Chapter 246: Eight Years Later, News of Mi Fu, Breaking Through to Fifth Rank!

In Tianjing City, Zhao Xing, accompanied by Shanmao, Qingluan, and Huajiao, landed at Kaiyang Hall amidst countless gazes.

At this moment, Huang Jian was utterly stunned.

"Shanmao? It actually belongs to Brother Zhao?!"

The other team leaders from Qixing Island quickly stood up, assuming defensive stances.

Only after discovering Shanmao had entered the courtyard nearby did they relax.

A short while later, Zhao Xing ran over to bid Huang Jian farewell: "Brother Huang, I fear I may bring you trouble later; we are preparing to find another place to settle."

Huang Jian asked, "Has Brother Zhao already found one?"

"It has already been secured."

"Very well, then we shall gather another day."

After Zhao Xing and the others left, the person beside Huang Jian said:

"Brother Huang, this cat is his? Truly extraordinary."

"Why did you not try to persuade them to stay?"

Huang Jian glanced at the speaker; it was Gu Yi, who had previously opposed inviting Zhao Xing to join their actions.

"You did not agree before."

"What use is saying this now?" Huang Jian said indifferently, "Continue searching for the flags."

…………

Zhao Xing purchased a manor and moved his people to a new location to settle.

For the following six days, he familiarized himself with the spells of a Beast Tamer within the manor.

On the eleventh day, the Flag Capture Competition ended.

A large number of battle beasts were eliminated.

The very next day, the 'Survival Competition' began immediately.

Wang Wang Xuanyi of the Third Rank, the Minister of Agriculture, took action, muddying the heavenly timing and earthly advantages of Tianjing Island.

Apart from the city area, terrifying heavenly phenomena were everywhere on the rest of Tianjing Island.

Subterranean fire erupted, extreme ice froze the land, acid rain fell from the sky... a single cloud covered the entire Tianjing Island.

It lasted a full seven days; during this period, all things on the island withered and fell silent. Except for areas of human activity, no other place could provide supplies.

Under such harsh conditions, spiritual energy was consumed greatly, yet no supplies could be obtained.

When the survival competition ended, both Huajiao and Qingluan were on the verge of death, their entire bodies having shrunk a size.

Even Shanmao lost its usual liveliness; upon returning, it ate fish in huge mouthfuls.

On December 18th, the survival competition concluded.

In just one day, Huajiao and Qingluan could not recover at all.

Because on the 19th, the 'Ice-Bound Training' was immediately launched. The arena was underwater, starting from the northern outer sea of Tianjing Island, swimming east, south, west, circling the island, and returning to the starting point.

Zhao Xing did not let Qingluan and Huajiao go to their deaths; he directly had the two battle beasts choose to withdraw from the competition.

Only Shanmao embarked on the trial of the third stage.

Ten days later, in a certain sea area, Shanmao broke through the ice and emerged.

It lay sprawled on the ice layer, its stomach growling loudly from hunger.

Since Shanmao had not undergone such training and Zhao Xing was merely a novice Beast Tamer, Shanmao fell far behind in this stage.

It returned to the starting point as the one thousand and seventy-first swimmer.

But it received little rest time, because the next day, a massive aerial melee was to be held immediately.

The strange beasts could not land; they had to continue fighting in the air. This was another competition item testing endurance and combat power.

The final stage was when things truly became cruel.

The Frost-Winged Giant Bear wielding a giant axe, the Fiery Soul Dragon clad in custom dragon armor, the Emperor Crocodile equipped with a set of divine weapons, and the Lingxi Chong began joining forces to eliminate the other battle beasts.

One by one, battle beasts died, and their essence blood was subsequently devoured by stronger battle beasts.

Countless battle beasts fell from the sky; Shanmao had learned its lesson, only wandering the edge areas, relying on its agile movements to dodge.

Two days later, three thousand battle beasts passed the preliminary round.

The sea surface had turned blood red. Shanmao returned to the city and, upon arrival, fell into a deep sleep.

Zhao Xing looked at the blood-covered Shanmao, washed it, and upon discovering it was all the blood of other battle beasts, immediately felt relieved.

"After all, Shanmao is not a true battle beast. Although its strength is great, compared to a true battle beast, it lacks many things; it must be trained more in the future."

"I too must become a true Beast Tamer; otherwise, I am just dragging Shanmao down."

Zhao Xing summarized his experience and decided not to participate in the preliminary competitions for the next few years, focusing instead on cultivating Shanmao, Xiaotian, and Diandao Yang.

…………

After returning at the end of December, Shanmao's performance attracted the attention of many forces in the Zixiao Archipelago.

Many people learned the news and rushed to the Twin Dragon Horse Stable, wanting to buy Shanmao.

"Marquis Yuanrang, name your price; Shanmao is a waste in your hands."

"Do you know how to speak? Get lost!"

