A small squad was stationed on Twin Island. They were part of the Light Restoration Corps, numbering only about five hundred soldiers.
The commanding officer, Jiang Tian, held the rank of primary fifth-grade and had eight sixth-grade deputies under him. The rest of the soldiers were seventh-grade.
This squad wasn't stationed here at Zhao Xing's request but rather through a report made by Sun Shizhao to the Chongming Prefecture, where he applied for garrison support.
Initially, Zhao Xing opposed the idea of stationing a garrison on Twin Island. From his perspective, the visible strength of the island was better kept minimal, as a weaker appearance would discourage potential threats, ensuring safety through obscurity.
But here they were, with a five-hundred-man squad. What real use was that? Previously, the Wuluo Army's He Wu and the Jiujiang Army's Fang Ze had offered to send squads of five hundred soldiers, each led by a fifth-rank officer, to guard the island.
Zhao Xing had refused every one of these offers. As he saw it, it was unnecessary. If any serious situation arose, an additional fifteen hundred soldiers wouldn't change much.
Besides, such forces could easily draw unwanted attention. A fourth-rank unit would be useful, but equipping a small county like Twin County with a fourth-rank commander, fifth-rank deputies, and sixth-rank soldiers was unheard of.
For this reason, Zhao Xing opposed any stationed garrison on his own Lu Island. However, he couldn't dissuade Sun Shizhao from pressing the issue repeatedly.
Over the years, Sun Shizhao had become increasingly anxious, as neighboring islands had suffered varying degrees of attacks. Some county officials even lost their lives or were demoted for failing to protect the populace.
Serving as an official on the sea held opportunities for advancement but also came with heightened risks. Sun Shizhao was prepared for this, but his timing was less than ideal. In his twenty years of public service, he had witnessed firsthand the perilous turns of the pacification campaign, making the East Sea far less predictable than before.
The entire governance of the Pinghai State had tightened in the past few years, and without the arrival of Marquis Yuanrang nine years ago, Sun Shizhao might have been reassigned inland, even demoted from primary fifth grade.
When Zhao Xing arrived, Sun Shizhao felt his fortunes shifting, harboring hopes of promotion. Yet, each year, the dangers in the East Sea seemed only to grow.
Sun Shizhao remained puzzled by the inefficacy of the East Sea Corps and local aquatic tribes like the Bai Yunwu-led Shui Clan Guards, wondering why they couldn't fully eliminate these so-called "pirates." Rumors suggested that after years of suppression, remnants of foreign sects had resurfaced, but despite several anti-insurgency campaigns, results were unimpressive. Even after multiple revisions of the coastal defense maps, it felt like the defenses were as porous as ever.
In his frustration, Sun Shizhao had come to terms with his limited authority. He realized that the Chongming Prefecture didn't even consider his garrison request a priority, asking him to seek Zhao Xing's opinion as the Shennong Overseer first, under the justification that any garrison expenses would impact the overseer's budget.
Understanding his lack of control, Sun Shizhao complied, aware that even if protocol dictated consulting Fang Anmin, the primary fiscal authority of Twin County, they chose to defer to the powerful Marquis Yuanrang. With Zhao Xing's influence, this request might get some attention. But he couldn't understand why Zhao Xing didn't agree to deploy stronger forces for Twin Island's protection.
Having navigated official circles for years, Sun Shizhao struggled to comprehend the complex web of power. Nonetheless, Zhao Xing finally relented, approving the Light Restoration Corps' five hundred soldiers to ease Sun Shizhao's nerves. With this assurance, Sun Shizhao felt somewhat more secure, though an uneasy tension had been building recently.
Sun Shizhao sought out Jiang Tian, but the latter remained unfazed. Nervous, he considered going to Zhao Xing's Lu Island for a report but worried about disturbing him. Caught between anxiety and indecision, Sun Shizhao contemplated transferring to a safer position, but with only six months left until his ten-year merit period was complete, he wasn't ready to abandon his chance at a successful assessment from Chongming Prefecture.
Just as he was about to take action, a hurried voice pierced the air.
