The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

When Zhao Xing left the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, he held the rank of "Official Eighth Rank Superior," marked as unpromotable.

This was because he had been a Ninth Rank transfer official at that time, without an actual post in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, and could at most cultivate to the Official Eighth Rank Superior.

According to standard practice, only after completing all Nine Rings tasks would a Seventh Rank official post be awarded. However, Zhao Xing had only completed three tasks, so why had his temporary "Junior Seventh Rank" status been removed?

He carefully examined the Nine Rings military tasks displayed on his Earth Mirror, and after a moment of thought, it dawned on him.

"So, achieving 'Grade A' in the Third Ring automatically grants an official position?"

"The Nine Rings task I received states that achieving 'Grade A' in the first three tasks promotes you to Junior Seventh Rank."

"Achieving 'Grade A' in the middle three tasks promotes you to Senior Seventh Rank."

"Achieving 'Grade A' in the final three tasks promotes you to Official Seventh Rank Superior."

"I had assumed one needed to complete all nine tasks before being promoted. Now it all makes sense."

It wasn't Zhao Xing's fault for being unclear about this because, in his previous life, he had never started from such a high point. Only the top-tier talents in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven qualified to take on the Nine Rings task. Within the Military Shennong Division, only seventy-five people held that qualification.

Of course, considering all professions, the number of geniuses eligible for the Nine Rings task from the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven was about a thousand. After all, the Military Shennong Division wasn't the largest, and other professions had less stringent grading standards.

"Now, all I need to do is visit the temple and receive my stipend, and I will officially become the Junior Seventh Rank Water Commander, no longer a temporary title."

"With this, the national fortune will enter my body, upgrading me from Eighth Rank to Seventh Rank."

Zhao Xing had previously experienced the national fortune entering his body in Gucheng.

But that was when he held a Ninth Rank position.

"I should break through on my own first. Otherwise, the national fortune will need to split part of its power to elevate my realm."

Zhao Xing was already capable of breaking through to the Seventh Rank, but the constraints of the Great Zhou's fortune-bound dynasty system prevented him from advancing.

In reality, his understanding of the Dao had already reached the Seventh Rank level.

Mastering multiple high-level spells was proof enough that he was ready to advance.

"Drop Water Technique is advanced. I created Thunder Technique, and the Thunder Breaking Delusion Finger is advanced. Divine Travel Guard is also advanced."

"I have three Seasonal Qi Commands at the fourth rotation of Profound Realm. There's absolutely no need to waste the national fortune on raising my realm."

Zhao Xing had long planned that he wouldn't waste the national fortune on things he could achieve on his own.

He wanted the entire force of the court's power to increase his lifespan and fortune instead.

In this way, even if he were demoted in the future, the loss he would suffer would be far less than someone who relied entirely on the court's promotion.

"Master Wang," Zhao Xing poked his head out of the window. "Lower the airship. I need to make some arrangements down below."

"Got it." Wang Ji immediately began lowering the airship.

"Did you discover more Southern Barbarians?" Xia Jing's eyes lit up, and he rushed over to inquire.

"Yes, something suspicious," Zhao Xing replied. "Once we're down, you should also lead a team to search the surrounding area. Some Earth Shamans can burrow underground and love digging tunnels and caves."

"Understood." Xia Jing was eager to get into action. While other areas had already begun engaging the Southern Barbarians, not many had appeared in their vicinity yet.

The Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture was vast, and there was no telling which direction the barbarians would come from.

Whoosh~

The airship descended onto a mountainous area.

The priests began casting soul-summoning spells to check for the presence of foreign spirits. The Shennong officers summoned the wind, exploring the surroundings, while the warriors delved into the forests and caves, each group performing their duties.

Zhao Xing, on the other hand, used his Escape Technique to burrow underground.

Buzz~

The Divine Travel Guard formed an octagonal cage, enveloping Zhao Xing as he continuously descended.

At the Eighth Rank Spirit Bridge Realm, breaking through to the Seventh Rank Earth Fiend Realm required drawing Earth Fiend Qi into the body.

For those in magical professions, this breakthrough didn't cost any money because they could descend and harness the Earth Fiend Qi directly.

Warriors, on the other hand, had to buy Earth Fiend beads or find natural treasures or borrow formation arrays from craftsmen to absorb the Earth Fiend energy.

