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nSilence reigned in the main hall of the Ministry of Rites.

nNo one spoke—the third prince, Li Puyi, Chao Xiaojian and Zhao Wuji were all speechless. They were still digesting the surprise.

nFang Lang took the first place in the theoretical assessment. Although it did not mean he was the overall champion of the Imperial Examination, it was still an impressive feat.

nThe Tang Dynasty’s Imperial Examination was split into theory and combat. Therefore, there was a champion for theory and another champion for combat. If a candidate achieved the highest distinction for both theory and combat, they would be the undisputed champion of the Imperial Examination.

nThis meant Fang Lang was the champion of the theoretical assessment.

nIf Fang Lang were to fail the combat practical section for some reason, he would still be able to gain a seat in the courts.

nThe third prince’s expression turned somber.

nThe right administrator, Li Puyi, raised an eyebrow.

nThat did not make sense!

nHe had intentionally instructed the lead grader responsible for Luojiang Examination Tower to be more stringent with the papers. The champion for the theoretical assessment should not have come from Luojiang City!

nThe silence was broken by a surprised gasp.

n“Huh? Ling’er is in third place.” Princess Pei Shi’s surprised tone rang out in the quiet hall.

nIn second place was the talented Ximen Xianxian from Changan Academy. The boy was predicted to be the champion for the theoretical assessment. Although his cultivation was average, he showed promise in poetry and policies, surprising everyone in Changan Academy.

nThe boy had frequented the entertainment house and composed poems for every Queen of Flowers. The neverending poetry touched the hearts of the ladies. The most outstanding Queen of Flowers even permitted Ximen Xianxian to enter her courtyard without paying a single coin. He was free to come and go as he pleased.

nEveryone had expected Ximen Xianxian to take the first place but here he was in second.

nThe princess stared at the top name. Her red lips chewed on the syllables. “Fang Lang…

n“Old Zhao, this… Is this the person Ling’er has been mentioning?” the princess turned to ask.

nThe question made Zhao Wuji feel extremely awkward. He pushed down the fear in his chest and nodded.

n‘Yes, this is the boy who’s trying to pick at your garden…’

nA surprise look crossed the princess’s face.

nThe beautiful eyes glanced at the third prince. The princess covered her mouth and let out huff.

nThen, she exited the main hall smiling, with Old Zhao in tow.

nThe third prince and the right administrator’s expressions darkened after that.

nThe third prince turned to Li Puyi and asked coldly, “What happened?” His voice was augmented by his spiritual sense.

n“Are you actively working against me? There’s not one but two Luojiang candidates in the top ten… Who is this tenth place, Liu Bubai? What happened to lifting the bar?”

nLi Puyi was at a loss. He did not expect things to turn out this way.

nAfter all, he had passed on the order.

nHe could only maintain his composure and say, “Maybe something went wrong with the theoretical assessment grading. However, there’s still the practical section of the combat assessment. I’ve made arrangements for that. Rest assured, Your Highness.”

nThe Minister of Rites overheard the chatter and chuckled. He came to clarify the situation. “The champion was decided by Chancellor Lu. He read the policy essay and set it as the standard. A few candidates got bonus marks as a result and made it into the top ten.”

nAn explanation for the phenomenon.

nChancellor Lu?

nLu Taixuan!

nThe third prince’s eyes narrowed. Then, he put on a stiff smile and dusted his sleeves.

nHe turned and left regally.

n…

nThe written section of the combat assessment ended. After an hour of rest, the practical combat would begin in the afternoon.

nTen combat halls were built into the examination towers. The candidates lined up according to the details in their handbook and moved to the individual combat halls in groups.

nFang Lang’s handbook indicated he was bound for the sixth combat hall. His candidate number was 366.

nUnder the guidance of the court officials, Fang Lang arrived at the sixth combat hall’s preparation area.

nMany candidates sat cross-legged in the preparation area, moderating their energy for the actual combat.

nThere were a few candidates who were absorbing spirit crystals up till the very last minute.

nFang Lang scanned his surroundings and found a familiar face. Liu Hao was staring at him with a complex reaction.

nLiu Hao pretended he did not know Fang Lang.

nHowever, he despaired when he realized by random assortment, he was assigned the number right after Fang Lang.

nEver since Fang Lang was ranked first in the academy, Liu Hao realized he had underestimated his nemesis. Fang Lang was a ninth-grade sword disciple but after the trip to the Spirit Pagoda, he might have advanced to a sword master class.

nThe sixth-ranked Liu Hao was no match for him.

nLiu Hao ignored Fang Lang. There were no good memories between them despite being classmates.

nFang Lang smiled and sat down. He regulated his spiritual energy.

nThe preparation area was silent.

nDang!

nThe practical combat assessment was beginning!

nUnder the examiners’ instructions, the candidates removed their space rings. Some space rings had defensive runes and thus were forbidden in the combat examination.

nCandidates were also not allowed to bring spell talismans into the combat zone—it was considered cheating.

nFang Lang removed the two space rings he owned and patiently waited.

nMoments after the beginning of the practical assessment, candidates who exited the combat hall were found to be covered with bruises. Some had shaking limbs while others fell onto their knees in despair.

nThe morale of the candidates in the preparation area were severely impacted.

