"Release the examination papers!"
"Yes, we want to see the examination papers!"
Hearing Han Changfeng's words, the crowd's voices rang out once again. Without seeing the examination papers with their own eyes, they simply did not want to believe this.
This was something that defied common sense, something that did not fit with people's beliefs.
King Duan Lin Xinjue looked at Han Changfeng, then looked at the discussing crowd below. If he had a choice, he would definitely reject this suggestion.
But, he did not.
From the moment he announced the List of Three Grades, he knew that no one would believe such an absurd thing.
Hence, the only choice was to release the examination papers in public, to prove the fairness of the Great Xia Dynasty Law of Dao Examinations. More importantly, this choice was personally made by his father, the Emperor Lin Mubai.
At this moment, an imperial messenger dressed in black official robes appeared in front of King Duan. In his hands was a wooden box covered with a golden cloth.
King Duan knew that it was Fang Zhengzhi's examination papers for the Imperial Examinations.
"Release it!" King Duan nodded, trying to make his expression as friendly as possible. His status required him to maintain a smile at this moment.
Hence, he smiled, a smile that felt like a spring breeze …
The golden cloth was lifted, the wooden box was opened, and the other imperial messengers stepped forward.
Twelve examination papers, twelve imperial messengers. Every imperial messenger used both hands to raise the examination papers in a row. Every examination paper had the same name on it.
That name was, Fang Zhengzhi.
Furthermore, most importantly, every examination paper had detailed annotations and a bright red seal. On the seal, there were four large words, "Emperor's Seal"!
The entire Imperial Academy suddenly fell silent at this moment.
All of the crowd stared wide-eyed at the row of examination papers. They no longer needed to look at the annotations, because, they all knew what the seal represented.
"It's the Emperor's personal seal!"
"The Son of Heaven's Seal... it's the Emperor's Seal!"
"All correct?! It's all correct! "
"Twelve examination papers, completed within four hours. There's not a single mistake, not even a single word written wrong! "
"Not a single point deducted!"
All of the court officials were stunned, and so were the citizens. Especially those who participated in the Imperial Examinations, they were completely stunned.
They were the ones who did not want to believe this result.
Because … Those who had seen the questions for the Theory Examinations with their own eyes knew that the questions for this Imperial Examinations were much more difficult than any of the previous ones.
Four hours …
They couldn't even complete two test papers.
Those examinees who had passed the second-class roll could at most complete one test paper, and those examinees who had the honor of entering the first-class roll could only complete most of the questions.
It was too difficult!
However … It was this kind of test paper, but someone actually finished it within four hours. Moreover, there was not a single question wrong, not a single question wrong!
How did he do it?
It was impossible to cheat on such a test paper. That was because, in the entire history of the Great Xia Dynasty, no one had been able to do this.
How could that be considered cheating?
Su Donglin felt as though hot oil was splashed on his face. It was scalding hot. It was so hot that he felt like he was on fire.
"The Emperor's Seal … is completely correct?!"
Su Donglin felt like his 20 years of studying had been a waste. Because, in front of this test paper, his so-called literary talent was as laughable as a three year old child's.
"Fang Zhengzhi!" Su Donglin's entire body began to tremble. That was a rage born from extreme humiliation.
He thought back to the conversation between Yan Xiu and Fang Zhengzhi.
"Why didn't you tell him that you already have someone with you?"
"Even if I told him that you would be traveling with me, he would not believe me. Am I right?"
"That's true!"
This was an insult, a blatant insult. In the eyes of Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu, Su Donglin felt like he was being completely ignored!
"First round!"
"First round of combat examinations!"
"I will kill you!"
Su Donglin did not stay any longer. He no longer had the face to stay any longer. Because … Not long ago, he had even loudly announced to Fang Zhengzhi in front of the crowd that his name would be carved at the top of the roll stone of the Imperial Academy.
But now …
That place was firmly occupied by Fang Zhengzhi's name.
The Theory Examinations Champion, Fang Zhengzhi!
At this point, no one doubted the validity of Fang Zhengzhi's claim. Everyone looked at Fang Zhengzhi with envy and jealousy.