Rumble~

The further down Zhao Xing went, the greater the resistance became. The earth veins in Southern Barbarian territory were chaotic, and the five elements were not apparent, primarily due to the interference of Earth Fiend energy.

While there wasn't much else here, absorbing Earth Fiend energy for a breakthrough was quite convenient.

"This should be enough."

Zhao Xing stopped descending, coming to a halt about 3,000 meters underground.

He sat cross-legged in the octagonal cage.

Shhh~

The Earth Fiend energy in the earth below pressed and crashed against the octagonal cage, but the Divine Travel Guard held firm, blocking it out.

After adjusting his state to its peak, Zhao Xing raised a hand and pointed.

Whoosh, whoosh~

A celestial bridge appeared, extending from the octagonal cage.

Shhh~

The Earth Fiend energy seemed to find a vent, surging along the celestial bridge into Zhao Xing's body.

"Such concentrated Earth Fiend energy."

Zhao Xing controlled the absorption speed.

Normally, absorbing vital energy through the celestial bridge in Yangcheng was quite comfortable. The environment there was suitable, with gentle and abundant vital energy.

But now, what he absorbed was mostly Earth Fiend energy, with little vital energy.

Shhh, shhh~

His skin began to steam, and every inch of his body grew scorching hot, as though he had been plunged into boiling oil.

Hiss~

The pain of drawing Earth Fiend energy into the body was truly like being deep-fried in oil. Zhao Xing felt every muscle and bone being torn by the violent force, with his meridians and acupoints forcibly expanding.

During this process, Zhao Xing had to continually use vital energy to repair his body, resisting the Earth Fiend's tempering while preventing his flesh from collapsing.

"No wonder everyone covets official positions—when the national fortune enters the body, the breakthrough from Eighth Rank to Seventh Rank is painless and happens in the blink of an eye."

Self-cultivation during this kind of transformation was excruciating, and there was always a risk of failure.

However, being conferred rank under the national fortune dynasty system guaranteed a one-hundred-percent painless breakthrough.

There was no difference in strength between those who broke through naturally and those who relied on the national fortune.

The physical seven souls would be equally strong.

"But those who rely on themselves to break through will have stronger willpower and won't have to worry about losing their realm if they are demoted."

"Ancient cultivation methods test both a person's talent and their mental strength."

As the Earth Fiend energy continued to bombard his body, Zhao Xing meditated, using the Yin-Yang Self Technique to observe the changes in his body, constantly adjusting.

The pain allowed Zhao Xing to reflect on his cultivation, providing an overall review.

This process was also a path toward enlightenment.

"Drawing Earth Fiend energy into the body to temper oneself causes dramatic changes in the internal five elements. Isn't this akin to the body's natural transformation?"

"This transformation is even more intense than during the Ninth Rank breakthrough. However, compared to the centennial or millennial transformations, it's still far from that level."

"At the Seventh Rank, there's a risk of falling into 'Qi Deviation.'"

"Qi Deviation is essentially an internal catastrophe within one's body."

Zhao Xing recalled some theories from the Self School regarding the body's natural transformations. At this moment, he noticed a strand of five-element energy, as fine as thread, moving through his body.

"Hmm? Am I breaking through to the second layer of the Yin-Yang Self Technique?"

The Yin-Yang Self Technique has three layers:

The first layer allows observation of the five elements within.

The second layer allows observation of the five elements in thread form.

The third layer allows one to observe the five elements in particle form.

"Although I've only seen a thread, this is a qualitative breakthrough."

Zhao Xing was thrilled.

Being able to observe the five-element energy in thread form allowed him to gain deeper control over his body, enabling more precise adjustments.

"The spells of the Self School will all gain an additional layer of power because of this."

Thump, thump~ thump, thump~

The Earth Fiend energy had completed its initial transformation of his physical seven souls.

The pain receded like a tide, replaced by the strong, rhythmic beating of his heart, and the numbness vanished entirely.

Zhao Xing felt stronger than ever before.

"I suddenly feel an overwhelming strength, as though I could pierce the heavens themselves," Zhao Xing laughed to himself.

At this moment, his bones shimmered with a silver sheen, his blood coursing like mercury, and his physical strength rivaled that of the most gifted Eighth Rank warriors.

Most importantly, his vital energy reserves and quality had both surged, reaching the thirty-first tier of Essence Gathering.

