Chapter 316: Epic Catastrophe, Historical Reenactment of Political Marriage?

A small child charged forward like a wild boar, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye. However, Liu Wanliang didn't give chase. He merely sent guards to search, as if the child truly were just a relative's offspring.

Seeing Liu Wanliang remain still, Zhao Xing remembered that he had come to him for something important.

"You've been staring blankly by the lake all day," Liu Wanliang said. "The Princess is quite worried about your state, so she specifically sent me to check on you."

"I'm fine," Zhao Xing replied. "I've just hit a bottleneck."

"The Mountain Dharma gathers heavenly fortune; it's not achieved in a single day. Chen'an, you also cultivate the Myriad Dharma Straw Man. You shouldn't make people worry."

Zhao Xing understood immediately and quickly said, "I'll go see the Princess right away."

Liu Wanliang smiled and nodded.

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and his clothes rippled like flowing water, instantly transforming from simple attire to magnificent robes.

Princess Youruo wasn't entirely worried about him, as he was under her watchful eye. Aside from his frequent dazes due to cultivating the Mountain Dharma, his clone at home had shown no abnormalities for decades. The main concern was still with Old Liu.

Liu Tianning was tens of thousands of miles away, and his true self had been in secluded cultivation for many years. Although he had clones handling official duties, Princess Youruo was more worried about him than about Zhao Xing.

Since the 26th year of Dazhi, Liu Tianning's true self had undergone two significant periods of secluded cultivation. One lasted a full thirty years, from the 26th to the 56th year of Dazhi. Princess Youruo hadn't seen Liu Tianning's true self for thirty years. He emerged from seclusion in the 57th year of Dazhi, but they only met once, and their time together was less than a month.

"During his thirty-year seclusion, Old Liu completed the re-cultivation of the first stage of the Divine Derivation Art," Zhao Xing recalled as he walked. "But Princess Youruo doesn't know this, because it's top secret; she can't possibly find out. Precisely because she doesn't know the reason, she's anxious."

"I can't tell her either. I can only reassure her that his master is well."

Zhao Xing reflected on Liu Tianning's activities: "He emerged from seclusion in the 57th year of Dazhi and focused on handling official duties. Starting from the 58th year, he began covertly inspecting the effectiveness of the Green Sprout Law's promotion across the nineteen provinces, rewarding and punishing local branch academies."

"By this time, the number of Self-Identity faction officials had significantly increased compared to the Jingxin calendar era. In some prefectures, the Civilian Ministers of Agriculture, and in some armies, the Military Ministers of Agriculture, Self-Identity faction officials even outnumbered those from the other two factions. This was his capital for vying for the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture; he couldn't afford not to pay attention."

"After three years of investigation, in the first year of Yongzhi, he returned to Daoyuan Continent, entered the Dao arena, and challenged Yun Zheng, the head of the Cloud-in-the-Sky Institute at Xuantian Academy."

"According to tradition, the competition among the three factions involves a maximum of ten battles between Grand Minister of Agriculture candidates, with a ten-year interval between each battle."

Why "maximum of ten battles"? Because if the opponent is subdued in the initial matches, there's no need for subsequent ones. If not subdued, they fight again after ten years. During this time, various political achievements might convince others, and a rematch after ten years might not be necessary.

"After nine battles, if still not convinced, then there's no other way. The tenth battle is for the Great Dao itself," Zhao Xing mused.

The first nine battles were only about victory or defeat, not life or death. The victor even had to try to show mercy, not fundamentally harming the opponent. After the battles, both sides would sit down to discuss their philosophies, seeking common ground while acknowledging differences. If after nine battles, neither side could persuade the other to follow their path, then the battle for the Great Dao was the only option.

"Normally, it wouldn't come to this. However, Liu Tianning is the head of Shangluo Academy, and he belongs to the Self-Identity faction. The Self-Identity faction has never produced a Grand Minister of Agriculture, so they'd likely have to fight until the tenth battle. For instance, in the battle with Yun Zheng in the first year of Yongzhi, after Yun Zheng lost, he didn't sit down to discuss with Liu Tianning. Instead, he made a fierce declaration to fight again in ten years and then left."

Not even going through the motions, it's clear how much resistance Old Liu faced in becoming Grand Minister of Agriculture.

Of course, there were also cases where a candidate was convinced but had no choice but to continue fighting. This was because he represented not just an individual's interests, nor merely his own glory, but the interests and honor of an entire school of thought. Knowing it was impossible yet proceeding anyway—there was no other choice. Dying on the Dao arena was better than surrendering! At least it would give an explanation to the supporters who had invested vast resources: "Look, I fought to the death for our ideals, and I've lived up to centuries of your support."

