The news of Zong Shichang's defeat still spread throughout the examination hall.
Although no one clearly saw what happened, the celestial phenomena of lightning strikes and flying sand and stones could not be hidden.
Furthermore, that fellow was fine when he went to Zhao Xing's side, but came back limping.
If he didn't get into a fight, he wouldn't have fallen into a well, right?
"Huang Tao and the other three were defeated together, and now Young Master Zong ran over and suffered another loss. This Zhao Xing is probably a sure bet for the A-list."
"Another strong contender has emerged this year. Alas, why isn't it me?"
"Zhao Jiasang, I'm afraid he's going to become Zhao Erjia."
"Perhaps next year he'll be called Lord Zhao."
"Once one becomes an official, one's fortune and salary increase. How I envy him!"
"..."
Zong Shichang's challenge solidified the impression of Zhao Xing as 'invincible'.
As a result, 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 others.
On August 9th, the Autumn Assessment came to its final day.
Zhao Xing walked out of the Golden Bamboo Forest and quietly waited for the assessment to end.
"This time, a High Grade rating should be a certainty."
Due to the unexpectedly good effect of Earth Pulse Convergence, after cultivating 'Green Vine', 'Vajra Bamboo', and 'Fragrant Lotus', Zhao Xing again selected two more plants, both of which were second-tier Medium Grade.
If he hadn't run out of time, he would have even wanted to try the third-tier Heavenly Origin Pear Tree.
He was satisfied, but the people next to him suffered.
For three consecutive nights, Zhao Xing cast Earth Pulse Convergence, causing the surrounding plants to progress slowly.
Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze only managed to mature a second-tier High Grade plant on the very last day.
Zhao Xing glanced at his proficiency.
"Earth Pulse Convergence: Beginner Spell"
"Progress: 768 / 9999"
"Effect: Draws the power of the earth pulse and integrates Earth Pulse Origin Qi"
"On the second and third nights of casting Earth Pulse Convergence, the proficiency of Earth Pulse Convergence greatly increased. This Spell is almost at the first transition," Zhao Xing was quite satisfied.
As time went on, although everyone didn't know what was happening, their spellcasting became more focused, carefully locking down their Origin Qi, instinctively resisting the influence of the Earth Pulse Convergence Spell.
With resistance, the proficiency increased even faster. Zhao Xing could clearly sense how to handle the Spell, so in just three days, his Earth Pulse Convergence was about to cross into the ranks of first-transition Spells.
"It is Xu Shi. The Autumn Assessment has ended. All officials, please stop casting Spells."
Chen Shijie's voice echoed through the Hundred Herb Garden.
Immediately, sighs of lament rose from the garden.
"What? It's over already?"
"My Heavenly Spirit Flower is about to mature, just one more hour!"
"It's over? I wonder if I can rank on the B-list."
"I'm so anxious."
As the voice sounded, the clouds in the planting area gradually disappeared, and the wind stopped, and the rain dispersed.
In its place was a larger white cloud, covering the entire Hundred Herb Garden. That was the Moving Cloud Spell cast by Chen Shijie.
Everyone found that they could no longer cast Spells like Moving Cloud, Spreading Rain, or Raising Wind. All their Origin Qi surged towards the cloud Qi in the sky.
"Is it a Cloud Qi Domain? Chen Shijie really has some skills. He lives up to his background as a Military Agricultural Officer." Zhao Xing looked up at the sky and nodded involuntarily.
Chen Shijie's Moving Cloud had completely transcended the scope of a beginner Spell; it should be called a 【Cloud Qi Domain】.
Beneath his clouds, only Chen Shijie could cast weather Spells.
If that were all, it would be fine; normal Cloud Qi Domains could achieve this.
But Zhao Xing discovered that Chen Shijie's Cloud Qi Domain also had a suppressive effect on other Spells.
For example, his Earth Pulse Convergence, when Chen Shijie's voice sounded, could no longer be maintained and directly dissipated.
Under the Cloud Qi Domain, everything was under his control, even Origin Qi. At this time, even if the officials cast cultivation Spells, they would not fall on the plants at all; they would all float towards the sky.
So when he said the assessment was over, it was truly over. You couldn't even cast Spells if you wanted to!
"No wonder he could become a chief official at only thirty-something. He really has something."
Zhao Xing made no moves, quietly staying in place, waiting for the people from the Agricultural Supervision Department to inspect the results.
Xue Wenjong was the question setter, but the inspector was Chen Shijie, the chief official of the Agricultural Supervision Department, accompanied by deputy officials Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, Pang Yuan, and two supervisory and recording clerks from the county office.
The inspection order was from west to north, passing through south, east, and then returning to the west entrance.
The examinees in the planting area were anxiously waiting.
The first to be inspected was Li Chengfeng.
"Five second-tier High Grade Purple Fire Orchids, from seedling to maturity, with a rich and lingering floral fragrance, and medicinal value reaching an excellent level."
"Twelve second-tier Medium Grade Nectar Fruit Trees, from seedling to maturity, blooming and bearing fruit, with plump fruits that leave a sweet, refreshing taste in the mouth, and excellent invigorating effects."
Chen Shijie nodded at Li Chengfeng, then turned to the person next to him and said, "I intend to rate him High Grade. What do you all think?"
The assessment and evaluation also required consulting the other ninth-rank agricultural officials, but no one objected because Li Chengfeng was indeed excellent and deserved a High Grade rating.
"This subordinate seconds the motion."
"This subordinate also agrees."
Unanimously passed, Li Chengfeng received a High Grade rating.
The recording clerk from the county office immediately registered it, including Chen Shijie's comments.
"Thank you, sirs." Li Chengfeng cupped his hands in thanks, then left the examination hall gracefully to wait outside.
For someone like Li Chengfeng, the rating was obvious because there was no controversy; it was directly High Grade and done.
Those who failed to grow anything, it was the same principle. Chen Shijie would walk over and just say one sentence: "Less than one in ten seedlings survived. Incompetent official!"
This evaluation would also be recorded, because officials are not purely students; they are also considered probationary officials.
In the future, they might become actual officials.
Chen Shijie had given people the option to withdraw. If they withdrew in time and did not waste seedlings, at most they would have no score and could retake the exam.
But those who knew they were incapable, yet held onto a sliver of hope and continued to waste time in the examination hall, would receive his evaluation of 'incompetent official'.
If you lack self-awareness now and only waste a few seedlings, what if you are fortunate enough to govern a region in the future? Wouldn't the common people suffer under someone like you?
How many common people rely on the fields for their livelihood!
"Wuwu~" The official who received this evaluation immediately covered his face and fled in tears.
The other officials were also accustomed to it; they all knew that Lord Chen abhorred fools and would show no mercy when encountering them.
This minor official basically had no hope of becoming a full-fledged official.
However, such phenomena were, after all, rare.
Most officials would still choose to plant what they were confident they could grow, avoiding extreme situations.
Even with the influence of Earth Pulse Convergence, if you chose an ordinary first-tier Low Grade plant, with Spell enhancement, at least half would survive.
"Three second-tier Low Grade, rated Medium Grade B."
"One second-tier Low Grade, rated High Grade C."
"Twelve first-tier Low Grade, one first-tier Medium Grade, rated Medium Grade C."
"..."
Stopping and going, the inspection was soon more than halfway done, arriving at Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zhao Xing's side.