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Chapter 239: The Rise of the Esteemed Spirit and the Evolutionary Upgrade of the Hou
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 08:10:55 +0000 UTCJi Zixuan guided the guests off the ship and began introducing them one by one to Zhao Xing.
Xia Tong hailed from the Xuanjia Army, holding the title of "Commander of the Five Camps" in the upper fifth rank, overseeing three renowned battalions of the Xuanjia Army: the Dragon Rider Battalion, the Iron-Backed Flying Bear Battalion, and the Wuju Battalion.
He was Xia Jing’s cousin, and as soon as he arrived, he addressed Zhao Xing as "Brother Zhao."
Despite being more than twenty years older than Xia Jing, the age gap didn’t seem significant.
Pei Yuanchang, also over fifty, still referred to Zhao Xing as a brother.
Among the generals, Pei Yuanchang was the most enthusiastic towards Zhao Xing, exuding a sense of camaraderie among close kin.
The other two generals, He Wu and Fang Ze, came from the Wuluo Army and Jiujiang Army, respectively.
Both armies belonged to the Eastern Sea Corps stationed in Pinghai Prefecture and shared a deployment site known as the Jiujing Cave-Heaven, a well-known base.
He Wu and Fang Ze, both upper fifth-ranked military officials, were attending due to Princess You Ruo’s influence. Given that the Eastern Corps frequently conducted sea missions, be it to hunt pirates, engage aquatic tribes, or venture eastward, they often passed through Princess You Ruo's domain.
On the vast ocean, securing supplies was more challenging than on land. Princess You Ruo controlled many resource-rich islands along the military’s route, demanding respect in exchange for her provisions.
In addition to being courteous, He Wu and Fang Ze showed some curiosity toward Zhao Xing.
Their interest was piqued primarily by Zhao Xing's method of training warhorses, a topic that resonated with the generals due to their deep emphasis on discipline and obedience, especially in warbeasts. It was challenging to cultivate such traits in warbeasts, yet having them in a battle formation could drastically change its dynamics.
In large-scale battles, the strength of individual warriors could be disregarded.
Take Long Xiao, a renowned sword cultivator, for instance—if he were to charge into a sixth-level formation, survival would be slim.
Qin Hongying of the Bishui Dao Academy was a fourth-ranked scholar proficient in the art of classics, whose own strength had reached the third-rank Yuan Soul stage.
Two other guests, Wen Ji and Di Zhong, were also ranked fourth, though with slightly lesser influence compared to Qin Hongying.
Like Lord Zhao, Ji Zixuan adeptly invoked the influence of Princess You Ruo, skillfully inviting the three esteemed guests to the Twin Islands.
However, their interests did not align with the warhorse formations; instead, their focus was captivated by the Mountain Cat next to Zhao Xing.
One party valued individual prowess, while the other prioritized collective strength, making a joint visit less appropriate.
Zhao Xing called upon a versatile clone to separately host the two parties.
"Marquis Yuanrang, has this Mountain Cat achieved its secondary form?" Di Zhong inquired.
After the formalities, Di Zhong shifted his gaze to the Mountain Cat.
"Yes, the Mountain Cat's second form is the Wind-Thunder Pure Essence Body," Zhao Xing confirmed.
"Could you demonstrate it?" Wen Ji asked.
"No problem."
Zhao Xing gestured to the Mountain Cat, prompting it to transform.
"Miao~" Aotian seemed reluctant, as transforming consumed significant energy.
After Zhao Xing promised to catch plenty of big fish for it, the Mountain Cat finally agreed to put on a show.
"Miao~~~~~~"
With a loud growl, the Mountain Cat's body suddenly morphed.
Its two-meter-long, one-meter-tall body expanded, growing to a height of one and a half meters and a length of five meters.
As the Mountain Cat unleashed its energy, purple and green energy currents began swirling alternately around its head and tail.
After three breaths, the Mountain Cat's fur receded into its body, replaced by dense scales.
Only the fur on its limbs remained, transitioning from gray-brown to a striped pattern of purple and green rings that matched its scales.
Its head and tail transformed as well, with both areas covered in purple and green scales.
Its fangs and claws elongated, while thunder and gusts of wind coursed around its body with every breath.
In this form, the Mountain Cat looked muscular and sturdy, resembling a cat armored in battle gear, radiating a metallic sheen.
It strutted forward with its head held high, like a victorious feline general.
"Such a marvelous creature! How did you raise it to be so extraordinary?" Qin Hongying asked with great interest. "Is there any secret technique involved?"
Wen Ji and Di Zhong also looked at Zhao Xing expectantly.
Zhao Xing bowed and said, "The training of the Mountain Cat is difficult to replicate."
"Marquis Yuanrang, are you suggesting that the Bishui Dao Academy's Beast Taming Division lacks the resources to match its diet?" Wen Ji said indignantly.
Zhao Xing clarified, "Please don't misunderstand, Dr. Wen. That wasn't my intention."
"Then please explain," Di Zhong urged, "What exactly was the process?"
Zhao Xing replied, "Back in my hometown, there was a sacred mountain where the Mountain Cat was initially raised by the mountain deity. From an early age, it consumed essence herbs, reaching the entry level of ranking during its juvenile phase. After less than half a year, I brought it into the army, where it reached the eighth rank with the help of my comrades."