"In the first year of Yongzhi, Liu Tianning fought a total of eight battles. Four people from Xuantian Academy participated, namely the heads or deputy heads of the Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud Institutes, all of whom were among the candidates. Without exception, all were defeated by Liu Tianning. However, Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi were not among them."

"This was Liu Tianning after re-cultivation, only at the first layer of the Divine Derivation Art," Zhao Xing mused. "Liu Tianning's cultivation talent can truly be called the foremost among Ministers of Agriculture, even I can't compare to him in some aspects."

Zhao Xing had cultivated the Mountain Dharma for eighty-two years and was still unable to break through the Heavenly Fortune Consummation realm, but Liu Tianning entered the first rank in just three years. Of course, he didn't cultivate heavenly fortune with Mountain Dharma, but with Divine Wood; intrinsically, there was no difference between the two, but cultivating with Mountain Dharma was slightly more difficult.

Liu Tianning's journey in the Heavenly Fortune Realm was smoother because his family had held one-third of the Minister of Agriculture's destiny since the founding of the nation. The most representative Myriad Dharma Straw Man, the Liu Clan Straw Man Art, was created by his great-grandfather and reached new heights in his hands. Heavenly Fortune, Personal Fortune, National Dynasty Fortune, accumulated over thousands of years. In this realm, no one would be smoother than Liu Tianning. Even Zhao, who considered himself a cheat, had to admit defeat in the Heavenly Fortune Realm.

However, when it came to cultivating the Divine Derivation Art, it was different. Even after cultivating the Mountain for eighty-two years, Zhao Xing had not abandoned his cultivation of the Divine Derivation Art. After all, this not only concerned Old Liu's life and death but also his own. With his arrival at the second-rank Heavenly Fortune Realm, he also needed to cultivate the second layer of the Divine Derivation Art.

"While quietly cultivating the Mountain Dharma, in less than ten years, I cultivated the second layer of the Divine Derivation Art to consummation, with 500,000 soul divisions and my life soul imprinted with myriad stars, once again setting a new historical record. The time after that was spent summarizing the correct cultivation method for the second layer of the Divine Derivation Art, and specifically summarizing the re-cultivation situations for powerful cultivators, not just Liu Tianning but also strong individuals from other professions."

"Starting from the first year of Yongzhi, I began teaching Liu Tianning to cultivate the second layer of the Divine Derivation Art, custom-tailoring it for him. After he finished eight battles, defeating four from the Timely Faction and four from the Favorable Ground Faction, he began his secluded cultivation again. After that, he emerged from seclusion once every ten years, having fought eighteen people successively. The most battles were four rounds, the fewest was one round."

"Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen still hadn't fought him, but Meng Kun and Qin Shanyue had both been beaten once."

After only four rounds, no one had directly surrendered and said they wouldn't fight anymore. That would be too embarrassing; after all, he was a Minister of Agriculture from the Self-Identity faction. They'd at least have to hold out until the ninth battle, right?

"The Yongzhi era has ninety-eight years. Li Boqian will pass away in the late Yongzhi period, and there will be several years without a Grand Minister of Agriculture after his death. The struggle among the three factions will likely conclude completely by the second year of Emperor Wu's Yuanshou era."

With a long lifespan, it takes time to verify one's achievements, laws, theories, and virtues over a hundred years. It would also be enough time for the Ministers of Agriculture from the three factions, as well as various professions and the Emperor, to clearly see who was the suitable candidate for Grand Minister of Agriculture.

"On another note, Old Liu's talent in other aspects is exceptional. Even in the Heavenly Fortune Realm, I can't surpass him, but his progress in re-cultivating the Divine Derivation Art is a bit slow," Zhao Xing mused. "It's already the 46th year of Yongzhi, and his re-cultivation speed is slower than that of geniuses from other professions."

The "re-cultivation" here doesn't mean dispersing cultivation and re-cultivating; it's more like a point-to-area correction and treatment. You can say disperse cultivation for qi, but how do you disperse cultivation for soul methods? Would one beat oneself into a ghost state? If it were that easy, the drawbacks of the Myriad Dharma Straw Man wouldn't have remained unsolved for so many years.

"Princess Youruo's worries are not unfounded, but she herself has problems. Alas, I hope she can see clearly and not lose her temper."

Zhao Xing thought, then walked into Yonghua Hall.

"Your subject greets the Princess."

Princess Youruo, Ji Anlan, was sitting upright at her desk, her brows slightly furrowed as she reviewed official documents. Hearing Zhao Xing's bow, she didn't speak immediately. Zhao Xing remained bowed, waiting quietly.

