Chapter 124: Whispers in the Wind, Ninety Percent Eliminated

"Why are you only arriving now?"

At the Eighteen Pagoda Tree Courtyard, Zhao Xing met Long Xiao, who had rushed over.

"This time it was stricter," Long Xiao said. "I originally planned to give you these things half a month ago, but the military headquarters issued an order to all armies: no interference with the reserve training, especially the branch academy examination. That's why I was delayed."

"Since interference is forbidden, then why are you...?"

Long Xiao replied, "The military headquarters has three prohibitions: no giving treasures or equipment, no direct points, and no taking people to sacred lands for enlightenment. Only in these last three days are we allowed to bring some food. I had already set off when I received the news, and since I was already here, I decided to deliver the items anyway."

Long Xiao handed a package to Zhao Xing: "It's food, but it can't be too good. Before the branch academy training, new recruits are not allowed to break through to the eighth-grade realm; otherwise, there will be strict investigations. So, I didn't dare bring anything too valuable. These items inside are all prepared for you after you've been assigned to a branch academy."

Zhao Xing took the package; it felt quite heavy. He could understand the military headquarters' prohibitions.

Although each garrison could cultivate its chosen talents, the use of certain resources was determined after the branch academy assignments. If focused cultivation became widespread, it wouldn't be training; it would turn into a competition of each army's hidden strength, and new recruit training would lose its purpose. Cultivation should wait until after the training concludes.

Long Xiao said, "The prohibitions are in place, so we can't offer you much help right now. You'll have to rely on your own efforts. But rest assured, what you don't have, others won't have either. And if others do have something, Old Chen and I guarantee you'll have it too."

Zhao Xing found these words heartwarming. He cupped his hands and thanked him, "I will certainly live up to the expectations of both of you."

"Hahaha, don't be so polite," Long Xiao chuckled. "I'll be going now. You have training, and I have training too; I still have military duties in Xier Commandery. Old Chen and I never expected you to rank twenty-ninth in your last report. Work hard, and we'll be waiting for your good news in Xier Commandery. I'm off, don't see me out."

With that, Long Xiao turned and left, disappearing from sight in a few leaps.

Zhao Xing withdrew his gaze. The package mainly contained a material called Thunderstone. There were 10 pieces in total; each piece had a recovery price of 800 points and a sale price of 1000 points at the armory.

There were also various other food items. Altogether, their recovery price at the armory totaled exactly 10,000 points.

Under the military headquarters' prohibitions, the initial resources given to talents on the key selection list by each army during training were capped at 10,000. These could only be exchanged after the branch academy assignments.

Before the branch academy assignments, Zhao Xing couldn't exchange them. This function wasn't enabled.

After the branch academy assignments, there was no need for additional provisions, as the assignments themselves were a form of selection. Talents in the Four Great Academies would naturally receive more resources.

"I must get into one of the Four Great Academies, or my starting resources will fall behind everyone else," Zhao Xing thought, his gaze resolute.

For instance, the Earth Advantage Academy's Earth Vein Hall displayed murals of the nineteen states' earth veins, with even higher-level ones available. What was freely viewable was only of a relatively low level. The Seventy-Two Underground Palaces also offered a closer experience. At the Profound Earth Prison, one could observe exotic beasts whose enlightenment effects were more valuable. The Grand Granary Academy had many precious indigenous fruits, but only a limited number ripened each year, so they were supplied in limited quantities, naturally prioritized for the Four Great Academies.

"Two or three more days remain, keep training."

After putting down the items, Zhao Xing immediately immersed himself back into training.

March 29th, two suns hung in the sky. The climate in Yang City became more comfortable, with cool breezes and a very pleasant temperature, ideal for sleeping.

From 'wei' (1-3 PM) to 'shen' (3-5 PM) was when one felt most drowsy. With two suns in the sky, the weather also became wonderfully refreshing.

Throughout Yang City, most people were taking a nap. Only a small fraction were still meditating in various sacred places, preparing for the branch academy examination two days later.

"Ahh," Zhao Xing yawned endlessly. The weather was simply too comfortable, and combined with his recent high-intensity training, he couldn't resist lying down in his room for a bit.

"Whoosh"

At three quarters past 'wei' (around 2:45 PM), a gentle breeze blew out from the Heavenly Timing Hall. The wind was incredibly faint, yet in the blink of an eye, it swept into the residential area, through the Seventy-Two Underground Palaces' viewing area, to the Profound Earth Prison... reaching every corner of Yang City.

