Once, after enduring countless hardships, they finally encountered Liu Tian's true body.

They thought that while the opponent was in a daze, there would be a chance to strike.

But as soon as Old Liu put on the Floating Vine Armor, he shot up with a 'whoosh' and jumped out of the encirclement, disappearing from sight.

Since then, Zhao Xing never accepted another assassination mission, because he simply could not be killed.

At that time, Liu Tian's Floating Vine was said to have already broken the limits of ninth-rank plant life; even if Liu Tian was in a half-mad state and stood still letting them kill him, the Floating Vine would instinctively carry Old Liu away.

Zhao Xing finally understood why Liu Tian looked down on Ling Xiu of the Eternal Night Sea; with so many opportunities, what he eats and uses would only be better than Tian Shan's.

After flying for less than two quarters of an hour, the surrounding scenery gradually shifted from blurry to clear.

The speed slowed down, and Zhao Xing could see the nearby scenery clearly; they had already returned to the Ten Thousand Swords Tower Ship.

Liu Tian set Zhao Xing down, then entered the room, as he still had some matters to handle.

"Senior Brother, are you alright?" Ji Ji Zixuan flew down and asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Zhao Xing shook his head.

"That's good." Ji Ji Zixuan sized up Zhao Xing. "Is this Senior Brother's true body?"

Zhao Xing glanced at Ji Ji Zixuan; what was this girl trying to do by inspecting his true body?

"I'll return to my room to rest first."

Zhao Xing said that and went straight back to his own room.

"Retrieve!"

Zhao Xing recalled the life-soul power of his other avatars, leaving only twelve avatars capable of casting high-level spells.

He stretched his body, felt he could still endure it, and continued to recall the avatar soul power.

Finally, the remaining avatars lost their spell effects and became empty shells.

Only five Wanfa avatars remained.

"These five Wanfa avatars required more materials and effort, and the dispersed life-soul power is greater; they account for about thirty percent of my strength."

Thirty percent of his strength is enough to utterly crush a sixth-rank early-stage cultivator.

As for the other avatars, they were created on a whim.

Previously, Zhao Xing only used avatars to run errands; he never intended to use them for serious combat.

But now that his life-soul has greatly increased, and after seeing Liu Tian cast the Wanfa Avatars, Zhao Xing decided to spend more effort practicing the Straw Man Method.

"Although I am currently at the fifth-rank life-soul stage, I still need to control the number of straw men; Wanfa Avatars are about quality, not quantity."

"If only I had a bit more time, these five avatars could be put to use, and I wouldn't have been seen through at a glance by Qin Qin Chongwu and Brother Huangfu Song."

Additionally, Zhao Xing always kept in mind the drawbacks of the Wanfa Avatars.

Creating too many carries the hidden danger of going mad.

"Life-soul power is dispersed; recall them periodically, gradually increase the number, and never rush forward," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Of course, he was currently doing the opposite; his life-soul was too strong, and he still had to rely on avatars to relieve the pressure, otherwise he always felt a strange sensation where his mind kept up but his hands and feet did not.

Just after breaking through, he needed to refine the Straw Man Method to adapt to this situation.

He returned to the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship that day and was fully adapted by the next.

Mainly because Zhao Xing did not rely solely on the Straw Man Method; he also possessed the supreme technique, Great Dream of the Spring and Autumn, to regulate himself.

"Huff~ Now I am in a relatively comfortable state; even if I continue to eat the Yin-Yang Fish, it will do no harm." Zhao Xing showed a faint smile.

He had just stepped out to get some fresh air when he saw Murong Xue waiting outside the door.

"Is something the matter?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Is my lord well?" Murong Xue asked softly, "I heard you encountered danger."

"Nothing is wrong." Zhao Xing replied.

"Murong takes her leave."

She seemed to have come specifically to check on him; after speaking, she left.

"It wasn't in vain serving as a bodyguard for so many days." Zhao Xing smiled.

Suddenly, a wisp of wind whirled past.

Zhao Xing reached out and grabbed, and a voice entered his ear.

"Zhao Xing, come to the Ten Thousand Dharma Hall."

Liu Tianning had summoned him.