"Marquis Yuanrang, I am willing to exchange ten Fourth-Rank battle beasts for your Shanmao; they all possess Divine-Grade Third-Tier bloodlines."

"Do you think my lord is foolish? Escort them out!"

"Marquis Yuanrang..."

"No visitors!"

Some wanted to buy openly, while others began to entertain crooked thoughts.

On the large islands of the Zixiao Archipelago, the functions of government institutions were relatively high, and Fourth-Rank officials were not lacking.

Since you won't sell the cat, then bring Zhao Xing over too!

He's Sixth Rank, isn't he? Promote him to Fifth Rank and transfer him to our commandery—won't the cat then be ours too?

Thus, a strange scene emerged in Chongming Prefecture.

Many officials of Third Rank and above traveled to Chongming Prefecture, lobbying to have Zhao Xing added to the promotion candidate list.

Upon learning of this, Zhao Xing could only laugh and cry.

He had intended to use the mountain cat to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Land and thereby earn promotion—never expecting promotion to come this fast.

Yet Zhao Xing chose to refuse; if he was to be promoted, it must be through his own merit!

If one wants to take the back door, why rely on these profit-driven people?

Besides, Zhao Xing was still preparing to break through to Fifth Rank; promotion now would disrupt his plans entirely.

Thus, in the first month of Jingxin Year 22, Zhao Xing traveled to Chongming Prefecture and asked Wang Xuanyi to block all these ill-intentioned individuals.

His reasoning was simple: he had been there less than two years, and his only outstanding performance record was one year—how could he possibly be promoted to Third Rank? It would be tantamount to burying his own future.

Wang Xuanyi personally promised he would not allow anyone to interfere with Zhao Xing's promotion.

Jingxin Year 22, second month, tenth day—Spring She Festival.

Zhao Xing returned to Dongyang County, Bixian Commandery, aboard a pavilion ship to celebrate the New Year.

Chen Shijie and Guiniang had also returned, but Long Xiao still had not come home.

"Could Long Xiao have gone to the Bai Yun Martial Clan for the New Year?" Zhao Xing asked.

"No," Chen Shijie said. "This year, his superior truly kept him on duty."

"Huh? Didn't Bai Ling summon him?" Zhao Xing asked.

"They reportedly quarreled. Bai Ling had his superior assign him extra tasks and forbade him to leave Hongshi Island."

"..."

Zhao Xing fell silent—he couldn't help but feel this sounded like another Princess Youruo.

Come to think of it, Princess Youruo had recently been quarreling with Liu Tianning too.

Zhao Xing had arranged a visit in advance, but Princess Youruo didn't even reply.

It was Ji Zixuan who secretly told him: Princess Youruo had flown into a rage days ago, screaming at Liu Tianning inside the palace.

Zhao Xing had also asked Ji Zixuan the reason.

It was said Princess Youruo wanted Liu Tianning's true body to come keep her company—official duties could be handled by his clones.

But Old Liu refused, citing overwhelming official duties.

The old witch hadn't visited the Emperor all year, planning to spend the holiday with her beloved.

They ended up in a huge fight; not only did Old Liu's true body not come, he didn't even send a single clone.

"Old Liu is just too clueless—I'm still living on his turf," Zhao Xing sighed.

But he knew he couldn't blame Liu Tianning.

Because by year's end, the Middle Three Ranks War would begin, and training for lower ranks would end entirely.

The Emperor would deploy seven armies from the Ten Caverns: Tongyou, Jiuxiao, Huang Quan, Xuanming, Tiancang, Taixu, and Wu Yao.

The deployment of these seven elite cavern armies was the highest configuration short of the Emperor's personal campaign.

If the Emperor himself led the campaign, he would bring his three personal guards: Jinwu, Luanyi, and Shenxiu.

With the Middle Three Ranks War about to begin, Liu Tianning, as Transport Commissioner, was utterly swamped. Though he had ten thousand clones, his mental energy was limited—he simply had no time to come now.

He might spare one clone to make a show, but his true body was out of the question.

"Lao… Teacher and Princess Youruo quarreled too," Zhao Xing sighed. "I probably won't even get into the Princess's mansion this year. Lao Chen, you're right—people must stand on their own feet; no patron is better than one's own strength."

"Last year, officials flooded my home just to attend my coming-of-age ceremony; this year, my household is much quieter."

Chen Shijie smiled: "Quiet is better. Don't talk about this during the New Year. Come on, let's go make She rice."

"Alright."

…………

Jingxin Year 22, third month—Zhao Xing returned to the Twin Dragon Horse Supervision.

He focused on three tasks: training warhorses for the Xuanjia Army, Wulu Army, and Jiujiang Army.

This was the foundation of his performance record; as long as annual orders continued, his record would remain strong.

Second, an order from Bishui Dao Academy, primarily custom-made for the Imperial Beast Bureau.

