The difference between a Fortune from the First Layer to the Second Layer is like heaven and earth. A Second Layer Fortune can defeat ninety percent of ordinary people.
Take spells as an example. When Zhao Xing casts the Cloud Walking technique, out of a hundred attempts, he might only trigger the Fortune enhancement two or three times, resulting in a spell effect increase of twenty to thirty percent; this effect has been dubbed "Minor Success" by players.
Out of a thousand attempts, he might trigger a "Doubling Effect" once, which is referred to as "Major Success" among players!
However, if one possesses a Second Layer Fortune, then in ten spell casts, they might trigger the "Minor Success" effect two or three times, and in a hundred casts, they could trigger a "Major Success" effect once.
This is merely the benefit in terms of spellcasting; there are also advantages such as finding treasures while out and about, encountering hidden masters when seeking a mentor, and fishing without ever coming back empty-handed...
Especially in the version of the "Fortune Dynasty," this influence is even more pronounced.
"But why is this the case? I remember clearly that the Dao Embryo Pill has no such effect... Hmm?"
Zhao Xing suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of a possibility.
"The current Grand Dream Academy is different from the later Cloud Dream Academy; the former possesses abundant treasures, while the latter is more of a mere tool."
"Could it be that by entering the Grand Dream Academy, I indirectly obtained a portion of the Fortune from the ancient dynasty of Great Li?"
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Zhao Xing began to recall the relevant plot points of this ancient dynasty, evaluating whether this outcome was good or bad.
In the end, he concluded that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
"The Li Dynasty was far removed from the Great Zhou, and during a certain period of the feudal lords' chaos, there was a force claiming to be the remnants of the Li Dynasty, acting under that banner, but ultimately it did not stir up any significant waves, let alone in this current era."
"Fortune increases, formless and intangible, leaving no trace to be found; from the First Layer to the Second Layer, it would not attract attention at all."
"If it can continue to grow, there's no need to rush. By then, I will have already entered the Great Zhou system. If any high-level officials notice it later, I could simply submit the method to enter the Grand Dream Academy to the state and make a one-time profit."
Zhao Xing remembered that the person who discovered the method to open the Grand Dream Academy was not subjected to "special treatment." On the contrary, after presenting the method to the Martial Emperor, he was granted the title of Marquis of Offerings and awarded a county.
Thus, whether the increase in Fortune is discovered is merely a matter of earning more or less, not a question of safety.
"However, I still need to enter the system as soon as possible."
Having thought everything through, Zhao Xing felt relieved.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo~"
At this moment, the crowing of roosters could be heard outside, prompting him to wash up briefly and rush out the door.
The Agricultural Affairs Bureau in Grain City currently has over five hundred personnel.
However, the number of slots allocated to Grain City from Nanyang County each year is only three to five.
Most of the agricultural clerks without talent or background can only endure, waiting for those outstanding competitors to be promoted away.
The Agricultural Affairs Bureau is still better; the promotion channels in the military, engineering, law, literature, and rites systems are even more competitive.
In simple terms, it is easier to transfer from the Agricultural Affairs Bureau than to become a martial artist, mechanist, or physician.
This year, the Agricultural Affairs Bureau has many "experts," such as Li Chengfeng and Wen Nanxing, who are already close to the Gathered Essence Third Level.
They not only know the basic spells like Cloud Walking, Rain Summoning, Thunder Striking, and Wind Raising, but they have also begun to study advanced versions.
Such as Harmony of Winds and Rains, Call Winds and Summon Rains, and so on.
They can even enter the Temple of Divinity to comprehend advanced secret texts like the Seasonal Command and the Diagram of All Things Growing, allowing them to learn spells with lethal power.
Whether in "skill" or "technique," they surpass the other clerks.
To surpass these competitors, Zhao Xing must quicken his pace.
"Now that I have reached the Gathered Essence Second Level, my vital Qi is sufficient to support the casting of more spells, and it’s time to learn some new techniques."
The Agricultural Affairs Bureau in Grain City is located in the east of the city, but Zhao Xing is heading north now because to learn spells, he first needs to go to the county office for approval, obtain permission, and record it for filing before going to the Temple of Divinity to seek spells.
After acquiring the spells, he must return to the county office for re-recording, as there may be random spells exceeding the expected number during the process of seeking spells at the Temple of Divinity.
Once that is done, he will return to the Agricultural Affairs Bureau to seek guidance and practice. The formal officials in the Agricultural Affairs Bureau are both superiors and teachers to these clerks.
As for whether they are willing to teach and how much effort they put into teaching, that depends on whether one has found the right person.
Zhao Xing entered the county office and began the process, receiving a warm reception from the on-duty clerk.
"My name is Pang Fei. There is cool tea prepared inside; Brother Zhao, please enter the side hall and rest for a while."
Seeing the young and enthusiastic face, Zhao Xing was a bit surprised. "Brother Pang is being too polite. I wonder how long it will take for this official document to be approved?"
He came to handle business, not to drink tea.
"With the official seal, it won't take more than an hour at most; if it goes quickly, it could be done in half an hour."
So fast? How is the efficiency of the county office so high?
He thought Pang Fei was an exception, but unexpectedly, all the clerks he saw while drinking tea in the side hall were the same!
After thinking for a while, Zhao Xing suddenly understood.
This matter has to do with Emperor Jing.
Emperor Jing is an ambitious person; he named his era "Jingxin" because he wanted to create a new atmosphere and surpass the virtuous reputation of his ancestors.
His father, Emperor Wen, "loved the people like his children, was humble, and kind," but he himself had a violent temper and could not achieve this. To surpass his father, he had to work hard in other areas.
Thus, this emperor began to lead the internal competition.
The Great Zhou Code stipulates that: minor matters should be processed within five days, medium matters within seven days, and major matters within ten days.
Under his requirements, all county-level institutions must ensure that documents are signed and administrative matters are handled "daily and without delay."
With this top-down approach, a wave of internal competition swept across the Nineteen Provinces.
As a result, Emperor Jing earned a nickname among players—"The Diligent Emperor."
Why is the efficiency of the government so high? Because the emperor himself leads by example; who would dare to slack off? The Temple of Divinity in the city is not built for nothing; it can oversee the city's corrupt and illegal activities, and on a smaller scale, it can investigate officials' laziness and misconduct!
Why is Pang Yun's attitude so good? Because he is also a clerk, just like Zhao Xing, and he wants to be promoted! If he doesn't compete with his colleagues, when will he ever get ahead?
"Establishing the Temple of Divinity to supervise all officials and disseminate myriad laws to enlighten the common people, this period is indeed safe; it’s nothing like the chaos that followed, where even farming couldn’t be done in peace..." As a player in the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, Zhao Xing expressed great satisfaction with the current environment; it is simply an excellent period for development!
After finishing a cup of tea, another enthusiastic clerk came over to refill the water.
This repeated three times, and soon Pang Fei came running over with an official document in his arms.
"Brother Zhao, your application has been approved. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Thank you." Looking at the beads of sweat forming on Pang Fei's forehead, Zhao Xing sincerely expressed his gratitude.
(End of Chapter)