All the courtiers seemed to be in a state of panic.
Because … An astonishing talent was about to make his name known to the world. This meant that after a year of stability, there would be a new wave.
All of the candidates looked at Fang Zhengzhi with a burning gaze.
Fang Zhengzhi was the Theory Examinations Champion, but he had only just entered the Heavenly Reflection State. This was a great stepping stone for them. The opportunity to reach the top was right in front of them.
How could they not be excited?
As long as they defeated Fang Zhengzhi in the combat examinations, the entire world would focus on them.
All of the examinees who had already stepped into the Heavenly Reflection State looked at Fang Zhengzhi as if they were looking at a docile little lamb. That intoxicating fatness filled their hearts with anticipation.
Nangong Mu left under the shade of the trees.
He left immediately after the results of the exam were announced. He didn't say a word to anyone, but when he left, he subconsciously looked towards the south.
That was where the hidden Nangong Family was located.
There was also the legendary talent of the Great Xia Dynasty, Nangong Hao.
Xing Qingsui did not leave. He was not angry either. However, as he looked at the papers, his eyes glowed brighter and brighter. He was like a beast that had found its prey.
…
Within the Ping Yang Residence, in the garden filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Ping Yang, dressed in a red cloak, sat on a swing. However, he did not sway as he looked towards the Imperial Academy.
"That guy must be very proud right now?"
"Damn it, I can't let him continue to be so proud!"
"But, how can a country bumpkin who has never been to a Hall of Dao do this? The Sixth Section's script... "
"I'm so angry, so angry, sob sob sob..."
Ping Yang continued to mutter to himself. His face was filled with all sorts of expressions. Sometimes happy, sometimes angry, sometimes sad. Crazy...
Meanwhile, in another independent courtyard in Tranquil Sun Manor.
Chi Guyan, who was dressed in a pink dress, reclined on a wooden chair covered with animal fur. Her dress was lifted up to her knees, revealing her snow-white, jade-like legs.
Her posture was somewhat lazy. Her eyes were as bright as the stars as she looked up at the blue sky. The golden rays of the sun shone down on her body. She was like a fairy bathed in holy light.
"No wonder that shameless thief always lies in this position. It's actually quite comfortable... Sixth Section's script, I don't even need to push it this time. He's already standing on it. Then, I'll just slack off..."
Chi Guyan murmured softly. Then, she slowly closed her eyes, and her lips curled into a beautiful smile.
Yue Er, who was dressed in a green dress, stood guard at the entrance of the courtyard. Her shock was indescribable.
She had been by Chi Guyan's side since she was young. However... She had never seen Chi Guyan like this before.
"Why does Mistress seem to have changed? Didn't she always scold me for not sitting properly?"
…
…
The announcement of the results for the Theory Examinations ended just as everyone's eyeballs were about to fall out of their sockets. However, the entire Yan Capital was in a state of chaos.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's residence was still filled with people. However, compared to a few days ago, it was noticeably quieter.
His words about being greedy and not being good at it became a taboo in the courts.
No one brought it up again.
However, it became a well-known saying in the capital. In fact, it was even made into a story by the storytellers in the teahouses.
This was naturally the work of someone with a heart.
Yu Yiping knew. The Crown Prince also knew. Only King Duan, Lin Xinjue, said to everyone he met, "I don't know! Who would be so daring? How dare they slander the Left Prime Minister! "
The peaceful state of the court was finally experiencing a storm. This did not seem to have much to do with Fang Zhengzhi. However... If not for Fang Zhengzhi, this storm would not have happened.
…
The combat examinations began in a storm.
The rain today seemed to be heavier than usual. Dark clouds covered the sky and the sun was covered. Strong winds raged in the sky above Flame Capital City.
This year's Imperial Examinations began with the Theory Examinations. It was not a good day.
But so what?
Without experiencing a storm, how would one see the rainbow?
Two hundred examinees clad in armor stood in the rain, allowing the torrential rain to fall on their bodies. As the raindrops fell, their gazes were filled with determination as they calmly stared ahead.
The entire backyard of the Imperial Academy was filled with a solemn atmosphere.
