Chapter 261: Imperial Officials and the Chosen One! The Quota is Secured! (Sixteen Thousand)

On the third day of entering the second trial, Zhao Xing continued to break through.

Since there was only one person, passing the twenty-sixth city was not as fast as before; it took two hours to get through.

In the twenty-seventh city, the number of dragon breeds continued to increase, and their strength had fully risen to the Fourth Rank; every single one was Fourth Rank, with various innate secret techniques. Breaking through alone was truly not that easy.

Zhao Xing had to use the Ten Thousand Dharma Divisions to reduce the damage to his original body, using the divisions to distract the dragon beasts, and passed at the Yin hour of the fourth day.

The twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and twenty-ninth cities were also passed successfully by relying on the Ten Thousand Dharma Divisions to distract attention.

The time spent breaking through, traveling, and resting meant it was now the first quarter of the Wu hour on the fifth day.

Zhao Xing finally arrived before the thirtieth city.

He swept his gaze over the crowd ahead.

There were roughly one hundred and twenty people.

With the Ten Thousand Dharma Divisions attracting attention to let the original body pass, his speed was still quite fast.

"Hmm? Why are Lei Ling, Leng Yue, Xuan Feng, and the others still here?" Zhao Xing's gaze fell on a hill outside the city.

The top three experts were actually still here.

"Stuck? That shouldn't be the case."

In Zhao Xing's view, the top three powerful figures should be able to clear the trial within five days, or even earlier.

Why does everyone have injuries?

Is the thirtieth city really that difficult?

Zhao Xing shifted his gaze to the city.

"Three thousand Green Dragon Soldiers, each Fifth Rank? If they form a Qi and Blood Battle Formation, that is indeed terrifying."

"It depends on the commander's strength. If the commander is Fourth Rank, then even Third Rank might not... damn, Long Xiao?"

After Zhao Xing scanned the people on the city wall, he immediately spotted a familiar figure.

The man carrying a golden greatsword, wearing Green Dragon armor, a cloud-top helmet, and golden boots was indeed Long Xiao!

"Why is he guarding the trial? He isn't a Water Tribe member either."

"Oh, he is Bai Mingchuan's son-in-law; that makes sense."

With Long Xiao's talent, he must have progressed rapidly in these few years.

With him leading three thousand Green Dragon Soldiers to guard the city, it made sense that those people were stuck.

"You're here! Brother, you finally arrived!"

Long Xiao's gaze locked onto Zhao Xing's figure, revealing a hint of a smile.

His previous thought was: if my brother hasn't passed, none of you shall pass!

Long Xiao knew how much Zhao Xing wanted to obtain the quota for the Dragon Court Ancient Land.

Of course, he had to help his brother fulfill this wish.

Sensing Long Xiao's gaze, Zhao Xing also looked up.

The two did not transmit sound; they merely locked eyes.

However, Zhao Xing read the micro-expressions on the other's face.

He did not hesitate and immediately charged toward the city wall.

Seeing this, Xuan Feng spoke: "This brother, do not break through alone; it is very easy to get injured. Wait until more people gather and break through together!"

At this moment, Xuan Feng was playing the role of the 'Leading Brother'.

Before this, he had already stopped many people.

Those who could arrive here by the fifth day were all experts; gathering together to break through the trial was the only hope.

Zhao Xing paid no heed.

Seeing he would not listen to the advice, Lei Ling beside him snorted coldly: "Another one looking for death."

"Let him be; there is no need for so many people anyway," Leng Yue beside him said.

Not far away, Gabriel and Fei She watched with malicious glee.

Because the strength of the general guarding this trial was simply too strong.

Previously, some people were even beaten into became heavy injuries and eliminated.

Both of them had their heads stolen by Zhao Xing, so naturally, they were happy to see Zhao Xing act impulsively.

"Bang!"

Zhao Xing charged onto the city wall and collided with Long Xiao.

"Boom Boom Boom!"

Lei Ting, sword qi, and mist-hidden spells churned the surrounding Five Elements power; no one could see the battle scene.

Crack—

Boom~~

The earth shook and the mountains trembled; thunder roared loudly.

Those who didn't know might think two peerless experts were fighting.

In reality, both were making a lot of noise but doing little; they were using the fight as an excuse to chat.

"Long Xiao, how did you become the guard here?"

"Hehe, didn't expect that?" Long Xiao swung a sword, which Zhao Xing casually slapped away.

"Are those people outside the city the ones you stopped?"

"Correct! Bai Mingchuan ordered me to guard here; the mission is to block those breaking through."

"I will let you pass. You are clearing the trial in less than five days, so you can get five million points. I will continue to block the others," Long Xiao said.

"No, if you dare to let me pass so blatantly, you will go to jail when you return," Zhao Xing said. "You cannot just let me pass."

"What do you say we do? Is there anything I can do to help you?" Long Xiao asked.

"You have already done enough. I am now with the first echelon," Zhao Xing said. "From now on, just perform normally and treat me the same as everyone else."

"Alright, I understand."

"What are the rules for guarding the pass?"

"For every day that passes, the Green Dragon Army loses 100 men. After five days, they lose 300 men every other day, until finally, only I remain to guard the pass."

"I see."

"How is Aotian?"

"He is doing very well, rest assured."

"Great, then I know what to do."

Long Xiao struck Zhao Xing with a palm, sending him flying, and the Misty Veil shattered immediately after.

"Pfft~" Zhao Xing, though not bleeding, spat blood, feigning that he had suffered heavy impact, and fell outside the city.

"Hahahaha!" Gabriel laughed loudly. "Truly overestimating oneself! You, a mere Fifth Grade, dare to attempt breaking through this pass alone?"

"Pity you weren't killed," Fei She sneered as well.

"Indeed, a fool," Lei Ling beside them also sneered.

Zhao Xing ignored these people and found a place to rest on his own.

However, Long Xiao heard every single one of these mocking words clearly.

His gaze locked onto Lei Ling, Gabriel, and Fei She, silently memorizing the aura of all three.

…………

Time arrived at the evening of the fifth day.

Outside the Thirtieth Pass, there were now one hundred and seventy-eight people.

After witnessing the strength of the garrison at the Thirtieth Pass, no one dared to act rashly; instead, they began to link up with other experts, huddling together for warmth.

Among them, Xuan Feng, Lei Ling, and Leng Yue, these three experts at the peak of the Fourth Grade, had organized the most people.

The two hundred-plus people outside the city quickly contacted eighty percent of the crowd, agreeing with various groups to assault the pass before midnight tonight.

Because the fifth day is a critical node; if they break through before the fifth day, they get five million points, but one day late, and they lose a lot.

"Zhao Xing, join us later," said Yao Sifang, whose strength ranked fourth among the team dispatched by the Princess's Manor.

As for the top three, none were proper Beast Tamers.

Two martial artists and one sorcerer, who had contracted battle beasts but never managed them, leaving training and such to others.

Just like Zhao Xing, they were all using the title of Beast Tamer to snatch a spot.

Those who do this are basically wealthy, because one must consider the costs, and crossing borders means expending more energy and wealth. One must consider whether fighting for this spot is truly worth it.

Cultivating a proper Beast Tamer costs much less, because they are originally in the business of doing this.

