Chapter 254: The Divine Court Solar Term Token, Void Seed, and the Legend of Ascension

"As for the other two things, you look at them yourself."

The Mandate of Heaven Black Bird opened its beak and spat.

Two balls of light, one green and one black, floated into view.

Zhao Xing focused his gaze; within the green light was a token the size of a palm, displaying intricate golden-green patterns and two ancient characters he did not recognize.

Inside the black ball of light was a lumpy sphere that looked extremely illusory, making it impossible to tell what it was.

"Senior, what is this thing that looks like a token?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Why ask such a stupid question? You said it's a token, so it is a token."

"..."

Zhao Xing pointed at the black lumpy sphere and asked, "Then what is that thing?"

"Oh, are you annoying? I already told you to look at them yourself."

"... Senior, you don't happen to not know what they're called, do you?" Now that the contract was signed, Zhao Xing wasn't worried about this stupid bird harming him, so he spoke more directly.

"..."

The Mandate of Heaven Black Bird's eyes widened: "How could I not know? This is my test for you! You should go find out their functions yourself."

"Hehe, Senior is right."

Zhao Xing guessed this stupid bird didn't recognize these two items.

It made sense; different trades are like different mountains. The treasures of the Agriculture Hall had nothing to do with the Tianji Pavilion's guardianship duties.

The token looked somewhat familiar, but as for the black lumpy sphere, Zhao Xing had no idea what it was; he would have to recall it later in the Memory Palace after leaving.

"Senior, is there anything else you command?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes," the Mandate of Heaven Black Bird said. "Live well, and on that basis strive to become stronger. Do not rush to find the One Dream World."

"Wait until you reach First Grade. Once you find it, I will tell you how to control this supreme treasure."

The Mandate of Heaven Black Bird also feared that Zhao Xing, having obtained so many treasures, would become arrogant.

If this kid died, it didn't know how many years it would have to wait for any hope of freedom.

"Thank you, Senior. May I go then?"

"Mm, go ahead." The Mandate of Heaven Black Bird waved its hand.

Zhao Xing had just reached the doorway when he was suddenly called back.

"Wait!"

"..."

Zhao Xing turned around: "Senior?"

"There is one more question I want to ask you," the Mandate of Heaven Black Bird said.

"Senior, please ask."

"Do you know how long it has been since the Great Li was destroyed, which of the Ten Great Shen Sects currently rules the world, whether a new Fortune Dynasty has been born in the Eighteen Provinces, and what year it is in the Xuanhuang Era?"

Zhao Xing: "?"

Is that one question?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing knew the Mandate of Heaven Black Bird's perception of the outside world was quite vague, unable even to remember time accurately.

He thought for a moment and said, "Senior, between three thousand and ten thousand years ago, there was an era of Ten Thousand Nations where states fought each other, and ancient historical records are quite chaotic."

"Records regarding the Great Li are extremely scarce."

"According to the currently more mainstream view, the Great Li was destroyed fifty-seven thousand four hundred ninety-six years ago."

Immediately, Zhao Xing answered its second question: "Now there are nineteen provinces, located west of the original Cang Sea."

"On these nineteen provinces, a powerful Fortune Dynasty named Zhou has been established; it has now passed through three Emperors over two thousand seven hundred forty-three years."

"As for the Ten Great Shen Sects," Zhao Xing pondered, "they have become history. The Great Zhou has no state religion and does not even allow sects to exist; they have evolved into seventy-two Dao Academies and Imperial Colleges."

"Five of the historical Ten Great Shen Sects were split into multiple Dao Academies and Imperial Colleges, such as the Li Fire Dao Academy, the Creation Dao Academy, the Blue Water Dao Academy, the Lotus Imperial College, the Green Wood Imperial College, the Geng Metal Dao Academy, the Purple Thunder Dao Academy..."

"The current Xuanhuang Calendar is the 'New Xuanhuang Calendar'; there are also multiple versions including the 'Great Zhou Xuanhuang Era', 'Xuanhuang Four Seas Calendar', 'Nine Provinces Xuanhuang Era', 'Xuanhuang Prehistoric Era', and 'Xuanhuang Barbarian Era'."

"The era history compiled by the Zhou Dynasty Shi Guan reaches back a hundred million years, but history actually supported by materials is only about five hundred thousand years."

"The most detailed is the 'Great Zhou Xuanhuang Era', but it differs significantly from the Four Seas and Barbarian Eras..."

"Stop! That's enough," the Mandate of Heaven Black Bird said. "It's too chaotic; it gives me a headache. The historical records of the broken Li Dynasty were chaotic enough, and yours are even more so."

Zhao Xing immediately shut his mouth; the chaos was unavoidable because the Xuanhuang Realm constantly split and reunited, and once war broke out, it truly caused heaven and earth to collapse, with some war-torn eras lasting over a thousand years.

Moreover, involving the swallowing of Fortune, many records and imprints of enemy states had to be erased so the people would only believe in the new dynasty.

