Chapter 229: South Qing Garden, Bringing Girl to Crush the Enemy

"You each take one step in the four cardinal directions: south, east, north, and west," Zhao Xing instructed.

Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun complied.

As the four walked east together, Zhao Xing observed their pillars of fortune.

Chen Shijie's luck worsened, showing signs of dissipation.

Ji Ziyun's was similar, though less pronounced than Old Chen's.

Long Xiao and Xia Jing, however, were completely unaffected; a faint purple glow even descended upon them.

"To the east lies the Fallen Peak Mountain Range, where we've been before. That area has now been demarcated, and with more people arriving, the eastern region has become dangerous."

"However, Xia Jing and Long Xiao still possess a favorable eastern fortune, although it shows signs of weakening," Zhao Xing mused.

As for Old Chen and Ji Ziyun, remaining in the Fallen Peak Mountain Range would lead to ominous outcomes.

Zhao Xing then checked the other directions for the four individuals.

"Both the north and west directions indicate good fortune, while the south presents a mix of good and bad luck, requiring them to turn danger into opportunity."

The south leads to Scarlet Lake, a place they would avoid for now.

Zhao Xing calculated that the west corresponded to the Tai hexagram, signifying smooth transitions and a succession of good fortunes.

The north corresponded to the ninety-second hexagram: "Danger in the abyss, small gains to be sought."

Normally, one would head to Pengli Marsh in the west, as it promised only good fortune.

However, Zhao Xing was determined to acquire the treasures of the Evernight Sea, believing it was best to do so sooner rather than later, while few people were around.

As for Pengli Marsh, its treasures were too scattered and not as valuable as those in the Evernight Sea.

"If the desire isn't great despite the danger in the abyss, there won't be much peril."

"My aspirations are significant, which might lead to some trouble, but delaying would only increase the problems. It's better to go to the Evernight Sea first."

"With the combined fortunes of the five of us, plus my experience, we should be able to handle it." After some deliberation, Zhao Xing ultimately decided to proceed to the Evernight Sea first.

The other four had no objections, so they immediately piloted their flying boat northwards.

"It will take at least a day and a half to reach the Evernight Sea. I'll rest for a while."

"Oh, wow? That's a rare sight," Xia Jing remarked. "Don't you ever sleep?"

"There's no need to overexert ourselves just to pick up a treasure."

"Long Xiao, if you encounter a Forgetfulness Stele territory, remember to bypass it and follow the map provided by the Military Bureau."

"If you come across an enclosed area, show your credentials."

"No problem," Long Xiao nodded.

The reason Old Chen wasn't allowed to pilot the flying boat was his bad luck; Zhao Xing feared he might inexplicably steer them into a dangerous location.

After giving his instructions, Zhao Xing entered the cabin, closed his eyes, and slept.

In reality, he entered a dream state to review his past life memories and recall all the benefits associated with the Evernight Sea.

While his main body piloted the Qilin flying boat northward, his Straw Man clone remained at the Spirit Spring.

Ji Zixuan had finished absorbing the fire fortune when his main body entered the Heavenly Gate.

However, Murong Xue had not yet emerged, so they had to wait for her.

When his main body entered the Heavenly Gate for deduction, Murong Xue emerged from the spring. She gazed at Zhao Xing's back on the hill, her eyes softening considerably.

Not everyone could enjoy the benefits of bathing in such a spirit-infused spring. Had Zhao Xing not led the way, she likely wouldn't have found such a beneficial place.

However, when her gaze fell upon Ji Zixuan, Murong Xue's lips involuntarily curled into a slight sneer.

"Vamp!"

As Zhao Xing remained "offline," the two women continued to wait, with no communication between them throughout.

Ji Zixuan, knowing Murong Xue's identity, had no interest in interacting with her. Murong Xue also knew Ji Zixuan was Princess Youruo's disciple.

The relationship between their elders extended to the next generation, making them dislike each other.

This continued until Zhao Xing and his companions finished blasting the strange peak and headed for the Evernight Sea. Only then did Zhao Xing's Straw Man clone come back "online" and stand up from the hill.

