"Grand disciple, how did you manage to get those two to follow your instructions?" True Lord Tianyang asked curiously.
At this moment, Zhao Xing held two tokens in his hands.
One had Sima Yunhai's name engraved on the front and Xuantian Academy engraved on the back.
The other had Pang Yuanren's name on the front and Shangluo Academy on the back.
"Sima Yunhai is a typical Shennong from the Heaven School. He's devoted to the people and takes the well-being of all living things as his responsibility. As long as a plan benefits the populace, he doesn't care if he's the one in charge or not."
"I arrived earlier and prepared preventive measures ahead of time. When he saw my approach was better, he willingly deferred to me."
"As for Pang Yuanren, his thirst for knowledge is insatiable. I wrote a grand thesis for him to review. After reading it, he found it reasonable and decided to cooperate."
True Lord Tianyang took a puff of the incense stick in his mouth and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Don't just tell me their strengths—what about their flaws?"
"Grandmaster, it's not proper to discuss others' faults behind their backs," Zhao Xing replied, trying to maintain decorum.
True Lord Tianyang chuckled. "No problem. I'll call them over, and you can tell them directly."
Zhao Xing: "—"
Why are you like this, Grandmaster?
Left with no choice, Zhao Xing relented. "Sima Yunhai embodies the virtues of the Heaven School's Shennong, but his shortcomings stem from the same place. His dedication to the people makes him look down on the other schools. His sectarian bias is very strong."
True Lord Tianyang nodded thoughtfully. "And Pang?"
"Pang Yuanren's eagerness to pursue his Dao sometimes leads him to prioritize personal ambition over immediate responsibilities. For instance, as soon as he arrived in Mingyue Prefecture, he sought me out for a debate, relegating disaster relief to a secondary concern. It's evident that he views this mission as a means to secure more resources for Shangluo Academy."
"His willingness to cooperate with me is also likely influenced by my teacher, Liu Tianning."
True Lord Tianyang finished the incense stick, lit another, and asked, "How do you view these flaws?"
"Judge actions, not intentions," Zhao Xing replied calmly. "If one were to scrutinize intentions, few in the world would be without fault."
True Lord Tianyang smiled approvingly. "You've managed to get both of them to follow your direction. Your master is pleased with you."
"I promised you a gift earlier. Once the situation in Pinghai Province is resolved, make time to visit Fengjing in Tianyong Prefecture."
Fengjing was one of the capitals of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
What kind of gift requires a trip to the capital? Zhao Xing was intrigued.
"You'd better come early. If Li Boqian dies before you arrive, I'll have to relinquish some of my authority in the underworld to him."
"Thank you, Grandmaster," Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully.
"Go now, and focus on your tasks. Disaster prevention is grueling work, so don't waste time chatting with me."
"Understood. Your Grand disciple takes his leave."
Sima Yunhai's group consisted of elite Shennong drawn from various branches across Pinghai Province, including 1,856 Fourth-Rank Shennong.
Pang Yuanren brought 129 Fourth-Rank Shennong from Shangluo Academy.
In terms of sheer numbers, the Heaven School's Shennong outnumbered the Self School's by more than tenfold.
The disparity was just as stark for Fifth-Rank Shennong. Sima Yunhai brought over 16,000, while Pang Yuanren had only 1,020.
Neither brought any Sixth-Rank Shennong.
The rationale was simple. For Sima Yunhai, a Third-Rank Shennong, bringing a small number of Sixth-Rank Shennong wouldn't provide significant benefits, and a large number would slow down operations. Pang Yuanren, on the other hand, had no use for them, as none of his Sixth-Rank Shennong had cultivated Pure Essence Soil yet.
Additionally, Shangluo Academy only had eight branches in Pinghai Province, three of which were located in enemy-occupied territories. Most of the personnel Pang Yuanren brought were from Dao Origin Continent.
The first order of business for Zhao Xing was to seek approval from Lord Ye Yukong, the Prefect of Mingyue Prefecture.
"My lord, please approve this request."
"What is this about?" Ye Yukong asked curiously.
"Disaster prevention is exhausting work that heavily depletes vital energy. Once it begins, even with shifts, the intensity of the labor is immense."
"This document outlines additional compensation for officials of all ranks in Mingyue Prefecture."
"With clear regulations in place, my lord can appropriately reward their efforts," Zhao Xing explained.
"Oh, absolutely," Ye Yukong agreed, stamping the document with his official seal without a second glance.
As soon as he finished, Zhao Xing presented another document.
"And what's this?" Ye Yukong asked.
"Requesting the opening of the Taigu, Taiping, Changping, and Ganquan granaries."
