Chapter 56: Opening the Mountain on the Autumn Equinox, Spiritual Elegance Amidst the Peaks

A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Xing was still caught.

Under a fake rock formation, Shen Zhui was slightly out of breath as he pinned an iron ruler above Zhao Xing’s head.

Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned, then withdrew his spell.

“Brother Shen, you win again.”

Shen Zhui retracted the iron ruler, his eyes showing some surprise. “Brother Zhao, your progress is astonishingly fast. This is only our third sparring session, and you already know how to summon lightning, plus this strange rain... It took me a full quarter of an hour to catch you.”

“Defeat is defeat, Brother Shen. No need to comfort me.”

Shen Zhui shook his head. “I’m telling the truth. After the first quarter hour, my vital energy consumption was already three times greater than last time. By the second quarter, my agility had become insufficient.”

The Ice Rain spell was tremendously draining on vitality and blood. After all, this technique was said to freeze vital energy itself. When Zheng Lun used it in an ambush, the great halberdiers were instantly frozen solid.

Of course, Zhao Xing was just a novice, not even having achieved the first transformation of the spell. Against Shen Zhui, who was at the seventh stage of Vital Energy Gathering, the suppression was not so overwhelming.

“But in the third quarter hour, your strength suddenly surged, completely ignoring the effects of the Ice Rain, merging seamlessly with the rain. Brother Shen, what technique is that?” Zhao Xing asked.

Shen Zhui smiled. “It’s the secret art ‘Qian Yuan Burning Blood.’ For a short time, it can elevate my strength to a new level and grant me greater control over my body.”

“That’s why you could withstand the rain’s corrosion and the thunderclaps.”

Zhao Xing suddenly understood. “It seems I still haven’t forced you to unleash your full power.”

Shen Zhui laughed. “And you haven’t, either. I didn’t even see you use your wind technique this time.”

“My wind technique is quite tricky. I haven’t mastered it well enough to use it against you.”

Since it was only a friendly spar, not a life-or-death battle, Zhao Xing saw no need to unleash his Shadow Wind.

Even the Ice Rain spell hadn’t been used to its full potential.

It was still autumn, and the heat was stifling; yang energy was abundant.

The effect of the Ice Rain was halved under such conditions.

Only in late winter or early spring could the Ice Rain spell demonstrate its true power.

There was no way around it—although the Department of Agriculture could take advantage of favorable seasons and geography, it was still subject to such limitations.

Unless one reached the ‘Entry’ stage and began cultivating the “Seasonal Command,” mastering the winter seasonal energy, thus no longer constrained by the environment, enabling the Ice Rain to unleash its greatest might.

As the two conversed, Chen Shijie emerged from his room.

“You two should cease sparring these days. The day after tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox mountain opening. Return to rest and prepare well for the upcoming examination.”

“Yes, sir,” Shen Zhui and Zhao Xing responded in unison and took their leave.

...

The “Spiritual Mountain Law” of the Great Zhou Dynasty states: “Wherever there is a spiritual mountain in a prefecture or county, it must adhere to the cycle of heaven and earth. The mountain is sealed at the Spring Equinox to nurture living beings; it is opened at the Autumn Equinox to harvest its spiritual essence.”

Donghu Mountain in Gucheng stood a thousand feet tall, shaped by the heavens and earth, its vital energy condensed yet undispersed. It was undoubtedly a true “spiritual mountain.”

After leaving the Chen residence, Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui began to talk.

“Brother Zhao, the day after tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox mountain opening. You must be very busy these days.”

Mountains, rivers, lakes, and lands were all managed by the Department of Agriculture, so naturally, spiritual mountains fell under its supervision.

Those stationed where there were spiritual mountains had to know both the “Mountain Opening” and “Mountain Sealing” techniques.

Because the mountain was sealed at the Spring Equinox and opened at the Autumn Equinox, the Department of Agriculture was responsible for performing the rituals.