"When it was about a year and a half old, due to its constant training with the army and abundant diet, it reached the seventh rank."
"That’s impressive," Wen Ji commented.
Zhao Xing continued, "Later, the Mountain Cat accompanied me during explorations in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, consuming vast quantities of essence herbs—enough to place it in the top ten."
"..." Wen Ji and Di Zhong fell silent.
"No wonder," Qin Hongying chuckled.
Indeed, such circumstances were impossible to replicate.
They were aware of the essence outburst in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
For the Mountain Cat to have consumed enough essence to rank in the top ten—how terrifying must that have been?
With beasts’ naturally superior physiques and bloodlines compared to humans, the Mountain Cat’s consumption limit was higher than that of an average sixth rank.
Zhao Xing even let the Mountain Cat bathe in hot springs, enter the Heavenly Gate, and later consume spirit fish from the Extreme Night Sea, causing its body to grow visibly larger.
The Bishui Dao Academy could likely find essence-laden hot springs and spirit fish of similar quality.
But essence sources from Cave-Heaven gates, Yin-Yang Fish, and Dragon Whale meat were beyond reach.
Such premium resources were scarce even for humans, let alone for a cat.
"To find a fifth-ranked Mountain Cat in this world is truly rare," Di Zhong exclaimed in admiration, "You're truly generous with its cultivation."
"Indeed, its bloodline development is remarkable," Wen Ji commented, examining the bones of the Mountain Cat with his hands. "It’s clear that it's not only well-fed but also well-trained."
The Mountain Cat looked displeased, attempting to swipe Wen Ji’s hands away, only to be silenced by a stern look from Zhao Xing.
Aotian could only feebly wave its paw in protest, signaling its demand:
"Add fish! There better be more fish!"
"Haha, what a spirited big cat," Di Zhong laughed upon seeing the Mountain Cat's expression. "It seems to disdain Wen Ji!"
Qin Hongying scrutinized the Mountain Cat carefully before turning to Zhao Xing, "Breaking through to the fifth rank—is there any other assistance involved?"
Zhao Xing respectfully replied, "Dr. Qin, you have remarkable insight. Indeed, the evolutionary enhancement was achieved with the aid of the Hou Transformation."
As expected of a third-ranked scholar, Qin Hongying's keen eye instantly discerned the Mountain Cat's path to the fifth rank.
"Indeed, the Hou Transformation cultivates both internal and external attributes, incorporating the mysteries of heaven and earth to produce immense power," Qin Hongying praised. "I would not have thought that Liu Tianning’s mastery of this method was so profound that it could even be used for beast taming."
Qin Hongying assumed Liu Tianning was responsible, not considering Zhao Xing himself.
After all, Zhao Xing was only of the sixth rank, and the Hou Transformation was a high-tier technique—especially one advanced enough to trigger the evolution of spirit beasts, which was exceedingly rare.
It was common for Shennong experts to master destructive transformative techniques, yet using such methods to nurture spirit beasts was another matter entirely.
Zhao Xing said, “I wouldn’t dare deceive Dr. Qin. The advancement of the Mountain Cat took place recently and was not due to my teacher’s involvement.”
“Oh?” Wen Ji glanced at Zhao Xing. “You’re not implying it was your own work, are you?”
Zhao Xing nodded. “Yes, it was indeed this junior who executed it.”
Di Zhong was taken aback. “You’re saying you can wield such transformative methods as a sixth rank?”
Ji Zixuan, standing nearby, intervened. “Master Di, Dr. Wen, if the Mountain Cat benefited so much from consuming essence herbs, what do you think Zhao Xing, its trainer, would have taken in?”
Realization dawned on Di Zhong and Wen Ji.
Of course, if the Mountain Cat had been amply fed, Zhao Xing, its handler, must have consumed even more.
The opportunities presented by the transformations of the Cave-Heaven—a rare phenomenon even across millennia—had fostered the growth of prodigies like Zhao Xing. It was not so surprising after all.
Qin Hongying continued, “Since you have grasped such methods, Zhao Xing, this visit is not in vain.”
“I will dispatch a few beast tamers to entrust their spirit beasts to your care.”
“Let’s start with a fifty-million contract, to gauge the results. Are you interested?”
Zhao Xing was more than happy to oblige. Accumulating such credentials was precisely his aim.
Money wasn’t the priority; having this achievement on his record—providing trained spirit beasts for Bishui Dao Academy’s Beast Taming Division—would significantly bolster his career prospects.
“Thank you, Dr. Qin, Dr. Di, Dr. Wen. This junior will spare no effort and ensure the Academy’s trust is rewarded.”
…
While Zhao Xing was conversing with the three scholars from Bishui Dao Academy, his clone was guiding Fang Ze, He Wu, and Xia Jing to tour Tuoquan Palace.
“Currently, Tuoquan Palace houses four breeds of warhorses: the Dragon Whisker Horse, the Heavenly Horse, the Purple Lightning Horse, and the Fire Horse.”
“Which breed would you gentlemen like to see first?” Zhao Xing inquired.
“Let’s start with the Dragon Whisker and Purple Lightning,” Fang Ze suggested.
They had already seen the Heavenly and Fire Horses upon their arrival.
“I agree,” He Wu added.
“I have no objections,” Xia Jing replied with a smile, confident that Zhao Xing would cater to the needs of the two key clients.
