Chapter 117: Ancient Nine Grades, Thunder Pool of Ten Thousand Miles, Talents Like Clouds

Zhao Xing used his Bright Eyes technique, looking ahead. He could see some green vegetation appearing in the distance, indicating they were about to exit the Fiery Earth Plains.

"I've used the Earth Splitting technique three times," he said. "This path through the Fiery Earth Plains should hold back those behind us for a good while. No one will catch up anytime soon."

Zhao Xing also breathed a sigh of relief. After running out of the Fiery Earth Plains, he immediately found a shady spot to rest.

He didn't use his Cloud Support technique, primarily because the "Three Suns in the Sky" phenomenon was currently at its peak power. Even the almanac had a minor ominous warning: "When Three Suns align, clouds struggle to form, and rain is hard to come by."

"At this moment, let alone making rain, even moving clouds is difficult."

Although Zhao Xing practiced the Cloud Swallowing technique, which allowed him to absorb water energy to the greatest extent, water energy was not prominent at this time. No matter how much he could absorb, it was useless if there was none.

"I wonder if anyone is ahead of me."

When entering through the Great Lake entrance, a slight deviation in the angle of passing through the world barrier could lead to a significant difference in the actual landing point. Zhao Xing estimated that he was relatively close to the Fiery Earth Plains to Agricultural Supervisory Office route, but someone else might be even closer.

"Never mind," he thought, "don't overthink it. It's only 10,000 points; better not get injured." Zhao Xing was tempted to rush on despite the "Three Suns in the Sky," but he still had to repay the True Monarch Lihuo's path. If he got injured, for instance, a broken leg, that would be troublesome.

"Repaying the path within a month is best. Repaying within three months has consequences. Repaying after half a year is torture; you're constantly targeted by the fire energy between heaven and earth, as if you're in a blazing furnace."

Unless absolutely necessary or in urgent need of travel, no one would choose to borrow the True Monarch Lihuo's path. If the path wasn't repaid within a year, they would simply die!

As for other Daoist academies, they had similar techniques, but at a greater cost. If it truly came to that, unless a dean-level figure from the Daoist academy was willing to intervene and take them as a true disciple, repayment could be temporarily postponed. However, it would still need to be repaid and cleared afterward. Alternatively, possessing a supreme treasure or receiving an imperial decree from the Son of Heaven. Under the destiny dynasty system, the Son of Heaven was an invincible existence, and an imperial decree could naturally waive repayment. However, these methods were merely something to hear about; their difficulty in obtaining them was even greater than the repayment itself.

After resting for a while, he slowly recovered his vital energy. The Spirit Gathering stage usually involves absorbing gentle vital energy from heaven and earth. Now, with scorching fire energy mixed into the heaven and earth's vital energy, it was somewhat difficult for Spirit Gathering to absorb it. Fortunately, he had taken a Giant Whale Pill, significantly strengthening his physique. His Life Soul had also reached the ninth-grade mid-stage. The Life Soul determined the endurance of the seven corporeal souls. Therefore, Zhao Xing could slowly recover even in such a harsh environment.

"According to the ancient cultivation system, the ranks are: Ninth-grade Spirit Gathering, Eighth-grade Spirit Bridge, Seventh-grade Earth Fiend, Sixth-grade Heavenly Gang, Fifth-grade Pure Origin, Fourth-grade Origin Soul, Third-grade Spirit Soul, Second-grade Heavenly Destiny, and First-grade Life Palace."

"Upon reaching the Spirit Bridge realm, a bridge between the body and heaven and earth is constructed, greatly increasing the speed of vital energy absorption and significantly improving the efficiency of purifying vital energy. Afterward, one can further temper 'fiend energy' from earth veins and 'gang energy' from stars, further strengthening the physique. Upon reaching the fifth-grade, the vital energy absorbed within the body can be called 'Pure Origin,' and the body will manifest extraordinary abilities."

"Fourth-grade Origin Soul involves nourishing the seven corporeal souls with Pure Origin energy. Third-grade Spirit Soul means that as the seven corporeal souls are nourished, the Life Soul also grows stronger, allowing frequent interaction with the Heavenly Soul and Earthly Soul, and beginning to perceive one's own destiny. Second-grade Heavenly Destiny involves seeking ways to enhance one's own destiny, searching for auspicious and spiritually rich places in the world for secluded cultivation to boost one's luck. Those at this realm begin to seek out blessed lands and grotto-heavens for secluded cultivation."

