Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 83. Pray for Rain (Request for Additional Reading)

Upon seeing Xu Xing, clad in a purple robe, ascend the altar, the crowd of onlookers below began to whisper amongst themselves. Among them, the most conspicuous figure was the renowned martial arts expert of Guanxi Road—Iron Palm Immortal.

This man was just over forty, yet he had already carved out a formidable reputation in the Jianghu of Guanxi Road.

However, his appearance was that of a much older man, with a grey beard, white hair, and an aged countenance, resembling someone in his sixties or seventies.

"King Xing Tian possesses the majestic bearing of a dragon and phoenix, an emblem of the sun and sky..."

"This old man wouldn’t dare presume to be King Xing Tian’s Master..." Iron Palm Immortal stroked his long white beard and chuckled as he spoke to the Patriarch of the Wei family.

The Wei and Du families were the preeminent noble houses of Guanxi Road.

But he himself was not insignificant. His Iron Palm Gang, along with the Flower Sect and Su Shanmen, were known as the three great sects of Guanxi Road. Among them, his Iron Palm Gang boasted the most disciples and the greatest power.

Although the strength of a gang could hardly compare to that of noble families, he could still converse on equal terms with the Patriarch of the Wei family.

"Iron Palm Immortal, your Iron Palm Technique has reached perfection. With a single palm strike, few beneath the Innate realm can withstand you."

"With your strength, a bright future awaits if you join the army..."

Chang Ji, who was responsible for monitoring the honored guests, witnessed this exchange and extended an invitation to Iron Palm Immortal.

Siming Mountain Stronghold had many powerful figures and scions of noble families serving as generals, but it lacked members from the gangs. Although this was largely because most gang members came from impoverished backgrounds and lacked the surplus wealth to purchase titles or official positions, as the general commanding Guanxi Road, he could not afford to overlook the strength these gangs represented.

"General Chang, we are all people of the Jianghu..."

"We do not participate in power struggles."

Master Zhi An, the Sect Master of the Su Shan Faction, hurriedly stepped forward to speak in Iron Palm Immortal’s defense.

Unlike the noble families and local powers, even if these martial sects failed in their bid to support a new ruler, the Imperial Court would seldom annihilate them completely, for the sake of maintaining local stability. Usually, only the faction that directly colluded with the "rebels" would be exterminated.

It was different for the sects. The Imperial Court had always despised these Jianghu outlaws. Furthermore, they had no officials to speak for them in the Court. Once they backed the losing side, it would result in their own deaths and the extermination of their clans.

A hundred years of inheritance could be wiped out in an instant.

This was the chasm between the noble families and the martial sects.

"Follow the Heavenly King, and a glorious future awaits..."

"If..." A cold glint flashed in Chang Ji’s eyes.

When enticement failed, his tone became threatening.

Iron Palm Immortal, Master Zhi An, and Shi Baixi, the Sect Master of the Flower Sect, instantly fell silent as cicadas in winter, daring not to utter another word.

"Easy now, easy now..."

"General Chang, don’t be agitated. It’s not too late to talk after Ming Gong finishes praying for rain. With the Heavenly Order upon Ming Gong, this rain will surely arrive soon. And after the rain has been successfully prayed for, some people... Hehe..." Gongyang Yi entered, adopting a conciliatory tone.

This prayer for rain carried a great risk. Apart from Xu Xing, who had some confidence, everyone else was fraught with worry.

If it failed, the blow to Xu Xing’s prestige would be immense.

Therefore, the preparations before praying for rain were of utmost importance.

Now, gentry, noble families, and Jianghu veterans were gathered. Forcing them to take a stand at this opportune moment was critical for maintaining stability in Guanxi Road. If King Xing Tian failed in his prayer for rain, their declared allegiance would prevent chaos. Conversely, if the prayer succeeded, their stance would be seen as aligning with the Heavenly Order, resolving any potential trouble on its own.

Compared to other forces, the Jianghu sects were the weakest and had not participated in the construction of Mount Siming, making them the easiest targets to pressure.

The Sect Masters of the three great sects wore troubled expressions.

"To serve the Heavenly King..."

"It is this old man’s honor."

Iron Palm Immortal was the first to declare his stance.

He had damaged his internal organs practicing martial arts in his youth, leading to premature aging. He didn’t have many years left to live anyway. Siming Mountain’s dominance over Guanxi Road was set to last for a long time; he likely wouldn’t live to see its downfall.

Realizing this, he decided it was smarter to join them directly rather than wait for the Siming Mountain Righteous Army to besiege his Iron Palm Gang.

"We feel the same..."

Master Zhi An and Shi Baixi exchanged a look and also voiced their assent.

