The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"Fourth, scoring standard: Producing 1,000 jin of [Second Rank Supply] per day will earn a base score of 100 points. The higher the supply rank and quantity, the more additional points will be awarded."

"Fifth, the Shennong may obtain regular food for themselves, but they are prohibited from using medicinal pills or treasures outside of the standard equipment."

"Sixth, the [Supply Training] will last for one month, with rankings determined by the final score."

When the new essential training course was announced, the members of Shennong Division were a bit restless.

This type of [Supply Training] was something many had encountered in their former military posts, but this version seemed significantly more challenging.

"To produce a thousand jin of Second Rank food in one day? That means we must use Second Rank plants. This is way too difficult!"

"Factors like Heaven and Earth have a huge impact, and the environment is random. Who knows what kind of harsh environments we'll face?"

"It shouldn't be too extreme, right? If we encounter something like a 'Five Suns Overhead' scenario, with rampant ground fire and no water available, how could anyone grow anything?"

"Being eliminated after half a month with no food? Well, if you don't provide any food for half a month, the soldiers will probably be skin and bones by then, and there'd be no fighting power left."

Listening to the details of the second essential training, Zhao Xing was not particularly surprised.

"'What I plant, you eat'—this is a classic training course for military Shennong."

Farming was the primary duty of the military Shennong.

Military Shennong had to not only know how to farm but also meet stringent standards.

Considering the vast territory of Great Zhou, relying on transporting food from the rear was simply not feasible.

Who could sustain a supply line tens of thousands of kilometers long?

Moreover, ranked martial artists had an astonishing appetite, and if they couldn't grow food on-site, relying solely on transportation would be unsustainable.

Having military Shennong was like equipping the army with mobile granaries! Food production for battle is a secondary concern—the real issue is ensuring that soldiers are fed.

"A military Shennong only needs to carry a box of Vajra Bamboo, and if the environment is suitable, one Shennong can feed an entire army."

"But the environment won't always be suitable, and supply training is meant to test the Shennong's ability to produce food under various conditions," Zhao Xing pondered. "This supply training is likely to be a comprehensive test."

Given the mention of Heaven and Earth factors, their influence would undoubtedly be significant.

"In half a month, I need to quickly master a seasonal command technique. Additionally, I need to learn the plant-based version of Earth Consolidation from the Earth School."

During the [Martial Arts Training], Zhao Xing had been continuously studying the three great secret arts. His progress was steady but not fast, due to limited time and energy.

While Shennong Division was being briefed on their essential training, over at the martial artist camp, similar instructions were being given.

"The second essential training is called [Environmental Training]!"

"You will be thrown into various environments, including high-temperature zones, miasma regions, and freezing areas… In these different environments, you must maintain high-intensity physical training."

"During this process, you must also focus on practicing the [Devouring Technique]."

"Along with this, there will be rapid-eating training, where your food will be provided by the Shennong."

"I'll be blunt—the food the Shennong produce will mostly be extremely unpalatable, or even mildly toxic. But this is precisely when you'll train your [Devouring Technique]!"

"On the battlefield, there won't be much time to eat, and sometimes, for the sake of survival, you'll need to eat toxic or hard-to-digest food. But by doing so, you'll still restore your strength and energy faster than your enemies. Even if there are side effects or residual toxins, they can be treated by physicians afterward!"

"So you must eat the food provided by the Shennong quickly and in large quantities. The more you eat, the faster you recover, and the longer you endure—this is how you'll be graded in rapid-eating training!"

The martial artists below turned into a collective of bitter expressions.

Training in harsh environments was one thing, but now even eating had become part of the training?

Although the [Devouring Technique] allowed one to eat toxic food without immediate harm, the process was bound to be unpleasant.

"Heaven's justice may grind slowly, but it grinds finely."

"We just spent a month beating up the Shennong, and now it's their turn to make our lives miserable."

One of the shorter martial artists paled. "Damn, my [Devouring Technique] is only at the first level. Am I going to die from the poison? Will all the food the Shennong provide be toxic and hard to digest? Won't there be anything normal?"

"Didn't you hear the instructor? It's very clear. If you're only at the first level, you're in trouble."

