Chapter 6: Temple Transmission of the Law

The Agrarian Arts encompass countless spells, which, based on their underlying philosophical approaches, can be divided into three main schools:

The Heavenly Timing School, the Earthly Advantage School, and the Intrinsic School.

The core philosophy of the Heavenly Timing School is to 'understand the heavens' timing, establish the heavens' timing, and alter the heavens' timing.'

They believe that the most crucial condition for plant growth is the heavens' timing.

In ancient times, the Xuanghuang Continent experienced the 'Age of Calamities,' during which celestial phenomena were extremely unstable. A single day could encompass all four seasons, and a year could bring drastic geological changes. Even now, many places on the Xuanghuang Continent still exhibit such chaotic weather patterns. For instance, there are mountain ranges perpetually engulfed in flames and ice seas that never thaw. In other areas, the mornings are characterized by scorching sun, capable of melting metal, while the evenings see water freeze solid, turning anything into stiff corpses. Though not as extreme, some regions still experience 'seasonal chaos' and 'reversed solar terms.'

Therefore, the Agrarian Heavenly Timing School believes that the direction of their magical research should be to understand, change, and establish the heavens' timing, thereby creating a stable farming environment for local communities. Their most renowned magical text is the *Solar Term Edict*. Upon cultivation, one can regulate celestial phenomena and set local solar terms; all spells within the text revolve around this central idea.

The Earthly Advantage School, conversely, maintains that heavenly timing is irreversible and celestial phenomena unchangeable. Rather than expend such energy, they believe it is better to focus on transforming barren lands into auspicious territories. Using this as a foundation, they plant vegetation, and under the dual influence of the favorable terrain and the plants themselves, they gradually expand the habitable environment. They contend that as long as the soil is improved to be sufficiently fertile, plants can blossom and bear fruit even in the most adverse weather. Unbeknownst to many, delicate snow lotuses can blossom even on icy mountainsides! The Earthly Advantage School's classic texts include the *Empress Earth's Return to Origin Method* and the *Earth Store Primordial Gate Array*. This school is skilled at using tools and magical arrays, working closely with the Artisan School.

As for the Intrinsic School, they simply dismiss the others. They argue that heavenly timing and earthly advantages are mere external factors; true strength lies within oneself!

The Intrinsic School believes that plants themselves are a miracle, endowed with resilient vitality, capable of adapting to any environment. They gather rare and exotic flowers, divine woods, and immortal branches from across the land, selectively cultivating them over successive generations to produce seeds capable of resisting all external factors. The Intrinsic School holds that magical arts should develop in the direction of cultivating progressively stronger plants. Their most famous text is the *Myriad Growth Chart*.

"Currently, the Heavenly Timing School is prevalent, dominating mainstream thought, while the Earthly Advantage School and the Intrinsic School are relegated to secondary status."

"It won't be until the 'Resurrection Version' that these two schools will truly flourish. We might even see 'void seeds' capable of rooting in the void, and miraculous soil that can elevate plants by several ranks." On his way to the temple, Zhao Xing had already decided his primary cultivation path for the time being.

Mainly, he currently lacked the resources and conditions to pursue the Earthly Advantage and Intrinsic schools.

"My current mobility is too weak. If I gain the ability to travel far in the future, I could search for some of this era's treasures, such as the Lava Earth Fire Lotus, the Bloodthirsty Vine, and several parasitic and exotic species preserved in ancient tombs."

"As for now... I'll take what I can get."

............

Gucheng Temple was a county-level temple. The divine statues within were not ethereal legendary deities; a small portion depicted famous historical figures, while the majority represented deceased civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty. They were enshrined in the Great Zhou Temples either for their valiant deeds in life or for bringing prosperity to a region through their governance.

Among these, civil and military officials from the Founding Emperor's era were the most numerous. For example, the main hall Zhao Xing now saw was dedicated to 'Earl Donghu' from the Founding Emperor's time.

Born in Donghu, Gucheng, he lived as a fisherman in his youth. During the Founding Emperor's campaigns to conquer a thousand states and unify the chaotic world, he joined Duke Zhao's forces, becoming a chariot driver, and was eventually granted the title of Earl Donghu. Upon returning to his hometown, he distributed all his family's wealth, built bridges, paved roads, and transformed his community. He also voluntarily relinquished most of his land, allowing refugees to cultivate it, which helped Gucheng grow from a mere town into a county. After his death, he was enshrined in this temple to receive incense offerings, becoming a Yin God.

"Earl Donghu was skilled in martial arts. I seek guidance for cultivation, but it wouldn't be appropriate to approach him. This period is most suitable for the Agrarian Official profession, not others. I've consumed the Dao Embryo Pill; if he perceives my excellent foundation and believes I should practice martial arts, and I randomly receive some martial arts manual, it would be a waste of time."

Zhao Xing did not enter the main hall. He merely offered incense at the bronze censer outside and bowed, then prepared to leave.

"Dong!"

Inside Earl Donghu's temple, a bronze bell automatically rang, carrying a potent intention that clearly resonated in Zhao Xing's mind, as if urging him to stay or persuading him not to depart.

Zhao Xing's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected that a mere bow from outside the hall would cause such a stir. Earl Donghu had actually manifested and actively tried to keep him? The Dao Embryo Pill truly was remarkably potent... Zhao Xing cupped his hands again, quickened his steps, and fled.

"Sigh."

After Zhao Xing left, the divine statue emitted a faint sigh. The temple ritual master, who was meditating in the hall, looked out the door with a puzzled expression but found no one. He then looked up at the divine statue, but received no further revelation, so he simply scratched his head and resumed his meditation.

.........

After this unexpected incident, Zhao Xing no longer dared to worship casually. He quickened his pace and arrived at a side hall – the Cao Xi True Lord Hall.

"Cao Xi, in the early days of the dynasty's founding, served as the Land Management Officer for Nanyang Commandery. Due to his vigorous promotion of the Artisan School's 'Return to Origin Water Wheel' and his construction of thirteen canals at Pinghu, combined with Artisan arrays to manage floods, he was recognized as an outstanding figure of the Agrarian Earthly Advantage School."

"However, he was knowledgeable in many schools, having authored *Cao Xi's Agricultural Writings*, and was also a practical person. Worshipping him should pose no error."

"You are the one, venerable elder."

Zhao Xing handed the county yamen's approval document to the hall ritual master. The ritual master held a position within the Bureau of Rites, primarily responsible for the procedures of sacrificial ceremonies. This was the 'Spirit Medium' profession, as players called it, an early 'divine profession' because it allowed one to invite deities to possess their body and summon Yin Gods for combat.

Once upon a time, Zhao Xing had also wanted to switch to this profession for a thrill, but with the collapse of the Qi Luck Dynasty, its combat power was greatly diminished. In the 'Resurrection Version,' becoming strong through this path was extremely difficult and complex, so he had no choice but to abandon the idea. Now, it was even less likely for him to give up the Agrarian Official profession for a temporary thrill to choose this early divine profession.

"The document is in order. Once inside, simply sit cross-legged on the prayer mat and pray calmly," said the hall ritual master, who was not old but spoke with an old-fashioned air. "Remember, one cannot force a method. To gain anything at all is already great fortune. If you gain nothing, it proves your strength is insufficient; you can come again next time. Do not harbor distracting thoughts." This was to remind Zhao Xing that if he didn't succeed in obtaining a method, he shouldn't develop any obsession or resentment, as Yin Gods are very sensitive to thoughts related to themselves.

"Yes, thank you, Ritual Master." Zhao Xing took a deep breath and stepped into the Cao Xi True Lord Hall.