Speaking of profound mana and exquisite Daoist Skills, Shao Yuanjie surpassed the four Flood Dragon Kings, but in terms of controlling the weather, aside from the legendary Master of Rain, Chisongzi, no one could rival the Dragon Clan.
In "Journey to the West," Fengxian County hadn't received rain for three years, causing such drought that it took lives, with two-thirds of the people dying. Selling children and daughters became common, resembling Hell on Earth. Even though the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Technique clearly had a "Praying for Rain" spell, Sun Wukong still went to seek the Flood Dragon King for rain.
It wasn't that Sun Wukong couldn't do it; it was that the Jade Emperor wouldn't allow it. If the Jade Emperor forbade it, even the strongest Rain Seeking Technique couldn't make a single drop of rain fall from the sky under the suppression of the Flood Dragon King.
In short, even Sun Wukong, who had ascended to the Palace of the Polestar, couldn't outdo the Flood Dragon King when it came to inducing rain.
"Good!" the Jiajing Emperor finally showed some expression, "If Daoist Li can cover the Capital and the surrounding provinces in white snow, I will bestow upon you the title of National Guardian. The other Daoists may also try their hand; as long as they can bring snow to the world, I will not skimp on rewards!"
Whether it was in the imperial court or in dealing with alchemists, the Jiajing Emperor liked to watch those below him compete.
For a ruler, this could be considered a truth, a useful truth.
The Daoists present, after hearing this, indeed became eager to try, either pondering or ready to act. It was impossible to make it snow under the interference of the Flood Dragon King, but driving away the Flood Dragon King was within the confidence of about a dozen people present.
But there was not just one Flood Dragon; there were four, along with countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals. How to drive them away? And even if they were driven away, who would then bring about this snowfall?
Li Changzhou took a step back, waiting for the others to make their move first.
However, Shao Yuanjie would not let him off, his eyes shining with divine light as he stared over, "Daoist Li, please go ahead."
Do they have a grudge?!
But Li Changzhou had already thought of a method.
"Since that's the case, allow me to make a modest contribution!"
"My Lord!" From nearby, Turquoise Pool, seemingly concerned and encouraging, actually added fuel to the fire with her cheer.
The surrounding Daoists glared with envy; Li Changzhou was already detestable for his good looks, and now he even dared to have such a beautiful wife!
Damn it! Good-looking men should just honestly become catamites!
A hush fell over Chongyu Altar.
It was only then that Li Changzhou realized that the crowd included not just Daoists, but also eunuchs, Palace Maids, the Imperial Guard, civil and military officials, and a grand hall encircled by sheer curtains in the distance.
When he focused slightly on his eyesight, the scene across from him rushed to his face, revealing the concubines of the Jiajing Emperor and the wives and daughters of the civil and military officials behind the curtains.
Seen in this light, this snow seemed very important to the Jiajing Emperor.
Li Changzhou's guess was not wrong.
Without snow since the beginning of winter, it was a minor issue that people starved to death, but the entire court and public were panic-stricken, with some demons and spirits—likely under the wise leadership of the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Sect—spreading rumors:
The Great Ming, since the time of the Grand Emperor, had undergone ten emperors, and never had there been such a divine retribution. The heavens withholding snow, who could they be displeased with?
Naturally, it was the Jiajing Emperor, as no one else held such qualifications.
In the moment of a glance, Li Changzhou withdrew his gaze and thoughts, announcing loudly, "Gentlemen, watch closely!"
Mana swelled throughout his body, a strong Qi-wave washing in all directions, causing everyone to hurriedly cover their faces. The distant curtains swayed as if they were about to tear, rustling noisily, and the women exclaimed in alarm.
Shao Yuanjie stood before the Jiajing Emperor, with dozens of Jinyiwei surrounding the perimeter.
With everyone's support, the Jiajing Emperor allowed the wind to flutter his robes, staring intently at Li Changzhou.
But where was Li Changzhou?
"Where is he?"
Suddenly, the heavens and earth blazed white.
The booming sounds that followed were like Heavenly Gods grabbing handfuls of Heavenly Thunder from the Thunder Pond and hurling them into the Mortal World.
Everyone's Qi-Blood churned, and the Earth trembled.
"Clouds, there are clouds, Your Majesty, the clouds have come!" the previously speaking eunuch shouted loudly.
Only then did the Jiajing Emperor look up.
A boundless expanse of clouds gathered from all directions, and in a blink, the clear skies above the Capital were closed off by dense clouds.
But there was no sign of snow for a long while.
"Daoist Li, the clouds are enough, it's time for the snow!" Shao Yuanjie stood upon the altar, his voice penetrating the heavens.
The clouds churned, thunder roared deafeningly, the world flickered with light and darkness, but it was all thunder without snow.
Once certain no one could see him, Li Changzhou first summoned Yang Qinglan to his side—the Bond Summon took longer, and to be cautious, he didn't call for Li Qianxia.
"Never mind the rest, hurry and make it snow first," said Yang Qinglan before being cut off by Li Changzhou's immediate command.
As he spoke, his gaze began to waver.
Long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, the full chest piece embroidered with pale cyan auspicious clouds, slightly revealing a snowy collarbone, a white gauze skirt, with white silk ribbon drooping at the waist, fluttering in the wind like a dancing butterfly.
Standing atop the clouds, she resembled the Nine Heavens Mystic Goddess.
"Snow?" As Yang Qinglan spoke, she attuned herself to the surroundings, manipulating the Five Elements Qi.
"Beautiful!" Li Changzhou couldn't help applauding, "When we get back, we'll make an identical set. Oh, you can make it with 'Needle Threading,' right?"
Yang Qinglan gave him a disdainful look, criticizing him for talking about other things when he had said to avoid them.
After a while, she withdrew her hands, saying, "No use, there are four forces sealing off the Water Qi around us."
"Four forces?" Li Changzhou immediately suspected Shao Yuanjie below the clouds, along with his helpers.
"You can't either?" he asked.
After half a month of cultivation, combined with the Five Elements Qi Blade that Li Changzhou had taught her, Yang Qinglan's strength had also grown significantly—which translated into combat strength would be at least above 980, nearing the limit of an Immortal.
One does not approach the limit without entering an instance on day one.
Yang Qinglan gently shook her head: "Each of these four forces is almost equal to mine."
"So many experts," Li Changzhou couldn't help but muse.