Chapter 248: Opening the Pure Yuan Space, The Effect of the Profound Yellow Analysis Yuan Technique

"Have you heard my story?"

Facing this sudden 'admiration', Mi Fu looked at Zhao Xing with some suspicion.

He had no impression of Zhao Xing's face, nor was he familiar with that name.

"Of course!" Zhao Xing looked like a devoted fan. "Your glorious deeds could not be finished even in three days and three nights."

Zhao Xing began to recount Mi Fu's deeds.

He had prepared beforehand, not speaking of events too long ago, lest Mi Fu himself could not remember them.

Nor did he speak of events too recent, lest Mi Fu felt he was being watched and grew suspicious.

The content could not be too detailed, nor too brief; it needed slight exaggeration when spoken, thus fitting the perspective of a fan.

"In the 259th year of the Dingxin Era, you served as an official in Long Jing Commandery, Guangling Prefecture. Over three years, you dug forty-six canals, moved seven mountains, and reclaimed five million mu of fertile land for the people of Long Jing Commandery. Later, due to discord with the local commandery assistant, you were impeached by him, picking bones from eggs, stripped of your post and sent back to your hometown. Such conduct by the Long Jing Commandery assistant is simply devoid of all conscience!"

Mi Fu unconsciously lifted his chin, but then waved his hand and said, "It wasn't quite five million mu. When I was stripped of my post and sent back, that dog didn't fare well either; he was demoted two ranks just the same."

Zhao Xing clasped his hands and said, "In the 263rd year of the Dingxin Era, you returned to Guangyuan Commandery, Yuanpin Prefecture, serving as the Registrar of Cultivated Fields in Minghu County. You investigated two million mu of farmland registers concealed by wealthy households. You also returned farmland to forests, sealed the mountains for four years, and regulated the water veins, restoring Minghu's function of water storage and flood control. In just three years, the field taxes of Minghu County and the grain stored in the Imperial Granary recovered to the levels of the early Dingxin Era."

"This was an act benefiting the myriad people. You were an incorruptible official. The local nobles were utterly detestable yet could do nothing to you, so they could only buy an office to transfer you away. It is said that when you left your post, the common people escorted you for over ten li; I wish I could have witnessed that grand scene."

Mi Fu unconsciously puffed out his chest. Although Zhao Xing's words still contained some exaggeration and the numbers were not entirely accurate, these words truly struck a chord in his heart.

"... In the first year of the Jingxin Era, I heard that on your way to join the army, you encountered the Xuantian Sect causing chaos..."

"Not to join the army, nor was it the first year, but the third year of the Jingxin Era. At that time, I went to assist the Liangshan Army," Mi Fu recalled. "Hmph, those Xuantian demons actually dared to kidnap my subordinates; how could I let them go?"

"By all rights, you should have merit, so why were you demoted?"

Zhao Xing poured wine for Mi Fu. At this moment, the two had already changed locations to chat, arriving at the government office in the city.

"That general of the Liangshan Army was truly useless. He failed to catch the bandit leader, yet came to blame me, saying I was incompetent and let the bandits escape."

Mi Fu drank it all in one gulp, then casually wiped his mouth: "How could I tolerate such a petty person? Since I was already being ostracized by colleagues at the time, whether transferred or demoted, I simply had that man hung up and beaten."

"Hehe, at that time I had already learned the Hou Transformation Art and transformed a dog's nose for him."

"Hahaha, truly a dog official then, satisfying! I toast to Lord Mi!"

"Hahaha, drink!"

Mi Fu put down the bowl; at this point, the two had been drinking for nearly half an hour.

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly relaxed, yet Mi Fu still held a trace of caution. He looked at Zhao Xing and asked:

"Chen'an, where are you from?"

"Not to hide it from Lord Mi, I am from Nanyang Commandery, Pinghai Prefecture."

"Oh?" Mi Fu was stunned. "That is quite far."

He had never been to Pinghai Prefecture; how did Zhao Xing know about him?

Zhao Xing was prepared. He clasped his hands and said, "I have a close friend in Hongxia Commandery, Guangling Prefecture, named Wei Wuji, who is a direct descendant of the Duke of Wei."

"My elders also serve in the Shangluo Academy. After hearing of Lord Mi's deeds, I felt admiration, so I made inquiries everywhere. The more I learned, the more I felt you are a rare talent of this age, who absolutely should not be exiled to a place like Guixu City."

"Hahaha, I don't care where I am," Mi Fu said, showing no concern for his situation.

After chatting for a while, he completely dropped his guard against Zhao Xing.

Mainly because Mi Fu believed there was nothing of value for others to seek from him.

If assassins sent by past enemies had come, they would not have sent a marquis to harm him so openly.

In fact, Mi Fu did have considerable fame in several major commanderies of Guangling Prefecture and Yuanpin Prefecture.

Previously, he could not be found mainly because the nineteen prefectures were too vast; a single Pinghai Prefecture exceeded the area of Earth.

Additionally, Mi Fu's fame was limited to the commandery level, and he kept changing places. Once a person left, after a few years or a decade, that fame would fade.

Of course, it was also related to the fact that Zhao Xing had few connections at the time. Xia Jing was only of the seventh and eighth ranks then. Suddenly searching across prefectures, Zhao Xing hadn't said what he wanted to do, merely making casual inquiries, so naturally, the search was slow.

"Lord Mi, I toast you another cup," Zhao Xing raised his wine cup.

"Hahaha, good." Mi Fu picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, then asked, "What is this cup for?"

Zhao Xing said, "This cup is to toast Lord Mi for fearing no nobles."

"I heard that Lord Mi's paintings are superb. You were once invited by the Sunlin Wang Fu of Yuanpin Prefecture to paint, with a reward of one million silver offered, yet you refused. Is this true?"

Mi Fu shook his head: "The King of Sunlin never offered a reward of one million silver. However, this has nothing to do with money."

"Oh? Why did you refuse? This could also promote your fame," Zhao Xing asked.

Mi Fu picked up his wine cup and sneered: "Fame? Do you know why the Sunlin Wang Fu called me over?"

"I wish to hear the details."

Mi Fu finished the cup in one gulp and slammed the wine cup onto the table: "At that time, that bastard King of Sunlin wanted me to go wish his grandson a happy birthday."

"Hmph, his grandson was only fifteen years old at the time, yet he ordered officials from all sides to go wish his grandson a long life. It was simply absurd!"

"This act was merely the King of Sunlin trying to demonstrate his authority and eliminate his opponents."