"This year's harvest in Mingyue Prefecture will undoubtedly fall short. Prices will skyrocket. Opening these granaries will stabilize the cost of grains, essential medicines, and clothing materials, ensuring the populace can afford basic necessities."
"I see. Makes sense." Ye Yukong promptly stamped the second document.
No sooner had he finished than Zhao Xing handed him a third.
Ye Yukong looked at Zhao Xing.
"My lord, please order the expansion of temporary shelters in each county. In the event of a disaster, officials from the ship division must swiftly relocate affected civilians to these shelters, facilitating disaster prevention efforts."
"Stamp!"
"My lord, please instruct the Mingyue, Lihuo, Bishui, and Shenyou academies within the prefecture to grant expedited access for officials ranked Sixth-Rank and above. This will enable them to travel quickly across counties."
"Stamp!"
"My lord, please approve—"
"Stamp!"
"My lord—"
"Stamp!"
By the time Zhao Xing was finished, Ye Yukong's stamping hand had created afterimages.
It took an entire hour before the table was cleared of documents.
"Is that all?" Ye Yukong asked, looking at Zhao Xing.
"That's all for this morning," Zhao Xing replied.
"???"
Ye Yukong was stunned.
You mean I've spent an hour, and this was just the morning's workload?
"Can't you have your subordinates approve these?" he asked, exasperated.
Zhao Xing explained, "More than a thousand civil officials in Mingyue Prefecture have perished. The replacements are inexperienced and hesitant to act independently. They require your direct approval."
"My lord, even if those officials were still alive, your workload wouldn't be any lighter."
Ye Yukong's face twisted in bitter realization.
Ye Yukong sighed, slumping into his chair. "Zhao Xing, I really don't want this job anymore. When I was the dean of the academy, I had a reputation for competence and wisdom."
"But after just under two months as prefect, I've been cursed out worse than a dog. My ancestors must be fuming in the afterlife!"
"My father even appeared in my dreams last night, scolding me for being an idiot, saying I didn't even know how to properly vet people before hiring them, only caring about bringing in experts."
"Why does the court insist I remain as prefect?"
Zhao Xing answered honestly, "The prefect must be at least of Third Rank and have served in Mingyue Prefecture for more than ten years. At the time, you were the only candidate who met the requirements."
"But I have no idea how to do this job," Ye Yukong lamented, seizing a backup document from his desk as an example. "Take this incident seven days ago, for instance."
"The chief engineer of the prefecture's Mechanism Office, Huang Shanggong, submitted a request to allocate materials for four eastern counties in Mingyue Prefecture."
"I told him to handle it himself. Was that a mistake?"
Zhao Xing offered reassurance. "Not necessarily."
"If it were general supplies, Huang Shanggong could have decided on his own. However, the request involved over three thousand types of materials, which needed to be drawn from the Yuanfeng Storehouse under the Shennong Division."
"I thought to myself, what even is the Yuanfeng Storehouse? Why does he need to ask me?"
Zhao Xing listened carefully to Ye Yukong's grievances as the latter recounted the ordeal of managing Mingyue Prefecture. The challenges of navigating bureaucratic hurdles, conflicting directives, and resource constraints were no small matter. Zhao Xing couldn't help but sympathize with the frustrated prefect, yet his focus remained on finding solutions rather than lamenting over the past.
Ye Yukong slammed the table lightly to emphasize his frustration. "Do you know what I found out when I tried to allocate materials from the Yuanfeng Storehouse? It turns out that any request involving Seventh-Rank materials doesn't just need my seal. I also have to issue an official decree to the Shennong Division overseeing the Yuanfeng Storehouse."
"And that's not all. I then had to coordinate with the Inspectorate and the City Guard to provide escorts for the transfer."
"A simple task of allocating materials ended up involving multiple departments!" He gestured wildly. "I thought issuing the orders would settle it. But no—Huang Shanggong couldn't open the storehouse even with the decree. The storehouse officials demanded a final review from me, the prefect."
"I asked, why don't the officials of the Yuanfeng Storehouse and the Mechanism Office just coordinate amongst themselves? Guess what the head of the Yuanfeng Storehouse said?"
Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
"He said, 'If the prefect doesn't oversee the process personally, opening the Yuanfeng Storehouse would be akin to rebellion!' Can you believe that?" Ye Yukong slapped the table in exasperation. "It's just about materials—how does it escalate to rebellion?"
Zhao Xing nodded thoughtfully but remained silent. The truth was, the storehouse head wasn't entirely wrong. The security protocols surrounding Seventh-Rank materials were indeed stringent for good reason. If officials from different departments could bypass the prefect's oversight to access such resources, it would create a dangerous precedent. These materials were critical and highly sensitive—allowing unauthorized access would pose a significant security risk, especially during wartime.
