The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

Chen Shijie's words were calm, and his tone was simple.

Helian Lie glanced at the middle-aged man surnamed Lei beside him, who slightly shook his head and transmitted a secret message:

"He didn't fall for it. The military shennong officer opposite isn't simple. We still need to deliver the people, so let's not waste any more time. Let's find another way."

"Mm." Helian Lie put away the jade pendant, then swiftly left with the three young people and the man surnamed Lei.

"The people of the Lieyang Army are too arrogant!" Long Xiao glared at their backs. "What do they mean by saying their military orders are more important than ours? They're insulting the Shenwei Army. I really want to stab that dog right through…"

"Long Xiao!" Chen Shijie sternly shouted, a cold wind swirling around Long Xiao's ears, "Calm down! You've fallen into their trap."

"Huh?" The cold wind caused the anger in Long Xiao's eyes to subside, and his expression changed slightly.

"How has your vigilance dropped so much?" Chen Shijie frowned, "You need serious training when you get back."

This time, Long Xiao didn't argue. He nodded seriously, "Mm, I'll remember that."

Zhao Xing asked suspiciously, "Was that person just now a Ritualist?"

"Correct, a strategist in the army," Chen Shijie replied. "By being radiant himself, he makes others confused. That Ritualist just now used a provocation technique."

Zhao Xing suddenly understood, "What a treacherous tactic."

The so-called provocation technique wasn't just verbal stimulation when used by a Ritualist.

It was a technique from the Zhao Hui Method, capable of subtly shaking someone's intellect and spirit, making them dazed and confused.

"If Long Xiao had really attacked them, regardless of who arrived at this No. 9 Fire Pit first, we would have been expelled from the Dao Academy, and they would have succeeded."

Long Xiao cursed, "Those Ritualists are so insidious and cunning. I'm truly impressed by these sons of bitches."

Chen Shijie said, "You haven't dealt with Ritualists much in the last five years. When we reach Xier County, go train with Brother Jia."

Long Xiao's face immediately showed some distress, "Can't I train with someone else? I'll go to Brother Chengxin instead. Jia Pu loves using the Intelligence Diminishing Technique, and he has such a foul mouth. Every time I finish training with him, I feel like an idiot."

"Up to you."

Zhao Xing curiously asked, "Why didn't that guy cast the spell on me? My cultivation level is obviously much lower than Long Xiao's."

Chen Shijie shook his head, "He and Long Xiao are in the same realm. If his provocation succeeded, and Long Xiao lost due to inferior skills, we couldn't complain. Sparring among soldiers is common, and we wouldn't cause trouble afterward."

"But if he used the technique on you, it would go beyond normal sparring and break the rules. If we confronted them afterward, he would be punished, and his entire army would be ridiculed."

Zhao Xing nodded, understanding now why Long Xiao had been the target and not himself.

The young man in the yellow robe, though a bit clueless, was smart enough to pretend he hadn't heard anything. After all, he was just a small Dao child, and it was best for him to remain invisible.

After a while, the flames at the No. 9 Fire Pit rose again, exceeding the height of the previous flames by a meter.

The young man in the yellow robe immediately brightened, "Lord Chen, Lord Long, someone has restored the No. 9 Fire Pit's formation. The formation is now stable enough for you to travel to Datong Prefecture. You can enter early and don't have to wait any longer."

Chen Shijie clasped his hands in thanks toward the young Daoist, "Thank you. Please convey my gratitude to your master for his assistance."

"I will definitely pass on the message." The young Daoist nodded.

Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Zhao Xing then walked down the slope toward the fire pit in the valley.

"Whoosh~"

The flames roared fiercely, but the temperature wasn't high, only slightly above body temperature.

"Calm the mountain cat, so it's not scared. This process will be quick." Chen Shijie looked at Zhao Xing, "Just walk in and relax your body. Long Xiao, you demonstrate first."

"Alright." Long Xiao walked into the center of the fire pit and was quickly engulfed by the flames.

Zhao Xing observed as the flame-like thread patterns on Long Xiao's body thickened.

When the second layer of threads wrapped around him, Long Xiao suddenly sank downward.

"Poof~" With a light pop, Long Xiao disappeared into the fire pit.

The flames then lowered by two feet.

