Gathering Origin Qi Stage Three: 9999 / 10000.
Under the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged.
Origin Qi flowed through his body, and the Qi vortex in his Dantian, like a nebula, spun faster and faster.
At this moment, his Origin Qi had reached the limit of Gathering Origin Qi Stage Three, lacking only a tiny bit more Origin Qi.
But this last bit was not merely a matter of quantity; it was the key to a qualitative change.
Seeing this, Chen Shijie was about to turn and go inside, because breaking through a stage, as Origin Qi entered the body, required a significant amount of time. It meant adapting every inch of the body's flesh and blood to the new level of Origin Qi.
Even the final step would take one or two hours to complete the transformation.
As his right foot stepped into the study and his left foot had not yet lifted, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and stood up from under the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree.
“Hmm? Did he fail?” Chen Shijie noticed the movement, turned around, and frowned.
But seeing Zhao Xing's abundant vitality and vigorous spirit, it didn't look like he had failed.
So, he activated the Five Elements Observation Spell and looked at Zhao Xing.
“The Five Elements are balanced, Yin and Yang are harmonious, and he’s even better than before. This means the Breakthrough is complete. Such speed, this Young Master’s Foundation and Aptitude are truly extraordinary.” Chen Shijie was somewhat pleasantly surprised.
He had originally thought that Zhao Xing had high Comprehension Ability in Spells, but only average Foundation and Aptitude. Now, however, it seemed this view was wrong.
“His Foundation and Aptitude, even across Nanyang Commandery, are considered above average.”
“As long as his Luck isn't too bad, reaching Rank Eight within five years won't be a problem.”
“If his Luck is too bad, like my own 'turbulent journey' in the past, then who knows how many trials he would have to endure. Not everyone is as kind as the General, who helped me change my Luck.” Chen Shijie recalled his past with a sigh of emotion.
“What is Adult thinking about?” Suddenly, a voice pulled Chen Shijie's thoughts back.
“Now that you have made a Breakthrough, I am thinking about how to punish you.” Chen Shijie snorted.
“If you're going to punish me, why not combine the offenses? Brother Shen and I will just pick a few more pears first.” Zhao Xing said with a grin, and with a flick of his wrist, picked a few more pears.
Shen Zhui was dumbfounded, thinking, “Brother Zhao, you really dare to say and do it!”
But Chen Shijie actually liked this approach.
He came from the military, was only in his thirties, and was not an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy. If Zhao Xing had been overly respectful and polite, he would have disliked it.
As it was, Chen Shijie felt like he was dealing with a mischievous younger brother playfully teasing him, and he quite enjoyed this feeling.
“You have quite the thick skin. Take your pears and get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again today.” Chen Shijie said with a laugh and a scolding tone.
“Then I'll come again tomorrow. Farewell.”
“Get out!”
Even after walking a long way from the Chen Estate, Shen Zhui, with two pears tucked in his arms, still hadn't fully recovered his senses.
“Brother Zhao, you… your surname is Zhao?”
“Brother Shen, isn't that obvious?”
“You're really not surnamed Chen?”
“Do I look like Chen Shijie?”
Shen Zhui scrutinized him for a moment and nodded: “A little.”
Zhao Xing smiled, wiped a pear, and took a bite: “You might as well say I look like this pear.”
Shen Zhui thought about it and decided he didn't. Chen Shijie had a slightly squarer face, lighter eyebrows, smaller nose and eyes, and was not particularly outstanding in appearance, but his skin was fair, a common complexion in Xishan Commandery.
Zhao Xing, on the other hand, had thick eyebrows and large eyes, a high nose bridge, distinct facial features, and was much taller than Chen Shijie. If his skin wasn't a healthy tan, he could be called a handsome Young Master, but his healthy tan made him appear much more sunny.
Their temperaments were also different. Chen Shijie had a resolute quality from enduring hardship, while Zhao Xing exuded a sense of ease.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhui couldn't help but feel a little envious: “Is the relationship between superiors and subordinates in your Ministry of Agriculture always so harmonious?”
“What, is your relationship with Commander Wang Longwu not harmonious?” Zhao Xing retorted.
