Zhao Xing was indeed happy, but Mrs. Cai was not pleased.
She really wanted to hide the meat to eat next time, but since it was already in the pot, it was hard to take it out. She simply decided to add more; otherwise, wouldn't Zheng'er go hungry? The child had already started training in martial arts, so his nutrition had to keep up.
"Eat, eat, eat! You'll die from overeating, you mud-legged fool!" Mrs. Cai glared fiercely at the pot, knocking the cutting board with a clatter, as if the piece of meat were Zhao Xing himself.
The commotion in the kitchen grew louder, but no one paid attention.
Because Zhao Ruide was training Zhao Zheng in martial arts in the courtyard.
He was practicing Pile Skill, standing still for who knows how long, as motionless as a green pine.
Though he was nearly 60, his breathing remained long and steady, with vital energy and blood as thick as mercury, far surpassing Zhao Xing's.
"Sitting Mountain Skill, standing like a mountain. This technique barely counts as a third-rank martial artist's Pile Skill, yet it's practiced to the level of a superior grade. It seems that with enough honing, even small spells can hold great power," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Both martial skills and spells could transcend their inherent grades, leading to new insights, and could be said to have no limits.
Of course, in the current version, such occurrences were rare. One reason was the abundant ways to acquire spells and martial skills; once reaching 'Nine Revolutions' (full proficiency), practitioners would generally opt to cultivate higher-level ones. Another reason was the restrictions of Heaven and Earth Rules; in a revival version, such situations would become more common.
Zhao Ruide was focused, his posture precise, inhaling and exhaling primordial energy, whereas Zhao Zheng was lazy and inattentive.
He would fidget, twist his waist, scratch his ears; his mind was completely elsewhere.
Seeing Zhao Xing return, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had finally found a reason not to train: "Big Brother is back! Big Brother! Father, you two chat! I'll get towels for you!"
This little rascal wasn't truly fond of him; he just wanted to avoid martial arts training!
Nowadays, even if someone brought a dog over, he would call it 'Big Brother'. This little guy was that clever!
Having said that, he got up and ran off.
"Come back! Who told you to move?!" Zhao Ruide shouted.
Zhao Zheng ran off with a cheerful face, entirely ignoring Zhao Ruide's words.
Watching this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh. Training in martial arts was rarely something a father taught his son because they simply couldn't bear to be harsh. Moreover, Zhao Ruide had his son late in life and spoiled Zhao Zheng, at most saying a few stern words. How could training like this be effective?
"Zhao Zheng, come here."
"Huh? Big Brother..." Zhao Zheng stood still, a bit conflicted.
"One, two~"
"Coming, coming!" Startled, Zhao Zheng immediately ran over.
"Father hasn't said training is over; why are you running? Keep standing!"
Zhao Zheng's face fell, drooping his eyebrows reluctantly as he stood beside Zhao Ruide.
"Bend your knees. Puff out your chest. Straighten your hands!" Zhao Xing mercilessly kicked Zhao Zheng's leg bend.
"I'm standing properly, Big Brother. I'm standing properly," Zhao Zheng dared not get angry but put on a fawning smile.
Zhao Ruide pretended not to see his younger son's disgraceful behavior.
But Zhao Zheng couldn't be blamed for this.
With a doting mother and a loving father, even when he was mischievous, they never actually laid a hand on him.
Only this Big Brother was different; he really hit him, and painfully too.
Complaining to Father, Father just said a few words.
Complaining to Mother, Mother couldn't outtalk him!
Though not related by blood, there was a sense of bloodline suppression.
As a result, Zhao Zheng acted like a quail whenever he saw Zhao Xing.
........
Dinner was eaten in the courtyard. Zhao Ruide wasn't particular about such matters, and since Mrs. Cai was from a singing background, she didn't mind such minor details either. It was cool in the courtyard, so they ate there.
With Zhao Xing present, Zhao Zheng ate more properly; however, after a while, he still couldn't sit still: "Mother, I'm hot."
Although he said this to Mrs. Cai, Zhao Zheng's eyes were expectant as he looked at his big brother.
"Mother will fan you," Mrs. Cai immediately put down her chopsticks to fetch a palm leaf fan.
"No need to trouble yourself." Zhao Xing pointed upwards, and clouds quickly formed above, blocking the sunlight.
At the same time, a cool breeze began to blow, making Zhao Zheng's eyes light up brightly.
Even Zhao Ruide was a bit surprised: "You can create wind now? And the clouds have grown larger."
Zhao Xing nodded: "I've made some progress recently."
It was more than just some progress; Zhao Xing's [Cloud Movement] proficiency was now over 5000. In insider terms, it was at the fifth transition level, capable of covering five kilometers.
Zhao Ruide, being knowledgeable, clearly sensed the improvement in spells. Observing the calm demeanor of his adopted son, it felt very different from before.
"Will this year's examination bring success in becoming an official?"
Zhao Xing put down his bowl and chopsticks: "I'm eighty percent confident."
Zhao Ruide asked: "What about the remaining twenty percent?"
Zhao Xing pondered: "A good mentor and a recommender."
Although Xue Wenzhong had agreed to accept him as a disciple, it hadn't been formally acknowledged. It was unknown how much effort the Old Minister of Agriculture would put into recommending him, and besides, the Old Minister alone might not be enough.
The examination to become an official mainly relied on the assessment, but recommendations also played some role, especially when scores were tied or very close.
Zhao Ruide nodded and didn't ask further.
However, in the following days, Zhao Xing noticed that the family's meals suddenly improved in quality, with many foods nourishing primordial energy.
........
At the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, just at the break of dawn, Zhao Xing had already arrived at Xue Wenzhong's Huai Liu Courtyard.
"Boom-ka~" "Boom-ka!"
A small cloud, only three meters square, hovered five meters above Zhao Xing's head.
The sound of thunder was continuous, and the flashes of lightning made Zhao Xing's face alternately bright and dark.
A moment later, the cloud dissipated.
Zhao Xing checked the panel.
[Thunder: Initial Stage Spell]
[Progress: (3005/9999)]
[Effect: Under the Cloud Movement prerequisite, thunder sounds can be produced within the clouds.]
"Thunder is now at the third transition and its power is growing stronger. The Old Minister of Agriculture is truly a treasure of a mentor," Zhao Xing couldn't help but marvel.
A few days ago, he had just learned [Thunder], and within a few days, it had already reached the third transition.
Such rapid progress couldn't be attributed solely to the Tao Embryo Pill and Qi Fortune; Xue Wenzhong's exclusive guidance was also a major contributing factor.
For instance, just now, Xue Wenzhong had instructed him to control [Cloud Movement] within three meters and then cast [Thunder]. This method of casting spells greatly tested his control but was highly effective for training.
In other words, it provided plenty of proficiency points!
"Manipulating clouds in the palm, three-foot heavenly thunder, this is what I've figured out myself." In Xue Wenzhong's palm, clouds appeared, with lightning serpents rolling within them.
"The court publicizes myriad spells for everyone to learn, but finding the best, most optimal, and most suitable casting method for oneself—this is 'magic'."
"Ponder this well, and spend the morning practicing in the backyard. After my lecture, I'll come by to check periodically. I heard that you received top marks in the Minor Heat assessment the other day; do not become complacent. You still have a long way to go to match the best students in other courtyards. Everyone in the top thirty of the superior list is stronger than you."
"Yes, student will remember," Zhao Xing cupped his hands respectfully.