"Meow?!" The mountain cat's eyes widened, as if asking, "Where did that big guy go?"

"Your turn," Chen Shijie said, "I'll be watching you."

"Okay." Zhao Xing, holding the mountain cat, walked into the No. 9 Fire Pit.

The flames licked at Zhao Xing's skin, as if his clothes didn't exist.

Yet, the clothes didn't catch fire.

The mountain cat squirmed uneasily in his arms, but under Zhao Xing's calming touch, it endured the fire wrapping around its body.

"Poof~"

With a light pop, both Zhao Xing and the mountain cat disappeared.

The flames lowered by another two feet.

When Chen Shijie also disappeared, the flames of the fire pit shrank by three feet, now less than a meter tall.

…

In Datong Prefecture, at the Fire Pit area of Lihuo Dao Academy's altar.

"Whoosh~"

A flame that had originally only been a meter high suddenly flared, revealing a figure.

Long Xiao stepped out from the flames.

He looked at his hands, "I've got another 80,000 li to return. When I get back, I'll have to run like crazy again."

The flames then flickered, and Zhao Xing and the mountain cat emerged.

"This is truly magical."

"The quality of the Five Elements energy here is extremely high, and the formation is incredibly intricate, seemingly utilizing the fire veins of the earth to travel rapidly through them." Zhao Xing, who had used fire pits before in his previous life, felt no special sensation back then.

But now he could sense the wonder of it.

"A layer of fire energy is wrapped around our bodies, and it carries a unique power."

"Ephemeral yet real, it seems connected directly to the heavens. If you don't follow the rules set by the mysterious force, the fire energy's markings will constantly remind and pressure you."

After using the formation, one had to walk twice the distance borrowed from the formation without using magic or external aids, relying solely on physical strength.

Completing the journey within a month had no adverse effects.

However, exceeding a month would cause the mysterious markings to distort any spells or techniques cast, with increasingly severe consequences. If it took over a year, the task could never be completed in this lifetime.

"Are we in Datong Prefecture now?" Zhao Xing asked. "We crossed 20,000 li in just half an hour?"

"Mm." Long Xiao nodded, "To be exact, it was 20,083 li."

"Once you enter the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, it's best to complete the journey within a month, without using magic or external force, relying only on your body. The little cat will have to do the same."

"Meow?!" The mountain cat was dumbfounded.

Would it have to walk 1,300 li every day?

That would be exhausting for the poor cat!

"Meow, meow~" The mountain cat rubbed against Zhao Xing, hoping for mercy.

"Do you want to become a dead cat?"

The mountain cat's ears flattened.

Fine, walking 1,300 li every day wasn't that bad.

"Poof~"

Chen Shijie also emerged from the fire pit.

The three of them then left the fire pit and exited this branch of the Dao Academy.

They continued their journey by riding a floating cloud ship from the prefecture city.

"To the far west of Datong Prefecture is Xier County."

"So why are we flying east?"

"Long Xiao and I are heading to Xier County to meet the Marquis. You're going to the Ten Suns Cave Heaven first," Chen Shijie explained. "You'll be completing your new recruit training, including the military shennong officer's training program."

"We'll drop you off at the eastern entrance to the cave heaven, then head to Xier County."

Zhao Xing understood and looked down at the mountain cat in his arms, "Can I take it with me?"

Chen Shijie shook his head, "The training program is rigorous, and you won't have the energy to care for the cat. Let me look after it for you."

"Alright." Zhao Xing didn't hesitate and handed the mountain cat over to Chen Shijie.

After all, the mountain cat had already gotten used to living comfortably in Chen's residence, so it didn't resist too much, although it was a bit reluctant to part from Zhao Xing.

"If you need anything in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, let us know," Chen Shijie said slowly. "The military shennong officer's training is extremely strict and highly competitive."

Long Xiao added, "There are currently nine stationed armies in the cave heaven. I imagine there will be many people training alongside you. If anyone tries to bully you, we'll back you up."

"But if you lose to someone in the same cultivation realm, we won't intervene."

Zhao Xing nodded, "Don't worry, I won't let the Shenwei Army be shamed."

The floating cloud ship flew eastward for half a day, crossing numerous cities and towns, before entering a vast mountain range.

