Chapter 28: Where Exactly Did It Go Wrong?

"Earth Vein Integration!"

Zhao Xing squatted on the ground, his fingertips touching the earth. A wisp of vital energy immediately flowed down through the soil, disappearing deep underground. Then came the second wisp, the third... In total, nine streams of vital energy vanished into the earth. In Zhao Xing's perception, these nine wisps of vital energy formed a cage-like structure underground.

"This is the core of the spell, its central point," he thought. "All underground vital energy will be gathered and absorbed here." Drawing on the power of the earth veins and integrating their vital energy – this was just the first step. With the central point established, he still needed to determine the direction.

Zhao Xing began to wander around the edge of his territory. At each spot, he would squat down and scoop up a handful of soil, as if checking for fertile ground. Both Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze noticed his actions. However, since Zhao Xing wasn't crossing any boundaries, they ignored him. "This is the advantage of Earth Vein Integration: its stealth!" Zhao Xing even waved at Wen Nanxing. Feeling that the man was quite polite, Wen Nanxing nodded in response.

After wandering around, Zhao Xing was truly a bit tired. Although Earth Vein Integration was an entry-level spell, it consumed a vast amount of energy. Casting this spell required vital energy equivalent to dozens of uses of "Flowing Cloud."

"The vital energy is like roots, anchoring themselves underground to form a subterranean network," he mused. "The cage has been set; now we'll see how many fish come in." Zhao Xing clapped his hands with satisfaction. He then ran to the spring well, leaned against its edge, and closed his eyes to rest.

Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze couldn't discern Zhao Xing's actions, but they didn't escape Chen Shijie's discerning eye. However, it took him a while to figure it out. "This is... Earth Vein Integration?"

"Earth Vein Integration is being drawn but not yet activated. Are you planning to act covertly tonight? Good boy! Your methods are quite like mine." Chen Shijie grew increasingly pleased with Zhao Xing in his heart, finding him more and more to his liking. As someone from a military-agricultural background, he understood such operations perfectly!

Besides Chen Shijie, only Xue Wenzhong recognized Zhao Xing's intention. The other officials didn't see it; they weren't as comprehensive as Chen Shijie, nor as experienced as Xue Wenzhong. Xue Wenzhong naturally wouldn't speak up at this moment to invite jealousy for his student. Chen Shijie also merely admired it in his heart, not expressing it further. He knew his attention on Zhao Xing today had been sufficient; any more would be excessive. Chen Shijie was well aware of the subtle thoughts of those beneath him.

"Ziyu, I... I can't go on anymore..." Qian Dong collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath like a fish about to die of thirst. Chen Ziyu wasn't in much better shape, his entire body drenched in sweat that he couldn't wipe away. It was already afternoon. They had been working for several hours, but there was no sign of progress in the fields before them. Most of the seeds hadn't sprouted, and the existing seedlings had withered and died. From the look of it, the remaining small portion wouldn't even last until tomorrow.

"How about... how about we just leave? We can just take the make-up exam next time," Qian Dong said, truly not wanting to waste any more effort."I'm not leaving." Chen Ziyu shook his head. "It's always 'next time,' 'next time I'll work harder'... When will I ever make a breakthrough? It might as well be now."Qian Dong paused, then gritted his teeth and got back up.

More and more people gave up, unable to endure the hardship, and left the area. But some clenched their teeth and persevered. Struggling to hold on in the scorching heat, everyone finally waited until nightfall. And Xue Wenzhong didn't make things too difficult for them; as night fell, he sent a gentle breeze to the planting area.

As Xue Wenzhong's refreshing breeze arrived, Zhao Xing awoke from his light slumber. He was particularly sensitive to winds that weren't his own. "It's dark now. Time to get to work." Zhao Xing stretched, then went to check the condition of the three plants.

By this time, the 20 green vines had transitioned from seedlings to the growth stage. Their tendrils covered the yellow earth, and some branches already had flower buds. In the two muddy pits, the Fragrant Lotus had unfurled three lotus leaves, also entering its growth stage. Only the Vajra Bamboo, due to the characteristics of bamboo plants, still only had a shoot tip emerging.

"As expected of a top-grade Tier 2 plant," Zhao Xing mumbled. "I've concentrated all the nutrients on it, but it still looks much the same as it did at the start." Vajra Bamboo was a score-determining target; naturally, it wouldn't be so easy to cultivate. Zhao Xing wasn't anxious; he hadn't even begun to exert his full effort.

"It's dark. Time to work secretly." A wisp of vital energy emerged from Zhao Xing's fingertip and pierced the ground. "Buzz~" The Earth Vein Integration was immediately activated! The large network began to spread, quietly extending beyond the range of Zhao Xing's "Flowing Cloud" spell. To the north, it crossed more than half of Wen Nanxing's territory; to the south, it enveloped Xiao Ze's territory. To the west, it encompassed over a dozen Tier A candidates. Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang were at the far west. Zhao Xing couldn't reach that far, as he had only just mastered this geomancy spell.

"It's covered a small portion of the planting area, that should be enough." With his clear night vision, Zhao Xing could see many officials beginning to work after dark, each consuming vital energy and casting spells. "Come on, everyone! How tall the Vajra Bamboo grows depends on all of you."

"It's dark," Huang Tao thought, looking at the seedling on the ground. "The Soul-Soothing Incense plant I received should be ready for accelerated growth." He had been frustrated by Zhao Xing in the morning, but he still managed to secure a spot near the spring well. The plant Huang Tao chose was called 'Soul-Soothing Incense,' a mid-grade Tier 2 plant. Its only effect was that after it bloomed, its fragrance could calm the mind and soothe the soul. Many people liked to grow a Soul-Soothing Incense plant at home, as it could reduce the likelihood of qi deviation during vital energy cultivation. The Soul-Soothing Incense had a remarkably long blooming period, lasting several months. However, it was not tolerant of intense heat, and flowering was difficult. Therefore, Huang Tao didn't touch it during the day, waiting until nightfall. "Being able to cultivate a Soul-Soothing Incense plant during the Start of Autumn season, even just one, would be enough to make it into the Tier A rankings." Huang Tao was full of confidence. "Let's begin! Grow strong!"

Huang Tao began to cast spells on the Soul-Soothing Incense seedling. Vital energy flowed into the soil, heading directly for the Soul-Soothing Incense's roots. A portion of this vital energy suddenly disappeared just as it was about to reach the roots; only ten percent was absorbed. "Indeed, it's difficult for Soul-Soothing Incense seedlings to grow in this season," Huang Tao mused. He didn't give it much thought, assuming it was simply because he had chosen a plant that was particularly difficult to cultivate, hence the slow progress. After a moment, Huang Tao continued casting spells. The Soul-Soothing Incense seedling grew a tiny bit taller. "Again!"

At midnight, Huang Tao squatted on the ground, somewhat bewildered, staring at the Soul-Soothing Incense plant. "What... what's going on?" he wondered. "I've been continuously casting spells on it for three hours, and yet the Soul-Soothing Incense still hasn't entered its growth stage?" If it hadn't even reached its growth stage, flowering was out of the question. At first, Huang Tao hadn't realized, but after his vital energy had been depleted several times and the Soul-Soothing Incense still grew slowly, he suddenly understood: it wasn't his lack of skill, but a problem elsewhere! "Did I pick a diseased seed? That's impossible; I clearly checked it..." Huang Tao muttered to himself, pulling at his hair. "Where exactly did something go wrong?"