Chapter 215: The Spirit of the Cavern is here! (6K)

Early in the morning of March 2nd, Zhao Xing received a message from the ground mirror.

[Liu Tianning invites you to join the 'Ten Sun Cave Heaven Top Exploration Team', do you accept the invitation? ]

"So fast? Old Liu is so reliable!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed.

He originally thought that after Liu Tianning was visited by Princess Youruo, he would have no time to arrange the investigation team.

So after he came out of Wanfa Palace yesterday, he immediately sent a message to Xia Jing, asking him to get the "explorer quota" as soon as possible.

If he still doesn't believe it today, he plans to talk to Tian Yan about it.

Be prepared for multiple situations, no matter which one turns out to be a problem.

I didn't expect Liu Tianning to be so reliable.

Got it done today!

"Accept!" Zhao Xing quickly chose to accept.

Then several messages appeared in the ground mirror.

[You have joined the 'Ten Sun Cave Heaven Top Exploration Team'! ]

[Liu Tianning appoints you as a senior investigator! You have obtained the qualification of 'senior investigator'. ]

[Liu Tianning appoints you as the 'Deputy Envoy of the Ten Sun Cave Heaven Top Exploration Team'. You have the authority to invite and expel other members.]

[Number of members of the 'Ten Sun Cave Heaven Top Exploration Team': 2/30]

[Shiyangdongtian top exploration team mission (not available yet), can be submitted actively (all categories, all regions). ]

"Teacher is awesome!" Zhao Xing couldn't help but shout. "This is called professionalism!"

He originally expected that Liu Tianning would only set up an exploration team with at most three or four places, but he didn't expect that he would directly set up an exploration team!
All categories, all regions, now that he is in Shiyang Cave Heaven, he can go everywhere.

Moreover, directly appointing him as the 'Deputy Envoy of the Group' would give him the authority to recruit people.

"He's efficient, no wonder the Emperor likes him." Zhao Xing praised in his heart, "Besides, he has many clones, so dealing with one Princess Youruo is nothing. Even a hundred clones wouldn't be enough. I underestimated him."

At the very end of the ground mirror, there is a private message from Liu Tianning.

[Your authority has been opened. Please do not come to Wanfa Palace unless it is important. In addition, 10 team members are reserved, and the rest are up to you.]

Seeing this message, Zhao Xing thought: "Liu Tianning asked me to reserve ten places. It seems that my guess is correct. Someone asked him to do something."

"Princess Youruo, Murong Qing, and maybe other acquaintances."

Zhao Xing didn't know what Liu Tianning's background and network were.

Because when he knew Liu Tianning in his previous life, Old Liu was already extremely powerful. If one had to say who had a background behind him, the only one left would be Emperor Wu.

However, the Liu family of Taihe County, Daoyuanzhou, is a thousand-year-old family. From the time of Taizu to the present, there have always been people who served as high-ranking officials in the court. Liu Zonghai, the founder of "Liu Chuan Bianfa", even served as a second-rank official.

Old Liu is also the heir of a prominent family, so it is normal for him to have connections and a network of relationships.

However, although Liu Tianning is the most outstanding of this generation, he is not the current head of the Liu family. Although his father is no longer alive, several of his brothers are still serving as officials in the court.

"With this qualification, the next things will be much easier." Zhao Xing said secretly.

Zhao Xing will not abuse the quota. Except for the 10 places that Lao Liu said to reserve, each of the remaining places is extremely precious.

Liu Tianning may not know how valuable these places are now, because there are still relatively few dignitaries coming now. In addition, they only know that good things have happened, but they don't know how big this good thing is.

Zhao Xing also had to anticipate that Liu Tianning would need to use the quota to squeeze in more people later.

"But even if I can only use three or four places, it will be a huge favor."

"If this quota is used well, it will determine the rise and fall of a family." Zhao Xing said secretly.

First, determine the owners of the two places: Chen Shijie and Long Xiao.

