The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

The straw puppets relied on their feet to climb the mountain, while Zhao Xing relied on the straw puppets to ascend.

He crafted a rattan chair and secured it with two bamboo poles on either side.

Then, two Swift Movement Straw Puppets carried the rattan chair forward.

The remaining straw puppets were dispersed to the front and sides.

The most distant straw puppet was sent three miles away; this was Zhao Xing's limit of control.

Though the mountain path was steep, three miles was a straight-line distance, so it was sufficient.

Any disturbances would be detected in advance by Zhao Xing.

"The straw puppet technique is really useful," Zhao Xing said with a sense of wonder while sitting in the chair.

The Swift Movement Straw Puppets traversed the mountain path as if it were flat ground, even faster than Zhao Xing could walk.

"In the future, I need to study the Swift Movement Straw Puppets more. When launching a surprise attack over a hundred miles, consuming just one straw puppet saves both time and effort."

Additionally, there were four special straw puppets in the group, each equipped with two first-grade Donghu Pearls.

This was the sixth straw puppet technique Zhao Xing had learned two days ago: 'Reconnaissance Straw Puppets'.

It allowed Zhao Xing to have a second perspective.

While the other straw puppets only provided vague sensory feedback, these four straw puppets offered clear vision.

The spell level wasn't high—only first-tier—but it was sufficient for long-distance viewing.

Within a quarter-hour of climbing, Zhao Xing detected other climbers.

Through the Reconnaissance Straw Puppets' perspective, he saw four climbers attacking two others in a pine forest to the left and ahead.

"Are they fighting over something?"

Zhao Xing's interest was piqued.

He immediately directed the straw puppets to converge on the left front.

"Qin Feng, my brother and I don't want this inferior spiritual treasure. Why do you keep pressing us?" A tall warrior wielding a battle knife and wearing soft armor, surrounded by two attackers, shouted lowly, defending himself.

"Zhou Gang, only now do you think of begging for mercy?" The ruthless young man with a knife kept attacking fiercely, "Hmph, too late. Last time during the city patrol, my brother-in-law had only drunk a bit of wine. You and Fang Jie insisted on detaining him. When I begged you, why didn't you show mercy?"

"Bastard, your brother-in-law drank a bit of wine? He was breaking the rules! At that time, the county was cracking down on Xuantian demons. Such was the rule; can you blame me and Fang Jie?" Zhou Gang was furious.

"Stop talking nonsense. I've disliked you two since I was in the Lake City Military Department! Now you're competing with me for treasures—new grudges and old scores all together!" Qin Feng's attacks became increasingly fierce.

The Reconnaissance Straw Puppets, not far away, observed everything clearly.

The sounds of their battle also reached Zhao Xing's ears, carried by a slight breeze.

"Lake City Military Department? Officials from Lin County?" Zhao Xing stroked his chin. Observing through the Five Elements View, he instantly determined that these people were at around the Fifth to Sixth Stage of Essence Gathering.

Their techniques were similar, indicating they had the same master. However, in a four versus two fight, the side with more people obviously had the advantage.

It seemed that the conflict was not only about the treasure but also personal.

Under the same roof, conflicts are most likely to arise—if even relatives can have disputes, how much more so with colleagues?

Outside, there are laws and etiquette, and one might avoid confrontation. But within the Spirit Mountain, with the Forgetfulness Monument, everything is forgotten upon leaving, making conflicts easier.

Especially with a treasure in sight.

"According to the sensory feedback, it should be an inferior spiritual treasure." Zhao Xing looked in a certain direction. In the pine forest, there was a piece of rotting wood embraced by two people.

At the top of the rotting wood was a gray spiritual lingzhi with a purple ring at the edge. Zhao Xing's heart raced slightly when he looked at it.

After assessing the battle, Zhao Xing concluded: it's feasible!

"Go, quietly steal the lingzhi."

Zhao Xing instructed two Binding Straw Puppets to move in.

The Mighty Vajra Straw Puppets were too conspicuous. Even though Zhao Xing had covered them with a layer of grass clothing, they were still not suited for stealthy tasks.

The Binding Straw Puppets were different; their upper limbs could extend up to twenty meters! This meant they could secretly retrieve the spiritual lingzhi without getting too close.

The two Binding Straw Puppets moved stealthily, hiding among the pine trees.

The green vine-made Binding Straw Puppets blended well with the surroundings; it was hard to notice them without close inspection.

Moreover, the two groups were busy fighting each other and didn't notice anyone approaching.

"Rustle~"

The Binding Straw Puppets crawled down a pine tree twenty meters from the rotting wood.

The vines extended like flexible snakes along the ground, quickly reaching below the spiritual lingzhi.

After wrapping around it twice, they gently pulled, and the basin-sized lingzhi was immediately picked.

The vines retracted slowly, returning to the Binding Straw Puppet's body.

Just as they were about to succeed, the two groups from the Lake City Military Department had already determined the victor.

Zhou Gang's battle knife had been knocked away, his arm bleeding profusely to the bone, and another companion, Fang Jie, had his thigh cut, losing his combat ability.

Qin Feng immediately ceased his attack, looking down from a height with great satisfaction.

"Qin Feng, if you have the guts, kill us!"

"Kill you? Hmph, I'm not stupid enough to make that mistake." Qin Feng sneered as he bound them, "Thanks to you two for finding this spiritual lingzhi… Hmm?"

Qin Feng's face suddenly changed: "Where's the spiritual lingzhi?!"

The lingzhi that was supposed to be on the rotting wood had vanished!

"There are people!"

Qin Feng's companions, sensing something was wrong, looked around. The sharp-eyed one spotted the fleeing straw puppet.

"Bastards! Who dares to steal food from my mouth!" Qin Feng was infuriated, ignoring Fang Jie and Zhou Gang. The four of them immediately chased after the fleeing straw puppets.

"Truly disappointing. How did they lose so quickly? Didn't they say they had the same master and couldn't be defeated? At least hold out a bit longer." Zhao Xing had hoped to avoid a fight and play it safe, but was unexpectedly discovered.

The Binding Straw Puppets couldn't outrun the Fifth to Sixth Stage Essence Gathering warriors. Seeing this, Zhao Xing decided to stop hiding and show himself.

"Everyone, please consider if you still want to chase."

The voice carried on the wind.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

At the same time, dozens of straw puppets appeared in the pine forest, blocking the path of Qin Feng and his group.

"Huh?" Qin Feng was startled and stopped in his tracks.

But upon closer inspection, they were just straw puppets, and he became even more enraged.

Damn, I thought I was surrounded by dozens of people. Turns out it's just a Shennong Officer's straw puppet technique.

"Brothers, go chase them. I'll deal with these straw puppets!"

Seeing it was only straw puppets, the other three immediately pursued the straw puppets that had stolen the spiritual lingzhi, leaving Qin Feng to face the straw puppets alone.

"I advise you not to do this." The unfamiliar voice echoed with the wind again.

Qin Feng pointed his battle knife disdainfully and said, "Still trying to act impressive? A few straw puppets want to intimidate me? A mere Shennong Officer thinks they can steal from a warrior? Truly laughable!"