Additionally, the vast majority of ordinary people lived only about a hundred years and simply did not care how long the history before them was; compiling up to five hundred thousand years was already considered long.

"Fifty-seven thousand four hundred years, that is about what I expected," the Mandate of Heaven Black Bird pretended to be profound. "Perhaps in the future you can take some historical records from the Tianji Pavilion and even serve as a Shi Guan."

"Yes, thank you, Senior."

"No more questions, you may go."

Zhao Xing nodded, turned, and walked to the doorway.

"Wait!"

"..."

Zhao Xing was speechless; were you kidding me?

Does this stupid bird have a bad memory?

"Senior, is there anything else?"

The Mandate of Heaven Black Bird said, "I almost forgot to tell you: if you can break through to Fourth Grade within ten years, I will give you a gift of Fortune."

"Your current Fortune is approximately Yan Five. With my help, you can reach Yan Six."

Zhao Xing was slightly stunned after hearing this.

Indeed, this is the Destiny Black Bird; it had previously bestowed fortune upon him, and it seems there are still many benefits to be unearthed from the Destiny Black Bird.

"Why does the senior not give it to me right now?"

The Destiny Black Bird spoke indifferently. "If your talent is limited, this fortune of mine can only be left for those who come after."

"However, if you can break through to the Fourth Grade within ten years, that will prove you are worthy of this gift."

Zhao Xing nodded, accepting the big pie the Destiny Black Bird had drawn for him.

Seeing he had no further questions, he intended to leave. But as he reached the doorway, he immediately turned around.

As expected, the Destiny Black Bird called out to him once again. Zhao Xing simply watched the Destiny Black Bird silently.

The Destiny Black Bird let out a "Ga" sound: "It is not that I wish to play with you. It is that I just flew, flew back, and was slightly affected."

"Are you heading over to the little Xie Zhi?"

"Yes, senior," Zhao Xing replied.

The Destiny Black Bird flew to Zhao Xing's shoulder and pointed its wing toward the outside: "You had best go there and leave the Dream Academy immediately."

"Why?" Zhao Xing asked in surprise. "This junior still intends to look around other places."

The Destiny Black Bird said, "Did the little Xie Zhi tell you that I am the second-ranked guardian here?"

"Yes."

"That fellow ranked first is stronger than I, and its duty is to uphold the rules and order of the One Dream World."

"Now that you have received my gift, if it discovers you obtained something you should not have, there may be trouble. Therefore, you had best leave immediately; I will block the Heavenly Secrets and cover this up for the time being."

Zhao Xing was speechless; indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and the Destiny Black Bird's gift was indeed not so easy to take.

He had originally entered the Great Dream Academy openly and honestly, but now it had become sneaky, like a thief.

Thinking carefully, he was indeed acting like a thief.

This turncoat, the Destiny Black Bird, had essentially stolen the items and handed them over to him.

Zhao Xing nodded. "Senior, when may I enter again?"

"I am not sure; if you have nothing to do, you may come in and look, and I will tell you."

"Very well, I understand."

Zhao Xing stepped out of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion; this time, the Destiny Black Bird did not call out to him again.

He quickly arrived at the Heavenly Crafts Hall, found the Dharma Beast Xie Zhi, and took the Eight Heavenly Maidens away.

Before leaving, Zhao Xing asked, "Guardian my lord, may I ask who is the first guardian of the Great Dream Academy?"

The Xie Zhi said, "The Dream God Guardian."

"In which hall is the Dream God Guardian?"

"I am not sure; I have not seen him for a very long time."

Zhao Xing nodded, led the Eight Heavenly Maidens away, and returned to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

Just now, he had not been carrying the Primordial Spirit Fruit, the token, or the black sphere.

According to the Destiny Black Bird's words, he had to 'log off' from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion to avoid being discovered.

If he wandered around the academy carrying three treasures that did not belong to him, the first guardian would discover him.

Taking them out was also somewhat troublesome; it required the help of the Destiny Black Bird.

Otherwise, Zhao Xing, a Fifth Grade cultivator, would be unable to return those three items to the Great Thousand World.

"Senior, I am back."

The Destiny Black Bird nodded: "Just as usual, relax your body and mind, and silently chant 'exit'."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing held the three treasures; as for the Eight Heavenly Maidens, they did not need to do so.

Immediately, the Destiny Black Bird exhaled a mouthful of mist, enveloping Zhao Xing entirely.

"Voom~"

The space began to distort, and Zhao Xing's figure became illusory.

The Eight Heavenly Maidens vanished along with it.

But those three treasures still floated within the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

Just as Zhao Xing's form was about to disappear completely.

A large patch of feathers on the Destiny Black Bird burst open.

"Voom~"

The three treasures also completely dematerialized and vanished from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

"Ga~ Ga~"

The Destiny Black Bird collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.

Looking at its own bare self, it panted heavily.

It took a long while to recover.

"Damn, I overdid the act... If I had known, I shouldn't have brought so many things back for him."

The Destiny Black Bird had risked its life to grab onto Zhao Xing as a lifeline, but the consequence was now becoming half-bald.

