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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 19: The Written Examination
After the opening remarks by Meng Ji, the Third Divine General, the Instructor from the Divine General Manor and Xiaoxiang Academy stepped forward with a serious expression to explain the examination rules.
The rules of the examination were generally the same everywhere: no whispering, no cheating. However, one could examine everything on their person, such as the books in their storage bags.
Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao entered the examination hall with the flow of people, finding their respective seats, each eagerly anticipating the distribution of the test papers to see this year's questions.
Once the Instructor finished distributing the exam papers, disciples from various sects began to flip through them, the rustling of paper mingling with their breaths, creating a sound reminiscent of a tide.
The Instructor of Xiaoxiang Academy announced loudly, "Everyone write your names; do not begin answering until the Bell Sound has rung."
Inside the examination hall, some individuals did not flip through their papers but instead ground ink while waiting for the Bell Sound to ring. This person was Lin Feng. Observing this scene, Lin Feng couldn't help but sigh. Who would have thought that even in this otherworldly realm, he could not escape the fate of examinations?
Others appeared bored and dazed, unlike Lin Miaomiao. She had never been interested in competing for fame and fortune. If it weren't for necessity, she wouldn't engage in such matters. Moreover, this examination was not a elimination round.
Some disciples occasionally flipped through their papers, sometimes grinding ink, sipping tea, or closing their eyes to rest. Their demeanor was calm and natural. This person was He Rongsheng from Azure Cloud Sect, ranked first on the Stele as the Eye of Destiny. He was one of the star figures at this Jiuzhou Gathering Conference.
When...
The Bell Sound rang out, and the Instructor spoke again loudly: "Begin answering."
Disciples from various sects started to write. Pens moved across white paper, producing a faint rustling sound. Countless soft rustles coalesced into a sound as clear as raindrops.
Lin Feng flipped through his exam paper; it contained no multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions but rather essay questions related to cultivation. Instead of answering each question one by one, Lin Feng skimmed through several topics. Then he looked at Lin Miaomiao, who happened to be looking at him as well. They exchanged smiles before each began to answer their questions.
Not far away, He Rongsheng held his pen seriously as he answered questions. The pen flowed across the paper like water; each stroke was meticulous yet exuded an air of ease and confidence.
The examination hall was quiet. Everyone was focused on answering their questions.
At that moment, something unexpected happened.
A young girl dressed in Barbarian attire rolled up her exam paper and walked up to the Instructor, saying, "I'm turning it in."
It wasn't unheard of for someone to turn in their paper early. However, it was unprecedented for someone like this girl to choose to submit her paper the moment the Bell Sound rang during the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference's Examination.
In previous years, it was often the disciples from the Barbarian sect who turned in their papers first. Out of respect for the elders and reverence for the solemnity of the examination hall, they usually endured until the end of the allotted time, or at least managed to stay for half an hour.
But this girl, without hesitation, chose to submit a blank paper right at the start. Clearly, she was arrogant and unaware of social norms.
The Instructor and many disciples in the examination hall looked at her in surprise. The atmosphere became somewhat strange.
The Instructor looked at the girl, his face clearly showing signs of anger. "Are you sure you want to submit a blank paper?"
The girl displayed an innocent look of confusion. She glanced around and shook her head, causing her large cup-shaped earrings to jingle. Looking at the Instructor, she respectfully asked, "Is it not allowed to submit a blank paper during the Examination?"
The Instructor's brows furrowed in anger. He coldly replied, "According to past Examination rules, submitting early is allowed, and submitting a blank paper is also permitted. However..."
Upon hearing this, the girl sighed with relief and revealed a lively smile. "Then that's settled. I'm turning it in. Senior, your tone and expression just now startled me; I thought it was something serious."
The Instructor could no longer tolerate being disregarded. "Which sect are you from?"
Before she could answer, a booming voice like thunder echoed through the examination hall: "This is my Barbarian princess."
The speaker's words were simple but filled with pride and disdain.
Elder Steward of Qingyun Sect chuckled and said, "Brother Muhan, there's no need to get worked up over matters between children."
The speaker was indeed Muhan Huo De, First Barbarian General, who had come to Zhongzhou as a guard for Princess Wutashan.
Inside the examination hall, the Instructor realized that the speaker was none other than the First Barbarian General. Despite the fury boiling within, he could only swallow his anger.
The Instructor took the blank answer sheet from Wutashan's hands and said calmly, "You may leave to prepare for the second half of the Examination."
"Understood." Wutashan bowed to the Instructor before departing.
The disciples in the hall watched as Wutashan left. Ranked seventh on the stele, she was undoubtedly a formidable opponent in everyone's eyes.
Those who remained were all powerful in both strength and status, so they chose to continue answering questions.
This year's Examination questions were particularly difficult, involving a chaotic mix of knowledge related to cultivation. For instance, why can't a Walker who cannot sense the existence of Vital Energy cultivate?
At first glance, this question seemed quite standard. One could write extensively about the relationship between Vital Energy and Walkers, discussing how Martial Arts Techniques relate to Vital Energy, and then conclude emphatically that those who cannot sense Vital Energy would inevitably be unable to cultivate throughout their lives.
However, immediately following this question was another: How can a Walker who cannot sense the existence of Vital Energy cultivate?
This question was undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face to the elaborate answer provided for the previous one. Some believed that the questioner was simply being mischievous; others wondered if they had made a mistake and hurriedly scratched out their earlier content. Many found themselves trapped in an endless cycle of self-questioning: Can someone who cannot sense Vital Energy really cultivate?
Such bizarre questions were abundant.
