Chapter 285

In the medical ward of the Divine Wood Academy, the three siblings Wen Weiqi, Xin Bojian, and Yu Gongzhi gathered.

Xin Bojian asked in a low voice, "Junior Sister, what excuse did you use to run away?"

Wen Weiqi touched her belly: "Preparing for childbirth."

Xin Bojian gave a thumbs up, then looked at Yu Gongzhi: "Junior Brother, what about you?"

Yu Gongzhi also touched his belly: "Escorting her here for childbirth."

Xin Bojian, wrapped in bandages, said: "Junior Brother truly has quick wit."

Yu Gongzhi shrugged and said: "Can I afford not to be quick? Liu Tianning's disciple has already cultivated a top-tier Dharma Body. Although he is young and only just entered the Fourth Rank, he could completely hang me up and beat me."

"Compete with him for the Dao? I haven't lived enough yet!"

Wen Weiqi walked over to Xin Bojian and sat down. She looked him over and said: "Senior Brother, why are you wearing bandages if your belly hurts?"

"My arm is broken."

"? You're acting quite convincingly." Wen Weiqi tapped it.

"Don't touch it, it hurts!"

"Hiss, Senior Brother, did you really break a bone?" Yu Gongzhi took a look with his Five Elements Observation and couldn't help but be surprised: "Even your intestines are broken in several places. This... is it necessary to be this serious?"

"This time is different." Xin Bojian gritted his teeth and slapped his thigh: "Liu Tianning has already issued an ultimatum."

"He will complete his Dao Oath before the Myriad Dao Tree. This concerns not only him but also the future direction of the Shangluo Academy for the next several hundred years. How can this be child's play?"

Xin Bojian said: "I naturally don't have to face him, but his disciple is not to be trifled with either."

"If we are called upon by the Academy Elders when the time comes, do we go or not?"

"Rather than making things difficult for the elders and bringing shame to the Academy, it is better not to go from the start."

"I am doing this for the sake of the big picture!"

Yu Gongzhi said with emotion: "Senior Brother's intentions are profound; you are truly a role model for us. I shall follow you, Senior Brother!"

"Many thanks for the praise, Junior Brother." Xin Bojian bowed with one hand.

Wen Weiqi blushed, looked at the two, and couldn't help but sigh: "I am still not as good as you two Senior Brothers."

Their skin has been cultivated to be thicker than the bark of a thousand-year-old iron tree!

Yu Gongzhi found a handful of grass roots in one of the medicine chests.

"Junior Sister, eat this quickly."

"Okay."

Having said that, Wen Weiqi and Yu Gongzhi chewed the roots known as 【Cold Ice Yuan-Draining Grass】.

Afterward, both of their bellies rapidly grew, swelling to the extreme, then quickly withered, and their vital energy dropped to freezing point.

In an instant, both of them showed symptoms of 'severe vital energy damage,' and their complexions turned sallow.

"Two Senior Brothers, looking like this, we surely won't be called upon, right?" Wen Weiqi panted heavily.

"That won't happen." Xin Bojian laughed.

"By the way, where have Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning reached?"

"We can't fight him, but seeing him is no problem. Let's see what kind of demeanor this Marquis Shenwei, who has made so many geniuses avoid his edge, truly has."

"They have already crossed the Luo River."

Shangluo Academy is located in Shangluo Commandery of Daoyuanzhou.

Within its borders, there is a spiritual mountain named Shang and a river named Luo.

This place is also the source of the Luo River.

Like the Kunyuan Academy, the Shangluo Academy occupies most of the territory of Shangluo Commandery.

At this moment, Zhao Xing was no longer on Liu Tianning's Golden Dragon warship, but on his own Silver Dragon flying boat.

He stood at the bow of the boat, with the three-flower canopy bestowed by the imperial court above his head; phantoms of three types of divine flowers flickered overhead.

He wore Five-Qi ceremonial robes, with the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth circulating around him.

His chest was embroidered with a Qilin-treading-the-sea pattern, and his sleeves had cloud motifs.

He wore gold-woven cloud-treading boots, with pale golden cloud energy lingering around them, as if half a sun were hidden within the mist.

His belt was a Bright Moon belt, with half-moon shapes symbolizing Lesser Yin.

Tucked into his belt was a Marquis sword, with a silver ribbon and golden seal hanging from it, engraved with the two characters 'Shenwei'.

His left hand held a Cloud-Rain Pearl, and his right hand held a yellow ceremonial staff, slightly lower.

Zhao Xing stood proudly at the bow of the boat, maintaining this pose for two hours.

There was no help for it; he had come to Shangluo Academy as Liu Tianning's disciple to assist his teacher in ascending to power.

The first follower of the Dao under Liu Tianning!

It was just like the first merit of following a dragon for a new emperor ascending the throne!

He had to put on a show!

He had to, whether he wanted to or not!

"I must say, this outfit custom-made by the imperial court is truly not bad." Luo Wang looked at the flying boat accompanying them ten meters below the warship's side.

"He was handsome before, but now there is an added air of majesty to his handsomeness."

Beside him, Tianyan Wang smiled: "Mm, this kid can carry off this outfit."

Duke Wei stroked his beard and said: "How high-spirited he is. Looking at him, I feel as if I am seeing Liu Tianning from back then."

"Indeed." Luo Wang, who was always cold in expression, felt a trace of trance appear in his eyes.

Duke Wei and Tianyan Wang nodded upon hearing this.

As supporters of Liu Tianning, they naturally had to come to show their support this time!

When returning home in glory to Taihe Commandery, sending someone would suffice, but this time, they would arrive in person!

The purpose of showing support was to prevent any accidents. For example, political oppression or pressure from other aspects.

If some stubborn old fools with First Rank strength in Shangluo Academy wanted to use some low-handed methods to stop Liu Tianning from ascending?

That would be perfect! The army outside Shangluo Commandery could be directly deployed to carry out a legitimate purge.

Emperor Jing would be only too happy for someone to do that!

