Chapter 129: Training Teacher, Acquiring Jia Resources

Zhao Xing saw that he wasn't the only one; other officials had also emerged from the pavilion and were gesturing towards Zhuang Ziqing, Shi Yong, and the others.

"I wonder what they want to say."

Upon reaching the second-floor pavilion, Lu Bang and Zuo Zizhi led Zhao Xing to a secluded private room.

"Greetings, Lord Zuo, Lord Lu."

"Sit," Zuo Zizhi said with a beaming smile. "No need to be so formal."

Zhao Xing bowed and took a seat.

"May I ask what instructions the two Lords have for me?"

Zuo Zizhi began, "No instructions, just a simple private chat to inquire about your thoughts."

"The path of Agronomists can be divided into three major factions, each encompassing thousands of spells. A person's energy is limited, so it's best to specialize in one and supplement with another."

"Additionally, for an Agronomist in the reserve military, your primary faction specialization will also determine your future military assignments."

"Do you have a plan in mind?"

Hearing Zuo Zizhi's question, Zhao Xing began to ponder.

He had long considered which faction to cultivate at which stage.

However, specific issues require specific analysis.

For example, why does the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven have four academies instead of three?

The Heavenly Timing Academy and Earthly Advantage Academy are easy to understand.

The Granary Academy corresponds to the Self-Cultivation faction.

The Plains & Waterways Academy, however, is not divided by faction but serves military purposes.

The reason it stands alone as an academy is primarily because Zhao Xing is located in Pinghai Prefecture.

A portion of Pinghai Prefecture was originally part of the vast ocean.

Later, the ocean was artificially interfered with, driving the aquatic creatures to deeper waters, thus turning it into land.

However, Pinghai Prefecture remains abundant in water element, with numerous rivers inland. The most famous are the Canglan River, Yuan River, Xuantian River, and Feng River.

These four waterways are crucial for the stability of Pinghai Prefecture and the livelihood of its countless citizens.

Therefore, in Pinghai Prefecture, the Agronomist Bureau, especially in coastal or island cities, is of a higher standard. The Plains & Waterways Academy within the military domain being independent is for this very reason.

Even official titles like Plains & Waterways Commander, Plains & Waterways Captain, and Plains & Waterways Commandant exist.

If Zhao Xing's future plans include water management, or if the Divine Might Army's future plans involve attacking water-proficient foreign tribes, then joining the Plains & Waterways Academy could be considered.

Furthermore, certain positions have very distinct factional leanings.

For instance, the Field Cultivation Administrator and Plains Captain are military agronomists specialized in improving environmental conditions, with their main duty being land cultivation in military garrisons to provide cultivation resources for the army.

The Nine-Section Captain, specialized in warfare, needs to constantly accompany the army.

The Grain Management Captain, Evolutionary Commandant, and similar roles primarily specialize in the Self-Cultivation faction, searching for unique plants and trees across the land, carefully cultivating them, and discovering 'derivative species' suitable for human consumption.

Of course, regardless of the position, Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Self-Cultivation are all indispensable.

The prevalent Heavenly Timing faction doesn't exclude other factions; it merely signifies a principal-subordinate relationship.

These principal-subordinate distinctions are more pronounced in certain positions.

"I personally believe that the Heavenly Timing Academy, Earthly Advantage Academy, Plains & Waterways Academy, and Granary Academy are all important."

"The Divine Might Army hasn't assigned me yet, but I find it easier to cultivate Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage spells."

Zhao Xing first stated his view that all four academies were important, which offended no one.

Next, he presented the facts, saying he found Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage spells quicker to cultivate during his usual practice.

This implied he could join any of the branch academies.

Zhao Xing genuinely thought so; both Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage factions could yield results for him now.

As for the Self-Cultivation faction, Zhao Xing planned to dedicate energy to it only after reaching the Fifth Rank.

Only when Core Condensation reached the fiftieth stage could one truly be considered to have entered the Dao in the Self-Cultivation faction.

Before that, it was all minor dabbling; it could be supplemented, but not too much energy would be spent on it.

"Hmm." Zuo Zizhi nodded slightly. Zhao Xing's answer didn't surprise him and aligned with the general sentiment of most people now.

"Which Earthly Advantage spells have you cultivated?" Lu Bang asked.

"I've cultivated Profound Earth Art, Earth Palace Art, Earth Treasury Art, and Earth Splitting Art," Zhao Xing mused. "The Profound Earth Art has seven rotations. The two Earth Palace Arts have one at seven rotations and one at eight rotations."

"The Earth Treasury Art has six rotations, and the Earth Splitting Art has seven rotations."

He didn't mention specific spell names, mainly because the Earth Treasury Art was somewhat taboo.