"The entrance to the Ten Suns Cave Heaven is in the Wanfeng Mountains of Datong Prefecture. We've entered the military zone."

"Look, many people are heading this way."

Zhao Xing looked up and saw numerous floating cloud ships in the distance. Using his keen eyesight, he could make out at least a hundred ships, all converging in the same direction.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, a faint dragon's roar echoed from the clouds behind them.

Chen Shijie immediately controlled the cloud ship to lower its altitude and veer to the side.

"Whoosh~"

Moments later, the clouds behind them began to churn.

A massive dragon's head emerged from the clouds.

Its mouth formed a small vortex, and the surrounding clouds were swept away, stirring up a violent wind.

The dragon head alone was enormous, but it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Zhao Xing noticed that the dragon head was attached to a long, nearly 100-meter horn.

Slowly, more of the structure emerged, revealing a deck and the hull of a ship with nine-tiered pavilions.

It was a colossal vessel!

Zhao Xing stared at the dragon-headed ship, thinking only one thing.

"That's the flag of the Hujiao Army," Chen Shijie explained, "They're the highest-ranked of the nine armies stationed in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven. In the last military exercises, they ranked 309th. The commander of the Hujiao Army is Marquis Mingwu."

"We should let the dragon-headed ship pass."

Whenever such a vessel was encountered, others had to give it a wide berth. The dragon-headed ship, capable of controlling the wind and clouds, was so massive that smaller cloud ships could be easily swept away if they got too close.

As the dragon-headed ship passed, Zhao Xing watched from a distance, seeing rows of soldiers standing on the deck, their vigorous auras palpable even from afar.

The flag of the Hujiao Army was striking—an imposing tiger-jiao emblem, its claws and teeth bared, flapping wildly in the wind, as if alive and ready to pounce.

"Let's go, we need to keep moving."

After another half an hour of flying, the cloud ship finally began to descend.

Below them, a massive lake appeared, surrounded by a sprawling camp that stretched for dozens of li.

"Whoosh~"

The cloud ship landed in front of a small palace in the center of one of the camps.

"We've arrived. This is the Shenwei Army's outer camp, and this palace is one of our armories. We'll take you to collect your equipment," Chen Shijie said.

Since Zhao Xing had been promoted to the ninth rank as an shennong officer, some of his equipment had yet to be issued. Now that he had been transferred to the Shenwei Army, he would naturally receive it here.

"Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, it's been a while." As they entered the palace, they were greeted by an elderly man dressed in civilian clothes.

"Uncle Fang." Chen Shijie and Long Xiao immediately clasped their hands in respect.

"You're delivering people rather late. All the other recruits have already been sent in," Fang Hong said with a smile. "Is this the young man you brought from Nanyang County, Zhao Xing?"

"Yes." Chen Shijie replied, "Quickly greet Uncle Fang."

"Zhao Xing from Gucheng, greetings to Lord Fang," Zhao Xing said, bowing. Before coming, he had learned that Fang Hong was the armory supervisor.

"All the items are prepared for you," Fang Hong said, smiling as he had a chest brought over. "This is the standard issue for a ninth-rank shennong officer."

Zhao Xing opened the chest and examined each item.

Aside from the familiar Calamity Repelling Almanac and bamboo chest, there were four new pieces of equipment.

[Golden Raincoat]

[Quality: Third-tier, Upper Grade]

[Effect: A magical garment woven from five-element materials that repels water and fire, blocks sharp objects, and enhances perception of the earth veins.]

The golden raincoat, named for its bright yellow color, was woven from materials representing the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—granting it resistance to water, heat, and cutting, as well as boosting earth vein perception and enhancing techniques of the Beni Sect.

[Hundred Flowers Hat]

[Quality: Third-tier, Upper Grade]

[Effect: Woven from a hundred types of flowers and plants gathered during the twenty-four solar terms, it enhances all weather-based techniques of the Tianshi Sect.]

[Cloud and Rain Pearl]

[Quality: Fourth-tier, Lower Grade]

[Effect: Can collect large amounts of rainwater and cloud energy.]

[Cloud-Stepping Boots]

[Quality: Third-tier, Upper Grade]

[Effect: Allows short-distance flight with a cloud-stepping technique and generates mist for stealthy movement.]

