Chapter 271: Zhao Xing

In the 33rd year of the Jingxin Calendar, the 10th day of the fourth month.

Above Qianqing Palace, Tianyuan Academy Branch of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Boom—

A vast expanse of cloud burst open, and a figure staggered out from the mist.

"Cough, cough, hah—hah—hah…" Zhao Xing leaned on his knees, coughing incessantly.

His blood and qi churned violently, his primordial energy surging wildly through his body; after a long while, he finally stabilized his breath.

Looking up, he saw dozens of massive holes torn into the ten-thousand-meter cloud layer, the ninety-nine cloud paths.

Clouds spread toward Zhao Xing's position, as if the cloud paths spanning the sky had sprung leaks.

"This is really hard." Zhao Xing straightened up, gazing at the sky—he felt like a mole burrowing wildly, punching holes all over the smooth cloud layer.

"Every time I try to activate Zhi Chi Tian Ya and travel through the cloud paths, I either crash through halfway or get blasted back by the massive pressure differential between the clouds."

"Controlling the pressure differential perfectly between front and rear clouds is truly difficult." Zhao Xing looked around.

He had just exploded a huge cloud burst, and it still hadn't dispersed.

"In one month, among the ninety-nine cloud paths, I've only comprehended seven."

"I originally thought once I mastered the first, the rest would come faster—but it turns out that's not true at all."

Zhao Xing didn't rush back into the cloud paths to meditate, for his insights were now chaotic—he felt he understood everything, yet nothing at all.

"I can't go on like this—I need to use one of my chances to ask for guidance." The more Zhao Xing meditated, the more cluttered his mind became.

Soon, an illusionary realm appeared before him!

There were only ninety-nine cloud paths, yet now he saw nine hundred and ninety-nine!

"Bad! This is a sign of qi deviation!" Zhao Xing shouted urgently downward:

"Senior, save me!"

The next instant, Li Boqian appeared high in the sky, observing Zhao Xing trapped in the illusionary realm.

Zhao Xing's eyes were tightly shut, his face blotched with purple and green, and thick clouds of qi began oozing from his body.

"Ku"

With a puff of air, qi erupted from all seven of Zhao Xing's orifices.

"How novel." Li Boqian immediately moved to suppress him, circling Zhao Xing as he studied him: "Others struggle too slowly with enlightenment and drift onto heretical paths.

"This boy, however, is enlightened too quickly—his multiple cloud-path insights have become entangled, spawning countless divergent paths, triggering internal primordial energy chaos."

From Li Boqian's perspective, he could clearly see vast quantities of cloud qi rising and falling within Zhao Xing—his meridians, acupoints, even his flesh and blood—all were manifesting cloud arts.

And these cloud arts were evolving independently; Zhao Xing had turned his own body into a ritual ground.

"My cloud art does involve utilizing the physical body, but this situation is truly rare."

Even Li Boqian was astonished!

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

After observing carefully, Li Boqian began unleashing powerful techniques, repeatedly kicking Zhao Xing's body—each time Zhao Xing flew away, Li Boqian intercepted him at a distance and kicked him in another direction.

Zhao Xing bounced like a ball, kicked back and forth.

By the seventh kick, Zhao Xing had already regained consciousness.

"Senior, wait—I'm fine now… ssshh!"

"No, you're not."

"Boom!"

Zhao Xing felt dizzy, the world spinning wildly.

Yet during this process, he noticed his chaotic primordial energy was gradually calming.

Li Boqian wasn't kicking randomly—each kick followed the direction of the seven cloud paths Zhao Xing had comprehended.

With every kick, Zhao Xing's understanding of the cloud art realigned onto the correct path.

He kicked for a full two watches.

When Li Boqian delivered another kick, he missed.

He looked closely and saw Zhao Xing had stopped on his own.

Cloud qi streamed from his feet, slowing his speed.

"Thank you, Senior." Zhao Xing slowed to a stop and bowed to Li Boqian.

"Not bad, not bad—you stopped after just over three thousand kicks." Li Boqian nodded with a smile.

"Has anyone else ever experienced qi deviation like mine?" Zhao Xing now understood why his primordial energy had gone berserk.

"My junior brother—the same symptoms. He was kicked over ten thousand times."

Wang Tianzhi? Zhao Xing was startled—Li Boqian had only one junior brother: the Shao Nong Ling, Wang Tianzhi.

"Senior, what should I do about my condition?" Zhao Xing had no interest in gossip.

"When you meditate, are you using the Yan Shen Jue to simulate?" Li Boqian asked.

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.

"Don't use the Yan Shen Jue," Li Boqian said. "You haven't mastered this art yet—you're only comprehending it. Using Yan Shen Jue to simulate is asking for trouble."

"Why is that?" Zhao Xing asked humbly.

"The reason is simple: you don't yet know this art," Li Boqian said,

"Though you comprehend quickly, that's precisely why it's dangerous."

"Ten thousand split souls simulating at once—even the tiniest error, amplified ten thousandfold, becomes terrifying."

"But I keep correcting myself," Zhao Xing frowned. "I can feel I'm on the right path."

This was also evident from the progress bar on his panel.

"Your rate of correction can't keep up," Li Bqian said. "It's like having ten thousand people chopping at you while ten thousand doctors try to heal you."

Zhao Xing suddenly understood—he had comprehended seven Cloud Dao principles in just one month, a pace already terrifying.

