Chapter 257: Lightning Bamboo, Hallucinogenic Mushrooms, Jungle Jumping (12,000)

Liu Tianning hadn't expected that Zhao Xing would not only create pure elemental soil, but also on such a vast scale. Over three thousand square meters—a feat comparable to what many veteran fifth-grade cultivators of the Self-Sect could achieve.

"Your progress is considerable," Liu Tianning nodded. "Those three hundred million were well spent." To achieve such results, three hundred million points were indeed a bargain.

Zhao Xing replied, "I actually spent resources worth a billion. Princess Youruo has been very supportive of me, and my Ten Thousand Laws Avatar also had some fortunate encounters exploring in the East Sea."

Liu Tianning pondered, "Once you reach the fifth grade, I will secure resources worth ten billion for you."

Resources worth ten billion? This time, it was Zhao Xing's turn to be stunned. How could Old Liu be so wealthy?

Liu Tianning calmly stated, "After the Pacification of the Barbarians War concludes, regardless of whether I'm promoted to a third-grade official, I will become the Vice Dean of the Shangluo Academy. Even if it's just initially, the resources I can command will be at least in the trillion-level. These resources are primarily used to cultivate the talented agriculturists of the Self-Sect. As my disciple, receiving cultivation with ten billion worth of resources won't be difficult."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and immediately understood. Liu Tianning, from the influential agriculturist family in Taihe Commandery, might not casually have ten billion to give his disciple. Even if he did, the Liu family is vast, and he has an elder brother who is actually the family head.

But Liu Tianning as the leader of the Self-Sect was a different matter entirely. The path of the agriculturist has been passed down for millennia. No one could truly say how terrifying the accumulated wealth and legacy of agriculturist strongholds like Shangluo Academy and Lianhua Academy were, given their long histories. No matter who ruled the world, it never affected their farming, because agriculturist officials had no political leanings; their sole ambition was to farm and bring prosperity to the world. No dynasty or era would ever slaughter agriculturist officials. On the contrary, they were the primary individuals new dynasties sought to win over. When establishing a new dynasty, the nineteen prefectures suffered numerous wars, leaving the environment and conditions in chaos. To recover quickly and stabilize the world, agriculturists were indispensable.

After this Pacification of the Barbarians War, it wouldn't matter whether Liu Tianning became a third-grade official of the court. As long as he became the leader of the Self-Sect, a high-grade official position was guaranteed. The reason for being Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy was primarily because the current leader of the Self-Sect, Xu Xing, had not yet died. However, Xu Xing wouldn't last much longer. Zhao Xing recalled that this second-grade Junior Minister of Agriculture was already seven hundred and seventy-five years old. Although Xu Xing, a second-grade official, possessed first-grade power, even if he could live past eight hundred, he didn't have much time left. And in his previous life, Xu Xing had also passed away in the seventeenth year of the Great Peace era.

The Self-Sect wouldn't wait for someone to die before selecting a successor. They had already begun scouting candidates, and the moment Liu Tianning emerged from the military realm and began his work, there was no suspense about his eventual leadership. The most representative spell of the Self-Sect was the Ten Thousand Laws Straw Effigy. Liu Tianning's great-grandfather was the Dean of Lianhua Academy, and although not the leader, he held a very high position. With such impeccable lineage, Liu Tianning had also elevated the Ten Thousand Laws Straw Effigy to new heights. The other vice deans simply couldn't compete with him; they were merely accompanying runners.

Liu Tianning himself didn't have that much money to give to his disciple. But after he assumed leadership, he would bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Self-Sect, and he wouldn't need to wait for Xu Xing's death to act. Cultivating Self-Sect agriculturists was precisely what he needed to do, just as he had taught the Straw Effigy Art in the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven years ago. Although the Self-Sect had few members, they were exceptionally united. Anyone recognized as a Self-Sect agriculturist was at least at the fifth-grade level. When Liu Tianning said he commanded trillion-level resources, he was being modest! Appointing the capable regardless of personal connection, while Zhao Xing was his disciple, his abilities were evident. There would likely be no objection to him receiving ten billion in resources.