In short, it can be summed up in four words: eliminate on sight!

"How old is he now?" Luo Wang asked.

"41." Tianyan Wang said quickly. "In the 278th year of the Dingxin Calendar, Zhao Xing was born in the third month of the 274th year of the Dingxin Calendar, so he is now 41 years old."

"He is even faster than Liu Tianning." Luo Wang sighed.

"Of course! You don't know..."

"Know what?" Luo Wang and Duke Wei looked at Tianyan Wang quickly.

"You don't know, Liu Tianning is already 146 years old, and when he was 41, he wasn't as outstanding as Zhao Xing."

Luo Wang and Duke Wei chuckled immediately.

The former guessed what Tianyan Wang wanted to say, which was likely a secret he didn't know.

Duke Wei felt that a very high-level silencing spell had taken effect.

The good thing about the spells of Ritual Cultivators is that people are not machines, and even machines have times when they make mistakes!

Once a silencing spell is cast, it is impossible to speak of the forbidden content even in one's dreams.

"It is said that the Princess has also come?" Duke Wei changed the subject.

"Mm." Tianyan Wang nodded. "She is returning to Tianyongzhou and stopped by to take a look, but she won't appear in public unless necessary."

The one who could be so highly regarded by the three was naturally Princess Youruo.

At this moment, Princess Youruo was looking down at the Silver Dragon flying boat from the observation deck on the level above the warship.

Princess Chenxi, Ji Zixuan, was quietly following beside her.

Both were looking at Zhao Xing, but their feelings were completely different.

"It is said that back then, he went to the Dao Academy alone with one boat." Princess Youruo felt complicated.

She did not participate in Liu Tianning's past; she was very young then and had not been enfeoffed.

She had only heard the story of Liu Tianning overturning many Dao Academies for his beloved.

At that time, she was immensely envious of the woman in the story, but later it turned into hatred.

Hatred for why she was not the heroine in the story.

"Senior Brother is becoming more and more dazzling." Ji Zixuan's eyes were misty.

When they first met, she analyzed it rationally, thinking Zhao Xing was a suitable husband; later she grew fond of him, but it didn't amount to love.

Now, however, her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

On the Silver Dragon warship, Zhao Xing felt many gazes.

There were even voices of discussion reaching his ears.

"A First-Rank Marquis Shenwei, and he cultivated a top-tier Dharma Body at just over forty? A genius!"

"More than that, he is even proficient in Heavenly Time Law Theory. He authored the 'Three Yin Three Yang Six Qi Great Heavenly Cycle Theory'. In early May, the imperial court began to promote this treatise, listing it as a mandatory exam topic for low-rank agricultural officials."

"It doesn't just affect low-rank officials; mid-rank agricultural officials can also use this theory to regulate heavenly time. It is said that there is also a chapter on Cave Heaven Numerology inside,"

"which played a big role, though I don't know if it's true."

"Ahem, that must be a secret, let's not talk about it."

"I heard he is skilled in Earthly Advantage Law. Kunyuan Academy even killed many rebels because of him, including the descendants of rebel princes."

"There's such a thing? It should be fake; I've never heard of any Earthly Advantage school treatise."

"It should be a rumor, but it's true that he knows Earth Palace Law."

"..., he's only forty-one. I happen to have a granddaughter; I'll find Liu Dao to talk about it another day."

"Duke Yang, you're talking about 'another day'? Duke Wei already asked, but Liu said Zhao Xing needs to focus on cultivation now and is not suitable for marriage." "Oh? There's such a thing?"

"A portion of those who came to the door a while ago were all asking about this; they've already lined up!"

1

Zhao Xing stood at the bow of the boat, listening to the discussions around him, feeling somewhat helpless.

He felt like a commodity, being picked over and gossiped about.

Inside the cabin, Zhao Xing's clone closed its eyes and began to enter the Palace of Memory.

"The Great Zhou Xuanhuang Calendar records 530, 00 years."

"One hundred and twenty years make an era. Now it is the 72nd year of the 4416th era of the Xuanhuang Calendar."

"Emperor Jing ascended the throne at 78, and the reign of Emperor Jing lasted a total of 922 years."

"The period of the Two Administrations lasted one hundred and fifty-eight years."

"Among them, the Great Administration of Jiazi, sixty years were spent slowly processing those powerful families. At this time, I must absolutely not get involved in any marriage alliances." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"It's best not to do it before Emperor Wu ascends the throne."

"After the Great Administration of Jiazi, there were ninety-eight years of Eternal Administration. Emperor Wu was born in the sixty-third year of Eternal Administration."

"However, I don't know if this life will be advanced. If it's advanced, is it still Emperor Wu?" Zhao Xing couldn't help but ponder. "Emperor Wu is destiny; the time node hasn't changed much now, so it should still be that time."

Zhao Xing's plan was not immutable and was adjusted at any time.

"Hum~"

Just then, the Golden Dragon warship descended.

The Silver Dragon flying boat also lowered its altitude, and the clouds in front automatically parted.

Revealing the ancient palace complex below.

At an altitude of one hundred meters, the fleet passed through a hundred-meter-high gate archway.

"Shangluo Academy has arrived."

Zhao Xing looked ahead.

Stepping into the territory of Shangluo Academy felt like stepping into a new world in one step.

The gate archway stood towering, carved from ancient divine wood, covered with strange runes and mysterious patterns, emitting a faint light.

On both sides of the gate stood two lifelike divine beast statues, dragon-like yet not dragons, tiger-like yet not tigers, with piercing gazes and immense majesty, as if guarding this sacred land.

The gate archway was a hundred meters high, and after passing through it, there was a wide avenue.

The avenue was paved with colorful jade, and various tall and magical plants were planted on both sides.

Some plants emitted brilliant light, like stars in the night sky; some swayed with gorgeous colors, as if they were the most beautiful paintings from a painter's brush; and others emitted charming fragrances that made one feel refreshed.

