Chapter 33: Assessment Concludes, On-Site Grading

News of Zong Shichang’s defeat still spread throughout the examination grounds.

Although no one saw exactly what happened, the celestial phenomena of summoned lightning and flying sand and rocks could not be hidden.

Furthermore, while he had been perfectly fine when he ran over to Zhao Xing’s side, he was limping when he returned.

If they hadn’t had a fight, he surely wouldn’t have fallen into a well, would he?

"Huang Tao and the other two joined forces and were defeated, and now Young Master Zong ran over and suffered another loss. I’m afraid Zhao Xing is a lock for the Grade A list."

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

"Zhao Grade A-Plus, I’m afraid he’s going to become Zhao Second Grade A."

"It wouldn't be surprising if we have to call him Magistrate Zhao by next year."

"To become an official in one leap, increasing one's fortune and salary—I am truly envious."

"……"

Zong Shichang’s challenge cemented the impression that Zhao Xing was "not to be trifled with."

Consequently, for the next two days, no one dared to pull the whiskers of Zhao Xing’s tiger.

Unknowingly, everyone had placed Zhao Xing in the same tier as Wen Nanxing, Li Chengfeng, and the others.

On the ninth day of the eighth month, the Start of Autumn assessment reached its final day.

Zhao Xing walked out of the Golden Bamboo Forest, quietly waiting for the assessment to end.

"A Grade A-Plus rating this time should be without suspense."

Because the effect of Earth Vein Synthesis was unexpectedly good, after cultivating the "Green Vine," "Vajra Bamboo," and "Fragrant Lotus," Zhao Xing had selected two more types of plants, both Tier 2 Mid-grade.

If not for the lack of time, he would have even liked to try the Tier 3 Heavenly Origin Pear tree.

He was satisfied, but the people around him suffered.

For three consecutive nights, Zhao Xing had utilized Earth Vein Synthesis, causing the progress of the surrounding plants to slow down.

Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze didn't manage to mature a single Tier 2 High-grade plant until the very last day.

Zhao Xing glanced at his proficiency.

【Earth Vein Synthesis: Entry-level Spell】

【Progress: 768/9999】

【Effect: Draw upon earth vein power, synthesize earth vein Qi】

"On the second and third nights of using Earth Vein Synthesis, the proficiency surged. This spell is almost at the first transition," Zhao Xing noted with satisfaction.

As time passed, although everyone didn't know what was happening, they focused more on their spellcasting, carefully locking down their Qi, instinctively resisting the influence of the Earth Vein Synthesis spell.

With resistance, the proficiency grew even faster. Zhao Xing could clearly sense how to handle the spell, so in just three days, his Earth Vein Synthesis was about to enter the ranks of first-transition spells.

"The Hour of the Dog has arrived. The Start of Autumn assessment is over. All clerks, cease spellcasting."

Chen Shijie’s voice echoed throughout the Hundred Herb Garden.

Sighs of lamentation immediately rose throughout the garden.

"What? It’s over already?"

"My Heavenly Spirit Flower was about to mature! It only needed one more hour!"

"It’s over? I wonder if I can make the Grade B list."

"So anxious."

As the voice sounded, the clouds over the planting area disappeared one after another; the wind stopped and the rain dispersed.

In their place was a larger white cloud covering the entire Hundred Herb Garden—that was the Cloud Movement spell cast by Chen Shijie.

Everyone discovered they could no longer cast spells like Cloud Movement, Rainmaking, or Wind-raising; all their Qi surged toward the cloud energy in the sky.

"Is this a Cloud Energy Domain? Chen Shijie really has some tricks up his sleeve. He is worthy of being from the Military Agricultural Office," Zhao Xing said, looking up at the sky and nodding.

Chen Shijie’s Cloud Movement had completely transcended the scope of an entry-level spell; it should be called a 【Cloud Energy Domain】.

Under his cloud layer, only Chen Shijie could cast celestial weather spells.

If that were all, normal Cloud Energy Domains could achieve this.

