Chapter 52: Fourth Stage of Gathering Essence, Receiving Teachings Again!

[Gathering Essence Stage Three: 9999/10000]

Under the Tianyuan Pear Tree, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged. The Yuan Qi [spiritual energy] flowed through his body, swirling in his Dantian [energy center] like a starry cloud, spinning faster and faster. At this moment, his Yuan Qi had reached the peak of the Gathering Essence Stage Three, just one step away from completion. However, this final step was not merely a matter of quantity but the key to triggering a qualitative change.

Chen Shijie was about to turn away, knowing that the integration of Gathering Essence required considerable time, as every inch of flesh and blood had to adapt to the new layer of Yuan Qi. Even the last step of transformation could take a couple of hours.

As he stepped into the study with his right foot, before his left foot could lift, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and stood up from under the Tianyuan Pear Tree.

"Hmm? Did he fail?" Chen Shijie sensed the change and turned around, raising an eyebrow. But Zhao Xing appeared full of vigor and energy, not at all like someone who had failed.

Thus, he activated the Five Elements Observation Magic Arts and looked at Zhao Xing.

"The five elements are balanced, Yin and Yang are harmonious, and he's reached a higher level than before. This breakthrough is complete. At this speed, this young man's potential is extraordinary," Chen Shijie thought with some surprise.

He had originally thought Zhao Xing had high aptitude in Magic Arts but average potential. Now it seemed his previous assessment was wrong.

"His potential, even in Nanyang County, is above average," he mused. "As long as his Qi flow isn't too poor, reaching the proper Eighth Grade within five years shouldn't be a problem."

"If his Qi flow is poor, like my past 'bumpy path,' who knows how much training it would take. Not everyone is as kind as the general to help me change my path," Chen Shijie reminisced about his past with some emotion.

"What is the great man thinking about?" Suddenly, a voice pulled Chen Shijie back from his thoughts.

"Now that you've broken through, I'm thinking about how to punish you," Chen Shijie teased.

"If punishment is due, why not punish us together? Brother Shen and I can pick a few more pears," Zhao Xing laughed, picking a few more pears.

Shen Zhui rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue. "Brother Zhao, you really dare to say and do anything!"

But Chen Shijie was fond of this attitude. Having served in the military and being in his thirties, he wasn't the old-fashioned type. If Zhao Xing were overly respectful and formal, he wouldn't like it.

Now, with Zhao Xing acting like a mischievous younger brother, Chen Shijie enjoyed this feeling.

"You have a thick skin. Take the pears and roll away. I don't want to see you today," Chen Shijie laughed and scolded.

"Then I'll come back tomorrow. Goodbye," Zhao Xing replied.

"Get lost!"

Even after walking far from the Chen residence, Shen Zhui, holding two pears, was still a bit dazed.

"Brother Zhao, are you... really surnamed Zhao?"

"Isn't that a redundant question, Brother Shen?"

"You're really not surnamed Chen?"

"Do I look like Chen Shijie?"

Shen Zhui scrutinized him and nodded slightly, "A bit."

Zhao Xing laughed, took a bite of a pear, and said, "You might as well say I look like this pear."

Shen Zhui thought about it and realized it wasn't quite right. Chen Shijie's face was slightly square, with faint eyebrows, a small nose, and eyes, not particularly striking in appearance, but his skin was fair, common in Western Mountain County.

Zhao Xing, on the other hand, had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose bridge, and distinct facial features. He was much taller than Chen Shijie. If not for his tanned skin, he could be considered a handsome young master, but his healthy tan gave him a sunny disposition.

Their temperaments were also different. Chen Shijie had a kind of steadfastness from experience, while Zhao Xing had a relaxed demeanor.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhui couldn't help but feel a bit envious. "Is everyone in the Department of Agriculture as easygoing as this?"

"What, aren't you and Wang Long Martial Division on good terms?" Zhao Xing countered.

"Not really," Shen Zhui shook his head. "Lord Wang is good to me, just relatively strict and not one for jokes."

Zhao Xing didn't elaborate on his relationship with Chen Shijie. After passing through the mansion gate, he bid farewell to Shen Zhui, "Brother Shen, I've broken through to the Gathering Essence Fourth Stage and plan to study new methods at the temple. See you at the Chen residence tomorrow."

Shen Zhui, holding the pears, bowed and said, "Brother Zhao, see you tomorrow."

As per the usual procedure, the Department of Agriculture filed an application, the county magistrate reviewed it, and then one could go to the temple to receive teachings.

Xue Wenzhong naturally approved it quickly, knowing that although Zhao Xing advanced rapidly, his foundation was solid.

The four heavenly methods of the Sinoong—walking on clouds, spreading rain, striking thunder, and raising wind—Zhao Xing had already mastered up to the Nine Turns, Seven Turns, and Eight Turns.

Compared to someone like Xue Wenzhong, who could 'summon thunder from three feet' and 'walk on clouds in the palm,' Zhao Xing couldn't compare. But his control over these Magic Arts was already not far behind some newly initiated Sinoong.

Xue Wenzhong naturally had no concerns.

At the county office, there were quite a few people handling affairs. The waiting hall was bustling, with hardly any standing room.

"Strange, why are there so many people today?" Zhao Xing wondered, but he still queued at the end.

After waiting for a while, someone familiar approached him—it was the old acquaintance, Pang Fei.

"Brother Zhao, come over here to talk."

"Alright," Zhao Xing agreed, leaving the line to follow Pang Fei.

Pang Fei led him directly into a small guest room beside the waiting hall and asked, "Brother Zhao, do you have any documents that need signing? Just hand them to me."

"Brother Pang, is this convenient?" Zhao Xing wondered if he was cutting in line.

Pang Fei smiled lightly, "For Brother Zhao's matters, special arrangements are made. This is something the county magistrate specifically instructed me to do."

Since Zhao Xing had consecutively advanced three times, he had made a name for himself in the county magistrate's heart, and Pang Fei had become Zhao Xing's 'exclusive customer service.'

While others had to queue for approval, Zhao Xing could directly cut in line.

"Thank you, Brother Pang," Zhao Xing handed over the documents and casually asked, "Brother Pang, why are there so many people at the county office today?"

"Not just today, it's been busy for the past few days," Pang Fei replied. "The Autumn Division Mountain Opening is imminent, and many people are coming to handle treasures and learn new methods."

"I see," Zhao Xing realized. The Autumn Division Mountain Opening was a major event in Gu County, attracting people even from Nanyang County to join the excitement. He had been so focused on his studies and training that he had forgotten it was approaching.

With the approval document in hand, Zhao Xing headed to the temple.

At this time, the temple was also more crowded than usual. Especially the Cao Xi True Lord Hall, where a long line of people had formed.

There were even voices that sounded like tourists from other places, worshipping from afar in the temple's outer square.

"Cao Xi True Lord once cultivated the Thirteen Channels of Pinghu, spread the Earthly Advantage Sect's Magic Arts 'Earth Store Return to Origin,' and set up the Return to Origin Waterwheel, causing the Yuan Qi to gather more and more, turning water woes into blessings. The small mountain of East Lake also grew taller, eventually becoming the renowned Spirit Mountain."

"I wonder who will obtain the mountain's spiritual treasures during the Autumn Division Mountain Opening..."

Zhao Xing waited for half a day, realizing that the crowd at Cao Xi True Lord Hall was too large, and the line didn't seem to be moving.

"Since it's just receiving initial Magic Arts, it doesn't matter who I worship," Zhao Xing thought, changing his location to the more accommodating Holy Temple.

(End of Chapter)