Chapter 138: Mandatory Lesson Two, I Plant, You Eat

"Fourth, for scoring, producing 1,000 jin of Tier 2 supplies daily earns a base of 100 points. Higher-tier supplies and larger quantities will earn additional points.""Fifth, Agricultural Officers can obtain normal food for themselves but are forbidden from consuming elixirs or using any treasures beyond their standard-issue equipment.""Sixth, the supply training will last for one month, and rankings will be determined by the final accumulated points."

A ripple of unrest spread through the Agricultural Bureau when the new mandatory training course was announced. Many had undergone similar supply training in their former armies, but this new iteration was clearly more challenging.

"Producing a thousand jin of Tier 2 supplies in a single day? That requires cultivating Tier 2 plants, which is incredibly difficult!""Environmental factors like weather and terrain have too significant an impact, and the conditions are random. Who knows what harsh environment we'll encounter?""It shouldn't be too severe, right? If it's like a 'five suns blazing' scenario with intense ground fire and no water, who could even grow anything?""Being eliminated directly after half a month without food? Yes, after half a month without sustenance, martial artists would likely be skin and bones, losing all combat effectiveness."

Zhao Xing wasn't particularly surprised by the content of the second mandatory training course. "I plant, you eat" was a classic training exercise for military agricultural officers. Farming was their core duty. Military agricultural officers not only needed to know how to farm but also had to adhere to very strict standards.

Given the vast territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, relying on logistical support from the rear wouldn't be sufficient for food supplies. Who could manage a supply line hundreds of thousands of kilometers long? Furthermore, ranked martial artists had astonishing appetites; if their food needs couldn't be met locally, transportation alone wouldn't sustain them. Equipping the army with military agricultural officers was akin to providing them with mobile granaries! Combat enhancements were secondary; solving the food problem was the primary focus.

"As long as a military agricultural officer carries a bamboo box, and the environment is suitable, one officer can sustain an entire army," Zhao Xing mused. "However, the environment won't always be suitable. Supply training is designed to test a military agricultural officer's food production capabilities under various conditions. This supply training will likely be a comprehensive assessment."

Since weather and terrain were mentioned, their influence would undoubtedly be significant. "In half a month, I must quickly master a 'Solar Term Edict' and a geomancy spell. I also need to master the plant-based version of the Earth Store Restoration technique." During periods when he couldn't undergo formal training, Zhao Xing had been continuously studying the three great secret texts. His progress wasn't slow, but it wasn't particularly fast either, given his limited energy.

While the Agricultural Bureau was announcing its mandatory training content, an announcement was also being made on the Martial Bureau's side.

"The second mandatory training course is called 'Environmental Training'!""You will be placed in various environments, including high-temperature zones, miasma-filled areas, and frigid regions. In these different environments, you must maintain high-intensity physical training.""During this process, you must also focus on cultivating the 'Gluttony Technique'.""Because there will also be concurrent fast-food training, your food will be provided by the Agricultural Officers.""I can tell you plainly that most of the food cultivated by the Agricultural Bureau this time will be extremely unpalatable, and even poisonous. However, this is precisely the time to train your 'Gluttony Technique'!""On the battlefield, you won't have much time to eat. Sometimes, to survive, you'll consume poisonous food, yet you'll still recover your stamina and vitality. An army that recovers faster will naturally have different combat results. Even if there's slight poisoning and side effects, these can be fully remedied by physicians and apothecaries afterward!""Therefore, you must finish the food produced by the Agricultural Officers within the allotted time. The scoring criteria for this fast-food training will be based on who eats the most, who eats the fastest, and who endures the longest!"

The martial artists below immediately pulled bitter faces. Training in harsh environments was one thing, but even eating had to be part of the training? Although they had cultivated the Gluttony Technique and could stomach food with some toxins, the process would undoubtedly be very painful.

"Karma truly comes full circle. Heaven spares no one.""We just beat up the Agricultural Officers for a month, and now it's their turn to torment us."One short martial artist's face changed. "Damn it, my Gluttony Technique is only at the first level. I won't get poisoned to death, will I? By the way, does the Agricultural Bureau's trial only provide poisonous and hard-to-digest food? Isn't there any normal food?"