But Zhao Xing discovered that Chen Shijie’s Cloud Energy Domain also had a suppressive effect on other spells.

For example, his Earth Vein Synthesis could no longer be maintained the moment Chen Shijie’s voice sounded, collapsing directly.

Under the Cloud Energy Domain, everything was under his control, even the Qi was the same. At this time, even if the clerks cast cultivation spells, they couldn't land on the plants at all; everything would drift toward the sky.

So when he said the assessment was over, it was truly over; you couldn't cast spells even if you wanted to!

"No wonder he could become a chief official in his thirties. He really has some substance."

Zhao Xing made no move, waiting quietly in place for the Agricultural Supervision Office personnel to verify the results.

Xue Wenzhong was the one who set the questions, but the verifier was Chen Shijie, the chief of the Agricultural Supervision Office, accompanied by deputy officials like Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan, as well as two supervisors and recording clerks from the county government.

The verification order started from the west, heading north, passing through the south and east, and then returning to the west gate.

The examinees in the planting area were waiting anxiously.

The first to be verified was Li Chengfeng.

"Five Tier 2 High-grade Purple Fire Orchids, from seedling stage to maturity. The fragrance is mellow and rich, lingering without dissipating. The medicinal value has reached the superior level."

"Twelve Tier 2 Mid-grade Nectar Fruit trees, from seedling stage to maturity. They have flowered and fruited, the fruits are plump, and they leave a fragrance on the lips and teeth when eaten. The taste is sweet and refreshing, and the effect is superior."

Chen Shijie nodded at Li Chengfeng and then said to the people beside him, "I intend to rate him Grade A-Plus. What do you all think?"

For verification and assessment, one had to ask the other Ninth-Rank Agricultural Officials, but no one expressed opposition because Li Chengfeng was indeed excellent and deserved a Grade A-Plus rating.

"This subordinate seconds the motion."

"This subordinate also agrees."

Unanimously approved, Li Chengfeng received a Grade A-Plus rating.

The county government’s recording clerk immediately registered him in the records, including Chen Shijie’s comments.

"Thank you, my lords," Li Chengfeng said, bowing in thanks, then left the examination grounds gracefully to wait on the periphery.

For someone like Li Chengfeng, it was easy to grade at a glance because there was nothing controversial; it was straight to Grade A-Plus.

As for those who had killed their plants, it was the same logic. Chen Shijie walked over and said one sentence: "Ten seedlings and not one survives. Mediocre clerk!"

This evaluation would also be recorded in the books because clerks were not purely students; they also belonged to the category of extra-budgetary officials.

They had the possibility of becoming officials in the future.

Chen Shijie had given people the choice to withdraw. If they withdrew in time and didn't waste seedlings, at most they would have no results and could take a make-up exam.

But those who knew they lacked the ability yet held onto wishful thinking and continued to waste time in the examination grounds would receive his evaluation of "mediocre clerk."

If you lack self-awareness now and only waste a few seedlings, if you are lucky enough to govern a region in the future, wouldn't the common people suffer because of someone like you?

How many common people rely on the fields to eat!

"Wuu wuu~" The clerk who received this evaluation immediately covered his face and fled, weeping.

The other officials were not surprised; they all knew that this Magistrate Chen detested fools, and if he encountered one, he would show no mercy.

This minor clerk basically had no hope of being promoted to a regular position.

However, such phenomena were, after all, in the minority.

Most clerks would choose what they were confident they could grow, avoiding extreme situations.

Even with the influence of Earth Vein Synthesis, if you chose a common Tier 1 Low-grade plant, under the blessing of spells, you could at least keep half alive.

"Three Tier 2 Low-grade, rated Grade B-Mid."

"One Tier 2 Low-grade, rated Grade C-High."

"Twelve Tier 1 Low-grade, one Tier 1 Mid-grade, rated Grade C-Mid."

"……"

Walking and stopping, they soon verified the majority and arrived at the side of Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zhao Xing.