"The Earth Fiend tempering of the seven souls has deepened my sensitivity to the five elements and the principles of yin and yang."

"The Seventh Rank realm is all about continual tempering with Earth Fiend energy. Once this transformation reaches its limit, I will have achieved perfection at the Seventh Rank."

The breakthrough was swift, taking only about an hour in total.

This was mainly due to the effects of the Dao Embryo Pill, which had fully taken hold. Zhao Xing's natural talent and deep comprehension of the Dao ensured that self-breakthroughs posed no risk of failure.

"Let's head back up."

Zhao Xing controlled the Divine Travel Guard and ascended rapidly.

Compared to his descent, his ascent was more than twice as fast.

"Any findings?"

As soon as Zhao Xing emerged from the ground, Xia Jing rushed over to ask.

"Nothing. What about you?"

Xia Jing shook his head. "We found some traces, but they were left a long time ago. This area is too close to the Yingyuan Prefecture boundary. Even if scouts had passed through, they wouldn't have lingered long."

"Then let's wrap it up. We'll focus on getting that Hana Tribe man to talk first. The Hana Tribe alone should provide a good opportunity for us."

"Agreed." Xia Jing waved his hand, his voice echoing in the surrounding forest: "Everyone, pull back!"

Just as Zhao Xing was about to board the ship, he noticed Cao Shuang approaching with a broad smile.

"Hahaha, Zhao Xing, thanks to you, my Third Ring task is complete!"

"Mind your manners." Han Bing, expressionless as always, interrupted, "You should address him as Lord Zhao."

"Yes, yes. Many thanks, Lord Zhao!" Cao Shuang said with a grin, clasping his hands in a bow.

"Many thanks, Lord Zhao." Behind him, several other Shennong officers also cupped their hands in respect.

Zhao Xing smiled. "There's no need for all that. The defense of Yun City(yuncheng) wasn't my effort alone. You all played your parts."

Che Shi Hai chimed in, "But it's different, Zhao Xing. If you hadn't arrived early and organized Yun City, we wouldn't be enjoying these official promotions right now."

"Haha, I'm officially an Eighth Rank Agricultural Officer now. Feels fast, doesn't it?"

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one who completed the Third Ring task. All the Shennong officers in Yun City had also finished. Their tasks were aligned with Zhao Xing's, and some of them had even simpler objectives.

Many of the temporary positions held by Ninth and Eighth Rank Shennong officers had now become official.

"I was a Junior Eighth Rank officer, but now my temporary appointment has been voided. I can receive my formal appointment as soon as I return to the temple."

"Same here, haha."

Because Yun City's defense had reached a high standard, and the Southern Barbarian forces had only sent their lower ranks to test the waters, the Derivation Plate had determined that Yun City would suffer no large-scale damage. As a result, the Third Ring tasks for all the Shennong officers were completed.

"We're so lucky," one of the Martial Division warriors muttered, joining in the lively conversation. Their own Third Ring tasks were still incomplete.

The difference lay in the situation they faced. The counties around the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, near the Canglan River, were dealing with natural disasters, which made the Shennong officers' tasks more urgent.

Other regions, further away from the river, faced different threats.

For example, areas dealing with soul-controlling tribes might see the priests finish their Third Ring tasks first.

For regions facing tribes focused on close combat, the warriors would complete their tasks more quickly.

Meanwhile, craftsmen, doctors, and ritualists completed their tasks based more on personal ability and were less affected by local conditions.

Each region faced unique challenges, and there was no single formula for success. Some people were unlucky enough to lose their lives during the Third Ring tasks. Where could they go to complain?

"I'm just glad I was assigned to Yun City. My Third Ring task was the fastest and smoothest I've ever completed, though I admit it was a bit tiring," Che Shi Hai sighed. "A friend of mine in Jiangbei County wasn't as lucky. He died during his Third Ring task."

"Yeah, I had a friend in Fancheng. His Third Ring task is finished too, but he failed. Despite being an Eighth Rank Spirit Bridge cultivator, he was demoted to Ninth Rank."

"Fancheng? I heard Fancheng was hit hard by a strike from a genius under the Purple Dragon Court. Three thousand Martial Division warriors and two hundred Shennong officers were stationed there, and seventy percent of the warriors and half the Shennong officers died. All it took was a single hundred-man team of Southern Barbarians."