After straightening his clothes and cap, Zhao Xing flew toward the Ten Thousand Dharma Hall.

"Master."

"Here is a list," Liu Tianning said. "For these coming days, do not leave the ship; if you lack anything, you may find it on this."

Zhao Xing took the list and looked; it was a gift register recording exchanges of favors.

"Good heavens, apart from Ji Ye's Exploration Team, all other factions have sent gifts."

"Even the Yin-Yang Fish are included!"

Looking at this gift register and combining it with Liu Tianning's words, Zhao Xing immediately guessed something.

"The six states were destroyed, not because their weapons were dull or their fighting poor, but because they bribed Qin. Bribing Qin weakened their strength; this was the path to destruction..." Zhao Xing chuckled lightly.

The current six Exploration Teams sending gifts to Old Liu had a bit of that flavor.

Liu Tianning lacked no spiritual luck; thus, these Exploration Teams intended to feed him full so he would leave quickly!

They could not afford to support Liu Tianning and his group, nor was there anything for Old Liu to covet.

Could they not afford to support a single Zhao Xing?

Sending only Grade Six to fight, the small ones could not win. Zhao Xing's previous battle records had already proven this.

Sending Grade Five, they would beat the small ones, and the elders would arrive. Qin Chongwu and Brother Huangfu Song's bones were not yet cold.

Better to let Zhao Xing eat his fill; you just finish eating and leave quickly, stop loitering here blindly!

"Why do you laugh?" Liu Tianning looked curiously at his disciple.

"Master, although they are sending gifts to curry favor and sell a favor, looking at it, I feel it is somewhat like sending away a plague god; thinking of it makes me laugh."

"Master is indeed mighty!"

Hearing this, Liu Tianning also showed a faint smile.

When a disciple praises his master, the master is happy too.

Additionally, Zhao Xing's performance had met Liu Tianning's expectations.

Otherwise, he would not have agreed to this plan, letting Zhao Xing stay off the ship no longer.

Grade Six had been fought enough; solidifying the foundation was sufficient; fighting Grade Five would over-exploit Zhao Xing's potential.

Furthermore, this ultimately involved the interests of many parties; Liu Tianning was powerful, arguably the strongest within the rules.

If he monopolized everything, he would not be seeking benefits or gathering favors for his disciple, but rather inviting hatred.

This current situation was just right.

"Consume all the edible spiritual luck to the limit. Stay on the ship for these days," Liu Tianning said. "When the time is nearly right, I will take you to hunt that Dragon Whale."

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.

Now, in the Sea of Eternal Night, he lacked nothing; only that Dragon Whale was worth remembering.

However, the Dragon Whale dives deep into the seabed; one must wait for it to surface to have a chance to hunt it. The cave heaven's drastic change, the Sea of Eternal Night continuing to thaw; it will surface sooner or later.

On May 18th, Liu Tianning accepted the gifts; all sides felt much more at ease. Those who should fight continued to fight; those who should struggle continued to struggle.

The Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship remained transcendent above external things; Zhao Xing did not leave the ship again, cultivating and eating fish on board.

On May 19th, Zhao Xing picked and chose in the fish hold and discovered over ten 'Wood-Eating Armored Fish'; they survived by gnawing on aquatic Wood-element plants and contained 'Wood Fortune' spiritual luck.

It was Cui Yang, the direct grandson of 'King Tianjue', who discovered it; that same day, Zhao Xing contacted Cui Yang and conducted a 'resource exchange' with him.

The Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship did not engage in fishing, but the varieties of spiritual fish on the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship were the most numerous.

Conducting a resource exchange with Zhao Xing, Cui Yang suffered no loss; he agreed very quickly.

Thus, Zhao Xing continuously exchanged for a large quantity of 'Wood-Eating Armored Fish' from Cui Yang.

On May 25th, the effect brought by the Wood-Eating Armored Fish was zero. The Wood Fortune of the Five Elements had already been absorbed to the limit.

On May 26th, Zhao Xing discovered 'Sand Eels' containing 'Earth Fortune' spiritual luck from Pei Pei Yuanchang's 'collection'.

However, the quantity was relatively small.