"Even under smooth communication, the process feels unnecessarily complicated," Ye Yukong continued. "But what makes it worse is when department heads have conflicting views."
"I thought the problem was solved once the orders were issued. But Huang Shanggong came back, saying the materials he needed weren't available in the Yuanfeng Storehouse."
"Even with my orders, they couldn't fulfill his request."
"Then both the storehouse head and Huang came to me, asking what to do. As if I would magically know the answer!" Ye Yukong threw up his hands in frustration.
Zhao Xing remained patient, offering a calm response. "What happened next?"
Ye Yukong sighed. "I called both department heads for a discussion. The Yuanfeng Storehouse head, Liu Qing, suggested accessing the Internal Reserve Storehouse, which might have the materials."
"I told him to open it, then."
Zhao Xing couldn't help but wince at the thought. The Internal Reserve Storehouse was even more critical than the Yuanfeng Storehouse. Its materials were reserved for emergency or strategic use and couldn't be accessed lightly.
"Liu Qing checked the records and found that while the materials were available, the quantities were limited. He argued that if we depleted the reserve, we wouldn't have enough for more critical situations. Besides, Huang's request wasn't deemed urgent enough to justify such action."
Ye Yukong imitated Huang Shanggong's fiery retort. "Not urgent? How is this not urgent? The situation is like a fire burning at our heels!"
"The two of them bickered endlessly and turned to me to decide. I sided with Huang and authorized the use of the Internal Reserve Storehouse. It seemed like the best course of action at the time."
"But five days later, the western counties of Mingyue Prefecture faced an even more urgent disaster. With insufficient materials, the defensive formations failed, and over a hundred thousand people suffered as a result."
Zhao Xing offered a word of comfort. "You can't blame yourself entirely for that outcome."
Ye Yukong shook his head. "You don't need to console me. The truth is, I'm simply not suited to this role as prefect."
Zhao Xing fell silent, acknowledging the immense burden placed on Ye Yukong. However, he also understood that the challenges of wartime governance left little room for ideal circumstances.
Ye Yukong suddenly rose from his seat and approached Zhao Xing with the prefect's seal in hand. "Chen'an, I'm not cut out for this interim role. But you—you're perfect for it!"
Zhao Xing was taken aback. "How could I possibly take this position? I'm only a Fifth-Rank official."
"Your rank doesn't matter! In just two days, you've managed the administrative chaos better than I ever could. Your decisiveness is leagues ahead of mine!" Ye Yukong's tone was earnest, but Zhao Xing stepped back, shaking his head.
"It's impossible," Zhao Xing replied firmly. "My Fifth-Rank status doesn't grant me the authority to hold this seal. And even if I could, such power cannot be transferred privately."
The truth was undeniable. In a Fortune Dynasty like the Great Zhou, governance was tightly linked to the empire's Fortune. Without the proper rank and official appointment, Zhao Xing would be unable to wield the prefect's seal—no matter his capabilities.
Moreover, Zhao Xing was bound by his principles. Accepting such authority without formal appointment would be both unethical and impractical.
"I will assist you with all my strength through my avatars, Prefect. Please don't mention this again," Zhao Xing said with a respectful bow.
Ye Yukong sighed, realizing his rashness. "You're right. I wasn't thinking clearly. I'll rely on you to continue supporting me."
"You can count on me," Zhao Xing assured him. "One of my avatars will remain stationed in the administrative office at all times. Feel free to summon me whenever needed."
"Good, good," Ye Yukong said, a smile of relief spreading across his face.
Under Zhao Xing's meticulous planning, Mingyue Prefecture's administration began to stabilize. His uncanny ability to analyze and coordinate resources impressed even seasoned officials like Zhang Ping, Liu Bogong, and Zheng Yiling. Through his cultivation technique, Derivation of the Divine Spirit, Zhao Xing deployed numerous avatars to process information and predict outcomes with unmatched efficiency.
In just ten days, the prefecture's bureaucratic system regained its vitality. The timely support from Tianhe Prefecture ensured that material shortages were resolved, and disaster relief efforts proceeded without further hindrance.
One evening, Qin Ming, head of the prefecture's Inspectorate, burst into Zhao Xing's office with an excited report. "The severity of disaster warnings has dropped! The level has been reduced from seven to six!"
"Excellent news!" Zhao Xing said with a nod.
"Indeed! Heaven truly favors Mingyue Prefecture!" Qin Ming exclaimed. "Quick, send the updated forecast to the prefect's office!"
"At once!" the aides responded.
"Lord Marquis, the latest disaster warning from Qin Ming shows the severity has dropped. This is all thanks to your efforts," said Wei Zhao, a Fourth-Rank Shennong from Shangluo Academy, his tone filled with admiration.