“Then please follow me,” Zhao Xing said, leading the way.
He Wu and Fang Ze followed with anticipation.
The Heavenly and Fire Horses were renowned for their swift and enduring qualities, but the Dragon Whisker and Purple Lightning Horses were in a class of their own.
In the Great Zhou, high-bloodline warhorses were classified into three tiers: Gallant, Esteemed, and Divine.
The Purple Lightning and Dragon Whisker breeds were considered Esteemed Horses, while the Fire and Heavenly Horses belonged to the Gallant class.
Only ten types of Divine Horses existed, and neither Fang Ze nor He Wu dared expect to secure one of those.
"Should the Dragon Whisker and Purple Lightning Horses perform as impressively as the Fire and Heavenly Horses, I would consider placing an order," He Wu remarked. "What about you, Brother Fang?"
“Yes, out of respect for the Eastern Sea Princess, it would be prudent to make a purchase,” Fang Ze replied, referring to Princess You Ruo, who was often known as the Eastern Sea Princess among aquatic tribes.
As they spent much of their time in maritime conflicts with the aquatic clans, they had become accustomed to addressing her as such.
Arriving at Tuoquan Palace, Tao Anchun was already waiting.
With the Divine Selection Office reinstated, he now assisted Zhao Xing in training the warhorses.
“Tao Anchun, release the Dragon Whisker Horses,” Zhao Xing ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Tao Anchun whistled, and soon the stable gates opened.
The sound of hooves echoed as Dragon Whisker Horses emerged from the stables.
The Dragon Whisker Horse, a dominant beast among spirit horses, appeared horse-like with a long, dragon-like whisker that flowed gracefully, exuding an ethereal aura.
Their eyes sparkled like stars, radiating a brightness that was difficult to look at directly.
Their whiskers danced in the wind, possessing the power to manipulate the elements. As their hooves struck the ground, they reverberated with an intensity that made mountains and rivers tremble.
Their bodies were covered in golden dragon scales, emanating an aura of unmatched strength and majesty.
Among the Esteemed Horses, the Dragon Whisker Horse’s bloodline power was the most formidable.
A formation composed of Dragon Whisker Horses could genuinely crush through fortifications, making them highly favored by mid-level commanders.
“Formation! Line up!” Zhao Xing commanded.
Upon exiting their pens, the Dragon Whisker Horses did not rush outward. Instead, they assembled neatly in rows along the spacious corridor outside the stable.
Once all the horses had left their quarters, they arranged themselves into four lines, marching in sync down the path from Dragon Whisker Palace.
As they passed Fang Ze, He Wu, and Xia Jing, they didn’t spare a single glance.
The scene left Fang Ze and He Wu in awe.
“It feels like we’ve entered a military camp rather than a stable.”
“Even military camps aren’t this immaculate,” Fang Ze remarked, looking into one of the stables. “These horses have such well-maintained straw beds, all perfectly arranged.”
“Zhao Xing’s training techniques are truly exceptional,” He Wu whispered to Fang Ze.
Seeing their expressions, Zhao Xing knew they were pleased.
If not for the lack of blankets, he would have arranged for the horses to have military-style bedding as well. Not that he would impose his compulsions to that extent, but the stables were meticulously cleaned every day.
From the straw beds to the feed troughs and waste areas, everything was kept immaculate.
“Da!”
With a final hoofbeat, outside the Dragon Whisker Palace, one thousand five hundred eighth-rank and twenty seventh-rank Dragon Whisker Horses stood silently in formation, awaiting inspection.
“Is there anything else you gentlemen would like to see?” Zhao Xing asked.
“The battle formation,” Fang Ze responded immediately. “We need to observe the effect of the Dragon Whisker Horse in a Qi-Blood Formation.”
“Certainly,” Zhao Xing replied, signaling with a whistle.
“Boom~”
The Dragon Whisker Horses, motionless a moment ago, neighed in unison as their blood energies ignited.
Their energies converged toward the twenty seventh-rank leaders, forming clouds of Qi-blood energy shaped like dragon whiskers.
Quickly, twenty translucent blood dragons took shape above the Dragon Whisker Palace.
The dragon silhouettes flickered, then solidified with each pulse.
Twenty Qi-blood dragons circled above the palace.
“Activate Dragon Armor!”
Zhao Xing commanded.
Boom!
Each Dragon Whisker Horse activated its innate ability. Thin golden glows exuded from their pores, interweaving to form a layer of scaled armor.
It appeared as though they were clad in battle armor.
Not only did their defense strengthen, but their speed and power increased further.
The twenty Qi-blood dragons above also expanded, now reaching the threshold of a fifth-tier battle formation.
Fang Ze and He Wu exchanged glances, their astonishment evident.
After witnessing this, they had already resolved to place an order but restrained their expressions to maintain negotiating leverage.
Through discreet communication, they discussed their impressions. “These Dragon Whisker Horses seem more powerful than ordinary ones.”
“Not just seem—these are noticeably stronger. The formation strength is about twenty percent higher.”
"Why would that be?"
"There are two possibilities," Fang Ze replied. "Either this Zhao Xing feeds them better, with a well-balanced diet, or the training has significantly increased the coordination among the Dragon Whisker Horses."
"A battle formation formed with three points of strength versus six points is obviously different."
