The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

At exactly 7 p.m., Zhao Xing arrived at the Temple Square. He quickly grasped the lightning technique, consuming the Lightning Spirit Essence. It was still not even five quarters into the Xu hour, leaving about an hour and a half until midnight.

"There's still plenty of time." Zhao Xing glanced at the sundial and planned to examine the remaining two spirit essences. Just then, through a gap in the crowd, he spotted some familiar figures.

"It's Zong Shichang. He still ended up coming to the mountain."

Zong Shichang was resting near a pillar with three others. The three men beside him had robust vitality and abundant energy, clearly experts hired by the Zong family.

As Zhao Xing's gaze swept across the area, he noticed a woman wearing a veiled hat standing in a corner of the square.

It was none other than Lu Qian, the woman who had failed to charm him and ended up getting beaten.

"Hiding your face with a hat, afraid people might see your panda eyes?"

Sensing something, Lu Qian, with her dark circles hidden beneath the veil, glanced in a certain direction.

When her gaze landed on the straw puppet, her breathing instantly grew heavier.

"It's him! He's here too!" Lu Qian gritted her teeth in anger. She could recognize that straw puppet even if it turned to ashes!

"Qianqian, what's wrong?" the woman holding a liuqin beside her asked curiously. "You're acting strange today. First, you wore a hat for no reason and refuse to take it off. Now, you seem so absent-minded."

"I'm fine, Sister Mu, just feeling a bit unwell. Please don't ask." Lu Qian didn't want to talk about her humiliating experience. She'd rather wait until the bruises faded before saying anything—her eyes were still swollen!

"There are more and more experts showing up. When I first arrived, there were only a handful of cultivators above the seventh stage of the Essence Gathering Realm."

"Now they're everywhere." Zhao Xing used the Five Element Observation to scan the surroundings, knowing that tonight's battle for the first incense would likely be a fierce one.

"I wonder how Shen Zhui is doing."

Zhao Xing had arranged to meet Shen Zhui at the Temple Square the next day to enter the temple together, but Shen Zhui had yet to show up.

The distance from the square to the temple was still significant, and with so many people around, a close-quarters fight would be dangerous for someone like the Shennong Officer.

If he could team up with Shen Zhui, they'd have a better chance.

"Forget it, I'll figure it out alone if he doesn't come." Zhao Xing had already prepared himself for a solo battle.

In the end, his strength was what truly mattered.

Refocusing his attention, Zhao Xing picked up the second spirit essence.

It was a blue lotus pod he had found in the spring water of a cave.

At the time, he had discovered four blue lotus flowers, but only one had matured and produced lotus seeds.

"How cold! Why is this lotus pod so icy?" Zhao Xing had previously let the straw puppet hold it, so he hadn't noticed. Now that he was holding it himself, he felt a chill that pierced straight to the bone.

"The coldness comes from these lotus seeds."

Zhao Xing examined the pod, noticing eight lotus seeds, each radiating a crystal-clear blue light.

Using the Five Element Observation, he immediately sensed a strong water-elemental force, but the structure was odd. Instead of a soft, cohesive energy, the force manifested in the form of ice crystals, one by one.

"Frost energy?"

Plucking a seed, Zhao Xing instantly understood how to use this spirit essence.

"A consumable spirit essence, similar to the Zhu Fruit?"

He placed the lotus seed in his mouth, chewing and swallowing it.

The coldness was like biting into ice, and Zhao Xing couldn't help but shiver.

A chill spread throughout his body, making him feel as if he were freezing solid.

The cold was so intense that even his thoughts seemed to slow down.

"Hiss~"

Unable to bear the cold, Zhao Xing quickly activated his Essence Gathering Technique. The yuan energy in his dantian surged forth like soldiers, attacking and tearing at the icy power.

Soon, his thoughts returned to normal, and Zhao Xing felt a bit warmer.

As his yuan energy fought and devoured the frost energy, it was also being consumed.

However, each time his yuan energy successfully swallowed a portion of the frost energy, it converted it into nourishment, replenishing his dantian.

Although there was a gap in power levels, the balance shifted in his favor.

Before long, his yuan energy had gained the upper hand.

At the same time, with each piece of frost energy consumed, Zhao Xing's understanding of water-elemental techniques deepened.

