Chapter 259: Curse-Killing Technique, Xia Jing

"Truly fresh."

The ninetieth floor of the Secret Technique Tower at the Tianyuan Branch can only be accessed by a Doctor of Classics.

Anyone capable of cultivating the Myriad Laws Avatar must be a genius of the Self-Nature School.

Yet, he seemed to be pondering top-tier Cloud Arts.

Li Boqian's curiosity was instantly piqued.

"Senior, your cultivation realm is profound and your arts are unfathomable. Might you offer some guidance?"

Zhao Xing immediately cupped his hands toward the source of the voice.

His Myriad Laws Avatar was not something just anyone could easily discern.

Furthermore, he was currently within the range of his Fog-Concealment Art, with multiple layers of masking; it was impossible for an ordinary person to see through his situation.

Yet, the other party had not only appeared abruptly within his Fog-Concealment Art but had also laid bare the truth in a single sentence.

How could Master Zhao not know he had encountered a top-tier powerhouse?

Who it was didn't matter, and whether they revealed themselves wasn't important; what mattered was whether this big shot could offer him a pointer or two.

Skipping the trivialities of surprise and questioning, Zhao Xing seized upon the unknown big shot's curiosity and immediately began to demonstrate the Heavenly Thunder Finger and Cloud Gate he had comprehended.

"Senior has eyes like torches; please correct my 'Heavenly Thunder Finger' and 'Cloud Gate'!"

Before Li Boqian had even recovered, Zhao Xing began to demonstrate the arts.

"A bit interesting."

Hearing him say this, Li Boqian became even more interested.

The Heavenly Thunder Finger originated from the Prison-Suppressing Chapter of the "Profound Heaven Thunder Art," and Cloud Gate was also a top-tier art extended from the "Cloud Heaven Dao."

Where did this kid come from, actually using a Myriad Laws Avatar to comprehend a top-tier art that points directly to the ultimate?

Moreover, he wasn't hung up on who had intruded into his art, nor did he ask if he could be guided; he just started demonstrating.

Heh, what a clever one!

Li Boqian watched with keen interest.

"Zzzzt~"

Thunder light flickered at Zhao Xing's fingertip, and a black dot seemed to appear there.

The dot was pitch black, as if it wanted to swallow and destroy everything, while around the dot, thunder light swirled.

When he saw the black dot at Zhao Xing's index finger, even Li Boqian was somewhat surprised.

"This kid really wasn't bragging? His Heavenly Thunder Finger has already grasped its initial form."

BOOM!!!

The thunder light vortex surrounding the black dot slammed instantly into the magic wall.

The magic wall, crafted from special materials, showed a brief indentation, and dense cracks appeared all around it.

As a test wall capable of withstanding high-grade training, it possessed powerful resilience and self-repair capabilities.

Yet, the black vortex and thunder light imprinted within it possessed extremely powerful destructive force; the magic wall took seven full breaths to completely repair itself.

"Hoo~" Zhao Xing let out a breath, then added, "Please, Senior, offer your critique."

He didn't know if the mysterious person had left, because he couldn't sense them at all.

At this moment, Li Boqian hadn't left; instead, he actively revealed himself.

"In terms of comprehension of the Thunder Dao, your practice of the Heavenly Thunder Finger is already on the right path; there is nothing that needs correcting."

Zhao Xing was stunned the moment he saw the old man in hempen clothes walking out of the fog.

He immediately bowed and saluted: "Subordinate Zhao Xing pays respects to the Grand Minister of Agriculture!"

Li Boqian smiled and nodded: "No need for formalities. There is no Grand Minister of Agriculture here, only an old senior who has lived a few hundred years longer."

The reason he had been hiding was that the portrait of the Grand Minister of Agriculture had long since spread throughout the world.

If Li Boqian appeared in the Secret Technique Tower, it would likely cause a commotion, and countless people would abandon their cultivation to come and pay respects to him like pilgrims.

As for why he was revealing himself now, it was mainly because Li Boqian's curiosity had been piqued by Zhao Xing.

If he didn't reveal himself, he feared he wouldn't get answers to his subsequent questions.

"Many thanks, Senior." Zhao Xing straightened his body.

Li Boqian said, "You cultivate the Liu-transmitted Straw Man Art. What is your relationship with Liu Tianning?"

"Liu Tianning is my Master," Zhao Xing replied.

"Then how did you manage to sneak into the Profound Heaven Academy to become a Doctor of Classics?"

"I performed well in the quota battle for the Dragon Court Ancient Land and was recommended by the three lords: Geng Shouchang, Heng Yuan, and Sima Yunhai," Zhao Xing answered truthfully.

"So that's how it is." Li Boqian realized, "I suppose your true self must be in the Star Palace cultivating the Derivative Spirit Art, which is why you couldn't come."

"That is exactly the case." Zhao Xing did not deny it.

His cultivation of the Derivative Spirit Art was top-secret to others, but not to Li Boqian.

"Since you have embarked on the path of the Self, why come to the Profound Heaven Academy?" Li Boqian asked a third question, though he asked it with a certain expectation.

Zhao Xing did not hesitate: "Junior has not only come to the Profound Heaven Academy, but is also on the way to the Kunyuan Academy."

"I cultivate all three schools, desiring to unify the Timing, the Geographical Advantage, and the Self! To bring the Dao of Agriculture to a peak that no one has reached before and no one will reach after!"

"Hahahaha~" Li Boqian burst into laughter, "What a grand and ambitious statement! Kid, you have more ambition than Liu Tianning!"

Li Boqian was very gratified; this was the answer he had hoped for.

