"However, after this event, the soil quality in this region will become cold and damp. If it comes to winter, there will be a large area of frozen soil, as the balance of the Five Elements has been disrupted and will need some time to adjust," Zhao Xing concluded.
"How to balance the situation depends on the circumstances at the time. The priority is always the people. If there are civilians behind and the flood is too severe, then we must first damage the environment and manage it afterward."
"If it’s just such a flood and manpower is sufficient, we can allocate people to absorb the water and place it in appropriate reservoirs."
After practicing in real scenarios, Zhao Xing raised both hands.
The water appeared in the artificial lake in a very short time.
"Not a drop more, not a drop less," Zhao Xing sensitively sensed, "and the earth veins were not damaged."
Once you learn to clone, if there’s one, there’s two.
Having mastered the Hanhai Palace Technique, ordinary-level floods were no longer a concern for Zhao Xing.
One hundred clones, all employing the Hanhai Palace Technique together in an emergency situation.
The clones continuously deployed the Hanhai Palace and dived deep into the earth, rendering floods unable to inundate the city behind him.
On December 29, Meng Kun returned to Kunshan and inquired about Zhao Xing’s cultivation progress.
"Dean, I have mastered the Hanhai Palace Technique," Zhao Xing reported truthfully.
"Hmm? Was it mastered by the clone or by the original?" Meng Kun looked on expectantly.
"The original has reached the third level, the clone the first level."
"So fast?" Meng Kun was shocked. How long had Zhao Xing been studying?
From his arrival at Kunyuan Academy until now, it was just barely ten months.
Mastering a top-level skill in ten months, and to the third level?
Seeing Meng Kun’s astonished face, Zhao Xing knew his progression was certainly fast.
Actually, his rapid progress was because, by early December, his progress with the Derivation God Decision had reached six stars.
With a stronger Life Soul, the effectiveness of the clone’s comprehension naturally also improved.
"Don’t speak of this to others, lest it invite envy," Meng Kun advised.
Being exceptionally skilled was not always a good thing; Meng Kun was not eager to see Zhao Xing show his brilliance too soon.
His official rank was only a fifth-rank, yet he had mastered a top-level skill? If word got out, it would cause a sensation.
"Thank you for the reminder, Dean. I will keep it in mind," Zhao Xing nodded.
Mastering a top-level skill in less than a year, he also knew this speed was astonishing and saw no need to publicize it and invite trouble.
While Zhao Xing did not want to invite trouble, trouble still came knocking.
On February 20 of the 32nd year of Jing Xin.
Zhao Xing was stopped outside the Secret Technique Tower in the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch.
"Are you Zhao Xing, the Doctor of Governance?"
The man who spoke was dressed in a Phoenix Feather Robe, wore a High Sunset Crown on his head, and held a book in his hand, his tone unfriendly.
Zhao Xing did not recognize the man, but could tell he was a fourth-rank official, and immediately pretended not to hear and continued walking outside.
"Stop!" the richly dressed man blocked him again, "My name is Zhou Yun, also a Doctor of Governance. I don’t know whose back door you’re using to have received such preferential treatment!"
"You only teach once a month and yet occupy a full five days of exploring the Secret Technique Tower!"
Zhou Yun’s tone was both indignant and mocking.
Zhao Xing simply ignored the man and quickly sped away.
Unable to keep Zhao Xing stopped, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but shout, "You can run for now, but not forever!"
Sure enough, in the following days, a cascade of rumors continuously emerged.
Bemoaning that Zhao Xing, the Doctor of Governance, was merely a fifth-rank official without any significant spells or theoretical accomplishments, and lacking in experience to have established any merits for the Xuantian Academy branch.
Even his teaching tasks were so light, yet he occupied five days each month of the Secret Technique Tower for cultivation.
So under the protest of this so-called Doctor of Governance named Zhou Yun, the news swiftly spread.
Seven days later, matters further fermented:
Zhao Xing was a disciple of Liu Tianning, and had cultivated the Ten Thousand Skill Grass Man.
Zhao Xing’s original self served as the Earth God Temple head in Chongming Prefecture, and he wasn’t present here, it was only his clone.
These two points were promptly uncovered.
"Whoa~" At the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch, public opinion immediately exploded.
From eighth-grade to fourth-grade, a crowd fervently surrounded Zhao Xing’s residence at Mirror Lake Courtyard, demanding he come out and explain himself.
"Zhao Xing, come out! You traitor!"
"Shameless! Clearly practicing the Self Sect yet studying our Heavenly Time Sect’s techniques!"
"Infuriating! How could he possibly learn any technique? He’s just here to gain qualifications; how could anyone agree to such unreasonable demands, it’s ridiculous!"
"How dare you deceive us, serving as a Doctor of Governance for a year, you have insulted this title!"
"If a mere clone of Zhao Xing can hold the position of Doctor of Governance, what value does this position even have?"
"Come out! Come out now!"
"I want to challenge you to the ’Great Taoism Competition’!"
"Damned heretic, traitor, come out!"
The crowd was furious!
A bunch of fourth- and fifth-rank officials, along with unsuspecting sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, completely surrounded Mirror Lake Courtyard.
The atmosphere seemed intent on tearing Zhao Xing apart.
However, Zhao Xing’s clone was not there.
He had sensed something was amiss these past few days and had already sought shelter with Geng Shouchang and Sima Yunhai.
Geng Shouchang said, "Originally, our plan was to bring you to the main campus at the beginning of the year, but plans can’t keep up with changes, you..."
You had met Li Boqian.
Geng Shouchang couldn’t finish his sentence, but Zhao Xing understood immediately.
Geng Shouchang continued, "Your position as a Doctor of Governance was recommended by the three of us, and Lu Chunhua agreed to give you these resources, but at that time we discussed only two to four months."
"Now it has been over a year, and although the schedule was cleverly arranged, it was eventually discovered nonetheless."