"First-grade Life Palace means one begins to cultivate their lifespan, knowing how long they can live. They then begin to construct a Life Palace, protecting all three souls, and attempting to alter their destiny."

While recovering his vital energy, Zhao Xing also reviewed the information he knew: "The difference between the ancient cultivation system and the destiny system is that the destiny dynasty has intervened in this system, seeking to 'act on behalf of Heaven'."

"Whether it's Spirit Gathering, Spirit Bridge, Earth Fiend, Heavenly Gang, or Pure Origin, the national destiny can easily help people complete these processes. Up to the Pure Origin stage, it's not too difficult. After that, external resources are needed, granting officials access to blessed lands and grotto-heavens for cultivation, and finally assisting in forging the Life Palace."

"If the Life Palace is completed, one can live for eight hundred years. However, most officials cannot live for eight hundred years; the destiny dynasty does not cultivate officials for free. It cultivates people, but also uses them. Those who reach the First-grade Life Palace realm have exchanged it for life-and-death experiences, and this process itself will cause some loss of lifespan."

Zhao Xing's aspirations in Emperor Jing's reign weren't high; reaching the Fifth-grade Pure Origin realm would suffice. Emperor Jing was too stingy, making it extremely difficult to rise above the fifth-grade under his rule, harder than during any other period. He was greatly influenced by Duke Zhou from the era of the Great Ancestor. Duke Zhou's maxim, 'Encourage officials, but do not coerce the common people,' was misinterpreted by Emperor Jing as 'Make officials suffer, and also make noble families suffer.' For a prestigious family like the Zong clan, wanting to become a minor ninth-grade official would require sacrificing half their family assets just to pull strings and use connections.

A buzz!

Just then, the almanac on Zhao Xing's person gently vibrated. It showed that one of the "Three Suns in the Sky" had begun to deviate from its proper alignment.

"We can continue our journey now."

Zhao Xing took out his map and began to carefully check his bearings.

"From the Fiery Earth Plains to the Agricultural Supervisory Office, there are three routes."

"First, crossing the Gale Wind Mountains. As the name suggests, these mountains are blocked by strong gale winds. This route is also a test for aspiring military agricultural officials, assessing their mastery of wind techniques."

"Second, passing through the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool, a vast thunderous region with extremely terrifying thunderclouds that never dissipate throughout the year. They only thin and weaken when the 'Seven Suns in the Sky' phenomenon occurs, and only completely disperse during the 'Ten Suns in the Sky' phenomenon."

"Third, following the Heavenly Fire Path. The Heavenly Fire Path is a series of precisely formed craters created by meteorite impacts, resembling interconnected circular chains spreading across the land."

"Among the three routes, the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool and the Gale Wind Mountains are the closest, while the Heavenly Fire Path is slightly further. Of course, I could also walk along the Fiery Earth Plains for another half a day to take a different route, but the total distance would be more than triple."

Zhao Xing walked forward, carrying his bamboo scroll case on his back. He didn't know his exact position within the Fiery Earth Plains yet and had to walk to ascertain it.

"Using the Bright Eyes technique to gaze into the distance, if I see mountains, it means I'm closer to the Gale Wind Mountains. If I see thunderclouds first, it means I'm closer to the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool."

"It's best to go through the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool. After all, I've cultivated the Cloud Swallowing technique. As for the Gale Wind Mountains, I only know the intermediate-level Yin Wind technique; I haven't had time to learn the Yang Wind technique yet, only having mastered the basic level."

Because he needed to observe the terrain and the "Three Suns in the Sky" phenomenon was still powerful, using magical techniques to hasten his journey would consume too much energy. It was better to rely on his physical body to run. So, Zhao Xing ran, carrying his bamboo scroll case. With every step, Zhao Xing felt the Dao of Lihuo wrapped around him weaken slightly, a thought that occurred to him with every mile he covered.