"Good," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Then stay by my side," Yao Sifang smiled. "Together, our chances of breaking through are greater."

Time arrived at Xu hour on the fifth day.

At the very front, Lei Ling, Xuan Feng, and Leng Yue stood with many people and battle beasts behind them respectively.

One quarter past Xu hour.

"Moo!!"

A purple divine bull roared at the sky.

Lei Ling sat atop the divine bull, pointed a finger, and shouted: "Kill!"

"Charge!"

Xuan Feng, riding a Wind Dragon, also swiftly soared into the air; a powerful current of air, carrying the might of heaven and earth, rushed straight for the city wall.

In an instant, more than one hundred and fifty Beast Tamers and over five hundred battle beasts responded.

The first collective assault on the pass officially began.

"Act!" Yao Sifang shouted loudly; at this moment, he was commanding the people of the Princess's Manor.

"Meow~" The mountain cat instantly transformed; green and purple secret patterns appeared on its body, resonating with the spell secret patterns appearing on Zhao Xing.

It then turned into a streak of flowing light, circling around Zhao Xing, becoming a set of mountain cat battle armor.

"Boom-crack~"

Zhao Xing, accompanied by Cang Ni and the Spirit Illusion Goat, turned into a bolt of lightning and charged towards the east of Chengnan.

…………

"Kill!"

Long Xiao let out a furious roar, and the Seventh Grade War Formation immediately activated.

From the three thousand Green Dragon Army soldiers, a red light surged from each of them, shooting into the sky and condensing into a divine sword, with six red clouds surrounding the divine sword.

Below, the Green Dragon Army formations, totaling six, had clouds stretching five thousand meters and reaching a height of one thousand meters; a barrier formed from condensed blood qi seemed to reinforce and raise the city wall, forming a city of blood qi!

"Boom boom boom boom~"

Over a thousand spells and Wu Ji streaks of light slammed into the blood qi city wall formed by the Green Dragon Army.

Countless lights bloomed on the city wall, and the primordial energy of heaven and earth became chaotic to the extreme in an instant.

"Moo!"

The purple divine bull under Lei Ling let out a roar; it possessed the bloodline of the ancient divine beast Kui Niu.

With this roar, the right formation of the blood qi city wall trembled immediately, and many Fifth Grade soldiers showed expressions of pain.

The Wind Dragon ridden by Xuan Feng spat out a stream of green dragon breath, blowing the five hundred people of the right formation to gather and shift back one step.

The Purple Moon Fox standing on Leng Yue's shoulder had its eyes emit a burst of light; soul power followed the void, eroding the leader of the right formation, 'Bai Yang'.

"Pfft~"

Led by the three experts, Bai Ming was the first to bear the brunt, immediately spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face turning pale.

"He is indeed the weak point, charge!"

Lei Ling roared.

They had not been idly staying outside the city these past few days; they had been observing the Three Thousand Green Dragon Army.

The Green Dragon Army consists of six formations in total; among them, the Bai Ming formation on the right has slightly weaker overall strength and is less proficient in utilizing the Blood Qi Battle Formation than the other five commanders.

"Aaaah~"

Just then, a clear dragon cry sounded.

Long Xiao's figure instantly appeared at the front of the right-side formation; he suddenly opened his mouth.

The Blood Qi Dragon above immediately dove down, dispersing onto every one of the five hundred Green Dragon soldiers.

Cold Moon's illusionary realm was instantly shattered.

All injuries instantly healed!

At the same time, a dragon head phantom appeared above the heads of the five hundred Green Dragon soldiers, opening its bloody maw.

"Aaaah!!"

The Dragon Soul roared!

The five-hundred-person formation simultaneously unleashed a high-grade sonic technique.

The sound waves, solid as substance, condensed into a ring and rushed straight for the divine ox beneath Lei Ting.

Lei Ling immediately suffered a splitting headache, and the steps of the divine ox under his command were blocked.

"Retreat!" Xuan Feng immediately shouted, realizing this sudden surprise attack would not work.

This main general reacted too quickly, and the quality of the Green Dragon Army was too strong.

Facing a sudden night raid, they had still managed to hold their ground.

Once they hold their ground, the other five Blood Qi Battle Formations will converge on this position.

"Zing!"

The golden sword behind Long Xiao split into seven, transforming into seven streaks of light rushing straight for Lei Ling's group.

"What?" Lei Ling was instantly startled.

Because these seven swords were all heading straight for him!

"Tianyuan Fusion!"

The Tianyuan Divine Ox instantly transformed into a wisp of purple light and vanished, covering Lei Ling's entire body.

"Pfft pfft pfft pfft pfft!"

Five golden swords caught up with Lei Ling, piercing through his waist, abdomen, both arms, and thighs, nailing him directly to the ground.

"Vmm~"

The fusion had just completed before it was dissolved; Lei Ling stood beside in terror, while five swaying golden swords were stuck in the back of his Tianyuan Divine Ox.

The other two swords instantly caught up with Gabriel and Fe She.

"Pure Yang Golden Body!" Gabriel roared, his entire body turning gold.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Long Xiao's golden sword stabbed three times, yet it produced the sound of metal clashing against metal.

"Hmm? So hard?" Long Xiao looked at Gabriel; this person reminded him of Xia Jing.

Gabriel's defense could be considered supreme even among the Fourth Grade, but in this state, his speed was greatly reduced, leaving him only able to take blows passively.

"I don't believe your entire body is hard." Long Xiao sneered; the attacks of his golden sword instantly accelerated, with every thrust aimed at Gabriel's groin.

"Clang!"

It appeared as though only one sword thrust was made, but in reality, over a thousand thrusts were delivered in a short span of time.

"Damn!" Gabriel felt a chill in his crotch; disregarding his dignity, he curled his body into a ball and immediately began rolling on the ground.

As soon as he rolled, a burst of blue light flared beside him.

It was that Fe She had already been sent away by Long Xiao's golden sword, directly eliminated.

"Swish~"

Long Xiao no longer looked at those fleeing, as they had already moved out of his attack range.

Once they left the city wall by a thousand meters, he would no longer pursue.

He quickly left the Bai Ming formation and rushed toward the left side of the city wall.

Here, a group was also attacking fiercely, launching an offensive simultaneously with Lei Ling, Cold Moon, and Xuan Feng's group on the right.

This group consisted of forty-two people and one hundred fifty battle beasts, personnel organized by Yao Yao Sifang.

As the team leader beast tamer of Princess Youruo's residence, Yao Yao Sifang's fame and ranking in the previous stage were also relatively high.

Upon seeing Zhao Xing in the group, Long Xiao immediately slowed his speed, and the retrieval of the Seven Star Divine Swords was also slightly slower.

"Forty-two people in total; letting half of them pass is not excessive, right?" Long Xiao thought.

Letting Zhao Xing pass alone would be too conspicuous.

Letting them pass together would be no problem.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~"

Before the golden swords arrived, Long Xiao used his fingers as swords; forty-two sword qi blasts rushed straight for the charging group.

"His Shenxiao Sword Art is completely different from what it was ten years ago." Zhao Xing looked at the blooming sword qi and the spirited Long Xiao, feeling somewhat dazed.

