Chapter 2: Flowing Clouds and Spreading Rain

After a brief interruption, Zhao Xing resumed planting rice seedlings, successfully sowing the last acre of public land he was responsible for before sunset.

Basic and entry-level spells leveled up quickly in the early stages. The proficiency for the entry-level spell 'Thriving Growth' had already accumulated 200 points.

Zhao Xing straightened up, admiring the neatly arranged, lush green fields, and clapped his hands with satisfaction.

As he finished for the day, he habitually checked his system panel.

Name: Zhao XingRealm: UnrankedFortune: Yan YiSpells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)Thriving Growth: Entry-level (201/9999)Cloudwalk: Entry-level (352/9999)Primal Gathering: Tier 1 (58/100)

As he hadn't yet chosen a profession, his panel data was quite rudimentary.

The data would change upon acquiring a profession and with future version updates, but even these limited details helped Zhao Xing recall a wealth of additional information.

"After unifying the nineteen states, the Great Zhou Ancestor made a grand vow: 'All exceptional talents in the world shall come into my fold, and my law shall be the law for ten thousand generations.'"

"He unified cultivation realms, establishing the system of 'Nine Ranks, Thirty Levels'."

"Below the Fourth Rank, there were distinctions of Principal, Auxiliary, Upper, and Lower. Above the Fourth Rank, only Principal and Auxiliary existed."

"Then, with immense divine power, he bound the dynasty's fortune, establishing a rule: 'Only citizens of my Zhou Dynasty may cultivate.'"

"He also built divine temples and disseminated myriad cultivation methods across the nineteen states."

"This system remained in effect until the 'Resurrection' version, or until players broke through level restrictions, at which point it was finally updated."

In its early days, this system was frequently mocked by players on forums, who grumbled that it was even worse than the 'Half-Step Peak Grand Completion' concept.

Since he hadn't yet obtained a profession, his realm remained 'Unranked'.

The fortune system, on the other hand, was divided into forty-nine levels.

This was based on the philosophical concepts of "Great Derivation of Fifty, Heavenly Derivation of Forty-Nine."

'Yan Yi' fortune was essentially the standard for billions of commoners.

It also influenced the effectiveness and success rate of certain spells; for instance, the 'Cloudwalk' spell he had just cast had a "Great Success" possibility, which was purely a matter of luck.

The three spells were considered 'Arts,' while Primal Gathering was classified as 'Cultivation.'

Billions of commoners could practice 'Primal Gathering' to strengthen their bodies, extend their lives, and enhance their well-being. This was yet another accomplishment of the Great Zhou Ancestor.

Furthermore, before the widespread resurgence of spiritual energy, both civil and military officials could wield powerful spells by utilizing a slightly weaker form of primal energy.

"Cultivation is like building a towering skyscraper; the Great Zhou's dynastic fortune can help people lay the foundation and add bricks and tiles. A single imperial decree could elevate one to prominence, extend their life, alter their destiny, and lead them directly to the First-Rank realm."

"Those who didn't become officials would be limited by their aptitude, stuck at bottlenecks until old age, while others would ascend rapidly. The unified fortune dynasty, by leveraging this official-centric cultivation system, truly achieved its goal of gathering all exceptional talents into its fold."

"However, the disadvantages were equally apparent: the very same imperial decree could cast someone into an abyss, stripping away their cultivation along with their status, and returning their fortune to the court."

"I recall there was a method to 'eat the sugarcoating and send the cannonball back'… but it's far too early to be contemplating such things."

"In this current era, the Great Zhou Dynasty is in 'invincible mode'; it is currently the reign of Emperor Jing. After Emperor Wu, the Great Zhou, once invincible, will begin its decline. At that point, this fortune dynasty model will increasingly reveal its flaws…"

Thinking of this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but shake his head and offer a self-deprecating smile, not out of pity for the Great Zhou, but rather amusement at his own situation.

He wasn't even sure if he'd survive past Emperor Wu's reign; he hadn't even received a profession change quest yet.

The Zhao family of Gucheng was a prominent household in Nanyang Commandery, widely known for their benevolence.

Every few years, they sponsored the imperial institution known as the 'Ciyangyuan' (Benevolent Orphanage), even sending family members to personally adopt orphans displaced by natural disasters. Zhao Xing was one such adoptee.

The Zhao family's businesses encompassed daily necessities such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation, alongside highly profitable industries like mechanisms and forging.

As a prominent family, donating to other government institutions carried the risk of being accused of collusion between officials and merchants, making them susceptible to criticism.

However, engaging in charity considerably reduced such skepticism.

Zhao Xing's adoptive father, Zhao Ruide, belonged to the Donghu branch. In his younger days, he enjoyed a comfortable life escorting and guarding merchant caravans.

Unexpectedly, at the age of forty-five, he suffered a tragic loss when his wife and only son drowned during a boat trip.

Doctors diagnosed hidden injuries from his extensive travels, making it unlikely he could have more children. Thus, at his family's urging, Zhao Ruide adopted six-year-old Zhao Xing from the Ciyangyuan, taking him as his foster son.

While he was initially quite fond of Zhao Xing, things had changed in recent years.

Six years after adopting Zhao Xing, Zhao Ruide's concubine unexpectedly bore him a son!

Overjoyed at this late-life blessing, Zhao Ruide immediately elevated his concubine to the status of his official wife. He showered all his affection on his biological son, and over the past few years, his relationship with Zhao Xing gradually became estranged.

Gazing at the Zhao family compound and recalling the original owner's past, Zhao Xing felt a slight pang of emotion before pushing open the door and entering.

Zhao Ruide was relaxing under a willow tree, fanning a child napping on a mat. Seeing Zhao Xing enter, he quickly made a shushing gesture, merely pointing towards the kitchen to indicate he should go eat.

