Chapter 243: The Howling Heaven Dog and the Upside-Down Sheep: Winter Preliminaries (Large Chapter)

Qin Hongying instructed Zhai Zhong and Wen Ji to depart from the Azure Water Academy to discuss further cooperation.

Zhao Xing's true body, however, was preparing to leave Twin Island.

After working so hard for so long, Old Master Zhao also intended to return to Bi Xian Commandery for a visit.

First, to see how Zhao Ruide and Lady Cai were faring; second, to check on Zhao Zheng's situation at the Azure Water Academy.

Additionally, he still needed to make a trip to the Wang Fu.

It was already mid-November this year; he hadn't even seen the face of the old witch yet—how could that be acceptable?

Affection is built through visits; how could one go a whole year without meeting?

Besides, the ten-thousand-year Black Turtle shell the old witch promised him, and the qualification spot for the preliminary round, had not yet been confirmed.

He heard she had already returned to Bi Xian Commandery; Zhao Xing had to hurry and visit while she was still there.

He finally understood why Sun Shizhao had been so excited back then.

Meeting Princess Youruo was truly not that easy.

However, before leaving, Zhao Xing still needed to make preparations; he couldn't go empty-handed.

"When giving gifts to the old witch, the intention matters most; go to the planting area and pick some fruits to take along."

Zhao Xing ran to a plantation on Ludao; this was his private garden.

Dense magical arrays surrounded it, forbidding anyone from approaching.

Hoo~

Holding a token, Zhao Xing passed through the barrier and landed inside the plantation.

Back then, he had brought many seeds and seedlings from the Soldier Realm; upon arriving at Twin Island to take up his post, he had planted them all here.

Calculating the time, it had been nearly a year.

In fact, given Princess Youruo's status, she lacked nothing; if Zhao Xing wanted to give her a gift, he truly couldn't come up with anything novel.

Zhao Xing first transplanted several Golden Emerald Bamboos from a bamboo grove.

Golden Emerald Bamboo is a fifth-tier ornamental plant, with a crystal-clear emerald-green bamboo body, while its branches and leaves are golden.

It can also be used by the Ministry of Agriculture to craft weapons—magical ritual staves.

Its practicality is merely average, but it is very cool, adding a layer of gold-and-jade radiance to spells.

He did not like such flashy but useless things, but those high officials and nobles loved them.

Striking special effects; casting spells with it also exudes an air of nobility.

Back then, he had planted these Golden Emerald Bamboos specifically to give as gifts.

"Rise!"

Zhao Xing transplanted eighty-eight stalks onto the Taicang Flying Boat; this was a flying boat used exclusively by the Ministry of Agriculture for transplanting crops.

Swish~

Zhao Xing made the flying boat hover, then flew a bit further, arriving inside a cave.

This cave connected to a subterranean magma lake.

Zhao Xing selected another one: a five-meter-tall willow tree, dark red all over.

"Fifth-tier Vermilion Curtain Willow; flames flow within the willow strands, hanging down like a curtain formed of fire; willow catkins drift and fly, like fireworks blooming."

Zhao Xing cast the Branch-Pruning Technique to trim seven Curtain Willows, making them look even better, then transplanted them onto the Taicang Flying Boat.

Finally, he arrived at the center of the manor, where twelve large trees were planted.

However, only one tree had bloomed and borne fruit, and it had produced only nine fruits.

"The sixth-tier Purple Oriole Fruits have entered the maturity stage; let's send them to the old witch first." Zhao Xing picked these nine Purple Oriole Fruits.

Even though he had spent a fortune to construct the King Di Zang Return-to-Origin Great Array, turning this place into a 'Secondary Treasure Land', the Purple Oriole Fruit trees had only just reached maturity, yielding only sixth-tier inferior-grade fruits.

With meticulous care and by adjusting the timing and conditions of heaven and earth, only one Purple Oriole Fruit tree had matured in a year.

Because woody plants have very long growth cycles, especially at the sixth tier; this was already the limit Zhao Xing could cultivate.

Previously, the sixth-tier plants in the Eternal Night Sea—Fish-Eating Grass and Azure Sea Cloud Vines—were all vine-type, herbaceous plants.

Judging by growth cycles, woody plants exceed vine plants, which exceed herbaceous plants.

The growth cycle of woody plants is typically one hundred or even one thousand times longer than that of vine or herbaceous plants.

Take the Floating Willow, for instance; if Liu Tianning had given him not the Floating Willow but a seventh-tier woody plant back then...

Zhao Xing wouldn't have wanted it even if offered.

Why? Because the time required was too long.

Even if he broke through to the Fifth Grade in the future and cultivated Pure Origin Soil, he couldn't possibly start by planting trees immediately; the burden on his body would be too great.

Within the Benwo Sect, what kind of situation do the Ministry of Agriculture officials who plant trees face? They are all generations cultivating the same single tree!

The grandfather nurtures it through the seedling stage, then passes it to the father upon death; the father nurtures it through the growth stage; after the grandson takes over, he nurtures it until the maturity stage, then passes it to the great-grandson upon death; it might still not bear fruit, requiring the cycle to continue.

During the reign of the Great Ancestor, the Grand Minister of Agriculture Wu Chen cultivated an unparalleled treasure (that is, a super-grade plant exceeding the ninth tier); it is said this divine tree has now existed for twenty-five hundred years.

It passed through seven generations of Grand Ministers of Agriculture, yet still had not entered the maturity stage.

Not until the era of Wu Di did it finally mature, but it bore fruit only once, after which it regressed back to the growth stage.