Zhao Xing added a new condition to this year's renewal: he would have Bishui Dao Academy's high-rank Beast Tamer teach him.

The third task was training Xiaotian Dog, Aotian Cat, and Diandao Sheep.

These were his ticket to the Dragon Court Ancient Land—the rare treasures within it had profound influence; he could not afford to miss them.

He might even obtain Qi-infused items in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, greatly aiding his cultivation of Pure Yuan Soil and Benwo Sect practice.

There were also precious plant soldiers: Void Seeds and Parasitic Seeds.

"Old Liu's Ten Thousand Methods clones are powerful, but not powerful enough. If my Ten Thousand Methods clone were built upon ancient Dragon Vines, with True Dragon bones and Dragon Blood as its source, I could possess a Ten Thousand Methods True Dragon clone of terrifying combat power."

"The Dragon Court Ancient Land may also yield Void Seeds, rooted in the Void—this would fully compensate for the Benwo Sect's Agricultural Bureau's lack of aerial firepower."

"If I can obtain these things, when I go to Shangluo Academy, I can smoothly take over Old Liu's position and become the leader of the Benwo Sect."

He must go to the Dragon Court Ancient Land—originally, that was why Zhao Xing came to the East Sea.

In Tuquan Palace.

Aotian the mountain cat stared at the little one, Xiaotian.

"Wang wang~" Xiaotian Dog barked twice at the mountain cat, then bit its tail.

"Pam~" Aotian swept its tail, flinging it away, its expression one of disdain.

But Xiaotian sprang up again, sniffing here and there, then slowly shuffled back over.

"Meow!" The mountain cat suddenly bristled, pinning the Xiaotian Dog down with one paw.

That damn dog actually came to lick its belly! This cat is male; where would it get milk for you to drink!

"Woof-woof~" The Xiaotian expressed deep grievance; it was hungry.

The mountain cat, helpless, swept a gust of fierce wind, causing the bronze bell hanging above the palace to ring out immediately.

Soon, Tao Anchun from the Divine Beast Rearing Bureau appeared outside the door.

He carried several large buckets of food inside, glanced at the bronze bell, and looked somewhat puzzled.

"Why did the Jingyuan Bell ring? According to the schedule, it shouldn't be time to feed and replenish Yuan Qi yet."

However, since he was already here, Tao Anchun still added extra rations for all the battle beasts.

After Tao Anchun left, the mountain cat pointed at the bronze bell, then at the food placed on the ground, and barked once at the Xiaotian Dog.

The Xiaotian Dog suddenly understood.

It was night, the hour of Zi.

"Ding! Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!"

Tao Anchun, who had just been about to lie down to sleep, changed expression.

Why did the Jingyuan Bell ring again?

He had already run eight trips today!

"Could it be that a battle beast broke through and lacks food for replenishment?" Tao Anchun immediately got up again, dragging a boatload of food flying toward the Tuoquan Palace.

Upon arriving at Tuoquan Palace, he saw Zhao Xing was there as well.

"My lord, were you disturbed by the Jingyuan Bell?" Tao Anchun asked.

"Mm, just happened to come over and take a look."

"I wonder how many battle beasts broke through."

"No breakthroughs; it's the Cangni's doing." Zhao Xing pointed to the door of the room where the Xiaotian Dog was kept. "The door seal was chewed apart by it, and it is banging the Jingyuan Bell."

Tao Anchun: "..."

Zhao Xing found the mountain cat lying nearby: "Did you teach it to do this?"

The mountain cat nodded obediently.

"I told you to train the dog, not to teach it to play this game," Zhao Xing said with a bad temper.

"This isn't training a dog; it's clearly training a human."

"Now I understand why Tao Anchun comes to Tuoquan Palace to feed eight times a day."

Tao Anchun chuckled: "My lord, these two battle beasts of yours are truly spiritual."

"This won't do; I still need to find a professional Beast Tamer to come and teach me," Zhao Xing said. "Lord Tao, when is Zhai Zhong from the Bishui Dao Academy arriving?"

"The appointment is set for the first day of the fourth month."

In the twenty-second year of the Jingxin Era, early fourth month, the Spring Tournament of Ten Thousand Beasts began.

After Zhao Xing delivered the new batch of orders, Qin Hongying, the branch dean of the Bishui Dao Academy, sent Zhai Zhong to Twin Island to instruct Zhao Xing in the methods of Beast Taming.

In the fifth month, the Xiaotian Dog and the Inverted Sheep left the cub stage and entered the growth stage, reaching the Eighth Grade Spirit Bridge Realm.

The speed of Yuan Qi absorption accelerated, and they ate even more.

"You have raised them quite well," Zhai Zhong said, pinching the Xiaotian's bones.

"The Cangni originally possessed the bloodline of the ancient mythical beast Suanni. With long-term training, it has now grown very well, with its bloodline power activated to the third tier."