Because this scene bore an eight-tenths resemblance to the Shenxiao Marquis he had seen in his past life.

The remaining two-tenths of difference existed because this life's Long Xiao had not suffered the painful experiences of his brothers' tragic deaths and the destruction of the Divine Might Army.

On the contrary, he was now at the height of his spirits, the intent of his sword qi brimming with a confidence that declared, "Who else but me?"

Even without a sword in hand, one can still block a hundred Fourth-Rank cultivators!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Boom! Boom!"

"Pfft!"

The Shenxiao Sword Qi plunged into the crowd, striking everyone, including Zhao Xing.

Because the sword qi vanished the instant it left his hand, just as Zhao Xing had witnessed in the Extreme Night Sea, completely merging with heaven and earth before instantly appearing behind him.

Invisible, undetectable, leaving no trace, impossible to intercept; one could only endure it head-on.

"Clang!"

The sword qi struck Zhao Xing's chest and immediately dispersed.

Of the forty-two sword qi strikes, this one possessed the weakest power.

Zhao Xing felt helpless; this leniency was far too severe.

Even the strongest martial artist on the Princess's side had been knocked back several meters.

"Meow!!" A cat's cry echoed in his mind.

The mountain cat sensed the familiar sword qi and felt puzzled; why was Long Xiao attacking it?

"Meow!!!" The cat head atop the helmet let out a howl, filled with both confusion and grievance.

Hearing the mountain cat's cry, Long Xiao's face immediately showed some apology. Had he hurt Aotian?

In that moment of dazed distraction, Yao Sifang and the others seized the opportunity, leaped over the Blood Qi Wall, and broke through the encirclement of the Green Dragon Army's left flank formation.

A total of twenty people successfully broke through in succession and departed with heads held high.

Zhao Xing happened to be the twentieth.

Seeing this, Long Xiao raised a hand and beckoned; the Seven Stars Divine Sword returned, while the Blood Qi Swimming Dragon descended from the sky to heal the five hundred Green Dragon Army soldiers, reforming the battle array into a new encirclement.

The remaining people were all blasted away.

Thus, the first assault on the city was declared a failure.

Only twenty people broke through the thirtieth city and entered the third stage.

After breaking through the stage, Zhao Xing checked the rankings on the Earth Mirror.

Because he passed within five days, he earned five million points in the second stage, leaping straight to the twentieth position!

"We actually made it?" Yao Sifang looked back in disbelief.

"We made it," nodded Chen Feng, the martial artist ranked first in the group, "We passed in a daze."

"Even sword cultivators have differences," sighed the martial artist ranked second, 'Wu Yue'.

He outwardly held the identity of a Charioteer, but was actually a sword cultivator.

Being a sword cultivator himself, Wu Yue fully understood what it meant for an unparalleled genius-level sword cultivator to lead two thousand five hundred Green Dragon Army soldiers to form a Seventh-Rank Battle Array.

In this stage where space was restricted, even a Third-Rank cultivator might not be able to break through!

"To pass on the very first day, someone would have to organize everyone right from the start, gathering all manpower," Yao Sifang pondered, "And they would need to help one another, forming an extremely powerful cohesion."

"The possibility is infinitesimal," Chen Feng shook his head.

Yao Sifang counted the heads and discovered that Zhao Xing had actually made it through as well, which surprised him somewhat.

He was the only Fifth-Rank cultivator to pass.

However, at this moment, he too was in a daze, merely assuming Zhao Xing had been lucky.

Zhao Xing muttered to himself: "What 'Dragon's Protection'? It was clearly Long Xiao's protection."

Judging by the current situation, Long Xiao could hold out for at least five more days.

Because after five days, he would still have fifteen hundred men available, and his city-defense strength would remain formidable.

Of course, after five days, the situation would change.

Because the number of challengers was increasing, while Long Xiao's Green Dragon Army was constantly dwindling.

"Let's go, break through the third stage," Yao Sifang said.

"Go."

…………

"Someone has reached the third stage." Outside the Canghai Cave Heaven, on the Golden Dragon Warship, the Minister of the Imperial Stables Ji Ji Shuchang, the Minister of Agriculture Wang Tianzhi, and Bai Yunwu watched the Earth Mirror.

"Only twenty people passed within five days; the Green Dragon Army truly lives up to its reputation."

"The commanding general, Long Xiao, has even cultivated a Seventh-Rank Battle Array; his sword techniques are agile and ethereal, forming his own school, possessing the bearing of a Sword Immortal. General Bai, you have raised him well."

Long Xiao and Bai Feng (Bai Ling'er was her childhood name) had been engaged last year; the engagement was not conducted with great fanfare, mainly because the defense issues of the Eastern Sea had made everyone tense, and Bai Yunwu had also maintained a low profile.

Had he organized a grand celebration and invited guests widely, perhaps eighty percent of the experts in the Eastern Sea would have come to witness the ceremony; if someone exploited this matter to cause trouble, a good deed would have turned into a bad one.

After all, Long Xiao had been transferred to the Eastern Sea only after insulting Liang Wang!

So it was merely an engagement; the formal wedding had not yet been held.

Hearing their words of praise, Bai Yunwu felt gratified in his heart, yet remained humble on his lips: "Minister of Agriculture, Minister of the Imperial Stables, you overpraise me."

"Although Long Xiao is my grandson-in-law, he is young and impetuous, prone to offending people; he still needs to undergo trials before he can shoulder great responsibilities."

Was Bai Yunwu's statement humble? Not at all.

By listing Long Xiao's flaws as merely "young and impetuous, prone to offending people," he was clearly making a veiled dig at Liang Wang Ji Mingxian.

Saying that he needs trials to shoulder great responsibilities was nothing but saying that as long as Liang Wang is alive, it is not good to let Long Xiao hold a high office.

In short, to the ears of Wang Tianzhi and Ji Ji Shuchang, that was exactly what it sounded like.

This remark could not be taken up; Liang Wang was the Imperial Pacification Commander personally appointed by Emperor Jing. Before losing the Emperor's favor, to say Liang Wang was wrong was to deny Emperor Jing.

Thus, Ji Ji Shuchang changed the subject and said self-deprecatingly:

"Speaking of it, among the twenty who cleared the pass, only eight are truly proper Beast Tamers."

"I, the Grand Master of the Imperial Stables, am truly ashamed."

Wang Tianzhi smiled and said, "My Lord Ji, why such humility? Is it not always like this in every session?"

"My Lord Wang naturally has no worries; among the top twenty who cleared the pass, each has a Minister of Agriculture of the Fifth Rank."

"Zhao Xing is an exception," Wang Tianzhi said calmly. "He cannot be counted as an ordinary Fifth Rank. Furthermore, his passing of this round involved some luck. Long Xiao's defensive focus was on the right side, not the left."

"They are about to reach the third round." Bai Yun Wu stroked his chin and said, "Do the two lords know which appointed official the imperial court has sent this time?"

The Chosen Island is a test of luck!

Without sufficient fortune, even entering the Ancient Dragon Court, one might gain nothing.

Serving as an official in a Fortune Dynasty, handling duties, one cannot have weak fortune.

Thus, this round is purely to filter out those with insufficient fortune.