"Senior Brother," Ji Zixuan said. She had been meditating right beside Zhao Xing.

The distance was neither too close nor too far, perfectly calibrated to be neither intimate nor distant.

"Mm. Have you both emerged?"

"Yes, we have. Thank you, Senior Brother, for your blessing," Ji Zixuan said, cupping her hands in greeting.

Zhao Xing couldn't help but glance at Ji Zixuan again; her attire and demeanor were indeed quite different from before.

"Thank you, Lord Zhao." Seeing Zhao Xing back online, Murong Xue flew over as well.

"Mm," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Senior Brother, where to next?" Ji Zixuan asked.

"Let's discuss it in a moment," Zhao Xing replied without further explanation.

He planned to take these two young women on a tour of the Fallen Peak Mountain Range, but he didn't intend to include them in major opportunities. However, for secondary opportunities, he could point them in the right direction.

The Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven offered many benefits; even a small portion would be enough for these two women.

However, many areas in the Fallen Peak Mountain Range had already been enclosed and marked with Forgetfulness Steles. Therefore, Zhao Xing was currently waiting for his other clones to arrive.

Out of his eighteen Myriad Law Straw Men, Zhao Xing had sent half over, meaning eight were still en route.

Murong Xue was suspected to be Old Liu's daughter, and Ji Zixuan was Princess Youruo's beloved disciple. Both of them had only recently entered the seventh rank, so he needed to pay attention to ensure no problems arose for them.

"Lend me your geomantic mirror for a moment." While waiting, Zhao Xing wasn't idle. He asked Ji Zixuan for her geomantic mirror and began checking the real-time situation.

At that moment, the geomantic mirror displayed a specialized map list. Numerous smaller maps were shown on it.

Jade Curtain Mountain: Level 4 TurmoilArea: 7,000 square kilometersMinimum Exploration Requirement: Intermediate InspectorMaximum Permitted Rank: Rank 6 (Members of top-tier exploration teams are exempt)Warning: This area falls under the "Crisis Exploration Regulations." Explorers are advised to assess the dangers themselves.Forgetfulness Stele Established: NoKnown Intelligence: Jade Curtain Mountain is suspected to have generated thirty-seven types of Heaven and Earth Spirit Manifestations.Current Personnel in Area: 35 peopleThis intelligence was updated at 12:30 PM on the sixteenth.

"The number of people isn't too high; only thirty-five for the entire Jade Curtain Mountain."

"The Military Bureau is also gradually opening up regional intelligence. They aren't just collecting entrance fees for nothing," Zhao Xing observed, looking at the geomantic mirror.

The 'level of turmoil' referred to the extent of the great changes occurring in the world. For instance, previously Zhao Xing had witnessed mountains exploding after being struck by lightning. That was a great change in heaven and earth that occurred during the grotto-heaven's upgrade process.

Based on the classification, Zhao Xing estimated it to be a Level 6 Turmoil. This was later confirmed when they found a 'Giant Spirit Tree' nearby, yielding six-tier fruits and lingzhi mushrooms.

Of course, the level of turmoil and the treasure tier were not directly linked. For example, the Spirit Spring where Zhao Xing was currently located was only a Level 3 Turmoil, with surrounding anomalies like strong winds and minor earthquakes. Yet the Fire Fortune Spirit Spring was significant enough to be classified as a six-tier treasure ground. This was because the area was vast and the quantity sufficient, something even the early Military Bureau had not fully explored.

After Zhao Xing and his four companions finished absorbing, the two women continued, and there was still plenty left. It could supply at least forty or fifty more people for bathing.

Different areas had different entry requirements. For instance, there were minimum and maximum entry ranks; here, "rank" did not refer to official position. Of course, Zhao Xing had no such worries, as he was a member of a top-tier exploration team and could go anywhere.

Across the entire Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, there were fewer than fifty top-tier exploration teams, with a total membership not exceeding one thousand people. This was precisely why Zhao Xing had insisted that Old Liu establish a top-tier exploration team at that time.