"The long-lost Divine Wood Avenue." Zhao Xing felt somewhat emotional.

His main impression of Shangluo Academy in his previous life began from the reign of Emperor Wu.

At that time, the whole world was mobilized for war, and Shangluo Academy was also filled with a sense of killing, with a style completely different from now.

The divine trees planted on both sides were 【Colossal King Trees】 serving the war, not the current 【Hua Cang Divine Wood】.

Later on, Shangluo Academy experienced a chaotic thousand-year transformation, with parts destroyed and rebuilt.

At its most difficult time, it was almost wiped out, until the spiritual energy recovered, and Shangluo Academy regained its luster, becoming even more glorious than before.

"Clatter."

Crisp bird chirps and the sound of gurgling water came to his ears.

Passing through the Divine Wood Avenue surrounded by the Luo River and entering the interior of the Academy,

looking up, one could see lush trees providing shade, and pavilions and towers distributed in an orderly manner.

Between the buildings, clear streams meandered, and on the water, gorgeous lotus flowers floated, emitting a mysterious aura. In the center of the Academy, there was a huge Myriad Laws Square!

Various planting tools and magical utensils were placed on the square.

"Automatic seedling divider, seven-link furrower, Guiyuan tube wheel, division array..." Zhao Xing looked below. "These will all be mine in the future."

The flying boat and warship continued to fly, soon passing other branch academies.

A group of agricultural officials from the Self-Nature school were busy shuttling through them, wearing simple robes, their faces filled with focus and joy.

Occasionally, someone would look up to see the arrival of this group of distinguished guests.

Soon, Zhao Xing saw another classic area of Shangluo Academy: the Divine Splendor Farm. In the farm, some agricultural officials were carefully sowing precious seeds.

Some were meticulously watering sprouted seedlings, and others were carefully observing the growth of the plants, recording every subtle change.

The lush farm had a large tree planting area.

Most were towering trees with thick trunks and lush branches and leaves, hanging with strange fruits.

There was a vine area, where vines wrapped around supports, blooming with gorgeous flowers.

There were also plants with strange shapes that were hard to describe, as if they were creatures from another world.

"This is the Twin Academy."

Zhao Xing looked below, where a colorful area suddenly appeared.

Mysterious greenhouses. The walls of the greenhouses were made of transparent crystal, allowing one to clearly see the treasures planted inside.

"The largest group of Divine Splendor sheds in the world!" Zhao Xing felt deeply moved. "I even brought my ex-girlfriend here to steal vegetables back then, but unfortunately, I failed to show off and ended up dropping a level..."

The flying boat began to lower its altitude further, and streets and buildings connected in a line began to appear in the distance.

"Shangluo Library." Zhao Xing looked ahead. "Inside the libraries, the most complete plant encyclopedias are collected, 'Materia Medica',

'Grand View Wood', 'Self-Nature Heavenly Objects Theory', 'Heavenly Bamboo Encyclopedia'..."

"The largest one in the deepest part also houses the original versions of 'Myriad Things Growth Map' and 'Yin-Yang Self-Nature Scripture'."

The warship and flying boat fleet finally landed at the 【Forest Sea Building Ship Division】 of Shangluo Academy, which was also the largest mooring place for building ships in Shangluo Academy.

It not only had a wide ground floor but also a lake area building ship division and an underground building ship division.

Because some building ships came via underground passages or waterway teleportation.

"There are many people coming to welcome us." Zhao Xing looked at the phalanx in front; those welcoming and those watching the fun added up to about ten thousand people.

"The heads of the seven important branch academies are basically all here."

When Liu Tianning disembarked, Zhao Xing also stepped down from the flying boat, following by Liu Tianning's side.

The dozens of people at the front of the phalanx included the deans and vice-deans of the Divine Splendor Academy, Divine Wood Academy, Ritual Dao Academy, Yuanming Academy, Yuanji Academy, Soldier Envoy Academy, and Twin Academy.

Usually, there was one dean and three vice-deans, but there were many honorary titles; they didn't manage affairs, just had enough strength.

At the very front was an old man in a green robe with silver-white hair, sunken eyes, and a face full of wrinkles.

"He should be Xu Xing." Zhao Xing looked at the old man in the green robe. "The original body has already reached the final stage of strength decline."

Xu Xing naturally came in his original body, and his original body looked just like this!

When approaching the limit of lifespan, a person's soul will begin to age.

Especially for an old man like Xu Xing, who was already 783 years old.

Of course, this did not mean that Xu Xing was weak.

He could exert powerful combat strength until the moment of his death.

It was just that maintaining his physical body required wasting a lot of energy, and since the original body didn't need to go out and fight anyway, Xu Xing was too lazy to waste energy.

"Greetings, Dean." Liu Tianning bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Dean." Zhao Xing also bowed, and all the agricultural officials of the Self-Nature school behind him also lowered their heads one after another.

Even Luo Wang, Tianyan Wang, and others bowed to show respect.

As the leader of the Self-Nature school, Xu Xing was a legendary figure.

Under his leadership, Shangluo Academy contributed the 'Yuan Eighteen' rice seeds during the reign of Emperor Jing, added more than ten thousand new medicinal materials (derivative species) to the Medical Department, and provided more than seven thousand new mechanism materials to the Heavenly Craft Department.

Even a First-Rank Prince would bow to Xu Xing.

"Vice Dean Liu, distinguished guests, please go to the guest house to rest." Xu Xing returned the salute.

This was a public occasion, so he addressed Liu Tianning by his official title.

Of course, once the etiquette was done, there was no need for this on the way to the guest house.

Liu Tianning stepped forward quickly: "Teacher, please let me support you."

"Good." Xu Xing smiled. "Tianning, congratulations on being enfeoffed as a Commandery Prince."

"It is all thanks to Teacher's good teaching." Liu Tianning bowed slightly, keeping his head low while talking, because he was a head taller than Xu Xing.

"Who is he?" Xu Xing leaned on his staff and looked at Zhao Xing.