Zhao Xing nodded; if one eats and sleeps all day, sleeps and eats all day, even the strongest bloodline would be ruined.

Human cultivators are the same; if one is lazy and gluttonous every day, even a genius would become useless in less than three years.

"In the future, please continue to offer your guidance, Master Zhai."

Mid-fourth month, the Spring Tournament of Ten Thousand Beasts began.

Kunte of Nine Dragon Island, who had mustered all his strength, brought fifty battle beasts possessing mythical beast bloodlines to compete this time.

However, he did not see Twin Island on the list.

Zhao Xing also did not participate in the Summer Tournament or the Autumn Tournament.

The scene of the mountain cat slaying a god last winter seemed merely a fleeting moment.

November seventh, the twenty-second year of the Jingxin Era, the beginning of winter.

The Pingman Battlefield concluded low-grade troop training.

The original four Grotto-Heavens: Ten Yang, Danxia, Phantom Nether, and Yuan Hua, plus the Zhao Shi, were reduced to auxiliary roles.

Tong You, Nine Heavens, Yellow Springs, Xuan Ming, Heaven Granary, Grand Void, and Wu Yao, the seven Grotto-Heavens, entered the battle.

All below the Sixth Grade withdrew from the battlefield.

The Sixth Grade Tiangang Realm became the minimum threshold for participation.

The Fourth Grade Yuan Soul Realm became the main generals.

Zhao Xing's familiar main generals: Yang An, Marquis of Bobing, commander of the Divine Might Army; Xiang Kui, Marquis of Xuanjia, commander of the Black Armor Army; Xu Xinming, Marquis of Mingwu, commander of the Tiger Crocodile Army; and Ding Yang, Marquis of Yangwu, commander of the Blazing Sun Army, all returned to the battlefield.

"Lu Yuanwei has advanced to the Fifth Grade; he remains behind, participating in the battle with the Divine Thunder Army."

"Xia Jing has also advanced to the Fifth Grade; following his cousin Xia Tong, he continues to participate in the mid-grade war."

"And Pei Yuanchang, Ji Chen..."

Zhao Xing looked at these reports, closed his eyes, and entered a dream.

"Compared to the previous life, the mid-grade great war started three years early; originally, the mid-grade great war should have opened in the twenty-fifth year of the Jingxin Era and ended in the thirty-fourth year of the Jingxin Era."

"Now it has changed so much; it seems the Ten Suns Overhead altered the course." Zhao Xing thought silently.

In this life, the Ten Suns Overhead saw far fewer mid-level generals die.

Of course, Zhao Xing guessed that fewer deaths were not the main reason.

Ultimately, the nature of the Ten Suns Overhead had changed.

In the previous life, it was defined as a natural disaster; in this life, it was mixed with human calamity.

"The Xuantian Sect was discovered, causing the Great Zhou to become even more furious; Emperor Jing even dispatched seven of the top ten strongest armies right from the start."

"In the previous life, there were only three Imperial Guards at the beginning; they were supposed to increase to seven only later."

"I wonder what impact this will have."

Zhao Xing pondered for a while in his dream.

Then he woke up.

He went to the temple in Twin County, Wan Island, and activated the Earth Mirror to contact Liu Tianning remotely.

"Teacher, I heard there have been changes on the Pingman battlefield; do you have any influence?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I have concurrently taken the post of Yu Qing Envoy for the Shangyu Bureau of Pinghaizhou and sent some clones to the Liang Wang Ting." Liu Tianning said.

"Shangyu Bureau?" Zhao Xing was stunned; isn't that for intelligence? Why is Old Liu playing at infiltration?

However, Liu Tianning did not over-explain: "You are in the East Sea; you must also be careful and guard against those with ulterior motives."

"Who does the Teacher refer to?" Zhao Xing asked.

"The Liang Wang faction, the Eastern Desolation forces, and the seventy-two Xie Sects." Liu Tianning said, "You are in the East Sea; even if I wanted to help you, my arm is too short to reach. You must keep a low profile over there."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing was lost in thought.

Old Liu must have found something out; otherwise, since I have already come to the East Sea, he wouldn't still be telling me to guard against Liang Wang.

What is the situation with those seventy-two Xie Sects and the Eastern Japan forces?

After ending the conversation with Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing re-entered his dream.

He found the impact brought by the Ten Suns Overhead was extremely profound.

Although the Great Zhou defined it as natural disaster plus human calamity, with the natural disaster being the main factor.

Yet in the propaganda of the Southern Desolation, all the credit was completely attributed to the Xuantian Sect.

Blood Spirit Venerable overturned the Ten Yang Cave Heaven, greatly boosting the Fangwaizong Sect world.

Plus, at the end of the low-rank troop training stage, the Great Zhou showed signs of decline, so everywhere under the four seas and eight desolations became restless.

