Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Mountain Opening Technique and Sealing Mountain Technique
"Hmm? They are opening the mountain?" Zhao Xing, who had been listless, perked up upon hearing the commotion from the crowd and looked around.
To discuss the Mountain Opening Technique, one must first ntion the Sealing Mountain Technique.
During the Spring Equinox, Zhao Xing had seen Chen Shijie perform the Sealing Mountain Technique. Both of these spells required a spell chant.
The spell chant Chen Shijie recited at that ti was: "The river seeks to endlessly return to the Four Seas, the mountain seeks to endure and returns to nature. I obey the command of the Grand Ancestor, inviting the god to protect this mountain."
"First command: the Mountain God guards the Five Elents, harmoniously generating all things. Second command: Earth Mother balances Yin and Yang, rging and nurturing True Spirit. Third command: True Monarchs of the Eight Directions protect the Dao, paths may be tread, flora remains unhard. The mountain may be entered, no beasts are seen, the mountain is sealed imdiately!"
Zhao Xing was very familiar with the Sealing Mountain Technique, but this version of the spell chant differed slightly from the one he knew, omitting the first segnt.
In fact, the first segnt was rely a rationale given to the public and a nod to the fact that the thod was prescribed by the Grand Ancestor.
The first segnt explained the reason for sealing the mountain, emphasizing the need for sustainable developnt and preventing year-round hunting, herb gathering, and logging.
The truly effective part was the second segnt.
Because an invitation to the Yin God had been extended, after the mountain was sealed, people could still pass through the mountain path, but no grass or tree could be hard. If a hunter tried to sneak in, they wouldn’t see any wild animals at all.
This was the Sealing Mountain Technique.
"The version of the Sealing Mountain Technique used by the Fortune Dynasty requires the assistance of a Yin God, but the revised version no longer needs it. It’s more advanced and includes a function to absorb evil and filth."
"There’s another form of the Sealing Mountain Technique called the ’Snow Mountain Order’, a destructive spell, though it might not work in the current circumstances."
Zhao Xing reminisced about the incantation for the Snow Mountain Order he had used in a past life:
First watch, the fog descends. Second watch, heavy frost falls. Third watch, heavy snow accumulates, fourth watch, frost overlays the snow.
At the fifth watch, when the rooster crows, the trees in the mountain ring with a cyan hue.
The dragon retracts its claws, the tiger sheds its skin, the Mysterious Bird sheds its feathers.
If the mountain has ancestral Yin souls, they will disperse, leaving only white snow in the world.
The Snow Mountain Order was known as a destructive spell because it could kill a Spirit Mountain. Even a True Dragon would lose its claws, degenerating into a Jiao snake. The White Tiger would lose its hide, and the Heavenly Destiny Mysterious Bird would shed all its feathers.
If there were reigning ancestral Yin souls in the mountain, they would scatter, leaving nothing but white snow.
Under the Snow Mountain Order, everything was an illusion!
This Sealing Mountain Technique could be considered the most lethal move in the revised version for the Minister of Agriculture’s profession.
Zhao Xing reminisced for a mont before coming back to his senses. By then, Chen Shijie had already started casting the spell.
Sealing the mountain was quite complex, but opening the mountain was much simpler.
"... The Five Elents and Yin and Yang reverse, the spell reveals the True Spirit, True Monarchs of the Eight Directions disperse, the Mountain God and Earth Mother return, I obey the Grand Ancestor’s command, open this mountain imdiately!"
Chen Shijie held the official seal, chanting once, and a golden light flew from the seal into East Lake Mountain.
The remaining Secondary Ninth-Rank Ministers of Agriculture had to chant four or five tis before a golden light appeared.
At this, Zhao Xing imdiately knew that Old Chen’s rank was not as simple as it seed.
"Either he’s hiding his strength or has dropped in rank; otherwise, the gap between the ranks wouldn’t be so big," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Shortly after the golden light entered East Lake Mountain, an invisible wave spread out from the mountain.
Zhao Xing cast the Bright Eyes Skill and imdiately saw scattered starlight emanating from the mountain, accompanied by illusory visions.