"What?! That serious?"

"It's true. The Southern Barbarians have their own geniuses. Those trained under the Purple Dragon Court are formidable opponents."

As they chatted, it became clear that, despite their smooth progress in Yun City, other regions were facing far graver challenges. Whether through military reports or direct communication via Earth Mirrors, they could stay updated on the outside world.

Not everyone had been as fortunate. While they successfully completed their Third Ring tasks and earned promotions, other places suffered heavy losses in their battles against the Southern Barbarians.

"My Third Ring task is done, but there are no more set tasks after this. From now on, I'll have to earn promotions through military merit," one Ninth Rank Shennong officer commented. "Advancing will be even harder."

"Indeed," another Shennong officer agreed. "The Nine Rings task in the Military Realm was a continuation of our training in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven. Compared to the normal promotion process, it was easier. Without that, we'll be competing with everyone else in the pacification army."

"It's not like we've had it any easier," Cao Shuang interjected with a snort. "We still have to kill enemies for the Fourth Ring task."

"True. It's not like we're going to coast through this," Che Shi Hai added. "The tasks for Grade A talents are more directed, but they're no less difficult."

"Cao Shuang, Che Shi Hai, you're missing the point," an Eighth Rank Shennong officer remarked. "Without the continuous tasks from the Military Realm, our promotions will depend on the Ministry of War's calculations. Who knows how that process will change? Meanwhile, those of us with task sequences are guaranteed to advance. The Military Realm is absolutely fair."

Cao Shuang and Che Shi Hai fell silent. Indeed, top-grade talents had better treatment.

Their official positions were directly conferred by the Military Realm, whereas those without continuous tasks would have to rely on the Ministry of War in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture to tally their achievements. This added bureaucracy could potentially lead to disputes over merit.

Xia Jing spoke up, "Everyone, don't worry. This time, the pacification campaign is different from the small skirmishes we've seen before."

"The court will soon open the Pacification Merit Rankings."

"Once that happens, it won't matter whether you're in a strong or weak army, or what your background is. As long as you have merit, there will be no room for corruption or misrepresentation."

"The Pacification Merit Rankings?" Chen Fang exclaimed. "Are you serious? They're opening it so soon?"

"Yes." Xia Jing nodded. "I suspect it will happen very soon. The court's determination this time should not be underestimated."

"The Young Marquis is right," another officer chimed in. "I've heard that skirmishes have already broken out in several places. With both the border forces and the Military Realm reserves engaged, the scale of this campaign is unlike anything we've seen in the past hundred years."

"Wow… So, there's going to be a real war?"

"I'm not asking for much—just to secure an Official Eighth Rank title before the main armies arrive would be enough for me."

"How uninspired! You're already a Junior Eighth Rank officer. You should at least aim for Seventh Rank!"

"Who knows how things will unfold? I'm lucky to be under Zhao Xing and the Young Marquis."

"Great power comes with great responsibility. If you made me a Seventh Rank officer, I wouldn't be able to perform at that level right now—I haven't even mastered a single high-level spell."

"That's true..."

On the way back, many of them discussed the latest military reports and the court's apparent resolve to pacify the Southern Barbarians.

As time passed, even the lower-ranking soldiers began to feel that the court was gearing up for something major.

This campaign would not be like the minor skirmishes of the past. The Southern Barbarians were fielding more formidable tribes this time around.

Previously, even when low-ranked warriors were sent to test the waters, they were just ordinary warriors.

But now, the scale was much larger.

Though Zhao Xing knew the Great Zhou had committed to pacifying the Southern Barbarians, he couldn't recall exactly when the Pacification Merit Rankings would open.

To avoid any information gaps, he immediately began gathering intelligence after returning. Among the sources he reached out to was Zhuang Zhiqing, the grandson of a prominent Marquis.

Inside the marching hall of the Water Management Division, a projection appeared in front of Zhao Xing. It was Zhuang Zhiqing.

"This time, the Military Realm has dispatched five great cave-heavens, with forty-nine armies for training. The Southern Barbarians have responded with four royal courts and one hundred and eight major tribes."

"The five great cave-heavens include Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, Illusory Nether Cave-Heaven, Danxia Cave-Heaven, Primal Cave-Heaven, and Origin Cave-Heaven."

"The Southern Barbarians' four royal courts are the Golden Feather Court, Purple Dragon Court, Holy Spirit Court, and Fiery Light Court."