"So that's how it works." Zhao Xing immediately grasped the effect of the spirit essence and fully immersed himself in refining and absorbing it.

Two quarters later, the first lotus seed had been completely digested.

[You have consumed the Water Spirit Essence 'Ice Lotus Seed', increasing your yuan energy by 800 points.]

[Your affinity with water-elemental force has increased. You have gained insight into the Ice Rain Technique, increasing your proficiency by 1,000 points!]

[Your low-grade technique 'Rainmaking' has reached the eighth transformation. Your mid-grade technique 'Ice Rain' has reached the second transformation!]

"Ice Lotus Seed, a dual-purpose essence for both yuan energy and techniques—it increases both yuan energy and spell comprehension." Zhao Xing understood the essence's dual benefits.

The Lightning Stone purely enhanced lightning techniques, while the Ice Lotus Seed was a yuan-energy-and-technique hybrid essence.

"However, consuming this essence is more challenging than the Lightning Stone, and it takes longer," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The Lightning Stone purely aided comprehension.

The Ice Lotus Seed, on the other hand, required first digesting the frost energy, then gaining technique insights from it.

The former worked from the outside in, allowing Zhao Xing to enter a state akin to enlightenment through the spirit essence, thereby deepening his understanding of the technique and enhancing his mastery of lightning techniques.

The Ice Lotus Seed worked from the inside out, increasing Zhao Xing's affinity with water-elemental power, without causing any visible phenomena.

As the affinity increased, his understanding of the technique naturally deepened.

"Although the improvements are not as immediate as with the Lightning Stone, in the long run, the Ice Lotus Seed offers greater benefits."

The Lightning Stone only improved technique mastery, while the Ice Lotus Seed enhanced both technique and body.

In the future, Zhao Xing's water-elemental techniques would undoubtedly become easier to execute and far more powerful.

One essence granted instant mastery, while the other taught the method.

"Let's eat!"

Now fully aware of the difference, Zhao Xing knew how to quickly absorb the spirit essence.

The first Ice Lotus Seed had taken two quarters to digest.

But the second one took less than one quarter.

His yuan energy rapidly dismantled the unique frost energy, while his understanding of water-elemental techniques naturally grew.

The third seed, the fourth seed... the time needed became shorter and shorter.

By the time all eight seeds were consumed, the total time spent was slightly less than what was required to absorb the Lightning Stone.

However, the effects gradually diminished with each seed.

"The first seed increased my technique comprehension by 1,000 points. The second was just over 900, and each subsequent seed decreased by about 100."

"In total, it increased my water-elemental technique comprehension by 5,420 points! This is beyond my expectations!" Zhao Xing was pleasantly surprised.

The Lightning Stone had dramatically boosted his technique realm, even granting him new insights.

The Ice Lotus Seed, however, enhanced his affinity with water-elemental power, which in turn accelerated his cultivation speed.

In a short time, his understanding of water-elemental techniques had significantly increased, raising the proficiency of the Ice Rain Technique by five transformations. This showed how extraordinary the effects were!

From now on, his progress in ice-based water-elemental techniques would undoubtedly outpace that of other techniques by several times!

Of course, this only applied to the ice-based techniques within the water element.

The low-grade technique 'Rainmaking' had naturally advanced from seven to full transformation as a side effect.

"My talent in ice techniques has now become terrifyingly strong," Zhao Xing couldn't help but think.

Checking his status, he noticed that while the affinity increase was gradually weakening, his yuan energy had consistently grown. By the time he finished the eighth seed, his total yuan energy had increased by 6,300 points.

Now, he had reached 7,456 points at the sixth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm, placing him solidly in the late stage of the sixth stage.

The eight Ice Lotus Seeds had ultimately maxed out his 'Rainmaking' technique at the low level, and his mid-level technique, 'Ice Rain', had reached the sixth transformation.

Not only had his yuan energy grown significantly, but he had also gained a hidden and lasting benefit—his cultivation speed in ice techniques had multiplied several times.

"No wonder so many people rush to climb Mount Ling, especially in a year when the gates are open—people fight over these opportunities fiercely."

"For those without strong backgrounds, obtaining a single spirit essence could change their fate."

Zhao Xing looked at the increasing number of people outside, some of whom occasionally glanced his way.

If it weren't for the current 'Ceasefire' period, many would have rushed over to steal his spirit essence.