He knew Princess Youruo was already quite displeased with him and his master. It made sense; her beloved would disappear for decades at a time. Clones? What was the point of clones? They were just to fool children! And when asked for the reason, they wouldn't say.

As for the disciple, he was also in seclusion. Princess Youruo understood the reason for this: cultivating fortune on Spirit Mountain was a crucial realm for Zhao Xing. The higher the mountain, the greater the heavenly fortune! The greater the eventual feedback and gains in personal fortune. Heavenly fortune isn't just about personal fortune; personal fortune is merely one manifestation of it. But while she understood intellectually, emotionally she was still very frustrated. She couldn't ask Liu Tianning, and Zhao Xing also remained silent about the reason, only saying everything was fine, very dismissively.

Princess Youruo was now over two hundred years old. She would certainly live out the lifespan of a first-rank cultivator. Even so, the two-hundred-plus-year-old Princess Youruo had reached a critical period—she should be considering marriage. But given the current situation, how could she marry? She couldn't even find someone!

"Whoosh!" The more she thought, the angrier Princess Youruo became, and she flung her calligraphy brush. "Zing!" The brush embedded itself in a pillar within the hall, its tail still trembling. "Crash!" She swept the neat official documents into a disarray. "Slam!" An official document hit Zhao Xing's back.

Zhao Xing took two steps forward, making it easier for Princess Youruo to hit him. How could official documents kill someone? If she wanted to hit someone, she should use a hard wooden brush pot or a seal. Princess Youruo was purely seething in silence. In the past, would Princess Youruo seethe in silence? She would always be openly angry, raging, yelling, and even hitting. But now she couldn't find a reason; it was top secret. What could Zhao Xing do? With no reason, she could only force her anger.

Staying like this wasn't a solution. Zhao Xing stepped closer and whispered, "Madam, as the Eldest Princess of the nation, how can you be so undignified?"

Excellent, now there was an excuse. Princess Youruo promptly grabbed a brush pot and hurled it, cursing, "Do you have the right to teach me etiquette? You heartless scoundrel!"

*Clatter! Bang bang bang bang bang!*

The more Princess Youruo cursed, the more invigorated she became, but soon all the throwable objects were gone. Just cursing without throwing things wasn't satisfying! Zhao Xing bent his finger, and a gust of wind swept the objects from the floor back onto the desk. With objects to vent her anger, Princess Youruo renewed her fury: "Zhao Chen'an, you scoundrel, even you use a clone to fool me! Today, I'm going to smash you into splinters, you rotten block of wood!"

At this moment, a small child who had just shaken off his guards and intended to return to show off to his elder sister, approached Yonghua Palace. Upon seeing this scene, his eyes widened instantly.

"Oh!" The child covered his mouth and quickly sprawled out beyond the threshold, slowly wiggling to the side. The threshold was high, so when he lay down, he completely disappeared from sight. Then he pinched his nose and subsequently became invisible.

The accompanying guards walked up the corridor, looking bewildered. "Where is he? Did he really get lost?"

"Shush." Liu Wanliang suddenly appeared from behind the corridor, gently waving his hand to signal the guards to retreat. Then he quietly picked up the child and covered his eyes: "Don't look, this is all fake."

"Fake?" The child's small hands pulled open Liu Wanliang's fingers. But the next moment, he found himself not outside Yonghua Palace, but inside a pavilion.

"Ah, I can't see it anymore."

"Uncle Liu, what did you mean by 'fake'?"

Liu Wanliang smiled, "There's a type of magic in the world called illusion art. Just like me now."

Liu Wanliang transformed with a shake, instantly turning into a female figure. Seeing this, the child immediately forgot what had just happened.

"This is good, this is good! I want to learn this!"

He also mimicked the motion, shaking himself, and unexpectedly, there was a change. For a fleeting moment, his face transformed into that of a little girl, precisely the image Liu Wanliang had just conjured. However, the spell broke in just one second, and he reverted to his original form.

"This..." Liu Wanliang was secretly astonished. "The young master is truly a prodigy."

"? How could it fail?" The child jumped up, instantly appearing on Liu Wanliang's shoulder. His small hands pulled at Liu Wanliang's eyelids and disheveled his hair, completely forgetting about what had just happened.

Liu Wanliang smiled and took him down: "If you want to learn, I'll teach you—"

Inside Yonghua Hall, Princess Youruo finally calmed down. Everything returned to its original state, even the brush was back in Princess Youruo's hand. If a certain child were here, he would surely exclaim, "Fake! It really was fake!"

Princess Youruo looked at the bowed Zhao Xing and snorted, "Find a place to sit."