Zhao Xing, in the name of the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship, began conducting resource exchanges among the major Exploration Teams excluding 'Ji Ye'.

After half a month, he continued collecting until June 11th.

The Earth Fortune was also gathered by Zhao Xing.

"The Fortune level has finally broken through again." Zhao Xing looked at the panel.

【Luck Tier: Yan Five】

"Luck at Yan Five should be red with a hint of cyan-purple; the inner core of the pillar begins to retain a permanent cyan-purple hue."

Zhao Xing recalled the records in the Great Expansion Sutra.

"Reaching Yan Five for luck basically fulfills my expectation."

The spiritual brilliance of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven erupted; Zhao Xing avoided being greedy and losing his life.

He set a goal for himself.

Once the goal is achieved, it will be time to escape.

Among them, the cultivation goal was to reach the peak of the Great Star Realm.

This has already been accomplished.

The spell goal was to find the Heaven Gate in the Reverse Peak Mountain Ranges and break through the restrictions on fate-type spells.

Reaching the high tier for fate-type spells is extremely difficult.

Even among the retainers of veteran Kings, there may not be any Feng Shui Masters or Fate Masters who know high-tier spells.

Liang Ruohai counts as one, but he has cultivated for many years; how long has Zhao Xing cultivated?

Reaching the high-tier level means completing the set goal.

The deduction ability of the Five Fingers Heavenly Fate Secret Art has already been cultivated to the high tier.

The two spells contained within, 【Heavenly Fate Like a Blade】 and 【Heavenly Fate Mysterious Concealment】, were directly pushed to high-tier perfection by the journey to the Heaven Gate.

This far exceeds expectations.

"The new four arts: high-tier Cloud Art domain, high-tier Ice Seal spell, high-tier Heavenly Fire Art, high-tier Boundless Underground Palace domain; all other various spells have also made progress."

"Now, luck has broken through to Yan Five; the goals set previously are basically complete," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Why say "basically"? Because regarding lifespan, Zhao Xing has set no limit.

As much as possible, take it all!

During the reign of Emperor Jing, there are still one hundred and seventy-six years left!

If one does not extend their life, even a genius will eventually turn to yellow earth!

"That Dragon Whale on the other side of the Extreme Night Sea is far larger than ordinary ones."

"Unless something unexpected happens, it should possess the effect of longevity spiritual brilliance."

Zhao Xing had never seen this Dragon Whale in his past life, nor had he heard of it, but he could guess.

"Eating the Dragon Whale adds lifespan; perhaps there are other effects too."

"Once this job is done, I can stop." Zhao Xing thought silently. "It is almost June; Ten Days Hanging in the Sky will be around the end of August."

"I cannot walk the edge; if the goal is achieved, leaving early brings peace of mind."

Entering the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is not easy, but leaving is relatively simple.

The reason is also simple: just claim preparation for breaking through to the Pure Origin Realm.

Even if one does not leave, staying within the Yang City area is safe.

With luck breaking through to Yan Five, while waiting for news of the Dragon Whale, Zhao Xing was not idle; he took out the Earth Mirror and began checking the list of people who entered the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

"While the fortune is strong, quickly invest in some potential stocks."

"Previously on the Pingman Battlefield, my area of activity was small; I only invested in one person, Yue Lingzhi."

"Now the people coming to the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven are from all over; it is time to layout for the future."

Those who can enter the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven mostly have backgrounds and connections.

However, there are also some whose backgrounds and connections exist but cannot be utilized.

For example, Ji Zixuan; she is the granddaughter of the King of Chenglan, from Ping Haizhou, Cui Xian Commandery.

But she cannot mobilize much of her family's power.

After meeting Princess Youruo, her status only improved slightly.

Because Ji Zixuan had only just broken through to the Seventh Rank, and she was unwilling to follow her family's arrangements, wanting to carve out her own career; it is normal that she is not valued.

Princess Youruo also could not interfere in another family's internal affairs, so she could only give Ji Zixuan a chance to develop on her own.

Ji Zixuan's situation is still considered good.

Some noble families and dignitaries sent many illegitimate sons in, taking a 'Junior Scout' slot; this costs less, and once they are in, they are completely ignored.

