The scroll was pulled out, and beside it was a small note, resembling an instruction manual.
"Fourth-tier Middle Grade Earth Advantage Sect spell, containing Subterranean Palace Technique, can be comprehended 4 times."
Zhao Xing glanced at the instruction manual and then set it aside.
What Xue Wenzhong had shown him before was the Fourth-tier Lower Grade Enlightening Painting, All Things Grow Diagram, which belonged to the True Self Sect and had a broader range of comprehension.
Now, what Zhao Xing obtained were specialized Enlightening Paintings, ensuring comprehension of a specific type of spell.
"Young Master Zong is quite thoughtful; Enlightening Paintings of the Subterranean Palace Technique are rare, and the difficulty of acquisition is second only to the Mysterious Earth Technique." Zhao Xing eagerly opened the scroll.
The Fourth-tier Middle Grade Enlightening Painting, upon first use, was even more impactful than the previous observation of the Fourth-tier Lower Grade All Things Grow Diagram.
As Zhao Xing's gaze fell upon the scroll, he was instantly drawn into it.
"Buzz~"
As his eyes beheld it, his mind was also captivated.
"Whoosh~"
He began to plummet~
An endless descent~
Zhao Xing felt his body become incredibly heavy.
He was falling at an astonishing speed.
During the fall, a strong squeezing pressure surrounded him, as if drowning; the deeper he went underwater, the stronger the sense of pressure from the water.
However, this sense of pressure was different from drowning; at least in drowning, one could still feel the surrounding water was gentle.
But now, that sense of pressure was stagnant, accompanied by a painful tearing sensation.
He didn't know how long it had been, but the first stage of the descent finally passed.
Zhao Xing crashed heavily onto a hard surface, his entire body bound by power, unable to move.
He lay on the ground, barely lifting his head, and saw ahead a semi-transparent palace emitting a faint glow.
"Subterranean Palace."
Zhao Xing was irresistibly attracted to the palace's phantom.
The palace was enormous, yet its foundation was not built on the ground but rather situated above a flowing azure river.
"That is the earth vein."
Zhao Xing realized something in his heart.
He lay there, observing the earth vein and the palace.
The earth vein was deeply hidden, difficult to sense on the surface, but underground, it was clearly visible, and in this scene, the earth vein was not only clearly visible but also flowing, very active.
The Mysterious-level earth vein had an exceptionally high quality; this palace felt as if it had naturally formed from the active flow of the earth vein.
Its profoundness made Zhao Xing, lying on the ground, completely forget the bindings and pressure, engrossed in watching the flowing earth vein.
"The earth vein flows naturally, and its veins actually form a palace?"
"Truly a work of divine craftsmanship."
"Hmm?"
As Zhao Xing gained insight, the ground beneath him began to flow, swiftly pulling him towards the palace.
"Bang~"
His entire being seemed to shatter, absorbed by the flowing azure earth vein.
At that moment, the 'perspective' disappeared, leaving only a wondrous sensation.
It felt as if he had become a part of the earth vein, flowing with it, and in this flowing process, becoming a part of the palace.
"Vast, heavy, boundless, this Subterranean Palace is too large."
Zhao Xing now felt the most fundamental characteristics of the palace.
It sometimes transformed into a handful of soil, sometimes into a supporting pillar, sometimes into a piece of brick or tile of the palace...
He didn't know how long it had been.
"Buzz~"
All scenes quickly receded, and Zhao Xing felt himself detach from the earth vein palace.
In an instant, his consciousness returned.
"Indescribable."
After detaching, Zhao Xing did not look at the painting but instinctively extended his fingertip, sending a beam of golden light into the ground.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour, he sent out the second beam.
After that, the intervals between each beam became shorter and shorter.
By the time he reached the eighteenth and twenty-fourth beams, they were almost fired in succession.
"So that's it, Boundless Subterranean Palace, this is the Boundless Subterranean Palace..."
Zhao Xing smiled, feeling the joy of comprehending true methods from the heart.
"Buzz buzz~"
At that moment, the Listening Water Pavilion's room suddenly shook.
"Crack crack crack~"
Cracks suddenly appeared in the surrounding walls.
The floor quickly cracked as well, and the beams and pillars supporting the room were rapidly fracturing, as if unable to bear the weight.
"Not good, it's going to collapse."
Zhao Xing immediately rolled up the painting and box, quickly running outside.
As he dashed out,
"Boom!"
The room of the Listening Water Pavilion collapsed with a thunderous sound, instantly turning into a pile of rubble.
Moreover, it was extremely fragmented, with not a single intact tile or piece of wood to be found.
"What happened? Was there an earthquake?"
Zong Shichang came over, holding a wildcat.
Manager Tang quickly arrived with several servants.
