The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"Anping Town's abandoned forge was once the site of the Tiangong Workshop twelve years ago."

"Due to a major issue with tapping into the earth fire to fuel the furnace, the fire veins went out of control, burning many people to death at the time."

"My family used to have a factory here as well, but right after we had newly constructed our forge and recruited workers, the accident occurred. Shortly after, Nanyang County issued a ban, and it was closed down. We made a big loss on the investment."

Zhao Xing sat in Zong Shichang's carriage, looking at the desolate land outside, along with the dilapidated houses.

They circled the area for about a quarter of an hour, yet they didn't even see a single proper tree—just a few scraggly bushes and small saplings.

Weeds were abundant, most of them prickly, with thorny brambles that seemed to be the only life that could survive on the scorched earth.

"Destruction is easy; rebuilding is hard. Three years ago, not even a single blade of grass grew here, let alone trees," Zong Shichang remarked. "Now it's much better. Chen Shijie has done quite a lot."

"Indeed," Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

Chen Shijie had taken office in Gucheng three years ago.

Before him, this scorched land in Anping Town had been neglected for nine years.

The previous head of the Shennong Office had been afraid of getting involved in such a troublesome matter, so he never dared to start the restoration.

The land had been directly overseen by Nanyang County, while the destruction was caused by Gucheng's Tiangong Workshop, with involvement from influential families like Zong Shichang's. The issue of responsibility was never clarified, so the matter remained in limbo.

With the higher authorities ignoring it, Gucheng Magistrate Li Wenzheng didn't want to deal with it either.

The previous head of the Shennong Office also avoided it.

So, this land and the factory buildings were left to rot for nine years until Chen Shijie arrived.

As soon as he found out, he immediately planned to restore the land.

Li Wenzheng didn't interfere but also refused to help.

Chen Shijie intended to take the Shennong Office officers and start the work.

Every week, they would come down and use Earth School techniques to heal the land and begin soil restoration.

It was thankless work, and while Xue Wenzhong was the first to offer support, others like Tang Wanchun, Gao Linong, and Pang Yuan thought it was too difficult and opposed the plan.

Chen Shijie, however, was stubborn. Difficult? Then let's not do anything! He halted all Shennong Office affairs. Any report sent up by Tang Wanchun, Gao Linong, or Pang Yuan was met with a simple response: "Not approved."

His attitude was, if they wanted to be slackers, then they could all be labeled as "incompetent officials." As for himself, he was already demoted and had no fear of further punishment.

In the end, the officers of the Shennong Office had no choice but to go along.

Then Chen Shijie went to the Shennong Office to request manpower and tools from Gongsun Yang. At first, Gongsun Yang refused, not wanting to get involved in the mess.

Chen Shijie, however, pestered him relentlessly. He even caused bizarre weather over Gongsun's family's ancestral land—hailstorms, wilting crops, winds, and rainstorms plagued their fields.

Furious, Gongsun Yang went to confront Chen Shijie.

What? Why was the weather so bad over his family's land?

Chen Shijie shrugged. "Didn't I ask to borrow tools and manpower? You refused. Sorry, but I don't have the ability to control the weather perfectly. If you have any complaints, take it up with the county magistrate!"

Gongsun Yang was so angry that he pulled out his own beard.

With no other options, he finally agreed to the request.

After a year, Chen Shijie restored the scorched earth to the level of barren land.

Then he reported his achievements to the county authorities. Knowing Chen Shijie was a hard-headed person, they begrudgingly gave him a commendation.

Though the abandoned factory buildings were never torn down, this accomplishment allowed Chen Shijie to establish a firm foothold in Gucheng, winning the support of the Shennong Office staff and earning the respect of Gongsun Yang and Li Wenzheng.

Thus, Chen Shijie had ruled the Shennong Office without opposition. No one dared defy him.

"Old Chen's first achievement was here. Now that he's about to leave, he set this trap for the Xuantian Sect at the same location, hoping to claim some military merit… He's got a bit of an obsession," Zhao Xing said, looking outside.

November was the last solar month, and it was no secret that Chen Shijie would be transferred soon.

This Anping Town exam had a large number of participants, but unlike the Autumn Equinox Mountain Opening, there was no East Lake Army to maintain order, nor were there county inspectors present.

The defense seemed rather thin.

