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Chapter 276: The "Disaster Prevention Herbology" and the "Theory of Self and Natural Harmony," Astonishing Pang Yuanren!
🕑 Added 2024-12-07 09:41:41 +0000 UTCSima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren appearing at the same time was undoubtedly a challenging situation.
But no matter how tricky it was, Zhao Xing quickly came out to greet them.
"Teacher Sima," Zhao Xing bowed slightly to Sima Yunhai, then turned to Pang Yuanren and offered a respectful gesture. "Doctor Pang."
This mode of address wasn’t arbitrary.
Sima Yunhai had taught him the Cloud Laws at the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch. Calling him "teacher" wasn’t out of line. Since there had been no formal master-disciple ceremony, such as the traditional three kneelings and nine kowtows with witnesses, the relationship hadn’t been officially solidified.
Pang Yuanren, on the other hand, might openly refer to Liu Tianning as his master, but Liu Tianning had never acknowledged him. Thus, Zhao Xing refrained from addressing Pang Yuanren as a junior disciple. Even if Liu Tianning did eventually accept Pang Yuanren as a student, the proper address for Zhao Xing would have been "senior brother," not "junior brother."
Calling him "Doctor Pang" struck a balance and avoided further aggravating Sima Yunhai.
The moment Zhao Xing appeared, Pang Yuanren's eyes lit up, and he immediately stopped arguing with Sima Yunhai. Straightening his robes, he seemed intent on leaving a good impression on Zhao Xing.
Hearing Zhao Xing address him as "teacher," Sima Yunhai’s expression turned complicated.
Initially, he had approached Zhao Xing with ulterior motives, intending to use him as a pawn in his feud with Liu Tianning. Yet, in the course of teaching Zhao Xing the Cloud Laws at Xuantian Academy, an unexpected bond formed.
Even after realizing Zhao Xing had no intention of formally becoming his disciple, disrupting his plans, Sima Yunhai found it impossible to harbor resentment. After all, Zhao Xing was the most intelligent and talented student he’d ever encountered.
What had Zhao Xing done wrong?
Sima Yunhai despised Liu Tianning, loathed Pang Yuanren, but could not bring himself to dislike Zhao Xing. In fact, he admired him.
Zhao Xing had authored Theory of Three Yin, Three Yang, and Six Qi Grand Zhou Celestial Cycle, a work that contributed greatly to the Heaven School's philosophical foundation.
But then, Pang Yuanren opened his mouth, once again stoking Sima Yunhai’s ire. "Junior Brother Zhao truly has exceptional talent and an extraordinary aura. Would you have time for a discussion? I’d love to sit and debate with my junior brother."
Before Sima Yunhai could erupt, Zhao Xing stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Doctor Pang, please do not refer to me as ‘junior brother.’ I am here in Mingyue Prefecture to perform my duties. Personal matters will not be entertained. If Doctor Pang is here for administrative purposes, please present your opinions during the military-political assembly convened by Lord Mingyue. Let’s avoid unproductive communication."
Seeing Zhao Xing’s unyielding demeanor, Pang Yuanren was not angered. Instead, he smiled faintly, bowed, and said, "What Lord Zhao said makes sense. A debate can wait for another day. I shall take my leave for now."
Without sparing Sima Yunhai a glance, Pang Yuanren turned and flew away in a flash.
"Teacher Sima, I wasn’t aware of your arrival. Please come inside and allow me to host a small banquet to welcome you properly."
Sima Yunhai, though slightly mollified, still harbored lingering irritation. He also wanted to discuss Zhao Xing’s Grand Theory, but with Ye Yukong still present, he couldn't afford to soften his stance just yet.
Sima Yunhai waved his sleeve dismissively and scoffed, "I’ve had my fill of vexation—who needs a banquet now?"
He cast a pointed glare at Ye Yukong and added with thinly veiled disdain, "You’re here to perform official duties, so do your job properly. Don’t let things descend into chaos and become a nuisance to others."
Ye Yukong: “…”
He had an unsettling feeling that Sima Yunhai’s rebuke was directed at him.
But what had he done wrong?
Ye Yukong was utterly baffled.
