Xiao Ming quickly stepped outside, only to see ten soldiers clad in azure armor standing at the entrance. The leader of the group was a giant of a man, towering at three meters tall. A height like his should have made him appear thin, but instead, he looked stout, with arms thicker than most people's waists—almost as if they could host a horse race atop them!
Xiao Ming had never heard of a "Dragon Martial Marquis," but this man's imposing aura made it clear he was not someone to trifle with. Beside him stood a younger man with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes, exuding an extraordinary presence. Simply standing there, he resembled a sword thrust firmly into the ground, unwavering and sharp.
The eight soldiers behind them stood straight and still, their chests puffed out and their breaths steady. Even with the growing crowd of onlookers whispering among themselves, these soldiers remained completely composed, their eyes fixed straight ahead.
Xiao Ming approached them respectfully, performing a formal greeting. "This subordinate is Xiao Ming, overseer of Donglong Courier Station. I apologize for not welcoming you properly, Dragon Martial Marquis. Please forgive my oversight."
The giant man, Bai Zhengyang, responded in a booming voice, "Lord Xiao, I have a question. Is the Left Division Director of the Twin Dragon Horse Office in Chongming Prefecture, Marquis Yuanrang Zhao Xing, currently staying at your station?"
Bai Zhengyang carefully recited Zhao Xing's full title and rank to avoid any confusion with someone of a similar name.
So, they really were here for Zhao Xing?
Xiao Ming froze for a moment before quickly forcing a smile onto his face. "Yes, Marquis Yuanrang is indeed staying here."
Bai Zhengyang's expression brightened immediately. "Lead me to him at once."
Xiao Ming bowed deeply. "Please allow me to notify Marquis Yuanrang of your arrival first."
Bai Zhengyang waved him off. "No need for that. Just take me to his residence directly."
Xiao Ming hesitated. "What if Marquis Yuanrang has gone out…?"
Bai Zhengyang grinned. "No problem. If he's not in, we'll simply stand guard outside his door and wait for his return."
Xiao Ming was secretly alarmed. His curiosity about Zhao Xing only deepened—what kind of extraordinary figure could prompt such reverence from a Marquis?
At this moment, a clerk hurried over, carrying the lodging records. "Sir, I've located the information. Marquis Yuanrang Zhao Xing, Left Division Director of the Twin Dragon Horse Office, is staying at the northern courtyard's 'Listening Rain Pavilion.' He checked in at the fourth quarter of noon two days ago and has booked his stay for one month. He is accompanied by a cat, a dog, and a goat."
The clerk added in a low voice, "I also inquired further. This Marquis Yuanrang recently achieved extraordinary results in a major competition hosted by the Great Zhou."
Hearing this, Xiao Ming immediately connected the dots.
He turned to Bai Zhengyang and gestured politely. "Please follow me, Marquis."
Meanwhile, Zhao Xing was preparing to visit Prefect Fan Hongyi and Dragon Horse Director Wang Xuanyi of the Shennong Office. Just as he stepped out of his residence, he saw two clerks rushing toward him.
"May I ask if you are Zhao Xing, the Left Division Director of the Twin Dragon Horse Office on Twin Island?" one of them asked cautiously.
"That's me," Zhao Xing replied with a nod.
"Sir, you have a distinguished guest visiting."
"Oh? Who might it be?" Zhao Xing inquired.
"It's a commander from the Azure Dragon Army—Dragon Martial Marquis Bai Zhengyang," one of the clerks reported. "He's already on his way to the northern courtyard."
"I see. You may return to your duties," Zhao Xing said calmly.
"Yes, sir. We take our leave." The clerks bowed and departed.
"Bai Zhengyang has come. That means Long Xiao must be here as well." Zhao Xing thought for a moment before deciding to wait at his residence.
Bai Zhengyang was the younger brother of Bai Mingchuan and the seventh son of Bai Yunwu.
