The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

The content of the Start of Autumn Exam was quite straightforward, fitting with the seasonal theme, testing both ability and endurance. It was very much in line with Xue Wenzhong's usual style, as he was a diligent and hardworking person, focused solely on getting things done.

The clerks didn't react as strongly as they had to Chen Shijie's previous exam questions. Even if they didn't perform well, they could only blame their lack of skill.

However, as Zhao Xing entered the Hundred Herb Garden, he noticed something unusual.

"The seedling area is fairly ordinary, with plenty of seeds for clerks to choose from, but this planting area… it's a bit crowded, isn't it?"

Zhao Xing scanned the planting area and saw that it wasn't very large, roughly the size of a football field. Even though there weren't five hundred participants, there were easily three or four hundred.

Since there was no limit on how many plants a clerk could cultivate, they definitely wouldn't settle for just planting one.

Especially the stronger competitors, who would undoubtedly seize more ground to maintain an advantage.

This left very little space for everyone else.

"The layout is a bit problematic." Zhao Xing activated Night Vision and took a clearer look at the planting area's setup.

"The planting area is a square, with twelve wells and thirty-six piles of ash, each marked with signs indicating restricted areas where the ash cannot be moved."

"In other words, the areas around the twelve wells and thirty-six ash piles are the prime planting spots."

"It's obvious they want the clerks to fight for territory."

The wells would enhance the effects of Cloud Summoning and Rainmaking, while the ash acted as fertilizer, speeding up plant growth.

Without a doubt, this was Chen Shijie's doing.

Xue Wenzhong would never design such an exam, but since Chen Shijie was in charge, no task could avoid his influence. This official from Xishan Prefecture had once served as a military supervisor and loved devising competitive challenges.

"The layout of the planting area must have been his idea." Licking his lips, Zhao Xing, after understanding the assessment standards and observing the exam area, quickly began to act.

While the other clerks were still figuring things out, Zhao Xing was already making his move, swiftly running to the northeast corner of the planting area.

"Cloud Summoning! Appear!"

With a wave of his hand, a dark cloud immediately formed above the northeast corner.

The cloud billowed and swirled, churning seven times—Cloud Summoning: Seventh Transformation!

Once the cloud stabilized, it enveloped two wells and three piles of ash beneath it.

How do you claim territory in the Shennong Division? The answer is simple—Cloud Summoning!

The Cloud Summoning spell had an exclusionary effect; once you occupied the sky with your cloud, the land below it was yours.

Anyone foolish enough to plant under another's cloud wouldn't be able to grow a single blade of grass.

Having grown accustomed to competition in his past life, Zhao Xing was the first to understand the examiners' intent and the first to claim territory with his cloud.

"Not bad, not bad~" Chen Shijie, standing on a nearby hill, stroked his beard and smiled.

This was the second time he had noticed Zhao Xing. The last time, during the Grain-Eating Bird Calamity Exam, Zhao Xing had also been the first to find a solution.

Having someone anticipate his exam challenges, Chen Shijie felt a certain sense of appreciation for this young man.

Turning to Xue Wenzhong, he asked, "Planting side by side, survival of the fittest—what do you think of my adjustments, Old Xue?"

Xue Wenzhong nodded slightly. "With this change, I fear the clerks below will be scrambling for territory before the planting even begins. It's much more exciting than what I had planned."

Under Xue Wenzhong's original design, the clerks would have quietly planted their crops in peace, but the process would have been rather dull. This setup was entirely different.

Chen Shijie smiled wistfully and said, "The world is never truly at peace. Only our dynasty enjoys such peace. My philosophy is to prepare for the worst and embrace survival of the fittest. I hope you don't mind, Old Xue."

Faced with Chen Shijie's reasoning, Xue Wenzhong nodded in agreement. Other officials, including Gao Linong and Tang Wanchun, who were watching alongside them, didn't fully agree in their hearts but voiced their support for their superior.

"Humm... Humm... Humm..."

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one acting quickly. Not long after entering the exam area, other top clerks began competing for resources.

One after another, clouds rose from the planting area. Some were large, some small, some black, some white, but soon the entire planting area was covered in clouds.

However, there were only twelve wells and thirty-six piles of ash, far too few to go around.

Thus, the struggle began.

"Brother Liang Bai, this area is too crowded. I can't work properly. Could you give me a bit of space?"

"Li Chengfeng?" Liang Bai turned sharply and, upon seeing the figure not far away, his face changed. After a moment of consideration, he gave a polite retreat to maintain face. "Since Brother Li has asked, I have no reason to refuse."

He then shrank his cloud and moved to another spot.

"Boom!" Li Chengfeng raised his hand, and a dark cloud spanning over a hundred meters appeared. After a few cycles, it expanded to cover three wells and four piles of ash. The edge of the cloud crackled with lightning, asserting his dominance.

Wen Nanxing moved to the northern side, his cloud rising second, just a step behind Zhao Xing.

He claimed two wells and four piles of ash. His cloud was shaped like a sword, with a black hilt and a white blade, crackling with lightning in the shape of seven stars—an awe-inspiring sight.

"Forming a sword from a cloud? Wen Nanxing must have mastered Cloud Summoning to the point of perfection, able to wield it freely."

"Not just Cloud Summoning—those stars of lightning indicate his mastery over that too."

"No chance, no chance. Better not compete."

The later arrivals, intimidated by the sight, steered clear of Wen Nanxing's territory.

In the southwestern part of the planting area, the third cloud rose, shaped like four tiger heads distributed at the corners, claiming three wells and three piles of ash.

Several other clouds rose at the same time nearby, but instead of retreating, they clashed directly with the tiger-headed cloud.

"Boom!"

The tiger heads crackled with blue-violet lightning, and after a flash, the opposing clouds were left with gaping holes, swaying unsteadily.

Below the tiger-headed cloud, Xiao Ze cupped his hands in all directions. "Thank you for conceding."

Those who had challenged Xiao Ze were top-ranking clerks from the last exam. Realizing they couldn't win, they gave up their claim, allowing Xiao Ze to secure his position.

But not everyone knew when to back down. It was easy to distinguish the strong from the weak, but when two evenly matched clerks refused to yield, the situation quickly escalated.

"Huang Siping, you decrepit dwarf! Just because you follow Li Chengfeng, you think you're on par with a fourth-level Essence Gatherer? How dare you challenge me!"

"You scoundrel! How dare you insult me?"

"Wang Hao, you barely passed the last exam and didn't even make the B list, yet you dare to compete with me? Do you not fear my thunderclouds?"

"My thunder is just as strong! Let's see who wins!"

The exam had barely been underway for fifteen minutes, but already the planting area was in chaos. Shouts of anger echoed through the air as clouds clashed, winds roared, lightning flashed, and rains poured—a scene of utter mayhem.

Chen Shijie, watching the spectacle, laughed heartily. He casually moved a few tables and chairs, brought out plates of fruit, dried meat, and rice wine, and invited the other officials to join him.

"Come, gentlemen, take your seats and enjoy the show—this is the joy of the Start of Autumn Exam!"