Zhao Xing thought that if he were the head of the Xuantian Sect, he would also take this opportunity to strike.

Chen Shijie suspected that the Xuantian Sect might take this chance to act.

The Xuantian Sect likely guessed that Chen Shijie would anticipate their move.

"All of these possibilities are easy to predict… it just depends on who dares to act and who has prepared the best," Zhao Xing mused quietly.

From historical records, the Xuantian Sect had learned from its past failures, becoming more successful in their operations during the Jingxin era.

Did the Xuantian Sect succeed or fail in Nanyang County? Zhao Xing didn't know, but with his involvement, Chen Shijie had already altered his plans significantly.

What would the final outcome be? Zhao Xing wasn't entirely sure.

But his mindset remained calm.

"Either way, there's no real danger to my life. If the worst happens and the Xuantian Sect captures me, I'll just work for them on their 'ship.' It's not like I can't survive in the sect until the Revival Era." Zhao Xing wasn't rigid in his thinking, though he still preferred the more stable path of the Fortune Dynasty and hoped not to get captured.

The Shennong Office's Beginning of Winter Examination started on the afternoon of November 7th.

The exams for other offices were held at the same time.

Although it was called a joint exam, each office had its own tasks, and there was no direct competition between different professions, only among those in the same field.

The task for the Shennong Office participants was to grow at least ten different types of plants on this scorched land.

The task for the Tiangong Workshop clerks was to build a new furnace and restart the earth fire.

For the Weaving Office, they had to create four specific types of enchanted garments for warriors, engineers, Shennong officers, and priests: Cloudweave Robes, Fireproof Robes, Soul-Guarding Robes, and True Essence Robes.

The Military Office exam involved "capturing demonic cultivators." The area around the abandoned factory would see attacks by actors portraying "sect demons" who would attempt to sabotage the area.

The rankings would be based on how many "demons" were captured.

For the Temple, their task was similar to the Military Office, except their targets were the souls of those who had perished in the factory fire.

"The timing for each profession's exam is different."

"The Weaving Office started the earliest, beginning at dawn on the 7th and ending at dawn the next day. They only have twelve hours. All the materials for the enchanted garments are prepared, and whether they complete their products or not, they must leave after twelve hours."

"The Engineers have two days, starting at noon on the 7th and ending at noon on the 9th."

"The Temple and Military Office exams start the latest, beginning at dusk on the 7th and ending at dawn on the 10th, lasting two and a half days."

"The Shennong Office exam begins at noon on the 7th and ends at dawn on the 11th, lasting three days and four nights."

Zhao Xing stepped out of the carriage and gazed thoughtfully at the entrance to the ruined factory. "Old Chen believes in my judgment but doesn't fully trust it—fair enough."

At noon, the Shennong Office began organizing the clerks for their exam.

Zhao Xing carried a much larger bamboo box than before as he entered the abandoned factory.

There weren't many Shennong Office clerks participating this time, as the office wasn't a cushy position. For those not seeking promotion, passing the exam didn't offer much financial reward at the end of the year.

Other offices, however, had many more participants.

"Zhao Xing, let's go together," Zong Shichang cheerfully approached. "Where do you plan to plant?"

"Do you trust my judgment?" Zhao Xing pointed to a patch of land near the entrance. "You should plant here. I think it's a good spot."

"Really?" Zong Shichang looked at it skeptically. It was just scorched earth.

"I've learned quite a few Earth School techniques—don't you trust me?"

"I trust you, but where are you going to plant?" Zong Shichang asked.

"Are you an idiot?" Zhao Xing replied. "That small patch of land can't support two people's crops, can it?"

"Still, it'd be nice to have company. Doing it alone is kind of boring…"

"Scram! Don't mess up my results," Zhao Xing said coldly. "Didn't I make it clear? I don't want to work with you."

"You…" Zong Shichang was taken aback by Zhao Xing's sudden change in attitude and stood there dumbfounded.

Without another word, Zhao Xing headed toward a different section of the factory ruins.

The saying goes, "If your plans aren't kept secret, they'll be your undoing." Zhao Xing knew some of Chen Shijie's plans but not all, and he certainly couldn't reveal any to Zong Shichang.

Moreover, if the sect really made a move, it wouldn't be good for Zong Shichang to follow him.

The abandoned factory was quite large, having once been a county-level project.