After the recent competition, Long Xiao had messaged Zhao Xing, saying that someone from the Bai family would visit him. As for the reason, Long Xiao had kept it a secret, teasing that it would be a pleasant surprise.
"Dragon Martial Marquis Bai Zhengyang… that name sounds familiar." Zhao Xing closed his eyes, letting his memories drift.
"Oh, it's him."
In Zhao Xing's previous life, Bai Zhengyang had died during the turmoil of King Liang's rebellion. Among those who fell in the Eastern Sea, Bai Zhengyang had been the highest-ranking general to perish.
In that life, Bai Zhengyang had joined King Liang's camp. One of his assignments had been to follow the prince of King Liang's faction to the Eastern Sea and conspire with the aquatic clan chieftains to stir up rebellion.
The Eastern Sea had four major aquatic clan chieftains, to whom the Great Zhou dynasty had granted surnames—Bai, Tang, Ao, and Hong. The aquatic clans originally didn't have surnames, only given names.
Even their naming conventions were peculiar. Names often included elements from their grandfather and father's names, and occasionally even their mother's.
After receiving imperial surnames, they still maintained these traditions. For instance, there was once a navy general whose full name recorded by the government was a convoluted sequence: Zhang Yunhai Feilong Yufei Ze. The name incorporated parts from his grandfather's name, Yunhai; his father's name, Feilong; and his mother's name, Yufei.
This naming quirk caused considerable headaches for Great Zhou's officials when registering the aquatic clans. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wen, after over a thousand years of cultural assimilation, that such traditions were gradually replaced with Great Zhou naming conventions.
Of course, some aquatic clans that had not submitted to the empire still retained their old customs. In Zhao Xing's past life, dealing with these clans felt like living through a surreal episode of Journey to the West. Killing one "Sun Wukong" would only result in another " Sun Wukong" popping up to take its place.
To make matters worse, many aquatic clan members bore strikingly similar appearances, leading to confusion during missions. Tasks often felt like a recurring loop, making Zhao Xing question his own sanity.
Among the four surnamed aquatic clans that had submitted to the Great Zhou dynasty, the Bai clan was the earliest to pledge allegiance. During the reign of the Taizu Emperor, they aligned themselves with Bi Xia Yuanjun, the grandmother of Princess You Ruo. The Tang and Ao clans followed during the reign of Emperor Wen, while the Hong clan submitted last.
Zhao Xing specifically remembered Bai Zhengyang because, during the rebellion, the "pledge of loyalty" presented by a traitor to the Liang prince was none other than Bai Zhengyang's severed head.
And that traitor was none other than the younger brother of Hong Yuanba, the commander of the Eastern Sea Army—Hong Yuanshou.
Originally, Hong Yuanshou had intended to kill Bai Mingchuan, but failing that, he settled for Bai Zhengyang instead.
The Hong clan, being latecomers to submission, had only joined during the reign of Emperor Jing. With his brother's rebellion, and the murder of a Marquis like Bai Zhengyang, Hong Yuanshou had no path to redemption. His atrocities left him no room to turn back.
Unlike Emperor Wen, Emperor Jing had a stricter policy—traitors and their entire families were executed without exception. Left with no choice, Hong Yuanba boarded King Liang's metaphorical pirate ship, gambling on a slim chance of survival.
Had King Liang managed to secure a foothold and sustain the conflict for several years, there might have been a chance for Hong Yuanba to negotiate a return to imperial favor. But instead, the rebellion resulted in the extermination of all nine branches of the Hong clan.
Thus, among the aquatic clans in the Eastern Sea, only the Bai, Ao, and Tang clans remained.
"In my previous life, the Eastern Sea barely caused any ripples during the rebellion. But this time, its situation seems far more precarious. I wonder if the Hong clan has already sided with King Liang," Zhao Xing pondered silently.
Hong Yuanba, in name the commander of the Eastern Sea Army, primarily held authority only over his own clan. The position was more honorary than functional, as the role rotated among the four surnamed clans every hundred years.
