Chapter 80: Zhao Xing Descends the Mountain My Priest Robe? My Childhood Friend?

Hearing it was an official from Gucheng, Chen Shijie and Xue Wenzhong could no longer sit still. The other officials also followed them out. However, the result greatly disappointed Chen Shijie and Xue Wenzhong. It wasn't Zhao Xing who emerged, but Shen Zhui from the Martial Arts Bureau.

After Shen Zhui descended the mountain, he first went to pay his respects to Magistrate Li Wenzheng and his superior, Wang Long from the Martial Arts Bureau. "Greetings, Magistrate. Greetings, Master Wang."

"Excellent, excellent! I didn't expect you to have already entered a rank. This is truly fortunate for the Martial Arts Bureau," Li Wenzheng said, beaming. With the county's inspecting envoy and many officials watching, it was certainly a cause for joy that a genius had emerged from Gucheng, which was under his jurisdiction. Donghu Spirit Mountain was within Gucheng's territory, making him, the magistrate, essentially the host. Ascending the Spirit Mountain to gather spiritual essence was akin to a major examination. If his officials didn't perform as well as those from other counties, it would be quite embarrassing. Now, with Shen Zhui having entered a rank, he gained considerable prestige.

"Greetings, Master Chen," Shen Zhui said, bowing again as he saw Chen Shijie approach.

"Not bad," Chen Shijie replied offhandedly. His mood was somewhat sour since he still hadn't seen Zhao Xing. Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong also looked disheartened. Could something truly unforeseen have happened?

"Elder Xue, let's wait a bit longer," Chen Shijie said, patting Xue Wenzhong's hand. "He'll definitely be fine." Everything that occurred on Spirit Mountain during those three days would be forgotten by the participating officials, and the officials outside were unaware of the situation within. They could only wait for an announcement. Therefore, worrying now was useless.

Just as Chen Shijie and Xue Wenzhong were about to return to the viewing area to wait, suddenly—

"Clip-clop, clip-clop."

A crisp sound of hooves echoed from within the mist. From the Forget-Sorrow Stele, Zhao Xing flew out through the air, riding a bamboo horse, carrying a bamboo box on his back, and cradling a small cat in his arms.

"Zhao Xing? It's Zhao Xing!"

"It's Zhao Xing from Gucheng! Why is he riding a horse?!"

"Ignoramus, that's an artificer's mechanical bamboo horse!"

"Hiss, looking at that, he must have gained a lot!"

Others discussed it animatedly. Chen Shijie smiled and burst into laughter. Xue Wenzhong was also completely relieved. The Agricultural Bureau's Five Elements Scrutiny allowed them to quickly discern if a person was injured and their approximate cultivation realm. At this moment, they saw that not only was Zhao Xing unharmed, but he had also entered a rank!

"Zhao Xing, he actually entered a rank?!" Tang Wanchun exclaimed. "He was only at Qi Gathering Fourth Stage before entering the mountain, wasn't he?!"

"Did I see that correctly?" Pang Yuan was also dumbfounded. "He gained so much?" Leaping several stages in just three days, it was enough to make their jaws drop!

Gao Linong had initially been smug about Li Chenfeng and Zong Shichang's progress, feeling that his two students had truly stolen the show this time. But he never expected Zhao Xing to emerge! From Qi Gathering Fourth Stage to entering a rank?! His gains were far greater than Zong Shichang's and Li Chenfeng's! Gao Linong felt incredibly upset. He had just finished showing off, and now he was getting slapped in the face so quickly!

"What kind of luck did Zhao Sanjia stumble upon to instantly enter a rank?" Zong Shichang was extremely curious, as he vaguely felt that he had interacted with Zhao Xing on the mountain. But he couldn't recall the specifics.

"He actually entered a rank?" Li Chenfeng watched Zhao Xing, who was now surrounded by admiration, and felt a pang of bitterness. Just fifteen minutes ago, he had enjoyed similar attention, but compared to Zhao Xing now, he was immediately outshone. As for Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and others, they were purely envious, unable to even entertain thoughts of comparison. The gap was simply too vast. Before, they could still compete internally. But when the difference became so immense, such thoughts vanished completely. Only envy remained.

"Whoa,"

Zhao Xing instinctively pulled the reins, slowing down. When he arrived before Chen Shijie and the other Gucheng officials, he was still frowning.

"Zhao..."

"Don't interrupt him, let him collect his thoughts," Li Wenzheng said, his words seemingly imbued with magic. The surrounding people instantly quieted down, not daring to utter another sound. This Rank Nine Superior scholar of rites had directly initiated a general silence! Within a fifty-meter radius at that moment, apart from Chen Shijie, Xue Wenzhong, and a few other 'administrators,' only Zhao Xing was able to speak.

"Why am I riding a horse?" Zhao Xing pondered from atop the horse, feeling a bit confused. He remembered that Elder Si Nong and Elder Chen had given him a bamboo box, but there was no bamboo horse, was there? His memories were hazy. Zhao Xing knew he must have been affected by the Forget-Sorrow Stele. He tried hard to recall, but he only vaguely remembered that the bamboo horse had been seized. As for whose it was? He forgot.

