Chapter 130: Three Major Secret Manuals, Essential Training Content Released

Here is the rewritten content:

**Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit**Grade: Fourth-tier, Mid-gradeEffect: Contains rich and easily absorbed primordial energy, with marrow-cleansing effects on the physical body.Armory Price: 3,000 points; Recycle: 2,400 points.

Zhao Xing compared the prices of treasures in the armory and discovered that the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit was a native treasure of the Ten Suns Cavern-Heaven. "There's also a Fifth-tier Heavenly Origin Vermillion Fruit, priced at 30,000 points—ten times more expensive. However, only those at least Eighth-grade dare to consume it; it's typically used by Seventh-grade cultivators for training. A Ninth-grade cultivator would probably burst if they consumed the Heavenly Origin Vermillion Fruit."

Tian Yan had gifted a total of 10 Earth Origin Vermillion Fruits. He had clearly done his homework, knowing Zhao Xing's Primordial Gathering was only at the Fifteenth Tier, so he sent exactly what Zhao Xing needed. "My understanding of Taoist magic is already sufficient. As long as my Primordial Gathering improves, I can completely break through to the Eighth-grade." Zhao Xing looked at the ten Earth Origin Vermillion Fruits, overjoyed. "Marquis Tian truly knows how to give gifts."

After the branch assignments, one's grade no longer mattered. At this initial stage, many who had reached sufficient cultivation levels would choose to advance their Primordial Gathering tier to break through to the Eighth-grade. Of course, those with fewer resources might take longer to achieve this breakthrough.

**Hundred Beasts Throat Elixir**Grade: Fourth-tier, Low-gradeEffect: Made from the vocal cords of a hundred different exotic beasts. Consuming it strengthens the throat.Armory Price: 2,000 points; Recycle: 1,600 points.

**Earth Fiend Lung Refining Elixir**Grade: Fourth-tier, Low-gradeEffect: Contains Earth Fiend power. Consuming it tempers the lungs.Armory Price: 2,000 points; Recycle: 1,600 points.

"Hmm? Why these two items?" Zhao Xing looked a bit puzzled. He was familiar with both the Hundred Beasts Throat Elixir and the Earth Fiend Lung Refining Elixir because he had consumed them quite frequently during a certain period as an Agrarian Official. But did Marquis Tian have some hidden intention in sending these as a welcome gift? "Could it be related to the upcoming training? Is the first mandatory training course in the Ten Suns Cavern-Heaven 'No-Magic Training'?" Zhao Xing thought it was very likely.

However, it was still early, so he temporarily set aside the 3 Hundred Beasts Throat Elixirs and 2 Earth Fiend Lung Refining Elixirs. "First, I'll consume the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit."

Zhao Xing picked up a red, fist-sized fruit and began to eat it. It was hot, intensely hot. After swallowing the Vermillion Fruit, Zhao Xing felt his entire body burning as if he had a high fever. "Besides the rich primordial energy, the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit also seems to carry a fiery power, tempering my physical body. Right, it has some marrow-cleansing effects."

Zhao Xing didn't resist or use magic to cool himself down, letting himself sweat profusely. As the burning sensation spread, his whole body began to sweat, and his muscles and skin turned crimson. But the effect was also remarkable. Immediately after consumption, Zhao Xing's Primordial Gathering progress jumped up.

*You consumed the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit. After initial digestion, your Primordial Gathering progress increased by 501.**Primordial Gathering: Fifteenth Tier (7525/10000)*

"Such a strong effect. Just after consuming it, my progress increased by one-twentieth. This is just the beginning." Zhao Xing closed his eyes, activated his Primordial Gathering cultivation method, and controlled the primordial energy flowing through his body.

*You consumed the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit. After further digestion of its efficacy, your Primordial Gathering progress increased by 1521.**You consumed the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit. After deep absorption of its primordial energy, your Primordial Gathering progress increased by 1022.**You consumed the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit. After deep absorption of its primordial energy, your Primordial Gathering progress increased by 852.**Primordial Gathering: Sixteenth Tier (881/10000)*

"Whew." Zhao Xing exhaled a mouthful of turbid air. Only after seeing the Vermillion Fruit's efficacy fully digested did he cast a spell to clean the impurities from his body. "After breaking through, there were an excess 920 points from the Vermillion Fruit's efficacy, but when converted to the Sixteenth Tier of Primordial Gathering, it only yielded 881 points of progress. There was a decrease of several tens of points, but the effect is still strong."

Although the cap for each tier is 10,000, in reality, this limit has increased. Each breakthrough makes it harder to gain progress points. The numerical value remains the same, but the power it represents increases. "If I reached the 50th tier, consuming even ten thousand Earth Origin Vermillion Fruits would probably barely increase my progress by 1 point. However, I'm only Ninth-grade, so the diminishing returns are very weak for me." Zhao Xing rested for a while, waiting for the burning sensation to subside.

