Chapter 25: Cutting and Swallowing, Crushing the Opponent

Chen Shijie watched the scene unfold with a theatrical air, while the other officials, feeling helpless, could only accept the invitation to sit. There was nothing they could do; after all, who could argue with someone who was in the right? His official rank was higher than theirs, his cultivation stronger, and moreover, Chen Shijie was the youngest official in the Department of Agriculture—not just in Valley City, but in the entire Nanyang County.

It was easy to imagine that the future of this great man, Chen Shijie, would not be limited to the Ninth Grade.

"The reforms of this great man, Chen, are truly admirable. To serve the people, one must contend with heaven and earth. Without the heart to fight and win, how can one accomplish anything?" Gao Linong was the first to speak after sitting down. He had misspoken during the last minor examination and had been looking for an opportunity to make up for it. Now, he seized the chance to express his agreement with the higher-ups.

Chen Shijie smiled faintly and nodded slightly in response. This flattery was too blatant, almost repeating what Chen Shijie had said before.

Tang Wanchun was more tactful than Gao. Instead of directly flattering, he brought up the previous commendation of Chen Shijie's subordinate: "I think the first person to support the Cloud Layer was precisely because they understood the painstaking efforts of the great man, Chen, and thus seized the opportunity. I wonder if they can persist."

"Xue the Great's questions were comprehensive, testing not only the abilities of the subordinates but also their endurance. To endure four days and three nights without food or drink in the scorching summer is no simple feat."

Chen Shijie was indeed intrigued: "I remember during the last minor exam, this person performed quite outstandingly. Xue Lao, was he under your guidance?"

Xue Wenzhong, who originally didn't want to speak, had closed his eyes to rest after sitting down. But since Zhao Xing was mentioned, he changed his mind: "Yes, his name is Zhao Xing. I merely provided some guidance; his own comprehension is excellent. The great man, Chen, should pay more attention to him. This child is a rare talent."

Chen Shijie nodded: "If Xue Lao says so, then I must watch his performance closely."

Xue Wenzhong rarely praised others in public, especially when recommending his own subordinates under Chen Shijie's endorsement. This made the other officials somewhat wary.

Promoting officials was not only something the subordinates yearned for, but also something the formal officials took seriously. Recommending and nurturing talents was a great achievement!

Someone was about to say something when they heard Chen Shijie suddenly focus his gaze somewhere: "Look, someone is heading towards Zhao Xing."

Zhao Xing was the first to act in the Cloud, occupying two springs and three patches of grass in the Northeast Area. To his north was Wen Nanxing, and to the south was Xiao Ze. The challengers defeated by these two immediately set their sights on Zhao Xing.

However, judging by Zhao Xing's actions in the Cloud, he was not someone to be trifled with. His level of the Seven-turn Magic Arts was among the top in the Department of Agriculture.

There were many onlookers, but only three approached.

One of them, a young man with a clean appearance, bowed to Zhao Xing: "Huang Tao from the Hundred Flowers Garden. Brother Zhao, could you please make way?"

Huang Tao intended to use courtesy before force, considering the Seven-turn Cloud above and Zhao Xing's previous achievements, it was still necessary to show some respect.

Zhao Xing sneered: "Brother Huang, may I ask you to roll away?"

Huang Tao's face darkened, and his eyes turned unfriendly: "You alone occupy two springs and three patches of grass and refuse to yield. Since that's the case, you must be punished!"

The people nearby, already impatient, said: "Why waste words with him? He got lucky once and now he's gone mad... Cloud!"

The three simultaneously unleashed their Cloud Techniques, the Cloud rolled and unfolded, including Huang Tao within, all were Seven-turn!

The dark Cloud Layer expanded, rushing towards Zhao Xing's position.

"It's been a while since I've had a good fight." Zhao Xing licked his lips, feeling a surge of excitement as he stared at the Cloud Layer above.

In fact, he had been waiting for challengers for a while. Without such an encounter, it would be difficult to establish a firm foothold.

"Rising Wind!" Zhao Xing extended a finger, summoning a great wind from the east.

The wind then split into two, blowing in two directions.

"Whoosh~"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Two fierce winds blew towards the two challengers beside Huang Tao. Their Cloud Techniques, in mid-air, began to pile up and roll back, as if there was a wind wall there!

"Huh? My Cloud Technique can't move!"

"Mine too, it can't get through."

The two challengers were shocked. They hadn't expected Zhao Xing's Rising Wind Magic Arts to be able to hold them back.

"Hah!" The two, unwilling to give up, increased their Yuan Qi.

However, no matter how many times they tried to advance their Cloud, the wind blew them back just as many times.

The more they tried to move forward, the greater the resistance became. Despite exerting all their strength, they only advanced a tiny bit!

"How is his Rising Wind so strange!"

"This wind is sinister, as if it knows our weaknesses and drills into them from all sides... not good!"

One of them, whose Yuan Qi control was slightly weaker, found his Cloud Technique scattering by half.

Once it scattered, it couldn't be stopped, and he was defeated in the angle of force.

The three hadn't even reached Zhao Xing when one was blown away!

"Cough cough cough..." The young man, suffering from the backlash of Yuan Qi, coughed uncontrollably after his Cloud was blown apart.

Seeing this, Huang Tao's expression changed, and a sense of unease rose in his heart. Because his position hadn't encountered any obstruction.

How could this be? How could his companions fall so quickly?

But at this moment, he couldn't afford to think too much. Taking advantage of Zhao Xing's distraction with his companions, he controlled his Cloud and charged fiercely.

"Boom~"

The expected great collision did not occur. There was no thunder, no rain, and no wind.

Instead, Zhao Xing's controlled Cloud Layer suddenly caved in, revealing the flashing thunder inside, like a giant purple-black mouth.

"What?" Huang Tao sensed that part of his Cloud Layer had lost its response, as if a part had been bitten off.

Immediately, the Cloud above Zhao Xing's head flew swiftly towards it.

"Boom!" A thunderous roar!

The Cloud above Huang Tao's head visibly shrank.

"What? This, such a brilliant technique... I admit defeat!" Huang Tao felt he had completely lost control over the Cloud, and immediately shouted.

But Zhao Xing paid no heed, the thunder roared like a blade, cutting precisely, thoroughly shattering Huang Tao's control and swallowing this mass of Cloud Qi.

"Ahhh~" Huang Tao felt as if a blade was slicing through his mind, his Magic Arts backlash was much heavier than others, and he fell straight to the ground.

"Brother Huang, Brother Huang..." His companions immediately ran over to support him.

"I'm, I'm fine..." Huang Tao gasped for breath, "Don't try again, find another place."

"This Zhao Xing is too ruthless," his companions complained. "But he only cut and swallowed, can we just let him go?"

"No, we can't. Our skills are inferior, there's nothing more to say," Huang Tao looked in Zhao Xing's direction, a deep resentment flashing in his eyes. "His control over Magic Arts gives me the feeling that it even surpasses Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze. Forcing a fight would only bring humiliation. Let's go!"

Zhao Xing watched the three leave dejectedly, then used the wind to spread his voice in all directions: "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge Zhao Xing's territory? Feel free to try!"

(End of Chapter)