A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Xing was captured.
Under a rockery, Shen Zhui panted slightly as he pressed an iron ruler against Zhao Xing's head.
Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned, then withdrew his spell.
"Brother Shen, you have won again."
Shen Zhui retracted the iron ruler, his expression somewhat astonished: "Brother Zhao, your progress is too rapid. This is only the third time we've sparred, and you can already summon lightning, along with this strange rain... I actually spent a full quarter of an hour to catch you."
"Defeat is defeat; Brother Shen need not comfort me."
Shen Zhui shook his head: "I speak the truth. After the first quarter of an hour, my vital Qi consumption was already three times greater than last time. By the second quarter, my movement technique was no longer subtle."
The Ice Rain spell consumed a great deal of vitality, as it was said to freeze vital Qi. When Zheng Lun used it in an ambush, the Great Halberd Warriors were directly frozen into ice sticks.
Of course, Zhao Xing had just begun his training and had not yet mastered even a first-tier spell, so his suppressive power against Shen Zhui, who was at Gathered Essence Seventh Level, was not that exaggerated.
"But in the third quarter, your strength suddenly surged, completely ignoring the effects of the Ice Rain, blending into the rain. Brother Shen, what kind of technique is this?" Zhao Xing asked.
Shen Zhui smiled: "It’s a secret technique called 'Qian Yuan Ran Xue,' which allows my strength to rise to another level for a short time, and I gain greater control over my body."
"Thus, you can withstand the erosion of the rain and your thunder strikes."
Zhao Xing realized: "It seems I still couldn't force Brother Shen to use his full strength."
Shen Zhui laughed: "Haven't you also not used your full strength? I didn't even see you use wind this time."
"My wind technique is rather tricky; I haven't mastered it well enough to use it against Brother Shen."
Since it was merely a spar, Zhao Xing saw no need to use the Yin Wind against Shen Zhui.
Even the Ice Rain spell had not been fully unleashed.
It was autumn now, yet the heat was still unbearable, with abundant Yang energy.
The effect of the Ice Rain spell was halved.
If it were late winter or early spring, the Ice Rain spell would be able to exert its normal effect.
However, there was nothing to be done; the Agricultural Affairs Bureau could take advantage of the weather and terrain, but they were also subject to its influence.
Unless one had entered the ranks and began cultivating the Seasonal Command, mastering the winter season's energy, one would still be limited by the environment, and the Ice Rain could not unleash its maximum power.
While the two were chatting, Chen Shijie walked out of the room.
"You two should refrain from sparring for the next few days. The day after tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox Opening of the Mountain. Go back and conserve your energy, preparing well for this assessment."
"Understood." Shen Zhui and Zhao Xing replied in unison.
The Great Zhou's "Spirit Mountain Law" stipulates: "Wherever there are spirit mountains in the counties, one must follow the cycles of heaven and earth. During the Spring Equinox, the mountains are sealed to nurture life; during the Autumn Equinox, the mountains are opened to gather their spiritual elegance."
East Lake Mountain in Grain City, towering a thousand feet, is a product of heaven and earth, with vital Qi condensing and not dispersing, making it a true 'spirit mountain.'
After leaving Chen's residence, Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui began to converse.
"Brother Zhao, the day after tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox Opening of the Mountain. You must be quite busy these days."
The mountains, rivers, and lakes are all managed by the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, and naturally, spirit mountains fall under their supervision.
Those serving in areas with 'spirit mountains' must also know the 'Opening Mountain Law' and 'Sealing Mountain Law.'
Because the mountains are sealed during the Spring Equinox and opened during the Autumn Equinox, the Agricultural Affairs Bureau must perform the spells.
Zhao Xing laughed: "The Agricultural Affairs Bureau opening the mountain has nothing to do with me. I only know a few spells. The Opening Mountain Law does not require me to perform it."
Shen Zhui asked: "Will Brother Zhao go to the mountain to gather spiritual elegance?"
Zhao Xing answered without hesitation: "Of course I will."