"Lord Ye," Zhao Xing’s voice broke through Ye Yukong’s haze of confusion, pulling him back to reality.
"Oh? What is it?" Ye Yukong looked at Zhao Xing, curiosity flickering in his eyes. What kind of capability did Zhao Xing have to quell the argument between these two formidable Shennongs?
"I have a request," Zhao Xing said earnestly.
"Speak."
"During the assembly, please refrain from placing these two individuals in the same chamber," Zhao Xing said with a slight bow.
Ye Yukong nodded immediately, finally grasping the severity of the tension between Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren. "Managing disaster prevention and relief for a region requires a clear leader. Who should take charge?"
Zhao Xing suppressed a sigh. The answer seemed so obvious, yet Ye Yukong still couldn’t see it.
To save time, Zhao Xing proposed, "If Lord Ye doesn’t mind, I am willing to mediate between them."
It was impossible to let Zhang Ping lead Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren. Despite their shared third-rank titles, Zhang Ping lagged behind in both technique and reasoning.
"That might be the best course," Ye Yukong sighed, agreeing reluctantly.
Zhao Xing held back his frustration. What did Ye Yukong mean by "the best course"? Was it too much to expect a word of encouragement?
He suspected Ye Yukong’s skull housed swords rather than a brain.
"Please issue a gag order, Lord Ye, to prevent unnecessary gossip about these two officials. It will avoid complicating the situation further."
"Understood," Ye Yukong replied. Though he still didn’t fully grasp the underlying issues, issuing a gag order was easy enough.
In truth, Ye Yukong wasn’t interested in delving into the drama. He only wanted to complete his assignment and vacate his temporary position, leaving it to the court-appointed officials.
As the officials dispersed, Zhao Xing let out a quiet sigh of relief, but his mind was already troubled.
Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren—had Ye Yukong invited only one of them, whether it was Sima or Pang, the upcoming tasks would have been much simpler. Yet, he had to invite both!
"Sometimes, having too many people involved doesn’t make things easier," Zhao Xing muttered to himself as he stepped back into the hall, a weary look on his face.
At that moment, True Lord Tianyang seemed to come alive again. Sitting casually atop a platform, he tossed a fruit up and down, looking entirely unbothered.
"Heh, disciple-grandson, now you see it, don’t you? Being a Grand Shennong isn’t as easy as it looks," True Lord Tianyang said with a mischievous grin. "You’re only dealing with conflicts between two individuals right now. A true Grand Shennong has to manage three factions across nineteen provinces, numerous cave-heavens, and blessed lands. Just imagine the magnitude of conflicts that must arise. Resolving them all is no simple feat."
"Need some advice from your old grandmaster?"
"The court-appointed official to replace Lord Mingyue won’t arrive for another three to five months. If you rely on Ye Yukong, this temporary lord, to mediate, I can guarantee your three factions in Mingyue Prefecture won’t get anything done for months!"
Zhao Xing smiled faintly and shook his head. "No need to trouble you, Grandmaster. I’m confident I can handle this myself."
"Good, I like your spirit!" True Lord Tianyang caught the fruit mid-air, swung his legs down, and gave Zhao Xing a wide grin. "If you can manage to get those two working, resolve Mingyue Prefecture’s issues, and achieve real results, I’ll have a special gift for you."
Zhao Xing chuckled. "Then, Grandmaster, please wait and see."
The next morning, Ye Yukong convened a military-political assembly to discuss disaster prevention and relief measures.
Following Zhao Xing’s advice, Ye Yukong prepared two separate chambers for the discussions. Sima Yunhai led one group of core officials, while Pang Yuanren directed the other.
Zhao Xing himself stayed with Sima Yunhai’s group, while his avatar attended the meeting in Pang Yuanren’s chamber.
Ye Yukong, ever the pragmatic warrior, initially intended to attend both meetings to weigh in on the discussions. However, Zhao Xing persuaded him otherwise.
Ye Yukong was genuinely a responsible man, but his attempts to micromanage only unsettled his subordinates further. Moreover, his tendency to invite "experts" without doing proper background checks had already caused enough chaos.