Yet the accumulated errors were also substantial, and this had little to do with whether he had a panel; the panel showed progress, but it didn't mean he wouldn't stumble onto wrong paths.

While comprehending the Dao, his bodily blood, qi, and primordial energy were also being stirred.

Accumulated over time, this triggered a terrifying primordial energy upheaval.

In other words, Zhao Xing was currently training beyond his limits.

He had pushed too hard, touching the extreme limits of his body's tolerance.

Touching those limits might lead to breakthroughs, but more often it brought backlash.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xing suddenly shuddered—could Old Liu's madness have stemmed from this very cause?

"You seem affected by something, overly eager for results," Li Bqian fixed his gaze on Zhao Xing. "Is it because of the gossip within the Imperial Academy?"

Zhao Xing said, "Yes, I have indeed become somewhat anxious."

"Walk steadily, don't rush for results," Li Bqian warned. "You have great talent—you're already faster than many."

"Starting today, reduce your time spent comprehending Zhi Chi Tian Ya. Don't come here to study all day—change your mindset."

"Please, Master, guide me."

"You are a Doctor of Classic Studies. Visit the Ministry of Agriculture classics more often—teach your students," Li Bqian said. "Sometimes, revisiting obvious foundational knowledge will make your path steadier."

"Yes," Zhao Xing bowed. "Thank you, Master, for your guidance. Starting today, I will cut my comprehension time in half."

Li Bqian fell silent—this boy was cutting it in half, yet still leaving six hours.

For the past month, he had barely slept.

"Still too long. You will come to train only two hours daily until I judge your foundation solid enough to extend it."

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.

From that day on, Zhao Xing followed Li Bqian's instructions, reducing his cultivation time and returning to the study of celestial timing classics.

Yet when Zhao Xing went to teach, only seven students showed up.

Three of them wore expressions of disdain—they clearly weren't there to learn, but to provoke.

Two others came merely to watch, while only two genuinely intended to listen and learn.

The reason was simple: other Doctors of Classic Studies had too many students—chances to ask questions were nearly nonexistent.

Here, with fewer students, opportunities to seek clarification were greater.

After all, as an officially certified Doctor of Classic Studies, one ought to have some ability, right?

Though this Doctor Zhao taught only one class per month, drawing criticism.

"The Dao of Celestial Timing: the Five Elements correspond to the Four Seasons—earth corresponds to summer…"

"Doctor Zhao!" As Zhao Xing began speaking, one eighth-rank student suddenly stood up and interrupted.

Zhao Xing, seeing this, felt no anger—only watched him calmly.

"What is your question?"

"Doctor Zhao," Liu Hui said with a sly smile. "The Five Elements and Four Seasons theory is nothing but old talk—I've heard it until my ears are calloused."

"Since you specialize in the Five Elements Celestial Timing classics, what unique insights do you have?"

Liu Hui was here purely to disrupt—he studied under another Doctor of Classic Studies, Zhou Cheng.

The very man who had first come to trouble Zhao Xing, seeking to challenge him.

Even now, people still watched Zhao Xing's position.

There was no help for it—Zhao Xing held resources, and those who benefited from them would never let him go easily.

"Doctor Zhao, have you never annotated any classics?" Liu Hui sneered. "If so, what kind of Doctor of Classic Studies are you? Why not yield your place to a more worthy scholar?"

Facing this insolent challenge, Zhao Xing remained calm. He closed his book and nodded. "Then today, we'll set aside those old, well-worn ideas."

"What will Doctor Zhao teach instead? The Daguan Classic? Hahahaha!" Liu Hui mocked.

The Daguan Classic was the scripture of the Benwo Sect—this man was deliberately provoking.

"Today, I will teach the 'Treatise on the Six Qi of Three Yin and Three Yang and the Great Celestial Cycle.'"

Below, Liu Hui fell silent.

Because he had never heard such a treatise before.

He planned to wait until Zhao Xing finished, then find flaws.

Another student, Han Guang, who had come genuinely to learn, asked: "Master, what is the 'Treatise on the Six Qi of Three Yin and Three Yang and the Great Celestial Cycle'?"

"The Three Yin and Three Yang are: Jue Yin, Shao Yin, Tai Yin, Shao Yang, Yang Ming, and Tai Yang."

"The Six Qi are: Yin, Yang, Wind, Rain, Darkness, and Light—corresponding to six phenomena of natural climate change."

"They also correspond to human perception: Wind, Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, and Fire."

"I divide celestial timing into cycles: thirty years as one record, sixty years as one cycle, three hundred sixty years as one great movement, and three thousand six hundred years as one great celestial cycle."

"The four seasons align with the Five Elements in motion, called 'Celestial Timing Seasonal Movement.' The entire year's celestial timing follows the Five-Step Seasonal Movement, beginning with Wood Movement, then Fire Movement, Earth Movement, Metal Movement, and ending with Water Movement."

"The Five Elements move in mutual generation, each step lasting seventy-three days and five ke."

Liu Hui frowned, silently calculating—he found this division, though unconventional, did not depart from the current 'Five Elements and Four Seasons' theory, so he decided to listen further.

One other student, Lin Yuejia, seized the pause to ask: "Master, why do you call the Five Elements and Four Seasons the Five Movements?"

