I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 45 Annihilation of Su
In an instant, the entire venue was shaken, and shouts of "cover-up!" filled the examination hall.

On the tower, Feng Jing, who was taking a nap with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

He had seen the glorious moments of the top twenty in the examination hall many times, so he felt nothing and did not pay attention to what was happening there.

But at this moment, the cries for "cover-up" were deafening, and Feng Jing couldn't help but pay attention.

Wei Yang, who was not far away, also jumped up and kicked over the recliner.

The imperial examinations are the most important event of the dynasty. If cheating occurs, not only will the small city of Yunmeng be in turmoil, but the entire prefecture and county will be in turmoil.

Without the two of them even needing to say anything, the assistant rushed downstairs and returned in an instant, reporting, "Xue Xiang has entered the top twenty, and Su Zimo, who was originally ranked twentieth, has been replaced. He is very dissatisfied and took the lead in making a fuss, shouting that there is a conspiracy."

Inside the examination hall, nine out of ten candidates had failed and were filled with resentment. They seized the opportunity to join Su Ziming in spreading rumors that there was some shady dealing involved.

"Wasn't Xue Xiang ranked thirty-seventh? How did he make it into the top twenty?"

Feng Jingqi was surprised.

He had previously inquired about Xue Xiang's grades and did not believe that anyone would dare to tamper with the examination results, let alone with such blatant manipulation.

Wei Yang sat up abruptly, staring at the clerk and saying, "Even the results of the imperial examinations can be wrong?"

The officer bowed and said, "I have found out that the test results reported earlier did not include any bonus points."

After verification, it was found that Xue Xiang had made meritorious contributions during his tenure at Jiufenshan and was eligible for an additional three points.

With the addition of three points, his ranking improved by thirteen places…

"Wait a minute, they mentioned bonus points. I vaguely remember something about it, like manipulating the newspaper for merit or something. But how can three points elevate a place by thirteen?"

Wei Yang had served as the chief examiner for the city examinations many times, but he always acted as a figurehead and never inquired about the details. He really couldn't understand why a mere three points could improve his ranking by thirteen places.

The assistant said, "Among the selected scholars, there are many cases of ties, ranging from two or three to more than ten."

Therefore, Xue Xiang only improved by three points, directly moving up thirteen places.

And after surpassing thirteen people, seven more people tied with him.

Upon verification, Xue Xiangxuan scored the highest on the questions, and he ranked first in the tie.

Thus, Xue Xiang's ranking rose to seventeenth.

"Are you sure?"

Wei Yang and Feng Jing said in unison.

"Correct."

The clerk answered decisively.

Wei Yang and Feng Jing breathed a sigh of relief.

Feng Jing's expression turned cold. "The most important matter of the nation is the imperial examination. The grand ceremony for selecting talents must not be allowed to be disrupted by petty scoundrels."

"Wei Ling, you are the chief examiner, how should this matter be handled? Is the decision still up to you?"

Wei Yang frowned. Did he know who Su Ziming was?
He didn't want to provoke the Su family, but this kid had acted so recklessly that Feng Jing was clearly going to use him as a sacrifice.

He wanted to protect her, but he was powerless to change the situation.

"Follow official procedures!"

Wei Yang uttered four cold words.

"it is good!"

Feng Jing pulled Wei Yang along, saying, "Wei Ling, please come with me to stabilize the situation."

"A cover-up, a cover-up..."

The howling sounds inside the examination hall finally coalesced into a thunderstorm.

Su Ziming clenched his fists tightly, looked up at the sky, tears welling up in his eyes and sliding down his full cheeks.

He suddenly felt a tragic sense of responsibility, as if he were facing a dark fate alone, bearing the hopes of many.

He regarded this deafening roar as the most magnificent movement of his life so far.

When he opened his eyes, a large, cold hand grabbed his neck. Two soldiers lifted him up and dragged him onto the platform.

On the high platform, Wei Yang and Feng Jing were there to greet him.

Next, Wei Yang's thunderous shout easily silenced the entire audience.

"Su Ziming, you were the first to shout that there was something fishy going on. Let me ask you, what is this 'something fishy going on'?"

Wei Yang's clear and sharp voice was like metal striking stone.

Su Zimo was momentarily stunned by the powerful aura emanating from Wei Yang, and his heart pounded with anxiety. Had he been too hasty?

"What? You're afraid to speak? Weren't you quite loud before?"

Wei Yang said loudly, "Then I'll speak."

Xue Xiang served as the secretary of Yunmeng Bureau. He pioneered the Yunmeng Times, stabilized businesses, and assisted businesses. He made numerous contributions, which were recorded in his biography.

According to the rules, one can receive bonus points, which will be reported to the academy and approved to add three points.

The combined score of the test and bonus points resulted in a ranking of seventeen.

