Chapter 267: Cultivation Results After Two Years, and a Dao Different from Old Liu! (14,000)

The main academy of Kunyuan Academy encompasses two parts.

One part is in Kunyuan Commandery of Daoyuanzhou; fully one-third of the entire commandery belongs to Kunyuan Academy.

The remaining two-thirds of the commandery's land consists of Kunyuan Academy's subordinate colleges, official state lands, and fiefdoms.

Inside the academy grounds, there is one cave heaven, two blessed lands, three spirit mountains, and sixteen spirit lakes.

Kunyuan Cave Heaven has only one entrance, which is located here at the headquarters.

The two blessed lands are Lingxu Blessed Land and Chongguang Blessed Land.

The three spirit mountains all rank among the top ten across the nineteen provinces, and the spirit lakes are likewise all within the top hundred.

According to Meng Kun's introduction: "We have only two blessed lands, three spirit mountains, and sixteen lakes simply because Kunyuan Commandery is only this large; it is not that we cannot cultivate more blessed lands, spirit mountains, or spirit lakes."

The Dili Sect chooses very down-to-earth names: the number-one spirit mountain in Great Zhou is called 【Spirit Mountain】, the second mountain is called 【Green Mountain】, and the number-four spirit lake is called 【Green Water Lake】.

It was not until the Wu Di era that they were renamed, because Wu Di enjoyed naming mountains; for instance, he renamed the number-one mountain to Wuling Mountain.

The lowest standard for a Doctor of Classics at Kunyuan Academy's main campus is an official of Fourth Rank.

But rules are made by people; Meng Kun, this vice-president, first arranged the position of Dharma-Propagating Master for Zhao Xing, then had him concurrently serve as 'Academic Dean' of the King Di Zang branch.

That is, Meng Kun's assistant as vice-president of the King Di Zang Institute.

The two positions Zhao Xing concurrently held did not, according to Great Zhou regulations, require a Fourth-Rank official post, but as Meng Kun's assistant Academic Dean, his treatment was equivalent to that of a Doctor of Classics.

In this way, he could legitimately enjoy benefits such as studying top-tier techniques and entering blessed lands for contemplation.

"The King Di Zang Institute, Spirit Mountain Institute, Xuan Tu Institute, Earth Palace Institute, and Kunyuan Institute are the academy's five major branches."

"I, this vice-president, lead the King Di Zang Institute and hold the position for Lingxu Blessed Land," Meng Kun said. "Changqing is in the Earth Palace Institute; he is a Doctor of the Five Classics and also holds a blessed land position."

Zhao Xing listened carefully; a Doctor of the Five Classics is a higher rank among Doctors of Classics, so Gu Changqing's status in the Earth Palace Institute was not low, and Meng Kun led the King Di Zang Institute.

Therefore, there would be no obstacles for him to study top-tier Earth Palace techniques and King Di Zang techniques.

Because these two are the rulers of the two institutes.

"Changqing and I are both quite busy; there is much work to be done at Lingxu Blessed Land," Meng Kun said. "Your advanced studies will basically rely on yourself; at most, we will spare two or three days each month to guide you."

"Thank you, my lords; Chen An is deeply grateful," Zhao Xing said, clasping his hands.

The Dili Sect is like this: either working or on the way to work; even those in high positions have no leisure, especially during the eras of Emperor Jing and Wu Di, when the Dili Sect did even more.

Because they had to wage war; expanding territory is not merely occupying land; rapidly cultivating fertile land requires deploying large numbers of Dili Sect Agricultural Officials.

The Dili Sect also maintains close ties with the Artisan School; many farming arrays and mechanisms must be led and arranged by Dili Sect Agricultural Officials. They undertake nearly eighty percent of the workload.

Furthermore, among Military Agricultural Officials, those following the Dili Sect are more numerous because they are more enthusiastic about warfare; for example, Chen Shijie is a die-hard fan of the Dili Sect.

When Meng Kun and Gu Changqing said they were busy, it was not an excuse to shirk once they arrived on-site; they were truly busy.

However, Zhao Xing did not mind.

Because studying Earth Palace techniques and King Di Zang techniques does not require much guidance from a teacher.

The main characteristic of both techniques is that they are 'continuous techniques'.

Take Earth Palace techniques as an example: once cast, they do not dissipate for a very long time.

The seventy-two Earth Palaces of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven; originally, Zhao Xing also contemplated them on his own. They persist indefinitely and can be slowly deconstructed for demonstration.

For instance, the Yuan-Siphoning Earth Palace, which Gu Changqing arranged inside the Canghai Cave Heaven, persisted for two months without dissipating even while people were outside the cave heaven.

Unlike Heavenly Timing techniques, which complete in the blink of an eye; the technique finishes before one can even see clearly, making contemplation naturally difficult.

King Di Zang techniques and Earth Palace techniques have long durations; Spirit Mountain techniques last even longer.

The casting steps and casting time for Spirit Mountain techniques are the longest, since transforming a mountain into a spirit mountain is simply not something achievable in a day or two.

Take a Level Seven Spirit Mountain as an example; the shortest formation time still took a full eight years!

The longest has no upper limit at all; for instance, the number-one 【Spirit Mountain】; Kunyuan Academy's goal is to cultivate this mountain to a state beyond Level Nine.

Yet it has already been cultivated for over thirty-seven thousand years and is still not complete.

Spirit Mountain techniques are somewhat similar to the Benwo Sect's tree-cultivation methods; they are passed down from generation to generation; people die but the tree remains.

The characteristic of Earth-Splitting techniques is, like Heavenly Timing techniques, that they are relatively fast techniques with great destructive power.

As for the characteristics of Xuan Tu techniques, they are as their name suggests: mysterious and profound; they are the most difficult techniques to learn. Their most widely known aspect is escape techniques, but Xuan Tu techniques are not limited to escape techniques; they possess the characteristics of the other four schools' techniques.

Many people say Xuan Tu techniques are the ultimate of the other four techniques, because many techniques are derived from Xuan Tu techniques; combining other techniques with Xuan Tu techniques yields even more powerful techniques.

However, Xuan Tu techniques have no ultimate technique, nor can they be finally verified.

"You will live at Kunshan from now on; this is the mountain I cultivate," Meng Kun said, bringing Zhao Xing to a thousand-meter-high mountain. "It is now nine hundred and twenty-five meters high."

Kunshan has many palaces and courtyards built along the mountainside; as they flew over, Zhao Xing noticed the mountain emitted a faint, dim light, as if breathing.

