The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

With the Yin Wind Technique at the ninth transformation, Zhao Xing's confidence soared.

Originally, he didn't expect to be able to secure one of the first few incense offerings, but now, he felt he had a solid chance.

"The temple gates will open soon. Better hurry and restore my yuan energy."

Zhao Xing quickly retrieved three Essence Gathering Pills from his bamboo box and swallowed them. He then bit into a Heavenly Origin Pear, and his complexion immediately became rosy.

Once his yuan energy had recovered by half, he glanced at the sundial.

"It's already six quarters into the Hai hour. Only two more quarters left before the temple gates open."

Zhao Xing scanned the Temple Square but noticed that Shen Zhui had yet to arrive.

"I wonder what happened to him. He's even delayed for the second night of incense competition."

"Hopefully, it's something good."

On the first night, he had also skipped the incense battle, hiding in the cave to consume the Zhu Fruit and break through.

After thinking it over, Zhao Xing walked toward the other side of the square.

"Master Zong."

Zong Shichang was in the middle of a discussion with the people beside him, visibly irritated at being interrupted. But upon seeing Zhao Xing, his frown softened, and he smiled, "What happened to you? We haven't even been apart that long, and you look a bit drained."

The Supreme Spirit of All Techniques had raised Zhao Xing's Yin Wind Technique from beginner to ninth transformation, but in the process, it had consumed a large amount of his yuan energy, especially from his strength and qi essences. This burst of rapid cultivation caused significant fluctuations, making Zhao Xing appear somewhat weary.

Ignoring Zong Shichang's teasing, Zhao Xing got straight to the point, "When the temple gates open and the incense competition begins, how about you and I work together?"

Zong Shichang hesitated, his expression troubled. In a low voice, he said, "To be honest, I'm willing, but the group I've gathered will only protect me. They might not be able to guarantee your safety. Let me ask them."

Zhao Xing nodded. Zong Shichang was only at the fourth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm. If he were the one in charge during a fight, it would be too absurd.

If Zong Shichang had the final say, Zhao Xing would have turned around and left, not willing to risk his life on such whims.

Zong Shichang turned back to the group and whispered among them.

He was surrounded by about seventeen or eighteen people.

In the first tier were the three experts at the eighth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm, hired by Zong Shichang's father. Since they were paid mercenaries, Zong Shichang couldn't order them around freely. Most of their actions depended on the experts' judgment.

Zong Shichang wasn't clueless either; he knew better than to meddle in the affairs of experienced fighters.

The second tier consisted of five individuals, all at the seventh stage of the Essence Gathering Realm. These were young talents from Nanyang County, part of Zong Shichang's personal network. They had agreed to work together, but there wasn't a clear leader among them, just cooperation.

The third tier was made up of those at the fifth and sixth stages of the Essence Gathering Realm, hired with silver by Zong Shichang. These people would follow his commands.

Zong Shichang was a bit of a joker, so he had no issue with Zhao Xing joining the group.

The more, the merrier. He'd love to have everyone in Temple Square gather around him for a good time!

But he understood the stakes. He figured that the chances of Zhao Xing joining were slim, especially since Shennong Officers typically lacked combat strength, and Zong Shichang hadn't seen anything remarkable about Zhao Xing.

However, after Zong Shichang brought it up, a tall, slender man carrying four swords on his back spoke up, "Master Zong, I think we should let him join."

"Huh?" Zong Shichang was taken aback, looking at the expert his father had hired, known as Uncle Cang.

"That's right. Uncle Cang is correct," another expert, a middle-aged swordsman with a mole at the corner of his mouth, chimed in. "Young Master, you could learn something from him."

Zong Shichang was bewildered. "Uncle Cang, Uncle Hu, are you joking? When I borrowed money earlier, you both seemed reluctant."

He couldn't make sense of it and wondered if they were teasing him. First, they had grumbled about lending silver, and now they were suggesting bringing Zhao Xing along. Did they think he wasn't aware of what was going on?

"This is a different matter," Uncle Cang said with a smile. "Before he absorbed the third spirit essence, he was barely useful."

"But after absorbing the third spirit essence…" Uncle Hu, the swordsman, had a gleam in his eyes. "I actually sense a strong threat from him—one that feels like life and death."

With two out of three experts agreeing, and the last one staying silent, Zong Shichang quickly caught on and smiled. "I knew there was more to it! See, my two hundred silver taels weren't wasted after all!"

The three experts merely smiled without comment.

You knew? You didn't know anything! That was pure extravagance!

"Ahem, I'll go talk to him now," Zong Shichang said, realizing no one was going to indulge his boasting. He walked over to Zhao Xing.

