Chapter 33: Assessment Completed, On-Site Rating

The news of Zong Shichang's defeat still spread throughout the examination grounds. Although no one clearly saw what exactly happened, the meteorological phenomena like lightning strikes and flying sand and stones could not be concealed.

Furthermore, that fellow went to Zhao Xing's side perfectly fine but came back limping. He couldn't have just fallen into a well; it must have been a fight.

"First, Huang Tao and his two companions were defeated when they teamed up," someone remarked. "Now, Young Master Zong went there and also suffered a loss. This Zhao Xing is likely a definite top-tier candidate."

"Another strong competitor has emerged this year. Sigh, why isn't it me?"

"Zhao, who's sure to get an 'A' grade, might soon be known as 'Zhao the official'."

"Maybe next year, we'll have to call him Lord Zhao."

"Once one becomes an official, their fortune and emoluments increase. It's truly enviable."

"..."

Zong Shichang's challenge cemented the impression that Zhao Xing was 'unbeatable'. Consequently, for the next two days, no one dared to provoke Zhao Xing. Unbeknownst to them, everyone had already placed Zhao Xing on the same level as Wen Nanxing, Li Chengfeng, and the others.

August 9th marked the final day of the Beginning of Autumn assessment. Zhao Xing emerged from the Golden Bamboo Forest and quietly waited for the assessment to end.

"This time, an 'A' grade should be a given," he thought.

Due to the unexpectedly good effect of 'Earth Vein Synthesis', after successfully cultivating 'Green Vine', 'Vajra Bamboo', and 'Fragrant Lotus', Zhao Xing selected two more plants, both of which were second-tier middle-grade. If there hadn't been insufficient time, he would have even tried cultivating a third-tier Heaven Origin Pear Tree.

While he was pleased, it was tough for those nearby. For three consecutive nights, Zhao Xing performed Earth Vein Synthesis, which caused the progress of the surrounding plants to slow down. Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze were only able to make one second-tier high-grade plant mature on the very last day.

Zhao Xing glanced at his proficiency.

Earth Vein Synthesis: Novice spellProgress: 768/9999Effect: Draws on the power of earth veins, synthesizes earth vein essence.

"On the second and third nights of performing Earth Vein Synthesis," Zhao Xing mused, "the proficiency of Earth Vein Synthesis greatly increased. This spell is almost at its next stage." He was quite satisfied.

As time went on, although the others didn't know what was happening, they became more focused on their spellcasting, carefully locking down their vital energy and instinctively countering the effects of the Earth Vein Synthesis spell. With the resistance, his proficiency increased even faster. Zhao Xing could clearly sense how to handle the spell, so in just three days, his Earth Vein Synthesis was about to advance to the next stage of spells.

"The Xu hour has arrived," Chen Shijie's voice boomed. "The Beginning of Autumn assessment is over. All clerks, please cease your spellcasting."

Chen Shijie's voice echoed throughout the Hundred Herbs Garden. Immediately, sighs of lamentation arose throughout the garden.

"What? It's over already?"

"My Heavenly Spirit Flower was about to mature! Just one more hour!"

"It's over? I wonder if I'll make the 'B' list."

"I'm so anxious."

As the voice resounded, the clouds in the planting area gradually disappeared, the wind ceased, and the rain dispersed. In its place was a larger white cloud covering the entire Hundred Herbs Garden; it was Chen Shijie's 'Traveling Cloud' spell. Everyone found that they could no longer cast spells like 'Traveling Cloud', 'Rain Dispelling', or 'Wind Raising', as all their vital energy surged towards the cloud energy in the sky.

"Is it a cloud-essence domain? Chen Shijie really has some skills; he's truly worthy of being from the Military Agriculture Department." Zhao Xing looked up at the sky and nodded involuntarily.

