Temple Examination Ends, Results Announced!

Zhao Xing squatted down because he wanted to use the five elements fluctuations of the Earth Vein to determine the specific time.

Like the final big question in a theoretical exam, the Five Elements can be matched with the four seasons.

The fluctuation patterns of the five elements in the Earth Vein can be used to calculate the time of day.

Although it's a small world, fragments of small worlds should also have Earth Vein.

However, the result was somewhat unexpected.

"I can't sense the Earth Vein."

Zhao Xing shook his head. It seemed that the method of using the five elements fluctuations of the Earth Vein to determine the time was not feasible.

The darkness of night obscures celestial phenomena and isolates the Earth Vein.

If neither the Favorable Timing and Location is right, then there's only one way left.

"The True Self Faction." Zhao Xing's gaze fell on the distant fields, looking at the plants, and he quickly walked over.

There was a stretch of vegetation in front of us, which seemed to go on forever.

How can we determine the time of day using the True Self Faction approach?

"Use the ' Yin Yang Five Elements True Self Scripture True Self Faction to determine the time of day."

The True Self Faction believes that there is a natural Heavenly Timing operating within each living being.

In layman's terms, it is the "biological clock," which uses the five internal organs to correspond to the five elements and the other organs of the body to correspond to the heavenly branches and earthly stems.

This theory is called the "Lesser Five Elements and Four Seasons Theory" or the "Inner Five Elements and Four Seasons Theory." As the name suggests, it is not accepted by the mainstream and is relatively niche.

Zhao Xing had not systematically studied the magic of the True Self Faction, and moreover, the internal observation of the Five Elements was not something that an official could do.

Only after studying the "Yin Yang Five Elements True Self Scripture" can one achieve this.

In other words, internal observation of the Five Elements is not feasible.

Zhao Xing searched among the plants ahead, and soon his gaze settled on one plant.

"This is a Noon Hour Grass, also known as Vitex."

Just as the human body has a biological clock, so do plants.

While it's difficult to internally observe the Five Elements, observing external objects is not so difficult.

Moreover, this was Time Grass specifically for officials to observe.

"What an unusual question! First, you have to recognize the Time Grass, and then you have to learn discernment spells to accurately judge the changes in time using the Time Grass."

"This hasn't happened in the past decade or so. Has a bigwig from the True Self Faction gotten involved this year?"

Zhao Xing made this judgment because the Twelve Hour Grass is not a 'Original Seed'.

Instead, it is a "Derived Seed" that has been artificially modified.

"Is the True Self Faction trying to demonstrate its presence among the officials through this Temple Examination?"

"They've always targeted the elite, usually winning over top students from Daoist Dao Academy and traditional academies. Now they're aiming for lower-level officials?"

"But won't you be condemned to death by all the officials in the land for doing this?"

Zhao Xing was speechless.

Because few officials in the True Self Faction can achieve anything significant, Zhao Xing only knows one basic spell, "Flourishing Growth," and one intermediate spell, "Savage Growth."

These are merely superficial aspects of the True Self Faction; they don't touch upon the core at all.

Therefore, in his view, the inclusion of the Twelve Hour Grass in the civil Temple Examination was not an attempt to gain attention.

They're here to get yelled at.

Because it's too difficult.

Identifying the Derived Seed 'Twelve Hour Grass' is a technical skill.

Furthermore, using this as a reference to calibrate the time is even more difficult, perhaps the most difficult of the five challenges.

We've overcome so many obstacles to get to this Temple Examination, and you give me such an obscure question?

"Using the Twelve Hour Grass' method to find the right time is simply... ridiculously lame." Zhao Xing couldn't help but criticize it on behalf of the other officials.

This question is just as cold as analyzing "a strange light shining in the eyes of a dead fish".

This will cause many officials who originally had a chance to perform poorly.

If you fail this test, that would be really terrible.

"Luckily, I cultivated the Five Elements Observation, otherwise I would have failed at this stage if I wasn't careful."

Zhao Xing quickly found twelve types of Time Grass and transplanted them around himself, forming a circle.

He then sat cross-legged in the circle and quickly confirmed that he was between 5:00 AM and 1:15 AM.

"Now it seems that I entered this small world at exactly 5:00 AM."

"Thunder was to break at Chenshi (7-9 AM), giving the officials only one hour to Favorable Weather."

"Whether this is the intention of the True Self Faction or not, the officials will definitely direct their venting at the True Self Faction... They're going to take the blame for this."