"Brother Zhao, it's all set. You'll be joining us for the incense battle."

Zhao Xing had overheard the entire conversation, but he still gave a thumbs up. "Impressive, Master Zong."

"Hah, it's nothing," Zong Shichang's grin widened as he basked in the praise.

"We still have a bit of time. Want me to fill you in on who's who?"

"Sure," Zhao Xing replied, listening intently. He wasn't familiar with most of these experts.

Zong Shichang stood beside Zhao Xing and pointed toward a corner of Temple Square. "See that guy with the fan and the stern face? That's Wen Zhao, at the ninth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm. He's thirty-six and works as an official in the ceremonial department of Nanyang County."

"He's a ceremonial cultivator, especially skilled in Harmony Rites and Fire Rites."

"Last night, he secured the fifth incense."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly. He had already noticed that Wen Zhao was a ceremonial cultivator. When entering the square, Wen Zhao had burned a few of his straw puppets.

"The swordsman beside him is Zhang Boran, at the eighth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm. He's Wen Zhao's cousin, and he wields a third-tier upper-grade Tiger Ring Blade, proficient in a mid-level secret technique called Tiger Slaying Blade."

"These two make a good pair—one cerebral, the other martial."

Zong Shichang shifted his gaze and pointed in another direction. "See that guy in the straw raincoat, with the ash-gray head? That's Cao Qiushui, at the ninth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm."

"He's also a junior Shennong Officer, part of the Cao family's main branch. He's the third in rank within his family, not as strong as his eldest brother Cao Chunfang, or his younger brother Cao Wangdong."

Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "The Cao family, descendants of a true sovereign?"

Zong Shichang smirked. "Yes, descendants of Cao Xi Zhenjun, but that bloodline is over a thousand years old. Not that impressive anymore. As the saying goes, 'The weasel's descendants aren't always ferrets.'"

Seeing that Zong Shichang didn't elaborate, Zhao Xing played along. "What do you mean?"

Zong Shichang laughed. "One generation is worse than the last. The Cao family hasn't produced anyone higher than fifth rank in three hundred years, and even that was a lower tier."

Zhao Xing replied, "Can't really blame them. It's tough for noble families to thrive in times like these."

Zong Shichang nodded. "True, especially with that person bleeding the noble families dry…"

Zhao Xing waved him off. "Let's not talk about forbidden topics."

Zong Shichang fell silent, glancing around. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he pointed to the eastern side of the square. "She's here."

"Who?"

"Du Jiaojiao. See the one holding the spear? She's behind that woman with the liuqin."

Zhao Xing looked over and saw Lu Qian chatting with the woman carrying the liuqin, while a short, cute girl stood behind them.

But her spear was massive, nearly four meters long.

"I see her. She does look rather delicate. What's so funny?"

Zhao Xing hadn't finished speaking when he noticed Zong Shichang chuckling and holding his stomach.

"What's wrong?"

Zong Shichang slapped his thigh, laughing. "Her name's Du Jiaojiao, but she's anything but delicate! She's sitting down!"

"Huh?" Zhao Xing was confused.

"Don't believe me? Just wait." Zong Shichang picked up a rock from the ground and tossed it in her direction. "Hey! Sister Du!"

The rock landed in front of the three girls. Lu Qian frowned and, upon seeing it was Zong Shichang, immediately scolded, "Zong Eighteen, you good-for-nothing! What are you doing?!"

Zong Shichang waved. "Qianqian, your insults sound so sweet~ Come on, call me a couple more names~"

Lu Qian, furious, was about to charge over. "Are you asking to die?!"

At that moment, Du Jiaojiao stood up and pulled her back. "Qianqian, don't stoop to his level."

"Hmph." Lu Qian glared at him and angrily sat down.

Zong Shichang turned back. "Did you see that?"

Zhao Xing nodded. "I did. That's quite something."

Du Jiaojiao stood up, towering at eight feet tall!

She was at least two meters and forty-five centimeters, with a robust frame. Her face was cute and delicate, but she was a true "muscle-bound beauty."

"No wonder she uses such a long spear."

Zong Shichang added, "The Du family's spear techniques are famous in Nanyang County. Her father is considered the best spear user in the region. Du Jiaojiao herself knows at least three mid-level secret techniques. Last night, she secured the second incense. If she hadn't arrived a bit late, Yang Junxiong might not have won so easily."

At the mention of Yang Junxiong, Zong Shichang's tone turned cold. "Yang Junxiong, the guy who rides that bamboo horse, is the one responsible for Brother Wang's death."