After walking ten li, the rate at which the Dao of Lihuo weakened was twice as fast as he had anticipated.

"Moving forward with a burden can also accelerate the repayment of the path. True Monarch Lihuo isn't inflexible after all," Zhao Xing chuckled. The original intention of this rule was to make people feel weary and deter them from easily disturbing Lihuo Daoist Academy to borrow their sacred altars and fire pits. Running with a burden doubled the weariness, naturally accelerating the repayment speed accordingly.

Just as Zhao Xing was running forward to find the next area, over a hundred people had already gathered at the second fiery earth isolation zone in the Fiery Earth Plains behind him.

"It's hot, I'm burning up!""Who the hell cast that spell here? It's utterly insane!""Don't let me find out who it was, or I'll beat them senseless!""It's infuriating! Is the current intensity of the Fiery Earth Plains even normal? My eyebrows are gone!""You're lucky, brother, you only lost your eyebrows. Over there, there are more than a dozen bald and scabby heads."

"Water, water... does any brother have water? Can I have a sip? May good people live long and peacefully." Ouyang Song weakly weaved through the crowd, hoping to beg for some water. His lips were now cracked, his glabella reddened, and his eyes bloodshot. He had been invaded by fire energy into his body; it was no longer just a severe accumulation of internal heat but had reached the point of developing fire poison within his body.

"Sorry, I don't have any water.""Get lost! You want to drink it? So do I!""Hmph, how embarrassing. A military agricultural official lacking water?""If you don't have the strength, why brave the Fiery Earth Plains?""Big brother, if you get some water, share some with me."

Ouyang Song was so exhausted he lay prostrate on the ground, no longer wanting to speak at all. He looked at the "Three Suns in the Sky," his initial pride completely vanished. Back at Five-Disk Mountain, he was respected everywhere he went, and everyone he met greeted him with a smile. From his youth, he had excelled. After joining the Five-Disk Army, the most common comment he received was "genius." Especially after being selected by the Garrison Navy, he was utterly smug. Before his departure, his family hosted a seven-day celebratory banquet, for what honor it was to receive such an opportunity at only twenty-six years old.

But now, Ouyang Song had no pride left. There were hundreds of geniuses like him here, and most of them were stronger than him. They were all subjected to the scorching heat of the "Three Suns in the Sky," yet at least half the people here could still stand firm and hadn't suffered from fire poison.

"What kind of damn genius am I..." Ouyang Song murmured to himself, lying on the ground. He now desperately wished for a cup of water to be placed before him.

"Gulp." Ouyang Song swallowed, his eyes gradually focusing, because he had indeed received a cup of water. Although it was a small amount, it was enough for him to regain some clarity.

"Tha-thank you," Ouyang Song said, rising to bow to the young man in front of him.

"You're welcome. My name is Wei Chen. I was also selected by the Garrison Navy to participate in the training."

"Many thanks, Brother Wei. My name is Ouyang Song."

"You already said that," Wei Chen said, helping Ouyang Song up and giving him another big gulp of water. "I just arrived. Do you know what's going on?"

As the clear water entered his body, Ouyang Song immediately seized the opportunity to suppress the internal heat, and he regained some strength to speak. "I don't know who went ahead. It's one thing for them to go, but they also cast spells to destroy the weaker parts of the Fiery Earth Plains. I can't tell what kind of spell that person used."

"It should be the Five Elements Earth Splitting technique," Wei Chen said, scanning ahead. "A singular Fire Element Earth Splitting technique wouldn't have such destructive power, unless that person had perfected the Fire Element Earth Splitting technique, or even broken through its limitations to advance further."

"How can you tell?" Ouyang Song was startled.

"Because the fire energy here is already excessive," Wei Chen explained. "When it's at its extreme, adding even a little more fire energy after casting a spell wouldn't cause the earth veins to erupt again. Therefore, under these circumstances, the Five Elements Earth Splitting technique is more powerful. It seizes the few remaining elements from the earth veins as fuel to amplify the earth's fire, thus achieving this effect of adding fuel to the flames."