When King Liang rebelled during the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Era, it was precisely five years before Hong Yuanba's term was set to end. The timing could not have been more opportune.
"Marquis Yuanrang!" A voice interrupted Zhao Xing's thoughts.
Opening his eyes, Zhao Xing saw a squad of soldiers approaching. Among them, Bai Zhengyang was instantly recognizable. His towering, muscular frame set him apart, his physicality unlike that of most Great Zhou citizens.
"Greetings, Dragon Martial Marquis." Zhao Xing cupped his fists in salute.
"Hahaha! I've heard much about Marquis Yuanrang' exceptional valor and skill. Seeing you today, you surpass even the rumors!" Bai Zhengyang laughed heartily as he approached.
"You flatter me, Dragon Martial Marquis. Please, come inside."
"After you," Bai Zhengyang said, gesturing politely.
Inside the Listening Rain Pavilion, Zhao Xing guided Bai Zhengyang and Long Xiao into the reception hall. The remaining soldiers stayed outside, awaiting further orders.
"Marquis Yuanrang, since we are both military men, I'll get straight to the point." As soon as they sat down, Bai Zhengyang got to the matter at hand.
"Please, Dragon Martial Marquis, go ahead."
"I've come here today on behalf of the Azure Dragon Army to invite you to serve as a general in our ranks," Bai Zhengyang said, his tone resolute. "If you agree, you can immediately take command of your own unit. The scale could go up to fifty thousand troops. What's more, you'll be directly promoted to a senior fourth-ranked military official, and the position is yours to choose."
"The salary and benefits in the Azure Dragon Army are ten times the average. Moreover, we frequently engage in operations. If you join, gaining ten ranks within a decade would be an achievable feat."
"And when you enter the Dragon Court Ancient Grounds in the future, being part of the Azure Dragon Army comes with certain additional privileges. I can't elaborate on those here, but rest assured they're significant."
"If you agree, the appointment can take effect immediately. You won't have to wait for next year's bureaucratic selection process."
The aquatic clan chieftains, wielding significant privileges, were free from many of the dynasty's procedural constraints. Bai Zhengyang, holding authority from Bai Yunwu, a conferred king, could bypass the usual formalities with a single directive. Zhao Xing's promotion could be processed without delay, granting him an immediate rise in rank and influence.
Zhao Xing's current title was fifth-rank junior. The Azure Dragon Army's offer would elevate him to senior fourth rank, effectively skipping five levels in one leap. This unprecedented jump wouldn't hinder his future promotions either. If Zhao Xing later transitioned from military to civilian roles, his position would still be evaluated based on his senior fourth-rank status.
Military achievements in the Azure Dragon Army were tied to tangible rewards. The Great Zhou dynasty's maritime expansion campaigns were relentless, with the Eastern Sea being a hotspot for conflicts against non-submissive aquatic clans and the various tribes of the Eastern Wastes.
Thus, the Eastern Sea frequently saw military engagements. However, when the Pacification Campaign against the Southern Barbarians began, the Eastern Sea Corps' expansion efforts were temporarily paused.
It was no secret that serving under an aquatic clan chieftain was a fast track for career advancement. Many officials aspired to such postings. However, retaining personnel in these roles was challenging, as most saw them as stepping stones rather than long-term assignments.
The Azure Dragon Army's offer of five consecutive promotions was undeniably lucrative. Yet, Zhao Xing had already decided to decline.
He had not yet started his Soul Refinement cultivation.
Taking up a fourth-rank position would result in the dynasty's Fortune forcibly elevating his cultivation realm—a disruption to Zhao Xing's carefully laid plans. Each promotion carried a limited blessing of Fortune, which Zhao Xing intended to channel entirely into either increasing his Fortune or extending his lifespan.
"Dragon Martial Marquis, since you are straightforward, allow me to be as well." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "Joining the military is no longer part of my plans. I have no intention of returning to a military position."
"It's not about how generous the Azure Dragon Army's terms are. My aspirations simply don't align with this path."