As a compromise, Ye Yukong devised a novel solution: he placed enchanted mirrors in both chambers, reflecting his image as a figurehead. His only role was to nod in agreement during the proceedings, leaving the details to the professionals.
However, the assembly quickly hit a snag.
"Disaster response should, of course, follow the methods of our Heaven School," Sima Yunhai declared. "Zhao Xing, Zhang Ping, Liu Bodang, and your team from Tianhe Prefecture—adhere to my plan."
In the other meeting hall, Pang Yuanren began presenting his approach with a calm but commanding demeanor. "Mingyue Prefecture is home to seven major rivers. Desertification and sandstorms are becoming increasingly prominent in the southern and northern regions, while the eastern area suffers from frequent seismic activity," he stated.
"I’ve brought a team of 129 Shennong from Shangluo Academy, all of whom are elites in their field, each having cultivated Pure Essence Soil. Additionally, seventy Wenhualou ships are standing by, stocked with an array of miraculous plants specifically chosen for disaster mitigation."
"I’ve outlined four comprehensive plans but lack sufficient manpower. This is where collective effort becomes vital. We must mobilize all Shennong, mechanists, and necessary resources to plant and propagate these disaster-resistant species. What does Yuanhou think of this approach?" Pang’s sharp gaze settled on Zhao Xing’s avatar, awaiting his response.
This encapsulated the inherent clash between the Self School and the Heaven School. Even if Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren hadn’t been invited, any representatives of differing factions would have inevitably led to such ideological conflicts.
Inviting only one faction would have avoided the current impasse. However, Zhao Xing knew he had no authority to dismiss either of them, nor could he afford to escalate tensions further.
At this point, Zhao Xing understood that the key was to seize control of the discussion. Both Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren were clearly focused on getting the Tianhe Prefecture team to cooperate with their respective plans, leaving Zhao Xing on the sidelines.
This was unacceptable. Was Zhao Xing, after all, someone who would willingly bow to others’ commands?
Yet Zhao Xing also recognized the difficulty of asserting control over two highly knowledgeable and competent individuals. Both Sima Yunhai and Pang Yuanren were well-versed in theory and practice, making them formidable opponents in this verbal chess match.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xing prepared himself mentally. He would need all his wits to navigate this.
In Sima Yunhai’s chamber, Zhao Xing meticulously reviewed the proposed disaster management plan. After careful scrutiny, he praised, "Teacher, your governance framework is as exemplary as expected of a modern master. This plan seamlessly integrates principles from the Great Theories of the Tianyuan Chronicle, The Five Elemental Seasonal Applications, The Yin-Yang Phenological Canon: Chapter on Rebalancing, and Wu’s Balanced Time Theory Across Four Directions. Its clarity and precision make it a model worthy of adoption by every Shennong Office across prefectures and commanderies."
Sima Yunhai’s expression softened at Zhao Xing’s genuine flattery. His chest puffed slightly as he replied, "No need for such praise. The Heaven School is backed by numerous classics. I am merely drawing upon the wisdom of our predecessors."
"Since you’ve found the proposal satisfactory, let’s proceed with its implementation."
"Teacher, please don’t rush," Zhao Xing interjected respectfully. "My knowledge is shallow, and I still find parts of the plan unclear. If you could explain it in greater detail, I could convey it accurately to the officials below."
Sima Yunhai nodded thoughtfully. "If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask away."
Zhao Xing extracted one of the documents, unfurling it mid-air with a flick of his hand. He gestured toward the Mingyue Prefecture Microclimate Map.
"Teacher, please take a look at Zhuo Commandery. Starting from the sixteenth day of the third month, the Shennong officials there have been using the Seasonal Qi Command of Spring Equinox to regulate the area. However, whenever the spell’s effect is rescinded, the three energies return to chaos within three hours."
"Today is only the nineteenth day of the third month, yet the Wenhua bottle measurements submitted from Zhuo Commandery already indicate a temperature exceeding forty-seven degrees."
"Furthermore, with each subsequent use of the Spring Equinox Seasonal Qi Command to restore order, the effectiveness decreases significantly, to the point where the Yin-Yang balance can no longer be maintained. Teacher, how would you address this situation?"