Zhao Xing nodded. According to the traditional customs of Great Zhou, wishing a long life is generally done by juniors to elders.

Mi Fu was already one hundred years old at the time. Writing a congratulatory message for a fifteen-year-old child and even making him paint a gift—how could this not be absurd?

This was similar to calling a deer a horse; it was purely an insult, using this matter to display his authority.

After a long time, Mi Fu was still not satisfied.

So he pulled Zhao Xing to change locations again: "It is pitch black here. Let's go change places to drink."

Whoosh whoosh~

The two rose on clouds together, flying from the government office to elsewhere.

Zhao Xing thought Mi Fu would take him to his own residence, but unexpectedly, they flew to the Fan Fu in Chengnan.

Mi Fu entered the Fan Fu and directly ordered servants to bring wine and dishes.

The head of the Fan Fu seemed long accustomed to such matters and obediently prepared the banquet in the main hall.

Zhao Xing did not ask much about why Mi Fu brought him here.

Mi Fu's personality has always been rather eccentric.

"Don't be fooled by how well-behaved these fellows seem—they're all ruthless types," Mi Fu said, pointing to the Fan family patriarch as he withdrew.

"Gui Xu City is where disgraced officials and criminals are exiled. Before I came, the local government had less authority than they did."

"The Divine Temple isn't established within the Star Ruin Realm, to prevent loss of divine power after closure."

"I often send my projections to reside permanently in their mansions."

Zhao Xing nodded. The Star Ruin Realm was essentially a prison; once exiled officials and nobles multiplied here, their descendants became numerous.

They could no longer be considered subjects of the Great Zhou. If, after several generations, they had no criminal record, they might regain Zhou citizenship.

Mi Fu's method was to use Grass Figures of the Self to serve as Yin Spirit inspectors. Normally, the grass figures remained motionless in the mansions, but if you dared do something wrong, you'd have to consider whether you could hide it from Mi Fu's eyes.

Zhao Xing now understood why Master Mi had brought him here—it was purely to see if he was truly a kindred spirit.

If he disapproved of Mi Fu's methods, their prior exchanges would lose all value, and he might even be shut out by Mi Fu.

"Master Mi's method is truly ingenious—just one grass figure keeps these criminals in line."

"Hahahaha! Chen An understands me!" Mi Fu laughed happily.

For the next half-month, Zhao Xing stayed in Gui Xu City.

He did nothing but treat Mi Fu to fine food and drink, then chat with him.

Mi Fu, for his part, found each conversation more enjoyable than the last.

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That a young successor so far away in Ping Haizhou held such admiration for him filled him with a strange sense of delight.

Moreover, Zhao Xing suited his tastes perfectly.

Whether discussing the Dao of Agriculture, Painting, or Music, Zhao Xing could always keep pace—and offered profound insights.

Zhao Xing wasn't just flattery; his words carried real substance.

After half a month of feasting and drinking, Mi Fu felt as if he had met Zhao Xing too late.

And Zhao Xing wasn't pretending admiration.

In fact, his understanding of Mi Fu surpassed even his understanding of Liu Tianning.

In his original plan, Zhao Xing intended to take Mi Fu as his master—not Liu Tianning.

Among players, Mi Fu held an extremely high status.

How high?

Among Agricultural players, Mi Fu was called the "Commoner's Patriarch."

Because Mi Fu's Xuan Huang Xi Yuan Art allowed Agricultural players to awaken Pure Yuan Soil ahead of schedule.

In the Era of Spiritual Energy, the spiritual items required to cultivate the Xuan Huang Xi Yuan Art were rare, but after the Spiritual Energy Revival, they became easy to find.

Just this one secret art lifted Agricultural players from the bottom rung of professions.

Though Zhao Xing now obtained secret arts easily, in later eras, learning cultivation techniques was scarce and required enormous expense.

Agricultural players' combat power was weak back then; Pure Yuan Soil only appeared at the fiftieth stage of Gathering Energy, and cultivating it demanded a staggering cost.

Even after cultivation, many commoner players' Pure Yuan Spaces were too small to hold even a few plant soldier species.

Even now, Agricultural combat power generally lagged behind other professions.

Zhao Xing, as a Military Agriculturalist, was an extreme outlier. Ordinary Agriculturalists—even Military Agriculturalists—could never have such fortune.

Ordinary Military Agriculturalists at this stage couldn't even learn the Ten Thousand Methods Grass Figure—they could barely master one school of technique.

While other professions were already dominating heaven, earth, and air, Agricultural players were still tilling fields, hoarding coins, begging others to train them, and dared not venture into the wilds to hunt monsters.

But the development of the Xuan Huang Xi Yuan Art changed this.

Also, plants that could be grown in Pure Yuan Soil were scarce and expensive.

In his later years, Mi Fu compiled the "Pure Yuan Derived Species," listing over eight hundred plant soldier species that could be cultivated in Pure Yuan Soil!

These soldier species were bred through hybridization and derivation—in simple terms, Mi Fu developed many low-cost, decently powerful substitute plant soldier species.

He also passed down to posterity the book "Techniques of the Plant Soldier Legions," which shone brilliantly in the Spiritual Energy Revival era.

Liu Tianning's Ten Thousand Methods Grass Figure was too advanced; later, Liu Banfeng's questlines were numerous, offered high rewards, and carried considerable mystery.

But his popularity never surpassed Mi Fu's, because those quests were only accessible to top-tier players. To the vast majority of Agricultural players, Mi Fu was their living father!

"If I were Grand Agricultural Minister, I would cut military expenditures, ban extravagance, curb noble decadence, and ensure every Agriculturalist could possess plant soldier species, lowering their cultivation costs…"

After three rounds of wine, Mi Fu began boasting to Zhao Xing.

"Master Mi's aspirations are truly admirable," Zhao Xing said, gazing at Mi Fu with a hint of drunkenness.

In truth, Mi Fu had indeed served as Grand Agricultural Minister for several months.

Why was his tenure so brief?

Because Mi Fu had a strange temper—he couldn't get along with the powerful at all, loved to prank them, acting like an old rascal. His mouth was also sharp; he constantly called himself "Old Man" or "Your Grandpa."

If he disagreed with something, no matter who it was, he'd speak his mind—even the Emperor wasn't spared.

Mi Fu came from poverty and deeply understood the hardships of commoners, so he strongly opposed extravagance and war.

The Wu Di sent him to office to raise military funds for him.

