Chapter 219: Spring of the 18th Year of Jingxin Calendar, Bestowal of Rewards

Soul Sacrificial Pass was captured, and King Luohu suffered a massive loss. This was because his bet with King Lingde had started on November 10th, just a few days after Liu Tianning arrived in the war zone. He had bet King Lingde that Zhao Xing would resolve the issues and capture Soul Sacrificial Pass within forty days. However, Soul Sacrificial Pass wasn't captured until the end of December.

"Hahaha, Luohu, I'll gladly accept these two seventh-tier divine weapons of yours!" King Lingde laughed gleefully. "Thank you."

King Luohu's mouth twitched, utterly speechless. Zhao Xing's performance had indeed met his expectations, but the speed at which Soul Sacrificial Pass was captured was still a few days slower than anticipated.

"If you had bet two months, Luohu, Lingde would have surely lost," King Tianyan said, shaking his head. "It's a pity, just a few days short."

"A few days short is still short. A bet's a bet," King Luohu said. "The resistance at Soul Sacrificial Pass this time slightly exceeded my expectations. Look at the intelligence submitted by Yingyuan Prefecture. If not for Zhao Xing's astonishing performance, capturing Soul Sacrificial Pass would likely have dragged on until next year."

King Tianyan and King Lingde took a look and indeed noticed something unusual. The military supplies provided by Zhao Xing far exceeded expectations. This allowed the Six Armies Alliance to maintain a continuous fierce assault during the last month, especially the Primal Chaos Warships, which attacked almost non-stop in the latter half of the month. Had it not been for the timely logistics, Soul Sacrificial Pass would indeed have dragged on until next year, just as King Luohu said.

"But why did the Divine Might Army stop fighting?" King Lingde asked, puzzled.

"General Liao Rulong had a conflict with Yi Yue," King Luohu said gravely. "Liao Rulong missed a crucial opportunity, stopping his pursuit halfway. Yi Yue had a huge argument with him, and the Qiyuan Army and Nangong Ye have also parted ways with them."

"Having partners who are too strong isn't always good; they were bound to separate eventually," King Tianyan remarked. "However, Liao Rulong is quite lucky. There might be a ceasefire soon. Pursuing now wouldn't yield much military merit, and the danger would outweigh the opportunity."

"Ceasefire?" King Lingde and King Luohu both looked at King Tianyan. "Why don't I know about this?"

King Tianyan mused, "It's just a guess of mine; there's no definite news yet."

King Luohu said, "If a ceasefire is indeed imminent, stopping the pursuit now would be a prudent strategy."

If a high-tier war were truly to begin, high-tier experts would inevitably descend and prepare on the front lines. During that period, there would surely be a chaotic phase, and neither side would strictly adhere to the rule of 'high-tier individuals not attacking low-tier individuals.' They might accidentally encounter areas where high-tier experts appeared, which would result in losses of troops and generals instead of military merit. Even if they didn't encounter them, an order to retreat would render their efforts meaningless.

"Luohu, I might lose to you," King Tianyan said, somewhat resigned. If a ceasefire truly happened, neither Xia Jing nor Zhao Xing would have reached the rank of Second-Class Marquis. It could only be said that Emperor Jing was more impatient than anticipated, wanting to start a true war even before training his troops for long.

At Soul Sacrificial Pass, a detached courtyard.

"In the Inner Five Elements Heaven and Earth, Heaven's Mandate is my Mandate, Heaven's Fortune is my Fortune, and Heaven's Longevity is my Longevity."

"Yin-Yang True Self, Five Elements Heaven and Earth... when cultivated to the end, the True Self Sect is truly the ultimate path," Zhao Xing mused to himself.

It was now January of the 18th year of the Jingxin calendar. Since the capture of Soul Sacrificial Pass, the Divine Might Army, Black Armored Army, and Garrison Army had been resting in place. Having nothing to do in Tonghuo City, he came to Soul Sacrificial Pass to cultivate. The area within a hundred miles of Soul Sacrificial Pass had been transformed. Its destruction was not as severe as that of Fire Dragon Pass. The Profound Heaven Sect's Grand Yin Five Elements Array was even still in operation, with only the southern section's barrier remaining unrestorable.

