Chapter 8: Courtyard Magic Performance

To save time, during the open consultation sessions, people formed groups of three to five with friends who had similar questions, seeking advice together.

Xue Wenzhong moved through the crowd, sometimes explaining and other times having the junior officials demonstrate.

Soon, wind began to blow, clouds gathered, thunder rumbled, and light rain fell in the courtyard, making it instantly lively.

While waiting, Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong grew restless and began teasing their colleagues who were practicing spells nearby.

"Brother Zhou, why do you always blow wind towards people's crotches? You must have bothered quite a few young ladies with that trick."

"Brother Ye, your thunder spell is mediocre; the sound isn't even as loud as your snoring. You really need to practice diligently."

"Oh, Brother Cao, yours is truly something! Your rain-making looks like a woman peeing, and it's even split... Hahahaha!"

Laughter echoed continuously around them. Those being teased weren't annoyed; instead, they teased each other back, bringing some amusement to the otherwise tedious practice.

However, as the young men continued their conversation, the topic began to stray, gradually shifting towards matters of men and women, and they became more and more excited as they spoke.

"Speaking of this year's Spring Festival, I was passing by a residential house in the village when I suddenly heard sounds coming from inside. A man was whispering and groaning, 'Baby, it's coming out, push harder~' followed by a woman's soft complaint, 'Father-in-law is on top, I'm underneath, how can I push? Why don't we switch places?'"

"Curious, I approached to take a look. What do you think happened?" Qian Dong winked at the young men gathered around, then deliberately paused, building suspense.

"Eww~ Father-in-law, daughter-in-law? Is it some kind of incestuous affair? Brother Qian, quickly shut up, don't pollute our ears!"

"Brother Cao, you were listening most intently just now, and now you're pretending? If you don't want to listen, then move aside. I'm a vulgar person, and I love listening."

"You're killing me with suspense! Brother Qian, quickly tell us what happened!"

The few of them were talking and laughing quite seriously, but Zhao Xing couldn't help but rub his forehead and shake his head, not because of what they were saying, but because Old Sicheng Xue Wenzhong had unknowingly walked up behind Qian Dong.

"What did you see?"

The aged voice suddenly appeared, startling the young men. Qian Dong turned around, his face flushing from pale to red, stammering, "N-nothing."

Xue Wenzhong's face wrinkled in a half-smile. "They can listen, but I can't? I must hear it, otherwise, none of you will have an easy time. You'll all go cut grass on the back mountain for this old man."

Qian Dong stammered, Chen Ziyu avoided eye contact, and the others also turned their heads away. Only Zhao Xing watched the scene unfold, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong called out by name, "Zhao Xing, if they can't say it, then you tell me."

Zhao Xing calmly replied, "Old Xue, what Qian Dong was talking about was actually a common matter. It was a father-in-law and daughter-in-law digging for a silver box left by their ancestors in a dry well. He was just being overly surprised by something ordinary."

"You're a clever one, lad," Xue Wenzhong chuckled.

Hearing this, Qian Dong quickly said, "Ah, that's what I was going to say!"

"Right, right, that's what we understood too!" the other young men quickly echoed.

Seeing that Old Sicheng wasn't going to trouble them, Qian Dong quickly changed the subject. "Old Xue, recently when I've been casting the Cloud Formation spell, I always feel it's not smooth; sometimes it's large, sometimes small, and extremely unstable. Please give me some guidance, Old Xue."

"Go ahead and cast the spell so I can see."

Qian Dong didn't hesitate, immediately pointing his hand. About two meters above his head, a grayish-white cloud instantly appeared, swaying unsteadily like a drunkard's umbrella.

Xue Wenzhong observed for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling Qian Dong to stop. "Your vital energy cannot be properly contained, causing the spell's effect to fluctuate accordingly."

Qian Dong listened obediently.

"But you don't need to worry, this is normal." Xue Wenzhong took Qian Dong's hand, stroked his wrist twice, then released it. "You are close to entering the second stage of Qi Gathering; you are just a step away from breaking through."