Harboring the intent to test him, he immediately asked again:

"Even your Master, Liu Tianning, only wanted to find the ultimate path for the Self-Nature School."

"I won't ask how you plan to unify the three schools for now, but speaking of your Master, Liu Tianning, do you know his ambition, and why he was chosen as one of the candidates for the Shangluo Academy?"

He wanted to see if Zhao Xing truly had substance, if he had a clear path, or if he was just engaging in delusional empty talk to attract attention.

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, cupped his hands, and said: "The Straw Man Art has three classifications: the Liu-transmitted Straw Man Art, the Wu-transmitted Straw Man Art, and the Shangluo Straw Man Art."

"The Wu-transmitted refers to the Grand Minister of Agriculture during the Taizu era, Wu Cheng, who recompiled the Straw Man Art passed down from ancient times."

"The Shangluo Straw Man Art is the old version from ancient times."

"The Liu-transmitted Straw Man Art was created by Liu Zonghai."

"Among them, the Shangluo Straw Man Art is deficient in intent, form, and spirit."

"Some of the materials for the arts used to forge avatars have even gone extinct."

"Moreover, only one type of top-tier Dharma Body cultivation was passed down at the time, and its power was not apparent, so the 'Shangluo Straw Man Art' only holds historical status as the source."

"During the founding of our Great Zhou, the two sages Wu Cheng and Liu Zonghai simultaneously inherited, improved, and innovated upon the Straw Man Art."

"And they derived low, medium, and high stages of Straw Man arts."

"Among them, True Person Wu had already reached a sufficiently high realm of the Dao."

"He did not practice it himself, but he gathered the great powers of the Self-Nature School and, with the help of the Creation Compass, launched forty-nine types of Straw Man arts, from low to high, eventually capable of cultivating seven great top-tier Dharma Bodies."

"Theoretically speaking, the Wu-transmitted Straw Man Art can also reach the ultimate stage."

"Wu Cheng was a theorist, while Liu Zonghai was a practitioner; he created eighty-one types."

"The versions created by the two sages overlap in forty-nine types; although the essence is the same, there are many differences in the effects of the arts, mainly regarding materials."

"The Wu-transmitted Straw Man Art is more accessible, emphasizing the art over the materials; the low and medium-tier Straw Man arts publicly promoted by the imperial court are the Wu version."

"The Liu-transmitted Straw Man Art follows an elite route, emphasizing both the art and the selection of materials."

"However, neither the theoretical Wu School nor the practical Liu School has cultivated that one ultimate Dharma Body."

"Later, the several generations of deans at the Shangluo Academy only reached the level of top-tier Dharma Bodies."

"Even so, as long as the Myriad Laws Avatar reaches the top-tier perfection level, its power and effects are already not inferior to the ultimate arts of other schools."

"Therefore, the requirement of the leader of the Self-Nature School is simply to cultivate multiple top-tier Dharma Bodies and reach the perfection realm."

"My Master desires to combine nine top-tier Dharma Bodies into one, to walk out a true ultimate path for the Self-Nature School, and then recompile the Straw Man Art; this is his ambition."

Li Boqian asked with interest: "You wish to unify the three schools; how do you intend to do it?"

Zhao Xing answered quickly: "Besides the Myriad Laws Straw Man, I shall create another ultimate path for the Self-Nature School."

"I shall create the ultimate Mountain Art and ultimate Profound Earth Art for the Geographical Advantage School, completing the five ultimates of the Geographical Advantage."

Seeing that he had nothing more to say, Li Boqian asked with a smile: "The Timing School already has seven ultimate arts; what will you do then?"

Zhao Xing said: "The Timing School does not lack arts; I shall perfect the 'Five Elements and Four Seasons Theory'."

"Hahahaha, well said! If you can achieve these things, you will truly be unprecedented and unrepeatable."

Li Boqian laughed with satisfaction.

"You have the Dao in your heart and the arts in your hands, but the path beneath your feet still needs to be walked more steadily."

"I asked you six questions, so you may come to the Nanshan Villa to consult me six times."

Zhao Xing felt a surge of joy, knowing that good fortune had arrived.

Guidance from the Grand Minister of Agriculture was far better than Geng Shouchang.

"Junior would like to consult: how can I gain a foothold in the Heavenly Thunder Finger?"

Li Boqian pondered: "I just said that your Thunder Art has already taken initial form, and there is nothing to correct."

"The reason you cannot execute it is mainly because this is a Myriad Laws Avatar."

Myriad Laws Avatar? Zhao Xing fell into thought.

"The Myriad Laws Avatar has its limitations; for instance, it cannot execute the internal-cultivation Change-of-Marquis Art."

Zhao Xing listened quietly; the Myriad Laws Avatar cannot perform the internal-cultivation Change-of-Marquis Art, at least not in this era.

Because the internal-cultivation Change-of-Marquis Art requires the physical body to undergo significant changes, and the material of the avatar is very different from the physical body; once the internal-cultivation Change-of-Marquis Art is used, the avatar will immediately collapse and cannot be restored; this is also where the irreplaceability of the true self lies.

"Additionally, although the Myriad Laws Avatar can comprehend the three major secret canons, the avatar's body lacks the Solar Term Order and also lacks pure primordial soil, so it cannot store plant-type troops."

A black hole thunder light vortex appeared at Li Boqian's fingertip, and the speed of the Heavenly Thunder Finger slowed down countless times.

At the same time, a Solar Term Order floated out from his body.

The Awakening of Insects Solar Term Order.

However, while other people's spring solar terms were green, Li Boqian's was purple.

