Chapter 113: In a Single Moment, Breaking Through to Sixth Rank—A Clear Breeze Embraces the Bright Moon

Wang Cheng’s mind went blank, as if in that instant he had touched the lofty Great Dao itself.

The essence of the divine bureaucratic system and a series of profound realizations surged from the depths of his heart:

"The first covenant established at Mount Heming by the sages and the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water—manifestations of Dao Qi—along with the subsequent ritual of oath-taking and initiation, helped the ethereal 'Dao' gain weight through the 'Faith' woven into the covenant.

Ultimately, it transcended isolated nations to become the 'Law' that flows forever among humanity!

The 'Twenty-Four Rhythms' is neither the 'Rites of Zhou' nor the 'Qin Statutes'; it does not collapse with the change of dynasties or the shifts of geography, but stands as an integrated whole.

The 'Divine Talisman System,' modeled after the Pre-Qin emperors bestowing titles upon their vassals, is the talismanic decree granted by the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water to divine officials."

In this moment, Wang Cheng, immersed in a strange, trancelike state, seemed to feel the weight of "Faith" personally.

For the "Steward of Offerings" does not seek "Wealth" itself, but precisely "Faith." The foundation of all transactions is integrity!

Wang Cheng even felt that, compared to the supreme authority of "Rewards and Punishments" held by the strongest bureaucratic position, the "Master of Social Prosperity and True Son of Heaven," the "Faith" that the Steward of Offerings had always upheld might be closer to the essential power of the Three Officials' covenant.

It was just that the bureaucratic position of "Steward of Offerings," widely assumed to be nothing more than a shopkeeper, was inherently too weak to be compared with the officials of the Heavenly Rank.

Now.

As the "Four Seas Talisman of Exorcism," strengthened by the "Four Seas Currency," met the "Golden Toad Talisman of Treasure Suppression," an unexpected transformation and further possibilities seemed to emerge.

Wang Cheng looked excitedly at the Cloud-Seal Thunder Scripts within the talismans as they continuously merged and clashed, gradually gaining more insight into the two positions:

"The idea of piecing together a new bureaucratic position by holding multiple roles is clearly correct.

However, there is a prerequisite: not only must the chosen positions harmonize with a higher-level Dao Qi, but one must also have the assistance of essential talismans that resonate, like the 'Four Seas Currency.' At the very least, one must trigger a metamorphosis of the talismans, surpassing others of the same profession, to gain a sliver of possibility for forming a new position.

The White Water Official, representing the foundation of the Water Rank, and the Steward of Offerings, embodying a sliver of the essence of the Three Officials' covenant, resonate in essence. This path is fundamentally sound.

I have a premonition that the position formed by their fusion will represent the supreme economic power of a nation. Although the historical figure who once held this office was a villainous caricature, he was nonetheless renowned, having caused heaven-shattering trouble. Yet, to truly complete the metamorphosis and form a brand new position, it seems a final catalyst is still missing."

The fusion of the two talismans stalled midway, as if lacking a key element to turn the mundane into the miraculous. However, while the qualitative change was temporarily insufficient, the quantitative change was already quietly taking effect.

Wang Cheng’s instinctive breathing did not cease. A wisp of the "Heaven-Born Water Golden Toad Qi" that had not yet dissipated transformed into a long dragon and plunged into his mouth. With every inhalation and exhalation, it formed a three-foot-long white mist in the rain.

The Four Seas Talisman of Exorcism and the Golden Toad Talisman of Treasure Suppression, merely joined, resonated strongly with the "Heaven-Born Water Golden Toad Qi," boiling the lamp oil of his spirit as he breathed, making his inner light burn ever brighter.

The three flames of Fortune, Emolument, and Longevity blazed, the air above Wang Cheng’s head distorting in response. Amidst the fine rain, white mist rose, making him look like an immortal ready to ride the clouds and depart at any moment.

"Those who eat herbs are nimble but foolish; those who eat meat are strong but brutal; those who eat grain are wise but short-lived; those who eat Qi are divine and immortal."

At this moment, Wang Cheng was instinctively beginning to "eat Qi and dine on mist," unintentionally utilizing the introductory techniques of the Middle Three Ranks!

When a divine bureaucrat reaches the Middle Three Ranks, they focus on cultivating "Qi." The "Five-Grain Reincarnation Qi" of that former "Feces Tyrant," Master Qian, had touched upon this level. Through breathing and consuming Qi, they harmonize the body's interior and exterior, stepping across three barriers: installing the divine organs, supplying the shadow-body, and finally, the Five Temples of Divine Treasures.

They must use the method of "Eating Qi and Dining on Mist" to inhale and exhale the Dao Qi corresponding to their bureaucratic position—Dragon-Tiger Qi, Blood-Evil Qi, Corpse-Sinking Qi, Peach-Blossom Qi—to add oil to their heart-lamp. They gradually ignite the Five Viscera Temples, establishing their own domain within their physical body. They expand the administrative system of the Great Dao’s clerks and soldiers, building their own "Five-Army Governor's Office," and within this office, they enshrine a sliver of their spirit into a "Clay-Sculpted Divine Fetus," outfitting it with organs and laying a solid foundation for ascending to the Upper Three Ranks.

"Huuu—haaa—"

Wang Cheng felt he had quietly entered a state of unity between heaven and man, merging with the Dao Qi. His perception of surrounding objects far exceeded his usual capacity; his senses extended, and everything within the Fenglin Pavilion, near or far, was as clear as the lines on his own palm. His "Brain-Eye" was greatly enhanced, seeing everything happening within his body with absolute clarity.

