Chapter 288: Cultivating the Supreme Physical Form: Zhao Xing

Wild rabbits panicked, scattering in disarray as snow drifted down in the third month of spring.

Bare trees stood alone in the cold wind, with no sign of spring's return or greenery reborn.

Though spring had clearly arrived, not a single trace of green could be found beyond the walls of Youshui County.

Herds of rabbits leapt through the withered grass, frantically searching for food, yet starving and whimpering plaintively.

Suddenly

One of the rabbits' eyes glowed red, its fur split open, oozing thin trails of blood.

Its body swelled violently; spikes and scales sprouted from the cracks, and its canine teeth grew longer and longer.

"Puff~"

Its companion was suddenly pierced through by its fangs, its hind legs twitching helplessly within a gaping, bloodied maw.

It tilted its head and swallowed—the companion vanished into its belly.

"Puff Puff Puff"

Its blood-red gaze swept over the surrounding rabbit herd; this aberrant lifeform began slaughtering its own kind.

In barely a quarter-hour, the entire rabbit herd was gone.

Only one monstrous creature remained—five meters tall, its back lined with black spines, arms sheathed in blue scales, and a patch of red fur on its chest.

"Zi Kong~~"

It let out a deafening howl toward the sky.

The red pupils in its eyes suddenly reflected a cluster of purple dots.

The dots came from the horizon, arriving in an instant.

"!"

The mutated creature, unable to dodge, was struck by the purple light and collapsed instantly; a smoking deep crater appeared on the ground.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh~"

A figure landed beside the crater.

Ling Tianchen glanced at the crater, where lay a humanoid creature with purple wings, its seven orifices bleeding profusely, dead.

Having confirmed the death of the Purple Feather King guarding the Ruoshui Passage, Ling Tianchen did not spare it a second look, instead turning his gaze to the aberrant lifeform beside him.

Scanning the ground littered with rabbit fur, Ling Tianchen reached out a hand from his sleeve, tore open the monster's abdomen, then shook his head slightly.

He had slain the Purple Feather King guarding the Ruoshui Passage, but inadvertently triggered an abnormal climatic shift in a region of Youshui County.

Ling Tianchen pointed a finger, and Jin Guang shot out in all directions through the void.

"Jueyin's three qi return to normal; Shaoyang's phase-fire follows its host; the reversal restores balance."

"Yu~"

Light flowed through heaven and earth; the ground trembled gently, and a hint of green emerged—as if nothing had ever happened.

Ling Tianchen stroked his beard and nodded: "The Twelve Qi of Host and Guest have restored their seasonal patterns—truly a genius of heaven's design!"

The method he used to restore the climatic imbalance was precisely the guidance laid out in Zhao Xing's "Treatise on the Six Qi of Three Yin and Three Yang: The Great Heavenly Cycle."

Zhao Xing's treatise rose yet higher in Ling Tianchen's estimation.

As the leading figure of the Climatic Shift School, no one understood better than he the impact this treatise had brought to the Agricultural Bureau of the Climatic Shift School.

"Shua xi shua~"

Not long after, three beast shadows—Tengshe, Flying Dragon, and Fire Phoenix—approached Ling Tianchen.

Upon landing, the three beast shadows transformed into human forms.

"Dean, the Xuan King is dead."

"Hmm." Ling Tianchen nodded, pulling a scroll from his robe. "Issue the Heavenly Climate Edict to all branch academies."

"From this day forward, all Agricultural Bureau officials of the Climatic Shift School under the Xuantian Academy shall join the official resistance forces nearby. All armies, forces, and territories controlled by the Liang Wang, as well as their allies, are targets."

"Any member of a branch academy currently under Liang Wang's orders or serving him may, if they defect from his camp before June and perform meritorious deeds, have their traitorous titles revoked and be pardoned for past offenses."

"For those who refuse to repent, each branch academy's dean shall immediately initiate purging procedures through the Court of Discipline."

"Yes!" The three behind him respectfully accepted Ling Tianchen's Heavenly Climate Edict.

In their hearts, Ling Tianchen was a figure as revered as a sect master!

They were a self-cultivating group specially permitted by the Taizu, the self-sustaining lineage of the Xuantian Academy.

They need not obey Grand Minister Li Biquan, nor even the imperial court's orders—but they would unquestioningly follow Ling Tianchen's commands!

Even Li Biquan had to seek Ling Tianchen's opinion before issuing a Heavenly Climate Edict.

Of course, this applied only to those who did not hold office or accept imperial titles—those who did must still abide by imperial law.

Loyalty to the monarch? Nonexistent!