"Emperor Jing urgently needs a great victory to intimidate the four seas and eight desolations; this should be the reason he started the mid-rank great war three years early."

"The seventy-two Xie Sects split from the seventy-two Academies. What Fangwai forces are there deep in the East Sea? Bishui Xie Sect? Tiankui Xie Sect?" Zhao Xing felt even the water tribes might become restless.

"Who knows what the future will look like; I hope Emperor Jing does not fail too badly this time. Otherwise, when we get to Wu Di, who knows what it will be like. Hmm? Three years early; will Wu Di still be born?"

Zhao Xing suddenly realized that the Jingxin Era originally lasted until the thirty-seventh year before ending; now if three years are missing, will Emperor Jing still be able to give birth to Wu Di?

"Never mind; whoever becomes Emperor does not affect me becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"As long as I can become the Grand Minister leader of any Renyiyi Sect, sooner or later I will sit in that position."

In the twenty-third year of Jingxin, Zhao Xing still stayed on Twin Island serving as his Left Zheng.

In the first half of the year, Zhao Xing still did not see Princess Youruo.

The old witch seemed to have completely forgotten Zhao Xing's existence.

However, on important festivals, Zhao Xing still sent gifts and greetings to the Princess's Mansion.

What comforted Zhao Xing was that the old witch still accepted the gifts he sent.

She just did not want to see him personally.

Mid-year, Mountain Cat advanced from early Fifth Rank to mid Fifth Rank.

Howling Heaven Dog and Upside-Down Sheep entered the late stage of the Seventh Rank Earth Fiend Realm.

Zhao Xing's Beast Taming Arts also became more and more proficient.

At the end of the year, the political performance evaluation given to him by Chongming Prefecture still received an Excellent grade.

Early in the twenty-fourth year of Jingxin.

Yang An slashed a Third Rank Sky Witch with one sword in the Southern Desolation, his name shook the world, and he was deified as Marquis Shenwei.

That same summer, Shang Shang Ziyan and Su Minghui from the Bishui Academy's Beast Taming Bureau participated in the summer preliminaries and stood out.

In winter, Mountain Cat entered late Fifth Rank, while Howling Heaven Dog and Upside-Down Sheep entered early Sixth Rank.

Autumn of the twenty-fifth year of Jingxin.

Howling Heaven Dog and Upside-Down Sheep entered early Fifth Rank and passed the autumn competition preliminaries.

This time Zhao Xing was much more low-key; Howling Heaven and Upside-Down Sheep did not display overly strong strength.

In the second-to-last preliminary on Tianjing Island, Howling Heaven and Upside-Down Sheep passed by the narrowest margin.

Until the end of December, the preliminaries for the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition ended; next, one only needs to participate in a group match within five years to qualify from the East Sea.

After participating in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition, Zhao Xing followed Liu Tianning's advice and quietly farmed on Twin Island.

He rarely paid attention even to the Pingman Great War.

Besides daily administrative affairs, all his energy was used to research the Ten Thousand Methods Straw Man, cultivate war beasts, and contemplate the Three Great Secret Classics.

He only occasionally wrote letters to Yun Yi, Li Fuhan, and Yue Lingzhi whom he had invested in before, sending them some precious medicinal herbs and resources from the island.

Day after day of farming and cultivation, time seemed to speed up.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the twenty-ninth year of Jingxin.

In the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era, on the fifth day of the third month, Jingzhe.

In an unnamed sea area far from Twin Island, five thousand meters beneath the seabed.

A black Cangni floated on the seabed.

"Gulong~"

Xiaotian spat out a bubble ring, which suddenly expanded to a diameter of half a meter.

A wisp of red light appeared in Xiaotian's mouth.

"Pop!" As if a fire dragon had drilled out of Xiaotian's mouth, a dragon-shaped light pillar instantly spread a thousand meters away.

The powerful impact created a negative-pressure air explosion in the deep sea.

"Boom!" The red light pillar struck a magical wall floating in the distance.

On the sea surface, a crisp wind chime sound rang beside Zhao Xing, who sat cross-legged on the deck of the tower ship.

"Dingling~"

Zhao Xing opened his eyes and saw a crystal beside him projecting a line of text onto the ground.

【The identification test secret technique is the high-grade secret technique 'Flame of Destruction'.】

【Test power: Early Yuanpo Realm.】

【Test distance: One thousand two hundred meters.】

【Lethal range: Three-meter radius.】

"A strike from a thousand two hundred meters beneath the seabed has already reached the power of the Early Yuanpo Realm; this trip was indeed not in vain." Zhao Xing smiled.

"Xiaotian, come up."

"Wang!"

The Cangni in the deep sea immediately turned into a wisp of rainbow light and swam upward.

Splash~

The sea surface exploded; a water column shot skyward, and a black-and-red figure shot out with a "whoosh," landing on the deck.