"This is the result of everyone's hard work," Zhao Xing replied modestly.
"We haven't even truly exerted ourselves yet, and the disaster warnings are already improving. How could this be our doing?" Yang Song, standing nearby, shook his head in disbelief.
The improvement wasn't merely due to prevention measures. It stemmed largely from Zhao Xing's restoration of governmental functionality. By raising the efficiency of administrative bodies, the Inspectorate's forecasts naturally reflected reduced disaster levels.
An effective government could make an enormous difference. When functioning well, even a Level 3 storm could be mitigated to minimal impact. Conversely, a disorganized administration could escalate minor incidents to catastrophic disasters.
"Lowering it from Level 7 to Level 6 is already the limit," Zhao Xing remarked. "From here onward, it will require everyone's unified efforts."
"Yes, we will heed Lord Marquis' instructions!" Wei Zhao and Yang Song, along with the other officials, bowed in unison.
Nearby, Pang Yuanzhen, engrossed in planting trees, paused to watch the scene unfold. He nodded approvingly.
"To be a disciple of Liu Tianning, mastering the Myriad Law Straw Puppet and authoring the New Chapter of the Theory of Self and Natural Harmony—that already makes him a paragon of both theory and practice."
"And yet, he also excels in governance, understanding the complexities of administrative functions with ease. This is true versatility."
"Even if I were to revoke his authority now, these people would still follow him rather than me."
Pang Yuanzhen felt a mix of awe and disbelief. It was hard to fathom that Zhao Xing was not yet forty years old. He shone brighter than even Liu Tianning!
"Dr. Pang, is the planting complete?" Zhao Xing approached with a group of officials.
"Lord Marquis," Pang Yuanzhen stood and bowed. "In the past three days, we have planted a total of 37.6 million Iceheart Grasses across forty-five counties in Zhuo Commandery."
"Fifteen counties required thermal shelters due to excessively cold earth veins, while the other thirty managed without such measures."
"The local Shennong Divisions can oversee the grasses until they enter their growth phase. At that point, they can be transplanted as needed."
"In a short time, the scale can be multiplied by tens of thousands."
Zhao Xing lightly tapped his fingers against his trousers, pondering for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then we move on to the next commandery."
"Let's board the ships."
"Yes," Pang Yuanzhen replied with a bow.
Seven tower ships rose into the air, leaving Zhuo Commandery behind.
As Zhao Xing and his team departed, one of his avatars arrived with Simayi Yunhai and other Shennong officials from the Heavenly Timing Sect. They descended to inspect the thermal shelters dotting the land below. Simayi Yunhai couldn't help but snort derisively.
"That stubborn old fool Pang Xianyun. He's not so hard-headed now, is he? How could he be persuaded so easily by Zhao Xing?"
Simayi Yunhai had known Pang Xianyun as his junior brother for decades. He was well aware of the man's temperament—once set on a course, he was immovable, even by a herd of oxen.
And yet here he was, complying with Zhao Xing's directives. The thought left Simayi Yunhai both annoyed and uneasy.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher," Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.
"Enough. I understand." Simayi Yunhai nodded curtly. His displeasure with Pang Xianyun didn't extend to Zhao Xing, and he was professional enough to put the matter aside.
The harsh winds howled, and hail fell relentlessly. The ground was coated in a layer of icy blue crystals.
This commandery had endured natural disasters compounded by Fang Tianguang's poor governance. Once sweltering hot, it was now bitterly cold, with the sky above thick with impenetrable clouds that released nothing but hail.
Zhao Xing's cloud manipulation techniques were proficient but fell short of Simayi Yunhai's mastery. Thus, Zhao Xing mainly focused on strategizing while Simayi Yunhai took the lead in execution.
"Fire Cloud Transformation!"
Simayi Yunhai pointed a finger skyward.
The endless expanse of icy clouds above Zhuo Commandery shimmered with a faint red hue.
"Boom—"
It was as though a massive stone had been dropped into a calm lake. Ripples of red light spread outward, painting the clouds in a warm, dawn-like glow.
"At least a Seventh-Transformation cloud manipulation technique," Zhao Xing observed, his eyes fixed on the display. It was a rare chance for on-site learning, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Simayi Yunhai's spellcasting continued for half an hour. The transformation was gradual but significant. The icy clouds over the entire commandery began to soften and change.
"Drip, drip—"
Raindrops began to fall.
Zhao Xing extended a hand from the ship's cabin, catching a handful of rain. He rubbed it between his fingers, analyzing its quality.
"The hail has ceased, but this is merely a superficial fix. The cold energy remains pervasive," Zhao Xing thought.
Simayi Yunhai's spell was powerful, but it couldn't completely eradicate the pervasive cold energy saturating the region.