Shangluo Academy has, through generations, possessed divine tree branches and divine twigs of the 'Rare Treasure' grade; this is one grade below an unparalleled treasure, but its effects are also extremely powerful.

However, it is passed only to the leader of the Benwo Sect, and the leader of the Benwo Sect usually also serves as the Dean of Shangluo Academy.

"That should be enough."

After preparing the gifts, Zhao Xing piloted the flying boat and departed from Twin Island.

Upon returning to Bi Xian Commandery, he first went to Dongyang County to visit his adoptive father.

The moment he arrived, he found the mansion decorated with lanterns and colorful silk, filled with joyous celebration.

A group of old women surrounded Lady Cai, constantly offering congratulations, while Lady Cai held her head high, extremely proud.

"Swoosh~"

Zhao Xing stepped on clouds and landed in the adjacent courtyard, finding Zhao Ruide distributing silver coins.

"Father, what's the good news? I didn't hear anything." Zhao Xing asked.

"You've returned just in time, Xing'er," Zhao Ruide chuckled. "Lady Cai has just been diagnosed with a pregnancy—you're going to be an older brother again."

"Congratulations, Father." Zhao Xing smiled.

Thanks to the wealth and connections Zhao Xing brought back, Zhao Ruide donated substantial funds to the Nanyang Juncheng government's "Ciyang Yuan" institution.

In return, he received the honorary title of "Ciyang Physician," which conferred no real benefits but opened his path for self-cultivation up to the Seventh Rank Realm.

Zhao Ruide was already a martial cultivator; after consuming even a small amount of the treasures Zhao Xing brought back, he attained the Ninth Rank Realm at the age of sixty-one.

After arriving in Bixian Juncheng, with nothing else to do, Zhao Ruide enlisted as a patrol guard in Dongyang County.

The old Marquis Yuanrang's father wanting a minor patrol guard position? Naturally, it was a formality.

Within a year, Zhao Ruide rose to Deputy Director of the Dongyang Patrol Inspectorate and broke through to the Eighth Rank Realm.

At eighty, one is not yet old, and past internal injuries naturally vanished.

And so, Lady Cai became pregnant again.

"Father, do you hope for a daughter or another son?" Zhao Xing asked.

"A precious son is welcome, but a precious daughter is even better," Zhao Ruide laughed. "You and Zheng'er have been enough trouble already."

Zhao Xing smiled silently.

But Zhao Ruide was right—he had indeed dragged his entire family hundreds of thousands of miles away from home; it was no small feat.

Zhao Zheng had never been an easy child as a boy—he never listened to his father, climbed rooftops to tear off tiles, dived into water to catch fish, set off firecrackers in the outhouse, and was endlessly mischievous.

"I hope for a younger sister too," Zhao Xing smiled. "She'd surely be much more well-behaved than Zheng'er."

After chatting with Zhao Ruide, Zhao Xing planned to visit the Wang Fu in Juncheng.

Just before leaving, Zhao Ruide pulled Zhao Xing aside. "I've asked several Mr.'s in the Juncheng to suggest your courtesy name. We've narrowed it down to four."

"Which four?"

"Ze Yu, Yuan You, Xi Zhen, Chen An."

"A gentleman is like jade, his virtue spreading far and wide—Ze Yu suits your name well. This was chosen by Grand Secretary Yang of the Juncheng Prefectural Office."

"A rare talent, confident and decisive—Xi Zhen fits your character. This was chosen by the former Juncheng Governor, Mr. Yue Lu."

"Yuan You's five elements are wood and earth; you are the Minister of Agriculture, protecting the people—this name expresses your aspiration well. This was chosen by Liu Sicheng of the Princess's household," Zhao Ruide recalled.

"Father, you've come to know so many great figures—then who chose Chen An?" Zhao Xing asked with a smile.

Zhao Ruide pointed to himself. "Chen An is mine. I hope you are safe and peaceful in every hour."

Zhao Xing's smile paused, then returned as before. He bowed. "Then as you wish—I shall take the courtesy name Chen An."

Zhao Ruide beamed with joy.

…………

In the 21st year of the Jingxin Calendar, the twelfth day of the eleventh month, just after the Start of Winter.

After returning home and staying one day, Zhao Xing went to the Wang Fu to pay respects to Princess Youruo.

"Mother Teacher, your student has come to pay his respects."

"You came? Why bring so many gifts?" Princess Youruo said, though her eyes held delight.

Zhao Xing had brought no gifts from afar—everything was grown by himself, carefully pruned to enhance the beauty of the Golden Emerald Bamboo and Crimson Curtain Willow.

The Purple Kite Fruit was even a sixth-rank fruit, not only rare but also demonstrating Zhao Xing's abilities.

It proved he had not wasted the resources Princess Youruo had given him.

"This is merely my humble offering," Zhao Xing said. "I planted them all a year ago, when I first came."

Planted a year ago?

Princess Youruo felt even more pleased upon hearing this.

Though useless to her, Zhao Xing's willingness to do these things proved he truly cared.

"Come, walk with me—I'll plant these."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing followed Princess Youruo to a garden.

He transplanted the Golden Emerald Bamboo, Crimson Curtain Willow, and other plants.

"Very good—truly beautiful," Princess Youruo praised, graciously.

"The ten-thousand-year Black Tortoise Shell I promised you—go with Sicheng Liu to choose one."

"Afterward, stay for dinner at the Wang Fu before leaving."

"Yes." Zhao Xing bowed and followed Wang Fu Sicheng Liu Wanliang toward the storage halls.