"Lord Sun, activate the city's grand defense formation immediately! Get everyone inside the city, quickly!"
"What?" Sun Shizhao jolted upright, instantly recognizing Jiang Tian's voice.
"General, what's happening?"
Jiang Tian wasn't present but was speaking through a Thousand-Mile Transmission Token. "The scout I left in the eastern part of the island has been killed, and a patrol guard's signal doesn't match!"
Feigning ignorance to buy time, Jiang Tian advised, "Take immediate action!"
"Understood!"
Jiang Tian promptly relayed orders to the county's various departments:
"Tiangong Workshop, activate the barrier immediately!"
"Patrol Division Chief Luo Yong, gather forces to support the city defense. Anyone who can't enter the city must be treated as an enemy and killed on sight!"
"Divide a team to the Shennong Overseer's division, assisting in deploying all tower ships and airships to escort the citizens back to the city."
"Priest Li of the temple, send word to Chongming Prefecture about this unknown attack."
"Priests from all halls, deploy protective avatars outside the city to support the Patrol Division and Shennong Overseer."
While Sun Shizhao had been nervous about potential threats before, he now displayed the calm decisiveness expected of an experienced official. After issuing these commands, he took out a special talisman, which ignited to reveal a human face.
"Marquis Yuanrang, Bay Island is under attack!"
The face nodded. "Do not panic, keep the citizens calm. I've already taken down the primary threat, and the remaining attackers are in retreat. I'm tracking them now."
Stunned, Sun Shizhao froze for a moment.
…
Turning back to a quarter-hour earlier, General Jin Hou and his team had been traversing through a cloud passageway, landing discreetly on the western shore of Bay Island.
"General, there's a scout nearby," noted Jin Hou's adjutant. "Three people are lying in wait with water-piercing beads three miles southwest."
"There's also a patrol to the northwest with four additional scouts," he continued.
"Kill the scouts, capture the patrol," Jin Hou ordered indifferently.
Their ship was entirely cloaked from view, undetectable by Twin Island's standards. The defense setup in this region was simplistic—either you couldn't enter, or if you could, you were free to kill as you pleased. After all, the two layers of defense, guarded by the East Sea Corps and Shui Clan Guards, represented the strongest line against maritime threats.
With up-to-date sea maps and commercial backing, Jin Hou's team had penetrated a weak point in the county's defenses. Given the increased vigilance across the East Sea, Jin Hou planned a swift assault and quick retreat; as a younger fourth-rank officer, he wasn't aiming for a suicide mission. His strategy was to strike hard, hide for a few months, and perhaps reappear in a year or two.
"Get key information quickly, infiltrate Twin City, and remember, we only have half an hour. Target officials only; ignore the civilians," Jin Hou reminded his team, his tone sharp. "Avoid killing if possible. Use the Blood Kui Technique to diminish their ranks; stealing the Dynasty's Fortune from the officials is our main goal."
Jin Hou had come here for a reason: after aligning with a sect, he had acquired the technique to steal Fortune. The Blood Kui Technique not only weakened the targets' ranks but also extracted part of their Fortune from the Fortune Dynasty. This strategy was far more damaging than merely killing.
"General, he claims the island holds…" the adjutant began after interrogating a captured seventh-rank officer of the Light Restoration Corps.
"He's lying; you've been tricked." With a single palm strike, Jin Hou placed a bloody handprint on the prisoner's forehead, energy surging through his body.
A red glow flared as Jin Hou absorbed part of the captured officer's Fortune, leaving the officer's face pale as he was forcibly reduced to the early eighth rank, all court-given blessings wiped away.
"Not even enough to whet my appetite," Jin Hou grumbled, waving his hand dismissively. "Move quickly; get into the city."
All team members disembarked from the invisible golden warship, including Jin Hou himself, leaving only a few guards behind to watch over the vessel.
But just then—
A beam of sword light appeared from a thousand meters to the south, an intense blade aura in the shape of a green dragon tearing through space itself.