Zhao Xing was sound asleep. Suddenly, his brow twitched. Deep sleep turned into light sleep. A second later, Zhao Xing woke up from his sleep, frowning.

"This wind..."

He sat up, put on his clothes, left the room, and stood quietly in the courtyard.

Since he hadn't mastered the Seasonal Command yet, the weather within the Eighteen Pagoda Tree Courtyard followed the external conditions.

Zhao Xing felt a subtle anomaly in the wind. "A strange wind has appeared in the Pagoda Tree Courtyard. It's very faint, but I can confirm it's neither natural wind nor the lingering effect of my practice an hour ago."

It was like a new grain of rice being dropped into a rice jar, and Zhao Xing was the person guarding that jar. The abnormal wind, blowing in, was like the subtle disturbance of that single grain of rice being dropped. The rice in the jar was still flowing, and that grain of rice had already vanished within it.

At this moment, Zhao Xing was trying to pinpoint this unusual and faint wind. Zhao Xing moved stealthily, his mind completely open. His life-soul, cultivated to mid-ninth grade, made his perception incredibly alert.

Despite how subtle and unusual the wind was, he managed to find it. It was currently swirling around the main trunk of the pagoda tree.

"There really is an anomaly!"

The wind spun steadily around the pagoda tree. If one hadn't walked over, it would have been completely undetectable because it was so faint!

After walking over, Zhao Xing gently touched the wind with his finger.

"Buzz"

The moment he touched it.

The wind immediately blew into his ear, and simultaneously, an extremely faint voice emerged. "The branch academy assessment has begun. All Agricultural Officer Reserve members, please proceed to 'Yang City East Suburbs' by three quarters past 'shen' (4:45 PM). Arriving before three quarters past 'shen' will be considered passing the first stage, qualifying you for the next stage of the examination. During this period, no spells are to be used, and it is forbidden to disclose this information to anyone else in any way. Violators will have their scores invalidated."

The breeze dissipated, and the voice faded. A strange glint appeared in Zhao Xing's eyes.

"What a clever way to give notice. The branch academy examination was supposedly a month away, but it actually started on the second to last day?"

"Now it seems that the sudden appearance of two suns today, and the weather becoming so sleep-inducing, were all prepared for the examination." Zhao Xing looked at the sky and immediately understood the examiners' intention.

The first stage tested the vigilance of the military agricultural officers! "This stage is very difficult. It's likely that the first stage alone will weed out most people."

Zhao Xing took a deep breath, pushed open the gate of the Pagoda Tree Courtyard, and walked out.

It was currently three quarters past 'wei' (2:45 PM), and the requirement was to arrive before three quarters past 'shen' (4:45 PM), meaning there was an hour for travel. Yang City East Suburbs was not far. As long as they heard the message, new recruits had more than enough ability to run there.

"Not allowing people to use spells and making them walk there is to prevent others from noticing anything unusual. If everyone saw powerful individuals flying towards the East Suburbs, they would probably figure it out. So, they also had to ensure no one noticed anything unusual. Flying would be too conspicuous; walking was much more normal, as there were plenty of people strolling around Yang City."

Zhao Xing thought as he headed towards Yang City East Suburbs. However, after he left the residential area, he didn't see many people.

The difficulty of the first stage was greater than he had imagined. The change in weather, creating a sleep-inducing environment, had a greater impact than he had anticipated.

People on the road were yawning incessantly, returning to the residential area. Those who hadn't slept planned to, and those who had still wanted more, gathering their strength for the examination two days later.

"Using changes in the weather to subtly create an environment that makes people want to sleep—this method is almost like an illusion," Zhao Xing couldn't help but marvel.

In the residential area, at the Shiyong Three Autumns Courtyard. Leaves fluttered down, dead branches lay everywhere, and a sunny, cheerful young man emerged barefoot from a grove of trees.

He looked up at the sky. "Spring sleepiness, autumn fatigue, summer drowsiness—the seasonal changes have somehow brought all three seasons together. No wonder I felt so sleepy just now."

Shi Yong waved his hand, and a gentle breeze blew from a nearby bamboo grove, swirling in his palm. "Yang City East Suburbs, three quarters past 'shen'."

Shi Yong clenched his hand, dispelling the wind, and calmly walked out of the courtyard.

At Fengqiu Manor, a young man with a cold expression and short hair sat cross-legged in a spacious room. In front of him, two azure phantoms intertwined.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Dull thuds echoed in the air as the two wind phantoms battled like two martial artists.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Feng Qiu opened his eyes, perplexed.