While within the Grand Yin Five Elements Heaven and Earth Array, Zhao Xing's comprehension of the "Yin-Yang True Self Scripture" and "Five Fingers of Heaven's Mandate" deepened. Because Liu Tianning had taught him advanced illusion arrays, this involved deeper aspects of the Yin-Yang and Five Elements Dao. Furthermore, his mastery of the True Self Straw Effigy, combining five methods into one, was actually a superficial form of 'Five Dao Integration.' What was integrated was also the Dao of Five Elements. Now, being in this grand array set up by the Profound Heaven Sect and perceiving the rare Yin Five Elements array, he gained even deeper insights.

"'Five Fingers of Heaven's Mandate' uses the Inner Five Elements Heaven and Earth to harmonize with the Grand Five Elements of Heaven and Earth. Deducing the fate of the inner heaven and earth means deducing my own fate. I can even vaguely sense how long I can live," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

His additional lifespan had reached 150 years, acquired through consuming various spiritual essences and fortune-enhancing longevity methods. So, as a seventh-rank Earth Fiend realm cultivator, how long could he live? Less than 150 years. Shouldn't one live longer the more they cultivate? In reality, it wasn't so. Low-rank cultivation realms simply couldn't effectively extend lifespan. This realm was insignificant compared to the shackles of Heaven and Earth.

"'In the Primal Qi Era, the shackles of Heaven's Mandate were the most unshakeable among the rules of Heaven and Earth. There was a rule dictating how long every race and creature should live; this was what was called predetermined fate. Cultivators could become very strong, but even strength found it difficult to break the shackles of Heaven's Mandate. Even emperors of Destiny Dynasties, no matter how powerful, could only live for a thousand years. After the spiritual energy revival, Heaven and Earth underwent drastic changes, entering the Spiritual Energy Era. The upper limit of Heaven's Mandate's shackles increased, and the lifespan of all living beings also rose. In ancient times, the Xuanyuan Continent also experienced a Spiritual Energy Era. Giant creatures roamed the land; animals and plants alike were immensely large. Even a small blade of grass could live for a very long time, and what are now rare treasures were commonplace then. After the Era of Calamities, the world's status decreased to the 'Primal Qi level,' and everything accordingly shrank, with lifespan limits also decreasing.'"

Every time Zhao Xing was promoted, he would see 'giants' in the imperial court within his illusions, especially Emperor Jing, who was enormous. This also implied that his 'Heaven's Mandate' was stronger than others, allowing him to live longer.

Zhao Xing began to calculate how much longer he needed to live to hope for immortality.

"'There are nineteen more years in the Jingxin calendar. After the 37th year of Jingxin, it will be the Dazhi and Yongzhi eras, which together span 158 years, after which Emperor Jing will pass away. In other words, the reign of Emperor Jing has another 177 years. The subsequent Emperor Wu lived for 1020 years. He broke the lifespan shackles of Destiny Dynasty emperors but still couldn't advance further. After Emperor Wu was Emperor Yuan. From this point, the Great Zhou Dynasty began to experience internal and external troubles, as well as the Era of Calamities. Its fortune began to decline, with a total of fifteen emperors, averaging over a hundred years of lifespan. Roughly, that's 1700 years. Only after that came the spiritual energy revival. This means I still need to live for nearly three thousand years,' Zhao Xing thought to himself. 'The path to immortality is long and arduous.'"

