Rainmaking Spell

After the New Splendor Era came the Great Governance Era, with several decades in between.

As a chaotic faction, the Profound Heaven Sect had always sought to overthrow the established order.

Zhao Xing had first heard of them during the Great Governance Era under the Emperor Jing. They fell quiet during the Wu Emperor's reign, became active again toward its end, and flourished in the revival version.

He remembered them so clearly because this chaotic faction loved stirring up trouble. They were extremely unfriendly to Ministry of Agriculture players who preferred stability.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xing gave up and decided to set it aside.

He had no quest panel now, only a personal panel. In his previous life, he would have involved himself at the first sign of a quest. Any benefit he could scrape together was still a benefit.

But now, he was merely a tiny ant, and he had no resurrection function. As far as this life's Zhao Xing was concerned, as long as it did not hinder his farming and pursuit of longevity, he would not join in the commotion.

"Better not pry too much into society's affairs. As long as they don't come after me, who cares whether it's the Profound Heaven Sect or the Profound Earth Sect?"

After receiving the government's approval document and bidding Pang Fei farewell, Zhao Xing headed straight for the temple.

He did not even bother paying respects to the Earl of East Lake, lest the man try to keep him behind for martial training again. He went directly to True Lord Cao Xi Hall.

The hall-guarding Ceremonial Official was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Xing. How long had it been? Why was he back already?

"There's nothing wrong with the document. Go on in."

"Thank you."

Zhao Xing quickly entered the hall and sat cross-legged upon a prayer cushion. There were still seven or eight people inside, from various professions. Yet no one made a sound; they merely sat with their eyes closed, quietly receiving the teachings.

The moment Zhao Xing closed his eyes, he saw a flash of golden light. The next instant, he seemed to be standing in a grassland.

Different teaching scenes meant different spells. Zhao Xing could not tell which spell this scene represented, so he silently prayed, I want Rainmaking, I want Rainmaking. Venerable True Lord, please don't get it wrong. I'm begging you...

It was as if True Lord Cao Xi had heard Zhao Xing's prayer. Before long, a dark cloud appeared over the grassland.

Rumble!

Lightning flashed and thunder roared.

Drip, drip~

A cool chill wrapped around Zhao Xing. Soon, raindrops fell upon him, or perhaps directly into his mind.

Whoosh~

The rain grew heavier and heavier.

Cloudcalling, Thunderclap, and Rainmaking—the three spells unfolded in sequence, cycling endlessly through Zhao Xing's mind.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xing opened his eyes. A new piece of spell knowledge had appeared in his mind: Rainmaking.

Rainmaking: Beginner Spell

Progress: (0/9999)

Effect: Precisely controls rainfall.

Zhao Xing cupped his hands toward True Lord Cao Xi, then silently withdrew from the hall.

The hall-guarding Ceremonial Official glanced at Zhao Xing's departing back, muttering inwardly, Strange. He prayed for Rainmaking and truly comprehended Rainmaking. Does True Lord Cao Xi grant this man every request?

With the Rainmaking spell in hand, Zhao Xing was in an excellent mood.

What kind of Minister of Agriculture could not make it rain?

"The key to Rainmaking lies in the word 'making.' It allows precise control over the amount of rain. If it were another profession, how much rain fell would be entirely up to fate."

Certain professions could also make it rain, but their spells had different effects and names, and none were as useful as those of the Ministry of Agriculture.

For instance, the Divine Hall Ceremonial Officials Zhao Xing had just seen possessed a spell called Seeking Rain. However, it was difficult for them to control the exact amount of rainfall. To achieve that, they had to set up an altar and prepare offerings. Even with everything simplified, they still needed to carry at least some yellow paper.

"Teacher, I've newly comprehended Rainmaking. Please guide me." Having learned the spell, Zhao Xing immediately returned to Locust Willow Courtyard at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Old Sima Nong, Xue Wenzhong, smiled. "You're quite lucky. You get whatever you want. The Four Seasonal Arts are now complete for you."

Of course I'm lucky. I inherited part of Great Li's fortune and have already reached the second derivation. How many people in all of Gucheng have reached the second derivation? Probably only the county magistrate and the heads of various institutions.

"There are no shortcuts to Rainmaking. You simply need more practice. Cloudcalling, Rising Wind, Thunderclap, Rainmaking—cast them in sequence and control the spells with precision. Then you will naturally be able to control the amount of rainfall."

"The only thing you need to consider is outside influence." Xue Wenzhong explained, "Take Locust Willow Courtyard, for example. It has always been in the Start of Spring solar term, with abundant moisture in the air. If you cast Rainmaking here, the final rainfall may exceed what you expected."

"If you go to the Eastern Suburbs, where the climate is dry, then casting Rainmaking may produce less rain than you anticipated."

Of course Zhao Xing knew all this. He understood it even better than Xue Wenzhong. The Ministry of Agriculture players in his previous life had faced even harsher environments during the Era of Natural Disasters and had been tricked by them more times than they could count... Every mention of it brought tears.

For that reason, Zhao Xing had developed a set of "influence factor" formulas. Even in the Vitality Tide version, known as the most unfriendly version for Ministry of Agriculture players, he could keep the margin of error extremely small.

He just did not know whether they still worked now. After all, he was no longer a player.

Next came the grinding.

Zhao Xing practiced Rainmaking in the courtyard.

The first time he cast the spell, Xue Wenzhong stood beside him and gave him pointers.

By the third time, Xue Wenzhong had moved to the steps.

By the tenth time, Old Sima Nong was sitting on a stool.

After that... Xue Wenzhong simply lay back in a reclining chair with his eyes closed.

Because Zhao Xing did not need teaching at all. He had never seen anyone comprehend things so quickly.

"If this child doesn't become a Minister of Agriculture, then heaven truly ought to strike him with lightning." Once the practice was over, Xue Wenzhong sighed from the bottom of his heart.

But aloud, he still focused on encouragement. "Your Rainmaking still has many shortcomings. The environment can be a source of interference, but it can also be a source of aid."

"Couldn't you make use of that little puddle in the corner and save some of your vitality? Why do you insist on confronting everything head-on every time?"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth, wanting badly to explain, but he could not.

He could hardly say that the environment would become so harsh in the future that there would be little to borrow from it, could he? Being able to maintain a confrontation would already be good enough. At his current level, it was far too early to say such things.

"You are right, Teacher."

There should still have been half an hour for practicing other spells, but suddenly, a servant came looking for Xue Wenzhong. He rushed over and said something in a hurried voice.

Although Xue Wenzhong's expression did not change, his words carried a trace of unease. "That is enough extra practice for today. I may not have time tomorrow, so train on your own."

With that, Xue Wenzhong left with the family servant.

What had happened?

Zhao Xing was puzzled.

But since the other man had said nothing, it was not his place to ask.

After returning home that day, Zhao Xing lay in bed, unable to sleep no matter how he turned. He could not shake the feeling of unease.

He had not wanted to investigate, but Old Sima Nong was one of the keys to making his appointment official. If something happened to him, the other Ministers of Agriculture might not be willing to recommend Zhao Xing.

"I should ask around tomorrow. If something really has changed, I can make preparations early." Having made up his mind, Zhao Xing pasted on two more talismans and entered the Great Dream Academy to take a look. He found that there was still no movement within the clouds and mist, so he withdrew and went to sleep in peace.

Yet early the next morning, he heard bad news.