"The Heavenly Thunder Finger is comprehended from the three solar terms of Great Heat, Minor Heat, and Awakening of Insects. Combined with the true intent of the Thunder Art comprehended from the Solar Term Order, the Solar Term Order is a very important auxiliary practice method at the introductory stage."

"The structure of your Myriad Laws Avatar is not the same as your physical body."

"So you have grasped its form and roughly understood its spirit, but you lack the true intent of thunder, and even more so, you are not accustomed to the difference between the true self and the avatar."

"This Myriad Laws Avatar you have crafted emphasizes the Yin Five Elements, because its foundation is the Soul-Detaining Straw Man Art, and its art materials are Yin Five Elements, yet you want to cultivate Yang Thunder; this is also constantly interfering with your spellcasting."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing suddenly realized.

Li Boqian had pointed out two problems: first, he didn't use the Solar Term Order to assist when practicing, which meant he was inherently at a disadvantage compared to others.

Second, he hadn't noticed the characteristics of the avatar; he wanted to cultivate a top-tier Yang Thunder Art, but the Yin Five Elements within the avatar were too heavy, interfering with his comprehension.

If it were his true self, he probably would have succeeded long ago; this was the drawback of sending an avatar.

Li Boqian said: "The solution is also very simple. You are only one step away; you can completely have your true self take some time to cultivate."

"Once you have truly entered the door, standing on high ground, and then look back to find the path suitable for the avatar to execute the art, it will be much easier."

After hearing this, Zhao Xing was suddenly enlightened; his previous realm of the Dao was sufficient, so he could quickly cross this hurdle, allowing the avatar to quickly execute high-level arts, and the power would gradually increase.

But now, cultivating top-tier arts was not so easy, so it had stumped him.

Now that Li Boqian had pointed out a path, he immediately knew what to do.

Actually, it was very simple, but if Li Boqian hadn't pointed it out, Zhao Xing probably wouldn't have discovered it for a long time.

"Many thanks for the guidance, Senior; I know what to do."

Li Boqian smiled: "This consultation won't count; he will find a Ritual Cultivator to cast 'Three-Fold Silence' on you."

"Yes." Zhao Xing cupped his hands; Three-Fold Silence was a Ritual Cultivator's art, also commonly known as a gag spell.

Li Boqian had an important mission here and could not be easily exposed.

…………

After meeting with Li Boqian, the avatar went to the Dean's office.

Lu Chunhua invited a Ritual Cultivator whose realm could not be discerned to cast 'Three-Fold Silence' on Zhao Xing.

This art takes effect on the life soul, meaning neither the true self nor the avatar could reveal Li Boqian's location.

Zhao Xing's true self, in his residence at the Star Palace, closed his eyes and pretended to rest.

He wore the Heavenly Mystery Robe, carried the Ink-Adherence Jade Pendant, and the Soul-Suppressing Bell as he entered a dream.

Inside the memory palace in the dream, Zhao Xing reviewed his meeting with Li Boqian.

"Li Boqian's historical evaluation as Grand Minister of Agriculture is very high; he is not as brutal as old Liu, but relatively gentle."

"I brushed up his favorability, and these six consultation opportunities are the reward." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

He had thought it would take some effort, but he hadn't expected that his declaration of ambition in front of him would earn such an opportunity.

It must be said that besides luck, his own strength was also a factor.

If he hadn't cultivated the Myriad Laws Avatar, the true self going to the Secret Technique Tower might not have attracted Li Boqian's attention.

The things said later would have seemed like empty boasting.

Cultivating the Myriad Laws Avatar proved that he wasn't just thinking, but doing; his actions and ambitions were consistent.

That was why Li Boqian said he had "the Dao in his heart and the arts in his hands."

"I must make good use of Li Boqian's six opportunities; it would be best if I could learn his 'Profound Sealing' art."

"However, the Profound Sealing art must be consulted in the final opportunity; for me now, accepting such a legacy is still very strenuous; I cannot waste the opportunity."

If he could succeed, then doing things in the Timing School would be much smoother, and his status would rise straight up!

Inheriting an ultimate art for the Timing School is "continuing the lost teachings for the sages of the past," which is a tremendous merit!

Although the Timing School already has seven ultimate arts, the gold content of an ultimate art does not decrease just because there are many of them.

"The Derivative Spirit Art is the foundation for learning arts; my life soul seal is now four stars, and my learning ability has improved more than tenfold."

"Art affinity, art comprehension, art creation, deduction... these are all things that can be clearly perceived."

"Next, I'll take a few days to try it out."

…………

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was December 10th.

In the Star Palace, Zhao Xing's true self was cultivating, but this time it wasn't the Derivative Spirit Art, but the Heavenly Thunder Finger.

"Zzzzt~"

The black thunder vortex at his fingertip emerged; it was incredibly stable, yet contained powerful destructive force.

"The true intent of thunder destruction, the top-tier art Heavenly Thunder Finger, has finally been introduced." Zhao Xing smiled slightly and dispersed the art.

The true self and the avatar share the same life soul, so the insights are naturally connected.

The avatar comprehending the Dao is equivalent to the true self comprehending the Dao; he had stayed in the Secret Technique Tower for ten consecutive days.

At the same time, the true self also briefly abandoned the cultivation of the Derivative Spirit Art, executing the Solar Term Order to assist in comprehension.

Finally, on the tenth day of using the Secret Technique Tower, he comprehended the Heavenly Thunder Finger to the first turn.

"The true self has already entered the door; next is to let the avatar get used to it." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The avatar is definitely a step slower than the true self.

In executing top-tier arts, the true self is like having two eyes to see the world, with hands and feet complete. The avatar is like covering one eye and having a lame foot.

"According to the experience of the high-grade art stage, when the true self cultivates to the third turn of the top-tier art, the avatar should be able to barely execute it."

