Chapter 8: Demonstrating Techniques in the Courtyard

To save time during the free consultation session, groups of three to five would band together, seeking advice on common questions from friends who shared the same concerns.

Xue Wenzhong weaved through the crowd, sometimes explaining, sometimes having the junior clerks practice the techniques themselves.

Gradually, wind stirred in the courtyard, clouds gathered, thunder rumbled, and a fine rain began to fall, bringing the scene alive with energy.

While waiting, Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong grew restless and began teasing their fellow cultivators nearby.

“Brother Zhou, why does your ‘Wind Rising’ always blow right into people’s pants? Bet you’ve scared off plenty of young ladies with that move.”

“Brother Ye, your ‘Thunder Strike’ is mediocre at best. The noise isn’t even as loud as your snoring. You’d better practice harder.”

“Ha! Brother Cao’s the real deal. His ‘Rain Spread’ looks like a woman peeing—split open and everything! Hahaha!”

“...”

Laughter erupted all around. Those teased took it in good humor, joining in the banter, which added a bit of levity to the otherwise dull training.

However, the boys’ conversation gradually veered off course, drifting toward matters of love and relationships, growing increasingly animated.

“Speaking of this year’s Spring Festival, I passed by a house in Lixian Town and overheard sounds from inside—a man whispering hoarsely, ‘Baby, it’s almost out, give it one more push~,’ followed by a woman’s coquettish complaint, ‘With you on top and me below, how am I supposed to put in the effort? Why don’t we switch?’”

“Curious, I crept closer. Guess what I saw?” Qian Dong winked at the gathered boys, deliberately pausing to build suspense.

“Ew—grandpa and daughter-in-law? Could it be some kind of cad? Brother Qian, stop it! Don’t pollute our ears.”

“Brother Cao, you were listening the most intently just now, now you’re pretending not to hear? If you’re not interested, stay over there. I’m a commoner—I love this stuff.”

“This is killing me! Hurry up and tell us, Brother Qian.”

The boys laughed and chatted earnestly, but Zhao Xing couldn’t help but shake his head, not because of the subject matter but because Elder Steward Xue Wenzhong had quietly approached Qian Dong from behind.

“What did you see?” The old voice startled the boys.

Qian Dong turned, his face flushing red and pale in turn, mumbling, “N-nothing.”

Xue Wenzhong’s face creased into a half-smile. “They can listen, but I can’t? I absolutely must hear this, or none of you will be allowed to relax. Off to the back mountain to cut grass with the old man.”

Qian Dong stammered, Chen Ziyu averted his gaze, and the others tilted their heads, while only Zhao Xing watched with detached amusement.

Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong called out, “Zhao Xing, since they won’t say, you tell me.”

Zhao Xing calmly replied, “Elder Xue, what Qian Dong described is nothing unusual. The ‘grandpa and daughter-in-law’ were actually digging in a dry well to retrieve an ancestral silver box. He was just overreacting.”

“Smart boy,” Xue Wenzhong chuckled.

Qian Dong quickly added, “Ah, that’s exactly what I meant.”

“Right, right, that’s what we heard too,” the other boys chimed in.

Relieved that Elder Steward wasn’t displeased, Qian Dong swiftly shifted the topic. “Elder Xue, lately when I cast ‘Cloud Walking,’ it feels uneven—sometimes too strong, sometimes too weak, very unstable. I’d appreciate your guidance.”

“Show me.”

Without hesitation, Qian Dong pointed upward two meters above his head, where a grayish-white cloud appeared, swaying unsteadily like a drunken man’s umbrella.

Xue Wenzhong observed for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling Qian Dong to stop. “Your energy flow can’t be contained, causing the spell to fluctuate.”

Qian Dong listened obediently.

“But don’t worry, this is normal,” Xue Wenzhong said, taking Qian Dong’s wrist and gently stroking it twice before releasing it. “You’re close to breaking into the second stage of Energy Gathering—just one final push.”