Wang Fu Sicheng was a formal official position in the Great Zhou, responsible for managing all affairs of princesses, princes, and other imperial clan members—a dedicated steward for the royal household.

Princess Youruo had many stewards, as she owned many palaces and residences.

This Liu Wanliang was the chief steward, holding the Fourth Rank, with cultivation depth beyond measure.

Zhao Xing remembered him, for when Princess Youruo later married into the Wang Ting, he followed her without hesitation, utterly loyal.

Later, when Princess Youruo became an ancient hag, many covert tasks were handled by Liu Wanliang.

The Wang Fu's inner treasury was not a single room, but a series of connected palaces.

Each palace held different treasures sealed within.

Liu Wanliang led Zhao Xing into a lake.

Within the lake lay a crystal palace; once they passed through its barrier, Zhao Xing's eyes widened in awe.

Countless rare treasures from the ocean depths were neatly arranged and hung throughout the palace.

Take away just one item and sell it; you could eat for several lifetimes without running out.

"Marquis Yuanrang." Liu Wanliang brought Zhao Xing to a side hall deep within the Crystal Palace, surrounded by various underwater green plants and corals.

And in the side hall, countless gigantic turtle shells were arranged.

"Marquis Yuanrang, the ten-thousand-year-old turtle shells are all here."

"There are Black Turtles, Fire Turtles, Crocodile Turtles, Dragon Turtles..."

Liu Wanliang introduced them.

"Marquis Yuanrang may choose at will."

Zhao Xing was not greedy; he only wanted one thing: the shell of a ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle.

"I need not choose carefully; please, Mr., select a ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle shell for me."

"Only one?"

"Only one."

"Very well." Liu Wanliang nodded, then floated forward, pointed a finger, and said, "Rise!"

Boom~

A crack split the ground beneath, and then a colossal creature shimmering with dim light emerged from the depths.

Who would have thought there was another layer of space beneath the ground storing treasures.

"Boom~" "Boom~"

A small mountain emerged from the ground; when its full size appeared in the water, Zhao Xing couldn't help but be startled.

So huge!

The turtle shell stretched a thousand meters from front to back! The upper part of the shell was oval, while the bottom was flat, with a height of nearly fifty meters from top to bottom.

It looked like a small mountain.

The size of this ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle, though not comparable to the Dragon Whale seen in the Eternal Night Sea back then, was still extremely exaggerated.

The hexagonal patterns on the turtle shell alone could cover a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.

"The shell patterns are growth lines; for a ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle, the densely packed patterns on its back contain more of the principles of Heaven and Earth." Zhao Xing observed, "If used to cast the 'Turtle Divination Method', it can bear a higher cost."

Back then, if Liang Ruohai had tested himself with a ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle nearby, he wouldn't have been destined to die within ten years.

He could have completely used the Black Turtle's shell plate to withstand it.

Of course, this thing couldn't be used directly.

After moving it back, it would still need to be smelted once using the Fire Refining Method.

"Smelt it with Heavenly Fire and practice the Fire Refining Method for half a year before its full effects can be unleashed," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"Splash~"

"Splash~"

The small mountain-sized turtle shell was magically fished up by Liu Wanliang.

It was loaded onto a cargo warship moored beside the lake.

"Thank you, Lord Liu." Zhao Xing clasped his hands in gratitude.

"Marquis Yuanrang need not be polite." Liu Wanliang returned the gesture, "This warship will remain here for now; the Princess has prepared some other gifts for you as well."

"We can go elsewhere first; when we return, the Black Turtle here should already be loaded onto the ship."

More?

Truly the Princess of the Eastern Sea. Her rewards are never single items.

Zhao Xing followed Liu Wanliang again, flying to another palace.

"Woof woof~"

"Awooo~"

Faint barking sounds came from inside the palace ahead; Zhao Xing couldn't help but pause in surprise.

Before they even landed, Liu Wanliang introduced, "This place is the Divine Dog Palace."

"The Princess said you wish to participate in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition, so she sent you to the Divine Dog Palace to select a pup."

"This place raises many famous dogs, the Ten Great Divine Dogs."

"I can choose the Divine Dogs as well?" Zhao Xing was stunned.

"Of course." Liu Wanliang nodded. "Does Marquis Yuanrang know which are the Ten Great Divine Dogs?"

"Frost-Flower Kite, Flash-Star Wolf, Golden-Winged Hound, Azure-Water Qiu, Ink-Jade Li, Ru-Huang Leopard, Snow-Claw Lu, Mo-Kong Magpie, Spotted Brocade Tiger, Azure-Maned Lion. These ten breeds are the Divine Dogs of the world."

Liu Wanliang nodded slightly: "Since Marquis Yuanrang already knows, I shall not speak further. Inside the Divine Dog Palace, the Ten Great Divine Dogs all have pups; you may choose freely."

"As for adult dogs, they have all formed soul contracts with their handlers. Canine beasts are unlike others; their loyalty is absolute. Even if the soul contract is broken, they will not accept a new master. Forcing a change will only cause them to wither and die in sorrow."

"Inside the eastern hall, there are also famous dogs named Peach Blossom, Black Dragon, Jade Dog, Yellow Cang, and Yellow Ear. These are the most famous among famous dogs, and their combat power is no less than that of the Divine Dogs."

Zhao Xing nodded. The three bloodlines of Noble, Famous, and Divine merely offer a higher starting point; true battle beasts depend on how they are raised afterward.

It is just like human cultivation; Long Xiao also came from a poor background, yet that did not prevent him from becoming one of the Ten Great Sword Immortals in the future.