He opened his mouth, his cheeks hollowed, and he sharply inhaled! Then, the two azure phantoms also transformed into a torrent of azure light, entering his mouth.

"No, there's an extra wisp of wind."

"So that's it."

Feng Qiu immediately stood up and walked out the door.

At the Earth Advantage Academy, Earth Vein Hall. Zhuang Ziqing was meditating before an earth vein map. He was the second-ranked genius during the report, and as he meditated before the map, no one dared approach to disturb him.

"They chose this time?"

Zhuang Ziqing's gaze moved from the mural, and he looked down at a wisp of wind flowing past his ankle. "They really know how to pick a moment."

He glanced at the many people meditating before the murals, seemingly oblivious, then shook his head and walked out of the Earth Vein Hall.

At the Twenty-Four Seasons Fuchun Hall. Hua Zhilin and Guan Junyang were observing the flower buds on the ground.

"Brother Guan, I have something else to do. Our observation of the Five Elements ends here for today." Hua Zhilin suddenly withdrew his gaze and began to dismiss his guest.

"Little Hua, do you think only you heard it?" Guan Junyang smiled slightly.

"Hahaha, I knew Brother Guan was not simple," Hua Zhilin, with his feminine appearance, had a surprisingly delicate voice.

"Shall we walk together then?"

"Precisely my thought."

After leaving Yang City's gates, the number of people decreased further. However, those walking outside the city at this time were not to be underestimated in terms of strength.

Li Feng emerged from the South City Gate. He had circled almost halfway around before reaching the main road leading to the East Suburbs. Li Feng excelled at wind techniques, so this stage naturally posed no challenge for him. He was among the first group of people to react.

With only a handful of people on the road now, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. This was how it should be! His previous ranking of over a hundred was completely an accident! This, finally, was his true strength!

"In this branch academy assessment, I must redeem myself!"

"Surpass Feng Qiu, surpass Zhuang Ziqing, surp... Holy hell!"

Li Feng was running when he suddenly saw a familiar silhouette running ahead to his left.

"It's him!"

Li Feng recognized Zhao Xing at a glance. How familiar was this scene? Another encounter while running!

Li Feng immediately rushed closer. "Brother, you look very familiar!!!"

"I don't know you, sir. You've mistaken me for someone else."

Seeing Li Feng approach, Zhao Xing also quickened his pace.

"Stop! Don't run if you've got guts!" Li Feng shouted.

"Don't chase if you've got guts!"

Zhao Xing hadn't expected to encounter Li Feng at this time. He didn't want any complications and simply kept running with his head down.

He had taken the Giant Whale Pill, strengthening his internal organs. To repay True Monarch Lihuo's path, he had also undergone weighted training for many days. Now, when he ran, Li Feng couldn't keep up for a moment.

"Who is that person? Why is Li Feng chasing him?" Those from the Tiger-Jiaolong Army who knew Li Feng were baffled. "This first stage isn't ranked, so there's no need for a chase."

"Who knows, maybe there's some grudge."

As Zhao Xing ran, he noticed Li Feng was still chasing and felt a bit helpless. He'd only tricked him once; why was he holding such a grudge?

In any case, he didn't want to confront Li Feng and waste time now. He simply sped up to avoid him.

"Hmm? It's Li Feng. Who is he chasing?" Feng Qiu also saw the scene of Zhao Xing and Li Feng pursuing each other. He was walking alongside Zhuang Ziqing.

Zhuang Ziqing pondered, "I think I've seen that person too. He was the one who performed Earth Store Return to Origin in the Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pond area."

"Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pond?" Feng Qiu thought. "Now that you mention it, I think I have a slight recollection. When I crossed the Gangfeng Mountain Range and entered Yang City territory, I think I saw someone advancing using cloud and wind techniques. His wind technique was very poor, but his cloud technique was indeed impressive, like he cultivated the Cloud Swallowing Technique."

"There must have been a grudge during the report," Zhuang Ziqing laughed. "Li Feng ranked sixth in our internal selection, but in this report, he ended up over a hundred. He probably had a conflict with this person."

"He looks ordinary, nothing special," Feng Qiu said indifferently. "Li Feng is truly useless."

Yang City East Suburbs.

The moment Zhao Xing crossed the boundary marker, he immediately stopped. A flying vessel appeared in mid-air ahead. Clearly, he had arrived at the designated location.

"Buzz"

The geomirror in his pocket trembled slightly. Zhao Xing pulled it out to look. There was a notification from the Ten Yang Military Headquarters. It indicated that he had passed the first stage of the examination.