A wise person understands the times. Even if King Xing Tian couldn’t bring the rain, Mount Siming was not an entity their insignificant Jianghu sects could afford to oppose.

"Excellent, excellent..."

"Rest assured, I will report your commendable decision to Ming Gong..." Gongyang Yi said with a smile, gently waving his feather fan.

Then, he turned his gaze towards some of the local powers and heads of prominent families who had yet to submit to Mount Siming’s authority.

「Time slowly passed.」

Xu Xing ascended the altar at the first quarter of the Si hour (around 9:15 AM) and remained seated in meditation until the third quarter of the Wu hour (around 12:45 PM).

The Wu hour (11 AM - 1 PM), marking the beginning of Yang’s decline and Yin’s ascent, the moment of communion between Kan and Li, was the optimal time for praying for rain.

As the moment arrived,

Xu Xing took a handful of Long Fragrance incense, bowed three times before the man-high, three-legged round cauldron enshrined at the center of the altar, and proclaimed: "From winter to spring, no rain or snow has fallen. The wheat and grain, upon which the common people depend for their survival, are perishing. If rain does not fall within the next ten days, it will be a year of disaster. The people’s food will run out, and bandits will rise. Is this not a grave concern for those who govern the land? And how can the gods sit idly by in such an uneasy situation? Who can bear to witness this!"

"The Heavenly Dao is supreme, the sacred heart its vessel! All rites of compassion are fully prepared, extending even to the simplest folk who scurry in fear of disaster. What other hope do they have? Everything comes down to this day!"

"Should the gods not also take heed? Do not fail the aspirations of the living!"

He finished reciting his self-composed "Prayer for Rain" and inserted the handful of Long Fragrance incense into the ash within the cauldron.

One breath...

Two breaths...

The hearts of the Righteous Army Generals below the altar leaped into their throats.

If King Xing Tian did not receive the Heavenly Order, though they might not necessarily face utter defeat, a profound sense of disappointment would be inevitable.

Loyalists and opportunists alike fixed their gazes on the sky.

Three breaths...

Four breaths...

Until the ninth breath...

Suddenly, a muffled clap of thunder rumbled across the heavens.

The clear sky was instantly overwhelmed by dark, oppressive clouds, rent by continuous flashes of lightning and peals of thunder.

Fat raindrops began to pelt down, splashing onto the ground.

A heavy downpour had begun.

"The Heavenly Order is with the Four, not the One!"

"The Heavenly Order is with the Four, not the One..."

The already prepared civil and military officials of Mount Siming all prostrated themselves towards the altar, proclaiming the Heavenly Order obtained by Xu Xing. The more astute individuals among the onlookers quickly followed suit, joining the adherents of Mount Siming in paying homage to King Xing Tian.

"Did he truly obtain the Heavenly Order?"

Iron Palm Immortal, Master Zhi An, and Shi Baixi exchanged astonished glances.

They dared not remain standing; they dropped to their knees. At this moment, they were not just paying respects to King Xing Tian, but also honoring the Heavenly Order and the grace of the Heavenly Dao.

Gentry, heads of noble families, and Jianghu veterans all knelt, one after another.

The common people of Guanxi Road, who had gathered outside the altar and were separated by the Righteous Army soldiers, began to kowtow and praise the benevolence of King Xing Tian upon witnessing the great rain.

If not for King Xing Tian, how could there be such a downpour today!

"Zhang’er, look..."

"Your father has received the Heavenly Order; the Heavenly Order blesses him..."

Zhao Yunniang, who had been waiting for news at King Xing Tian’s Mansion, saw the curtain of rain hanging from the eaves. She hurriedly carried Xu Zhang from inside the house out into the open, pointing to the downpour beyond the eaves, tears suddenly streaming down her face.

This downpour was undoubtedly the clearest proof that King Xing Tian had received the Heavenly Order.

Everyone, without exception, felt their confidence surge in King Xing Tian’s destiny to ascend the Dragon Chair in Shenjing.

"Blessed by the Great Fortune..."

"Truly, blessed by the Great Fortune..."

On the altar, Xu Xing used his True Qi to shield the burning Long Fragrance incense within the cauldron, murmuring to himself.

Although he had long anticipated that he was favored by Great Fortune, witnessing it manifest today still left him profoundly astounded.

...

PS: A note on the setting, as it differs from some others: In this world, immortals are above the mortal realm. For them, Luck congeals to form an Immortal Base. Consequently, they avoid praying for rain lightly, as it would risk depleting their Luck. Emperors of dynasties only benefit from the lingering grace of the Founding Emperor and therefore cannot successfully pray for rain.