Bai Zhengyang was momentarily stunned. He had assumed this would be an easy task. The Azure Dragon Army's offer—five promotions and unrivaled resources—was a dream come true for most. How could Zhao Xing refuse?
Moreover, Zhao Xing had previously served as a Military Shennong. Convincing him to rejoin the military should have been straightforward. Why was he so resolute?
Bai Zhengyang exchanged a glance with Long Xiao, signaling him for assistance.
Long Xiao sighed and transmitted a message telepathically, "Seventh Uncle, Zhao Xing is my close friend, and we're like family. He's not the type to play games or hide his intentions. If he says he can't go, he really can't."
Bai Zhengyang was still reluctant to give up. "Why would that be the case?"
Long Xiao thought for a moment and replied, "It might have something to do with his previous military experience. Seventh Uncle, he and I were both reassigned to the Eastern Sea around the same time."
Hearing this, Bai Zhengyang's expression shifted as realization dawned.
A Military Shennong from the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, brimming with potential, should have had a brilliant career ahead. But due to suppression by the Liang faction, Zhao Xing had been exiled to the Eastern Sea to manage horses—a humiliating fall from grace. It was no wonder he had grown disillusioned.
Seeing Zhao Xing's unwavering determination, Bai Zhengyang knew his recruitment mission was likely doomed. Yet, he couldn't help but make one last effort. As he prepared to depart, he decided to linger under the pretext of official business, hoping to find another opportunity to persuade Zhao Xing.
Before leaving, Bai Zhengyang left Long Xiao behind to act as a mediator. Perhaps he could sway Zhao Xing's resolve with time.
After the guests departed, Long Xiao turned to Zhao Xing and asked, "Where's Aotian?"
Zhao Xing chuckled. "Bai Zhengyang left you here to convince me, not to play with my cat. You really are something."
Long Xiao waved dismissively. "Why would I bother convincing you? I came to the Eastern Sea because of your advice, as did Old Chen. If you've made up your mind, you must have your reasons."
"I've already given Seventh Uncle a plausible explanation."
"What excuse did you give him?"
"That you were persecuted by the Liang faction, which left you disheartened and unwilling to serve in the military again."
"That's a good excuse." Zhao Xing smiled, then turned to call for his Mountain Cat. However, before he could, a blur shot toward them, and Long Xiao vanished from his spot.
Thud!
A man and a cat tumbled onto the grass.
"Meow!"
"Haha, Aotian! I missed you so much!" Long Xiao laughed as he wrapped his arms around the Mountain Cat's neck, enthusiastically rubbing its fur.
"Meow~" Aotian mewed, its cries laced with both complaint and familiarity.
"Huh? When did I ever hit you? Oh, you mean during the competition? I couldn't help it, okay? Alright, alright, my fault! Hit me back if it'll make you feel better."
Zhao Xing watched the man and cat tumbling around on the ground with a smile.
After playing around for a while, Zhao Xing walked over and said, "Why don't you help me take care of Aotian for a few more years?"
"I might not have much time these days," Long Xiao said in surprise. "Don't you have the Myriad Manifestation Avatar technique? You don't have time to take care of Aotian?"
Zhao Xing shook his head and replied, "Believe it or not, I actually don't."
Practicing the Derivation of Divine Intellect would consume the majority of his energy. This ultimate soul cultivation technique wasn't something one could master easily.
Additionally, he planned to continue his studies at Xuantian Academy and Kunyuan Academy, hoping to master a few top-tier techniques within five years. At the same time, he needed to break through to the fourth rank, cultivate his seven souls, and nurture his plant-based soldiers.
With so much on his plate, completing even two tasks in five years would be considered a success.
"Alright, then I'll take Aotian back with me. Ling'er also loves cats; she's already raising dozens. I'll bring Aotian back and find him a wife," Long Xiao said, stroking the Mountain Cat's head. "He's in for some good fortune!"
"If you're taking Aotian, help me out completely and take the Blue Lion Hound and the Spirit Illusion Goat as well," Zhao Xing added.