Fang Ze couldn’t help but ask, "How did he manage to get these Dragon Whisker Horses to cooperate like this? They’ve never even been on the battlefield."
If these horses had been in constant battle, then after years of experience, they would naturally perform with greater power.
But Zhao Xing's Dragon Whisker Horses, despite not having battlefield experience, were already superior in their "factory condition" compared to the usual horses from other sources.
If these horses were brought back and allowed time to bond with their knights, they would quickly become ready for battle because Zhao Xing had already trained them well.
However, Fang Ze and He Wu still tried to find faults. There was no choice; without pointing out flaws, the price wouldn’t come down.
"Marquis Yuanrang," Fang Ze said, "do these Dragon Whisker Horses respond only to your command?"
"And, are you using the Beast Speech Method and Enslavement Seals? If our knights handle them, will they achieve this level of performance?"
Zhao Xing smiled and replied, "General Fang, I haven’t used the Beast Speech Method just now. I did use it in the beginning, but it’s no longer necessary."
"May I give them an order?" He Wu inquired.
"You may." Zhao Xing waved his hand, and Tao Anchun immediately brought over a tray with a row of command tokens on it.
"However, the Dragon Whisker Horses are still unfamiliar with you. You’ll need to wear this token to approach them safely."
Dragon Whisker Horses had fiery tempers. In reality, no famous horse was tame; they were notoriously difficult to control.
By using the tokens, Zhao Xing could expedite the familiarization process, allowing immediate access to the horses. This was a common practice.
After riding for some time, the horses would naturally no longer require the token.
Seeing that Fang Ze couldn't find any faults, He Wu remained unwilling to give up, saying, "Could I try riding one? I’d like to experience the level of fusion in the battle formation."
Zhao Xing laughed and said, "Of course."
Without another word, He Wu placed the command token at the back of his neck and with a leap, mounted the leading seventh-rank Dragon Whisker Horse.
With a bit of cunning, as He Wu sat down, he intentionally activated his qi and blood, channeling the weight of every ounce of his Golden Bones onto the Dragon Whisker Horse.
As he sat, the seventh-rank Dragon Whisker Horse’s legs quivered, and its body lowered slightly.
"You!" Tao Anchun’s eyes widened in fury.
"Don’t worry," Zhao Xing stopped Tao Anchun.
Since he was allowing people to ‘test drive,’ he couldn’t ask them to be gentle.
As long as they didn’t harm or kill the Dragon Whisker Horse, Zhao Xing wouldn’t interfere.
Warhorses were meant for use, meant to accompany their masters into battle, so they needed to withstand their masters exerting martial skills on their backs.
If it couldn’t handle even this, it wouldn’t be fit to be called a warhorse.
He Wu knew his limits; he merely wanted to gauge its quality, not deliberately cause trouble.
"Roar~"
The Dragon Whisker Horse let out a clear dragon-like cry, and the blood aura dragon in the sky followed with a resounding roar.
It then stubbornly lifted He Wu, standing tall.
He Wu silently praised it as an excellent horse, then raised his fist over his head, signaling to join the qi and blood battle formation, aiming to become the formation’s controller.
Originally, the formation's core was the prized horse under him, but now he was about to take over, which meant controlling the life and death of the entire horse group.
Once he became the controller, any damage he sustained would be distributed among the horses.
Typically, the initial practice of a battle formation was the most challenging phase, as the fierce horses would greatly resist, unwilling to entrust their lives so easily.
As expected, He Wu’s qi and blood met resistance, not accepted by the blood aura dragon.
The horses below also became restless.
Zhao Xing watched calmly, making no move.
He Wu considered, then altered his method of circulating qi and blood, adjusting himself to harmonize more with the blood aura dragon formation.
The resistance began to weaken, and after a quarter of an hour, the restlessness subsided.
He Wu looked slightly stunned, then lightly tapped the Dragon Whisker Horse.
The entire square formation of horses moved forward in unison at his command.
"Transform!"
He Wu pointed skyward, and one of the blood aura dragons transformed into a massive blood aura spear.
This was now a familiar battle formation for him. Although it was somewhat unstable and prone to collapse, achieving transformation on the first attempt left He Wu speechless with amazement.
As this was only a preliminary test, he didn’t sustain it long. After all, these were warhorses in training, not seasoned warhorses, and couldn’t endure too much.
After dismounting, He Wu returned to the steps.
He opened his mouth, intending to find some fault, but ended up saying, "Marquis Yuanrang, name your price."
There was no way; he couldn’t bring himself to nitpick unjustly.
He Wu was a soldier, not a merchant, and he wasn’t one to compromise his principles for profit.
To fault such warhorses for bargaining’s sake? If he really did that, he’d slap himself awake at midnight.
Zhao Xing responded with confidence, "As you can see, the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment uses an elite training regimen."
“Thus, the price stands at forty thousand per eighth-rank horse and two hundred thousand per seventh-rank horse, payable in military points with direct public transactions—no bargaining.”
This price was more than double the usual rate, yet He Wu felt it was fair.
However, he still asked, "If the Wuluo Army places a bulk order, could there be any discount?"
Zhao Xing smiled. "While I can’t lower the price, given that you’re among the first to support us, we could offer some additional fine horses for high-ranking officers if you purchase in bulk."
