Chapter 54: Yin Wind Enters the Dream

Military Agricultural Officers are more well-rounded than ordinary Agricultural Officers, because their selection is far more stringent.

Those who can farm don't necessarily know how to fight, but a Military Agricultural Officer who can fight definitely knows how to farm!

In the entire Agricultural Bureau, the only one who can teach Yin Wind and Ice Rain spells is Chen Shijie.

Because he used to be a Military Agricultural Officer, counted among the 'martial officials,' only later due to certain reasons was he transferred back to the rear and became a 'civil official.'

"You're truly a seedling of a Military Agricultural Officer — you haven't even entered the ranked realm, yet receiving the divine temple's blessing, you've already comprehended Yin Wind and Ice Rain."

The next day, when Chen Shijie heard this news, he was quite pleased, feeling he had not misjudged.

"When a beginner-tier spell reaches the seventh tier, there's a chance to comprehend an intermediate-tier spell."

"If a beginner-tier spell reaches the ninth revolution, the corresponding intermediate-tier spell will also increase in power."

"So if you want to master Yin Wind, Ice Rain, and Thunder Summoning, you can't neglect beginner-tier spells either — they can mutually verify each other."

"The more solid your foundation, the easier your comprehension will be."

Chen Shijie gave a brief explanation, then began an on-site demonstration: "A normal wind-rising spell usually raises 'Yang Wind,' which always comes from the sky. Even if cast in the depths of winter, it's still considered 'Yang Wind.'"

Chen Shijie beckoned, and a warm breeze swirled around Zhao Xing.

"Heaven is Yang, earth is Yin — Yin Wind comes from underground."

Before Chen Shijie finished speaking, a cold wind rose from below, sweeping around Zhao Xing's entire body, as if trying to blow his soul away.

No matter how he circulated his qi and blood, no matter how his vital energy churned, it was useless.

"Yang Wind can be blocked by flesh, armor, or magical robes, but Yin Wind can render most defensive treasures ineffective — you have to rely entirely on your soul to withstand it."

"Of course, those with stronger physiques also have stronger Yang Souls and greater resistance, but even a ranked martial artist struck by this Yin Wind would be unable to stop shivering, and their control over their body would drop sharply."

"In severe cases, it can even blow a person's soul right out of their body, turning them into a wandering spirit. This spell is far too sinister — apart from Military Agricultural Officers, other Agricultural Officers generally can't learn it, and even if they could, the imperial court wouldn't teach it."

"To learn the Yin Wind spell, you first must know how to capture the Yin Wind of the earth's veins from underground."

Chen Shijie withdrew that wisp of Yin Wind, and a warm current then flowed through Zhao Xing's body, helping him recover.

"You've studied Dili Sect spells, so getting started should be very simple. Now try using the Earth Vein Comprehensive Element method to explore, then raise wind from underground."

Zhao Xing nodded, and a wisp of vital energy from his fingertip sank into the ground.

According to the Five Elements and Earthly Branches theory, wind overcomes earth, earth generates wood, wood generates wind — but the power of the earth's veins can also reverse the Five Elements' operation, that is, earth generates wind, wood generates earth, wind generates wood.

To raise wind from the earth's veins, he had two choices: one was to use vital energy to reverse the earth's vein power, which would casually raise wind, but he hadn't even gotten started yet and couldn't do it as effortlessly as Chen Shijie.

The second choice was to capture the Yin-attribute power that naturally exists within the earth's veins — merely channeling it up rather than reversing the Five Elements' generating and overcoming principles would be much easier.

The first wisp of vital energy entered the earth, but before it could locate any Yin-attribute power, it was completely exhausted.

Chen Shijie saw this and teased: "Don't be impatient — a man's first time is always so unsatisfying."

"..." Zhao Xing was utterly speechless. Where did that even come from?

But he was used to Chen Shijie's personality, so he pretended he hadn't heard and continued sending out a second wisp of vital energy.

The second wisp of vital energy was exhausted once again, and raising wind still failed.

It wasn't that Zhao Xing was bad — it was simply that the earth's veins within Gucheng were relatively stable, making capture difficult.