But Mi Fu, instead, upon assuming the post of Grand Agricultural Minister, immediately slashed military and imperial expenditures.

How could the Wu Di tolerate that?

He had promoted Mi Fu because Mi Fu had done well controlling costs as Junior Agricultural Minister—never expecting the cost-cutting would turn on himself.

So, just months after taking over Liu Tianning's position, Mi Fu was demoted back to Junior Agricultural Minister.

"Chen An, come—I'll show you my paintings," Mi Fu said, half-drunk, pulling Zhao Xing along.

These days, he'd been thoroughly pampered by Zhao Xing's hospitality.

The supplies Zhao Xing brought were unobtainable in Gui Xu City.

After finishing dinner, Mi Fu dragged Zhao Xing to the front of his painting studio.

"Clang~"

Mi Fu kicked the door open with one foot.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh helplessly; this old fellow had set the door's formation to open only when kicked with great force, truly taking an unconventional path.

"Hum~"

Once the door opened, waves of radiance appeared inside.

Zhao Xing looked and saw that they were all "Dao-Transmitting Paintings" of the fifth tier or higher.

Next, Mi Fu, riding the momentum of his wine, casually created a painting titled "Wind-Sails and Battle-Horses."

It actually reached the fifth-tier level, capable of letting someone comprehend a Wind-Walking spell.

While painting, Mi Fu became extremely focused; the roughness on him vanished, and the radiance reflecting on his face gave him an otherworldly feeling.

Zhao Xing, who originally thought he knew Mi Fu well enough, now found him somewhat incomprehensible; this man truly appealed to both the refined and the common.

"Chen'an, how is it?" After finishing the painting, Mi Fu looked up with a smile.

Zhao Xing leaned in to look and immediately exclaimed in praise: "Condensing the power of Wind-Walking into a herd of warhorses; as the strong wind blows, it is like ten thousand horses galloping."

"My Lord Mi's painting technique is truly astonishing; a casual stroke produces a fifth-tier painting," Zhao Xing praised.

"Hahaha, then do you like it?"

"I like it!"

Mi Fu put down the brush, put his arm around Zhao Xing's shoulder, and pointed to the paintings hanging on the wall: "Since you like them, take these paintings for yourself; whichever one catches your eye, take it away."

Zhao Xing was about to ask something, but when he turned around, he found Mi Fu had fallen asleep in the chair.

Zhao Xing smiled, then clasped his hands behind his back and began searching inside Mi Fu's painting studio.

There were over ten thousand paintings in Mi Fu's studio; he had only been in Gui Xu City for three years, and had studied the Dao of Painting for no more than ten years, yet he already had so many masterpieces; he was as prolific as a mother sow.

"The highest Dao-Transmitting Painting has already reached the sixth-tier standard," Zhao Xing stared at a framed painting in the very center.

The painting was named "Sunlight on Jin Shan."

Contained within was a "Mountain Art," including methods for opening mountains and sealing mountains.

But upon close inspection, Zhao Xing could also discover that it contained the Heavenly Timing Art and Benwo Sect spells.

Mi Fu had wide-ranging interests; he was also a Minister of Agriculture proficient in all three schools, so Zhao Xing was not surprised.

However, he only lingered slightly in front of this painting before shifting his gaze.

Moments later, Zhao Xing's gaze fell on a corner, and his pupils contracted.

"Found it!"

"The Dao-Transmitting Painting 'Mysterious Yellow Sea and Mountains Picture'."

Zhao Xing could not hide his excitement; he immediately went to the painting and observed it with full concentration.

"Hum~"

Suddenly, a change occurred before Zhao Xing's eyes; the next moment, he was above the Nine Heavens.

"When Mi Fu broke through to the fifth rank, he was full of curiosity about the sky; he kept flying upward, passed through the layer of strong winds, and arrived above the Nine Heavens."

"However, after passing the ninth layer of strong winds, he could not continue; from this height, he looked down upon the nineteen provinces, the realization of the Dao emerged, and he created this painting."

Zhao Xing carefully comprehended; Mi Fu initially wanted to explore the ultimate truth of Heavenly Timing, but he comprehended nothing of Heavenly Timing, instead seeing the earth veins of the nineteen provinces.

Since there was no inspiration for the Heavenly Timing Art, he decided to create a Earthly Advantage Art.

In the end, however, he created a Benwo Sect spell—Mysterious Yellow Essence Extraction Art.

This spell was merely an intermediate Benwo Sect spell; it had little effect on plant growth, but instead could strengthen the "Later Earth Gravel."

Eventually, people discovered its miraculous effect.

"The world is unpredictable; even Mi Fu himself probably never thought of this," Zhao Xing looked down upon the nineteen provinces, and many mysteries appeared before his eyes.

Because it was the original, he could even experience the Dao that Mi Fu had comprehended at that moment.

He could even experience the complex emotions Mi Fu felt when creating this spell.

"Hum~"

Not long after, Zhao Xing shifted his gaze.

It was merely an intermediate secret technique; comprehending it took only a moment.

"This Mysterious Yellow Sea and Mountains Picture was what I painted when I broke through to the fifth rank, wanting to explore the end of the sky," Mi Fu, who had arrived beside Zhao Xing at some unknown time, said.

He said with some helplessness: "I originally thought of creating a Heavenly Timing Art, but ultimately found my strength insufficient."

"So I wanted to create an Earthly Advantage Art; I observed the mountains, rivers, and seas from above the Nine Heavens, but somehow, I ended up creating a Benwo Sect spell."

Mi Fu pointed at this painting: "It turned out to be merely an intermediate secret technique, and the effect is quite poor; it is truly shameful."

Since even Mi Fu felt it was shameful, he naturally would not sell it, nor would it be recorded by the imperial court.

If Zhao Xing had not actively come to seek it, this painting would probably only be recorded by the imperial court after Mi Fu's death.

"My Lord Mi, do you know the effect of this painting on the Later Earth Gravel?" Zhao Xing asked.

Mi Fu was surprised: "Chen'an, what are you saying? I created this painting; how could I not know?"

"It can promote the growth of the Later Earth Gravel, but the effect is relatively poor."

Zhao Xing said: "Can its effect be improved?"

Mi Fu nodded first, then shook his head: "Theoretically, it is possible."

"The Essence Extraction Art acts on plants, mainly extracting the life essence of the plant, utilizing the Dao of Heaven and Earth to continuously purify a certain part; it is like a person entering the Pure Essence Realm during cultivation."

