Chapter 82: The Divine Rank Set, Harvesting the Gains!
[Name: Zhao Xing]
[Realm: Ninth Grade Upper (Unpromotable)]
[Occupation: None]
[Fate: Yan San]
[Gathering Essence: Thirteenth Level (6/10000)]
[Additional Lifespan: 53 years]
"An additional lifespan of fifty-three years, and my fate level has risen to Yan San?!" Zhao Xing was utterly surprised. Although he knew he had gained significantly this time, having already entered the Gathering Essence realm, he didn't expect such a great harvest!
What he didn't know was that on the day he descended the mountain, he hadn't yet entered the realm. It was only after his fate level climbed to Yan San and he discovered several pure Yuan spirits on his way down that he broke through. This delay cost him some time.
"Compared to the additional lifespan and fate, entering the Gathering Essence realm is merely the smallest gain," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
As for why the realm section on the board showed 'unpromotable,' it had to do with the fate system of the Wang Dynasty and the Great Zhou Great Ancestor.
The Great Zhou Great Ancestor passed down the 'Gathering Essence' method, a technique refined by countless predecessors to absorb Yuan energy and strengthen the body. The levels of Gathering Essence represent the strength of Yuan energy and physical vitality.
Entering the realm not only involves the Gathering Essence levels but also includes insights into 'Dao,' 'Method,' and 'Skill.' Among them, martial professions focus more on advancing Gathering Essence levels. Other professions, like Sinoong, dancers, musicians, mechanics, and Li Xiu, lean towards insights into Dao.
The fate system of the Wang Dynasty can help people advance in Gathering Essence and Dao insights. Conversely, it can also prevent advancement or even cause a decline in realm!
Of course, the official explanation is: the subjects under heaven originally had a slow cultivation speed, with many obstacles. It was the Great Zhou Great Ancestor's boundless virtue that found a way for the people of the Zhou Dynasty to cultivate and use Yuan energy to drive Magic Arts.
Want to increase your lifespan? Become an official!
Want to learn Magic Arts? Join our dynasty as an official!
Want to quickly advance in cultivation? Enter the court as an official!
Want to break through cultivation bottlenecks? Become an official!
The core idea of the fate system of the Wang Dynasty can be summed up in four words: Acting on behalf of heaven!
Zhao Xing is currently a commoner. The highest realm he can reach through his own cultivation is 'Ninth Grade Upper,' equivalent to the 'Ninth Grade Mid-stage' in the ancient cultivation system. If he becomes an official, this limitation disappears, and if he has enough talent, he can even surpass the official rank.
If he doesn't want to become an official, within the Great Zhou's territory, he will never reach 'Ninth Grade Late-stage' or 'Perfection.'
There are a few situations where one can cultivate without being an official:
First, being a descendant of the Wang noble family or having done something beneficial for the dynasty, one might be granted 'Scattered Rank,' 'Meritorious Rank,' or 'Noble Title.' You don't have to be an official or manage affairs, but you can still cultivate. However, this is still within the 'fate system of the Wang Dynasty.'
Second, with special permission from the Holy Will, even if you're not an official of the Zhou Dynasty or even a citizen, you can cultivate. Typically, this applies to foreign subjects who have contributed to the Zhou Dynasty and can cultivate in the Nineteen States, enjoying various benefits under the fate system.
Third, leaving the Great Zhou's territory naturally frees you from control, but you also lose the benefits of accelerated cultivation, breaking bottlenecks, and increasing fortune and lifespan. Ordinary people who leave the Nineteen States will find it extremely difficult to cultivate to Ninth Grade.
What? You don't want to be an official? Then why do you want such high cultivation?
Grant you a scattered rank, join the fate system, and if you're still unwilling, are you planning a rebellion?
The fate system of the Wang Dynasty wasn't created by the Great Zhou alone, but it reached its peak under the Great Zhou Great Ancestor. Previous fate systems never had such a high degree of centralization, even controlling people's cultivation realms.