"'The path must be walked one step at a time. First, I need to achieve my fifth-rank goal during Emperor Jing's era. Currently, I have 1.6 million military merits, ranking forty-fifth on the seventh-rank military merit list. Excluding the temporary promotions in the Divine Might Army, my current official rank is Junior Seventh Grade, Lower Class. At present, I am with the Divine Might Army, under General Liao Rulong's command, and we have not suffered a single defeat. With my military merits, if I am rewarded, a three-rank promotion is guaranteed, so I should reach Senior Sixth Grade. Old Chen and Long Xiao, starting at a higher position than me, should be able to reach Junior Sixth Grade. With 1.6 million military merits, my noble title will not be further elevated; it will remain a Third-Class Marquis. Although not a martial marquis, just a leisurely marquis, this still grants 160,000 mu of lower-grade fertile land and a fief of 1,600 households. My honorary official title should be the fifth-rank County Grandee, allowing me to participate in important policy discussions in the county city and giving me some say at the prefecture level, enabling me to offer advice and suggestions. My meritorious rank should reach the sixth tier. As long as I am in active service, in addition to my salary, I should receive an annual bonus of 300,000 points.'"

The bonus for meritorious ranks was calculated in military realm points because these bonuses were issued by the military realm. After the Great Zhou expanded its territory, its lands generated vast profits, and a portion of these tax revenues was used to pay the soldiers and officers who had achieved meritorious ranks. The military class had to be the wealthiest class in the Great Zhou! Therefore, the soldiers and officers of the Great Zhou were all eager to expand territory. This was because even after retirement, the bonuses from meritorious ranks still amounted to one-third to one-half of what they received while in active service.

Zhao Xing's honorary official title and meritorious rank were not high because his previous million military merits had all been used to exchange for Yin God quotas.

"'If nothing unexpected happens, there will be a ceasefire in February, and the entire Barbarian Pacification Battlefield will begin to withdraw troops, with rewards finalized in March. Immediately following that will be the anomaly of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, beginning to produce a large number of Heaven and Earth spiritual essences,' Zhao Xing mentally charted the future course of events. 'The explosive appearance of Heaven and Earth spiritual essences will last for half a year. By September, a complete reversal will occur: ten suns will appear in the sky, and world-destroying calamities will emerge. In October of the same year, Emperor Jing will reopen the mid-to-low-tier battlefield, continuing his troop training strategy. The war will then continue until the 28th year of Jingxin, gradually involving mid-tier combatants, up to fourth-rank. From the 29th to the 35th year, the war will further escalate, with third-rank to first-rank individuals successively entering the fray. In the 35th year, the war will be lost. King Liang will conspire with sects and Southern Barbarian forces, raising a rebellion. In the 37th year, the rebellion will be suppressed, and the war will definitively end. After that will be the Dazhi era, when Emperor Jing begins to 'create people' and propagate descendants, and then the Yongzhi era, when the successor will be chosen...'"

"'There's still a window for the Southern Barbarian battlefield after the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, but I must manage it carefully, or I won't be able to extricate myself,' Zhao Xing thought to himself. If one's official rank rose too high, it would be impossible to simply leave whenever one wished, as the army was not a place where freedom of movement was granted. Being granted an official position was for you to perform duties, and there were only a few opportune moments to extricate oneself. Once missed, Zhao Xing would have to continue fighting, participating in mid-to-high-tier battlefields, where he would become cannon fodder. The Great Zhou was currently producing a plethora of talented individuals: Liu Tianning, Fan Zhaoli, Lu Bang, Tantai Ming... these veteran fifth- and fourth-rank cultivators had lived for one or two centuries, even three or four. It wouldn't even be Zhao Xing's turn to rise to power. Even Lu Yuanwei, the Son of Fortune, would meet his downfall in later battles, barely managing to retain a Junior Fifth Grade, Lower Class official rank. If he ended up like that, others faced even greater dangers."

"'I've enjoyed the blessings I should, and I must avoid the calamities I can,' Zhao Xing said. 'My foundation isn't solid yet, and my status is too low. I must eliminate greed and not attempt to influence the grand battlefield's overall situation.' Cultivating the Five Fingers of Heaven's Mandate also served as a warning to Zhao Xing. His calculations of Soul Sacrificial Pass's fate and Old Chen's fate had both resulted in backlash; how much more so if he were to fully immerse himself in the entire Barbarian Pacification War? His Tier 3 fortune was indeed good, but in the later stages of the war, there would be many stronger than Zhao Xing. Take Lu Yuanwei, for example: Zhao Xing estimated his fortune to be at least Tier 6! This was because he hailed from Luliang Prefecture; the 'Lu' here referred to another King of a different surname. Lu Yuanwei was originally a direct descendant of an ennobled king, thus inherently carrying great fortune! Comparing himself to Lu Yuanwei revealed the dangers of mid-to-high-tier battlefields."