At this time, ritual propriety did not suppress thought; there was no doctrine that "if the sovereign commands his minister to die, the minister must die."

When the Seventy-Two Academies joined the Zhou Dynasty, they had made agreements with the Taizu.

Among them, the ancient Shidashen Sect lineages had even looser terms, for their joining had strengthened the Zhou Dynasty's national destiny.

If they left, the Zhou Dynasty's national destiny would immediately shrink by a great deal.

Of course, if they departed from the Nineteen Provinces, they would no longer fare as well as before.

Overall, the relationship between the Xuantian Academy and the Ji royal house was mutually beneficial and interdependent.

The Xuantian Academy remained loyal to its own ideals, willing to die for the world and the people—but the Ji royal house could not command them.

The attitude of such groups toward the royal house could be summed up in one phrase: "If the sovereign treats his ministers as hands and feet, they treat him as heart and belly; if he treats them as dogs and horses, they treat him as a common subject; if he treats them as dirt or weeds, they treat him as an enemy."

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh~"

The three used Climatic Shift techniques and swiftly departed.

Ling Tianchen transformed into a dragon and flew toward the neighboring county beside Youshui County.

Over there lies a vast expanse of Weak Water. As a Hou Bian faction Agronomist, Ling Ling Tianchen led this group, allowing them to dive into the Weak Water unscathed and even wield the Weak Water against their enemies.

Guarding the passage, they are truly one man holding the pass against ten thousand; they need no divine weapons or sharp blades at all.

In the secret chamber of the Mingyue Manor, within the Liuhuo Academy.

The operation concluded, yet Zhao Xing was not allowed to leave the circle beneath the compass.

"Your original fortune and the Heaven's Secret concealment already failed during the turmoil in early February."

"Now, I shall conceal you anew," King Tianyan said.

"Once completed, your rank on the Heaven's Fortune Gold List will drop significantly, the displayed information will be minimal, making it virtually impossible for anyone to locate you."

"Yes." Zhao Xing listened obediently.

He did not wish to appear on this wretched list.

To him, aside from inviting assassinations, it was utterly useless.

This is not how one goes about making a name for oneself.

The Heaven's Fortune Gold List and the Creation Plate share the same nature; they cannot be publicly announced. All information upon them is classified.

Since it is classified, naturally it will not be widely known.

"Yu~"

The black and white qi on the compass descended from Zhao Xing's true body.

Golden script flickered within the two streams of qi, then vanished completely.

"Done. Your rank has dropped to nine thousand eight hundred." King Tianyan removed the compass from above Zhao Xing's head.

"Your Highness, I have a question."

"Speak."

"I have done so much before; surely people already know. Now that I conceal it, will it still be useful?" Zhao Xing asked.

"The past is the past, the present is the present. From this moment on, unless you topple Liang Wang's very nest, your rank will not—..."

Zhao Xing did not know why King Tianyan stopped speaking. He looked up and saw King Tianyan frozen in place.

"What is wrong?"

"Your rank has risen again," King Tianyan said in surprise. "How is this possible?"

"Stand here and do not move." King Tianyan placed the compass back above Zhao Xing's head, where it hovered.

"I must go investigate."

King Tianyan walked out of the secret chamber and entered another room.

He first contacted Luo Wang.

"Luo, my operation has ended, yet Zhao Xing's rank on the Gold List refuses to drop. Do you know what major event occurred recently?"

"Yes." Luo Wang pulled Huang Jian from the Shangyu Bureau over. "Let Anning Wang speak to you."

"Cousin, I think you should sit down and listen," Huang Jian smiled.

"Why?"

"I fear you will be too shocked to stand steady," Huang Jian continued with a grin.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I am in a hurry, speak quickly!" King Tianyan felt some impatience toward this younger brother.

"Very well, here is what happened," Huang Jian said. "When Zhao Xing was ambushed, the Xuantian Academy, the Shangluo Academy, and the Kunyuan Academy all received the message."

"That is normal," King Tianyan nodded. Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanzhen were already managing the disaster relief at the Mingyue Manor.

With Zhao Xing's true body and clones retreating so far, they must have sensed the anomaly.

"But what happened next was not normal," Huang Jian said. "Because at that time, Zhao Xing was being hunted."

"Therefore, the three major academies all dispatched powerful forces to launch an immediate countermeasure!"

"How powerful?"

Huang Jian flipped through the Juan Sect records. "The Shangyu Bureau indicates that Ling Ling Tianchen, the Dean of the Hou Bian Academy of the Xuantian Academy, led fifty-nine people, including the Doctor of the Classics and the Honorary Vice Dean, to the Weak Water Passage. They slew Zi Yu Wang and Xuan Xue Wang, along with three hundred high-ranking generals guarding the Weak Water Passage."