"My teacher cultivated Kunshan for over two hundred years; when it was passed to me, it was already eight hundred and fifty meters high. Starting fifty years ago, I practiced mountain techniques, drawing upon the power of the earth veins to nourish it, but it has not yet broken through one thousand meters in height."

Zhao Xing glanced over and could not help but feel somewhat surprised.

He extracted much information from these words; first, that Meng Kun began practicing mountain techniques fifty years ago.

This proves that fifty years ago, Meng Kun had already reached the Second-Rank Heavenly Fortune Realm; although his official rank was Third Rank, his strength was already Second Rank. Otherwise, he would not have bothered cultivating a mountain.

Agricultural Officials of Second-Rank Heavenly Fortune Realm usually go to spirit mountains and blessed lands for solitary cultivation.

But among Dili Sect Agricultural Officials, once they reach the Second Rank in the 'Return of the Earth to the Origin' scripture, they proceed to practice mountain techniques to cultivate a spirit mountain (or inherit someone else's spirit mountain).

Then, borrowing the power of the earth, they break through to the First-Rank Fate Palace Realm.

Secondly, Meng Kun indeed is not skilled in mountain techniques.

In fifty years, he only increased his teacher's mountain by seventy-five meters.

This is very slow; one must know that Kunshan is not even a thousand meters high, so its rank typically would not exceed a Level Five Spirit Mountain.

"I recall that King Di Zang techniques also include spells to enhance spirit mountains; why is it so slow?" Zhao Xing felt somewhat puzzled in his heart.

However, he did not ask; perhaps Meng Kun indeed is unsuited to cultivating mountains.

Upon reaching Kunshan, Zhao Xing chose a place named Shiping Courtyard to reside.

"Kunyuan Academy also has a Secret Technique Tower, but if you wish to contemplate Earth Palace techniques and King Di Zang techniques, it is best to go to the Dojo."

The "dao field" referred to here is not the military realm's dao field, but a place for awakening the Dao.

"The Kunyuan Dao Field contains many underground palaces, but only fifty-two supreme underground palace methods exist."

"The King Di Zang methods are usually found in the 'Spirit Mountain Zone'; mountain methods and King Di Zang methods are closely linked."

Meng Kun pulled out two square black tokens and handed them to Zhao Xing: "If you wish to enter the Kunyuan Underground Palace to contemplate its methods, take my token."

"If you wish to enter the Spirit Mountain Zone to contemplate King Di Zang methods, take this token from Gu Changqing, the Five Classics Doctor."

"But try to stay low-key—just queue up like everyone else, don't let anyone see through your true nature."

"Understood." Zhao Xing respectfully accepted the tokens. "To study underground palace methods, go to Kunyuan Dao Field; to study King Di Zang methods, go to the Spirit Mountain Zone. Stay low-key. But may I ask how long I may stay each time?"

Meng Kun smiled. "The Kunyuan Dao Field has no time limit, since you hold my Dean's Token. In the Spirit Mountain Zone, as long as you avoid those three mountains, you have no restriction either. If you choose those three mountains, you must wait for allocation—typically, you'll be granted seven days per month to contemplate there."

"Thank you, Dean." Zhao Xing understood: this was the resource the Kunyuan Academy had promised him.

Since his avatar had come here, consuming any treasure would be wasteful—it was better converted into time for contemplation in such sacred land.

Sacred land contemplation time is also a resource, and an even more precious one.

Many seventh- and eighth-grade treasures are plentiful in supply.

But this kind of specialized contemplation resource has limited quotas.

If you take it, someone else cannot; if you take more, someone else must take less.

Especially sacred land resources for contemplating supreme methods are exceedingly rare.

Countless fourth-rank officials desire this resource.

Because it concerns promotion from mid-rank to high-rank official positions.

With identical merit and seniority, if one official masters a supreme method, the imperial court will naturally prioritize promoting the fourth-rank official who masters a supreme method!

"The Dili Sect's benefits are truly superior," Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh.

Hearing this, Meng Kun nodded in satisfaction.

Zhao Xing making this remark was exactly what Meng Kun wanted!

To poach someone, you must offer more than just a little—three or five years from now, when Zhao Xing's true body finally has time, he will surely come personally to the Sinong Sacred Land.

So should he first go to the Tian Shi Sect's Sacred Land, or the Dili Sect's Sacred Land? There's much to consider here.

"Our Dili Sect has countless advantages—what I've shown you so far is merely an appetizer," Meng Kun boasted. "You'll gradually understand later."

Zhao Xing bowed with a smile. "Thank you, Dean Meng, for your cultivation. Chen An will forever remember this."

…………

After Meng Kun left, Zhao Xing wasted no time and immediately began selecting supreme methods.

"Supreme underground palace methods include: Hell Underground Palace, Dark Flame Underground Palace, Azure Wood Underground Palace, Phantom God Underground Palace, Golden Sun Underground Palace, and others."

"But only four supreme underground palace methods point toward the ultimate level."

"They are: Vast Sea Underground Palace, Dark Water Underground Palace, Grand Void Underground Palace, and Empty Nether Underground Palace."

"These four supreme methods all originate from the Ultimate Underground Palace—Guixu."

"If I am to cultivate, I will choose Vast Sea Underground Palace and Dark Water Underground Palace first."

"After Liang Wang's rebellion, the chaos in Pinghai Zhou, the unrest in the East Sea, and the southern barbarians' counterattack will all trigger a great disaster: a 'flood'." Zhao Xing reflected in his dream palace of memories.

Liang Wang's rebellion—this windfall he must seize.

Beyond promotion, there are immense hidden benefits: reputation.

What could be easier than gaining fame by contributing during Liang Wang's rebellion?

This is a monumental event, shaking all nineteen provinces and even the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses.

The reputation earned during Liang Wang's rebellion is universally valid and spreads the widest.

Even someone like Mi Fu, who accomplished so much, was only known in a few commanderies of Guangling Zhou.

His "reputation value" has both temporal and regional limits—if Mi Fu went to Pinghai Zhou, hardly anyone would know him!

"I must lay the groundwork now for becoming Grand Minister of Agriculture. If I gain merit during Liang Wang's rebellion, this will be a solid credential."

"During this rebellion, I will gain reputation not only in the military but also in the imperial court."

"It is universally applicable across all categories and regions—and permanently valid."

Reputation, though intangible, sometimes becomes the decisive factor.

Take the Kunyuan Academy: if Zhao Xing and several others simultaneously enter the Dili Sect's view, and all other candidates are nearly equal in noble rank, official position, strength, and background—the one with higher reputation will win.