"Martial Commissioner Zheng made it very clear; haven't you understood yet?""Only at the first level? Brother, you're done for.""Brother, for the next half a month, don't do anything else. Hurry and cultivate the Gluttony Technique. If you have points, buy treasures to quickly improve. If you don't have points, borrow some from your fellow soldiers. Otherwise… you'll be miserable."

Those around him cast sympathetic glances. The short martial artist said with a pained expression, "Now, our Great Zhou is not like the era of the Great Ancestor; resources and supplies are gradually abundant. The Gluttony Technique is no longer a mandatory skill in local armies. Who would have thought… sigh, what levels are you all at?"

"I'm at two levels. With two levels, I can probably withstand much more than you," said a tall martial artist. "At two levels, digestive and detoxification abilities are significantly improved, and the efficiency of absorbing vital energy from food also increases considerably."

"I'm at four levels, which is considered top-tier among our reserves. I also entered the Xuanwu Martial Bureau with this technique," said another bald martial artist with prominent cheekbones.

The others immediately looked at him with envy. But the bald martial artist smiled wryly, "Don't envy me. Do you know how much I suffered to reach the fourth level?"

"The Gluttony Technique is notoriously difficult to cultivate. To join the Tiger-Jiao Army, I was determined to die trying to break through to the fourth level.""At that time, I truly almost died. When our general broke down the door and sent me to the physician, my intestines were completely ravaged, my teeth had all fallen out, and blood was flowing from my seven orifices..."

"It was because I slightly mishandled the dosage of a certain medicinal herb while using supplementary materials, which led to serious problems during cultivation.""Later, although there were no major issues, and by some fluke I entered the fourth level, my hair never grew back, and there are still several scars on my scalp. I don't think it will recover unless I reach at least the sixth rank."

The bald martial artist couldn't help but sigh, recalling the past. "Dude, you're really hardcore! Your intestines were wrecked from training, I'm truly impressed you got into the Xuanwu Bureau," a bystander said, giving a thumbs-up in admiration. "With the Xuanwu Shield on your back and the Gluttony Technique within, who could possibly defeat you?"

"Damn it, I-I'm going back to train right now!" The short martial artist gritted his teeth and hurried away.

Xier Commandery, Shenwei Army Camp.Inside the Expedition Hall.

"Whoosh!" Flames rose, and a letter emerged from the fireplace. A stout hand picked up the letter. Long Xiao called out, "Old Chen, a letter has arrived.""Well, open it and read it. Why are you shouting?" Chen Shijie's voice replied.

"Hoh!" Long Xiao opened the secret letter and immediately let out a strange cry. "This kid Zhao Xing is progressing fast enough! He has already established the Heaven and Earth Spirit Bridge and entered the Eighth Rank.""Huh? He also cultivated three sound-wave martial techniques, and among them, the Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu has reached the seventh turn?!""He even eliminated Fu Ying, a genius from the Martial Bureau, once?! Excellent, excellent, well done!"

"Let me see," Chen Shijie said, walking over upon hearing Long Xiao's exclamations. He took the letter and saw that it contained details about Zhao Xing's training in April. However, this letter wasn't written by Zhao Xing himself but by a commandant stationed at the Shenwei Army's Heaven-Blessed Dwelling.

"Sound-wave martial techniques, the Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu? It's already at the seventh turn. Where did this kid get so many points to cultivate it?" Chen Shijie asked. "Even with top-tier resources, he wouldn't be able to afford this many auxiliary cultivation materials." The Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu and the Gluttony Technique both required precious materials for proper cultivation; otherwise, reckless practice could lead to serious problems.

"He pledged allegiance to Marquis Tian, and Marquis Tian is famously wealthy," Long Xiao said. "You haven't been paying attention to this?""Right," Chen Shijie realized. "It seems Marquis Tian provided some assistance."

"You'd better work hard," Long Xiao chuckled. "This kid's talent is better than yours. Don't let him surpass you after training.""I'd be overjoyed if he surpassed me," Chen Shijie replied with a smile. "Another great general for the Marquis."

"Oh, by the way, Commandant Huang said Zhao Xing wants us to inquire about someone named 'Mi Fu'," Long Xiao said. "Who is Mi Fu? Do you know him?""Mi Fu?" Chen Shijie frowned, looking closely at the letter again. "I don't know him. It doesn't say where he's from or what his official position is. How are we supposed to find him?""Didn't he say that this Mi Fu is skilled in the Condensation Art, and he learned about him while buying spell manuals?""Even so, it's like finding a needle in a haystack. But we'll keep an eye out for him."

