The second round of the Grand Examination had already entered the latter half. In the two most eye-catching matches between Li Shan Sword Sect and Orthodox Academy, Orthodox Academy forfeited one match and lost the other. Li Shan Sword Sect could be said to have regained all the face they lost at the Ivy League gathering, while Orthodox Academy was forced to the edge of a cliff.
Even though the PvP Battles weren't group battles, and the Grand Examination only ranked candidates based on their individual results, the young examinees weren't born from the cracks of a rock. Whether it was in the eyes of the world or in their own minds, their results represented the glory of their academy or sect.
Orthodox Academy's third contestant was Chen Chang Sheng. This was because Orthodox Academy's publicly acknowledged strongest Princess, Luo Luo, had encountered Tian Hai Sheng Xue who had already completed his Ethereal Opening. Most people thought she had no chance of winning. Therefore, if Orthodox Academy didn't want to be completely annihilated in the second round, they would have to see if Chen Chang Sheng could pass this round.
Although he had defeated the disciple from Huang Shan Valley in the first round, no one thought highly of him. Everyone knew that he was the weakest of the four students from Orthodox Academy. Now that even Tang Thirty Six had lost, how could he avoid defeat? Miracle? If it happened often, then it wouldn't be a miracle anymore, but a problem.
The second reason why no one thought highly of Chen Chang Sheng was that there was a problem with the drawing of lots for the second round.
Everyone knew that someone must have tampered with the drawing of lots.
Chen Chang Sheng's opponent for this round was the scholar from Scholartree Manor, Huo Guang.
No matter how one looked at it, this was the best choice. Not Chen Chang Sheng's best choice, but the best choice for those who wanted Chen Chang Sheng to fail.
From the Divine Queen to the peddlers, from the faraway White Emperor couple to the Capital's storytellers, everyone in the Central Continent was paying attention to the Grand Examination that was being held in the Capital. Following the announcement of his engagement with Xu You Rong at the Ivy League gathering and the announcement of the Archbishop's intention to place first upon the First Banner, countless pairs of eyes were focused on Chen Chang Sheng.
Under these circumstances, those who wanted to suppress Orthodox Academy and Chen Chang Sheng had to be even more careful, at least they couldn't let others see through the problem at first glance. If Chen Chang Sheng had to draw lots against Gou Han Shi in the second round, everyone would know that something was amiss. Not only would the Education Board flip the tables, the castanets on the tables of the storytellers in the Capital would also ring many times.
The scholar of Scholartree Manor, Huo Guang, was the best choice.
This young scholar had always been peacefully studying in Scholartree Manor and had never left the academy to gain experience, so he had never entered the Proclamation of Azure Clouds. To those who did not know the inside story, he seemed to be very weak.
In reality, Scholartree Manor didn't have any weaklings, Huo Guang was a target that Scholartree Manor had focused on nurturing, preparing to amaze the world with a single brilliant feat at the Grand Examination, how could Chen Chang Sheng be his match?
…
…
The atmosphere in the forest was a little gloomy.
Tang Thirty Six leaned against the white poplar tree and looked at Chen Chang Sheng's back. He suddenly said, "If you can't win, then retreat. Don't let anything happen."
Previously, when he said to Chen Chang Sheng that he couldn't lose again, it was because he knew that Chen Chang Sheng, for some reason, had to obtain first upon the First Banner in the Grand Examination. Since that was the case, he obviously couldn't lose, yet, thinking that even if he were to once again inexplicably defeat that scholar from Scholartree Manor, in the end, he still wouldn't be a match for Tian Hai Sheng Xue or Gou Han Shi, he wanted to take back what he had just said.
From his point of view, Chen Chang Sheng was still very young, he still had a lot of time. With his talent and knowledge, who knew how far he could progress in the future. If he couldn't even obtain first upon the First Banner by risking his life, then why would he? Why didn't he set his sights on the future, why did he have to be so cruel to himself?
Chen Chang Sheng waved his hand, he didn't turn his head, because he had no way of explaining. Although he was still young, he didn't have much time to waste.
He bowed to the clergyman, then walked up the stone steps.
In the first round, his right boot had shattered, this time he had changed into a new pair.
This pair of boots was brought from her bedroom by Official Li, it was new, but comfortable to wear. The size was just right, Luo Luo must have secretly remembered his measurements.
Wearing this pair of boots, he felt his feet were firmly planted on the ground, he was very confident.
By the forest, Xuan Yuan Po said to Tang Thirty Six: "Do you want to rest for a while?"
Tang Thirty Six looked at Chen Chang Sheng, who was far away on the stone steps, after a moment of silence, he said: "No need, give me the crystal."
Just as Elder Tian Ji had commented when the Proclamation of Azure Clouds was updated, he had been greatly affected by Chen Chang Sheng. For example, at this very moment, looking at Chen Chang Sheng's figure, he quickly shook off his previous dejected mood and prepared to meditate to recover his True Essence. Due to the possibility of an extra round, he had to at least enter the Three Grades, otherwise, he would truly feel that he was inferior in front of Chen Chang Sheng.
This had nothing to do with one's cultivation level or results, it had to do with one's willpower.
… …
… …
The Tower of Purging Dust opened, Chen Chang Sheng and the scholar from Scholartree Manor named Huo Guang entered.
The two of them were separated by a distance of over ten metres, standing upon the sand covered ground, quietly staring at each other.
