Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 659 - 8: Xiao Tian Dog and Inverted Sheep, Winter Preliminaries (Da Zhang)_7

Chapter 659: Chapter 8: Xiao Tian Dog and Inverted Sheep, Winter Preliminaries (Da Zhang)_7

There were also some name-level bloodline cubs.

"Baa~"

While inspecting the cubs, Zhao Xing suddenly saw a blur in front of his eyes. Caught off guard, his Life Soul was affected, and though he intended to move forward, his body unexpectedly moved backward.

"Huh?" Zhao Xing activated his Soul Armor, quickly counteracting this influence, and looked towards a cage in the corner of the cabin.

Inside was a pink-haired goat.

"Spiritual Illusion Goat?" Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned, "This breed is quite rare."

The Spiritual Illusion Goat, also known as the Inverted Sheep.

Zhao Xing had encountered this type of goat during his challenges at the Dream Palace, but that one had red hair, whereas this one was pink.

"The depth of the Daoist Academy is truly impressive. Inverted Sheep are already rare," Zhao Xing said to himself, "and to think they actually gifted one to me."

The talents of the Spiritual Illusion Goat were all aimed at the Life Soul. It was difficult for the Human Clan to cultivate the Life Soul, and since the Spiritual Illusion Goat possessed Soul Skills, it was naturally very precious.

"If I want to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Land, I must first qualify in the East Sea. Now having a cat, a dog, and a goat to nurture, competing in the future should be about right."

Princess You Ruo had given Zhao Xing three spots.

This allowed him the right to bring three war beasts to participate in the Purple Cloud Arena’s December winter preliminary evaluation.

Afterward, there would be four competitions each year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—with different content and themes.

Selected in the four seas, the preliminaries and group stages, from the 20th year of Jingxin until the 30th year, would determine the strongest batch of war pets.

For the following ten years, there would be competition among the four seas, further narrowing down the pool of contestants.

Eventually representing Great Zhou, they would compete against the Water Clan in the grand beast competition, allocating quota to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Land.

It was now December of the 21st year of Jingxin.

Zhao Xing planned to take Aotian Cat, Tiger Flood Dragon, and Qingluan to participate in the first winter preliminary on the western region of Purple Cloud Islands.

As for the Inverted Sheep and Xiao Tian Dog, both were still in their juvenile phase and not suitable for competition.

But before going, he needed to register the Mountain Cat, Tiger Flood Dragon, and Qingluan.

After approval from Chongming Prefecture, the Twin Island Dragon Horse Prison’s Divine Chosen Department was imbued with true effectiveness.

November 29th.

Under the watchful eyes of the Dragon Horse Guard staff and Sun Shizhao.

Zhao Xing, with his three war beasts, entered the Divine Chosen Department for tribute.

Soon after, within the divine temple, streaks of golden light flashed and settled upon the Mountain Cat, Tiger Flood Dragon, and Qingluan.

"Aotian Cat is now also ’eating public grain.’ "

Zhao Xing looked at the gleaming Mountain Cat, which was undergoing the baptism of the National Fate.

Of course, having not even passed the preliminaries yet, the actual growth was minimal—it was just a formality.

But officially, Aotian was now a ’government cat.’

During the competition period, it could receive a ration from the royal court, but not in non-competition quarters.

Competing would earn 500 Military Realm Points each month, which was already a significant amount!

You ought to know Zhao Xing’s annual salary was only fifty thousand, and only with honors included did it reach eight hundred thousand.

If Aotian qualified in the East Sea, he would be eligible for a formal salary and be granted an official rank!

As such, Zhao Xing, as the owner of the Mountain Cat, would benefit from its fortunes.

If the Mountain Cat could partake in the four seas’ competition and place in the contests against the Water Clan, there might even be a chance to be ennobled and honored!

Everyone who saw it had to address it as Mr. Aotian.

As its owner, he would receive rewards and possibly even rise in rank alongside it.

"Being a Beast Tamer really has a promising future," Zhao Xing watched the Mountain Cat respectfully bowing before the Divine Statue and couldn’t help but smile.

Because of the existence of the Dragon Court Ancient Land, many Beast Tamers had made their fortunes.

This grand event happened once every hundred years, starting from the era of the Grand Ancestor.

Over more than two thousand years, three to four hundred people had risen to prominence with their war beasts.

Because many tamers were only ranked sixth, but the beasts they cultivated reached the fourth rank.

Of course, a Beast Tamer’s war beast had to be stronger than the tamer themselves; otherwise, what was the point, and they might as well have done it themselves.

And if a war beast clinched a position in the Dragon Court Ancient Land and attained achievements, it would be considered having contributed to the royal court.

Even a mediocre tamer would rise to the fifth rank, and historically, there were Beast Tamers who jumped directly from the sixth to the third rank!

There were also instances when war beasts were ennobled.

"Aotian, you’ve got to do well these next few years."

"Whether we can rise in rank and fortune all depends on you now," Zhao Xing joked.

"If you can unearth a grand treasure in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, maybe I’ll make it to the third rank."

"Meow!" Aotian nodded obediently.

...

After the tribute ceremony, Sun Shizhao came over to extend his congratulations, and others like Tao Anchun, Cao Jiang, and Dong Yuanqiu were also visibly excited.

Because of the former supervisor’s matter, Twin Islands hadn’t secured a preliminary quota in a long time and could hardly hold their heads up outside.

Although they had gone through the back door, regardless, they had finally secured a spot.

"Mr. Sun, I ask you to look after Land Island while I’m not at the Dragon Horse Guard." Zhao Xing said.

He needed to bring Dong Yuanqiu, Tao Anchun, and others to Purple Cloud Island.

Participating in the competition wasn’t as simple as going alone; staff from the Divine Feeding Department, Chenghua Bureau, and veterinarians from Tuquan Palace all needed to go.

The care for the war beasts’ feeding, excretion, and injury treatment all had to be handled by their own people.

Although he had the Ten Thousand Skill Avatar, his true self also had to go since there were no other tamers at the Twin Island Dragon Horse Guard, and he couldn’t afford to be distracted during the competition.

"Rest assured, Marquis Yuan Rang," Sun Shizhao said, "any slight issue in the Dragon Horse Guard and you can hold me accountable."

Zhao Xing smiled and returned a bow, trusting him as Sun Shizhao had staked his all on it.

"I’ll leave the daily affairs of the Dragon Horse Guard to Bao Shiqiu, and Ling Ruoxue, you’ll assist Mr. Bao."

"Yes."

...

On the first day of December, Zhao Xing, along with the Mountain Cat, Tiger Flood Dragon, Qingluan, and various officials from the Twin Island Dragon Horse Guard, boarded the Cloud Rain Ship, heading for the Purple Cloud Arena.

On the morning of December second, they arrived at the Purple Cloud Arena.