However, Lu Bang didn't need such detailed information; he only needed to know the spell realms and the number cultivated.

After Zhao Xing finished speaking, Lu Bang revealed the true intention behind calling him in for a talk: "Since you say you excel in both Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage, I won't beat around the bush."

Lu Bang continued, "You will certainly be rated as Grade A talent. Regardless of whether you enter the Heavenly Timing Academy, Earthly Advantage Academy, Granary Academy, or Plains & Waterways Academy, you won't miss out on any of the cultivation grounds or rare resources from the other three academies."

"Your choice of academy only determines which teacher you formally acknowledge. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "I understand."

He would now definitely receive Grade A training resources. As long as he was Grade A, no matter which branch academy he joined, he would still have priority access to the precious resources of the other branches.

Of course, if he were Grade B, there would be some differences; certain resources would require queuing, or even be unavailable.

Lu Bang said, "Since you understand, I'll be direct."

"Marquis Tian from the Earthly Advantage Academy asked me to keep an eye out for promising talents."

"After hearing about the Earthly Advantage spells you've cultivated, I also believe you're suitable for the Earthly Advantage Academy."

"Marquis Tian is willing to personally mentor you. As long as what you just said is true, joining the Earthly Advantage Academy will guarantee you Top Grade A resources."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. This meant the Earthly Advantage Academy intended to intercept him in the fourth round.

No wonder they hadn't descended after the assessment, still lingering in the sky.

The Heavenly Timing Academy was probably on guard as well.

"Of course," Lu Bang smiled, "if you're willing to join the Granary Academy, I'd also be willing to spend extra time personally training you. However, since you've already expressed your thoughts, I won't pressure you. You can come participate in my selective training later."

Marquis Tian? From the title of Marquis alone, Zhao Xing couldn't discern much. Marquis Tian could be a third-rank marquis or a second-rank, primarily depending on achievements and strength.

Zuo Zizhi seemed to read Zhao Xing's mind and immediately said, "Marquis Tian's given name is Tian Yan. His marquisate was inherited. Grand Master Tian was enfeoffed as a Founding Duke of the Commandery during the Grand Ancestor's era, with his fief in Gouliu Commandery. There was one succession reduction during the Grand Ancestor's era and another during Emperor Wen's era. Now it has become a marquisate, but it is still a second-rank marquisate."

Zhao Xing now had a clearer understanding. In Great Zhou, only five noble titles were hereditary and perpetual: Prince, Princely Lord, Heir Prince, Duke, and titles specially sanctioned by imperial decree. The last category could vary greatly, even including perpetual viscounts.

All other titles were reduced by one rank with each succession.

Lu Bang added several advantages about Tian Yan: "Marquis Tian is at the Fifth Rank, possesses considerable family wealth, and is known for being kind and generous."

Zhao Xing hadn't thought much of it initially, but the phrases 'considerable family wealth' and 'kind and generous' immediately made his heart stir.

"You don't have to reply immediately. You can also check if the Heavenly Timing Academy sends you any notifications."

"If other teachers take an interest in you, you can weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Lu Bang spoke very directly.

It was a two-way selection, so naturally, one would choose the best option.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Lu and Lord Zuo." Zhao Xing took out his Earth Mirror to check.

Sure enough, there was a notification.

It was from the Heavenly Timing Academy.

The general meaning was that Zhao Xing's performance in the four rounds was outstanding, and he could enter the Heavenly Timing Academy for training.

Zhao Xing skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the training resources offered at the end.

If willing to enter the Heavenly Timing Academy, he would receive 'Mid Grade A' training resources, and Agronomist Master Ge Jinsong of the Heavenly Timing Academy would be responsible for his training.

"Only Mid Grade A?" Zhao Xing frowned slightly. "No Top Grade A? Is it because they think my Wind Art isn't good?"

The first round, message delivery, had no ranking, so nothing could be discerned.

Only the third round, thunder magic hunting, tested his Wind Art when he leaped down.

"My Wind Art at the time was indeed weak; the Minor Nine Heavens Gale Wind was only at the third rotation."

As for the Nine Rotations of Yin Wind Art, strict Heavenly Timing faction members didn't even consider Yin Wind part of Heavenly Timing spells. Even if Zhao Xing claimed his Yin Wind was at nine rotations, it might not be recognized.

"Forget it. Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix."

"If the Heavenly Timing Academy looks down on me and only offers Mid Grade A, then I'll just go to the Earthly Advantage Academy." Zhao Xing made his decision. He quickly looked up and said to Lu Bang, "I am willing to enter the Earthly Advantage Academy and train under Marquis Tian."

