Chapter 99: Divine Might Army, Heavenly Cave, Military Realm

November 11th, morning.

The sky was already bright and clear.

Zhao Xing rode in Zong Shichang's carriage, returning to the city with the other officials.

“...I fell asleep last night. When I woke up, it was already around 3 AM, and at first, I didn't know what was going on. But then I heard my teacher say that the Profound Sky Cult had appeared last night, and it nearly scared me to death!”

“It’s a good thing you had me sleep near the entrance—oh, no, plant near the entrance. The moment I woke up, I was discovered by the East Lake Army, and I heard there was no fighting in that area.” Zong Shichang clutched his chest, still feeling terrified.

Listening to him recount the events, Zhao Xing was speechless. Zong Shichang had been corrupted by a phantom entering his dreams, yet he had slept until around 3 AM?

Was he lucky, or had he been overlooked?

Not all officials were targeted by the Profound Sky Cult's enchantment.

Most agricultural officials, after being corrupted, fell into a deep, unconscious sleep.

The ones truly targeted were only those consistently ranked in the 'A' tier, like Zhao Xing, Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and Xiao Ze.

But wasn't Zong Shichang also consistently ranked in the 'A' tier?

Why did he receive such low-level treatment?

"Young Master Zong, Young Master Zong," Zhao Xing thought to himself, "I don't know whether to be happy for you or sad."

Seeing him talk incessantly, Zhao Xing interrupted, “Brother Zong, please allow me to rest for a while.”

Zong Shichang immediately fell silent. “I understand. I won't ask. Don't worry, I will silently remember this favor.”

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and instantly entered a dream state.

Using his dream-storing technique, he replayed the scenes of the past three days and three nights, missing no detail.

After reviewing the events, he roughly determined the reason for the Blood Spirit Venerable's reappearance.

“It’s probably because I cultivate the Great Dream Spring and Autumn technique, and he noticed it.”

In fact, the moment the Blood Spirit Venerable appeared, Zhao Xing had already considered this possibility.

There was nothing else about him that could have attracted the other party to appear in person.

At the time, Zhao Xing had even tried to conceal it, holding back his most potent killer move, the Sleepworm.

But now that he thought about it, whether he used it or not, it wouldn't have mattered.

The other party hadn't intended to attack at all; they had merely come to confirm something.

“So what was he here to confirm? To confirm whether I truly cultivated the Great Dream Spring and Autumn technique? Did he think I was a successor of the Nightmare Sect because I had obtained it?”

“No, that's not right. The Profound Sky Cult has no connection with the Nightmare Sect. There's no need for him to specifically come and see me... So, was it for the Great Dream Spring and Autumn cultivation method?”

“Perhaps it's not just the cultivation method, but also the Soul Armor?” Zhao Xing pondered for a moment before exiting the dream.

“From the Blood Spirit Venerable's perspective, whether I'm a successor of the Nightmare Sect or acquired it by chance, it holds immense appeal to him. He likely wants to hunt me down and seize my treasures.”

After figuring this out, Zhao Xing actually felt relieved.

He wasn't afraid of trouble; he was only afraid of not knowing what kind of trouble it was.

In any case, the Profound Sky Cult was a hostile faction, and he was bound to encounter them again in the future. Whether it was the Blood Spirit Venerable or the Water Spirit Venerable, it made no difference.

For him to hunt down someone like Zhao Xing, who understood the Profound Sky Cult quite well, the difficulty was not ordinary. Zhao Xing was about to join the Divine Might Army, where powerful individuals were abundant. The Blood Spirit Venerable would find it impossible to kill him there and seize his treasures.

As for later? It would be hard to say who would be hunting whom.

He wasn't worried about the Blood Spirit Venerable; instead, he was concerned whether powerful individuals within Great Zhou might covet him.

“As I acquire more and more treasures from the Great Dream Academy, they will eventually be exposed one day.”

“However, since I dared to accept this opportunity, I must also accept its consequences.” Zhao Xing's gaze was resolute.

If he was afraid of this and afraid of that, what was the point of pursuing eternal life? He might as well just die sooner!

As long as he became strong enough, he would naturally fear no challenge!

“After this incident, it's time to talk to Old Chen.”

“My official appointment is already set in stone, and there will be an immediate opportunity for selection and transfer afterward. If I don't discuss it in advance and get assigned to an official post elsewhere, it could be troublesome.”

“First, I'll wait for Old Chen to handle this matter.”

On November 11th, the Gucheng County Yamen posted an official notice.

The Profound Sky Cult's fiends attempted to carry out rebellious acts in Nanyang Commandery on the evening of the 10th.

A total of four county towns experienced disturbances caused by these fiends.

The various departments of the Gucheng County Yamen, along with the East Lake Army, promptly suppressed the fiends' disturbances in their county, killing a total of 178 Profound Sky Cult fiends and followers.