"Wang Wang!" Xiaotian grinned, tongue out, wagging its tail toward Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing pointed a finger, took a drop of blood from Xiaotian, and placed it into the 'Shangheng Instrument'.

The high-grade Shangheng Instrument then displayed its detailed information.

【Name: Cangni.】

【Grade: Mid-Fifth Grade.】

【Bloodline: Divine Tier Seven.】

【Innate Secret Technique: Suanni Power.】

【A bloodline ability inherited from the ancient divine beast Suanni; upon activation, the force of blood and qi is greatly enhanced to the Mid-Yuanpo Realm. Estimated duration: two shichen.】

【Innate Secret Technique: Suanni Dharma Form.】

【When the Suanni bloodline reaches the Tier Seven level, the Suanni Dharma Form can be manifested, increasing the power of all Fire-attribute secret techniques by seven times for one shichen.】

【Innate Secret Technique: Destruction Impact.】

【Attack potency: Mid-Yuanpo Realm.】

【Innate Secret Technique: Fire-Attribute Domain (Triple).】

【Effect: Using the power of Heaven and Earth's Fire attribute, it burns all enemies within the domain.】

【Effective range: Three thousand meters; maximum lethal range: three hundred meters.】

【Second Transformation: Blazing Sun Pure Origin Body.】

【Pure Origin Possession: (Possession conditions met).】

【Comprehensive combat power evaluation: Mid-Fourth Grade Yuanpo.】

"The comprehensive combat power evaluation has reached Mid-Fourth Grade Yuanpo; no wonder it possesses divine beast bloodline." Zhao Xing turned off the Shangheng Instrument.

"However, there is still great room for improvement."

Xiaotian the Dog is currently only Mid-Fifth Grade, while the maximum upper limit for the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition is Fourth Grade.

"Let us see where the next sea atmospheric change will occur."

Zhao Xing walked into the tower ship.

Inside the Yunyu Tower Ship, there was a very spacious room containing only one thing: the shell of a Ten-Thousand-Year Black Turtle.

After eight years of refinement via the Fire-Forging Method, the shell plate of the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Turtle had shrunk tenfold and could finally be loaded onto the ship for transport.

Had it remained in its original form, this Yunyu Tower Ship could not have held it; a warship would have been required.

"My Divination of Atmospheric Changes has reached the Third Turn of the High-Grade level; this spell is specifically used to predict atmospheric changes between Heaven and Earth."

"Although it is only Third Turn of the High-Grade, the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Turtle shell can achieve the effect of High-Grade Perfection."

The 'Divination of Atmospheric Changes' is divided into land and ocean sections; for these past few years, Zhao Xing has cultivated the version specifically for predicting atmospheric changes at sea.

His own Thunder Atmospheric Change has certain limitations; it works best on Earth-attribute strange beasts, while its effect on other attributes is relatively poor.

The higher the combat beast's grade, the harder it is for Thunder Atmospheric Change to succeed.

Therefore, starting seven years ago, Zhao Xing began chasing 'Sea Atmospheric Changes'.

"Above the great sea and beneath the ocean, the frequency of atmospheric changes is far greater than on land, and the types are diverse."

"In seven years, a total of five hundred ninety-four 'Decadal Atmospheric Changes' and twenty-four 'Centennial Atmospheric Changes' were discovered."

"Not a single 'Millennial Atmospheric Change' level event was found." Zhao Xing recalled.

"Only one-fifth of the usable Decadal-level atmospheric changes were useful."

"Centennial atmospheric changes are even rarer; only six were suitable, while the rest carried great risks with uncontrollable consequences."

Upon locating the site of a sea atmospheric change, Zhao Xing would clear the sea area of all creatures, leaving only Xiaotian and the Inverted Sheep to occupy the atmospheric change zone.

As for Aotian Miao, a century-long waiting for transformation of this level is useless to it.

Amidst the Heaven and Earth waiting for transformation, the Howling Sky Dog and the Upside-Down Sheep have both achieved immense growth.

The Spirit Illusion Goat breed excels in illusion arts; at the mid-stage of the Fifth Rank Pure Origin realm, its comprehensive combat power evaluation has also reached the mid-stage of the Fourth Rank Yuan Soul.

"I recall a millennium-long waiting for transformation occurred in the Eastern Sea, where a giant Kun transformed into a great Peng bird."

"I have calculated for seven years and found a landmark reference object, but I do not know its specific location or the time of occurrence."

Zhao Xing pointed a finger, and flames erupted from the room, setting the entire ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle shell ablaze.

Zhao Xing opened his Heavenly Eye to scan the turtle shell, obtaining the same result as before.

In his mind, a black sea appeared, within which three peculiar islands emerged, standing like war blades between heaven and earth.

Seeing no further information, Zhao Xing opened his eyes; after burning, the turtle shell had shrunk slightly.