He Wu replied decisively, "I’ll start by ordering one thousand eighth-rank Dragon Whisker Horses and five hundred seventh-rank horses. However, I need to take them back immediately; we currently have an urgent need for ten thousand units in our equipment plans. Marquis Yuanrang, how would you like the payment handled?"
“For this transaction, payment must be settled immediately, with no credit allowed. For future orders, a thirty percent deposit is required, with the remaining balance paid upon collection.”
"Deal."
"Wait!" Fang Ze couldn’t hold back any longer. "How can you just proceed without including the Jiujiang Army?"
Zhao Xing smiled subtly. "What does General Fang wish to add?"
"Marquis Yuanrang, how many Dragon Whisker Horses do you currently have?"
"The mature Dragon Whisker Horses I have ready for supply are all here," Zhao Xing answered calmly. "Including seventh and eighth ranks, the total is just over a thousand. However, in six months, that number will reach approximately eight thousand."
"The Jiujiang Army’s needs are even greater; we’ll require at least fifty thousand!" Fang Ze declared. "I also need to bring back a batch of fully-trained horses; you can't hand all of them over to the Wuluo Army."
“Old Fang, you’re exaggerating! Does the Jiujiang Army really need so many Dragon Whisker Horses? You’re mostly naval; what do you need all these mounts for?”
“That's none of your business. All you need to know is that I’m claiming these horses!”
“Rubbish! Just because you say so? I was the one who made the first offer!” With their warrior tempers flaring, the once-friendly duo began to argue loudly.
Watching from the side, Tao Anchun was filled with emotion, holding back tears of joy.
If this were a different setting, he would have burst into hearty laughter.
Witnessing two strong armies competing for horses—it was beyond what the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment ever anticipated.
“Gentlemen,” Zhao Xing interjected, “we’re all allies here; there’s no need for tension.”
“I also served in the military, so I understand the urgency General Fang and General He feel.”
He Wu and Fang Ze fell silent, turning their attention to Zhao Xing.
"For this initial batch of Dragon Whisker Horses, each of you may take half," Zhao Xing decided.
"If your superiors are satisfied, they can place additional orders according to their needs."
"I assure you, the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment can fully meet your requirements over the coming years."
"Very well," He Wu and Fang Ze agreed promptly.
Zhao Xing then instructed Tao Anchun to guide the two generals to the government office to finalize the details.
Once the others had departed, Xia Tong remained behind.
"Thank you for your patience, elder brother." Zhao Xing’s demeanor softened as he greeted Xia Tong, referring to him in a familiar manner.
"No worries," Xia Tong replied cheerfully. "Kirin indeed didn’t exaggerate when he said you’d do an extraordinary job, even if it was just horse breeding."
“These two are picky by nature. I nearly had to scold them earlier, but in the end, this batch of Dragon Whisker Horses managed to silence them.”
Zhao Xing humbly replied, "I owe it all to the guidance of the elders, especially Princess Youruo. Without her help, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this."
"While the Princess certainly provided support, you shouldn’t downplay your own efforts. Even with plenty of foals, few can train them so effectively."
Zhao Xing shifted the topic. "Which warhorses does elder brother need, and in what quantity?"
After some thought, Xia Tong asked, "Are the Purple Lightning Horses you trained also at this level?"
Zhao Xing replied, "The Purple Lightning Horses excel in speed, renowned as the fastest among famous horses. While they have strengths and weaknesses compared to Dragon Whisker Horses, I can guarantee that the training outcomes are consistent."
"If that’s the case, I’ll take all your Purple Lightning Horses back to the Xuanjia Army and place an additional order for twenty thousand."
Zhao Xing respectfully reminded him, "Please ensure the Xuanjia Army has an actual demand for this quantity, elder brother…"
Though he shared a good relationship with Xia Tong, Zhao Xing couldn’t impose a burden without need; he wasn’t in such dire straits.
Xia Tong waved a dismissive hand. "The Southern Barbarian War has reached a stalemate; the offensives have slowed, while the counterattacks from the four Great King Courts in the Southern Wilderness are intensifying."
"The five major Cave-Heavens continue reinforcing their forces. It’s not just twenty thousand Purple Lightning Horses needed—eventually, even two hundred thousand could end up deployed."
"The Xuanjia Army genuinely has a need," Xia Tong explained.
“Doesn’t the Xuanjia Army have a high-level supply channel?” Zhao Xing inquired.
“Yes,” Xia Tong confirmed, “both the Xuanjia and Hujiao armies hold procurement rights on Yalong Island. However, ever since King Liang came into power, our quotas have been reduced due to a reallocation of military supplies, even for war beast sources.”
“Starting this year, if the Dragon Cavalry Battalion wishes to replenish their dragon beasts, it will be far less convenient than before.”
“Thus, securing an alternate supply source is crucial.”
With this clarification, Zhao Xing nodded.
Since assuming command, King Liang had taken control over all the various forces on the Southern Barbarian front.
Gaining authority over supply allocation was essential to assert dominance over the entire Southern Barbarian military.
Once the position of the Southern Barbarian commander was established, the orders of each army would have to align with this authority.
No longer could they independently choose where to launch offensives.
In the end, the days of easy victories on the battlefield were gone.