Sima Yunhai carefully examined the Mingyue Microclimate Map and sifted through the accompanying documents. His analytical prowess soon brought him to a conclusion.
"This is a case of ‘Three Energies in Chaos and Yin-Yang Imbalance,’" he declared.
"Teacher, could you clarify which three energies are involved?"
"The Morning Qi, True Yang Qi, and Heavenly Qi. Their disharmony suppresses both Earthly Qi and Cosmic Qi, causing an unrelenting downward pressure."
"Yangming Metal’s dryness feeds upon Lesser Yin Fire, creating a cycle where wind, fire, and Yang energies exacerbate each other. The Spring Equinox Seasonal Qi Command fails to counteract this imbalance."
"If the critical node for spellcasting cannot be identified, it will be akin to extinguishing a fire by pouring oil on it. The result is an escalation of these energies, with their interaction points shifting continuously."
"My solution involves utilizing Major Cold’s Phase Fire and Jueyin’s Wind Wood to ignite the forests of Zhuo Commandery and reduce the height of its three mountains. This would redirect the energies to four adjacent commanderies, dispersing their intensity and facilitating balanced governance."
Sima Yunhai’s explanation demonstrated the depth of his expertise. With only two days’ worth of data, he had quickly pinpointed the root of the issue and proposed a solution rooted in Time Theory principles.
However, Zhao Xing wasn’t about to let the matter rest.
"Teacher, did you account for the potential repercussions of geophysical shifts? Burning forests and leveling mountains might release the three energies, but they could also overwhelm the neighboring commanderies, causing undue suffering to their inhabitants."
"This approach would transfer a localized disaster into a broader calamity across four commanderies. Moreover, deforestation and mountain leveling might provoke public discontent, no matter how justified the measures seem."
Sima Yunhai frowned deeply. "Evacuating the affected populations into urban centers would mitigate harm. What grounds would there be for grievances?"
"Teacher, if we proceed with your plan, what happens if the interactions among Earth Soil, Geng Metal, Li Fire, and Kun Wind lead to misalignment? What would be the consequence of such energy displacement?"
Without hesitation, Sima Yunhai replied, "Four dislocated energies would distort local phenomena, altering the natural cycles of—" He stopped mid-sentence, his brows furrowing in realization.
Fixing his gaze on the map, Sima Yunhai muttered, "Such displacement shouldn’t occur. Your hypothesis lacks basis."
Zhao Xing retrieved another document. "Teacher, here is the most recent data from Zhuo Commandery. A similar approach, almost identical to yours but without deforestation or mountain reduction, was attempted by Shennong Overseer Fang Tianguang."
As Sima Yunhai scanned the report, his expression darkened. Fang’s method had indeed expelled the three Yang energies from Zhuo Commandery, but the imbalance it created allowed the three Yin energies to dominate.
This caused the Spring Equinox Seasonal Qi Command to swing drastically, plunging Zhuo Commandery into extreme cold. Three days later, the region experienced a Great Cold calamity.
Half the commandery was frozen solid, hailstorms raged, and the ground was coated in ice five feet thick. Zhuo Commandery had transformed into a "Cold Commandery."
Zhao Xing continued, "Fang Tianguang’s method deployed immense manpower and resources, but instead of resolving the issue, it exacerbated it. Even if his efforts ultimately succeeded, the human and material costs alone would make it impractical. Teacher, your wisdom is unparalleled—surely you can see the flaws in such an approach."
Sima Yunhai scrutinized Zhao Xing carefully before turning his attention back to the map. His eyes narrowed slightly, detecting Zhao Xing’s intentions.
What a cunning student. While Zhao Xing outwardly addressed Fang Tianguang’s mistakes, he was implicitly criticizing Sima Yunhai’s similar plan.
Zhao Xing had clearly prepared extensively, anticipating that Sima Yunhai would propose a solution along these lines.
"And what brilliant alternative do you propose?" Sima Yunhai asked, his tone laced with both curiosity and challenge.
Zhao Xing chuckled as he pulled out a pre-prepared document from his sleeve and handed it over. "Teacher, this is my humble suggestion. Please correct me if I’m mistaken."
He gestured toward the Mingyue Microclimate Map, resetting it to its state prior to Fang Tianguang’s intervention.