Liu Tianning turned slightly: "Teacher, he is my disciple, Zhao Xing."

"Zhao Xing, come over and pay respects to your Grandmaster."

Zhao Xing immediately stepped forward and performed a grand bow in front of the sea of guests: "Disciple's disciple pays respects to Grandmaster."

"Good, good." Xu Xing nodded with a smile. "Get up quickly, come to Grandmaster's side."

"Yes." Zhao Xing dispersed his Five-Qi ceremonial robes and ran to Xu Xing's right side to support him.

He and Liu Tianning supported Xu Xing on the left and right as they walked along the avenue.

The three agricultural officials who had cultivated the Straw Man Law to the top level in the world were in the same frame at this moment, walking slowly along the avenue.

Whether it was the surrounding guests or the people of Shangluo Academy, they couldn't help but feel emotional.

"When Xu Xing cultivated the top-tier Straw Man Law, he was exactly eighty years old. This is also the record for all deans of this dynasty; he is a genius among geniuses."

"Liu Tianning cultivated it to the top level when he was exactly sixty."

"Zhao Xing cultivated it at 40."

"All are round numbers." Tianyan Wang walked slowly behind, feeling many emotions.

Is it fate, or coincidence?

"Each generation is younger than the last." Duke Wei said, "Shangluo Academy might really be able to produce a Grand Agricultural Official."

"Each generation is also stronger than the last." Luo Wang said, "Xu Xing has five Dharma Bodies, Liu Tianning now has seven, and Zhao Xing might be even stronger in the future."

"Definitely stronger." Tianyan Wang smiled. "Luo, do you want to bet?"

Luo:

Duke Wei laughed: "Tianyan, don't just keep pitting Luo Wang; it's been so many times."

"Luo, you too. You know he is a Destiny Official, yet you still bet with him. I know you believe that man can conquer heaven, but Tianyan knows many secrets."

Luo Wang said: "I kind of want to beat him up, but I'm afraid he'll die in front of me."

"Forget it, forget it, let's not bet this time."

Tianyan Wang smiled triumphantly.

In the Divine Wood Academy team, Zhuang Dawen looked at the three people in front and couldn't help but shake his head: "It's not Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing supporting him; it's clearly him supporting his disciple and disciple's disciple."

"Teacher, don't be jealous; we'll support you too." Yu Gongzhi, Wen Weiqi, and Xin Bojian immediately crowded over.

Zhuang Dawen saw the three disciples looking half-dead and immediately became furious: "You three, get lost! Don't let me see you before the Myriad Dao Tree later!"

One with bandages, one with a big belly, and one with a sallow complexion.

Anyone who didn't know would think his, Zhuang Dawen's, disciples were some kind of old, weak, sick, or disabled people!

It's truly too shameful!

"As you command!" The three obeyed Zhuang Dawen's will quickly this time and disappeared in a flash.

"What a mess." Zhuang Dawen couldn't help but sigh.

Hearing Zhuang Dawen's sigh, Chu Qianqiu of the Soldier Envoy Academy felt the same way.

He looked around and found that there were not many people in the Soldier Envoy Academy willing to fight Zhao Xing.

"Qianqiu, do you still want to continue?" The giant Jiang Chunyao, supported by the wind, asked via voice transmission.

"Yes." Chu Qianqiu's tone was calm, but his gaze was firm. "Someone has to die."

"Junior Uncle, if I die at his hands, you should hand over the Heavenly Soul Tree."

"Sigh, why must you do this?" Jiang Yaochun sighed. Chu Qianqiu smiled: "Whether the Academy has me or not is not important. What the Academy will be like in Liu Tianning's hands is very important."

The moment he saw Liu Tianning, Chu Qianqiu knew he had no chance of winning.

But Chu Qianqiu still decided to use his death to warn Liu Tianning not to get too deeply involved with the royal family and ruin the future of the Academy.

Zhao Xing accompanied Xu Xing, receiving even more attention.

However, his attention was on Xu Xing at this moment.

Without a doubt, Xu Xing was a First-Rank powerhouse.

A First-Rank Destiny Palace can already change the rules of a region, not just distort or influence them.

Just like when he first saw Water-Fire Spiritual Luster, fire born in water was something completely contrary to the laws of heaven and earth.

Every move of Xu Xing contained Dao rhyme.

In terms of combat strength alone, he could even beat Li Boqian, who had not yet succeeded to the position of Grand Agricultural Official.

If one did not count the amplification brought by official luck and the various divine artifacts mastered by the Grand Agricultural Official.

In a naked fight, Li Boqian, as the leader of the Heavenly Time school, still couldn't beat Xu Xing.

Emperor Jing had even considered using Xu Xing as the Grand Agricultural Official, but the leader of the Self-Nature school, while strong, had a drawback: madness.

The stronger they were, the crazier they became.

The Grand Agricultural Official is the model for all agricultural officials in the world and can use the three divine artifacts of Heaven, Society, and Grain. If Xu Xing went crazy, the Great War of Pacifying Barbarians would not need to be fought.

There was no help for it; after weighing the pros and cons, Emperor Jing had to abandon Xu Xing and use Li Boqian.

Later, Xu Xing did indeed go crazy, causing many unnecessary casualties.

However, these were secrets, and he only knew some because he had stayed by Tianyan Wang's side for a long time.

"Disciple's disciple, have you seen enough?" Xu Xing suddenly turned his head and smiled at Zhao Xing.

"It is this disciple's disciple who is rude." Zhao Xing lowered his head quickly.

"Hahaha, it's not that you aren't allowed to look." Xu Xing laughed. "Your Yin-Yang Self-Nature Scripture is only at the second level, yet you want to ponder my Dao; it's too advanced. One must walk the path slowly to be steady."

"When we arrive before the Myriad Dao Tree later, if no one challenges you, you can go up and look to your heart's content."

"Yes." Zhao Xing said respectfully.

He knew that to be able to watch the Myriad Dao Tree up close, he had to fight until no one dared to challenge him.