"There were originally three other notable experts at the ninth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm—Hong Sihai, Dong Chuan, and Xiang Chenglin. But all three were seriously injured by Yang Junxiong yesterday and had to leave the mountain early, ending their journey."

Injuring three ninth-transformation experts? Zhao Xing was surprised. "Has Yang Junxiong already reached the ranked realm? What's his background?"

Only officials at the unranked level were allowed to ascend the mountain for three days.

However, it was possible for someone to break through during the ascent if they found an opportunity.

"I don't know," Zong Shichang replied, shaking his head. "I haven't been able to figure out where this guy came from. Nanyang County has over a hundred districts, and I can't trace his origins."

"Damn it, with how strong he is, he's probably gathered a ton of spirit essences by now. I can't take revenge on the mountain."

Zong Shichang was frustrated. Once they descended the mountain, everyone's memory would be wiped clean, leaving no recollection of these events.

Zhao Xing reminded him, "Brother Zong, if he was originally at the ninth transformation and has now gathered spirit essences, you might want to forget about revenge for now and focus on staying alive."

"You should hope he's not coming after you and that Brother Wang's death was just a coincidence."

"Forget it, let's drop the subject."

Zong Shichang, clearly agitated, opened his bamboo box. Whether it was due to the mention of Yang Junxiong or simply feeling parched, he pulled out a chilled plum drink and took a long swig.

Seeing that Zong Shichang wasn't in the mood to talk anymore, Zhao Xing silently gathered his strength, waiting for the temple gates to open.

As the final quarter of the hour before the gates opened passed, fewer and fewer people remained in the Temple Square.

Night had completely fallen, and any officials without Night Vision had already withdrawn from the square, staying far away.

While there were fewer people, the atmosphere grew heavier. Conversations became quieter, and by the time midnight approached, no one was speaking at all.

Everyone stared silently at the sundial, its needle about to move beyond the 'Ceasefire' zone.

Some couldn't handle the tension and chose to leave at the last moment.

Another third of the people in the square had disappeared.

Zhao Xing's eyes gleamed with green light in the darkness as he, too, focused on the needle.

"Dong!"

A deep bell rang from the temple ahead.

The needle of the sundial pointed to midnight!

The midnight zone bore two words: Only the Strong!

The temple doors opened, and ten golden orbs of light floated out from inside.

These were the incense offerings required to enter the temple!

The incense drifted above the Temple Square, suspended in midair like glowing lanterns.

"Move!" Uncle Cang shouted from beside Zong Shichang.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Another expert at the eighth stage of the Essence Gathering Realm, Uncle Hu, leaped into the air, attempting to snatch an incense offering.

In this first wave of incense competition, only the most confident experts dared to act.

While many others were tempted, they restrained themselves and didn't make a move.

For at the Only the Strong hour, life and death were one's own responsibility!

In the vast Temple Square, only twenty-one people dared to leap into the air, fighting for the first incense offerings.

But that didn't mean those on the ground were idle.

Just as the twenty-one experts jumped into the air, a voice echoed from the southeast corner of the square.

"In rites, harmony is most precious!"

The voice was calm and soothing, resonating in everyone's ears. For a brief moment, all were dazed.

It was as if an old scholar, crowned and wise, was advising them with earnest words.

In that instant, the battle intent of the twenty-one airborne fighters vanished. Twenty of them dropped back to the ground, some even stumbling as they landed.

"Wen Zhao!" Uncle Cang roared in frustration. He and another expert were also forced to land.

Only a silver spear sliced through the air, unaffected by the voice. Instead, it soared higher, grasping one of the incense offerings—Du Jiaojiao.

At the same time, the sound of hooves echoed from outside the square as a shadowy figure rode a bamboo horse through the air, unscathed by the voice. Arriving after Du Jiaojiao, this figure snatched an incense offering just before her and landed on the stone steps leading to the temple.

"Yang Junxiong!" Du Jiaojiao's voice was soft but brimming with fighting spirit. As she landed, she stood level with Yang Junxiong.

The stone steps could only accommodate one person at a time, and the first to reach the top would claim victory.

"Move!" Yang Junxiong roared. He, too, wielded a spear, but his was entirely red. His aura was overwhelming, as if even his bamboo horse was bathed in a layer of red light.

Even from a distance, his shout made the ears of those in the square ring painfully. But Du Jiaojiao remained unfazed.

"A mid-level secret technique, Lion's Roar?" Du Jiaojiao held her spear horizontally in front of Yang Junxiong, her eyes shining. "Telling me to move? Let's see if you have what it takes!"

