Xu Changqing had a simple reason for going to the Water-Control Pavilion. Now that he had mastered the Gentle Water Formula, the natural next step was to learn a water-control spell: either the Minor Cloud-Rain Art or the Grand Cloud-Rain Art.
The Minor Cloud-Rain Art could be learned in the Qi Refining Realm. It was a low-level spell.
The Grand Cloud-Rain Art could only be learned in the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was a high-level spell.
Their names differed by just one word, but the gap in power and spiritual energy consumption was considerable.
The Minor Cloud-Rain Art used spiritual energy to gather ambient energy into fine threads of rain. It covered only a few dozen feet, and its drops soaked no deeper than the topsoil of the Spirit Fields. It nourished spirit plants only slightly better than irrigation with Spirit Spring water, and it did not last long. Once the rain stopped, the spiritual energy gradually dispersed.
The spirit rain produced by the Grand Cloud-Rain Art, meanwhile, could cover several hundred feet. After falling, it seeped three feet into the Spirit Fields, nourishing the roots and accelerating the growth of low-level spirit plants. Its spiritual energy also lingered much longer after the rain stopped.
The crucial point was that the Grand Cloud-Rain Art was an offensive spell.
Yes, that was right.
An offensive spell.
Using it only to make rain would be like using an ox cleaver to kill a chicken.
For one thing, it had many variations.
For another, it had a wide attack range.
That was why many people with Water Spirit Roots learned the Grand Cloud-Rain Art: its versatility.
When Xu Changqing arrived at the Water-Control Pavilion riding Shattered Moon, Falling Frost, he had not expected it to be so lively.
"More newcomers!"
"Strange. Do these