Chapter 6: The Divine Temple's Teachings

The number of agricultural techniques is countless, and they can be divided into three categories based on the schools of thought.

Namely: the School of Heavenly Timing, the School of Earthly Advantage, and the School of Self.

The main idea of the School of Heavenly Timing is to "know the timing of heaven, set the timing of heaven, and change the timing of heaven."

They believe that the most important condition for plant growth is the timing of heaven.

In ancient times, the Xuanhuang Continent experienced the "Age of Heavenly Disasters," during which the celestial phenomena were extremely unstable.

A single day could experience all four seasons, and a year could see the transformation of the land from sea to field.

Even now, many places on the Xuanhuang Continent still have such chaotic celestial phenomena.

For example, there are mountain ranges that are always burning with flames, and ice seas that never thaw.

In some places, the morning is scorching hot, enough to melt metal, while the night turns water into ice, freezing everything to a standstill.

Some places are not as extreme, but they still experience "disordered seasons" and "reversed seasonal changes."

Therefore, the School of Heavenly Timing in agriculture believes that the focus of their techniques should be to understand the timing of heaven, change the timing of heaven, and set the timing of heaven, creating a stable environment for farming.

The most famous technique book is the "Seasonal Ordinance."

After cultivation, one can regulate the celestial phenomena and set the local seasons. The techniques in this book are all centered around this idea.

The core idea of the School of Earthly Advantage, on the other hand, is that the timing of heaven cannot be reversed, and the celestial phenomena cannot be changed. It is better to use this energy to transform barren lands into fertile ones.

Based on this, plants are then planted, and under the dual influence of the land and the plants, the living environment gradually expands.

As long as the soil is made sufficiently fertile, even the harshest weather can be endured, and flowers can still bloom and bear fruit.

Who would have thought that even on ice mountains, delicate snow lotuses can bloom!

The classic secrets of the School of Earthly Advantage include the "Houtu Return to Origin Technique" and the "Dizang Origin Gate Array." This school is skilled in using tools and arrays and is closely related to the School of Engineering.

As for the School of Self, they say, "You are all rubbish."

What is the timing of heaven and the advantage of the earth? They are all external factors. True strength comes from within!

The School of Self believes that plants themselves are a miracle, full of resilient life force, capable of adapting to any environment.

By collecting all kinds of rare flowers, plants, divine trees, and immortal branches, and selecting the best for cultivation, after several generations, one can obtain seeds that can resist all external factors.

The School of Self believes that techniques should focus on "making plants stronger and stronger."

The most famous book is the "Diagram of the Growth of All Things."

"At this time, the School of Heavenly Timing is the dominant force, occupying the mainstream of thought, while the School of Earthly Advantage and the School of Self are secondary."

"To wait for the revival version, these two schools will have their time to shine, even producing seeds that can root in the void and soils that can transform plants to a higher level." On the way to the divine temple, Zhao Xing had already decided on his main cultivation direction.

Mainly because he currently lacks the conditions to follow the School of Earthly Advantage and the School of Self.

"My current mobility is too weak. If I have the ability to travel far in the future, I can look for some treasures of this era, such as the lava fire lotus, bloodthirsty vines, and some parasitic and exotic species preserved in ancient tombs."

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

The Gu Cheng Divine Temple is a county-level divine temple.

The statues inside are not of mythical deities but of famous historical figures, mostly deceased civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Some were honored for their bravery in battle, others for their governance that benefited the people, and they were enshrined in the Great Zhou Divine Temple.

Among them, the most are from the Taizu era.

For example, the main hall that Zhao Xing is now seeing is dedicated to the "Donghu Bo" of the Taizu period.

Born in Donghu, Gu Cheng, he made a living by fishing in his youth. During the Taizu's conquest of a thousand countries and unification of the chaotic world, he joined the Zhao Gong's army and became a chariot driver, eventually being enfeoffed as the Donghu Bo.

After returning to his hometown, he spent all his wealth to build bridges and roads, improve his hometown, and voluntarily gave up most of his land to let refugees farm, which helped Gu Cheng grow from a town to a county.

After his death, he was enshrined in the divine temple to receive offerings and became a yin deity.

"Donghu Bo was skilled in martial arts, but I am seeking techniques, which is not suitable for him. This period is best for the development of the agricultural official, not other professions. If I take the Dao Seed Pill, and he sees that I have good potential and thinks I should practice martial arts, and randomly gives me a martial arts manual, it would be a waste of time."

Zhao Xing did not enter the hall but only bowed and burned incense at the copper incense burner outside, then planned to leave.

"Clang!"

Inside the Donghu Bo's hall, the copper bell rang automatically, carrying a strong intention that clearly entered Zhao Xing's mind, as if trying to retain him or persuade him not to leave.

Zhao Xing's face stiffened, not expecting that a simple bow outside the hall would cause such a reaction. Donghu Bo actually manifested and tried to retain him?

The Dao Seed Pill is really that powerful... Zhao Xing bowed again and quickly ran away.

"Ah."

After Zhao Xing left, the statue emitted a faint sigh.

The temple master, who was meditating in the hall, looked out the door in confusion but saw no one.

Looking up at the statue again, he received no further guidance, so he scratched his head and continued meditating.

With this incident, Zhao Xing dared not bow randomly anymore.

He quickened his pace and arrived at a side hall—the Caoxi Zhenjun Hall.

"Caoxi, in the early years of the founding, served as the Jietian Ling of Nanyang Prefecture. He extensively promoted the 'Return to Origin Water Wheel' of the School of Engineering and constructed the Thirteen Lakes, combining the techniques of the School of Engineering to manage water disasters, and was recognized as an outstanding figure of the School of Earthly Advantage in agriculture."

"However, he was well-versed in many schools, having written 'Caoxi's Agricultural Book' and being a practical person. Worshipping him should not go wrong."

"It's you, sir."

Zhao Xing handed the county office's approval document to the temple master, who is a position in the Office of Ceremonial Rites, responsible for the procedures of sacrifices and rituals.

It is the "spirit medium" profession in the players' terms, an early "divine profession," because this profession can invite deities to possess them and summon yin deities to fight.

At one time, Zhao Xing also wanted to switch to this profession for a thrill, but with the fall of the Dynasty of Fortune, its combat power has been greatly reduced. In the revival version, it is extremely difficult and complex to become strong, so he had to give up.

Now, he is even less likely to abandon the agricultural official profession for a temporary thrill and choose this early divine profession.

"The document is fine. After entering, sit on the mat and pray quietly," the temple master, who was not old but had a mature demeanor, said. "Remember, techniques cannot be forced. If you gain something, it is a great fortune. If you gain nothing, it means your strength is not yet sufficient. You can come back next time, and do not let your mind wander."

This is a reminder to Zhao Xing that if he fails to obtain a technique, he should not develop any obsession or resentment, as yin deities are very sensitive to thoughts related to themselves.

"Yes, thank you, Master." Zhao Xing took a deep breath and entered the Caoxi Zhenjun Hall.

(End of Chapter)