Zhuang Zhiqing continued, "The Southern Barbarians' four royal courts have also sent many of their own geniuses. I nearly got into trouble myself a few days ago."

"It's going to take me some time to complete my Third Ring task."

"Shi Yong and I both faced serious setbacks, though fortunately, we managed to evade the insect shamans. Be careful, don't let your guard down."

Zhao Xing nodded. "You too."

Buzz~

The projection disappeared.

Not long after, a new projection appeared in the hall, this time of Chen Shijie.

"Zhao Xing, the reports have come in. These include casualty lists from Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, as well as along the Da Tong and Anping Prefectures' military garrisons for March and April. Some of these are from the Military Realm, while others are from individual prefectures, so there may be slight discrepancies."

"I've received them." Zhao Xing raised the documents in his hand. "When will you cross the river?"

"I'll head over once the Pacification Merit Rankings open," Chen Shijie replied. "You be careful."

"Don't worry," Zhao Xing smiled. "I won't take unnecessary risks."

After finishing his conversation with Chen Shijie, Zhao Xing reviewed the casualty list in his hand. This covered only the situation within Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, but over three thousand people had already died.

It didn't seem like a lot, but this was just for Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, and only for the officers and soldiers from the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture and the surrounding counties.

"The casualties are still relatively light for now."

"But once the Great Zhou opens the Pacification Merit Rankings and the Southern Barbarians open their Divine Court Gold Rankings, both sides will become desperate to claim merit."

Advancing through the normal political process was exceedingly difficult. Slowly building a record could take decades, even centuries, without necessarily reaching a First Rank position.

War, however, greatly accelerated that process.

But opportunities came hand-in-hand with danger.

"By the end of April, I expect the merit rankings will be open. The first round of training will involve the five cave-heavens and their forty-nine armies. After a period of fighting, once enough have died and the weaker soldiers have been eliminated, they'll bring in a new batch."

The pacification campaign against the Southern Barbarians lasted until the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Era. During the early years, the Military Realm and Southern Barbarian royal courts focused on sending low-ranked warriors into battle.

The goal was to deplete the other side's foundational talents, leaving them short of fresh recruits. It was also a form of internal selection and self-purging.

Throughout this period, even Fifth Rank warriors rarely participated. Only after both sides felt the balance was tipping would they deploy large numbers of Fifth Rank experts, signaling the point at which the war's outcome would be determined.

"Time to visit the Heavenly Heart Hall and receive my conferment."

Collecting his thoughts, Zhao Xing headed to the temple the following morning.

Just like when he had been a Ninth Rank official, he entered the Heavenly Heart Hall, paid his respects to the statues of the Great Ancestor and Emperor Wen, and bowed before the spirit tablet of Emperor Jing.

As before, beams of golden light radiated from the statues and the spirit tablet, filling the Heavenly Heart Hall and dazzling Zhao Xing's eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw an enormous celestial gate.

Last time, he had flown over the gate, entering the celestial palace beyond.

This time, he was already inside the celestial palace, standing among the civil and military officials. There was no need to pass through the gate again.

A giant golden figure sat on a colossal throne, overlooking the world.

When Zhao Xing looked up, the giant raised a finger.

Buzz~

A golden light entered Zhao Xing's body, and he felt a grand, majestic force flood into him.

He could feel a layer of obstruction within him dissipate. Where his understanding of the five elements had once felt veiled in shadow, it now became crystal clear.

At the same time, his life soul stirred. He involuntarily closed his eyes, observing his life soul in his inner vision.

Beneath his life soul, there had been a thin layer of golden light.

Now, however, two additional layers had appeared.

These represented his promotions to the Eighth Rank and Seventh Rank.

"The golden light beneath the life soul represents the foundation of the life palace."

"Once again, only a tiny fraction of the national fortune was diverted to my realm." Zhao Xing mused.

Because he had cultivated to the Seventh Rank on his own, with a solid foundation, most of the golden light had been absorbed by his life soul.

A portion was used to increase his lifespan, while another was added to his fortune.

The process concluded swiftly, and Zhao Xing knelt and bowed.

"Your servant, Zhao Xing, expresses gratitude to the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise." Emperor Jing's voice echoed throughout the celestial palace. As the words resonated, Zhao Xing felt his body grow slightly taller.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zhao Xing glanced behind him, seeing countless smaller officials in the distance.