"Thank you, Princess." Zhao Xing straightened up, then knelt by a nearby desk.

"Let me ask you, what exactly is Liu Tianning's situation? One moment he can come out to work and fight in the Dao arena, the next he needs to go into seclusion, leaving only a few clones outside to mechanically handle official duties—never mind, I'll just ask one thing: Has he lost control?"

"No," Zhao Xing stated firmly. "Master would never be like Xu Xing."

"Then why have you never lost control?"

Zhao Xing fell silent again. He couldn't say. If Emperor Jing didn't declassify it for Princess Youruo, no one could do anything. Seeing Zhao Xing once again unable to answer questions, looking at him was like looking at someone else, and Princess Youruo felt a sudden surge of irritation. "Get out!"

Zhao Xing stood up, bowed respectfully, then said, "Madam, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Spit it out!"

"Your disciple believes you've been overly stressed these past years. If you weren't so tired, you'd worry less and feel less anxious. You could travel around and get some good rest."

Princess Youruo was about to curse again, but then she remembered that Zhao Xing's intentions were good after all, so she didn't utter the words. "Understood."

"Your disciple takes his leave."

"Wait." Princess Youruo seemed to remember something: "A relative has come to the mansion. If you have time, you can spend more time playing with him. In a few months, you might even have to teach him the art of agriculture."

Zhao Xing nodded: "Yes."

Leaving Yonghua Hall, Zhao Xing shook his head. He didn't know if Princess Youruo had taken his words to heart. But he had certainly taken Princess Youruo's words to heart.

"It seems Emperor Jing doesn't intend to hide this from me. If he didn't want me to know about the prince being raised at the Princess's mansion, I might even have overlooked it if I saw him. Times have changed!"

When Zhao Xing initially planned to cultivate dragons in the East Sea, he intended to cultivate the Dragon Court's dragon, and secondly, Emperor Wu, the true dragon! Originally, he only wanted to attain a fifth-rank position in Emperor Jing's reign and then, at some point, have a period of close association with Emperor Wu. Even if the time might not be long, just being associated with him would bring immense fortune and great benefits!

"But now, I am already at the second-rank Heavenly Fortune Realm. I don't need to specifically seek it out; Liu Wanliang brought Emperor Wu directly to me. The Princess asked me to play with Emperor Wu and even teach him the art of agriculture. Without Emperor Jing's instruction, this wouldn't be happening."

Many plans needed adjustment. Zhao Xing had prepared extensively, but now he didn't need to make any special preparations at all.

"'Heavenly fortune is my fortune; I don't need to seek out good things, good things will come to me. I just need to let nature take its course.'" Zhao Xing's understanding of the Heavenly Fortune Realm deepened by another degree.

Returning to Tianma North Garden, the Zhao estate was now larger than before.

"Eighty-two years have passed. I am 147 years old, and my younger brother Zhao Zheng is already 138. My second sister, Zhao Yuhuan, is 121. My third sister, Zhao Yuling, is also 103. My fourth brother, Zhao Chuanzong, born in the 20th year of Dazhi, is already 86," Zhao Xing recalled.

Speaking of which, Zhao Ruide was quite helpless. The first four didn't expand the family line, yet all were successful and had promising futures, still focused on their careers. There was no other way, so the old man had to take matters into his own hands, leading to Zhao Chuanzong's birth. Chuanzong (meaning 'to carry on the ancestral line')—what a simple wish! Zhao Chuanzong also lived up to expectations, marrying and having children at thirty. He took a Marquis's daughter as his main wife and married nine other concubines, all direct descendants of prominent families. After that, it was just continuous procreation. By sixty, Zhao Chuanzong was already a grandfather. Currently, Zhao Chuanzong's branch has moved out and is incredibly prosperous, with forty to fifty descendants.

"My adoptive father, Zhao Ruide, celebrated his 200th birthday last year. He has achieved the rank of a sixth-grade Inspector. My adoptive mother, Lady Cai, is 171 years old and has also had several life extensions."

Small-scale life extensions occurred quite a few times. For example, Zhao Zheng, who is now a regular fifth-rank military general, once caused Lady Cai to be honored for this reason, granted the title 'Wuhua Ruren,' a seventh-rank title among court ladies. It carried no actual military power or authority, just honor and extended lifespan. Second sister Zhao Yuhuan is already a regular fifth-rank Daoist Master. Third sister Zhao Yuling is a regular fifth-rank Weaver. They hadn't made any significant contributions, but they did bring minor life extensions to Zhao Ruide and his wife.