"I should write to Old Chen and the others to report the good news." Zhao Xing found paper and pen to write a letter, then placed an order on the Earth Mirror to summon a messenger. Soon after, a mechanist riding a bamboo horse and carrying a satchel appeared at his courtyard gate.

"Do you want it expedited?" the mechanist asked lazily.

"How much for expedited delivery?"

"Normal delivery to Xier Commandery takes ten days; expedited takes three. But the fee goes from 1 point to 3 points."

"Letters I send to the military also cost this much?"

"You're sending a private letter. If you want to use the military's delivery channel, you can deliver it yourself at the temple."

"Never mind then, I'll go myself." The mechanist didn't say anything more and trotted away on his bamboo horse.

Zhao Xing was just about to go to the temple to receive spells and learn the three great secret scriptures. Public resources were there to be used; it was just a short walk, and three points were still money!

Within the Ten Suns Cavern-Heaven, there was also a temple, located in Yang City. Compared to the temple in Gu City, this one was clearly different, larger and of a higher grade. Zhao Xing felt a clear difference when he entered the temple. Most of the statues enshrined in the temple had ferocious appearances. "All of them are armored and armed, in a fighting stance." Zhao Xing silently scanned all the divine statues and finally chose Wu Cheng.

Wu Cheng was the Grand Agrarian Official during the time of the Grand Ancestor, holding a First-rank position. He was enfeoffed as a Duke while alive and became a First-rank Yin God after death. Wu Cheng's temple in the capital and Nan Zheng were both of ducal rank. However, the avatar enshrined here was only Fourth-rank, and the statue's appearance was relatively younger.

"Agrarian Official Zhao Xing requests the method of 'Seasonal Command'." After offering incense, Zhao Xing knelt on a prayer mat, murmuring incantations. A "buzz" echoed, and the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Diagram appeared in his mind. Unlike his time in Gu City, the diagram that appeared this time was significantly clearer, without any blurriness.

The twenty-four patterns rotated in his mind. If one mastered one of them, the visualization diagram would hover in the dantian, transforming the method into the dantian to condense the Seasonal Command. At this stage, the spellcaster could use one of the Seasonal Commands to replace the surrounding environment. This essentially meant being able to initially command the solar terms.

"Seasonal Command greatly enhances spells. One can also comprehend new methods from the solar terms and even break through limits this way. The twenty-four solar terms diagrams have infinite wonderful uses and can benefit one for a lifetime."

"Thank you, True Monarch, for bestowing the method!"

After Zhao Xing obtained the complete visualization diagram, he got up again to offer incense, requesting the second secret scripture. "Agrarian Official Zhao Xing requests the method of 'Reversion to Houtu'." Then he composed himself, his mind focused. A moment later, a phantom image of a grain of sand appeared in his mind. Each grain of sand was a miniature continent, with countless earth veins flowing through it, all condensed within the phantom image of a grain of sand, the size of a rice grain.

"If one cultivates Primordial Gathering to the Fiftieth Tier and comprehends the operation of forty-nine types of regional earth veins, one can condense pure primordial soil within the dantian. 'Reversion to Houtu' and 'Reversion to Earth Store' are two different secret scriptures. The former is about comprehending and mastering earth veins, while the latter is about utilizing earth veins. 'Reversion to Houtu' analyzes the essence of the Great Dao; 'Reversion to Earth Store' is a teaching method, the manifest application of the Dao."

"Thank you, True Monarch, for bestowing the method!"

Zhao Xing stood up again and offered the third stick of incense. "Agrarian Official Zhao Xing requests the method of 'Yin-Yang True Self Scripture'." The True Self sect also has two classic spells: one is the 'Myriad Things Growth Diagram', and the other is the 'Yin-Yang True Self Scripture'. The 'Myriad Things Growth Diagram' involves observing the growth trajectories of all things, understanding the essence of life, and then breaking through its limitations. Zhao Xing's mid-tier spell, Wild Growth, and his low-tier spell, Robust Growth, are both included in the 'Myriad Things Growth Diagram'. The 'Yin-Yang True Self Scripture', on the other hand, involves introspecting oneself and cultivating the internal Five Elements cycle, using the power of the Five Elements to strengthen the five internal organs.

At this time, Zhao Xing was only Ninth-grade, so naturally, he chose the 'Yin-Yang True Self Scripture', which had a better effect on himself. As for the 'Myriad Things Growth Diagram', he could put it aside for later; the time for serious study hadn't arrived yet.