"'My goal during Emperor Jing's era is to develop. My connections, strength, and fortune haven't yet gained momentum, and Emperor Jing doesn't have that Heaven's Mandate. This is not the time for me to rise and make an impact.'"

Having thoroughly sorted out his thoughts and determined his future plans, Zhao Xing closed his eyes and stored his memories deep within his soul using the Grand Dream of Spring and Autumn cultivation method. Normally, they wouldn't surface, only triggering at crucial junctures, though he could also actively recall them at safe moments. In the Primal Qi Era, soul-searching methods were extremely rare. Even a forbidden art like the Soul-Capturing Straw Effigy could only extract memory fragments from the past few days. But Zhao Xing remained cautious, just in case.

For the remainder of the time, Zhao Xing cultivated spells within Soul Sacrificial Pass. For the short term, he focused his energy on the True Self Straw Effigy because this spell had endless wondrous uses; cultivating it was equivalent to cultivating many different spells.

On January 4th of the 18th year of Jingxin, the transport tower ship arrived at Soul Sacrificial Pass. Lu Tingzhi intended to 'discuss common interests' with Zhao Xing but, upon hearing Zhao Xing was in seclusion, had to give up. Long Xiao and Chen Shijie exchanged their million military merits for Yin God quotas and completed the Heaven Soul residing in a temple procedure. Xia Jing didn't do this because he didn't need to; his father had long since performed great deeds, bringing blessings to his descendants, and as a ducal heir, Xia Jing already had such privileges. Wen Shaoyang did not choose a Yin God quota. As for the others, Jiang Ming and Li Que did not yet qualify, as their performances were not outstanding, and their military merits from Soul Sacrificial Pass were not as many as those from Fire Dragon Pass.

On January 12th of Jingxin, the Qiyuan Army, Yi Yue, and Nangong Ye faced unsuccessful attacks. 'Nether Soul' and 'Daoist Longyang', who were defending Spirit Turtle City, seized the opportunity to counterattack, resulting in over a thousand casualties for the three armies. Advancing too greedily and lacking logistical support, the three generals realized that the Holy Spirit Royal Court's people weren't completely incompetent. Their prior successes were likely due to Zhao Xing's timely assistance, which had created a false impression. However, because of this incident, the relationship between the three and Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang plummeted to an all-time low. They believed that if Liao Rulong had continued to follow up, with Zhao Xing leading a hundred thousand logistical troops, they wouldn't have been defeated at Spirit Turtle City.

Yi Yue, in particular, reported the battle situation to the main forces on the northern front after retreating. He actually openly denounced Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang, calling them incompetent fools. Yet, when he mentioned Zhao Xing, he felt that Zhao Xing was a true talent and that Liao Rulong was utterly unworthy of having such a logistical general as Zhao Xing. The Qiyuan Army and Nangong Ye, though not as extreme as Yi Yue, similarly lowered their appraisal of Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang when reporting the battle. However, their accounts were still relatively objective. The Divine Might Army was considered a powerful and formidable force, and individuals like Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Zhao Xing all had good reputations in their eyes. It was only the main generals, Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang, who were indecisive and failed to seize military opportunities. The Qiyuan Army, Yi Yue, and Nangong Ye were among the top three strongest military generals on the seventh-rank military merit list. With their extensive connections and having broken through Soul Sacrificial Pass, their words naturally carried significant weight. The reputation of Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang significantly declined, while Zhao Xing's reputation rose sharply.