Even if strength is slightly lacking, it matters not; but if fortune is somewhat strong, upon entering the Ancient Dragon Court, one might just bring back a great discovery or a great treasure for the imperial court.

Of course, if the performance in the first two rounds was strong but weak in the third, problems can still be identified.

This competition for quota spots has rewards; if strength is high but fortune is relatively weak, compensation will be given.

Since it involves fortune, the setup of the third round is naturally led by an appointed official.

Bai Yun Wu did not participate at all throughout the process; not only that, he did not even know how many people were involved in the setup.

Appointed officials of the imperial court are a mysterious presence in Great Zhou; associating too closely with them is also taboo, so he still does not know who the leading appointed official is.

Of course, since people have already begun to challenge the pass, asking is no longer an issue.

Ji Ji Shuchang thought for a moment and said, "The appointed official responsible for setting up the Chosen Island is King Tianyan."

………

The third round, the Chosen Island, is a massive maze.

"The maze cannot be broken by brute force."

"There are no rules to follow."

"Passing relies entirely on luck."

"Points are calculated by time; the shorter the time, the higher the score."

Upon ascending the Third Heaven, Zhao Xing and the others heard a ethereal voice sound in their ears.

Before them stood a massive maze shrouded in mist, with palace walls reaching a thousand meters high, extending left, right, up, and down, with no end in sight.

"All entrances to the maze are identical."

"The exits differ; if you exit through the Martial Gate, it represents that your future gains upon entering the Ancient Dragon Court will focus on Martial Dao realms or techniques related to Martial Dao secrets. When exploring the Ancient Dragon Court, you should choose secret realms related to these."

"By the same logic, the maze's exits include the Wealth Gate, the Soldier Gate, the Secret Technique Gate, the Spell Gate..."

Yao Yao Sifang, Chen Feng, Zhao Xing, and the other twenty people listened silently.

The concept of fortune was not unfamiliar to them, but it was limited to extending life and advancing one's realm; for the rest, they had only heard of it and knew little.

This was the first time they had heard of such a detailed classification of luck.

"This is the foundation of Great Zhou." Zhao Xing looked up at the maze.

The entire maze, in his eyes, shimmered with Jin Guang; a phantom image of a golden dragon of fortune coiled above it—that was an Imperial Decree!

Beneath the golden dragon existed several phantom images, clearly the imperial court's 【Appointed Officials】, using the nation's fortune to perform divination.

This maze was equivalent to a large-scale divination of the future.

Divining what? Divining the participating contestants.

To see which direction they are most likely to achieve results in when they enter the Ancient Dragon Court in the future.

The participating contestants reaching this round are estimated to number nearly ten thousand, mostly Fourth Rank.

To perform large-scale divination on so many people, and furthermore to divine the situation ten years later, only a Fortune Dynasty like Great Zhou has the confidence to do so.

A single sect, without the support of a national-level power, could not do such a thing.

"Let us begin." Yao Yao Sifang took a deep breath and walked into the maze first.

"Go." Chen Feng's figure flashed and also disappeared into the maze.

After everyone had entered, Zhao Xing still stood outside, unmoving.

He vaguely felt that the shadowy figures beneath the coiled golden dragon were somewhat familiar; this was a sense of familiarity brought by the Causal Soul.

King Tianyan was also looking at Zhao Xing.

"Zhao Xing, why do you not enter?"

"Replying to King Tianyan, this subordinate has a question." Zhao Xing, upon hearing King Tianyan's own voice, immediately understood.

When the Dragon Whales were captured in the Eternal Night Sea, Luo Hou Wang, Ling De Wang, and King Tianyan had personally arrived; he had seen them once back then.

"What question do you have?" King Tianyan was also somewhat surprised; he did not expect Zhao Xing to recognize his voice, as over ten years had passed.

"May I ask King Tianyan, can I use my Ten Thousand Duplicates to pass the round?" Zhao Xing asked.

King Tianyan had not actually considered this question; ordinary mechanical puppets, because they lack a Life Soul, would be useless even if they entered, yielding no divination results.

But the Ten Thousand Duplicates are different; the Ten Thousand Duplicates are led by a Life Soul.

King Tianyan waved the compass in his palm, then calculated with his fingers: "Yes, if you enter with your Ten Thousand Duplicates, you will obtain a more precise result."

"However, the score calculation for this round will only count the time your true body emerges."

"Thank you, King Tianyan, for clarifying." Zhao Xing bowed with clasped hands.

He then cast the Pure Origin Projection, releasing all forty-three remaining duplicates.

At the same time, Zhao Xing used plants grown in the Pure Origin Soil to instantly create fifty-seven Ten Thousand Duplicates of Grass Men.

With this, including his true body, one hundred and one Zhao Xings appeared before the maze.

King Tianyan watched this scene and nodded slightly.

Zhao Xing was no longer the man he once was.

The Myriad Laws Grass Man had cultivated to the peak of the high stage, capable of controlling a hundred clones.

Pure Origin Soil had been born; judging by the scale of the projection, it was not small.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish~"

One hundred clones and the true body entered the maze, while the three war beasts continued to follow the true body.

Inside the maze, the surrounding walls sometimes shimmered with seven-colored radiance, then turned transparent, with unfamiliar scenes flashing within.

Zhao Xing's shadow could be vaguely reflected, yet that shadow was doing different things.

"The deduction has begun; the time node is the future trend after entering the Ancient Dragon Court."

"However, the future holds countless possibilities; the current deduction results are not yet stable."

"If it is relatively stable, that represents a higher probability of occurrence," Zhao Xing thought silently.

He strolled leisurely, neither hurried nor slow.

Compared to a rapid clear, seeing the future was clearly more important.

In fact, one could not move quickly inside the maze anyway, for the maze was active and followed no rules at all; passing through relied purely on luck.

Walking faster or walking slower made no difference.

After a while.

The scenes appearing on the walls paused for one second and became clear.

Even in one second, the content of the scenes seen already contained a great deal of information.

Zhao Xing pondered deeply.

He did not walk quickly, yet he rarely encountered dead ends.

Whenever he reached a place that seemed like a dead end, the wall would suddenly crack open, revealing a new fork in the road.

Even if he truly encountered a dead end, turning a corner would reveal a new path to continue.

Roughly an hour later, the scenes became longer-lasting and more stable, and the volume of information obtained surged.

Mainly because Zhao Xing had a hundred clones, the information he received was a hundred times that of the others.

The burden on his Fate Soul increased, so Zhao Xing walked even slower.

However, he quickly adjusted his strategy.

He turned a blind eye to those brilliant and dazzling futures.

Instead, he focused on those gray and gloomy scenes.

Especially the 'maze dead ends'!

Zhao Xing placed extraordinary importance on 'dead ends'.

Because the maze of the Chosen Island was no ordinary maze; a dead end meant a future of some kind of 'danger' for himself.

Every time he encountered one, Zhao Xing would pause and observe it, waiting for the deduction scene to surface before moving on.

All one hundred clones followed the same strategy.

He feared not failing to gain benefits, for the luck of Yan Wu was already very high; even the baseline could not be too poor.

Along the way, the walls Zhao Xing saw were mostly brilliant and dazzling.

In the scenes, he could often see himself breaking into a happy smile.

