Chapter 24: Living Nearby and Survival of the Fittest

The assessment content for Lìqiū (Start of Autumn) was quite standard, fitting the theme of the solar term and testing both ability and endurance. This perfectly aligned with Xue Wenzhong's consistent style; he was a diligent and hardworking individual completely dedicated to his tasks.

The officials' reactions weren't as strong as they were during Chen Shijie's last examination. Even if they didn't achieve good results, they could only blame their own lack of skill.

However, upon entering the Hundred Herbs Garden, Zhao Xing noticed something unusual.

"The seedling area is unremarkable, with plenty of options for the officials to choose from, but this cultivation area seems a bit crowded, doesn't it?"

Zhao Xing scanned the cultivation area, realizing it wasn't very large—only about the size of a football field. Even if the participants didn't number five hundred, there were certainly three or four hundred of them.

Since there was no limit on the number of plants to cultivate, the officials would surely plant more than just one.

Especially the stronger ones, to ensure their advantage, would undoubtedly occupy a larger plot of land.

This would leave very little space for everyone else.

"The layout also seems problematic," Zhao Xing thought. Activating his 'Bright Eyes' and surveying the area, he gained a clearer understanding of the cultivation zone's arrangement.

"The cultivation area is square, with twelve springs and thirty-six piles of plant ash distributed throughout. Next to the ash piles are signs indicating designated immovable areas."

"This means the locations of the twelve springs and thirty-six ash piles are the prime cultivation spots."

"It's clearly designed to make officials vie for territory."

Near the springs, casting 'Cloud Movement' spells would have a beneficial effect, and plant ash acted as fertilizer, accelerating growth.

Needless to say, this was another arrangement by Chen Shijie.

Given Xue Wenzhong's personality, he would never set up such a test. However, as the chief official, Chen Shijie was involved in all examination matters. This Master Chen, from Xishan Commandery, had previously served as a military agricultural supervisor and particularly enjoyed designing competitive challenges.

"The layout of the cultivation area must have been his addition," Zhao Xing muttered, licking his lips. After clearly understanding the assessment standards, observing the examination grounds, and discerning the examiner's intentions, he immediately sprang into action.

While other officials were still trying to figure things out, he took the lead, swiftly running to the northeast corner of the cultivation zone.

"Cloud Movement! Appear!"

Zhao Xing pointed, and a dark cloud immediately condensed above the northeast corner.

The cloud coiled and expanded, churning seven times – a 'Seven Revolutions of Cloud Movement'!

Once completely stable, it enveloped two springs and three piles of plant ash below.

How do agricultural officials compete for territory? With 'Cloud Movement', of course!

The 'Cloud Movement' spell is exclusive; occupying a section of the sky is equivalent to claiming the land beneath it.

Dare to plant under someone else's cloud? Not even a single blade of grass would survive.

Zhao Xing was accustomed to confrontation from his previous life, so it was he who first grasped the examiner's intent in this vast testing ground, and he was the first to raise a cloud and claim a spot.

"Excellent, excellent~" Chen Shijie, observing from a distant hill, stroked his beard and chuckled softly.

This was the second time he had noticed Zhao Xing; during the last assessment concerning the grain-eating bird disaster, it was also Zhao Xing who first found the correct solution.

With his test intentions being understood, Chen Shijie felt a sense of 'this young man truly understands my mind.'

He turned to Xue Wenzhong and asked, "Planting side-by-side, survival of the fittest – Old Xue, what do you think of my modification?"

Xue Wenzhong nodded slightly, saying, "With this change, Master Chen, I fear the officials below will be fighting tooth and nail even before planting begins. It certainly makes for a more interesting spectacle than my original setup."

Under Xue Wenzhong's original assessment method, the officials would have completed their planting peacefully, but the process would have been quite dull. Now, it was completely different.

Chen Shijie calmly stated, "The world is never truly peaceful; only our dynasty enjoys such tranquility. My personal style favors foresight and the survival of the fittest. I hope Old Xue doesn't mind."