A "buzz" echoed, and golden light projected from the statue, enveloping his entire body. At this moment, Zhao Xing immediately entered a state of self-introspection. From a unique perspective, he saw his heart beating and his spleen and stomach churning. Gradually, these organs became illusory and transformed into five different types of 'Qi'. Guided by the golden light, the five different Qi converged and then dispersed, interacting with the outside world. Each breath was the rhythm of life Qi.

"Yin-Yang True Self, Five Elements cultivate the body. Constantly maintain the balance of the internal Five Elements. While circulating the Five Elements Qi, one can gradually discover the mysteries of the body." Zhao Xing was immersed in self-introspection. Previously, he couldn't introspect during the civil servant probation assessment, but now, with the golden light's guidance, he easily achieved it.

"Whew." Zhao Xing let out a long breath, and surprisingly, there was a faint burning sensation in this breath. "My Five Elements Qi is not balanced. I didn't feel it before, but now after introspection, I've noticed it. That's the residual fire power from consuming the Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit. The internal Five Elements cycle adjustment just expelled this trace of residue." Zhao Xing looked at the panel.

*Primordial Gathering: Sixteenth Tier (971/10000)*

After expulsion, Primordial Gathering progress increased by another 90 points. "Every powerful remedy has some side effects. But now that I've cultivated the Yin-Yang True Self Scripture, I can constantly introspect and expel harmful Qi from my body. After concentrated introspection and several days of internal circulation, my internal 'Heavenly Time' has begun to take shape. From now on, I won't need an almanac to check the hours," Zhao Xing mused. Through internal cultivation of Yin-Yang True Self, one's perception of time would become extremely precise. Even in the era of Qi Luck Dynasties, the 'Yin-Yang True Self Scripture' had many miraculous aspects.

"Thank you, True Monarch, for bestowing the method!" Zhao Xing bowed with cupped hands, then walked out of the temple.

Obtaining the methods was just the first step. To truly master them, one still needed to comprehend them personally. "The 108 stone tablets of the Heavenly Time Institute, the primordial dojo of the Grand Granary Institute, and the 36 waterways of the Pinghuai Institute can all assist in comprehension. I can enter twice for free." With his Grade A superior treatment, he had three free contemplations at his own institute's treasure grounds, and two free ones at other branch institutes. "However, I'm not in a hurry to go now. I'll wait until I hit a bottleneck, as these opportunities are rare."

The Twenty-Four Solar Terms visualization diagram and the Houtu phantom image were still clearly visible in Zhao Xing's mind. If, during visualization, it felt like it was covered in a layer of dust, that meant he had hit a bottleneck.

"Almost forgot, the letter to Old Chen hasn't been sent yet." Just as Zhao Xing stepped out, he turned back. But this time he didn't go to Duke Wu Cheng's hall; he went to another grand hall. "Marquis Divine Travel, Dai Zong." Zhao Xing looked at the statue standing in the grand hall. The statue was in a stepping pose, with sculpted floating clouds beneath its feet, and a mailbag on its back.

"True Monarch, please deliver this message." After offering a stick of incense, Zhao Xing placed the letter into the incense burner. A "whoosh" sound filled the air. The flames in the incense burner flickered, quickly engulfing the letter. Zhao Xing glanced at it; there were no ashes, nor was the letter spat out, so he knew it had been sent. "Thank you, True Monarch, for delivering the letter." After depositing the letter, he left. A Yin God of Dai Zong's caliber could deliver a letter in an instant. However, it would still take time for the letter to reach Old Chen and the others, and for them to read and reply. Zhao Xing didn't wait and left the temple directly.

A quarter of an hour later, Xier Commandery.

At the Divine Might Army's Marching Hall, there was a row of constantly burning fireplaces, about a meter high, each enshrining a different deity. At the Dai Zong statue, the first on the left, flames suddenly flared up. Then a secret letter was spat out.

"Hmm? A secret letter from the Ten Suns Cavern-Heaven." Chen Shijie, who was deducing strategies with Long Xiao in front of the sand table, immediately turned around and walked to the fireplace. "Thank you, True Monarch, for delivering the letter." After giving thanks, Chen Shijie picked up the secret letter and read it. He found that the signature was actually Zhao Xing's.

"A secret letter from the Ten Suns Cavern-Heaven, which department is it from?" Long Xiao asked curiously.

"It's Zhao Xing," Chen Shijie scolded with a laugh. "That kid is too much; he actually used the intelligence channel to send a private letter. Didn't you send him the Thunder Stone? How come he's too stingy to even send an expedited letter and still needs Dai Zong to deliver it? Next time, I'll have to remind him not to use military channels for private letters."