"I wonder how many people will come to die." A trace of excitement flashed in Zhao Xing's eyes.

Xu Xing led everyone to an important place in Shangluo Academy—the Myriad Dao Plain.

There was a huge tree there, with the thickest branch exceeding twenty meters in diameter.

The entire Myriad Dao Tree was ten thousand meters high!

It was also one of the treasures of Shangluo Academy, belonging to the level of rare and precious items.

The Myriad Dao Tree had lived for over five hundred thousand years and was very ancient.

It could store the insights into the Dao of the powerhouses of Shangluo Academy through the ages.

Every leaf contained the Dao realized by the sages; it was lush and dense, and countless branches and leaves represented countless insights into the Dao.

The Dao at the leaf level was all left by First-Rankers.

Only Super-Rank powerhouses could make the Myriad Dao Tree grow new branches.

"Myriad Dao Tree." Zhao Xing looked at the big tree in the center of the plain from afar, and a clone on the Silver Dragon flying boat closed its eyes. "A Myriad Dao Tree of this size is not common even in the universe version; it can be considered unique to the Xuanhuang World."

The size of the Myriad Dao Tree represented the foundation of a holy land because its growth mainly absorbed the Dao rhyme of powerhouses.

Just looking at it from afar, many insights surged in Zhao Xing's heart.

What he saw now was just the scene after the barrier restriction was locked. Entering it and climbing the Dao tree to meditate was the real benefit.

Arriving at the Myriad Dao Plain, there were fewer onlookers.

Those who could come to watch were basically Fifth-Rank agricultural officials and above.

There was no help for it; in Shangluo Academy, only the Fifth Rank could be considered middle-level.

Unlike the other two schools, where the Sixth Rank was considered middle-level.

After arriving, Xu Xing rested for an hour.

Giving Liu Tianning and those who opposed Liu Tianning the final time to communicate.

Because Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing's original bodies had both arrived.

With the original bodies present, in the eyes of Second-Rank and First-Rankers, they could see the situation of Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing clearly.

Like Chu Qianqiu, one look at Liu Tianning, and he knew he couldn't beat him.

Heavenly Luck and Destiny Palace could all see some trajectories of future events to some extent and could obtain induction from the dark.

It was not that kind of metaphysics, but an induction based on strength.

In the sky, the wind whistled, intertwining and surging.

Clearly, they were engaged in intense communication.

"We withdraw; the Heavenly Bamboo Garden will follow Liu Tianning's command."

"The induction of the Dao is strong; Liu Tianning's strength is stronger than imagined; we can't fight."

"Mm, we shouldn't fight."

"How to decide on Liu's cultivation plan?"

"He is too deeply involved with the Ji royal family, which violates ancient teachings."

"He can be Dean, but his plan is hard to accept."

"Let's wait and see, look at the quality of his disciple."

"Throat..."

Zhao Xing could occasionally hear fragments of words coming from the sky.

However, these had nothing to do with him; he just had to fight.

An hour passed quickly.

Xu Xing used his staff as a cane, leaned on it lightly, and flew into the sky.

He knew why so many people came today, and the rest of Shangluo Academy also knew why these distinguished guests came.

Xu Xing didn't talk nonsense and pointed at the Myriad Dao Tree behind him: "There are three things to discuss today!"

Swish, swish~

Everyone quieted down; there wasn't even a wisp of wind in the sky, and everyone looked at Xu Xing.

The Myriad Dao Tree swayed slightly, seeming to become even larger.

"The first thing." Xu Xing's voice echoed between heaven and earth. "The original Vice Dean of the Twin Academy, Liu Tianning, is promoted to the First Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy,"

"acting as Dean. Are there any objections?"

It was so quiet between heaven and earth that a pin drop could be heard.

It was as if they had collectively been silenced; no one spoke.

"Are there any objections?"

"Are there any objections?"

Xu Xing asked three times, with ten breaths between each.

When the last inquiry had passed ten breaths.

Xu Xing shouted: "Where is Liu Tianning!"

"Here!"

Liu Tianning stepped on clouds and flew into the sky, landing beside Xu Xing, slightly half a meter lower.

"From today on, you are the First Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy, acting as Dean!"

Having said that, Xu Xing handed the emerald-green, crystalline staff in his hand horizontally to Liu Tianning.

"Yes, Tianning will definitely not fail the expectations of the Dean and the Academy!" Liu Tianning replied respectfully, holding the 【Shangluo Jade Staff】 that represented the power of Shangluo Academy with both hands.

There were no heavenly phenomena, and no one shouted; everything happened so calmly.

The transfer of power began at this moment.

Except for still holding a nominal title, Xu Xing would not participate in any affairs or decisions of Shangluo Academy from now on.

Of course, that nominal title was still useful; the imperial court would send a special enfeoffment, and this title would bring some effects of extending life and increasing luck.

Usually, there would also be some rewards for the Dean of Shangluo Academy, arranging high-level official positions.

But that was for later.

At least within the Academy, Liu Tianning would be considered the actual Dean from this moment on.

"Second Vice Dean, Chu Qianqiu, leading the Soldier Envoy Academy!"

"Third Vice Dean, Yu Xia, leading the Twin Academy!"

"Fourth Vice Dean, Zhuang Dawen, leading the Divine Wood Academy!"

"Fifth..."

A total of seven people flew into the sky, standing at the same height as Liu Tianning.

Afterward, there were adjustments for some vice deans, Five Classics Doctors, and various official positions in each academy.

The number of people grew, and more than five hundred people had appeared in the sky.

Forty percent of them were at the Second Rank!

The foundation of Shangluo Academy was revealed at this moment.

Because this was a replacement of the old with the new, some old power holders would retreat behind the scenes; that was a group of people from the same era as Xu Xing.

But they were not dead and could still exert powerful combat strength, but they couldn't live much longer.

There were also some who were unwilling to manage specific affairs, but if Shangluo Academy had a command, they would also stand up.

