Man and cat toppled onto the grass.
"Haha, Ao Tian, I missed you so much!" Long Xiao hugged the mountain cat’s neck, constantly rubbing its fur, overjoyed.
"Meow~" The mountain cat kept meowing.
"Huh? When did I hit you? Oh, you’re talking about the contest, right? I couldn’t help it back then... Alright, alright, it’s my fault, I’ll let you hit me twice."
Zhao Xing watched the man and cat tussle on the ground, grinning.
After a while of playing around, Zhao Xing walked over and said, "Why don’t you keep taking care of it for a few more years."
"I’m afraid I won’t have much time in the coming years."
Long Xiao was surprised, "Don’t you have the Ten Thousand Skill Avatar? Still no time to take care of Ao Tian?"
Zhao Xing replied, "You probably won’t believe it, but I really don’t."
Cultivating the Derivation God Decision would occupy most of his energy. This ultimate soul technique was not easy to practice.
Additionally, he planned to study at both Kunyuan Academy and Xuantian Academy. He needed to find a way to learn a few top-level skills within five years.
He also needed to break through to the fourth rank, train the Seven Spirits, and raise plant species...
Considering all that, accomplishing even two tasks within five years would be impressive.
"Fine, I’ll take Ao Tian back. Ling’er also likes cats, she has dozens of them. I’ll take it back and find Ao Tian a mate." Long Xiao patted the mountain cat on the head, "Heh heh, you’re in luck~"
"If you’re helping, take the Gray Lion Dog and the Spiritual Illusion Goat too."
"Sure." Long Xiao agreed readily. The Bai Mansion had plenty of beast tamers. He knew Zhao Xing was going to the Dragon Court Ancient Land and was happy to help his friend alleviate some pressure.
"By the way, talk to Old Chen and have him join the Azure Dragon Army. I’ve asked him a few times, but he hasn’t come." Long Xiao said.
"He won’t go." Zhao Xing shook his head, "Don’t recommend him to Bai Zhengyang either."
"Huh? Why?" Long Xiao asked, puzzled.
"He’s not suited for the Azure Dragon Army. Don’t forget, he’s from the Earth Advantage Sect and mainly practices Fire Element Magic. What can he accomplish floating on the sea?" Zhao Xing said.
He planned to have Chen Shijie return to shore. He could go anywhere, just not follow Bai Zhengyang.
"Is the Fenglong Guard you’re in now overseen by Bai Mingchuan?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Yes, but Bai Zhengyang also oversees it. Currently, I’m under Bai Mingchuan." Long Xiao answered.
"The East Sea is not peaceful. You need to be careful, especially of the Hong family." Zhao Xing said, "This Water Clan chief’s family hasn’t been loyal for long. Two or three hundred years aren’t enough to tame them. Hong Yuanba and Hong Yuanshou hold high positions. I suspect the numerous assassinations in the East Sea over the past ten years are related to them."
"Hong Yuanba? He’s the East Sea Commander, right? That can’t be!" Long Xiao was shocked.
Hong Yuanba was definitely among the high-ranking officials of the Great Zhou, comparable to Bai Yunwu!
"Just be more vigilant, especially of Hong Yuanba’s brother. Listen to me..." Zhao Xing spoke next to Long Xiao.
"Alright, I understand." Long Xiao said gravely, "I’ll know what to do."
Zhao Xing nodded. The two didn’t bring up official matters again.
Long Xiao began talking about how he met Bai Ling’er, while Zhao Xing listened quietly.
"You mustn’t get married so early!" Long Xiao grabbed Zhao Xing’s hand excitedly, "Once a woman gets married, she changes, really. She used to be reasonable, even a bit gentle. Now she doesn’t listen at all, sigh..."
"You should be content!" Zhao Xing laughed, "Being the daughter of a prince, Bai Ling’er is allowed to have a bit of a temper."
"You don’t understand. Forget it, I won’t talk to you about it." Long Xiao scoffed, "You haven’t even held a girl’s hand, you wouldn’t understand these things. Hmph, Old Chen can relate to me."
Just as he was about to argue with Long Xiao.
A sudden crash came from outside the courtyard gate, making the gate shake violently.
"Hmm?" Zhao Xing immediately became alert.
"Someone’s here, and they appeared suddenly. I’ll check it out." Long Xiao drew his sword and approached the gate.
He quickly opened the gate, finding four people outside. And they hadn’t sensed them earlier!
Three stood on the steps below, and one on the step above, faint lightning sparking around his body as he slapped, sending sparks flying.
"Sneaky, who are you!" Long Xiao raised his sword to subdue the old man.
"Who are you?" Geng Shouchang grabbed Long Xiao’s sword, his hand glowing with lightning, clutching the blade bare-handed.
Long Xiao tried to pull his sword back but found it stuck.
Sword Qi flickered as Long Xiao prepared to get serious, but unexpectedly, with a light flick of his finger, Geng Shouchang dispersed Long Xiao’s gathered Sword Qi.
"What? This..." Long Xiao was shocked. Still unwilling to surrender, he prepared to draw the sword on his back.
But Geng Shouchang flicked again, and a strand of electricity ran through him. His six swords humming and trembling at his back fell silent, and even Long Xiao himself was immobilized, unable to move.
"Young man, don’t be so rash. Is the Seven Stars Divine Sword given to you by the Bai family for cutting down a third-rank official like me?" Geng Shouchang flicked the sword accurately back into the sheath on Long Xiao’s back.
Zhao Xing’s eyelids twitched as he watched.
Because this man had just used two top-level techniques, judging by the appearance of the spells: one was the Heavenly Thunder Finger, the other the Thunderbolt Mixed Element Lock.
The Heavenly Thunder Finger broke Long Xiao’s Sword Qi, bare-handedly confronting the blade, while the Thunderbolt Mixed Element Lock immobilized Long Xiao.
This was the Minister of Agriculture from the Heavenly Time Sect! Although he claimed to be a third-rank official, his strength might not be limited to third rank.