"Bro, you better spend the next half month doing nothing but practicing your [Devouring Technique]. If you have points, buy treasures to level it up fast. If you don't have points, borrow some from a brother in the army. Otherwise… you're going to suffer."

Sympathetic gazes turned toward the short martial artist.

The short man grimaced. "Great Zhou isn't like it was during the reign of Taizu. Resources have become abundant, and the [Devouring Technique] is no longer a mandatory skill in the regional armies. Who could have predicted this? What level are you all at?"

"I'm at the second level, but even at level two, I'm way better off than you," said a tall martial artist. "At level two, my digestion and detoxification abilities have greatly improved, and my ability to absorb the energy from food has increased too."

"I'm at level four. Among the reservists, that's considered top-tier. It's partly why I was accepted into the Black Tortoise Division," said another, a bald martial artist with prominent cheekbones.

The others immediately cast envious glances.

But the bald man gave a wry smile. "Don't envy me too much. Do you know how much I suffered to reach the fourth level?"

"[Devouring Technique] is notoriously difficult to practice. To join the Hujiao Army, I trained to the fourth level with the mindset that I might die."

"I nearly did die. When our general smashed through my door and dragged me to a physician, my intestines were perforated, my teeth had all fallen out, and I was bleeding from every orifice."

"It all happened because I slightly misjudged the dosage of an auxiliary ingredient during practice, causing severe complications."

"Though I eventually reached the fourth level, I ended up with permanent scars and can't grow hair. It will take reaching the sixth rank before I can fully recover."

As he reminisced, the bald martial artist sighed.

"Damn, man, you're hardcore. You burned out your intestines and still made it into the Black Tortoise Division. Mad respect," said a nearby soldier, giving him a thumbs-up.

"With a Black Tortoise Shield on your back and [Devouring Technique] inside, who can stop you?"

"Damn it, I'm going to go practice right now!" the short martial artist gritted his teeth and hurried away.

Xier County, Shenwei Army Camp

Inside the military command hall:

"Whoosh!" A letter ignited in the fireplace, and a thick hand retrieved it.

"Old Chen, a letter came in," Long Xiao called out to his companion.

"Why are you shouting? Just open it and read it," Chen Shijie replied.

Long Xiao tore open the letter and immediately exclaimed, "Ho! Zhao Xing is progressing fast! He's already built the Heaven-Earth Spiritual Bridge and reached the Eighth Rank!"

"Hmm? He's also mastered three soundwave techniques, including the [Kui Niu Thunder Roar], which is at the seventh transformation? And he even eliminated the martial genius Fu Ying once? Excellent!"

"Let me see," Chen Shijie said as he walked over and took the letter. It contained a report on Zhao Xing's training in April, but it wasn't Zhao Xing who had written it—it came from a school captain stationed in the cave-heaven on behalf of the Shenwei Army.

"Soundwave techniques, [Kui Niu Thunder Roar] at the seventh transformation? Where did this kid get so many points to train?" Chen Shijie asked. "Even with top-level resources, that shouldn't be enough to afford all the auxiliary materials."

"Well, his mentor is Lord Tian, who's famous for being wealthy. Didn't you notice that?" Long Xiao laughed.

"Oh, true," Chen Shijie nodded, realizing. "It seems Lord Tian provided some extra support."

"Looks like you'll have to put in more effort," Long Xiao teased. "This kid's talent might surpass yours. Don't let him outshine you in training."

"If he surpasses me, I'd be thrilled!" Chen Shijie laughed. "That would just mean another great general for Lord Tian."

Fuchun Garden

The day after the first essential training ended, Zhao Xing made his way to Lord Tian's Fuchun Garden.

"You performed well last month. Both Shennong Division and the martial divisions have had nothing but praise for you."

"I'm quite pleased with your progress. I didn't expect you to improve so much in such a short time. I only gave you five [Hundred Beast Throat Pills] and [Earth Fiend Lung Refining Pills], and you managed to push the [Kui Niu Thunder Roar] to the seventh transformation," Lord Tian smiled, giving rare praise to Zhao Xing.