"Hmm?" King Tianyan paused. "Your meaning is that these people belong to—"

"Yes, this is the Hou Bian Academy's own strength. They are all self-cultivated experts; the imperial court merely opened a door. You can understand them as ancient elders, sect guardians, or Supreme Elders of that sort."

"You do not mean to say their action was specifically for Zhao Xing?" King Tianyan paused.

To speak bluntly, even the Emperor's orders might not be enough to command this group.

In reality, when Emperor Jing wanted to mobilize these people, he did so through Li Boqian, who then mobilized them from within.

This is also why, for thousands of years, the Ji Royal House has been filling the seventy-two academies with people, striving to make Ji surname descendants into important members.

"Do not rush, it is not over yet," Huang Jian said. "Afterwards, Ling Ling Tianchen issued the Tian Hou Decree."

"He notified all branch deans in the Pinghai and Lüliang provinces."

"He called upon Hou Bian faction Agronomists to join the resistance army, and urged those who went astray, um, those who reluctantly or were forced to accept the imperial appointment, to rise up in resistance and redeem their crimes."

"What?!" King Tianyan was stunned.

The Hou Bian Method can greatly weaken the erosion of the Black Dragon Fortune. If a Hou Bian faction Agronomist wishes to break away from Liang Wang's camp, there truly is a way, and it does not even require paying a huge price.

Hou Bian, Hou Bian; when a person transforms into another species, their fortune naturally undergoes drastic change as well!

At this time, while in the Hou Bian state, one only needs to invite a fourth-rank priest to strip away the Black Dragon Fortune!

The strength of the Hou Bian Method lies here; it applies not only to the Black Dragon Fortune but to the imperial court's fortune as well.

If the Ji Royal House oppresses them too severely, this group of experts can simply leave!

If this place will not keep you, another place will!

Moreover, they would suffer very little harm.

Therefore, throughout history, the Grand Agronomist must first subdue the Hou Bian faction. If this force is not subdued, the authority of the Grand Agronomist position is incomplete.

During the Wu Di era, Mi Fu encountered this very situation.

He was transferred by Wu Di to become Grand Minister of Agriculture, but was removed after only a few months.

First, Mi Fu opposed Wu Di's extravagance and refused to let Wu Di wage war at the cost of the people's suffering.

Second, Mi Ti could not suppress the Hou Bian Sect's faction, unlike Liu Tianning, who wielded firmer control.

"This is unbelievable! I only closed my gate for a few months—how did this kid turn into this?!"

"What exactly did he do, to make Ling Ling Tianchen intervene personally?" asked Tian Yan Wang.

"The 'Treatise on the Six Qi of Three Yin and Three Yang'!" said Huang Jian.

"Explain clearly," said Tian Yan Wang—he didn't understand what that meant.

He was a government official who understood the Ministry of Agriculture well, but he could never reach the depth required to comprehend such an advanced scripture.

"I don't understand it either," said Huang Jian, shrugging. "The Imperial Academy's intelligence officers rated it: in ancient times, this treatise alone could have founded a new sect."

"Even today, it could profoundly impact the Hou Bian Sect's Ministry of Agriculture and benefit everyone."

"Sssss~" Tian Yan Wang drew in a sharp breath.

Hearing Huang Jian say that, he understood.

This bastard is the Hou Bian Sect's Holy Son!

If Ling Ling Tianchen did nothing, when he reached the Nether Realm, his ancestors would choke him by the neck and demand: "You bastard, why didn't you save them? Why didn't you save them, huh?"

This might sound exaggerated, but Tian Yan Wang felt it was about right.

You're not asking him to gamble with a sect's survival—just to save lives. If he lacks even this judgment, then Ling Ling Tianchen never deserved to lead the Hou Bian Sect.

"Brother, don't be so startled," Huang Jian turned another page. "Do you know how the Kunyuan Academy acted?"

"Damn it, stop teasing—speak quickly!"

"Meng Kun of the Kunyuan Academy arrived at Youyou County in Luliangzhou around the Hour of Yin."

"What? How is that possible?!" Tian Yan Wang interrupted. "From Kunyuan Academy in Daoyuanzhou to Youyou County in Luliangzhou is at least two million li—how could Meng Kun arrive by the Hour of Yin? Did he dig a new ancient underground passage?"

"Sharp, brother—you guessed right," Huang Jian smiled. "During the Dingxin era, the unfinished 'Tongming Ancient Passage' was fully excavated by Meng Kun and his men in just one hour."