It was the Great Ancestor who ended complete freedom, and with an unparalleled personal appearance, reduced the instability factors of the fate system.
Thus, sects like the Xuantian Sect, which worship the original heavenly Dao and cultivate freely, deeply despise the Great Zhou Great Ancestor, cursing him hundreds of times a day and stabbing straw men, always plotting to overthrow the Zhou Dynasty.
[Basic Magic Arts: Cultivation]
[Initial Magic Arts:]
[Robust Growth, Cloud Walking, Rising Wind, Thunder Striking, Rain Weaving, Bright Eyes]
All of the above are at the initial stage of completion, and can be used as a foundation to receive methods or break through to new methods.
As insights into intermediate Magic Arts emerge, the importance of initial Magic Arts diminishes, and the board no longer displays Magic Arts progress.
Zhao Xing continued to look down.
[Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier: Five Turns]
[Liu's Compilation Method·Remnants (Six Types)]
[Reenacting Straw Man (Six Turns); Entangling Straw Man (Five Turns); Divine Straw Man (Five Turns); Thorny Straw Man (Three Turns); Great Strength Straw Man (Seven Turns); Investigative Straw Man (Four Turns)]
[Five Elements Observation (Seven Turns)]
[Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan (Six Turns)]
[Intermediate Magic Arts:]
[Wild Barbarian Growth: Seven Turns (7245/9999)]
[Thunder Induction: Nine Turns (9955/9999)]
[Yin Wind: Nine Turns (9978/9999)]
[Ice Rain: Nine Turns (Complete)]
[Intermediate Magic Arts (Self-created):]
[Thunder Snare: Eight Turns (8214/9999)]
[Thunder Palm: Seven Turns (7854/9999)]
[Sub-occupation: Talisman Maker]
[Soul Calming Talisman (Basic Full Level)]
[Guiding Talisman (Basic Full Level)]
[Third Stage Treasures: Evil Dispelling Almanac, Thousand Mile Command Token, Bamboo Horse, Sparrow Feather Robe, Tiger Soul Blade X4, Minglou Soft Armor X3]
[Fourth Stage Treasures: Ice Pearl (Lower Grade)]
[Pet: Wildcat (Ninth Grade Late-stage, not within the fate system, equivalent to human's proper Ninth Grade Lower.)]
[Plant: Tianyuan Pear Tree (Sapling Stage)]
With the Four Methods of Heaven, the progress of Magic Arts has greatly increased. Not only have the initial stages reached completion, but the intermediate stages have also reached Nine Turns, with Ice Rain already complete. Moreover, two self-created Magic Arts have emerged!
"The self-created Magic Arts must have been realized after completing Thunder Striking," Zhao Xing mused.
"Hmm? My insights into water-based Magic Arts have increased so much compared to before?"
"And Yin Wind has directly reached Nine Turns?!" Zhao Xing's eyes widened in surprise.
Creating Magic Arts was nothing, but how did Yin Wind progress so quickly? It could only be practiced rapidly during specific seasons like Great Cold and Lesser Cold, or in places with high-quality earth veins. When he entered the mountain, it was only one turn, but upon descending, it had reached Nine Turns!
This was simply beyond expectations!
"My gains on the mountain are truly significant, not only breaking through in Magic Arts but also acquiring many treasures. The Wenzhu Box must be filled with soft armor and Tiger Soul Blades," Zhao Xing thought.
Without needing to think, Zhao Xing knew why he would seize these two types: they sell well and don't take up much space. The Tiger Soul Blade is a short blade, and the soft armor can be folded, fitting neatly into the Wenzhu Box.
These third-stage treasures were likely prepared by warriors for Climbing, all hot-selling items, and would sell quickly.
"Did I accumulate over two thousand taels of wealth this time?" Zhao Xing roughly calculated the value of the treasures, including the armor, Bamboo Horse, blades, and armor, totaling nearly a thousand Great taels, plus another thousand taels in silver notes.
"Indeed, robbery is the way to make money."