After a long while, the Destiny Black Bird struggled to fly onto the standing cabinet and exhaled a breath.

Although nothing was there, a book was reflected in its eyes, and it was flipping pages continuously.

"Destiny returns to the nest, Great Expansion is complete; my opportunity to escape alive has advanced by over three hundred years."

"Starting fourteen years ago, I calculated the vitality of tens of thousands of years, and suddenly it changed; those entering the academy were supposed to appear three hundred years from now, yet they have arrived so early; I do not know if this is a blessing or a curse..."

Jiujiang Commandery, desolate wilderness, deep underground.

Zhao Xing woke up leisurely.

He glanced around and found eight Heavenly Maidens standing there.

In his arms lay a Heavenly Maiden Token.

Additionally, there was a feather box.

Zhao Xing swiftly tossed the feather box aside, isolated it with Primordial Energy, and then used his Five Fingers of Destiny to calculate a bit.

He immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep, entering a dream to review the events.

"The Destiny Black Bird is not as foolish as imagined; it is very likely pretending."

"Its purpose might be to make me lower my guard and obediently do as it wishes."

"Hmph, a Destiny Black Bird that has awakened self-awareness and can even defy the rules of the Great Dream Academy's small world, how could it possibly be a truly foolish bird?"

"However, since it wants to act, I will also pretend not to know."

"In my previous life, when the Great Dream Academy was obtained by Wu Di, there was never any mention of a mechanical Destiny Black Bird; even during the Pingman Great War, it never appeared."

"Has it truly broken free? Or, was its true purpose not to break free?"

Comparing his memories of the previous life and utilizing his advanced foresight to review the situation, Zhao Xing felt there must be other traps hidden within.

Either the Destiny Black Bird's requirements are actually very difficult, or it has no intention of breaking free.

"However, the Primordial Spirit Tree should not be able to fake anything."

"My Fate Soul shows no abnormalities."

"But the Earth Soul has indeed generated a great karmic cause, one so large I can feel it." Using the Three Souls Convergence Method of the Great Dream Spring and Autumn, Zhao Xing connected with his Earth Soul and discovered a faint karmic bond.

At this moment, he dreamed of his Earth Soul; a bird's shadow stood on its shoulder, holding a piece of paper in its beak. There were no words on it, yet Zhao Xing could sense its content, which matched the contract signed within the Academy.

"For now, I am still safe; at least until I gain control of the supreme treasure One Dream Heaven and Earth." Zhao Xing thought silently, possessing epoch-defining cognition, he trusted his own judgment quite a bit.

"The future Marquis Xian had mediocre strength, but that is relative to later versions. When he offered the treasure, he already possessed Fourth Rank Realm strength."

"He offered such a great treasure, yet was only ennobled as a Marquis, but other rewards were given generously, and his merit rank was even raised to the same level as Tian Shan's ancestors."

"Marquis Xian was stuck in an awkward position; he was Fourth Rank when he offered the treasure, but his personal ability was average. High-rank official positions are one radish per hole."

"Wu Di also dislikes officials who rise through luck; Marquis Xian was old with poor talent, so even if he wanted to give him a chance, it would be difficult."

Possessing foreknowledge and vision beyond the current era, Zhao Xing quickly confirmed that the Great Dream Academy was indeed a great opportunity.

And as his strength increased, it would gradually reveal itself.

If it were anyone else, they would likely be anxious and indecisive, but Zhao Xing recovered quickly and emerged from the dream.

"In this era, the Primordial Spirit Fruit already ranks in the third tier of consumable treasures." Zhao Xing thought silently, "A Ninth Rank Soul-type fruit can even rival the rare treasures of the present age."

Treasures above the Ninth Rank have two levels: 【Rare Treasures of the Present Age】 and 【Extremely Rare Treasures】.

The Primordial Spirit Fruit is a Ninth Rank Soul-type fruit.

It not only increases the Fate Soul but also strengthens the Earth Soul.

The Earth Soul is the Karmic Soul, meaning he will become more sensitive to karmic causes.

"I am currently at the peak of Fifth Rank; consuming a Primordial Spirit Fruit, I must slice it and eat it bit by bit. According to the foolish bird's estimate, complete digestion is expected to take three years." Zhao Xing thought silently.

"My Fate Soul is currently in the late stage of Fifth Rank; I do not know to what level it can elevate me."

A Fifth Rank cultivator consuming a Ninth Rank Primordial Spirit Fruit; Zhao Xing had never seen such a case and could not even make an estimate.

However, since it is eaten bit by bit, the possibility of the Fate Soul exploding from overconsumption does not exist.

"My physical body is currently at the peak of Fifth Rank; my Fate Soul can completely leap over a major rank, reaching the peak of Fourth Rank first."

If others did this, perhaps a situation of excessive Yin and deficient Yang would occur; if the Fate Soul resides in the body, the soul being too strong while the physical body is weak would produce adverse effects.

But Zhao Xing need not consider so much.

Why?