"Jin, Mu, Shui, Huo, Tu are the names of the Five Elements. Now I call them the Five Movements—there is a difference," Zhao Xing smiled. "'Movement' implies motion. The Five Elements mostly explain material changes on earth; the Five Movements encompass the entire cosmos's movement of elemental qi."

"Shall I further explain the Heavenly Stems and their alignment with the Five Movements?" Zhao Xing asked.

Lin Yuejia was a rare student—she had attended every class since his very first, without interruption.

He had once been lazy, merely reading from the text—but she always came, and always treated him with respect.

"No need, Master," Lin Yuejia bowed. "I have read the 'Great Treatise on the Heavenly Origin.' Your Five-Movement Celestial Cycle differs entirely from the traditional system in all eight stems except Si Earth and Geng Metal."

"Your foundation is very solid." Zhao Xing nodded.

Lin Yuejia puffed out her chest slightly.

"Mr., you only said that each year begins with the Wood Fortune, but I do not know from which day Mr. begins to 'determine the Fortune Season'?" Someone still had not figured it out and could not help but ask.

Zhao Xing's Heaven Eye had long seen clearly the thoughts of these eight people; seeing that the one asking was sincerely seeking learning, and seeing his simple attire, he surmised he came from a humble background.

Immediately, he said patiently, "It is calculated from the Great Cold day of every year."

At this point, all eight had no further questions, at least for the moment, because the framework Zhao Xing laid out was still content within the Five Elements and Four Seasons theory; as long as the specific time divisions were determined, it was easy to understand.

"Now that you have all understood my basic theory, I will synthesize and speak again," Zhao Xing said.

"Using the Twelve Branches to match the Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi; Yin and Yang can both be divided into three by quantity, so that is the Three Yin and Three Yang mentioned above."

"Each of the Six Qi manifests the characteristics of the Five Elements, but Summer and Fire are similar, so here they are not listed separately; Fire is only divided into two types: Ruler Fire and Minister Fire."

"The pairings of the Three Yin, Three Yang, and the Six Qi are respectively: Jueyin Wind-Wood, Shaoyin Ruler-Fire, Shaoyang Minister-Fire, Taiyin Damp-Earth, Yangming Dry-Metal, and Taiyang Cold-Water."

At this step, two of the eight, Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui, could still understand.

Because these two could quickly find arguments supporting Zhao Xing's theory in classics such as "Five Elements Monthly Selection" and "Heavenly Stems Four Seasons Theory."

By this time, Lin Yuejia had already discovered that this Doctor Zhao indeed had some substance.

His system of thought instantly integrated multiple classics; is that not what "governing the classics" means?

However, Liu Hui still did not agree, because he could understand it.

But among them, some could not understand.

A handsome young man with fair skin asked, "Doctor Zhao, what use is this theory of yours to us?"

His name was Wu Chun; he was here to mix in for class hours, knowing nothing about theory himself. He had only entered through the back door because his father was a Wu Hou.

As soon as Wu Chun finished speaking, Lin Yuejia stared at him with the gaze one gives a fool: "How could it be useless? When you cast the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Command to reverse the heavenly timing and restore the correct order, if you do not know these theories, how would you know how much force the spell should use? How many hours should be adjusted, and how could you calculate how many solar terms should be restored when aligning with the correct position of the four seasons?"

Wu Chun's face immediately flushed red.

He felt a crushing pressure of knowledge; the point was that the opponent was also a rather pretty young lady.

Zhao Xing took up the conversation: "Correct, this theory is precisely to guide the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Command and the casting of spells."

"Natural heavenly timing, whether following or reversing, and restoration to correctness, cannot be arbitrarily tampered with."

"Otherwise, even if the difference is not visible in the current year, after a few years, it will accumulate into a great disaster."

"There are clearly so many powerful Agricultural Officials in every region; why do natural disasters still occur? This is because of the tiny differences accumulated year after year."

"In my hometown, Gucheng, there was an Agricultural Official in a neighboring county who, in just fifteen years, altered the four seasons more than three hundred times."

"The solar terms of Summer and Autumn were even altered by him over a thousand times."

"Yet he still failed to adjust the Great Zhou Heaven's heavenly timing to the proper position, causing floods to overflow and ice and snow to run rampant, thus brewing a great disaster."

Lin Yuejia asked curiously, "Doctor Zhao, how was such an incompetent official finally dealt with?"

Zhao Xing recalled Chen Shijie's method and said, "He was thrown into a freezing river by a friend of mine and drowned for seven days; finally, for the crime of dereliction of duty, he was stripped of his office and imprisoned for fifteen years."

Lin Yuejia immediately turned her head again to face Wu Chun: "Did you hear? This is the consequence of only cultivating the Heavenly Timing Spells without knowing the Heavenly Timing Principles."

Wu Chun felt great hatred in his heart, wishing he could rush up and sew this young lady's mouth shut.

Zhao Xing sensed this subtle movement and could not help but smile:

"Alright, let us continue."

"Since you already know what this theory is used for, and also know why the Great Zhou Heaven must be divided."

"Let us continue to the next step."

"Before this, I must clarify one concept: the Six Qi are further divided into two types."

"One is the Ruling Qi, and two is the Guest Qi."

"The Ruling Qi is used to describe the constant; the Guest Qi is used to measure the change."

"The change refers to changes in climate and phenology."

