Chapter 5: The Diligent Emperor

The difference between Yan Yi and Yan Er in terms of Qi Luck is like heaven and earth. Yan Er's Qi Luck has already surpassed nine levels of Ordinary People. Take Magic Arts as an example, when Zhao Xing performs [Cloud Walking], within a hundred attempts, it might only trigger Qi Luck enhancement two or three times, increasing the Magic Arts' effectiveness by two or three levels; this effect is known among players as 'Minor Magic Arts Success.' Within a thousand attempts, it might trigger a 'Double Effect' once, which players call 'Major Magic Arts Success!' However, if it's Yan Er's Qi Luck, then out of ten attempts, it might trigger the 'Minor Success' effect two or three times, and out of a hundred attempts, it might trigger the 'Major Success' effect once.

This is just the advantage in the 'Method' aspect; there are also benefits like finding treasures when going out, meeting hidden masters when apprenticing, and never having an empty catch when fishing...

Especially in the 'Qi Luck Dynasty' version, these effects are even more pronounced.

"But why is it like this? I remember clearly, the Dao Embryo Pill doesn't have this effect... hmm?" Zhao Xing suddenly had a flash of insight, thinking of a possibility.

"The Great Dream Academy of this era is different from the later 'Yunmeng Academy.' The former has abundant treasures, while the latter is more of a tool."

"Could it be that when I entered the Great Dream Academy, I inadvertently acquired some Qi Luck from the ancient 'Great Li' dynasty?"

The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Zhao Xing began to recall the related plots of this ancient dynasty, evaluating whether this outcome was good or bad.

The final conclusion was that it was more beneficial than harmful.

"The Li dynasty era is far removed from the Great Zhou, and it was during a period of chaos among the various lords. It had the momentum of the Li dynasty's remnants, acting under the banner, but ultimately didn't stir up much of a storm, especially in this era."

"The growth of Qi Luck is intangible and traceless, from Yan Yi to Yan Er, it won't attract attention."

"If it can continue to strengthen, there's no rush. By then, I would have already entered the Great Zhou system. If someone from the Ten Thousand Bureau notices, I might as well hand over the Great Dream Academy's entry method to the state, making a one-time deal."

Zhao Xing remembered the person who discovered the Great Dream Academy's opening method and wasn't 'specially treated.' Instead, after presenting the method to the Martial Emperor, he was rewarded with a fief.

Therefore, whether the growth of Qi Luck is discovered or not is just a matter of earning more or less, not a safety issue.

"However, it's still best to enter the system as soon as possible."

Having thought everything through, Zhao Xing felt at ease.

"Caw caw caw~" At this moment, the sound of a rooster crowing came from outside. He quickly washed up and hurried out the door.

Valley City's Department of Agriculture currently has over five hundred people. However, the annual quota allocated to Valley City by Nanyang County is only three to five.

Most of the farmers without heavenly gifts or deep backgrounds can only endure hardship, waiting for those outstanding competitors to rise.

The Department of Agriculture is still good; the promotion channels for soldiers, workers, methods, literature, and rituals are even more competitive.

To put it bluntly, farmers have a better chance of changing professions than warriors, mechanics, doctors, and other occupations.

This year, the Department of Agriculture has many 'experts,' such as Li Chengfeng and Wen Nanxing, who are already close to the third stage of Gathering Essence.

Not only can they perform [Cloud Walking], [Rain Making], [Thunder Striking], [Wind Rising], these basic Magic Arts, but they have also begun to practice advanced versions.

Such as "Favorable Weather" and "Summon Wind and Rain."

They can even enter the Temple to comprehend advanced secrets like "Seasonal Order" and "Growth Chart of All Things," and then practice Magic Arts with lethal power.

Whether it's 'skills' or 'arts,' they all ride above the rest of the small farmers.

To surpass these competitive opponents, Zhao Xing must accelerate his pace.

"Now that I've reached the second stage of Gathering Essence, my Yuan Qi is sufficient to support more Magic Arts performances. It's time to learn new Magic Arts."

Valley City's Department of Agriculture is located in the east of the city, but Zhao Xing is heading north because to learn Magic Arts, he first needs to go to the county office for approval, obtain permission, record it, and then go to the Temple to seek the method.

After obtaining the Magic Arts, he must return to the county office for registration because during the process of seeking methods at the Temple, there might be random occurrences of Magic Arts exceeding the quantity.

After completing the registration, he returns to the Department of Agriculture to seek guidance and practice.

The formal officials of the Department of Agriculture are both superiors and teachers to these small farmers.

Whether they are willing to teach and how much effort they put into teaching depends on whether you've found the right person.

Zhao Xing entered the county office to start the process and received the enthusiastic treatment worthy of a small farmer.

"My name is Pang Fei. There's some tea prepared inside. Brother Zhao, please rest in the side hall for a while."

Looking at Pang's young and enthusiastic face, Zhao Xing was a bit surprised: "Brother Pang, you're too kind. How long will this official document review take?"

He's here for business, not for tea.

"With the official document, it won't take more than an hour at most, and if it's fast, half an hour will do."

Is it really that fast? How did the county office's efficiency become so high?

He thought Pang Fei was an exception, but while drinking tea in the side hall, he saw that all the small farmers were the same!

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Xing finally understood.

This matter must be traced back to Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing is an ambitious person. He named his reign 'Jingxin,' wanting to create a new atmosphere and surpass the reputation of his ancestors.

His father, Emperor Wen, was 'loving the people like children, respectful and benevolent,' but he himself had a bad temper and couldn't achieve that. To surpass his father, he could only work hard in other areas.

Thus, this emperor began to lead the internal competition.

The "Great Zhou Order" stipulates that for public affairs: small matters are resolved in five days, medium matters in seven days, and major matters in ten days.

Under his requirements, all county-level institutions must sign and process documents and handle administrative affairs with 'days as units' and 'absolutely no delays.'

With the emperor's lead, the Nineteen States all started a wave of internal competition.

Emperor Jing also gained a nickname among players—'Diligent Emperor.'

Why is the government efficiency so high? With the emperor leading, who dares to slack off?

The Temple in the city is not just for show; it can monitor the city's various affairs, and in detail, it can check for lazy or corrupt officials!

Why is Pang Yun so accommodating? Because he is also a small farmer, just like himself, he also wants to be promoted! If he doesn't compete with his colleagues, when will he ever get ahead?

"Establishing the Temple to monitor officials, transmitting all techniques to enlighten the people, this era is truly safe. Unlike the chaos that followed, where even planting a field wasn't peaceful..."

As a farmer player, Zhao Xing expressed great satisfaction with the current Great environment, considering it an excellent development period!

After finishing a cup of tea, another enthusiastic small farmer came over to refill the water.

This repeated three times until Pang Fei came running over with an official document.

"Brother Zhao, your application has been approved. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Thank you."

Seeing the sweat beads slightly seeping from Pang Fei's forehead, Zhao Xing expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

(End of Chapter)