Areas under the "Crisis Exploration Regulations" did not prohibit combat; typically, if this regulation applied, no Forgetfulness Stele would be established. Establishing Forgetfulness Steles was costly. Especially since the areas within the grotto-heaven world were so vast, with even minor instances often spanning tens of thousands of square kilometers, enclosing them entirely with Forgetfulness Steles would be prohibitively expensive. The entire Gucheng City was just over 3,000 square kilometers, whereas this single Jade Curtain Mountain alone spanned over 7,000 square kilometers.

Zhao Xing browsed through the various "minor instances" within the Fallen Peak Mountain Range. He finally selected a location.

Nanqing Garden: Level 3 TurmoilArea: 3,000 square kilometersMinimum Exploration Requirement: Junior InspectorMaximum Permitted Rank: Rank 7 (Members of top-tier exploration teams are exempt)Warning: This area falls under the "Crisis Exploration Regulations." Explorers are advised to assess the dangers themselves.Forgetfulness Stele Established: NoKnown Intelligence: Nanqing Garden is suspected to have generated seven types of Heaven and Earth Spirit Manifestations.Current Personnel in Area: 1,523 peopleThis intelligence was updated at 12:30 PM on the sixteenth.

"Nanqing Garden it is. There are plenty of treasures, and while there are many people, they're all amateurs."

Over three thousand square kilometers was already the size of a top-tier county. A little over a thousand people was not a large number. After all, the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven itself contained many 'Junior Explorers,' equivalent to the quotas for intermediate and senior explorers. Junior qualifications were relatively easy to obtain. With a week having passed since the grotto-heaven opened, a large number of junior explorers had begun their activities. As for intermediate and senior explorers, they were still few.

"Even if conflicts arise, there won't be much pressure," Zhao Xing assessed. His nine Straw Man clones each possessed unique mystical abilities, having integrated various arts. His Myriad Law Straw Man clones could also summon other types of Straw Men, such as the Divine Valor Flying Suicide Bomber Straw Men. With nine Myriad Law Straw Men, he could effortlessly assemble a large contingent of Straw Men. Taking on such a minor instance was akin to "leading ladies to crush weaklings."

"We're going to Nanqing Garden," Zhao Xing stated. "We'll depart as soon as my clones arrive."

"Understood, Senior Brother," Ji Zixuan replied obediently.

Fifteen minutes later, an Arrowfish flying boat arrived, and eight clones jumped off it.

"So many?" Murong Xue couldn't help but exclaim in shock. "He's only Rank 6, yet he can control nine Myriad Law Straw Men?"

Murong Xue also understood the Straw Man art, and her proficiency was not low; she had already mastered the fusion of two arts. She knew perfectly well how difficult the Myriad Law Straw Man was to master. Achieving the perfect fusion of five arts might be something she could never accomplish in her lifetime.

Yet Zhao Xing could already control nine Myriad Law Straw Men! Moreover, each Straw Man seemed to have a slightly different aura and possessed distinct spell effects.

"Nine Straw Men?" Ji Zixuan's knowledge was also extensive, and she immediately realized that Zhao Xing's previous 'disconnects' were all faked. How could someone capable of controlling nine Straw Men possibly "disconnect"? He was clearly trying to fob her off. This only further fueled Ji Zixuan's competitive spirit.

"Board the flying boat first," Zhao Xing instructed plainly.

Subsequently, all nine Myriad Law clones ascended above the Spirit Spring. The Myriad Law Straw Men only mastered two advanced arts: 'Heavenly Eye Art' and 'Sleepy Bug,' which were spells activated based on life souls. This was because the core control of the Straw Men relied on the power of life souls. However, other integrated spells had also reached the perfected intermediate stage.

After using the Spirit Spring, they needed to destroy their traces, as Zhao Xing didn't know whose fortunate encounter they had seized. Most aristocratic families had geomancers and destiny masters, akin to Liang Ruohai, or would consult them. He was about to seize many opportunities, and despite possessing the Profound Seclusion of Heavenly Mandate, he still needed to be careful and cautious.

