Shennong Dao Master

The spells of the Nong Family were innumerable, but they could be categorized into three factions based on philosophical thought.

Namely: Heavenly Time Sect, Earth Advantage Sect, Self Sect.

The main idea of the Heavenly Time Sect was to "understand the heavenly time, determine the heavenly time, and change the heavenly time."

They believed that the most important condition for plant growth was the heavenly time.

In ancient times, the Xuanhuang Continent had experienced the "Age of Calamity," where the astronomical phenomena were extremely unstable.

One day could undergo four seasons, and in one year, the seas could turn into fields.

Even now, many places on the Xuanhuang Continent still had such chaotic weather patterns.

For example, mountains that always burned with flames and seas of ice that never thawed.

In some places, the morning might have scorching sun capable of melting metal, while at night, water froze into ice, turning people into corpses.

Some places were not as extreme, but they still experienced "seasonal disorder" and "reversal of seasonal orders."

So, the Nong Family's Heavenly Time Sect believed that the focus of spell research should be to understand the heavenly time, change the heavenly time, and establish a fixed heavenly time to create a stable farming environment for the local people.

The most famous spell classic was the "Seasonal Order."

After cultivation, one could regulate astronomical phenomena, determine local seasonal orders, and all the spells within were based on this idea.

The core idea of the Earth Advantage Sect was that the heavenly time could not be reversed, and astronomical phenomena could not be changed. They believed that instead of trying to change the heavenly time, it would be better to improve harsh lands into fertile lands.

Starting from this foundation, they would then plant vegetation, allowing the dual influence of land and plants to gradually expand the suitable living environment.

As long as the soil was improved to be fertile enough, it could produce flowers and fruits even under severe weather conditions.

Who would have thought that even on an iceberg, delicate snow lotuses could bloom!

The classic secrets of the Earth Advantage Sect included the "Earth Return Method" and the "Ksitigarbha's Origin Gate Formation." This faction excelled in the use of tools and arrays and was closely aligned with the Mechanical School.

As for the Self Sect, they claimed that the others were all garbage.

Heavenly time or earth advantage, they were all external factors. True strength came from within!

The Self Sect believed that plants themselves were miracles, full of strong life force and capable of adapting to any environment.

By gathering rare flowers and exotic grasses, divine woods, and immortal branches from around the world, they selected the best to cultivate over several generations, eventually producing seeds capable of resisting all external factors.

The Self Sect believed that spells should be developed in the direction of making plants increasingly stronger.

The most famous classic was the "All Things Growth Map."

"Currently, the Heavenly Time Sect was dominant, occupying mainstream thought. The Earth Advantage Sect and Self Sect were secondary."

"It would take until the revival version before these two sects would have their time to shine, maybe even producing void seeds that rooted in the void and magical soils that could elevate plants several ranks." On the way to the temple, Zhao Xing had already decided on his primary cultivation direction.

Mainly because he currently did not have the conditions to join the Earth Advantage Sect or the Self Sect.

"My current mobility was too weak. If I gained the ability to travel in the future, I could look for some treasures from this era, like the Molten Lava Earth Fire Lotus, Bloodthirsty Vine, and several parasitic species kept in ancient tombs."

"As for now... I'll take whatever I can get."

......

The Gucheng Temple was a county-level temple.

The divine statues inside were not of some mythical deities. Some were famous historical figures, but most were deceased civil officials and military officers from the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Some were enshrined in the Great Zhou Temple due to their bravery and heroism in life, while others were honored for their governance, which benefited one region.

Among them, officials and military officers from the Grand Ancestor Dynasty were the most numerous.

For example, the main hall Zhao Xing now saw enshrined "Duke Donghu" of the Grand Ancestor's era.

He was born in East Lake of Gucheng. In his youth, he lived as a fisherman. During the time when the Grand Ancestor fought to unify the chaotic world, he joined the army under Commander Zhao's banner and became a chariot driver, ultimately being titled Duke Donghu.

After returning to his hometown, he donated his wealth to build bridges and pave roads, reforming his homeland. He even voluntarily gave up most of his land, allowing refugees to farm, leading Gucheng to develop from a town to a county.

After his death, he entered this temple to enjoy the offerings as a Yin God.

"Duke Donghu was skilled in martial arts, but I sought a spell, which was not suitable to ask from him. This period was the best for the development of the Minister of Agriculture's profession, not other occupations. I had taken the Tao Embryo Pill; if he saw my potential and deemed I should practice martial arts, receiving some martial arts secrets would be a waste of time."

Zhao Xing did not enter the main hall. He lit incense at the copper censer outside and was about to leave.

"Dong!"

Inside Duke Donghu's temple, the copper bell rang automatically, sending a strong thought clearly into Zhao Xing's mind. It seemed to be persuading him not to leave.

Zhao Xing's expression stiffened. He had not expected that a mere act of offering incense from outside the hall would garner such a response. Had Duke Donghu manifested his presence to retain him?

Was the Tao Embryo Pill really that powerful...? Zhao Xing hastily bowed again and quickened his pace to leave.

"Ah, alas."

After Zhao Xing left, the divine statue let out a faint sigh.

The temple guardian, who had been meditating in the hall, was puzzled and glanced outside but saw no one.

He raised his head to look at the divine statue, but there was no sign or indication. He scratched his head and continued meditating.

......

After this incident, Zhao Xing dared not to casually offer incense anywhere.

He quickened his pace and arrived at a side hall—the Caoxi True Monarch Temple.

"Caoxi, in the early founding period, once the Land Register Commander of Nanyang County, was noted for widely promoting the Mechanical School's 'Guiyuan Water Wheel' and establishing the Pinghu Thirteen Canals. He used the Mechanical School's formations to control water disasters, categorizing him as an outstanding figure of the Nong Family's Earth Advantage Sect."

"However, he was knowledgeable in many factions, having authored 'Caoxi's Agricultural Book,' and he was also a practical man. Paying respect to him should not go wrong."

"It's you then."

Zhao Xing handed the county government's approval document to the temple guardian. The temple guardian held the position of Emcee in the Ritual Supervision. They were in charge of the ritual process.

This profession was known among players as "Divination," an early "divine occupation" for they could invite gods to possess them and summon Yin Gods to battle.

Once, Zhao Xing had wanted to switch to it for the thrill, but with the fall of the Fortune Dynasty, its combat power significantly weakened. In the revival version, becoming stronger was exceedingly difficult and complex, so he gave up.

Now, he had no chance to enjoy the transient thrill, giving up the Minister of Agriculture's profession to choose this early-stage divine occupation.

"The document is in order. Once inside, sit cross-legged on the mat and pray calmly." The temple guardian, though young, had an old-fashioned demeanor: "Remember, spells cannot be forced. It is a fortune to gain something; if you gain nothing, it means your ability has not reached that level yet. You can come back next time; do not let distracting thoughts arise."

This was a reminder to Zhao Xing not to harbor any obsession or resentment if he failed to obtain a spell because Yin Gods were sensitive to thoughts related to themselves.

"Yes, thank you, Emcee." Zhao Xing took a deep breath and stepped into the Caoxi True Monarch Temple.