Suddenly, the Earth Mirror buzzed.

Zhao Xing took a look and felt helpless:

"Sigh, the Heavenly Derivative King is urging me again, really... does he think I'm slacking off?"

When Zhao Xing rested for two days, the Heavenly Derivative King approved.

After five days of rest, the Heavenly Derivative King couldn't sit still.

After ten days of rest, the Heavenly Derivative King kept reminding Zhao Xing not to slack off.

The dignified Heavenly Derivative King had become Zhao Xing's cultivation supervisor.

He was afraid Zhao Xing would miss the opportunity to break the record.

"Zhao Xing, you should cultivate, come out quickly!" The Heavenly Derivative King's voice echoed outside the door. "The hours you've rested add up to more than ten days! Even the horses at the Tuo Spring Palace don't rest as much as you!"

"Sigh, coming, coming!" Zhao Xing sighed and flew out quickly.

…………

From the third life star to the fourth, the difficulty was increasing.

Liu Tianning had spent more than half a year to complete such a leap.

After learning the Heavenly Thunder Finger, under the supervision of the Heavenly Derivative King, Zhao Xing had to let his true self abandon the comprehension of arts and focus on cultivating the first layer of the Derivative Spirit Art.

"Life soul seal four stars, I estimate it will be January of next year." Zhao Xing thought to himself, "I don't know if this speed is fast or slow, or if I can practice it within three years."

Starting from the third star, he felt it getting harder and harder, and the time required was getting longer and longer.

Of course, Zhao Xing had no specific concept of this, because the Heavenly Derivative King wouldn't say, and he had no way of knowing the cultivation speed of others.

Did the other thirty-seven people have faster speeds than him?

What was his ranking?

These were top-secret files.

"Seeing the Heavenly Derivative King urging so tightly, I'm afraid I'm not cultivating very fast, so I must work hard; I cannot underestimate the geniuses of Great Zhou."

Master Zhao had no idea that he was not only the first among these thirty-eight people, but also the first of the current dynasty, and even the first person in history.

If he knew, he would probably complain to the Heavenly Derivative King: I'm already this fast, what are you urging for! As if I were at the bottom.

……

Time came to January 15th, 31st year of the Jingxin Calendar.

Inside the Star Palace.

"Rumble~"

The secret-pattern stars rotated, and Zhao Xing stood on the Star Platform, watching quietly.

Now he no longer screamed in pain.

The cultivation of the Derivative Spirit Art had also honed his mental will.

Now, the pain exceeded that of the first star by a lot, but he could already remain expressionless.

Even the Heavenly Derivative King couldn't tell whether Zhao Xing had succeeded or not.

After waiting for a long time, he didn't see Zhao Xing take the Soul Liquid, nor did he hear him scream.

The Heavenly Derivative King couldn't help but reveal himself: "You, have you broken through or not? You've been standing here for a long time."

If you've broken through, say something quickly; I'm in a hurry to write the record!

"Reporting to the Heavenly Derivative King, I have broken through." Zhao Xing nodded.

At this moment, his life soul, following the waist, abdomen, and shoulders, had another star appear on his back.

Secret patterns appeared on the star; this was the verification of the Soul Dao.

"The fourth life star?" The Heavenly Derivative King's face showed joy, "Good, good, good."

"Prince, what level is my speed of breaking through the fourth star?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Of course it is..." The Heavenly Derivative King was so happy he almost blurted out the truth, but when he thought about how Zhao Xing had rested for ten days, he swallowed the words back, "Cough, cough, as for this, I can only say that you still have a lot of room for improvement."

Zhao Xing couldn't grasp his ambiguous answer, so he had to say: "Prince, can I have a few days of vacation?"

"What are you going to do?" The Heavenly Derivative King asked vigilantly.

Why does he want to rest again? This kid wasn't like this when he was in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven!

"The Spring Sacrifice Day is coming soon; I have to go home for the New Year." Zhao Xing said. "During the last breakthrough, except for one avatar at the Profound Heaven Academy branch, another avatar is on the way to the Kunyuan Academy, and the rest dissipated because of the life soul vibration."

"It's not that I can't use an avatar to go back, but my sister often says I'm a silly brother, and I want to go back and see for myself."

This reason couldn't be refused, so the Heavenly Derivative King nodded and said: "Alright, then I'll give you half a month of vacation."

The fourth star to the fifth star couldn't be broken through in a short time either.

"Many thanks, Heavenly Derivative King."

"Don't be in a hurry." The Heavenly Derivative King said, "Go back when it's closer to the festival; it's still early, there's still half a month."

"Yes."

…………

Chongming Prefecture, inside a secret private mansion.

Yin Qiquan looked at the stack of documents in front of him and couldn't help but look at his subordinate: "How did you handle this? I told you to bring all the official records of the Deity Temple's Chief, so why are these all signed by the Right Chief Chen Shijie, and the Left Chief only has an official seal?"

The subordinate was also aggrieved: "My Lord, you can't blame me for this; that Zhao Xing went to the Deity Temple and is completely a hands-off manager, lying in the office sleeping every day, not caring about anything."

"All affairs of the Deity Temple Chief are handled by Chen Shijie."

Zhao Xing doesn't do anything, purely slacking off, so what can be done?

"What, how can this scoundrel be so lazy in governance!" Yin Qiquan angrily slapped the table.

He wanted to get something related to Zhao Xing and secretly send it to the sea; this could be used as a medium.

Once collected, when the time was ripe, it could come in handy.

But, Zhao Xing had been at the Deity Temple for so long, and he actually did nothing; all affairs, big and small, were handled by Chen Shijie.