The mountain cat's bloodline was also very ordinary, but through postnatal cultivation, it now belongs to the 'Spiritual Exotic Species' and is not inferior to divine bloodlines.

"Woof woof~"

"Awooo~"

After Zhao Xing descended and entered the palace, he opened his Heavenly Eye and scanned the dog kennels.

"Peach Blossom, Yellow Cang, Yellow Ear, Black Dragon; these are all Greyhound dogs, slender in build and slightly smaller in size, commonly known as 'Slender Dogs'."

Although supernatural, Zhao Xing's personal taste did not favor Greyhound dogs very much.

They could be raised as pets for fun, but for fighting, they lacked a bit of substance.

As a result, the scope narrowed significantly.

Because among the Ten Divine Dogs, nine breeds are Greyhounds.

Only the Cangni Dog is a Mastiff.

"A tough man should raise a Mastiff."

Zhao Xing thought this, walked to the front of the Cangni Kennel, and stood still.

"Mr. Liu, I choose the Cangni."

Liu Wanliang said, "Won't you consider it further? Among the Greyhounds there are also those good at battle; each of the Ten Divine Dogs has its own strengths, and the Cangni merely excels in strength."

The Cangni is strong in power; whether in strength or stamina, it surpasses the other Divine Dogs.

Of course, the other Divine Dogs also have strengths, such as those skilled in speed, those born with innate illusion arts, those skilled in treasure hunting, and those skilled in evasion techniques.

"I have already decided," Zhao Xing said, "I prefer Mastiffs."

Liu Wanliang nodded, then waved his hand, opened the barrier of the Cangni Kennel, and accompanied Zhao Xing inside.

"Woo Wang~" "Wa Wang~" "He He~"

Upon entering, many pups began to bark at the two.

However, at this time these Cangnis were all in their puppy stage; the smallest had just turned one month old, the largest was no more than three months, their imposing aura was minimal, and they instead appeared somewhat cute.

Zhao Xing glanced around; there were over two hundred puppies here.

He pinched his fingers to calculate, and immediately locked onto three of the Cangni puppies.

"In the same feeding environment, these three puppies grow faster and better, and their future achievements will be greater." Zhao Xing used physiognomy to select the pups; it was easy for him to see that the three near the corner by the east wall were the most suitable to take away.

Zhao Xing thus walked through, arriving before the innermost dog cage.

Seeing this, Liu Wanliang could not help but praise, "Marquis Yuanrang has excellent taste."

"Mr., just call me Chen An."

Liu Wanliang asked with a smile, "Chen An's taste is not ordinary; you spotted the three strongest puppies at a glance. Have you studied physiognomy?"

"I only know a little," Zhao Xing said modestly.

"Someone, prepare the Soul Contract." Liu Wanliang beckoned from behind, and immediately a Dog-Raising Official approached.

"Chen An, which one do you want?"

"All three are much the same," Zhao Xing said with a smile, "Let's see who is willing to go with me."

"Please, Marquis Yuanrang, hold this ring." The official nearby handed over a collar, but it was somewhat large, large enough to even fit an elephant.

"Voom~" After Zhao Xing grasped the Contract Ring, a pulling force came from it, tugging at his Life Soul.

Zhao Xing did not resist; instead, he smoothly injected a wisp of Soul Power into it.

The three puppies all smelled an unusual scent and growled lowly toward Zhao Xing.

Mastiffs have a very strong sense of territory; with these three Cangnis growling, the surrounding puppies all stepped aside one by one.

"Unwilling to go?" Seeing these three strongest ones constantly retreating; he advanced one step, and they retreated one step.

Zhao Xing took three steps, then stopped advancing, shook his head, and turned around.

He could indeed force them to leave, but fate cannot be forced.

After turning around, Zhao Xing placed the Contract Ring horizontally at chest height and gently pushed it toward the group of puppy dogs.

"Whoever among you is willing to go with me, enter this ring."

Having spoken, Zhao Xing simply watched quietly.

If not a single puppy chose, he would abandon the Cangni and choose from the other Greyhounds.

Since learning fate-related spells, Zhao Xing had believed in this thing called fate.

"Wang Wang~" Eight puppies seemed to understand Zhao Xing's words, or perhaps were curious, and slowly walked toward the Contract Ring.

Just as one of them was about to stick its head through, suddenly—

"Whoosh~"

A black shadow leaped up from behind the dog pack, stepped on a companion's back, and sprinted quickly.

"Voom~" It bit the ring with its mouth, trying to drag it down.

"Woo Woo~" This Cangni puppy hung in the air, constantly shaking its head and flailing its limbs, but the Contract Ring did not budge.

Zhao Xing watched, finding it amusing; the little one was treating it like a toy.

Unable to bite through or drag it down, it released its mouth and dropped to the ground with a thud.

It still kept flailing continuously.

"Wang~" It also forbade other members of its kind from approaching.

Its age was very small, only just one month old, yet it was extremely combative; its forehead, waist, and legs all bore bite marks, with quite a bit of fur missing.

The other puppies also had marks on their bodies, but not nearly as many as this one.

"This one is the most combative," the Dog-Raising Official nearby said, "It cannot win, yet it refuses to admit defeat; it has even challenged the three largest ones."

Hearing this, Zhao Xing stepped closer.

But this fur-missing Cangni puppy, having driven away its kind, did not drive away Zhao Xing; instead, it stared with wide eyes, curiously examining him.

Zhao Xing squatted down: "Are you willing to go with me? If you are, crawl inside."

At this moment, the Contract Ring had shrunk considerably; Zhao Xing held it in one hand and placed it on the ground.

If this fur-missing Cangni puppy took two steps, it could crawl inside.