"Little mountain cat," Zhao Xing said, looking down at the mountain cat in his arms and lifting it out. He couldn't recall the scenes of him rampaging with the mountain cat, but he vaguely remembered the moment it acknowledged him as its master, meaning this relationship remained unaffected.

Tang Wanchun and Gao Linong stared at the mountain cat, their eyes widening instantly! A ranked exotic beast! This was stronger than them, damn it! And it looked like Zhao Xing had tamed it?! Li Wenzheng and Chen Shijie exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised. Other officials could only discern that the mountain cat had entered a rank, but its precise strength eluded them. However, these two could accurately perceive it. One used Acute Perception, the other, Five Elements Scrutiny. Both arrived at the same conclusion: Rank Nine Perfection! Comparable to a human Rank Nine Superior. In terms of combat strength, this exotic beast could probably overpower most human cultivators.

Zhao Xing continued to rummage in his clothes. He pulled out a wad of silver notes. "One thousand taels of silver notes? The bank is Nanyang Merchant Association. This must be Young Master Zong's, right?" Zhao Xing recalled. He vaguely remembered a scene where a hand handed him money. The hand was very young, but whether it belonged to Zong Shichang? He couldn't remember that either. However, the probability was high. Besides Young Master Zong, who would bring so many silver notes up the mountain?

"That money is very likely mine!" The observing Zong Shichang exclaimed, surprised after seeing it. "But why would I give him so much money?" Zong Yonglong's eyes also sparkled. Could it be that his son and this person had some kind of relationship or conflict on the mountain? The other onlookers watched with expressions of envy. Now *that's* what you call ascending the mountain! Others spent a fortune on equipment and treasures. By the time they descended, everything was used up. And he even made money? It was simply infuriating!

"Hmm, a Peacock Plume Robe. How did one of these end up in the bamboo box? It looks like something a woman would wear. Did I rob a dancer?"

"Ahem, Zhao Xing, that's enough," Li Wenzheng couldn't help but interrupt Zhao Xing's engrossed inventory-taking. The Peacock Plume Robe was clearly a woman's intimate clothing. He was afraid Zhao Xing might pull out something even more inappropriate in public. While it might have been Zhao Xing's capability, it was ultimately undignified! Zhao Xing also snapped back to attention, stuffing the half-pulled-out robe back into the bamboo box. He felt there were many more items inside, as the box was significantly heavier than when he ascended the mountain. However, this was not the right time to inventory them.

"Greetings, Magistrate. Greetings, Master Chen. Greetings, Teacher, and all you esteemed sirs," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands in salute.

"Hahaha, no need for formalities, no need! Come with me. Let me show everyone the young talent of our Gucheng!" Li Wenzheng kindly took Zhao Xing by the arm, eager to take him to brag to the county officials and his colleagues from neighboring counties.

Not long after Zhao Xing left the Forget-Sorrow Stele, several more figures emerged from the dense fog. He held a cavalry spear, his expression melancholic. It was Yang Junxiong. However, after passing the Forget-Sorrow Stele, a smile appeared on his face. "This ascent has allowed me to enter a rank, reaching Ninth Rank Superior. Before entering the mountain, I was only at Qi Gathering Ninth Stage, so this trip was not in vain." But instantly, his smile froze.

"Wait, where is my bamboo horse?!" Yang Junxiong looked around, asking a profound question: "Where is my horse? Why is it gone?!" Then his gaze fell upon a familiar figure ahead. It was none other than Zhao Xing, riding a bamboo horse.

"Is... is that my bamboo horse? Hmm? I can't sense its battle spirit anymore. Could it be his?"

"No, that's definitely my bamboo horse! Why has it dropped to Third Rank Low Grade?"

"Could it be that he seized it?"

Numerous confusions surfaced in Yang Junxiong's mind, but having already descended the mountain, he could only set them aside, regardless of what happened. Ascending the mountain always carried risks; losing a bamboo horse was normal, let alone losing one's life.

"I always feel that this person has a great connection to me. There's a vague reluctance and sense of loss in my heart. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened," Yang Junxiong sighed, taking a deep look in Zhao Xing's direction before striding away.

After he left, three slender figures emerged from the dense fog. They were Du Jiaojiao, Lu Qian, and Liu Muqing.

"Hmm? Qian'er, Qing'er, are you two alright?" Du Jiaojiao asked, looking at her two close friends.

"I'm fine," Liu Muqing said with some delight. "I've reached Qi Gathering Ninth Stage, and my musical arts have improved!"

"I'm fine too," Lu Qian also smiled. "I've reached Qi Gathering Ninth Stage, and two of my spells have advanced by three turns each. And you, Sister Jiao?"

Du Jiaojiao smiled faintly. "I'm at Ninth Rank Low Grade. My spear technique, however, hasn't improved much. It's quite a pity that I couldn't fully comprehend that 'Dragon Emerges from the Sea' move..."