The surroundings also shimmered with golden light, clearly indicating great gains.

What he feared was that kind of life-or-death crisis!

However, gray walls and dead ends were not encountered often.

Every time he encountered one, Zhao Xing would carefully memorize it.

By doing this, the pressure on King Tianyan became considerable.

Buzz~

The compass's rotation speed increased; the golden dragon of luck on the imperial edict spat out a mouthful of dense Jin Guang, which fell upon the maze below.

As time passed, the number of times the golden dragon spat out breath increased.

"This young man; deducing for him alone is more tiring than deducing for the other nineteen."

King Tianyan, presiding over the maze formation, also needed to consume energy.

He was surprised to discover that ninety percent of the deduction computing power was occupied by Zhao Xing!

"However, deducing for him is also the most effective."

What is the purpose of deducing the future? To obtain information about the future.

Since one has obtained foreknowledge, there will certainly be changes.

For example, seeing oneself pass through a certain place and suddenly die.

Then, when passing through that place, one would be more cautious, or even simply go around it.

At the same time, what was originally great calamity would be reduced, or even cease to exist.

This is the purpose of deduction.

However, it is not so simple to change things.

Because known information cannot be this detailed, especially regarding the Ancient Dragon Court ten years in the future.

It is also possible to see that dangerous place, go around it, and thereby trigger even worse consequences.

The effect of deduction varies from person to person.

Zhao Xing obtained this opportunity to peek into the future and enter the ancient land; his effect was simply extraordinarily good.

Because in his past life he had already been there many times and was very familiar with what lay within; now, borrowing the imperial court's deduction to peek into the future, he could naturally achieve twice the result with half the effort!

"His fortune is truly not shallow; the maze is nearly half traversed, and eighty percent are auspicious and favorable good events."

"Judging by the number of divinations and fortune readings, the scale of his future explorations will also surpass that of the others."

If someone else obtained a treasure in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, that single treasure might have cost them ten days or half a month.

But Zhao Xing took treasures in a single day and still had time to seek out more treasures.

On King Tianyan's compass, Great Auspiciousness and Medium Auspiciousness flashed continuously; as for Small Auspiciousness, it never faded, remaining constant throughout.

"According to ancient calculation methods, this young man's current fortune should be 'Yan Five'."

"However, what is being calculated now is the future. With this performance, he is practically a Chosen One; when he entered the Dragon Court Ancient Land, it was absolutely not just 'Yan Five'!"

King Tianyan became increasingly shocked the more he calculated.

Because as time passed, Small Auspiciousness turned into Medium Auspiciousness, Medium Auspiciousness turned into Great Auspiciousness, and the quantity of Great Auspiciousness skyrocketed!

This meant that this calculation had produced a beneficial influence on Zhao Xing's future!

The blind spots he observed must have truly served as a warning in the future.

The helpful function of this maze seemed to be maximized in Zhao Xing.

Time passed to three double-hours later.

Zhao Xing's first clone walked out from the Military Gate.

However, previously, only the main body's points were counted, so one still had to wait and see when the main body emerged.

Four double-hours later, more and more clones emerged, already exceeding fifty bodies.

The Military Gate, Wealth Gate, Martial Gate, Secret Technique Gate, Great Fortune Gate... Zhao Xing's figure appeared at almost every gate!

Six double-hours later.

Zhao Xing's main body encountered a massive blind spot.

King Tianyan's compass also displayed Great Inauspiciousness.

"Hmm?" King Tianyan was curious. "I wonder what he saw?"

King Tianyan himself could not see the scenes Zhao Xing saw.

The layout of the Chosen Island meant only the individual knew the specific future scenes; King Tianyan could only check for auspiciousness or inauspiciousness, and which gate the person exited from.

Afterward, organizing and archiving the data could provide relevant suggestions, recommending that those who obtained the quota go to the corresponding secret realm.

The reason for this setup was twofold: first, it involved privacy issues; Fate Officials had their own regulations and could not arbitrarily pry into others' futures.

Second, the burden was too heavy; the Law of Fate is inherently acting against Heaven. Back then, when Liang Ruohai calculated the Heavenly Secrets involving the hidden mysteries of the Cave Heaven's spiritual beauty, he should have lived for several hundred more years, but after that incident, he died in less than ten years.

Even with an adjutant assisting him, and treasures and formation arrays aiding him, this calculation involved over ten thousand people and also involved the Dragon Court Ancient Land. If he were to view the countless specific future scenes of every single person, the burden would be too great, and the cost too high.

"It took so long to see the fifth Great Inauspiciousness; only then is it considered normal," King Tianyan thought silently.

The Dragon Court Ancient Land is inherently perilous; Zhao Xing had been consistently Great Auspicious and Great Lucky, which was very abnormal; encountering a few signs of Great Inauspiciousness was what was normal.

Before the massive blind spot inside the maze.

Zhao Xing's gaze became deep and dark.

The sky was black, the sea was also black, and only a crystal palace within the sea shone brilliantly.

Nine shadowy figures swam around, and Zhao Xing saw hundreds of shattered versions of himself floating within.

A cat head over ten meters tall, clad in scales, floated nearby, with lightning flashing atop its head.

"Over nine hundred Ten Thousand Arts clones; it seems the Wildcat evolved into its third transformation form, yet still died breaking through here?"

"Where are the Cang Ni Dog and the Spirit Illusion Goat? Could they be completely annihilated, bones and all?"

He stepped closer to this blind spot, then saw a small door in the bottom left corner.

The entire wall was oppressive black, except for this half-meter-high small door, which was green.

Zhao Xing, deep in thought, crawled through it.

The view before him suddenly opened up.

He had already emerged.

Zhao Xing glanced back.

He saw a single character on that green small door: Heaven.

His main body had exited from the Heaven Gate.

Heaven is the Heaven of ascending to the sky in a single step.

It symbolizes the gate with the strongest fortune.

"He indeed exited from the Heaven Gate. I wonder how many people in the Four Seas Lands could exit from the Heaven Gate; at least there is one in the East Sea already," King Tianyan thought silently.

"Recall!"

Zhao Xing recalled all his Ten Thousand Arts clones back into his body.

He then sat on the ground, quietly digesting.

He organized all the scenes he had seen and sealed them into his Memory Palace.

Only then did he stand up.

When he stood up, he found himself inside a palace, and King Tianyan was right before him.

"This subordinate greets King Tianyan," Zhao Xing said, rising calmly.

"Zhao Xing, you completed the trial in nine double-hours. Your completion time is within one day; according to the rules, you should obtain the first tier of 10 million points."

The rules of the Chosen Island, just like the Dragon's Guardian, calculate points based on completion time.

Zhao Xing had a hundred clones and also deliberately delayed some time to view the future, yet he still finished very quickly, emerging in less than a day.

But hearing King Tianyan speak this way, it seemed there was another interpretation.

"However, you exited from the Heaven Gate."

"In this trial, you fully comply with the special regulations of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion this time!"

"Regardless of how you fare in the next two trials, you will still secure a spot."

"Additionally, I will adjust your points to one million, and the official record will state you cleared it on the 'Ninth Day'."

"This is to prevent anyone from targeting you afterward."

Zhao Xing listened silently.

