Chapter 7: Rising Wind, Striking Thunder, Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier
Zhao Xing sat down in front of the statue of Pu, relaxing his body, closing his eyes, and clearing his mind of distractions.
Before long, a gentle breeze brushed his face, accompanied by the occasional sound of thunder. He felt as if he was in the midst of a primordial forest, surrounded by hidden dangers.
The temple attendant, Si Yi, sensed something and glanced at the statue of Cao Xi Zhenjun, then at Zhao Xing's silhouette. "You've learned quite quickly," he remarked.
Once all the anomalies disappeared, Zhao Xing opened his eyes, his mind now enriched with the knowledge of three magical arts. These were: [Rising Wind], [Striking Thunder], and [Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier].
The first two belonged to the Heavenly Timing Sect of the agricultural school, serving as preliminary skills for the 'Seasonal Order.' The latter could be integrated into his own school's 'Growth Chart of All Things.'
In the past, learning magical arts was as simple as flipping through a skill book. Now, it required true comprehension and deep understanding. From this perspective, players were indeed prodigies.
After sitting for a while and realizing that the profound feeling had faded, Zhao Xing knew he had learned all he could for now. He stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Zhenjun, for the method."
[Rising Wind: Beginner Magic Art]
[Progress: (0/9999)]
[Effect: Summons a great wind.]
[Striking Thunder: Beginner Magic Art]
[Progress: (0/9999)]
[Effect: Precedes with Cloud Walking, can evoke thunder within the cloud layer.]
[Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier: Beginner Magic Art]
[Progress: (0/9999)]
[Effect: Uses plants as soldiers to launch attacks.]
[Rising Wind] is an independent magic art, but [Striking Thunder] requires the prior execution of [Cloud Walking]. Before changing professions, this skill only produces sound without attack power, at most startling someone.
The true offensive power lies in [Drawing Thunder], which can draw thunder from [Cloud Walking] to attack.
The beginner version of [Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier] also sounds impressive. Currently, Zhao Xing can only use specific plant materials to create grass soldiers. To achieve 'method without external objects,' where a wave of the hand turns every plant into a soldier, requires continuous advancement in magic arts.
Since it hasn't been deployed yet, the proficiency remains at zero.
Most areas within the city prohibit the use of methods to avoid disturbing the populace. Especially for their kind of small officials, accidentally blowing away the elders' clothes or soaking someone's crops could result in a pay deduction. What? You still want a promotion? You better keep dreaming!
To practice, one must either leave the city or head to the Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture is equipped with the Earth Store Return to Origin Method array, allowing small officials like them to practice freely.
Past the gate tower of the Department of Agriculture, one can see a five or six-meter-high [Wind and Rain Tower Ship]. The ship's prow is shaped like a dragon's head, spewing water that can irrigate thousands of miles. The sails are embroidered with exotic patterns, capable of summoning fierce winds. It is one of the classic treasures of the Sinoong profession.
Of course, a small place like Valley City doesn't have such high-level treasures; this is just a model. The real thing is only available at least at a county-level Department of Agriculture.
However, the county-level Department of Agriculture has no shortage of good things. In the northeast corner's Treasure Vault, there are treasures like the [Floating Cloud Flying Boat], [Return to Origin Waterwheel], [Golden Raincoat], and [Hundred Flowers Hat].
Zhao Xing knew the layout well because the architectural structure of the Great Zhou's government buildings was standardized. Remembering one meant remembering them all.
Moreover, in his previous life, he often raided county cities with his team. The first thing upon entering a city was to rush to the Department of Agriculture, knowing exactly where to start the mechanism and where the secret passages were.
"Halt, this is the Treasure Vault, no entry allowed!" A voice suddenly stopped Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing looked around and realized he had unknowingly wandered near the Treasure Vault. Judging by the guard's scrutinizing gaze, he knew his current expression must look guilty.
Oops, occupational habit kicked in again.
"Sorry, I was lost in thought," Zhao Xing apologized, suppressing his inner excitement as he turned to leave.
"No rush, once you reach the shore, everything will be available," he consoled himself as he passed through the herb area, arriving at the official residential courtyard.
The Department of Agriculture's current Ninth Grade Sinoong had only one person.
There were several from the Ninth Grade, responsible for storage, iron market, land registry, and equal distribution.
In border cities, there would also be military Sinoong, specifically accompanying the army to create favorable environments for the Great Army.
The Ninth Grade Sinoong was the main official of agricultural supervision, generally not involved in mentoring small officials unless they had influence or backing.
The Ninth Grade Sinoong had the duty to provide guidance and education.
Valley City's Ninth Grade Sinoong was supposed to have nine people, but currently, there were only seven.
Each had a certain number of small officials under them, both subordinates and students.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, wait for me!" A familiar voice called from behind as Zhao Xing walked through the corridor.
Turning around, he saw Chen Ziyu and Qian Winter, both carrying baskets.
"How come you two are here so early?"
"Aren't you the same, Senior Brother?" Chen Ziyu laughed.
Qian Winter feigned depth, "Ziyu, see, I guessed right. Recently, Senior Brother has been secretly practicing, coming early to meet Teacher Xue. Oh? Senior Brother's complexion is much better than before..."
Zhao Xing's mouth twitched. Could they stop mentioning his complexion?
"Less idle talk, let's hurry," Zhao Xing urged.
Their superior and teacher, Xue Wen Zhong, was the person with the most small officials under him.
Not because he was particularly impressive, but because Xue Wen Zhong was known as the good-natured person within the Department of Agriculture.
Other Sinoong were selective about small officials, unwilling to take on too many, and for the sake of their careers, they considered family background and qualifications, taking away all the good seedlings. If a subordinate became a full-fledged official, it counted towards their achievements.
Xue Wen Zhong, kind-hearted and pure, only knew how to work without concern for advancement. He took on those with low status and rough qualifications, willingly shouldering the responsibility. Thus, out of the five hundred small officials in the Department of Agriculture, two hundred and forty were under Xue Wen Zhong!
Despite the old Sinoong's best efforts, with so many disciples, he couldn't teach them all thoroughly. The attention each received was inevitably less, unlike the wealthy scions like Li Chengfeng, who progressed rapidly under careful guidance.
Arriving at Xue Wen Zhong's courtyard, forty or fifty people were already waiting in front of the hall.
The old Sinoong was on the platform, lecturing on the 'Hundred Solutions of Heavenly Timing,' with everyone listening intently. Occasionally, someone would move in or out, bowing respectfully.
The Ninth Grade Sinoong already had miraculous abilities. It was now the Beginning of Summer, yet the courtyard was still blooming with peach flowers, warm as spring.
Only the occasional cough indicated that the old Sinoong seemed to be aging.
"Xue Sinoong is already ninety-eight years old, and his health isn't great. The benefits for officials during Emperor Jing's reign weren't much. Two longevity blessings for the Ninth Grade are the maximum. Who knows how much longer he can live," Zhao Xing thought.
"Old Sinoong, please don't die this year. If you pass, I'll lack a mentor to recommend me for promotion. Where would I find someone to fill in at the last minute? It would be such a hassle."
Perhaps his silent prayers worked, as Xue Wen Zhong stopped coughing and raised his head again.
Oh, it turned out the lecture had ended, and it was time for the free consultation session.
(End of Chapter)