"Wang~"

It wagged its tail, lowered its head, and crawled through the ring.

"Voom~"

The ring rapidly shrank, forming a pale golden collar hanging around its neck.

Zhao Xing felt a faint connection with this Cangni Dog and understood that the Soul Contract had been established.

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuanrang," the Dog-Raising Official beside him said respectfully.

"Chen'an, the Cangni does not get close to people, yet this little one actively seeks your company; it seems you have a bond," Liu Wanliang laughed.

"Indeed, we have a bond," Zhao Xing said, walking out holding the Cangni.

However, he hadn't held it long before the little one couldn't contain itself, moving about everywhere.

Zhao Xing also let it run wild in the palace.

Watching the energetic Cangni puppy, Liu Wanliang asked, "Chen'an, what name do you plan to give it?"

Zhao Xing and Liu Wanliang walked out of the palace side by side; at that moment, the Cangni had leaped onto a Bai Yu carved pillar and let out a long roar to the sky.

Zhao Xing pointed at it and laughed, "I have a cat named Aotian; let this one be called Xiaotian."

Aotian the cat, Xiaotian the dog; now Master Zhao had both cat and dog.

After the banquet, Princess Youruo called Zhao Xing and Ji Zixuan to accompany her on a walk around Tianhu.

"Why choose only one? I had planned to give you several preliminary slots for the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition."

Zhao Xing said, "Quality matters more than quantity in soldiers; for this year's Winter Evaluation preliminaries, I am merely going to join the fun. Three extra slots added by my Master's Wife are already enough."

The Ten Thousand Beasts Competition has preliminaries every year, continuing until ten years before the actual start.

In fact, the winter preliminary slots for the Purple Dawn Islands this year have already been decided.

Princess Youruo was simply squeezing him in temporarily.

Zhao Xing's current situation truly only allowed him to join the fun.

Because even for the preliminaries, there were many Rank Five and Rank Four War Beasts participating; Rank Six were very rare.

For instance, the Dragon Lion Island, ranked first in the western archipelago, had three Rank Four War Beasts registered.

The mountain cat is only early Rank Five, and the Cangni is merely a juvenile of entry-level rank; thus, this year can only be a trial run.

Princess Youruo said, "If you want, I can give you a few Rank Four War Beasts and also assign you several experienced Beast Tamers."

Zhao Xing shook his head; he wanted to borrow leverage from Princess Youruo but did not want to bind himself too deeply, as that would affect his future promotion.

Of course, what he said aloud was different: "Thank you, Master's Wife, for your kindness. I have already received many benefits; if Master's Wife intervenes further, it would damage Master's Wife's reputation."

"I do not wish to see people pointing fingers at Master's Wife behind her back."

Princess Youruo smiled: "Who dares speak of me? But this is for the best."

"I heard your contract with the Bishui Dao Academy is progressing well; even Qin Hongying came to the Wang Fu to inquire about you."

"With such performance, you have not disgraced your teacher's name."

"It is time for you to venture out on your own; otherwise, your teacher might blame me for meddling."

Ji Zixuan, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel admiration; refusing benefits, Senior Brother is truly extraordinary.

"I heard your adoptive father plans to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for you; is this true?" Princess Youruo suddenly remembered something. "I recall Liu Sicheng also gave a reference, something like Yuanyou? Which one did you finally use?"

"Chen'an, meaning safety for every hour."

"Oh, that is not bad."

After accompanying the old witch for a while and seeing weariness on her face, he began to rise: "Master's Wife, please do not overexert yourself; this disciple takes his leave."

"Go, and come to the Wang Fu to visit when you have time."

"Yes."

…………

Master Zhao, now with both cat and dog, dragged the Ten Thousand Year Black Turtle and a pile of gifts back to Dongyang County, fully satisfied.

On November 13, Zhao Ruide held a coming-of-age ceremony for Zhao Xing.

He sent invitations to friends, colleagues, and superiors he had known in Dongyang County and Bixian Commandery over the past year and more.

Zhao Ruide also sent invitations to the Bixian Imperial Palace, but Princess Youruo had already gone out on business and was not in Bixian Commandery.

She sent Liu Wanliang, the Wang Fu Sicheng, to attend the banquet quietly.

Yet he was still discovered.

As a result, Zhao Ruide, who originally planned only a small gathering, sent out several hundred more invitations.

Because Liu Sicheng, sent by Princess Youruo, was the one who had served her the longest and held the highest status.

If such a figure came to Dongyang County for the banquet, how could the officials of Bixian Commandery not know?

Thus, many people found the Magistrate of Dongyang County and the Chief of the Patrol Office, asking them to request an extra invitation for Zhao Ruide!

Relationships that couldn't be connected even with a bamboo pole of eight feet length stubbornly found various excuses to force their way in:

"I am the superior of the superior of Zhao Ruide's superior; coming to drink a toast at a wedding banquet is quite reasonable, isn't it?"

"I am the recommender of Zhao Ruide's superior; sending me an invitation is not excessive, is it?"

"I am the former Chief of the Bixian Commandery Patrol Office; it was just one year short, so Zhao Ruide was my old subordinate; attending the banquet is logical."

Thus, an invitation issued by a mere eighth-rank Deputy Chief of the Patrol Office in Dongyang County actually attracted many high officials and nobles from Bixian Commandery.

Guests arriving for the banquet came ship after ship.

Because what banquet it was didn't matter; even knowing or not knowing Marquis Yuanrang was irrelevant.

Being able to enter this banquet represented certain circles; perhaps one could meet a noble patron at the banquet!