"Ah!" Lu Qian suddenly gasped, frantically patting herself. She abruptly realized something was missing.

"Hmm? Qian'er, what's wrong?!"

"My robe? My Peacock Plume Robe is gone!" Lu Qian's expression was frantic.

"What?" Du Jiaojiao and Liu Muqing's faces also changed. They both knew about the Peacock Plume Robe and that Lu Qian wore it close to her body. Now that it was lost, didn't that mean Lu Qian had been...

Suddenly, Lu Qian looked up sharply. She sensed the presence of her robe, a faint magical connection formed between a treasure and its long-time user. Just as Yang Junxiong could sense his bamboo horse. Her gaze fell upon the young man riding the bamboo horse ahead. "My robe is in that person's hands. Could it be..." Lu Qian bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.

"Ach-choo!"

Zhao Xing suddenly sneezed. For some reason, he felt as though someone was thinking of him. "An enemy? That's unlikely. I can't even remember what happened on the mountain," Zhao Xing muttered to himself.

He now followed along to the viewing platform erected around the Earth Altar Plaza. Ascending the Spirit Mountain to gather spiritual essence was not only an opportunity for officials to change their destinies but also a part of their regularization assessment. Moreover, this time it would undoubtedly be a significant bonus, much like winning a major competition.

As for how it would be judged? Naturally, it would be announced by the temple priests. The Yin God of the Spirit Mountain Temple was under the jurisdiction of Nanyang Commandery's county-level temple; Gucheng's temple had no authority to know the details. The Yin God on the mountain would inform the Nanyang Commandery temple priests of each official's performance, how many portions of spiritual essence they gained, and what rank they were. All of this was clear, and rankings would be determined accordingly. Between counties and various government agencies, each would be judged separately. This meant that as long as Zhao Xing was considered outstanding among the Agricultural Bureau officials in Gucheng, he would achieve an "A" grade. Now, it was time to await the announcement of the results.

As soon as Zhao Xing entered the viewing platform to wait, he noticed people looking at him. One of them was a young man holding a long spear, with a prominent Adam's apple, and a robust neck and chest. Zhao Xing immediately recognized him as a military man, and one who had undoubtedly cultivated sound-based martial arts. He just didn't know why this man was staring at him with such a melancholic gaze.

The other side was even more peculiar. It seemed to be officials from the commandery city: one held a zither, another leaned on a spear, and in the middle stood a vibrant young woman in colorful robes, looking at him with a complex expression. Her expression held anticipation, tenderness, but also resentment and confusion. Strange, too strange! What exactly happened on the mountain?

Lu Qian looked at Zhao Xing, her mindset completely different now. She thought: "When Sister Jiao ascended the mountain, she was already at Qi Gathering Ninth Stage, and her spear technique had deeply inherited her father's true teachings. Qin'er and I, one a musician and one a dancer, together can perform 'Six Songs' and enhance Sister Jiao's combat power by another third. She entered a rank on the mountain, and Qin'er and I also reached Qi Gathering Ninth Stage. The three of us together rarely faced a match. Who could have, under such circumstances, taken my personal Peacock Plume Robe? Yet, I was not defiled..."

"If it wasn't stolen, then it must be... that I fell for him on the mountain, and thus personally gave him this Peacock Plume Robe. Hmm, I heard Zong Shiba say he was only at Qi Gathering Fourth Stage before entering the mountain, and now he's actually entered a rank. Such a genius, and quite handsome too. Zong Shiba also said he was an interesting person. Perhaps I truly..." As she thought, Lu Qian's gaze upon Zhao Xing became somewhat peculiar.

Zhao Xing couldn't quite bear it. Who was this woman? Why was her gaze so intensely captivating, almost as if it was stretching out to him? "Ah, she's a dancer. Her alluring charm is natural and subconsciously manifested. Wait, that Peacock Plume Robe in my box, I didn't steal it from her, did I?" Zhao Xing suddenly realized this possibility. As for why he didn't consider other possibilities, such as a love token... Zhao Xing was certain he absolutely had no such intention. He was determined not to marry or have children, to prevent his fortune from benefiting his wife and children when he absorbed it, thus hindering his goal of surviving until the era of resurgence. How could he be distracted by such matters?

"It was definitely stolen," Zhao Xing affirmed, clear in his self-awareness. "This item also fits my standard for robbery: a Third Rank Superior robe with a Fourth Rank feather on it. It's quite valuable. I wonder who this woman is. She probably hasn't noticed, right?" "It doesn't matter. If she dares to seek revenge later, I'll just rob her again." Zhao Xing turned away, no longer looking at Lu Qian.

"You've already entered a rank, so an 'A' grade is a certainty, but this is the established procedure. All the important figures from the commandery are here, so making an appearance won't do you any harm," Xue Wenzhong advised, seeing Zhao Xing looking around. "Make sure you stay put and don't lose your composure."

"Yes, Teacher," Zhao Xing nodded. He stopped looking around, wanting to know just how much he had gained this time. He then focused his mind and calmly checked his system panel and records.