“You all are probably at this stage or close to it as well. No need to panic. Just focus on consolidating your energy, and you’ll be fine soon.”

“Thank you, Elder Xue.”

“Hm?” When his gaze fell on Zhao Xing, Xue Wenzhong let out a slight hum and pulled Zhao Xing’s hand over.

The others looked on curiously.

After a moment, Xue Wenzhong’s frown relaxed into a smile.

“Not bad. You’ve already entered the second stage of Energy Gathering—one step ahead of the rest.”

The others looked on with envy. Chen Ziyu’s face lit with joy for his elder brother, while Qian Dong nudged him with a knowing look.

Zhao Xing remained calm; with his interface, he recognized his breakthrough instantly, unlike the other junior clerks who were still uncertain about their progress.

...

Next, each person took turns presenting their questions. When it was Zhao Xing’s turn, he spoke of having obtained three new techniques at the temple and sought Xue Wenzhong’s guidance.

“‘Wind Rising’ and ‘Cloud Walking’ feel similar; both gather energy, following established spell routes to harness the power of heaven and earth. ‘Wind Rising’ is slightly more difficult due to directional factors and requires more meticulous control during casting. Try channeling thirty percent of your ‘Cloud Walking’ energy to control it—start with the north wind.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing began casting.

His fingertips sent energy toward the north. Before long, a breeze stirred.

It began as a gentle wind, gradually intensifying until it blew hair straight back.

Xue Wenzhong’s expression shifted slightly in surprise. Zhao Xing’s control over the wind was remarkably stable and strong, unlike a beginner’s, whose hair would flutter wildly rather than stand rigid.

“Why hadn’t I noticed this kind of aptitude before?”

Xue Wenzhong’s interest was piqued. “Try the other directions.”

Zhao Xing nodded gently, pointing in sequence to the southeast, southwest, and north again.

Though no one was in the north, other junior clerks were casting spells in the other directions, causing significant interference.

Yet thanks to the initial success of the Dao Embryo Pill’s modifications, Zhao Xing’s control over his energy was stronger than the others, forcefully warding off outside disruptions.

At that moment, only he could summon wind on command, while the others struggled amid the chaos.

“Good, that will do,” Xue Wenzhong said, satisfied, signaling Zhao Xing to stop.

The other junior clerks were initially puzzled but, seeing the abnormality from the Elder Steward’s direction, said no more and resumed their own practice.

Next, the Elder Steward instructed Zhao Xing to attempt casting ‘Thunder Strike.’

“‘Cloud Walking’ harnesses the dual energies of yin and yang, clear and turbid, manipulating the law with energy. When heavy, it forms rain; when combined, it produces thunder. The key lies in—”

“Boom!”

Before he could finish, a tremendous thunderclap echoed through the courtyard.

The thunder was so loud it seemed to explode right beside their ears.

Everyone’s attention snapped to Zhao Xing.

Above his head, a gray-white cloud mass appeared, with gray and white swirling rapidly from both sides, colliding like war chariots.

In the next moment, a flash of purple lightning erupted, followed by another thunderclap.

“Ziyu, brother’s thunder is a bit too loud, isn’t it?” Qian Dong stared blankly at the sky.

“I think so too. Could the difference between first and second stage Energy Gathering really be this vast?” Chen Ziyu was somewhat dazed, likely stunned by the thunder.

Xue Wenzhong opened his mouth but fell silent.

There was no need to say more.

If Zhao Xing hadn’t carried his application documents, he would have thought Zhao Xing had been training for a long time.

Judging by just these two spells, Zhao Xing hardly seemed like a beginner.

“Elder Xue, please advise,” Zhao Xing said, finishing his casting and awaiting instruction.

But Xue Wenzhong smiled and said, “You have a natural talent for ‘Wind Rising’ and ‘Thunder Strike.’ You’ve definitely entered the door. What I’m about to say is mostly what we’ve covered before. With some practice, you’ll truly master these arts.”

“As for that ‘Every Twig and Leaf Is an Enemy’ technique… come with me.”