"If you are a county magistrate of a region, knowing the Ruling Qi Great Zhou Heaven is enough; but if you wish to govern a commandery or a prefecture, you must possess the ability to cope with drastic phenological changes."

Involving phenological changes, even Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui were somewhat confused.

The Phenological Change Method is a high-level technique; the theory concerning phenological changes naturally also belongs to 'high-level theory'.

The highest rank present was only Seventh Grade strength, namely Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui.

It was still far from the time to study the principles of the Phenological Change Method.

But Zhao Xing did not care about these things.

Because his purpose was not to make these two students understand.

His purpose was to make those experts understand.

Liu Hui and the others would inevitably record his "Treatise on Three Yin, Three Yang, and the Great Zhou Heaven" from today and inform the masters behind them.

Secondly, it was for his own cultivation.

"The Six Ruling Qi: they are the Morning Dawn Qi (Morning Mist), the Noon Qi (True Yang), the Sunset Qi (Flying Spring), the Midnight Qi (Hanging Dew), the Heaven Qi, and the Earth Qi."

"I have assigned the Twenty-Four Solar Terms to the Six Qi and Six Steps, starting from the Great Cold day of each year, advancing according to the sequence of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water generating one another."

"Each step is divided into sixty days and eighty-seven and a half ke; when a certain Qi holds command, it will display the Five Elements characteristics related to it."

"Conversely, we can also use the Solar Terms Command to reverse, follow, and restore the four seasons and solar terms of the Great Zhou Heaven."

Lin Yuejia, who was barely keeping up, gradually revealed an expression of admiration.

Liu Hui also listened intently, because he discovered that Zhao Xing seemed to speak even better than his teacher, Zhou Cheng.

"No, how can I think like this?" Liu Hui shook his head. "This is a great disrespect to my teacher."

But reason told him that Zhao Xing was indeed stronger than his teacher, Zhou Cheng.

Liu Hui and Lin Yuejia had both entered the 'Internship Period'; they were Agricultural Officials who had already undergone practical experience, not purely students.

The more they listened to Zhao Xing speak, the more they felt they benefited immensely.

Especially when Zhao Xing spoke of the 'Guest Qi Climate Anomaly,' it resolved the doubts Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui had encountered while casting spells as officials.

All Agricultural Officials face a particularly thorny problem: the sudden appearance of climate anomaly phenomena.

For instance, this year's spring, summer, and autumn perfectly matched the descriptions in the classics: spring teemed with life, summer's yang energy entered the grains, and autumn brought a great harvest.

Yet when winter arrived, an extreme cold spell suddenly struck, freezing and injuring vast numbers of livestock and common people.

This caused prices to skyrocket and even affected next year's sowing.

This was merely a low-level Decadal Climate Anomaly.

If one encountered a Centennial Climate Anomaly, the year's administrative achievements would be null, and the common people would point accusing fingers at one's back:

"Why were things fine before, but since you, this Agricultural Official, arrived, we've faced once-in-a-century disasters? Bah, incompetent bureaucrat!"

Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui had grievances they could not voice.

What Zhao Xing taught now was precisely guidance on 'how to calm climate anomalies.'

Moreover, this was not a blanket spellcasting; it was not about suppressing climate anomalies with magic spells this year just for the sake of administrative achievements.

Lin Yuejia and Liu Hui hated this approach to death, because the hidden problems accumulated by the previous official made it difficult for them to defy the heavens when they took over!

Time passed; unknowingly, this lesson lasted from dawn until dusk, and then from dusk until dawn again.

"To resolve historical flaws, one can apply the Guest and Host Superposition, adding the annual excessive or weakened Guest Qi of the Celestial Official to the third Qi of the Host Qi."

"The remaining five Qis are added sequentially; this is the Guest and Host Superposition."

"Only by first understanding normal changes can one resolve special changes."

"As the saying goes: when the Qi harmonizes, there is peace; when it does not harmonize, there is illness."

"Of course, if you encounter a Millennial Climate Anomaly, it is best to flee early; a Millennial-level climate anomaly is beyond your realm to counter."

"Very well, that is all for today."

Zhao Xing glanced at the other six lying on the desks asleep and said, "Class dismissed."

Wu Chun rubbed his eyes and looked up: "Is it over?"

The person beside him said blankly: "I don't know; I just woke up too."

"I think I heard 'class dismissed'."

"Then it must be class dismissed."

"Let's go, let's go, no more coming. Damn it, I simply can't understand a thing."

Lin Yuejia, however, quickly ran over to stand before Zhao Xing: "Mr., Mr! Please wait!"

Zhao Xing stopped and looked at her: "Do you have any more questions?"

Lin Yuejia hurriedly shook her head: "No, no, my knowledge is shallow; I should first return to read several more books before seeking your instruction."

"Then what is this?"

"Mr, please accept me as your disciple!" Lin Yuejia knelt with a thud, looking up at Zhao Xing with pleading eyes: "I am willing to be a maid under Mr's service, serving tea, cooking, and attending to Mr."

"Uh..."

Zhao Xing had not expected Lin Yuejia to be so emotional.

Speaking of it, this young lady did possess some beauty.

But was Old Master Zhao the kind of person moved by beauty?

He immediately shook his head: "I know the Xuan Tian Academy has a traditional master-disciple code, but I will not follow such tradition. Even if I were to accept disciples, the time is not yet right."