These two guys definitely don't have the connections to qualify as 'Senior Explorers'.

Before the quota was tightened, it was not easy to qualify as a senior explorer.

There isn't enough time to go through the process to get a spot as an intermediate explorer, let alone an advanced one?

Lao Chen and Long Xiao can find Yang An, but Yang An is a military general after all, and it is not as easy for him to handle this matter as for a minister of agriculture like Liu Tianning.

It will be even more difficult after the policy is tightened.

Because Yang An is under pressure from King Liang - Yang An had offended King Liang before. Although he was reinstated, it does not mean that King Liang has forgiven Yang An. Even if King Liang does not say anything, the faction under his command will subconsciously suppress Yang An.

"Whether Lao Chen's fate can be changed depends on this wave." Zhao Xing said secretly.

As for Xia Jing, Zhao Xing was waiting for news from him.

If Xia Jing can handle it himself, then he can save one spot.

The spiritual beauty of the cave is bursting out, and of course, the fewer people in the group, the better, and it is best if they are acquaintances, otherwise it will be difficult to share the benefits.

After replying a message to Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing left.

Zhao Xing obtained the quota on March 2nd. Everything in Shiyang Cave was normal. Most people did not know what was going to happen.

Until the morning of March 7, many princes, nobles, and thousand-year-old families suddenly appeared in Shiyang Cave.

Also in the evening of that day, Xia Jing hurried to the Eighteen Sophora japonica and willow courtyard and knocked on the door.

Zhao Xing opened the door, and Xia Jing came in and said:

"Zhao Xing, you really got it right! Something big is about to happen!"

"Oh? What's the matter?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I'm not sure what it is yet, but my father has found me a few spots as an explorer."

“He said that only by obtaining this qualification can we participate.”

"Explorer?"

"Don't say so much for now." Xia Jing took out the ground mirror and said, "I have found you a place as an intermediate explorer of the Polar Night Sea. I invite you now, please accept the invitation quickly, and I will talk about it in detail later."

Seeing this, Zhao Xing smiled and held out his hand: "Don't be impatient, brother, sit down first."

"Don't be impatient?" Xia Jing said, "You have no idea what this means. My father and uncle have been on the move these days. Uncle Xiao (the physiognomist of the Xia family) shortened his life by fifty years to get this opportunity. He arranged for me to have a high-level exploration team in the Midnight Sea."

"But even though I'm a senior explorer, I can only give you a place as a mid-level explorer... Hmm? Why can't I invite you?"

Xia Jing was busy for a while, but found that he could not invite Zhao Xing.

The ground mirror shows [The other party is already a high-level explorer and cannot be invited]

"What?" Xia Jing was stunned. When he looked up at Zhao Xing again, he had already sat down and was drinking tea.

"You, when did you become a high-level investigator?" Xia Jing was surprised and confused.

"I told you not to be impatient." Zhao Xing said, "Sit down first, and let me talk to you slowly."

This time Xia Jing calmed down a little and sat down.

Zhao Xing had already prepared some words: "I just stumbled upon this matter by accident."

"Since I calculated that you all had good luck last time, I thought that if everyone had good luck, then this would be a matter involving the entire Ten Sun Cave Heaven."

"Yes, that's what my uncle said." Xia Jing nodded.

Zhao Xing said, "It just so happened that at that time, all kinds of exploration and investigation tasks related to the Ten Sun Cave Heaven were greatly reduced, and the assessment of various qualifications was slightly tightened."

"That day, I went to find my teacher Liu Tianning."

"The teacher is a fifth-rank minister of agriculture. He also seemed to have noticed something unusual, so he applied to create a 'top exploration team'."

Zhao Xing's statement completely disrupted the cause and effect. It seemed that he was just lucky and happened to climb up the big tree of Liu Tianning.

Rather than him noticing and guiding all this.

"Top-level?!" Xia Jing's eyes widened. "A top-level exploration team covering all categories and all regions, with no restrictions?"