Carrying his bamboo box, Zhao Xing walked as if searching for something.

After about fifteen minutes, he arrived at a relatively intact house, part of the former workers' housing area.

"This is the place," Zhao Xing said, pushing open the door.

"Meow~" The mountain cat, seeing its master arrive, leapt over cheerfully.

"Shh~" Zhao Xing gestured for the mountain cat to stay quiet. "Be good, don't make a sound."

The little mountain cat nodded obediently.

Zhao Xing surveyed the room.

This place had been prepared for him by Chen Shijie.

In addition to the mountain cat, the room was stocked with various items, including several dark red bamboo tubes stacked in the corner, each about the thickness of a human calf.

In the center of the room was a table, an oil lamp, paper, and a set of ink brushes.

On the front table stood a wooden carving of the Duke of East Lake.

In the southeast corner was a straw puppet, clad in a raincoat and bamboo hat, the same guardian that had accompanied Zhao Xing out of the city before.

"Everything's here," Zhao Xing confirmed after checking the items. He then took out theCalamity-Repelling Almanac and hung it behind the door. He also tied the Thousand Mile Command Talisman around his wrist.

Sitting at the table, he picked up the brush and signed his name on a piece of yellow paper.

This was a land contract.

From the moment his name was signed, Zhao Xing was officially the owner of this house.

Next, he opened the Sandalwood Soul Box from his bamboo case and began placing the dark red bamboo tubes around the perimeter of the house, one by one.

After completing everything, Zhao Xing clapped his hands and sat on the porch to rest.

Not only was he an exam participant, but as one of the insiders privy to Chen Shijie's plan—and a key target for the Xuantian Sect—he naturally had some extra perks.

After resting for a while, Zhao Xing began planting in the fenced courtyard.

In addition to the ten species required for the exam, he brought three more.

"For the exam, I just need to plant these ten herbs in this courtyard."

"Let's start with the exam plants."

He set down the bamboo box and began casting Cloudwalking, allowing clouds to cover the courtyard.

Next, he used Wind Plow to till the soil.

A series of small tornadoes plowed neat furrows into the ground.

A gentle breeze then lifted the seeds from the bamboo box, accurately planting them into the furrows.

Rain began to fall from the clouds.

"Vigorous Growth!"

"Earth Vein Consolidation!"

"Boundless Earth Palace!"

Zhao Xing swiftly cast his spells.

As he explored the earth veins and tapped into their power, everything went smoothly—until he tried to cast the Earth Palace spell.

"What's going on? Why isn't it working?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. His Boundless Earth Palace had already reached Eight Transformations, and while the earth veins here were weaker than elsewhere, they still existed. Failure should've been impossible.

"Let's try again." Zhao Xing removed his shoes, pressing his bare feet into the ground. As he cast the Boundless Earth Palace, his consciousness sank into the earth, probing the earth veins.

Soon, Zhao Xing detected the earth vein's pulse. It was a dark red vein, and from its strength, Zhao Xing estimated it was a third-tier fire vein.

This discovery surprised Zhao Xing.

"A third-tier earth vein? Did I sense wrong?"

"That can't be. This area was burned by earth fire, and even after Chen Shijie's repairs, it should only be a first-tier vein."

"But my senses tell me it's a third-tier—no, it might even be close to fourth-tier!"

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Zhao Xing continued casting his spell, sending a beam of golden light deeper into the earth.

But at that moment, a faint yet clear thought emanated from the earth vein: "Why is it you?"

"Huh… Old Chen?" Zhao Xing's golden light shimmered near the earth vein, clearly startled.

Chen Shijie didn't seem to mind the familiar way Zhao Xing addressed him, asking with some surprise, "Didn't you say your Earth Palace technique was only at Three Transformations? How did you discover me?"

Zhao Xing controlled the golden light, sending his response through the earth vein: "I've made some progress since I finished the last painting at the end of the month. You've been busy, so I didn't get a chance to tell you."

Chen Shijie asked, "What's your level now?"

"Eight Transformations."

"..."

Seeing that Chen Shijie remained silent for a while, Zhao Xing asked, "What's going on with this earth vein? Didn't you say it was burned by earth fire and only had a first-tier strength?"

"It was, but half a month ago, I strengthened the earth vein with a spell. In a month's time, it will return to its original strength."