However, this wasn't a free gift. True to Old Liu's character, his assessments for disciples were very rigorous. As expected, Zhao Xing heard Liu Tianning speak again: "For the first phase, I'll give you five hundred million. With this five hundred million, you need to cultivate mainstream fifth-tier plants across various classifications: families, orders, classes, species, phyla, and genera. You'll need to explore each hierarchical classification. Additionally, you must skillfully use pure elemental projection, master its combat techniques, and enter the dojo to improve your ranking. This is your first-phase objective."

"For the second phase, I'll give you at least two billion. You'll cultivate sixth-tier plants and develop five-level pure elemental soil. Furthermore, you must train yourself in the dojo. Regardless of whether you're fifth-grade or fourth-grade, you must become the top-ranked Self-Sect agriculturist in the mid-grade realm of Pinghai Prefecture."

"For the third phase, I'll provide at least eight billion. You'll cultivate seven-tier plants across six classifications, with the goal of becoming the top agriculturist in the mid-grade realm of Pingzhou."

Liu Tianning didn't mention what came next, because if Zhao Xing achieved these three objectives, regardless of his official rank, he would already possess high-grade combat power. By then, Zhao Xing would also be a high-ranking individual and would have to shoulder the responsibility of cultivating younger generations. As for his path beyond that, Liu Tianning hadn't planned that far ahead yet.

Zhao Xing listened quietly. Fifth-tier plants, he could cultivate them with ease. The only difficulty lay in what Liu Tianning mentioned: encompassing all series. Some had relatively long growth cycles, like large trees. With his current scale, planting large trees would still be quite challenging. Of course, the first-phase objective was generally straightforward; achieving these tasks with five hundred million was not difficult. The real challenge lay in the second and third phases.

"Once you complete the first phase objective, come find me again."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Master," Zhao Xing respectfully replied.

Next, Liu Tianning asked several questions, mainly regarding his insights into the Three Great Secret Manuals. The master and disciple discussed for half an hour through the earth mirror before ending their conversation. Immediately after they finished, Zhao Xing's earth mirror showed a notification of five hundred million points being credited to his account.

"Elites from agriculturist families like Old Liu truly drop a lot of gold coins," Zhao Xing couldn't help but exclaim. "Completing one task for him is a hundred or even a thousand times more rewarding than for anyone else." Compared to Liu Tianning, Mi Fu's influence during his lifetime was completely incomparable. Perhaps in his later years, some might draw parallels between him and Liu Tianning.

"Old Mi's Profound Yellow Yuan Analysis Art isn't suitable for public release yet," Zhao Xing mused. Firstly, Old Liu was already on an unstoppable path. Regardless of his strength, family background, influence in court and countryside, or military and political power... Liu Tianning's rise was unstoppable; he was destined to become the Grand Minister of Agriculture in the future. Having this Profound Yellow Yuan Analysis Art or not made no difference for him. But Zhao Xing needed to rely on this secret art to complete his own plans, a matter that would have to wait until he reached high-grade cultivation. At the current stage, spiritual energy treasures were hard to find. Even Princess Youruo's treasury only contained a single willow branch. Speaking of it now would be pointless. Once more spiritual energy treasures were found, they could be used by both Old Liu and Mi Fu.

"Connecting with Liu Tianning truly put me on the fast track to advancement."

"Giving me so much... he must really be afraid I'd be greedy," Zhao Xing couldn't help but chuckle. Including the previous three hundred million, he had now given a total of eight hundred million. Liu Tianning wasn't even Vice Dean yet, so this money likely came out of Old Liu's own pocket.

"Maybe the princess lent him the money," Zhao Xing speculated, because not long after, Princess Youruo contacted him, asking if he had broken through to the fifth grade. He hadn't told anyone about reaching the fifth grade; it must have been Liu Tianning who informed her. "It's probably the princess who initiated it. Truly enviable, making money without even trying."