If the banquet hadn't ended so quickly, people from Chongming Prefecture might have come.

"You hold a coming-of-age ceremony and create such a scene; those who don't know might think some high official is hosting a banquet."

At the Zhao Residence, after the guests had dispersed, Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing chatted in a waterside pavilion.

"Who could have imagined?" Zhao Xing also found it somewhat amusing. "These people smelled it and came; they couldn't be stopped, even ordering my father's superiors to force an invitation."

"The former Patrol Office Chief has lost all face, yet still wants to force his way into the banquet; it is truly laughable and tearful."

Chen Shijie sighed: "The political power in the inland regions is intricate and complex; there are countless opportunists; it is better to join the army, where there are fewer twists and turns."

Zhao Xing looked at Old Chen: "Did something happen on Firefly Island? Did someone make things difficult for you?"

Chen Shijie shook his head and said, "I encountered some dirty matters, but they are still within the normal scope; you need not get involved."

Zhao Xing had also borrowed the momentum of Princess Youruo; it was acceptable for him to enjoy such a halo, but if he were to help Chen Shijie, it would amount to bullying others by leveraging Princess Youruo's name.

Reaching too far is not a good thing.

In the end, Zhao Xing himself was merely a lowly Sixth-Rank Inspector and a Third-Rank Hou Jue at best.

What if one day Princess Youruo stopped caring? What if she and Liu Tianning fell out?

Chen Shijie did not want Zhao Xing to waste these favors on his behalf too excessively.

"I must also remind you of something."

"You held a belated coming-of-age ceremony, and it attracted many Fifth-Rank officials from the commandery to send gifts; it looks very glorious."

"But do not become too arrogant and forget yourself," Chen Shijie admonished.

"After all, the Princess did not marry your teacher. If one day she parts ways with your teacher and withdraws all her assistance to you, without that support, you must be able to stand on your own feet."

Old Chen spoke from the bottom of his heart, and only he would say such things while Zhao Xing was at the height of his success.

Zhao Xing nodded and said, "I understand; thank you for the reminder."

Another person might not have listened, but Zhao Xing was someone who accepted advice.

Moreover, he knew Chen Shijie was very right; according to the development of the old witch and Old Liu in their past lives, by the time of the Dazhi era, the two of them would have fallen out.

Chen Shijie smiled and said, "Between you and me, is such formality necessary? By the way, why hasn't Long Xiao appeared? Did you not invite him?"

Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror and said, "I invited him, but he said his official duties were busy, his superior would not grant him leave, and there was no way for him to come."

Chen Shijie sneered, "That rascal is playing the victim again. I inquired about the officials of the Red Stone Commandery's Patrol Bureau; it is a clear-water office, where could there be so many official duties?"

Zhao Xing asked in confusion, "He didn't even return for the New Year; there must be something real going on, right?"

Chen Shijie said, "I have also inquired clearly; he has no damn official business."

"That rascal is entangled by a woman."

"Huh?" Zhao Xing immediately became interested: "Tell me the details."

Chen Shijie smiled and said, "You previously taught him to use the Public Security Management Regulations to hunt pirates, and this fellow has been running around everywhere arresting pirates since taking office."

"I forced the truth out of him two months ago; during a pirate arrest last year, he encountered the 'Green-Eyed White Dragon Army,' the fifth-ranked unit of the Eastern Sea Legion."

"He even fought with the commander of the Green Dragon Army, 'Bai Yang'."

"Given his strength, the commander of that Green Dragon Army naturally had no choice but to take a beating."

"But although this person's strength was merely average, he was the direct grandson of the Green-Eyed White Dragon King, Bai Yunwu. Later, after Bai Yang returned, he asked his sister, Bai Ling, to go together to intercept Long Xiao."

"His sister, Bai Ling, is a Fifth-Rank Garrison Commander, yet even with the two siblings fighting together, they still could not win."

"And then?" Zhao Xing asked.

"At first, this Bai Ling made things difficult for Long Xiao everywhere; using her title as Garrison Commander, she frequently requisitioned Long Xiao's Patrol Bureau personnel to follow her navy on dangerous missions."

"But as they fought and fought, the two actually fell for each other!" Chen Shijie said. "I asked the people of the Red Stone Island Patrol Bureau; this Right Bureau Inspector has not returned for half a year and has been sticking with Bai Ling all day long."

"I think he is about to become the son-in-law of the Green-Eyed White Dragon King."

After hearing this, Zhao Xing could not help but be dumbfounded.

Although the Green-Eyed White Dragon Army was nominally under the command of the Eastern Sea Legion.

In reality, this army was not directly managed at all and possessed great autonomy.

Because this was an aquatic army.

The Green-Eyed White Dragon King, Bai Yunwu, was himself a half-human, half-dragon hybrid.

He could truly transform, turning into a Green-Eyed White Dragon.

Moreover, after transforming, he was a powerhouse at the peak of the Second Rank!

In the vast ocean, Bai Yunwu's strength was incredibly formidable.

His throne could also be inherited without reduction; he was somewhat related to Princess Youruo's mother, and in terms of generational seniority, the old witch would have to call him Uncle Bai.

A fallen martial artist exiled to the Eastern Sea suddenly turned his fortunes around, married a rich and beautiful woman, and reached the peak of life; what kind of power-fantasy script was Long Xiao following?

"Forgetting righteousness for beauty, he deserves a beating!" Zhao Xing said angrily. "When he returns, I must give him a good thrashing."

…………

Jingxin Year 21, November 25th.