And to become leader of the three sects, every condition must be even more stringent.

"With the southern barbarians aiding Liang Wang's counterattack, and Ji Mingxian as their guide, the Canglan River basin will be the primary target—then a colossal flood will erupt."

"If both the East Sea and the southern barbarians strike together—"

"Li Boqian may not even contain it at first—he is the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Tian Shi Sect, capable of handling other natural disasters, but weak in managing water veins."

"Only the strength of Dili Sect experts can rescue the people from drowning."

"The supreme methods derived from Guixu Underground Palace—Vast Sea Underground Palace and Dark Water Underground Palace—are among the best for handling floods, most suited for deployment in rivers and seas."

"Even the water-vein guiding methods of Xuan Earth methods are less direct and brutal than these," Zhao Xing thought.

He knew a high-grade perfected Xuan Earth method called "Xuan Water Hidden Retreat," a water-vein guiding technique.

But it gently and gradually regulates water veins within the earth's veins.

Underground palace methods, by contrast, first accumulate all the water.

The ultimate of underground palace methods—Guixu.

It was created based on ancient legends.

Legend says all waters of the Four Seas flow into a bottomless abyss called "Guixu."

The ultimate technique of Guixu Underground Palace is 【Four Seas Return to Guixu】.

Legend says when this method is activated, it can drain all waters of the Four Seas, turning the ocean into mulberry fields.

Of course, legends are just legends; even in the Era of Spiritual Qi, the Ruins of the Return Palace could not drain the waters of the Four Seas.

However, it was powerful enough, perfectly fitting Zhao Xing's future plans.

"For the supreme King Di Zang methods, I choose the Kun Yuan Method and the Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Method."

"To cultivate the ultimate King Di Zang method, the Profound Yellow Earth-Opening Method, neither is dispensable."

The Kun Yuan Method possesses the miraculous power to reshape and recreate the earth, capable of turning barren lands into vibrant life and repairing damaged terrain.

The Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Method, on the other hand, can utilize the spirit of the earth veins to form barriers for specific areas; this method also has some relation to the Way of Sacrifice.

There is a certain probability that the Earth Spirit will align with the Law Body of the Earth God established in ancient times, receiving a massive enhancement.

Of course, this does not consume lifespan, because the Law Body of the Earth God has nothing to do with whether you summon a deity; it only appears during great disasters across the Nineteen Provinces.

If the earth veins are severely damaged, even a single rotation of this method will trigger the appearance of the Earth God's Law Body.

This is the blessing left behind across the Nineteen Provinces by generations of fortunate dynasties sacrificing to the Earth God.

"After the disaster comes reconstruction; the 'Kun Yuan Re-creation' and 'Mountains and Rivers Forever Firm' within the Kun Yuan Method can quickly repair disaster zones."

"The Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Method is a large-scale defensive spell."

"High-rank experts roaming Haizhou and Lvliang Province often cause the sky to collapse and the earth to crack; with the protection of the Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Method, the destructive power of these strong ones is not so great."

"If I could obtain any one of the four Earth God Divine Artifacts, even at the Fourth Rank, I could easily protect an entire prefecture; however, three of these four artifacts have been lost, and the Great Zhou obtained only the Earth Mirror from the four Earth God Divine Artifacts," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"What can be confirmed is that one of them lies within the Dragon Court Ancient Land of this era; as for the locations of the other two, it is unknown whether they remain in their original places," Zhao Xing pondered.

If the other three Dili Sect divine artifacts could be recovered.

Meng Kun would probably willingly kneel and become a stool for him, letting him step on Meng Kun's back to descend from the flying boat.

Moreover, Meng Kun would firmly support him as the leader of the Dili Sect; anyone who opposed would be sent to meet their ancestors.

"I wonder if there is enough time," Zhao Xing thought silently.

For the supreme Heaven-Timing methods, two must be cultivated: the Profound Heaven Thunder Technique, Prison-Suppressing Chapter, and Yunmen; he also wanted to learn Li Boqian's three ultimate moves.

Now here, there are four supreme Earth-Advantage methods.

Dividing one's attention further will inevitably cause the speed of comprehension to decrease.

"It is best to master them before the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Era; being able to master them is enough; I do not aspire to definitely reach a specific rotation," Zhao Xing thought silently.

After all, the Mid-Rank Great War of this life has advanced by three years; if this trend continues, Liang Wang will rebel in the thirty-third year.

"It would be best if this old man rebelled two years later; rebelling in the thirty-fifth year would be ideal. Should I ask Old Liu to push harder? No, forget it, better not to make things worse," Zhao Xing shook his head.

If Liang Wang is forced to rebel prematurely, with his current strength, he can accomplish very little.

Without mastering the supreme methods, he would absolutely not dare to involve himself in such major events; he would be too busy hiding!

With the supreme methods mastered, combined with the Ten Thousand Dharma Divided Body and the Tianyan Wang's Derivation Spirit Art, he would have some capital to participate; at the very least, his ability to preserve his life would be greatly enhanced, requiring no excessive risk.

"Lock!"

Zhao Xing sealed his Memory Palace, then opened his eyes.

In ordinary times, he would not think of future plans; only at certain time nodes and with specific information would he actively activate them; otherwise, he would have to enter a dream state to know the overall plan.

"First, cultivate the Palace of the Earth methods!"

Zhao Xing did not intend to rest; after all, King Tianyan was always supervising him. If the original body did not sleep, the divided body could not sleep either.

So that very day, he flew out of the Stone Screen Courtyard and went to the Kun Yuan Dojo to comprehend the 'Vast Sea Earth Palace' and the 'Mysterious Water Earth Palace'.

"Learn whichever is faster first; master it before discussing improvement."

…………

In the twenty-first day of the second month of the thirty-first year of the Jingxin Era, Zhao Xing began comprehending the two Earth Palace methods at the Kun Yuan Dojo.

At the same time, he continued comprehending the 'Heavenly Thunder Finger' within the Profound Heaven Thunder Technique at the Tian Yuan Branch of the Profound Heaven Academy.

Meanwhile, under the ruthless urging of King Tianyan, the original body cultivated the Derivation Spirit Art.

Three minds in one, and three cultivation directions, completely different, all extremely difficult.

Zhao Xing's comprehension of Heaven-Timing and Earth-Advantage spells slowed down.

However, the cultivation of the Derivation Spirit Art remained vigorous and progressive.