First, because his physical body is already very strong; during that opportunity in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, he had even fully mastered the Golden Bones.

Second, because after breaking through Fifth Rank, he formed the Myriad Dharma Dao Body; if the physical body is a house, then the size of his house must far exceed that of an ordinary Fifth Rank cultivator.

Third, Zhao Xing cultivated the Myriad Dharma Straw Man; if all else fails, he can split his soul and let the Myriad Dharma Straw Man share the pressure on his Fate Soul.

"I will eat it after returning first." Zhao Xing also needed to make some preparations.

He did not return to the Twin Island Dragon Horse Station, after all, that place was not as safe as the inland.

So he returned to Pixian Commandery; after emerging from the underground, he led the eight Heavenly Maidens, boarded a Qilin Flying Boat, and returned to Dongyang County in Pixian Commandery.

Why is the home in Dongyang County safer and more secretive than the Twin Island?

Because of the existence of the Yellow Registers.

"Do not enter without permission on land with an owner"; this rule is very restrictive.

In the twenty-seventh year of the Jingxin Era, Zhao Xing requested Princess Youruo to register his family's Yellow Register under the Princess's Mansion.

Although Zhao Xing was not a Scholar Feng Chen of Princess Youruo, his father Zhao Ruide was.

Even if someone wanted to spy on him, they could not; its secrecy was actually higher than the Twin Island Dragon Horse Station.

Additionally, staying in Dongyang County allowed him to check records and find the origins of the other two treasures.

"Just right, I can also go back to see my younger brother and sister."

In November of the twenty-first year of the Jingxin Era, Zhao Ruide learned that Lady was pregnant.

September of the twenty-second year of the Jingxin Era.

Lady Cai gave birth to a daughter; Zhao Ruide named the youngest daughter Zhao Yuhuan, with the nickname Zhuzhu; now, she is exactly seven years old.

As for his younger brother Zhao Zheng, he is already twenty-two years old. He entered the Bishui Dao Academy at fourteen and has been studying there for eight years.

"Even I am already thirty-three." Zhao Xing felt somewhat emotional.

Upon returning to the Zhao family home in Dongyang County, the household immediately became lively.

Zhao Ruide requested leave from Shangguan to return home to see his son, and Zhao Zheng also returned from the Dao Academy.

The entire Zhao household was slaughtering pigs and sheep, as if celebrating a festival.

"Why are you being so formal? I'm usually home anyway." Zhao Xing watched Zhao Ruide constantly ordering the servants and couldn't help but smile.

"That 'dharma body' of yours, how can you call that being home?" Zhao Ruide said with a sidelong glance. "You spend most of the day in your own courtyard, never stepping out the main gate or the second gate. Occasionally, while chatting, you suddenly go into a daze."

"I was just busy with official duties," Zhao Xing said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He had left behind a Ten Thousand Dharma Projection at home, and it was one of the nine carrying sword intent, possessing the strongest combat power among all his projections.

Of course, most of the time, Zhao Xing was in an 'offline' state, which made things seem rather strange.

"Since you've returned this time, rest well and spend more time with Zhuzhu," Zhao Ruide said in a low voice. "You've already become the 'foolish big brother' in her mouth."

"Huh?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "What's going on?"

"What's going on? Look at how you usually act! You suddenly go into a daze while talking, and you can't even hear when called. Zhuer often asks me if big brother is a fool."

"Uh..." Zhao Xing thought about it and realized it was true; from the little girl's perspective, his usual behavior did seem like that of a fool.

"Where is Zhuer?" Zhao Xing asked. "I haven't seen her in a long time."

"She's in your courtyard."

…………

Servants were normally forbidden from entering Zhao Xing's private courtyard because the Ten Thousand Dharma Projection did not need to eat.

Only one person came frequently: Zhao Yuhuan.

She often brought small snacks or carried a lunchbox to the courtyard to visit the 'foolish big brother'.

She had noticed that the 'foolish big brother' rarely ate and thought he must be suffering from some illness.

Once, annoyed by her constant questions, Zhao Ruide bluntly admitted: "Yes, your big brother is a fool; don't disturb him."

Lady Cai, standing nearby, immediately glared at Zhao Ruide, pulled Zhao Yuhuan into her arms, and said: "Don't listen to your father's nonsense. Your big brother is not a fool; he is the most powerful official, even more skilled at wielding a sword and flying than your second brother."

Seven-year-old Zhao Yuhuan already possessed her own reasoning ability; she felt that what her father said aligned better with her usual understanding of her big brother.

Her mother was lying to her. Why was she lying?

It must be because she thought big brother was foolish, that his brain wasn't working well, and she disliked him, so she wouldn't give big brother food.

Thus, Zhao Yuhuan often secretly brought snacks to feed her foolish big brother.

When Zhao Xing flew into the courtyard, he happened to see a little girl with twin horn buns struggling to carry a large lunchbox while walking along the covered corridor.

"Ee-yah, I'm so tired." Zhao Yuhuan carried the lunchbox to the outside of the side room, placed it on the steps, and then tapped on the door with her small fist.