Lin Yuejia looked aggrieved: "Then I shall come to ask Mr again in the future."

"Get up." Zhao Xing waved his hand and, smiling, lifted her up. "If you wish to listen, just come often in the future."

"Mm!" Lin Yuejia nodded obediently, then respectfully bowed: "Then this student takes her leave."

Not far away, Liu Hui watched this scene, deeply conflicted.

He too felt an impulse to kneel and beg for learning.

But he still remembered he was Zhou Cheng's disciple.

Seeing Zhao Xing reject Lin Yuejia, he hesitated again.

With this hesitation, Zhao Xing was gone.

"Sigh..."

Liu Hui shook his head, feeling a sense of loss.

When he walked out of the official office (the Great Zhou's term for a classroom), two junior brothers were waiting for him outside.

"Senior brother, how was it?"

"How what?"

"The loopholes! Did you find any loopholes in that Heretic's theory? Or any parts where he cannot justify himself?"

"Well... the Heretic's theory is too powerful; this Doctor of Classics did not get his position through connections." Liu Hui said, "I cannot find any; I can only take it back and tell the teacher."

"Good, let's go, let's go, return to report."

Zhao Xing returned to the Mirror Lake Courtyard. Instead of rushing to Master Li Boqian's residence to study, he organized what he had just taught.

"The Theory of the Three Yin and Three Yang Six Qi Great Zhou Cycle is a relatively accurate theory for predicting the Great Zhou's heavenly cycles."

"The Divination and Observation Methods I learned can also be integrated, as they mainly predict and resolve severe climate anomalies without disturbing the Great Heavenly Cycle." Zhao Xing pondered.

It is not that all climate anomalies can be utilized.

In Centennial and Millennial-level bioclimatic changes, hundreds of millions of living beings must die before a single lucky survivor is born.

People often ignore the number of the dead.

Furthermore, some bioclimatic changes are completely unusable.

Those are existences that extinguish all vitality.

"Such all-extinguishing climate anomalies are the Xuan Huang Realm's self-repair..." Zhao Xing wrote this sentence, then deleted it.

Because this contradicts the Tian Shi School's ideology that "human determination can conquer heaven," seeking to replace the Heavenly Dao.

In fact, he was not even certain if his own statement was correct.

In the study of the Way of Tian Shi, even with the experience of his past life, Zhao Xing dared not claim to be omniscient, knowing all the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

So he did not add that sentence.

"The current content is enough," Zhao Xing thought silently. "The Hou Bian Method is the most important classification of the Tian Shi School, and within it, the Hou Bian faction is the largest."

Of the seven ultimate methods, the Hou Bian Method accounts for three!

It can be said that as long as Zhao Xing gains their approval, half of his plan to become the leader of the Tian Shi School is secure.

"Releasing a little bit now to begin preparing for this is enough. Theory also requires practical verification, and that takes time."

"I myself don't even know how to practice the internal Hou Bian Method yet. If I take too big a step, I'll hurt myself."

With a firm plan in mind, Zhao Xing continued writing.

Tianhu Yuan, this is the residence of the Doctor of Classics, Zhou Cheng.

At this moment, he was sitting and discussing the Dao with his friends Yang Boguang and Zhong Haiming.

All three were Doctors of Classics, but each specialized in a different Dao.

Just as they were talking excitedly, they heard someone knocking outside.

"Teacher, we are back."

Hearing Liu Hui's voice, Zhou Cheng immediately transmitted his voice: "Come in."

A moment later, Liu Hui arrived in the living room to pay his respects.

"How is it?" Zhou Cheng asked. "Did you find that Zhao Xing's compromising evidence?"

He despised Zhao Xing extremely, because from beginning to end, Zhao Xing had never come out to respond directly.

He neither engaged in a great confrontation of the Dao nor produced any commentary articles.

This caused Zhou Cheng to believe even more firmly in his judgment: Zhao Xing is simply a well-connected nepotism hire!

The administration of the Great Zhou has deteriorated to this extent! If we do not stand up, who will?!

If even a place of teaching allows nepotism hires, is there any hope for the future of the Great Zhou?

So Zhou Cheng firmly believed he was doing the right thing.

Yang Boguang and Zhong Haiming wanted to get rid of Zhao Xing all along due to conflicts of interest.

But Zhou Cheng, who opposed Zhao Xing the most fiercely, had no conflict of interest with him; it was purely a surge of righteous passion.

"Teacher, this is Zhao Xing's lecture content." Liu Hui respectfully handed over a Juan Sect.

He had spent three days organizing the content of Zhao Xing's lectures from the past two days.

It was written in extreme detail, even recording the interactions in the classroom, including Wu Chun's foolish questions... it could be said to be word for word.

"Let me see." Zhou Cheng reached out, casually flipping through it a couple of times.

"Hmm?" Zhou Cheng immediately furrowed his brows.

"Brother Zhou, what's wrong?" Yang Boguang asked. "Is it full of errors and omissions, finally revealing a flaw?"

Zhong Haiming also said, "Brother Zhou, say something! What does just frowning mean?"

"Stop making noise!" Zhou Cheng waved his hand, immediately silencing the two.

Yang Boguang and Zhong Haiming exchanged a glance, suddenly stunned.

What exactly happened?

However, next, Zhou Cheng remained silent.

After one stick of incense, his breathing became rapid.

