The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

[You have crafted a Mighty Vajra Puppet]

[Soldier of Grass and Wood proficiency +15]

[Mighty Vajra Puppet proficiency +60]

[You have crafted a Mighty Vajra Puppet]

[Soldier of Grass and Wood proficiency +20]

[Mighty Vajra Puppet proficiency +80]

The high-quality materials provided different insights. Compared to Primordial Rice withered grass, the strength feedback from Diamond Bamboo was clearer, allowing Zhao Xing to grasp the finer points of the Mighty Vajra Puppet technique more deeply.

As a result, the proficiency in the Mighty Vajra Puppet technique increased rapidly.

After half a day, Zhao Xing had already reached the second transformation level.

[Mighty Vajra Puppet]

[Proficiency: 2750/9999]

[Effect: Indestructible, immense strength.]

"Strike me with three points of strength," Zhao Xing crossed his arms in front of his chest and then ordered the second transformation Mighty Vajra Puppet.

"Boom!" The golden Mighty Vajra Puppet threw a punch, and Zhao Xing felt as if he had been hit by a giant hammer, sending him flying.

The Mighty Vajra Puppet advanced, ready to deliver a follow-up attack.

"Stop! That's enough, it's already excessive!"

Zhao Xing grinned and called for a halt.

The Mighty Vajra Puppet immediately froze in place.

Zhao Xing was no longer tired, only feeling sore all over.

How did one develop resistance? It was trained this way!

It was just that Zhao Xing was still weak and couldn't take a lot of hits. Otherwise, he would definitely have sparred with the Mighty Vajra Puppet.

"With just one punch, it's hard for a body at the level of a Shennong professional to withstand it. To fully resist, even a sturdy martial artist would need to reach a high rank."

You get what you pay for. Using Primordial Rice as the basis for the puppet technique could only chase away birds at most.

The Mighty Vajra Puppet, however, could easily serve as a bodyguard.

However, the Mighty Vajra Puppet lacked any skills and only performed basic punches and kicks. It could be easily evaded by high-ranking martial artists, but it was sufficient against these Shennong clerks.

"The quantity is almost enough. Let me see who dares to provoke me."

Zhao Xing walked out of the bamboo forest and went to the nearby field to pick some green vine fruits.

The second-tier green vine had already matured, bearing thumb-sized golden fruits.

The taste was average, but it was filling.

Zhao Xing didn't care about taste; practicality was his priority.

"Now, only the aquatic plant Fragrant Lotus is left, and it's still not fully matured." Zhao Xing looked at the muddy pit.

Since the vital energy was primarily directed towards Diamond Bamboo, only two Fragrant Lotuses had matured, while the remaining eighteen were still growing.

"I wonder how the others' planting results are. My Earth Vein Consolidation only covered this half of the eastern planting area; the western side was not attended to."

If Huang Tao heard this, he might vomit blood. "Did you even attend to it?"

"The spots in the A+ Class are limited. If I can suppress Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and others to the A+ Class, my chances of getting a position in the officialdom will be higher."

"By the third night, if I secretly kill some of their plants, it should be enough. As for the westerners, forget it."

With this decision, Zhao Xing planned to rest for a while and start his actions in the evening.

However, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"You guys, go to Brother Feng and swap territories with me," Zong Shichang came from the west and stopped near Zhao Xing's cloud layer.

"Brother Zong, we've already planted here and it's about to mature. It's inappropriate to move now," someone was unwilling to change positions.

"It's not a free swap. You'll get paid later at my residence," Zong Shichang said淡淡ly.

"I'll swap." The first person immediately beamed with joy and left without a word.

"What about you? Will you swap or not?"

Seeing their hesitation, Zong Shichang impatiently said, "If you dig it yourself, it might not cause much damage. But if I help you dig, all your previous efforts will be wasted."

"We'll swap." Under threats and temptations, Zong Shichang quickly completed the swaps.

Such commotion naturally caught Zhao Xing's attention.

"Zong Shichang? What's he doing here? Is he coming for me?" Zhao Xing observed the scene.

Unlike Li Chengfeng, who was known for his gentlemanly demeanor, Zong Shichang gave an impression of arrogance.

To put it mildly, he was straightforward. To put it harshly, he was overbearing and inconsiderate of others.

But he wasn't recklessly extravagant; he was willing to spend money.

Usually, he would first use money to pave the way and then resort to force if that didn't work.

"His father, Zong Heng, is one of the vice presidents of the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce. Ordinary people are not even worth his notice," Zhao Xing recalled some rumors about Zong Shichang.

The most famous incident was when Zong Shichang, in Nanyang County, played a grass game (a folk entertainment game).

In a fit of anger after losing, Zong Shichang punched someone in the face.

Coincidentally, an official passed by and immediately tried to arrest Zong Shichang.

Zong Shichang then offered thirty taels per punch to the beaten person, who immediately jumped up and chased the officials away.

In the end, Zong Shichang punched the person eighteen times to vent his anger, earning him the nickname 'Zong Shiba' (Zong Eighteen).

"Brother Zhao! Can we have a word?"

As expected, once Zong Shichang settled, he immediately walked over to Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing saw him standing on the edge of the cloud shadow, speaking politely, so he walked over.

"Ah, Brother Zong, what can I do for you?"

Zhao Xing finished speaking and noticed Zong Shichang glanced behind him, then inexplicably... got excited?

"Is Brother Zhao also interested in this? I indeed want to spar with you!" Zong Shichang said straightforwardly.

Hey, is this what I meant by guidance? Your thinking is too strange.

But Zhao Xing didn't bother explaining. Explaining now would be seen as retreating.

So he responded directly, "Let's set the rules. How do you want to play?"

"Quite straightforward!" Zong Shichang found Zhao Xing more pleasing. "Let's compete without restrictions, using any spells you wish. Are you willing?"

"If I injure you, you may choose any third-tier pills, and I will send them to your residence later."

Is he looking for a sparring partner? Zhao Xing raised his eyebrows. Zong Shichang's reputation for arrogance was indeed not exaggerated. Others were fighting for assessments, but he purely wanted a match.

"No."

"No?" Zong Shichang's expression turned cold, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"If I win, you must also comply."

Zong Shichang was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Defeat me? Haha, then it's settled! Prepare yourself!"

He pointed, and the clouds above turned dark, with lightning flashing within the cloud layer.

He quickly completed the cloud and thunder steps.

Seeing his spell initiation, Zhao Xing knew that his third step would be Call Lightning.

Call Lightning was a mid-tier spell, and Zong Shichang, who enjoyed competition, indeed had some skill.

Zhao Xing frowned and retreated behind the Mighty Vajra Puppet.

"Knock him down, yes, send twenty at once."