Military Agricultural Officers are more comprehensive than regular Agricultural Officers, because their selection process is more rigorous.
Those who can farm don't necessarily know how to fight, but Military Agricultural Officers who can fight definitely know how to farm!
Among the entire Agricultural Officer Bureau, only Chen Shijie could teach the Spells of Gloom Wind and Ice Rain.
Because he was formerly a Military Agricultural Officer, counted among the 'Martial Official' ranks, it was only later, for certain reasons, that he was transferred back to the rear and became a 'Civil Official'.
"You truly are a natural for a Military Agricultural Officer. You haven't even entered the ranks yet, and after receiving the Dao from the Divine Temple, you've already comprehended Gloom Wind and Ice Rain."
The next day, Chen Shijie was quite pleased to hear this news, feeling that he had not misjudged.
"When a low-tier Spell reaches seven turns, there's a chance to comprehend a mid-tier Spell."
"If a low-tier Spell reaches nine turns, the corresponding mid-tier Spell will also increase in power."
"So, if you want to master Gloom Wind, Ice Rain, and Lightning Evocation, you can't neglect low-tier Spells either; they can mutually verify each other."
"The firmer your foundation, the easier it will be for you to comprehend."
Chen Shijie briefly explained, then began a live demonstration: "Normal wind Spells usually generate 'Yang Wind', which always comes from the sky. Even when cast in the dead of winter, it's still considered 'Yang Wind'."
Chen Shijie waved his hand, and a warm breeze enveloped Zhao Xing.
"Heaven is Yang, Earth is Yin. Gloom Wind, on the other hand, comes from the ground."
Before Chen Shijie finished speaking, a cold wind, from bottom to top, swept over Zhao Xing's entire Physical Body, as if to blow away his soul.
No matter how his Qi and blood circulated, or how his Origin Qi surged, it was useless.
"Yang Wind can be blocked by the Physical Body, armor, or magical robes, but Gloom Wind can render most defensive treasures ineffective, relying entirely on the soul to resist it directly."
"Of course, those with a stronger Physical Body also have a stronger Yang soul and better resistance, but even a ranked Martial Artist, when subjected to this Gloom Wind, would uncontrollably shiver, and their control over their body would greatly decrease."
"In more severe cases, it can even directly blow a person's soul out of their body, turning them into a wandering spirit. This Spell is too insidious; apart from Military Agricultural Officers, other Agricultural Officers generally cannot learn it, and even if they could, the imperial court would not transmit it."
"To learn the Gloom Wind Spell, one must first know how to capture the subterranean Gloom Wind from the earth's meridians."
Chen Shijie withdrew that wisp of Gloom Wind, and then a warmth flowed through Zhao Xing's body, helping him recover.
"You've studied the Spells of the Geomancy Faction, so getting started should be very simple. Now, try to explore using the method of the earth's meridian comprehensive Origin Qi, and then raise a wind from underground."
Zhao Xing nodded, then a stream of Origin Qi from his fingertip entered the ground.
According to the Five Elements and Earthly Branches theory, wind overcomes earth, earth generates wood, and wood generates wind. However, the power of the earth's meridians can also operate in reverse Five Elements, meaning earth generates wind, wood generates earth, and wind generates wood.
To raise wind from the earth's meridians, he had two choices: one was to use Origin Qi to reverse the power of the earth's meridians, which could easily generate wind, but he hadn't yet entered the Dao and couldn't do it as effortlessly as Chen Shijie.
The second option was to capture the naturally occurring Yin attribute power within the earth's meridians. Simply mobilizing it, rather than reversing the Five Elements' generating and overcoming principles, would be much easier.
The first stream of Origin Qi entered the earth and was depleted before it could even explore the Yin attribute power.
Seeing this, Chen Shijie teased, "Don't rush, a man's first time is always so unsatisfactory."
"..." Zhao Xing was speechless. What on earth was he talking about?
But he was used to Chen Shijie's personality, so he pretended not to hear and continued to send out a second stream of Origin Qi.
The second stream of Origin Qi was again depleted, and the attempt to raise wind still failed.
It wasn't that Zhao Xing was incompetent; it was purely that the earth's meridians within Gucheng were relatively stable, making capture difficult.