"Big brother, come out to eat!"

Zhao Xing smiled slightly. "What food did you bring me?"

"This time I brought you braised chicken breast, stuffed pork tenderloin, braised fish maw, walnut soup, lotus seed soup, brain flowers, and a jar of honey." Zhao Yuhuan shouted.

"Wow, that's so much!"

"I asked Butler Li, and he said that's all you need to eat."

Zhao Xing appeared from behind, covered the little girl's eyes with one hand, and deliberately changed his voice: "Ha, guess who I am?"

"It's big brother! Wait, how did you come out from behind?" Zhao Yuhuan pried Zhao Xing's hand away, lifted her small face, and said, "I clearly heard the voice coming from inside the room."

"Big brother knows magic tricks." Zhao Xing flipped his hand, and a bouquet of colorful flowers appeared in his palm. The flowers even radiated a glow, sparkling brightly and immediately catching Zhao Yuhuan's attention.

"Wow, big brother is so amazing!" Zhao Yuhuan held the flowers and jumped up excitedly.

"There's something even more amazing. Do you want to play?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Here you go!"

Zhao Xing pointed his finger, and instantly a gust of wind appeared beneath Zhao Yuhuan's feet, lifting her up.

The green wind transformed into a magnificent horse, carrying her soaring straight upward.

"Woo-hoo~"

Zhao Yuhuan immediately cried out with joy.

In the main hall of the Zhao household, Zhao Zheng had just rushed back from Cui Xian Commandery.

"Father, big brother has returned? Where is he?"

"He went to Huai Liu Courtyard."

"Oh, then where is Zhuer?"

"I don't know; she's probably gone somewhere to play." Zhao Ruide waved his hand lazily.

At that moment, Lady Cai rushed in from outside with a hurried expression: "Master, come out and take a look quickly; am I seeing things?"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Ruide and Zhao Zheng both looked at Lady Cai.

"I saw Zhuer flying in the sky, flying and flying!"

"What nonsense are you talking? Zhuer is only seven years old; how could she fly?" Zhao Ruide said.

"No, Father, look; Zhuer is really up in the sky." Zhao Zheng pointed to the sky.

Zhao Ruide looked up and indeed saw his daughter flying in the sky, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand, happily shouting "Wah-wah!"

"..."

Lady Cai immediately turned pale with shock: "Which rascal dares to take Zhuer to do something so dangerous!"

"Butler Li, Butler Li!"

"Mother, don't panic; I'll go bring Zhuer down." Zhao Zheng's figure flashed, blue light shimmered on his body, and he instantly appeared in mid-air.

After Zhao Zheng flew up, he discovered he actually couldn't catch up.

The green horse that Zhao Yuhuan was riding was actually formed purely from Gao wind!

"What exquisite Wind-Walking technique! Big brother, is that you?"

"What are you shouting about? Come down." Zhao Xing's voice appeared beside Zhao Zheng's ear. "I'm just playing with Zhuer for a while; don't come and spoil the fun."

"Yes, Big Brother." Zhao Zheng obediently went down.

"Where is he?" Lady Cai asked anxiously.

"Didn't catch up."

"You useless thing, what have you even learned at the Dao Academy!" Lady Cai pointed at Zhao Zheng and scolded, "Didn't they say you were rated First Class every year, and promoted to the Upper Residence of the Inner Court in nine years? How can you not even handle such a small matter now!"

Zhao Zheng felt aggrieved and said, "Mother, Big Brother was using a spell to play with Zhu'er. How could I catch up to Big Brother?"

He had only just reached the early stage of the Seventh Rank; even if he chased with all his might, he couldn't catch up to Big Brother.

"Enough, why scold Zheng'er? Since Xing'er is with him, there's no problem." Zhao Ruide waved his hand.

"Master, I'm worried. It's so high..." Lady Cai still felt uneasy.

"Mother, you don't understand." Zhao Zheng said, "Big Brother's strength is beyond your imagination. Just rest assured."

"You seem to understand, yet I haven't seen you achieve anything." Lady Cai glared at Zhao Zheng. "Nine years, and you're still studying, studying, studying. Huang Jiansi's son graduated from Yuhai Academy three years ago and is already an official of the Eighth Rank proper. What about you?"

"Mother, isn't my Seventh Rank better than that Huang Ergou's?"

"You dare talk back? You've really become something!" Lady Cai's eyebrows shot up.

"Son dares not." Zhao Zheng fell silent.

"Oh, what's all this noise about?" Zhao Ruide put down his teacup. "It's rare for you to come back, so why argue back and forth? Go quickly and check how the kitchen preparations are going."

"Hmph, the elder one acts like a hands-off master, the younger one is disobedient, both ungrateful..." Lady Cai muttered, flicked her sleeves, and turned to leave.

After Zhao Zheng sat down, he looked at his father: "Mother's temper has been getting worse these past few years."

Zhao Ruide sipped his tea: "Don't mind her. She's getting old; that's how it is. She can nag over even the smallest thing for a long time."