Here, the Self School demonstrated its unique value. The vast planting of Iceheart Grass, initiated earlier by Pang Xianyun, was crucial. These plants could absorb the cold energy from the earth veins, concentrating it within themselves.
Each county's Shennong Division would eventually use growth-accelerating techniques to cultivate the grass en masse. By absorbing enough cold energy, the Iceheart Grass would allow the fiery energy of the earth veins to rise once more.
When the grasses had absorbed sufficient cold energy and yang energy began to ascend, Zhao Xing could deploy the Spring Equinox Command. This would achieve a complete separation of yin and yang energies.
For now, Simayi Yunhai only manipulated the clouds and refrained from invoking the Seasonal Qi Command. It wasn't yet the optimal time.
Should this attempt fail, the cold and fiery energies would remain mixed, worsening the situation. In such a scenario, even a First-Rank Shennong might struggle to reverse the damage.
"Shennong's work often involves going against nature. Yet, there are times when we must align with it. The balance of these opposites reveals the Dao's essence," Zhao Xing mused.
This avatar of Zhao Xing continued to gain insights as he worked alongside Simayi Yunhai, deepening his understanding of the Dao.
"That will do," Simayi Yunhai said, descending from the sky. "The Taiyin energy is beginning to shift toward Shaoyin. We can return in seven days to continue."
"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher," Zhao Xing bowed.
"Let's move on," Simayi Yunhai replied tersely.
"Understood," Zhao Xing answered.
The team from Shangluo Academy worked ahead, planting Iceheart Grass in accordance with Zhao Xing's New Chapter of the Theory of Self and Natural Harmony, cross-referenced with the Disaster Prevention Herbology and the Illustrated Study of Earth-Linked Sacred Woods.
Simayi Yunhai and his Shennong team from Xuanyuan Academy followed behind, using heavenly timing techniques to address climatic challenges. They moved steadily, county by county.
The scale of their operations made it impossible to address everything from a single location. Only a First-Rank Shennong possessed techniques powerful enough to cover an entire prefecture in one sweep.
The operations proceeded steadily, with each team fulfilling their respective duties across the counties of Zhuo Commandery. Zhao Xing's careful planning ensured that resources were maximized, with minimal friction between divisions. The meticulous coordination reflected his deep understanding of both governance and cultivation techniques.
In a remote corner of the commandery, Pang Xianyun oversaw a planting site where the terrain was exceptionally challenging. Despite the obstacles, the planting of Iceheart Grass continued smoothly. As he observed the thriving operation, a sense of admiration for Zhao Xing welled up in his heart.
"This young man..." Pang Xianyun muttered to himself. "To think he could devise such a comprehensive plan and execute it flawlessly. Even in the chaos of a natural disaster, he identifies the crux of the problem and resolves it with precision."
He thought back to the past few days, where Zhao Xing had calmly mediated disputes among various departments, proposed ingenious strategies, and demonstrated unparalleled efficiency. It wasn't just his cultivation or intellect—it was his ability to inspire others to act decisively.
Meanwhile, aboard one of the tower ships, Zhao Xing stood at the helm, reviewing the next stage of their operations. His avatar, stationed in the administrative hub, continued to relay updates on logistics and progress.
"Lord Marquis, we've received word from the counties in the south. They report success in cultivating the Iceheart Grass under the thermal shelters. The projected yield will meet our targets within two weeks," an aide informed him.
Zhao Xing nodded. "Excellent. Coordinate with the local Shennong Divisions to ensure no disruptions in the transplanting process. And remind them to monitor the earth veins closely for any irregularities."
"Understood," the aide replied.
As the ships glided over the commandery, the crew caught sight of vast fields covered in shimmering green. The Iceheart Grass planted earlier had already begun to take root, its presence a stark contrast to the icy blue of the surrounding landscape.
Simayi Yunhai, standing beside Zhao Xing, observed the scene with a critical eye. "Your methods are unconventional, but they appear effective. Still, do not underestimate the latent yin energy in these regions. A single misstep could undo all our efforts."
"I am fully aware, Teacher," Zhao Xing replied respectfully. "That is why we are proceeding cautiously, step by step. The balance of yin and yang is delicate, and any abrupt action could lead to further instability."
Simayi Yunhai grunted in approval. Despite his earlier reservations, he had come to respect Zhao Xing's thoroughness and adaptability.
The tower ships descended at their next destination, a county situated along the edge of a frozen river. Here, the cold energy was even more concentrated, and the local Shennong Division struggled to maintain the stability of the earth veins.
Zhao Xing immediately began assessing the situation. His avatar, linked through his cultivation technique, provided him with detailed insights into the terrain and climatic conditions.