"So why can't I cast Earth Palace here?"

"Look deeper."

Zhao Xing increased his energy output, sending another surge of energy into the earth vein, finally revealing the truth.

Beneath the earth vein was a faintly visible dark red palace. The palace's color blended with the fire vein, and it was shrouded in a cloudy, indistinct energy that made it nearly impossible to detect without close inspection.

When the cloudy energy parted slightly, Zhao Xing caught a glimpse of the palace.

"Whoa~"

A massive fire-red palace emerged, with each individual tile measuring three or four meters in length and width.

Judging from the top layer of the palace alone, Zhao Xing quickly estimated that this fire-red palace could cover the entire abandoned factory area.

"This is the Inferno Earth Palace technique!" Zhao Xing exclaimed in surprise. "Did you do this, Old Chen?"

He even recognized this? Chen Shijie was slightly taken aback but calmly replied, "That's right. You don't need to waste your energy casting Earth Palace here."

"Impressive," Zhao Xing muttered inwardly, awestruck.

But it made sense. Back during the Autumn Equinox Theory Exam, he had already known Chen Shijie was a Earth School Shennong Officer.

It was only natural that he would know Earth Palace techniques.

Zhao Xing's Boundless Earth Palace was characterized by its vastness, but even so, it couldn't compare to Chen Shijie's Inferno Earth Palace in terms of size.

"I'm heading back up."

"Stay cautious," Chen Shijie reminded him. "If something happens, Dragon Xiao and I might not be able to watch over you."

"Understood," Zhao Xing nodded. He would certainly keep a low profile and not add to Chen Shijie's troubles.

That night, the small courtyard was covered in plants, vines, and bamboo seedlings emerging from the soil.

As night fell, Zhao Xing lit the candle on the table, allowing it to burn through the night.

November 7th passed without incident.

By dawn on November 8th, the Weaving Office clerks had completed their exam.

After the results were published, the weavers could gift their enchanted garments to the other professions.

Zhao Xing was approached by a female weaver who knocked lightly on his courtyard gate.

"Hello…"

"No thanks, I don't need it," Zhao Xing waved his hand dismissively without even looking up.

Lin Baiwei, who had just received top marks, stood there, watching Zhao Xing as he continued to plant crops with his head down. The words she had been about to say were swallowed back. Quietly, she hung the enchanted garment on his fence and left.

It wasn't until much later that Zhao Xing looked up and saw the item hanging on the fence. He was puzzled. "Did she mess up her brain from weaving? I told her I didn't need it, so why did she insist on giving it?"

He gestured for the straw puppet to fetch the garment. Upon inspection, he realized it was actually quite high quality—a third-tier superior-grade True Essence Robe that enhanced energy recovery.

In the Weaving Office exam, this would likely earn a top-tier ranking, though to Zhao Xing, it didn't seem particularly useful.

"Strange. I don't even know this weaver… Did she think I'm handsome?"

Zhao Xing casually tossed the robe aside and continued his planting.

On November 8th, the sounds of battle echoed throughout the day. From his courtyard wall, Zhao Xing could see warriors from the Military Office battling soldiers dressed as "sect demons."

On the night of November 9th, as the everlasting candle flickered, the temple clerks began their lantern-lit search for souls.

Using his enhanced vision, Zhao Xing scanned the area, noticing that many of the spirits had a faint red hue, representing the manner of their deaths.

By dawn on November 10th, the exams for the Military Office and Temple had concluded, leaving the area quiet. Only the Shennong Office exams continued.

On the night of November 10th, at the stroke of midnight...

Having already confirmed that his exam score would be top-tier, Zhao Xing was resting at the table with his eyes closed. The mountain cat lay sprawled on the table, yawning in boredom.

Suddenly, the mountain cat shuddered! It arched its back, its eyes glowing green, and stared intensely at the door.

"Whoosh~"

The candlelight flickered wildly before being abruptly snuffed out, plunging the surroundings into darkness.

The mountain cat nudged Zhao Xing with its paw, but he didn't wake up, as if he had already fallen into a deep sleep.

"Crash~"

The mountain cat heard a noise and turned its head.

The Calamity-Repelling Almanac hanging by the door flipped open on its own, quickly settling on a page:

"Yin Soul Enters the Dream, Great Omen!"