"He deployed fifty ninth-rank supreme Earth Dragon drilling ships, and ordered the Thirteen Sages Xiao Zhe to activate the 【Divine Vessel That Pierces the Earth】, transporting fifteen copies of the siege weapon 【Ten Thousand Mountains】."

Tian Yan Wang:

Hearing Huang Jian's words, not only Tian Yan Wang, but even Luo Wang couldn't help sighing: "Meng Kun is a master at digging war fortifications—we once collaborated during Dingxin's reign—but I never knew he'd become this capable."

The Ancient Underground Passages were left behind by the Ascension Dynasty, an ultra-advanced art harnessing the earth's ley lines.

But few remain today—many were destroyed, others buried over time, and reopening them is no easy feat.

From Daoyuanzhou to Luliangzhou!

From the moment Meng Kun began his operation until he reached his destination, it took only two hours—this efficiency stunned Luo Wang.

"The Liang Wang's grandson, Young Master Xi, was captured; fifty thousand troops and over a hundred weak Third Ranks were turned to dust."

"Did Ji Han just watch helplessly?" Tian Yan Wang still found it hard to believe.

"He didn't watch—he prepared to rescue immediately," said Huang Jian. "But before he even mounted his steed, Xu Xing seized him outside Quan Palace."

!!!

Tian Yan Wang's eyes bulged wide, his expression almost frantic: "That old madman has moved? Luo, Anning—you must stop him!"

Xu Xing, leader of the Benwo Sect and dean of the Shangluo Academy, possesses the Five Supreme Manifestations.

Tian Yan Wang and he are roughly the same age, which is why his impression of Xu Xing is so vivid.

Mainly because Xu Xing achieved the second layer of the Divine Expansion Scripture's peak cultivation faster than any in this dynasty's top three records.

Before Liu Tianning appeared, the Five Supreme Manifestations were the limit—and Xu Xing's glory was unmatched.

Xu Xing's rise to power was brutally violent—he climbed entirely through slaughter.

Countless 【Struggles for the Dao】—he killed every opponent clean!

Even the cruel Emperor Jing couldn't bear it.

He had to directly intervene in the election, forcing Xu Xing to become dean early.

If he kept killing like this, what would become of us? I still need people!

Tian Yan Wang also knew some little-known facts: Xu Xing had once carried out shameful tasks for Emperor Jing—many deaths during the Dingxin reforms were directly tied to him.

Seven generations of Grand Ministers of Agriculture—all without a Benwo Sect leader—was it because the Benwo Sect leader wasn't strong enough?

No—it was because he was too insane!

Forget Emperor Wen—even Emperor Jing dared not appoint a Benwo Sect leader as Grand Minister of Agriculture.

"Stop him? How do you stop him?" Huang Jian chuckled bitterly. "His disciples and grand-disciples have been assassinated—he's only killed a thousand so far, and that's already restraint."

"Only Your Majesty can make him stop—and thankfully, Xu Xing hasn't escalated further. Rumor says Ji Tao isn't dead."

Hearing this, Tian Yan Wang exhaled in relief: "Good, good—only a thousand or so."

As someone who knew Xu Xing's secrets, Tian Yan Wang truly felt relieved.

After all, he's old now—his temper isn't as fierce as in his youth.

In his youth, Xu Xing loved to use the "Jade and Stone Both Shattered, Heaven and Earth Coexist" technique.

But Tian Yan Wang still feared him—Xu Xing is over seven hundred and eighty years old, with little time left. If he goes mad, the situation will spiral beyond control.

After all, the imperial court still wants to minimize the fallout from the Liang Wang incident.

If it comes to killing to stop killing, the Zhou dynasty's qi will surely suffer.

The Eastern Wastelands, Southern Wastelands, and aquatic clans are still watching like tigers—Tian Yan Wang and other Gao Wang royalty naturally don't want the realm to descend into such chaos.

Hearing that Xu Xing had moved, Tian Yan Wang realized his palms were slick with sweat.

"After the Xuantian Academy, both the Kunyuan Academy and the Shangluo Academy issued similar internal decrees," said Huang Jian. "Brother, Luo—this is the situation."

"I still have one question," asked Luo Wang. "The Xuantian Academy acted because Zhao Xing produced a treatise that impacted the Hou Bian Sect and could even calculate the strength cycles of the Military Realm portals."

"The Shangluo Academy acted because of Liu Tianning and the 'Benwo Treatise on All Things'."

"What does the Kunyuan Academy seek?"

King Tianyan was also stunned.

Luo Wang also voiced the doubt in his heart.

Indeed, what does the Kunyuan Palace seek?

Zhao Xing sat quietly in the room, waiting for King Tianyan.

He waited a full seven days.

