The Way of Cloud Art, I Alone Reign Supreme!

The Way of Cloud Method is mine alone to rule!

Unlike the versatility of other spells, Cloud Method has always followed the path of dominance.

The primary objective in the civil war between the Agricultural Official was to seize air superiority.

Zhao Xing gathered his cloud energy again and quickly organized a second attack before Cao Qiushui could counterattack.

The clouds piled up layer upon layer at the edge, forming a Cloud Mountain, like a boulder blocking the way. Cao Qiushui's flowing clouds were split in two, a sign that they were about to be divided.

This move truly surprised Cao Qiushui.

Among all professions, Agricultural Official who dare to climb mountains are the smallest group, and even fewer dare to compete for the First Incense.

On her first night, Cao Qiushui didn't encounter any decent opponents from the same profession.

Now he knew he had met a formidable opponent!

In the blink of an eye, just a second after Cao Qiushui's flowing clouds were separated by the Cloud Mountain, the clouds on both sides swirled and rose rapidly like rivers, climbing over the mountaintop and reuniting on the Cloud Mountain before they were completely separated.

"The 'Hanging River' style of Flowing Clouds, Cao Qiushui's reaction is really fast." Seeing this, Zhao Xing knew that his plan to launch a quick attack had failed.

He absorbed the cloud energy of the four people, originally intending to quickly cut them off while Cao Qiushui was still unstable after dealing with the others.

Before following suit, he used the small to attack the large, even swallowing up Cao Qiushui's cloud aura.

However, Cao Qiushui reacted quickly, not only resolving the crisis, but also causing the clouds to climb up the Cloud Mountain and form Cloud Mountain in an attempt to crush Zhao Xing's cloud layer.

In magical combat, the situation changes in an instant.

In terms of spell power, intermediate-level Cloud Method is indeed stronger than that of the initial level. Seeing this, Zhao Xing had no choice but to disperse the clouds below, break them into smaller parts, and then shrink back a section before re-condensing them.

"What? This..." Cao Qiushui was stunned.

He thought he had crushed Zhao Xing's cloud layer, but he didn't expect the other party's cloud control technology to be so powerful that he didn't suffer much damage under the heavy pressure.

It's easy to break down clouds into smaller parts, but it's incredibly difficult to reassemble them. Just like feigning defeat on the battlefield, only high-ranking generals can pull off such a tactic; if not done properly, it can lead to a real rout!

Simultaneously manipulating countless clouds to quickly bypass enemy attacks and regroup is incredibly difficult.

Cao Qiushui admitted that it would be difficult for her to do, not to mention the difference in their levels of understanding.

Zhao Xing really showed off his skills this time!

"I feel that his Cloudcalling hasn't reached true mid-level power, but his control skills are far superior to mine."

"A master! This is a true master!"

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent.

After three exchanges in a short time, Cao Qiushui realized that her opponent was no ordinary person.

Relying on Cloud Method alone will not be enough to defeat the opponent in the short term.

Zhao Xing, however, had noticed it much earlier, because his Cloudcalling was only at the initial stage Nine Turns, while Cao Qiushui's Flowing Cloud Art was at the intermediate stage, Fourth-Turn.

Although I have better control skills and more experience, I need to quickly gain an advantage when fighting against a larger enemy, otherwise it will be detrimental to me.

So Zhao Xing resorted to Off-table move once again.

"Yin Wind rises!"

Zhao Xing pointed, and Yin Wind from the ground arrived in an instant.

Yin Wind rises at Rat Hour, swift and easy.

The Yin Wind's properties were so subtle that other professions couldn't detect it at all, not even the other defeated Agricultural Official in the Heavenly Altar Plaza.

A gust of Yin Wind swept through the crowd and blew precisely towards Cao Qiushui.

Just then, Zhao Xing's brow twitched.

With a powerful leap, he jumped to the side.

