Chapter 6: The Temple's Teachings

The number of Magic Arts in the farming community is countless, divided into schools of thought, which can be categorized into three types: Heavenly Timing Sect, Earthly Advantage Sect, and the Self Sect.

The main philosophy of the Heavenly Timing Sect is 'Understanding the Heavenly Timing, Establishing the Heavenly Timing, and Altering the Heavenly Timing.' They believe that the most crucial condition for plant growth is the heavenly timing. In ancient times, the Xuanhuang Continent experienced the 'Natural Disaster Era,' where celestial phenomena were extremely unstable. One sun could experience four seasons, and within a year, the sea could turn into mulberry fields. Even now, many places on the Xuanhuang Continent still have chaotic celestial phenomena, such as mountain ranges perpetually ablaze or seas eternally frozen. Some places experience scorching sun in the morning, enough to melt gold and iron, while at night, water droplets freeze into ice, forming icy corpses. Some areas are not as extreme but still experience 'seasonal chaos' and 'reversed climates.'

Therefore, the Heavenly Timing Sect believes that the direction of Magic Arts research is to understand the heavenly timing, alter the heavenly timing, and establish a stable agricultural environment for the people. The most renowned Magic Arts text is the 'Seasonal Order.' After mastering it, one can regulate celestial phenomena and stabilize the climate of a region. The Magic Arts within are centered around this philosophy.

The core idea of the Earthly Advantage Sect is that heavenly timing cannot be defied, and celestial phenomena cannot be altered. Instead of exerting effort on these, it is better to focus on transforming barren lands into fertile ones. Based on this, they plant crops, gradually expanding outward under the dual influence of the Earthly Advantage and plants, creating a more adaptable living environment. As long as the soil is improved to be fertile enough, even under harsh weather, flowers can bloom and bear fruit. Even on icy mountains, delicate snow lotuses can bloom! The Earthly Advantage Sect's classic secrets include 'Earth's Return to Origin Method' and 'Earth Treasury Origin Gate Formation.' This school makes good use of tools and methods, closely aligning with craftsmen.

As for the Self Sect, they claim that all others are rubbish. What heavenly timing or earthly advantage, they are all external factors. True strength comes from within! The Self Sect believes that plants themselves are a miracle, full of resilient life force, capable of adapting to any environment. By searching the world for rare flowers and exotic herbs, divine trees, and immortal branches, selecting the best to cultivate, and repeating this process over generations, one can obtain seeds strong enough to resist all external factors. The Self Sect believes Magic Arts should develop towards 'cultivating plants to become increasingly strong.' The most famous text is the 'Growth Chart of All Things.'

"Currently, the Heavenly Timing Sect is thriving, dominating mainstream thought, while the Earthly Advantage Sect and the Self Sect can only retreat to secondary positions."

"It will take until the resurgence of the Su version for these two schools to have a chance to shine, possibly even producing seeds that can root in the void and miraculous soils that can elevate plants by several levels."

On the way to the temple, Zhao Xing had already decided on his main cultivation direction. Mainly because he currently lacked the conditions to pursue the Earthly Advantage Sect and the Self Sect.

"My current mobility is too weak. If I have the ability to travel far in the future, I can look for some treasures of this era, such as the Molten Rock Earth Fire Lotus, Bloodthirsty Vine, and some parasitic seeds and exotic seeds preserved in a few ancient great tombs."

"As for now... what does it matter?"

Valley City Temple is a county-level temple. The deities inside are not some legendary spirits but mostly historical figures, many of whom were civil and military officials of the now-defunct Great Zhou dynasty. Some were enshrined due to their bravery in battle or governance that brought prosperity to a region, earning them a place in the Great Zhou Temple.

Among them, the civil and military officials from the Great Ancestor's era are the most numerous. For example, the main hall Zhao Xing is looking at now enshrines the 'Earl of East Lake' from the Great Ancestor's time.

Born in East Lake of Valley City, he made a living by fishing in his youth. During the Great Ancestor's campaign to unify the chaotic world, he joined the ranks under the Duke's command, becoming a war chariot guardian, eventually being granted the title of Earl of East Lake. After returning to his hometown, he spent his wealth building bridges and roads, transforming his hometown, and voluntarily relinquished a large portion of land to allow refugees to farm, developing Valley City from a small town to a county.

After his death, he was enshrined in this temple to enjoy incense offerings, becoming a revered deity.

"The Earl of East Lake was skilled in martial arts. I seek a method, but it's not easy to ask him. This period is most suitable for developing the Sinoong profession, not other professions. I have taken the Dao Embryo Pill. If he sees my potential and thinks I should practice martial arts, randomly obtaining some martial arts secrets would be a waste of time."

Zhao Xing did not enter the hall but only inserted incense and bowed in front of the bronze furnace, planning to leave.

"Dong!"

Inside the Earl of East Lake's temple, the bronze bell rang automatically, carrying a strong intent, clearly transmitting into Zhao Xing's mind, as if urging him to stay, or advising him not to leave.

Zhao Xing's face changed slightly, but he never thought that bowing outside the hall would still cause such a reaction. Could the Earl of East Lake really manifest and actively retain him?

The Dao Embryo Pill is truly impressive...

Zhao Xing bowed again, quickening his pace to run away.

"Alas."

After Zhao Xing left, the deity statue let out a faint sigh.

The temple attendant sitting inside the hall looked towards the door with some confusion, but found it empty. Looking up at the deity statue again, there was no indication, so he could only lower his head and continue sitting.

With this interlude, Zhao Xing dared not bow randomly anymore. He quickened his pace to a side hall—Cao Xi True Lord Hall.

"Cao Xi, in the early days of the founding, once served as the Tianling of Nanyang County. Due to promoting the craftsman's 'Return to Origin Waterwheel' and repairing the Thirteen Channels of Pinghu, combining craftsman methods to manage water disasters, he was recognized as an outstanding figure of the Earthly Advantage Sect in the farming community."

"However, he was well-versed in many schools, having authored 'Cao Xi's Agricultural Book,' and was also a practical person. Worshipping him should not have any mistakes."

"It's just you, old man."

Zhao Xing handed the county magistrate's reviewed document to the temple attendant, who was in charge of the rituals. The temple attendant's position was to oversee the flow of rituals.

It was known among players as the 'support' profession, an early 'divine profession,' because this profession could invite deities to possess and summon spirits to fight.

At one point, Zhao Xing also considered switching to it for a double boost, but with the decline of the dynasty's fortune, its combat power greatly diminished. In the Su version, wanting to become strong was extremely difficult and complicated, so he had to give up.

Now he couldn't possibly abandon the Sinoong profession for a temporary thrill to choose this early divine profession.

"The document is fine. After entering, sit cross-legged on the futon and meditate quietly."

The temple attendant, though not very old, had an air of authority: "Remember, do not force the method. Having something is already a great fortune. If you gain nothing, it means your strength is not yet sufficient. Come again next time, and do not let your mind be troubled."

This was a reminder to Zhao Xing that if he did not succeed in seeking the method, he should not develop any obsession or resentment, as the spirits are very sensitive to thoughts related to themselves.

"Yes, thank you, temple attendant."

Zhao Xing took a deep breath and stepped into the Cao Xi True Lord Hall.

(End of Chapter)