With progress slowing and casualties rising, the focus had shifted to integrating forces to avoid unnecessary loss and optimizing resources through consolidation.
Since the Xuanjia Army indeed had a genuine demand, Zhao Xing refrained from further persuasion.
On the following day, when they departed, Xia Tong, Fang Ze, and He Wu each signed a Divine Contract with the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment.
This type of contract held the highest level of binding power in the Great Zhou, with the contract material being exceptionally high-grade, requiring witness from the Star Lord of Fortune Divination.
“Lord Zhao, your strategy is brilliant!” Tao Anchun, Dong Yuanqiu, Bao Shi Qiu, and Cao Jiang were overjoyed.
The combined purchase amounts from the three generals totaled a staggering 1.65 billion! Once these officers returned, there was a high likelihood they would generate additional orders worth billions for the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment!
The Bishui Dao Academy alone had given an initial order of 50 million, but this was a niche, high-end market, with limited scalability, as Zhao Xing was the only practitioner of the Thunder Hou Transformation Method.
However, once the reputation was established, business would not be in short supply.
These would all contribute significantly to his record of achievements.
“Gentlemen, let’s not celebrate too early,” Zhao Xing advised with a smile. “This is only the beginning. In the future, there will be more and more people coming to our Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment.”
Indeed, it was only the start. His investment in the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment alone had already exceeded 1.5 billion, and Zhao Xing planned to reinvest the recently acquired 200 million back into the business.
Only by fully scaling up could he cultivate a group of elite warbeasts, which he could then bring to participate in the Grand Beast Tournament.
There was a risk the Thunder Hou Transformation Method could fail. He needed a substantial base to reach his expected results; otherwise, he risked falling into the predicament of the previous director.
Of course, Zhao Xing and his predecessor were in entirely different leagues; their starting points were worlds apart.
“Everyone, let’s work together to make the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment thrive.”
“We obey Lord Zhao’s command,” the officials of the establishment responded with a respectful bow.
On another front, Zhao Xing was engaged in conversation with Ji Zixuan.
"I've secured all these orders for you, Senior Brother. So, when will you start training me?" Ji Zixuan asked, her face full of anticipation.
If Zhao Xing could train horses so exceptionally, surely training her wouldn't be an issue either.
"Have you started practicing the Gluttony Technique?"
"I have. I started late last year, but I’ve only reached the first stage so far," Ji Zixuan replied with a sigh. "This technique is incredibly difficult."
Zhao Xing checked the almanac and pondered. "The Gluttony Technique requires a balanced diet for effective training. After the autumn harvest, make some time to visit Twin Island. I’ll help accelerate your cultivation."
"By then, I should have a batch of crops entering maturity. It should be enough to push you up several levels."
"Thank you so much, Senior Brother!" Ji Zixuan's eyes lit up, her face breaking into a happy smile.
"Don’t thank me just yet," Zhao Xing cautioned. "This will be grueling work. Just don’t hold it against me when the going gets tough."
"Do you think your junior sister is afraid of a little hardship?" Ji Zixuan declared firmly. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. No matter how tough it is, I won’t complain."
...
Time passed, and soon, it was late July.
The military orders required no direct oversight from Zhao Xing, as last month, Chongming Prefecture granted the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment permission to reestablish the Divine Selection Office.
With capable staff like Tao Anchun and Cao Jiang under his command, Zhao Xing could finally shift some focus to handling Bishui Dao Academy’s order.
"I’m the only one who can meet the Beast Taming Division’s requirements. My Thunder Hou Transformation Method was only tested on the Mountain Cat, so I need more reference samples."
Zhao Xing arrived at a desolate area on Lu Island.
The sky overhead was shrouded in dense thunderclouds, and lightning attribute energy saturated the area.
Since the beginning of the year, Zhao Xing had been carving out experimental zones while constructing the Earth Return-to-Origin Array.
This thunder pool here was modeled after the Ten Thousand Li Thunder Pool in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
Of course, its scale and cloud intensity couldn't compare to the one within the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
"This area has been locked in the Awakening of Insects seasonal period for six months straight, and the thunderclouds haven’t dissipated in all that time."
"My Thunder Hou Transformation Method has become even more refined here." Zhao Xing murmured to himself.
"Boom!"
Exotic beasts gathered in all directions across the wasteland.
These beasts were herded here by Zhao Xing’s Myriad Straw Puppet Technique, which had rounded up some of the ungraded exotic beasts native to Lu Island.
"Last November, Lu Island held roughly 3.7 million ungraded exotic beasts," Zhao Xing noted, "but that was before. Since I modified the land with the Earth Return-to-Origin Array, this island has become a sub-grade treasure land. The population must have surged by now."
He hadn’t conducted a specific count yet, as he currently lacked any related tasks. The primary business of the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment was still warhorse and dragon beast training.
However, now that Bishui Dao Academy had placed an order, with the academy's Beast Taming Division requiring all sorts of beasts, Zhao Xing aimed to test the Thunder Hou Transformation Method here.
"This initial fifty-million order from Qin Hongying is merely to test the waters, and the beasts they sent for training are all lower-grade."
"If ungraded beasts can survive my Thunder Hou Transformation Method, then the likelihood of survival for graded beasts will only increase."
Zhao Xing’s main goal was to avoid striking down the beasts during training.