Jin Hou's instincts screamed in alarm, his scalp prickling as a wave of fear flooded over him. Though he had faced life-threatening dangers many times before, none had ever been as overwhelming as this.
As he turned his head, trembling, the dragon-shaped blade aura had already closed in, while the others continued forward, unaware of the impending danger.
In this life-or-death moment, Jin Hou channeled his energy to the peak, instinctively launching a counterattack. "Falling Snow!" His technique intensified to its utmost, his blade gleaming as snowflakes seemingly began to fall from the sky.
For the first time, his blade technique had achieved power near that of a fourth-rank's peak. Under different circumstances, he would have been elated, but now, all he felt was terror. His blade energy shattered instantly upon contact with the dragon's claw-like aura, which held an unstoppable force.
The blade Jin Hou wielded, a sixth-grade mid-tier weapon, was wrenched from his hand by the sword energy, flipping violently and slicing through ten warriors and three adjutants.
Meanwhile, the sword aura struck Jin Hou directly.
The sword's impact dented his sixth-grade top-tier armor, the Yu Feng Armor, deeply into his chest, forcing him to bend over like a shrimp.
Although the aura didn't pierce his armor, the resulting shock was still strong enough to shatter his bones and puncture his heart.
"What magnificent swordsmanship…" Jin Hou whispered, entranced by the power of the strike as his life ebbed away.
In their line of work—constantly risking death by venturing into the Dynasty's borders—people like him were well-acquainted with the thought of dying.
"To die under such a sword technique is an honor," he murmured in his final moments, recognizing the beauty of the technique that killed him.
Jin Hou's breath was fading, his vital force quickly dwindling. He could no longer maintain flight and began to fall, his body limp and unresponsive.
"General? General?!" His comrades finally noticed, too late, that their leader was falling from the sky, his life force almost completely extinguished.
The entire encounter had happened in mere moments. From the time Jin Hou lost his weapon, injuring his own men, to his life force dissipating, it had taken only an instant. His lieutenant managed to grab him mid-fall, attempting to rally the group to form a blood-qi battle formation and salvage his life, but their efforts proved futile.
"Retreat!"
Despite the devastation, their discipline held. The next highest-ranking officer quickly assumed command, ordering a retreat.
The group hastily formed a blood-qi formation, intending to escape to their warship. However, Zhao Xing was watching from the shadows, his eyes narrowing at the sight. "Eastern invaders? And such an elite squad was allowed to slip through?"
However, retreat was not an option for them.
Zhao Xing had deployed eight of his Myriad Straw Puppets for this battle, seven of which were his strongest avatars. Each avatar was crafted with sixth-grade materials, capable of wielding advanced sixth-turn techniques. Though their lifeforce wasn't as powerful, each was at a fifth-rank level, more than enough to handle the situation.
Even if the incarnations weren't sufficient, hidden in the mist around him were a mountain cat, a hound, and a spirit goat—all of them equally ready to strike.
"Transformation of the Teng Snake!"
Zhao Xing held back from using his stored sword energy, as only seven strikes remained. His eight incarnations simultaneously unleashed the Teng Snake Transformation, locking onto the eight captains who had been trying to form a blood-qi battle formation.
"Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!" The Teng Snake Transformation's impact made each captain cough blood. The snake-like blood-qi shadow they had barely managed to form disintegrated in an instant.
"Not dead yet?"
"Ice Wind Fiend!"
"Thunder Breaking Delusion Finger!"
One after another, Zhao Xing unleashed advanced techniques. His understanding of the Dao had reached fourth-rank mastery, and despite the limitations of the Myriad Straw Puppets, his second wave of attacks wiped out the eight captains.
With their leaders defeated, the once-disciplined Eastern squad quickly disbanded.
Among the remaining soldiers, only about twenty fifth-ranks were left, all of whom had barely entered the Pure Essence Realm and hadn't even fully developed their Golden Bones. They were panicked, unable even to see their opponents, and as the Ice Wind Fiend howled through the mist, even the strongest wills began to break down. One by one, they scattered in all directions, seeking to flee.
"Trying to escape? Not so easily. Xiaotian, Aotian, Huantian, take them down," Zhao Xing commanded his three battle beasts.