On top of that, after Bai Lu it was still unbearably hot, with Yang flourishing and Yin declining, making it even harder to raise Yin Wind from underground.

The best solar terms for practicing the 【Yin Wind】 spell are 'Great Cold' and 'Lesser Cold,' followed by 'Qingming.'

If you really miss these solar terms, the best time is at night.

"Forget it, you won't manage it right now — you can wait until evening to try again." Chen Shijie smiled. "Just understanding the principle of this spell is enough for now."

Zhao Xing, however, paid no heed. If Old Chen hadn't laughed at him, he wouldn't have been so stubborn about it — but Chen Shijie actually said he couldn't do it.

Can a man admit he can't do it?

Seeing this, Chen Shijie stopped trying to persuade him and leisurely went into the study for an afternoon nap.

Zhao Xing continued squatting on the ground, trying again and again.

At noon the sun was at its fiercest, yet Zhao Xing didn't feel tired — when thirsty he ate a piece of Tianyuan Pear, and when his vital energy was exhausted he ate another.

He was now at the fourth tier of Gathering Element, and could already digest Tianyuan Pears quickly.

"The fluctuations of the earth's veins often show Yang but not Yin. I must be more focused, more patient, to capture the Yin-attribute power within the earth's veins." Zhao Xing simply lay flat on the ground, five fingers thrust into the earth.

Before sleeping, Chen Shijie glanced out the window and saw that Zhao Xing was actually so oblivious to appearances — he couldn't help but smile.

As the saying goes, when there's light in your eyes, everything looks pleasing. He didn't think Zhao Xing was stubborn; instead, he felt Zhao Xing had a steadfast heart.

"The General seeing him would surely be very pleased too." Chen Shijie murmured to himself, closed the window, lay down on the cool mat, and closed his eyes for a nap.

Dim lamplight, a frozen atmosphere.

"You damnable little wretch! You jinxed your father and mother to death, and now you want to harm us too?" A twisted woman's face appeared before Chen Shijie.

"If you have any conscience at all, run outside on your own tonight and never appear before us again."

"Our family will absolutely not raise you! Do you understand? I'm talking to you! Wretch!"

"Auntie, it hurts..."

A chipped bowl, a cold steamed bun.

"Hey, where'd you come from? Know the rules? Dare to beg for food on our turf?!"

"My name is Chen Shijie, from Chen Family Village in Xishan Commandery..."

"I don't care where you're from — brothers, beat him!"

"Clang~"

The broken bowl fell to the ground, the steamed bun gradually staining red.

"Lord Chen, Lord Chen? Old Chen, what's wrong with you!"

Chen Shijie felt someone shaking him.

"Hah!"

He sat up abruptly, jolted awake from the dream.

A dense killing intent spread outward. He crooked a finger into a sword and struck toward Zhao Xing.

Thud thud thud~

Zhao Xing retreated several steps, rubbing his shoulder in shock and uncertainty.

Damn, Old Chen, you're not about to pull that "killing someone in a dream" trick, are you?

"Hm? It's you." Chen Shijie came to his senses, pulling back his force at the last moment. The vital essence at his fingertip swirled and returned to his body. "Wh-what are you doing in my room?"

"I stirred up a Yin wind from underground and blew it at you." Zhao Xing explained, "You said I could use you for practice. I thought you weren't asleep, but I didn't expect it gave you a nightmare…"

Chen Shijie finally realized—so it was this kid's doing all along!

Zhao Xing's Yin wind couldn't move his soul, but it did give him a nightmare.

"Nightmare? Who says I had a nightmare?" Chen Shijie snorted. "With your little bit of skill, you still can't affect me. Don't casually approach a sleeping Army Agronomist in the future. This time it was only because I held back, otherwise your shoulder wouldn't be the only thing that hurts. No more teaching today. Go back and practice on your own."

"Yes, I'll remember that." Zhao Xing cupped his fists in farewell.

Watching Zhao Xing's departing back, Chen Shijie couldn't help but purse his lips. This guy's progress really is fast—the noon hour isn't even over, and he's already successfully summoned a Yin wind?

Hmph, I'll have to praise him less from now on. This kid's getting a bit full of himself—he actually called me Old Chen?