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded, "I'm lucky. My teacher is just suitable for this kind of thing."

"No wonder you told me not to worry." Xia Jing said, "It turns out you already have a better one."

"Brother Xia, do you want to join my team?" Zhao Xing asked. "I can give you a spot as a high-level explorer, one that is not restricted by region."

Xia Jing was stunned and asked, "You have the final say?"

Zhao Xing said: "Teacher is busy. He founded this group and has no time to take care of things. He appointed me as the deputy envoy of the group, and I can recruit people freely."

"..."

Xia Jing didn't know what to say.

He thought that he had an advantage because of his prominent family background, but he didn't expect that Zhao Xing not only became a high-level investigator, but also got a quota.

But it’s no wonder.

Zhao Xing contacted Liu Tianning on March 1st, and Liu Tianning got the matter done on the same day, and it was approved the next morning.

As for Xia Jing, it was not until March 4th that he figured out how to get a quota, and it was not until March 7th that he actually completed it.

If you do something like this one day late, the difficulty will increase dramatically.

Now Xia Jing is one of the first batch to apply for it, and he has obtained the qualification of senior explorer (limited area).

A few days later, it would become very difficult for princes and ministers to obtain the qualification of high-level explorers for others.

There is a lot of scramble for the spot of Intermediate Explorer because it is the admission ticket.

"Your place is very precious. I expect someone will come to greet your teacher later. He has given you the power now, but he may not give you the power later." Xia Jing said, "Are you sure you can let me in? I'm afraid it will be difficult for you."

"That's easy." Zhao Xing said, "Keep your exploration team. If there is such a situation, you can send them back."

Xia Jing still couldn't make up his mind, because he got a great advantage in this matter, and although they had a good relationship, he couldn't just take it for free.

Zhao Xing naturally saw Xia Jing's hesitation: "Brother Xia, given our relationship, do we still need to consider those worldly interests?"

"You are helping me by coming in. My teacher will definitely put more people in. Your presence will also increase my voice."

"If we encounter some rich and powerful young man who doesn't have eyes, we will have to rely on your father's name to help us."

After hearing this, Xia Jing felt much better.

"Row."

After a pause, Xia Jing seemed to want to say something but stopped.

Zhao Xing pretended to be angry and said, "Look, you are unhappy again. Just say whatever you want to say! Don't you consider me a brother?"

Xia Jing immediately asked, "Brother Zhao, do you have any extra places?"

"Yes, in addition to the places reserved for you, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao, I can decide on a few more places."

Xia Jing said: "My cousin Ji Ziyun is the prince of Pingyang County. Last time you asked me to send someone to Baibing Daoyuan, it was because of my uncle's relationship. If you agree to let him in, I will owe you a favor."

"I was going to go with him, but now that I am here, my father and uncle will definitely send me to ask you to bring him along as well."

"In that case, it would be better for me to say it."

Xia Jing's aunt married a member of the royal family, Pingyang County, not in Pinghai Prefecture, but in the nearby Yuanpin Prefecture, which is where the future master craftsman "Yue Lingzhi" invested by Zhao Xing went.

When Zhao Xing wanted to send Yue Lingzhi to Baibing Taoist Temple in Yuanpin Prefecture and Youyuan Prefecture, Xia Jing did it through his uncle's relationship.

However, Xia Jing was actually a little hesitant when he said this.

The main reason is that Yuanpin Prefecture is a bit far away, and Zhao Xing is in Pinghai Prefecture, so he may not be willing to accept this favor.

"How difficult is that?" Zhao Xing said with a smile, "Of course."

Xia Jing was really overthinking it. Mr. Zhao was eager to find more connections in other states.

"Okay, without further ado, I will go back and discuss it now."

"Hurry up." Zhao Xing said, "I plan to leave tomorrow." "Wait for my news." Xia Jing left quickly.

After Xia Jing left, Zhao Xing sent a message to Liu Tianning.