He was like a statue in a temple, only watching, not speaking, not moving.

"Is there not a single document in here with Zhao Xing's signature?" Yin Qiquan asked, clutching the stack of documents, "Ah? Is there?"

The subordinate said: "Reporting to my Lord, there are still three."

"Hmm?" Yin Qiquan was overjoyed, "Where?"

The subordinate immediately stepped forward and found three copies among the documents Yin Qiquan had messed up.

"Good, you may go." Yin Qiquan dismissed the subordinate.

Then his body sank into the ground, arriving at an underground palace.

A huge brazier was burning in the underground palace, and Yin Qiquan threw all three documents into it.

This brazier was passed down from the ancient sect, the True Fire Sect.

It was crafted by the True Fire Sect imitating the Li Fire God Sect's Li Fire God Altar and Fire Pond.

However, the knock-off product was a bit lacking; it couldn't transport people, only objects, and the quantity couldn't be too large.

"Pfft~"

These three documents were transmitted to the distant Three Mountains on the seabed.

Venerable Blood Spirit walked down from the platform, took the three documents in his hand, and then closed his eyes to sense.

A moment later, a face with stubble, a slightly square face shape, light brow patterns, and a small nose and eyes appeared in Venerable Blood Spirit's mind.

"Yin Qiquan, that idiot." Venerable Blood Spirit snorted coldly.

This wasn't Zhao Xing's signature at all; it was clearly signed on his behalf by Chen Shijie!

Venerable Blood Spirit casually threw the documents away.

A dignified fourth-rank inspector couldn't even get an item from a fifth-rank official, and could even get it wrong?

Yin Qiquan was truly a piece of trash!

He had to pay a considerable price to cast the 【Curse-Killing Technique】, and it even required consuming a person's life.

How could he use it to kill Chen Shijie? He wasn't even on the list!

Venerable Blood Spirit wrote back to Yin Qiquan.

Before long, Yin Qiquan in the underground secret room saw the reply: Idiot, that was signed on behalf by Chen Shijie!

"What?" After seeing the reply, Yin Qiquan was furious: "Damn Zhao Xing! How can you be so lazy in governance! Ah, it truly infuriates me!"

…………

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was February 4th.

At this time in Chongming Prefecture, most officials had already started their New Year holidays, but the Deity Temple was becoming increasingly busy.

Because the Spring Sacrifice Day was approaching, many people flocked to the temple to prepare to worship the Deity.

It was also on this day that Zhao Xing was given a half-month vacation by the Heavenly Derivative King.

He came out from the entrance in the underground secret room and returned to the temple.

Arriving at the Deity Temple's office, he saw a large pile of documents flying into the Chief's room.

Almost as soon as one batch was processed, a new batch flew out from the furnace.

There were also subordinate officials constantly coming in and out to ask Chen Shijie for instructions.

Upon seeing Zhao Xing enter, the surrounding officials were stunned for a moment, then cupped their hands and saluted: "Greetings, Chief Zhao."

Saluting was one thing, but some officials' expressions were not very good.

Because Zhao Xing often slept and didn't manage things, and everything was done by Chen Shijie, the Right Chief.

So much so that some officials didn't even remember there was a Left Chief named Zhao Xing, and only reacted after being reminded.

"You continue, continue. Don't worry about me." Zhao Xing walked into old Chen's office with a smile.

After entering the Chief's room, Chen Shijie was already drowned in documents.

Heaven have mercy, Zhao Xing came in, and he didn't even notice!

Chen Shijie was a Military Minister of Agriculture, and his vigilance was very high, but now he didn't even know Zhao Xing had come in, which showed how busy he was.

"Cough, cough..." Zhao Xing coughed twice, grabbed a minor official, fished out two stacks of documents, and walked over, "I'll do it, you guys go down."

"Yes."

"Quite busy, huh." Zhao Xing grabbed the documents and intended to sit down, but found there wasn't even a place to stand, so he had to stand.

"What are you doing?" Chen Shijie looked at the documents in Zhao Xing's hand.

"I'm here to help you process some official business."

"What do you know about processing official business? Bring it over; these two are urgent from Mingyang Commandery."

"Alright, Chief Chen." Zhao Xing handed over the documents nimbly.

Chen Shijie's hands didn't move, but many pens were held by the wind, constantly signing and replying to the reports from the subordinate commanderies and counties.

The Deity Temple is usually not busy, but as soon as the Spring Sacrifice Day approaches, it gets incredibly busy.

The great affairs of the state are in war and sacrifice; sacrifice is one of the most important activities of Great Zhou.

The Spring Sacrifice Day is especially the most important; the usual sacrificial activities in the county do not need to be submitted to the prefecture for approval, only to the commandery level.

But for sacrifices related to the Spring Sacrifice Day, even the county level must be approved by the prefecture.

But there were too many now; Zhao Xing discovered after watching for a while that things were more numerous than he had imagined.

"Why are there so many things, even county-level affairs are under our management?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Temporarily added." Chen Shijie said, "A month ago, Minister Zhou assigned the county-level spring sacrifices to the prefecture level."

"Is someone targeting us?" Zhao Xing frowned. "Is Zhou Chengwen a member of the Liang Prince's party?"

Zhou Chengwen was the Star Lord Priest of the Prefecture Star Lord Temple, a third-rank official, and could be considered their superior.

"Don't know, can't tell." Chen Shijie shook his head, "The other party has sufficient reasons; this year is a great spring sacrifice, so it's normal for county-level affairs to be assigned here."

The Deity Temple doesn't just manage sacrifices, it also involves agricultural affairs, and Chongming Prefecture is large, and there are so many counties and commanderies on the islands, so it's impossible to be busy enough.