"No problem," Long Xiao agreed without hesitation. The Bai family had plenty of beast tamers. Knowing that Zhao Xing was preparing to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Grounds, he was more than happy to help ease his friend's burdens.
"By the way, can you talk to Old Chen for me? Ask him to join the Azure Dragon Army. I've invited him several times, but he keeps refusing," Long Xiao said.
"No, he shouldn't go," Zhao Xing said, shaking his head. "And don't recommend him to Bai Zhengyang either."
"Huh? Why not?" Long Xiao asked, puzzled.
"He's not suited for the Azure Dragon Army. Don't forget he's part of the Earth Advantage faction and mainly cultivates fire-element techniques. What can he accomplish floating around at sea?" Zhao Xing explained.
Zhao Xing intended for Chen Shijie to return to land. Anywhere would be fine, as long as it wasn't under Bai Zhengyang's command.
"By the way, your current Fenglong Guard unit, is it under Bai Mingchuan's control?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Yes, but Bai Zhengyang also has authority over it. For now, I'm directly under Bai Mingchuan," Long Xiao replied.
"The Eastern Sea isn't peaceful. You should be careful, especially around the Hong family," Zhao Xing warned. "That aquatic chieftain family hasn't been loyal for long—two or three hundred years isn't enough to breed true allegiance. Both Hong Yuanba and Hong Yuanshou hold high positions. I suspect they're connected to the numerous assassination attempts in the Eastern Sea over the past decade."
"Hong Yuanba? But he's the Eastern Sea Commander! Him? Impossible!" Long Xiao exclaimed in shock.
Hong Yuanba was undoubtedly one of the Great Zhou Dynasty's elite figures, on par with Bai Yunwu in status!
"Just keep an eye out," Zhao Xing said. "Especially be wary of Hong Yuanba's younger brother. Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you…"
Long Xiao's expression turned serious as Zhao Xing spoke in low tones beside him. "Understood," Long Xiao said grimly. "I'll know what to do."
Zhao Xing nodded. With that settled, the two shifted their conversation away from official matters.
Long Xiao recounted the story of how he met Bai Ling'er, while Zhao Xing listened quietly.
"You must not get married too early!" Long Xiao suddenly grabbed Zhao Xing's hand, his tone urgent. "Once a woman gets married, she changes! She might have been reasonable and gentle before, but now? She doesn't listen to reason at all. It's unbearable…"
"Come on, you should count yourself lucky," Zhao Xing said with a laugh. "Bai Ling'er is a noblewoman of a marquis' family. Can't you allow her a little temper?"
"You don't understand," Long Xiao retorted. "I won't even bother explaining. You've never even held a woman's hand. How could you understand? Hmph, Old Chen at least understands how I feel."
Zhao Xing: "…"
Just as Zhao Xing was about to argue, a loud bang came from outside the courtyard. The gate shook violently.
"Hm?" Zhao Xing immediately grew alert.
"There's someone outside, and they appeared suddenly. I'll check it out," Long Xiao said, drawing his sword as he approached the gate.
He flung the gate open and found four people standing outside. Shockingly, none of them had been detected beforehand!
Three stood at the bottom of the steps, while the fourth stood at the top. The man at the top was surrounded by faint arcs of lightning, crackling and sparking.
"Who are you, sneaking around?" Long Xiao demanded, sword raised, ready to subdue the older man.
"And who might you be?" the man, Geng Shouchang, asked, catching Long Xiao's sword with a single hand. His palm shimmered with lightning as he gripped the blade effortlessly.
Long Xiao tried to pull his sword back but found it wouldn't budge.
Seeing this, Long Xiao summoned his sword energy, intending to go all out. But before he could act, Geng Shouchang flicked his fingers, and Long Xiao's gathered energy dispersed like mist.
"What? This…" Long Xiao was stunned, but his fighting spirit refused to waver. He prepared to draw the swords on his back.