There was one major life extension. It was during Emperor Jing's 900th birthday celebration. When bestowing rewards upon his officials, he stated that Zhao Ruide and Lady Cai possessed great compassion, having nurtured wise officials and brave generals like the Marquis Shenwei for the nation. Thus, he promoted Zhao Ruide to a fifth-grade Military Inspector and bestowed a fifth-grade imperial edict upon Lady Cai, elevating her to Wuhua Madam. Once the rank was achieved, things became much simpler; they could consume treasures to extend their lifespan to the limit of their current rank. Therefore, Zhao Ruide and Lady Cai could live for at least another hundred years. Once Emperor Wu's reign began, there would surely be more rewards, ensuring they would live for at least another two or three hundred years.

Of course, Zhao Ruide and Lady Cai no longer had children. Mainly because Zhao Chuanzong was already very prolific, and too many grandchildren caused problems. Everyone wanted to get some benefits from their eldest uncle, Zhao Xing. Although Zhao Ruide and Lady Cai were not from prominent families, having lived in the Princess's mansion for so many years, how could they not know the implications? They couldn't trouble their eldest son! Thus, not only did Zhao Ruide stop having children, but he also directly allowed Zhao Chuanzong, who had already started his own family, to move out and establish his own household.

Zhao Xing still had some affection for his two younger sisters, but his relationship with Zhao Chuanzong was more ordinary. Of course, even so, Zhao Chuanzong's branch still benefited immensely, at least never lacking money.

"Except for Zhao Zheng, I've never interfered with my siblings' official careers, but I've never been stingy with money."

Zhao Zheng was an exception; his talent was good. Zhao Xing personally arranged for him to join the Shenwei Army, placing him under Liao Rulong's training. He was now a permanent deputy general. However, after many years by the Canglan River, there hadn't been any major battles. Even with Zhao Zheng's good talent, at over a hundred years old, he was still just a military general below the fifth rank.

"Speaking of talent, the most terrifying talent belongs to the Emperor," Zhao Xing mused. "The Emperor can be considered the sole profession! It's more abnormal than a priest because a priest's mastery of all professions ultimately relies on external assistance, requiring divine invocation. However, the Emperor truly masters all professions, possessing frighteningly high talent values in every single one."

Of course, no single aspect can reach the pinnacle of the current era. For example, the Emperor's talent in the way of agriculture cannot surpass Old Liu or Zhao Xing. In terms of agricultural talent, he would probably only slightly exceed Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen. In martial arts talent, he would slightly exceed Ye Yukong. And so on; in every path, he could be called an unparalleled genius, but not the strongest genius. However, mastering all professions is quite terrifying.

"Let me teach Emperor Wu the art of agriculture?" Zhao Xing felt a subtle anticipation. "For Emperor Wu's upbringing, I'll have to put in some effort."

Starting from early Dazhi 46, the young Emperor Wu would occasionally visit Tianma North Garden to play with Zhao Xing. The reason for teaching only techniques and not doctrines is that imparting doctrines to a prince creates too much karma, which a subject cannot bear. If the prince ascends to become Emperor, it would be even more terrifying. Thus, only techniques are taught, not doctrines. The prince cultivates the Human Emperor's Path; the one who imparts the doctrine can only be the Emperor. Emperor Wu's path could only be passed on by Emperor Jing. Of course, now was not yet the time.

Liu Wanliang and Princess Youruo only had the young Emperor Wu address Zhao Xing as 'Marquis Shenwei,' or 'Elder Brother.' At first, Emperor Wu refused.

"No, I don't want to go!" The child kicked his feet continuously in Liu Wanliang's arms. "What's fun about farming? Uncle Liu, let me go!"

Liu Wanliang reluctantly put him down. "Whoosh!" The moment he let go, the child vanished.

But this time, Zhao Xing couldn't let him escape. Two figures flashed, and the next moment, Zhao Xing lifted the young Emperor Wu into the air.

"Woah!" The child, opening his eyes and looking down at the ground, immediately felt dizzy from the height. "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Are you sure you want me to let go?" Zhao Xing asked. "This is ten thousand meters high; if you fall, you'll become a splattered mess."

"Ah, no, don't let go..." However, he spoke too late. Zhao Xing had already let go.

"Aaaaah!" A clear voice pierced the sky. The free-falling Emperor Wu, his hair blown straight back. But after falling two thousand meters, his vital energy suddenly burst forth, and he slowly began to decelerate his descent. After falling another thousand meters, the fellow actually comprehended the martial artist's 'Sky Dance Technique' directly.

"I can fly now!"

Zhao Xing looked at this scene and nodded slightly. The current Emperor Wu was probably four or five years old, yet he had already surpassed the ninth-rank Elemental Gathering Realm and reached the eighth-rank Spirit Bridge Realm. According to the rule that princes only learn techniques, not doctrines, and must learn various arts from a young age, his talent was truly astonishing.