Old Liu only told him not to disturb Wanfa Palace, but there was nothing wrong with sending a message.

With so many straw man Dharma bodies, there is plenty of time to read the news.

Sure enough, after a while, Liu Tianning replied.

It’s still a very short sentence:

[Got it. You should accept favors according to this standard in the future.]

After seeing the reply, Zhao Xing was also deeply moved.

"There are 30 places. Old Liu and I take up two places. Excluding the ten places that Old Liu requested to be reserved, and Old Chen, Long Xiao, Xia Jing, and Ji Ziyun, there are still places that I can decide."

"Every quota is calculated according to the standard of the county king. Even if I don't go to find Lingxiu this time, the gains have exceeded my expectations."

Zhao Xing had never expected that becoming Liu Tianning's disciple would bring such great benefits.

Who could have imagined that Liu Banfeng, who would be cold-blooded and ruthless in the future, would now be so partial to his disciples?

With Liu Tianning's connections, he must now be aware of the importance of the exploration team he created!
However, he still did not take back Zhao Xing's authority, because he wanted to build some connections for his disciple.

The standard is not low, at least it has to be at the level of a county prince, or as powerful as Xiahou.

"There will definitely be people who make things difficult for Liu Tianning, but he will bear the pressure, and leave the favors to me, his disciple."

Zhao Xing also felt the wonder of fate. In his previous life, he was beheaded by Liu Tianning, which left him with a psychological trauma. He never thought that in this life, he would become Liu Tianning's favorite disciple.

…………

March 8th, Mao time.

Xia Jing came again, but this time there was a fair-skinned young man in fancy clothes beside him.

"Zhao Xing, this is my cousin, Prince Pingyang's son Ji Ziyun."

"My cousin, he is my good brother Zhao Xing whom I met in the army. He won a million military merits in the war and was named Marquis Yuan Rang. He is now a sixth-rank guard commander in the Shenwei Army."

Ji Ziyun smiled and bowed, saying, "I've heard from my cousin that Marquis Yuan Rang is extremely talented. In just over two years, he was promoted from a clerk to the sixth rank. In the Battle of Pingman, he skillfully captured the Fire Dragon Pass and the Sacrifice Soul Pass. He is truly a role model for our generation. It is my blessing to have the honor of meeting him today."

Before Ji Ziyun came, he had obviously done his homework and even found out that Zhao Xing was a clerk.

He spoke in a very polite manner, without showing any arrogance of a prince at all.

"Your Excellency, I am too proud of your compliment." Zhao Xing turned aside to return the compliment. "Please move to the courtyard and take a seat."

"Please." Ji Ziyun stretched out his hand and walked half a body length behind Zhao Xing as he walked through the courtyard to the main hall.

They sat down in the main hall. With the relationship with Xia Jing and the fact that they were all young, they quickly became familiar with each other.

Xia Jing said: "My cousin also served in the army. I remember he served in the thirteenth year of the Jingxin calendar, right?"

Ji Ziyun nodded and said, "I joined the Yingtian Army in February of the 13th year of the Jingxin calendar, but there was no war at that time, so I changed to a civilian position in September and served in Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture for two years. During this period, I also passed through Nanyang County, but I did not go to Gucheng."

"At the beginning of the fifteenth year of the Jingxin calendar, my grandmother passed away. I resigned from my post and left Yingyuan Prefecture to go to Jingzhao Prefecture to attend the funeral. I then went to Yuanling to observe mourning for three years. I only returned to Yuanpin Prefecture last month."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is kind and filial."

Ji Ziyun's grandmother was the aunt of Emperor Jingdi in terms of seniority. However, this aunt was younger than Emperor Jingdi and was not qualified to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, so she could only be buried in the clan's Yuan Mausoleum.

In theory, it is not necessary to observe three years of mourning, but the Zhou rituals had stronger regulations on the royal family.