"Woof!"
"Meow!"
"Baa!"
The Blue Lion Hound Xiaotian and the mountain cat Aotian lunged forward from the mist, while the spirit illusion goat Huantian held its ground, its eyes glowing with an eerie red light.
The Myriad Straw Puppets activated the Cloud Domain Technique, slowing down the escapees' movements drastically. The Ice Wind Fiend alone had drained their energy, and now, under the suppression of the Cloud Domain, their vitality was being sapped even faster. Huantian's illusion spell directly impacted their life souls, creating a disorienting effect that earned it the nickname "Upside-Down Goat."
The remaining soldiers, now under the spell, lost all sense of direction. Some flew toward the ground when they intended to ascend, while others retreated straight into Xiaotian and Aotian's path. It was a strange and eerie sight. Throughout the entire battle, they hadn't even caught a clear glimpse of their attackers, only managing to see a lone dog.
Aotian was too fast for their eyes to follow, and Huantian maintained its position in the mist, launching attacks that kept them in utter despair. Without the will to fight, the fifth-rank soldiers stood no chance against the three battle beasts, cut down like straw.
"Buzz—" A transmission talisman burned brightly, indicating an emergency message from Sun Shizhao.
With the situation well under control, Zhao Xing channeled his energy into the talisman to respond.
"Marquis Yuanrang, Twin Island has come under unknown attack!"
"Do not panic, keep the citizens calm. I've already taken down the primary threat, and the remaining attackers are in retreat. I'm tracking them now."
The message had barely ended when Jiang Tian arrived with his troops, the five hundred soldiers of the Light Restoration Corps. Forming a sun-like formation above him, Jiang Tian's power as a peak fifth-rank emanated a formidable aura.
However, upon arrival, he was greeted by the sight of Zhao Xing standing over the lifeless body of Jin Hou, his Myriad Straw Puppets hidden from view.
He could also see Xiaotian and Aotian decimating the remaining enemies.
"Marquis Yuanrang, this…" Jiang Tian said, stunned to see a simple hound and cat wreaking such havoc on the enemy.
Zhao Xing didn't bother explaining. Pointing at the remaining escapees, he commanded, "Go after the stragglers. Act fast, or you'll miss your chance."
"Understood. Thank you, Marquis Yuanrang," Jiang Tian replied gratefully.
With a nod, Zhao Xing left the cleanup to Jiang Tian and his forces, calling Xiaotian and Aotian back and allowing Huantian to finish off the last few enemies. He understood that if he didn't let the Light Restoration Corps participate, higher authorities would see Jiang Tian's unit as ineffective.
As Zhao Xing's gaze fell on Jin Hou's corpse, he activated his Heavenly Eye Technique, observing beneath the fallen general's armor. Jin Hou's inner organs and shattered golden bones revealed a terrifying truth.
"Yang An's sword energy is more potent than I expected. I thought it would take several strikes to kill a fourth-rank warrior, but a single strike was enough."
While Zhao Xing didn't understand Yang An's unique Sword Dao fully, he recognized that Yang An's sword energy ranked highly among fourth-rank powerhouses. Yang An's swordsmanship was deadly enough to slay Jin Hou with ease, proving his strength even without directly engaging.
In the twenty-seventh year of the Jingxin Era, as Zhao Xing left the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, he had preserved this sword energy from Yang An. He hadn't anticipated that a single strike would be sufficient to eliminate Jin Hou.
"Had Yang An survived the high-ranking battle, he would likely be the top Sword Immortal in Pinghai Province…" Zhao Xing thought, saddened by Yang An's demise, though unable to intervene in his fate.
"Hmm?" Zhao Xing noticed a map in Jin Hou's belongings and his expression shifted. "This is a coastal defense map, complete with cloud paths, patrol routes, and locations of heavily guarded outposts… What do these red snake marks mean? Although the map is incomplete, it's shocking enough as it is."
