Chapter 135: Walking on Thin Ice
Crossing the forest sea and traversing the Green River—the former tested the candidates' spiritual perception and sensory abilities, while the latter examined their true essence reserves and application techniques. These assessments seemed simple, even somewhat childish, but in reality, they were clearly directed and had precise standards. The Grand Court Examination truly lived up to its name.
Emerging from the Boiling Time Forest, they arrived at the northeastern region of the Li Palace. The so-called "other shore" referred to the southern bank. How could one reach the south of the river?
Chen Changsheng looked at the tense candidates by the Qu River, listening to the footsteps in the forest behind him, some near, some far. He knew that many candidates would surely fail to leave this forest, and many more would be unable to cross this winding river. This martial examination round seemed destined to eliminate a great number of people.
He paid no attention to the strange glances cast his way, standing quietly on a rock by the riverbank, gazing at the meadow on the southern shore and the faint figures flickering in the pavilion among the trees beyond, lost in thought.
Liang Banhu had already crossed the river. Zhuang Huanyu, Guan Feibai, and Qi Jian—all of them had made it across. Just as he stepped out of the forest, he happened to see Gou Hanshi and Tianhai Shengxue land almost simultaneously on the southern grass. And that young man in the single-layer robe who had finished the literary examination first—was he perhaps in that forest?
Crossing such a wide river without relying on magical artifacts wasn't too difficult for those with abundant true essence and exquisite Daoist techniques. But for ordinary candidates, it was an extreme challenge. Those confident in their ability to cross had dashed straight over upon leaving the forest. Those still lingering on this side were hesitating.
Just then, a young female candidate from the Azure Radiance Thirteen Divisions emerged from the forest. After hearing the examiner explain the rules, she didn't hesitate for a moment, walking directly toward the Qu River. A faint early-spring breeze swept down from upstream, gently stirring her skirt as it danced like a leaf—and she simply walked across, as if it were the most ordinary thing.
The candidates remaining on the bank watched this scene and let out envious sighs. Besides the Sacred Law Technique, the Azure Radiance Thirteen Divisions specialized in light-body techniques. But those techniques, like the Li Mountain sword method's general principles, were never passed down to outsiders. Candidates from other academies could only envy from afar. As for ordinary candidates who had no chance to access such profound techniques, they were utterly helpless.
A disciple from the Purple Mist Cliff of the Eternal Life Sect grew irritated and said, "Everyone cultivates different techniques. This kind of assessment is too unfair."
The examiner replied, "As long as you can cross, you pass. That's the fairest measure."
The Purple Mist Cliff disciple retorted indignantly, "So if I brought my sect elder's mount and flew across, would that count as passing?"
The examiner said coldly, "If you brought it, that's your skill."
The Purple Mist Cliff disciple fell silent. Many magical artifacts could help cultivators fly short distances, but today's martial examination rules explicitly forbade using artifacts. As for flying beasts capable of carrying people, they were extremely rare. Aside from the military's red eagles, most were mounts belonging to sect elders—how could any disciple casually bring one along? Most crucially, the Grand Court Examination's procedures were strictly confidential, and this year's format differed greatly from previous ones. What candidate would think to bring a flying beast to the examination?
The Azure Radiance Thirteen Divisions girl had crossed the river with effortless ease. This scene sparked envy and also boosted the confidence and courage of the hesitant candidates. A candidate from the Northwestern Snow Mountain Sect began his attempt. As his right foot stepped onto the Qu River, the moment his sole touched the water, a sheet of ice formed on the surface.
"The Snow Mountain Sect's Ice Chill Technique is truly remarkable!" a candidate exclaimed in admiration.
The Snow Mountain Sect candidate looked solemn, carefully stepping into the river. His left foot landed on the water, and another sheet of ice formed beneath it.
He slowly advanced into the Qu River, ice forming under each step like blooming snow lotuses. The scene was beautiful but filled with tension—truly like walking on thin ice. No one spoke now; everyone held their breath, watching nervously, afraid to disturb him.