Emperor Jing was quite strict with his royal family members. During the Dingxin reform, he killed many of his brothers, sisters, uncles, nephews and nieces (most of them were killed by Prince Liang), so Emperor Jing's relatives were also very well-behaved.

Ji Ziyun said: "Marquis Yuan Rang does not need to call me the prince. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Ji like Qilin'er."

"Cousin, why are you calling me by my nickname for no reason?" Xia Jing felt a little embarrassed.

His courtesy name is Lin Yun. Qilin is a lucky animal, and the saying goes "I am so happy to have a Qilin child". Yun means sunlight, so the overall meaning of Xia Jing's courtesy name is auspiciousness and a bright future.

When Xia Jing was born, his father was overjoyed and shouted, "Today I have a baby boy named Qilin!" So his nickname was Qilin, and Ji Ziyun and other relatives all called him Qilin'er to show their affection.

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "In that case, I will boldly address you as Brother Ji. You don't have to call me Marquis Yuan Rang. I don't have a courtesy name, so you can just call me by my first name."

Ji Ziyun was slightly surprised, and Xia Jing explained: "Zhao Xing is only 22 years old now. He left home to join the army and is not yet 20 years old. The elders in the family have not yet given him a courtesy name."

"Only twenty-two?" Ji Ziyun was even more surprised, "She's three years younger than Qilin'er?"

Zhao Xing was born into a commoner family, but now he is a sixth-rank captain of the imperial guards and he is only 22 years old. It is really surprising.

It took a little over two years for him to be promoted from a minor official to a sixth-rank official. Anyone who hears about how he could have made it this far without any identity or background would find it remarkable.

"It's just some luck." Zhao Xing said modestly.

"Cousin." Xia Jing said helplessly, "Don't call me by my nickname anymore!"

"It's a habit I've had since childhood, and I can't change it all at once." Ji Ziyun spread his hands, "Besides, what's wrong with calling you Qilin'er? You are the Qilin'er of the Xia family!"

"Do you think it sounds nice if I call you 'Little Badger'?"

"..."

"Hahaha." Zhao Xing couldn't help but be amused by the two brothers.

…………

After seeing Ji Ziyun and Xia Jing off, the two sides agreed to set out on March 10th, intending to occupy the land in advance.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie had also made preparations. After receiving the notice, they simply moved directly into the Eighteen Sophora japonica and willow courtyard.

March 9th, early morning.

“Da da da da da~”

The long-lost sound of childhood sweethearts rang out, accompanied by the faint sound of gongs and drums.

"Marquis Yuan Rang! Come out and claim your reward!"

Zhao Xing ran out and saw Gao Ming riding a bamboo horse and stopped at the gate of the courtyard, with a team following behind him.

When Emperor Jing gave out rewards, he gave out flying boats, jade ruyi, and exotic beasts.

The flying boat is the Qilin flying boat, a top-grade fifth-level vehicle. This vehicle is not only extremely powerful, but also a symbol of status.

As long as you see the Qilin Flying Boat, you will know that there is a Marquis sitting inside.

The flying boat is a flying vehicle used for formal occasions.

In addition, there is also a 'Bronze Beast-Headed Chariot', which is also a top-grade fifth-level product.

The blue-eyed dragon-lion was specially used to pull Zhao Xing's cart.

At this time, behind Gao Ming, there were two strange beasts more than three meters tall. Their heads were like lions, but their limbs and bodies were covered with silver dragon scales.

The eyes are like copper bells, without eyelids, slightly protruding and blue in color.

This is a hybrid dragon-type monster. Both of them are at the perfect level of the Earthly Evil Realm, but their combat power is comparable to that of a human warrior at the early stage of the Heavenly Realm.

"Brother Gao, why are you the one delivering the rewards? Isn't this the job of a ceremonial officer?" Zhao Xing said with a smile, "You have a wide range of business."

"Hey, I am one of the directors of the Yangcheng Rites Bureau." Gao Ming said proudly.

"Very good." Zhao Xing praised.