"My spell, by accident, can cause the Origin Dantian of a person to undergo deep purification, which can affect the growth of the Later Earth Gravel."

"Theoretically, this Essence Extraction Art can continue to strengthen the Later Earth Gravel, accelerate the birth of Pure Essence Soil, and even Pure Essence Soil could appear without reaching the fifth rank."

"But in reality, this is merely a delusion."

Zhao Xing asked, "Why?"

"Because it requires many high-grade rare treasures to serve as law-assisting materials."

Speaking of this, Mi Fu couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hahaha, a mere mid-grade secret technique, yet it needs high-grade treasures as law-assisting materials, hahahaha..."

Mi Fu seemed amused by his own explanation.

His long-standing principle has always been to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Now, a spell has appeared that requires sky-high law-assisting materials, and its final effect remains unknown.

Mi Fu certainly wouldn't delve deeper into research; he is a bit strange, even a bit mad, but he isn't truly insane.

"It seems Mi Fu knows the purpose of this spell, but he sees the application cost is excessively Gao Ang while the effect is unknown," Zhao Xing thought silently.

If this were the era of spiritual energy resurgence dominated by the Benwo Sect, Mi Fu would surely continue his research, for the expensive law-assisting materials he considers costly would be easy to Si Nong Dao in that time.

The era limited Mi Fu's development and constrained his research.

Zhao Xing asked, "My Lord Mi, if I provide you with funding, would you be willing..."

"Do you think I lack money?" Mi Fu waved his hand to interrupt, "It simply doesn't align with my principle; I will not continue researching this secret technique."

Zhao Xing ceased further persuasion; he asked Mi Fu for the original painting to keep as a collection, and Mi Fu readily agreed.

He also handed over the handwritten copy and related concepts to Zhao Xing.

He himself was unwilling to research this, but he would not stop others from doing so.

Having obtained the Xuanhuang Xiyuan Art, Zhao Xing's purpose for this journey was fully accomplished.

In the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era, on the Start of Summer, Zhao Xing bid farewell to Mi Fu.

Before departing, he and Mi Fu exchanged their Earth Mirror codes; Mi Fu had served as a Military Agricultural Minister and was qualified to use the Earth Mirror, but now that he is in the Star Ruin Realm, the Earth Mirror cannot be used. Future communication would still rely on the most primitive method: writing letters.

"My Lord Mi, I will write to you often in the future," Zhao Xing said, "I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."

"Hahaha, I may not be able to reply; perhaps one day I will die in the Star Ruin Realm."

"However, if I am about to die, I will certainly send a letter to notify you, hahahaha~~"

After bidding farewell to Mi Fu, Zhao Xing left the Star Ruin Realm.

He returned to Hongxia Commandery, bid farewell to Chen Xuan, and requested him to look after Mi Fu, at least ensuring Mi Fu's supplies in Guixu City so he could live a bit better.

Such a small matter, Chen Xuan naturally agreed at once.

Wei Wuji had already returned to work, so Zhao Xing could only arrange to meet again next time via the Earth Mirror.

Afterwards, he stepped onto the road back to Ping Haizhou through the fire pit of the Li Fire Dao Academy branch.

In the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era, on the Grain Buds solar term.

Zhao Xing's true body returned to Twin Island, one of the Purple Cloud Islands in the East Sea.

At this time, Twin Island remained as usual, except many soldiers were patrolling the island.

"In recent years, evil paths from beyond the borders have run rampant, making even the near seas somewhat unsafe," Zhao Xing said with a somewhat gloomy expression.

"Originally, in my previous life, the East Sea had no such situation; even if the Sect Realm cultivated some pirates, they were not enough for the East Sea Legion to cut down."

"But in this life, the situation is completely different."

"The mid-grade great wars are becoming increasingly fierce with no sign of stopping; although the imperial court occupies much land and even opened four prefectures, they frequently flip back and forth. Excluding the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, the other three prefectures are not truly secured."

"Once the high-grade great wars also suffer setbacks, who knows how chaotic the borderlands and the open ocean will become..."

The borderlands and open sea areas were originally regions where the Great Zhou controlled weakly, yet they could not be abandoned due to the Longting Ancient Land and the rich marine resources.

If the campaign against the Miao were smooth, there would naturally be fewer upstarts, but if it goes poorly, all kinds of demons and monsters will jump out.

It is not just foreign enemies; the Dingxin and Jingxin reforms over nearly three hundred years have caused many deeply hidden forces to counterattack.

It will not shake the foundation of the fortune dynasty, but it will still be a turmoil that will kill many people.

Princess Youruo and Old Liu had reconciled long ago, yet Zhao Xing had not seen her for three years.

She was too busy; the Xie Sect was carrying out terrorist attacks in the East Sea, with shipping lanes and islands as targets. As one of the largest landlords in the East Sea, Princess Youruo was also deeply annoyed by these matters.

Because many Xie Sect members were causing chaos under the banner of the Bi Shui Dao Academy, which is her power base, she not only had to put out fires but also conduct purges within the academy.

Originally, Zhai Zhong was teaching Zhao Xing beast taming on Twin Island, but in the winter of the twenty-seventh year of the Jingxin Era, he was transferred back.

"Even farming isn't peaceful these days," Zhao Xing shook his head and returned to the Director's Mansion of the Longma Stable.

His trip to Guangling Commandery caused no disturbance whatsoever.

Mainly because he usually had a Myriad Dharma Avatar on Twin Island, making it as if he had never left.

Returning to his residence, Zhao Xing closed his eyes, cultivated in his dreams, and formulated future plans.

"The current situation is becoming increasingly complex; just regarding the East Sea, it is already very different from what I knew in my previous life."

"Relying on mountains causes the mountains to fall; to stand firm, one must rely on oneself."

"The immediate priority is to improve my own strength; my path to advancement has long been opened. Even with a fifth-rank official position, relying on my own cultivation, I can cultivate to the perfection of the fourth-rank Yuan Soul Realm."

"The East Sea exit from the Longting Ancient Land is about to begin next year; I must enter this place and think of every possible way to improve my strength."

"The fifth rank of the Agricultural Minister is a critical node; I have now reached the Pure Yuan Realm, and my primary task is to quickly open up Pure Yuan soil to accelerate the growth of the Floating Vine."

"To open up Pure Yuan soil, the first requirement is to reach the fifth-rank Pure Yuan Realm; I have already satisfied this."

"But three other conditions are needed: first, to fully comprehend the second layer of the 'Hou Tu Guiyuan'."