They were the endless ranks of Ninth and Eighth Rank officials in the Great Zhou.

Being a Junior Seventh Rank official already placed him above many of them!

After the audience, the vision before him vanished, and Zhao Xing followed the remaining steps of the ritual. Once he exited the temple, he checked his status through the interface.

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Realm: Junior Seventh Rank]

[Occupation: Shennong]

[Fortune: Derivation Three]

[Essence Gathering: Thirty-first Tier]

[Life Soul: Early Seventh Rank]

[Additional Lifespan: 140 years]

"My life soul has reached the early Seventh Rank, and my additional lifespan has increased by sixty years."

"The Emperor was generous this time. For my promotion to Junior Seventh Rank, he granted me an extra sixty years of life?"

After a moment of reflection, Zhao Xing understood.

This was wartime!

Fighting in foreign lands required soldiers to frequently invoke divine blessings, which consumed their lifespan.

There was no true generosity involved. Every gift from the Emperor came with a price tag.

"My fortune hasn't changed; it's still Derivation Three."

"I suppose I'll need to reach at least the Sixth Rank to see an increase in my fortune."

Advancing in fortune was the most difficult. Zhao Xing was already at Derivation Three, and even his progress through the Eighth and Seventh Ranks wasn't enough to raise it.

Many Fifth Rank officials also had Derivation Three fortune.

Of course, others couldn't see this, and Fifth Rank officials themselves had no idea how strong their fortune was. They wouldn't know if the Emperor had been stingy with them.

"There are still three levels to cross before I reach the Senior Seventh Rank and then the Sixth Rank. Each promotion will add more years to my lifespan and increase my fortune, though only when advancing in rank will I have to visit the Heavenly Heart Hall again."

"There's no need to go through this process for every little step."

As for his spells, there hadn't been any noticeable changes. The court merely unlocked the potential for advancement and didn't directly enhance his understanding of the Dao.

Of course, for those with particularly poor talent who had been advancing slowly, their comprehension would return to normal after their promotion.

But for Zhao Xing, there was no need. Thus, after his promotion, most of the power had gone into extending his lifespan and boosting his fortune, with only a small portion improving his life soul's level.

Leaving the temple, Zhao Xing headed to the Yun City Magistrate's Office.

After a night had passed, he expected that they would have thoroughly interrogated Zhao Ke by now.

Upon reaching the magistrate's office, Zhao Xing went straight to the prison.

There, several wardens stood by. These wardens were a sub-branch of the martial division, known as Sikou, responsible for enforcing the law alongside the Inspectors and Martial Divisions.

In Zhao Xing's view, the Sikou were a mix of martial artists and ritualists, as they specialized in spiritual attacks, particularly during interrogations.

Inside the prison, Zhao Xing found Xia Jing and Duan Ren.

After exchanging brief formalities, Zhao Xing turned to Xia Jing.

"How did it go?"

"We've extracted the information," Xia Jing reported. "We're currently conducting the third cross-check."

"Good enough." Zhao Xing reviewed the interrogation report. "We need to act quickly. By now, a day has passed. If Zhao Ke, the tribe leader's son, doesn't return soon, the Hana Tribe might relocate."

"Even a slight shift could make it nearly impossible to find them in the vast expanse of the Fengming Mountains."

"Good point," Xia Jing agreed. "Let's move out immediately."

"Leave him to me," Zhao Xing said, pointing to Zhao Ke in the cell. "And bring Yuan Yang over."

"What do you plan to do?" Xia Jing asked, surprised. "If we loosen his restraints even a little, he'll kill himself. He won't become a turncoat."

"I don't need him alive." Zhao Xing pulled Yuan Yang aside. "I need his skin. The more intact, the better. Can you manage that?"

"No problem," Yuan Yang nodded. "I'll skin him for you. Just wait here."

"No, I'll come with you," Zhao Xing said. "This guy is a treasure trove. I have other uses for him."

Xia Jing overheard the conversation but didn't react.

Duan Ren, being a ritualist, couldn't bear to listen to such matters. As soon as Zhao Xing spoke, Duan Ren blocked out the sound and left the room.

Zhao Xing, carrying his Wenzhu Box, followed Yuan Yang into the cell.

Chen Fang and the others waited outside.

Pssh!