While these two secured the first incense offerings, the third went to Zhang Boran, Wen Zhao's cousin. Because he had jumped late, he wasn't affected by the voice.

But after landing, he didn't dare move forward.

With Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao blocking the path, and himself only at the eighth transformation, Zhang Boran didn't dare approach.

As the third incense was claimed, the square erupted into chaos.

Wen Zhao's suppression lasted only a moment before he released it, allowing Zhang Boran to seize the chance.

"Cloud Summoning!"

Zhao Xing extended his hand, and just as the midnight hour struck, he immediately began to form a cloud, trying to envelop the entire Temple Square.

But before unleashing the Cloud Summoning, he first cast Yin Wind.

The Yin Wind swirled around him, creating a barrier, while a secondary wind technique formed a second layer of protection outside.

Thanks to his soul being tempered by the Yin Wind from the Earth's veins, and the Supreme Spirit of All Techniques making his soul incredibly resilient, Wen Zhao's influence barely affected Zhao Xing. On the contrary, it was Yang Junxiong's Lion's Roar that pierced through his wind barrier.

His delayed reaction was mostly due to the cloud technique's need for time to gather.

Almost simultaneously with the first wave of fighters landing and Du Jiaojiao and Yang Junxiong seizing the incense offerings, Zhao Xing's cloud covered the square.

He had to establish control early, or his follow-up lightning and ice techniques would be useless, and he wouldn't be able to claim any incense.

"Cloud Summoning!"

Zhao Xing wasn't the only one with this idea. Eight others in the square also tried to take advantage of the timing, hoping to secure the power of the heavens.

Only those confident in their mastery of the technique dared to act in the first wave.

The square wasn't large enough to accommodate that many clouds.

Thus, the first collision occurred immediately.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Clouds clashed, thunder roared, and Temple Square was suddenly illuminated by bright flashes of lightning.

Even Wen Zhao was taken aback. "The heavenly rites have descended into such chaos? It seems Cao Qiushui isn't the only capable Shennong Officer this time."

"Boom!"

On the western side of the square, Cao Qiushui, dressed in a straw raincoat and wearing a bamboo hat, commanded his clouds to roll like the endless river, forcefully pushing away the surrounding clouds.

In no time, the area around him had seen three people defeated.

"Brother Cao's Flowing Cloud Technique has reached the fifth transformation. I admit defeat."

"Thank you for your mercy, Brother Cao."

"Hmph, I have no excuses. I was simply outmatched."

"Thank you all for yielding!" Cao Qiushui smiled and cupped his hands toward the three.

Just as he was about to expand his cloud further to cover the entire square, he noticed that the other half of the square now had only one remaining cloud.

Zhao Xing had already dealt with his four competitors. It wasn't through overwhelming cloud control, but by sneakily sending out a wisp of Yin Wind to ambush the four.

Their soul flames were left flickering, making it impossible for them to maintain their cloud techniques.

As a result, Zhao Xing's clouds cut through and absorbed theirs, turning them into nourishment.

Thus, Zhao Xing's low-level Cloud Summoning was no weaker than Cao Qiushui's mid-level technique.

"What's happening? Why is my cloud out of control?"

"Who's attacking me from the shadows?!"

"Damn it!"

Curses rang out from four spots around the square.

"Zhao Sanjia, how did you…" Zong Shichang couldn't believe his eyes as he looked up at the clouds overhead.

He had no idea Zhao Xing was so powerful, able to raise his clouds ahead of so many experts and defeat four other Shennong Officers.

"Such incredible control! How is his cloud technique able to devour others' clouds?" Uncle Cang and Uncle Hu, having landed after the initial attempt, were surprised by Zhao Xing's actions.

They hadn't expected much from Zhao Xing, certainly not in the first round of incense competition.

"He's using the same technique again. During the assessment, his clouds devoured Huang Tao's clouds and turned them into his own…" Zong Shichang was getting excited.

Ignoring everyone's astonishment, Zhao Xing quickly controlled his clouds, absorbing the defeated clouds and gathering strength. He took advantage of Cao Qiushui's moment of pride and charged forward.

"Boom!"

Thunder boomed again, and Zhao Xing's clouds lost a fifth of their mass.

But they swiftly reabsorbed more, demonstrating his incredible control.

Although Cao Qiushui's clouds had the upper hand in the collision, their flow was disrupted.

Despite the passive collision, it shocked everyone because Cao Qiushui was using a mid-level Flowing Cloud Technique, while Zhao Xing was merely using a low-level Cloud Summoning.

"Huh? Another expert?" Cao Qiushui glanced in a certain direction, surprised.