"Second, for the Solar Term Order to enter the second realm of 'Fixing Solar Terms'."

"Third, for the second layer of the Yin Yang Benwo Sutra to reach perfection."

Why is opening up Pure Yuan soil so difficult? Because it requires certain standards from classics of three different schools.

The 'Hou Tu Guiyuan' is the foundation, while the 'Solar Term Order' and the 'Yin Yang Benwo Sutra' provide favorable conditions for plants self-cultivated in the Pure Yuan soil.

The Inner Heaven and Earth is called Inner Heaven and Earth; having only Heaven or only Earth will not work.

Furthermore, for plants to grow in the Pure Yuan soil of the Inner Heaven and Earth, the Benwo Sect's Four Methods of Bending Branches, Strengthening Roots, Analyzing Essence, and Condensing Blossoms are needed to accelerate growth.

"Even if all three conditions are met, the Pure Origin Soil created covers only a ten-meter radius, far too small to grow any formidable plant soldiers."

"It requires years to gradually strengthen, unless one throws money at it."

This is why few people choose the Benwo Sect in the Era of Primordial Qi.

Liu Tianning's Pure Origin Space is indeed vast, capable of growing great trees, yet he remained at the Fifth Rank for nearly a century! With immense wealth, he consumed every treasure that could be eaten or used, which is how he achieved heaven-defying combat power.

How could a normal Benwo Sect Farmer have such an opportunity at the Fifth Rank?

Theoretically, the limit at the Fifth Rank is four hundred years of life, but reaching that limit requires how many resources? It is not that reaching the Fifth Rank guarantees four hundred years; theory and reality differ greatly. Many do not live to the theoretical lifespan; excluding accidents, the average is less than three hundred years before death.

"Vroom~" Zhao Xing opened the barrier of a secret chamber, then walked inside.

Inside were many cabinets, boxes, and medicine bottles, a dazzling array piled like mountains.

"The resources accumulated over these years are all here," Zhao Xing thought silently. "Worth one billion merit points."

How did treasures worth one billion merit points come to be?

Of course, through the hard work of Master Zhao himself!

He diligently licked the old witch, obtaining treasures worth four hundred million merit points from her over eight years.

He diligently cultivated the Straw Man Method, receiving cultivation resource incentives from Liu Tianning, worth three hundred million merit points.

Furthermore, using the ten million startup funds given by Tian Hou, and leveraging his foreknowledge, he invested in Pinghaizhou, the Soldier Realm, and the East Sea, earning over two hundred million merit points.

As for the other treasures worth one hundred million, they were obtained through divination and deduction, searching for treasures at the bottom of the sea, with forty-nine avatars exploring the seabed day and night without rest.

Hard farming on Twin Island, cultivating cash crops with the Instant Origin, actually yielded the least profit; in eight years, he earned only twenty million.

Orders and such cannot enter his pockets; they must go into the Longma Bureau's inner treasury. That money was never his; otherwise, it would be embezzlement and favoritism.

Calculating it all, the money he earned from farming was actually the least.

Farmers under heaven are countless; growing cash crops simply cannot fetch high prices. He is not the number one farmer under heaven; no matter what he does, there will always be someone who farms better, on a larger scale, and at a lower cost.

"Farming cannot make one rich," Zhao Xing sighed, sealed the secret chamber's barrier, and then arrived at a Return to Origin Formation in the center of the chamber.

"Vroom~"

At the eight corners of the formation, Grade Seven Origin Crystals gradually lit up one by one.

Each Origin Crystal emitted a beam of light as thick as solid matter, pointing toward the center.

Zhao Xing sat cross-legged in the center, and eight beams of Primordial Qi light focused upon him.

"The fourth most expensive Return to Origin Formation in the Soldier Realm; just this set of formations is worth one hundred and twenty million," Zhao Xing said while sitting in the center.

Over the past eight years, not only had his spells reached the high-grade perfection, but the Three Great Secret Scriptures also met the requirements.

The second layer of the Yin Yang Benwo Sutra had been entered back during the Pingman period; at that time, it was just the initial entry, but now, the second layer has been completely comprehended.

The Qi of the Five Elements, thousands of threads, and the next step is mastering the 'Five Elements Particles'.

The Solar Term Orders have all reached the third transformation of the second realm, 'Fixed Solar Terms'.

Hou Tu Return to Origin was the re-cultivation of these years, because Zhao Xing had never practiced this secret scripture before.

Inside the Origin Dantian, there were merely nine 'Hou Tu Grains', as they did not affect anything else; they were simply the foundation of the Pure Origin Soil.

Before the Pure Origin Dantian appeared, they were good for nothing.

But now, they are of paramount importance.

"Vroom~"

The Pure Origin Dantian began to rotate at high speed, and Zhao Xing continuously circulated the Condensing Origin Method of the 'Hou Tu Return to Origin' secret scripture.

With the first breath, the tenth 'Hou Tu Grain' appeared.

Ten light spots rotated within the vortex of the Pure Origin Dantian, followed immediately by the eleventh, the twelfth...

With preparation sufficient, Zhao Xing's condensation speed was very fast.

Almost one new 'Hou Tu Grain' appeared every second.

After one double-hour, there were already over a thousand.

After one day, the light spots in the Dantian vortex exceeded 86,400!

"These are the most fundamental existences constituting the Pure Origin Soil," Zhao Xing observed his Dantian internally.

At this moment, the Pure Origin vortex, due to the many added light spots, was no longer dim but had taken on the appearance of a nebula.

"Continue."

Zhao Xing concentrated his spirit and continued to burn money.

Yes, this was the moment for pure money burning!

Normally, a Fifth Rank Farmer who just meets the requirements, relying solely on self-cultivation without using any resources, could condense ten 'Pure Origin Grains' in one day.

Now, he could condense eighty-six thousand four hundred in one day!

Zhao Xing's current speed was eight thousand six hundred and forty times that of a normal Farmer's cultivation!

At such an exaggerated gap, it had little to do with whether Zhao Xing possessed talent.

It was purely burning money.

Zhao Xing's current income, due to the Longma Bureau's excellent performance records, including bonuses, merit ranks, and the base salary of the official Sixth Rank, was approximately 950,000 Soldier Realm merit points per year.

This already exceeded most Fifth Rank officials; without greed or robbery, one would have to eat and drink nothing for over a hundred years to save enough to buy such a Return to Origin Formation for cultivation.

Two days later, the Pure Origin Grains, that is, the Hou Tu Grains, exceeded 170,000.

