Chapter 221: Seizing the Opportunity in the Celestial Cave's Spiritual Splendor

**Name:** Zhao Xing**Cultivation Realm:** From the sixth rank, upper grade (Heavenly Gang Realm, Mid-Stage)**Profession:** Chief Agronomist**Fortune:** Tier 4**Essence Accumulation:** 43rd Stage**Life Soul:** Sixth Rank, Mid-Stage**Additional Lifespan:** 160 years

"My additional lifespan only increased by 10 years, but my fortune has finally climbed to Tier 4!" Zhao Xing mused over this change, then gained an insight. "Last time, before the war, my promotion added a lot of lifespan—sixty years. This time, it was only 10 years."

"Perhaps it's because my additional lifespan is already substantial, and my Life Soul has reached the sixth rank. Destiny and fortune must improve proportionally."

"Considering my sixth-rank official status, my fate is already high and robust, but my fortune was still at Tier 3. Therefore, during this purification, the Golden Dragon of Fortune primarily enhanced my fortune first. If I'm promoted to the true sixth rank next time, I'm afraid lifespan will gain more than fortune."

How long should a sixth-rank official live? Around two hundred years seems about right, Zhao Xing estimated his lifespan was nearing the limit for his current rank. However, his fortune still had significant room for improvement, which is why it increased more than his lifespan.

Of course, there are many possibilities. Perhaps Emperor Jing enhanced the fortune of commoner-born geniuses, which aligns with his policy of injecting fresh blood into the army. Strong fortune naturally leads to a smoother official career. If one's fortune is mediocre, like Old Chief Agronomist Xue Wenzhong, who took sixty years to become a true ninth-rank official, a long life wouldn't be very useful.

"Emperor Jing was quite generous this time. Last time, lifespan increased significantly; this time, fortune increased significantly," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "Both surpassed the normal increase levels during peacetime."

During peacetime, many fifth-rank officials might only possess Tier 3 fortune. Now, even a sixth-rank official could achieve Tier 3 fortune! For unique individuals like himself, it even reached Tier 4.

Even if he hadn't inherited a portion of the Da Li dynasty's fortune, Zhao Xing estimated he would still have reached Tier 3! This was because he participated in the battles at Fire Dragon Pass and Soul Sacrifice Pass, never suffering a defeat, and his military achievements were exceptional! On the sixth-rank roster, he belonged to the top three thousand.

Of course, others couldn't see these things. Below the high ranks, people didn't know how strong their own fortune was, nor did they understand how Emperor Jing arranged it.

"In terms of cultivation realm, my upward path has opened."

"According to custom, if I have the ability, I'll only hit the threshold of a fortune-based dynasty when I cultivate to the true fifth rank. At that point, the words '(Cannot be improved)' will appear on my panel."

"Entering the mid-rank realm, the difficulty of self-cultivation also increases significantly. The 50th stage of Essence Accumulation is the first major hurdle. It requires the creation of Pure Essence Soil, and breakthroughs in all three major secret texts. It truly affects everything."

"After overcoming this hurdle, there's another relatively difficult one: the fourth-rank Yuanpo Realm."

The fourth rank requires strengthening the seven corporeal souls. For an Agronomist, accustomed to being a spellcaster, suddenly needing to train their physique is like asking a delicate city lord to bend over and cultivate fields under the scorching summer sun.

In terms of spells, Zhao Xing already possessed twelve high-tier spells.

**High-tier Weather Spells:*** Five Elements Mist Concealment: Rank 5* Thunderclap Insight-Breaking Finger: Rank 4* Nine Heavens Gang Wind: High-tier, Rank 3* Rainfall: Rank 7

During his cultivation period at Soul Sacrifice Pass, he broke through to the Heavenly Gang Realm, drawing the Nine Heavens Gang Wind into his body. His former "Little Nine Heavens Gang Wind Spell" also successfully advanced to the high-tier level.

Mid-tier spells such as Frost and Heavenly Fire remained at mid-tier, with no new changes.

Among them, Five Elements Mist Concealment had developed into "Five Elements Poison Mist," allowing for large-scale enemy obstruction.

The Rainfall spell had reached "Ten Thousand Threads Flow." His talents in rain spells and grass puppet spells were the strongest among all of Zhao Xing's spell talents.

As for cloud spells, Cloud Swallowing remained at mid-tier perfection. He had not yet begun cultivating high-tier cloud spells at Soul Sacrifice Pass.