Because the Fate Soul is the prerequisite for all cultivation, Zhao Xing would rather slow down the cultivation speed of Heaven-Timing and Earth-Advantage methods than fail to ensure sufficient energy to cultivate the Derivation Spirit Art.

Not learning Heaven-Timing and Earth-Advantage spells is no big deal; if necessary, they can be learned later; not learning the Derivation Spirit Art, however, will drive one mad in the future!

So by the fifteenth day of the fifth month, Zhao Xing had cultivated the fifth Fate Star!

"Boom!"

The fifth Fate Star appeared in the abdomen.

At this moment, the five Fate Stars of the Fate Soul connected into one, their light illuminating the Sea of Consciousness; suddenly, Zhao Xing's Fate Soul split into five.

Each Fate Soul became slightly smaller, yet with the existence of the Fate Stars, each Fate Soul felt no discomfort.

"Truly wonderful," Zhao Xing immersed himself in this splitting. "Five Fate Souls, capable of merging and separating; the soul power can continue to grow."

Five stars; Zhao Xing was still the fastest, though he still did not know it.

Taking advantage of the breakthrough, Zhao Xing asked King Tianyan for leave.

This time it was not to return home to visit relatives, but to consume the second Primordial Spirit Fruit.

He had obtained a total of three Primordial Spirit Fruits within the Great Dream Academy.

One of them was given to Liu Tianning.

The other was consumed intermittently over the previous year, bringing the Fate Soul to the late stage of the Fourth Rank.

Combined with the cultivation of the Derivation Spirit Art, at four stars, the Fate Soul reached the perfection of the Fourth Rank.

However, after breaking through to five stars, the Fate Soul underwent differentiation, and each Fate Soul dropped back to the mid-stage of the Fourth Rank.

The cultivation of the Derivation Spirit Art enabled Zhao Xing's five Fate Souls to separate and merge.

When merged, they reached the perfection of the Fourth Rank; when separated, they were at the mid-stage of the Fourth Rank.

Zhao Xing cultivated the Tian Yan Wang Art to the Fifth Star; after consuming a Primordial Spirit Fruit, his speed increased dramatically.

The date was July 10th of the 31st year of the Jingxin Era.

The third Primordial Spirit Fruit was completely digested.

"The Ninth-Rank Primordial Spirit Fruit has raised the strength of my three Life Souls from Mid-Stage Fourth Rank to Perfection Fourth Rank."

"The other two have remained at Late-Stage Fourth Rank."

"A Ninth-Rank Primordial Spirit Fruit is truly awesome," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Especially when combined with the Tian Yan Wang Art, he wasted almost nothing.

If he had consumed the third fruit before, the Primordial Spirit Fruit would not have allowed his Life Soul to break through to Third Rank; it would only have increased the total soul power of his Fourth-Rank Life Soul, making his soul more resilient and resistant.

Simply put, the limit of his Fourth-Rank Life Soul would become higher than that of an ordinary Fourth-Rank Life Soul; this is a characteristic brought by the Primordial Spirit Fruit, and also a difference in individual Life Souls.

But it would never be like now, where everything is absorbed and a large portion is still wasted.

"Five Life Souls are equivalent to five lives; even if I encounter a secret technique of soul-type attacks, I can use one to die in my stead, but in reality, as long as one Life Soul exists, I am not truly destroyed."

"Because the core of my Life Soul is actually those five Life Stars; as long as there are recovery treasures like Primordial Soul Liquid or Primordial Spirit Fruit, I can rise from the dead and return to life!"

"This is the power of the Ultimate Soul Method!"

Two more days passed; on July 12th, Zhao Xing drank ten of the thirty-six bottles of Primordial Soul Liquid given by King Tianyan.

This brought the remaining two Life Souls to the Perfection Fourth-Rank realm.

"The Fifth Star."

King Tianyan watched from afar.

"The speed is still very fast; he saved half the time compared to Liu Tianning, and saved ten days compared to the historical first."

"Actually, this should exclude the half-month break given to him in between; sigh."

However, this record cannot be calculated this way; King Tianyan could not force Zhao Xing to cultivate, lest Zhao Xing develop a rebellious psychology.

"Appropriate relaxation is necessary; anyway, he is still ahead of the historical first by ten days; as long as the time span for these next two stars can exceed that, it will be fine," King Tianyan comforted himself.

The time spans for the Sixth Star and Seventh Star were both slightly long.

Like Liu Tianning, he spent half a year going from the Fourth Star to the Fifth Star.

But from the Fifth Star to the Sixth Star, it took one year and five months.

From the Sixth Star to the Seventh Star, it took two years, one month, and four days.

The first layer took a total of five years, while Zhao Xing's speed so far has always been more than double that of Liu Tianning.

"Let's see if he can maintain it; the Sixth Star and Seventh Star are the most difficult. To break the historical record for the first layer, he must complete the first layer within two and a half years."

The historical first person's record was two years, five months, and ten days.

Zhao Xing has been exceeding the historical record so far.

The Life Soul broke through to the Fifth Star, differentiated into five Life Souls, and all five reached perfection.

Zhao Xing's speed of comprehending spells increased again.

"The Cloud Gate Method points directly to the ultimate; you previously had the foundation of the Swallow Cloud Method, which aligns with the ultimate Dao of the Cloud Method."

"The Cloud Method changes in a thousand ways; the Swallow Cloud Spell can transform into weapon clouds, blood clouds, poison clouds, thunder clouds... while the Ultimate Method 'Cloud Heavenly Dao' intends to replace the Dao of Heaven with the Cloud Method!"

At this moment, the one lecturing Zhao Xing was Sima Yunhai.

Because Geng Shouchang's supreme Cloud Method was not the "Cloud Gate," but another one of relatively lower difficulty, the "Blood Weapon Cloud."

Geng Shouchang's cultivation realm was not high either, only at the Third Transformation level, so there was no way for him to teach.

Thus, the heavy responsibility of teaching fell upon Sima Yunhai.

"Teacher Sima, could you go a bit slower? I didn't see clearly," Zhao Xing said, sitting upright on a cloud, looking at the golden auspicious cloud condensing in front of him.

The golden Cloud Gate emitted divine light; inside the gate, it seemed to contain the mysteries of all Great Daos, attracting people's gaze.

Seeing this, Sima Yunhai smiled slightly: "Sure, come, let's watch it again."

"Thank you," Zhao Xing said, watching with full concentration.

Originally, Sima Yunhai and Heng Yuan had gone to the Main Academy.

Heng Yuan did not return after going there; it was said he was tied up with important matters.