But Geng Shouchang flicked his fingers again. A streak of electricity crackled through the air, silencing the six swords on Long Xiao's back and freezing him in place. Long Xiao couldn't move a muscle.
"Young man, don't be so impulsive. Is the Bai family's Seven-Star Divine Sword meant for cutting down an old official like me, a third-ranked noble?" Geng Shouchang swung the sword lightly, sending it back into Long Xiao's sheath with precision.
Zhao Xing's eyelid twitched as he observed.
The man had just displayed two top-tier techniques. Judging by their effects, one was Heavenly Thunder Finger, while the other was the Thunder Primordial Lock.
The Heavenly Thunder Finger broke Long Xiao's sword energy barehanded, while the Thunder Primordial Lock immobilized him.
This was clearly a Shennong from the Heavenly Timing faction! While the man claimed to be third-ranked, his power clearly exceeded that.
"Zhao Xing greets this esteemed lord. My friend acted out of ignorance and offended you. Please, sir, show mercy and lift the Thunder Primordial Lock," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands respectfully.
Hearing Zhao Xing's words and seeing him name the techniques so accurately, Geng Shouchang's face broke into a smile. "Well, well, a true talent in Heavenly Timing techniques. To recognize my methods so quickly is no small feat."
With a flick of his fingers, the crackling lightning dissipated from Long Xiao's body.
"You…" Long Xiao, still stunned from the encounter, instinctively reached for his sword again.
However, Zhao Xing stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Long Xiao, go inside first."
"Oh, alright," Long Xiao quickly caught on and stepped back into the courtyard.
"Honored guests, please come in," Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully as he gestured for the four individuals to enter.
Yet only two of them stepped forward and ascended the stairs.
Geng Shouchang and Hengyuan exchanged smug glances with Meng Kun and Gu Changqing before confidently striding inside.
"Hmph!" Meng Kun huffed, folding his arms as he and Gu Changqing remained outside.
Zhao Xing was slightly puzzled by their refusal to enter, but he refrained from asking further questions.
Of course, Geng Shouchang seized the opportunity to explain, relishing the moment to display his superiority. "The two outside are Vice Dean Meng Kun of Kunyuan Academy and Dr. Gu Changqing, a scholar of classical studies."
Zhao Xing asked, "Why didn't they come in?"
"Our schedules overlapped," Geng Shouchang said casually. "So we had a quick sparring match. They lost, so they have to wait outside."
"When Hengyuan and I leave, they can come in."
Zhao Xing froze for a moment. They'd had a fight earlier? No wonder he'd heard a loud noise just now.
It seemed the Shennong from the Heavenly Timing faction truly lived up to their reputation.
The thunderclap he'd heard earlier must have marked the moment of their victory.
"May I know the honored guests' names?" Zhao Xing inquired courteously.
"Geng Shouchang."
"Hengyuan."
Zhao Xing respectfully ushered them to the main hall, offering them the seats of honor. Once they gave their approval, he took his position as host.
He discreetly transmitted a message to the attendants at the courier station, instructing them to bring tea. However, to his surprise, the one who came carrying the tea was none other than Xiao Ming, the head steward.
Something had clearly gone wrong. With officials of this stature visiting, Xiao Ming should have informed him in advance.
"Lord Geng, Lord Heng, to what do I owe this visit?" Zhao Xing asked, pretending not to know.
"Zhao Xing," Hengyuan began, "I've heard that your current post is Left Division Director of the Dragon Horse Directorate on Twin Island?"
"That's correct," Zhao Xing confirmed with a nod.
"Have you considered transferring to a different position?" Geng Shouchang asked. "I am the Vice Dean of Xuantian Academy, and frankly, your talent is wasted overseeing horse breeding at the Dragon Horse Directorate."
"If you're willing, I can arrange for you to serve as an official at Xuantian Academy. After a few years of advanced studies, I'll transfer you to a post in a blessed land."