Fuchun Garden. On the very day he completed the first mandatory training, Zhao Xing arrived at Tian Yan's Fuchun Garden.

"Your performance last month was excellent. Many people, both from the Agricultural Bureau and the Martial Bureau, have spoken highly of you.""I am also very satisfied with your progress. I didn't expect you could improve so much in such a short time. With only five Beast Throat Pills and Earth Fiend Lung Refining Pills in total, you managed to cultivate the Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu to the seventh turn."

Tian Yan smiled, offering rare praise to Zhao Xing. Although Tian Yan was kind and generous, he was also very strict with his disciples. Over the past month, Zhao Xing had regularly sought his guidance. Praise was seldom heard from him, so his words now indicated true satisfaction. Unable to train for a month, Zhao Xing had cultivated his sound-wave martial techniques to a high level and had caught the attention of high-ranking officials, being mentioned multiple times. As a teacher, Tian Yan naturally felt proud.

"Teacher, you flatter me. I actually spent quite a lot of points and relied on external assistance to cultivate the Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu to the seventh turn," Zhao Xing said modestly.

"I know," Tian Yan nodded. "You spent points, but didn't others? Top-tier resources are similar. I gave you a welcoming gift, and other teachers would do the same for their students.""However, your choice to cultivate the Thunderous Roar of the Kui-Niu proves your resilience to hardship and your high comprehension."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. "Good performance is good performance; there's no need for excessive modesty," Marquis Tian said. "For the next supply training, are you confident you can secure a spot within the top twenty-one?"

"Barely confident," Zhao Xing replied. He didn't know what conditions he would encounter this time and dared not make absolute guarantees. Weather and terrain were entirely random; he hadn't yet mastered the Solar Term Edict, and his Earth Store Restoration technique lacked specific applications for plant cultivation. Among the twenty-one top-tier geniuses, he was the youngest, lacked local experience, and hadn't had much time to study the three great secret texts.

"Don't strain yourself," Tian Yan smiled faintly. "I'll give you another 30,000 points worth of items."

"Teacher, won't this..." Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised. He wasn't sure if Tian Yan's actions were beneficial or detrimental to him, and he wondered if it would invite criticism.

"Your situation is rather unique," Tian Yan explained. "I've discussed this with several elders from the Geomancy Institute and applied to Fan Zhaoli for your special approval.""You were transferred right after becoming a full-fledged official, and despite your weak foundation, you still passed the fourth checkpoint.""Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming from the Celestial Institute might be blind, but I'm not.""Another 30,000 points in aid is nothing significant."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Teacher, for your cultivation."

Tian Yan replied, "It's also because you maintained a top-tier performance that I'm able to give you this extra assistance. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to explain myself to my superiors.""Remember, you must maintain a position within the top twenty-one among over ten thousand reservists.""You cannot relax; there are many people eyeing those twenty-one spots, all eager to push you out.""If you fall below that, not only will your treatment decrease, but it will also be very difficult for me to privately look after you in the future."

"This student understands," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Go now, and prepare well for the supply training.""Yes, this student takes his leave."

June 7th, Eighteen Pagoda Willow Courtyard.

"Clip-clop, clip-clop."Gao Ming came galloping on his bamboo horse."Ah!"Gao Ming exclaimed, then rode off.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Xing opened his courtyard gate and stepped out. He only saw the dust kicked up by the bamboo horse. "This Gao Ming is really getting lazier and lazier," Zhao Xing muttered. At first, when Gao Ming delivered items to his door, he would shout, "Zhao Xing, your goods have arrived, they're at your door!" Gradually, it became: "Goods arrived, at the door." Then: "At the door." Until today, only "Ah" remained. "He's not even afraid of bad reviews. Oh, I forgot, there are no bad reviews here."

Zhao Xing carried the box inside. He hadn't bought its contents; Tian Yan had bought them for him. The treasures, worth 30,000 points, were specially allocated to address Zhao Xing's weaknesses.

The first type of treasure Tian Yan purchased was a weather-related item: a 'Sturdy Wind Stone'. This ore was mined from the Sturdy Wind Mountains in the Ten-Sun Heaven-Blessed Dwelling. Zhao Xing's Yang Wind technique had always been a weakness; among the four weather techniques, his Minor Nine Heavens Sturdy Wind was only at the third turn.