Emperor Wu flailed his arms and legs in the air, like a dog paddling in water, trying to fly away and escape. Zhao Xing snorted, "Little rascal, I can still handle you." He immediately pointed a finger, directly sealing the little Emperor Wu's vital energy.

"?" The little Emperor Wu, who had paused in mid-air, looked bewildered and began to fall again.

"Ah!" When they reached the ground, Zhao Xing caught him. "See? Is it fun?"

"Fun!"

"Will you learn?"

"No!"

Oh, quite spirited.

"Off you go!" Emperor Wu once again flew into the sky with a loud cry.

Below, Chief Steward Liu stood behind Ji Anlan, looking up at the sky: "Princess, is it really alright for Marquis Shenwei to do this?"

Princess Youruo said, "What problems could there be? This child has innate pride and a resilient spirit. When he meets someone equally proud, he simply can't be taught otherwise. Zhao Chen'an knows what he's doing; you don't need to worry about it. Just come to pick him up in two hours."

"Yes," Liu Wanliang lowered his head and left with Princess Youruo.

Emperor Wu was indeed arrogant; for the first two hours on the first day, he stubbornly refused to yield.

"Alright, you've got guts!" Zhao Xing put him down. "We'll continue our 'battle' tomorrow."

"Hmph! I just won't learn!" The little Emperor Wu proudly stomped away.

The next day, bungee jumping. The third day, bungee jumping. The fourth day, bungee jumping. Until the seventh day, the little Emperor Wu finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop! Let me say something!"

Zhao Xing held him by the collar: "Speak."

"I'll learn from you, but you have to teach me something fun and new."

Continuously resisting like this was not a solution, and the little Emperor Wu didn't have much playtime each day. Wasting half of it with Zhao Xing, how could he bear it?

"Alright," Zhao Xing showed a slight smile and released his collar. "Then what should you call me?"

"Marquis Shenwei," Emperor Wu reluctantly called out.

"Hmm?"

"Elder Brother," Emperor Wu's eyes darted around, and he bowed seriously.

"Hahahaha, Fifth Brother," Zhao Xing happily returned the bow.

"? How did I become Fifth?"

"Because I have a few other good brothers, you can only be ranked fifth, so I'll call you Fifth Brother," Zhao Xing explained.

Emperor Wu didn't mind this, only asking, "What fun thing are you going to show me?"

Zhao Xing pointed behind him: "Just turn around and look."

Emperor Wu turned as instructed, and his eyes immediately widened: "Wow! So many Elder Brothers!" He saw Zhao Xing's figures everywhere—in front of him, behind him, and in the sky. Emperor Wu felt his trouser leg move, and he looked down. Even from underground, a head popped out, smiling at him: "Is it fun?"

"Wonderful, wonderful!" The child clapped excitedly: "Elder Brother, I want to learn this!"

Time flowed, and in the blink of an eye, it was early spring of Yongzhi 47.

Spirit Void Blessed Land, Qitian Mountain Peak.

Zhao Xing once again felt a thread of karma about to break. A figure appeared in his mind; someone was holding a compass, shining it over his entire body. When Zhao Xing saw this scene, the figure in the image seemed to turn its head and nod slightly at him.

Tianyong Province, Fengjing. West City, in front of an elegant waterside pavilion.

Ji Tianyan looked up and revealed a slight smile. "Zhao Xing, you've come."

"Your Highness," a wisp of cloud dispersed, and Zhao Xing's figure landed outside the waterside pavilion's steps.

"Come in and sit," King Tianyan extended his hand. "My time is short; there are some things I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Your Highness," Zhao Xing sat opposite King Tianyan.

"The first matter is my successor," King Tianyan poured Zhao Xing a cup of tea. "After I depart, Ji Si will take over my position."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly; this was almost obvious. Fate officials only use members of the royal family. Ji Si was King Tianyan's younger brother, but two hundred years his junior, so he could at least serve until the early years of Emperor Wu's reign.

"Although he and I are both descendants of King You, his personality is different from mine. He appears gentle, but in reality, he is completely impersonal, and his actions are always guided by maximizing the interests of the royal family."

Ji Si would certainly not be liked by others, but he would definitely be favored by the Emperor. Of course, in his previous life, Zhao Xing didn't remember Ji Si; fate officials were always hidden, and he didn't interact with them much. But as King Tianyan explained, he understood.