"I'm interested," Zhao Xing replied cautiously. "But Xuantian Academy is a sacred ground for the Heavenly Timing faction. May I ask what the requirements are for me to take up a position there?"
On the surface, his question pertained to entry requirements, but he was subtly probing for the benefits involved.
Given his demonstrated mastery of advanced Heavenly Timing techniques, it wasn't a question of whether he met the qualifications—he could easily qualify for a position as a Transmission Master through regular channels.
Hengyuan smiled and explained, "There are no particular requirements. On the contrary, once you join, we'll arrange a leisurely post for you, giving you ample time to delve into the Heavenly Timing Dao and learn top-tier techniques."
"If you wish to work at the headquarters, you would hold the rank of a Transmission Master."
"For branch academies—there are seven in Pinghai Prefecture alone—you could serve as a Doctor of Classical Studies."
"Since you're at a critical stage in your cultivation, your duties would primarily involve occasional lectures. Additional tasks, if any, would be entirely voluntary. Of course, official missions come with their own rewards."
In essence, the offer boiled down to two positions: a Transmission Master at headquarters or a Doctor of Classical Studies at a branch academy.
However, the supposed benefits were vague—while top-tier techniques were mentioned, there were no specifics about additional requirements or what Zhao Xing would need to sacrifice.
"You'd be better off at headquarters, where I can personally mentor you," Geng Shouchang added. "I have mastered seven top-tier Heavenly Timing techniques and reached the third stage of the Seasonal Qi Command."
Zhao Xing nodded slightly, finally seeing a concrete advantage: learning directly from a powerful practitioner like Geng Shouchang.
Still, as the conversation progressed, Zhao Xing felt a sense of futility. The Heavenly Timing faction was a dominant force with no shortage of talent. Extracting additional resources from them would be nearly impossible unless he demonstrated exceptional merit.
This was starkly different from Kunyuan Academy, where Elder Liu had arranged for a staggering 10 billion resources to be allocated to his cultivation during the second phase of his training.
"Do you have any remaining concerns? Speak freely, and I'll see if I can help resolve them," Geng Shouchang offered.
Understanding the need for a definitive response, Zhao Xing spoke up.
"Lord Geng, Lord Heng, I'm willing to join Xuantian Academy, but only as an auxiliary appointment. I will send a Myriad Manifestation Avatar while keeping my main body stationed in Chongming Prefecture."
"If this arrangement is acceptable, I can confirm my decision right now."
Upon hearing this, Geng Shouchang frowned deeply, while Hengyuan was momentarily stunned.
This was unexpected.
Sending only an avatar to Xuantian Academy? To the Heavenly Timing faction, this almost felt like an insult—as if he were representing the Self School instead of genuinely joining.
While Hengyuan remained silent, Geng Shouchang voiced his concerns. "How do you plan to master top-tier techniques with only an avatar?"
His objection wasn't entirely about pride; he genuinely worried that Zhao Xing wouldn't achieve much by sending an avatar and thus wouldn't reflect well on him as a mentor.
Still, there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction.
"If I fail to master the techniques within five years, you have every right to expel me from the academy. It would be my failure, not yours," Zhao Xing countered calmly. "The blame would rest entirely on my lack of aptitude, not on your teaching."
Hengyuan chuckled lightly. "Zhao Xing, do you also plan to join Kunyuan Academy?"
Zhao Xing didn't hide his intentions and nodded. "That's correct."
Geng Shouchang's frown deepened. "You're thinking of training in three factions simultaneously? A person's energy is limited. You've already cultivated the Myriad Manifestation Avatar technique. While abandoning it now is unrealistic, how do you expect to master top-tier techniques in three different factions within five years?"
He had intended to groom Zhao Xing as a protégé, but this "disciple" seemed far too ambitious.
Yet Zhao Xing's next words left him momentarily speechless.
"Three years," Zhao Xing declared, raising three fingers. "I'll master them within three years. If I fail, I'll relinquish all other paths and positions to focus solely on studying under you. Whatever you decide for me to learn, I'll comply without question."