"If I were to save seriously, how long would it take?"
Robbery is much faster than earning through legitimate means.
Of course, in this period, wanting to rob without consequences is not an easy task.
Climbing Spirit Mountain to gather Yuan spirits is something only done during the period of being a small official. After entering the realm and becoming a formal official, there's no way to participate, though there are other competitive methods.
It's not all good, as only a few lucky ones gain, while the majority are just accompanying runners, and some even suffer injuries or death.
"Clang! Clang!"
Suddenly, two bell sounds echoed from the mountain.
This signaled the end of this Climbing and gathering of Yuan spirits.
Next, the East Lake army would enter the mountain, and a large number of strong individuals would go in to harvest the accumulated gains of Spirit Mountain over the past half year.
Only ordinary wild beasts with no threat to ordinary people and some low-level treasures would be left behind.
The bell sound ended.
Inspector Ji Ming from the Sixth Grade appeared in Ditan Square.
The Inspector belongs to the county-level Temple institution, meaning Ji Ming is a Sixth Grade divine official.
Here, his position is the highest, even the Sixth Grade Department of Agriculture official Fan Dongping would automatically lower his status in front of him.
"By the decree of Bixia Yuanjun, please present the list of Yuan spirits!" Ji Ming recited with words of power.
Chen Shijie explained to Zhao Xing beside him, "Bixia is the Dao title of the Yin God, Yuanjun refers to a female Yin God."
"Sometimes we Sinoong might need to invite the gods, so it's important not to mispronounce the honorifics."
Divine officials can open altars to request rain, and sometimes Sinoong can also invite gods. Many Magic Arts professions have overlapping parts.
Zhao Xing nodded and said, "I remember this Yuanjun is the highest-ranking Yin God in Pinghai State, right?"
Chen Shijie nodded, "Nanyang County belongs to Pinghai State, and the eastern edge of Pinghai State is the Cang Sea."
"Pinghai State wasn't originally called Pinghai State, but Canghaizhou. It's because its current half territory was once part of the Cang Sea."
"Bixia Immortal was originally a Second Grade realm, belonging to a certain Dao sect during the Great Ancestor's time, skilled in water-based Magic Arts."
"After the Great Ancestor founded the country, some sects were expelled, some surrendered, and Bixia Immortal was among the surrendered."
"She resolved the water disaster for the Great Zhou Great Ancestor, capturing the raging Cang Sea spirits, so after her death, she was honored as Bixia Yuanjun, overseeing the Yuefu divine soldiers and observing human virtues and evils. Not only in Pinghai State, but she is also a high-ranking Yin God in the entire Great Zhou system."
Zhao Xing pondered, "I remember Bixia Yuanjun left behind a Magic Arts classic called 'Water Book,' which contains many Magic Arts listed as must-learn for Sinoong officials. Is that right?"
Chen Shijie teased, "You have quite a broad interest, remembering even the must-learn Magic Arts classics for Sixth Grade?"
Zhao Xing smiled humbly, having unintentionally shown off in front of Old Chen again.
In reality, he not only knew but had also been to the island region as a Sinoong.
The methods of planting in the sea are quite similar to those on land.
Without the 'Water Book,' one wouldn't know how to teach those water tribes to plant fields.
Chen Shijie nodded, "She indeed left behind a Magic Arts classic, fully named 'Water Element Ten Thousand Laws Sea Spirit True Explanation,' or simply Water Book as everyone calls it."
Zhao Xing asked again, "Was it originally hidden on Zixiao Island?"
Chen Shijie shook his head, "That I don't know, why are you asking about this?"
Zhao Xing replied softly, "Just asking casually."
It didn't sound casual, but Chen Shijie didn't guess what Zhao Xing was thinking.
At this moment, a scroll floated down from the mountain, landing in Ji Ming's hands.
Subsequently, the inspector returned to the observation platform.
All the officials stretched their necks, eager to see.
Ji Ming took out a document, "Where is the Valley City County Magistrate?"