Examining the map clarified why Princess You Ruo's anti-insurgency efforts over the past years hadn't fully succeeded. This map revealed that the issue wasn't isolated to Chongming Prefecture or the Purple Cloud Archipelago but extended through the East Sea Corps' entire command structure.
"Only someone like King Liang could orchestrate this level of infiltration."
Princess You Ruo's anti-insurgency campaign would be futile if she didn't investigate her uncle. With officials investigating themselves, the truth was bound to remain hidden.
For example, if a minor incident involving Zhao Xing's subordinate, Tao Anchun, reached the county shrine, the county inspector, Lord Sun Shizhao, and even higher officials would all depend on Zhao Xing for their careers. They'd likely report to him first before escalating the issue.
If anyone tried to bypass Zhao Xing and report directly to the provincial authorities, the matter would be sent back to the county for handling, where Zhao Xing's connections would ensure it was managed favorably.
In Twin County, Zhao Xing was nearly untouchable. It would take a serious matter, like treason, to breach his authority. But King Liang, as the Grand Marshal and ruler of Pinghai Province, had far greater influence. He could manipulate troop deployments under the guise of "consolidation," allowing enemies to penetrate their lines at will.
The implications of this were staggering. No wonder Princess You Ruo hadn't had time for petty political disputes.
With the pacification campaign against the Southern Barbarians underway, all matters had taken a backseat. Even Emperor Jing was aware, yet turned a blind eye for the sake of prioritizing the campaign's success.
Shaking his head, Zhao Xing continued inspecting Jin Hou's corpse. Suddenly, he noticed a snake-shaped jade pendant in the general's Dantian, filling him with a sense of unease.
Switching to the Great Derivation Qi Observation Technique, Zhao Xing gasped at what he saw. Inside the pendant, a black serpent swirled, its head red, tail flat, and body thin and long, emitting a blend of gray, white, blue, and red energy.
"A Qi-Stealing Snake… So this is the Fortune-Stealing Technique!"
"Inside is a mess of stolen Fortune, all of it plundered from the Fortune Dynasty."
Zhao Xing's plans had included acquiring the Fortune-Stealing Technique, but he hadn't expected to encounter it here.
"This is too dangerous to touch," he mused, taking a step back cautiously. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw his Fortune level temporarily drop from Derivation Five to Derivation Four on his status panel, showing just how risky it would be to meddle with this artifact.
"I'll get caught in a mess if I take this now. It's best to steer clear."
With a single glance, he knew that meddling with Fortune-Stealing techniques now would bring ruin, especially when he still held an official position in the Dynasty.
"This snake jade pendant can't just be picked up. Even knowing about it is risky," Zhao Xing muttered, backing away. He avoided touching it directly, ensuring all his actions were recorded by his Mirroring Pearl.
…
The battle quickly came to an end, with no survivors left. The enemy soldiers, having practiced dark arts, had chosen self-destruction rather than capture, their bodies and souls obliterated.
With a grim look, Zhao Xing, Jiang Tian, and Sun Shizhao gathered to survey the aftermath.
Jiang Tian felt embarrassed—despite the dire situation, he hadn't captured a single prisoner.
Sun Shizhao, on the other hand, was struck by fear. The thought of such a formidable Eastern squad infiltrating Twin Island was unimaginable without Zhao Xing's intervention.
Zhao Xing, however, was troubled by the sight of the coastal defense map and the Fortune-stealing snake pendant, sensing he was entangled in someone else's schemes.
"I've kept to myself here on Twin Island, focusing on cultivation and farming. Since establishing the Dragon Horse Directorate, I've distanced myself from daily politics, trying to avoid entanglements. For eight years, Derivation Five Fortune kept me safe, but it seems I've finally been drawn into the storm."
His mind drifted to past events: in his previous life, King Liang's rebellion had little impact on the East Sea. This time, however, the turbulence appeared inevitable.
As Zhao Xing pondered these developments, Sun Shizhao and Jiang Tian approached him.
"Marquis Yuanrang, what should we do about this matter?" Sun Shizhao inquired, with Jiang Tian also watching Zhao Xing, awaiting his decision.