But Sima Yunhai pushed aside all affairs, spurred his horse to the limit, and returned to the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch Academy in April.

Upon learning that Zhao Xing was cultivating the Cloud Method, he was overjoyed.

Because he was skilled in the Cloud Method!

If he could teach Zhao Xing, wouldn't that be the best opportunity to slap faces?!

Thus, Sima Yunhai put forth twelve thousand percent enthusiasm to teach.

Those who didn't know might think Zhao Xing was his son.

Even Geng Shouchang shook his head repeatedly upon seeing this.

Because this old fellow had made a detailed plan for Zhao Xing's cultivation time.

Among them, Sima Yunhai occupied eight double-hours, while Geng Shouchang could only occupy two double-hours.

The other two double-hours were Zhao Xing's free time.

But even during these two double-hours, as long as Zhao Xing wasn't sleeping, he wouldn't sleep either.

What was he doing not sleeping?

Coming over to ask about warmth and cold, and by the way boasting about how awesome our Heavenly Timing Sect is, instilling such concepts into Zhao Xing.

At first, Zhao Xing did not know about the grudge between Sima Yunhai and Liu Tianning, nor the existence of that 'Senior Brother Pang.'

After the New Year, when he talked about the Dao with Old Liu, he also knew why Sima Yunhai was so enthusiastic.

However, he still pretended not to know.

Judge by deeds, not by intentions; regardless of Sima Yunhai's motives, Zhao Xing accepted this favor.

After all, Sima Yunhai was truly teaching him with heart.

To speak of it, this was not exactly malicious intent; he simply wanted to brainwash himself, pull himself into the Tian Shi faction, and complete his revenge on Liu Tianning.

In Old Master Zhao's eyes, this was no matter at all. Could I be brainwashed by you?

Impossible!

"Do you understand?" Sima Yunhai asked.

"I'll try." Zhao Xing rose from the clouds.

"Good, you try. Failure is no big deal; take it slow." Sima Yunhai spoke kindly, his face full of benevolence.

…………

Time passed; in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the eighth month of the thirty-first year of Jingxin.

At this time, Zhao Xing's Cloud Gate Art was finally mastered by the Original Body ahead of schedule.

By September, good news arrived again.

The Original Body's "Profound Heaven Prison-Subduing Thunder Art" had reached the Third Turn.

Even the Clone could barely manifest the Heavenly Thunder Finger!

"Truly astonishing talent," Geng Shouchang looked at this scene and could not help but sigh in his heart.

For a Clone to manifest it and for the Original Body to manifest it were completely two different concepts!

One must know that the Ten Thousand Methods Clone could theoretically be infinite in number.

Even now, Zhao Xing could condense one hundred Clones!

Now the Clone could also manifest the Heavenly Thunder Finger; although this was the strongest Clone, and manifesting it was a struggle, it possessed only a single strike's power.

But this was something that could be done after all!

The rest was merely perfecting the Ten Thousand Methods Clone in the future; with some effort on the upper limit of spell Qi and materials, one hundred Clones could all manifest the Heavenly Thunder Finger!

What concept was this? A Top-tier Art was the standard for Third Rank!

Who could withstand one hundred Send Bai Ming's Third Rank Heavenly Thunder Fingers?

"No wonder Pang Xianyun lost, and lost with his heart convinced, even going astray from the path." Geng Shouchang, looking at Zhao Xing at this moment, knew the terror of Liu Tianning.

How strong would Liu Tianning be, who had already cultivated a Top-tier Dharma Body?

…………

In the twelfth month of the thirty-first year of Jingxin, the Original Body cultivated the Cloud Gate Art to the Third Turn, and the Clone specifically forged in the Tianyuan Prefecture could also manifest the Cloud Gate Art.

However, Zhao Xing did not display it, because he saw through Sima Yunhai's intentions; if he mastered it, Sima Yunhai would probably stop teaching with heart and only brainwash him all day.

So Zhao Xing kept asking about cultivation, while Sima Yunhai's brainwashing went in one ear and out the other.

Sima Yunhai was not in a hurry; the Cloud Art was naturally harder than the Thunder Art.

How long had it been for Zhao Xing? Just over a year; mastering it would be strange, while failing to master it was normal.

…………

The Yongxin Sect branch received good news, and the Clone at the Kunyuan Academy also achieved a breakthrough.

The fifteenth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-first year of Jingxin.

Inside the Kunyuan Dojo.

"Hanhai Underground Palace, this is the Hanhai Underground Palace."

Zhao Xing showed a faint smile.

From April until December, he finally comprehended the Top-tier Art 【Hanhai Underground Palace】.

And it was at the level of the Original Body at the Third Turn and the Clone at the First Turn.

"Go try it!"

Zhao Xing's Clone descended to ten li outside Kunshan, where there was an artificial lake.

"Hanhai Underground Palace!" Zhao Xing pointed with his hand.

Buzz~

Beneath the artificial lake, a turquoise underground palace emerged.

Splash~

Within three breaths, the water in the artificial lake instantly vanished completely, sinking into the ground and all being gathered into the Hanhai Underground Palace.

"The artificial lake covers one thousand square kilometers with a water storage depth of two hundred meters; such area and storage volume are already extremely exaggerated, but in the face of a Top-tier Art, it is still insufficient; the Hanhai Underground Palace can still hold at least a hundred times that amount."

Inside the Hanhai Underground Palace at this moment, all the water had been stored away.

"If a flood occurs, there are two choices: first, do not move the position of the Hanhai Underground Palace, wait until the entire flood is managed, and then release this volume of water for distribution."

"Or have low-to-mid-level Agricultural Officials hold Cloud-Rain Pearls to collect it, and finally return it to the area where the water was originally."

"The second choice is an emergency plan; if the flood is too severe, one cannot consider matters too far into the future at this time; immediately sink the Hanhai Underground Palace deep into the earth veins and pour it into the Fire Veins."

"However, doing so will make the soil quality in this area afterward become cold, damp, and yin; if winter arrives, large-scale permafrost will appear; this is the balance of the Five Elements being broken, requiring some time to regulate." Zhao Xing summarized.

"How to weigh the options depends on the situation at the time; human priority is above all else; if there are common people behind, and the flood is too severe, then one can only destroy the environment first and manage it afterward."

"If it is just a single flood and manpower is sufficient, one can send people to absorb the water volume and place it in reasonable storage locations."

After practicing in combat, Zhao Xing raised both hands.

"Release!"

Splash~

The water flow reappeared in the artificial lake within an extremely short time.