His Thunder Hou Transformation Method had reached the advanced eighth transformation stage, giving it immense power, so he needed to carefully control the intensity.
However, too weak an intensity wouldn’t trigger a successful transformation, either.
"Roar!"
"Awooo!"
"Baaa!"
"Om~~"
The sounds of various exotic beasts echoed across the wasteland.
Hovering in the sky, Zhao Xing’s primary body sat cross-legged amidst the thunderclouds, with an Awakening of Insects Seasonal Command at the eighth transformation stage floating above his head.
"Mrow!" Long Aotian, the Mountain Cat, saw this scene and promptly fled to a safe distance.
It vividly remembered the suffering it had endured when advancing and had no desire to relive that experience.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The thunderclouds began charging.
Zhao Xing sat within the clouds, guiding bolts of lightning down.
The exotic beasts below seemed to sense the looming danger and started scattering in all directions.
However, they didn’t make it far.
"Crack!"
A thunderous bolt descended, striking with a deafening blast.
"Thud!"
Among a herd of one-horned wild boars, one beast equivalent to the seventh level of Essence Gathering collapsed, charred black.
"Om!"
The one-horned wild boar herd grew even more frantic.
"Crack! Crack!"
The lightning strikes became more frequent, varying in size and shape; some bolts were straight lines, while others branched into intricate patterns across the sky.
Some strikes even formed into balls of lightning, chasing the fleeing boars.
"Crack! Crack!"
The three thousand wild boars were doomed.
No matter how fast they ran, they couldn’t outpace the lightning, and with only open wasteland around them, there was nowhere to hide.
After about a quarter-hour, Zhao Xing landed on the ground.
He began to inspect the results.
Charred corpses littered the ground, a grim testament to the power of his method.
Finally, he spotted a single boar with a golden hue and approached, only to be speechless.
It was a roasted piglet.
With a principle of not wasting food, Zhao Xing sat down, savoring the roast while reflecting on his spellcasting.
Once he had finished, Zhao Xing returned to the thunderclouds and continued the transformation process.
"Crack!"
The Thunder Hou Transformation Method resumed.
...
Over time, Zhao Xing’s mastery of the Thunder Hou Transformation Method grew increasingly refined.
The method's principles were at an advanced level, having been forcibly elevated to the eighth transformation stage in the Heavenly Gate.
However, he rarely had the chance to practice it, and now, through this hands-on application, he gradually uncovered its finer intricacies.
"The Thunder Hou Transformation Method works best on earth-attribute beasts; it’s generally applied to mid-tier exotic beasts."
"What I need now isn’t success rate; I need a balance of power to maintain control while ensuring a successful transformation."
The baseline power of the transformation method was substantial, and weak creatures simply couldn’t withstand its force.
Zhao Xing had no way of knowing the odds of an ungraded beast achieving transformation.
Yet the visions he observed on the Seasonal Qi Monument depicted billions of insect beasts perishing for the birth of a single Earth Dragon.
Tiny worms the size of fingers transformed into hundred-zhang Earth Dragons—an enormous leap in life level with odds as slim as one in a billion.
Of course, the vision's grandeur represented an ideal scenario.
In theory, the transformation method could enable an ordinary, ungraded earthworm to evolve into a mid-tier Earth Dragon, but the odds were astronomically low.
"Ungraded one-horned wild boars are earth-attribute beasts. If even they can’t be controlled, then using the Thunder Hou Transformation Method on other beasts will only be harder."
"Carefully observe the Five Elements Qi mechanisms within its core and derive a method," Zhao Xing murmured, continuing his spellcasting.
...
The wild boars had it tough under Zhao Xing’s relentless trials.
On the first day, over three hundred one-horned wild boars fell to the thunderbolts.
The second day saw over five hundred boars struck down.
By the third day, Zhao Xing expanded the range, resulting in 1,700 casualties among the boars.
By the fifth day, 3,542 had perished.
By the seventh day...
...
Since early July, when Bishui Dao Academy’s order was confirmed, Zhao Xing had been continuously practicing on the one-horned wild boars.
By late July, the number of wild boars struck down exceeded eighty thousand.
The thunder pool wasteland was strewn with boar corpses.
Of course, not all were corpses.
A few one-horned wild boars, lucky enough to undergo a transformation, had emerged as leaders among the boar herd.
However, even as leaders, they still faced the relentless barrage of thunder.
Now, these boars were enduring a tribulation.
Survival meant a new life; failure spelled the end.
And Zhao Xing, deeply engrossed in his "boar-smiting cultivation," continued adjusting the power of the Thunder Hou Transformation Method along with the spellcasting environment.
In this state of total focus, his success rate steadily increased.
He remained oblivious to the passage of time, unaware that it was now the 27th of July.
The day Bishui Dao Academy was scheduled to send representatives had arrived.
...
At dawn on the 27th of July, Ling Ruoxue traveled by airship to the thunder pool wasteland to find Zhao Xing.
Because Zhao Xing’s main body was absorbed in his cultivation, his Myriad Straw Puppet clones were offline and unresponsive.
With a guest arriving at the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment, Tao Anchun had dispatched Ling Ruoxue to retrieve Zhao Xing.
"What happened here?"
As she flew into the wasteland, Ling Ruoxue saw the fields of charred wild boars, charred skin, roasted piglets, and disfigured carcasses...