Therefore, the people in the sky now were just a part of Shangluo Academy's foundation.

Even so, it was enough to make the distinguished guests watching the ceremony marvel.

"Zhao Xing!" Xu Xing's voice sounded again.

Hum~ Zhao Xing also soared into the sky.

"You are the Five Classics Doctor of the Twin Academy; I hope you can exert your talents in the Twin Academy." Xu Xing said with anticipation.

"Yes." Zhao Xing bowed respectfully; Five Classics Doctor was already the highest status among the Classics Doctors, and there were not many such people in the entire Twin Academy.

Gu Zhangqing in Kunyuan Academy was also just a Five Classics Doctor.

Zhao Xing's name was also the last one.

After reading it, Xu Xing let everyone go down.

Afterward, he spoke again:

"The second thing!"

"Vice Dean Liu Tianning proposed the 'Green Seedling Law'."

"This law will determine the future talent cultivation direction and resource allocation of Shangluo Academy."

"Are there any objections?"

Xu Xing only asked the first time, and someone stood out.

"Dean, I have an objection!"

A Second-Rank powerhouse flew out from the direction of the Divine Wood Academy.

Liu Tianning's gaze turned cold immediately, and Zhao Xing also carried killing intent.

The plan proposed by Old Liu had gone through countless discussions to reach this step.

Those who jumped out to oppose it now basically had irreconcilable contradictions.

Just like when the Emperor issued an edict, it had already been discussed many times with many ministers in the inner court, and the court discussion was just a formality.

Jumping out to oppose it in public now was a slap in the face!

Xu Xing was silent for a moment, then said: "Kang Zhengxian, what objection do you have?"

"Liu Tianning's law overdraws the future of the Academy too much and may not necessarily achieve results, so I disagree!" Kang Zhengxian was too lazy to detail where it wouldn't work.

Because at this step, ultimately, a fight had to be fought.

As the saying goes, those with different Daos do not conspire.

Then there was no need to say more; let's fight for a victory with our respective Daos!

"I have an objection!"

"I have an objection!"

"I have an objection!"

Soon three more people jumped out, including Chu Qianqiu, the Dean of the Soldier Envoy Academy, the second-in-line candidate.

Xu Xing looked at Liu Tianning, who also flew up immediately, standing opposite the four.

"I have a disciple named Zhao Xing, who is the beneficiary of the Green Seedling Law."

While Liu spoke, Zhao Xing also flew to his side.

"Zhao Xing is forty-one years old this year. When I took him as a disciple, it was the 17th year of the Jingxin Calendar, and he was at the Seventh Rank."

"Now it has been exactly twenty years, and he is at the Fourth Rank perfection, having already cultivated the Soul-Devouring Dharma Body!"

Speaking of this, Liu Tianning's gaze turned cold, scanning the four.

"Since you all have objections, send your proud disciples!"

"Compete with my disciple for the Dao!"

"Who is strong and who is weak, we will know after the fight!"

This method was also a form of mitigation.

Civil war was ultimately a form of internal friction.

At this time, those who had objections could refuse after hearing Liu Tianning's words and retreat smoothly.

Only Liu Tianning's Dao competition could they not refuse, because this determined the direction of the Academy for the next several hundred years.

Kang Zhengxian, Chu Qianqiu, Jiang Hua, and Zhong Yuan scanned Zhao Xing.

At this time, Jiang Hua's gaze among the four slightly froze, because he received an induction that the disciple he was about to send would have a hard time beating Liu Tianning's disciple.

Xu Xing asked at the right time: "The four of you, are you satisfied with Dean Liu's explanation?"

Jiang Hua bowed smoothly: "I have no objections and am willing to execute Dean Liu's plan and follow the arrangements."

With a step down, he took it smoothly.

But the other three still did not waver.

Instead, they accepted Liu's 'disciple duel'.

"Zhong He!"

"Xia Zhu!"

"Lian Tianyu!"

"Huang Jing!"

"Wu Ziteng!"

"Lin Haishan!"

"Zhang Han!"

The three shouted the names of their respective disciples.

Hum, hum, swish, a total of seven figures appeared in the sky.

"Hmph, these three idiots." In the distance, among the lineup of guests watching the ceremony, inside a jade tent, Princess Youruo snorted coldly.

Princess Youruo knew very well what their reason for opposition was: they disliked Liu Tianning getting too close to the Ji royal family.

This 'too close' included her, Princess Youruo.

The second was that during the Great War of Pacifying Barbarians, Liu Tianning did many things for Emperor Jing.

The Green Seedling Law was probably also pushed by Emperor Jing.

"So many people didn't jump out, yet these three opposed it." Princess Youruo's eyes also carried murderous intent. "They really are tired of living!"

In fact, relative to the size of Shangluo Academy, only three people opposing it was already few enough.

When Xu Xing ascended, he killed more than three hundred high-rankers! Mainly because the policies during the reign of Emperor Wen were relatively benevolent, and both the Dao Academy and the Academy lived too well.

At that time, Xu Xing could only kill wantonly to make these people wake up.

And after hundreds of years of training by Emperor Jing, plus Liu Tianning was indeed powerful, everyone was much more honest this time.

There was no help for it; Emperor Jing was not Emperor Wen, and he had nothing to do with benevolence.

"Chu Qianqiu still chose to stand out." Duke Wei watched quietly. "What a pity."

"Being able to be the Dean of the Soldier Envoy Academy, Chu Qianqiu's strength is very strong; the talent he showed back then was not much worse than Liu Tianning's."

"Communicated many times, lasting for quite a few years." Luo Wang snorted. "Obsessed and not waking up, so it's not a pity."

In the sky, Xu Xing looked at Zhao Xing.

At this time, the three Second-Rank powerhouses had already briefly introduced their disciples.

All were at the Fourth Rank perfection, all were geniuses among ten thousand, and had experienced many real battles.

Some had even participated in the Great War of Pacifying Barbarians, and two had been enfeoffed as Marquises.