Zhao Xing smiled. “What does the Department of Agriculture’s mountain opening have to do with me? I only know a few spells. The mountain opening ritual doesn’t require me.”

Shen Zhui asked, “Brother Zhao, will you climb the mountain to gather spiritual essence?”

Zhao Xing replied without hesitation, “Of course I will.”

Nurturing the mountain’s spiritual essence and then harvesting the “spiritual essence” was the very purpose of sealing and opening the mountain.

The mountain’s spiritual essence could bring different benefits to people.

Some found their lifespan extended, some gained increased fortune, some experienced a surge in vital energy, and some found their spells improved to a higher level.

Cao Xi, the Land Registration Officer, was posthumously enfeoffed largely because he nurtured a spiritual mountain at Donghu.

Since the spiritual mountain appeared in Gucheng, it became a tradition that the officials’ examination on the Autumn Equinox was linked to Donghu Mountain.

“The examination on the Autumn Equinox involves opening the mountain, then climbing it to gather spiritual essence.”

“Ranking depends on the harvest.”

“The mountain’s spiritual essence is divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower.”

“The highest grade is Fortune Spiritual Essence, which increases fortune.”

“The middle grade is Vital Energy and Spell Spiritual Essence, which help break through realms or spells.”

“The lowest grade is Lifespan Spiritual Essence, which offers minimal and less obvious benefits.”

“Those who obtain the highest grade spiritual essence are rated A, middle grade B, lower grade C, and those who gain nothing are not ranked.”

Shen Zhui expressed some envy. “I heard that during the great mountain opening ten years ago, someone jumped from the ‘No Entry’ stage straight to the eighth stage. Truly enviable.”

Mountain opening and sealing varied in scale, lasting anywhere from one to ten years.

However, among Nanyang Prefecture’s nine spiritual mountains, large-scale openings and sealings were rare. The one Shen Zhui mentioned lasted only three years.

“Nanyang Prefecture has nine spiritual mountains. Donghu Mountain ranks fifth. That year, not only local officials participated enthusiastically, but many officials from other counties also came.”

Zhao Xing said, “Brother Shen, you only see the lucky ones. You don’t know that some died without a grave. Climbing the mountain to gather spiritual essence isn’t all benefits; there are dangers too.”

Shen Zhui replied, “Anyone in Nanyang Prefecture can climb the spiritual mountains to gather essence. But from September 22nd to 24th, only officials are allowed inside. No experts enter the mountain.”

The day after tomorrow was the Autumn Equinox, but Gucheng’s courier station was already full; many officials from other counties wanted to try their luck at Donghu Mountain.

The county government was crowded as well because those from other regions needed to register in advance.

Gucheng was relatively mild compared to the ‘Yuanying Mountain,’ the top spiritual mountain in Nanyang Prefecture, which was even more crowded. Competition there was fiercer; many officials had reached the ninth stage of Vital Energy Gathering, some even the ‘Entry’ stage, though not yet officially appointed.

Zhao Xing shook his head. “I meant the mountain climb itself is dangerous.”

Although officials could compete during the gathering by snatching spiritual essence, killing or maiming was forbidden.

Yet the terrain was treacherous, especially on newly opened spiritual mountains. Deaths were not unheard of.

Shen Zhui gripped the iron ruler at his waist and said resolutely, “Even if it’s dangerous, I will try this year. Otherwise, who knows how many competitors will appear next year? They say it gets harder every year.”

For officials, climbing to gather spiritual essence was a chance to overtake others. Those already ahead had even more reason to participate, to prevent being surpassed.

After a pause, he looked at Zhao Xing. “Will you go?”

Zhao Xing smiled. “Of course. I’m a local. If the mountain god doesn’t bless me, a local, why would it bless outsiders?”

Of course, this was a joke. Although the Autumn Equinox included mountain climbing and worship, the spirits did not distinguish between locals and outsiders. All subjects of the Zhou Dynasty were treated equally.

“Hahaha, then we’ll see each other at Donghu Mountain the day after tomorrow,” Shen Zhui laughed as he walked away.