"How many one-horned wild boars has Lord Zhao struck down?" She shivered.
The scene was horrifying—piles of corpses, some with bizarre transformations, and others with twisted, mutated features, such as a two-legged boar with a missing horn and eyes that seemed to glow.
"Boom!"
A clap of thunder startled Ling Ruoxue, and she turned to see a boar leader, standing nearly four meters tall, held captive atop a hill.
As a bolt of lightning struck, the massive beast collapsed.
The flash of lightning illuminated Zhao Xing’s figure. Under the dark, ominous sky, his expression seemed grim and intense.
Watching him frown, Ling Ruoxue instinctively took a few steps back.
Zhao Xing appeared to notice her then and looked up, meeting her gaze.
In the next moment, he vanished, reappearing directly on her airship.
"Ah—"
Ling Ruoxue let out a startled scream, stumbling back until she collided with the cabin wall.
"Are you human or ghost? Don’t come any closer!" she cried, trembling.
Zhao Xing sighed silently.
With a simple wave, he opened the sky above them, allowing sunlight to break through the clouds and illuminate the airship.
"Now, can you tell if I’m human or ghost?"
"L-Lord Zhao, it’s you?" Ling Ruoxue pressed her hand to her chest, attempting to steady herself.
"Of course, it’s me," Zhao Xing replied with a hint of annoyance.
These civil officials—far too skittish.
The court should mandate six months of military training for every civilian official before they take office.
A seventh-rank official, yet this was all the courage she had?
"What brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at Heavenly Horse Lake overseeing the herds?" Zhao Xing asked.
"It’s… um… Uncle Tao… I mean, Lord Tao… sent me to find you," Ling Ruoxue stammered, correcting herself under Zhao Xing’s stern gaze.
"He said that the representatives from Bishui Dao Academy are due soon, and you’re needed to meet them. Since I was nearby, I was sent to fetch you."
"Understood. You can return now." Zhao Xing closed his eyes briefly, activating his Myriad Straw Puppet clones in the Division of Justice.
On the top deck of the beast battleship, Ji Zixuan watched as the lush greenery of Twin Island began to emerge from the mists of the Eastern Sea. Standing by her were Su Minghui and Shang Ziyan, who both glanced around in awe as they approached their destination.
"Ziyan, Minghui, remember, this is an invaluable opportunity," Ji Zixuan reminded them calmly. "Your pet beasts will receive top-priority training under this contract."
"Thank you, Senior Sister," the two replied respectfully.
Though they had average backgrounds and relatively modest talent compared to the academy's wealthier students, their dedication had won them Ji Zixuan’s favor, earning them priority spots in this training project.
Meanwhile, on the lower decks, students chatted about the upcoming training with the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment.
“Did you hear? The only reason Bishui Dao Academy signed this contract was because of Senior Sister Ji,” one young man remarked, admiration in his voice.
“Five million for training contracts? Senior Sister Ji is really on a roll!” another responded, his voice filled with awe.
“She’s already reached the Heavenly Gang stage, and she was one of the most outstanding graduates of the 19th year of the Jingxin Era,” someone else chimed in. “I even heard she was titled County Lady Chenxi last year—turns out she’s the granddaughter of Prince Chenglan!”
“Really? That’s amazing!” The students marveled at the revelation. “She’s always been so low-key; you’d never guess her background.”
“Word has it that Zhao Xing, the Director of the Twin-Dragon Horse Establishment, is totally captivated by her!” someone snickered.
“What? No way! Tell us more!”
...
On the top deck, as the students’ chatter continued, Ji Zixuan remained focused. She turned to Su Minghui and Shang Ziyan with a serious expression.
"Once we disembark, keep your pet beasts close and be prepared to show initiative," Ji Zixuan advised. "Director Zhao is a man of talent and accomplishment, so make the most of this opportunity to demonstrate your skills. If you manage to impress him, it could change your lives.”
“Senior Sister, what kind of person is Marquis Yuanrang, Zhao Xing?” Su Minghui asked curiously. “How should we behave to gain his appreciation?”
“Marquis Yuanrang is a genius of our era," Ji Zixuan replied. "He values diligence and a proactive attitude. When we meet him, present yourselves well and make your potential obvious.”
Su Minghui and Shang Ziyan nodded earnestly.
“Is he really that extraordinary, Senior Sister?” Su Minghui asked cautiously. “I heard he’s just at the Sixth Rank, the same as you, but you speak so highly of him.”
Ji Zixuan smiled, a touch of admiration in her eyes. “Thanks to his guidance, I advanced to the Sixth Rank so quickly. Just last year, he defeated a top Sixth-Rank expert from the Great Origin Branch of the Lihuo Dao Academy in a single move. He’s mastered dozens of high-level techniques and can cultivate sixth-grade plants.”
The two younger students were stunned into silence, realizing just how rare a talent Zhao Xing was.
“Senior Sister, does Marquis Yuanrang have any specific dislikes?” Shang Ziyan asked, cautiously.
Ji Zixuan nodded. “He has no patience for laziness or ignorance, and he despises indecisive fools. Avoid asking unnecessary questions.”
The ship began its descent, and Ji Zixuan gestured for the two to ready their beasts.
"Get prepared," she said. "Once we land, this is your chance."
“Yes, Senior Sister. Thank you!”
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