Li Wenzheng quickly stood up, cupping his hands, "This official is present."
Ji Ming smiled, "Valley City has produced a good seedling, your guidance is commendable."
Li Wenzheng didn't know who Ji Ming was referring to, so he could only nod and agree, "It's all thanks to the county's guidance, this official merely followed the rules."
Ji Ming handed the document to Li Wenzheng, pointing to a spot on it, "The top name alone obtained forty-two Yuan spirits, he should be your Valley City's pride, make sure to maintain order inside and outside Valley City, and not let talents go to waste."
"Yes," Li Wenzheng obediently accepted the document.
Ji Ming's words practically guaranteed Zhao Xing's appearance on the county's 'Winter Evaluation' list this year.
Hearing that someone obtained forty-two Yuan spirits, the officials present couldn't hold back.
They eagerly asked, "Lord Li, who in Valley City managed to get forty-two Yuan spirits?"
"Yes, Brother Wenzheng, quickly announce the name."
"Everyone, please be patient, let me take a closer look," Li Wenzheng straightened his back, smiling slightly, and slowly perused the document.
The document Ji Ming first took out was the heaviest, meaning Valley City had a member who achieved the best results in this Climbing and gathering of Yuan spirits.
Not directly stating the name was also giving him the opportunity to announce it, so Li Wenzheng naturally had to keep his colleagues in suspense.
It's rare to have such a moment to shine in a year.
"It's killing me, Brother Li, when will you finish reading that document?!"
"Li Wenzheng, you should hurry up!"
"Is your Keen Insight Magic Arts practiced to the point where you're scrutinizing every inch with your fingers?"
The surrounding officials teased, and the observation platform echoed with laughter.
Li Wenzheng enjoyed the attention of his colleagues, finally reading out the first name on the list.
"Valley City Department of Agriculture, member Zhao Xing, climbed East Lake Spirit Mountain, fought for a fragrant moment, gathered a total of forty-two Yuan spirits, including two top-grade Yuan spirits, rated Jia Upper!"
A burst of astonishment spread among the crowd.
Top-grade Yuan spirits, and two of them!
This luck is simply unparalleled!
Top-grade Yuan spirits are generally fate Yuan spirits, meaning this person can at least reach Yan Er's fate.
In the Great Zhou, being an official, one's fate must not be poor, and it's clear this person will have a promising future.
The official position is practically nailed down!
For a moment, congratulations echoed continuously.
"Follow my lead, do as I do," Chen Shijie nudged Zhao Xing with his elbow, and the latter immediately understood.
He followed Chen Shijie's lead, bowing and saluting the various county-level officials.
This was a great opportunity to make an impression. As long as his name reached the ears of these officials, and they remembered there was such a person, it would make future dealings much easier.
"Brother Advancement, congratulations, your Department of Agriculture has produced a good seedling."
"Thank you, Lord Liu."
"Congratulations, Chen Great, come to the mansion for a visit sometime."
"Lord Liu, how could I refuse?"
...
Zhao Xing followed behind Chen Shijie, saying nothing, only continuously bowing and saluting.
He didn't have the status to speak, but being remembered was enough.
If this were still the player's time, this wave would at least earn a great deal of goodwill from the Nanyang County officials.
Not to mention much, at least it could elevate from 'cold' to a mild 'friendly' level.
The divine rank was set, directly rated Jia Upper, and with Ji Ming's endorsement, this was the scene that members risked their lives for, dreaming of achieving.
On the side, observing Yang Junxiong, Zong Shichang, Li Chengfeng, Lu Qian, Liu Muqing, Cao Qiushui, and others were all envious beyond measure.
"Fengshen is outstanding, with great fortune, truly auspicious, truly auspicious," Xue Wenzhong laughed heartily.
As for the other officials in the Department of Agriculture, they also smiled sourly.
Oh, such a good seedling, why did it have to appear in Huailiu Courtyard?
It's truly envy-inducing!
(End of Chapter)