Chapter 16: Rain Summoning Spell

After the Jingxin era name came 'Dazhi', separated by at least several decades.

As a chaotic force, the Xuantian Sect had always sought to subvert the existing order.

Zhao Xing first heard of them during the 'Dazhi' years of Emperor Jing's reign. They became dormant during Emperor Wu's time but grew active again in the late period of his reign, flourishing during the 'Resurgence' era.

He remembered them so clearly because this chaotic force loved causing too much trouble, making them extremely unfriendly to 'Farmer' players who preferred stability.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xing stopped pondering and decided to set the matter aside.

He currently had no quest panel, only a personal stats panel. In his previous life, he would have participated in even the slightest hint of a quest, just to gain some benefits.

But now, he was just a small ant, and he didn't have a revive function. For Zhao Xing in this life, as long as it didn't interfere with his goal of farming and achieving longevity, he wouldn't join in any excitement.

"It's best to inquire less about societal matters," he thought. "As long as they don't bother me, who cares about the Xuantian Sect or the Xuandi Sect?"

After collecting the official approval document and bidding farewell to Pang Fei, Zhao Xing headed straight for the temple.

He didn't even bother to pay respects to Earl Donghu, to avoid being asked to practice martial arts again. Instead, he went directly to the Hall of True Monarch Caoxi.

The temple attendant was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Xing. "It hasn't been long," he thought, "Why is he back already?"

"The document is fine. You may enter."

"Thank you."

Zhao Xing quickly entered the hall and sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. At that moment, there were still seven or eight people in the hall, from various professions. Yet no one made a sound, simply closing their eyes quietly to receive the spell.

The moment Zhao Xing closed his eyes, he felt a flash of golden light, and the next moment, it was as if he was standing in a vast grassland.

Different transmission scenarios meant different spells learned. Zhao Xing couldn't pinpoint which spell this scenario corresponded to. He merely prayed silently in his heart: "I want to cast rain, I want to cast rain. True Monarch, please don't get it wrong, I beg you..."

As if in response to Zhao Xing's prayer, a dark cloud soon began to form above the grassland.

"Boom!"

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

Drip, drip, drop~

A cool sensation enveloped Zhao Xing, and soon raindrops fell on him, as if they were directly falling into his mind.

"Splash, splash, whoosh~"

The rain grew heavier and heavier.

Cloud-moving, thunder-striking, and rain-casting—these three spells were cast one after another, in a continuous cycle, constantly manifesting in Zhao Xing's mind.

After an unknown period, Zhao Xing opened his eyes. In his mind, he now possessed the knowledge of a new spell: Rain Casting.

Rain Casting: Novice Spell

Progress: (0/9999)

Effect: Precisely control rainfall.

Cupping his hands towards the True Monarch in a respectful gesture, Zhao Xing silently exited the main hall.

The temple attendant glanced at Zhao Xing's departing back, murmuring to himself: "Strange, this person prayed for rain casting and actually comprehended it. Does the True Monarch grant every wish to this person?"

***

With the Rain Casting spell acquired, Zhao Xing was in excellent spirits.

What kind of Farmer can't make it rain?

"The key to Rain Casting lies in the 'casting' aspect," he mused, "allowing for precise control over the amount of rain. If it were other professions, the amount of rain would be entirely up to fate."

Some professions could also summon rain, but the spell effects and names were different, and they weren't as effective as the Farmer's.

For example, the temple attendant he had just seen had a spell called 'Prayer for Rain', but it was difficult to control the precise amount of rain. To achieve that, they had to set up an altar and prepare offerings. Even if simplified, they'd at least need to carry some yellow paper talismans.

"Teacher, I've newly comprehended Rain Casting. Please guide me." After learning the spell, he couldn't wait to return to the Locust Willow Courtyard at the Directorate of Agriculture.

Old Farmer Xue Wenzhong smiled faintly: "You have good luck; what you wish for comes true. You now have all four of the Heavenly Timing spells."

Of course I have good luck. I've inherited some of the Da Li's destiny and already reached the second evolution. How many people in the entire Gucheng City have reached the second evolution? Probably only the County Magistrate and the heads of various agencies could.

"There's no trick to Rain Casting; it's simply a matter of practicing more," Xue Wenzhong explained. "Cloud-moving, wind-summoning, thunder-striking, and rain-casting – you cast them in sequence, exercising precise control over the spells, and naturally, you'll be able to control the rainfall."

"The only thing to consider is external influences," Xue Wenzhong explained. "For instance, the Locust Willow Courtyard is always in the 'Start of Spring' solar term, where moisture is abundant. If you cast Rain Casting here, the final rainfall might be more than you anticipated."

"If you go to the eastern suburbs, where the climate is dry," he continued, "and cast Rain Casting, the rainfall might be less than you anticipated."

Zhao Xing, of course, knew all of this; he understood it even better than Xue Wenzhong. In his previous life, 'Farmer' players faced far harsher environments during the 'Calamity Era' and were often taken advantage of. Just thinking about it brought tears to his eyes.

To this end, Zhao Xing had developed a set of 'influence factor' formulas, and even in the 'Qi Tide' version, which was considered the most unfriendly to Farmer players, he could maintain extremely small errors.

He just didn't know if they would still be effective now, since he wasn't a player anymore.

Next came the practice.

Zhao Xing practiced Rain Casting in the courtyard.

During his first casting, Xue Wenzhong stood beside him, offering guidance.

By the third time, Xue Wenzhong stood on the steps.

By the tenth time, the old Farmer was sitting on a bench.

After that... Xue Wenzhong simply reclined in a lounge chair and rested his eyes.

Zhao Xing didn't need any more teaching at all; Xue Wenzhong had never seen anyone comprehend so quickly.

"If this child isn't a Farmer, it would truly be a waste," Xue Wenzhong sighed with genuine emotion after the practice ended.

However, verbally, he still focused on encouragement: "Your Rain Casting still has many shortcomings. The environment can be a disturbance, but it can also be a help."

"Can't you utilize that small puddle in the corner to save your *qi*?" he asked. "Why do you always try to go against it?"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth, wanting to explain something, but couldn't.

He couldn't exactly say that the environment would become so harsh in the future that it would be difficult to utilize. Just being able to resist was good enough. At his current level, it was too early to discuss such things.

"You are right to reprimand me."

***

There was still half an hour left to practice other spells, but suddenly a servant rushed over to find Xue Wenzhong, hurriedly saying something to him.

Although Xue Wenzhong's expression didn't change, his words revealed a sense of unease: "Today's extra practice ends here. I might not have time tomorrow; you should practice on your own."

After saying that, Xue Wenzhong left with the servant.

What happened?

Zhao Xing was puzzled.

But since the other person didn't say, he couldn't very well ask.

That day, after returning home, Zhao Xing lay in bed, unable to sleep, feeling a sense of unease.

He hadn't wanted to investigate, but Old Farmer was one of the keys to his full employment. If something were to happen, the other Farmers might not be willing to recommend him.

"Tomorrow, I still need to go inquire," he decided. "If there's truly a change, it's better to plan early." Having made up his mind, Zhao Xing affixed two more talismans and entered the Great Dream Academy to observe. He found that there was still no movement within the clouds, so he withdrew and slept peacefully.

Unexpectedly, early the next morning, he heard some bad news.