This made Yang Boguang and Zhong Haiming even more curious.

"Rustle"

Zhou Cheng's hand trembled as he flipped through the Juan Sect again several times.

Finally, he suddenly raised his head, staring fixedly at Liu Hui: "Are you sure this is the content of Zhao Xing's lecture?"

Liu Hui's heart trembled: "Y-yes."

"Brother Zhou! Let me see!" Seeing him so out of control, Yang Boguang immediately stood up, walked around the desk, came to Zhou Cheng's side, and snatched the Juan Sect.

"Hmm? The Discourse on the Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi Great Zhou Cycle?"

Yang Boguang also began to frown.

Because Zhao Xing was redefining the Great Tian Shi; this concerns the ultimate principles of Tian Shi for the entire nineteen provinces.

As he began to read, he also began to deduce, searching for arguments in various classics, trying to prove Zhao Xing wrong.

But the more he read, the tighter his brows furrowed.

After one stick of incense, Yang Boguang's face changed drastically.

"This, this..."

"What is wrong with you two?" Even with Zhong Haiming's patience, the two had left him completely bewildered.

Why does one look and then stay silent?

"Let me see."

Zhong Haiming also leaned over.

"Redefining the Epoch, Zhou, and Great Zhou Cycle to govern the seasons, the six qi, and redefining the twenty-four solar terms... What, is this a Hou Bian thesis?"

"No, it is not only that."

Zhong Haiming's face also changed drastically immediately.

For a Doctor of Classics, the impact of Zhao Xing's scripture thesis was no different from receiving a hundred top-tier techniques on their bodies.

"Where is he annotating the Six Classics? He is clearly using the Six Classics to explain his own doctrine!" Zhong Haiming crumpled the Juan Sect into a ball, shaking with excitement. "Scoundrel, scoundrel! Dao traitor!"

He also attempted to deduce the matter, yet he could not find a single strong point of rebuttal, which only made him angrier!

"No, this absolutely was not written by him!" Zhong Haiming angrily threw the Juan Sect scroll onto the floor.

"Yes, let us study it carefully; we will surely find the error!" Yang Boguang grabbed Zhou Cheng's shoulder. "Brother Zhou, with the combined strength of the three of us, can we not deal with Zhao Xing?"

Zhou Cheng looked at the two men and subconsciously nodded.

He addressed the three disciples: "You may leave first."

Liu Hui below watched the three instructors' behavior with a complex expression in his eyes.

Afterwards, he picked up the crumpled Juan Sect scroll and silently withdrew.

While the three Doctors of the Classics were still thinking about how to refute Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing had already submitted his compiled "Treatise on the Great Zhou Tian of Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi" to the Dean, Lu Chunhua.

Heng Yuan was not here; Sima Yunhai belonged to the Yun Pai, and Geng Shouchang belonged to the Lei Pai, so this theory was most suitable for review by Lu Chunhua of the Hou Pai.

When a new theory emerges, it must face a wave of doubt; to avoid pointless disputes, it is best to submit it directly to a big shot for review.

Having it verified by authority is far better than descending to engage in verbal disputes oneself.

After receiving this scripture and treatise, Lu Chunhua glanced at it once and was somewhat surprised.

After tasting it carefully, he immediately said: "I will arrange for people to enter the Blessed Land immediately to put your Theory of Seasonal Changes into practice."

"Please, Dean, offer your corrections." Zhao Xing bowed with clasped hands.

Lu Chunhua shook his head and said: "I currently cannot see any defects."

"However, I can serve as your recommender to send it to the Main Academy; would you be willing?"

"This is my honor," Zhao Xing said.

Li Boqian is the Grand Minister of Agriculture, so he is not suitable to be a recommender.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, who holds great power, is not suitable to lean toward any faction; besides, he is not suitable to appear in public at this time.

But Dean Lu Chunhua also has sufficient weight; he was originally a disciple of Li Boqian and is also an important figure of the Hou Pai.

Having him recommend Zhao Xing is nothing more than perfect.

However, this manuscript still ended up in Li Boqian's hands.

"Treatise on the Great Zhou Tian of Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi?"

"This young man truly is unexpectedly impressive..."

Li Boqian had asked him to teach merely to let him calm his mind and soothe his impetuous soul from the sacred classics of the sages.

Reviewing theories is also of great benefit to cultivation.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xing actually produced a Theory of Seasonal Changes of great weight and even redefined the Great Celestial Time.

"What great ambition! Starting with a Theory of Seasonal Changes! Wanting to redefine the Great Celestial Time."

Li Boqian's insight was so sharp that he saw at a glance that this scripture and treatise of Zhao Xing was merely a foundation.

His true goal was probably to redefine the Great Celestial Time of the Xuan Huang Realm!

"He wants all the Celestial Time faction Ministers of Agriculture to cast spells and govern the Celestial Time according to his theory."

"If this is truly achieved, our Celestial Time faction will produce another Sage," Li Boqian muttered to himself. "Little Junior Brother, you are in for a hard time."

Wang Tianzhi and Liu Tianning have already formed a competitive landscape.

The position of Grand Minister of Agriculture in the future will most likely be born between him and Liu Tianning.

But first, Wang Tianzhi must become the leader of the Celestial Time faction; he must sit in the position of Dean of the Profound Heaven Academy before the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture can be discussed.

