“Huh? They’re opening the mountain?” Zhao Xing, who had been listless, perked up when he heard the commotion and looked around.
To talk about the Mountain Opening Spell, one must first discuss the Mountain Sealing Spell.
Zhao Xing had seen Chen Shijie perform the Mountain Sealing Spell during the vernal equinox, and both of these Spells required a Spell Chant.
At that time, the Spell Chant Chen Shijie recited was: “Rivers wish to flow endlessly to the four seas, mountains wish to endure and return to nature; I obey the command of the Great Ancestor, and invite the gods to protect this mountain.”
“First command the Mountain God to protect the Five Elements, combining to give birth to all things; second command the Earth Mother to regulate Yin and Yang, merging to conceive true spirits. Third command the True Lords of the Eight Directions to protect the Dao, paths may be crossed, but plants and trees shall not be harmed. Mountains may be entered, but no beasts shall be seen, immediately seal the mountain!”
Zhao Xing was very familiar with the Mountain Sealing Spell, but this version of the Mountain Sealing Spell Chant was somewhat different from the one he knew, lacking the first paragraph.
In reality, whether the first paragraph was present or not made no difference; it merely explained the reasoning to the common people and mentioned that this Spell was decreed by the Great Ancestor.
The first paragraph meant to tell everyone why the mountain needed to be sealed: it was to follow sustainable development, preventing hunting, gathering medicinal herbs, and logging on the mountain all year round.
The second paragraph was the truly effective one.
Because Yin Gods were invited to protect it, after the mountain was sealed, travelers could still pass through the mountain roads, but they could not harm any plant or tree there. If a hunter secretly entered, he would not see any wild beasts at all.
This was the Mountain Sealing Spell.
“The Luck Dynasty version of the Mountain Sealing Spell requires the aid of Yin Gods, but the Revival version does not, and it is even more Advanced, with an added function to absorb evil demons and filth.”
“There is also another type of Mountain Sealing Spell, named ‘Snow Mountain Command,’ which is a destructive Spell, but it shouldn’t be able to take effect at this time.”
Zhao Xing recalled the Snow Mountain Command incantation he had used in his previous life:
At the first watch, fog and dew descend; at the second watch, thick frost descends; at the third watch, heavy snow descends; at the fourth watch, snow adds frost upon frost.
At the fifth watch, listen for the rooster’s crow, the trees in the mountain rustle with a verdant blue.
The Dragon retreats its claws, the tiger sheds its skin, the Xuanbird sheds its feathers.
The ancestral Yin Soul in the mountain is Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, only white snow remains in the human world.
The Snow Mountain Command was called a destructive Spell because it could kill a spiritual mountain; even a True Dragon had to retract its claws, degenerating into a flood serpent, a White Tiger had to shed its entire tiger skin, and the Heavenly Mandate Xuanbird's feathers would all fall out.
If there were Yin Souls of kings or ancestors in the mountain, they too would be Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, and the entire mountain would be left with only white snow.
Under the Snow Mountain Command, everything was an illusion!
This Mountain Sealing Spell could be said to be the Revival version, the strongest killing move of the Agricultural Officer profession.
Zhao Xing reminisced about the past for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, Chen Shijie had already begun casting the Spell.
Sealing the mountain was quite complex; opening the mountain was much simpler.
“...The Five Elements and Yin and Yang reverse, the Spell manifests true spirits, the True Lords of the Eight Directions disperse, the Mountain God and Earth Mother return, I obey the command of the Great Ancestor, immediately open this mountain!”
Chen Shijie held the official seal, recited the chant once, and a golden light flew from the seal into Donghu Mountain.
The other ninth-rank Agricultural Officers, however, had to recite it four or five times before a golden light appeared.
Zhao Xing realized at this moment that Old Chen’s rank was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
“He either concealed his strength or had his rank drop; otherwise, there wouldn't be such a huge difference between a ninth-rank official, whether superior or inferior,” Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The golden light fell into Donghu Mountain, and after about a moment.
An invisible fluctuation spread from the mountain.
Zhao Xing cast the Clear Sight Spell and immediately saw specks of starlight emanating from the mountain, accompanied by illusory phenomena.
A strange purple flower bloomed, a large tree bore vermilion fruits, and there was a pale golden glazed lamp.