"Run, run again!"

"Let's see where else you can run!"

Li Feng, with a gloomy face, appeared before Zhao Xing. "You made me suffer so much."

Zhao Xing said, "Under heaven, there are countless people who resemble each other. Have you perhaps mistaken me for someone else?"

Li Feng snorted, "You don't need to pretend. I'd recognize you even if you were reduced to ashes!"

"Alright then, I won't pretend anymore," Zhao Xing shrugged. "Yes, I was the one who tricked you. Are you planning to argue with me for three hundred rounds, so everyone knows about it?"

"You..." Li Feng was instantly speechless. He had been so enraged that he only now realized this wasn't the time for a confrontation.

"I'll remember you," Li Feng glared at Zhao Xing deeply. "Don't you dare fall into my hands."

"I'll be waiting for you," Zhao Xing retorted, showing no weakness. "Just make sure you don't let me trick you again."

Seeing more and more people arrive, Li Feng, after speaking, snorted coldly and turned to leave. At this point, Zhao Xing was an eyesore to him.

"What's going on?"

At this moment, Han Bing also crossed the boundary marker and appeared before Zhao Xing.

"A small dispute when crossing the Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pond."

Han Bing's face showed some surprise: "You're the one who caused Li Feng to drop to over a hundred in rank?" Li Feng ranking over a hundred had naturally attracted considerable attention. There were many people at the Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pond at the time, so the news spread quickly afterwards. That's why Li Feng was so furious when he saw Zhao Xing.

"Yes."

"Call me if you need anything."

Zhao Xing glanced at Han Bing, then smiled and nodded, accepting the goodwill offered.

After a pause, Han Bing asked again, "Does the rampage at the Earth Fire Plain have anything to do with you?"

Zhao Xing was startled: "That's also spread?"

"No," Han Bing shook his head. "I guessed it, intuition."

Seeing Zhao Xing's expression, Han Bing knew his guess was correct: "It really was you?"

"Yes," Zhao Xing said, "Why are you taking half a step back?"

"I'm afraid I'll be caught in the lightning strike when you get hit."

"Hey, hey, you just said to call you if I needed anything. That's a quick change of tune, isn't it?"

"Do you need me to collect your corpse?"

Han Bing had quite the deadpan humor; Zhao Xing was speechless.

The two chatted for a while, and soon it was nearing three quarters past 'shen'. At this time, the number of people in Yang City East Suburbs was gradually increasing.

Initially, there were only a dozen or so people. After 'shen' (3 PM), it increased to over a hundred. By three quarters past 'shen' (4:45 PM), there were nearly a thousand people.

As soon as the time arrived, two figures flew out from the flying vessel. The people below saw them and immediately recognized them.

"It's Agricultural Master Zuo Zizhi of Pinghuai Academy!"

"And Agricultural Official Lu Bang of Taicang Academy!"

"Are they going to announce the results?"

"I wonder how many people passed."

"Agricultural Master" and "Agricultural Official" were specific positions; an Agricultural Official was already considered part of the high-level management of the Four Great Academies. Seeing these two emerge, the crowd below immediately started murmuring.

Zuo Zizhi and Lu Bang flew into mid-air and used the wind to amplify their voices. "The first stage of the assessment has concluded. Nine hundred and thirty-one participants have passed. These nine hundred and thirty-one can proceed to the second stage. Those who did not hear the wind message and rush to Yang City East Suburbs will all be assigned to branch academies other than the Four Great Academies: Taicang, Pinghuai, Heavenly Timing, and Earth Advantage."

The sound spread throughout Yang City. At this moment, all new recruits, whether meditating or sound asleep, heard this voice.

"What? The assessment already started? When did that happen?!"

"Didn't they say April 1st? What's this wind message, and what's the East Suburbs for?"

"Sigh, I couldn't even hear the wind message. My vigilance is too low."

"Oh my god, I actually fell asleep at such a crucial moment!"

"Ah, no chance for the Four Great Academies now."

Throughout Yang City, sounds of new recruits' frustration and regret echoed. Many stomped their feet and beat their chests, regretting why they hadn't been more vigilant. Others knew that this stage was inherently very difficult; out of over ten thousand people, ninety percent were eliminated in the first stage! Even with extreme vigilance, it wasn't guaranteed one would hear it. Thus, they quickly adjusted their mindset, preparing to compete for rankings in the other branch academies.

In Yang City East Suburbs, Zuo Zizhi also announced the content of the second stage of the assessment.