Seven days later, King Tianyan walked back through the door.

"You have come." Zhao Xing rose from his meditation. "May I go out?"

King Tianyan looked at Zhao Xing silently, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"This... still needs further discussion."

"Ah, why?"

King Tianyan spoke irritably: "Why? Do you not have any idea in your mind?"

Zhao Xing looked somewhat bewildered: "This official truly does not know what he has done."

King Tianyan tossed a file over: "Read it yourself. I did not even know you had done so many great things."

Zhao Xing opened the file and looked.

It was a general intelligence report.

【April 29th, Yin hour, Kunyuan Academy, Meng Kun, and the Thirteen Sages——】

The records basically covered the deeds of key figures from the three sects.

As Zhao Xing read, he too felt somewhat surprised.

He had originally only intended to borrow a gust of east wind.

Instead, he stirred up a Category 12 tornado!

Zhao Xing did not know what to say.

He had already overestimated, or perhaps underestimated, the impact brought by the two scriptures he had written.

A small step across an era, when applied to specific forces or events within that era, would cause immeasurable consequences.

Many years later, perhaps no one would remember Liang Wang's rebellion, but the classics would endure forever!

At this moment, Zhao Xing could not help but recall the assessment he had taken in Gucheng back then; he was glad he had been cautious enough at that time and had not written any earth-shattering theories.

Now that he had written them, with his own strength and talent, he was sufficient to bear them; the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

Seeing Zhao Xing's expression, King Tianyan knew Zhao Xing had not intentionally concealed anything.

After all, he had also spoken of writing scriptures; it was just that King Tianyan, Luo Wang, and even Zhao Xing himself had all underestimated the influence.

"Very well, I do not mean to blame you," King Tianyan said. "Tell me, what is the situation with the Kunyuan Academy? You did not have a Dili Sect scripture released, did you?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "I can confirm there was none. The content of 'Benwo Heavenly Objects: Dili Chapter' utilizes plants to create Dili; this merely touches the edge."

Dili Sect classics like 'Hou Tu Guiyuan' and 'Di Zang Guiyuan' also touch the edge of the Benwo Sect, but they would not be revered as the Benwo Sect's own classics.

The Tianshi Sect classic 'Jieqi Ling', does it not have an influence on Dili? Yet it would not be considered a work of the other two sects.

"Then what is the reason? You cannot be Meng Kun's illegitimate son, can you? That would be a generation off."

Zhao Xing said helplessly: "It may be that I promised Lord Meng I would write an article later and give it to him to read."

"It can be done like that?" King Tianyan had also gained some knowledge.

"It should be so," Zhao Xing nodded.

He had not expected Meng Kun to be so hardcore, but he could find no other reason.

"Your Highness, what shall we do now?" Zhao Xing asked.

Because this file also recorded the other changes within the seven days.

For instance, on May 4th, Liang Wang publicly declared that he had no knowledge of this assassination attempt.

It was the strategist 'Gu Gu Wenhe' who acted on his own authority.

Upon discovering Gu Gu Wenhe colluding with foreign demons and practicing forbidden arts, he had ordered Gu Gu Wenhe's execution.

There was no choice; Liang Wang was calling for loyal troops to defend the throne and needed to strive to gain support from multiple forces.

If he could quietly eliminate Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning, that would naturally be best.

Once the matter was exposed, he would have to find someone to take the blame.

Although everyone knew how things really were, the posture had to be fully maintained.

The life of a second-rank Ritual Cultivator; Ling Ruochen and Meng Kun were merely from one sect. Even if not for the sake of restoring the Ministry of Agriculture's power, he still had to show this to other neutral forces.

King Tianyan stared at the top of Zhao Xing's head for a while, as if looking into the future.

After a while, King Tianyan pondered: "I can conceal the heavenly mechanism of your true body, but you cannot move recklessly recently."

"Merge your Seven Star Fate Souls into one. At most, only your clone can go out to do some logistical work."

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.

He understood that King Tianyan was doing this for his own good.

The struggles involved now were too high; continuing to be high-profile would not necessarily be a good thing for him.

"All three sects have expressed the same sentiment to me," King Tianyan said. "They do not wish the imperial court to continue assigning you dangerous missions, such as killing Xia Wang; you cannot do such things anymore."

King Tianyan was under great pressure as well.

If Zhao Xing died under his watch, Liu Tianning would go mad; if Liu Tianning went mad, Xu Xing would go mad too.

This would greatly interfere with Your Majesty's plan.

But some things can be done but not spoken.

Your Majesty's plan belongs to the category that cannot be spoken of openly.