"Yi Yue, with his hot temper, cursing General Liao Rulong so much, yet praising Zhao Xing so highly... it seems Zhao Xing truly did an excellent job." Wei Hong of the Tiger Flood Dragon Army couldn't help but smile as he read the letter; he and Yi Yue were good friends. Yi Yue's previous hundreds of thousands of military merits, accumulated before his failed attack, had decreased by 120,000 to 130,000, so he naturally complained to his friend immediately. "If Old Yi truly said this, then Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang really don't deserve the immense praise they previously received," Wei Hong muttered to himself. After capturing Fire Dragon Pass, the most famous individuals were not Zhao Xing, but Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang. Most of Zhao Xing's fame came from 'Slaying Qian Shougang.' Because those two were the main generals, initially, Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang received great praise. However, after dissemination by the three strong armies, the reputation of Liao Rulong and Wen Shaoyang also significantly declined.

"Scoundrel! That scoundrel Yi Yue! How dare he say such things about me!" Liao Rulong roared furiously in the Soul Sacrificial Pass City Lord's residence. "When have I ever been a coward? Damn your ancestors!" Liao Rulong was trembling with rage; he tore the letter in his hand to shreds. This was because in Yi Yue's public war report to the Yuanghua Army's main general, he explicitly called Liao Rulong a coward and an idiot, accusing him of delaying military opportunities and being unfit to be a general. Yes, those very words were used. The letter written to his friend was even more vulgar! One could imagine how furious Liao Rulong was upon learning of this.

"Damn it, I'm a Sixth-Rank Commandant, and he's only Seventh-Rank, yet he acts like a superior officer commenting on me! I will never stand with this man!" Liao Rulong howled.

Pu Zhong, however, was calm. After Liao Rulong finished venting, he finally spoke: "Yi Yue is quite straightforward; at least he's publicly scolding you, not someone who schemes in the dark."

"You're defending him?" Liao Rulong huffed but didn't continue his outburst. It was not uncommon for collaborations between two armies to fall apart, especially when one was strong and the other weak. He agreed with Pu Zhong's words and understood Yi Yue's anger. But understanding was one thing; he still couldn't stomach this indignity!

"'We simply won't cooperate in the future,' Pu Zhong consoled. 'You said yourself you're a sixth-rank official; you should have a broader mind than him. Say nothing, and you don't need to explain to anyone. That will naturally show your magnanimity.'"

Zhao Xing also learned of the failed attack by Yi Yue, the Qiyuan Army, and others, as well as Yi Yue's furious scolding of Liao Rulong. "'This hot-tempered brother really cursed the wrong person,' Zhao Xing thought, finding it both funny and frustrating. 'It was I who persuaded Old Chen, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing. Those three hold significant sway, which is why Liao Rulong decided not to continue the attack. If he were to curse, he should be cursing me. Instead, he praised me immensely.' However, as the main general, Liao Rulong bore the praise, and thus also had to bear the criticism. Zhao Xing was merely a commander; no blame could possibly fall on him."

On January 20th, rumors of a ceasefire spread throughout the army. On January 21st, Yang An and Jia Pu issued formal orders to Liao Rulong's and Wen Shaoyang's units, prohibiting them from further advancing. From January 21st to 24th, along all fronts in the Fire Demon tribe's territory, experts above the sixth rank appeared, both from the enemy and their own side.

On this day, Zhao Xing also emerged from his underground seclusion. He dispatched a straw effigy on a flying boat to patrol east of Soul Sacrificial Pass, simultaneously activating the Heavenly Eye spell. Four hundred miles east of Soul Sacrificial Pass, many large cities appeared. Within them, baleful yin energy surged, and dark clouds hung thick and unmoving. Ahead, towering yin-soul giants, a thousand meters tall, appeared, wielding giant axes and glaring menacingly. Zhao Xing glanced from afar, and his True Self Straw Effigy nearly collapsed, forcing it to retreat quickly.