**High-tier Climate Change Spells:*** Tengshe Transformation: Rank 4* Thunderclap Climate Change: Rank 3

Tengshe Transformation, when trained externally, is a pure offensive spell. When trained internally, it eventually allows one to transform into the divine beast Tengshe, though internal training requires at least Rank 7 or higher.

Thunderclap Climate Change is a cultivation-type spell. Although its side effects can be used to kill enemies, its primary purpose is to cultivate exotic beasts.

**High-tier Terrain Spells:*** Shadow Wind of Malice: Rank 5* Earth Fiend Thunder: Rank 5* Volcano Spell: Rank 3

Shadow Wind of Malice is a soul-damaging spell, while Earth Fiend Thunder is a "Yin Thunder." Both are most destructive on or under the ground. They can also be cast in the air, but their power is reduced by one or two ranks.

Volcano Spell has a range second only to cloud spells, and it is also a "gambler's" battle strategy, relying heavily on fortune.

**High-tier Spells: Self-Centered Spells*** Primal Moment: Rank 6* Myriad Law Grass Puppet: Rank 4

Primal Moment is a high-tier Essence Disintegration spell, the only high-tier spell among the four Self-Centered spells.

Nine Dragon Joint Breaking, Foundation Strengthening (Savage Growth), and Essence Condensation (Wilderness Condensation Art) were all at mid-tier perfection and had not yet reached the high-tier level.

"The Myriad Law Grass Puppet can now create its fourth puppet. I'll have something to report to Old Liu later," Zhao Xing thought, looking at his panel.

Reaching the fourth rank in Myriad Law Grass Puppet was considered a minor achievement; the first three ranks were merely introductory.

Liu Tianning had high expectations for his apprentice. If Zhao Xing hadn't made any progress during his two months at Soul Sacrifice Pass, where he neither fought nor worked, Old Liu might get angry.

**Other Notable Spells:*** Great Evolution Aura Sensing Art: High-tier, Rank 5 (Derived from the 'Great Evolution Scripture', it allows one to observe others' fortune and deduce simple changes in their luck).* Heaven's Eye Spell: High-tier, Rank 4 (This spell advances as the Life Soul realm improves. After taking Life Soul Pills, his Life Soul climbed from early to mid-stage during the two months at Soul Sacrifice Pass, and Heaven's Eye Spell naturally broke through to Rank 4).* Sleep Bug Spell: High-tier, Rank 4 (Reaching high-tier, this spell not only increases in range and power but also acts as a unique self-cultivation method for the Life Soul. It can extract parasites from the Life Soul, promoting its growth. Zhao Xing relied on this spell to stay awake in Soul Sacrifice Pass, even though he barely slept).

"The Five Finger Heavenly Fate, Turtle Coin Divination, and Observation Divination are all advanced secret spells, but I've only mastered the mid-tier secret arts within them."

"Fate-type spells were difficult to cultivate during the Great Zhou period, but I've cultivated all of them to mid-tier perfection," Zhao Xing said with a smile, looking at these three spells.

During his two months at Soul Sacrifice Pass, he killed 32,000 turtles! He was truly a "Turtle Slayer," a bane to turtles.

Jiang Ming from the Town Sea Army grew increasingly scared with each delivery. He even thought Zhao Xing had a peculiar fetish, enjoying the slaughter of turtles to satisfy a twisted psychological need. Consequently, he would always drop off the turtles and flee, unwilling to say another word.

Xia Jing, Liao Rulong, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Wen Shaoyang also had strong opinions. Three hundred and twenty thousand turtles! Zhao Xing only needed the blood and shells; what about the meat?

Of course, they ate it! How could the meat of seventh, eighth, and ninth-rank spiritual turtles be wasted? Meat was a rare commodity on the front lines. Agronomists could grow plants, but meat supplies had to be transported.

As the head of logistics, Zhao Xing ordered the turtle meat to be distributed to the officers.

Initially, the officers were delighted. But they couldn't endure eating it day after day! So they complained to their superiors. Xia Jing even confronted Zhao Xing, asking if he had a problem with him, otherwise, why would he serve turtle meat every day?

Priest Zhang Yi couldn't help but complain, saying that the ghosts of turtles were wailing in the camp every day, and soldiers constantly dreamed of their vengeful spirits. This couldn't go on; he, as a priest, couldn't even appease so many souls!

Ultimately, under the protest of these senior officers, the supply of turtle meat to them was stopped, and Zhao Xing no longer asked Jiang Ming to send turtles. At this point, Jiang Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the other soldiers were also liberated.

It wasn't that Master Zhao had a change of heart; it was because he had finally cultivated the Turtle Coin Divination within the 'Turtle Coin Divination Art' to mid-tier perfection.