Zhao Xing could imagine that after the exam, there would be a bunch of officials outside the temple going crazy and yelling "Damn it!"

"Five Elements Observation".

Zhao Xing activated his magic and began to observe the "Mao Hour Grass" in front of him.

It is about one meter tall.

The grass stalks are straight, about the thickness of a thumb, and have twelve leaves.

Under the Five Elements Observation State, one can see the internal veins and the flow of Qi.

On a microscopic scale, a one-meter-tall grass stalk is divided into 7,200 equal parts.

It's like a ladder, and each rung of the ladder represents a second.

The interval between the rise of "qi" to the second section is exactly one second.

Dividing it into seven thousand two hundred equal parts makes exactly one hour.

With this kind of testing method, tell me if it's shoddy or not!

"Damn? What did you say?!" Chen Shijie suddenly sat up from his chair and looked at the clerk who had come to deliver the questions.

It has been three days since we arrived at the temple.

According to the time, all the officials have entered the small world fragment for on-site assessment.

As the chief official in Agricultural Official in Gucheng, he also received the content of the examination questions.

But after learning the questions for the on-site assessment, Chen Shijie couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and stand up.

"Using the Twelve Hour Grass to test officials' time management skills?" Chen Shijie muttered to himself. "Is it really necessary to make it so difficult? It's not like it's an assessment for the Military Sima Nong!"

Long Xiao stared at him, "You're the Agricultural Official, why are you looking at me like that... I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I didn't ask you," Chen Shijie said irritably.

"The Twelve Hour Grass is Derived Seed." Xue Wenzhong frowned as he listened. "I only saw the Derived Seed cultivated by the Shangluo Academy once, twenty-six years ago."

Tang Wanchun, Gao Linong, Pang Yuan, and others remained silent.

They had only heard of it, but had never seen it, so they didn't know much about it.

"What does that mean?" Long Xiao, a complete novice, was utterly bewildered. "Is the question a bit difficult?"

"It's extremely difficult." Xue Wenzhong shook his head helplessly. "It's easy for some promising officials to fail at this hurdle."

He began to worry about Zhao Xing.

"What's there to be afraid of? If it's going to be difficult, then it's difficult for everyone, not just Zhao Xing." Long Xiao sat back down.

"General Long doesn't understand," Xue Wenzhong said. "The on-site assessment determines everything. If you can't even pass this stage, no matter how strong you are in the previous stages, it's useless."

"This question is too obscure; it could very well lead to..."

"I don't understand what you're talking about," Long Xiao laughed, "But I think if even Zhao Xing can't pass, then there aren't many officials in the world who can. Wouldn't they rebel?"

"If it's difficult, we'll all be in it together. What's there to be afraid of? You should have faith in him."

"That makes sense." Xue Wenzhong nodded. He was so concerned that he lost his composure and was not as clear-headed as Long Xiao.

"Shangluo Academy is a gathering place for the True Self Faction. I don't know why they suddenly got involved in the official assessment this year," Chen Shijie thought to himself. "Isn't this just asking for trouble?"

"It might not have been their idea; they might have been used by someone else."

"Right now, the Earthly Advantage Faction Time Faction and location is still in control. It's better to put the True Self Faction that favors the 'true self' in a position where they'll be criticized than to shut them out."

"But it's better to be scolded than to be ignored. I heard that Shangluo Academy has been understaffed in recent years and has no successors."

Many thoughts flashed through Chen Shijie's mind.

However, he quickly dismissed these thoughts; he was now only worried about one thing.

So, is Zhao Xing able to pass the exam?

Tang Wanchun looked at the exam questions and couldn't help but smile wryly, "Forty-eight rain points? Such a light rain, and it'll take two hours to fall."

"What's the problem?" Long Xiao asked.

Tang Wanchun cupped his hands and said, "General, you may not know this, but with a rainfall of forty-eight points, if we consider the average level of the officials who have Temple Examination, it would probably be enough to make it rain in about fifteen minutes if they went all out."

"But they don't want you to use your full strength; they want you to last a full two hours."

"That would require the [Rainmaking] spell to be controlled with extreme precision in order to make it rain slowly for the full two hours."

"It can't stop in the middle, it has to rain for a long time, and it has to rain just right."

Long Xiao rested his chin on his hand and said, "For example, I can finish urinating in ten breaths, but the examiner insists that I squeeze out each drop one by one for an hour? To test my control over urination..."

Tang Wanchun's face stiffened. "Ahem, General, your words may be rough, but they make sense."