"Since I can still see it, that proves it has not yet happened," Zhao Xing thought silently. "I wonder if Long Xiao can help find this place."

It is now the spring of the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era; since the end of the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era, the three of them came to the Eastern Sea to serve as officials.

Now, Long Xiao has already risen to the Fifth Rank, left Hongshi Commandery, entered the White-Eyed Green Dragon Army, and become an official Fifth Rank Sea Patrol Envoy.

He and Chen Shijie remain at the upper level of the official Sixth Rank.

Long Xiao was faster than both of them, rising in the twenty-seventh year; that was a special speed, whereas Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing must endure two more years, which is the normal speed.

Of course, Zhao Xing could rise at any time, but he did not want to, because the Fifth Rank meant leaving Twin Island and being transferred to the Great Island.

Liu Tianning asked him to keep a low profile, and he did not oppose it; the Liang Wang faction's influence in the Eastern Sea grew larger and larger, and in recent years, even some Fangwaizong Sects appeared on the sea causing trouble, disguising themselves as pirates to intercept shipping lanes.

Since he could rise at any time anyway, he might as well develop on Twin Island. He had also spent considerable effort on Twin Island.

"With Long Xiao's help finding the place, if we still cannot find it, then I have no fate with this location; without fate, I will not force it."

Zhao Xing reactivated the Divination Method, calculated the century-level waiting for transformation, and after receiving the revelation, prepared to set sail southward.

During the voyage, Zhao Xing used the Five Fingers of Heavenly Mandate to calculate his own fortune.

"Heavenly Mandate seeks the cause, long-held wishes will be fulfilled, auspicious."

"Hmm? What does this mean? Long-held wishes will be fulfilled, could it be..." Zhao Xing closed his eyes.

At the same time, the Myriad Methods Avatar on Twin Island went online.

The moment it went online, Zhao Xing discovered the Earth Mirror on this avatar trembling.

Zhao Xing discovered this message was sent by Xia Jing.

"Voom~"

A phantom shadow appeared, displaying Xia Jing's figure.

Xia Jing at this time was already a Fifth Rank martial general in the Black Armor Army; compared to a few years ago, he had become much more mature and even grown a beard.

"What is wrong, Brother Xia? Is the offensive unfavorable?" Zhao Xing asked.

At this stage of the Great War against the Barbarians, the mid-grade phase had already lasted seven years; the battlefield situation was no longer smooth sailing as at the beginning, but had entered a war of attrition.

Territory seized today might be snatched back by the Southern Wilderness tomorrow, and even Fourth Rank martial generals had died in large numbers.

"No," Xia Jing said. "Our army has been resting and stationed in Mingfeng City for three months, and General Xiang has not yet made further plans to advance."

"Then what is the sudden reason you seek me?"

"The Mi Fu you previously entrusted me to find has news," Xia Jing cursed. "Damn it, we brothers have been searching for this old dog for nearly ten years. I never expected he would actually be exiled to 'Guixu City'; now I understand why we couldn't find him."

Zhao Xing was stunned, then overjoyed: "Are you sure this Mi Fu is the Fifth Rank Minister of Agriculture who knows the Benwo Sect's arts?"

"Yes, the Zhejie Art and the Xiyuan Art; my ears have grown calluses from hearing them!"

Zhao Xing suppressed the excitement in his heart: "Continue speaking; let me see if it matches."

Xia Jing said, "This person's resume is quite spectacular."

"He is one hundred and fifty-four years old this year, a native of Guangyuan Commandery in Yuanpin Prefecture."

"However, this person only began serving as an official at the age of fifty."

"In the one hundred and forty-ninth year of the Dingxin Era, he passed the exam to enter 'Lianhua Academy' to study."

"He graduated at sixty with the status of a Dao Official, went to spiritual power Commandery to serve as a Minister of Agriculture official, starting as the official Ninth Rank upper-level Field Steward."

"The first ten years were very smooth; he quickly rose to the upper level of the official Seventh Rank."

"After that, for thirty years, by the time he was one hundred, he reached the upper level of the official Fifth Rank."

"As a result, for some reason, in the following fifty-four years, he kept spinning at the Fifth Rank."

"In fifty-four years, he changed seventeen places; he was transferred or dismissed after working in one place for at most three years."

"From the Fifth Rank to the official Fifth Rank, from the official Fifth Rank back to the Fifth Rank; he went up and down more than ten times. Strangely, every time he was demoted, he could rise again not long after."

"Until the seventeenth year of the Jingxin Era, he was demoted to the official Sixth Rank and exiled to Guixu City; this time he did not rise as quickly, only being promoted again at the beginning of spring this year."

"It was at this time that my uncle finally locked onto him from the official list of Guangling Prefecture."

"This old fellow is simply not dedicated to his duties."