Nurturing the mountain's spiritual elegance and then gathering the 'spiritual elegance' is the very meaning of sealing and opening the mountain.
The spiritual elegance of the mountain can bring different benefits to people.
Some may increase their lifespan, some may enhance their Fortune, some may greatly boost their vital Qi, while others may elevate their spells to a higher level.
The reason why Cao Xi was granted posthumous nobility was largely because he nurtured a spirit mountain in East Lake.
Since the emergence of spirit mountains in Grain City, the assessments for officials on the day of the Autumn Equinox have become a tradition linked to East Lake Mountain.
"The assessment during the Autumn Equinox involves climbing the mountain to gather spiritual elegance after the mountain is opened."
"Rankings are based on the harvest."
"The spiritual elegance of the mountain is divided into three tiers: upper, middle, and lower."
"The highest tier is the Fortune Spiritual Elegance, which can enhance one's Fortune."
"The middle tier is the Vital Law Spiritual Elegance, which can either help break through realms or enhance spells."
"The lower tier is the Longevity Spiritual Elegance, which offers very little increase and is not obvious."
"Obtaining upper-tier spiritual elegance grants a grade of A, middle-tier grants a grade of B, lower-tier grants a grade of C, and having nothing at all does not count towards the score."
Shen Zhui said with a hint of envy: "I heard that during the grand opening of the mountain ten years ago, someone went from not entering the ranks directly to the eighth-tier realm. Truly enviable."
The opening and sealing of the mountain can vary in scale, lasting from a minimum of one year to a maximum of ten years.
However, in Nanyang County, with its nine spirit mountains, there are rarely large openings and sealings. The instance Shen Zhui mentioned only lasted three years.
"Nanyang County has nine spirit mountains. Although East Lake Mountain ranks fifth, that year not only the officials from this county eagerly participated, but many officials from other counties also came over."
Zhao Xing remarked: "Brother Shen only sees the fortunate ones, but little do you know that some have died without a burial place. Climbing the mountain to gather spiritual elegance brings not only benefits but also dangers."
Shen Zhui replied: "Climbing the spirit mountain and gathering spiritual elegance is open to all people in Nanyang County, but from September 22nd to September 24th, only officials are allowed to enter, and no experts will enter the mountain."
The day after tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox, but at this moment, the post station in Grain City is already full, with many officials from other counties wanting to come to East Lake Mountain to try their luck.
The county office is also overcrowded, as advance registration is required for cross-county assessments.
Grain City is relatively better off, but the spirit mountain 'Yuan Ping Mountain,' which ranks first in Nanyang County, is truly crowded. The competition is even fiercer, with many officials already at Gathered Essence Ninth Level, and some have even reached the ranks but have not been formally appointed.
Zhao Xing shook his head: "I mean the act of climbing the mountain itself is somewhat perilous."
While the competition among officials for gathering spiritual elegance is limited, allowing for snatching but prohibiting killing or maiming, the mountains are treacherous. Especially with newly opened spirit mountains, there are inherent dangers, and people have indeed died before.
Shen Zhui tightened his grip on the iron ruler at his waist, speaking with determination: "Even if it is dangerous, this year I must give it a try. Otherwise, who knows how many competitors there will be next year? They say it gets harder every year."
For officials, climbing the mountain to gather spiritual elegance is an opportunity for a breakthrough, and for those who have maintained their lead, it is even more crucial to participate to prevent being surpassed.
After a pause, he looked at Zhao Xing: "Will you go?"
Zhao Xing smiled and said: "Of course I will go. I am a local, after all. If the mountain god does not protect me, a local, will it protect outsiders?"
This was, of course, a joke. Although there is a tradition of climbing the mountain to worship the gods during the Autumn Equinox, the Yin Gods do not care whether one is a local or an outsider; as long as one is a subject of the Zhou Dynasty, they are treated equally.
"Hahaha, then I will see you at East Lake Mountain the day after tomorrow." Shen Zhui laughed heartily and left.
(End of Chapter)