To save time, during the free consultation session, people would gather in groups of three to five, find friends with common problems, and consult together.
Xue Wenzhong moved through the crowd, explaining at times and having the junior officials demonstrate personally at others.
The courtyard gradually filled with rising wind, surging clouds, thunder, and light rain, instantly becoming lively.
While waiting, Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong also started to get restless, beginning to tease their colleagues who were Cultivating Spells nearby.
“Brother Zhou, why does your 【Raise Wind】 always blow into people’s crotches? You must have used this move to mess with a lot of young ladies, right?”
“Brother Ye, your 【Thunderclap】 is just so-so. The sound isn’t even as loud as your snoring. You really need to practice diligently.”
“Oh, Brother Cao’s is still the most impressive. His 【Lay Rain】 looks like a woman peeing, and it’s even split… Hahahahaha!”
“…”
Laughter continuously erupted around them. Those being teased weren’t angry; instead, they teased each other, bringing a bit of fun to the otherwise boring Cultivation.
However, as the young men’s conversation continued, it gradually veered off-topic, moving towards matters of men and women, and they became increasingly excited.
“Speaking of the Spring Festival this year, I passed by a civilian house in the town. Suddenly, I heard sounds from inside. A man whispered and roared, ‘Baby, hurry up and come out, just a little more effort~’ Then a woman complained coquettishly, ‘Father-in-law is on top, I am on the bottom. How can I exert myself? Why don’t we switch?’ ”
“Out of curiosity, I went closer to look. Guess what you saw?” Qian Dong winked at the young men gathered around, then deliberately paused, starting to play coy.
“Eww~ Father-in-law, daughter-in-law? Could it be a cuckolder? Brother Qian, quickly stop, don’t pollute our ears.”
“Brother Cao, you were listening the most intently just now, and now you’re pretending? If you don’t want to listen, then go to the side. I am a vulgar person, I love to listen.”
“You’re killing me, what happened? Brother Qian, hurry up and tell us.”
The few of them chatted and laughed, quite seriously, but Zhao Xing couldn't help but rub his forehead and shake his head. It wasn't because of them, but because the Old Minister of Agriculture, Xue Wenzhong, had unknowingly walked behind Qian Dong.
“What did you see?”
The old voice suddenly appeared, startling the young men. Qian Dong turned around, his face alternately pale and red, stammering, “N-nothing.”
Xue Wenzhong’s wrinkles bunched together on his face, a half-smile playing on his lips: “They can listen, but I can’t? I must hear it, otherwise, none of you will get off easy. All of you go to the back mountain to cut grass for this old man.”
Qian Dong stammered, Chen Ziyu’s gaze darted around, and the others also turned their heads, only Zhao Xing watched the show as if it had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong called out his name: “Zhao Xing, if they can’t say it, then you say it.”
Zhao Xing calmly said, “Elder Xue, what Qian Dong said is actually just an ordinary matter. It was a father-in-law and daughter-in-law digging for a silver box left by their ancestors in a dry well. He was just being overly surprised by something common.”
“You’re a clever boy.” Xue Wenzhong chuckled.
Upon hearing this, Qian Dong quickly said, “Ah, that’s what I was going to say.”
“Yes, yes, yes, that’s what we understood too.” The other young men echoed.
Seeing that the Old Minister of Agriculture wasn't making things difficult for them, Qian Dong quickly changed the subject: “Elder Xue, when I perform 【Moving Clouds】 these days, I always feel a bit unfluent. Sometimes it’s big, sometimes it’s small, extremely unstable. Please give me some guidance, Elder Xue.”
“Perform the Spell for me to see.”
Qian Dong didn't hesitate, immediately pointing his finger. Two meters above his head, a greyish-white cloud appeared, swaying as if a drunkard was holding an umbrella.
Xue Wenzhong observed for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling Qian Dong to stop: “Your Origin Qi cannot be contained, causing the Spell’s effect to fluctuate accordingly.”
Qian Dong listened obediently.
“But you don’t need to worry, this is a normal phenomenon.” Xue Wenzhong took Qian Dong’s hand, stroked his wrist twice, then released it. “You are about to enter the second stage of Qi Gathering, just one step away from a Breakthrough.”