Zhao Xing nodded; this was also something that couldn't be helped.

Whether this Zhou Chengwen was a member of the Liang Prince's party, he couldn't grasp, and he didn't know what conspiracies were behind it, but Zhao Xing was too lazy to think about it.

Since Princess Youruo didn't intervene, it proved that what the other party did wasn't too excessive.

"The Spring Sacrifice Day is coming soon; can it be finished before the New Year?"

"No." Chen Shijie shook his head, "What are you thinking? The New Year is the busiest time."

"The Deity Temple doesn't just touch on sacrifices, it also has to manage agricultural affairs; these two months are the busiest."

"How long has it been since you took a vacation?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Never since I came."

"..."

Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel ashamed.

"Forget it, stop for a while, go home for the New Year, I'll give you a vacation."

"If you don't go back, Gui Niang will complain."

Chen Shijie was puzzled: "Do you not want to do it anymore? If I leave, who will handle this work."

"Me." Zhao Xing smiled.

"You?" Chen Shijie scrutinized Zhao Xing.

"Don't look down on people." Zhao Xing said, "I'm just busy, not incompetent."

How could he not know how to handle government affairs?

Learn about the "Complete Guide to Best Government Affairs Strategy" summarized by players.

"Are you not going back?" Chen Shijie said, "This year, not only is Long Xiao coming back for the New Year, but even Xia Jing is coming to the East Sea after the Spring Sacrifice Day."

"Oh? Xia Jing is coming too? Why didn't you tell me." Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised.

"That would require being able to find you; your attendance was all checked for you." Chen Shijie took out his Chief seal.

Zhao Xing said: "I mean, how does he have time to come."

The Great War against the Barbarians hasn't ended yet, and Xia Jing is now a fifth-rank military general; how could he leave?

Chen Shijie said: "Xia Jing broke both his arms and was poisoned by the Earth Witch."

"What?" Zhao Xing's brow jumped, "Is it serious?"

"He says it's not serious." Chen Shijie said, "Xiang Kui found him a thousand-year-old broken-bone ginseng produced in the Guangling Cave Heaven, but his two arms are poisoned and can no longer be reattached; he can only wait for them to grow back, which requires a period of cultivation."

"The poison is also quite troublesome; it is expected to take a year or a year and a half of treatment to fully recover."

This was very serious!

Xia Jing externally cultivates the Xuanwu Shield and internally cultivates the Gluttonous Eating Art; to be injured to this extent, how could it not be serious?

"Fortunately, he kept his life." Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he didn't die on the spot, there was basically a way to save him.

"It seems your decision back then was correct." Chen Shijie said in a low voice.

They enjoyed the blessings, but didn't encounter any of the disasters.

Otherwise, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao wouldn't know what would happen now.

The Great War against the Barbarians has been escalating to this point.

Xia Jing was injured by an Earth Witch, which proves that third-rank combat power has begun to enter the field.

Now it seems that third-rank combat power is only appearing sporadically, but this is also a sign.

Sooner or later, one side will not be able to hold back and will completely start a high-grade war.

"Calculating the time, it's about these two years." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The Liang Prince rebelled in the 35th year of the Jingxin Calendar; before this, the high-grade war had been fought for about three years.

That is to say, in the 32nd year of the Jingxin Calendar, a high-grade war will break out.

The Southern Wilderness at that time will be the true hell mode, worthy of being called a meat grinder.

"When he comes, I will persuade him to take this opportunity to cultivate thoroughly." Zhao Xing said in a deep voice, "If he retires now, he can still keep a fifth-rank official position and retire with honor with his title and rank."

"Does that mean you are also going back to Dongyang County?" Chen Shijie asked in surprise, "Then what about here?"

Zhao Xing smiled: "Did you forget I have an avatar?"

Although he only had two left to cultivate the Derivative Spirit Art before.

But this thing can be recreated at any time; Zhao Xing now has plenty of materials in his pure primordial soil, and he can copy and paste a hundred of them in the blink of an eye.

Processing government affairs doesn't even require that many.

Derivative Spirit Art life soul four stars, multi-tasking, processing mere government affairs is a piece of cake.

"Fine, then I'll listen to you." Chen Shijie smiled, put down his pen, and then fell asleep.

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and a gust of wind carried Chen Shijie to the official residence.

He himself executed the pure primordial projection, and from the shadows, avatars walked out.

The avatars replaced old Chen's work and began signing documents.

…………

February 10th, 31st year of the Jingxin Calendar, Spring Sacrifice Day.

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie spent the New Year together at home in Dongyang County.

February 13th, Long Xiao brought Bai Feng to Dongyang County.

They had just arrived, and on the afternoon of February 14th, Xia Jing also arrived in Dongyang County of Bixian Commandery.

Zhao Xing had a relative quota at the Li Fire Dao Academy, which allowed Xia Jing to directly borrow the path.

So he came four days after the New Year.

Thus, the four swordsmen of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven, after parting in the 20th year of the Jingxin Calendar, gathered again after eleven years.

"Truly fast, it's been eleven years." Xia Jing sat at the table and sighed.

His appearance was no different from eleven years ago, but his hair had fallen out, which was a sequela of the Earth Witch's poison, and it hadn't fully recovered yet.

His temperament had become more weathered, and he had become more stable than before.

"Come, drink! Xia Jing, I toast you a cup; you survived under a third-rank Earth Witch, I respect you as a man!" Long Xiao raised his cup.

"Keep your voice down." Chen Shijie said, "Why are you roaring so loudly? The Lady is resting in the side hall."

"What are you afraid of? There are only the four of us here; drink as much as you want today!"