"I see," Ouyang Song feigned comprehension, though he hadn't fully understood. He hadn't cultivated the Earth Splitting technique and wasn't part of the Geomancy faction. For the Geomancy faction, he had only cultivated Earth Vein Synthesis and Earth Store Reversion. But he knew one thing: this Wei Chen was likely much stronger than him. Perhaps even stronger than Zhuo Li, whom he had met earlier.

"Brother Wei is truly a genius! You will surely be able to serve in the Garrison Navy."

Wei Chen shook his head. "Brother Ouyang, you flatter me. If it's about passing this training, I have some confidence, but I truly don't deserve the title of genius. There are many who are stronger than me."

"How many?" Ouyang Song, being straightforward, asked directly.

Wei Chen thought for a moment. "From what I know, there are at least twenty to thirty people stronger than me, mostly geniuses selected by the Tiger-Jiao Army. Next are the Blazing Sun Army and the Black Armored Army."

"I was selected from the Night Owl Army within the Pacification Army Corps. The Tiger-Jiao Army was recruiting people from various places at the time and also came to my area. I saw the geniuses the Tiger-Jiao Army had selected from elsewhere then; their selection method was quite unique."

"How was it unique?" Ouyang Song asked.

"During their selection phase, they began screening. At each location, they would pit their already selected geniuses against local military geniuses. The winner would enter the training roster, while the loser would be eliminated and sent back to their original unit." Wei Chen sighed, "Don't laugh, brother, but at that time, the Tiger-Jiao Army's commandant gave us some face, letting me pick any four people, and even if I tied one match, I could get in. My opponents were also ninth-grade, but I lost all four matches."

"What?!" Ouyang Song was shocked. He thought Wei Chen was already very strong, as a military agricultural official could discern things from knowledge and experience, and Wei Chen, having arrived here, was perfectly fine and could even chat casually. He hadn't expected Wei Chen to say there were even stronger individuals at the same rank.

"Brother Wei, do you know..."

"No more talk, Brother Ouyang. The three suns have shifted from their alignment; this opportunity is rare, so I must go! Farewell!" Wei Chen stepped onto a soaring cloud, using wind techniques to clear a path. He actually suppressed the pillars of fiery earth eruptions, leaping directly nearly a hundred meters and landing on the opposite bank.

This time, the conversation was still unfinished, but Ouyang Song wasn't annoyed. He simply stared blankly in the direction Wei Chen had gone, cupped his hands, and said, "Many thanks."

Boom! Crackle!

Thunder echoed on the wind. Zhao Xing stood on a hillside, looking into the distance. He saw a dark line suspended on the horizon, stretching endlessly, its end almost out of sight.

"That's the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool," Zhao Xing observed, looking at the terrifying thunderclouds. "Fortunately, it's only ten thousand li wide horizontally; vertically, I only need to cross about ten li."

At this moment, as the three suns gradually deviated from their proper alignment, an opportune moment arose. Zhao Xing immediately cast a wind spell, stepped onto a soaring cloud, and charged towards the thunderclouds. The sky gradually darkened. Just as he was about to enter the thundercloud region, he noticed seven or eight figures on both sides also rushing towards it.

"So many experts! So many people have already reached this Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool, and they're all trying to seize the opportune moment and favorable terrain."

"They clearly know that the deviation of the 'Three Suns in the Sky' will affect the Thunder Pool. Secondly, they've discovered that the thunderclouds in this particular area are weaker." Zhao Xing glanced around, seeing that all these people were heading for the valley ahead.

Zhao Xing knew that a struggle was inevitable, so he immediately increased the intensity of his wind technique, and the clouds beneath his feet grew denser. But as soon as he accelerated, the people on both sides seemed to have heard a starting gun and also began rushing frantically. Some had even started forming clouds in advance, their objective clear: to seize control.

"My intermediate-level wind technique is Yin Wind, but for traveling, it only functions as basic wind generation, which is slower than theirs. I'm afraid they'll catch up quickly," Zhao Xing immediately assessed the situation. This was also why he chose the Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool: for intermediate wind techniques, Yin Wind and Yang Wind, he had only learned Yin Wind and hadn't had time to learn the Yang Wind method.

"Strike first!" Zhao Xing watched as the fifteen people on both his sides began to veer towards him. Even if he went all out, he couldn't shake them off, so he immediately chose to take the offensive.