"The rest of you are the same; most of you have likely already encountered or are about to encounter this. But there's no need to panic. Go back and properly gather your vital energy, and you'll be fine soon."

"Thank you, Old Xue."

"Hmm?" When his gaze fell on Zhao Xing, Xue Wenzhong let out a soft exclamation of surprise, then took Zhao Xing's hand.

The others didn't know why, and all looked over.

A moment later, Xue Wenzhong's brows relaxed, and he smiled.

"Not bad," he said. "You have indeed entered the second stage of Qi Gathering; you're a step faster than them."

The others cast envious glances, while Chen Ziyu showed a joyful expression, happy for his brother. Qian Dong secretly nudged his shoulder, giving him an "I knew it" look.

Zhao Xing's expression remained calm. He had a system panel and knew the moment he broke through, unlike the other junior officials who were still somewhat uncertain about their own progress.

Next, a few others each asked their questions one by one. When it was Zhao Xing's turn, he mentioned that he had already obtained three new spells at the temple and requested Xue Wenzhong's guidance.

"The Wind Calling spell and the Cloud Formation spell feel similar; both involve gathering vital energy and manipulating the forces of heaven and earth through established spell routes. However, Wind Calling is slightly more difficult as it involves direction, and the casting process needs to be more precise. Try controlling it with one-third of the vital energy you use for Cloud Formation. Start with the north wind."

Hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately began casting the spell.

Vital energy flowed from his fingertips towards the north, and soon, a breeze swept through.

Initially, it was just a gentle breeze, but gradually the wind strength increased, blowing people's hair straight back.

Xue Wenzhong's expression showed some surprise, because Zhao Xing's control over the Wind Calling spell was very stable and the wind force was strong enough, completely unlike a first-time caster.

If it were a beginner, their hair would be fluttering wildly instead of being blown straight back.

"How did I not notice this kind of comprehension from him before?"

Xue Wenzhong paid close attention and said, "Try the other directions."

Zhao Xing nodded lightly, and his fingers pointed successively to the southeast, northwest. There was no one to the north, but in the other directions, other junior officials were casting spells, causing significant interference.

However, the transformation from the Dao Embryo Pill was beginning to show results. Zhao Xing's control over vital energy became stronger than others', imperiously excluding all other interference.

At this moment in the courtyard, if he wanted wind, wind would come, while everyone else was left disheveled in the wind.

"Good, that's enough." Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong nodded with satisfaction and told Zhao Xing to stop.

The other junior officials were originally confused, but seeing that the anomaly came from Old Sicheng's direction, they didn't think much of it and continued their own practice.

Next, Old Sicheng had Zhao Xing try casting the Thunder Strike spell.

"Cloud Formation involves the two energies of Yin and Yang, clear and turbid. Controlling it with vital energy, if weighted, it forms rain; if combined, it produces thunder. The key lies in..."

"Boom!"

Before his words had even finished, a startling thunderclap echoed through the courtyard.

The thunder was so loud it sounded like it exploded right beside their ears.

At this, everyone in the entire courtyard looked over.

They saw a mass of grayish-white clouds appear above Zhao Xing's head, with gray and white rapidly rolling and colliding from both sides, like chariots crashing into each other.

The next moment, purple light flashed, and another thunderclap exploded!

"Ziyu, Brother's thunder is a bit too loud, isn't it?" Qian Dong stared blankly at the sky.

"I think so too," Chen Ziyu replied, somewhat bewildered. "Could the difference between Qi Gathering first and second stages be so vast?" His shock was likely due to the thunder's impact.

Xue Wenzhong opened his mouth, speechless.

He realized he had said too much just now.

If Zhao Xing hadn't brought his application documents with him, he would have thought Zhao Xing had been practicing for a long time.

Judging by these two spells alone, Zhao Xing was anything but a beginner.

"Old Xue, please give me guidance." Zhao Xing withdrew his spell, waiting for Xue Wenzhong's instruction, but the other replied with a smile, "For Wind Calling and Thunder Strike, you are quite talented and have already grasped the basics. What I was going to say is just what I usually teach. With a little more practice, you'll master them."

"As for the Spell of Animating Vegetation... come with me."