Having received five hundred million points, Zhao Xing's main body once again departed Twin Islands. He needed to go to the Military Realm for some procurement, and the closest entrance to the Military Realm was the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven. Although Old Liu hadn't set a deadline, Zhao Xing himself felt time was pressing. This was mainly because the 29th year of the Jingxin calendar was approaching a critical juncture.

Firstly, the 30th year of the Jingxin calendar would feature the East Sea group stage of the Myriad Beasts Competition. Qualifying would allow participation in the Four Seas Competition. Securing a spot in the Four Seas Competition would grant entry into the ancient Dragon Court. At the same time, by the 30th year of the Jingxin calendar, the Chongming Prefecture would certainly have to promote him to a fifth-grade official. This was because he had consistently received excellent performance reviews for ten consecutive years, far exceeding the superior standard, so a promotion was inevitable. At that time, he would again receive a baptism of national fortune. But simultaneously, he would also enter the dangerous threshold of a fifth-grade official. Both the Prince of Liang's faction and external forces would take notice of him.

It was already autumn, and he would be promoted after the New Year (the Spring Festival in the second month), meaning he had less than half a year to prepare. He might encounter enemies both internally and externally, especially since the Prince of Liang had surely begun plotting rebellion. Zhao Xing deduced this using the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Tortoise and the Five-Fingered Heavenly Mandate. He had calculated many times, and no matter how he interpreted the divinations, the 30th year of the Jingxin calendar would be a tumultuous one for him.

"Things change too quickly. If chaos erupts, even farming will be affected. If plant-based soldiers can form combat power, I'll have an extra layer of preparation."

Zhao Xing piloted his flying boat, and three days later, on September 26th, he arrived in Jiujiang Commandery of Chongming Prefecture. The entrance to the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven was located in the eastern part of the commandery city. The reason the grotto-heaven entrance was within the commandery city, unlike the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven entrance situated in the mountains outside the suburbs, was primarily due to the unique nature of the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven. It also had a movable gate entrance, similar to the Star Ruin Realm. However, the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven was in the middle stage of a minor world, and its interior was very stable.

A thousand years ago, the gate entrance to the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven was not in Jiujiang Commandery, nor was this place called Jiujiang Commandery. Emperor Wen had moved the gate entrance from Yuanpin Prefecture and deployed it here to enhance the military strength of Pinghai Prefecture's eastern region. However, Emperor Wen's reign was relatively peaceful; the aquatic races greatly admired Emperor Wen's benevolence, and no major incidents occurred in the East Sea. The military utility of Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven never fully manifested. Instead, over time, it became a rich material storage station. If one wanted to buy seafood from the East Sea, Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven had the most comprehensive selection. It was also a large transfer station for the Military Realm; almost anything purchasable with money could be found there.

After sitting for a while in the Flying Ship Bureau's reception hall in the eastern part of the commandery city, Zhao Xing saw a burly general, clad in light armor with a long sword at his waist, stride quickly towards him.

"Marquis Yuanrang, it is my fault for making you wait so long," the general said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"General Fang, please don't be so polite. I actually just arrived myself," Zhao Xing replied, standing up.

The person was indeed Fang Ze of the Jiujiang Army. For eight years, the warhorses cultivated by the Dragon Horse Directorate had always been supplied to the Black Armored Army, the Wuluo Army, and the Jiujiang Army. Among them, the one responsible for liaison between the Jiujiang Army and Zhao Xing was this General Fang Ze, a regular fifth-grade officer.

"Marquis Yuanrang, please follow me." Fang Ze knew Zhao Xing's temperament and, without further pleasantries, immediately led him to the Jiujiang Grotto-Heaven.

"Please."

Zhao Xing was not currently a soldier. Under normal procedures, for him to enter a military grotto-heaven, he would need to go through a process, waiting for the local government to submit an application for military approval. After all, the Military Realm was equivalent to the entire Great Zhou's military camp, and non-military personnel were not permitted to enter at will. However, with Fang Ze leading the way, it was different. He was led directly through the Jiujiang Army's exclusive passage.