Driven by the consumption of Qi, his promotion ceremony was still ongoing.

The promotion rituals for the White Water Official and the Steward of Offerings were very similar: "All rivers return to the sea, accumulating strength for a great release." The former required the accumulation of fishing boats, warships, cannons, and crew—a transition from a fisherman to a true captain and navigator. The latter required the accumulation of vast wealth, shops, connections, channels, and territory—a transition from an ordinary shopkeeper to a grand manager.

*Whoosh...*

A gust of wind blew by, and the sweeping mist manifested his current assets behind him: the twelve 400-picul warships captured from the gentry faction, the two sailing warships *Qingyi* and *Babao*, and a large group of loyal and "well-trained" Tanka crewmen; the half-street of real estate given by his father, the Qianzhou Shipyard, and the vast properties received from the Feces Gang and the gentry faction; and talismanic objects like the Four Seas Currency, Craftsman Silver, "Repairing the Plank Road in the Open while Crossing the Chencang in Secret," "Silver-Kind Servant and Gold-Evil Master," and "Lion-Head Plaque."

His connections also naturally emerged: *My Ghostly Jealous Superior*, *My Direct-Year Hall Master*, *My Dragon-Lady Sister*, *My Sea-Pacifying King Father*... Finally, even Uncle Zhu Xiaozhai, the great pirate in the South Seas, appeared. The broken bowl in their family still contained a small half-portion of Destiny, still counting as a noble connection.

Beside him, A'Xiao curiously wondered why there was suddenly another "her" and leaned in to look, only to discover it was merely an illusion formed by the ceremony.

As everyone knows, to survive in the world, you rely on three things: treachery, betraying your brothers, and seducing... No, it should be: lots of money, lots of brothers, and deep backgrounds!

Both the White Water Official and the Steward of Offerings perfectly fit these criteria, and the promotion ceremony faced no further obstacles.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

A bell tolled in his ears.

The partially merged talismans continued to grow, the Cloud-Seal Thunder Scripts becoming more intricate. The number of officials and soldiers rose to another tier, representing an expansion of the administrative divisions within the bureaucrat's body.

Simultaneously, a point of blue-and-red heart-light darted into his viscera.

*Pop!*

A crisp sound resonated within his body.

He had successfully ignited the first of the Five Viscera Temples—the Kidney Temple. Black light shone from the area of his kidneys, faintly revealing the shape of a small temple, though even smaller and cruder than a village land-god shrine.

Yet, Wang Cheng instantly felt a surging vitality within him; he had inexhaustible strength and could go days and nights without sleep. Whether acting as a "beast of burden" or a "kept man," he was now a natural, the type who could command top billing.

With this step taken, Wang Cheng’s realm was now completely different. Relying on massive wealth, vast accumulation, the help of his brothers, and a deep background, he officially stepped into the Sixth Rank of the Divine Path!

His ability for his heart-light to interfere with reality was stronger, his "Nature-Cultivation" realm had advanced, and the state of unity between heaven and man could now be used in actual combat.

At this moment, Wang Cheng used his breath as a bridge, connecting inside and outside, feeling an especially intimate connection with all bodies of water. The thunder in the sky contained infinite information, whispering the secrets of this world to him. In a trance, it felt as if he could reach out, grab the wind and rain in the sky, and fly along with them.

"It is done!"

He slowly opened his eyes, spread his hands, and silently contemplated the special skills of the Steward of Offerings.

Since "Thunder brings sound," it is the time when all things compete and life flourishes. Therefore, the Steward of Offerings, whose spiritual response is "Listening to Thunder," can naturally merge with this, using the thunder as a medium to achieve a state of unity between heaven and man far stronger than that of ordinary officials.

He fully unleashed the effects of "Listening to Thunder." His perception within thirty-three feet was at its strongest—nothing, not even the wriggling of an earthworm deep in the soil, escaped his notice. The entire Fenglin Pavilion was within his hearing.

Holding his breath and focusing, there seemed to be people speaking in the high sky above, not just one, but many, rustling and whispering.

Normal "Listening to Thunder" can hear parts of the intense inner thoughts of humans, animals, and even inanimate objects. If the "Ghost-Jealous" Lu Yunchen had chosen this Water-Rank position, he wouldn't need to learn any foreign languages; he would understand whatever anyone said. He could even smell the pheromones of insects and know if they were courting, or distinguish their requirements for a mate's height, weight, or build.

But Wang Cheng’s "Listening to Thunder" was different.

Just as the "Enlightenment" had mutated last time, Wang Cheng discovered he could not only listen, but also speak back, issuing commands to the wind and thunder.

Following a flash of inspiration, Wang Cheng combined the spiritual responses of both, reaching out to tap his own "Wind and Thunder Qi."

*Crackle!*

Bright lightning exploded, and the wind and thunder instantly transformed into two delicately carved, gender-neutral little Daoist acolytes, one dressed in green and one in purple. They bowed to their master, then simultaneously transformed into two misty, illusory great snakes, swirled about by booming wind and lightning, touring the courtyard in a dazzling display.

With a gust of wind, they dissipated, returning to their original state of wind and thunder, and dove back into the sleeves of his "Dragon-Patterned Python Robe."

With this, the special skills of the two bureaucratic positions were clear, and combined, they were:

"Gathering beasts and directing birds, enlightening all kinds; calling the wind and summoning rain, scolding the lightning and listening to the thunder!"

Wang Cheng tucked his sleeves, nodding with satisfaction at his two new "Dharma-Protecting Spirits," and exercised his greatest talent for naming:

"From today on, you are called Qingfeng, and you are called Rumble-Rumble."