"We will need to deploy additional thermal shelters in this region," Zhao Xing concluded. "The yin energy here is too strong for the current planting density to absorb effectively."
"Agreed," Simayi Yunhai said. "I will initiate another round of cloud manipulation to moderate the climate. But remember, this is merely a temporary solution."
"I understand, Teacher," Zhao Xing replied. "Our long-term goal remains the separation of yin and yang energies through the Spring Equinox Command. Everything we do now is to pave the way for that moment."
Shangluo Academy's Shennong division worked diligently ahead, planting vegetation according to Zhao Xing's New Chapter of the Theory of Self and Natural Harmony, supplemented by the Disaster Prevention Herbology and Illustrated Study of Earth-Linked Sacred Woods. They advanced systematically, treating one commandery after another.
Behind them, Simayi Yunhai's Shennong from Xuanyuan Academy followed closely, implementing weather manipulation techniques. The two groups moved in tandem, their efforts synchronized to ensure the best results.
However, the vastness of the commandery meant progress could only proceed step by step. It was impossible to resolve the issues from a central location in the prefecture capital. Such feats were only within the grasp of a First-Rank Shennong, whose techniques could cover an entire prefecture.
Additionally, the environmental differences between commanderies were significant. For instance, in Mingyue Prefecture, the climate and terrain varied drastically between the eastern and western regions. As someone intimately familiar with the prefecture's conditions, Zhao Xing took on the role of the third wave of intervention.
His true body and avatars led a team, including experts like Gao Dongpo, following behind Pang Yuanzhen and Simayi Yunhai. Because Zhao Xing excelled in harmonizing weather manipulation, terrain control, and the principles of the Self School, he could effectively fill in the gaps left by the preceding waves.
The lake below churned as if alive, its waters spiraling downward into a massive vortex that disappeared into the earth. Despite the heavy rainfall from the heavens, the lake absorbed it all, seemingly bottomless.
Standing beside Zhao Xing was Gao Dongpo, a Fourth-Rank Shennong from Mingyue Prefecture specializing in terrain techniques. Witnessing the phenomenon, he couldn't contain his excitement.
"Amazing! This is a supreme-grade Earth Palace technique!" Gao Dongpo exclaimed.
"The Boundless Sea Earth Palace—it directly approaches the ultimate form of the technique!"
The Shennong behind them, also proficient in terrain manipulation, were equally astonished. A large reservoir, once filled to capacity, had drained within moments, leaving its bed exposed. The sheer scale and speed of the transformation were breathtaking.
"Lord Zhao's avatar alone can achieve this… I can hardly imagine what his true body could accomplish!" one of the Shennong murmured.
"I heard that Lord Zhao's avatars and true body combined number over forty or fifty thousand. If they all executed the Boundless Sea Earth Palace together, wouldn't it drain the entire ocean?"
"Unbelievable…" gasped another, their voices tinged with awe and disbelief.
Overhearing their speculations, Zhao Xing chuckled lightly. Their exaggerations were far from the truth, though not entirely without foundation.
During his campaign to suppress rebellion in Tianhe Prefecture, Zhao Xing had indeed deployed a massive army of straw puppets. By utilizing his Derivation of the Divine Spirit technique to its fullest extent, he had divided his life soul into 49,999 strands, creating an unprecedented number of avatars. Combined with the myriad specialized puppets—Mighty Vajra, Sacred Shield, Flying, Explosive Detonation, Illusory Form, and Invisible Puppets—they had reached a total of fifty thousand.
Outsiders, unaware of the distinction between advanced and basic puppets, mistakenly assumed all fifty thousand were his avatars, thus overestimating his capabilities.
"Everyone, please take out your Raincloud Pearls to collect the excess rainfall," Zhao Xing instructed, his voice carrying clearly over the hum of activity. "Follow the established plan. Load the pearls onto the ships for redistribution across other counties."
"Understood!" Gao Dongpo and the other Shennong quickly retrieved their specialized Raincloud Pearls, a standard tool of their trade, and began harvesting the surplus rainwater.
Mingyue Prefecture's imbalance was stark. Some counties suffered severe drought, their parched earth cracking, while others endured relentless downpours that threatened to submerge the land. The situation was dire: the drought-stricken areas faced death by thirst, while the flood zones risked being swept away.
Zhao Xing had arrived in Mingyue Prefecture on March 21. By March 23, he had convinced both Simayi Yunhai and Pang Yuanzhen to collaborate on a comprehensive plan. Over ten days, Zhao Xing restored governmental functions, coordinated resources, and assembled manpower.
By April 3, the anticipated Seventh-Level Disaster forecast had been downgraded to Level 6. From then on, three waves of intervention, akin to sieves, systematically tackled the entire prefecture's issues. By April 25, Qin Ming, the regional forecaster, observed another drop in disaster severity.