So even if his public score didn't rank in the top 500, he would still receive a spot?

"The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion will send you in through a special passage before the Dragon Court Ancient Land opens."

"As for the specifics, someone will come to escort you to the Soldier Realm once this concludes; you will know then," King Tianyan said.

"Yes." Zhao Xing asked no more. King Tianyan had already explained enough; if he hadn't said it, it naturally meant he couldn't tell him yet.

"Furthermore, no one will know anything about what happens here. You will stay here with me until the Ninth Day before going out."

"For your next two trials, I will also request 'Duke Wei' to act, casting the Forget Sorrow Method to make others forget your true trial experience."

"Your actual trial results will be archived as top secret."

"You must not leak this to the outside world either."

"Yes, this official understands." Zhao Xing nodded; this was the treatment of the 'Chosen One'.

The fortune of Yan Wu certainly didn't belong to just Zhao Xing; indeed, there were surely those with even greater fortune within this instance.

But what was being calculated now was the situation when the Dragon Court Ancient Land opens in ten years.

From King Tianyan's perspective, Zhao Xing's fortune belonged to the category of rising ever higher.

Especially within the Dragon Court Ancient Land, the number of times he encountered great luck was astonishingly high! In the data recorded by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, many high-grade futures did not even show such performance.

Zhao Xing receiving these hidden special treatments was entirely deserved.

"Rest here for now; I will release you on the Ninth Day."

"Yes." Zhao Xing simply sat cross-legged within the palace, contemplating the three great secret scriptures, doing nothing else, thinking of nothing.

…………

Time arrived at the Eighth Day.

"Damn it! Damn it! Why are you just targeting me!" The Dragon Guardian of the second trial, the final city.

Lei Ling questioned Long Xiao in a fury.

Gabriel was covered in wounds, unable to even speak.

According to the rules, after the fifth day, the number of Green Dragon Army soldiers decreased by three hundred daily.

At this moment, only Long Xiao and one hundred Green Dragon Army soldiers remained on the city walls.

But Lei Ling and Gabriel had been blocked by Long Xiao for a full eight days!

Counting the previous five days, that made thirteen days already!

Over a thousand five hundred people had already passed ahead of him, yet he was still stuck here.

Originally, Lei Ling ranked first in the first trial, but now he was far behind; could he not be furious?

He strongly suspected Long Xiao was specifically targeting him!

"Your strength is formidable; if I'm not targeting you, who should I target?" Long Xiao snorted.

"Then why aren't you targeting Xuan Feng and Leng Yue? Their strength is not weak either!" Lei Ling couldn't figure it out.

Long Xiao was too lazy to bother with him; who asked you to mock my brother earlier?

Not eliminating you directly already counts as me, Great Lord Long, showing restraint!

If you can't figure it out, just take your time thinking about it.

Long Xiao simply turned his back, presenting his rear to Lei Ling.

Anyway, Lei Ling's strength was good enough; blocking him was no problem at all.

…………

On the Ninth Day, King Tianyan released Zhao Xing, who began his ascent of the fourth trial.

By now, his ranking had dropped to four hundred and fiftieth.

Zhao Xing didn't know if this was the ranking King Tianyan had tampered with or the true ranking; in any case, he had already secured the spot.

Passing the next two trials now was merely for show.

Because many people outside had already witnessed his performance in the first two trials.

The third trial, 'Chosen Island', suddenly resulting in elimination? That would be too strange.

Curiosity would lead people to investigate.

Therefore, Zhao Xing's current ranking and trial experience would be presented with a separate set of 'data' for others to see.

As for the ranking rewards, although they were generous, King Tianyan had already promised special treatment, so it certainly wouldn't be inferior to the public ranking rewards.

"The fourth trial: True Long Wang Cheng."

"It is an illusionary realm trial."

"There are nine illusionary palaces in total; each illusionary realm filters out those with unsteady minds." Zhao Xing looked at the palaces ahead, each emitting different lights.

"The Dragon Court Ancient Land has numerous factions; if one's mind is not firm, they might be bewitched by powerful sect masters."

"From a trial perspective, the life souls of the ancient True Dragon Clan are all very powerful."

"For the Dragon Clan, these illusionary trials are relatively simple, but for the human race, they are quite difficult to clear."

"I wonder how far I can advance."

…………

In True Long Wang Cheng, the nine palaces each increased in difficulty.

It lasted for one month; after one month, points were calculated based on the number of palaces cleared.

One month later.

Zhao Xing was blasted out from the seventh palace.

A trace of confusion lingered in his eyes, but he quickly regained his senses.

Several hundred others were blasted out alongside him.

Some, as they flew out, were still immersed in the lingering waves of the illusionary realm.

One person clutched his head, weeping bitterly and constantly calling out the names of his deceased relatives.

Another raved madly, spouting nonsense about "the world about to be destroyed."

Yet another had stripped naked, hugging a nearby pillar and going wild.

Quite the scene of mass social death.

"Damn it, get lost!" Zhao Xing kicked the lust-crazed fellow beside him away, his face full of disgust.

The fellow who was kicked seemed not to see Zhao Xing at all, and immediately went to embrace someone else.

The next moment, a voice came from the sky.

"Wake up!"

That mysterious Ritual Cultivator acted once more, restoring everyone's sanity.

Many wore expressions of deep shame.

"This must be the Duke of Wei," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "Who would have thought that the trial of the Chosen Island would be personally overseen by a King and a Duke."

As for the points ranking, Zhao Xing no longer paid it any mind.

He came to these last two trials purely to fill in his gaps.

"I broke through the sixth illusionary palace, but was stuck in the seventh."

"My Life Soul is only mid-stage Fourth Grade; if I can still improve, I should be able to break through the seventh within a month," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Regarding the seventh illusionary palace, he had clearly seen through it, yet lacked the hard power to quickly break the deadlock.

"Even so, my ranking has climbed significantly; I am already at three hundred and eighth," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "I wonder if this is true or false."

He did not know the situation of the others, but he saw someone emerge from the ninth palace.

In any case, the Earth Mirror is also controlled by the imperial court; to forge it, is it not just a matter of a single word?

What your final rank is depends entirely on how many the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets wants you to pass the entire trial with.

In any case, he is now entering the final trial 【Dragon Tongue Decree】 as the three hundred and eighth.

…………

Time arrived at the twenty-fourth day since Zhao Xing passed the second trial 【Dragon's Protection】.

The thirtieth city of Dragon's Protection.

"I curse... curse your entire... family..."

Lei Ling lay on the ground, weak and breathless.

There were hardly anyone left beside him.

As for the thirtieth Dragon City, only Long Xiao remained to guard it.

Counting the five days before Zhao Xing passed, Lei Ling had now been here for twenty-nine days.

The one-month time limit was about to be reached.

Lei Ling had been blocked here for twenty-nine days.

Thousands weaker than him had already passed, yet he alone was being tortured by Long Xiao.

He complained, shouting into the sky that it was unfair.

But no one paid him any heed.

Within the rules, Long Xiao was allowed to block anyone.

Even if Long Xiao went a bit too far, complaining afterwards would be useless, because these five hundred slots were contributed by Bai Yun Wu!

Go and complain?

Who is below? You dare accuse the official's son-in-law?