Sima Yunhai accepted the document, moving to the map to begin a simulation. With one hand manipulating the map and the other referencing Zhao Xing’s proposal, he initiated a spell to model the governance approach.
As the simulation unfolded, the Mingyue Microclimate Map began to shift, reflecting new changes.
The blazing Fire Clouds in the sky gradually faded away, and the lifeless trees on the ground began to regain vitality.
The temperature reading on the Wenhua bottle dropped to 27 marks, though it still fell short of the optimal temperature expected during the Spring Equinox Seasonal Qi Command.
However, this was already far superior to Fang Tianguang’s earlier approach. At least Zhuo Commandery had not turned into a "Cold Commandery," right?
"Hmph!"
Sima Yunhai set down the scroll he had been reading, his intentions clear. Zhao Xing’s goal was evident—he wanted to take charge and direct Sima Yunhai’s efforts, reducing him to a supporting role.
"How many more of these do you have prepared? Bring them all out."
"As you wish," Zhao Xing replied with a respectful bow before waving his hand. From a box behind him, over a hundred scrolls flew into the air, neatly unfolding in sequence.
Every single one of them had been meticulously prepared by Zhao Xing in advance!
Witnessing this, Sima Yunhai’s face twitched in disbelief. "This brat has only been in Mingyue Prefecture for three days. How could he possibly have prepared this much?"
What Sima Yunhai didn’t realize was that Zhao Xing had been preparing for this day for far longer. Ever since his arrival in the Eastern Sea, Zhao Xing had meticulously calculated and planned for King Liang’s eventual rebellion.
He had run countless simulations of the geography and disaster scenarios for every commandery in Pinghai Province. After mastering the Derivation of the Divine Spirit Technique, his computational abilities had become terrifyingly precise.
During his tenure as "Inspector of the Five Prefectures," Zhao Xing had naturally paid close attention to neighboring regions. After resolving the issues in Tianhe Prefecture, his focus had shifted further afield.
What Zhao Xing hadn’t anticipated, however, was that today he would be showcasing his expertise to an old acquaintance, Sima Yunhai.
Out of respect for their past teacher-student relationship, Zhao Xing made an effort to keep his tone courteous. Fortunately, there were no other significant figures present—Zhang Ping was an honest and straightforward man who wouldn’t spread gossip, Liu Bokong was a mechanist unlikely to understand these matters, and Ye Yukun wouldn’t grasp the technicalities either.
In this way, Zhao Xing managed to avoid outright embarrassing Sima Yunhai.
"Ha!" Sima Yunhai sighed and conjured a small flame at his fingertip. With a flick, he incinerated the scrolls he had prepared over the past two days.
Because after seeing Zhao Xing’s plans, Sima Yunhai knew his own proposals couldn’t compare.
It wasn’t that Sima Yunhai’s capabilities were inherently inferior; rather, Zhao Xing’s preparations were simply too exhaustive and well-thought-out.
"Teacher—"
"No need to say more," Sima Yunhai interrupted with a cold snort. "If my plans are of no use, why keep them? Since you’ve prepared for so long, the people I brought will follow your direction."
Zhao Xing took two steps back and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your support, Teacher."
"I’m not doing this for you, but for the people of Mingyue Prefecture," Sima Yunhai replied indifferently. "Also, I have one condition. Do not assign me to work alongside that traitor. I refuse even to meet him face to face. If I see that dog thief, I fear I won’t be able to resist killing him!"
Zhao Xing’s governance plan indeed required the cooperation of Shennong from all three schools, which meant working with Pang Yuanren. However, Sima Yunhai’s deep-seated resentment toward Pang Yuanren made collaboration impossible.
Both men had once been esteemed members of the Yun generation, but Pang Yuanren had not only abandoned the path of their master but had also dared to change the sacred name bestowed upon him. For this, Sima Yunhai could never forgive him.
"Rest assured, Teacher. I won’t let anything trouble you."
"Leave now! You’re already troubling me enough," Sima Yunhai said impatiently, tossing a token from his sleeve. "Hurry and go!"