As for casualties, the notice did not mention them, only glossing over the details.

Zhao Xing later learned the specific battle report at the Chen Residence.

“The situation was pretty much similar to what the county yamen announced,” Chen Shijie said. “The Profound Sky Cult's objective was to capture people, not to kill them. Also, due to proper control, casualties in Anping Town were very few.”

“That night, most of the common people didn't even notice the commotion at the incident site.”

“However, there were still casualties. The East Lake Army lost a few men and had about a dozen injured during the pursuit.”

“Conversely, no officials were injured. Only four agricultural officials from the Directorate of Agriculture went missing, along with two from other departments. However, these cases were not reported as disappearances; instead, they were directly reported as 'died valiantly in battle'.”

Zhao Xing nodded, understanding that those reported missing had clearly been abducted.

If reported as missing persons, their families would receive no benefits apart from continually worrying about them.

Reporting them as having died valiantly in battle, however, would allow their families to receive a pension.

Given the Profound Sky Cult's methods, abducted officials were virtually unrecoverable. If they ever reappeared, it would usually be decades later, by which time their relatives would likely be long gone.

Therefore, closing the case this way was quite normal.

Zhao Xing glanced at the missing persons list, and indeed, Li Chengfeng's name was on it. He had ultimately not been rescued.

The other two were also in the 'A' tier, but they were far less distinguished compared to Li Chengfeng.

“After the Prince of Nanyang Commandery slayed that phantom, the Profound Sky Cult's stronghold in Gucheng was completely exposed, and all practitioners and followers were discovered. Overall, Gucheng's performance was the most outstanding.”

“Slaying 'outsider' fiends has always been considered a great merit, and all participating departments earned credit.”

At this point, Chen Shijie smiled slightly. “My transfer order was issued before this incident occurred, so I can directly count this as military merit. Civil officials will receive commendations, and Li Wenzheng should be granted a nominal rank, counted as part of his 'governing local areas' political achievements.”

As for the clerks? These merits were enough for the higher-ranking officials to divide among themselves; the participating clerks would only receive a bonus. How much each department's head received would depend entirely on their conscience.

At most, it would only be a few dozen taels of silver, and it was impossible for everyone to receive that much.

Zhao Xing didn't mind. Being able to eradicate the Profound Sky Cult's stronghold in Nanyang Commandery, allowing him to join the Divine Might Army without worries, was good enough.

With the Bloodfiend Pearl and Blood Spirit Needle, the imperial court's reward was no longer significant to him.

“As for the results of the Directorate of Agriculture's Winter Solstice Assessment,” Chen Shijie said, “everyone who participated passed, and the prize money will be distributed among all participants, with each person receiving about ten taels.”

“Long Xiao and I won't be taking any.”

Chen Shijie didn't mention Zhao Xing, clearly treating him as one of their own, and decided on this small sum directly.

“Then I won't get an 'A+'?” Zhao Xing asked.

Chen Shijie smiled. “Li Wenzheng and I have already vouched for your participation in the Temple Examination, and Fan Dongping and Ji Ming from the commandery have also approved. What more assessment do you need?”

“You don't even need to participate in the Winter Assessment. Just prepare for the Temple Examination next spring.”

The Winter Assessment was the one held on the Winter Solstice, and it was also the last assessment of the year.

However, hearing Chen Shijie say this, Zhao Xing realized he wouldn't need to exert that effort.

Once the Temple Examination passed next spring, he could officially take up his post.

The Temple Examination combined practical combat and theoretical knowledge. The imperial court issued questions directly through the divine temples, and it was jointly supervised by Yin Gods and designated chief officials.

Results would be available three days after the examination concluded on the same day.

There was nothing else to discuss, but after thinking it over, Zhao Xing handed the Bloodfiend Pearl and Blood Spirit Needle to Chen Shijie. “These two items are useless to me. Could you help me convert them into money?”

“Oh? You've gained quite a haul, kid.” Just then, Long Xiao walked in from the training grounds outside. “These are good items. Where did you get them?”

“He killed a Vice Hall Master,” Chen Shijie explained. “I didn't even get to use the Guardian Straw Dolls you copied.”

“Not bad, stronger than Old Chen back in the day,” Long Xiao praised.

Zhao Xing didn't reply, as he saw Chen Shijie's mouth twitching.

However, it seemed Long Xiao had earned a great merit this time, as Chen Shijie actually said nothing, letting Long Xiao gloat.

“I'll take this pearl,” Long Xiao said, picking up the Bloodfiend Pearl and unceremoniously tucking it into his robes. “When you join the Divine Might Army, I'll credit you with the equivalent value in points. If you want to buy anything then, just ask for my help.”

“Alright,” Zhao Xing nodded. In the army, gold and silver were not used; a points system was in place instead.