"Brother Lei, stop cursing; the more you curse, the less likely you are to pass," a friend nearby said, unable to bear watching.

Lei Ling's mindset had also exploded; staring at the defending general and cursing him, wasn't that asking for trouble?

How could they let you have it easy then?

"Huff~ huff~" Lei Ling, tired from cursing, silently got up to recover his injuries.

Tomorrow was the last day; if he did not pass, he would be eliminated.

The five hundred slots were relatively easier to get; if he failed this time, he would have to fight in the round-robin battles afterwards, competing with more people for the remaining slots, which would likely be even harder.

…………

The fifth trial, Dragon Tongue Decree.

Zhao Xing faced the language trial of the ancient Dragon Clan.

"In the Era of Spiritual Qi, many powerful figures of the Dragon Court established the Dao, altering the rules of heaven and earth, making the Dragon Clan's language both speech and spell, like incantations, possessing the mighty power of heaven and earth."

"Even now it remains effective, though its power has weakened significantly."

"Different languages and ancient scripts also represent status; for instance, Dragon Clan Golden Script is exclusive to Wang Ting, and the level of the Dragon Tongue Decree determines one's status within the Dragon Clan."

"A total of over two hundred are tested; this trial is truly difficult."

Zhao Xing took a look; this trial was his weak point.

The examination time was only seven days.

Yet one had to complete the trials of over two hundred Dragon Tongues.

The other contestants were all those who had spent decades studying until their hair turned white.

Zhao Xing had not studied for long, having only learned the bare basics.

The preparation time was different.

Secondly, the Dragon Language Decree was an entirely new spell system, somewhat similar to the Ritual Cultivator's Mantra Arts.

Lastly, it involved the inherent difficulty of the Dragon Language Decree itself.

"Over two hundred types, seventy-two of them tested advanced Dragon Language incantations. One needs at least a fifth-rank body to utter the Dragon Language."

After Zhao Xing broke through to fifth rank, he had too many things to do and simply had no time to study it in depth.

Facing this trial, his scoring ability was weak.

Because he had only generally cultivated the Ten Thousand Beasts Mantra Art, and had never specifically cultivated advanced Dragon Language techniques.

He hadn't expected that the randomly appearing fifth trial would be this one.

"I still have ten years to prepare, falling behind in this trial doesn't matter." Zhao Xing thought to himself, "Plugging the gaps and filling the deficiencies is just right for discovering my own shortcomings."

Seven days later, Zhao Xing emerged from the Dragon Language Decree trial, waiting for everyone's examination to end.

During this period, his ranking slowly slipped.

Eventually it stopped at four hundred and twenty-fifth place, motionless.

"Tian Yan Wang must have fixed the results behind the scenes." Zhao Xing smiled slightly upon seeing this.

People coming for the final trial examination were still continuously increasing.

But his ranking didn't drop anymore, clearly having been locked.

"Four hundred and twenty-fifth place, just barely within the top five hundred quota, and not one of the bottom twenty or thirty that draws attention."

Zhao Xing sat cross-legged in a corner, waiting for the final examination to end.

…………

He didn't know how long it had been when Zhao Xing suddenly felt a repelling force.

The Cang Hai Token on his body emitted a faint glow, enveloping him and his battle beast together.

"It's ending." Zhao Xing understood he was about to leave the Cang Hai Grotto-Heaven.

…………

Outside the Cang Hai Grotto-Heaven, on the Genchuan Wave-Subduing Ship.

"It's over? What was Zhao Xing's ranking?" Meng Kun asked.

"Four hundred and twenty-fifth place," Gu Changqing said.

"How did it drop so much?"

"When he came out of the third trial he was only slightly ahead, by the fourth trial he began falling behind the first echelon, and in the fifth trial his performance was rather poor." Gu Changqing said, "Being able to hold steady at four hundred and twenty-fifth place is entirely because of the advantage accumulated in the second trial."

"It doesn't matter, we don't care about his other abilities anyway." Meng Kun said, "Dragon Language Decree, he's so young, it's normal if he can't learn it."

"Indeed." Gu Changqing nodded. Zhao Xing was after all only fifth rank, and so young, being able to rank in the top five hundred was already a miracle!

Besides, their Dili Sect didn't care about these things; what they valued was Zhao Xing's talent in the Dili Sect's arts.

"Get ready, come with me to find him." Meng Kun said.

"Alright." Gu Changqing nodded.

…………

On the Wind-Stopping Cloud Ship.

"Zhao Xing's performance in the last two trials became average." Heng Yuan frowned, "Especially the illusionary realm palace, which tests one's temperament and willpower, he only passed four palaces."

"The fourth palace is already very impressive." Sima Yunhai said, "How old is he? He hasn't experienced much worldly tempering, being able to pass the fourth illusionary realm palace is already very impressive."

"Indeed." Heng Yuan nodded.

Sima Yunhai had now been persuaded by Geng Shouchang and agreed to recommend Zhao Xing to the Profound Heaven Academy.

Geng Shouchang only needed one sentence to persuade him: "Brother, don't you want to use his own methods against him?"

Sima Yunhai heard this and immediately agreed.

So now, he was instead the most enthusiastic one.

If he could pull Zhao Xing over to the Profound Heaven Academy, Sima Yunhai would absolutely step up to teach personally, grabbing the title of Zhao Xing's teacher!

Only then could he vent his spite!

"There's no time to lose, Brother Geng, Brother Heng, you two set out immediately to see that Zhao Xing." Sima Yunhai couldn't show himself in person, but was afraid of being seen through by Zhao Xing, so only Heng Yuan and Geng Shouchang could go.

…………

"Long Xiao, where is Long Xiao?!"

"I'll beat this little Wang Ba to death, is this something a human would do?"

"Father, Long Xiao isn't here, what happened?" Bai Feng asked.

"Ling'er, you don't know."

"That person only cursed Long Xiao a few times, and this kid got Lei Ling stuck in the second trial for a whole month!"

"Puchi~" Bai Feng couldn't help but laugh, "Well done!"

"Hm? You're still siding with him?" Bai Mingchuan grew even angrier.

"Father, that Lei Ling cursed the whole family, wouldn't that mean he cursed you, me, and grandfather too?"

"Doing this, your daughter doesn't see anything wrong with it. Your daughter just likes this protective personality of his, how can you blame him for it?"

Bai Mingchuan, after being told this by his daughter, seemed to feel there was some reason to it, but he still said: "A real man should have breadth of mind and magnanimity, doing things like this, how can father let him do great things."

Bai Feng didn't speak anymore, she knew her father was just being argumentative. Long Xiao wasn't usually like this, there must be a reason this time.

Now Bai Mingchuan was purely arguing back a few sentences because he saw her defending him.

She didn't argue anymore either: "Father's lesson is right."

"Hmph, if you see him, quickly tell him to go do the matter previously assigned to him, to see Zhao Xing."

"If it's late, it will be too late."

…………

Where Zhao Xing entered was exactly where he emerged.

Liu Wanliang had already been waiting outside with his men for quite some time.

When Zhao Xing came out, a cheer erupted.

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuanrang!"

"Chen'an, well done!"

"Zhao Xing, impressive!"