However, from then on, Zhao Xing earned the nickname "Turtle Slayer."

"My Turtle Divination Art could reach perfection because of these turtles. They contributed greatly," Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

The Turtle Coin Divination Art, derived from the 'Six Yao Scripture', led to a deeper understanding of this spell. Once its profound meaning was grasped, all other related concepts became clear. This significantly boosted the progress of both 'Five Finger Heavenly Fate' and 'Observation Divination'.

In the end, all three high-tier secret texts had spells that reached mid-tier perfection.

Soon after emerging from the shrine and returning to the Eighteen Willow Tree Courtyard, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing also completed their promotion procedures.

Zhao Xing glanced at Old Chen using his Great Evolution Aura Sensing Art.

"The grayish-white color of his fortune pillar has vanished and is imperceptible. Although the red pillar is still not as solid as Long Xiao's, after this promotion, he has finally reached the initial level of Tier 3 fortune."

"Long Xiao's red aura pillar is deeper. If fortune also had initial, mid-range, high, and peak levels, then he would be at mid-range Tier 3 fortune."

At this moment, Old Chen was already a true sixth-rank (lower grade) official, one rank higher than Zhao Xing's "from sixth rank, upper grade" status. This one rank was the dividing line between 'from' and 'true' ranks. Logically, this promotion primarily enhanced fortune, so Old Chen should have reached at least mid-range Tier 3, if not Tier 4. However, he only reached initial Tier 3, and though slight, a mottled grayish-white still lingered.

"According to the 'Great Evolution Scripture', this indicates unstable fortune. When faced with great disaster, he cannot turn bad luck into good. He might not endure in dangerous situations and could easily revert to his original state, still possessing significant volatility."

"Old Chen truly has an inherent disadvantage," Zhao Xing sighed inwardly. Given the current situation, he wondered if Old Chen could withstand the disaster of the Ten Sun Cave Heaven. Nevertheless, it was much better than before. If Zhao Xing hadn't joined Liao Rulong's unit, Chen Shijie certainly wouldn't have gained a million military merits and would probably still be hesitating outside Fire Dragon Pass.

"Xia Jing's fortune, on the other hand, is very strong." Zhao Xing looked at Xia Jing again. "He has red with hints of green, and occasionally purple starlight comes from the east, adorning his head. This is a sign of Tier 4, and a stable Tier 4 at that."

Zhao Xing could not see his own fortune pillar, but he speculated that Xia Jing's fortune might even be stronger than his. Setting aside his own foresight, Xia Jing's fortune had been on an upward trajectory ever since the Ten Sun Cave Heaven began!

First, he met Zhao Xing during collective training. Although they initially had conflicts, Xia Jing repeatedly beat Zhao Xing in sparring, igniting Master Zhao's temper. During the supply training, Xia Jing was coincidentally assigned to Zhao Xing's group. After enduring some torment, he seized the opportunity to befriend Zhao Xing. Afterward, in the large-scale "actual combat training" and the Yuncheng internship, he was again assigned to Zhao Xing's group!

Especially in the crucial Yuncheng internship, if he hadn't been assigned with Zhao Xing, and instead with another agronomist, Xia Jing would have found it difficult to complete the internship with the highest evaluation. Even if he did, he wouldn't have had time to prepare for the Barbarian Pacification battlefield.

Later, he was able to meet Zhao Xing at Fire Dragon Pass, form an alliance, and benefit from the rich rewards of Fire Dragon Pass and Soul Sacrifice Pass, solidifying his position in the Black Armored Army.

Xia Jing's fortune was inherently strong, and it further solidified after meeting Zhao Xing. His current official rank was the same as Zhao Xing's—from the sixth rank, upper grade—yet he had reached Tier 4, even approaching Tier 5.

Viewed through the 'Great Evolution Scripture', if Xia Jing's fortune were plotted as a curve, there would be very few low points. Even at his unluckiest, he wouldn't fall too far, but there would be many peaks of fortune bursts.

"Why are you staring at me? Did I get handsomer after my promotion?" Xia Jing joked. "I should have asked the court for the title 'Handsome Marquis' instead of 'Profound Hero Marquis' if I'd known."

"Your Highness, you're a bit too narcissistic," Long Xiao scorned. "He's looking at your fortune."

"Oh?" Xia Jing was surprised. "You understand this art?" Zhao Xing had been killing turtles at Soul Sacrifice Pass, but Xia Jing never came to see. The reason was simple: he couldn't stand the fishy smell of the sea turtles.