"If I die a little later, Little Junior Brother might not only fail to compete with Liu Tianning, but he might even fail to compete with his own disciple."

"Little Junior Brother, living in this era is truly miserable for you; unlike me, in my time, I was the only one who was powerful."

Li Boqian happily put away the manuscript and went to the Qianqing Palace to play chess with the Jing Emperor.

On April 25, Zhao Xing opened his class for the second time.

But when the second class opened, he found that the number of listeners began to increase.

It increased to over fifty people.

These people were all called over by Liu Hui and Lin Yuejia.

Regarding the "Treatise on the Great Zhou Tian of Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi," there was no definitive conclusion among the high levels, but among these students, it had already begun to spread.

Among them, Liu Hui and Lin Yuejia were even more extremely advocating for Zhao Xing.

In May, the number of students attending the class reached five hundred.

Anyone who came to listen to Zhao Xing's lecture was basically kept by Zhao Xing.

Even if instructors secretly scolded or obstructed, it was useless.

The reason was simple: Zhao Xing's theory was suitable for becoming an official.

As time passed, Zhao Xing began to discuss problems encountered during the practical process.

These problems were all thorny issues one would encounter when serving as a Minister of Agriculture official.

They were fused from the gaming experience of his previous life and the many classic theories he understood in his previous life.

Plus, Zhao Xing's cultivation and realization of the Dao in this life, fused together, brought a great shock to the students.

If it were merely a theory kept on a high shelf, that would be one thing, but it is also suitable for becoming an official!

This completely exploded among the student group!

By June, the number of listeners surged to over five thousand!

Since the official office allocated to Zhao Xing was simply not enough, many students even went to Lu Chunhua, strongly requesting to change Zhao Xing to a larger lecture location.

Lu Chunhua had no choice but to assign Zhao Xing's lecture location to the forty-fifth floor of the Secret Art Tower.

This place was large enough; accommodating one hundred thousand people would be no problem.

And from this day on, Zhao Xing's class received a hot reception.

It quickly increased to the level of ten thousand people attending the lecture.

As long as he opens a class, on that day, the lecture halls of the other Scripture Professors will inevitably become nearly empty.

"What is going on? Why are so many people coming to listen to Zhao Xing's class?" Sima Yunhai, on the forty-fifth floor of the Secret Law Tower, looked at the sea of people ahead and couldn't help but silently click his tongue in amazement.

"Even if I were the one lecturing, I fear I could not attract tens of thousands to come."

"His true body has arrived," Geng Shouchang said. "You don't know yet, do you?"

"What?" Sima Yunhai's face lit up. "Could it be that he has come to his senses?"

Geng Shouchang gave a speechless smile and shook his head.

"What does your shaking your head mean?" Sima Yunhai frowned. "Does this mean my plan has not succeeded?"

Geng Shouchang said, "Brother Yunhai, have you not yet seen through Zhao Xing's intentions?"

"This young man intends to cultivate the Three Jianxiusan Sects simultaneously."

"Do you think he will give up cultivating the other two sects?"

"His Cloud Gate Method was mastered long ago!"

"What?" Sima Yunhai was stunned, then angrily said, "Are you saying he never intended to take me as his master?"

This old fellow is truly mad with his desire for revenge, still muttering about it now. Geng Shouchang shook his head and walked away with his hands behind his back.

"Ahhh, Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing, your Benwo Sect is too oppressive!" Sima Yunhai only then realized how foolish he had been to agree to bring Zhao Xing in back then.

"Who are you, daring to speak Master Zhao's name directly?" A young man suddenly appeared before Sima Yunhai, glaring angrily: "Hurry and apologize!"

Looking at this youth, Sima Yunhai grew even angrier.

By teaching until the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Era, the eighth month, Zhao Xing reduced his class frequency again, lowering it to one class per month.

Because during the process of teaching, his own realizations were gradually organized into a preface and became perfected.

At this time, his understanding of the supreme technique "Near Yet Far" was already very close to entry-level, so he increased his cultivation time again.

"I have already comprehended ninety-eight Cloud Paths; only the final one remains."

"Li Boqian truly deserves to be the Grand Minister of Agriculture; with his guidance, I saved myself many detours," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Li Boqian has not yet retired; without a doubt, he is the number one Grand Minister of Agriculture in the world!

His guidance and protection allowed Zhao Xing to avoid qi deviation during his comprehension and also spared him many detours.

Of course, Zhao Xing has now used up his three opportunities to seek instruction; each time he detained Li Boqian for a long period, at least half a month each time.

The usual two-hour cultivation sessions, Li Boqian did not even count those in this tally.

Even later on, Li Boqian became more and more like a child, and his teaching methods became increasingly unorthodox.

"Young man, it's just this final kick; come over obediently and take it."

Li Boqian rolled up his sleeves and cheerfully beckoned Zhao Xing with a hook of his finger.

"You really are giving me that final kick," Zhao Xing said helplessly, but still flew to stand before Li Boqian.

"Hey, aren't you happy about it?" Li Boqian snorted. "Many people wish to be kicked by this old man, yet they don't even have this opportunity."

"Yes, yes, yes, you are the most powerful in the world; it is my fortune."

"Watch the foot!" Li Boqian, catching Zhao Xing off guard, kicked him directly into the clouds.

"Whoosh"

Zhao Xing's figure instantly became a black dot, vanishing into the clouds.