Entering through a hundred-meter-tall gate, they emerged beside a large river. Not far from the great river was the Jiujiang Military City. Its layout was largely similar to Yang City, as military cities had standardized construction plans. The difference from the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven was that the weather and environment here were extremely stable, like spring all year round, making it very comfortable upon entry.

"Marquis Yuanrang, this is the Dragon River Guesthouse our army has arranged for you. It's very close to the Military Realm's internal treasury, less than thirty li away. It's also close to the dojo, less than twenty li. Whether you want to buy something or spar at the dojo, it's very convenient. If Marquis Yuanrang wishes to visit our Jiujiang military camp, holding this token will grant you access anywhere," Fang Ze said, handing Zhao Xing a token engraved with the character 'Fang,' full of hope.

"Thank you, General Fang," Zhao Xing accepted the token.

"The Jiujiang City Agriculturist Directorate also has four departments: Tian Shi, Di Li, Tai Cang, and Ping Huai. It also has treasures like the Solar Term Stele, the Primordial Dojo, the Seventy-Two Earthly Palaces, and the Profound Earth Prison. If Marquis Yuanrang has time, you could offer some guidance at our army's agriculturist training camp," Fang Ze eagerly requested. "It would be even better if you could give them a lecture."

How could Master Zhao have such spare time? He took the token, gave a couple of perfunctory replies, and sent Fang Ze away.

After familiarizing himself with the premises, Zhao Xing took out his earth mirror and began purchasing fifth-tier seeds. Currently, with his third-level pure elemental soil, he could grow up to seventh-tier plant life. However, the soil already contained the Floating Vine, a major resource consumer. It was impossible to plant other high-tier plants, as it would affect the Floating Vine's growth. After all, the Floating Vine could naturally grow to the ninth tier. Naturally, its growth was the priority. Liu Tianning also knew this, so the target he set for Zhao Xing was fifth-tier plant-based soldiers.

"Fourth, fifth, and sixth-tier plant-based soldiers, solely based on life-tier, are roughly equivalent to human sixth, fifth, and fourth-grade cultivators, respectively. However, cultivators among humans vary in strength, while plant quality classification is more detailed," Zhao Xing observed while browsing on the earth mirror. Shangluo Academy classified plant tiers from one to nine, with "super-tier" (rare treasures, peerless wonders) above that. Quality was divided into 'Normal Grade,' 'Elite Grade,' 'King Grade,' 'Emperor Grade,' and 'Legendary Grade.' Among these, Emperor Grade and Legendary Grade qualities generally only appeared in rare and peerless treasures. If a seedling was of Emperor Grade quality, as long as it could be cultivated to maturity, it had a very high chance of surpassing the ninth tier. The Floating Vine Liu Tianning provided was only of King Grade quality. The reason Old Liu was later able to cultivate it to surpass the ninth tier was entirely due to the sheer volume of resources he poured into it, breaking through its quality limit.

Of course, behind the quality classifications set by the Self-Sect was another statement: "All plant life has the potential to become legendary." But this statement was merely for show. Normal quality plants had a growth potential of at most the third tier. To cultivate it into a legend? The human, material, and financial resources expended would be a hundred times more difficult than directly cultivating a legendary quality seedling.

"Generally speaking, choosing the corresponding quality means choosing growth potential." Zhao Xing filtered out other options, only looking at 'Elite Quality.' His third-level pure elemental soil was suitable for cultivating Elite Quality; King Grade would be an overload.

"The first-phase objective Liu Tianning set for me includes mainstream plant-based soldiers from six classifications: families, orders, classes, species, phyla, and genera. Though called mainstream, the total quantity isn't small," Zhao Xing observed carefully. "I'll start by choosing those with short growth cycles and easy cultivation." The fastest growing were undoubtedly vines, bamboo, and herbaceous plants. However, Elite Quality plants of this type were relatively rare. Even fewer could be used in combat, because they had to possess 'active' effects. "I'll buy these three first, for practice."

You purchased Lightning Bamboo Seedlings x30.You purchased Resilient Long Vine Seedlings x10.You purchased Hallucinogenic Mushroom Seeds x30.