Whether they live or die, rise or fall, depends entirely on these illegitimate sons themselves.

With many descendants, if even one rises, it is a profit.

It is very cold, but this is reality.

"Hmm? Yun Yi? A native of Heyuan Commandery, an illegitimate son of Count He Sang; is it him?" Zhao Xing's gaze fell on the name Yun Yi on the list.

Yun Yi is only a Junior Scout; his area of activity is limited to the Ten Thousand Li Lei Chi and the Great Wind Mountain Ranges.

Zhao Xing immediately sent a message, transmitting to the Earth Mirror of 'Wang Weimin', the leader of the Intermediate Exploration Team where Yun Yi was located.

Although his authority is high enough to contact Yun Yi directly, doing so would be somewhat abrupt; it is better to contact his team leader first.

Ten Thousand Li Lei Chi, thunder clouds rolling.

In the outer mountain ranges, a sorcerer wearing purple Lei Ting robes was carefully leading twenty team members on an exploration.

They were searching for treasures; if they handed over enough treasures to the Yang City Armory, they could be promoted to Intermediate Scouts or exchange for exploration permissions in other areas.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, the lead sorcerer, 'Wang Weimin', ordered a halt.

"Everyone retreat, leave the outer area!"

"Brother Wang, what's wrong?" a martial artist asked in confusion, "We were searching so well; why retreat?"

"Something big is happening!" Wang Weimin's hands trembled slightly. "The deputy leader of the Top-Tier Exploration Team, Marquis Yuanrang Zhao Xing, suddenly contacted me and asked me to find a quiet place to speak with him."

"What? That Marquis Yuanrang Zhao Xing who swept through the Six-Rank Invincibles in the Eternal Night Sea?" Others were stunned. "He is a direct disciple of Inspector Liu. Does Brother Wang know him?"

"It is precisely because I do not know him that I feel uncertain," Wang Weimin said. "I do not know what he wants from me."

"Brother Wang, you are about to rise to great heights! I have heard that great figures love to promote juniors and invest in rising stars. It must be your recent performance that caught the eye of Marquis Yuanrang!" a nearby Eighth-Rank martial artist flattered.

This was pure nonsense; Wang Weimin's age was a full twelve years older than Zhao Xing's.

In terms of age, Zhao Xing was the rising star.

However, Wang Weimin accepted the flattery, because Marquis Yuanrang held high office and great power, while he himself held low office and little influence; was he not, therefore, a junior?

"Brother Wang, do not forget your humble brother when you rise to greatness in the future."

"Brother Wang, congratulations."

"What are you all talking about? The eight characters haven't even got a single stroke yet," Wang Weimin said, though he was delighted in his heart.

Investment of this sort was not uncommon in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven; he had indeed gained much recently, frequently completing missions. Could it be that he had truly been taken an interest in by Marquis Yuanrang?

He led the group out of the outer perimeter of Lei Chi.

Wang Weimin quickly straightened his clothes, found a quiet place, carefully placed the Earth Mirror, and waited for Zhao Xing's transmission.

Soon, the agreed time arrived, and the Earth Mirror lit up with light.

Wang Weimin answered instantly.

"Vroom~"

Zhao Xing's phantom image appeared on the flat rock, while Wang Weimin knelt in worship below the stone platform.

"Your humble official Wang Weimin pays his respects to Marquis Yuanrang."

"Minister Wang, no need for ceremony," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "I have kept you waiting."

"Not long, not long," Wang Weimin hurriedly replied. "To be questioned by Marquis Yuanrang is your humble official's fortune."

"I do indeed have something to ask of you," Zhao Xing went straight to the point. "In your exploration team, is there a martial artist named Yun Yi? Is he skilled with the sword?"

"Looking for Yun Yi?" Wang Weimin felt a bit disappointed, but he immediately answered, "Replying to Marquis Yuanrang, such a person does indeed exist."

"Have him come and see me."

"Yes, please wait a moment, Marquis Yuanrang." Wang Weimin quickly left and found his squad.

At this moment, the group was all sitting on the ground resting, except for a youth in a green robe who was hugging a sword, standing guard on a distant rock.

