Chapter 9: Willow Transmission Compilation Method, Returning to Running Grass Script

The Elder Diviner's decision to personally instruct someone made many people envious. His departure in the middle of the lesson, before it even concluded, was particularly unusual.

Some of the more observant junior officials began to speculate whether the Elder Diviner, after a long period of inactivity, was finally making a move – perhaps preparing to take on a formal disciple, or aiming for the political achievement of making a recommendation.

Zhao Xing, for his part, didn't overthink it. He dutifully followed Xue Wenzhong to the backyard.

The front yard was warm like spring, but the backyard was hot and dry like summer, as if two different seasons coexisted.

To the south of the courtyard stood lush green locust trees. To the north was a neatly arranged woodshed. On the east side were several golden haystacks, while to the west lay a small vegetable garden with various flowers and plants. Next to the garden, a trellis supported vines covered in a mix of green and purple.

It seemed the Elder Diviner treated the ministry like his own home; he was truly dedicated.

As Zhao Xing mused, he followed Xue Wenzhong and stopped before the haystacks.

"'Grass and Trees Become Soldiers' is a spell that uses flora as a medium. Based on this spell, many advanced spells can be developed and mastered, though its primary function is offense."

"It is typically a foundational spell that all military Diviners of Agriculture must master. Other related spells include 'Grass Into Arrows,' 'Willow Leaf Golden Blade,' and 'Scattering Beans into Soldiers.'"

"The Divine Temple teaching you this method means you may have the potential to become a 'military Diviner of Agriculture.' If you become a formal Diviner of Agriculture in the future, you might consider this specialization."

Zhao Xing, of course, already knew this, but he was still grateful for Xue Wenzhong's reminder. "Yes, thank you for the reminder, Elder Xue," he said.

Xue Wenzhong picked up a handful of withered grass from the haystack and handed it to Zhao Xing. "That being said," he began, "since you are not yet a formal Diviner of Agriculture, you cannot learn those military spells according to the rules. So, I'll teach you how to create grass effigy puppets."

Zhao Xing nodded. The current 'Grass and Trees Become Soldiers' was merely a prerequisite spell. To truly harness its potential, one had to expand its application and master more intermediate and advanced spells based on it.

Learning the skill of grass effigy puppets from Xue Wenzhong was also a good outcome, as this spell was quite practical.

"The key to grass effigy puppets lies in two things: technique and materials," Xue Wenzhong explained. "What agricultural texts have you read?"

"I've dabbled in both the *Classic of Herbal Medicine* and the *Compendium of a Hundred Woods*," Zhao Xing replied humbly.

Unexpectedly, Xue Wenzhong frowned. "What do you mean by 'dabbled'?" he pressed. "Do you remember everything, or not fully?"

Xue Wenzhong was a straightforward man; in professional matters, there was no room for ambiguity. Zhao Xing knew that humility wouldn't work here; he had to let Xue Wenzhong know his true level of knowledge.

So he replied again: "I have memorized them by heart."

Xue Wenzhong admonished him, "If you've memorized them, say so. When you study with me in the future, don't use vague terms. If you can't identify materials correctly and mistakenly use toxic ones, the grass effigy you create could lead to very serious consequences."

"Yes, I understand, Master," Zhao Xing replied.

"This is Spirit Rice straw. Ten strands form a hand," Xue Wenzhong instructed. "I will teach you the Willow Transmission Weaving Method. This method comprises eighty-one techniques; it's not considered profound. If there's no exam on grass effigies, then fine. But if there is one this year, it will certainly be based on these eighty-one techniques. Pay close attention as I teach you."

Xue Wenzhong used materials readily available, providing an on-the-spot lesson beside the haystacks.

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. The Willow Transmission's eighty-one techniques were incomplete in later periods, with only forty-nine techniques remaining in the revived versions.

Grass effigies were highly practical, offering remarkable effects in combat, escape, sneak attacks, and support. Diviner of Agriculture players often posted on forums, wishing they could travel back to the early game to acquire the complete version.