“The rest of you are the same; most likely, you are also close to or have already encountered this. But don’t panic, go back and properly contain your Origin Qi, and it will be fine soon.”
“Thank you, Elder Xue.”
“Hmm?” When his gaze fell on Zhao Xing, Xue Wenzhong let out a soft exclamation, then pulled Zhao Xing’s hand.
The others didn't understand why and all looked over.
A moment later, Xue Wenzhong’s brows relaxed, and he smiled.
“Not bad, you have indeed entered the second stage of Qi Gathering. You are a step faster than them.”
The others cast envious glances, while Chen Ziyu showed joy, happy for his elder brother. Qian Dong secretly nudged his shoulder, revealing an ‘I knew it’ expression.
Zhao Xing's expression was calm. He had the panel, and he knew the moment he achieved a Breakthrough, unlike the other junior officials who were still somewhat uncertain about their own condition.
Next, the few of them took turns asking their questions. When it was Zhao Xing’s turn, he mentioned that he had already obtained three new Spells from the temple and requested Xue Wenzhong’s guidance.
“The feeling of Raise Wind and Moving Clouds is the same; both use Origin Qi to gather Qi, manipulating the power of heaven and earth through established Spell routes. It’s just that Raise Wind is slightly more difficult, with directional distinctions, and the Spell-casting process needs to be more meticulous. Try to control it with one-third of the Moving Clouds’ Origin Qi, starting with the north wind.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately began to cast the Spell.
His fingertip Origin Qi struck towards the north, and soon, a wind blew.
Initially, it was just a breeze, but gradually the wind grew stronger, blowing people's hair straight.
Xue Wenzhong’s expression was somewhat surprised, because Zhao Xing’s control of Raise Wind was extremely stable, and the wind power was strong enough, completely unlike a first-time Spell-caster.
If he were a beginner, his hair would be flying up and down, not blowing straight.
“Why did I never notice his Comprehension Ability before?”
Xue Wenzhong took note and said, “Try the other directions.”
Zhao Xing nodded lightly, pointing his finger successively to the southeast, west, and north. There weren’t many people to the north, but in the other directions, other junior officials were casting Spells, causing significant interference.
However, the transformation from the Dao Embryo Pill was showing initial results. Zhao Xing’s control over Origin Qi became stronger than others, Domineering forcefully eliminating the other interferences.
At this moment in the courtyard, only he could summon wind, and the others could only be in disarray in the wind.
“Good, that’s enough.” Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong satisfactorily told Zhao Xing to stop.
The other junior officials were initially puzzled, but seeing that the abnormality came from the direction of the Old Minister of Agriculture, they didn't think much of it and continued their own Cultivation.
Next, the Old Minister of Agriculture had Zhao Xing try to cast 【Thunderclap】.
“Moving Clouds has the two Qi of Yin and Yang, clear and turbid. Using Origin Qi to control the Spell, when heavy, it forms rain; when combined, it generates thunder. The key lies in…”
“Boom! Crack!”
Before he finished speaking, a startling peal of thunder echoed through the courtyard.
The thunder was so loud it was as if it exploded right next to their ears.
At this, everyone in the entire courtyard looked over.
Above Zhao Xing’s head, a greyish-white cloud appeared, the grey and white rapidly rolling and colliding from both sides, like chariots crashing into each other.
The next moment, purple flashed, and another thunderclap exploded!
“Ziyu, isn’t Brother’s Thunderclap a bit too loud?” Qian Dong stared blankly at the sky.
“I think so too. Is the difference between the first and second stages of Qi Gathering really that great?” Chen Ziyu was a bit dazed, the shock mostly influenced by the thunder.
Xue Wenzhong opened his mouth, speechless.
He had said too much just now.
If Zhao Xing’s application document hadn’t been with him, he would have thought Zhao Xing had been practicing for a long time.
Judging by these two Spells alone, how could Zhao Xing be a beginner?
“Elder Xue, please give me some guidance.” Zhao Xing withdrew the Spell, awaiting Xue Wenzhong’s instruction, but the latter smiled and said, “You have quite a talent for Raise Wind and Thunderclap, already considered to have entered the Dao. What I have to say are merely things I’ve usually taught. With a little practice, you can master them.”
“As for the Spell of Turning Grass and Trees into Soldiers… come with me.”