Three days later, the Pure Origin Grains reached 260,000.

As days passed, by the Minor Fullness Solar Term half a month later, the Pure Origin Grains in Zhao Xing's Dantian had exceeded 1.3 million.

After breaking the million mark, the condensation speed slowed down.

"Approaching the limit," Zhao Xing thought silently, "At the early stage of the Fifth Rank, the capacity of the Pure Origin Dantian is roughly one million Pure Origin Grains."

One million sounds like a lot, but in reality, it is still very little, insufficient to condense into soil.

"This is because the realm comprehension in the secret realm only just reached the threshold, and I am merely at the early stage of the Fifth Rank."

Zhao Xing deactivated the seventh-tier Return to Origin Array, no longer wasting its efficacy.

Immediately after, he reached out and beckoned.

Splash~

Two cabinets and ten chests opened.

In an instant, the secret chamber was filled with fragrance as various pills and fruits flew over.

"I eat!"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth and began to devour this combination of Qi treasures.

The advancement to the Pure Qi Realm of the Fifth Rank is relatively easy, as it only requires the accumulation of Qi.

Unlike the Fourth Rank's Yuan Soul Realm, which requires cultivating the seven corporeal souls of the body.

In the Pure Qi Realm, one can directly purchase advancement resources from the Soldier Realm to bypass the process of bitter cultivation.

From the early stage of the Fifth Rank, pulled directly to the perfection of the Fifth Rank.

"This is the Soldier Realm's No. 9 Qi Gathering Combination, with a total value of eight million points. It has no side effects and is not expensive."

Actually, 'not expensive' is relative; if exchanged for a standard Sixth Rank civil official post without merit rank, relying solely on the base salary, it would take a hundred years to accumulate eight million Soldier Realm points.

Otherwise, why would Song Shiyang of Nanyang Commandery be so eager to advance his office, trying to curry favor with a Fifth Rank official like Zhao Xing who holds the official Sixth Rank?

Because his own talent is average and his official duties are busy, where would he find time to cultivate himself?

Since he has no time, reaching the Fourth Rank leaves only two choices: have enough money to buy precious resources and cultivate oneself to the Fourth Rank's Yuan Soul Realm.

In this case, as long as one's administrative achievements are not too poor, being a Fourth Rank oneself means the imperial court will prioritize promotion, because if you are already Fourth Rank, the cost of national fortune expenditure for promoting your office will be lower.

But with his Fifth Rank official post, without corruption, accumulating enough of this money is very difficult.

Then there is only the second choice: promotion.

Unable to reach the Fourth Rank realm within his lifetime on his own, he can only place hope in promotion, relying on the baptism of the imperial court's national fortune to forcibly advance.

Once the office is attained, one naturally enters the Fourth Rank Yuan Soul Realm.

Upon reaching the Fourth Rank realm, one then refines the spells to bring the spell levels up, thereby possessing true Fourth Rank strength.

In the Qi Era, the vast majority of officials from poor backgrounds can only rely on promotion to advance their realms.

Quitting work to cultivate and leveling up through self-cultivation is something only noble families and powerful figures can do; they do not need to work or make a living, they hold titles of Protector and nobility, their path to advancement is already open, and they have family wealth accumulated over dozens of generations to do this.

But ordinary officials cannot; working hours are not for you to cultivate, you must do your job. If you do your job well, the imperial court promotes you, so why cultivate yourself?

After consuming the No. 9 Qi Gathering Combination for a full half-month, Zhao Xing advanced from the early stage of the Pure Qi Realm to its perfection.

By now, it was the Summer Solstice of the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era.

"Hou Tu Return to Origin Great Array, activate!"

Zhao Xing activated the seventh-tier array again; the light of the Qi Crystals shone, and he began to condense Pure Qi gravel once more.

This time, the speed was slightly faster, adding over two hundred thousand grains in a single day.

Forty days later, the Pure Qi gravel within Zhao Xing's body had exceeded the 'ten-million scale'.

At this moment, the Qi vortex in his Origin Dantian was dotted with starlight, looking brilliantly extraordinary.

"Ten-million scale Pure Qi gravel is enough for me to condense Pure Qi soil."

"However, this is still just the very beginning; the area is only ten meters square, and the energy level is merely one."

"One-level Pure Qi soil, ten meters square, can plant not many plant soldier types, only enough to support the growth of a Floating One. Raising it leaves no survival space for anything else."

Zhao Xing glanced at the Hou Tu Return to Origin Great Array; the eight seventh-tier Qi Crystals had now dimmed.

"The first phase, the upgrade plan worth two hundred million, has reached its conclusion."

"The effect will worsen from now on, but it has allowed me to cover in three months the path others take decades, or even a hundred years, to walk."

Zhao Xing sighed; in the Qi Era, the price for rapidly condensing Pure Qi soil is truly too high.

In the Qi Era, the Benwo Sect really only has people daring to walk this path due to the accumulation of generations upon generations.

However, once achieved, even with small accomplishments, the return is enormous.

Like Qin Hongying of the Bi Shui Dao Academy, who offered herself an astronomical price order and was even willing to offer the position of Vice Dean to bind herself to him.

"Next, begin activating the second plan, worth four hundred million."

Zhao Xing walked away from the Return to Origin Great Array and then moved to the side, into a specially made crystal pool.

"Gurgle~"

The crystal pool was filled with an incredibly viscous dark yellow substance.

"The second upgrade plan is named 'Shangluo Kaiyuan Method'."

"An upgrade plan provided by Shangluo Academy."

"The Kaiyuan Method expands the Pure Qi space; even if my comprehension of the Three Great Secret Scriptures is only just up to standard, this combination can still expand the scope of my Origin Dantian, causing the capacity to rise again. This is a modification of the Origin Dantian and has nothing to do with my comprehension of the Dao."

"The second plan is estimated to take three months, which can raise my Pure Qi gravel from the ten-million scale to over one hundred million."

"At least one hundred million; the exact amount varies from person to person."

Zhao Xing stripped off his clothes and jumped into the crystal pool.

"Click-click-click-click~"

The mechanism locked, and the entire pool began to emit a fragrance of earth and green grass.

Zhao Xing felt his vitality strengthening; half a month later, he felt his body had grown three centimeters taller.

Three months later, the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era, on the eve of the Autumn Equinox.

Sun Shizhao suddenly arrived from Wan Island to Lu Island and sent an urgent report.

Zhao Xing immediately dispatched a Myriad Dharma Clone to welcome him.