Zhao Xing didn't mind that the family hadn't waited for him for dinner. He simply bowed politely and headed to the kitchen.

While an adoptive father and son typically wouldn't be so distant, Zhao Xing had 'joined midway,' not having experienced the years when Zhao Ruide doted on the original owner. Maintaining a facade of respect was the comfortable mode of interaction for him.

Zhao Ruide, for his part, also didn't dwell on Zhao Xing. They had previously clashed over Zhao Xing's career path—Zhao Ruide wanted him to study martial arts or go into business, but Zhao Xing was determined to join the Ministry of Agriculture.

How much money or future could an agricultural official possibly have?

In the end, Zhao Ruide reluctantly conceded, but this only further strained their relationship.

If his relationship with his adoptive father was one of estrangement, then his relationship with his stepmother, Lady Cai, was outright cold.

The moment he stepped into the kitchen, Zhao Xing heard a sharp voice from just outside the door.

"Does he have a dog's nose? It's incredibly sharp! The moment we stew meat at home, he appears. Did the smell of the stew waft all the way to the Ministry of Agriculture?"

"Shh, quiet down. Zheng'er just fell asleep, tired from playing… A few pieces of meat won't make a difference; our family can afford it."

"It's not that I begrudge the meat, but he's eighteen or nineteen now and doesn't contribute anything to the household. Which other child of his age doesn't know to show filial piety to their family?"

"Master, you raised him to adulthood, yet he refuses to listen to you about anything, insisting on joining that Ministry of Agriculture. That would be one thing, but it's been almost a year, and he still hasn't entered a rank. I'm afraid he'll come to contend with Zheng'er for the family inheritance in the future…"

"Are you finished? What's the point of saying all this? I'm not dead yet!"

"Waaaah…"

"Oh, crying again. So annoying. Look, you've woken Zheng'er up…"

The child's cries and the woman's wails then followed.

"Oh, Lady Cai, Lady Cai, I've explicitly stated that I won't claim Zheng'er's inheritance in the future. Why won't you believe me? Your wailing almost makes me feel ashamed."

Zhao Xing thought this to himself, but his body was remarkably honest. He swiftly lifted the pot lid and began eating quickly and heartily.

Zhao Ruide had a decent amount of savings and was a martial artist. On the kitchen stove, three of the four large pots were filled with meat dishes.

The Ministry of Agriculture did not provide breakfast or dinner, and junior officials received no salary, only some subsidies.

To improve the proficiency of the Primal Gathering cultivation method, it essentially meant finding every possible way to absorb primal energy from the world, thereby enhancing one's vitality and blood. Therefore, consuming nourishing food was crucial.

It was only natural for a son to eat from his father's bounty, even an adopted one!

Players specializing in agriculture were all pragmatists who shamelessly took what they could get, and Zhao Xing had to do the same.

The louder the crying outside grew, the faster Zhao Xing ate.

By the time the wailing subsided, he was full.

Seeing that his Primal Gathering progress had increased by 3 points, Zhao Xing wiped his mouth and exited the kitchen, thoroughly satisfied.

With Zhao Xing now present, Lady Cai ceased her fuss, as she still had to maintain some decorum for her husband's sake.

Zhao Xing, accustomed to the situation, bowed to both of them. "Greetings, foster father and madam. I'll retire to my room to rest."

Zhao Ruide nodded subtly, signaling Zhao Xing to leave quickly, as he desired some peace and quiet.

Lady Cai, however, began muttering again, "Every time he comes home, he eats and then goes to sleep. He never even plays with Zheng'er for a bit. Does the Ministry of Agriculture only hire good-for-nothings…?"

This was quite unfair to Zhao Xing.

He wasn't actually returning to his room to sleep.

He closed his door, lit three incense sticks, and ground special materials into ink.

Beside his desk was a wastebasket filled with numerous crumpled pieces of yellow paper.

What Zhao Xing needed to do now was acquire a sub-profession: Talisman Master.

"Fortunately, in this era, cultivation methods are readily available, materials are inexpensive, and acquisition channels are abundant, so it won't require much effort."

Zhao Xing picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began drawing talismans on the yellow paper.

Perhaps it was due to countless attempts, or perhaps his primal energy was increasing daily, but this attempt was exceptionally smooth.

As the brushstroke was nearing completion, Primal Gathering activated. A faint, radiant glow transferred from his fingertips, through the brush handle, and onto the yellow paper. The paper briefly emitted a soft light, which then fully converged within it.

You have successfully comprehended the Way of Talisman Crafting and created a Guiding Talisman.You have acquired the sub-profession 'Talisman Master'.Basic Guiding Talisman (1/1000): When affixed to the body, it accelerates the absorption of primal energy from the world.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has over five hundred people, yet fewer than five permanent positions are granted each year. To compete with wealthy scions from prominent families like Li Chengfeng, I need to find an unconventional advantage."

Would becoming a Talisman Master allow him to earn a fortune and secure his future?

Clearly not. Zhao Xing believed that his current skill level would lead to customers overturning his stall if he tried to sell talismans, and he certainly couldn't compete with other Talisman Masters.

Therefore, his true objective wasn't the sub-profession itself.

Capitalizing on his good momentum, Zhao Xing began attempting to draw a second talisman.

Soon, he successfully acquired a second type of basic talisman.

You have successfully comprehended the Way of Talisman Crafting and created a Soul-Soothing Talisman.Soul-Soothing Talisman: Possesses the effect of soothing the soul and calming the mind.

"It's done!"

Zhao Xing affixed the Guiding Talisman to his abdomen and the Soul-Soothing Talisman to his forehead. He then lay on the bed, contorted into a strange posture, muttering to himself:

"Student Zhao Xing, respectfully requests the Grand Dream Academy to open its doors of learning."