Under the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged.
Vital Qi flowed around his body, and within his dantian, a swirling vortex resembling a starry nebula spun faster and faster.
At this moment, the vital Qi had already reached the limit of Gathered Essence Third Level, with only the final trace of vital Qi remaining.
However, this last trace was not merely a matter of quantity; it was the key to triggering a qualitative change.
Seeing this, Chen Shijie was about to turn and enter, knowing that breaking through to a new level required considerable time for the body to adapt to the new layer of vital Qi.
Even the final step would require one or two hours for the transformation to take place.
He stepped into the study with his right foot, but before his left foot could follow, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and stood up from under the Heavenly Origin Pear Tree.
"Hmm? Did you fail?" Chen Shijie sensed the movement and turned around, frowning.
However, seeing Zhao Xing's robust vitality and vibrant energy, he did not appear to be a failure.
Thus, he activated the Five Elements Observation spell and looked at Zhao Xing.
"The five elements are balanced, and yin and yang are harmonious. You've reached a new level compared to before. At this speed, this kid's root bone aptitude is extraordinary," Chen Shijie said, somewhat pleasantly surprised.
He had originally thought that Zhao Xing had a high comprehension of spells but only average root bone aptitude. Now, it seemed that this view was mistaken.
"His root bone aptitude is above average even in Nanyang County."
"As long as his Fortune isn't too poor, he should have no problem reaching the Eighth Rank within five years."
"If his Fortune is too poor, like my past 'bumpy road,' who knows how many trials he would have to endure? Not everyone can be as kind-hearted as the general, helping me change my fate," Chen Shijie reminisced about his past with a hint of emotion.
"What are you thinking about, my lord?" Suddenly, a voice pulled Chen Shijie's thoughts back.
"Now that you've broken through, I'm thinking about how to punish you," Chen Shijie huffed.
"If you're going to punish me, why not add up my offenses? Brother Shen and I will pick a few more pears first," Zhao Xing said with a grin, reaching back to pluck a few more pears.
Shen Zhui was left speechless; Brother Zhao, you really dare to say and do anything!
But Chen Shijie was quite fond of this approach.
Having come from the military and being only in his thirties, he was not the type to be overly rigid. If Zhao Xing were overly respectful and polite, he would actually dislike it.
Now, it felt as if he were dealing with a mischievous younger brother at home, and he quite enjoyed this feeling.
"You have quite the thick skin. Take the pears and get lost; I don't want to see you again today," Chen Shijie laughed and scolded.
"I'll come back tomorrow, then. Farewell."
"Get lost!"
Even after walking far from Chen's residence, Shen Zhui still felt a bit dazed with two pears tucked under his arm.
"Brother Zhao, you... are you really surnamed Zhao?"
"Isn't that obvious, Brother Shen?"
"Are you really not surnamed Chen?"
"Do I look like I resemble Chen Shijie?"
Shen Zhui scrutinized him for a moment and nodded, "A bit."
Zhao Xing chuckled, wiped the pear, and took a bite, "You might as well say I look like this pear."
Shen Zhui thought about it and found it not quite right. Chen Shijie's face was slightly square, with faint brow lines, a small nose, and small eyes. In terms of appearance, he was indeed not outstanding, but his skin was fair, typical of the complexion found in Xishan County.
Zhao Xing, on the other hand, had thick eyebrows and big eyes, a high nose, and well-defined facial features. He was also much taller than Chen Shijie. If his skin were not of a wheatish color, he could be called a handsome young gentleman, but his healthy wheatish complexion made him look much more vibrant.
Their temperaments were also different; Chen Shijie had a kind of resolute demeanor forged through trials, while Zhao Xing exuded a relaxed air.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhui couldn't help but feel a bit envious, "Is the relationship between the upper and lower ranks of your Agricultural Affairs Bureau always this harmonious?"
"Why, is your relationship with Wang Longwu not harmonious?" Zhao Xing retorted.