The current gathering was already the second round, and the family members were not in this four-meter-square room.

Xia Jing also raised his wine cup; he had installed two seventh-rank mechanical prosthetic limbs, and after taking the broken-bone ginseng, it wouldn't grow back quickly.

Instead, it required the use of restorative medical prosthetic limbs; the prosthetic limbs were a circle thicker than his original arms, and there was some space inside, where his hands would slowly grow out.

"Don't worry, I've soundproofed this place; it doesn't matter how loud you roar." Zhao Xing smiled and raised his cup, "It is worth a toast; come, for Brother Xia, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The four drank it in one gulp.

"Hah~ good wine." Xia Jing had only drunk one cup, and his face became flushed; his resistance was not as good as before, and one cup of fifth-rank fine wine could make his face turn red.

"Prince, you escaped from under a third-rank Earth Witch, tell us in detail." Long Xiao said: "Today I'll give you a chance to show off."

Xia Jing raised his wine cup but looked at Zhao Xing: "Speaking of which, I was able to save my life, and I have to thank Brother Zhao."

"Oh? What does it have to do with him?" Long Xiao asked curiously.

Chen Shijie also looked over.

Xia Jing looked at Zhao Xing and said: "Do you remember what you told me when we parted?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "I remember."

Xia Jing said: "Before you left, you drew a flag for me and told me to run if I encountered this flag."

Zhao Xing's pupils shrank: "You encountered the Nine Nether Army of the Southern Wilderness Holy Mountain?"

Xia Jing smiled bitterly: "Yes, I encountered people from the Nine Nether Army. At that time, I was leading a Dragon Cavalry Battalion to execute Xiang Kui's reconnaissance mission."

"Suddenly, I encountered a flag I had never seen before."

"Upon seeing that flag, I suddenly remembered your words, so I immediately ran away."

"So you didn't have a battle?" Long Xiao interrupted.

"Yes, I ran as soon as I discovered it." Xia Jing said, "But just when I thought the retreat was successful, I discovered I was poisoned; my hands couldn't stop trembling, and the blood-energy battle formation began to collapse, and I also had hallucinations."

"What did you see?"

"I saw nine black insects, they had ferocious mouthparts, suddenly drilling out of the air and entering my body."

Xia Jing said in a deep voice: "I initially thought it was the means of a Bug Witch, but it wasn't, because I carried the holy medicine for detoxification with me, but it was useless."

"My body began to collapse, and my golden body was disintegrating, so I decisively cut off my own arms."

"Fortunately, my Green Dragon Transformation Art had reached the seventh layer, and the Xuanwu Shield and Gluttonous Eating Art also helped a lot; after cutting off my arms, I had no more hallucinations, only the poison was still acting."

Xia Jing recalled that scene and said with lingering fear: "Do you know, I didn't even see the enemy, and I didn't know what this means was; at that time, I only wanted to escape."

"I fainted after running back to the camp, and it was only afterwards that I learned I had encountered a third-rank powerhouse."

"The outside world says I encountered a third-rank Poison Witch, but it wasn't like that." Xia Jing recalled, "This is definitely not an ordinary third-rank; the military world has no records of such means at all; you know what happened later, I left the battlefield to cultivate."

Long Xiao asked: "Zhao Xing, do you know what this means is?"

Zhao Xing said in a deep voice: "The Nine Nether Army is the trump card of the Southern Wilderness Holy Mountain; its status in the Southern Barbarians is equivalent to our Great Zhou's Ten Great Forbidden Armies."

"The Nine Nether Army was born from the ancient Nine Nether God Sect; the people inside are all trained as all-around main generals."

"They have had a servant army from the beginning, and the selection criteria for the servant army are very high, which can be compared to the top twenty forbidden armies of Great Zhou."

"What? The servants are all at this standard?" Long Xiao was stunned. "Are there very few of them? Is it a bug-raising style of cultivation, one in ten thousand?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "No, there are many; the Nine Nether Army exceeds fifty thousand, and the servant army exceeds ten million."

"Are you kidding me?!" Long Xiao was shocked, "Ten million servant armies compared to Great Zhou's top twenty forbidden armies? Great Zhou doesn't have that many, and those fifty thousand people must be very strong; aren't they all peerless geniuses?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible." Chen Shijie said, "Mere Southern Barbarians, where would they have such a foundation?"

Xia Jing looked at Zhao Xing; only he didn't question it.

Zhao Xing pondered: "The Southern Barbarian Holy Mountain is relatively special; the Nine Nether Army doesn't use ordinary cultivation methods; they have ways to change the aptitude of ordinary people. But they also have restrictions; they cannot leave the Southern Barbarian area and can only guard."

"I can't say any more specifically; I don't want to make up lies to deceive you; you will understand in the future."

The Southern Barbarian Holy Mountain, as the place with the most spiritual energy remaining in the Profound Yellow World, is also one of the key conditions for ascension.

It has always been the place that the Qi-Luck Dynasty most wants to conquer.

However, such secrets involving ascension are only known to the Emperor; Zhao Xing couldn't say any more details and could only say some rumors.

Of course, it would be different when it reaches the Wu Emperor dynasty.

The Wu Emperor directly announced the secret of ascension, no longer treating ascension as a matter for the royal family alone, but widely informing everyone, letting all subjects work towards this goal.

The Wu Emperor was different from previous emperors; he wanted to take all his subjects to ascend together! Unlike previous ascending dynasties, which only took the powerful and the strong.

Seeing Zhao Xing being tight-lipped, the three didn't ask any more, but the atmosphere became somewhat heavy for a while.