Casting a glance at the two men, Zhao Xing replied, "Jiang and Sun, are you seeking merit from this incident?"
Sun Shizhao shook his head quickly. Although such an incident could technically be credited as an accomplishment, he wasn't foolish. Given the current situation, focusing on survival was far wiser than seeking accolades.
Jiang Tian likewise shook his head, knowing well that the failure of the East Sea military would result in dismissals, imprisonments, and demotions. It was common knowledge that the responsibility would fall on the commanders; many would be punished regardless of fault.
"If neither of you wants to complicate this further, then follow my instructions," Zhao Xing directed. "No one is to leave the site or disturb the battle remnants."
He continued, "I brought a Mirroring Pearl and Echo Snail to record everything. We're only missing verification from a Judicial Yin God. Sun, summon the Head Priest of the temple to bring the main shrine statue here."
"Yes, Marquis Yuanrang," Sun Shizhao answered.
"Jiang, keep your soldiers in line. No one is to touch the bodies or any items. Station them outside this perimeter."
Zhao Xing then added, "I'll report to the Princess, and you may notify Chongming Prefecture only when I give the word."
Both Jiang Tian and Sun Shizhao quickly complied.
Zhao Xing retreated from the scene, maintaining the bodies, the stolen goods, and the enemy warship undisturbed. Encircling the area, he kept it far from prying eyes. He knew Sun Shizhao would be in serious trouble if he saw the snake pendant's sinister techniques, and Jiang Tian wouldn't fare better if he glimpsed the coastal defense map.
In this case, ignorance was truly bliss.
Zhao Xing planned to submit a private report to the Princess's residence, awaiting Princess You Ruo's arrival before officially notifying Chongming Prefecture. Located on the coast, he had no access to the Ground Mirror, so he projected his consciousness from the Dao Field of Jiujiang Cave-Heaven and contacted the Princess directly.
"Buzz—"
The Ground Mirror projection revealed Princess You Ruo standing in her war attire behind a screen. Behind her, vague figures were visible—some standing, others kneeling.
"Chen'an, what is it?" Princess You Ruo had interrupted her tasks because Zhao Xing had used an emergency code she had given him, one he hadn't used in eight years.
"Teacher's wife, my island has been infiltrated by a high-grade Eastern squad led by a mid-rank Primordial Soul Realm fighter, totaling eighty-nine men," Zhao Xing reported.
"But they've all been eliminated," he added.
The Princess raised an eyebrow. "And you're unharmed?"
"Yes, teacher's wife. My true body remains in Jiujiang Cave-Heaven, completing the tasks assigned by my teacher."
Hearing that Zhao Xing had eliminated the squad with just his incarnations, a trace of admiration crossed Princess You Ruo's face.
"If they're all dealt with, why not report to Chongming Prefecture?"
Understanding her implicit test, Zhao Xing replied calmly, "Given the gravity of the situation, I thought it prudent to inform you first to avoid disrupting any of your plans."
Princess You Ruo nodded. "I'll send someone to handle this. Expect them in about two hours."
"Understood. I'll ensure Chongming Prefecture's people won't arrive until at least three hours have passed."
"Good," she acknowledged with a slight nod. "Protect the scene, and don't touch anything."
"Yes, teacher's wife."
…
Two hours later, Liu Wanliang, the Princess's Secretary, arrived on Twin Island, leading a team to Bay Island.
Upon seeing the scene, particularly the high-quality warship, Liu Wanliang was taken aback. The ghostly serpent nation's Blood Serpent warship was a top-tier sixth-grade vessel. Had Zhao Xing not intervened, the entirety of Twin County might have been annihilated in mere hours.
"Jiang Tian, Sun Shizhao, you may step back," Liu Wanliang instructed. "I'll provide a report template later."
"Yes, sir." Sun Shizhao and Jiang Tian obediently returned to the city, understanding that this "template" was, in fact, a directive to be followed exactly.
Once the others had left, Liu Wanliang turned to Zhao Xing.
"Chen'an, thank you for waiting."
"Sir," Zhao Xing greeted him respectfully, "it's I who should thank you for coming in person."