Chen Shijie glared at him. "What kind of ridiculous analogy is that? My Agricultural Official's Rainmaking magic sounds so foul in your mouth!"

"Whether it's military campaigns or governing a region, the amount and duration of rain have different effects. It's only been five years since we last coordinated; have you completely forgotten all the previous training? Or did you simply not listen to my detailed explanation back then?"

Long Xiao chuckled, "Of course not, I remember everything you said! I was just joking because you all looked so serious. Do you think I don't know what the rain does? You don't need to give me extra practice when you get back, really, you don't..."

Within the fragments of the small world.

Zhao Xing supported Cloudcalling while keeping an eye on the Noon Hour Grass.

At that moment, lightning flashed incessantly in the clouds above.

The "qi" of the Si Hour Grass has risen to the 7,190th division.

As Zhao Xing stared at it, he was also silently counting down in his mind.

"Ten, nine, eight,... three, two, one!"

"Rainmaking!"

A Golden Light shot out from Zhao Xing and reached the clouds.

Drizzle~

Raindrops began to fall.

At the same time, the stems of the Noon Hour Grass began to rise upwards from the roots.

"The Rainmaking precisely on the hour." Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, we just wait for noon to pass and for the rain to stop Wei Hour.

"There's a trick to rain; it has to rain for a full two hours, but the rainfall can only be controlled to 48 points."

Compared to setting specific times, this is not difficult at all.

Of course, that's just Zhao Xing's opinion.

The other officials probably all found it extremely tedious.

But it's normal for things to be difficult.

Otherwise, wouldn't everyone be able to pass the exam?

An hour later, the vapor in the Noon Hour Grass disappeared and seeped out from the leaves.

Immediately afterwards, the vapor in the Wei Hour Grass began to rise.

Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the ground, his heart completely unmoved.

The rainfall count is calculated from the beginning and only needs to be kept constant.

"It's very difficult for a regular clerk to pass this test and maintain consistency at all times; it's possible in the short term."

"Over time, some problems are bound to arise."

"More flexible officials won't use this method; they'll 'adjust' the spell's effects from time to time."

"I'm calculating the rainfall and making minor adjustments to the Rainmaking spell. I haven't made any mistakes so far. After my Fate Soul was enhanced, my control over my spells has improved even more," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

If he hadn't stolen the Blood Spirit Venerable's soul power, he might have considered modifying his spells to get through this ordeal.

However, after the Fate Soul is strengthened, the unity and coordination of the Seven Po are also enhanced, and the control over magic naturally becomes stronger.

Zhao Xing is now like a ruthless rain machine, unchanged from beginning to end.

The Rainmaking spell has the same effect as it did at noon. According to calculations, if the rain stops at Wei Hour, it will rain exactly 48 points.

Time passed second by second.

When the "qi" of the Wei Hour Grass rises to the last section.

Zhao Xing had a sudden thought.

Rain Art, thunder, and Cloud Method were all removed.

Stand up confidently.

"Wei Hour. Clerk Zhao Xing, your on-site assessment has been perfect. Please come to the temple in three days to await the results."

As the majestic voice rang out, Zhao Xing was instantly teleported out of the assessment space.

The next moment, he appeared outside Heavenly Heart Plaza.

He was the only one outside the square at that moment.

Because he was the first to go in, he was also the first to come out; the other fourteen people were still undergoing assessment.

"Do not make a sound, and leave on your own."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left.

The results of the on-site assessment were determined on the spot because rainfall, time of day, and other factors had accurate data and standards, making the calculations easy.

The theoretical exam is graded by people. Some essay questions can be graded higher or lower, depending on the preferences of the examiners. Therefore, it takes Heavenly Timing to complete the cross-review.

Chen Shijie and the others were already waiting outside.

Was he the first one to come out again?

Gao Linong recalled the White Dew assessment from back then and couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

But this time he dared not make wild guesses that Zhao Xing had failed.

The face I slapped last year still hurts.

"How did it go?" Chen Shijie asked. "Did you pass the on-site assessment?"

"Passed." Zhao Xing smiled slightly.

Chen Shijie and Xue Wenzhong both breathed a sigh of relief.

They were afraid that Zhao Xing would fail the on-site assessment.

After all, this question was quite obscure.

It's entirely possible that Zhao Xing will fail.

"How many points did you pass?" Chen Shijie asked.

"Perfect score," Zhao Xing said.

"What?!" Gao Linong's eyes widened immediately. "Perfect score?"

You're just bragging, aren't you?!

