The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"I actually got a Grade B-? It seems my hard work paid off after all." Chen Ziyu was delighted. Although he only achieved a Grade B-, it was still on the B list! Any progress was a good thing, considering last time he was only at a Grade C.

"You're that excited about a Grade B-?" Qian Dong didn't quite understand why his good friend was so happy.

"Getting a steady Grade B this year means I might be able to get a Grade A next year. It's all about taking it step by step. Success will come eventually," said Chen Ziyu optimistically.

Qian Dong thought for a moment and nodded. "You're right. Not everyone can progress as quickly as big brother."

Chen Ziyu clenched his fists. "Even big brother Zhao worked his way up slowly. Before he got his third Grade A, he barely got a few Bs. We just need to accumulate knowledge step by step. If not this year, then next year, or the year after. We'll have our chance."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked away.

Hearing the discussions around him, Li Chengfeng couldn't help but frown.

Others were celebrating their Grade B- achievements, but even though he got a Grade A, he couldn't feel any joy. It was because someone had surpassed him.

Ding Shan and Liang Bo weren't on the same level as him. Their Grade A didn't concern him, as they weren't in direct competition. But Zhao Xing was different. He had real potential.

"Zhao Xing… Zhao Xing… everyone's talking about him now," Li Chengfeng thought, feeling a surge of frustration. That name echoed around him so much that he felt his ears were buzzing.

He used to be the one everyone talked about, the center of attention. But things were slowly changing.

"Li brother, have you seen it?" Zong Shichang suddenly approached him.

"Seen what?" Li Chengfeng absentmindedly asked.

"Zhao's third Grade A exam paper! Chen Shijie had people transcribe it for everyone to study. They said his answers were concise and hit the nail on the head, providing insights that could be useful not just for future imperial exams but for other tests as well," Zong Shichang explained.

"And you know what? I took a look, and he really is something. There's no doubt he deserved that Grade A."

Li Chengfeng felt a mix of emotions as he listened to Zong Shichang's praise. Why was even Zong praising Zhao now?

"Zong brother, I have something to attend to. I'll be off," Li Chengfeng muttered.

"Huh? Where are you going, Li brother?" Zong Shichang called out.

But Li Chengfeng didn't respond, walking away without looking back, leaving Zong puzzled.

At the county hall, Li Wenzheng was handling government affairs when a clerk hurried over, presenting the results of the Shennong Officer's latest assessment.

"County Magistrate, the results of the Shennong Officer's White Dew exam are in."

"Oh? How many got top honors? Any of my top students?" Li Wenzheng asked casually.

"Three received Grade A: Zhao Xing, Ding Shan, and Liang Bo. None of them are under your tutelage, County Magistrate. The first two are students of Lord Xue Wenzhong, and the last one belongs to Lord Tang Wanchun," the clerk, Pang Fei, explained.

Pang Fei, who had previously delivered approval documents to Zhao Xing, was also the son of Ninth Rank Shennong Officer Pang Yuan.

Li Wenzheng mused for a moment. "Zhao Xing… that name sounds familiar. If I'm not mistaken, this is his third time getting Grade A, right?"

"Yes," Pang Fei nodded. "Last month, Lord Chen Shijie applied for a merit spot on his behalf, and you personally stamped the approval."

"Ah, now I remember," Li Wenzheng said, enlightened. "In about ten days, we'll have the winter review. Are there any promising newcomers from the Tian Gong Workshop or the Weaving Division?"

There was no need to ask about the local Shenmiao officers, as they were all under Li Wenzheng's direct supervision.

"There are. A weaving girl named Lin Baiwei made a top-tier 'He Luo' garment, earning her Grade A in the last review. And Han Bi, from the Tian Gong Workshop, solved Lord Gongsun Jin's 'Twelve Lock Mechanism.' Both have consecutively achieved top honors, with their previous grades also being Grade A."

"How old are they?" Li Wenzheng asked.

"Lin Baiwei is sixteen, and Han Bi is eighteen. Both are from local families in Gucheng," Pang Fei added, pausing before continuing. "And both come from poor households."

Li Wenzheng nodded approvingly. Pang Fei was one of his most reliable subordinates, often anticipating what information he needed.

"Since Zhao Xing just received his merit stipend, we can't provide further aid to him at the moment. But as for Lin Baiwei and Han Bi, verify their family circumstances personally. If they are indeed struggling, take twenty taels of silver from my wife and deliver it to their families," Li Wenzheng instructed. "It's the least we can do for Gucheng."

"The County Magistrate is kind. I will ensure your generosity reaches them," Pang Fei replied.

In the eastern part of Gucheng, at Sanwan Town.

The two masters of the Sanwan Hall welcomed a visit from Falcon Guardian.

"Greetings, Guardian," they both bowed, one man and one woman.

The old man dusted off the dirt from his clothes, looking as if he had just traveled a long distance—and indeed, he had.

Falcon Guardian wasn't just watching over Gucheng but was keeping an eye on the other counties of Nanyang Prefecture as well.

"Any new developments?" Falcon asked.

"Guardian, Weaving Division's Lin Baiwei created a He Luo garment and earned top honors in the latest review. Tian Gong Workshop's Han Bi solved the Twelve Lock Mechanism, also earning Grade A. As for Zhao Xing from the Shennong Office, he also got top honors, though we couldn't understand his exam answers."

"Lin Baiwei and Han Bi should be added to the capture list," the old man decided. "As for Zhao Xing… do you have a copy of his exam?"

"Yes."

The old man skimmed through the paper, then the document spontaneously combusted in his hands, turning to ash.

Falcon Guardian rubbed the ash between his fingers and blew it away. "Move Zhao Xing's rank down to fifth."

"Also, gather more information about this man. Use a few of our followers to interact with him, casually and without drawing attention. Learn his habits and personality."

"Remember, no rash actions, and do not make any moves within the city. Simply make incidental contact. The Autumn Equinox is approaching, and the government is on high alert. Even the slightest hint of suspicion could ruin everything. If you mess this up, you'll be guilty of a crime too great to atone for, no matter how many times you die."

The two leaders nodded seriously, bowing deeply. "Yes, Guardian."

In the western part of the city, within the Chen family estate, in a pear orchard.

"This Heavenly Origin pear tree has been growing for six years now. It took quite some effort to transfer it into a potted plant. Be extra careful when you plant it at home," Chen Shijie instructed.

Before him stood a small tree, about as tall as a person. It was the Heavenly Origin pear tree he had promised to give Zhao Xing.

The Heavenly Origin pear tree matures in ten years, flowering one year and fruiting the next. At six years old, it was still considered a young tree, and only after seven years would it enter its prime.

Zhao Xing used his Five Elements Observation technique to examine the tree. It was six years and ten months old—within the generous limits of what Chen Shijie had promised, without resorting to giving him a tree that was only two or three years old.

"Chen has really gone all out with this tree. He didn't try to cut corners by giving me a sapling. The man's integrity is truly solid," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"Then I won't hold back. Thank you," Zhao Xing said, using his Wind Summoning technique to lift the Heavenly Origin pear tree and head back home.