If one were to look closely, they would be able to see that beneath the sand beneath their feet, there were faint traces of blood, likely left behind by the examinees that had previously battled.
"I've heard of you," Huo Guang broke the silence, looking at him and said: "Before coming to the Capital."
This scholar from Scholartree Manor seemed to be around eighteen or nineteen years old. His expression was cold and detached, as if he had been cast from the same mold as his fellow students. In reality, their appearances were not similar at all. The reason why they gave off this feeling was because the young scholars from Scholartree Manor all had an indescribable air about them.
Chen Chang Sheng didn't respond, he didn't think there was a need.
"I knew I would meet you at the Grand Examination," Huo Guang looked at him and calmly said: "Before coming to the Capital."
Only now did Chen Chang Sheng know that the suppression of Orthodox Academy in today's Grand Examination wasn't only due to the Zhou Dynasty, or perhaps someone from within the Orthodoxy, it had even involved the faraway South.
But he still didn't say anything, calmly adjusting his breathing and the circulation of True Essence.
"To resist the invasion of the demon race, the human world needs to unite, the torrential momentum cannot be stopped by anyone, anyone who tries in vain to stop it will only be washed into the stinking gutter of history, and you … have already affected the confluence of the North and South, therefore, you cannot obtain first upon the First Banner, nor can you marry Xu You Rong."
Huo Guang looked at him expressionlessly and said.
Chen Chang Sheng finally understood what that indescribable feeling was.
It was the same feeling as the words spoken by that scholar from the countryside on the last night of the Ivy League gathering.
In this world, there have always been some people, some scholars, who believe in some very strange principles.
To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a life for life, to continue learning for the saints, to establish peace for all ages, therefore, please die.
To shoulder justice, after your death, I will take care of your family, and this world will also be taken care of by me.
Chen Chang Sheng shook his head, if it was only the first half, then it was very respectable, but if the second half was added, then it wouldn't be good.
He didn't like this smell.
Compared to the smell of blood emitted from Xu Shi Ji's body, he disliked it even more.
"Don't worry, I won't use words to humiliate you, because that's meaningless and very boring."
Huo Guang looked at him indifferently and said, but the tip of his eyebrows slightly twitched for a moment.
Perhaps at this moment, he remembered Tang Thirty Six's sharp and unkind words during the Martial Trial in the Boiling Time Forest.
"I will easily defeat you."
He looked at Chen Chang Sheng and said condescendingly: "Draw your sword, and accept your defeat."
Chen Chang Sheng remained silent, he didn't reply, nor did he draw his own sword.
Thus, Huo Guang's actions were very laughable, akin to drawing a sword against a wall, or reading a long lyric poem to the starry sky.
Yellow sand quietly covered the ground.
Huo Guang's expression became slightly cold, he looked at him and said: "If you don't draw your sword, then you won't have the chance to do so today."
Following these words, a clear and strong aura emitted from his body.
Chen Chang Sheng quietly looked at him, he slowly raised his right hand, it was very close to the hilt of the short sword at his waist, he could grasp it with his hand.
In the end, he didn't grasp the hilt.
He retracted his right hand, his five fingers clasped together, forming a fist.
"Very good."
Huo Guang looked at his actions and felt greatly humiliated, his eyebrows slowly twitched and he took a deep breath.
An extremely pure True Essence seeped out, passing through the ochre coloured scholar's robes, bringing up a gust of wind within the tower.
That gust of wind encircled Huo Guang's body, akin to a barrier.
He carried a large sword on his back, he didn't draw it, instead, like Chen Chang Sheng, he clenched his fist and punched out.
An explosive hum resounded.
A hole instantly appeared in the wind screen that encircled him. A fist, suffused with a faint green lustre, formed from True Essence, violently shot out from that hole, instantly traversing a distance of over ten metres, arriving before Chen Chang Sheng. What was even more shocking was, within that wind screen, fist manifestations condensed one after the other, attacking towards Chen Chang Sheng's body!
Dozens of True Essence fist manifestations, akin to real fists, came from all directions, like a storm!
… …
… …
Within the Hall of Zhao Wen, that gigantic mirror of light, with a circumference of over ten metres, clearly transmitted the scene of the battle within the tower to the eyes of the personages within the hall.
From the moment Chen Chang Sheng and Huo Guang entered the tower, the hall became abnormally quiet.
His Eminence didn't continue sleeping, he calmly looked at Chen Chang Sheng's reflection in the mirror, his expression didn't reveal whether or not he still had the same confidence as before.
Within the mirror, dozens of green lights suddenly appeared.
Although they weren't present, just by looking at the image, it was as if they could feel the power contained within.
Xue Xing Chuan's body slightly leaned forward, saying in surprise: "Regiment Shattering Fist?"
For the personages within the Hall of Zhao Wen, that scholar from Scholartree Manor, Huo Guang, was only at the Meditation realm, the methods he displayed naturally wouldn't shock them, but thinking of Huo Guang's age, being able to cultivate the most difficult Regiment Shattering Fist to such a level, they were still rather surprised.
The one who was about to receive these dozens of Regiment Shattering Fists, was Chen Chang Sheng.
Within the Hall of Zhao Wen, a lot of people silently announced his elimination within their hearts.
His Eminence's eyes slightly narrowed, his murky gaze once again became sharp.
Mo Yu's expression was indifferent, the hand resting on the armrest of her chair, her knuckles were slightly white.
Prince Chen Liu gave her a glance, a lot of doubts arose.
… …
… …
(Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.)
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