"Not a drop more, not a drop less." Zhao Xing sensed carefully, "The earth veins were not damaged either."

Once the Clone learned it, if there was one, there would be two.

After mastering the Hanhai Underground Palace, ordinary-level floods were no matter to Zhao Xing.

One hundred clones, all simultaneously activating the Vast Sea Underground Palace—if the emergency protocol is employed.

The clones continuously activate the Vast Sea Underground Palace, sinking deep underground; no amount of water can flood the city behind him.

…………

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month, Meng Kun returned to Kunshan and inquired about Zhao Xing's cultivation progress.

"Dean, I have mastered the Vast Sea Underground Palace technique." Zhao Xing replied honestly.

"Hm? Did the clone master it, or the original body?" Meng Kun looked at him expectantly.

"The original body has completed three cycles; the clones, one cycle."

"So fast?" Meng Kun was stunned—how long had Zhao Xing even been studying?

From the time he arrived at Kunyuan Academy until now, it had been barely ten months.

Ten months to master a top-tier technique—and three cycles?

Seeing Meng Kun's astonished expression, Zhao Xing knew his pace was certainly not slow.

In fact, he had achieved this speed because, in early December, his Yan Shen Jue had reached six stars.

With his Life Soul strengthened, the clones' comprehension naturally improved as well.

"Don't tell anyone—avoid provoking jealousy," Meng Kun warned.

Being too extraordinary isn't always a good thing; Meng Kun still didn't want Zhao Xing to reveal his brilliance too soon.

He held only a fifth-rank official position—how could he master a top-tier technique? If word got out, it would cause an uproar.

"Thank you for the reminder, Dean. I'll remember," Zhao Xing nodded.

Mastering a top-tier technique in under a year—he knew this pace was too astonishing to publicize; it would only invite trouble.

…………

Zhao Xing didn't want trouble, but trouble came to him anyway.

On the twentieth day of the second month, in the thirty-second year of Jing Xin.

Outside the Secret Technique Tower at the Tianyuan Branch Academy, Zhao Xing was intercepted.

"You're the Zhi Jing Doctor Zhao Xing?"

The man speaking wore a Phoenix Feather Dharma Robe, a tall Sun Crown, and held a book in his hand; his tone was hostile.

Zhao Xing didn't recognize him, but he could tell the man was a fourth-rank official—he pretended not to hear and walked away.

"Stop!" The elaborately dressed man summoned clouds to block his path again. "I'm Zhou Yun, also a Zhi Jing Doctor. How did you get such preferential treatment? Who did you bribe?"

"You only need to teach once a month, yet you claim five full days of Secret Technique Tower cultivation time!"

Zhou Yun's tone carried both anger and mockery.

Shhh~

Zhao Xing ignored him entirely and accelerated away.

Seeing he couldn't stop him, Zhou Yun shouted loudly: "You can run now, but you can't run forever!"

…………

As expected, in the following days, rumors erupted one after another.

Because Zhao Xing, as a Zhi Jing Doctor, was merely a fifth-rank official, had no magical or theoretical achievements, no seniority, and had contributed nothing to the Xuantian Academy Branch.

Even his teaching duties were so light, yet he monopolized five days of Secret Technique Tower cultivation resources each month.

Thus, under Zhou Yun's protest, the rumors quickly spread.

Seven days later, the situation escalated further:

Zhao Xing was Liu Tianning's disciple and had cultivated the Ten Thousand Dharma Straw Figures.

Zhao Xing's original body served as the Village God Master in Chongming Prefecture—he wasn't even here; only his clone was present.

Both points were quickly verified.

"Boom~" The Tianyuan Branch Academy erupted in public outrage.

From eighth-rank officials up to fourth-rank ones, a group stormed toward Zhao Xing's Jinghu Small Courtyard, determined to drag him out and demand an explanation.

"Zhao Xing, come out! You traitor to the Dao!"

"Shameless! You cultivate the Benwo Sect's methods, yet study here in our Tian Shi Sect!"

"Furious! How could he possibly learn any technique? He's just here to collect credentials—and someone actually agreed to such an outrageous demand? Absolutely disgraceful!"

"You dared to deceive the entire academy, serving as a Zhi Jing Doctor for a full year—you've insulted the title itself!"

"If even one of Zhao Xing's clones can serve as a Zhi Jing Doctor, what value does this position even hold?"

"Come out! Get out here!"

"I challenge you to a Great Dao Dispute!"

"Damned heretic, traitor to the Dao—come out!"

"…"

The crowd was enraged!

A swarm of fourth- and fifth-rank officials, accompanied by unaware sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-rankers, surrounded the Jinghu Small Courtyard.

The scene looked as if they meant to devour Zhao Xing alive.

But Zhao Xing's clone wasn't even there.

These past few days, sensing something was wrong, he had already gone to Geng Shouchang and Sima Yunhai.

Geng Shouchang said, "We originally planned to take you to the main academy at the start of the year, but plans changed—you…"

You met Li Baqian.

Geng Shouchang couldn't say it outright, but Zhao Xing understood instantly.

Geng Shouchang continued: "Your position as Zhi Jing Doctor was recommended by the three of us, and Lu Chunhua approved your access to these resources—but at the time, we only agreed on two to four months."

"Now it has been over a year. Although the timing was cleverly arranged, it was ultimately discovered."

Zhao Xing nodded. Suddenly, a new person appeared, occupying important resources, and this person seemed unworthy of the position, naturally provoking opposition.

To be honest, the fact that such an incident only occurred today already shows the three big shots operated skillfully.

"This matter is simple," Sima Yunhai said. "Zhao Xing, announce now that you take me as your master, and the only master. You immediately become my disciple, and all rumors will vanish."

Sima Yunhai took the opportunity to speak; he had long been eager to make Zhao Xing his true disciple.

This was obviously a bad idea. Zhao Xing made no sound, but looked at Geng Shouchang.

"The problem is not too great," Geng Shouchang said. "You were recommended by the three of us. We have the right to recommend; let Lu Chunhua announce the recommendation process."

The regulations comply with the rules, but these three will inevitably be pointed at and criticized.

Besides, a problem-free process does not mean there is no problem with public opinion.

Zhao Xing taking the post of Doctor of Classics at Profound Heaven Academy using his Myriad Methods Projection involved factional strife.

Even if the official process is flawless, many people will still trouble Zhao Xing and force him to leave.

"People will just keep chasing you to curse you. People will challenge you to a 【Great Dao Contest】 until they force you to leave voluntarily," Sima Yunhai said. "Zhao Xing, you might as well listen to me..."