"Just a little bit."

"So, what did you see?" Xia Jing smiled. "How are the fortunes of the three of us?"

After a moment of thought, Zhao Xing pondered, "I really did see something. There's great good fortune, and also great disaster, but I wonder if you'll believe it."

Long Xiao laughed, "I believe it. Last time you said I'd have good luck, and I broke through a few days later. I feel like you've really figured something out."

Xia Jing said, "Why wouldn't I believe it? My family also has diviners who can identify the best-growing exotic beasts from thousands of younglings. They are said to be able to divine for people too, to see others' destinies. I don't know much about it, but this art is not false. The Imperial Court even has a group of mystical 'Fate Officials'."

"Perhaps you don't know, but almanacs don't just ward off ill fortune; they also bring good fortune. I once saw one at my aunt's." Xia Jing's paternal aunt was married into the imperial clan, making him half-royal.

Chen Shijie remained silent, but ever since their journey to Flame Mountain, he had felt that Zhao Xing was extraordinary. Things always went wrong when he led the team forward, but after Zhao Xing stepped in, their Flame Mountain journey proceeded smoothly. Chen Shijie had a tough life from a young age; his luck only changed after he became an official, so he truly believed in such things.

"I've seen that all three of you will experience great good fortune in the near future, primarily concerning wealth and personal growth," Zhao Xing stated. "However, it is accompanied by great disaster. A significant rise in fortune will be followed by a significant fall. I'm not entirely sure how it will manifest or where it will occur, but I wonder if you yourselves have any premonition?"

Zhao Xing spoke vaguely and generally, unable to be explicit. He could only use a speculative tone to guide the three of them to guess. After reaching the sixth rank, their Life Souls intersected with heaven and earth, allowing for some subtle insights. By letting them guess, he could then naturally continue the conversation.

"I don't," Chen Shijie shook his head.

"Now that you mention it, I really do," Long Xiao said. "I also feel like I'm going to have great luck this year, hahaha." Although he was joking, Zhao Xing knew Long Xiao truly would have great luck. The future Divine Firmament Marquis certainly wouldn't die in the disaster of the Ten Sun Cave Heaven.

Xia Jing pondered, "Primarily wealth and personal growth? We have no transfer orders, so we'll remain in the Ten Sun Cave Heaven. Could it be related to this place? Perhaps I should go back and ask my aunt and our family's diviner."

Zhao Xing nodded. "That's a good idea. I'm only a half-baked expert; it's best if you ask them."

After Xia Jing and the other two left, Zhao Xing rested in the Willow Tree Courtyard, sorting through his memories in his dreams.

He wasn't afraid of being suspected for what he said, because the spiritual aura outburst in the Ten Sun Cave Heaven had been anticipated by many powerful nobles. These nobles possessed good fortune almanacs and kept diviners and fate masters at home. Many of them would discover that Ten Sun Cave Heaven would bring great benefits.

The Military Sector's Creation Plate had also calculated the outbreak of spiritual energy in Ten Sun Cave Heaven well in advance. However, they had only predicted great good fortune, but not the great disaster, or perhaps it was overlooked.

Because after the spiritual aura outburst, many agronomists in the Military Sector believed that Ten Sun Cave Heaven, after more than ten years of transformation, had successfully stabilized and truly become a blessed land.

An official announcement followed. Prince Liang even submitted a memorial to Emperor Jing, roughly implying: "Your Majesty defeated the Southern Barbarians, and Ten Sun Cave Heaven was upgraded to a blessed land. Such an auspicious sign means that Heaven and Earth are assisting Your Majesty." Once political factors were involved, the small portion of ominous signs inferred by the Creation Plate were ignored.

"After the Ten Sun Cave Heaven's spiritual aura outbreak, several important areas were sealed off. It would be incredibly difficult for latercomers to enter, unless they were already there from the start."

After confirming it was a great opportunity, the Imperial Court quickly cordoned off the areas. All resources within the Cave Heaven belonged to the state; how they were distributed was, of course, decided by the Imperial Court. How could low-ranking soldiers and generals possibly benefit from such advantages? Even in less important areas, if low-ranking officials found treasures, they had to surrender them to the state and only received a small symbolic reward.

"I need to seize the initiative, and I definitely can't do it alone."

"The Extreme Night Sea to the north, the Inverted Peaks to the east, the Pengli Marsh to the west, and the Crimson Lake to the south—these crucial areas must be visited, because the spiritual energies born in these places are either for lifespan or fortune!"