"Sorry, Young Master Zong." Zhao Xing felt a bit apologetic, "I collapsed your room."
"It's fine, just a room..." Wait a minute." Zong Shichang's eyes widened, "You said you caused this to collapse? This is high-quality red pine wood! The foundation is solid and very reliable!"
"It was indeed a bit careless... Hey, don't go over there!" Zhao Xing was saying when he saw a servant from the Zong Residence rushing to the ruins, seemingly to check.
But as soon as he approached, his face contorted in pain, kneeling down, breathing became difficult, and finally, as if unable to bear the burden, he collapsed onto the ground.
"Disperse!" Zhao Xing immediately pointed, causing the spell to dissipate.
"Whoosh~ whoosh~ ha whoosh~" The servant stood up, gasping for breath, his face flushed, and upon unbuttoning his clothing, he found blood seeping from his pores.
"This..." Zong Shichang was stunned; these servants were all cultivators at the Gathered Essence Fourth or Fifth Level, not weaklings.
How could he become like this just from getting close?
"His internal organs are injured; do you have any herbs for nourishing the organs? Give him some." Zhao Xing observed with the Five Elements Vision and could already see that the man's organs had slight displacements and some minor wounds.
"So serious?" The warrior was frightened; he felt much better now but didn't expect to have injured his internal organs.
"Trust me."
"Tang Uncle, take him to heal." Zong Shichang naturally trusted Zhao Xing.
After the servants dispersed, he curiously asked, "What kind of technique is this?"
"One of the Subterranean Palace Techniques, called [Boundless Subterranean Palace]."
Zhao Xing explained, "This spell uses the earth vein as a foundation to create a spell palace that can absorb all external objects. When the Subterranean Palace Technique is practiced to a profound level, it can even absorb divine beings and demons."
"Legend has it that there is a technique called [Demon God Subterranean Palace], which can trap and refine powerful divine spirits and demons within the palace."
"After refining the divine spirits and demons, they can also be used as nutrients for plants to absorb."
"Such a technique exists?" Zong Shichang's eyes widened, "How come I didn't know about it?"
There are many things you don't know... Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"It's an ancient legend, of course, it's exaggerated." Zhao Xing casually said. "The Earth Splitting Technique, Earth Store Technique, Subterranean Palace Technique, Mysterious Earth Technique, are known as the Four Sacred Techniques of the Earth Advantage Sect, all related to earth veins and divine spirit legends."
"What effect does your Boundless Subterranean Palace have?" Zong Shichang asked.
"As you can see." Zhao Xing pointed to the house ruins, "Its absorption power can collapse those and objects entering the Subterranean Palace area."
Zong Shichang looked and indeed saw that the foundation of the room had sunk overall, three feet lower than the surroundings.
There was truly not a single good tile or brick in the ruins, as if it had been crushed.
"You are becoming more and more like a military Agricultural Affairs Bureau official." Zong Shichang sighed; a proper Agricultural Affairs Bureau official wouldn't have such techniques. "Are you planning to join the military?"
"Yeah." Zhao Xing nodded, "I have that thought."
"Becoming a military Agricultural Affairs Bureau official is not easy." Zong Shichang said, "You are a civil official in Nanyang County; that's just the Agricultural Affairs Bureau. To join the military, depending on the army's specifications, you have to go through different selections."
"Even if you get in, your official rank will still start from the Ninth Rank, and I heard that military Agricultural Affairs Bureau conditions are harsh, often requiring you to work in those cold and bitter places. You are already set to be a civil official; why suffer this hardship?"
Zong Shichang said, "Nowadays, it's easier to be a civil official, and it's more comfortable."
"Find a fertile and stable place to be an Agricultural Affairs Bureau official, no natural disasters, and you don't have to work too hard. Because the weather is good and the environment is good, the harvest will naturally be good."
"After muddling through for a few years, then manage some connections, waiting for promotion, isn't that delightful?"
Most children of noble families follow this path; Zong Shichang is a typical child of a noble family, and he simply cannot understand why Zhao Xing wants to become a military Agricultural Affairs Bureau official.
"Everyone has their aspirations." Zhao Xing smiled, "What you said is indeed a path, but it doesn't suit me."
There are only so many lucrative positions; ordinary people without connections or financial power cannot possibly get such good places?
Stability is stability, but it is also too stable, and the speed of advancement is too slow.
Moreover, during this period, Emperor Jing has been draining the blood of the noble families, and trying to walk this path steadily is becoming increasingly difficult.
"Alright, I'll find you another room." Zong Shichang didn't say more.
"Just find an open space." Zhao Xing followed him.
