Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 101 - 81: Yin God Grading, Recap of Gains!_2

Chapter 101: Chapter 81: Yin God Grading, Recap of Gains!_2

Moreover, two self-created spells had actually appeared!

"Self-created spells should be realized after achieving Thunder Perfect."

"Hmm? My understanding of Water Element Magic had actually increased so much?"

"And Yin Wind had directly reached Nine Revolutions?!!" Zhao Xing’s eyes widened.

It’s one thing to create spells, but how difficult was it to cultivate Yin Wind? Only in specific seasons like Great Cold, Lesser Cold, and Qingming, or in places with high-quality earth veins, could the cultivation speed be quickened.

When he entered the mountain, he was only at One Turn, but upon descending, he had reached Nine Revolutions!

It was simply beyond expectations!

"The gains I’ve made in the mountain were truly significant, not only did my spells break through, but I also obtained many treasures. This heavy bamboo box probably contains a few sets of soft armor and the Tiger Spirit Blade."

Without even thinking, Zhao Xing knew why he had snatched these two kinds of items: they were easy to sell and didn’t take up much space.

The Tiger Spirit Blade was a short blade, and the soft armor could be folded, fitting perfectly in the bamboo box.

These Third Rank treasures were likely prepared by martial artists for mountaineering, and they were all hot commodities that would sell quickly.

"This time climbing the mountain, I’ve amassed over two thousand taels?" Zhao Xing roughly estimated the value of the treasures: the vestment robe, bamboo horse, blade, and armor could sell for nearly a thousand and several hundred taels, and there was also a silver note worth one thousand taels.

"Indeed, robbery is more profitable."

"How long would it take to save that much properly?"

Robbery was much faster than earning side money.

Of course, in this period, robbing without consequences was no easy task.

Climbing Spirit Mountain to gather Spiritual Beauty was something only done during the clerk period; once officially becoming an official, one couldn’t participate, though there were other ways of competition.

It wasn’t all good; only a few lucky ones had gains, while most just accompanied the run, and casualties could even occur.

"Clang! Clang!"

Suddenly, two bell chimes rang from the mountain.

This marked the end of climbing the mountain to gather Spiritual Beauty.

Next, the East Lake Army would enter the mountain, and a large number of high-tier experts would go in and reap the accumulations of the Spirit Mountain over the past half-year.

Only leaving behind ordinary wild beasts that posed no threat to common folk and some low-tier treasures.

The bell chimes ended.

Ji Ming, a secondary Sixth-Rank official from the Inspection Bureau, appeared in the Earth Altar Square.

The Inspection Bureau belonged to the county-level divine temple institution, which meant Ji Ming was a sixth-rank clergy.

Here, his status was the highest, and even the officials from the Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision like Fan Dongping automatically stood a rank lower before him.

"By the decree of Bixia Yuanjun, please present the names of those returning with the Spiritual Beauty from East Lake!"

Below, Ji Ming muttered incantations.

Chen Shijie explained to Zhao Xing: "Bixia is the Dao title of the Yin God, and Yuanjun refers to a female Yin God."

"At times, our Minister of Agriculture may also need to call upon the gods, so don’t mispronounce the title."

The clergy could set up altars to pray for rain, and the Minister of Agriculture could also call upon the gods; many aspects of the magic professions were interconnected.

Zhao Xing nodded and said: "I remember this Yuanjun is the highest-ranking Yin God in Pinghai State, right?"

Chen Shijie nodded: "Nanyang County belongs to Pinghai State, and to the east of Pinghai State lies Canghai."

"Pinghai State was not originally called Pinghai State but Canghai State. This is because half of its current territory used to be part of Canghai."

"Fairy Bixia, during her lifetime, was at the Second Grade Realm and belonged to a Daoist sect during the Grand Ancestor’s period, specializing in Water Element Magic."

"After the Grand Ancestor established the state, some sects were exiled, and some surrendered; Fairy Bixia was one of those who surrendered."

"She helped the Grand Ancestor of Great Zhou solve the water calamity and subdued the violent spirit of Canghai, so after her death, she was conferred as Bixia Yuanjun, overseeing the Yue Mansion divine weapon and monitoring the human world’s good and evil. Not only in Pinghai State but also in the entire Great Zhou system, she was a highly-ranked Yin God."

Zhao Xing pondered: "I remember Bixia Yuanjun left a spell classic named ’Water Book,’ and many spells from it are mandatory for the Minister of Agriculture officials, is that right?"

Chen Shijie, surprised, said: "You have broad knowledge; you even know about the mandatory spell classics for the primary sixth-rank officials?"

Zhao Xing modestly smiled, once again unintentionally showing off before Old Chen.

In fact, he not only knew but also had been a Minister of Agriculture in the island regions.

