Chapter 152: The Barefoot Youth, the Determined Maiden
The Sky-Scorching Sword was a secret sword technique; even the elders of the various peaks of the Eternal Life Sect did not know it. Only the disciples of Li Mountain could learn it. Chen Changsheng had never been to Li Mountain in his life, so how could he wield this sword? To ordinary people, this would be difficult to explain, perhaps even a puzzle that would trouble them for the rest of their lives. But at this moment, the important figures in the Hall of Manifest Culture knew more ancient stories than ordinary people. It did not take them long to recall an incident that occurred during the war against the demons several hundred years ago. That incident was unremarkable on the grand battlefield, but it had extremely far-reaching consequences.
After that incident, the complete sword manual of the Li Mountain Sword Sect was sent to White Emperor City.
"According to the agreement back then, the Li Mountain Sword Manual could only be preserved by the White Emperor clan, strictly forbidden from being passed on. How could Chen Changsheng learn it?"
"Because Chen Changsheng is the teacher of Her Highness Luoluo."
"Is that acceptable? If this logic is extended, wouldn't it mean that all future students of the National Academy can learn the Li Mountain sword techniques?"
"If Her Highness thinks it's acceptable, then it's acceptable. If the Li Mountain Sword Sect disagrees, they can go reason with His Majesty the White Emperor."
"Never mind the sword technique—how did Chen Changsheng manage to wash his marrow? How did his physical strength reach such a level? Without using magical artifacts or weapons, it's difficult to break his defense. What extraordinary encounter did he have?"
Many gazes in the Hall of Manifest Culture fell on the Archbishop, filled with inquiry, wondering if the Pontifical Council had employed some secret method.
The Archbishop did not speak. Now, there were only three people in the world who might know the truth of Chen Changsheng's extraordinary encounter, and he was one of them.
Mo Yu was also pondering this matter, just as she had thought earlier. She knew that Luoluo had been living in the Hundred Herbs Garden, so Chen Changsheng must be very familiar with the rare medicinal herbs there. She knew that Chen Changsheng's teacher, Ji Dao Ren, was the foremost physician on the continent, skilled in alchemy. But none of this was enough to make Chen Changsheng's body so strong.
Xue Xingchuan once again thought of Zhou Dufu, but the next moment he shook his head, dismissing this speculation because it was too absurd and unrealistic.
The Grand Examination was one of the most important events on the continent, but for the important figures, its main purpose was to select talent. Its true significance lay in the future, so they remained calm, not needing to watch up close, sitting steadily in the Hall of Manifest Culture. The two Holy See Archbishops even arrived late.
However, this year's Grand Examination brought them too many shocks and surprises. Gou Hanshi and Tianhai Shengxue had not yet made their moves, Her Highness Luoluo had not had the chance to display her strength in the first round, and Zhexiu was still lurking in his own grassland. Yet they could no longer sit steadily in their chairs.
Mo Yu stood up and said, "I want to go in and take a look."
Xue Xingchuan, Xu Shiji, and many other important figures in the hall also rose, leaving the Hall of Manifest Culture and heading toward the Hall of Pure Worthies, preparing to enter the Green Leaf World to watch the subsequent rounds of the Grand Examination up close.
The hall emptied, leaving only Merisa.
This Archbishop of the Pontifical Council, the leader of the old faction of the state religion, slowly raised his head, staring at the yellow sand filling the light mirror, as if still watching the young man from earlier. He remained silent, expressionless, showing neither joy nor sorrow, lost in thought, giving off a particularly weathered feeling.
Months ago, on the last night of the Green Vine Feast, Chen Changsheng was imprisoned by Mo Yu in the abandoned garden, then he entered the Black Dragon Pool on his own. He knew all of this. He even knew that Her Majesty the Empress was watching that night. He just didn't know what happened when Chen Changsheng encountered the black dragon at the bottom of the pool.
Now it seemed that the real event had occurred not long ago.
Bathed in dragon blood and reborn? A faint, ambiguous smile appeared on the Archbishop's face.
That black dragon was willing to pay such a great price for you? What does she want from you?
He had never actually held any hope that Chen Changsheng would take first place. The proclamation that had shocked the entire continent was merely the pressure he had applied to Chen Changsheng once again.
Only pressure could make Chen Changsheng mature quickly.
Now, from Chen Changsheng's performance, he actually saw hope. Though it was only the faintest trace, the possibility was still extremely slim, but there was hope after all.
How could he not feel gratified?
The Dust-Washing Pavilion opened, and Chen Changsheng walked out.
In the first round, when he walked out, the boot on his right foot was completely shattered. This time, both boots on his feet were shattered.
He stood barefoot on the stone steps, his academy robe tattered, looking like a little beggar.
But no one truly regarded him as a little beggar. This time, people were genuinely shocked. Especially after the palace priest announced that Huo Guang was severely injured, just like Su Moyu, and had been sent out of the academy for treatment, the shock reached a certain peak. Earlier, only Zhexiu, under the watchful eyes of the senior palace priest, had directly severely injured his opponent. Unexpectedly, Chen Changsheng had done the same.
The question was, how did he do it?