“Not exactly.” Shen Zhui shook his head, “Lord Wang is very good to me, but he is relatively strict and rarely smiles.”
Zhao Xing had no intention of elaborating on his relationship with Chen Shijie. After walking past Fumen Street, he bid farewell to Shen Zhui: “Brother Shen, I have made a Breakthrough to Gathering Origin Qi Stage Four and want to go to the Divine Temple to learn new Spells. See you tomorrow at the Chen Estate.”
Shen Zhui tucked the pears into his arms, freed his hands, and cupped them in farewell: “Brother Zhao, see you tomorrow.”
Following the old rules, the Ministry of Agriculture submitted an application, the County Office approved it, and then he would go to the Divine Temple to receive the Spell.
Xue Wenjong naturally approved it quickly, because he knew that although Zhao Xing's progress was fast, his Foundation was solid.
Zhao Xing had already reached the Ninth Revolution for Cloud Movement, Seventh Revolution for Rain Spreading, Seventh Revolution for Thunder Striking, and Eighth Revolution for Wind Raising, which are the four Heavenly Spells that the Ministry of Agriculture relied on for their livelihood.
Zhao Xing couldn't compare to old agricultural officials like Xue Wenjong, who could summon 'three-foot heavenly thunder' or 'clouds in his palm'.
But his control over these Spells was already on par with some newly ranked agricultural officials.
Xue Wenjong naturally had no worries.
Upon arriving at the County Office, there were quite a few people conducting business.
The waiting hall was bustling with people, almost no room to stand.
“Strange, why are there so many people today?” Zhao Xing was a little puzzled, but still joined the end of the line.
After waiting for a while, he suddenly saw someone walk up beside him; it was his old acquaintance, Pang Fei.
“Brother Zhao, come over here to talk.”
“Alright.” Zhao Xing didn't bother to queue anymore and followed Pang Fei directly.
Pang Fei led him directly into the small lounge next to the waiting hall, then asked: “Brother Zhao, what documents do you need signed and approved? Just hand them to me.”
“Brother Pang, is this convenient?” Zhao Xing thought, “Isn't this clearly cutting the line?”
Pang Fei chuckled: “Brother Zhao's matters are handled specially. This is also what the County Governor instructed me.”
Ever since Zhao Xing achieved three consecutive 'Excellent' ratings, he had gained a name in the County Governor's mind, and Pang Fei had become Zhao Xing's 'exclusive customer service'.
While others had to queue for approval, Zhao Xing could cut in directly.
“Thank you, Brother Pang.” Zhao Xing handed over the document and casually asked, “Brother Pang, by the way, why are there so many people at the County Office today?”
“Not just today, it's been very busy these past few days.” Pang Fei said, “The Autumn Equinox opening of Donghu Mountain is approaching, so more people are coming to acquire treasures and learn new Spells.”
“I see.” Zhao Xing suddenly understood. The Autumn Equinox opening of the mountain was a major event in Gu County. Even people from Nanyang Commandery would rush over to join the excitement. He had been diligently cultivating recently and had forgotten that the Autumn Equinox was approaching.
After getting the approval from the County Office, he made his way to the Divine Temple.
At this time, the Divine Temple also had many more people than usual.
Especially the Caoxi True Monarch Hall, which now had a long queue.
There were even tourists with accents that sounded like outsiders, worshiping from afar in the square outside the hall.
“Caoxi True Monarch back then constructed the Thirteen Canals of Pinghu, deployed the Earth Advantage faction Spell 'Earth Store Returning Origin', and also set up Returning Origin water wheels, causing the Origin Qi to become more and more condensed, transforming water disasters into blessings. That small mountain in Donghu also grew taller and taller, eventually becoming a well-known spiritual mountain far and wide.”
“The Autumn Equinox opening of the mountain is imminent. I wonder who will obtain the spiritual essence from within the mountain…”
Zhao Xing waited for a long time and found that the Caoxi True Monarch Hall was too crowded, and the queue showed no signs of moving.
“Anyway, it's just to receive a basic Spell. Worshipping anyone will be pretty much the same.”
Zhao Xing changed locations and went to the Hall of All Sages, which had a larger capacity for visitors.