After a moment, the Snow Mountain Sect candidate had advanced over ten zhang. Suddenly, an annoying river breeze swept down from upstream, causing his body to sway. He struggled to hold on for a while, then realizing he couldn't maintain his balance, let out a sharp cry, leaped upward, and dashed toward the opposite bank. A thin layer of ice shavings formed on the rippling water.
Unfortunately, his true essence reserves weren't sufficient to sustain him for long. About seven zhang from the southern bank, he finally fell into the river.
"Oh no!"
The candidates watching from the shore felt a deep sense of regret, their confidence in passing the martial examination weakening further.
Even when a candidate from the Star Picking Academy later crossed directly by sword flight, it didn't restore their confidence. Sword flight across the river looked elegant, but in reality, it demanded extremely high levels of true essence reserves and technique. Among those who had successfully crossed earlier, only the Four Sons of Li Mountain and Zhuang Huanyu had used this method.
On the southern bank of the Qu River, candidates from the Star Picking Academy and acquaintances from the capital who had already crossed were waiting, offering congratulations one after another.
As time passed, candidates kept emerging from the forest. Upon hearing the examiner explain the crossing rules, the joy of leaving the forest instantly vanished.
Just then, the crowd suddenly parted as candidates bowed in greeting.
It was Luo Luo who had arrived.
Luo Luo walked up to Chen Changsheng and said, "Teacher?"
Her gaze carried a questioning intent.
Chen Changsheng replied, "Wait until Xuan Yuan and Tang come out."
A moment later, Tang Thirty-Six emerged from the forest. His green robes fluttered, unstained by fallen leaves, and his feather fan swayed lightly, exuding an indescribable elegance and aloofness. But Chen Changsheng could clearly see a trace of irritation between his brows. It was obvious he had encountered some trouble in the forest.
Come to think of it, during the literary examination, Tang Thirty-Six had been among the second-to-last batch to leave the Zhao Wen Hall. Logically, he should have come out much earlier.
"What happened?" Chen Changsheng asked.
Tang Thirty-Six said, "Ran into a scholar from the Huai Academy in the forest."
Chen Changsheng was somewhat surprised. The Boiling Time Forest was vast, with countless paths. It was rare for two candidates to end up on the same route. He himself hadn't encountered anyone in the forest.
"And then? You didn't fight over the path, did you?"
Tang Thirty-Six said expressionlessly, "Fighting naturally wasn't an option. First, the examiners were watching. Second, I'm not sure I could beat that guy. But since he dared to compete with me for the path, I had to debate him verbally. Don't worry—when it comes to arguing, I never lose."
Thinking back to the scene at the Green Vine Banquet where he and Luo Luo had humiliated Xiao Song Gong, Chen Changsheng had no doubt about his ability to out-argue anyone. Instead, he felt a bit of sympathy for that Huai Academy scholar. But the fact that Tang Thirty-Six admitted he might not be able to defeat that scholar made him cautious.
Just then, a Huai Academy scholar emerged from the forest.
Soon after, the other Huai Academy scholars also came out.
The four Huai Academy scholars huddled together, whispering a few words, then looked toward the National Academy. One of them had a face full of anger.
Clearly, this was the one who had contested the path with Tang Thirty-Six and then been verbally schooled by him.
(The single chapter I posted yesterday—it turns out readers on the client and book city couldn't see it. Some readers waited a long time for updates. I apologize again here. I won't say much else. First, gratitude; second, apologies. From last night until now, I've been in a terrible mental state. Today, it's just these two thousand words. I'm working hard to adjust. For no other reason than your love, I should overcome all difficulties. It seems I must deploy my ultimate weapon for overcoming life's greatest challenges. What ultimate weapon? Old readers know well. Some new readers might not know yet, but you'll see it often in the future—the ultimate weapon of the mortal world: Father's personality... Yes, three chapters tomorrow.)