The Examination continued. The expressions of everyone shifted from anticipation and joy to seriousness, gradually turning into confusion, and ultimately reaching a state of frustration.
Some disciples couldn't think of a single word, biting their pen tips with pale faces as if they had endured a fierce battle. Others felt an intense heat despite the cold air, sweating profusely.
Very few disciples continued writing diligently. Lin Feng was one of them. He Rongsheng was another. The two seemed immersed in their imagined worlds, completely isolated from everything outside, focused on answering questions with their pens never pausing.
As time slowly passed, after half an hour, some began to submit their papers. An hour later, only about ten individuals remained in the academy still answering questions. These ten were all renowned Peak Experts of the Destiny Realm. Some might know the answers or have unique insights; others wanted to persist until they figured it out; or perhaps they simply wished to maintain their reputation as Peak Experts by enduring until the end.
After another half hour passed, young powerhouses like Guo Tie submitted their papers, each wearing a serious expression. Some continued muttering about the exam questions. Lin Miaomiao also stood up to submit her paper, glancing back at Lin Feng before leaving.
Inside the examination hall, only Lin Feng and He Rongsheng remained.
The Instructor quietly observed Lin Feng and He Rongsheng as they reached the last page of their answers, a look of approval crossing his face.
"This year's Examination is livelier than usual," the Instructor thought to himself. Having proctored the Examination for many years, he knew that very few students managed to complete all the questions. Of course, those who scribbled random answers did not count among them.
He recalled the past. During Lin Bai's generation at the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference, two individuals had persisted until the end; one of them was that year's Dark Horse, Dugu Po.
After Lin Bai, four remarkable women emerged in subsequent Jiuzhou Gatherings, each standing out in their respective years.
Today, Xiaoxiang Academy was fortunate to witness two disciples persist until the very end.
The Instructor, now an elderly man, had a cultivation level that was not particularly high. However, he still held some status within Divine General Manor. As he looked at the two young men before him, he momentarily felt as if he were seeing Lin Bai and Dugu Po from back in the day.
Outside the academy, intense discussions erupted.
The disciples were all indignant, vocally criticizing the question setters for being eccentric. The questions were bizarre and varied; for example, what color is Vital Energy? How much power does a pound of Vital Energy contain?
Meanwhile, the elders from various sects paid close attention to He Rongsheng and Lin Feng inside the hall, each lost in their thoughts. He Rongsheng possessed the Eye of Destiny, allowing him to see things beyond ordinary perception. His knowledge surpassed that of others, so it was only natural for him to persist until the end.
However, Lin Feng, who was merely at the early stage of Fate Realization Realm with low cultivation, what qualifications did he have to express his insights? It seemed absurd for someone with such low cultivation to discuss topics like cultivation, Vital Energy, and Martial Arts Technique in front of those far stronger than him.
As the sound of the ending bell was about to ring, a rustling noise filled the examination hall. The disciples outside ceased their discussions and curiously turned their attention inward, eager to see who would submit their paper first.
He Rongsheng completed all his answers. He stood up with his answer sheet in hand and couldn't help but glance through it once more before closing it with some satisfaction.
At the same time He Rongsheng stood up, Lin Feng also rose. He set down his pen and slowly rolled up his examination paper.
As the Instructor took the examination papers from the two disciples, his hands trembled slightly with excitement. Having proctored examinations for many years, he could easily discern the quality of the candidates.
He knew that the two papers in his hands carried significant weight.
He Rongsheng emerged from the academy, greeted by a chorus of praise and congratulations. Clearly, in the eyes of the crowd, his perseverance until the end meant he had answered all the questions correctly.
"Congratulations to Azure Cloud Sect for producing another future powerhouse."
Although the Examination did not eliminate anyone, it provided a glimpse into the future of those who practiced as Walkers. For instance, Cold Rain, Qi Wan'er, members of the Guan Family, and Xiao Mi—four contemporary young Grandmasters—had all once been first in the Examination, answering every question correctly.
"After Lin Bai, finally a young man has answered all questions correctly."
"The Eye of Destiny is indeed extraordinary."
As Lin Feng stepped out of the academy, the praises abruptly ceased. Everyone turned to look at him, first falling into silence, then erupting into endless laughter and mockery.
"Don't think being the last to come out means you're first."
"Does a Walker at the early Fate Realization Realm think he can tackle problems that even peak Fate Realization Walkers cannot solve?"
"It’s obvious he just wanted to drag it out until the end to draw everyone's attention. Even Elder Ji and Divine Ruins took notice, mistakenly believing this person had exceptional patience and resilience."
"If that's the case, this person is far too scheming."
Amidst all the heated skepticism, Lin Feng remained unfazed. He felt exhausted; those difficult questions had drained him significantly. Upon exiting, he realized that his clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
Lin Miaomiao walked over to Lin Feng, smiling as she said, "No matter what, congratulations."
"When did you come out? Those questions were difficult, but I thought you would be able to answer them," Lin Feng asked.
Lin Miaomiao replied, "Only two or three questions were a bit challenging. Just when I was about to give up, I suddenly had an inspiration. So I wrote down the answers and came out."
Lin Feng understood and said, "You really did finish the exam faster than I did."
A disciple beside Lin Miaomiao looked at her in surprise and said, "You finished the exam too?"
This remark caught the attention of many people. Even the instructor in the academy found it hard to believe upon hearing this. Lin Miaomiao had not left a deep impression on him during the exam.
The instructor doubted that anyone could finish all the questions so early. To confirm, he flipped through all the test papers, searching for Lin Miaomiao's. (To be continued...)
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