"Speaking of which, what exactly is going on with you? It's been nine years at Bishui Dao Academy, why haven't you graduated yet?"

Zhao Zheng was about to answer when he saw Zhao Xing walk in. He immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Xing: "Big Brother."

"Mm, sit."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing also sat in the chair and drank tea: "What are you staring at? Father just asked you a question."

He had grown up; in front of him, Zhao Zheng had become somewhat reserved.

It was more fun when we were little.

"Father, Big Brother," Zhao Zheng said, "I was supposed to graduate this year, but Teacher Jingming from the Martial Academy said I should aim for the Upper Residence this year."

"You are currently in the Middle Residence of the Inner Court. To reach the Upper Residence, how many more years of study are needed?"

"Short term, three to five years; long term, seven to eight years. If the assessment points are fully accumulated, it can be slightly faster."

"Seven to eight more years?" Zhao Ruide asked in surprise. "Why so long? Xing'er, is his situation normal?"

Seeing Zhao Ruide ask, Zhao Xing nodded and said, "That is the situation."

"New students entering Bishui Dao Academy first study in the Lower Three Residences of the Outer Court. The fastest can complete their studies in three years. After graduation, they are selected as Dao Officers and can serve as Ninth Rank officials."

"If they have talent, they can continue to take the exam to enter the Inner Court. Graduation from the Lower Residence of the Inner Court qualifies one for an Eighth Rank official position."

"Graduation from the Middle Residence qualifies one for a Seventh Rank official position; graduation from the Upper Residence qualifies one for a Sixth Rank official position."

Zhao Ruide's eyes widened: "Doesn't that mean he'll come out with a higher rank than mine?"

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "He went to the Main Academy. There are only seventy-two such Dao Academies in the entire world. Selecting the best from the best, of course, the starting point must be higher."

"Zheng'er graduating is not an easy matter either. As he said, graduation from the Upper Residence of the Inner Court takes at least three to five years, at most seven to eight years, and for some, it even exceeds ten years."

"Calculate his total study time, and it won't seem strange anymore."

Zhao Ruide did the math in his mind; it did seem to make sense.

He had already studied for eight years; if he studies for another eight, that's sixteen years.

Sixteen years, and coming out as a Sixth Rank official is not excessive.

"If he graduates now, he'll come out as a Deputy Seventh Rank official. Work for eight years, and he might even reach the Sixth Rank." Zhao Ruide said, "Does he really want to stay in the Dao Academy?"

Zhao Xing pondered, "It depends on Zheng'er himself. I would suggest he continue staying in the Dao Academy. Becoming an official after graduation isn't simple; martial artists either join the army, go to the Patrol Bureau, or go to the Ministry of Justice."

"The East Sea is not peaceful these days; it's good for him to stay in the Dao Academy."

Since Zhao Xing said so, Zhao Ruide had no further objections.

The three chatted a bit more and shared a reunion meal.

Four days later, Zhao Zheng had to return to the Dao Academy.

Zhao Xing stayed in the Huai Liu Courtyard to cultivate.

"My progress is faster than that silly bird estimated. In just four days, I've already consumed one-fiftieth of it." Zhao Xing looked at the Primordial Spirit Fruit with a slice cut off and let out a long breath.

Just that one-fiftieth caused his Life Soul to rise from the late stage of the Fifth Rank to the perfection of the Fifth Rank.

"At the current pace, I only need 200 days to finish it all, perhaps even faster."

After today's cultivation session ended, Zhao Xing flipped through ancient texts in the study again.

Four more days passed, and he finally figured out the ancient token given to him by the Fate Mysterious Bird.

The two characters on the pale golden token were not the script of the Li Dynasty, but the 'Divine Court Golden Script' passed down from the Ancient Era.

"So it is the Divine Court Golden Script of Great Xia."

"Divine Court Golden Script is both writing and spell incantations. The meaning of these two characters is: Start of Spring."

After getting the result, Zhao Xing picked up the token with some surprise. At this moment, he finally understood what that familiar feeling was.

"This is one of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Tokens passed down from the Ancient Divine Dynasty 'Xia'. However, this is not a true Divine Court Solar Term Token, but a replica. No wonder it looks familiar."

The Ministry of Agriculture has many classic treasures. Common low-to-mid grade ones include the Golden Raincoat, the Hundred Flowers Hat, the Cloud-Soaring Boots, the Cloud-Rain Pearl, the Spell Staff, and the Cloud-Rain Tower Boat.

As a classic cultivation tool of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Solar Terms Token also has corresponding treasures.

Zhao Xing looked at the record in the text: "In the Ancient Era, the Divine Court cast twenty-four Solar Terms Tokens to stabilize the solar terms of the entire Xuan Huang Realm. That was the Era of Spiritual Qi, far more glorious than now."

"It is rumored that after the Divine Court ascended, the twenty-four Solar Terms Tokens also disappeared, causing the celestial timing of the Xuan Huang Realm to gradually become chaotic."

"These Shi Guan's records are surprisingly accurate," Zhao Xing smiled.