Chen Shijie's 'Traveling Cloud' spell had completely surpassed the scope of a novice spell; it should be called a cloud-essence domain. Under his cloud, only Chen Shijie could cast weather spells. If that were all, it would be fine, as normal cloud-essence domains could achieve that. But Zhao Xing discovered that Chen Shijie's cloud-essence domain also had a suppressive effect on other spells. For example, when Chen Shijie's voice rang out, his Earth Vein Synthesis could no longer be maintained and directly dispersed.

Under the cloud-essence domain, everything was under his control. Even vital energy was affected; at this point, even if the clerks performed cultivation spells, the effects would not reach the plants, as all vital energy would drift towards the sky. So when he declared the assessment over, it was truly over; you couldn't even cast a spell.

"No wonder he could become a chief official in his thirties," Zhao Xing mused. "He really has some capabilities."

Zhao Xing made no moves, quietly standing in place, waiting for the officials from the Ministry of Agriculture to inspect the results.

Xue Wenzhong was the one who set the examination, but the assessor was Chen Shijie, the chief official of the Ministry of Agriculture. He was accompanied by sub-officials like Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan, as well as two supervisory and recording clerks from the county office.

The assessment began from the west, heading north, then proceeding through the south and east, before returning to the western entrance. The candidates in the planting area waited anxiously.

The first to be assessed was Li Chengfeng.

"Five second-tier high-grade Purple Fire Orchids," Chen Shijie announced. "From seedling to maturity, their fragrance is rich, mellow, and lingering, and their medicinal value has reached an excellent level."

"Twelve second-tier middle-grade Jade Nectar Fruit Trees, from seedling to maturity, have flowered and borne full, plump fruits. Eating them leaves a fragrant taste in the mouth; the taste is sweetly refreshing, invigorating, and clears the mind. Their effects are excellent."

Chen Shijie nodded at Li Chengfeng, then turned to those beside him and said, "I intend to grade him 'A-plus'. What do you all think?"

For assessment and evaluation, the other ninth-rank agricultural officials also needed to be consulted, but no one objected, as Li Chengfeng was indeed excellent and deserved an 'A-plus' rating.

"This official concurs."

"This official also agrees."

Unanimously approved, Li Chengfeng received an 'A-plus' rating. The recording clerks from the county office immediately registered it in the records, including Chen Shijie's comments.

"Thank you, esteemed officials," Li Chengfeng said, cupping his hands in thanks. He then gracefully left the examination grounds to wait in the outer area.

For someone like Li Chengfeng, the assessment was straightforward; there was nothing debatable, and an 'A-plus' was immediately assigned, completing the process. As for those whose plants died, the same principle applied. Chen Shijie would walk over and say, "Fewer than one in ten seedlings survived. Incompetent official!"

This evaluation would also be recorded because clerks were not merely students; they were also considered unranked officials. They could potentially become full officials in the future.

Chen Shijie had given people the option to withdraw. If they withdrew in time and didn't waste seedlings, at most, they would have no score but could take a make-up exam. But those who knew they were incompetent, yet held onto a glimmer of hope and continued to waste time in the examination grounds, would receive his 'incompetent official' evaluation.

"Now you lack self-awareness and only waste a few seedlings. If you are lucky enough to govern a region in the future, won't the common people suffer because of people like you? So many common people depend on the fields for their livelihood!"

"Wuwu~" The clerks who received this evaluation immediately covered their faces, wept, and fled. The other officials were not surprised; they all knew that Lord Chen abhorred incompetents and would show no mercy when encountering them. This junior clerk basically had no hope of becoming a full official.

However, such phenomena were ultimately rare. Most clerks would still choose plants they were confident they could cultivate successfully, so extreme situations would not occur. Even with the influence of Earth Vein Synthesis, if you chose an ordinary first-tier low-grade plant, at least half would survive with spell enhancement.

"Three second-tier low-grade plants, rated 'B-minus'."

"One second-tier low-grade plant, rated 'C-plus'."

"Twelve first-tier low-grade plants, one first-tier middle-grade plant, rated 'C-minus'."

"..."

Stopping and going, they quickly assessed most of the candidates and soon arrived at Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zhao Xing's section.