"Two masters, if I ignore it and wait for the storm to pass, will this matter gradually settle down?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Unlikely. You will have to endure such pressure while cultivating," Sima Yunhai shook his head.

"How about transferring to the Main Academy?" Geng Shouchang asked.

"Tianyuan Prefecture is all like this, let alone the Main Academy?" Sima Yunhai sneered. "It is only that there are few Third Ranks here, and we have all spoken beforehand. If we transfer to the Main Academy, even you and I would be challenged to a 【Great Dao Contest】."

"I can withstand the pressure," Zhao Xing said calmly. "Being a coward for two years doesn't matter."

"Can you endure it?" Geng Shouchang asked. Zhao Xing's projection can now cast top-tier techniques; can he really endure without acting?

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. If a fight could solve the trouble, he wouldn't mind.

But this is not a matter of fighting or not. Even if he wins, he cannot solve the fundamental contradiction. It will only incite more people to challenge him.

There are plenty of people who fear no death. If they come one by one to die, can Zhao Xing keep killing them? Then does he still want to survive in the Heavenly Timing Faction?

Zhao Xing said, "Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Self-Nature are merely differences in philosophy. They should not, and do not need to, generate party strife. I will not fight such meaningless battles."

"Well said." Just then, outside the three's door, clouds and mist suddenly appeared and expanded. Two figures walked out from within.

Geng Shouchang and Sima Yunhai saw this and immediately stood up in haste.

"We pay our respects to the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"We pay our respects to the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

Zhao Xing also stood up.

Li Boqian and Lu Chunhua walked into the main hall.

"This young man knows these things; why do some people not understand?" Li Boqian glanced at Sima Yunhai.

"Chunhua, the branch academy has been too noisy lately. I cannot even play chess in peace."

"What do you say we should do?"

"The student will handle it well," Lu Chunhua said respectfully. "Please rest assured, Teacher."

"Take these two recommended people to Mirror Lake Courtyard."

"Yes."

Lu Chunhua immediately left with Geng Shouchang and Sima Yunhai.

Li Boqian smiled and looked at Zhao Xing: "How do you feel?"

Zhao Xing knew Li Boqian was asking about his experiences over the past few days.

Facing curses, unreasonable demands, and challenges of life-and-death 【Great Dao Contests】, what are your thoughts?

"Breaking thieves in the mountain is easy; breaking thieves in the heart is hard," Zhao Xing said. "Even if I defeat one person, countless others will come to block me, because their concepts are deeply rooted and cannot be broken by force."

"Well said," Li Boqian agreed. "Unifying the three factions is destined to be a rugged path; it is not so simple to achieve."

"The situation you face now is not of a high level. Without my instruction, Geng and Lu can easily solve the trouble, but in the future, there will definitely be higher-level troubles."

"If people of Geng and Lu's level come to oppose you, even I would find it hard to handle."

"Next, you are destined to be harassed, cursed, and attacked by many people. These are things you will encounter on this path. When you lose your temper in the future, I hope you remember today's words."

"Whether it is the Heavenly Timing Method or the Self-Nature Method, neither should be used for internal strife, but should be used to benefit the people and benefit the nation."

"This junior has received your teaching," Zhao Xing nodded.

On the Tianyuan Prefecture side, Lu Chunhua quickly stepped forward to quell the incident.

However, as previously predicted, the official process was not the main issue; factional strife was the root.

Lu, Geng, and Sima stepping forward only resolved the legality and rationality of Zhao Xing becoming the Doctor of Classics; they could not settle the factional strife.

Zhao Xing still received many curses every day, even having stones thrown at Mirror Lake Courtyard, and a crowd of people sought him out daily to initiate a Great Dao Contest.

In the first month of the thirty-second year of the Jingxin Era, the number of people challenging Zhao Xing reached over two thousand, all Fourth Rank, some even coming from other branch academies.

In the second month, due to the Spring Society Day, the number finally decreased somewhat, but there were still four or five hundred people who did not give up and continued to bother Zhao Xing daily.

In the third month, the number increased again to a thousand.

In the fourth month, fifteen hundred people.

By the fifth month, the number finally dropped, because Zhao Xing consistently ignored them and did not accept the challenges.

Those who cursed were tired of cursing; those who blocked were tired of blocking.

As for a small portion, they still refused to give up.

Because they were vested interests, and Zhao Xing's appearance touched their interests.

Regarding this, Zhao Xing simply ignored it, silently noting certain troublemakers in his little notebook.

"Zhou Cheng, Yang Boguang, Zhong Haiming, Wu Chen, Cui You..."

In the Memory Palace, Zhao Xing recorded the names of over a dozen people.

"Hmph, the Tianyuan Mansion has only a few who shout the loudest; several have already pledged loyalty to Liang Wang. Once you lot turn traitor, I'll be the first to crush you!"

Acting as if only they could investigate, Old Master Zhao was a man with power and background in Ping Haizhou.

He casually uncovered the backgrounds of these people.

One investigation revealed that many were future 'rebels'.

"Endure for now; once I master my arts, I'll kill you all!"

Coincidentally, Zhao Xing encountered a situation similar to that at Xuantian Academy in the Spirit Mountain Area of Kunyuan Academy.

However, the Dili Sect's rejection of the Benwo Sect was not so severe.

Moreover, Meng Kun used his own and Gu Changqing's resources, not seizing anyone else's.

With no conflict of interest, the matter was much smaller.

It was just that, as Li Boqian said, once he reached a higher position in the future, things would likely not be so harmonious.

Jingxin Era, Year 32, 10th Month, 4th Day.

The Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Art is mastered! The True Body has advanced three turns, the Clone one turn.

Reconstruction is harder than destruction; the Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Art was also the Dili Art Zhao Xing spent the most time on.

Thus, Zhao Xing has now mastered four supreme arts.

They are:

The Prison-Suppressing Chapter of the Xuantian Thunder Art, the "Heavenly Thunder Finger".

The "Cloud Gate" from the Cloud Heaven Dao.

The Vast Sea Earth Palace Art from the Return-to-Void Earth Palace.

The Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Art from the Xuanhuang Land-Clearing.

"The four supreme arts that point directly to the ultimate were all mastered in the 10th Month of Jingxin Era, Year 32; all are at the supreme three-turn level, while the clones are at the supreme one-turn level."

There was a sequence in time, but the realm was the same; it was mainly a matter of energy allocation.

Advancing from the supreme three-turn to the four-turn is extremely difficult.