He saw a purple strange flower blooming, a large tree hanging Red Fruits, and a pale golden glazed cup.
He could only capture these three visions clearly; the rest were too indistinct.
"The highest level of Bright Eyes indeed has benefits. At least if I encounter them, I’d recognize the treasures."
After the ritual concluded, Li Wenzheng appeared again, announcing that the governnt would dispatch the first group of people to explore the mountain, paving the way for the commoners and eliminating threats.
Simultaneously, mountain exploration was also part of the assessnt for officials of various departnts.
"Charge!"
"Climb the mountain and gather Spiritual Beauty!"
"Don’t fight with !"
As soon as the prohibition was lifted, many people couldn’t wait to rush into the mountain.
It was clear they were crude martial artists.
Zhao Xing didn’t charge but leisurely walked with his bamboo box on his back.
East Lake Mountain was vast. Thorough exploration couldn’t be completed in just three days.
Being fast didn’t necessarily lead to benefits; it also depended on luck.
When it ca to luck, Zhao Xing had so confidence.
"Zhao Sanjia, why aren’t you rushing?" A familiar colleague ran over, curiously asking.
"I’m just here to join in the excitent, not expecting much. You all go ahead." Zhao Xing smiled, adopting an air of indifference like he was just there for the spectacle.
He spoke loudly, causing many who had been watching him to withdraw their attention.
"I heard he’s the recent rising star of Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision, is that all?"
"This ti, there are experts of the Eighth and Ninth Ranks of Gathering Essence. It’s normal for him not to compete if he’s only at the Third Rank."
"At least he knows his limits."
"Humph, maybe he’s just pretending? Look at that bamboo box; it’s not light. Who would bring such a big thing if they were just here for fun?"
"Whether he’s pretending or not, his strength is there, no threat."
"Let’s go, quickly up the mountain."
The murmurs ca from both neighboring and other counties. So felt Zhao Xing was pretending, still aiming for benefits, while others thought he knew his limits and was rely fulfilling his duty.
Gradually, people walked past Zhao Xing, and soon he found himself at the back.
As he walked, Zhao Xing unexpectedly encountered soone he knew.
"Mr. Zong, why are you squatting here?"
He saw Zong Shichang just reached a pavilion at the mountain entrance and sat down to rest.
"Got up too early, forgot to eat, and now I’m hungry."
Zong Shichang also carried a bamboo box, but his was mostly filled with food. He even brought out a bowl of hot noodles from it!
Are you here for an assessnt or a picnic?
Zong Shichang saw Zhao Xing staring and assud he was hungry too. Generously, he took out another bowl: "Want so? It’s top-quality beef broth paired with fine rice noodles, really delicious."
Zhao Xing didn’t initially want to eat, but the aroma changed his mind. He sat down at the edge of the pavilion and ate.
A fool not to take advantage of a wealthy man’s food.
"Ahh~" Slurping a bite, Zong Shichang asked contentedly, "How is it?"
"Indeed quite good." Zhao Xing nodded.
"How about so wine?" Zong Shichang pulled out a bottle and uncorked it.
"I’ll pass on the wine."
"Then forget it. Drinking alone is no fun." Zong Shichang propped his leg up on his knee, "Why are you so far behind?"
Zhao Xing wiped his mouth: "Rushing won’t help. Climbing the mountain isn’t about who gets there first. What about you?"
Zong Shichang laughed: "Do I look like I’m short on Spiritual Beauty? If my father didn’t force
to co, I wouldn’t have bothered."
You really are crossing a line, flaunting in front of a poor man.
"Then Mr. Zong, at your convenience. I’ll be moving ahead now." Zhao Xing, with his bamboo box, prepared to leave.
"Let’s go together." Zong Shichang also got up, "At least there’s soone to talk to, or wouldn’t it be boring?"
"I don’t find being alone boring." Zhao Xing politely refused.
Zong Shichang persisted, "No, my father has so influence in Nanyang County. If we encounter experts from other counties, my presence will be a bit of protection for you."
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