Suddenly, a pit half a meter wide and two meters deep collapsed in the original location.

"The Earth Splitting Art of the Earthly Advantage Faction?" Zhao Xing stared at the pit, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but then he suddenly understood.

Cao Qiushui also thought of using Off-table move. He was a descendant of True Lord Cao Xi, and Cao Xi was skilled in Earthly Advantage Faction magic.

Cao Qiushui was casting a spell when she suddenly shivered, breaking the spell and preventing it from Earth Splitting Art full power.

Then my vision started to blur, and I felt completely disoriented, as if I had been working for three days and three nights.

"Buzz~" The gray raincoat on his body lit up with a burst of light, and the jade pendant on his chest also shone brightly, transmitting a stream of heat into his body.

Cao Qiushui then came to her senses.

"This is... the Dark Wind Method?"

Cao Qiushui felt a chill run down her spine.

He never expected that among the Agricultural Official in charge of the mountain climbing, someone would actually possess the Dark Wind Method!

Moreover, the spell's power is extremely high, far exceeding the level of one or two turns.

He wore an Upper Third Tier soul jade pendant, which was originally smooth, but was now full of cracks and had lost its luster!

"Cao, Cao... I concede defeat!"

Cao Qiushui uttered these words with trembling hands, then quickly dispelled the clouds and leaped out of the Heavenly Altar Plaza in a few steps, to show that she dared not contend with him again.

"What? Brother Cao, why is this?!" The members of Cao Qiushui's team looked at him in utter astonishment.

It's impossible for the Agricultural Official to compete for the First Incense alone. Even if Cao Qiushui wins the incense, he can't go up as long as there's a martial artist guarding the stone steps. Therefore, many people in the Heavenly Altar Plaza stick together and form small groups to compete for the incense.

Cao Qiushui's team has three martial artists at the Gathering Yuan Seventh Level. The Agricultural Official assists, while the martial artists charge forward. Last night, they won two incense sticks, and two of them were the fifth and seventh to enter the temple, respectively.

After offering incense, they prayed to the True Lord for spiritual guidance, and they gained a great deal during the day.

Unexpectedly, Cao Qiushui behaved like this on the second night of the incense-competing contest, completely different from her fierce performance the night before!

He was even shaking!

"Don't ask why, trust me, don't fight this time." Cao Qiushui looked at the seven Golden Light floating in the air and muttered to herself. "We can't win, at least we have the Seventh-Turn of Yin Wind."

Cao Qiushui's defeat left everyone speechless.

"What?! The Cao Family actually lost?!"

"Who, who defeated him?"

"Cao Qiushui is already at the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level. Is there anyone stronger than him? Why didn't they appear last night?"

"Cao Laosan knows three mid-level spells, each with the power of a fourth or fifth-level cultivator. This is extremely rare. Even ordinary Gathering Yuan Ninth Level cultivators wouldn't dare to directly confront him. How could he have been defeated?"

"Is there anyone with a higher level of magic than him?"

In the darkness, countless people marveled.

But everything happened too fast; as soon as the temple doors opened, Golden Light appeared.

It took only three breaths for the martial artist to take off and land.

As for Zhao Xing and Cao Qiushui, their relationship progressed from dealing with their respective rivals to their confrontation and the resulting outcome.

The process took only a dozen or so breaths.

During the battle, the Cloudcalling between the two created countless thunderbolts and lightning, making it impossible for anyone to take to the air to snatch the incense.

The Agricultural Official at the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level was not to be trifled with. Cao Qiushui and another person were evenly matched, and it was two people at the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level Realm vying for the advantage of the Heavenly Timing. Who would dare to step forward and take the heavenly thunder?

Intermediate-level spells are no joke!

Given Cao Qiushui's performance last night, everyone is waiting for him to win so that he can send someone to take away two sticks of incense. This is commensurate with the strength of his group. Only if he wants to be greedy for more will someone stop him.