Tang Wanchun and Pang Yuan were also somewhat skeptical. How could you get full marks on such a question?

"It is indeed difficult to determine the time using the Twelve Hour Grass, but I have cultivated the Five Elements Observation and recognized the twelve Time Grass early on, so I put them together for observation."

"Once we can confirm the time, the subsequent thunder and rain won't be that difficult," Zhao Xing said.

"Eat something first." Xue Wenzhong brought over a food box. First came the theoretical exam, then the practical assessment. It was a grueling tug-of-war. Just thinking about it was exhausting.

"Thank you, teacher." Zhao Xing didn't Guest Qi. The small world fragments offered no replenishment, and the Earth Vein were not visible. He was indeed quite tired.

"Sit down and eat, let's chat while we eat." Chen Shijie invited him to sit down. A stage had been set up outside the temple, and they still had many questions for Zhao Xing.

How did you answer the theory questions? How many of them did you find difficult?

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "Two questions."

"Oh?" Chen Shijie's eyes lit up, Xue Wenzhong was filled with satisfaction.

Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan were somewhat shocked. You only found two questions difficult?

Tell me which two questions they are.

Zhao Xing took a sip of ginseng soup, ate a piece of chicken, and said slowly, "The question from Nanzheng, and the question from the North Sea."

Chen Shijie nodded. "The question from Nanzheng involved geographical location and the method of selecting soil according to the Five Elements and the Four Seasons, but it wasn't exactly an obscure topic. Either you didn't know it, or you couldn't answer it completely. There weren't any traps."

Zhao Xing said, "The practical application of the Earth's Monthly Extraction Method is to moisten the soil with water, control the fire, and release the essence with metal. With the power of the two Earth Vein guiding and matching, the summer soil in Nanzheng that has no spring and winter can be taken."

Tang Wanchun was taken aback. "Can't we just use water to extinguish the fire?"

Zhao Xing explained, "The summer soil in Nanzheng lacks the balance of yin and cold found in spring and winter. Its intense fire, relying solely on the Earth Vein, is insufficient to extinguish. If the soil is not moistened first and water is used directly to extinguish it, it will only fuel the fire, leaving the land imprisoned and hindering any progress."

"Only when the Earth Vein nourish the soil, and the water is weak but not exhausted, can the metal release its brilliance and allow the summer fire to return to normal. At this time, the soil can be taken and used for its purposes; otherwise, nothing can be planted."

Tang Wanchun suddenly realized, Pang Yuan seemed to be deep in thought, while Gao Linong had mixed feelings.

Zhao Xing's answer to this question alone surpassed the other three, because none of them had thought of it so comprehensively in their previous discussions, and there would have been points deducted.

In their view, Zhao Xing's answer could not possibly have any points deducted.

"What about the one in the North Sea?" Gao Linong asked.

"This question tests your understanding of phenology, official systems, the Agricultural Official, and the Divine Soldier of the Heavenly Craft Workshop. There are really a lot of traps in it," Zhao Xing said modestly. "I'm not sure I can get full marks."

Zhao Xing was certain that his answer was quite good, but it was impossible to predict the examiner's mindset. If the examiner felt that he had exaggerated in some places, it would be normal to deduct some points.

Chen Shijie didn't even ask this question. Zhao Xing's knowledge of Purple Cloud Island and the Legion Military Drill the Military Realm far surpasses that of ordinary officials, clearly indicating that he has lofty ambitions and therefore reads books on this subject. The key point is that he genuinely understands it, not just superficially.

There was nothing more to ask after that, because the last big question was exactly what they had predicted. The model essay at the time was written by Zhao Xing himself, and thanks to him, the other fourteen people from Gucheng had an advantage on this question.

"From now on, I'll have to Lord Zhao." Looking at Zhao Xing's eloquent manner, Tang Wanchun couldn't help but sigh, feeling like he was being swept away by the next generation.

"Alright, go back and wait for news. Come back in three days." Chen Shijie smiled and walked away with Long Xiao. He didn't bother to pay attention to anyone except Zhao Xing.

Three days later, Zhao Xing arrived outside the temple, where the other fourteen officials from the Agricultural Supervisorate who were participating in the assessment were already waiting.

In addition, there were many officials, clerks, onlookers, and vendors... because today was the day the list of officials to be paid was released. Not only the Agricultural Supervisorate, but also all other departments would release their lists today.

I'm going to a wedding banquet today, so I'll update two chapters first (a total of 10,000 words). The third update will be this afternoon or tonight. I'll let you know in advance.