Qin Ming burst into the prefectural office, his excitement palpable. So eager was he to deliver the news that he lost his hat along the way.
"Lord Prefect! Lord Prefect!"
Ye Yukong, who had been lounging in his chair for a brief nap, jolted upright at the booming voice.
"Qin Ming, what's the emergency?" Ye Yukong asked, his nerves on edge, fearing another dire report.
"It's not an emergency!" Qin Ming exclaimed, his face lit with joy. "The disaster warnings for Mingyue Prefecture have fallen drastically. Only a tenth of the region remains under Level 6 alert; the rest have dropped below Level 5!"
"That quickly?" Ye Yukong was stunned.
"A Level 5 or lower situation is manageable by the county-level Shennong divisions," Qin Ming explained, his excitement undiminished.
"Indeed, thanks to your leadership in coordinating resources, Lord Prefect!" Qin Ming added, his gratitude evident.
Ye Yukong felt his face flush at the unexpected praise. He coughed awkwardly, knowing the credit belonged to Zhao Xing. Qin Ming, however, seemed oblivious to the true source of their success.
"The rapid reduction in disaster severity across Mingyue Prefecture is entirely Zhao Xing's doing," Ye Yukong admitted with a shake of his head. "I've barely done anything to warrant praise."
To Ye Yukong, simply avoiding mistakes was achievement enough. Claiming credit? He wouldn't dare, nor did he have the capacity to do so. The court was well aware of his capabilities—or lack thereof.
"No need to argue further. I'll draft a report to the court acknowledging Zhao Xing's contributions," Ye Yukong concluded.
Meanwhile, Ye Yukong shared the good news in the East Division's ninth group communication channel:
[Mingyue Prefecture Administrator]: Most of Mingyue Prefecture's disaster warnings have dropped below Level 5. Only a tenth of problem areas remain at Level 6.
[Yan Yang King]: How did you manage that so quickly? Isn't Mingyue Prefecture larger than my territory? Did Jiang Shaoqiu or Xia Yun assist you?
[Jiang Shaoqiu]: I wasn't involved.
[Xia Yun]: Neither was I.
[Chu Muyun]: It's because Simayi Yunhai and Pang Xianyun went to Mingyue Prefecture.
[Mingyue Prefecture Leader]: Thanks to Zhao Xing from Tianhe Prefecture, his contribution has been the greatest. Let me tell you, if not for Zhao Xing, these two—oh, these two were also of great help. But the real commander of the disaster prevention efforts is Zhao Xing. Hahaha, Mingyue Prefecture is about to be restored!
Zhao Xing:
The message sent by Ye Yukong naturally caught Zhao Xing's attention.
He hadn't expected that this guy was already celebrating halfway through the process.
The restoration work wasn't even complete yet, and Ye Yukong was already boasting in the group chat.
"Unbelievable, this guy should be sent to run a thousand-mile raid. What's he doing as a civil official—" Zhao Xing thought, slightly amused.
Meanwhile, in the Military Realm, inside the golden palace of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, the King Tianyan opened his eyes.
In front of him was an enormous black-and-white wheel that filled his entire field of vision. Golden and black streams of energy swirled across the surface of the wheel, which was segmented into sections, each about a hundred meters high. This was none other than one of the Great Zhou Dynasty's artifacts, the Creation Disk.
As King Tianyan opened his eyes, several other Fate Officers in the room did as well. However, many of them had already lost the essence of life. Some had even turned into skeletons.
King Tianyan reached out to grab the Yellow Almanac, intending to check the current year and month, only to grasp a handful of silver hair.
"Fifty years of life gone…" King Tianyan sighed softly. "I wonder how many years I have left to live."
"However, at last, the hidden dangers in the Creation Disk have been completely resolved, and the secret trap left by King Liang has been erased."
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, one of the most critical institutions of the Great Zhou, had long been infiltrated by King Liang during his bid for power. This led to a bitter internal conflict and purge within the pavilion under King Tianyan's leadership.
The cost had been immense.
Seven out of ten Fate Officers in the Pinghai Province branch were lost. Even King Tianyan himself was now barely clinging to life, his vitality nearly depleted.
"I only have less than three years left," King Tianyan muttered with clarity. "If the rebellion of King Liang is not quelled within three years, I will die. If I do not receive the title of First-Rank Prince, I will still die."
King Tianyan quickly set aside thoughts of life and death.
"More than two months have already passed. I must immediately restore the operations of the Fate Officers," he said, his tone decisive. "Using the Creation Disk to counter the Heavenly Fortune Golden Rankings is imperative. Otherwise, the lands of the two provinces and the sea will remain under King Liang's surveillance."
