Chapter 16: Rain Summoning Magic

The era of Jingxin was followed by 'Great Zhi', with several decades in between. The Xuantian Sect, as a chaotic force, had always sought to overthrow Zhi. Zhao Xing heard that their time was during the 'Great Zhi' years when Emperor Jing was in power. During the Martial Emperor's reign, they lay dormant, but towards the end, they began to stir again, thriving in a revival version. Zhi had a deep impression of them because this chaotic force loved to cause trouble, which was not friendly to players like Sinoong who preferred stability.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xing decided to set aside his thoughts. He currently had no task board, only a personal board, and he would participate in any task from the previous era if he could gain some benefits. However, now he was just a small ant without any revival abilities. For this generation's Zhao Xing, as long as it didn't interfere with his cultivation of Tian's longevity, he wouldn't get involved in any commotion.

"It's better to stay out of societal matters. As long as it doesn't affect me, who cares about the Xuantian Sect or the mysterious teachings?" After receiving the official approval, Zhao Xing bid farewell to Pang Fei and headed straight for the Temple.

He didn't even pay respects to the Earl of East Lake to avoid being detained for martial arts practice, heading directly to the Temple of Cao Xi Zhenjun. The temple attendant was surprised to see Zhao Xing again so soon.

"The document has no issues, go on in."

"Thank you." Zhao Xing quickly entered the temple and sat cross-legged on the Pu Tuan [a type of meditation cushion]. At this time, there were still seven or eight people inside, from various professions, but no one made a sound, all quietly receiving the Method.

The moment Zhao Xing closed his eyes, he felt a flash of golden light before him, and in the next instant, it was as if he was standing in a vast grassland. The scene of the Method was different, indicating the Magic Arts learned would be different. Zhao Xing couldn't quite tell which Magic Arts scene this was, but he silently prayed in his heart: "I want to summon Rain, I want to summon Rain, Zhenjun, please don't make a mistake, I beg you..."

It seemed as if his prayers were heard, as soon a wisp of cloud appeared in the sky above the grassland.

"Boom!" Lightning flashed and thunder roared.

A cool sensation enveloped Zhao Xing, and soon raindrops began to fall on him, as if directly into his mind.

"Pitter-patter~" The rain grew heavier.

The three Magic Arts of moving clouds, striking thunder, and summoning rain were performed in sequence, cycling repeatedly, continuously manifesting in Zhao Xing's mind.

He didn't know how long had passed when Zhao Xing opened his eyes, finding a new piece of Magic Arts knowledge in his mind: [Rain Summoning]

[Rain Summoning: Beginner Magic Arts]

[Progress: (0/9999)]

[Effect: Precisely control the amount of rain.]

Bowing towards Zhenjun, Zhao Xing silently exited the Great Temple.

The temple attendant glanced at Zhao Xing's departing figure, feeling puzzled: "Strange, this person prayed for Rain Summoning and actually comprehended Rain Summoning. Does Zhenjun really grant all requests to this person?"

With the [Rain Summoning] Magic Arts in hand, Zhao Xing was in a rather good mood. What kind of Sinoong can't summon rain?

"The key to Rain Summoning lies in 'summoning', allowing precise control over the amount of rain. If it were another profession, the amount would depend entirely on the will of the heavens."

Some professions can also summon rain, but the Magic Arts effects and methods differ, and they aren't as useful as Sinoong's.

For example, the temple attendants have a Magic Arts called [Rain Seeking], but it's difficult to control the specific amount of rain. To achieve this, they must [open the altar] and prepare offerings, and even in the simplest form, they must carry some yellow paper with them.

"Teacher, I've newly comprehended [Rain Summoning], please guide me." Having learned the Magic Arts, Zhao Xing couldn't wait to return to the Huailiu Courtyard of the Department of Agriculture.

Old Sinoong Xue Wenzhong smiled slightly and said, "Your luck is indeed good, whatever you wish for comes true. With the four methods of the heavens, you are now complete."

Of course, my luck is good, having inherited a significant portion of the Great Li's fortune, already a rare occurrence. How many people in Valley City have such fortune? Probably only the county magistrate and the heads of various institutions.

"The method of Rain Summoning doesn't have any clever tricks, it's all about practice. Moving clouds, rising wind, striking thunder, summoning rain, you perform them in sequence, finely controlling the Magic Arts, and naturally, you can control the amount of rain."

"The only thing to consider is the external influence," Xue Wenzhong explained. "For example, in Huailiu Courtyard, always in the Beginning of Spring season, with abundant moisture, if you perform [Rain Summoning], the final amount of rain might be more than you anticipated."

"If you go to the Eastern Suburb, where the weather is dry, performing Rain Summoning might result in less rain than you expected."

Zhao Xing naturally understood this, even more so than Xue Wenzhong. Because the previous generation of Sinoong players faced even harsher environments in the Natural Disaster era, many were caught off guard... Speaking of which, it's all tears.

Therefore, Zhao Xing developed a set of 'influence factors' formulas, and even in the most unfriendly 'Yuan Qi Tide' version for Sinoong players, he could maintain minimal errors.

It's just uncertain if it's still applicable now, after all, he's no longer a player.

Next came the practice.

Zhao Xing practiced [Rain Summoning] in the courtyard.

During the first practice session, Xue Wenzhong stood by his side to guide him.

By the third session, Xue Wenzhong stood on the steps.

By the tenth session, the old Sinoong sat on a bench.

Afterwards... Xue Wenzhong simply lay on a recliner, closing his eyes to rest.

Because Zhao Xing didn't need teaching at all, he had never seen anyone comprehend so quickly.

"This child is not meant to be a Sinoong, truly a thunderbolt from the heavens," Xue Wenzhong sighed from the heart after the practice ended.

However, verbally, he still focused on encouragement: "Your Rain Summoning still has many shortcomings. The environment can be a disturbance, but it can also be an aid."

"That small water leak in the corner, can't it be utilized to save your Yuan Qi? Why do you always rush to confront it?"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth, wanting to explain something, but had no way to say it.

He couldn't possibly say that the environment would become so harsh in the future that borrowing from it would be difficult, right? Being able to maintain resistance was already good enough. At his current level, saying these things might be too early.

"Your teachings are correct."

Originally, there was still half a day left to practice other Magic Arts, but suddenly someone came to find Xue Wenzhong, hurriedly saying something.

Although Xue Wenzhong's expression didn't change much, his words revealed a hint of unease: "Today's practice ends here. Tomorrow, I may not have time, so practice on your own."

With that, Xue Wenzhong left with the visitor.

What happened?

Zhao Xing felt a bit puzzled.

But since no one said anything, he couldn't ask.

After returning home that day, Zhao Xing lay in bed, unable to sleep, feeling a bit uneasy.

He originally didn't want to investigate, but the old Sinoong was a key to his official status. If something happened, other Sinoongs might not be willing to recommend him.

"I still need to go and listen tomorrow. If there really is a change, it's better to plan early."

Having made up his mind, Zhao Xing pasted two talismans and entered the Great Dream Academy for a look. Finding that the Cloud and Mist was still unchanged, he exited and went to sleep peacefully.

Unexpectedly, early the next morning, he heard some bad news.

(End of Chapter)