Zhai Zhong and Wen Ji, sent by Qin Hongying, arrived at the Dragon Horse Bureau on Twin Island to negotiate cooperation with Zhao Xing.

The two opened with a hundred-billion order, requesting Lord Zhao to cultivate Fourth and Fifth-Rank Pet Beasts for the Dao Academy.

Furthermore, the contract would be renewed annually, with a minimum renewal period of twenty years.

If all twenty years of orders were calculated, it would likely amount to two or three hundred billion.

Although Zhao Xing was surprised, he was not entirely shocked; while there were many officials of the Ministry of Agriculture who mastered the Hou Transformation Method, few could use the Hou Transformation Method to cultivate strange beasts.

However, immediately after, Wen Ji and Zhai Zhong proposed several requirements and rewards.

First, if Zhao Xing signed a twenty-year contract with the Dao Academy, regardless of where he was appointed as an official, the cooperative state must be maintained.

Second, the Dao Academy would arrange the cultivation treatment of a True Disciple for his younger brother, Zhao Zheng.

Third, the Dao Academy would grant him the title of Honorary Propagating Dharma Master; if he remained under contract after ten years, he could serve as a Vice Dean of a branch academy or an Honorary Dean.

There were also matters such as the Bishui Dao Academy providing personnel and precious aquatic plants...

As they spoke, Zhao Xing felt something was not quite right.

These were hardly conditions; they were clearly coming to bestow benefits upon him.

The Dao Academy was not coming for a public contract at all, but was coming for him as a person.

"Do you two know the relationship between me and the Princess?" Zhao Xing looked at Wen Ji and Zhai Zhong.

He still had to remind them that his relationship with Princess Youruo was not as deep as they imagined.

If the Bishui Dao Academy was intentionally bestowing so many benefits because of Princess Youruo, then it was unnecessary.

"Of course I know him," Wen Ji laughed. "In the Dao Academy, who doesn't know Liu Tianning?"

"Whether my master and the Princess can happily unite remains unknown," Zhao Xing said with some depth. "My master will not appreciate the Princess helping me too much."

Zhai Zhong waved his hand and said, "Chen An, do not misunderstand. We have come for you. This negotiation has nothing to do with the Princess; she knows nothing about it."

"Your talent is extraordinary. You are proficient in the Farming Arts of the Three Schools. The Ten Thousand Arts Straw Man and the Thunderous Change of the Moment—perhaps even you do not know the true value hidden within."

Zhai Zhong's words made Zhao Xing feel very comfortable. Judging solely from the attitude of cooperation, the sincerity was truly maxed out.

However, Zhai Zhong was not merely boasting; they truly thought this way.

The Bishui Dao Academy does not produce Farming talents.

In fact, it is not just the Bishui Dao Academy; the entire Pinghai Prefecture is the same.

This is because Pinghai Prefecture was built later; most of its original territory was once the sea.

At the founding of the nation, there were no Farming noble families in Pinghai Prefecture; even noble families were scarce.

Those worthy of being called Farming noble families are all in Daoyuanzhou and Yuanpinzhou. Talents like Liu Tianning do not come from Pinghai Prefecture.

For over two thousand years, any outstanding Farming talent has run to the two inland prefectures.

This is because the powerful Grotto-Heavens and the academies of the Three School leaders are not in Pinghai Prefecture.

With a weak talent foundation, a poor employment environment, and no highest or top-tier academies, Pinghai Prefecture has not seen any formidable Farming experts for a long time.

Even if there were any, they could not be kept.

Now encountering Zhao Xing, at just the right moment, and not yet at the Fifth Rank, is the perfect time to invest.

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment and said, "The orders from the Dao Academy are too many; in recent years they will occupy all my thoughts. I need to cut them by thirty percent. The rest can be discussed further."

For Zhao Xing, the Bishui Dao Academy already has the connection of Princess Youruo; there is no need to bind so tightly. At the very least, political achievements cannot all come from the Bishui Dao Academy.

After seeing off Zhai Zhong and Wen Ji, Zhao Xing went to the rear courtyard.

These two did not come empty-handed; they also gave gifts to Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing is the chief official of the Dragon-Horse Stable and aspires to the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition. Qin Hongying, from the Beast Taming Office, also selected several cubs.

Among them were a fully grown Tiger-Dragon at the late Fifth Rank, and a fully grown Green Phoenix at the peak of the Fifth Rank.

There were also some cubs of famous bloodlines.

"Baa~"

While inspecting the cubs, Zhao Xing suddenly felt his vision blur. Unprepared, his Fate Soul was affected; intending to move forward, his body actually retreated backward.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing activated his Soul Armor, quickly neutralizing this effect, and looked toward a cage in the corner of the cabin.

Inside was a goat with pink fur.

"Spirit-Illusion Goat?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "This breed is not common."

The Spirit-Illusion Goat has another nickname: The Upside-Down Goat.

Zhao Xing had seen this kind of goat while breaking through trials at the Great Dream Academy, but that one had red fur; this one's fur is pink.

"Truly the foundation of the Dao Academy," Zhao Xing thought inwardly. "The Upside-Down Goat is already rare. They are truly sincere to give one to me."

The talents of the Spirit-Illusion Goat all target the Fate Soul. Since even humans find it difficult to cultivate the Fate Soul, a Spirit-Illusion Goat possessing Soul Techniques is naturally extremely precious.

"To enter the Ancient Dragon Court, I must first break through in the East Sea. Now I have a cat, a dog, and a goat. If I cultivate these three pets well, it will be enough for future competitions."

Princess Youruo gave Zhao Xing three slots.