Lu Bang, having facilitated a deal, smiled immediately: "Good. When we land in a moment, I'll take you to meet Marquis Tian."

Before the floating ship landed, all two hundred participants had to make their choices.

The Heavenly Timing Academy, being the mainstream, still had many applicants.

However, ultimately, the Heavenly Timing Academy only accepted the top fifty.

Only twelve individuals received personal notifications.

"Zhuang Ziqing refused," the four Heavenly Timing Academy officials chatted in the pavilion. "He wants to join the Earthly Advantage Academy."

"What a pity, Zhuang Ziqing is a promising talent." One of them regretted it, as he wanted to take Zhuang Ziqing as a student and offered Top Grade A treatment, but the person declined.

"Zhao Xing also refused." Ge Jinsong put down his Earth Mirror with an expressionless face. "Mid Grade A training resources still didn't sway him."

"I said we should have offered Top Grade A," an old man chuckled. "What does it matter if his Wind Art is a bit weaker and he lacks military experience?"

"But his Gale Wind is really too weak, only at the third rotation," another person argued. "And he has no experience. If you ask me, according to the rules, he should only get Low Grade A. Master Ge was willing to take him and offer Mid Grade A training resources, and he's still not satisfied?"

One person argued for higher, another for lower, and a third remained silent. Ge Jinsong chose a middle ground.

Unexpectedly, it still didn't impress Zhao Xing.

Actually, it wasn't that the Heavenly Timing Academy officials looked down on Zhao Xing. Mid Grade A was already the second-highest level of training resources, and Ge Jinsong was also a Fifth Rank expert.

If Marquis Tian hadn't intervened, Zhao Xing might have agreed, as there was always a chance for a promotion in treatment later.

But with a better option, naturally, he refused.

"Never mind," Ge Jinsong shook his head. "If the affinity isn't there, no need to force it. Perhaps he never intended to specialize in Heavenly Timing spells."

After the floating ship traveled for two *ke* (roughly 30 minutes), it suddenly entered a zone of gale winds.

When it emerged again, there were only two suns in the sky.

Clouds drifted around, and greenery abounded.

Yang City was also visible in the distance.

After disembarking, the group split into two.

One group consisted of the fifty individuals who had chosen the Heavenly Timing Academy and were accepted. Their assessment was over, and they returned directly to the Agronomist Bureau in Yang City.

The remaining one hundred and fifty continued with further assessments.

The fifth and sixth rounds were assessments for the Earthly Advantage Academy.

The seventh and eighth rounds were for the Plains & Waterways and Granary Academies.

However, these were relatively simpler.

This was because those who could cultivate Heavenly Timing spells to a high realm typically wouldn't be too bad at the other two types of spells, otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to serve as military agronomists in secondary military legions.

Now, these one hundred and fifty individuals could all enter the other three academies; it was just a matter of determining their training benefits.

"Shi Yong and Feng Qiu went to the Heavenly Timing Academy, but Zhuang Ziqing stayed. Guan Junyang, Hua Zhilin, and Han Bing also stayed," Zhao Xing observed the people around him.

"Apparently, the Heavenly Timing Academy even offered Zhuang Ziqing Top Grade A treatment, but he still didn't go." Zhao Xing shook his head. Those who wanted to go couldn't, and those who didn't want to go were offered high benefits. Such is the unpredictability of life.

The Earthly Advantage Academy's assessment took place in a hard, rocky area where participants demonstrated their Earthly Advantage spells.

After Zhao Xing demonstrated his Five Elements Earth Split and Boundless Earth Palace in the fifth round, he received a notification on his Earth Mirror.

It was essentially a symbolic process, and then he was taken away.

Zhuang Ziqing, Han Bing, and a total of ten people were also taken away.

Zhao Xing estimated that this had all been discussed on the ship.

They traveled to the Earthly Advantage Academy aboard a Flowing Cloud Flying Boat.

Then, Lu Bang escorted Zhao Xing to a spacious estate.

In front of the estate's gate, rows of fruit trees were planted, laden with rare and exotic fruits, some of which Zhao Xing didn't even recognize.

But it was clear that their quality was absolutely high.

"This is Marquis Tian's Fuchun Garden," Lu Bang pointed out.

"Marquis Tian is also one of the Agronomist Officials of the Earthly Advantage Academy."

Agronomist Supervisor, Agronomist Official, and Agronomist Master are the three ranks within the Earthly Advantage Academy. Above them is the Grand Agronomist Supervisor, who is the head, equivalent to the dean of the entire Earthly Advantage Academy.

When Zhao Xing and Lu Bang landed, Tian Yan was already waiting at the gate.

It wasn't for any other reason; mainly, without an invitation, Zhao Xing couldn't enter.