[You observed the Fourth-tier Middle Grade Enlightening Painting 'Subterranean Phantom', comprehending the Intermediate-level spell 'Boundless Subterranean Palace', remaining comprehension times: 3]
[Boundless Subterranean Palace: Intermediate-level spell]
[Progress: Third Transformation (3548/9999)]
[Effect: Using the earth vein as a foundation, forge a Boundless Subterranean Palace, releasing powerful absorption power, can stack threefold.]
"Truly worthy of a Fourth-tier Middle Grade Enlightening Painting." Zhao Xing nodded in satisfaction.
Why did he want to buy Enlightening Paintings instead of receiving spells in the Temple of Divinity?
The reason lies here.
Receiving spells in the Temple of Divinity is random; it is impossible to have one's wishes come true. Some spells cannot even be learned due to thresholds, such as certain spells that can only be learned by specific official positions.
Secondly, receiving spells in the Temple of Divinity only leads one to the door; those with poor talent may not even be able to enter.
Enlightening Paintings are different; they are highly targeted. If you want to learn a specific spell, using an Enlightening Painting provides greater certainty.
Moreover, Enlightening Paintings condense the insights of the Dao into the painting; observing Enlightening Paintings not only allows one to enter the door, but those with better talent can even quickly skip the entry stage, allowing spells to ascend several levels directly.
Zhao Xing's comprehension, talent, and root bone have been transformed by the Dao Embryo Pill for over half a year. The effectiveness of this Enlightening Painting has basically reached its highest efficiency.
"This money was well spent." Zhao Xing was very satisfied.
The Subterranean Palace Technique is equivalent to creating a domain.
Within the area of the Boundless Subterranean Palace Technique, enemies will find it difficult to move, their speed greatly reduced, as if fighting under three times the gravity.
Their speed and vital Qi consumption will increase significantly, and techniques will become distorted, greatly reducing combat effectiveness.
"Advanced Subterranean Palace Techniques, any spell cast will immediately be absorbed into the palace, unable to hit anyone, and ultimately can even absorb divine beings and demons, turning them into nutrients... I must practice this technique continuously." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The Enlightening Painting of the Subterranean Palace Technique still has three comprehension opportunities left; after that, he will not comprehend new types but will continuously enhance his understanding of [Boundless Subterranean Palace], elevating his realm, specialized for specific uses.
Zhao Xing put away the painting; the effectiveness of comprehension will be somewhat reduced in the short term, so he decided to learn others first.
"The second painting, Fourth-tier Middle Grade, Earth Store Technique."
Zhao Xing opened the painting, and suddenly a vast expanse of earth appeared before him.
The earth was yellowish-gray, with countless mountains and rivers, intertwining and flowing like lines before his eyes.
This seemed to be a high-altitude bird's-eye view... Zhao Xing thought.
But soon he felt something was off.
"Hmm? Why does this seem a bit familiar?"
Zhao Xing pondered, carefully observing the yellow-gray lines.
After a moment, Zhao Xing suddenly realized.
The perspective shifted from high above to the ground.
When he appeared on the ground, Zhao Xing found himself completely unclothed, his feet planted in the soil.
Then his entire being slowly sank in, leaving only his head above.
Warmth, moisture, and waves of vitality surged from underground.
"I am a tree."
Zhao Xing's mind was completely filled with this thought; at first, he couldn't immerse himself in it, but gradually, he truly felt he had become a tree, with countless vitalities flowing into his pores like water.
He began to thrive in the earth.
As he 'grew,' his body slowly emerged from the ground, ultimately standing on the surface, with only a layer of his feet still in the earth.
"Buzz~"
The observation ended.
Zhao Xing came back to his senses.
"No wonder it felt so familiar; it turns out to be the 'human version' of the earth vein comprehensive technique."
Zhao Xing looked at the panel record.
[You observed the Fourth-tier Middle Grade Enlightening Painting 'Earth Vein Surge', and comprehended the Intermediate-level spell [Earth Store Return to Origin: Human Path]. Remaining comprehension times: 3]
[Earth Store Return to Origin: Human Path: Intermediate-level spell]
[Progress: Third Transformation (3885/9999)]
[Effect: Steal the vital Qi of the earth vein for personal use, allowing vital Qi to flow endlessly, and the spell to cycle continuously.]
The initial version of the earth vein comprehensive technique targets plant life.
The Intermediate and Advanced versions are both called Earth Store Return to Origin, but they are more finely divided based on their effects and power.
The human path version of Earth Store Return to Origin specifically targets human beings.
"Just as plants absorb the power of the earth vein, human life can also absorb it, but the absorption is more complex."
"The human path Earth Store and the plant path Earth Store are quite different; compared to the earth vein comprehensive technique, they are also more complex." Zhao Xing contemplated the differences.
This spell cannot be learned in the Temple of Divinity, nor will it be passed down.