This qualified him to bring three battle beasts to the Zixiao Arena for the December Winter Evaluation Preliminaries.

After that, there are four competitions every year—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—with different content and themes.

The four seas of East, South, West, and North will hold their preliminaries and group stages from the 20th year of the Jingxin Era until the 30th year of the Jingxin Era, selecting the strongest batch of battle pets.

The following ten years will be competitions among the four seas, selecting the best from the best.

Finally, representing Great Zhou, they will compete against the Water Clan in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition to allocate slots for entering the Ancient Dragon Court.

It is now the 12th month of the 21st year of the Jingxin Era.

Zhao Xing plans to take Ao Tian Miao, the Tiger-Dragon, and the Green Phoenix to participate in the first Winter Preliminary of the Western Region of the Zixiao Archipelago.

As for the Upside-Down Goat and the Xiaotian Dog, they are still in their infancy and are not suitable for competition.

However, before going, he must still list the Wildcat, the Tiger-Dragon, and the Green Phoenix on the roster.

After approval from the Chongming Prefecture, the 【Divine Selection Office】 of the Twin Islands Dragon-Horse Stable possesses true efficacy.

November 29th.

Under the gaze of the Dragon-Horse Stable personnel and Sun Shizhao.

Zhao Xing, accompanied by his three battle beasts, entered the Divine Selection Office to worship.

Not long after, within the temple, three streaks of Jin Guang flashed, landing on the Wildcat, the Tiger-Dragon, and the Green Phoenix.

"Ao Tian Miao is now eating the imperial salary too."

Zhao Xing looked at the glowing Wildcat; this was receiving the baptism of the nation's fortune.

Of course, having not even passed the preliminaries yet, there is actually little growth; it is merely a formality.

But nominally, Ao Tian is now an 'Official Cat'.

During the competition period, he can receive a portion of rations from the imperial court; in quarters without competition, there is none.

500 Soldier Realm Merit Points per month of competition; this is already a lot!

It must be known that Zhao Xing's annual salary is only fifty thousand; including the bonus for merit rank, it totals eight hundred thousand.

If Ao Tian breaks through in the East Sea, he can receive an official salary and be granted a specific official rank!

In this way, Zhao Xing, as the master of the Wildcat, can enjoy the blessings.

If the Wildcat can participate in the Four Seas Competition and win a ranking in the contest against the Water Clan, there is hope for being granted a title of nobility and merit!

Whoever sees him must address him as "My Lord Ao Tian".

As his master, he would also receive rewards, even promotion in rank and title.

"Beast Tamers have a bright future too." Zhao Xing smiled as he watched the mountain cat bow properly before the statue.

Because of the existence of the Dragon Court Ancient Land, many Beast Tamers became wealthy because of it.

This grand event, held once every hundred years, began during the reign of the Grand Ancestor.

Over two thousand years, three or four hundred people ascended to great heights through their battle beasts.

For many Tamers were only of the Sixth Rank themselves, yet the beasts they cultivated reached the Fourth Rank.

A Beast Tamer's battle beast must naturally be stronger than the Tamer; otherwise, what's the point of taming? One might as well roll up one's sleeves and fight oneself.

And if the battle beast wins a ranking or gains something in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, it counts as a contribution to the imperial court.

Even the most incompetent Tamer would be promoted to the Fifth Rank; historically, there have even been Beast Tamers who jumped straight from the Sixth Rank to the Third Rank!

There have even been cases where battle beasts were ennobled as Marquises.

"Aotian, you must work hard these few years."

"Whether we two can rise in rank and get rich depends on you," Zhao Xing joked.

"If you can bring back a great treasure from the Dragon Court Ancient Land, I might just become Third Rank."

"Meow!" Aotian nodded obediently.

…………

After the ceremony, Sun Shizhao came to offer congratulations. Tao Anchun, Cao Jiang, Dong Yuanqiu, and others were extremely excited.

Because of the previous Supervisor, Twin Island had not obtained a qualification spot for the preliminaries in a long time; when they went out, they could not hold their heads high.

Although this time they had entered through the back door, regardless, they had secured a spot.

"My Lord Sun, while I am not at the Dragon Horse Bureau, I trouble you to look after Lu Island," Zhao Xing said.

He was going to Zixiao Island and would need to bring Dong Yuanqiu, Tao Anchun, and the others.

Participating in the competition was not simply a matter of sending one person; the beast doctors from the Divine Feeding Bureau, the Chenghua Bureau, and the Tuoquan Palace all had to go.

The eating, drinking, excretion, and treatment of injuries for the battle pets must all be handled by their own people.

Although he possessed the Myriad Dharma Projection, his true body also had to go, for the Twin Island Dragon Horse Bureau had no other Tamers; he himself was the only one. During the competition, he would inevitably be unable to divide his attention.

"Rest assured, Marquis Yuanrang," Sun Shizhao said. "If a single hair is missing from the Dragon Horse Bureau, you may hold me accountable."

Zhao Xing smiled and clasped his hands in a bow. Since Sun Shizhao had staked his entire fortune, Zhao Xing naturally trusted him.

"The daily affairs of the Dragon Horse Bureau will be handed over to Bao Shiqiu to handle. Ling Ruoxue, you are responsible for assisting Lord Bao."

"Yes."

…………

On the first day of the twelfth month, Zhao Xing, accompanied by the mountain cat, the Tiger-Jiao, the Green Phoenix, and officials of various ranks from the Twin Island Dragon Horse Bureau, boarded the Cloud-Rain Tower Ship and headed for the Zixiao Arena.

On the morning of the second day of the twelfth month, they arrived at the Zixiao Arena.