Chapter 30: The Fifth Scarecrow Technique, Mighty Golden Steel

Though the two were startled, they had no choice but to sit down, not daring to disrupt the examination order. However, they couldn't help but worry in their hearts. If this continued, their students might suffer a hidden loss!

"The Earth Vein Comprehensive Source is highly concealed. Even I only noticed it on the second day. Xiao Ze is probably still in the dark," Tang Wan Chun thought to himself. "Zhao Xing, what a Zhao Xing. The old Sinoong's words were not false; he truly has superior insight."

The Earthly Advantage Sect's Magic Arts are the most difficult to learn among the three types of Magic Arts. The Heavenly Timing Sect's Magic Arts involve celestial phenomena, which can still be seen, heard, and sensed. The Earthly Advantage Sect's Magic Arts involve earth veins, feng shui positioning, and array deployment, even requiring tools, making them extremely complex.

Not to mention other aspects, the earth veins are deeply hidden underground, making it difficult to utilize them. The Earth Vein Comprehensive Source, although a beginner's Magic Art, is more challenging than many intermediate Magic Arts. The Heavenly Timing Sect thrives because the other two sects' Magic Arts are harder to master.

Even the Sinoong officials who have entered the sect have limited mastery of the Earthly Advantage Sect's Magic Arts, let alone proficiency.

"What a pity, Bai Bai is stuck under Xue Wen Zhong," Pang Yuan also felt some regret in his heart. "Xue Wen Zhong is getting old. What can such a good student do? It would be better if I taught him, and he could have a future in the officialdom."

Gao Linong said nothing, feeling a bit of schadenfreude. His students, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang, were unaffected and performed at their expected level. As for other officials' students? Naturally, the worse their results, the better.

Even the Sinoong officials who entered the sect spent considerable effort to distinguish the situation, while the lower-ranking officials were even more confused. Adding to this, the Earth Vein Comprehensive Source's subtle influence made everyone's methods return to normal, leaving those affected with muddled minds.

"Could it be that choosing plants that grow at night is seen as opportunistic and receives special treatment?" Huang Tao looked at the dead plants before him, his eyes red.

His friend Ma Wu also wore a bitter expression: "If that's the case, why offer these seeds for us to choose? Isn't this just playing us for fools?"

Huang Tao couldn't help but curse in a low voice: "Damn Chen Shijie! I've had bad luck for eight generations, being selected under his hand."

The two squatted in the seedling area, discussing, which immediately attracted the attention of other officials. Because Chen Shijie usually liked to make articles on exam questions, to put it bluntly, he enjoyed making things difficult for people.

"Brother Huang is right. Chen Shijie is known for these antics. Last time during the minor summer exam, he did the same thing."

"He even specially brought a bird from West Mountain. Is this something a person would do?"

"I changed seeds once, twice, and thrice, and after a night, not a single grain was harvested!"

"No mistake, that damn West Mountain bastard!"

Once the topic was opened, the victims immediately joined in, venting their grievances against Chen Shijie. Mainly, this Great bastard always acted like this. Although the questions were issued by Xue Wen Zhong, no one believed that the kind old Sinoong would come up with such a trick to trouble them. This change must have been arranged by Chen Shijie! Even if the Heavenly King himself came, it was him!

Was anyone suspicious of Zhao Xing? Yes, there were. Huang Tao, turning back to his planting area, looked at the golden bamboo forest, feeling a bit doubtful.

"Could someone have used the Earthly Advantage Sect's Magic Arts, causing my seeds to yield nothing?"

"Could it be him?" Huang Tao glanced northward at the Seven Stars Sword Cloud and Tiger Head Cloud: "Or perhaps them?"

"Forget it, thinking too much is useless." Huang Tao shook his head. Even if it were true, what could he do? He couldn't fight them, and he couldn't talk them to death.

"This batch of officials is too weak. To speed up the maturity of the Diamond Bamboo, I've already applied tenfold effectiveness in secret, yet no one dares to confront me?"

"It's really been a long time since I've seen such peace," Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. The Sinoong he had seen in the past, aside from the players, were all capable and daring individuals. They all had a strong, fearless spirit, without which they couldn't survive the terrifying Natural Disasters and chaotic eras.

But this period was different. Except for the border counties and military Sinoong, most of the inland Sinoong gave him a weak impression. Of course, Chen Shijie was an exception. He still matched Zhao Xing's taste.

"There's no need to guard against the mediocre talents below the First List. They can't compete and don't dare to compete. Those who have won Jia multiple times still need to be guarded against," Zhao Xing surveyed the surroundings and began cutting the branches of the Diamond Bamboo.

He always did things with preparation, which didn't conflict with daring to compete. Since he dared to use the Earth Vein Comprehensive Source, he was prepared for retaliation.

Zhao Xing had already prepared the materials when the Diamond Bamboo matured, and began making scarecrows.

"Currently, I know four types of scarecrows: Divine Action, Entanglement, Thorns, and Duplicate."

"The Duplicate Scarecrow is a three-turn, while the others are one-turn."

Zhao Xing looked at the dozen or so Duplicate Scarecrows hidden in the Bamboo Forest, their golden brilliance and imposing presence resembling golden warriors.

"Using Diamond Bamboo materials to practice making other scarecrows is somewhat wasteful, but the Duplicate Scarecrow barely matches this material, though there are more suitable ones."

"Liu's Eighty-One Methods, Mighty Scarecrow!"

"The branches of Diamond Bamboo are the best material for making it," Zhao Xing saw that the situation was temporarily stable and began to try making the fifth type of scarecrow.

Liu's Eighty-One Methods is an interpretation of 'Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier,' with scarecrows being a common term. Any Magic Arts made from grass, wood, or bamboo materials fall under the Scarecrow Technique.

However, here with Zhao Xing, scarecrows made from Diamond Bamboo were habitually called Mighty Golden Steel. Similarly, there were Divine Action Golden Steel, Duplicate Golden Steel, and so on.

The making method was long memorized, but he hadn't had time to practice. Now, with the materials at hand, Zhao Xing naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Recalling the making method of the Mighty Scarecrow in his mind, he began his first attempt.

[You have made a Scarecrow Puppet (Mighty), and you have comprehended a new Puppet Making Method.]

[Grass and Trees as Soldiers proficiency +25]

[Scarecrow Puppet (Mighty)]

[Proficiency: 100/9999]

[Effect: Indestructible, Mighty Strength.]

The first attempt was successful, and due to the material bonus, the proficiency gained was exceptionally high!

"Directly 100 points, even the overall Magic Arts of 'Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier' gave 25 points, truly a good material."

When had Zhao Xing ever encountered such a rich resource? Practicing at Xue Wen Zhong's place, he always used withered grass or ordinary willow branches.

Who knew if these things would be taken away after the exam, so Zhao Xing naturally wouldn't miss this free opportunity.

Commanding the Duplicate Scarecrow to keep watch outside, Zhao Xing immersed himself in the joy of making Mighty Golden Steel.

Vote, seek follow-up reading (End of this chapter)