Don't forget, the earth vein comprehensive technique and Earth Store Return to Origin series also have a nickname called 'Stealing Vitality Technique.'
If everyone could learn this spell, the result would be a bunch of old sixes being cultivated.
This spell is highly concealed and destructive; if anyone could learn it, everyone would be 'stealing vegetables.'
"The human path Earth Store Return to Origin can assist in cultivation and can also be pre-arranged when facing enemies, but I must practice it secretly; only by becoming a military Agricultural Affairs Bureau official can I use it openly; otherwise, it could be troublesome."
Zhao Xing didn't dare to practice in the city; otherwise, if discovered, he would be invited to 'drink tea.'
This spell is strictly prohibited from being practiced on the land of the Great Zhou, regardless of whether it is one's own land.
But why does it still exist? Because during the Great Zhou's expansion, this spell is too useful, and they simply cannot resist using it!
"This was brought by Lu Qian; it seems someone from the noble families is secretly practicing. This prohibition truly allows the officials to set fire while forbidding the common people from lighting lamps." Zhao Xing curled his lips, just like the wealthy in the previous life who had private jets and swimming pools, causing massive carbon emissions and water waste, yet called on ordinary people to protect the environment and conserve water resources.
"Why not? I will use it! And I will practice it fiercely!" Zhao Xing thought fiercely.
After comprehending these two spells, night had fallen.
Zong Shichang warmly invited him to stay overnight at the residence, and Zhao Xing did not refuse, gladly agreeing.
Manager Tang sent a servant to notify Zhao Ruide in Kangping Fang, then arranged dinner for the young master and esteemed guest.
"In the ancient times, the first born of the people. Proud and self-sufficient, embracing simplicity and truth. Wisdom and skill blossomed, resources awaited no cause. Who nourishes them? It truly relies on the wise." Zong Shichang recited, raising his wine cup to signal Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing smiled slightly and raised his wine cup in return: "Who are the wise? It is the time of Hou Ji. Who nourishes them? It is said to be sowing. In summer, they plow, and Tang also harvests. Near the Zhou classics, the eight policies begin with food."
The two were reciting the "Song of Encouraging Agriculture," each taking a turn; whoever couldn't continue would drink.
Zong Shichang pondered deeply, stammering, "Prosperous virtues, the vast land. Flowers and trees flourish, the gentle wind is clear. Countless men and women, rushing to compete. The mulberry women rise at night, and the farmers sleep in the fields."
Zhao Xing continued, "Integrity is easily lost, and harmony is hard to maintain. Hoping for a partner, entangled in despair. Those virtuous and capable still toil in the fields. How much more the common people, trailing and bowing."
Zong Shichang raised his wine cup, reciting, "The livelihood of the people lies in diligence; with diligence, there is no scarcity, no scarcity... What comes next?"
Zhao Xing poured him a full cup: "Don't think about it, drink!"
"Damn it, I lost again." Zong Shichang downed it in one go. "No more competitions; I can't win against you."
"Life in the world requires diligence; with diligence, food and clothing are not lacking. Seeking pleasure leads to ease; at the year's end, livelihood is hard to maintain." Zhao Xing continued Zong Shichang's thoughts, "In doing things, one must be diligent; with so many diligent people around us, how can we indulge in drinking and merriment without shame?"
Zong Shichang laughed and scolded, picking up the wine pot: "Stop pretending; come drink! We can be diligent tomorrow!"
Zhao Xing laughed heartily, forgetting all his troubles, and drank merrily with Zong Shichang.
The next morning, Zong Shichang was still sleeping soundly, while Zhao Xing had already awakened.
He was awakened by the wildcat's piercing cries.
"Howl! Woo!!" The sound roared, as if it had been beaten.
"Alright, alright." Zhao Xing got up and opened the door, "It's not even breakfast time yet; why are you in such a hurry? If someone didn't know better, they might think I'm abusing you."
"Meow~" The wildcat became obedient as soon as the door opened, its voice turning soft like a clip.
"Look at your demeanor." Zhao Xing helplessly opened the bamboo box and took out half a dried yellow fish: "Here, eat."
"Meow meow meow~" The wildcat began to feast.
After feeding the wildcat, Zhao Xing stepped outside the room.
He found a rockery and began to open the box containing the scrolls.
Upon seeing the note beside the scroll, Zhao Xing couldn't help but pause: "Hmm? This is a Fourth-tier Supreme Grade, All-Heavens Cloud Diagram?"
The small note had a line of elegant handwriting: "Gifted to you, All-Heavens Cloud Diagram, may your wishes come true."
"Hey, if you want to give it, just give it; why leave a note? Women only slow down my spellcasting speed..." Zhao Xing casually discarded the note, firming his resolve, and began to observe the scroll.
(End of Chapter)