Yuan Yang's needle pierced Zhao Ke's heart, killing him instantly.

"Rise!"

Zhao Xing pulled out a heap of materials from his Wenzhu Box, quickly crafting a black-and-white striped straw puppet.

[Soul Binding Straw Puppet]

Whoosh~

A gust of eerie wind swept through, and Zhao Ke's body emitted a faint ghostly figure.

Yuan Yang's hand trembled slightly. The Clear Eyes Spell was a common technique everyone learned, so Yuan Yang could see Zhao Ke's soul.

"Why are you shaking? This is an official Soul Binding Straw Puppet," Zhao Xing remarked. "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried," Yuan Yang replied, though his expression betrayed a hint of fear. The Soul Binding Straw Puppet closely resembled the demonic techniques used by outsiders.

Saying he wasn't afraid didn't make it true. Standing next to Zhao Xing, Yuan Yang could feel his life soul being tugged by the puppet.

Even though Zhao Xing assured him that the Soul Binding Straw Puppet was officially sanctioned, Yuan Yang still couldn't shake his fear.

"All done."

Yuan Yang swiftly skinned Zhao Ke.

"Thanks." Zhao Xing rolled up the skin and moved to another cell. There, he boiled water and placed the skin into the pot, adding various materials from his Wenzhu Box.

Outside, Chen Fang and Yuan Yang couldn't help but gulp.

"I didn't know Military Shennong officers did things like this," Chen Fang whispered, his voice barely audible. "Zhao Xing doesn't have some weird fetish, does he?"

"He said it's an official Soul Binding and Illusory Straw Puppet," Yuan Yang replied quietly. "I've never seen it before either."

Of course they hadn't seen it before; Zhao Xing had learned these techniques from Liu Tianning.

The Soul Binding Straw Puppet, combined with the Illusory Straw Puppet, was a perfect match.

Before long, Zhao Xing emerged from the cell, followed by a naked man.

Chen Fang immediately felt his hair stand on end.

The man looked exactly like Zhao Ke, down to his aura.

"Where are his clothes and accessories?" Zhao Xing asked.

"They're over there. I'll go get them," Chen Fang stammered, rushing to fetch Zhao Ke's belongings.

Whoosh~

A gust of wind swirled around Zhao Ke, clothing him in his former attire, making him indistinguishable from before his capture.

"Chen Fang!"

Zhao Ke suddenly spoke.

"What do you think of this disguise?"

Chen Fang forced a smile, instinctively taking a step back. "It's… very convincing."

Zhao Xing shook his head. "Chen Fang, you usually have more guts. Why are you so scared now?"

"Listen carefully. What do you think of this puppet's command of the Southern Barbarian common language?"

Chen Fang listened closely before responding, "It still has a bit of a Great Zhou accent."

"That will take some practice," Zhao Xing noted. "I'm not particularly skilled in that area."

With the Illusory Soul Binding Straw Puppet in tow, Zhao Xing stepped outside, where Xia Jing was waiting.

When Xia Jing saw Zhao Ke walk out, he was momentarily stunned. "Why didn't you kill him?"

Zhao Xing merely smiled, saying nothing. Xia Jing scrutinized Zhao Ke more closely, his expression shifting. "Is that a Soul Binding Straw Puppet? Is that why you wanted his skin?"

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.

As the priest, Shen Mingyu, approached to join them, his expression darkened. "Lord Zhao, this technique… it goes against the natural order."

Zhao Xing smiled. "When we defeat the Hana Tribe, won't their young master go seek refuge with another tribe?"

"Rare are the insect shamans. You think if he goes, they won't accept him?"

"We can follow the trail and wipe out a whole chain of enemies. That's a ton of battle merit!"

"Lord Shen, once you redeem yourself for your earlier oversight, you can even get a promotion. Now, do you still feel this violates the natural order?"

After a moment of thought, Shen Mingyu replied, "The law itself has no morality. Using it for righteous purposes makes it righteous. Lord Zhao is correct."

What did they say about having Confucian scholars argue in your favor? Zhao Xing laughed as he boarded the ship.

On the eleventh of April, Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Zhang Yi, Yuan Yang, Wang Ji, and their five divisions, totaling 1,800 men, boarded two airships and entered the Fengming Mountain range.

Three hours later, they found the hiding place of the Hana Tribe.

"Prepare for battle!"