Mainly because in their impression, Great Zhou has always been invincible, and the Southern Barbarians are very weak.

Especially Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, who retired with honor; they didn't experience the subsequent medium-grade war, and even Xia Jing, although he was injured now, still had this concept, just a little more emphasis.

But deep down, he also thought he was unlucky and encountered an extreme case; he didn't expect Zhao Xing to say so.

Just then, the door outside was knocked.

"Husband, are you still drinking? I'm here to bring you some side dishes." This was Bai Feng's voice.

Long Xiao glanced at Zhao Xing, who opened the magic array in the private room.

Bai Feng, with a big belly, and Gui Niang following behind, brought a team of maids to serve the dishes.

"Sorry to trouble you, Sister-in-law." Zhao Xing stood up to help serve the dishes, "We'll do it ourselves."

"I'll do it, Gui Niang." Chen Shijie also went to take the dishes in Gui Niang's hands.

"Yes, Ling'er, you rest." Long Xiao stood up with a smiling face.

"How much did you drink?" Bai Feng asked.

"Not much, not much." Long Xiao said: "Just a little bit."

Xia Jing couldn't help but laugh, Chen Shijie was fine.

Long Xiao's family status was truly worrying.

But he couldn't laugh anymore.

Because Long Xiao brought him two basins of fish.

"..." Xia Jing couldn't help but swallow, glaring at Long Xiao.

Long Xiao looked innocent, indicating that this was really not intentional.

Bai Feng is from the East Sea, how could she not bring some local specialties?

"Why isn't the Prince eating?" Seeing Xia Jing's strangeness, Bai Ling'er couldn't help but ask: "I carefully selected them; they are all top-quality fish, and these two dishes were made by Gui Niang herself."

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie held back their laughter, never expecting that Xia Jing still couldn't escape this disaster.

"Thank you, two Sisters-in-law." Xia Jing smiled, "I've already eaten a lot just now; I'll eat after a rest."

Bai Feng said, "Then drink some soup; Gui Niang specially prepared it for you; Prince, try it and see if it suits your taste."

"Yes, it won't be good if it gets cold." Long Xiao smiled, "You have to drink it while it's hot."

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie also said: "Yes, Brother Xia, it's already served, try it at least."

Xia Jing closed his eyes and took a sip, forcing himself to pretend to be enjoying it: "Not bad, Sister-in-law has good craftsmanship, and the ingredients are also top-quality; it makes one unforgettable for a lifetime!"

"That's good, hee hee." Bai Feng smiled: "Long Xiao, accompany the Prince well."

"Definitely, definitely."

After saying that, Bai Feng and Gui Niang went out.

"Pfft~"

Just after going out, Xia Jing sprayed out a mouthful of fish soup.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie couldn't dodge in time and were covered in it; Zhao Xing seemed to have been prepared and directly dodged it.

Xia Jing took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth and gritted his teeth: "You guys are truly my good brothers!"

"Hahahaha!"

Happy times are always short; on February 18th, Long Xiao and Bai Feng left Dongyang County and returned to the sea.

February 19th, Zhao Xing also had to return to the prefecture; the half-month vacation given by the Heavenly Derivative King had expired.

As for Chen Shijie, he could rest for a few more days.

Under Zhao Xing's persuasion, Xia Jing planned to cultivate in the East Sea for a few more months.

He already had a manor here, so he settled down in Dongyang County.

February 20th, Zhao Xing's true self was cultivating the Derivative Spirit Art in the Star Palace.

The progress of the fifth star slowed down, and it was expected to be half a year later after condensation.

The first avatar continued to cultivate the "Profound Heaven Thunder Art" and "Cloud Gate" at the Tianyuan Prefecture branch.

The second avatar, at this time, finally followed Meng Kun and Gu Zhangqing to the main branch of the Kunyuan Academy in Daoyuan Continent.

"Last April, busy until the end of February this year." Gu Zhangqing stood on the deck of the warship, "Finally completed the imperial court's instructions; everyone can finally take a vacation."

Meng Kun folded his hands, looking at the happy officials below: "The subordinate officials can take a vacation, but you and I cannot rest yet. Zhao Xing's entry into the Kunyuan Academy must be handled quickly."

"It's not difficult to join, what's difficult is the allocation of resources for entering the treasure land to comprehend." Gu Zhangqing smiled: "You agreed readily back then; now you have to find these 300 million resources for him, you'll have a headache; once it's done, someone will definitely poke your spine and curse your ancestors for eighteen generations."

Meng Kun shrugged and said: "It doesn't matter, as long as I don't find out. If I find out, I'll send them to see my ancestors and let them curse to their faces."

Gu Zhangqing: "You are truly willing to spend effort."

Meng Kun tilted his head toward the cabin behind him: "Haven't you noticed? In just a few months, Zhao Xing's life soul has strengthened by a large margin."

"A terrifying change is taking place in him; in a few moments, I even smelled the fluctuations of top-tier Timing Arts on him."

Gu Zhangqing recalled: "It seems so; it looks like his cultivation at the Tianyuan Prefecture branch has entered the right track."

Meng Kun said: "Human energy is limited; if he spends more effort on Timing Arts, he will spend less on Geographical Advantage Arts."

"I plan to give him my comprehension quota at the Kunyuan Dao Field for a period of time; this way, he can also focus more on our side. What do you think?"

Gu Zhangqing was stunned after hearing this; this was even more generous than the conditions promised before.

The Kunyuan Dao Field is the best place for enlightenment, and even third-rankers are fighting for it.

Meng Kun was so willing, and it was his own resources, so he naturally wouldn't disagree.

Meng Kun's decision was good, but...

Why did he suddenly get competitive?