There was only a Yellow Paper Umbrella in the middle of the crowd. Under the umbrella stood two people. One was Fang Zhengzhi, dressed in a blue armor, and the other was Yan Xiu, dressed in a white robe with a cold expression on his face.
The two of them stood in the rain with the Yellow Paper Umbrella. Their clothes were clean and tidy, a stark contrast to the other candidates.
Han Changfeng, who was wearing a white official robe, glanced at the lonely umbrella. He slightly raised his head and looked at the pouring rain above his head.
He suddenly felt that he had made a mistake in the past.
After presiding over the Imperial Examinations for so many years, he had seen his fair share of storms. However, he had never seen a candidate who dared to hold an umbrella when he himself did not?!
He only hoped that such a person would not join the army. Because, such a disorganized and undisciplined person would definitely be killed by the crowd.
However, this was only the Imperial Examinations. What could he say?
Of course not.
"You are all the elites of the dynasty. You are also the future of the dynasty. One day, when you enter the court and the army, I hope that you will be as fearless as you are today!"
"The doors of the dynasty are about to open for you. However, you must first cross this door. Because, behind this door, there is competition, cruel competition!"
"They will stop you in your tracks, and your responsibility is to destroy them!"
"I believe that you all know the meaning of the name 'Meng Tian' in the Great Xia Dynasty. That's right, he is the 'Sagely Battle God' who rode thousands of miles to kill the Demon Lord 'Si Kong' outside the Blood Shadow City of the Demon Domain!"
"Today, you all have the honor of entering the 'World of the Sage'. That is Meng Tian's world, and within it are the records of Meng Tian's life's work."
"Every time you pass a level, you will see a different world. Within it, there will be different insights."
"Of course, the prerequisite is that you can find them. Then, you must still be standing!"
"The rules are simple. The last one standing will be the champion of this combat examination!"
After Han Zhangfeng said these words, his gaze swept across the two hundred examinees below once again. From their eyes, Han Zhangfeng could see the thirst.
Endless desire.
For this Imperial Examinations, the Emperor had personally allowed the 'World of the Sage' to be the venue for the combat examination. It could be said that the Emperor was kind. Because, regardless of whether or not they passed the combat examination, they would definitely benefit greatly from it.
However, the benefits also came with great danger...
The dangers of the World of the Sage were a little difficult for the candidates. However, just as Emperor Lin Mubai had said, "In this world, how can there be a combat examination without bloodshed?"
Han Changfeng naturally understood what this meant.
Without going through the trials of life and death, no matter how powerful they were, they would not be able to walk onto the battlefield and become the true cornerstone of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The viciousness of the demon race was a reality that every human had to face.
However...
Why did Fang Zhengzhi not seem nervous at all? Instead, he looked like an outsider?
Han Changfeng could not understand what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. Did he not want to pass the combat examination? Or, did he have some confidence?
But that was impossible.
The combat examination was different from the theory examination. It was based on true ability.
As someone who had just entered the Heavenly Reflection State, even though he was not at the bottom of the combat examination, he did not have the right to be arrogant. Furthermore, based on what he knew, there were already many people waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to step into the World of the Sage.
Of course, most importantly, the people controlling the World of the Sage were Han Changfeng and King Duan.
Timing, location, people...
If that was the case, how could Fang Zhengzhi stand until the end?
That was truly unreasonable.
"Go in!"
"Roger!"
Of the 200 candidates, other than Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu, all of them replied in unison.
Fang Zhengzhi was too lazy to reply, while Yan Xiu was unwilling to speak.
These were two completely different states of mind. However, these two people were standing under the same Yellow Paper Umbrella.
A huge stone door opened at this moment.
This meant that the Combat Examination of the Imperial Examinations had officially begun …
"The World of the Sage? Meng Tian... why have I not heard of it? " Fang Zhengzhi had a look of confusion on his face. He looked at the surrounding examinees, who were all drenched, and sighed softly.
"Why do you have to act... tough!"
However, he did not notice that when every candidate stepped into the stone door, they subconsciously glanced at him. All of their gazes were filled with sparks.
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