"Not exactly," Shen Zhui shook his head, "Lord Wang treats me well, but he is relatively strict and rarely smiles."
Zhao Xing had no intention of elaborating on his relationship with Chen Shijie. After passing through the gate street, he bid farewell to Shen Zhui, "Brother Shen, I've broken through to Gathered Essence Fourth Level. I want to go to the Temple of Divinity to learn new spells. See you at Chen's residence tomorrow."
Shen Zhui tucked the pears into his clothes and cupped his hands in farewell, "See you tomorrow, Brother Zhao."
As per the usual procedure, the Agricultural Affairs Bureau submitted an application, which was approved by the county office before heading to the Temple of Divinity to receive the law.
Xue Wenzhong naturally approved it swiftly because he knew that although Zhao Xing was advancing quickly, his foundation was solid.
The four laws essential for the Agricultural Affairs Bureau's survival were: cloud movement, rain distribution, thunder striking, and wind rising. Zhao Xing had already reached the Nine Turns, Seven Turns, Seven Turns, and Eight Turns respectively.
Zhao Xing could not compare to seasoned officials like Xue Wenzhong, who could perform 'Three Feet of Heavenly Thunder' and 'Cloud Movement in the Palm,' but his control over these spells was already not inferior to some newly appointed officials.
Xue Wenzhong had no worries at all.
Upon arriving at the county office, there were quite a few people attending to matters.
The waiting hall was bustling, with hardly a place to stand.
"Strange, why are there so many people today?" Zhao Xing wondered but still queued at the end.
After waiting for a while, he suddenly saw someone approach from the side; it was his old acquaintance, Pang Fei.
"Brother Zhao, come over here to talk."
"Alright." Zhao Xing didn't bother to queue any longer and directly followed Pang Fei.
Pang Fei led him straight into a small reception room next to the waiting hall and then asked, "Brother Zhao, if you have any documents to sign, just hand them to me."
"Brother Pang, is this convenient?" Zhao Xing thought it might be inappropriate to cut in line.
Pang Fei chuckled lightly, "For Brother Zhao's matters, special treatment is warranted. This is also what the county lord instructed me to do."
Ever since Zhao Xing had consecutively achieved top marks, he had gained recognition in the county lord's eyes, and Pang Fei had become Zhao Xing's 'dedicated customer service.'
While others had to wait in line for approval, Zhao Xing could cut in directly.
"Thank you, Brother Pang." Zhao Xing handed over the documents and casually asked, "By the way, Brother Pang, why are there so many people at the county office today?"
"Not just today; it's been busy for the past few days," Pang Fei replied. "With the Autumn Equinox opening of East Lake Mountain approaching, many people are coming to procure treasures and learn new spells."
"I see." Zhao Xing suddenly understood. The Autumn Equinox opening of the mountain was a significant event in Gu County, and even people from Nanyang County would come to join in the excitement. He had been so focused on his studies and practice that he had forgotten the Autumn Equinox was approaching.
After receiving the approval from the county office, they made their way to the Temple of Divinity.
At this time, the Temple of Divinity was also busier than usual.
Especially in the hall of True Lord Cao Xi, where a long queue had formed.
There were even visitors whose accents sounded like they were from out of town, worshipping from afar in the square outside the hall.
"True Lord Cao Xi once repaired the Thirteen Channels of Pinghu, deploying the spell 'Earth Store Returning Origin,' and set up the Returning Origin Waterwheel, causing vital Qi to condense more and more, transforming disasters into blessings. That small mountain in East Lake has also grown higher and higher, eventually becoming a well-known spiritual mountain."
"With the Autumn Equinox opening of the mountain approaching, I wonder who will obtain the spiritual essence within..."
Zhao Xing waited for a long time, only to find that there were too many people in the hall of True Lord Cao Xi, and the line showed no signs of moving.
"Since it's just receiving basic spells, it doesn't matter who I worship."
Zhao Xing changed locations and went to the Hall of All Saints, which could accommodate more people.
(End of Chapter)