42: The Spirit Rain Technique was completed, and the entire hall fell silent.

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall became even more subtle.

Wu Zhaoyu's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

This Immortal Envoy Zhao was clearly making an issue of things, intentionally making things difficult for this newly established Qi Family!

Paying an extra thirty Spirit Stones to avoid labor service was originally a convenience the Zhao Family granted to Qi Refining families; many families present did the same.

Any talk of verifying spirit plant attainments was merely an excuse to pressure them, perhaps even to see if he could pick out some "faults."

His purpose might have been to give the newly established Family a show of authority, or perhaps he had other calculations.

But since the Immortal Envoy had spoken, as hosts, although they felt it was inappropriate, they could not directly refute him.

Wu Zhaoyu could only bite the bullet and, along with the other two Family heads, cup his hands: "We shall follow the Immortal Envoy's instructions."

Qi Yuan's heart sank, knowing he could not evade this.

Zhao Changqing had deliberately raised this requirement at this time and place; if he refused or performed poorly...

...he would likely be immediately labeled with "deception."

He maintained a respectful expression on his face, but his thoughts were spinning rapidly.

He had never offended anyone from the Zhao Family.

Three years ago, when he registered the clan and received the position of Spiritual Planter under Zhao Xuan, the process had been smooth, and he had even received a word of advice for giving an extra fifty Spirit Stones.

Although Zhao Xuan seemed indifferent, he acted with propriety and did not seem like someone who would secretly trip others up.

Choosing to register as a "Spiritual Planter" had been part of his plan.

Among the hundred arts of cultivation, although Spiritual Planters were indispensable, they were widely recognized as being hardworking with meager profits.

They were far less glamorous than Alchemists, Talisman Masters, or Artifact Refiners, and their harvests were not as bountiful as those of Combat Cultivators who dared to enter the mountains to slay Yao Beasts.

This identity could explain the Family's early production and expenses without attracting greed like exposing Talisman-making skills would.

It could be called the best cover for keeping a low profile and developing in silence.

But now, this cover had instead become the excuse for Zhao Changqing's challenge.

Qi Yuan's mind raced, quickly ruling out several possibilities.

The Zhao Family wouldn't go to such lengths to deliberately target a mere newly established Family.

Then, there were likely only two reasons:

First, establishing authority.

He was unlucky and had run into this Tribute Inspection Envoy.

The other party needed a Family to pressure to demonstrate the Zhao Family's authority and intimidate other subordinate forces.

He, from the remote Cloud Dream County with no background and a three-year-old new Family, was the most suitable "chicken."

Second, collateral involvement.

Perhaps the problem wasn't with him, but with Zhao Xuan, who had handled his paperwork?

The internal factions of the Zhao Family were complex; as a collateral branch Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of regional affairs, Zhao Xuan likely had enemies.

If this Zhao Changqing happened to be on bad terms with Zhao Xuan or was from an opposing faction...

...then making things difficult for a new Family handled by Zhao Xuan to spite him would make sense.

No matter which it was, resisting at this moment was the most foolish choice.

With his mind made up, Qi Yuan instead calmed down. He took a deep breath, completely suppressing his chaotic thoughts and that hint of hidden anger, and cupped his hands:

"I shall naturally obey the Immortal Envoy's command.

However, this place is the core of the Formation and, moreover, a vital place for Senior's daily cultivation; I fear performing a technique might cause a disturbance..."

He tried to make one last effort, even if it was just a gesture.

"It matters not."

Zhao Changqing interrupted rudely, his tone carrying obvious impatience,

"What disturbance could a mere low-rank technique of the Qi Refining stage cause? Just proceed."

Qi Yuan said no more, stepped back a few paces, and arrived at a relatively open area on one side of the hall.

He held his breath and focused, the Wood Spirit Art slowly circulating within his body as he raised both hands, his fingers rapidly forming hand seals, with emerald spiritual light flickering at his fingertips.

The Spirit Rain Art, although a first grade middle grade technique that can be cultivated at the Mid-Stage Qi Refining, also has four Realms: Entry, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection.

Entry: Can condense a small amount of water mist containing Spiritual Qi to nourish spirit plants, but the effect is ordinary.