At the same time, the ten-thousand-meter-high cloud layer above, filled with ninety-nine Cloud Paths, began to shrink rapidly.

Li Boqian landed on the ground and looked up.

At this moment, Ji Mingjing was also standing beside him.

Having stayed here for many days, he occasionally came to watch Li Boqian teach students.

Of course, Zhao Xing was completely unable to see the Jing Emperor.

"This kick succeeded," Ji Mingjing nodded slightly. "Boqian, you teach well."

"Thank Your Majesty for the praise; it is also because this young man has excellent comprehension," Li Boqian said respectfully.

Ji Mingjing withdrew his gaze: "I will be leaving soon. I entrust the task of pacifying Haizhou to you."

Li Boqian put on a serious expression, bowed, and clasped his hands: "Your subject will devote himself body and soul until death."

As soon as the words fell, Ji Mingjing's figure instantly vanished from the spot.

At this moment, a cloud mist appeared beside Li Boqian and expanded; Zhao Xing's figure walked out from within it.

"Senior, look, I have mastered it!" Zhao Xing said. "What are you doing? Even if I have mastered it, there is no need for such a grand bow."

Li Boqian laughed and scolded: "Young man, if I were to pay you such a grand bow, could you even bear it?"

"Hahaha." Zhao Xing immediately took hold of Li Boqian's hand. "Don't be angry; hurting your health would be bad. I still rely on you to teach me the Kunpeng Transformation and the Pang Yuan Feng Method!"

Li Boqian disdainfully shook off Zhao Xing's hand: "Get lost! Don't bother me; let me have a few days of peace! Who is as ambitious as you? Day after day, you don't sleep, and as soon as you hit a comprehension difficulty, you start wailing."

Zhao Xing, however, grinned and leaned in again: "Then how many days do you plan to have peace?"

Li Boqian held up one palm, thought for a moment, then held up a second hand: "Five days, no, ten days!"

"Five days!"

"Hey, you're haggling with me now! Who haggles by cutting the price in half like that?"

Zhao Xing smiled, took hold of Li Boqian's hands, and lowered them. "Then you say how many days of rest, and I will absolutely not bother you."

"Fine, playing the emotional card again, to hell with it!" Li Boqian kicked out; Zhao Xing instantly turned into a puff of cloud and vanished from the courtyard.

Looking at the azure sky, Li Boqian couldn't help but smile: "Truly getting old."

In the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Era, the tenth month, Zhao Xing began cultivating the Inner Cultivation Transformation Method "Kunpeng Transformation."

In December, the Kunpeng Essence Blood arrived.

Due to the support of the Divine Beast Essence Blood, Zhao Xing's Inner Cultivation Transformation Method reached the first rotation of entry-level mastery by the end of the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Era.

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

Zhao Xing, as usual, arrived at Li Boqian's courtyard intending to continue studying the Kunpeng Transformation, but found only a sea of mist he could not enter; no matter how he shouted, there was no response.

In the afternoon, Lu Chunhua found Zhao Xing.

"The master has matters to attend to and can no longer teach you."

"These are two bottles of Kunpeng Essence Blood. The master said that with them, reaching the Fourth Turn in your cultivation should be no problem."

"Additionally, the master asks you to take good care of yourself and watch your safety."

"It is best to remain within the Profound Heaven Academy and not go out."

"Thank you, Grand Minister of Agriculture, for your kindness; Xing will keep this in mind." Zhao Xing asked no further questions, accepted the two bottles of Kunpeng Essence Blood, and left the Dean's office.

Li Boqian had closed his doors to all visitors; Zhao Xing knew his true body must depart.

Even though Li Boqian still had Pang Yuan Feng to teach him, Li Boqian's refusal to see anyone proved that certain matters were consuming his attention.

Yet he could not stay; after waiting so long, how could he remain cooped up in the Profound Heaven Academy?

On the second day after receiving the Kunpeng Essence Blood, Zhao Xing's true body quietly left the Profound Heaven Academy, leaving only his projection behind.

On the first day of the second month, Zhao Xing returned to the border of Chongming Prefecture through the channels of the Li Fire Dao Institute.

On the third day of the second month, he arrived at Chongming Fucheng, the She Shen Hall.

He re-entered the Soldier Realm, thinking of the Star Palace, to seek internal information from King Tianyan.

However, the Star Palace was also closed, and King Tianyan's Earth Mirror communication was in seclusion.

This situation persisted until the fourth month of the thirty-fourth year of the Jingxin Era.

On the nineteenth day of the fourth month, Zhao Xing received no news from King Tianyan, but instead received news from Long Xiao.

"Buzz"—Long Xiao's figure emerged from the Earth Mirror.

"Long Xiao, what is wrong?" Zhao Xing asked. "You activated the emergency communication; what has happened?"

Long Xiao's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was somewhat hoarse: "Zhao Xing, Hou Jue, he is dead."

Hou Jue, which Hou Jue? Bai Zhengyang? Zhao Xing was pondering this one moment, and the next he suddenly remembered.

For other Hou Jue, Long Xiao always included their names or referred to them by their Hou Jue titles.

The Hou Jue in his mouth referred to only one person.

Yang An.

"When did this happen?" Zhao Xing asked in a deep voice.

"The news just arrived today," Long Xiao roared. "Hou Jue died at Yin You Mountain! He was forced to his death!"