"Marquis Tian, I've brought the person you asked for," Lu Bang smiled. "This is Zhao Xing."

Tian Yan's hair and beard were somewhat gray, but his complexion was ruddy, without a single wrinkle.

His face was plump, and his hands and feet were soft and white, giving him a well-fed, slightly portly appearance.

Upon seeing Lu Bang approach with Zhao Xing, Tian Yan greeted them with a smile. When he smiled, his eyes curved, making him appear very approachable.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lu Bang. Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Lu Bang shook his head: "I won't disturb Marquis Tian. There are still people waiting for me at the Granary Academy. I'll take my leave now."

After Lu Bang left, Zhao Xing bowed deeply: "Your student Zhao Xing, greets his teacher."

"Excellent, excellent. Come inside." Tian Yan smiled. "From today, you are my student, Tian Yan's."

Upon entering, Zhao Xing felt the climate inside was warm as spring, extremely comfortable.

Fuchun Garden featured mountains and water, fruit tree forests, blossoming flowers, and countless rare plants.

Walking with Tian Yan, he passed many pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and small streams.

The layout was meticulously designed, conforming to the principles of Feng Shui. Just by looking at the residence, it was clear that this teacher knew how to enjoy life.

"Zhao Xing, sit." Tian Yan led Zhao Xing to the main hall.

"Thank you, teacher, for the seat." Zhao Xing was unsure of Tian Yan's temperament and remained very courteous.

"No need to be so restrained. I chose you," Tian Yan said. "You can relax a bit."

"Yes."

"Since you've joined the Earthly Advantage Academy and taken me as your teacher, I will be responsible for your training over the next year." Tian Yan continued, "Besides mandatory training, I will wholeheartedly assist you with selective training and personal cultivation."

"You are a Top Grade A trainee, so you can enter the Earthly Advantage Academy's three precious cultivation grounds: the Profound Heaven Prison, the Seventy-Two Earth Palaces, and the Earth Vein Hall, for internal study."

"You have three free opportunities. Additional opportunities will need to be earned through future training."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. The places he had studied before were public and free. In the Profound Heaven Prison, Zhao Xing could only observe lower-level exotic beasts. The Seventy-Two Earth Palaces could only be observed from afar, and the earth vein murals in the Earth Vein Hall also varied in quality.

"Additionally, you can also freely study the Heavenly Timing Academy's one hundred and eight Solar Term Steles, the Granary Academy's Primordial Dao Sanctuary, and the Plains & Waterways Academy's thirty-six waterways twice."

"As a Top Grade A resource recipient, your monthly starting points will increase from 100 to 5,000 points!"

"You can purchase native treasures produced within the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven at an 80% discount and with priority. However, you can only use them yourself. If reselling or selling them outside the Grotto-Heaven is discovered, the penalties are very severe."

"Yes, your student understands." Zhao Xing nodded. Selling military supplies was a serious crime, and he wouldn't be so foolish.

"Furthermore, I will personally give you a welcome gift worth 50,000 points." Tian Yan waved his hand, and a large box floated over, appearing before Zhao Xing.

"There will be mandatory training in a month. These 50,000 points are prepared for that training."

Worth 50,000 points? Zhao Xing secretly gasped. This teacher was truly generous, giving a welcome gift worth fifty thousand points.

"Thank you for the gift, teacher," Zhao Xing quickly said.

"Mandatory training in a month? It will be very tough and grueling. You are now held in high regard; your performance doesn't only affect the Divine Might Army's reputation but also my own." Tian Yan said sternly, "Your entry into the Earthly Advantage Academy is just the beginning. If you receive so many resources without a corresponding performance, your grade will be lowered."

"Currently, there are twenty-one Top Grade A trainees across the four academies. Your competitors are only the other twenty individuals."

"If you can maintain Top Grade A level throughout your training, you might even directly become a seventh-rank official!"

"But precisely because of this, the screening is very strict!"

"If you rank among the bottom five three times in a row, it proves you're not worthy of these resources, and your grade will be reduced to Mid Grade A, and so on... This ranking will be done every month."

"So, you cannot afford to be complacent, do you understand?" Tian Yan said seriously.

"Yes, student will remember. I will not disappoint my teacher," Zhao Xing stated his resolve.

"Good, you may go." Tian Yan smiled. "Come to me every three days, and I will arrange additional selective training based on your cultivation progress."

"Remember, your opponents are only the other twenty individuals. It's useless even if you surpass the other nine thousand nine hundred-plus people."

"Yes, student takes his leave."

Carrying the box back to the Eighteen Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing saw a notification on his Earth Mirror along the way, indicating 5,000 points had been credited to his account.

He eagerly opened the welcome gift from Tian Yan.