Later, all the evidence will be posted next to the examination results for you to see for yourselves.

With a thud, Su Ziming felt as if someone had struck him on the back of the head. Immediately afterward, his scalp was ripped open and ice water mixed with icy shards was poured into it.

He knew he was finished. Inciting scholars to disrupt the imperial examinations was always considered a heinous crime. No one will ask about your original intentions; they will only focus on the objective facts.

"Su Zimo!"

Wei Yang's thunderous shout caused Su Ziming to feel a tightness in his chest and his vision to go black.

Suddenly, he coughed up a mouthful of black blood and collapsed.

Before his consciousness faded into darkness, a flicker of joy even welled up within him.

If someone faints, does that mean they won't be punished?
Before he could even fall unconscious, a bucket of cold water was poured over him.

He jolted awake.

Clang! A heavy, cold shackle was placed around her neck.

"Do not……"

Just as Su Ziming was about to scream, a tattered rag was stuffed into his mouth, filling it completely.

Just then, he saw Xue Xiang, standing on the Qingyun Platform.

Xue Xiang did not look at him, but instead looked around.

At the top of the sea of ​​clouds, a red sun pierced through the heavy black curtain and soared into the sky, its golden rays shining in all directions.

The inspector shouted, "Ascend!"

In an instant, Xue Xiang felt his feet sink into the air, heard the whistling wind in his ears, and plummeted rapidly from the sky.

Upon closer inspection, one could see wisps of blue, curved lines floating in the air above.

Suddenly, a voice as loud as a great bell rang in my ears, “This is the site of the Old Man of Hangu, rich in literary spirit, for you to choose from.”

Opportunity knocks but once, time waits for no one! What a pity!

Immediately, fragments of consciousness flooded into his mind.

Consciousness conveys the following information:

First, the cyan, curved lines floating in the air are literary energy, which can take shape at will.

Second, beneath your feet lies the Wen Yuan Sea; falling into the sea means exiting the trial.

Third, crossing the Wenyuan Sea is the first hurdle.

Fourth, the formal trial will begin after one hundred breaths. Similar instructions will be issued at any time.
The moment this foreign consciousness flashed through his mind, Xue Xiang used his mind to lock onto a wisp of literary energy.

With a whoosh, a pair of huge fake wings appeared on its back.

He flapped his wings violently, finally slowing his descent.

Immediately afterwards, he used his mind to capture a wisp of literary energy and transformed it into a small boat.

The next moment, he stood on the small boat, causing it to tilt and nearly capsize.

"The wind is coming."

Xue Xiang folded his wings and focused his mind on a wisp of literary energy. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, propelling the small boat away.

He tried to summon a gale, but found he couldn't.

They could only summon a wisp of wind to continue propelling the small boat when suddenly, a black dot appeared ahead.

Xue Xiang found his direction, and gradually, the dark spots increased, and everyone drew closer together.

Xue Xiang was surprised to find that there were people he didn't recognize on the ship.

"Brother Xue, this way."

Xue Xiang turned his head and saw Wei Wendao.

Soon, the small boat beneath Wei Wendao's feet transformed into a large ship.

He called out repeatedly, and the twenty Confucian scholars from Yunmeng City who had ascended Qingyun Terrace all approached Wei Wendao and then leaped onto Wei Wendao's large ship.

"It was truly perilous; I almost fell into the Wen Yuan Sea."

"That's not all. I've never even heard of this Old Man Hangu. When I came here, my father even asked someone to give me a riddle, guessing that it was the remains of some great sage, but he didn't guess any of them correctly."

"Gentlemen, do not be discouraged. Haven't you noticed? This place will not tell us all the information. We will have to figure some things out ourselves."

For example, before this, who knew that the top twenty from the six Canaanite cities would gather here?

In previous years, each city had its own trial.

"I know there's only one reason for this. It's because the ruins are of a high enough level. Higher-level ruins are more likely to supply literary energy, and those who ascend first are very likely to temper their bodies with literary energy. It's not surprising that they can even develop the Profound Night Eye. This is an honor that no one has been able to obtain for many years."

"In any case, this is the relic of a great sage whose literary talent can manifest, which means that whoever has the most talent will have an absolute advantage in the trial. Gentlemen, when we clash later, I will not give way."

"That's right, but I suggest that since we both come from Yunmeng, we should help each other when we can."

"It's natural."

Just then, the world changed dramatically. The sea, which had been filled with howling winds and low-hanging dark clouds, suddenly became clear and sunny.

Countless curved lines of blue, white, black, purple, and gold floated above the sea.

铛，
Xue Xiang received another message in his mind, informing him that the trial had officially begun.

His heart felt empty, as if a restraint that had been suppressing his feelings had been lifted.

(End of this chapter)