The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"You're pulling out all my vegetables to plant a pear tree?"

"Is such a small pear tree really worth taking over the entire vegetable garden?"

"If we don't grow vegetables, what are we going to eat?"

"What? You say we'll buy vegetables every day?"

"Oh my, what kind of family do we look like, buying vegetables to eat?!"

Madam Cai stood guard at the entrance of the vegetable garden, lecturing Zhao Xing as if she were protecting a treasure.

"Madam Cai, I'll cover the cost of the vegetables. How about that?" Zhao Xing said helplessly.

"It's not about the money. I just can't bear to give up this garden. I love growing vegetables for the family myself..." she replied, a bit reluctant.

"I'll pay double the cost!" Zhao Xing offered.

Instantly, Madam Cai beamed with delight and moved aside, saying, "Go ahead, pull them all out. Do you need my help?"

"..." Zhao Xing chuckled. Her change in attitude was way too fast.

"No need for your help; I'll handle it myself," he replied.

Zhao Xing entered the garden, ready to clear space for the Heavenly Origin pear tree.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Ruide came over. After hearing Madam Cai's complaints, he frowned and said,

"You actually made Xing'er pay for the vegetables? What kind of elder does that?"

"The third household has a plot of land lying fallow. You can plant your vegetables there."

Madam Cai muttered, "He offered, not me. Besides, doesn't he eat the vegetables too? What's wrong with him contributing a little to the household?"

Zhao Ruide sighed, "You're so short-sighted. That pear tree is worth more than ten vegetable gardens. If it thrives, do you think the family will lack food?"

Madam Cai, still doubtful, asked, "A pear tree? How much could it be worth? He's paying double the cost of the vegetables, isn't he?"

"You! Such a disgrace..." Zhao Ruide pointed at her and walked away.

Madam Cai looked at her husband, then at Zhao Xing in the garden, and suddenly felt regretful. "Oh no, if that tree is really so valuable, and when Xing'er leaves for an official post someday, won't that valuable tree stay for Zheng'er? I must've lost my mind earlier…"

Her eyes shifted, and soon enough, she called for Zhao Zheng.

"Big brother, my mom said I should come help," Zhao Zheng said.

"No need. You can go play," Zhao Xing waved him off and began casting a spell.

"Rise, Wind!"

Whoosh~

A strong wind swept through, uprooting all the vegetables from the soil, flipping the earth as well.

"Wow! Big brother, you're amazing! Do it again!" Zhao Zheng clapped excitedly from the side.

"You think I'm here to put on a show?" Zhao Xing said, half-jokingly. What was this little brother thinking?

After clearing the soil, Zhao Xing re-cast the wind technique.

He transformed it into a small whirlwind that dug a large hole in the ground.

Then he gently broke the pot holding the Heavenly Origin pear tree and planted it in the pit.

"Grow strong!"

With another spell, a glow descended on the Heavenly Origin pear tree.

However, this wasn't to force the tree to mature, but to help its roots settle in and adapt to the new soil environment.

For a high-tier tree like this, transplanting was no easy task. It would take at least half an hour of continuous spellwork for the roots to fully settle.

"Big brother, that pear tasted amazing! Why didn't mom want you to plant it?" Zhao Zheng asked. He had tasted a small piece before and still remembered how delicious it was—cool and refreshing, the best pear he'd ever eaten.

"She hasn't tasted it yet, so she doesn't know," Zhao Xing replied.

"Mom really lacks vision, huh."

"Quiet!" Zhao Xing scolded, "Don't talk poorly of your mother."

"Sorry, big brother," Zhao Zheng said, pinching his ear and lowering his head in submission.

Madam Cai, once a songstress, gave Zhao Ruide a son in his old age. Had it been anyone else, they'd be flaunting it all over town by now.

Despite their family's modest wealth, she still worked hard, tending the garden and cooking—traits that made her quite virtuous.

Though she loved money, it was more of a habit than a genuine demand. She had never tried to force Zhao Xing out of the house, despite knowing he, as an adopted son, had inheritance rights. Her behavior was simply a protective front, born out of her insecurity.

Zhao Xing didn't hold any grudges against Madam Cai. In fact, he understood her well, knowing her heart was entirely focused on her own son.

"Don't let me hear you speak ill of your mother again, or I'll make sure your backside pays for it. Got it?"

"Yes, I understand," Zhao Zheng nodded, half understanding.

"I've got it. Zhao Xing's home is in Pingkang District. I've got a relative in Tongji District, just two streets away. Plenty of chances to run into him, and chatting with him casually wouldn't be suspicious. Don't worry, sir."

"Don't be too obvious," the leader of Sanwan Hall reminded him. "Just keep it casual. When you go to the East Market to sell fish, talk to people normally."

"I understand," the fisherman nodded.

"The Xuantian Sect will protect you."

"I'm ready to die for the Xuantian Sect," the fisherman said, a flicker of fanaticism in his eyes as he carried his load and walked away.

[Jingxin Calendar, Year 15, Ninth Month, 13th Day, Middle Hour, Mid-Si Period.]

[Omen of Calamity: Minor Misfortune; Spies are Watching, Troubles Lurk in Four Directions.]

"Hm?"

On his way to the Shennong Office, Zhao Xing suddenly noticed the Calamity-Repelling Almanac flip its page on its own, displaying a warning.

A moment later, the interface gave a more detailed explanation.

[You have triggered the effect of the third-grade treasure, the Calamity-Repelling Almanac. Based on your current fortune level and known information, you receive the following warning:]

[Due to your three consecutive top-tier rankings, you have attracted the attention of the Xuantian Sect. They have dispatched followers to observe and investigate you. No matter which direction you move, you will encounter potential hidden threats.]

"Xuantian Sect again?!" Zhao Xing frowned, "Why are they still around near Gucheng? Are they ever going to give up?"

"I'm not looking for trouble with you, so why are you targeting me?"

This was frustrating. Zhao Xing just wanted to develop his abilities peacefully, not get involved in unnecessary conflicts. He thought the strict crackdown on the Xuantian Sect had driven them away, but it seemed they were still lurking, now focusing on him.

"It's just a minor misfortune for now, meaning the Xuantian Sect isn't taking direct action yet, but eventually, they will. In the Jingxin Incident, what was it they were after again?" Zhao Xing tried to recall the details.

"Ah, right. They were capturing Shennong Officers across the region to cause man-made disasters. Capturing weavers and engineers was just a cover; their main targets were always the Shennong professionals."

"The Xuantian Sect is a secretive organization, but its network of followers is extensive. Their activities in Da Zhou are all about establishing a presence, planting the seeds of the sect among the people, gaining incense and faith, and preparing for the coming revival."

"In the aftermath of the Jingxin Incident, when the players pieced things together, it was revealed that their abduction operations had lasted a full ten years. For the first nine, they secretly captured and brainwashed officials, preparing them in the shadows. In the tenth year, they triggered chaos across the region, all at once. And their ultimate goal was... Yuanling Cave Heaven in Guangling Prefecture!"