Shennong Dao Master

The advancement from Gathering Essence First Rank to Second Rank represented a world of difference. The second rank in Qi Fortune effectively put him ahead of ninety percent of ordinary people.

Take spells for example, when Zhao Xing cast [Cloud Movement], among a hundred times, it might only trigger Qi Fortune twice or thrice, enhancing the effect by two or three-tenths. Players dubbed this phenomenon 'Minor Success with Spells.'

In a thousand casts, it might trigger a 'Double Effect' once, known among players as a 'Major Success with Spells'!

However, with the second rank in Qi Fortune, casting spells ten times could trigger the 'Minor Success' effect two or three times, and within a hundred casts, it might trigger a 'Major Success' effect once.

This advantage extended beyond just spell casting, encompassing serendipitous events like finding treasures on the road, meeting hidden masters while seeking guidance, or never catching an empty net while fishing...

Especially during the 'Fortune Dynasty' version, these effects became even more pronounced.

"But, why is it like this? I clearly remember that the Tao Embryo Pill didn't have this effect... Hmm?"

A sudden realization struck Zhao Xing, considering a possibility.

"The current Dream Palace was different from the later 'Yun Meng Academy'; the former possessed abundant treasures, while the latter was more of a mere tool."

"Could it be that by entering the Dream Palace, I indirectly received some Qi Fortune from the ancient Li Dynasty?"

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed, so Zhao Xing began to recall related plotlines about this ancient dynasty, evaluating whether this outcome was good or bad.

In the end, he concluded that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

"The Li Dynasty era was far removed from the Great Zhou, only during some period of chaos among the feudal lords did forces claiming to be remnants of the Li Dynasty act under this banner, but they never made much of an impact, let alone in the current era."

"Qi Fortune increase, intangible and traceless, advancing from First Rank to Second Rank wouldn't attract attention at all."

"If it can continue to enhance, there's no rush; by then, I'd already be integrated into the Great Zhou system. If a high-ranking official notices in the future, at worst I'd reveal the method to enter the Dream Palace to the state and make a quick profit."

Zhao Xing remembered that the person who discovered the method to open the Dream Palace was not 'specially handled.' In contrast, after presenting the method to Emperor Wu, he was conferred the title of Marquis Xian and awarded a piece of land.

Hence, even if the Qi Fortune increase was discovered, it was a matter of how much he'd profit, rather than a safety concern.

"Nevertheless, it's best to enter the system as soon as possible."

Understanding everything, Zhao Xing felt at ease.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck~"

As the sound of a rooster crowing came from outside, he quickly freshened up and hurried out the door.

........

Currently, the Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision had over five hundred people.

However, Nanyang County only allocated three to five slots to Gucheng each year.

Most clerks without talent or background could only endure the hardship, waiting for those outstanding competitors to get promoted.

The Minister of Agriculture Supervision was still relatively better—other systems like military, engineering, law, literature, and rites had even tougher advancement channels.

In simple terms, the Minister of Agriculture had better prospects for job changes compared to Martial Artists, Mechanical Masters, and Doctors.

This year, the Supervision had many 'experts,' such as Li Chengfeng and Wen Nanxing, who were already nearing Gathering Essence Third Rank.

They not only mastered basic spells like [Cloud Movement], [Bringing Rain], [Thunder Strikes], and [Wind Summoning], but also began studying advanced versions.

Advanced secrets like "Timely Wind and Rain" and "Commanding Wind and Rain".

They could even enter the divine temple to comprehend advanced secrets like "Seasonal Order" and "All Things Growth Map", where they could practice spells with offensive capabilities.

In terms of both 'skills' and 'techniques,' they far surpassed other clerks.

To outperform these competitors, Zhao Xing had to quicken his pace.

"Now that I've reached Gathering Essence Second Rank, my Primordial Energy is enough to support more spell casting. It's time to learn new spells."

The Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision was located in the east of the city, but Zhao Xing headed north because to learn spells, he first needed to get approval from the county government, have it documented, and then seek spells at the divine temple.

After obtaining the spells, he'd need to return to the county government to re-record because during the process at the divine temple, there could be random, additional spells.

Afterward, he'd return to the Supervision to seek guidance and cultivate. The official staff at the Supervision served as both superiors and teachers to the clerks.

Whether they were willing to teach and how much effort they'd put into teaching depended on whether you found the right person.

........

Zhao Xing entered the county government office to start the procedure and received a warm welcome from the clerk on duty.

"I'm Pang Fei, there is some cool tea inside. Mr. Zhao, please rest in the side hall for a while."

Surprised by the young and enthusiastic face, Zhao Xing replied: "Mr. Pang, you're too kind. How long will it take to get this document approved?"

He was here for business, not tea.

"The document stamping will take no more than an hour, or as fast as half an hour."

So quick? Why was the county government's efficiency so high?

He thought Pang Fei was an exception, but while drinking tea in the side hall, all the clerks he saw were the same way!

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Xing finally realized.

This all started with Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing was an ambitious man who named his era 'Jingxin,' intending to create a new atmosphere and surpass his ancestors' renown.

His father, Emperor Wen, was 'loving towards the people, respectful, and benevolent,' but Emperor Jing himself had a bad temper and couldn't do the same. To surpass his father, he had to excel in other areas.

Thus, this emperor began leading the way in internal competition.

The "Da Zhou Order" stipulated: minor matters five days, medium matters seven days, major matters ten days.

Under his demand, all commandery-level institutions had to handle documents and affairs promptly, adhering to the principle 'completed daily, with no delays.'

This led to an internal competition culture across the Nineteen States.

For this reason, players dubbed Emperor Jing as 'the Diligent Emperor'.

Why was the government so efficient? When the emperor himself led, who dared to slack off? The divine temple within the city wasn't just for show. It could oversee the city's vile and unlawful acts and monitor officials' laziness and misconduct.

Why was Pang Yun so polite? Because he was also a clerk, just like Zhao Xing, he wanted a permanent position too! Without surpassing his colleagues, when could he make it?

"Establish a divine temple to oversee officials and disseminate all spells to enlighten the people. This period is truly safe and contrasts sharply with later chaos when farming wasn't even secure..." As a Minister of Agriculture player, Zhao Xing appreciated the current environment, finding it an excellent period for development!

After finishing a cup of tea, another enthusiastic clerk came to refill it.

This cycle repeated thrice until Pang Fei, holding a document, jogged over.

"Mr. Zhao, your application has been approved. Thank you for waiting."

"Thank you." Seeing the sweat beads forming on Pang Fei's forehead, Zhao Xing genuinely thanked him.