"The Ten Thousand Mile Thunder Pool, Earth Fire Plains, Sky Fire Path, and Gang Wind Mountains are four places primarily producing treasures, with less spiritual energy, but the value of these treasures is very high."

"There are also several areas that will produce seventh-rank 'native species,' a type of seventh-rank native species found only in the Ten Sun Cave Heaven."

"There are too many benefits; I can't take them all myself," Zhao Xing woke from his dream. "I need to find people."

"And I need to find people who are strong and have strong fortune to enter those important areas with me."

Even as a sixth-rank official, if he picked up items without connections at such an opportunity, he would have to surrender them or be expelled. This was still within the "safe zones."

What about the "unsafe zones"? In certain places, Emperor Jing, in order to exploit the powerful nobles, deliberately set very high entry fees and even erected 'Oblivion Steles', hoping to incite conflict among the noble families who entered. Even so, large numbers of heirs from prominent families eagerly fought to get in.

Why? Because many prominent families, after several generations, faced an awkward situation: to maintain certain rights, they needed a certain number of rising young talents within the family.

Here, the peculiarity of the peerage inheritance system must be mentioned: many peerages do not inherit "fortune," nor do they increase lifespan, nor do they help elevate one's cultivation realm.

A peerage is not equivalent to an official position (except for military marquises). Take Xia Jing as an example: his father is a First Class Marquis. If Xia Jing were to inherit, he would become a Second Class Marquis. At this point, he would still be considered a military marquis, and the Imperial Court would arrange a corresponding official position for him, sending him to serve. Under normal circumstances, even if Xia Jing were an ordinary person, he would become a true fifth-rank official, possessing the strength and corresponding fortune of a true fifth-rank.

However, if Xia Jing failed to earn merit, and his son inherited, the Second Class Marquis title would become a Third Class Marquis. At this point, the marquisate would not include an official position or the inheritance of fortune; only property, fiefdoms, and land. The problem lies here: possessing a large amount of family property and a peerage without corresponding strength and official position makes one a clear target.

But at this point, the upward mobility channel was still open. Because of their peerage, even if they did not become officials, they could cultivate to the fifth-rank realm. With this level of strength, whether it was to secure official positions or protect their family's interests, their chances were high, and they wouldn't have to compete through the Daoist Official or Clerical Official systems. From this perspective, aristocratic families and nobles were still much better off than commoners.

However, being a noble under Emperor Jing was truly difficult. For opportunities like the Ten Sun Cave Heaven, not only were the entry fees exorbitant, but fighting to the death for benefits was also permitted. Yet, if they won, those scions of prominent families could solidify their peerage upon exiting, secure their family's interests, and even receive appointments.

Earning military merit on the battlefield was one channel, but fighting the Southern Barbarians didn't require so many people, so other methods had to be found.

"If a great opportunity arises in Ten Sun Cave Heaven, it will undoubtedly attract many noble scions vying for it."

"Whose coattails should I ride?" Zhao Xing pondered.

Tian Yan was not suitable. Teacher Tian was already old and didn't hold a high official position; he was just a teacher at the Terrain Institute. Although he had connections, at this moment, connections weren't the most crucial factor. Putting aside his strength, Tian Yan probably lacked the ambition to compete fiercely anymore.

Yang An? He was already a true fourth-rank military general. He couldn't participate in many areas, and their relationship wasn't that close yet.

Fan Zhaoli? The dean of the Terrain Institute. His combat power was good, but his position was still a bit lacking. Moreover, his last intervention was out of respect for Tian Yan. This time, facing competition from numerous powerful nobles, he might not be willing to help him wholeheartedly.

Zhao Xing thought it over and ultimately decided on Liu Tianning.

Liu Tianning was a fifth-rank official; he could basically go anywhere. He was also a member of the Military Sector's Inspection Department, so the Imperial Court would send him there anyway. Liu Tianning's strength was also formidable. As for his fortune? Zhao Xing had never peeked at Liu Tianning's fortune; grass puppets don't carry fortune, and during the retreat, he hadn't had time to observe. But it couldn't be bad; how could a man who became a first-rank Chief Agronomist have poor fortune?

"Darn, I said I wouldn't get involved with him, but now I'm getting deeper and deeper," Zhao Xing felt a little melancholic. "Whatever benefits Old Liu brings now, he'll likely bring just as much animosity later."

But matters for the future could be dealt with in the future. For now, Zhao Xing had to seize this opportunity.

Immediately, Zhao Xing packed up, took out his Earth Mirror, and requested an audience with Liu Tianning. After receiving his approval, he flew towards the Myriad Law Palace.