Having three spirit essences on one person was enough to make anyone envious!

However, after Zhao Xing consumed two of them, the excitement in the air had noticeably decreased.

Fewer people were eyeing him now.

"Only one remains."

Zhao Xing looked at the thin sheet of yellow paper.

Mysterious runes were inscribed on it, glowing faintly, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

The yellow paper was light and thin, but as soon as Zhao Xing held it, his eyelids twitched. "This is... the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques?"

What is the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques?

It means that as long as you press this yellow paper onto your body, any technique you wish to advance will break through to the next level!

And it will rise directly to the ninth transformation! Of course, the technique can't be higher than mid-level.

"Fortune has truly favored me. This yellow paper can elevate any mid-level technique to the ninth transformation."

"It's the strongest and rarest of the mid-grade spirit essences."

"A mountain like East Lake Mountain might not see the appearance of a Supreme Spirit of All Techniques in two or three decades, yet I've stumbled upon one?"

Zhao Xing suddenly felt like rewarding Zhou Gang and Fang Jie with a few hundred taels of silver.

They were truly his lucky stars! This stroke of fortune was too great not to repay them somehow.

"Are they nearby the Temple Square?" Zhao Xing stood up and scanned the surroundings, quickly spotting the two.

"Go."

Zhao Xing sent a straw puppet toward Zhou Gang and Fang Jie.

"Brother Zhou, how did you and Brother Fang get injured?" a friend asked with concern. "Judging by the wounds, they look like knife cuts..."

"Hmph, it was that bastard Qin Feng." Fang Jie said angrily, "He holds a grudge against us and secretly followed us. When we found a spirit essence, he ambushed us."

"What? How could he? You both are disciples of Instructor Zhang!" their friend said in surprise.

"It's true. If not for a mysterious expert passing by and helping us, we might have been killed by them..."

"Oh? Who was this expert?" the friend asked curiously.

"It was a Senior Shennong Officer." Fang Jie was speaking animatedly when he suddenly spotted the straw puppet approaching, and froze.

"It's me," Zhao Xing's voice drifted over on the wind.

"Senior, what are your orders?" Zhou Gang asked.

"Come here for a moment."

Fang Jie and Zhou Gang exchanged a glance and nervously walked over.

As they approached the straw puppet, Zhao Xing commanded it to part, revealing his true appearance.

"Sen...," Zhou Gang stared at Zhao Xing's overly youthful face, unable to finish saying "senior."

The contrast was too jarring!

They had thought that anyone who could wield Shennong Officer techniques at this level would at least be an experienced official, yet here he was, so young!

"My name is Zhao Xing. No need to call me senior. Just use my name," Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Brother Zhao, what can we do for you?" Zhou Gang's tone grew even more respectful. Zhao Xing's youth only made him more intimidating.

"As I said before, if I gained something from the cave, I'd repay you two," Zhao Xing said, cutting Zhou Gang off as he tried to speak. "Don't mention saving your lives. A promise is a promise, and I intend to keep mine."

"Now, tell me what you want."

Zhou Gang remained silent, but Fang Jie blinked and said, "If you really want to know, we'd like money."

Money?

That was tricky—who carried that much silver up the mountain?

Zhao Xing thought for a moment. He didn't have much of value to offer. The things he took from Qin Feng were worth only about twenty or thirty taels.

As for pills like the Tianyuan Pear Elixir, he needed to keep those for himself. And the Finch Feather Robe wasn't suitable either.

For a moment, Zhao Xing was genuinely stumped.

Could he promise to give them money after they descended the mountain?

Once they crossed the Forgetting Worry Monument, no one would remember anything!

Just as he was struggling to figure it out, Zhao Xing's eyes caught sight of Zong Shichang.

"Wait here for a moment. Don't move. I'll go get you the money."

The two obediently stayed put.

"I'm not aiming for much in tonight's incense battle, just hoping someone can make it into the top ten. As for Yang Junxiong's matter, you all don't need to worry. Just escort me down the mountain when it's over..." Zong Shichang was discussing something with the people around him when he noticed the change in their expressions and turned to look.

Zhao Xing, with the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques in his possession, was hard not to notice.

"Zhao Sanjia, have you finished absorbing your spirit essences?" Zong Shichang asked.

"How did you know?"