Long Xiao retorted, "He's a key talent being cultivated. How is his growth journey not a form of intelligence?" Chen Shijie actually found Long Xiao's words quite reasonable.

He opened the secret letter, and a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Well, well? What did it say?!" Long Xiao's gaze shifted from the sand table, full of curiosity. "Don't just smile, what did it say?"

Chen Shijie floated the letter over: "See for yourself."

"Wow! The first stage of information relay, that assessment method is too insidious. Cloud-Contending Spell Combat, he taught Li Feng of the Tiger-Dragon Army a lesson, even eliminating the guy who was sixth in internal selection? That's satisfying, hahaha! Thunder Spell Hunt, ranked ninth? Rain Spell Barrier, ranked third, and finally entered the Earthly Advantage Institute, receiving top-tier training resources!" Long Xiao read the letter, gesticulating excitedly, as if he had personally witnessed Zhao Xing clearing each obstacle. "He actually got into one of the Four Great Institutes, phew. Good thing Han Bing isn't the only promising talent among the Agrarian Officials." Long Xiao was quite happy after finishing reading. "He's done us proud! Han Bing only received mid-tier resources."

"Indeed, he's done us proud." Chen Shijie also smiled. "I brought him to the Divine Might Army, skipping so many procedures, and there was no shortage of gossip outside. Now that he's entered the Earthly Advantage Institute, paid respects to Marquis Tian, and has top-tier resources, humph, let's see who dares to say anything now."

"Of course they dare to say something!"

"Hmm?"

"They'd have to say a few words about Old Chen's discerning eye, wouldn't they?"

"Hahahaha."

April 7th. In the blink of an eye, three days had passed since the branch assignments. Although the assignments had settled, Yang City seemed even livelier because the vast majority of people were dissatisfied with their assigned branch. *Why do others get one-on-one tutors and special lessons, while I have to listen to public lectures with a bunch of stinky fellows? We all have two shoulders and one head; don't I deserve a place too?! Compete! Fiercely compete!* For three days, the probationary Agrarian Officials put in their utmost effort, madly adding extra training for themselves, hoping to change their current situation in the upcoming mandatory training.

"It's really crowded outside," Zhao Xing said, standing inside the underground palace and looking at the jam-packed crowd outside. He couldn't help but smile. He was currently comprehending within the Seventy-Two Underground Palaces. It was very spacious there, with only about twenty to thirty people in total, including not just probationers but also some active Agrarian Officials.

"I feel like the people outside are looking at us with murderous intent." Zhao Xing looked at Han Bing next to him. "Do you think if I walked around outside, someone would throw rocks at me?"

"If you really did that, you might get a head full of urine," Han Bing said coldly.

"Didn't they say peeing is forbidden?"

"But bringing chamber pots isn't forbidden," Han Bing said blandly. "If I splash it on your face, that’s not peeing, is it?"

"Hiss, that works too?"

"I don't know if it works or not. Why don't you try?"

"Never mind then."

In terms of spells, the Underground Palace Method and the Profound Earth Method were Zhao Xing's main focus of comprehension. Especially the Divine Travel Guard, which was a fusion of two methods, and the top priority for his breakthrough. This spell had great potential. After Zhao Xing obtained a spot to enter the underground palace, he immediately called Han Bing and rushed over to comprehend it together.

"Divine Travel Underground Palace, Profound Earth Guard. When combined, they can create an underground palace stealth in the earth veins." Zhao Xing sat in a part of the underground palace, observing the internal structure of the Divine Travel Underground Palace. "Marvelous, truly marvelous."

The Divine Travel Underground Palace Method broke through to Eight Revolutions on the fourth day after the branch assignments ended. The Profound Earth Guard Method broke through to Eight Revolutions on the fifth day. On the sixth day, Zhao Xing completed the fusion of the two methods, causing the Divine Travel Guard to break through to Eight Revolutions. The comprehension journey in the underground palace ended. On the ninth day, the sixth Earth Origin Vermillion Fruit was consumed. Zhao Xing's Primordial Gathering tier reached over half of the Eighteenth Tier.

It was on this day that he arrived at Marquis Tian's Fuchun Garden and heard news about the mandatory training. "The first mandatory training is 'No-Magic Training'," Tian Yan introduced. "The content has been finalized. The training will last for one month. During this period, the use of any magic is forbidden; it will be purely combat. The purpose is to enhance the Agrarian Officials' close-quarters combat abilities when they cannot use magic in extreme environments. The training results will be tested after one month."

"For this 'No-Magic Training' for Agrarian Officials, we will also bring in martial artists from various armies as sparring partners. They won't hold back. If you don't want to be beaten black and blue, you should make more preparations in the next twenty days and break through to the Eighth-grade as soon as possible."