"Yun Yi," Wang Weimin called out. "Come down quickly."

"Whoosh~" Yun Yi immediately jumped down, appearing beside Wang Weimin. "Commandant Wang, what is the matter?"

"Do you know Marquis Yuanrang Zhao Xing?" Wang Weimin asked tentatively.

"I know only his name, I have not seen him," Yun Yi said.

"Do you have no connection with him? Are you related by blood or marriage?"

Yun Yi was baffled: "What does Commandant Wang mean by this? Marquis Yuanrang's hometown is Gucheng in Nanyang Commandery, while I am from Heyuan Commandery; one is in southern Pinghai Prefecture, the other in northern Pinghai Prefecture. How could we be related?"

"Or do you have a grudge?"

"Commandant, what exactly is wrong with you?" Yun Yi was puzzled. "I am but a humble Eighth-Rank civil official; to have a grudge with Marquis Yuanrang... you are far too high in my estimation."

"Marquis Yuanrang has specifically requested to see you," Wang Weimin's eyes rolled. "Little Yi, since you joined my team, the Commandant has never treated you poorly. In the future, you must look out for me."

"You..."

Yun Yi was completely confused and wanted to ask more, but Wang Weimin grabbed him and dragged him to the stone platform where the Earth Mirror was placed.

"Paying respects to Marquis Yuanrang," Yun Yi followed Wang Weimin in bowing to the phantom image on the stone platform.

"Yun Yi," Zhao Xing, upon seeing the youth's face, was already certain; this person was destined to become one of the Ten Sword Cultivators of Pinghai Prefecture in the future!

Among the Ten Sword Cultivators of Pinghai Prefecture, Yun Yi ranked ninth! Long Xiao was ranked third.

The first and second were much older, not of the same generation.

"Yun Yi, you performed well on the journey across the Ten Thousand Li Lei Chi. Are you willing to accept a favor from me?" Zhao Xing asked directly.

In fact, Yun Yi's performance at this moment was merely adequate, with nothing special about it.

But for such formal words, could they not be said however one pleased?

"Marquis Yuanrang," Yun Yi still had a few traces of childishness on his face. Facing such overwhelming fortune, he actually shook his head. "My ambition does not lie in the military."

Wang Weimin, standing nearby, was desperate; this foolish youth actually refused?

He wished he could take the place of the youth himself!

"I am not asking you to join the military. Once you leave the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, do whatever you wish," Zhao Xing smiled. "I simply wish to give you an opportunity."

Wang Weimin frantically signaled to Yun Yi, short of agreeing on his behalf.

Good heavens, with no conditions attached, where could such a good thing be found?

Fortunately, Yun Yi finally nodded.

"I will do as Marquis Yuanrang commands."

"Good," Zhao Xing smiled and looked at Wang Weimin. "Commandant Wang, trouble you to send him back to Yangcheng once. Go to the residence of the Agricultural Supervisor and find Gao Ming. There will be a reward for you."

"I dare not hope for a reward; to be able to do work for Marquis Yuanrang is already a blessing," Wang Weimin hurriedly said.

Looking up again, Zhao Xing's phantom image had already vanished.

Only a somewhat confused Yun Yi and a secretly delighted Wang Weimin were left on the spot.

On the Myriad Dharma Tower Ship, one of Zhao Xing's avatars set down the Earth Mirror.

"Ding, your Sword Immortal +1," Zhao Xing said, amusing himself.

He did not need to make any demands at all; once Yun Yi cultivated to the level of one of the Ten Sword Cultivators of Pinghai Prefecture, he would naturally come to settle this karmic debt.

Otherwise, his Earth Soul would constantly remind him of this matter, leaving his thoughts unsmoothed.

Of course, those at lower realms bear no such burden.

"Zuo Long Xiao on the left, Yun Yi on the right, and equip them with divine swords forged by Yue Lingzhi."

"Sword Immortals clearing the way, musicians playing drums and music, dance masters soaring through the sky, and raising a few dragons and phoenixes to pull the war chariot... After I become the Grand Minister of Agriculture, I should have this kind of prestige."

Master Zhao thought happily.

Yun Yi is one of the reader extras; there is an extra activity recently, everyone can participate.