Though Lord Tian was a generous and kind teacher, he was also quite strict. Zhao Xing had come to seek guidance from him several times over the past month, but praise had been rare. Now, hearing this, Zhao Xing knew his teacher was truly pleased.

During the month-long [Martial Arts Training], Zhao Xing had advanced his soundwave techniques to a high level, earning recognition from the higher-ups and becoming the subject of frequent discussion.

As his mentor, Lord Tian was naturally proud.

"You flatter me, teacher. I've spent quite a few points and relied heavily on external resources to push the [Kui Niu Thunder Roar] to the seventh transformation," Zhao Xing said modestly.

"I know," Lord Tian nodded. "You spent points, but so did others. All the top-level talents receive roughly the same resources. I gave you gifts, but other students' mentors did the same."

"But the fact that you chose to train the [Kui Niu Thunder Roar] shows that you're not afraid of hardship, and your talent is exceptional."

Zhao Xing listened quietly.

"Don't be overly humble. If you've done well, then you've done well," Lord Tian said. "Now, how confident are you about maintaining your top twenty-one ranking in the upcoming [Supply Training]?"

"I have some confidence," Zhao Xing replied.

He couldn't be completely certain, as he didn't know what variables would arise. The environment and conditions were random, and while he hadn't yet mastered the Seasonal Command or fully learned the plant-based Earth Consolidation technique, he couldn't make any guarantees.

Among the twenty-one top-level talents, he was the youngest, lacking both local experience and time to study the three great secret techniques thoroughly.

"Don't overexert yourself. I'll provide you with another 30,000 points worth of resources," Lord Tian smiled.

"Teacher, will that be…?" Zhao Xing was surprised. He wasn't sure if such special treatment would be looked upon favorably by others.

"Your situation is a bit unique," Lord Tian explained. "I've discussed this with the lords of the Earth School, and we've also gotten approval from Elder Fan Zhaoli."

"You were only just promoted from a clerk to an official and immediately selected for training. Even with your weak foundation, you managed to pass the fourth checkpoint."

"Those in the Heaven School, like Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming, may not have recognized your talent, but I'm not blind."

"That's why giving you an extra 30,000 points is nothing to worry about."

Hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, teacher, for your guidance."

Lord Tian nodded. "As long as you maintain your top-level status, I'll continue to support you. If you slip, even I will have a hard time explaining it to the higher-ups."

"Keep in mind—you must maintain your position among the top twenty-one out of over ten thousand reserves."

"You can't afford to slack off. There are plenty of people eyeing that top twenty-one spot, waiting to knock you out."

"I understand," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Good. Now go and prepare for the [Supply Training]."

"Yes, teacher, I'll take my leave."

June 7th, Eighteen Trees of Willow Courtyard

"Clop, clop, clop!"

Gao Ming came galloping in on his bamboo horse.

"Aah!"

Gao Ming let out a shout and then sped off into the distance.

Hearing the noise, Zhao Xing opened the courtyard door and stepped outside, only to see the dust kicked up by the bamboo horse.

"That Gao Ming is getting lazier and lazier," Zhao Xing muttered.

At first, Gao Ming would deliver packages to the door, saying, "Zhao Xing, your goods have arrived, I've left them at the door!"

Then it became: "Your stuff's at the door."

Followed by: "At the door."

And now today, it was just: "Ah!"

"He's lucky there's no rating system, or he'd be getting a bad review," Zhao Xing chuckled as he carried the box inside.

This package wasn't something Zhao Xing had purchased—it was a gift from Lord Tian.

The box contained 30,000 points worth of resources, specially allocated to cover Zhao Xing's weaknesses.

The first treasure was a Heaven-related item—a set of [Gale Stones].

These stones were mined from the Gale Mountains of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven Realm.

Zhao Xing's proficiency in the Yang Wind technique had always been lacking, with his [Minor Nine Heavenly Gale] technique still stuck at the third transformation.

"Yin wind, Yang wind, Yin thunder, Yang thunder—the Seasonal Command technique requires mastery of both yin and yang in the Five Elements. If I want to master the Seasonal Command, I need proficiency in all four techniques."