The Shen Ting's ascension was no legend!

In fact, the historical records of Xuanhuang World constantly show gaps, and there are reasons why Qi-yun dynasties ascended and left Xuanhuang World during the Spirit-Qi era.

After Spirit-Qi revived and reached its peak, the conditions for ascension would be met—this was precisely the later "Shen Chao Ascension" version.

Performing the Fengshan ceremony on the Southern Wastelands' Shenshan was one of the conditions for Shen Chao ascension.

Every emperor of a Qi-yun dynasty knew the legend of ascension.

All emperors pursued this legend, for only then could they break the thousand-year lifespan limit of emperors.

Emperor Jing's pacification of the Man was not merely due to his achievements, but because, as emperor of a Qi-yun dynasty, he naturally knew this secret.

But why was Zhao Xing certain Emperor Jing would lose the Man-pacifying war? Because the era was wrong.

Merely conquering the Southern Man would not allow a Qi-yun dynasty to ascend—it must occur during the Spirit-Qi era.

In a non-Spirit-Qi era, conquering the Southern Man's Shenshan was utterly hellish.

Just the Ten Great Heavenly Shamans' Jue Tian Di Tong alone was enough to drive one to despair.

In his past life, Wu Di accomplished the heretical feat of subduing the Man, his horses drinking from the Southern Wastelands' Shenshan.

Yet he ultimately failed to lead Dazhou to ascension, merely extending his life by a century beyond the standard thousand-year imperial lifespan.

In Wu Di's later years, the legend of ascension became widely known among players.

A massive player guild once launched an operation called "Wan Tian Qing," deeply attached to the Dazhou dynasty and Wu Di, attempting to save it and help Wu Di achieve ascension.

Yet it still failed. Much later, someone summarized this large-scale player action and drew two conclusions:

The first conclusion: In non-Spirit-Qi eras, conquering the Four Seas and Eight Deserts was hellish—only Wu Di succeeded.

The second conclusion: In Yuan-Qi era, Qi-yun dynasties could not ascend.

The first dynasty to ascend was built by players, who left Xuanhuang World for a vaster universe, opening the Cosmic Version.

The previous dynasty to ascend was the "Da Xia Shen Chao."

When people mention "Shen Ting" or "Shen Chao," they usually mean the previous ascended dynasty, "Xia."

Yet records of Da Xia Shen Chao are extremely scarce, for it is too distant in time.

More than one Great Epoch had passed (a Great Epoch is 1.2 million years; a Small Epoch is 120 years).

"This life has no players—I wonder what the future will be like. Will the Yuan-Qi tides, feudal lords' dominance, sects' reversal, Shen Ting ruins… these great events still occur?" Zhao Xing shook his head, pulling his thoughts back.

Everything now was still too distant to him.

"This Li Chun Jieqi Ling, though a replica made by Da Li, is still of very high rank—it has reached the Eighth Rank Supreme level."

Having mastered Da Xia Golden Script, Zhao Xing spoke the words "Li Chun," and the secret patterns on the token glowed.

It then spontaneously drew one drop of Zhao Xing's blood and a wisp of Yuan-Qi, absorbing them.

"Hum~" Immediately, the physical Jieqi Ling appeared in Zhao Xing's Origin Dantian.

It merged with the existing "Li Chun Jieqi Ling" phantom within his dantian, becoming utterly solid.

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and began visualizing the Twenty-Four Solar Terms diagram in his mind.

Soon, he fully understood the effects of this Jieqi token.

"I can only unleash one percent of its power."

"But even this one percent—if I wield this replica of the Shen Ting Jieqi Ling—the Li Chun solar term's effect reaches the peak of Ding Jing."

Zhao Xing's twenty-four Jieqi Lings are all at the second realm of Zhi, Ding, and Gai—the "Ding Jing San Zhuan" level.

Yet with this Li Chun token, his "Li Chun" solar term achieves the effect of Ding Jing's peak.

"If fully unleashed, it should rival the power of the third realm."

"Right now I have only one token. Jieqi artifacts come in sets—Spring Set, Summer Set, Autumn Set, Winter Set. Just four pieces form a full set, and the power increases further."

"If I obtain all twenty-four, I should fully enter the high tier of the third realm," Zhao Xing thought. "But this is weaker than Dazhou's replica set."

Da Li's craftsmanship was still inferior to Dazhou's—this was evident in the Jieqi Ling's forging technique.

Dazhou also had its own replica Shen Ting Jieqi Lings, exclusively held by the Da Si Nong; each Jieqi Ling was Ninth Rank Supreme.

When fully assembled, the Da Si Nong could unleash Super-Rank power.

Why did the Tian Shi Sect frequently produce Da Si Nong? Precisely because this Jieqi Ling set was so powerful.

Of course, this set of Jieqi artifacts was primarily used to stabilize the celestial timing of the Nineteen Provinces.

It was never taken abroad—it was a "nuclear weapon."

Just as the Southern Man's Jue Tian Di Tong was only used in national wars, Dazhou's celestial timing treasures were never deployed lightly.