"As for the Profound Heaven Academy, you need no longer calculate the Cave Heaven Numerology with Hu Yang; leave it all to Hu Yang and his senior brother."

"Meng Kun originally wanted to dispatch an expert to fetch you, but the journey is long and variables are too great, so I and King Luo rejected it."

As long as Zhao Xing's true body faces no danger, Meng Kun and Xu Xing do not care.

As for the Profound Heaven Academy, as long as Zhao Xing does not continue participating in calculating the cycle time of the Soldier Realm passage.

A single clone of Zhao Xing is merely comparable to the strength of the early Third Rank.

Operating in Pinghaizhou, the influence is much lower; it concerns nothing of the grand scheme.

With so many Third Ranks, one more Zhao Xing makes no difference, one less makes no difference.

The Three Sects, King Tianyan, and King Luo would rather Zhao Xing do nothing than exhaust his future.

Zhao Xing quickly understood this meaning and listened quietly.

"Your true body now has two destinations."

"First, return to Chongming Prefecture, stay in the Star Palace, or stay in the Princess Manor; both are absolutely safe."

King Tianyan said, "Second, go to the Profound Heaven Academy in Tianyuan Prefecture; this place is also absolutely safe. As for the reason, I cannot elaborate."

The reason he could not elaborate was that Li Boqian was there.

However, King Tianyan did not know that Zhao Xing had already met Li Boqian.

He was merely sealed from speaking and could not say anything.

"What are your thoughts?" King Tianyan asked.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "This official chooses to return to Chongming Prefecture and cultivate in the Soldier Realm secret place, the Star Palace."

"As for the clones, I choose to release them all."

"This official still wishes to do something for the imperial court and for the people of the world."

King Tianyan praised, "You have this heart, proving that I and King Luo did not misjudge you."

"I will also convey these words to Xu Xing, Meng Kun, and Ling Tianchen."

"Your true body shall return with me."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing's true body left silently and followed King Tianyan back to Chongming Prefecture.

He resigned from his identity as the Transport Commissioner of Tianhe Prefecture and withdrew all his clones from Tianhe Prefecture.

This made Yao Yuanchun, He Zhengchen, Wu Xuanying, Zhang Ping, and others reluctant to let him go.

Originally, King Tianyan intended for him to withdraw even the clones from Mingyue Prefecture and disappear completely for a while.

But Ye Yukong expressed a strong plea: "King Tianyan, don't!"

"Let Zhao Xing stay a few more months, just five months—no, three months!"

King Tianyan smiled and said, "That depends on Zhao Xing's wish; see if he is willing to leave a clone behind to help you."

Ye Yukong immediately looked at Zhao Xing with eager eyes.

Zhao Xing found it amusing in his heart.

High-grade martial artists or sorcerers, due to differing talents, have developed great differences in their understanding of the Dao.

The same top-tier technique also varies greatly in different hands; just like the first layer of the Tianyan Divine Art, Zhao Xing can derive 49,999 Dao paths, while ordinary geniuses split no more than ten thousand.

Different understanding of the Dao determines the strength or weakness of the technique's power.

Ye Yukong is undoubtedly a top-tier genius.

His Sword Dao has already surpassed the tier of 'mastering the true meaning of the Five Elements Sword Dao' and reached the step of 'twisting the rules'.

A Second Rank Heavenly Fate Realm cultivator, perceiving the momentum of heaven and earth, can only comprehend the means of 'twisting the rules' after entering the Second Rank for many years.

Ye Yukong is at least a Sword Dao powerhouse capable of influencing the rules of heaven and earth, yet he fears official duties like a tiger.

"Then I shall obey the Prefect's order." Zhao Xing clasped his hands; King Tianyan deliberately threw the choice to him just to solidify this favor for Ye Yukong.

Having worked this long, of course, one must see the kindness through to the end.

Leaving a clone here to help Ye Yukong wait for the successor to the Prefect, Zhao Xing estimated Ye Yukong would remember him for a lifetime.

"Good, good, good." Ye Yukong grinned, "Just like before, you submit the memorial, and I add the seal."

On the Mingyue Prefecture side, two clones were ultimately left behind.

One in the official office, one continuing the previous disaster prevention and relief efforts.

Before leaving, Zhao Xing invited the Golden Body of Tianyang True Lord back to Tianhe Prefecture.

"Grandmaster, I am leaving; this disciple's grandson cannot stay here temporarily to listen to your teachings." Zhao Xing bowed.

Since his true body entered the Star Palace, there was no need to waste the divine power of Tianyang True Lord.

Although the clones must continue their activities, there is no way to invite the Grandmaster to possess them.