Guan Feibai was very puzzled and said, "This guy was just an ordinary person during the Green Vine Feast. How many days has it been, and he's become this strong?"
Gou Hanshi said, "I told you, he's not an ordinary person."
People's shocked gazes followed him to the edge of the forest.
Xuan Yuan Po greeted him with a simple smile.
Chen Changsheng looked at him and forced a smile, saying, "Please help me up."
Luoluo's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. She realized that although he appeared fine on the surface, he had actually sustained quite serious injuries, to the point where walking was difficult. She quickly stepped forward to support him.
Arriving at the white poplar tree, he sat down beside Tang Thirty-Six, frowning slightly, looking somewhat pained.
In the Dust-Washing Pavilion, when he broke through the storm formed by those fists, he had instantly endured seven strikes of the Breaking Army Fist.
No matter how strong his body was, it was still a struggle. Especially the punch to his right chest was extremely heavy. His ribs were not broken, but they should have some cracks.
If he had used the Yashiki Step or directly drawn his sword, he might have won more easily, without suffering so much. Just as he had thought in that instant during the match, his goal was not just to pass the second round. His goal was to take first place in the Grand Examination. Therefore, he had to reach the final decisive moment and had to hold something back.
The Huaiyuan Academy indeed had a good method for training young disciples. Huo Guang was at least in the top fifty of the Azure Cloud List, but he was too proud, inexperienced, and might underestimate his opponent.
For the ultimate goal, taking some risks was worth it.
"It's over. Now I really can't hold my head up in front of you."
Tang Thirty-Six had sustained quite serious injuries during his match with Liang Banhu. He had been leaning against the white poplar tree to regulate his breathing. Looking at Chen Changsheng beside him, thinking that this guy had actually advanced to the third round, going further than himself, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. He shoved a crystal he was holding into Chen Changsheng's hand and said, "You're just luckier."
That was true enough. How could Huo Guang compare to Liang Banhu? Chen Changsheng smiled, ignoring him, and looked at Luoluo, whose small face was full of worry. He said, "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Luoluo looked at his feet, covered in mud, quickly turned around, took out a pair of new boots, placed them beside him, and then pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve.
Judging by her intention, she was about to wipe Chen Changsheng's feet clean.
How could Chen Changsheng let her do that? This wasn't in the library of the National Academy. This was in the Green Leaf World of His Holiness the Pope. Dozens of examinees and even more senior palace priests were watching them. He didn't want to be burned to ashes by their anger. He quickly took the handkerchief.
"Your Highness, with the way he fights, you might need to prepare more boots."
Tang Thirty-Six counted seriously and said, "There are still four rounds left. You'll need at least three more pairs of new boots."
He said this to mock Chen Changsheng and Luoluo, this master and disciple pair, but unexpectedly, Luoluo laughed happily and said, "I hope your words come true."
Tang Thirty-Six was stunned for a moment before realizing that he had subconsciously assumed Chen Changsheng could make it to the end.
"No need to prepare boots. In the next few rounds, I'll try not to fight barefoot."
Before Tang Thirty-Six could explain anything, Chen Changsheng spoke, then looked at Luoluo and said, "Forfeit this round."
A teacher's command, a disciple obeys. Luoluo had always listened to him, but this time she did not.
"No."
Her answer was very crisp, very resolute, with a hint of a little girl's coquettishness or perhaps pride.
"You can't beat him." Chen Changsheng looked at Tianhai Shengxue in the distance, was silent for a moment, then said, "And today, he gives me a very dangerous feeling."
The three by the forest edge did not notice the word "also" in his words.
Today, Tianhai Shengxue was very silent, especially low-key, which made him feel particularly strange.
Because his family background determined that he could not be low-key.
Among the examinees participating in this year's Grand Examination, aside from Luoluo, he had the deepest and most terrifying background.
Moreover, his temperament had never been associated with low-key silence. A low-key person would never, upon returning to the capital from Yongxue Pass, make it his first task to smash the gate of the National Academy.
But today, he was truly low-key. From the start of the Grand Examination until now, he had remained silent, standing in the crowd like an ordinary examinee, his expression unchanged.
Many people noticed his silence, and Chen Changsheng did too. He felt this was dangerous.
If the wolf tribe youth Zhexiu's gaze at Luoluo gave him the most dangerous feeling, then Tianhai Shengxue was second.
Because both of them had the strength to defeat Luoluo.
Especially Tianhai Shengxue.
As the grandnephew most valued by Her Majesty the Empress, he did not stay in the bustling capital living a life of luxury. Instead, he went far away to Yongxue Pass to fight the demons, because he yearned for strength.
And he truly broke through the life-and-death realm on the battlefield outside Yongxue Pass, successfully reaching the profound realm.
This year's Grand Examination, he and Gou Hanshi were the two strongest.
Luoluo knew she was no match for Tianhai Shengxue, but she still insisted on fighting this match.
Chen Changsheng stood up, watching her walk to the front of the Dust-Washing Pavilion, his expression solemn, full of worry.
Tang Thirty-Six peeled a piece of hard bark from the white poplar tree and accurately hit him on the head, saying, "Do you really not understand why Her Highness is participating in the Grand Examination?"