Faced with Chen Shijie's explanation, Xue Wenzhong nodded in agreement. The other deputy officials, like Gao Linong and Tang Wanchun, who were also observing, outwardly concurred with their superior, despite their internal reservations.

"Buzz~" "Buzz~" "Buzz~"

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one quick to act. After entering the area, other skilled individuals quickly began to compete for resources.

Clouds of various sizes and colors, black and white, rose from the cultivation zone, quickly filling the entire area.

However, with only twelve springs and thirty-six piles of plant ash, it was clear there wouldn't be enough for everyone.

And so, the disputes began.

"Brother Liang Bai, this spot is too crowded; I can't properly cast my spell. Would you mind moving aside?"

"Li Chengfeng?" Liang Bai spun around, his expression changing as he saw the figure not far away. After a moment of internal deliberation, he reluctantly gave way to maintain decorum: "Since Brother Li asks, how can I refuse?"

With that, he shrank the cloud above his head and moved his 'Cloud Movement' to another location.

"Boom!" Li Chengfeng extended his hand skyward, and a dark cloud spanning a hundred meters appeared. After several rotations, it swiftly claimed three springs and four piles of plant ash. Simultaneously, lightning snakes appeared at the cloud's edges, asserting his dominance.

Wen Nanxing moved to the north, his cloud being the second one to rise, just a step behind Zhao Xing's.

He claimed two springs and four piles of plant ash. His cloud resembled a majestic longsword, with a black hilt and a white blade, and lightning condensed along its body, forming seven star-like points, appearing extraordinarily mystical.

"'Cloud Movement' shaped like a sword? Wen Nanxing must have perfected his 'Cloud Movement' spell, reaching a state of effortless mastery."

"Not just perfected 'Cloud Movement'; the lightning condensing into stars probably signifies the same."

"Can't compete, can't compete."

Later arrivals, seeing this, were awestruck and had no choice but to avoid Wen Nanxing's territory.

In the southwest of the cultivation area, the third cloud rose, featuring four tiger heads at its corners, claiming three springs and three piles of plant ash.

Several other clouds rose simultaneously nearby, but as the tiger-head cloud expanded, they surprisingly didn't yield, instead forcefully colliding with it.

"Boom!"

The tiger heads were imbued with a layer of blue-purple lightning. After a flash, the clouds attacking it developed large gaps and wavered unsteadily.

Beneath the tiger-head cloud, Xiao Ze cupped his hands in all directions and politely said, "Thank you for yielding."

Most of those who attacked Xiao Ze were from the previous 'Grade A' list. Realizing they couldn't win, they gave up. Thus, Xiao Ze endured the challenge and secured his spot.

However, not everyone knew when to advance or retreat, making it easy to distinguish the strong from the weak. There were always some whose strengths were nearly equal, unwilling to yield, and therefore, not so amicable with each other.

"Huang Siping, you prematurely aging runt! Just because you hang around with Li Chengfeng, you think you're also a fourth-stage Accumulation Realm cultivator? How dare you try to snatch from me?!"

"You scoundrel, how dare you insult me?"

"Wang Hao, you barely passed the last minor exam with a 'C-minus' and didn't even make it to the 'Grade B' list. Yet you dare to contend with me? Do you think my lightning cloud isn't strong enough?!"

"My lightning is not weak either! Watch this collision!"

Barely a quarter of an hour into the assessment, the sky above the cultivation area erupted in chaos, filled with incessant angry shouts. In mid-air, strong winds, lightning, torrential rain, and clashing clouds created utter pandemonium!

Witnessing this scene, Chen Shijie burst into laughter. He promptly arranged several tables, chairs, and benches, laid out platters of melon, dried meat, and rice wine, then invited the officials to sit down.

"Gentlemen, please take your seats and join me in enjoying the delights of this Start of Autumn examination!"