"I already know of your affairs." Tianyang True Lord smiled, "Disciple's grandson, remember to come find me in Fengjing, Tianyongzhou, after everything ends. You must fulfill your ambitions; do not miss this great reward of mine."

"Yes, thank you, Grandmaster." Zhao Xing stood up and added another stick of incense for Tianyang True Lord.

"Hiss~" Tianyang True Lord took a deep breath and nodded in satisfaction: "Go~"

"This disciple's grandson takes his leave."

On May 10th, Zhao Xing's true body and his many other clones followed King Tianyan back to Chongming Prefecture, arriving at Bixian Commandery. Since they had arrived at Bixian Commandery, they had to visit the Princess Manor.

In the Juan Sect files given to him by King Tianyan.

Princess Youruo also played a very important role within them.

Of course, not for this reason, he also wanted to return home to see.

"Master's wife." Inside the Yonghua Hall, Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.

"Not bad, you did not suffer this assassination in vain; you have indeed matured somewhat." Princess Youruo smiled and looked at Zhao Xing.

"Thank you, Master's wife, for your concern."

"To cause such tremors in the Three Sects' Sacred Lands of the Ministry of Agriculture, even deploying the 【Earth-Piercing Divine Ark】, you are truly the sole prodigy of your generation among the Ministry of Agriculture."

"Your fame now surpasses even that of your master."

Princess Youruo's words were no exaggeration.

After this incident, Zhao Xing's name had become renowned throughout the circles of the middle and upper echelons.

"The New Treatise on the Self-Nature of Heavenly Things" and "The Great Zhou Heaven Treatise on the Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi" will spread even wider in the coming time.

Liang Wang had essentially placed an advertisement for Master Zhao.

This brought greater prestige than governing an entire prefecture.

"Master's wife, you flatter me," Zhao Xing said modestly. "My master can come and go freely amidst chaos; I am far inferior to him."

"One day, you will surpass your master," Princess Youruo said. "That is what your master said with his own mouth."

"Enough. Do not stay here any longer; go and see your family."

"Yes."

Watching Zhao Xing leave, Princess Youruo sighed.

Vice-Minister Liu Wanliang stepped out from the side hall: "Why does Your Highness sigh?"

Princess Youruo said lazily, "Once a person becomes mature, happiness diminishes."

"The Zhao Chen'an of today is not as fun as he was over ten years ago."

"Have you not noticed that his temperament is becoming more and more like Liu Tianning's?"

Leaving the Yonghua Palace, Zhao Xing hurried to the secret military realm, the Star Palace.

The moment he entered the Star Palace.

Several records appeared on Zhao Xing's panel.

【Affected by the Divine Artifact "Wheel of Creation," your luck no longer fluctuates. Current Luck Level: Tianyan Six.】

"The Star Palace is a sacred ground for the Ministers of Fate. My luck no longer fluctuates, the influence of 'Destiny's Design' has vanished, and the Five Fingers of Destiny, the Divination of Signs, and the Tortoise and Coin Divination have returned to normal."

King Tianyan merely led Zhao Xing to the Star Palace before disappearing once again.

He had many matters to attend to; now that Zhao Xing's true body was safe, he naturally returned to his own affairs.

"Dreamscape."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered the Memory Palace within the dreamscape.

"The development of events has been smoother than I imagined; my current reputation has exceeded my initial expectations," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Based on the experience of his past life, the scope of his current reputation had already reached the level of a province.

Moreover, he had leaped over the stages of being a novice and having a little fame, reaching the point of sudden renown.

"Judging solely by accumulating Liang Wang's reputation, my current goal has already been achieved."

"A name that rises suddenly; continuing to accumulate it will only produce the opposite effect."

"Appearing in the sight of top-tier experts once or twice is enough."

Zhao Xing would not naively think that the Three Sects' Sacred Lands moving in such a way meant Liang Wang had admitted defeat and would dare not touch him again.

He dared to rebel; how could he fear these things? It was merely a matter of considering interests.

If Zhao Xing continued to jump around and affected his grand plan, Liang Wang might personally formulate a plan.

"In the initial stage of rebellion, reaching this point is sufficient."

"Next, one should not pursue fame, but begin the second phase of the plan: gathering favors."

Zhao Xing examined name after name within the Memory Palace.

The second phase, namely the phase of saving lives!

"In the initial stage of rebellion, when the feudal lords responded, it was mainly others causing chaos; Liang Wang's main army did not engage in widespread slaughter."

"However, one year after the Heavenly Luck Gold List was activated, he could no longer sit still. The effect of his call for the feudal lords to form an alliance was worse than imagined; if he did not move personally, this momentum would weaken."