It requires vast amounts of time and energy to comprehend; Zhao Xing had absolutely no possibility of mastering it in a short time, so upon reaching the supreme three-turn level of a supreme art, he stopped comprehending and moved on to the next.

Now, having mastered four, Zhao Xing had his two clones log off, no longer comprehending daily.

Because his Tianyan Divine Art, first layer, had reached its most critical moment.

On the 5th Day of the 10th Month, Zhao Xing began to assault the Seventh Star.

"Boom~"

The secret-patterned stars rotating, which he had watched countless times.

On the Star Platform, Zhao Xing stood with hands clasped behind his back; the planet before him continuously enlarged, and its rotation speed constantly increased.

Countless star rings flashed through his eyes; seven stars appeared in his sea of consciousness.

The stars pressed upon his sea of consciousness, but at this moment, this pressure could no longer affect Zhao Xing at all.

"Come, the Seventh Star!"

Zhao Xing looked at the seven secret-patterned stars.

Previously, every breakthrough meant that during visualization, one fewer star attacked within his sea of consciousness.

But at the final hurdle, the seventh star reappeared.

Condensing the Seventh Star, the pressure was dozens of times the sum of all the preceding stars!

"Boom~"

"Boom boom boom!"

The seven secret-patterned stars continuously bombarded Zhao Xing's soul body.

Every collision was a clash of the Dao of the Soul!

Splitting the Fate Soul is an act against heaven; to reach limits others cannot attain, one must withstand the verification of the Dao of the Soul.

The attacks of the secret-patterned stars, embodying the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, continuously assaulted Zhao Xing's Fate Soul.

If one can withstand it and contain the first star, one has set foot on the ultimate path of the soul.

"Boom boom boom~"

Under this ultra-high-frequency assault, the Six-Star Fate Soul quickly developed a tiny crack.

However, during the process of being struck, Zhao Xing repeatedly worked to contain those star secret patterns.

Every time he was knocked back, Zhao Xing corrected his posture, and the secret patterns on his Fate Soul adjusted accordingly.

"Two years of time; the realization has reached the critical point. Now is the moment of verification." Zhao Xing focused his spirit.

Collapse after collapse, self-repair after self-repair.

Time quickly passed from the 5th Day of the 10th Month to the 10th Day of the 10th Month.

At this point, Zhao Xing had no choice but to consume Yuan Soul Liquid to replenish his consumption.

Bottle after bottle of Yuan Soul Liquid was swallowed.

"Only the last five bottles remain." King Tianyan watched tensely. "This kid didn't drink this much during previous breakthroughs; this time he's eaten until only five bottles are left."

Clearly, King Tianyan also understood that Zhao Xing had reached a critical moment.

If this assault fails, who knows when the next opportunity will be.

Because a long-prepared breakthrough failing is a severe blow to the Dao Heart, generating self-doubt.

Even if the Dao Heart remains firm, in this process of correction, it is easy to lose oneself, causing more errors and omissions to appear in the Dao that was previously nearly complete, requiring much time to adjust.

Time arrived at the nineteenth day of the tenth month of the thirty-second year of the Jingxin Era.

"Voom~"

At a certain moment, the seven secret-patterned stars on the Star Platform all came to a complete standstill, emitting dazzling, colorful light.

"Did he succeed?" King Tianyan instantly became overjoyed, because there were only three situations in which the secret-patterned stars would stop.

First, someone actively pressed the button.

Second, the cultivator fainted and could no longer find the target, so naturally it stopped.

Third, one had comprehended the first layer.

Zhao Xing had not fallen, nor had he pressed the button; thus, there was only one possibility.

"He truly succeeded!"

King Tianyan felt a powerful soul force rising ahead.

In his excitement, he pulled out a handful of his own beard.

"The twenty-third day of the tenth month of the thirtieth year of the Jingxin Era, began cultivating the Soul-Refining Chapter of the Tianyan Divine Art."

"The nineteenth day of the tenth month of the thirty-second year of the Jingxin Era, completed the cultivation of the first layer."

"Two years minus four days! Amazing, truly amazing!" King Tianyan trembled as he spoke. "The most talented Tianyan Divine Art cultivator in history has appeared."

"In the future, he might even comprehend that most mysterious Tianyan Stele!"

When all was settled, Zhao Xing swallowed the remaining five bottles of Yuan Soul Liquid in one gulp to restore his soul force.

Seeing King Tianyan appear, Zhao Xing walked down from the Star Platform. "I pay my respects to King Tianyan."

"Zhao Xing, have you broken through?"

"Yes, I have not failed your trust," Zhao Xing said. "Thanks to Your Highness's cultivation, I hope I have not disgraced Your Highness's name."

"Hahaha!" King Tianyan burst into laughter. "Do you know what rank your cultivation speed holds?"

"What rank?"

"Hahaha! Your cultivation of the first layer is the fastest in this dynasty, breaking your teacher Liu Tianning's five-year record."

"Furthermore, you have also broken the historical record of the Tianyan Divine Art spanning over thirty thousand years, pushing the timeframe down to within two years!"

"What?" Hearing this data, Zhao Xing was also somewhat surprised.

He had broken the record?

Then what the hell was all that soul-crushing urging about?

Zhao Xing was speechless; he had originally thought he was somewhat behind, and had felt some confusion in his heart: Why were there so many geniuses in this Great Zhou era? Were they that powerful?

But now thinking about it, King Tianyan had never said he was behind; he had just kept urging him, creating an atmosphere that made it seem as though he was lagging.

"No wonder Luo Hou Wang kept losing bets against you; who could outplay you..." Zhao Xing muttered inwardly.

Seeing Zhao Xing's expression, King Tianyan laughed for quite a while before stopping: "Alright, do not blame me. Who else but you would break a record on your very first breakthrough? This is a chance to witness history; how could I let it pass?"

"Your Highness is truly... deeply thoughtful," Zhao Xing replied.

"Speaking of which, after your breakthrough, how many Fate Souls did you differentiate?" King Tianyan looked at Zhao Xing. "I feel that your breakthrough was somewhat different."

Liu Tianning's divine soul differentiated into ten thousand and eighty-six Fate Souls, achieving perfection in the first layer of the Tianyan Divine Art.

Yet in King Tianyan's perception, Zhao Xing's breakthrough differed greatly from Liu Tianning's.

"My teacher and I chose different paths," Zhao Xing replied. "He may have differentiated many Fate Souls, but I differentiated only six from my main soul."

"Hmm?" King Tianyan paused, "Only six?"