Shennong Dao Master

The 15th year of Jingxin, late May, eastern suburbs of Gucheng.

The scorching sun poured down like rain. Zhao Xing bent over and planted the seedlings into the paddy field.

With each planting, a series of small numbers appeared beside him.

[Successfully planted a seedling, Basic Cultivation Technique proficiency +1]

[Successfully planted a seedling, Basic Cultivation Technique proficiency +1]

[Successfully planted a seedling, Basic Cultivation Technique proficiency +1]

...

[Basic Cultivation Technique has reached the maximum level, you have comprehended the Initial Stage spell "Vigorous Growth"]

[Vigorous Growth: Initial Stage spell]

[Progress: (1/9999)]

[Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption, shortens the plant's maturation time.]

After planting for another two quarters, Zhao Xing was drenched in sweat, so he came to the field ridge to replenish water.

However, under the scorching sun, the heat and agitation in his heart wouldn't subside.

So, he pointed his finger towards the sky.

"Buzz~"

A golden light emerged from his fingertip and dissipated about three or four meters above his head.

Soon, a mass of gray-white mist appeared, swirling above his head.

[You activated the spell "Move Clouds," this time the spell triggered Qi Fortune's blessing, doubling its efficiency, the clouds span ten meters.]

[Initial Stage spell "Move Clouds" proficiency +2]

"Phew, this is much better."

The mist blocked the sunlight, like a large parasol, shading Zhao Xing.

Wherever Zhao Xing walked, the clouds above his head followed.

The eastern suburbs of Gu County were public fields managed by the Minister of Agriculture Supervision; a part of the officials' provisions came from here.

With Grain in Ear approaching, clerks like Zhao Xing were everywhere in the eastern suburbs.

Because if you don't plant during Grain in Ear, planting is useless.

Additionally, the harvest from the public fields determined not only food but also whether they could get a permanent position that year, transitioning from a non-ranking clerk to a formal Minister of Agriculture Official, a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

A year ago, when he transmigrated here, he discovered that he seemed to be in an early version of that mysterious game— in his previous life, it had suddenly appeared on Earth with no name, just an entrance, like a real world inside, with extremely high freedom and realism, causing a large-scale sensation.

This was during the Jing Emperor Period in Great Zhou, a version when the dynasty was at its peak, the overall environment relatively stable, and safety was almost the highest compared to later versions.

The good part was that Spiritual Energy hadn't fully revived, combat power wasn't absurdly high, so there was no scenario where a powerful person could destroy a city with a wave of their hand.

After all, he was no longer a player; his panel didn't show any resurrection abilities.

The downside was it was too stable, with an average initial identity, making it relatively difficult to find opportunities as an NPC within the early stable social order.

"In my previous life, job transition took only two or three days. Now, I've spent nearly half a year and still see no hope."

"The initial identity given was average, starting as an orphan from a foster home, later adopted by a wealthy family, but the situation remains so-so."

"I've heard some players in their previous lives got lucky and started in noble families…"

"No more thinking. Rest a bit, then work harder. Whether I can complete the job transition task this year largely depends on this field's performance."

Zhao Xing found a haystack, gathered some rice straws, and was about to rest, waiting for his Primordial Energy to recover.

But he saw a young man in a standard single garment, wearing a straw hat, waving at him from a haystack ahead: "Over here, Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Xing walked briskly toward him: "Ziyu, are you resting too?"

Chen Ziyu, also one of the clerks in the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, was the one Zhao Xing was most familiar with during his year of transmigration.

Their relationship was both that of colleagues and fellow students since this stage focused more on learning rather than working, striving to secure a stable position soon, avoiding more menial labor.

A young man named Qian Dong, also a familiar face, was lying beside him.

Chen Ziyu, chewing a piece of grass, warmly greeted: "Just got here, brother. You can lend me your cloud to cool off, no need to waste more Primordial Energy."

"Alright."

He nodded, dispersed the cloud above his head, and lay down beside Chen Ziyu.

Just as he lay down, he heard him complain: "It's just the Beginning of Summer, yet Gucheng is already so hot. All the large trees in the eastern suburbs have been cut down by the adults of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision. To cool off, we have to use our Magic."

Zhao Xing laughed: "This is also a kind of exercise."

"If you want to cool off, it's simple. Watch this." Qian Dong tossed the grass hat he was using to fan himself and pointed dramatically toward the sky: "Wind, come!"

Chen Ziyu was somewhat surprised: "Brother Qian, you've learned "Raise Wind" already?"

Qian Dong grinned wickedly, then picked up the grass hat and fanned Chen Ziyu with it: "See, here it comes!"

Realizing he had been fooled, Chen Ziyu grabbed a handful of dry grass and scratched at Qian Dong's neck:

"You rascal, you dare deceive me! If you don't fan me for fifteen minutes straight, I won't let you off!"

"Ah, don't scratch, Ziyu, calm down. I'll fan you, alright."

"..."

As the two laughed and played, the clouds above shook. Watching this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.

In such hot weather, couldn't they be less flirtatious?

Just as he was about to speak, Qian Dong chimed in first: "Alright, if you don't stop, Mr. Zhao will chide us again for being unserious and lazy."

Zhao Xing lazily said: "No, continue. Better yet, fight until you're both too injured. With fewer people competing for the Minister of Agriculture position with me, my chances of transitioning this year will be greater."

"Brother is being a Yin Yang person again…"

........

After resting for fifteen minutes, Zhao Xing felt his Primordial Energy gradually recovering and planned to nap a bit more before continuing with his job transition grand plan.

But suddenly, the clouds above dispersed, and a glaring light abruptly shone on his eyelids.

"What's going on, Ziyu? Dispersing the cloud without warning…" Qian Dong was still complaining. Zhao Xing, however, got up with his elbows, squinted his eyes, and looked ahead.

A vast dark cloud, stretching nearly a kilometer, slowly rolled in from the front, and on the haystack beneath the cloud stood a tall figure.

The "Move Clouds" spell was exclusive, and it was this person who disrupted Chen Ziyu's "Move Clouds" and absorbed it.

Suddenly interrupted while casting a spell, Chen Ziyu trembled slightly, experiencing a mild backlash that lightly damaged his Primordial Energy.

"Again, that hypocrite Li Chengfeng! Damn you!" Chen Ziyu angrily glared at the figure on the haystack ahead.

Why call him a hypocrite?

Because Li Chengfeng's voice spread around through the "Raise Wind" spell.

"Fellow colleagues, you are welcome to rest under my clouds. Soon, there will be a light shower to wash away the dust for you all."

Not only was Chen Ziyu's spell disrupted, but many others were affected.

But he united most people, saving their Primordial Energy, making many applaud and praise him for his gentlemanly demeanor.

"This guy raises himself up while stepping on others, truly disgusting! He always likes to show off, totally disregarding others' feelings. I once confronted him, and people said I was narrow-minded and jealous of his gentlemanly reputation… Jealous of him? Blech!" Chen Ziyu said angrily.

Qian Dong shook his head as well: "If he were a true gentleman, it'd be fine, but he mingles only with wealthy peers despite his prestigious background. He has one persona in public and another in private. He hasn't even formally become a Minister of Agriculture Official yet, but he already carries himself like a superior. If he becomes our direct superior next year, who knows how he'll torment us, sigh…"

Zhao Xing also agreed with their views and could only pat their shoulders in consolation: "I dislike him too, but complaining is useless. Strength is the key. Work hard, and there will eventually be a day to put him in his place."