With the grotto-heaven's upgrade, the world was in a state of great flux, continuously self-destructing and regenerating. Even if he didn't destroy the spirit-infused location, it might reset, giving birth to other spirit manifestations or disappearing entirely. If malicious individuals were to target him or those around him, leaving traces would only benefit his enemies.

As for reporting it? Zhao Xing had previously acquired a batch of 'Thousand-Year Cold Crystals,' so he didn't need to complete any 'Explorer's Tasks' for a while. Moreover, reporting location intelligence didn't significantly help in completing such tasks. The Military Bureau didn't require explorers to report location intelligence; during the Great Pacification War, 'intelligence' yielded the fewest military merits, and the principle remained the same: with the Creation Disk, they knew the rise and fall of everything.

Now, within the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, areas were being demarcated everywhere, and combat was not prohibited, which would drive most people to madness.

All nine Myriad Law Straw Men simultaneously unleashed the Five Elements Earth Sundering Art!

Although the Myriad Law Straw Men didn't possess their own fortune, their spell effects still inherited the fortune enhancement from the main body. When all nine Straw Men simultaneously cast the Five Elements Earth Sundering Art, their perfected intermediate-tier "Gambler's Tactic" immediately caused enormous commotion.

*Rumble, rumble, rumble!*

The valley collapsed, and the spring boiled. The topography was completely altered, with large quantities of ground fire erupting. In short order, the Spirit Spring had vanished without a trace.

"What? Th-this is the Five Elements Earth Sundering Art?" Murong Xue couldn't help but exclaim. "It's incredibly destructive!"

She had never imagined that the Five Elements Earth Sundering Art could possess such immense power!

"If his Myriad Law Straw Men are this powerful, how formidable must his main body be?" Murong Xue was also a Diviner of Agriculture. As an expert, Murong Xue immediately sensed that Zhao Xing was extraordinary. No wonder he could become Liu Tianning's direct disciple!

Zhao Xing returned to the flying boat, completely unfazed by the two women's astonished gazes. In his opinion, it was merely a minor trick.

"Which of you knows how to pilot a flying boat?" Lord Zhao, having taken on the role of bodyguard, wouldn't also act as a driver. He couldn't do all the work himself; that would be pampering them too much.

"Senior Brother, I can," Ji Zixuan immediately offered, never missing a chance to impress. "I won first place in a flying boat race at the Azure Water Academy."

"Oh?" Zhao Xing cast Ji Zixuan a surprised glance. "So you're an experienced pilot."

"Alright, you take the helm then."

"Murong Xue, you're in charge of lookout. Call me if there's any situation or when we reach our destination." After saying this, Lord Zhao "went offline" without waiting for Murong Xue's agreement.

Controlling clones also consumed energy, so it was best to conserve it when possible.

"Understood," Murong Xue replied. She had no airs of a pampered young lady, otherwise she wouldn't have chosen the path of a Diviner of Agriculture; her feet had indeed touched dirt. She immediately conjured wind and flew around, acting as a lookout.

An hour later.

Ji Zixuan spoke to the back of the cabin, "Senior Brother, we've arrived."

Inside the flying boat's cabin, the nine Myriad Law Straw Men immediately "came alive" and walked out together. After observing the orientation and terrain, his main body, miles away, performed a quick calculation. Then the clone instructed, "Southeast, at a four-fifths turning angle, one-third standard cruising speed, at one hundred meters altitude."

"Understood," Ji Zixuan immediately piloted the flying boat in an arc, following Zhao Xing's instructions. She glanced back and saw that Zhao Xing was once again motionless.

After flying for about fifteen minutes, Murong Xue suddenly announced, "A Blood Shadow boat is approaching us."

Ji Zixuan glanced behind her and asked Murong Xue, "How many people? If it's a small number, we can handle it ourselves; there's no need to trouble Senior Brother."