"Zhao Xing, who do you want to accept the challenge from first?" Xu Xing asked. "You can choose."

"Yes, Dean." Zhao Xing flew closer, his gaze sweeping over the seven, then snorted.

"No need to waste everyone's time; you seven, come together!"

"I accept the 【Dao Competition】 of all seven of you at the same time!"

"Let's decide the winner, and also decide life and death!"

Zhao Xing's voice spread with the wind, echoing between heaven and earth.

A trace of a smile flashed in Xu Xing's eyes, as if he had guessed that Zhao Xing would do this long ago.

Liu Tianning had no expression; he had absolute confidence in Zhao Xing.

Luo Wang, Tianyan Wang, and Princess Youruo were also not surprised.

Only Duke Wei was stunned: "This kid, is he a bit too arrogant?"

"He has the capital to be arrogant." Luo Wang glanced at Tianyan Wang.

Tianyan Wang laughed: "Don't look at me; it's not me fighting, and I can't say anything."

"I can only say I also believe in him very much."

Those who knew Zhao Xing felt that his saying this was very normal.

Those who didn't know were very angry and puzzled.

"Arrogant!"

"Who do you think you are!"

"How dare you look down on me like this!"

"The Myriad Laws Clone might be invincible in external battles, but in the civil war of the Self-Nature school, facing so many troop types, Zhao Xing might not necessarily be able to solve it."

"Being invincible at the same rank is already arrogant enough; one against seven, this is completely not taking the high disciples of the three powerhouses seriously."

"Interesting, this trip was not in vain."

"Are there any agricultural official brothers to explain? So I don't fail to understand later."

"Hey, you really love to join in the fun."

Chu Qianqiu, Kang Zhengxian, and Zhong Yuan's complexions sank.

They had thought Liu Tianning's disciple would be arrogant, but they didn't expect him to be this arrogant.

As for those seven people, some were angry, some were deep in thought, and some were ready to die.

The fame of the Myriad Laws Clone was too great; only agricultural officials of the Self-Nature school could understand the terror within.

"Zhao Xing, are you sure?" Xu Xing asked.

"Sure."

"Good!" Xu Xing shouted loudly, and then countless phantoms appeared behind him.

The next second, countless clones appeared between heaven and earth.

"Dao Barrier, rise!"

The hands and feet of every Xu Xing emitted a ray of light, connecting with each other.

The positions of the clones were very particular, and some clones even sank into the ground, forming a spherical barrier with a radius of three kilometers.

Three kilometers, this range was already large enough, but for agricultural officials, it was still not large.

"Dao Competition, no divine weapons can be used; only Dao Law determines the winner."

"As for the Dao of agricultural officials, any spell can be used."

Xu Xing's voice echoed; other than that, there were no other requirements.

As for spells, as long as they were agricultural official spells, it was fine.

The agricultural officials of Shangluo Academy were also agricultural officials and also learned Heavenly Time and Earthly Advantage Laws; it was just a matter of primary and secondary, not completely abandoned.

"Shoo~"

The Dao barrier emitted a red light, pressing Zhao Xing and the seven people inside to the two ends of the ground of the barrier.

The moment the red light dissipated, the suppression disappeared.

The Dao Competition began!

"Pure Yuan Projection!"

At this instant, the seven challengers all activated 【Pure Yuan Projection】 at the first moment.

The reason was also very simple: because they were agricultural officials of the Self-Nature school, their combat strength all came from troop types.

Among them, there were also those who mastered Heavenly Time and Earthly Advantage Laws.

But they could never collide with Zhao Xing, who possessed the Myriad Laws Clone.

Whether it was supporting clouds in front of Zhao Xing or using Earth Palace Law to suppress, they couldn't compete.

As long as Zhao Xing mastered one or two top-tier laws, the power of one thousand Zhao Xings gathered together would be terrifying.

Therefore, Pure Yuan Projection and summoning troop types was the first choice.

As long as the Pure Yuan Projection spread out, within the Dao barrier, no matter how many clones Zhao Xing had, it was possible for them to be wiped out together!

"Pure Yuan Projection!"

Zhao Xing's first choice was also Pure Yuan Projection!

Because he had to release his clones, and they were also released from the Pure Yuan space.

He didn't choose to support clouds, because supporting clouds was not the fastest!

"Hum"

The eight people inside the barrier all chose the moves of the Self-Nature school at the first moment.

However, the result surprised everyone.

Kang Zhengxian, Chu Qianqiu, and Zhong Yuan, the three Second-Rank powerhouses, were even more shocked and stood up.

"How is this possible!"

"This is impossible!"

"He has only cultivated for how long, how could he..."

Many experts of the Self-Nature school were very surprised.

Because inside the barrier, there was only one shadow!

That was the Pure Yuan Projection cast by Zhao Xing from the east position!

"Boom~"

The Pure Yuan Projection spreading from in front of Zhao Xing covered forward like a wave.

Among the seven challengers opposite, four were unable to cast 【Pure Yuan Projection】 at the first moment and were completely suppressed.

The other three, Lian Tianyu, Zhang Han, and Lin Haishan, only released a projection range of less than fifty meters in radius.

When the shadows of the three expanded outward, they collided with the shadow wave pressed over by Zhao Xing.

They couldn't expand completely at all!

All seven challengers were stunned!

As agricultural officials of the Self-Nature school, the time they spent cultivating Pure Yuan soil was far longer than Zhao Xing's!

After years of vital energy nourishment, they considered themselves the limit among Fourth-Rank agricultural officials!

The range of the Pure Yuan soil of Zhang Han, Lian Tianyu, and Lin Haishan was even very close to the Third Rank.

But now, they were completely suppressed in front of Zhao Xing!

Zhang Han only summoned one hundred Sixth-Rank troop types—Cold Nether Flowers.

He had thousands of them in his body, but now he hadn't even summoned one-tenth!

Lin Haishan's 【War Iron Tree】 only had its crown emerge, with the spikes on it looming, and the trunk couldn't be completely solidified from the shadow because the range wasn't enough!