"Understood." Zhao Xing’s true form caught the token and, along with Zhang Ping and Liu Bokong, bowed deeply before taking their leave.
As Zhao Xing’s figure disappeared into the distance, Sima Yunhai’s gaze lingered, his expression a mix of frustration and admiration. In the end, he said nothing, only letting out a long sigh before departing.
Meanwhile, in another section of the assembly...
"Huh? Where did everyone go?" Ye Yukun, observing through the Earth Mirror, noticed the stillness in one chamber.
"Is the meeting already over?"
Not quite. While matters had been settled on Sima Yunhai’s side, Pang Yuanren’s group was stuck in a stalemate.
The assembly hall of eighteen members was predominantly composed of Shennong brought by Pang Yuanren. The only other presence was Zhao Xing’s Myriad Law Manifestation.
Unlike Sima Yunhai, who was stern but kind-hearted, Pang Yuanren was far more resistant. While Sima Yunhai had quickly agreed to Zhao Xing’s proposals, Pang Yuanren was proving to be an entirely different challenge.
Despite his cultured and polite demeanor, Pang Yuanren’s inner resolve was unyielding. Convincing him would require more than eloquence.
After a brief exchange, Zhao Xing quickly grasped Pang Yuanren’s personality—it was the complete opposite of Sima Yunhai’s.
"This is a man who would change his name and sever ties with his sect for the sake of pursuing his own Dao."
"A ruthless character indeed."
"His allegiance to Shangluo Academy isn’t just personal; it’s deeply political. The academy has invested heavily in him, providing resources that allowed him to cultivate Pure Essence Soil in just eight years and to transplant numerous seventh-rank plants."
"Now that Pang Yuanren has come to Tianhe Prefecture, it’s not just about aiding the region—it’s about solidifying both his reputation and Shangluo Academy’s prestige. Convincing him to heed my command will be far more difficult than it was with Sima Yunhai."
These thoughts swirled in Zhao Xing’s mind as he assessed the situation.
Pang Yuanren’s mission wasn’t purely altruistic. It was steeped in political motivations, entwined with both personal and institutional interests. Getting him to collaborate with the Heavenly Timing Shennong would be an uphill battle.
"Pang Yuanren, esteemed officials," Zhao Xing began with a warm smile, "Let us set aside official matters for now. Why don’t we relax, enjoy some tea, and discuss the Dao together?"
Pang Yuanren returned the smile, nodding politely. "Very well, let us follow your lead, Chen’an."
"Wei Daren happens to have some new tea in his collection," Pang Yuanren added, gesturing toward a nearby fourth-rank Shennong.
With a wave of Wei Daren’s hand, shadows fell across the table in the hall, and cups of steaming tea appeared before each attendee.
"Please, Yuanhou," Wei Daren offered courteously, though he didn’t specify what tea it was. Pang Yuanren, too, made no move to elaborate.
"Please," Zhao Xing echoed, lifting his cup and bringing it to his nose. After a brief sniff, he smiled. "Excellent tea!"
"Oh?" Pang Yuanren’s interest was piqued. "Chen’an, what makes this tea so excellent in your eyes?"
"Lingxu Silver Needle," Zhao Xing replied, his tone measured yet confident. "The tea buds are robust, uniform in length and size. The inner surface of the buds gleams with a golden hue, while the outer layer of fine white hairs forms a complete and firm envelope. The buds themselves resemble delicate silver needles, aptly earning the poetic moniker ‘Gold-Inlaid Jade.’"
"When brewed, the buds float upright in the water, rising to the surface before sinking, only to rise again. This cycle repeats three times, creating a fascinating spectacle."
"Wei Daren, Pang Yuanren—have I identified it correctly?"
Wei Daren gave a slight bow. "Yuanhou’s discerning eye is most impressive."
Zhao Xing chuckled. "Alas, I am but a Myriad Law Manifestation. Wei Daren’s fine tea is wasted on me."
The mention of a "Myriad Law Manifestation" stunned the group. None of them had realized that this Zhao Xing was merely an avatar, mistaking him for his true form.
"Yuanhou’s praise is too generous," Wei Daren replied, his tone now more respectful.
