Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 218 - 18: Training Teachers, Securing Grade A Resources! _3

Chapter 218: Chapter 18: Training Teachers, Securing Grade A Resources! _3

"It is said that Heavenly Time Institute had offered Zhuang Ziqing top-notch treatment, yet he still didn’t go," Zhao Xing shook his head, those who wanted to go couldn’t, while those who didn’t want to go were given high treatment — such are the unpredictable ways of the world.

...

The challenge of the Geography Institute was to cast spells on a stretch of hard, rocky terrain.

Candidates had to demonstrate their Geographical Advantage Techniques.

After demonstrating the Five Elements Earth Splitting and the Endless Palace at the fifth challenge, Zhao Xing received a notification in the Earth Mirror.

It was as if he had gone through a symbolic process, and then he was taken away.

Others taken away included Zhuang Ziqing, Han Bing, a total of ten people.

Zhao Xing guessed that this had been discussed on the Flying Boat already.

Riding on the Cloud Flying Boat, he arrived at the Geography Institute.

Afterward, Lu Bang brought Zhao Xing to a spacious manor.

In front of the manor, rows of fruit trees were planted, brimming with exotic and valuable fruits — some of which Zhao Xing could not even recognize.

But he could tell that their quality was certainly not low.

"This is Marquis Tian’s Rich Spring Garden,"

Lu Bang pointed and explained.

"Marquis Tian is also one of the Agricultural Ministers of the Geography Institute."

Agricultural Officers, Agricultural Ministers, and Agricultural Masters represent three ranks within the Geography Institute, and above them is the Great Agricultural Officer, the head, equivalent to the dean of the entire Geography Institute.

When Zhao Xing and Lu Bang landed, Tian Shan was already waiting at the entrance.

It wasn’t for any special reason; mainly, without an invitation, Zhao Xing couldn’t enter.

"Marquis Tian, I have brought the person," Lu Bang said with a smile, "This is Zhao Xing."

Tian Shan had some grey in his hair and beard but had a ruddy complexion without a single wrinkle.

He had plump cheeks and tender hands and feet, possessing a wealthy air of slight rotundity.

When he saw Lu Bang bringing Zhao Xing over, Tian Shan greeted them with a smile — when he smiled, his eyes and brows curved, making him seem very approachable.

"You’ve worked hard, Lu Bang. Will you come in and sit awhile?"

Lu Bang shook his head, "I won’t disturb Marquis Tian; there are people waiting for me at Taicang Institute. I must take my leave first."

After Lu Bang had left, Zhao Xing bowed deeply, "Student Zhao Xing, greets the teacher."

"Very good, come in," Tian Shan said with a smile, "From today onwards, you are my student, Tian Shan."

.....

Upon entering, Zhao Xing felt the climate inside was as warm as spring and very comfortable.

The Rich Spring Garden had mountains and waters, fruit tree orchards, blossoming flowers, and countless rare and exotic plants.

Following Tian Shan, Zhao Xing passed various pavilions, pagodas, rockeries, and streams along the way.

The layout was elaborate, subtly corresponding with feng shui principles — just seeing the living area, he knew his teacher knew how to enjoy life.

"Zhao Xing, sit," Tian Shan led Zhao Xing to the main hall.

"Thank you for the seat, Teacher," Zhao Xing, uncertain of Tian Shan’s temperament, remained very polite.

"There’s no need to be so stiff, I was the one who selected you," Tian Shan said, "You can relax a little."

"Yes."

"Now that you have joined the Geography Institute and taken me as your teacher, I will be responsible for your training for the coming year," Tian Shan said, "Apart from the compulsory training, I will diligently help you in your elective training and personal cultivation."

"You have access to A-grade training resources. You can go inside the three treasures of the Geography Institute — Xuantian Prison, Seventy-Two Earth Palaces, and Earth Vein Hall — for internal contemplation."

"You get three free opportunities. Any additional chances will have to be earned in subsequent training,"

Zhao Xing listened quietly. Previously, the places he had contemplated were public and free of charge. As for Xuantian Prison, Zhao Xing could only observe lower-level beasts. He could only gaze from afar at the Seventy-Two Earth Palaces, and the Earth Vein murals in the Earth Vein Hall also varied in levels.

"Furthermore, you can contemplate the one hundred and eight Jieqi Steles of the Heavenly Time Institute, the Primordial Dojo of the Taicang Institute, and the thirty-six waterways of the Pinghuai Institute for free twice."

"For A-grade resources, your monthly base points are increased from 100 to 5,000 points!"

"You can buy native treasures produced in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven at a 20% discount and have priority access. However, you can only use them yourself; if it’s found that you are purchasing on behalf of others or selling outside the cave, the punishment is quite severe."

"Yes, I understand," Zhao Xing nodded, military supplies are a serious matter, he would not be foolish with them.

"This is something extra from me personally, a welcome gift worth 50,000 points," Tian Shan waved his hand, and a large chest floated over, appearing before Zhao Xing.

"You have mandatory training coming up in a month, and this 50,000 points should be prepared for your mandatory training then."

Worth 50,000 points? Zhao Xing inwardly gasped; this teacher was indeed very generous, giving a welcome gift worth fifty thousand points straight away.

"Thank you for the gift, Teacher," Zhao Xing quickly said.

"The mandatory training a month later will be grueling and difficult. You are currently laden with high expectations, and your performance matters not just for the face of the Divine Might Army, but also for mine," Tian Shan said seriously, "Entering the Geography Institute is just the beginning. If, after receiving so many resources, you do not show corresponding results, you will be demoted."

"There are twenty-one A-grade competitors in the four institutes right now. Your competition is just those twenty people."

"If you maintain an A-grade and complete the training, you might even be appointed as a seventh-rank official directly!"

"But because of this, the selection is very strict!"

"If you rank in the bottom five three times in a row, it would show that you don’t deserve these resources, and you would be downgraded to A-mid-level, and so on... and they will rank this way every month."

"So you cannot afford to slack off, do you understand?" Tian Shan spoke with severity.

"Yes, I will bear it in mind and will not disappoint you, Teacher," Zhao Xing affirmed.

"Good, you may go now," Tian Shan said with a smile, "Come to me every three days, and based on your cultivation progress, I will arrange additional elective training for you."

"Remember, your competition is only those other twenty people; surpassing the other nine thousand nine hundred or so people is of no use."

"Yes, Teacher. I take my leave."

.....

Carrying the chest back to the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing saw a reminder in the Earth Mirror on the way — there were 5,000 points credited to his account.

He also couldn’t wait to open the welcome gift from Tian Shan.