All were Elite Grade Tier 2, meaning they would be Tier 5 when mature. In terms of life-tier alone, they corresponded to human fifth-grade. For example, the hallucinogenic mushroom's toxicity would be effective against fifth-grade cultivators. But if it were just Elite Grade Tier 1 (colloquially, Tier 4), it wouldn't be toxic enough for a fifth-grade cultivator. Fungi were Zhao Xing's favorite type of plant-based soldier. This stuff had many application scenarios and was highly controllable.

After completing the purchase, five thousand points were deducted from Zhao Xing's balance. Seeds and seedlings were actually quite cheap; the main expense lay in the cultivation process itself. If he merely placed the seeds and seedlings into the pure elemental soil and left them, it would simply deplete the pure elemental soil's energy. The energy tier of the pure elemental soil would decrease. In severe cases, it would revert to first-level soil, or even decompose back into sand. This would cause permanent damage, and even if it were reformed into pure elemental soil, it would be weaker than before. Therefore, Zhao Xing also needed to purchase other resources to bring in with them.

"Purchase 10 sixth-tier Origin Crystals."You purchased 10 sixth-tier Origin Crystals, deducting six hundred thousand points.

Not long after placing the order, he heard a clattering sound from outside the courtyard. Zhao Xing walked out and was momentarily stunned. Was it now common for engineers to deliver goods on bamboo horses? For a moment, he thought he was back at the Eighteen Pagoda Tree Courtyard, encountering Gao Ming making a delivery.

"Sir, your items have arrived," the delivering engineer pulled Zhao Xing back to reality.

"Mm." Zhao Xing waved his hand, and the bamboo scroll boxes rolled in from the courtyard entrance. Inside the three bamboo boxes were hallucinogenic mushrooms, resilient long vines, and lightning bamboo. Opening the boxes, Zhao Xing's mind stirred. A pure elemental projection instantly appeared, enveloping the seeds and seedlings in the boxes.

"Retrieve!"

The boxes remained in place, but the seeds and seedlings had vanished. Zhao Xing's consciousness sank, and he introspected his pure elemental soil. At this moment, the seeds and seedlings of the three plants, along with the 10 Origin Crystals, all appeared within the pure elemental soil. As soon as they were planted, the seedlings and seeds grew wildly, crossing the seedling stage and entering the growth stage at a visible pace.

"The pure elemental soil has the dao insights I've comprehended inscribed within it, and the Origin Crystals provide ample energy, which is equivalent to automatically casting Desolate Condensation and Wild Growth." Zhao Xing's consciousness floated back up. He didn't need to do anything else, just wait for them to mature. Previously, cultivating plants required constant spellcasting. With the pure elemental soil, it became fully automated, incredibly effortless.

"Next is mastering the control spells of the Self-Sect." Learning spells cost no money, so Zhao Xing flew directly to the Agriculturist Directorate in Jiujiang City. After presenting the token Fang Ze had given him, Zhao Xing entered the Jiujiang Tai Cang Institute. The spell he was now to learn was one he had only briefly encountered before: Plants as Soldiers.

"'Plants as Soldiers' is a spell for controlling plant-based soldiers. To utilize plants in combat, this Self-Sect spell is indispensable." He had learned the Plants as Soldiers spell during his time as a clerk, but back then, it was merely using plant characteristics to create straw figures, not true Plants as Soldiers at all. The true Plants as Soldiers spell was an advanced art.

Zhao Xing came to a mural gallery in the Tai Cang Institute and observed. At this moment, many reserve military agriculturists looked over. However, they merely glanced and continued with their own tasks, assuming Zhao Xing was one of the Tai Cang Institute's teachers. Zhao Xing sat before the mural, looking up and quietly observing.

*Om.* Zhao Xing closed his eyes, then found himself in front of a bamboo forest. At this moment, an agriculturist, wearing a straw cape and a bamboo hat, wielding a staff, stood before the bamboo forest.

"'Plants as Soldiers' is of utmost importance to the Self-Sect agriculturists. To make plants into soldiers, as if they were extensions of your own limbs, you must deeply understand the Yin-Yang Self-Sect Scripture. Look, this is an Elite