Zong Shichang chuckled. "I heard people talking as soon as I arrived. They said someone had three spirit essences. You certainly live up to the name Zhao Sanjia. I saw you surrounded by wind walls and straw puppets, so I didn't bother you."

Zhao Xing waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not talk about that. I need a favor."

"Go ahead."

"Do you have any money on you? Preferably silver notes, or any valuable jade would work."

Zong Shichang nodded. "I do have silver notes. How much do you need?"

"Two hundred taels."

"Alright." Zong Shichang didn't hesitate and handed over the money.

The man with the sword at his side couldn't hold back any longer and reminded him, "Young Master, if you lend money up here, you can't draw up a promissory note, and no one will remember it..."

The Forgetting Worry Monument would erase the memories of these days, including any means of recording what happened on the mountain. Naturally, written records wouldn't work either.

Another person was scrutinizing Zhao Xing, as if questioning how he would repay the two hundred taels.

Zong Shichang laughed. "I like him. Even if it's just for these three days, he's worth two hundred taels. No need to persuade me further."

Zhao Xing took the silver notes and waved them. "I won't take them for free. I'll repay you before we descend."

Zong Shichang smiled and said no more. Two hundred taels was nothing to him. He had brought the silver notes to the mountain precisely for spending.

"If you need anything else, we'll talk later."

"Go ahead." Zong Shichang waved him off.

Returning to Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, Zhao Xing handed them each a hundred-tael silver note.

The two men were stunned, as if they hadn't expected Zhao Xing to actually give them money.

"What are you staring at? Not enough?" Zhao Xing frowned.

"No, no, it's plenty!" Zhou Gang and Fang Jie quickly replied. "Thank you, thank you so much."

One hundred taels was enough to significantly improve their lives. Even in cultivation, with some time, they could break through another stage.

"Good. Remember, don't flaunt your wealth, and watch your words," Zhao Xing said calmly. "You may go now."

"Yes, we understand. We'll head down the mountain immediately." Zhou Gang and Fang Jie nodded emphatically.

It was clear that the silver notes weren't just a reward; they were also a bribe to ensure they kept the cave's secret.

After the incident with Qin Feng, Zhou Gang and Fang Jie were already grateful to have survived. Receiving a hundred taels of silver was an unexpected bonus, and they had no reason to seek anything more. Without delay, they left the Temple Square and headed down the mountain.

Having resolved Zhou Gang and Fang Jie's matter, Zhao Xing felt much lighter. He then pressed the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques onto his chest.

Among the mid-level techniques Zhao Xing knew were Wild Growth, Lightning Chains, Thunder Palm, Lightning Summoning, Ice Rain, and Yin Wind.

All the other mid-level techniques were already at least at the fifth transformation, so using the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques on them would be a waste.

Only Yin Wind was still at the novice level, barely mastered.

"The Yin Wind technique is definitely worth maxing out. It targets the soul, making it the bane of those with tough physiques. It can also counter techniques that influence the mind. It's one of the signature techniques of the Military Shennong Officer."

"Moreover, Yin Wind is extremely difficult to train. It's only easy to practice during the Major and Minor Cold, and Qingming festivals, or in rare cultivation sites."

"Even with other mid-level techniques, Yin Wind should be my top priority for enhancement."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes, calming his mind, and focused on the Yin Wind technique.

Gradually, the yellow paper on his chest emitted a cold sensation that spread throughout his body.

The chill extended downward, as though wrapping around his soul, pulling him deeper into an abyss.

"Woo-woo~"

A ghostly wail echoed in his ears.

Zhao Xing felt as though he were deep within the earth's veins, vividly sensing the presence and flow of Yin Wind.

At the same time, countless insights on using the Yin Wind technique flooded his mind.

His status panel refreshed continuously, showing the rapid progress of the Yin Wind technique.

Time passed slowly.

Sweat beaded on Zhao Xing's forehead, and his complexion grew increasingly pale.

When the yellow paper on his chest finally disappeared, Zhao Xing's eyes suddenly snapped open. His pupils were dark and deep, as if they concealed a terrifying storm.

"Woo-woo~" On the Temple Square, everyone felt an inexplicable chill, as though a gust of winter wind had slipped down their necks.

Zhao Xing wiped the sweat from his forehead, a slight smile forming at the corners of his lips. The Yin Wind technique had reached the ninth transformation!