Practicing spells in the sea and planting were vastly different from doing so on land.

If one did not understand the ’Water Book,’ one wouldn’t know how to teach those from the Water Clan to farm.

Chen Shijie nodded: "She indeed left a spell classic, fully named ’The True Explanation of Myriad Water Element Magic and Sea Spirit,’ but it’s commonly referred to as the Water Book; everyone calls it that."

Zhao Xing further asked: "Was it originally stored on Purple Cloud Island?"

Chen Shijie shook his head: "That I don’t know. Why are you inquiring about this?"

Zhao Xing whispered: "Just asking casually."

It didn’t sound like a casual question, but Chen Shijie couldn’t guess Zhao Xing’s thoughts.

At this moment, a stack of documents floated down from the mountain, landing in Ji Ming’s hands.

The Inspector then returned to the viewing platform.

The officials from various departments immediately craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse.

Ji Ming pulled out a document: "Where is the Gucheng County Magistrate?"

Li Wenzheng quickly stood up and cupped his hands: "Present."

Ji Ming smiled: "Gucheng has produced a fine talent, well taught."

Li Wenzheng didn’t know who Ji Ming referred to, so he nodded and replied: "It’s all thanks to the county government’s guidance; I just followed the rules."

Ji Ming handed the document to Li Wenzheng, pointing at it: "The top candidate alone acquired forty-two portions of Spiritual Beauty, making him Gucheng’s top performer. You must ensure the safety and order within and outside Gucheng, not to lose such talent."

"Yes," Li Wenzheng obediently accepted the document.

Ji Ming’s words practically specified Zhao Xing’s name must appear in the county’s ’Winter Review’ list this year.

Upon hearing someone had acquired forty-two portions of Spiritual Beauty alone, the officials present couldn’t help but ask:

"Mr. Li, who in Gucheng obtained forty-two portions of Spiritual Beauty?"

"Yes, Mr. Wenzheng, please quickly read out the name."

"Everyone, don’t rush, let me read carefully," Li Wenzheng straightened up, smiling as he slowly perused the document.

Ji Ming had firstly presented the most important document, indicating someone from Gucheng’s office had achieved the best results.

Not naming directly also gave him the opportunity to announce it, so Li Wenzheng certainly milked the suspense.

It’s an annual chance to be in the limelight after all.

"It’s killing me! How long will you take to read a single document?!"

"Li Wenzheng, hurry up!"

"Have you practiced your Inspection spell onto your hands? Moving one finger millimeter by millimeter?"

Amidst the teasing of nearby officials, laughter echoed from the viewing platform.

Li Wenzheng enjoyed the attention before finally announcing the top name on the list.

"Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision, clerk Zhao Xing, climbed East Lake Spirit Mountain, won the first incense stick, gathered forty-two portions of Spiritual Beauty, two of which are Superior Spiritual Beauty, rated as A-Grade!"

A burst of astonishment spread among the crowd.

Superior Spiritual Beauty, and two portions at that!

Luck couldn’t have been better!

Superior Spiritual Beauty was usually the Fortune Spiritual Treasure, meaning this person could at least achieve Secondary Grade luck.

In the Great Zhou, to be an official, good luck was essential, so it was expected that this person had a promising future.

Becoming an official was now certain!

For a moment, congratulations abounded.

"Stand up with me, and do what I do." Chen Shijie nudged Zhao Xing with his elbow, and the latter immediately understood.

Following Chen Shijie, Zhao Xing bowed and saluted the county-level and various department officials.

This was a good opportunity to make a public appearance. Just having your name remembered by these officials would make future work much easier.

"Congratulations, Mr. Jin, you have an excellent talent in your agriculture supervision."

"Thank you, Mr. Liu."

"Congratulations, Mr. Chen. Come to my residence sometime."

"Mr. Liu’s command, how could I not obey?"

...

Zhao Xing, following Chen Shijie, remained silent, only continually bowing and saluting.

He had no place to speak, but being remembered was enough.

If he were still a player, this moment would at least significantly raise his favorability within Nanyang County’s bureaucratic circle.

Not much perhaps, but at least from ’indifferent’ to slightly ’friendly.’

Being directly rated as A-Grade by the Yin God and Ji Ming pointing out his top placement, this was the scene clerks risked their lives climbing the mountain for, a dream come true.

Onlookers like Yang Junxiong, Zong Shichang, Li Chengfeng, Lu Qian, Liu Muqing, and Cao Qiushui couldn’t hide their envy.

"Poised and distinguished, blessed with great fortune, auspicious indeed," Xue Wenzhong joyfully remarked.

As for other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, they bitterly smiled.

Ah, such a great talent, why did he have to emerge from the Huai Liu Courtyard?

Truly envious!