Chapter 33: Examination Concludes, On-Site Evaluation

The news of Zong Shichang's defeat spread quickly across the examination grounds. Although it wasn't clear what exactly happened, the signs of Thunder and Fei Sha's retreat were undeniable. Moreover, when Shi returned from Zhao Xing's side, he seemed disheveled. Unless there was a fight, how could he have ended up in such a state?

"Previously, Huang Tao and three others joined forces and were defeated. Now, Zong Young Master went over and suffered a loss too. Zhao Xing might just be the top contender on the First List."

"Another strong competitor this year, huh? Why couldn't it be me?"

"If Zhao Jia rises, they might become the second Zhao family."

"Who knows, maybe next year we'll have to call Zhao the Great."

"Once in power, blessings and prosperity increase. I'm truly envious."

"..."

Zong Shichang's challenge solidified the impression of Zhao Xing as 'invincible.' As a result, for the next two days, no one dared to provoke Zhao Xing. Unknowingly, people had already placed Zhao Xing in the same league as Wen Nanxing and Li Chengfeng.

On August 9th, the final day of the autumn examination arrived. Zhao Xing walked out of the Huang Gold Bamboo Forest, quietly waiting for the examination to conclude.

"This time, my score should be without any doubt," he thought. Due to the unexpectedly good results of the Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan, after cultivating 'Green Vine,' 'Diamond Bamboo,' and 'Fragrant Lotus,' Zhao Xing selected two more plants, both of middle grade in the second tier. If time permitted, he even considered trying the third-tier Tianyuan Pear Tree.

While Zhao Xing was satisfied, those around him suffered. For three consecutive nights, Zhao Xing deployed the Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan, slowing the growth of nearby plants. Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze only managed to mature a second-tier upper-grade plant on the last day.

Zhao Xing glanced at his proficiency level.

[Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan: Initial Stage Magic Arts]

[Progress: 768/9999]

[Effect: Harness the power of the earth veins, integrating the Yuan Qi of the earth veins]

"During the second and third nights of deploying the Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan, the proficiency greatly increased. This magic art is about to advance," Zhao Xing thought with satisfaction.

As time passed, although people didn't know what was happening, they became more focused and cautious, locking the Yuan Qi tightly to counteract the influence of the Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan Magic Arts. With resistance, proficiency increased even faster. Zhao Xing could clearly sense how to handle the magic arts, so in just three days, his Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan was about to enter the ranks of advanced magic arts.

"The time has come, the autumn examination concludes. All participants, please cease your methods," Chen Shijie announced, his voice echoing through the Hundred Herbs Garden.

Sighs of regret rose throughout the garden.

"What? It's over already?"

"My Heavenly Spirit Flower was just about to mature, only a moment away!"

"It's over? I wonder if I can make it to the B list."

"Alas."

As the voice resonated, the cloud layers in the planting area gradually disappeared, the wind stopped, and the rain scattered. Replacing them was a larger white cloud, covering the entire Hundred Herbs Garden, which was Chen Shijie's Cloud Movement.

Everyone found themselves unable to deploy Cloud Movement, Rainfall, Rising Wind, or other magic arts, as all Yuan Qi surged towards the sky's Cloud Qi.

"Is this the Cloud Qi Domain? Chen Shijie truly has some skills, worthy of being from the military Sinoong," Zhao Xing thought, nodding slightly.

Chen Shijie's Cloud Movement had completely transcended the limitations of initial stage magic arts, likely reaching the [Cloud Qi Domain]. Under his cloud layer, only Chen Shijie could deploy the Heavenly Timing Technique.

If it were just this, it would be fine, as a normal Cloud Qi Domain could achieve this. However, Zhao Xing discovered that Chen Shijie's Cloud Qi Domain also suppressed other magic arts. For instance, his Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan couldn't maintain itself once Chen Shijie's voice echoed, directly dispersing.

Under the Cloud Qi Domain, everything was under his control, even the Yuan Qi. Participants couldn't even deploy cultivation techniques, as they wouldn't reach the plants, all drifting towards the sky.

So when he said the examination was over, it truly was over. You couldn't use any methods anymore!

"No wonder he could become the main official at thirty-something, he indeed has some skills," Zhao Xing thought, standing still, waiting for the Department of Agriculture to inspect the results.

Xue Wen was the examiner, but the inspector was Chen Shijie, the head of the Department of Agriculture, accompanied by Gao Linong, Tang Wan Chun, Pang Yuan, and two supervisors and record clerks from the county magistrate.

The inspection started from the northwest, moving through the south and east, then back to the western entrance. The examinees in the planting area waited anxiously.

The first to be inspected was Li Chengfeng.

"Five second-tier upper-grade Purple Fire Orchids, from seedling to maturity, with a rich fragrance, dense and lingering, medicinal value reaching the uppermost tier."

"Twelve second-tier middle-grade Jade Dew Fruit Trees, from seedling to maturity, flowering and fruiting, the fruits are plump, with a sweet and refreshing taste, invigorating and awakening, effects are top-notch."

Chen Shijie nodded at Li Chengfeng, then turned to the others, "I wish to rate it as Jia, what do you all think?"

The inspection and evaluation also required consulting other Ninth Grade Sinoong, but no one objected, as Li Chengfeng was indeed outstanding, deserving of the Jia rating.

"I concur."

"I agree as well."

Unanimously approved, Li Chengfeng received the Jia rating.

The county magistrate's record clerks immediately recorded it in the register, including Chen Shijie's comments.

"Thank you, esteemed officials," Li Chengfeng bowed in gratitude, then left the examination grounds to wait outside.

For cases like Li Chengfeng's, it was straightforward to evaluate, as there was nothing to dispute, directly receiving the Jia rating.

For those whose plants died, it was another matter. Chen Shijie would pass by and simply say, "Ten seedlings, none survived, mediocre!"

This evaluation would also be recorded, as participants were not purely students; they were also considered external officials. They might have the potential to become officials in the future.

Chen Shijie offered a choice to those who withdrew, if they did so in time without wasting seedlings, they would merely have no achievements and could retake the exam. But those who knew they lacked ability yet clung to false hopes, wasting time in the examination grounds, would receive his mediocre evaluation.

Currently, you may not realize it, wasting only some seedlings, but if you were to govern a region in the future, wouldn't the common people suffer under someone like you? How many people rely on the fields to eat!

"Waaah~" Those who received such evaluations covered their faces and fled in tears.

The other officials were not surprised, knowing that this Chen Great Man despised incompetence, and wouldn't show any mercy.

This participant had little hope of turning things around.

However, such occurrences were rare. Most participants chose plants they were confident in cultivating, avoiding extreme situations. Even with the Earth Vein Comprehensive Yuan's influence, choosing an ordinary first-tier lower-grade plant, with magic arts support, could still yield half the results.

"Three second-tier lower-grade plants, rated as B middle."

"One second-tier lower-grade plant, rated as C upper."

"Twelve first-tier lower-grade plants, one first-tier middle-grade plant, rated as C middle."

"..."

Walking and stopping, they soon inspected over half, reaching Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zhao Xing's area.

(End of Chapter)