Unexpectedly, Cao Qiushui was defeated, and by another unknown Agricultural Official.

"The descendants of the Cao Family are quite something," Zhao Xing thought to himself as he saw Cao Qiushui retreat decisively.

It is truly remarkable that one could withstand the Nine-Turn Yin Wind and escape unscathed, realizing that one is no match for it.

Those who understand the times are wise, especially since Cao Qiushui was able to launch an effective counterattack on her own.

Unfortunately, he ran into himself.

"Zhao Xing, you... you actually defeated Cao Qiushui?" Young Master Zong was utterly shocked.

At this moment, Zhao Xing's clouds had completely covered the Heavenly Altar Plaza. Lightning was brewing in the clouds, ready to strike but not yet released, radiating terrifying power.

Gusts of wind blew and lightning flashed, warning the people in the square not to act rashly.

"Just lucky, just lucky," Zhao Xing replied casually. "Young Master Zong, how many incense sticks did you originally plan to take?"

"Two incense sticks," Uncle Cang continued, "And at least two people need to be sent into the temple."

"I'll help you snatch these two incense sticks, and the two hundred taels will be wiped clean. Are you willing?" Zhao Xing looked at Zong Shichang.

"Great, absolutely fantastic!" Zong Shichang slapped his thigh. "Quick, quick, Uncle Cang, Uncle Hu, jump! Go get two sticks of incense!"

"Wait, bring me four incense sticks." Zhao Xing said calmly. "I'll take one for myself, but I'll give you one extra. Five hundred taels in exchange?"

"Change it!" Zong Shichang said immediately, "But will this work?"

There are only seven incense sticks left on the field, and so many people are watching. If they try to grab four incense sticks at once, will they be attacked?

"Whether it works or not, we'll know once we try."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, his voice carried on the wind. "Young Master Zong and I will take four incense sticks. The remaining three incense sticks are for you all to share."

"Now that I've finished speaking, who agrees and who disagrees?"

His voice was calm, yet it conveyed a powerful sense of confidence.

Zong Shichang, standing nearby, watched Zhao Xing's retreating figure and wished he could rush up and kiss him.

Zhao Xing is too kind; he even dragged him into his show of bravado.

Zong Shichang had never felt that spending those few hundred taels of silver was so worthwhile!

That was awesome! So awesome!

"Yes, yes, yes, who dares to disagree?!" Zong Shichang also shouted at the top of his lungs.

It's a pity he couldn't remember it after he got off the mountain, otherwise he could have bragged about it for a year!

My friend Zhao and I were having a blast in the Heavenly Altar Plaza! We dominated everyone!

"Who are you to demand four incense sticks' worth of food?!" A cold laugh rang out in the darkness. "Zong Shichang is nothing but a piece of trash, and the three experts he invited are only at the Gathering Yuan Eighth Level."

"Your Cloud Method is indeed impressive, but if we all attack at once, can you still hold your ground?"

Some people question Zhao Xing's strength because Cloud Method has little offensive power and can only play a support role at most.

Cao Qiushui's Cloud Method and Earth Splitting Art are both mid-level fourth or fifth grade techniques, which greatly suppress martial artists, but that's all they suppress.

Ultimately, he still needs to cooperate with the martial artists in his team to unleash the team's full potential, but he only dared to ask for two sticks of incense.

Where did you come from? How dare you ask for four incense sticks?

"Boom!"

Zhao Xing pointed, and a bolt of lightning immediately descended from the clouds, heading straight for the source of the sound.

Intermediate-level spell, Seven-Turn Lightning Summoning!

The man who had just spoken suddenly let out a scream and collapsed to the ground, his body charred black.

Amidst the lightning and thunder, everyone witnessed his tragic state.

Zhao Xing answered his question directly with magic!

Unfortunately, the price for questioning was too high; the person was directly struck down and rendered unable to fight.

