"However, as your master, I am of limited ability. With the Cold Dew Festival Order, I can only achieve the ’Cold Dew Third Stage Transformation’, which is sufficient in Gucheng. However, if you aim to join the military, the Third Stage Transformation would be inadequate. In the future, you should frequently seek guidance from Chen Shijie. He will surely teach you how to use it."
Zhao Xing nodded. After officially becoming the Minister of Agriculture, he could cultivate the "Seasonal Order." By then, the range of the Minister of Agriculture Official’s spells would greatly increase due to holding an official position in the Fortune Dynasty. Of course, this increase would be limited to within the borders of Great Zhou.
At the same time, the Seasonal Order was not merely about setting or altering the seasons. It also came with various magical abilities, such as enhancing spells or using phenological changes.
This had broader applications in military campaigns. When the army arrived at an unfamiliar wilderness, identifying which meats were edible and which were not depended on the Military Minister of Agriculture Officer.
However, given the vastness of the world and the innumerable species, even the Military Minister of Agriculture Officer might not be able to recognize them all.
Using the seasonal changes, they could select edible items from the wilderness.
For the Military Minister of Agriculture Officer, there was only a difference between what could be directly eaten and what solutions they could come up with to eat.
In terms of specific spells, Xue Wenzhong had nothing further to teach Zhao Xing. He could only talk about the "Seasonal Order," something only mastered after one became an official Minister of Agriculture.
Zhao Xing also knew his time with the Old Minister of Agriculture was limited. Even if many of the teachings were just simple principles, he listened intently.
On October 9, Zhao Xing arrived at Chen Mansion.
At that moment, Chen Shijie was busily preparing traps.
Half of his pear orchard had been cleared, and he had even uprooted many of the young saplings, replacing them with several new plants.
Curious, Zhao Xing ran over to take a look and was stunned: "Are you planning to blow the Xuantian Sect sky-high?"
Chen Shijie replied indifferently: "The geographical advantage in Nanyang County is still lacking. These things grow here with reduced potency."
Long Xiao added: "Don’t worry, I delivered some high-end goods for you, a hundred sections."
Zhao Xing asked cautiously: "Roughly what rank?"
Long Xiao extended one hand, and Zhao Xing’s face changed dramatically: "Is this really okay?"
Chen Shijie said, "We have no choice but to use them. Those two people in Sanwan Town are already dead, and their house was burned down. This group of Xuantian Sect demons is not simple and is very alert. They must have changed their appearance."
Long Xiao laughed: "Relax, it won’t be a problem."
Zhao Xing sighed, "During the operation, I should stay far away from you two, sirs."
After a pause, he added, "Could you share some small ones with me?"
"Hahaha, you think these things are handy? Sure, no problem!"
On October 15, at Zong Mansion.
Zong Shichang handed a box to Zhao Xing.
"I searched for a long time and only found a third-tier top-grade Sandalwood Soul Box. I don’t know if it will be enough for you."
Zhao Xing took it and examined it: "It will suffice."
Despite the cold weather, Zong Shichang was flamboyantly fanning himself: "Aside from storing some soul-calming elixirs, I don’t know what else this kind of item is good for. Can you tell me?"
Zhao Xing laughed: "Don’t ask. I don’t want to lie to you, so don’t force me to."
Zong Shichang folded his fan: "You’re straightforward, and I like that. I won’t ask further. Shall we drink more today?"
Zhao Xing shook his head: "No more drinking. I need to prepare well for the Start of Winter assessment."
Zong Shichang was surprised: "Is such diligence necessary? You have already secured a spot in Gucheng. Who can compare to you?"
Zhao Xing gazed up at a forty-five-degree angle: "A true master always competes with himself."
Zong Shichang cursed with a laugh: "Damn it, you can certainly put on airs."
On October 23, Frost Descent.
The weather in Gucheng was getting colder. Every morning, a thin layer of frost could be seen on the ground.
During this seasonal period, Zhao Xing noticeably felt that his [Ice Rain] and [Yin Wind] spells had further strengthened.
Compared to the autumnal equinox, the power of his spells had increased by at least thirty percent.
"The impact of the seasons on spells is considerable. After becoming official, the primary task will be to cultivate the Seasonal Order. This is akin to creating a suitable home-turf environment for oneself," Zhao Xing mused, wrapped in his autumn clothes as he went to check the backyard.
The Tianyuan Pear tree had now been moved to a corner.
The effect of the Earth Vein Comprehensive Element fully nourished several other plants.
Zhao Xing had also wrapped the backyard vegetable garden in a layer of cloud mist for concealment.
People outside couldn’t see what was going on inside at all.
"The growth looks good," Zhao Xing commented as he scanned the area. "Hopefully, it won’t be needed, and Old Chen and Long Xiao can handle everything, letting me take it easy."
The fourth-rank Preaching Painting "Earth Palace Illusion" burned fiercely, representing the last chance of enlightenment being used up.
Zhao Xing glanced at the panel.
[Endless Palace: Mid-tier spell]
[Progress: 8012/9999]
[Effect: Based on the earth veins, it creates an Endless Palace that releases strong capturing power and can stack up to eight layers]
[Five Elements Earth Splitting: Mid-tier spell]
[Progress: 7215/9999]
[Effect: The earth veins surge chaotically, attacking with the power of random Five Elements earth veins.]
[Swallowing Cloud: Mid-tier spell]
[Progress: 8523/9999]
[Effect: A mid-tier cloud skill that can devour and absorb various cloud qi and gain their effects.]
[Ksitigarbha Returning Origin·Human Path: Mid-tier spell]
[Progress: 6536/9999]
[Effect: Sets up an earth vein array, absorbing the power of the earth veins to replenish primordial energy, creating an endless cycle of spells]
"This month, all four Preaching Paintings have been used up, and the four spells have made significant progress." Zhao Xing pondered, "As for the other spells, except for the Sleeping Bug, they remain unchanged."
Over the month, he had selectively cultivated spells, bringing the four new spells to around the seventh or eighth transition. With the foundation of the Preaching Paintings, the results of his efforts were quite impressive.