"Marquis Yuanrang, a murder occurred yesterday one hundred and fifty nautical miles from our Twin Islands."

"A pagoda ship of the City Prefecture Office was attacked."

"All one hundred and ninety-six people on board died of dehydration and turned into dried corpses."

"All the cargo was looted clean."

Zhao Xing's face looked grave; one hundred and fifty nautical miles was already a very close distance.

It would take only two or three quarter-hours to reach the Twin Islands.

"Have you found out who did it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"The Chongming Prefecture's Divine Hall has already dispatched a Fourth-Rank Priest to the scene and invited the True Lord of Rebirth to transform a Fifth-Rank official of the City Prefecture Office into a Yin Spirit body."

"The official conclusion is not yet known, but I suspect this time will be the same as before."

"You... you mean..." Zhao Xing spoke somewhat haltingly.

"Yes." Sun Shizhao nodded. "The Bishui Sect."

"According to rumors... this time, that Fifth-Rank official saw the leader of the attacking force; he actually said it was Zhai Zhong!"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "In recent years, there have been more than fifty murders; the culprits all acted wearing the robes of the Bishui Dao Academy, obviously to confuse the issue and frame them."

"How could one kill so many people in an instant and then depart quickly, yet allow a human Yin Soul to see their true face?"

"Saying it was Zhai Zhong is even more impossible."

Sun Shizhao frowned tightly and said, "But the negative impact remains. How about we first..."

"Do you mean to first stop cooperating with the Dao Academy?"

Sun Shizhao spoke in a low voice: "I am merely suggesting a temporary separation; the specific decision rests with you, Marquis Yuanrang."

It was clear that Sun Shizhao was very anxious.

Thanks to his previous investment in Zhao Xing, staking his entire fortune, in another year Sun Shizhao could be transferred back to the interior to serve as an official; even if he could not immediately rise to Fourth-Rank, serving in an important post for a few more years would make rising to Fourth-Rank a certainty.

At this critical moment, Sun Shizhao did not want any accidents.

Because in these past few years on the Twin Islands, everything had gone smoothly; not only had there been no accidents, but his political achievements were also very brilliant.

Fourth-Rank! Once promoted, it would not only bring power and status but also add a hundred years to his life; at that time, seeking a True Fourth-Rank position and finding some treasures to extend life, theoretically, he could live two hundred years longer.

Remaining forever youthful and living two hundred years longer—what a huge temptation? It was equivalent to living another life.

Of course, he hoped to temporarily separate from the Dao Academy to prevent the Twin Islands from being targeted by demons and monsters.

"My Lord Sun," Zhao Xing said in a deep voice, "make preparations; request the Restoration Army to strengthen patrols. As for the Dao Academy side, everything remains as before."

"Separating now is too late; if it should be noted, note it early. I will instruct the Longma Bureau to seal the Tuoquan Palace and not release horses or beasts into the wild or the sea."

In fact, for these past few months, the warhorses and warbeasts within the Tuoquan Palace have been kept locked up and have not gone out for walks early on.

Sun Shizhao actually knew this; he had come to Zhao Xing just to seek peace of mind.

"Very well, then I will listen to you."

The fifth day after the Autumn Equinox in the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era.

"Crack, crack, crack~"

The mechanism of the Crystal Pool opened, and Zhao Xing flew out, putting on his clothes.

Inside the Crystal Pool at this moment, the viscous substance had vanished, turning into turbid liquid.

Zhao Xing gazed inward at his Origin Dantian: "The Pure Yuan Sand has reached two hundred million; this effect exceeds expectations."

"Now, if I open a Pure Yuan Space, I can form Level-Two Pure Yuan Soil, with a range of twenty meters in all directions."

"I can already plant quite a few things."

"From April until now in September, in less than half a year, I have completed the journey of many Ministry of Agriculture officials' entire lives."

Zhao Xing looked at the empty secret chamber.

He had also consumed resources worth over six hundred million.

As for the remaining resources worth four hundred million points, there was actually only one thing.

A willow branch sealed in a secret-made box.

Zhao Xing walked over and stroked the box.

Because this was a supplementary material for the Xuanhuang Yuan-Extraction Art.

It had been taken from the old witch's storehouse.

"The willow branch is an ordinary willow branch, yet it contains spiritual energy; it is an item not belonging to this era. The old witch valued it at four hundred million points, but its actual value is immeasurable."

"However, in her hands, this thing could not function at all. In this era, almost no one has seen objects containing spiritual energy; even if seen, it would be difficult to utilize it."

"But the Xuanhuang Yuan-Extraction Art can precisely extract the spiritual energy from the willow branch to strengthen my Pure Yuan Soil!"

Zhao Xing's eyes burned with passion; the supplementary materials required for the Xuanhuang Yuan-Extraction Art mostly needed to contain Wood-attribute spiritual energy.

What grade should this willow branch be considered? There was no way to calculate it. If one said it was Super-Grade, it seemed inappropriate, because once opened, the spiritual energy inside would quickly dissipate, eventually returning to the heavens and earth, dropping to the Qi level.

Princess Youruo could not use it because it was too faint, but one could feel that the power level inside exceeded Qi. At this time, it could only be categorized as a 'Strange Object'.

"First, open the Pure Yuan Space." Zhao Xing sat cross-legged.

He circulated the Three Great Secret Scriptures, his mind constantly sinking downward.

"Hum~"

Soon, he arrived above the nebula, with countless light points below.

However, a layer of mist before his eyes prevented him from seeing clearly.

"Pure Yuan Limitless, Open Heaven and Earth!"

At Zhao Xing's thought, the nebula began to spin wildly.

Within the Hou Tu Return to Origin, there are two secret arts: the Kaiyuan Method and the Guiyuan Method. The former opens the Pure Yuan Space, while the latter gathers Pure Yuan Sand, causing it to condense into Pure Yuan Soil.

Since enough accumulated Pure Origin gravel had been gathered, Zhao Xing proceeded very smoothly through these two steps; after all, he had prepared for a long time and spent so much money, so how could there be any difficulties?

"Voom~"

The mist before his eyes dispersed, and starlight gathered together, forming a miniature landmass.

The landmass was about twenty meters in circumference, shimmered twice with brilliance, and then subsided.

"Success, Level Two Pure Origin Soil, approximately 1,256 square meters." Zhao Xing smiled slightly.

As for thickness, within the Pure Origin Space, there is no concept of thickness, or it can be said to be infinite thickness.