Zhao Xing demonstrated through his actions that he was not Cao Qiushui; he was far more powerful!

Cao Qiushui's magic is more supportive, while he not only possesses offensive magic, but his magic level is also higher than Cao Qiushui's!

"Seventh-Turn Heavenly Lightning?" Wen Zhao waved his feather fan, looked up at the sky, and his pupils contracted involuntarily. "Bo Ran, with my help, can you withstand it?"

Zhang Boran rolled his eyes. "Even if you add two more layers of magic to my defenses, I might not be able to withstand it."

"He absorbed the cloud energy of eight people; that's enough to unleash at least dozens of heavenly lightning bolts. How many layers of magic can you stack for me?"

"Unless your Harmony Ritual can dispel the clouds, I will launch a strong attack and rush to his side. Even if those two Gathering Yuan Eighth Level martial artists from the Zong Family join forces, I am confident I can defeat them."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhao was immediately alarmed. "Oh no! I burned his straw effigy before, will he hold a grudge?"

Zhang Boran said helplessly, "Let's take it one step at a time."

"Who else disagrees?" Zhao Xing asked again.

No one in the square dared to utter a sound.

The one who was just struck was a martial artist at the Gathering Yuan Eighth Level. He was thick-skinned and didn't die, but he lost his fighting ability immediately.

Because of Yang Junxiong, the number of experts at the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level has decreased by three, and there are actually fewer experts daring to compete now than last night.

This single Seventh-Turn Guiding Thunder spell is enough to last for four incense sticks! Not to mention that there is a group of martial artists gathered around Zhao Xing by Zong Shichang.

"Damn it, this bastard is too arrogant!" Although Lu Qian couldn't see the person, she recognized the voice. The speaker was the guy who had tied her up before.

"Qian'er, you're acting very strangely today. Why are you losing your composure so many times? What happened?" Liu Muqing sensed something was wrong. "Have you had an encounter with this person you were talking to?"

"No, no." Lu Qian's eyes darted away.

"Then where did your Peacock Feather Magic Garment go?" Liu Muqing pointed at Lu Qian. "You couldn't have lost it while taking a shower, could you?"

"... Well, there's a reason for that." Lu Qian blushed and stammered, unable to speak.

"Young Master Zong, send someone to fetch incense." Seeing that no one dared to object, Zhao Xing gestured to Zong Shichang.

The latter found Zhao Xing increasingly pleasing to the eye, because he always spoke directly to him, rather than discussing matters with Uncle Cang or Uncle Hu.

That's exactly the kind of attention that Young Master Zong wants!

"Alright, let's get the incense!" Zong Shichang waved his hand excitedly.

Two martial artists at the Gathering Yuan Eighth Level leaped up and each grabbed four incense sticks.

It then spun and landed, easily dissipating the impact with the ground.

"Brother Zhao, thank you." Uncle Cang handed a stick of incense to Zhao Xing, the Golden Light emanating from it.

"Guest Qi." Zhao Xing accepted the incense offered to the gods.

There were four incense sticks in total, one for Uncle Cang and one for Uncle Hu.

Zong Shichang took the third copy himself.

"Yuan Bo, I'm counting on you to get me in." Zong Shichang looked at the middle-aged man beside him, the third expert who hadn't spoken until now.

When Zong Shichang asked a question, he simply nodded.

Zhao Xing glanced at him and their eyes met, causing his heart to skip a beat.

In the eyes of the other party lies a divine statue!

This is actually a clergy position!

"Zong Shichang, just how rich is your family that you can afford to hire a priest?"

Many officials from various departments participated in this mountain climbing event, but the number of officials from the temple was extremely small.

Because the officials of the temple are special, they do not need to be exceptionally talented; their promotions are not through normal channels. Moreover, the clergy are known for their purity of heart and detachment from worldly desires.

With more contact with Yin Spirit, distracting thoughts will decrease, and various desires will greatly diminish.

"Let's wait over there."

