Chapter 24: Survival of the Fittest

The content of the assessment by Qiu was quite standard, focusing on themes of cooperation and endurance, testing both ability and resilience. It perfectly matched the style of Xue Wenzhong, who was known for his diligent and hardworking nature.

The participants' reactions were not as intense as during the previous challenge set by Chen Shijie. Even if they didn't perform well, they only blamed themselves for their lack of skill.

However, after Zhao Xing entered the Hundred Herbs Garden, he noticed some unusual aspects.

"The seedling area is quite ordinary, with plenty of options for the participants to choose from, but this planting area seems a bit cramped, doesn't it?" Zhao Xing scanned the planting area and found it was not very large, only about the size of a soccer field. Although there were not five hundred participants, there were at least three to four hundred.

With no limit on the number of plants, the participants would certainly not stop at planting just one. Especially the stronger ones, to maintain their advantage, would definitely occupy more ground. This left very little space for the others.

"This setup has some issues," Zhao Xing's eyes brightened as he surveyed the area, gaining a clearer understanding of the layout.

"The planting area is rectangular, with twelve springs and thirty-six piles of grass ash, marked with signs indicating non-movable restricted areas."

"So, the twelve springs and thirty-six piles of grass ash are the best planting areas."

"It's clearly set up for the participants to fight over the territory."

Near the springs, the Rain Cloud Formation could enhance growth, and the grass ash served as fertilizer to accelerate development. It was undoubtedly arranged by Chen Shijie.

Given Xue Wenzhong's personality, he wouldn't have set such a challenge, but as the main official, Chen Shijie was involved in everything. This man from Western Mountain County, who had served in the military, loved creating confrontational challenges.

"The layout of the planting area must have been his addition," Zhao Xing licked his lips, listening carefully to the assessment criteria, observing the assessment site, and understanding the examiner's intentions. He immediately began to act.

While other participants hadn't yet realized the opportunity, he quickly moved to the northeast corner of the planting area.

"Cloud, appear!" Zhao Xing pointed, and a misty cloud immediately condensed in the northeast corner.

The cloud rolled and tumbled seven times, forming the Seven Revolutions Cloud!

Once stabilized, it covered two springs and three piles of grass ash.

In the competition for territory, how to seize it? Naturally, with the Cloud Technique!

The Cloud Technique had a dominating nature; occupying this piece of sky was equivalent to claiming the ground below.

Who would dare plant under someone else's cloud? Not a single blade of grass would survive.

Zhao Xing, accustomed to confrontation in his previous life, was the first to understand the examiner's intentions in this challenging field and was the first to raise a cloud layer, claiming the territory.

"Not bad, not bad~" Chen Shijie, observing from a distance on a small hill, chuckled lightly.

This was the second time he had noticed Zhao Xing. During the previous Valley Bird Natural Disaster challenge, Zhao Xing was also the first to find the correct solution.

Having his challenge guessed correctly, Chen Shijie felt a sense of 'this person understands me deeply.'

He turned to Xue Wenzhong and asked, "Survival of the fittest, what do you think of my modification, Elder Xue?"

Xue Wenzhong nodded slightly, "Chen, your modification might lead to fierce competition before the planting even begins, but it certainly makes for a more interesting setup than the old method."

According to Xue Wenzhong's assessment method, after planting, there would be harmony, but the process would be quite dull. Now, it was entirely different.

Chen Shijie leisurely said, "The world has never been too peaceful. Only my dynasty was peaceful, but without rain and clouds, survival of the fittest is the trend of the times. I hope Elder Xue doesn't mind."

Faced with Chen Shijie's explanation, Xue Wenzhong nodded in agreement. Other observing officials like Gao Linong and Tang Wanchun, although not entirely in agreement, also nodded in deference to their superior.

"Hah~" "Hah~" "Hah~"

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one acting quickly. After entering the field, many others began competing for resources.

Cloud layers rose from the planting area, large and small, black and white, soon filling the entire area.

However, there were only twelve springs and thirty-six piles of grass ash, which couldn't be divided equally.

Thus, the scramble began.

"Brother Liang Bai, this area is too crowded for me to expand. Could you make some room?"

"Li Chengfeng?" Liang Bai turned around, seeing a figure not far away, his expression changed. After a moment of calculation, he had to retreat to maintain face, "Since Brother Li requests, I have no reason to refuse."

With that, he reduced his cloud layer and moved elsewhere.

"Boom!" Li Chengfeng reached out to the sky, and a cloud spanning hundreds of meters appeared. After a few turns, it quickly claimed three springs and four piles of grass ash. At the same time, thunder snakes appeared at the edge of the cloud layer, declaring sovereignty.

Wen Nanxing moved to the north, his cloud layer was the second to rise, only a step slower than Zhao Xing.

He claimed two springs and four piles of grass ash, his cloud layer strong like a long sword, with a black hilt and a white blade, lightning gathering on the blade like seven stars, very mystical.

"Cloud Sword Technique? Wen Nanxing must have reached the pinnacle of cloud manipulation, achieving whatever he desires."

"Not just cloud manipulation, that lightning forming stars is likely the same."

"Can't compete, can't compete."

Later arrivals, seeing the situation, were intimidated and had to avoid Wen Nanxing's territory.

In the southwest of the planting area, the third cloud layer rose, with four tiger heads distributed at the corners, claiming three springs and three piles of grass ash.

Alongside this strange cloud, several others rose, but the tiger head cloud expanded greatly, forcing them to retreat.

"Boom!"

The tiger head was covered with a layer of blue-purple lightning, and after a flash, the clouds attacking it showed huge gaps, swaying.

Under the tiger head cloud, Xiao Ze bowed to the four directions, "I concede."

Most of those attacking Xiao Ze were from the previous First List, seeing they couldn't compete, they extinguished their thoughts. Xiao Ze managed to hold his ground and claim a spot.

However, not everyone knew when to advance or retreat, and it was easy to distinguish between the strong and the weak. Some, with little difference in strength, refused to back down, leading to less harmony.

"Huang Siping, you decrepit old winter melon, following Li Chengfeng around, do you think you're also at Gathering Essence Stage Four? How dare you compete with me?!"

"Scoundrel, how dare you insult me?!"

"Wang Hao, you didn't even make it to the B list last time, and you dare compete with me? Do you think my Thunder Cloud isn't strong?!"

"My Thunder isn't weak! Let's see who wins!"

The assessment had only been underway for a moment, and the sky above the planting area was already in chaos, with angry shouts echoing.

In the sky, there were wild winds, lightning, torrential rain, and chaotic cloud collisions, a complete mess!

Seeing this scene, Chen Shijie laughed heartily, decisively moving a few tables and chairs, setting up some dried fruits and wine, inviting the officials to sit down.

"Gentlemen, please take a seat and enjoy this autumn spectacle with me!"

(End of Chapter)