Minor Achievement: Can summon a small area of fine rain with a stable concentration of Spiritual Qi, enough to satisfy the needs of most first-grade low-rank spirit plants.

Major Achievement: The raindrops are fine and even, covering a wider area; the Spiritual Qi is abundant and carries a certain gentle nourishing power, which is of great benefit to the growth of first grade middle grade spirit plants.

Perfection: This Realm is no longer simple irrigation.

When performing the technique, one can precisely control the landing point and Spiritual Qi content of every drop of spirit rain, and even fine-tune the characteristics of the rain according to the species and growth stage of the spirit plant.

When the rain falls, it is faintly accompanied by the fragrance of plants; wherever it passes, it not only provides Spiritual Qi but also regulates the Earth Qi and soothes the spirituality of the plants.

It provides non-negligible assistance to the survival and growth of many First-Rank High-Grade spirit plants that are picky about their environment and difficult to Cultivate, as well as a few special spirit plants.

Without the combination of talent, diligence, and long-term insight, it is difficult to achieve.

The moment Qi Yuan completed the hand seals, about ten feet above his head, a patch of pale green cloud condensed without warning; it was only the size of a tabletop, yet incredibly solid.

Immediately after, a pitter-patter of raindrops drifted down.

The raindrops were crystal clear, shimmering with a faint green luster; when they landed on the bluestone floor, they surprisingly did not splash.

Instead, they quietly seeped in, leaving a patch of wet traces and emitting a fresh and pleasant scent of plants.

The distribution of the raindrops was extremely even, as if measured with the utmost precision, and every drop contained gentle and full Spiritual Qi.

Even more strangely, within the range covered by the rain, the few pots of spirit plants used as decorations actually moved without any wind.

Their leaves stretched slightly, appearing even more lush and green, brimming with vitality.

"Spirit Rain Art Perfection?!"

Someone in the hall whispered, filled with unbelievable surprise.

Immediately after, a faint sound of gasping arose.

The gaze of everyone toward Qi Yuan instantly changed.

Previously, they might have only seen him as a newly promoted Late Stage Qi Refining Family head, but now there was a touch more genuine respect.

To be able to Cultivate the Spirit Rain Art to the Realm of Perfection required not only spending a vast amount of time practicing but also having extremely deep insight into and talent for Wood and Water-attribute Spiritual Qi!

At least none of those present had such attainment; in the entire Yunliao Prefecture, those who could Cultivate the Spirit Rain Art to Perfection numbered no more than five.

This meant that Qi Yuan's attainment in the path of spirit plants likely far exceeded that of ordinary Spiritual Planters, allowing him to mass-Cultivate First-Rank High-Grade spirit plants.

His Family's potential in the spirit plant business was also by no means as simple as previously imagined.

With such a Family head, even if the Qi Family was newly established, it absolutely could not be taken lightly.

Inside the hall, the scent of plants had not yet completely dissipated, and within the silence, there were undercurrents even more complex than before.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Qi Yuan, who had just finished his technique and looked respectful, and on Zhao Changqing, who sat in the main seat with a face as dark as water.

Zhao Changqing's current mood was far more turbulent than his cold and hard exterior suggested.

Surprise was inevitable.

As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had toured several prefectures, he had seen many Spiritual Planters, but those who could Cultivate the Spirit Rain Art to the Realm of Perfection were few and far between.

This newly established Family head before him, who came from a backwater place and had no background, actually possessed such meticulous effort and natural talent; it truly exceeded his expectations.

What followed was an indescribable embarrassment.

His original intention was to use this soft persimmon to establish his authority, killing the chicken to warn the monkeys, so as to let the families of these remote counties know the Zhao Family's laws and the authority of him, the new Tribute Inspection Envoy.

To this end, he had even gone so far as to cast aside some of the reserve of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, speaking aggressively and almost making things difficult.

But he never expected that inside this "soft persimmon" was actually a hard bone.

Not only did he fail to crush it, but he also hurt his hand, making his attempt to establish authority a joke.

Especially under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the irritation of being invisibly slapped in the face made him even more annoyed.

But he was, after all, the Tribute Inspection Envoy sent by the Zhao Family, representing the dignity and laws of the Southern Yue Zhao Kingdom.

No matter how displeased he was in his heart, he could not lose his composure on the surface; besides, he still had ways to intimidate.