In his previous life, Zhao Xing had painstakingly collected only seventy-two types, and even in the present, the Imperial Temple only taught nine methods. The Great Zhou Dynasty taught methods to officials based on practical needs; inland officials mastering nine types was sufficient to handle most situations, as teaching more would disperse their energy and needlessly increase their burden. Military Diviners of Agriculture, however, might have had access to learn more.

He had never imagined that Xue Wenzhong possessed the complete version. At present, learning more seemed of little practical use, but as times changed, some spells would grow more powerful with the revived versions. The grass effigy spells were a classic example!

*My luck is truly amazing*, he thought.

"See, this is the first weaving method," Xue Wenzhong said. "Did you clearly see the technique I just demonstrated?"

"No, I didn't," Zhao Xing admitted.

Zhao Xing replied honestly. Xue Wenzhong's first demonstration of tying the grass effigy was too fast, and coupled with Zhao Xing's own momentary distraction, he hadn't fully grasped it.

"No matter, I'll demonstrate it again. This time, I'll be slower," Xue Wenzhong said, nodding. The grass effigy method was relatively difficult; it would be strange if he got it on the first try.

So he patiently demonstrated the second time in slow motion.

Zhao Xing no longer overthought things. He focused intently, imitating Xue Wenzhong's every move.

The Spirit Rice straw felt like needle and thread, as his fingers deftly wove.

When one applied themselves diligently, anything they did yielded double the results. Moreover, having consumed the 'Dao Embryo Pill,' Zhao Xing's memory, control over primal energy, and comprehension were all gradually improving.

When Xue Wenzhong finished tying his, the grass effigy before Zhao Xing also gradually took shape: limbs, torso, head...

"Not bad, not bad," Xue Wenzhong commented after a glance, praising him. "There are only three minor errors."

"Huh?" Zhao Xing asked, bewildered. "Where did I go wrong? They look identical!"

Xue Wenzhong didn't explain. Primal energy shimmered at his fingertips as he channeled it into his own grass effigy.

"Rustle~" The grass effigy waved its limbs, as if brought to life, synchronizing with Xue Wenzhong's movements.

Zhao Xing channeled a wisp of primal energy into his, but his grass effigy remained motionless.

"The Willow Transmission Weaving Method constructs a model through which your primal energy can flow and operate," Xue Wenzhong explained. "The Spirit Rice straw, like the meridians in a human body, if even one strand is misplaced or missing, it will cause the effigy's meridians to be blocked, preventing the spell from functioning."

Zhao Xing suddenly understood. No wonder his system panel hadn't shown any notification or increase in proficiency.

*So it really was a failure*, he realized.

Xue Wenzhong reached out, removed one strand of straw from the effigy's chest, another from its abdomen, and one from each armpit, discarding them. He then added a strand to its head. After re-weaving it, he said, "Try again."

Zhao Xing channeled a second wisp of primal energy into the grass effigy. The next moment, the effigy stirred. Its golden body seemed to be bathed in a faint glow, and then a subtle connection formed between him and the effigy.

You have comprehended Willow Transmission Weaving Method · Incomplete Scroll, mastering a grass effigy creation method.You have created a grass effigy puppet (Recurring).'Grass and Trees Become Soldiers' proficiency +1.

Grass Effigy Puppet (Recurring)Proficiency: 1/9999Effect: Obeys commands, repeats endlessly.

"Elder Xue is incredible!" Zhao Xing exclaimed silently.

He hadn't expected to regain this quickly the divine skill he had used when playing as a Diviner of Agriculture in the past.

In his previous life, the Recurring Grass Effigy was one of his life-saving escape abilities! From grand-scale warfare to small transactions, the applications of the Recurring Grass Effigy were remarkably broad.

Of course, currently, this spell was limited by the era and its effects were still weak, but it would surely regain its former glory one day!

"Practice here a few more times," Xue Wenzhong said. "I'm going to check on the front yard, then I'll return to teach you the second method."