The fourth-rank Gale Stones were relatively cheap, costing only 2,000 points each, and Lord Tian had bought eight of them.

"Aside from clouds, which don't have a yin-yang distinction, rain techniques do as well."

"My Ice Rain can turn water into ice, freezing an enemy's blood—it's essentially a yin-based rain technique."

Rain typically nourishes all life, but Zhao Xing's Ice Rain was a deadly, offensive skill. His repertoire now leaned heavily toward attack techniques, while his supportive ones lagged behind.

"However, I have some natural talent in water-based techniques. Last month, I gained insights from the Rainwater Diagram and learned an intermediate technique called [Fine Rain], which I've practiced up to the sixth transformation."

"Paired with the second gift from my teacher, valued at 10,000 points, it should help me break through further."

The second treasure was a four-rank superior item called the "Spirit of Spring Rain," stored in a crystal box.

The third gift was a four-rank superior scroll of teachings, specifically on the plant-based version of [Earth Consolidation], valued at 4,000 points.

With these three treasures, Zhao Xing's progress in his techniques improved quickly.

By June 8th, his [Earth Consolidation · Plant] technique had reached the seventh transformation.

The plant version of Earth Consolidation shared commonalities with the human-based version, especially in terms of utilizing the earth's veins.

Since Zhao Xing already had a foundation with the basic [Earth Vein Consolidation] technique, and with the help of the instructional scroll, he immediately advanced to the seventh transformation.

At the eighth rank, the goal was to expand the breadth of one's techniques. Once a technique was mastered, similar techniques could be learned rapidly.

With the aid of these treasures, his progress came easily.

By June 9th, Zhao Xing used the "Spirit of Spring Rain." A gentle rain fell from above, washing over him for twelve straight hours, allowing him to fully comprehend the mysteries of the Yang Rain technique.

His [Fine Rain] technique also advanced from the sixth to the ninth transformation.

From June 10th onward, Zhao Xing carefully planned out his daily training regimen.

"Starting today, I'll practice the [Minor Nine Heavenly Gale] technique for one hour each day with the help of the Gale Stones."

"Then I'll spend another hour practicing [Earth Consolidation]."

"I'll devote two hours to the [Wild Growth] technique."

"Finally, I'll spend four hours at the Heaven School, studying the Seasonal Qi Diagram."

"I'll use the remaining two hours to work on auxiliary techniques."

With ten hours dedicated to training daily, Zhao Xing spent the remaining two hours reviewing and analyzing his progress. If a technique wasn't progressing, he could quickly sense that he was on the wrong path and adjust accordingly.

As for rest? With the help of the [Sleep Bug] technique, one hour of sleep sufficed.

Time flew by as Zhao Xing immersed himself in his training.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

June 22nd, Early Morning

Boom!

The familiar sound of drums echoed through the air.

Zhao Xing was jolted awake from his sleep.

The second essential training course had begun.

This time, however, there was no need for travel. Everyone was to gather at the Earth School.

In the plaza of the Earth School, fifty Flowing Cloud Boats were docked.

It seemed that each boat's cabin was already filled with people.

Using his Five Elements technique to sense the surroundings, Zhao Xing could feel the strong, vigorous energy within each boat. Clearly, these were the martial artists assigned to each team.

"Out of the fifty Shennong from the Earth School, you'll be randomly assigned to one of the boats. Once selected, you will proceed to the training location," Fan Zhaoli announced. "Board the boats quickly!"

Zhao Xing casually jumped aboard a Flowing Cloud Boat marked with the number 1 and entered the cabin.

"Hmm?"

The moment he entered, he saw the ten martial artists inside.

Several familiar faces stood out.

"Chen Fang, Hu Bing, Zhang Jie… hmm?"

His gaze finally landed on one particular person—handsome, with slightly upturned brows exuding confidence and calm, and a deep, penetrating gaze.

Zhao Xing knew this man all too well. It was none other than Xia Jing, who had knocked him down several times during the last essential training.

"Xia Jing, it's you!" Zhao Xing grinned, flashing a smile.

"Indeed, it's me," Xia Jing replied, seeing Zhao Xing and letting out a wry smile.