"Attacking the great with the small, the momentum grows more rapid; if one does not seize this initiative to act one after another, defeat is certain."

Liang Wang himself was very clear on this point.

"Once he calls the feudal lords to complete the alliance, he must step out of Pinghaizhou; only then will the great slaughter begin, and Fucheng will no longer be safe," Zhao Xing looked at the list.

"The people I wish to save were originally those who would have survived; otherwise, I would not have remembered them, and I would not have ascended the Heavenly Luck Gold List again."

"In this situation, I am simply picking up favors!"

Among the names on his current list were future chancellors, future second-rank experts, and future heads of mechanical artifacts. There were martial artists, sorcerers, ritual cultivators, priests, Ministry of Agriculture officials, weavers, dance masters, and musicians—

"The people I save are currently in their humble beginnings, but during the Wu Di era, each will hold a key position."

"Regarding the high officials and experts of Pinghaizhou during the Wu Di era, with this net of mine, I will catch at least half of them."

"Saving people in silence can also solidify the reputation I previously built," Zhao Xing divided reputation into 'Sudden Fame' and 'Subsequent Fame'.

Sudden Fame was what he had accomplished in the last two months, instantly filling the sights of the middle and upper echelons and shocking everyone.

Subsequent Fame was what he would do next.

It was like after an earthquake passed; initially, everyone focused on the disaster and relief efforts—later, through data review, it was discovered that someone had actually established many sturdy schools, protecting countless students.

It was not apparent at the time, but later it spread even wider.

"Although I currently have ninety-nine clones, this is far from enough."

Zhao Xing thought silently, "I must quickly break through the Straw Man Technique to the threshold of a Thousand Dharma Bodies."

"Otherwise, relying solely on the current manpower is completely insufficient, and I cannot do this alone."

"Building targeted shelters and organizing corresponding medicinal herb depots—this is also better done by gathering people to do it together."

"It is currently early May; starting from now, I will focus solely on studying the Ten Thousand Dharma Clones."

"As long as one possesses a single top-tier Dharma Body, one can possess thousands of clones with strong execution, fully bringing the effects of the Tianyan Divine Art into play."

Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

He immediately went to the Star Palace's Resource Vault.

The Star Palace's secret realm stored many cultivation resources; this secret realm entered via the entrance in Chongming Prefecture was a small world, not lacking in high-grade resources.

And all of these, King Tianyan allowed him to take and use.

Zhao Xing had not only broken the historical record but also discovered the correct cultivation method for the first layer of the Tian Yan Wang Art.

Let alone a few resources; even if King Tianyan were to give his life, if it could help Zhao Xing, King Tianyan would not blink an eye.

"Rustle~ Rustle~"

After entering the vault, Zhao Xing, like a locust, swept up a huge pile of boxes.

When he flew out, it seemed as though he carried a small mountain on his back.

"Among the seven supreme Dharma bodies, the Soul-Devouring Dharma Body is the foundation of supreme Dharma bodies."

Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the Star Platform, and Liu Tianning's former teachings began to surface in his mind.

"Once mastered, one can immediately possess thousands of clones, and each can wield supreme Dharma techniques."

"My Yin-Yang True Self Sutra's second layer requires complete comprehension."

"The Five Elements True Intent must reach the Third Rank True Intent."

"At the same time, I must fully comprehend the Eighteen Soul-Devouring Dharma Body Diagrams."

Zhao Xing's true body immediately threw himself into cultivation.

At the same time, the dozens of clones left outside gathered together.

The first one he contacted was Xia Jing.

"Brother Xia, where are you now?"

Buzz~

Soon, Xia Jing's bearded face appeared in the Earth Mirror.

"In the Lin Hai Commandery of Datong Prefecture. Brother Zhao, are you well? I just heard you were assassinated, yet you instead designed a scheme that killed several high-rankers? Even Yu Shanzi is dead."

"Your information is quite timely." Zhao Xing smiled; news transmission nowadays was not as fast as in the past.

That Xia Jing could learn the inside story in such a short time proved his father's connections.

"I am fine, but it is not convenient for me to do anything conspicuous right now," Zhao Xing said. "Now, brother, I want to do something small. Do you want to participate?"

"You might not see any results in the short term, nor gain much merit; it might even be effort with no reward."

"Hahaha, you, Zhao Chen'an, have something small?" Xia Jing laughed.

"Just right; brother, I am currently leading a group of people waging guerrilla warfare everywhere. I clearly feel there are many opportunities to earn merit, yet I am like a headless fly."

"Don't ask me whether I will do it; just say when to do it, where to do it, how many people are needed, and what kind of people."

"Whether the matter is big or small, I, Xia Jing, will accompany you to the end!"