"I heard that Chen’an is well-versed in numerous disciplines, effortlessly attaining the title of Ritual Studies Doctor from Xuantian Academy and Kunyuan Earth Techniques School. Could you perhaps provide some insight into the classics of the Self School?" Pang Yuanren asked with a polite smile.
Setting down his teacup, Zhao Xing replied with a light chuckle, "I know a thing or two."
"Then we are eager to hear your esteemed thoughts," Pang Yuanren said with a respectful bow.
Zhao Xing began, his tone steady and composed: "The essence of the root belongs to plants. They embody three aspects: physical nature, self-nature, and Dao nature."
"Objects reveal their principles, the self perceives the Dao, and the Dao manifests its methods."
"The Self aligns with Heaven and Earth. By observing the Self’s Dao, one can discern the transformations of Heaven and Earth."
The group of over ten Shennong officials stirred, the words sparking an immediate reaction. Even Pang Yuanren appeared momentarily taken aback.
Zhao Xing had just referenced the Self School’s foundational classic, The Principles of Plants: On the Three Aspects. His opening remarks were a succinct and profound summary of the text’s core ideas.
This classic was a lofty work of theoretical philosophy, typically reserved for higher-ranked practitioners to study in depth.
"Through understanding physical nature, one comprehends principles; through understanding Dao nature, one masters methods."
"Of what use are principles and methods?"
"To cultivate myriad grasses to alter Heavenly Timing and nurture countless trees to shape Earthly Advantage."
With just these three sentences, Zhao Xing captured the room. Pang Yuanren’s sharp gaze locked onto Zhao Xing, filled with intrigue. Beside him, fourth-rank officials like Wei Zhao and Yang Song were visibly stunned.
The first three sentences summarized the classic, a feat impressive yet not groundbreaking. But these latter three applied the theories to bold, innovative concepts.
The traditional belief of the Self School was to cultivate divine branches and celestial trees, continuously refining their lineage to produce specimens resilient to any challenges posed by Heaven or Earth.
The focus had always been on enhancing the plants themselves, removing the interference of Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage.
But Zhao Xing’s perspective introduced an entirely new approach: leveraging plants to alter Heavenly Timing and nourish Earthly Advantage.
This shift effectively placed the Self School above the other two factions, resonating perfectly with its ideology.
However, resonance alone wasn’t enough. Zhao Xing’s ideas needed substantial evidence and practical applications to back them up.
Seventeen pairs of eyes were now fixed intently on Zhao Xing, eager to see if he could deliver compelling arguments and real-world examples.
"Long ago, Sage Su wrote Disaster Prevention Herbology, documenting over 1,700 species of plants across nineteen provinces."
"There was a vine known as ‘Pure Water Vine.’ Placed in turbid water, it purified the water in half a day, making it drinkable for the people."
"There was also a divine tree called ‘Heaven and Earth Purifier.’ When planted in areas plagued by toxic miasma, it eradicated the poison within three years, turning the desolate land into fertile soil."
"How did the toxic miasma transform into fertile soil? The miasma arose from the chaotic interaction of the six Heavenly Qi—cold, shadow, dryness, darkness, brightness, and their opposition—a manifestation of Heaven’s malevolence."
"When plants align with the Self, the six Qi dissipate, restoring balance to Yin and Yang. Isn’t this an alteration of Heavenly Timing?"
"The Earth Fire Lotus, rooted in the Flaming Mountains, gradually transformed the area’s Earth Fire from Great Yang to Lesser Yang over time. With widespread planting, millions of miles of Flaming Mountains became Spirit Mountains. Isn’t this an instance of plants nourishing Earthly Advantage?"
"Sandstorms rage across deserts, yet a million planted trees can halt their advance, turning deserts into oases."
"In dense forests, clouds and rain are abundant—"
Zhao Xing continued passionately, his eloquence captivating the audience of Shennong officials. They took diligent notes, their pens flying across their paper.
The Sage Su mentioned was Su Song, an ancient scholar renowned for his classics Disaster Prevention Herbology and The Herbology of Famine Relief. These texts described many miraculous plants capable of thriving in extreme conditions and altering the landscape.
However, Sage Su had focused solely on the extraordinary qualities of the plants themselves, without delving deeply into their impact on Heavenly Timing or Earthly Advantage.