The cloud-stepping boots allowed shennong officers to fly short distances, with mist rising from beneath the wearer's feet when used, not only enabling flight but also obscuring the wearer from enemies.

Familiar with the new equipment, Zhao Xing quickly stored it in the bamboo chest.

The new bamboo chest was also a third-tier, upper-grade treasure.

Aside from its temperature-regulating and storage abilities, its internal space could expand to some degree. Though it appeared only large enough to hold a person, if forced, it could be expanded to three meters tall and two meters wide.

Additionally, the chest was inscribed with mechanical formations that lightened the load for the wearer.

"How do you feel? Do you need time to get used to it?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No need." Zhao Xing swiftly packed everything into the bamboo chest. "When does training start?"

"On March 1st, at the hour of the rooster," Chen Shijie replied.

"Today is March 1st, and it's already midday," Zhao Xing noted, glancing around. "We haven't reached the Ten Suns Cave Heaven yet, right?"

"No, but training starts at the outer camp," Chen Shijie explained. "We can only escort you outside. Entering the cave heaven, as well as finding the training camp, is all part of the shennong officer's training program."

"Since we arrived a bit late from Nanyang County, you now have only two hours to study the small map." Chen Shijie handed Zhao Xing a rolled-up map. "At the hour of the rooster, you and all the other officers from the nine stationed armies will enter the Ten Suns Cave Heaven together."

"You must find the Shennong Monitor's office on your own."

"The environment inside the Ten Suns Cave Heaven is complex. Here's a booklet that records the terrain, geographic features, and unique weather patterns."

Zhao Xing nodded, "I'll study it now. Keep explaining."

Chen Shijie continued, "To motivate the troops, the military has set up a points reward system for officers participating in training."

"For example, the first officer to report to the Shennong Monitor's office will receive 10,000 points."

"That many?" Zhao Xing was surprised. He knew military training offered rewards, but the Ten Suns Cave Heaven was offering an enormous sum for first place—10,000 points?

Military points were extremely valuable, with even fourth-tier treasures costing only 2,000-3,000 points each.

Just reporting first could earn 10,000 points?

Long Xiao chuckled, "The Ten Suns Cave Heaven is a newly discovered pocket dimension, used not only for stationed troops to train but also for exploration and development tasks."

"They have to offer a lot of points, or no one would be willing to do the work."

"To be honest, some areas inside the Ten Suns Cave Heaven are so extreme, I'd rather spend three days and nights fighting the barbarians outside than spend half a day in there."

The Ten Suns Cave Heaven was so named because the small world inside contained ten sun-like celestial phenomena.

Some places were genuinely hot enough to kill people. Without high rewards, no one would want to undertake such missions.

Of course, Zhao Xing was still a "recruit," and tasks involving these extreme environments wouldn't fall to the reservists.

"How many reservist shennong officers are there across the nine armies?" Zhao Xing asked while reading the booklet.

"There are relatively few reservists. Altogether, there are around 10,000."

"..."

That's not few at all!

"Not all reservists will become official shennong officers in the end," Chen Shijie explained. "If the military decides after this round of training that you're not suitable, you won't be granted the title of shennong officer."

"As a rule, only about one-tenth are awarded the position, while the rest have to wait for next year and try again."

…

The two hours passed quickly, and as the hour of the rooster approached, Zhao Xing boarded the floating cloud ship with Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, heading toward the massive lake.

"Couldn't you fly a bit lower? Aren't you worried he's afraid of heights?" Long Xiao said to Chen Shijie.

"I'm not afraid of heights," Zhao Xing replied.

"When you jump down in a moment, don't close your eyes. Once you hit the lake's surface, you'll enter the Ten Suns Cave Heaven. Quickly use your cloud-stepping boots to stabilize yourself," Chen Shijie instructed. "Adapting quickly to unfamiliar environments is a basic skill for an shennong officer."

"I understand." Zhao Xing licked his lips in excitement. This was much more thrilling than the assessment back in Gucheng, and there were so many people involved.

"Hmm? Is that the two jerks we ran into at the No. 9 Fire Pit?" Long Xiao suddenly looked in one direction. "Were they here to drop people off too?"

Not far away, another floating cloud ship hovered, with Helian Lie and the Ritualist standing beside two men and one woman.