Gao Ming pretended for a second, then broke down and complained:
"Hey, it's not easy for me to be the chief."

"After your glorious ceremony, aren't we the ones who run errands responsible for the rough work?" Gao Ming said, "You don't know, brother, I have to watch over thousands of strange beasts these days, and I'm almost stinking."

Gao Ming spoke in a miserable way.

"Brother Gao, you have worked hard."

"Don't just talk, I'm still waiting for the reward from Marquis Yuan Rang." Gao Ming stretched out his hand with a smile.

"Hahaha, no problem." Zhao Xing had already prepared the 'red envelope' for the ceremonial officer. With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen gift boxes flew out from the room.

The big gift box flew into Gao Ming's hands, and the small gift boxes were distributed to the people behind him.

"Thank you for the reward, Lord Marquis!" Gao Ming held the box and bowed solemnly.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis, for the reward!" The people behind also shouted.

"Carry it in for the Marquis." Gao Ming waved his hand.

Soon, people leading lions, people carrying boats, and people beating gongs and drums came in.

Wait until the crowd leaves.

Zhao Xing was just about to take a look at the two green-eyed dragon lions.

"Snort~" The two dragon and lion snorted loudly.

Immediately, a black shadow rushed out, stood in front of Zhao Xing, and growled at the two dragons and lions while leaning forward.

"Meow!"

The two dragons and lions immediately took a few steps back.

"Hahaha, even though he is so big, he is not as powerful as our Aotian." Long Xiao laughed.

"Is he jealous?" Chen Shijie also smiled, because Shanmao blocked Zhao Xing and wouldn't let him pass.

Zhao Xing patted Aotian Miao's head and said, "It's a mount for pulling the cart. How can it compare with you, the son of Yunxiao Hou? Be good and get out of the way."

Aotian Miao raised his head and ran to the side.

"Zhao Xing, these two beasts are not easy to tame. Do you want help?" Long Xiao rubbed his hands, "I beat those two tiger beasts into submission."

"No need." Zhao Xing said lightly.

Then he exerted the pressure of the Tiangang Realm and walked closer step by step.

The two green-eyed dragon lions retreated step by step, not daring to look up at Zhao Xing.

"Shua~" Zhao Xing jumped onto the bronze beast-headed chariot, picked up the reins and shouted, "Come here and put them on yourself!"

After being shouted at by Zhao Xing, the two green-eyed dragon-lions actually put themselves into the harness of the chariot.

"Buzz~" The animal heads on the chariot lit up, and the two green-eyed dragon lions raised their front hooves and roared to the sky.

Zhao Xing stood on the chariot, motionless, and with a flick of the reins, he controlled the chariot to gallop across the grassland of the manor.

Seeing how he tamed two ferocious beasts so quickly, Long Xiao couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"Zhao Xing's strength has improved again."

"Yes." Chen Shijie looked at the figure on the chariot and sighed. "I never thought that the young man from Gucheng would become the indomitable Marquis Yuan Rang in just two years."

"When you helped him back then, did you ever think that you would benefit from him today?" Long Xiao asked with a smile.

"Who would have thought?" Chen Shijie shook his head. "He could easily get a position as a senior investigator."

"Let's go, there will be many good things in the future." Long Xiao patted Chen Shijie's shoulder and strode towards Zhao Xing.

Chen Shijie smiled and followed.

On March 10th, the suns in the Shiyang Cave disappeared one after another, leaving only one big sun hanging in the sky.

At noon that day, rays of spiritual light suddenly shot up into the sky from various regions.

Various strange phenomena also appeared in the sky above Yangcheng.

Until noon, the three kings of the military world announced that the entrance and exit of Shiyang Cave Heaven would be blocked and people were prohibited from moving.

At three quarters past noon, the Minister of Agriculture announced that Shiyang Cave Heaven was upgraded to a blessed land.

The beautiful cave that Zhao Xing had been looking forward to for a long time has finally arrived!
(End of this chapter)