Zhao Xing, on the other hand, approached the topic from the perspective of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, offering a more comprehensive explanation of how plant life influenced Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage.
He referenced well-known classics like On Heavenly Objects and Self: Chapter on Six Qi and On Heavenly Objects and Self: Chapter on Yin and Yang. While these texts contained similar ideas, Zhao Xing’s integration of these theories provided a fresh perspective that felt revelatory to the Self School Shennong officials.
The more Pang Yuanren and the others listened, the more engrossed they became.
"Why didn’t we think of interpreting it this way before?" many wondered.
But as Zhao Xing’s explanations delved deeper, the complexity grew. Gradually, many of the Shennong officials began to struggle to keep up.
Zhao Xing glanced at Wei Zhao and others, their bewildered expressions clear signs of their confusion.
Their faces now mirrored expressions of complete bafflement: (○)——:
Zhao Xing smiled subtly.
He had intentionally incorporated theories from both the Heaven and Earth School, concepts unfamiliar to practitioners specializing solely in the Self School.
He even cited historical records of landscape and Heavenly Timing changes to illustrate how the present state of the Xuanhuang World resulted from the combined influence of plant life, animal life, humans, and aquatic species.
The goal was to leave the Self School Shennong officials feeling lost.
After all, confusion was the first step toward seeking guidance.
"If they aren’t confused, how will they come to me for answers?" Zhao Xing thought.
"Is he redefining the Dao from the Self School’s perspective?" Pang Yuanren’s thoughts began to race, his heart pounding. Having transitioned from the Heavenly Timing faction to the Self School, he understood better than anyone the significance of Zhao Xing’s theories.
This wasn’t just an elevation of the Self School’s status; it was a paradigm shift that could potentially place the Self School above both the Heaven and Earth School.
"How can someone so young master the theories of all three factions? This is terrifying," Pang Yuanren marveled.
Initially, Pang Yuanren had been able to engage Zhao Xing in conversation. But as the discussion progressed, he found himself entirely outpaced.
A quick glance around revealed that the others had been overwhelmed even earlier than him.
"Snap!"
Zhao Xing suddenly stopped speaking, retrieving two thick books and placing them on the table.
The abrupt sound jolted everyone back to reality. They stared blankly at the books Zhao Xing had set down.
Pang Yuanren leaned in, his heart skipping a beat as he read the titles.
One was On Heavenly Objects and Self: Chapter on Heavenly Timing, the other On Heavenly Objects and Self: Chapter on Earthly Advantage.
Given Zhao Xing’s earlier discussion, these books clearly contained combinations of miraculous plants designed to rapidly alter Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage.
The earlier theories were the lofty aspirations of scholars aiming for eternal renown. But the practical applications within these books—that was the real game-changer.
Yet Zhao Xing remained silent, making no move to open the books.
After a few tense seconds, Wei Zhao finally broke the silence. "Yuanhou, what’s written in these books?"
Zhao Xing smiled at Pang Yuanren. "Naturally, they detail the Five Element plant combinations I mentioned earlier, capable of rapidly transforming Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage."
"However, as esteemed officials, your duty is to protect the millions of people in Mingyue Prefecture. I wouldn’t dare take up more of your time and delay your work."
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Pang Yuanren.
Without hesitation, Pang Yuanren stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Xing. "Yuanhou’s principles and vision far surpass ours. I, along with my colleagues, will follow Yuanhou’s commands."
The rest of the officials rose in unison, bowing to Zhao Xing. "We await Yuanhou’s orders."
Returning the gesture, Zhao Xing replied firmly, "I dare not issue orders. I merely ask that we work together to ensure the safety of Mingyue Prefecture’s people from this disaster."
His voice, clear and resolute, echoed in the hall.
Meanwhile, in the Earth Mirror positioned at the main seat of the hall, Mingyue Prefecture’s governor Ye Yukun blinked in astonishment. He had been dozing off during Zhao Xing’s lecture and awoke to the sight of everyone bowing.
"What’s going on? Has he calmed this side too?"
"The kid sent by King Luo—what did he say to resolve matters with both sides so quickly?"
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