"But when Liang Wang rebels, I'll get to see Pinghaizhou and Lüliangzhou," Zhao Xing thought. "Liang Wang's rebellion will inevitably disrupt celestial timing."

"He will first shatter the celestial stability of Pinghaizhou, then swiftly march his army into Lüliangzhou to rendezvous with his vassals and troops."

"Then, from Daoyuanzhou-Yuanpinzhou-Guanglingzhou, he'll wreak havoc all the way, pretending to attack Fengjing in Tianyongzhou," Zhao Xing recalled Liang Wang's rebellion route.

"In truth, Ji Mingxian has no confidence reaching his brother's side—he only wants to seize Pinghaizhou and Lüliangzhou, relying on support from the Southern Wastelands and Eastern Sea tribes to declare himself an independent kingdom."

"The current Da Si Nong, Li Baoqian, will stabilize celestial timing the moment rebellion breaks out."

"Ji Mingxian probably doesn't know that a year before his rebellion, Da Si Nong Li Baoqian had already left Tianyongzhou and was stationed at the Xuantian Academy branch in Pinghaizhou."

Though the future may change, if Liang Wang truly rebels, Li Baoqian will inevitably appear.

For no force is more destructive than a Tian Shi Sect's Jun Si Nong.

A fifth-rank martialist's sword can cleave a kilometer-wide fissure, yet an eighth-rank Jun Si Nong's spells—cloud arts, wind arts, earth vein arts—already reach that scale.

Why did Xuantian Sect once abduct outstanding Si Nong officials in Nanyang Commandery?

Because Xuantian Sect itself excelled at cultivating Si Nong—though in Xuantianshen Sect, the ancient name was different.

Xuantian Academy was also a holy site of the Tian Shi Sect.

Moreover, Si Nong were devastatingly effective at sabotage!

For a fifth-rank Military Agricultural Official like Zhao Xing, if the defense of Juncheng were shattered, he could indeed slaughter the entire city with ease.

Once the Cloud-Swallowing Domain is unleashed, it can cover most of the prefecture! If he were to summon a rain of acid next, it would directly take the lives of most of the common people.

Moreover, Haizhou is crisscrossed by rivers like Jiang He; once chaos erupts, he could raise towering waves to flood the city, trigger earthquakes, or cause volcanic eruptions...

An Agricultural Official who can counter natural disasters can naturally wield them as well!

Setting aside how many experts he could kill, in terms of pure destruction and eliminating ordinary people, a Military Agricultural Official is undoubtedly the fastest!

"It is now the Start of Winter in the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era. According to the trajectory of the previous life, Liang Wang rebelled in the early summer of the thirty-fifth year of Jingxin and was extinguished by the late autumn of the thirty-seventh year; the time span was roughly two and a half years."

"However, the Mid-Tier Great War has started three years early, shows no sign of ending, and instead grows more entrenched, with every indication it will drag on for a long time."

"After the Ten Thousand Beast Tournament in the East Sea is concluded next year, the Ancient Land of the Dragon Court will only open in the third year of the Great Zhi. I wonder whether Liang Wang's rebellion or the opening of the Ancient Land of the Dragon Court will come first."

With too many variables in the future, Zhao Xing could only make ample preparations before that time.

After staying at home for another half month, Zhao Xing still could not figure out what the third treasure was.

Whether he poured in Yuan Qi, hacked at it with a blade, or burned it with fire, none of it could do anything to this fist-sized black sphere.

"It seems the Foolish Bird truly does not know; since even I do not know what this is, it certainly does not know either."

However, this half month was not wasted.

Regarding the black sphere, he had also drawn two relatively clear conjectures.

"This is most likely a seed, merely in a dormant state."

"I bought a plot of Level-Seven Soil from the Soldier Realm and Primordial Yuan Liquid; it cost me ten million, yet it still failed to catalyze it. However, its outer skin has peeled away; the original black lump has shed, and from an irregular sphere, it has become a perfectly regular sphere."

"If even this cannot awaken it from dormancy, it is highly probable that it is a Void Seed."

As for exactly what category of Void Seed it is, Zhao Xing could not determine.

And Void Seeds are at least 【Contemporary Wonders】!

They are also the most difficult of all plant lives to cultivate; different Void Seeds require vastly different breeding conditions. If Zhao Xing were to test them one by one by combining cultivation resources...

Even if Liu gave him five hundred million, five billion might not be enough.

"Void Seeds are rare to see in the Yuan Qi Era; I never expected Great Li to have preserved one."

"I wonder if I can cultivate it within the Ancient Land of the Dragon Court, leveraging that limited spiritual energy environment," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Although Zhao Xing is only at the fifth-rank realm, his vision can be said to be number one in the current age.

If even he cannot recognize it, then no one in the world can identify this Void Seed, and it is even more impossible that anyone would know how to cultivate it.

"I can only pin my hopes on the Ancient Land of the Dragon Court and try my luck," Zhao Xing said as he put away the black sphere and left his home in Dongyang County.