This type of point system was not only popular in the military but also in Great Zhou's seventy-two Daoist Academies and scholarly institutions. They also had the "Three Societies Point System" and "Three Academies Point System."

It retained the evaluation system of "Excellent," "Average," and "Fail," while also incorporating a highly practical numerical system.

If one accumulated enough points, they could advance from outer to inner academies, or from lower to upper societies, and even become a teacher at a Daoist Academy.

With the military merit point system, reaching certain levels allowed one to be promoted in honor, peerage, and nominal rank.

“I'll handle the Blood Spirit Needle for you,” Chen Shijie said, putting it away. “When you go for training in the Military Realm, it will definitely come in handy.”

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. “To be an agricultural official in the Divine Might Army, do I first need to train in the Military Realm?”

Long Xiao proudly stated, “Of course! Do you think any Tom, Dick, or Harry can join my Divine Might Army?”

“Even if you were to become an official by being promoted from a clerk and waited a thousand years for selection and transfer, you still wouldn't get into the Divine Might Army.”

Zhao Xing asked curiously, “What was the Divine Might Army's ranking in the last Military Realm Legion Exercise?”

“Five hundred and eighty-seventh!”

What's there to be proud of with a rank in the five hundreds!

Anyone who didn't know might think you were one of the Ten Imperial Armies!

Seeing Zhao Xing show no reaction to the number, Long Xiao grew anxious. “Kid, don't think being in the five hundreds is bad. Do you know how many armies participated in the last Military Realm Legion Exercise?”

“How many?”

“There were eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-three armies!” Long Xiao said. “The Divine Might Army ranked in the five hundreds—isn't that impressive?”

“Impressive,” Zhao Xing nodded cooperatively.

Over eight thousand armies—for Great Zhou, with its vast population spread across nineteen provinces, that was actually a relatively small number.

During the reign of the Great Ancestor, the number of armies participating in the Military Realm exercises exceeded 50,000. However, during Emperor Wen's reign, he did not wage many wars.

The number of Military Realm exercises reached a historical low, with only over five thousand armies participating.

During Emperor Jing's reign, the number increased slightly, with armies exceeding ten thousand in multiple exercises.

The most exaggerated was Emperor Wu, who directly broke the Great Ancestor's record. At its peak, one Military Realm Legion Exercise saw an astonishing 500,000 armies participating!

Even on average, the number of armies participating in each Military Realm exercise never fell below 100,000.

Emperor Wu enjoyed massing troops for warfare and expanding territory. Furthermore, he wasn't just inflating numbers; in reality, the Military Realm Legion Exercises he held had high entry thresholds. Among all Great Zhou dynasties, the quality of his armies was second only to the Great Ancestor's era, and at times even surpassed it.

The Military Realm Legion Exercises had participation thresholds.

Local armies, like the East Lake Army, were not even qualified to participate.

“Does the Divine Might Army have its own 'Cave Heaven'?” Zhao Xing asked.

As soon as this question was asked, Long Xiao visibly deflated, and Chen Shijie's eyes dimmed.

“Almost.”

Which meant they didn't.

Zhao Xing felt a slight sense of disappointment.

What was the Military Realm?

The Military Realm was a network of 'Cave Heaven' worlds connected by Great Zhou across its nineteen provinces.

After advancing in rank, the power and range of both spells and martial techniques would increase exponentially.

The nineteen provinces simply couldn't withstand such destructive forces.

For instance, at Zhao Xing's current Ninth Rank, casting the Cloud Swallowing spell could cover nearly half of Gucheng County.

While a warrior's secret techniques didn't have as wide a range, their power was still considerable.

Taking the agricultural officials as an example, many of their Earth Advantage spells often required practicing with ley lines, and it was the same for Heaven's Timing spells.

If mountains collapsed and the earth split open constantly, or if it was winter one moment and summer the next, how could the common people endure it?

Therefore, any army of a higher tier typically stationed and trained within Cave Heaven worlds.

Cave Heaven worlds possessed various miraculous qualities.

Their vastness and durability were one aspect; they also had unique and abundant resources.

For example, a book in the Directorate of Agriculture's collection, titled *Wondrous Treasures of the Cave Heavens*, described the wonders of the 'Guangling Cave Heaven.'

In spring, five kinds of auspicious grains could be planted, sown in spring and ripened in spring, with one ear capable of feeding five people.

In summer, a hundred types of blood vines could be cultivated, sown and harvested in summer, their fruits capable of replenishing a hundred types of blood.

In autumn, golden beans could be grown, sown and harvested in autumn, gathering essence in three days, reaching maturity in a month, and worth more than gold.

In winter, bone-mending ginseng could be dug, capable of setting bones in ten days and regenerating severed limbs in a hundred days.