"After Ji Si succeeds me, he will continue to perfect and supplement the second layer of the Divine Derivation Art. Currently, there are more and more re-cultivators from different paths involved, so it's expected to be fully completed in the near future. This is a century-long project. I ask you to please continue this work."

The Divine Derivation Art itself would naturally develop different directions due to individual differences, leading to different drawbacks. It's impossible for one medicine to cure ten thousand illnesses. Zhao Xing was cooperating very diligently now because both he and Liu Tianning were connected to its benefits. What about later? When Zhao Xing holds a high position, will he no longer have time for this, or will he become less dedicated? After all, his contributions to this weren't obvious, it took too long, and if there were problems, he might even be blamed. So King Tianyan was indeed making a request.

"I promise you," Zhao Xing said seriously, "I will not slack off; I will give my utmost effort."

"I trust you," King Tianyan smiled. "It's just a pity that I won't live to see that day."

Zhao Xing fell silent. Fate officials, like Emperors and the mad Xu Xing, became nothingness upon death. Divining the future and deducing the past ultimately came at the cost of one's life. Of course, this was also because King Tianyan wasn't a rule-realm expert. If he were a super first-rank rule-realm cultivator, he could preserve his life soul. But his first rank was elevated by Emperor Jing, and Emperor Jing himself was only a rule-realm expert; it was impossible for him to let King Tianyan reach the rule realm, even if such a method existed, he wouldn't use it for King Tianyan.

"You don't need to be sad; this is my destiny," King Tianyan smiled. "To witness the birth of historical records for the Divine Derivation Art and personally advance the modification of its first two layers in my final hundred years of life. I am already very content. How many kings have there been throughout history? As numerous as ox hair! But I, Ji Tianyan, will leave my name in history; people will remember me forever! Isn't this far greater than being a prince or becoming a forgotten Yin God?"

Zhao Xing smiled, "You are right."

"Tea instead of wine, a toast?" King Tianyan raised his teacup.

"Cheers."

They clinked cups.

After putting down his teacup, King Tianyan continued, "There are three more major undertakings at the Divine Secrets Pavilion currently in progress. Two of them I cannot tell you; I don't have the authority. However, one of them is related to the Minister of Agriculture, and I must tell you about it."

Seeing King Tianyan so serious, Zhao Xing also straightened up: "Please speak."

"In the future, there will be a great natural disaster affecting the entire Xuanhuang Realm! Whether it's the Southern Barbarians, Eastern Ocean, Four Seas, the Nineteen Provinces, or even the Grotto-Heaven worlds, all will undergo drastic changes." King Tianyan said with a solemn expression, "Century-level climate changes will be commonplace, and millennium-level climate changes will no longer be rare. In many of the visions I've seen, there are scenes of life extinction. The earth rolls, ground fires erupt, tsunamis rage..."

"Facing this disaster, even Ministers of Agriculture cannot stop it."

Zhao Xing's expression slightly changed: "Can even the future Grand Minister of Agriculture not prevent it?"

King Tianyan pondered, "I don't know. Although it has appeared many times, proving its high probability, I cannot clearly see the people in the future. I don't know if the future Grand Minister of Agriculture will prevent it; this is not something we can predict. Therefore, this deduction is still ongoing and will be one of the main directions for the Great Zhou Fate Officials' predictions."

"Why are you telling me?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I saw you," King Tianyan said. "I saw your figure."

"You're not suggesting I stopped the natural disaster, are you?" Zhao Xing's expression was somewhat surprised.

"No, it cannot be stopped," King Tianyan said. "Many of the predicted outcomes show that the natural disaster has already occurred, with no process of defending against it. I saw you, but I don't know what you did, nor do I know if you are the key to saving the world. I only saw your back."

"Only saw your back—how can you be sure it's me?" Zhao Xing said. He also knew a bit about divination. This didn't conform to the basic laws of fate divination.

"Intuition," King Tianyan smiled. "Just consider it a precaution from us Fate Officials. It doesn't matter if it's you or not—if it truly is you, then telling you in advance would certainly be better."

"I understand," Zhao Xing nodded. "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"No, there isn't. I have no right to tell you about the other two matters unless His Majesty permits it."

Zhao Xing nodded. Fate Officials were not among the hundred officials; even the Grand Minister of Agriculture had no right to know about their affairs. They served only the Emperor.

"Oh, and a small personal matter," King Tianyan said. "That kid Luo still owes me a few seven-tier divine weapons. I think he's trying to welch on them. You can help me collect that debt later."

"You're truly a joker."

"Hahahaha," King Tianyan burst out laughing. "Alright, kid, let me tell your fortune."

"What aspect do you wish to divine?"

"Your future," King Tianyan pretended to pinch his fingers. "Within a century, you shall become the Grand Minister of Agriculture!"