"Yin Wind and Yang Wind, Yin Thunder and Yang Thunder—mastering the Solar Term Edicts involves the convergence of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang. To master the Solar Term Edicts, I need to be proficient in all four techniques.""Aside from cloud qi having no Yin-Yang distinction, rain techniques also do.""My Ice Rain, which freezes water into ice and causes vital energy to frost, is considered a Yin-attributed rain technique." Rain usually nourishes all things, but Zhao Xing's Ice Rain was purely for offense. He now had too many offensive methods and too few supportive ones.

"However, I have quite a talent for the Way of Water. Last month, I comprehended a Mid-tier Drizzling Rain technique from a 'Rainfall Scroll'. Although I haven't had time to practice it diligently, even casual practice brought it to the sixth turn of the mid-tier.""Combined with the second gift from my teacher, worth 10,000 points, it should help me achieve a breakthrough."

The second treasure Tian Yan gave was also related to rain techniques, called 'Spirit of Spring Rain'. It was a top-grade Tier 4 item, preserved in a crystal box. The third treasure was a Tier 4 high-grade teaching painting, which was the plant-based version of the Earth Store Restoration technique. It was worth 4,000 points.

With these three treasures, Zhao Xing's progress in spells accelerated rapidly.On June 8th, the plant-based version of the Earth Store Restoration technique reached the seventh turn.The plant and human versions of Earth Store Restoration were similar in their utilization of earth veins. Zhao Xing already had a foundational understanding of the basic earth vein essence, and with the teaching painting, he immediately comprehended it to the seventh turn. The Eighth Rank primarily focused on expanding the breadth of spells; similar spells could generally be mastered through one breakthrough. With the aid of treasures, it was naturally easy to learn.

On June 9th, Zhao Xing used the 'Spirit of Spring Rain'. A continuous drizzle descended from above, and a Yang Rain washed over him for a full twelve hours. This allowed Zhao Xing to experience the profound mysteries of the Yang Rain technique with his entire being. His Drizzling Rain technique also broke through from the sixth to the ninth turn.

Starting June 10th, Zhao Xing made a detailed plan for his cultivation."From today, I will practice the Minor Nine Heavens Sturdy Wind technique for one hour daily, using the Sturdy Wind Stone.""One hour for Earth Store Restoration.""Two hours for Barren Land Condensation Art.""Four hours at the Celestial Institute to study the Solar Term Stele.""The remaining two hours will be dedicated to cultivating other spells concurrently."

Ten hours were dedicated to cultivation. Of the remaining two hours, one was for reviewing and addressing issues in his cultivation process. If he practiced but his panel progress didn't improve, Zhao Xing could easily discern that his cultivation direction was incorrect. Therefore, post-practice review and summarization were also crucial. As for rest? With the aid of a 'Sleep Bug' spell, one hour was barely sufficient.

Immersed in cultivation, time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by.June 22nd, Mao Shi (5-7 AM).The familiar drumbeats sounded. Zhao Xing awoke from his sleep.The second mandatory training course had begun. This time, however, there was no need to rush; they were to gather directly at the Geomancy Institute.

Fifty Flowing Cloud Flying Boats were parked on the plaza within the Geomancy Institute. Each boat's cabin appeared to be already full of people. Zhao Xing sensed with his Five Elements Observation that everyone on board possessed strong vital energy, clearly indicating they were the martial artists from each group.

"The fifty individuals from the Geomancy Institute will randomly select a flying boat. Once chosen, you will proceed to the training location," Fan Zhaoli announced. "Board quickly!"

Zhao Xing randomly boarded a flying boat numbered 1 and then entered the cabin."Hmm?"As soon as he stepped inside, Zhao Xing saw the ten martial artists already present in the cabin. There were a few familiar faces among them. "Chen Fang, Hu Bing, Zhang Jie… hmm?" His gaze fell upon the last person. The man had handsome features, his slightly raised eyebrows conveying confidence and calmness, and deep eyes. This person was someone Zhao Xing knew all too well: Xia Jing, who had repeatedly defeated him during the last mandatory training.

"Brother Xia, it's you," Zhao Xing said, grinning slightly."Indeed, it's me," Xia Jing replied, letting out a wry chuckle upon seeing the agricultural officer assigned to his group.