Old Si Nong wanting to personally instruct someone made many people envious. Especially his early departure before the lesson even ended, which was quite an unusual move.
Some sensitive minor officials began to speculate: was Old Si Nong, restless from inactivity, preparing to take on a formal Disciple, or perhaps trying to secure the political achievement of a recommendation?
Zhao Xing, however, didn't overthink it and dutifully followed Xue Wen Zhong to the backyard.
The front yard was warm like spring, but the backyard was hot like summer, as if they were two different seasons.
To the south of the yard stood a lush green pagoda tree, to the north was a neatly arranged woodshed, several golden haystacks were placed to the east, and to the west was a small vegetable garden with various flowers and plants. A trellis was set up next to the vegetable garden, covered in green and purple vines.
Old Si Nong clearly treated the company as his home; he was truly dedicated.
Zhao Xing thought to himself, following Xue Wen Zhong to stand before the haystacks.
"'Plants Are Soldiers' is a Spell that uses plants as a medium. Based on this Spell, many Advanced Spells can be extended and Advanced, though they are primarily focused on offense."
"It is usually a foundational Spell that military Si Nongs must master, along with others like 'Folding Grass into Arrows,' 'Willow Leaf Golden Blade,' and 'Scattering Beans to Form Soldiers.'"
"The Divine Temple teaching you this method means you might possess the potential to become a 'military Si Nong.' If you become a formal Si Nong in the future, you can consider this direction."
Zhao Xing, of course, knew this, but he was still grateful for Xue Wen Zhong's reminder: "Yes, thank you for the reminder, Elder Xue."
Xue Wen Zhong grabbed a handful of withered grass from a haystack and handed it to Zhao Xing: "That being said, since you are not yet a formal Si Nong, by the rules, you cannot learn those military Spells. I will teach you how to make straw Puppet dolls."
Zhao Xing nodded. The current "Plants Are Soldiers" was merely a prerequisite Spell. To truly achieve "Plants Are Soldiers," one had to expand its application and master more intermediate and Advanced Spells based on it.
Learning the "Straw Puppet" skill from Xue Wen Zhong was also good; this Spell was very practical.
"The key to the Straw Puppet is, first, the technique, and second, the Materials. Which agricultural texts have you read?"
"'The Classic of Materia Medica,' 'The Grand View of Wood,' and 'The Compendium of All Things,' I've dabbled in them all," Zhao Xing humbly replied.
Unexpectedly, Xue Wen Zhong frowned: "What do you mean by 'dabble'? Did you memorize everything, or not completely?"
Honest people are single-minded; in professional fields, there are never ambiguous standards. Zhao Xing knew that humility wouldn't work here; he had to let Xue Wen Zhong know his actual level.
So he replied again: "I have already committed them to memory."
Xue Wen Zhong admonished: "If you've memorized them, then you've memorized them. In the future, when learning from me, do not use vague words. If you can't identify them completely or use the wrong toxic Material, the straw Puppet you make will cause very serious consequences."
"Yes, Disciple understands."
"This is withered Origin Rice grass, ten strands per hand. I will teach you the 'Liu's Weaving Method.' This method contains eighty-one techniques, not particularly profound. If there is no exam on straw Puppets, then so be it, but if there is one this year, it will definitely be among these eighty-one techniques. Follow me and learn."
Xue Wen Zhong took Materials on the spot and began teaching by the haystack.
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. The "Liu's Eighty-One Weaving Methods" was incomplete in later versions, with only forty-nine methods remaining in the revived edition.
Straw Puppets were highly practical, having miraculous effects in fighting, escaping, ambushing, and assisting. Si Nong players often posted on forums in his previous life, wishing they could travel back to the early days of the game to obtain the complete version.
Zhao Xing had only managed to collect seventy-two types in his previous life, and even now, the Divine Temple of the imperial court only taught nine methods. The Great Zhou imparted methods to officials based on practical circumstances; inland officials knowing nine types was sufficient for most situations. Teaching more would disperse their energy and add an unnecessary burden. Military Si Nongs might have avenues to learn more.
He never expected Xue Wen Zhong to have the complete version. Looking at it now, learning more didn't seem to be of much use, but as the situation changed later, some Spells would also become powerful with the revived versions, and the Straw Puppet Spell was a classic example!
His luck was truly good.
"Look, this is the first weaving method. Did you see the technique clearly just now?"
"I didn't see it clearly."
Zhao Xing answered honestly. Xue Wen Zhong made the first straw Puppet too quickly, and combined with some thoughts he had, he couldn't fully keep up.
"No matter, I'll demonstrate it again. This time I'll be slower." Xue Wen Zhong nodded. The Straw Puppet method was relatively difficult; it would be strange if he learned it in one go.
So he patiently demonstrated it a second time in slow motion.
Zhao Xing no longer thought of anything else, focusing intently, mimicking Xue Wen Zhong's actions.
The withered Origin Rice grass was like needle and thread, skillfully woven by his fingers.
Once a person is serious and dedicated, everything becomes twice as easy, especially after taking the 'Dao Embryo Pill.' Zhao Xing's memory, Origin Qi control, and Comprehension Ability were all slowly improving.
When Xue Wen Zhong finished, the straw Puppet in front of Zhao Xing also gradually took shape, with limbs, torso, and head...
"Not bad, not bad." Xue Wen Zhong glanced at it and couldn't help but praise: "Only three errors."
"Ah?" Zhao Xing was bewildered, where were the errors? They looked exactly the same!
Xue Wen Zhong didn't explain. Origin Qi appeared at his fingertips and entered his own straw Puppet.
"Gasi~" The straw Puppet waved its limbs, as if alive, synchronizing with Xue Wen Zhong's movements.
Zhao Xing sent a wisp of Origin Qi into his straw Puppet, but it remained motionless.
"Liu's Weaving Method is to construct a model through which your Origin Qi can flow and operate. The Origin Rice grass is like the Meridians of the human body. One extra or one less strand will cause the straw Puppet's Meridians to be obstructed, preventing the Spell from functioning."
Zhao Xing suddenly understood. No wonder his panel didn't show any prompts or increase in proficiency.
So it really was a failure after all.
Xue Wen Zhong reached out and pulled out a strand of rice straw from the chest, abdomen, and armpit of Zhao Xing's straw Puppet, discarding them. He then added a strand to the head, re-weaving it, and only then said: "Try again."
Zhao Xing sent the second stream of Origin Qi into the straw Puppet. The next moment, the straw Puppet moved, its golden body seemingly covered in a layer of light, followed by a faint connection appearing between himself and the Puppet.
"You comprehended 'Liu's Weaving Method (Incomplete Chapter),' mastering a straw Puppet creation method."
"You created a Straw Puppet (Repeater)."
"Plants Are Soldiers proficiency +1."
"Straw Puppet (Repeater)"
"Proficiency: 1/9999"
"Effect: Acts upon command, repeating its actions."
Elder Xue is amazing! Zhao Xing cheered in his heart.
He didn't expect to rediscover the divine skill of the Si Nong profession so quickly.
The Repeater Straw Puppet, in his previous life, was one of the ways to escape and save one's life! From large-scale military campaigns to small-scale transactions, the application of the Repeater Straw Puppet was quite extensive.
Of course, this Spell's effectiveness was still weak due to the limitations of the era, but it would eventually have its day of glory!
"Practice a few more times here. I'll go check the front yard and then come back to teach you the second type."