Furthermore, it was still incredibly hot after White Dew, with Yang flourishing and Yin waning, making it even harder to raise Gloom Wind from underground.
The best solar terms for practicing the 【Gloom Wind】 Spell are 'Major Cold' and 'Minor Cold', followed by 'Clear and Bright'.
If these solar terms are missed, it's best to practice at night.
"Forget it, you won't succeed now. You can try again tonight," Chen Shijie said with a smile. "It's enough that you understand the principle of this Spell."
Zhao Xing, however, ignored him. If old Chen hadn't mocked him, he wouldn't have bothered, but Chen Shijie actually said he couldn't do it.
Can a man admit he can't?
Seeing this, Chen Shijie no longer tried to persuade him, and leisurely went into his study for a nap.
Zhao Xing, meanwhile, continued to squat on the ground, trying again and again.
At noon, the sun was scorching, but Zhao Xing didn't feel tired. When thirsty, he ate a Heavenly Origin Pear; when his Origin Qi was depleted, he ate another.
He was now at the fourth stage of Qi Gathering, able to quickly digest Heavenly Origin Pears.
"The fluctuations of the earth's meridians often reveal Yang but conceal Yin. I must be more focused and patient to capture the Yin attribute power within the earth's meridians." Zhao Xing simply lay down on the ground, his five fingers digging into the earth.
Before Chen Shijie slept, he glanced out the window and, seeing Zhao Xing so unconcerned with his image, couldn't help but smile.
As the saying goes, when there's light in your eyes, everything looks pleasant. He didn't think Zhao Xing was stubborn; instead, he felt Zhao Xing had a firm heart.
"The General will surely be very pleased to see him," Chen Shijie murmured to himself, closed the window, and lay down on the mat to rest his eyes.
Dim light, a solidified atmosphere.
"You accursed bastard! You brought death to your father and mother, and now you want to harm us too?" A distorted woman's face appeared before Chen Shijie.
"If you have any conscience, run away tonight and never appear before us again."
"Our family will absolutely not raise you! Do you understand? I'm talking to you! Bastard!"
"Auntie, it hurts..."
A chipped bowl, a cold steamed bun.
"Hey, where are you from? Don't you know the rules? How dare you beg for food on our territory?!"
"My name is Chen Shijie, from Chen Family Village in Xishan County..."
"I don't care where you're from, brothers, beat him!"
"Clang ~"
The broken bowl fell to the ground, the steamed bun gradually stained red.
"Master Chen, Master Chen? Old Chen, what's wrong!"
Chen Shijie felt someone shaking him.
"Whoosh!"
He suddenly sat up, startled awake from his dream.
A strong Killing Intent emanated from him, his fingers curled into a sword, striking towards Zhao Xing.
Thud thud thud ~
Zhao Xing retreated several steps, rubbing his shoulder with a look of surprise and uncertainty.
Damn, old Chen, you're not trying to do that dream-killing thing, are you?
"Hm? It's you." Chen Shijie reacted, retracting his power at the last moment. The Origin Qi at his fingertip spun and returned to his body. "You, what are you doing in my room?"
"I raised a Gloom Wind from underground and blew it towards you," Zhao Xing explained. "You said I could practice on you, and I thought you weren't asleep. I didn't expect to give you a nightmare..."
Chen Shijie suddenly realized, so it was this brat who caused it!
Zhao Xing's Gloom Wind couldn't move his soul, but it gave him a nightmare.
"Nightmare? Who said I had a nightmare?" Chen Shijie snorted, "With your little ability, you can't affect me. Don't casually approach a sleeping Military Agricultural Officer in the future. This time, it's good that I controlled myself, otherwise, you would have hurt more than just your shoulder. No more teaching today, go back and practice on your own."
"Yes, I'll remember." Zhao Xing cupped his hands and left.
Watching Zhao Xing's retreating back, Chen Shijie couldn't help but curl his lips. This guy's progress was really fast. He actually succeeded in raising Gloom Wind before noon was even over?
Hmph, I should praise him less in the future. This brat is getting a bit full of himself, actually calling me old Chen?