Liu Wanliang got straight to the point. "Did you disturb anything on the leader's body?"
Liu Wanliang knew from experience that these invading squads often carried dangerous artifacts designed to corrupt officials who discovered them.
"No, sir. I killed the invaders but refrained from examining their belongings. Everything remains untouched, with a recording of the battle orders."
"Good," Liu Wanliang nodded in approval. Zhao Xing's conduct showed the discipline expected of Liu Tianning's pupil.
"You're clear of this situation," Liu Wanliang assured him. "No one will interrogate you about it."
Zhao Xing, however, showed concern for his associates. "What about Sun Shizhao and Jiang Tian?"
"They may face some questioning, but as long as they've kept clean records, they should be fine," Liu Wanliang replied.
Given the importance of Twin Island to Zhao Xing's career, Liu Wanliang wouldn't allow any trouble for Sun Shizhao or Jiang Tian.
"Thank you, sir." Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.
Handing over the official records to Liu Wanliang, Zhao Xing advised Sun Shizhao and Jiang Tian to answer questions truthfully before returning to Lu Island.
An hour after Liu Wanliang's team arrived, the investigation unit from Chongming Prefecture reached the scene. Predictably, they required statements from everyone involved but didn't find Zhao Xing present.
"Secretary Liu," a fourth-rank investigator approached Liu Wanliang, "where is Dragon Horse Overseer Zhao Xing? He played a key role in defeating the invaders, but he isn't here to provide his account."
"Inspector Yin," Liu Wanliang replied, "Marquis Yuanrang has already been questioned by me, and here is his report summary."
Liu Wanliang's report was meticulously prepared, leaving no room for errors. Inspector Yin had no choice but to accept it, though he attempted to raise another question.
"I just wanted to inquire further about his capabilities, especially given his substantial resources in the military world," he began.
"Inspector Yin," Liu Wanliang replied, "the Princess gifted him these resources. Are you suggesting an audit of the Princess's accounts?"
Inspector Yin chuckled nervously. "Of course not. I simply intended to inquire as routine procedure. Since you've handled it, everything seems in order."
"Indeed," Liu Wanliang replied coolly. "Those who oppose the court will inevitably face defeat."
Unable to press further, Inspector Yin finalized his report, had the remains and warship confiscated, and left Twin Island. On their way, he reflected on Zhao Xing's swift rise in the county, wondering how such a remarkable figure had gone unnoticed for so long.
"No matter," he thought to himself, "if he ascends to a higher rank next year, he won't be so lucky."
Higher-ranking officials face greater scrutiny, and Zhao Xing, as a sixth-rank officer, had barely left any loopholes. However, with each promotion, the risk of criticism and opposition would only increase.
"Liu Tianning's student may be enjoying success now, but we'll see how long that lasts," Yin mused as he threw the case's records into a brazier, black flames consuming the documents.
...
Back in Jiujiang Cave-Heaven, Zhao Xing checked his panel and saw his Fortune level had returned to Derivation Five, signaling that the immediate danger had passed.
Reflecting on Liu Wanliang's encounter with Inspector Yin, Zhao Xing deduced that Princess You Ruo and Liu Tianning must be gathering evidence against King Liang. This attack was less about the past grievances and more about deeper political schemes.
"My past transgressions were already settled, so this must be Princess You Ruo and my teacher's doing," Zhao Xing thought.
As the chaotic events played out, Zhao Xing decided to focus on cultivation and avoid entanglements. He knew Liu Tianning and Princess You Ruo would bear the brunt of these internal battles. All he had to worry about was remaining vigilant against external threats like Jin Hou.
So, resuming his calm life on Twin Island, Zhao Xing returned to his regular routines of self-cultivation and battle beast training, preparing for the upcoming Myriad Beasts Competition.
As December of the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era arrived, Zhao Xing's Pure Essence Soil project had flourished. He'd successfully planted sixty types of fifth-rank plants across his three-acre area, fully cultivating the land. The only remaining goal in Liu Tianning's plan was to cultivate life-giving tree species, though their lengthy growth cycles presented a challenge.