nThis round of Imperial Examination seemed different from the previous years. Many candidates’ performance suffered and affected their results.

nA Ministry of Rites official entered the preparation area with a thin book in hand and shouted, “Number 366.”

nFang Lang stood and followed the official out of the preparation area.

n“Weapons and spell casters are allowed. Spell talismans and medicinal pills are prohibited. If found, your score will be zero,” the official reminded sternly at the entrance of the combal hall.

nAfter a search, Fang Lang entered the combat hall with two swords in his sword box.

nThe door closed behind him.

nHum.

nInside the combat hall, the walls, ceiling and floor were filled with rune carvings that were glowing. His surroundings began to shift.

n“The timekeeping spell is in effect. Engage with your opponent, your performance will be graded. The longer you last, the higher your grade. Randomizing battle arena.

n“Arena chosen: Winter Temple.”

nThe illusion spell made Fang Lang’s world spin.

nWhite filled his eyes—an endless expanse of snow appeared before him.

nSnow was falling at a rapid pace, resulting in layers and layers of white.

nTen paces away, an old and crumbling Mountain God temple was covered by snow.

nFang Lang gazed beyond the temple. He could hear the sound of heavy footsteps on snow. In the far distance, a silhouette in clinking armor was approaching.

nThe practical combat for the Imperial Examination was truly different from the academy examinations.

nThe atmosphere itself was vastly different.

nWhen the armored figure was 15 meters away, he stopped and revealed his face. The man had sharp features and wore a faint smile.

n“To be given the chance to pummel the Tang Dynasty students, what a blessing! I’m glad to be chosen as the examiner for practical combat,” the figure said. The malicious intent surprised Fang Lang.

nThe figure continued speaking, “I am the subordinate and bodyguard of General Asi Luoshan. Third-class, first-grade martial arts master, blood-bending realm. The longer you last against me, the higher your score. However, I will not hold back. I’ll trash you and let you gain not a single point.”

nThe figure’s warm breath was visible in the cold weather.

n“I enjoy beating up you academy students. Students of the Tang Dynasty who claim to be geniuses. To me, you’re nothing but dog **. The children in my tribe can ride horses and shoot arrows at the age of seven, their combat prowess is unbeatable. What can students like you do? Probably still playing with dirt,” the figure mocked cruelly. His voice was booming and his tone was cynical.

nFang Lang just raised an eyebrow and studied the man with a cool disposition.

nA foreigner.

nThe examiner for the practical section was a foreign cultivator!

nNo wonder the candidates were beaten badly.

nWho allowed a foreign cultivator to be the examiner?

nWhich dumb*ss made the decision?

nJust horrible!

nFang Lang wondered if all the practical assessments in the Tang Dynasty were examined by foreigners or it was just Luojiang City.

nRealization hit him as he recalled the policy question and figured it was just the Luojiang Examination Tower that received such treatment.

nHaving a foreigner as the examiner was likely a ploy by the high-ranking officials who supported utilizing the foreign tribes militarily.

nAs to why Luojiang Examination Tower was selected as the testing ground, Fang Lang could only guess it had to do with their third prince.

nRegardless, Fang Lang was in a pickle.

nThe sharp-eyed foreigner with an aquiline nose stared at Fang Lang like he was prey. A hint of savagery flashed in his eyes.

nFang Lang pulled out the Obsidian Sword from his sword box.

nThe black sword was a contrast to the white, snowy backdrop.

n‘Ding! Honor Mission activated.

n‘Honor Mission: A cultivator should honor their ethnicity and fight for their own kind. Defeat the foreign examiner and defend the Tang Dynasty’s honor! The host will be rewarded with Splitting Punch (Martial Arts Mastery Specialty),’ the System chimed.

nFang Lang’s calm eyes roamed.

nIn the distance, the sharp-featured foreign cultivator let out a shrill cry and drew his sword tied at the waist. His vital energy roared and a series of afterimages appeared. Snow billowed in response to the display of power.

nWhoosh!

nThe disturbed snow transformed into a spiralling white dragon that blocked Fang Lang’s line of sight.

nSuddenly, a blade sliced through the curtain of whiteness.

nBeyond the snowy curtain, the foreign cultivator grinned malevolently as he closed in on Fang Lang. The sword was aimed at Fang Lang’s skull and swung with brutish force.

nThe intention was to cleave open the boy’s head and let his insides spill all over the snowy ground.

nIn that crucial moment, Fang Lang met the eyes of the cruel cultivator.

n‘You wish to beat me up? You want to trash me and let me gain not a single point?

n‘I don’t like to be beaten so… Let’s see who trashes who!’

nClang!

nThe Obsidian Sword swept out in a graceful arc. Snowflakes danced around Fang Lang and formed a white lotus bud.

nAt that moment, Fang Lang concentrated. The white landscape reflected in his eyes.

n‘Switch to Triple Binding Mode. Activate Power Loan Card with Jiang Linglong as the binding partner.’

nSwoosh!

nBlade energy suffused into the snowflakes and caused a flurry.

nThe foreign cultivator was approaching swiftly. In a flash, blood exploded from his body as he was flung back. He fell through the thickly-layered snow, carving a huge tunnel in the soft ground.

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