Regardless of whether they were previously familiar with Zhao Xing, the Princess's entourage now considered him "one of their own."

Zhao Xing's strength had earned their respect; this group of Fourth-Rank officials congratulated him repeatedly.

Of course, two of those congratulations were delivered through gritted teeth.

"Marquis Yuanrang, congratulations!" Lin Zi looked at Zhao Xing, her teeth itching with resentment.

She still remembered the scene when Zhao Xing eliminated her; that bolt of Lei Ting would be unforgettable for a lifetime.

"You two are too polite; no need to thank me," Zhao Xing said.

Wang Zhaozhao and Lin Zi: "..."

Liu Wanliang smiled, "Chen'an, congratulations. Board the ship; the Princess is waiting for you."

"Yes."

…………

"Senior Brother, I knew you would definitely secure the spot." As soon as she boarded, Ji Zixuan looked at Zhao Xing with admiration.

"Where is Master's wife?" Zhao Xing asked.

"She is waiting inside."

"You help me watch them first."

Zhao Xing handed the Mountain Cat, Cang Ni, and Spirit Illusion Goat to Ji Zixuan, then entered the Yonghua Hall.

"Master's wife! This disciple has returned." Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.

"Chen'an, you have done well," Princess Youruo said with a smile. "I never expected that when you said you would fight for a spot, you would actually secure one for the Dragon Court Ancient Land."

"It is all thanks to Master's wife's cultivation. Without Master's wife, I could never have received such an honor."

"Enough, you need not flatter me to make me happy," Princess Youruo laughed. "What does it have to do with me? Except for giving you some money, I did nothing. People in my own household spend no less than you, yet many of them were eliminated."

"Since you entered the top five hundred, according to imperial court custom, both you and your battle beast will receive rewards."

"Fan Fugun of Chongming Prefecture and Wang Jianzheng have both come to ask me whether your position as a Fifth-Rank official remains unchanged or if you have other plans."

Entering the top five hundred requires at least a one-rank promotion and a baptism of fortune.

Furthermore, the battle pet also receives an enfeoffment and must undergo the same baptism of fortune.

As the master, Zhao Xing benefits as well and must undergo an additional baptism of fortune.

Afterward, there is a monetary reward as encouragement; this resource is earmarked specifically for cultivation and raising the pet beast, and cannot be used for personal enjoyment or other purposes.

Of course, what Zhao Xing is considering now is mainly the matter of his official position.

However, Princess Youruo immediately added, "Regarding Chongming Prefecture, you may consider it later."

"Because you now have three choices."

Zhao Xing was stunned: "I do not know what Master's wife is referring to?"

Princess Youruo said, "Hengyuan and Geng Shouchang of the Profound Heaven Academy, and Gu Changqing and Meng Kun of the Kunyuan Academy, have taken an interest in your talent."

"They wish to recruit you; taking this opportunity of your promotion, they intend to transfer you."

"Additionally, Bai Mingchuan of the Green Dragon Army also intends to recruit you into the military and has offered a position of Fourth-Rank Senior."

"You should understand the situation of the Water Tribe Chieftains; Bai Mingchuan can truly promote you five ranks at once."

"What?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "How could this be?"

He had never had any contact with the Profound Heaven Academy or the Kunyuan Academy, and the same went for Bai Mingchuan.

How could they simply decide to recruit him?

"Because of your performance in this competition," Princess Youruo said.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and immediately understood; his battle scenes must have been seen by the elders of these two academies, prompting them to desire his recruitment.

"I wish to ask Master's wife and Master's opinions before making a decision," Zhao Xing said.

"Your Master and I have no objections," Princess Youruo smiled. "Go wherever you wish. As long as you do not abandon the cultivation of the Ten Thousand Dharma Straw Men, your Master does not care where you are."

Zhao Xing nodded: "In that case, allow this disciple to consider it."

"Very well, let us return to Bixian Commandery first; they will come to find you then."

"Yes, this student takes his leave."

In the vast East Sea, beneath a stretch of sea surface.

Three Shanfeng stood tall in the sea, and hidden between these mountains was a Crystal Palace.

Inside the palace stood a statue; when the competition for the spots ended.

This statue came to life.

Blood Spirit Venerable descended from the divine platform and scanned the other statues within the Crystal Palace.

A furnace burned beneath the statues; some flames had already grown quite weak.

"Crackle~" Blood Spirit Venerable lit several blood-red incense candles and burned some paper money that believers had devoutly chanted over, placing them into the incense burner.

The flames flared up vigorously once more.

A moment later, a letter was spat out from the furnace beneath the statue of one of the Daoists.

"I truly have a laborious fate; you are all sleeping, while I alone must rush about. When will it be my turn to sleep?"

Blood Spirit Venerable sighed and produced the letter.

It contained a freshly compiled list of five hundred people, marking their origins, strength, detailed official posts, and identity backgrounds.

"The five hundred quotas selected by Great Zhou have confirmed the five hundred Mid-Realm individuals from the Eastern Sea, who will enter the Ancient Dragon Court."

"Hmm? Zhao Xing? Why does this name feel so familiar?" Blood Spirit Venerable frowned.

"He is Liu Wanfa's disciple? That boy from Nanyang Commandery? No, this sense of familiarity goes beyond that..."

Blood Spirit Venerable felt he had overlooked something.

But he could not pinpoint where the unease lay.

The more this happened, the more he felt this person was mysterious.

"He was exiled to the Eastern Sea, yet in merely ten years, he has grown to this extent."

"Wanfa's avatar has cultivated to such a profound realm; the Heaven-Timing Art and the Earth-Benefit Art are both fully perfected at the High Grade."

"Why did the Liang Wang faction not strike?"

"Oh, they did."

"General Jin Hou went once; it turns out he died at his hands."

Blood Spirit Venerable retraced the various events of the past ten years.

He calculated with his fingers, yet found Zhao Xing's future hazy and unclear.

"Crack!" He snapped three fingers.

"This feeling is very similar to when I divined the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven last time," Blood Spirit Venerable mused thoughtfully.

He picked up his fingers, placed them in his mouth, and chewed; within moments, new fingers appeared at the broken ends.

"Could it be that the ant that appeared on the chessboard back then was him?" Realizing this possibility, Blood Spirit Venerable immediately became interested.

"Impossible. What realm was he in back then? Even now, he could not possibly disturb this scheme..."

"Never mind; he is to be eliminated anyway..."

"Then list him as the seventh on the Must-Kill Ranking."

Blood Spirit Venerable scribbled and drew on the list.

Once everything was done, he cast the list into the furnace with a gloomy face: "Sigh, my fate is truly bitter; even this matter must be arranged by me."

"Senior brothers, senior uncles, when will you wake?"

Puff~ The flames burned, swallowing the letter; no one responded to Blood Spirit Venerable.

Blood Spirit Venerable shook his head, leaped back onto the divine altar, and transformed into a statue.

The tower ship returned to Chongming Prefecture, and Zhao Xing was set down, for he was to wait here for the bestowal of honors.

They had departed in the fourth month; upon return, it was already the Start of Autumn in the thirtieth year of the Jingxin Era.

However, the moment he arrived at Chongming Prefecture, he felt a palpitation, as if someone were plotting against him.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing clutched his chest and frowned.