The tier of the Pure Origin Soil represents the depth at which roots can take hold, as well as the quantity and rank of plant soldiers that can be cultivated.

The expansion of the Pure Origin Space into the real world is called a Pure Origin Projection, scaling down at a ratio of 10 to 1 according to the area of the Pure Origin Soil.

Because it must be suppressed by the Great Thousand World, the actual projection occupies only one hundred twenty square meters. This suppression will gradually equalize to a 1-to-1 ratio as the Pure Origin Soil upgrades and understanding of the Dao improves.

Once opened, a multitude of profound mysteries surged within Zhao Xing's heart.

From today on, he had truly entered the great gate of the Benwo Sect.

He could say he was an Agriculture Officer of the Benwo Sect.

"Voom~"

Zhao Xing opened his eyes, then shifted his mind.

A layer of soil phantom appeared on the ground before him; originally it was one thousand two hundred square meters, but when truly manifested in reality, it was reduced to only one hundred twenty square meters.

"The long-lost Pure Origin Projection," Zhao Xing reminisced.

Then he sliced his own skin and drew out the Floating Vine.

"Go!"

The Floating Vine immediately swam and took root in the soil on the ground, which was emitting brilliance.

The Floating Vine was originally only three chi long, but after taking root, it doubled in size, growing to six chi!

Then, at a speed visible to the naked eye, it slowly grew to twelve chi.

At this moment, although the Floating Vine was still in the seedling stage, it was already four meters long and had bloomed with two tender green vine leaves.

"Retrieve!"

Zhao Xing shifted his mind, the Pure Origin Projection vanished, and the Floating Vine returned together into the Pure Origin Space.

Within the Origin Dantian, a tender green vine took root in the center of the land, emitting specks of light, quite divine.

"Originally, the Floating Vine parasitizing my blood would take fifty years to leave the seedling stage, but now, it can enter the growth stage in just one year."

"However, with Level Two Pure Origin Soil, it will take at least thirty years for the Floating Vine to mature, and it can only supply the growth of a single plant." Zhao Xing fixed his gaze on the box holding the willow branch.

"Old Mi, now it depends on whether your Profound Yellow Origin-Extraction Technique is reliable; this is a treasure beyond price." Zhao Xing rubbed his hands together.

Then he slowly opened the box's seal.

Inside the box, there was still a seal.

A total of nine layers, only thus could a wisp of spiritual energy within the willow branch be locked away.

"This section of willow branch, who knows how many years it has experienced, yet it looks as if it was just plucked." Zhao Xing thought.

When was the last time there was a small-scale spiritual energy revival? That was at least a million years ago.

Objects of spiritual energy that have survived to the present are extremely rare.

"Having endured a million years, a section of willow branch remains fresh and emerald green purely because a wisp of spiritual energy is hidden within its body."

Zhao Xing carefully unsealed it layer by layer; when the final layer of seal was broken.

He immediately cast the Profound Yellow Origin-Extraction Technique.

"Voom~"

A trace of spiritual energy from the willow branch was instantly captured; a emerald green light point appeared before Zhao Xing.

"Wood-attribute spiritual energy." Zhao Xing controlled the light point, using spells driven by Yuan Qi to bind the spiritual energy, equivalent to using a sieve to scoop up water.

Even with the Profound Yellow Origin-Extraction Technique, Zhao Xing felt as if this light point might extinguish at any moment.

However, in the end, not a single bit leaked.

"Retrieve!"

Zhao Xing drew the green light point into his own Origin Dantian.

Simultaneously, he used the Profound Yellow Origin-Extraction Technique to purify the soil within the Origin Dantian.

"Boom~"

The green light point was like a drop of water falling onto the soil.

Though seemingly insignificant, the entire Pure Origin Space trembled.

The soil was as if struck by an earthquake, appearing with cracks; Zhao Xing quickly gathered his spirit and circulated the Origin-Returning Method and the Origin-Opening Method from the Earth-Returning to Origin.

"Boom~"

The radius of the Pure Origin Soil grew from 20 meters to 100 meters!

Brilliance shimmered three times, leaping to Level Three Pure Origin Soil.

"Grandpa Mi is awesome!"

Watching this scene, Zhao Xing smiled so widely his mouth wouldn't close.

Expanding from a circumference of 20 meters to a circumference of 100 meters, this area increase was not just a little bit.

Now his Pure Origin Soil area reached thirty-one thousand four hundred square meters!

Expanded by nearly 30 times!

The Pure Origin Soil also reached Level Three; the highest rank of plant soldiers that can be planted can reach the Seventh Rank! The quantity will also increase greatly, and inclusivity becomes stronger.

"Time to report my achievements to Old Willow," Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror, "I have now become a pauper; to cultivate plant soldiers, I have no money left."

The expenses required to raise plant soldiers are not small; Zhao Xing, unlike Liu Tianning who has a family backing him, has too thin a foundation now, so he can only fleece Liu Tianning and his wife.

«Hum~»

Liu Tianning's spectral image projected from the Ground Mirror.

"What is it?"

"Teacher, I'm short on money," Zhao Xing cut straight to the point.

Liu Tianning blinked. "You spent three hundred million credits worth of resources?"

He had given them to Zhao Xing in the twenty-seventh year of Jingxin, when Zhao Xing reported he had a hundred percent chance of breaking through to the Fifth Rank.

Three hundred million credits, wasted in two years?

Even Liu Tianning couldn't help calling him a wastrel.

"Did you invest it in a bank?" Liu Tianning asked. "Didn't I tell you not to mess with such things?"

Originally, when Liu Tianning discovered Zhao Xing was wasting time on commerce, he gave him a larger sum upfront.

Liu Tianning had assumed that with hundreds of millions in hand, as long as Zhao Xing avoided investments, he wouldn't exhaust it in ten years.

Now, less than three years had passed and the money was gone—hard not to suspect this was the cause.

"Teacher, you misunderstand. I've broken through to the Fifth Rank and already cultivated a Pure Origin soil," Zhao Xing said. "I now lack suitable plant troop species."

Liu Tianning nodded. If that were true, it made sense.

"How much do you need?"

Zhao Xing didn't waste words—he activated his Pure Origin projection.

He fully unfolded his Pure Origin projection, the Floating Vines swaying at its center.

Worried Liu Tianning couldn't see clearly through the Ground Mirror, Zhao Xing made the mirror rise and circle his entire Pure Origin projection.

Then he brought it back into his hand.

"Teacher, look at my range—how much do you think I need?"

Liu Tianning froze again.