Determined, Zhao Xing decided it was time to re-enter the Grand Dream Academy to test his luck again.
Leaving Jiujiang Cave-Heaven, he traveled to a remote area and tunneled five thousand meters underground, creating a secluded space where he could safely enter the academy.
He couldn't enter the academy from the East Sea, as the Purple Cloud Archipelago hadn't been part of the original territories in the Grand Dream Academy's recorded maps.
During his last attempt in the twenty-seventh year, he had returned to Bixian County to gain entry. That trip hadn't yielded much, though he managed to conquer the fourth trial of the Tiangong Hall's Yin-Yang Dual Fiend Formation. After overcoming earth, wind, fire, and thunder tribulations, he obtained a low sixth-rank defensive armor. However, selling items from the academy had proven challenging, as the treasures of the Grand Dream Academy were rare and highly sought after.
Unable to risk selling the items openly, Zhao Xing stored them in the Xie Zhi's vault, awaiting a safer opportunity.
This time, Zhao Xing sought high-value items like the Life Soul Pill or Dao Embryo Pill, treasures that would truly advance his cultivation. His intent wasn't just to collect wealth; he needed resources he could use without attracting suspicion.
With his goal clear, Zhao Xing pasted a special talisman on his forehead, closed his eyes, and chanted.
A familiar scene unfolded, and he soon stood before the Cloud Gate of the Grand Dream Academy once more.
"You've returned," the mechanized beast, Xie Zhi, greeted him at the entrance of the Tiangong Hall. "It's been three years since you cleared the fourth trial. I thought you'd met your end. Clearly, you've been advancing in cultivation, having now reached the Pure Essence Realm."
Zhao Xing bowed in respect. "Yes, Guardian, I'm facing turbulent times, but they bring both risk and opportunity."
Xie Zhi, displaying its remarkable intelligence, regarded Zhao Xing with a look of approval, as though a senior advising a junior. Zhao Xing couldn't help but wonder if Xie Zhi was aware of the dynasty's fall, yet he dared not ask.
"Challenges build character. Without hardship, one cannot become a pillar of the realm," Xie Zhi remarked, strolling alongside Zhao Xing through the hall as if they were family.
"Yes, Guardian, your wisdom guides me."
When they reached a corridor lined with mist-covered murals, Xie Zhi gestured towards the paintings. "Are you ready to attempt the fifth trial, the 'Heavenly Craft Hall? At your current Pure Essence Realm, you're just barely eligible."
"Yes, Guardian, I'm here to face the challenge," Zhao Xing replied confidently.
Xie Zhi's whiskers glowed, and star-like lights danced around him. "The Heavenly Craft Halls ultimate reward is the ninth-rank colossal puppet 'Heavenly General.'"
The Heavenly General… Zhao Xing's eyes widened, recognizing it as the same giant puppet from the Martial Emperor's time, crafted within these very halls.
"The Heavenly General is over a thousand feet tall, built from 108,000 pieces of ninth-rank material, capable of contending with those in the Supreme Realm."
"Clearing the ninth floor will earn you this prize, and the title of Grand Engineer in the Grand Dream Academy," Xie Zhi explained.
Xie Zhi continued listing the rewards for each level, emphasizing the skills and materials required to clear each floor successfully.
Finally, he issued a word of caution. "You must choose your method of trial: mastering the Mechanized Formation Arts or the Path of Power," Xie Zhi intoned. "The former tests your intellect, while the latter tests your might."
Acknowledging Xie Zhi's wisdom, Zhao Xing made his choice: "I choose the Path of Power."
Xie Zhi's expression shifted, understanding that Zhao Xing had no intention of deviating from his chosen path, his devotion to the Shennong Way clear.
"Very well. Go forth and may your strength guide you."
With a wave of Xie Zhi's glowing whiskers, a vast expanse of starry sky and an enormous tower appeared before Zhao Xing, its nine levels reaching far into the heavens.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xing stepped into the first level of the Heavenly Craft Hall, fully prepared for whatever lay ahead.