He began issuing commands to lower-level branches, rapidly deploying resources through the Creation Disk. Among those he contacted was none other than Zhao Xing.
"You brat, don't you dare die on me," King Tianyan muttered to himself as he glanced at the Earth Mirror.
The records showed numerous messages from Zhao Xing before the rebellion began on February 2nd. But after that fateful day, Zhao Xing's transmissions had ceased entirely.
Zhao Xing had deduced that King Tianyan was likely embroiled in critical affairs and had refrained from contacting him further. With the elevated permissions of his Earth Mirror, Zhao Xing could have forced a message through—but doing so might have brought unnecessary risk to King Tianyan. Zhao Xing's restraint had been deliberate.
"Not a single message after February 2nd," King Tianyan murmured, his expression solemn.
Whether Zhao Xing was dead or had defected to King Liang's side, it was a heavy blow to King Tianyan. He hesitated for a moment before tremblingly activating the Earth Mirror to reestablish contact.
Back in Mingyue Prefecture:
"Huh?" Zhao Xing's true body noticed the Earth Mirror vibrating and saw a familiar name.
"King Tianyan? He's finally reached out!" Zhao Xing immediately accepted the communication request.
Buzz—
King Tianyan's projection materialized before him.
"Hahaha, you've truly made something of yourself, kid! Look at me—I have to request your permission to activate your Earth Mirror now."
"King Tianyan, what happened to you?" Zhao Xing exclaimed, startled by the elder's appearance.
King Tianyan's once-vibrant hair had turned entirely white, with most of it fallen out. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, and he looked as if he were on the verge of death.
"Oh, it's nothing," King Tianyan replied nonchalantly, waving a hand. He circulated his vitality briefly, causing his hair to regrow and his wrinkles to vanish.
But Zhao Xing wasn't fooled. He could see that this restoration was merely a façade, masking the critical depletion of King Tianyan's lifespan.
"Just a minor injury from using the Creation Disk for a lengthy deduction. I'll recover soon," King Tianyan insisted.
"Enough about me. How are things on your end? Quickly, give me a full account of everything that's happened over the past two months."
"Yes, after losing contact with you, I was transferred to Tianhe Prefecture—" Zhao Xing began recounting his journey, from slaying the King of Tianxia to his recent efforts in Mingyue Prefecture.
He expected King Tianyan to praise him, but instead, the elder's expression grew increasingly grave. At one point, King Tianyan turned away, making swift calculations on the Creation Disk, his hands moving furiously.
Zhao Xing's heart sank. King Tianyan wasn't trying to frighten him; something dire had clearly been uncovered.
On the Creation Disk, the calculations displayed results that caused King Tianyan's face to change drastically. He ran the numbers several more times before turning back to Zhao Xing.
"This isn't right! You've left something out! How can this be?" King Tianyan's voice was sharp with urgency.
"Zhao Xing, quickly and thoroughly recount every detail of what you've done. Leave nothing out!" he demanded.
Zhao Xing felt his pulse quicken. "Your Highness, what have you deduced? I truly don't know what I might have omitted."
King Tianyan's tone grew heavier. "King Liang possesses the Heavenly Fortune Golden Rankings, a list that reveals detailed information on the top ten thousand strongest individuals in Pinghai Province."
"Moreover, the rankings show how each individual influences the rebellion. It functions similarly to the Creation Disk."
"With this list, King Liang can recruit talent or eliminate those he deems threats, reducing opposition to his cause."
Zhao Xing's stomach sank. It really was the Heavenly Fortune Golden Rankings! Had King Liang already activated it in April?
"Your Highness, am I on the list?" Zhao Xing asked.
King Tianyan's voice trembled as he replied, "Not only are you on the list, but you're ranked eighty-fifth."
"What?" Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat.
"And it's worse. Since we started this conversation, your rank has already risen to seventy-third!"
Seventy-third? Zhao Xing was stunned. He knew the rankings represented the pinnacle of high-grade combat power, with even Third-Rank experts struggling to make the cut. It wasn't surprising that he was on the list, but reaching seventy-third was shocking.
"Zhao Xing, being on the list without pledging allegiance means King Liang's forces will prioritize assassinating you," King Tianyan warned. "You must leave Tianhe Prefecture immediately and head to Chongming Prefecture!"
Understanding the severity of the situation, Zhao Xing asked solemnly, "Your Highness, how much time do I have to prepare?"
King Tianyan turned back to the Creation Disk, pushing its deductions to the limit. His face grew pale as he spat out several mouthfuls of blood.
"They began the assassination plan ten days ago. The assassins are already in Mingyue Prefecture!"
"Zhao Xing, there's no time. Return to the prefectural capital immediately! I'll send reinforcements to meet you!"