He was impacted by Zhao Xing's projection and couldn't release the troop types completely at all.

The War Iron Tree seemed to be stuck between reality and illusion.

As for Zhong He, Xia Zhu, Huang Jing, and Wu Ziteng, they didn't release them at the first moment, and in the second second, they only expanded a projection with a radius of ten meters.

This led to only one Sixth-Rank troop type of the Materia Medica type in front of Zhong He, and a purple bamboo appeared in front of Xia Zhu, but this was only a Fifth-Rank Lightning Bamboo in the growth stage.

Huang Jing's front was covered with thorns, and Wu Ziteng's back was covered with a vine.

However, what was the use?

There was still a little use.

It helped Master Zhao add some fun.

"Kill!"

In the territory covered by the shadow, thousands of Soul-Devouring Dharma Bodies appeared!

"Zzzzz~"

The Heavenly Thunder Finger immediately locked onto the seven people.

"Shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo~"

In just one instant, the weakest Zhong He, Xia Zhu, Huang Jing, and Wu Ziteng were killed by the Heavenly Thunder Finger.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

Four crisp sounds came, and the four were directly blown up by the Heavenly Thunder Finger.

Blood energy filled the sky, turning into a huge blood mist, with broken limbs flying everywhere, and a large number of plant troop types exploding out.

When experts fight, just one subtle mistake leads to death!

In one encounter, four people died completely!

"Grass and trees as soldiers, Cold Nether body protection!"

Zhang Han immediately moved the projection range at the moment of life and death.

One hundred blooming Cold Nether Flowers wrapped him layer by layer.

"Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff, puff, puff, puff~"

The penetrating power of the Heavenly Thunder Finger pierced through layers of petals.

The black Nether Cold Flowers that had just closed were immediately coated with a layer of purple, with the shattered ones shattering and the withered ones withering.

"Puff~"

Zhang Han spat out a mouthful of blood, and a large hole appeared in his shoulder.

But, he had insisted for one round after all.

He didn't die in the first wave of attacks.

Originally, he wouldn't have been this miserable; his troop type arrangement and combination were both offensive and defensive.

However, the projection range was too small, and only the Cold Nether Flowers that were good at attacking came out, while the defensive troop types hadn't appeared yet.

Forcibly using grass and trees as soldiers to drive the Cold Nether Flowers for defense, the outcome was that all the troop types died, and he himself was severely injured.

"Golden Glory Divine Pillar!" Zhang Han immediately summoned the second wave of defensive troop types in front of himself.

Like a cactus, the Golden Glory Pillar, which flickered with pale golden light, was a Seventh-Rank defensive plant.

There were seven in total, each with a huge body, twenty or thirty meters high, with defensive capabilities comparable to a Third-Rank martial artist.

The needle thorns on it were like array points, connected to each other, flickering with secret patterns, surrounding him tightly.

The 【War Iron Tree】 summoned by Lin Haishan also blocked the vast majority of the attacks.

He even knew a top-tier First-Turn Earth-Hidden Law, raising eight earth walls that looked like turtle shells.

But it was only barely supporting the first wave.

Only Lian Tianyu reacted quickly, discovering the abnormality at the first moment, and immediately escaped into the ground, directly giving up on casting Pure Yuan Projection.

However, such subconscious dodging was just delaying the time of death.

"Die!"

Zhao Xing fired with full power, and the dantian vortex in his body operated to the extreme.

The suppression power of the Pure Yuan Projection was completely displayed.

The shadow was like a wave, swift and heavy like a mountain.

At this moment, Zhang Han and Lin Haishan felt complete despair.

Because they discovered that the projection range had shrunk again!

Zhao Xing indeed didn't have much time to cultivate powerful plant troop types, but his Pure Yuan soil had been nourished by spiritual energy!

Extracted by Master Mi's Xuanhuang Analysis Technique, the spiritual energy and Pure Yuan soil fused, producing absolute suppression power!

Zhao Xing was not a novice, and his understanding of Pure Yuan Projection was even above the seven!

The second wave of Heavenly Thunder Finger was fired, and Zhang Han and Lin Haishan, whose survival space had been suppressed, also exploded into a blood mist!

In just two breaths, of the seven challengers, only Lian Tianyu was left fleeing underground.

"Heavens, six died at once!"

"What exactly happened?!"

"Why is his Pure Yuan Projection so strong!"

"A monster..."

"Top-tier law, Heavenly Thunder Finger, more than a thousand Dharma Bodies, how did he manage them?"

"Fourth Rank, can actually manage over a thousand top-tier Dharma Bodies?"

The powerhouses watching the battle were all shaken.

Because according to common theory, even if one cultivated the first level of the Derivative God Technique and managed top-tier Dharma Bodies, it shouldn't be this easy.

Not to mention that Zhao Xing actually cultivated top-tier thunder law, and looking at his spellcasting and moves, it was simply as smooth as a textbook.

Liu Tianning didn't have this many clones back then, nor was he this smooth!

However, what surprised them even more was yet to come.

"Boom~ Boom~"

The ground suddenly cracked and churned.

Lian Tianyu, who had originally escaped underground to save his life, actually surfaced as a corpse.

He had been pressed into meat paste! Only some flesh and blood could be seen on the bones.

A large amount of blood had already been drained, turning into a small stream flowing in the cracks.

"Top-tier Earth Palace Law?!"

"Hiss! This kid actually masters all three schools?!"

"Terrifying..."

Many thoughts collided around, and high-rank agricultural officials could see the details of the battle clearly, instantly analyzing the moves and power.

Originally thinking that one against seven would at least be able to persist for a while, they didn't expect Zhao Xing to exceed their expectations!

The battle was one-sided; in just two rounds, all seven challengers were dead!

"Liu Tianning, what kind of monster have you cultivated..." Chu Qianqiu, Kang Zhengxian, and Zhong Yuan's expressions were shaken, and the same thought immediately appeared in their minds.