"Walk."

After taking four incense sticks, Zhao Xing also removed Cloudcalling.

Too much incense is useless; you only get one chance a night.

Moreover, there will be a second and third wave of worshippers.

There are still quite a few experts in Heavenly Altar Plaza, but they didn't make a move immediately. If he didn't withdraw, he would be making enemies of everyone, which is unnecessary.

"Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao, are they still locked in a battle?"

After descending from the Heavenly Altar Plaza, the two figures in front of us were still locked in combat.

Yang Junxiong used a gun, and Du Jiaojiao also used a gun.

One red, one silver-white.

The entrance to the temple was blocked.

"Even with Bright Eyes observation skills, I can't see their movements clearly; I can only see the light and shadow. These two have probably already Ranked Realm," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

If you have a miraculous encounter, others may too.

Yang Junxiong took the First Incense last night, and Du Jiaojiao took the second. By burning incense and praying to the gods, they could at least find out the whereabouts of the "Mid-Grade Spiritual Elegance" or the method of gathering spiritual essence, and it was even possible that they would be involved with the High-Grade Spiritual Elegance!

Both of them were already at the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level, so it was normal for the Ranked Realm the next level after obtaining the spiritual essence.

After Zhao Xing left, a fierce struggle broke out in Heavenly Altar Plaza.

There were only three incense sticks left, but there were still dozens of people.

When you go to a temple to worship, the first ten sticks of incense are the most effective.

They can all receive the True Lord's manifestation, which will reveal the location of the spiritual essence, or grant them the method of obtaining the spiritual essence.

What followed was only a veiled revelation, not an explicit statement.

Zhao Xing quietly looked at the square, observing it with his Bright Eyes Art.

One particular pair caught his attention.

"Accompanied by the liuqin (a type of zither), Da Shao battle dance?"

A chaotic fight broke out in the square, but two people managed to break through the melee. One of them, Zhao Xing recognized, was Lu Qian, whom he had once tied up.

She was dancing a very wild dance, accompanied by another girl holding a liuqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument).

This group of Dancer Master and musicians is performing "Da Shao," one of the "Six Songs."

Legend has it that "Da Shao" was composed by Kui, an ancient music official, to perform the laws of heaven and earth through dance and music, attracting all beasts to worship and phoenixes to land in their nests, in order to praise the achievements of the "Xia Emperor" in ancient times.

Da Shao is both a war dance and a musical piece.

"The myriad forms, in their vastness, reveal the daily completion of the law. Desiring to hear of my origins, I enter the mysterious and profound..."

Liu Muqing played the zither and recited poetry, while Lu Qian danced.

As the two women performed, half of the martial artists in the square suddenly began attacking their own people out of control.

The other half is incorporated into the dance, which further enhances the power of [Da Shao].

Only two or three people were able to remain conscious, but their spellcasting movements and combat skills were severely distorted.

In the end, there was no other way but to let the two sisters each take a portion of incense.

Having proven their abilities, Lu Qian and Liu Muqing stopped performing after obtaining the incense.

They bowed towards the Heavenly Altar Plaza. This was not out of Guest Qi, but because the "Grand Musician Ritual" stipulated that this procedure was required.

Ritual and music were inseparable in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Without this closing ceremony, their performance would not have improved their cultivation (i. e., this process is required for improving proficiency).

"It's rare to see someone perform 'Da Shao' with such power, even with just music and dance," Zhao Xing said.

"I've known them for a long time, how come I didn't know they were so amazing?" Zong Shichang asked curiously.

Zhao Xing explained, "The Da Shao, one of the Six Songs, is the most important war dance because it requires a large number of people and instruments. Next are Cloud Gate, Great Scroll, Only Martial, Da Qing, and Da Zhang."

"I've seen Da Shao too, but he's not as amazing as you say."

Zhao Xing joked, "What I said was all serious stuff, but was what you heard serious?"