The Guangling Cave Heaven was home to the Guangling Army, ranked among the top fifty in Great Zhou.

The Guangling Cave Heaven was still not the largest or most miraculous; the largest Cave Heaven worlds were occupied by the Ten Imperial Armies.

The Military Realm Legion Exercises were also held in rotation within those ten largest Cave Heavens.

“Strong armies each occupy a single Cave Heaven. Since the Divine Might Army didn't even make it into the top three hundred, they must share a location with other legions, or even multiple legions.”

“But what did Long Xiao mean by 'almost' having one?”

Seeing that Long Xiao and Chen Shijie didn't elaborate, Zhao Xing didn't press further. He had a vague suspicion that this might involve core secrets of the Divine Might Army.

“If I go for training in the Military Realm, which Cave Heaven will I go to?” Zhao Xing asked.

“It's unclear for now,” Chen Shijie shook his head. “We've been in the Jinting Cave Heaven and Danxia Cave Heaven before. Now that the Divine Might Army is being reactivated, there will surely be changes in this regard.”

“However, it will be finalized by next spring. Long Xiao and I will also wait until then to depart.”

Zhao Xing nodded, then asked about other matters, “Does the Divine Might Army have a good relationship with the Lihuo Daoist Academy?”

Although the Lihuo Divine Altar had usage conditions, it wasn't something just anyone could borrow.

Across the nineteen provinces, there were countless armies of all sizes, but only seventy-two Daoist Academies.

If you wanted to borrow it, they would have to respect you first.

“The Marquis has some connection with the Lihuo Daoist Academy,” Chen Shijie said. “He studied there for a period in his early years.”

“May I know the Marquis's given name and title?”

“Of course,” Long Xiao replied. “The Marquis's surname is Yang, given name An. He was enfeoffed as Marquis Boping in the first year of Jingxin.”

Not Marquis Divine Might? Boping... Could he be a County Marquis?

Zhao Xing was somewhat puzzled. Chen Shijie and Long Xiao held the Marquis in such high regard, yet he was merely a County Marquis. This seemed rather odd.

A marquis's title could reveal many things.

First-rank marquises typically had "Might" or "Hero" in their titles. Titles personally chosen by the Human Emperor, signifying special achievements or personal characteristics, or expressing expectations and grand visions, were also considered first-rank.

Second-rank marquises were titled based on the five virtues of a soldier—'Strictness, Valor, Martial Prowess, Wisdom, and Trustworthiness'—these were known as the Five Virtues titles.

Third-rank marquises were usually named after their fiefdoms.

Fourth-rank marquises were not among the martial marquises, and their titles were varied. They generally did not have a fiefdom, only a stipend-producing territory. That is, from such land, one could only collect some taxes, whereas a fiefdom allowed not only taxes but also recruitment of soldiers, development of mines, and so on.

Marquis Boping sounded like a third-rank marquis, yet he commanded the Divine Might Army?

“I wonder what story lies behind this. The Marquis Divine Might and the Divine Might Army, who would one day shake the world, are currently only a Marquis Boping. Could it be that Emperor Jing was too stingy?”

Zhao Xing then asked more about the Divine Might Army, such as its scale, numbers, and achievements. He now had a general understanding of the place he was going.

Overall, the Divine Might Army aligned well with his next plans.

With fewer soldiers but strong generals, there would be many opportunities to earn merit. This was evident from the personal qualities of Long Xiao and Chen Shijie.

Moreover, the Divine Might Army would one day become renowned throughout the world, and associating with them offered great potential for advancement.

The only hidden danger was that they were eventually delisted for unknown reasons.

“But this isn't unchangeable,” Zhao Xing thought to himself. “My appearance will undoubtedly create a butterfly effect. For instance, if I hadn't been here for the Profound Sky Cult's operation in Nanyang Commandery, Old Chen wouldn't have been alerted enough to invite Long Xiao and notify the Prince of Nanyang Commandery.”

True powerhouses never complain about their circumstances. No matter how much the future changes, it cannot alter my determination to achieve eternal life!

At the Chen Residence, after watching Zhao Xing depart, Long Xiao couldn't help but rub his chin. “This kid is not simple. His resolve is firm. It seems his decision to become an agricultural official in the army wasn't due to your persuasion but rather a path he had already chosen.”

“During the Profound Sky Cult incident, he showed both courage and strategy. He could strategize with you, and at crucial moments, he even dared to act against a Hall Master-level opponent.”

“Yet, during the inspection in Anping Town, even though the Guardian Straw Dolls were with him, he didn't try to claim credit by taking action.”

“Just a few words into our conversation, and it seemed he had already guessed many things.”

“I have a feeling he will bring us surprises.”

Chen Shijie smiled faintly. “Why are you more optimistic than I am? Still, let's not get too excited. We'll talk about everything after he passes the Temple Examination.”