Their own side also saw the appearance of powerful experts. Fourth-rank martial general Yang An personally arrived at Soul Sacrificial Pass, accompanied by Jia Pu, a low-fourth-rank strategist. There were also eight fifth-rank Front Generals. The Black Armored Army also sent experts: Marquis Mingwei Xiang Kui dispatched his deputy general, Zhang Jue, an assistant fourth-rank martial general. Additionally, there was Li Yuanzhen, an assistant fourth-rank Military Quartermaster. There were also seven fifth-rank individuals: priests, strategists, martial artists, and mages. Although the Black Armored Army comprised just over ten thousand soldiers, Xia Jing's special status meant that the individuals Xiang Kui sent were exceptionally strong. Furthermore, Liu Tianning and Fan Zhaoli also arrived in person. Among them, Liu Tianning came voluntarily, while Fan Zhaoli came at Tian Yan's request. The most striking individuals were Liu Tianning of the Inspection Department and Li Yuanzhen of the Black Armored Army.

On its return journey, Zhao Xing's straw effigy saw Liu Tianning arrive on a cloud, directly sweeping all their scouts and patrol boats, including Zhao Xing's effigy, and flinging them backward. "Whoosh!" In an instant, this gale blew their thousand-plus people fifty miles away. At the same time, Liu Tianning pointed forward, his voice carried by the strong wind across the sky: "The ceasefire boundary is set from this point. Dare to cross one step, and you will be executed without mercy!" The earth churned like ocean waves, and a shadow enveloped tens of miles of the battle line, then the shadow glowed faintly. Towering trees, each over five hundred meters tall, sprouted from the ground! They shone brightly on the battlefield; some trees flashed with lightning, others spewed flames... As a powerful expert of the True Self Sect, Liu Tianning's display directly intimidated everyone.

"'All seventh-tier plant soldiers!' Zhao Xing's eyebrow twitched. 'Isn't Old Liu only a fifth-rank official? His strength is definitely more than fifth-rank!'" A Pure Essence Projection that could extend so far and sustain so many seventh-tier plant soldiers was simply unheard of.

Li Yuanzhen, aboard a Cloud and Rain Tower Ship, followed closely. He pointed his hand towards the sky, and the dark clouds dispersed, allowing sunlight to stream down. A pale green 'Solar Term Talisman' floated in the air, dispelling the distant dark clouds. "'The Start of Spring Solar Term Talisman. He has changed the weather within a thousand miles around. The Yin Five Elements territory has become balanced in Yin and Yang. He must have reached the 'Stabilized Realm.'" From a great distance, Zhao Xing felt a surge of spring vitality, and a hint of green appeared on the ground, which had originally been barren land, eroded by yin energy and utterly devoid of vegetation. But now it was transformed by Li Yuanzhen!

Zhao Xing looked at Li Yuanzhen and Liu Tianning. "'Old Liu is truly formidable. Li Yuanzhen is a fourth-rank, a man who can later reach a second-rank position. But looking now, Old Liu's might is no less than Li Yuanzhen's. As soon as they arrived, the ceasefire truly began. It seems this specific timeline hasn't changed.'"

In February of the 18th year of Jingxin, all major war zones on the Barbarian Pacification Battlefield entered a state of ceasefire. The Four Great Royal Courts and Five Great Grotto-Heavens, with their respective armies, ceased hostilities, delineated defensive lines, and established buffer zones. A large number of mid-to-high-rank experts took over the battlefield, forming a standoff. As for the mid-to-low-rank cultivators, they slowly began to withdraw from the battlefield.

Zhao Xing also boarded a tower ship, crossed the Canglan River, and returned to the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven in the military realm on February 14th. On February 16th, a Heaven's Heart Palace appeared within each of the Five Great Grotto-Heavens. Emperor Jing's conferment of rewards also commenced on February 16th. The military merits earned by soldiers and officers of various ranks during the war would be honored at this time, continuing until March.

Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, Yangcheng, Divine Might Army encampment. Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, Yu Ziqi, and others were all waiting at the encampment. Suddenly, a cylindrical golden light descended from the golden palace in the sky. The light pillar, encircled by coiling dragons, enveloped the four individuals.

"It's here," the four exchanged glances, quickly stepped into the golden pillar of light, and were then drawn by a great force, flying towards the palace in the sky.