He only captured these three phenomena; he couldn’t see more clearly.
“Clear Sight at max level indeed has its benefits; at least if I encounter them, I won’t fail to recognize them as treasures.”
After the sacrifice was completed, Li Wenzheng appeared again, announcing that the government would send the first batch of people to climb the mountain for exploration, to clear the way for the common people and eliminate threats.
At the same time, climbing the mountain was also part of the assessment for officials from various departments.
“Charge!”
“Climb the mountain to gather spiritual essence!”
“Don’t fight me for it!”
As soon as the ban was lifted, many people impatiently rushed into the mountain.
They were clearly crude martial artists.
Zhao Xing did not rush, but slowly and leisurely walked with his bamboo box.
Donghu Mountain was very large, and to explore it thoroughly, three days alone would not be enough.
It wasn’t about who was fast; it also depended on Luck.
Zhao Xing was quite confident in terms of Luck.
“Zhao Sanjia, why aren’t you rushing?” A familiar colleague ran past and asked curiously.
“I’m just here to join the fun, not expecting anything; you all can go ahead,” Zhao Xing smiled, looking like he wasn’t there to compete but just to watch the excitement.
His voice wasn't soft, and many eyes that had been on him immediately looked away.
“I heard he’s the most prominent Genius in Gucheng’s Agricultural Officer Bureau recently, is this all there is to him?”
“There are many experts at the eighth and ninth stages of Qi Gathering this time; he’s reportedly only at the third stage of Qi Gathering, so it’s normal for him not to dare to compete.”
“He has self-awareness, at least.”
“Hmph, maybe he’s pretending? Look at that bamboo box; it’s not light. If he’s really just here for fun, who would carry such a big thing?”
“Who cares if he’s pretending or not? His strength is evident, so he’s no threat.”
“Let’s go, quickly up the mountain.”
The whispers came from both outside and within the county; some thought Zhao Xing was pretending and actually wanted to gain benefits, while others thought Zhao Xing had self-awareness and was just going into the mountain to fulfill a duty.
Gradually, the crowd surpassed Zhao Xing, and soon he was at the very end.
As he walked, Zhao Xing found that he had encountered an acquaintance.
“Young Master Zong, why are you squatting here?”
Zong Shichang had just reached a pavilion at the mountain entrance and stopped to rest.
“Woke up too early, forgot to eat, I’m hungry.”
Zong Shichang also carried a bamboo box, but it was mostly filled with food. He even took out a bowl of hot noodles from it!
Are you here for an assessment or a picnic?
Zong Shichang saw Zhao Xing staring and thought he was also hungry, so he generously took out another bowl: “Want some? Excellent beef soup paired with fine rice noodles ground from good Yuan rice, it’s incredibly delicious.”
Zhao Xing initially didn't want to eat, but when he smelled the aroma, he immediately changed his mind and sat by the pavilion to eat.
Rich scoundrel, might as well eat it if it's free.
“Ha~” Zong Shichang slurped a mouthful and asked with a satisfied expression: “How is it?”
“It’s indeed good,” Zhao Xing nodded.
“Want some more wine?” Zong Shichang pulled out a bottle and uncorked it.
“I won’t drink wine.”
“Then forget it, it’s no fun drinking alone,” Zong Shichang crossed his legs, “Why are you so far behind?”
Zhao Xing wiped his mouth: “Rushing is useless; climbing the mountain isn’t about who runs fastest. How about you, Brother Zong?”
Zong Shichang laughed: “Do I look like someone who lacks that bit of spiritual essence? If my father hadn’t forced me to come, I wouldn’t have wanted to.”
You’re really jumping far in a toilet, that’s too much.
Is it really okay to show off to a poor person?
“Then Brother Zong, please do as you wish; I’ll be on my way,” Zhao Xing said, carrying his bamboo box, intending to leave.
“Let’s go together,” Zong Shichang also stood up, “At least there’ll be someone to talk to, otherwise wouldn’t it be boring?”
“I’m not bored alone,” Zhao Xing politely refused.
Zong Shichang said again: “Don’t be like that. My father has quite a bit of influence in Nanyang Commandery. If we encounter experts from other counties, having me around will give you more protection.”
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