The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

After the three Diamond Bamboo stalks matured, Zhao Xing quickly chopped them down.

He began patiently crafting his Mighty Straw Puppets.

Ever since he defeated Zong Shichang during the autumn assessment, he had kept up with his training in straw puppet techniques. Every day, he would spend two to three hours in Elder Shennong's courtyard making straw puppets.

Among the straw puppet techniques, the Mighty Straw Puppet advanced the fastest because Zhao Xing found them incredibly useful—not just for fighting, but for tasks like carrying heavy loads or plowing fields. Mighty Straw Puppets were the best choice.

Currently, Zhao Xing had reached six-turn proficiency in the Reviving Straw Puppet technique.

The Binding Straw Puppet was at five turns.

The Swift Straw Puppet was at three turns.

The Thorn Straw Puppet remained at two turns.

However, his Mighty Straw Puppet had already reached the seven-turn level!

"These three Diamond Bamboo stalks should allow me to make about 15 Mighty Vajra Straw Puppets. Since it's been just over two hours, I might as well plant another batch."

"The Evergreen Vines should be sufficient. Three vines can create forty or fifty Binding Straw Puppets."

Zhao Xing took out three more Diamond Bamboo saplings from the bamboo box, planted them, and then performed cloud summoning and rainmaking to aid in their nurturing.

The soil of Donghu Mountain was incredibly fertile. Even after harvesting once, Zhao Xing estimated that these three Diamond Bamboo saplings would mature within four to five hours.

Clouds hovered over the area below the cliff as Zhao Xing focused on crafting straw puppets.

[You have created a straw puppet (Mighty), proficiency +5]

[Straw Puppet (Mighty)]

[Proficiency: 7201/9999]

[Effect: Unbreakable, immense strength.]

[You have created a straw puppet (Mighty), proficiency +8]

[Straw Puppet (Mighty)]

[Proficiency: 7209/9999]

[Effect: Unbreakable, immense strength.]

The straw puppet technique was easy to learn but hard to master. After reaching seven turns with the Mighty Straw Puppet, it no longer contributed to the proficiency of [Straw Puppets in Arms].

Even with the superior Diamond Bamboo material, crafting a Mighty Straw Puppet only yielded single-digit proficiency points.

Zhao Xing's progress with the technique had entered a slow phase.

To perfect the Mighty Straw Puppet in a short time, he would need more and better materials.

"Go hide outside."

Once four Mighty Vajra Straw Puppets were crafted, Zhao Xing sent them to lie in ambush, burying themselves in the nearby ground.

Then, he took two more Evergreen Vines, made two five-turn Binding Straw Puppets, and placed them up in the trees, blending them into the environment.

With his defenses in place, Zhao Xing devoted himself fully to crafting straw puppet puppets.

Focused as he was, he lost track of time.

Reaching behind him, he realized he had run out of materials.

"Ah," he exhaled, stretching his back and rubbing his eyes.

"After an hour of work, I've finished crafting fifteen Mighty Vajra Straw Puppets."

Taking his time to ensure quality, each of these fifteen straw puppets was crafted with exceptional care and detail.

Just then, Zhao Xing plucked a handful of Evergreen Vines to snack on and lay back, gazing up at the sky.

He needed to save the Heavenly Pear for more critical moments; eating it now would be a waste.

"I wonder if Ziyu and Qian Dong have made it up the mountain. I didn't see them this morning. As for Wu Division's Shen Zhui, with his seventh-stage Essence Gathering, he should be fine since he invited a group to join him."

In his idle thoughts, Zhao Xing even found himself wondering about Zong Shichang's safety.

"Did that young master end up going down the mountain? Why am I even thinking about him? Could it be that I've been softened by his food and gifts?"

Turning over, Zhao Xing looked toward the distant ravine.

Suddenly, a black dot appeared in the sky, catching Zhao Xing's attention.

Activating his Night Vision technique, Zhao Xing focused on it.

He saw someone riding a bamboo horse, leaping through the sky above the ravine. The figure wielded a spear and was clad in armor, exuding an air of gallantry.

"Hmm? A bamboo horse rider, galloping through the air? Who could that be?"

"Why is he leaping back and forth?"

Zhao Xing watched curiously.

The bamboo horse rider repeatedly jumped across the ravine. In the short time Zhao Xing observed, the rider had already crossed three or four times.

While mid-air, the rider even stood on the horse's back, scanning the surroundings, as if searching for something.

"Is he gathering mountain essence?"

"I wonder what he's found."

Mountain essence could take many forms—a tree, an object, a handful of soil, or even a wisp of cloud.

Zhao Xing's eyes flickered as he scanned the sky, but he couldn't detect anything unusual.

"I'm too far away to sense anything."

After a moment, he looked away, no longer concerned.

The higher-quality the mountain essence, the harder it was to sense. Even with his trained senses, it was difficult to discern anything from this distance.

If this person could defeat the eighth-stage Essence Gathering martial artist hired by Zong Shichang, then he was likely already at the ninth stage.

Best not to pry too much.

As dusk approached, Zhao Xing's newly planted Diamond Bamboo stalks neared maturity.

"The destructive power of Vigorous Growth is still too much. Even though Donghu Mountain is rich in energy, replanting in the same spot slows growth the second time around," Zhao Xing thought.

"Thankfully, they're almost mature. Once I finish making these straw puppets, I'll move to a new location. I'll rest tonight and climb the mountain tomorrow."

As he patiently awaited the bamboo's maturation—

"Rustle—"

The tree branches above the Diamond Bamboo shook, and the sound of rustling leaves reached Zhao Xing's ears. It seemed something had fallen.

"Not again," Zhao Xing tensed up, but soon realized the falling object wasn't large.

At least, it wasn't a person.

"Maybe it's just a rock falling from the cliff?"

Zhao Xing approached the bamboo and followed the sound.

To his surprise, wedged between the branches of the Diamond Bamboo, was a small, red fruit about the size of a fist.

"Thud—thud—"

Upon seeing the fruit, Zhao Xing's heart began to race uncontrollably.

A premonition!

This was the sensation of encountering mountain essence!

"Damn, a mountain essence just fell from the sky? This fruit was condensed from mountain essence?"

But before Zhao Xing could even approach—

"Rustle—"

"Rustle—"

Two more sounds followed.

Two more red fruits fell at Zhao Xing's feet.

One was only the size of a fist, but the other was as large as a baby's head!

"..."

Looking at the three red fruits in front of him, Zhao Xing was dumbfounded.

Based on the feeling he got, these three fruits were at least lower-tier mountain essence, and the largest one could even be mid-tier.

"Is this the power of my Derivation Two fortune fate? I haven't even climbed the mountain, and I'm already picking up mountain essence at the base?"

Zhao Xing's heart raced uncontrollably. The fragrance from the fruit alone invigorated his spirit, and half of the energy he'd spent crafting straw puppets was restored just by inhaling the aroma.

"Thank you, bountiful nature," Zhao Xing laughed heartily as he bent down to pick up the fruits.

However, just as he was about to grab them, the Calamity-Repelling Almanac in his pocket flipped to a new page.

At the same moment, a soft feminine voice called from across the creek.

"Brother, so this is where you've been. I've been searching for you everywhere~"