Xia Jing sighed: "He once served as a teacher at Shangluo Academy, then worked as a military Minister of Agriculture in the Thousand Blade Army of Yuanpin Prefecture; in the middle, he changed careers to become a blacksmith at the Heaven Workshop; at the end of the Dingxin Era, he even served as an Inspector, then changed careers again to become a martial artist."

"Five years ago, he even took the exams for a Prefecture Music Master and Dance Master; it is said he is also good at painting and can even create Dao-transmitting paintings..."

"I understand now why we couldn't find him; for these few decades, he rarely did the work of a Minister of Agriculture. The point is he actually managed to pass the exams, and his political evaluation was not bad; he is truly a damn strange talent..."

Listening to Xia Jing's complaints, Zhao Xing's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Yes, yes, yes, it is him!

Mi Fu is indeed a strange talent!

Otherwise, how could he have created the secret art known as the "Mysterious Yellow Xiyuan Art"?

Zhao Xing took a deep breath and said, "Brother Xia, the one I am looking for is precisely him!"

"Please tell me where he is now?"

Xia Jing said, "He was exiled and stationed in the Xingxu Realm of Guangling Prefecture, serving in Guixu City."

"Star Ruin Realm?" Zhao Xing frowned. "How have I never heard of it?"

Xia Jing said, "My uncle-in-law told me that the Hall of Heavenly Secrets calculated that this small world is nearing the end of its life, entering the 'Era of Nirvana'."

"It is vast and extremely chaotic. Because it has too many entrances, it has always been contested by multiple factions."

"It has never been listed within the Great Zhou's military realm scope, because the Great Zhou occupies only a small portion."

"The location of the Star Ruin Realm is not even certain to be within the Great Zhou, because the Great Zhou only seized the 'Gate Entrance'."

Hearing 'Gate Entrance', Zhao Xing understood.

No wonder he hadn't heard of it; for any small world with such a Gate Entrance, its location is ethereal, drifting through the void.

Its corresponding entrance in the Great Thousand World is unstable; the Gate Entrance is an opening stabilized by ancient sects using divine techniques and arrays.

Once the Gate Entrance is lost, it is equivalent to permanently losing contact with the small world; one cannot find it even if looking for it.

"Good, I understand," Zhao Xing said.

"Does my uncle-in-law need to do anything else?" Xia Jing asked. "The place is in Guangling Prefecture, after all."

"No need," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "I also have connections in Guangling Prefecture; did you forget?"

"True," Xia Jing realized. He remembered that Zhao Xing had sold spots in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven back then, accumulating quite a few favors.

"You must be careful in the Southern Wasteland; you are only a Commander right now," Zhao Xing reminded.

"Rest assured, I know," Xia Jing said. "It would be difficult to kill me; I cultivate the Gluttony Devouring Method internally and the Black Tortoise Shield externally; even a Fourth Rank might not be able to kill me."

"Be careful in the East Sea as well; I heard the East Sea has been unstable these past few years, and the Xie Sect has been appearing."

"Rest assured," Zhao Xing said. "I will farm low-key; no one will be able to find me."

…………

After ending the call with Xia Jing, Zhao Xing also received the detailed information Xia Jing had sent via the Earth Mirror.

After reading it over several times, Zhao Xing became entirely excited.

"Mi Fu, oh Mi Fu, this old man has searched for you so hard!"

"Thirteen years! Do you know how I have spent these thirteen years!" Zhao Xing was extremely agitated.

Since entering the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, he had entrusted Chen Shijie and Long Xiao to search.

Xia Jing had only searched for ten years, but he had been searching for this Mi Fu since thirteen years ago.

"Now that I have news of you, this old man finally doesn't have to wait."

In the great sea, aboard the Cloud-Rain Pavilion Ship, Zhao Xing's true body immediately began to break through to the Fifth Rank Pure Origin Realm.

Since Mi Fu has appeared, he no longer needs to wait.

Because in these years, all his spells have reached the perfection of High-Grade Spells!

Except for the Three Great Secret Canons and the Ten Thousand Dharma Divisions, Zhao Xing has nothing left to cultivate!

Now that he has obtained Mi Fu's whereabouts, he expects to soon obtain the 'Mysterious Yellow Origin Analysis Art'; thus, opening up Pure Origin soil can be put on the schedule.

He certainly must immediately enter the Fifth Rank Pure Origin Realm!

"Fifth Rank Pure Origin Realm, break for me!"

He was not entirely satisfied with the beast-taming segment he wrote; mainly, the flavor was wrong, the realm was too low, and it failed to spark his interest.

Next, he would adjust the pace, quickly transitioning through some boring daily cultivation routines.

Additionally, since Mi Fu has finally been found, it is time for Lord Zhao to break through to the Fifth Rank.

Next comes the plot regarding Mi Fu, the Longting Ancient Land, and Liang Wang's rebellion. Try not to fluff it.