"How are you divining with a teacup?"

"Hahahaha."

On Qingming in Yongzhi 47, First-rank Fate Official Ji Tianyan passed away. The funeral was very low-key, known to few.

Spirit Void Blessed Land, Qitian Mountain Peak.

From within the small mound of rocks and snow, a sigh emerged. "King Tianyan is gone too. What he told me must be the future qi tide. The Fate Officials have two more major deduction projects? I'm not sure about that, but one of them must be related to the Southern Barbarian war. What could the other one be? Never mind. I'll know when I'm meant to know." Zhao Xing's thoughts shifted from active to calm.

Since Qitian Mountain reached the ten-thousand-meter threshold, his thoughts had also become more profound. Although the peak of Qitian didn't grow taller, its mass was expanding. For many consecutive years, precious earth-attribute resources had been invested. Heavenly fortune was like a mountain, and Zhao Xing, through such continuous accumulation, constantly expanded the limits of the Heavenly Fortune Realm.

When his mind became active again, it was already Yongzhi 56.

"Another ten years have passed."

Zhao Xing, standing by the lake, felt a little disoriented. Emperor Wu had left the Princess's mansion last year. So he was often found staring blankly by Tianma Lake again. Occasionally, heavenly horses would pass by Zhao Xing, completely unafraid, even rubbing against him, because Zhao Xing emanated a very familiar natural aura.

In May, Chen Shijie and Xia Jing visited Spirit Void Blessed Land. Now, these two gradually had more time, as both had entered the third-rank realm this year. According to custom, they also had a longer vacation to consolidate their Primordial Soul Realm cultivation. However, after seeing Zhao Xing's true self in such a state, they left again.

In early July, Zhao Xing felt his bottleneck loosen. But at the same time, he also received bad news.

"Envoys from the Holy Light Royal Court of the Southern Barbarians have arrived in the capital, seeking to secure an Imperial Princess for their Crown Prince to forge a peace treaty, and are willing to acknowledge Great Zhou as their suzerain. The Princess, the Princess has been granted a marriage!" Liu Wanliang's anxious voice reached Zhao Xing's ears.

Zhao Xing, who had been staring blankly at the lake, turned his head, his expression gradually becoming lively.

"I know." Zhao Xing nodded calmly. "Chief Steward Liu, please go to the capital and inform the Princess that both my master and I are aware of this."

Liu Wanliang stared at Zhao Xing for a moment, then sighed: "You'd better be quick."

After Liu Wanliang departed, Zhao Xing closed his eyes.

"History has repeated itself. Princess Youruo was still granted a marriage. I've reminded her many times, why wouldn't she listen?" Zhao Xing sighed. "Emperor Jing doesn't even spare his own brothers; how could he tolerate a princess who controls the East Sea shipping routes, can command numerous high-ranking experts from Daoist academies and aquatic races, and is as rich as a nation? Onlookers see clearly, but those involved are confused," Zhao Xing mused.

Since the first year of Yongzhi, with the birth of Princess Ji Yingluo, Zhao Xing had understood. How could Emperor Jing change the era name for a princess, and immediately bestow a princely title and greater favor than Princess Youruo as soon as she was born? "The Thousand-Year Princess's birth mother was merely a direct descendant of an ordinary Duke's family. This was already a hint."

"My advice for the Princess to lay down official duties and travel more was to imply that she should understand Emperor Jing's intentions, actively surrender power. The sea routes were secondary; the main issue was the authority over the Daoist academies and aquatic races. Around Yongzhi 40, Emperor Jing sent the young Emperor Wu to her to raise. This was to give her a layer of protection. Because Emperor Jing had long poured all his power into Emperor Wu; there was no 'Nine Dragons competing for the throne.' Emperor Wu was the sole Mandate of Heaven! Thus, Emperor Wu learned faster than other princes; his talent perfectly matched the standards of an Emperor."

But could Zhao Xing say these things? He couldn't. If a father wants to reclaim his daughter's authority, how can it be directly stated? Emperor Jing maintained decorum and left a test. How could an outsider be so talkative? Point it out so clearly? Wouldn't that be interfering in imperial family affairs and stirring up discord between father and daughter?

"The number of people cultivating the Divine Derivation Art is increasing, yet this matter has never been declassified for Princess Youruo. As soon as Princess Youruo made a slight fuss, Emperor Jing went with the flow. The last thirty-plus years of Yongzhi were a time of imperial power transfer. Emperor Jing truly desired peace during these decades. Alas, how is this merely a test for her? Could Liu Tianning and I remain untouched? I'm truly impressed by you, Old Six!"