The sage was determined to die.

The crowd remained silent for a long time.

They simply couldn't understand where he got his confidence from.

Finally, someone couldn't help but say in a tactful tone, "To be able to cultivate a literary mind amidst the sea of ​​books is already a genius."

"I've heard about that one from the State of Chen."

The man did not name names, but everyone knew he was referring to Chen Ji. He could only whisper, "He tried to force the second Wenxin to be compatible, but ended up losing his own."

It sounds like a joke, but no one dares to laugh at Chen Ji here.

After all, it is common knowledge that although Chen Ji lost Wenxin, his petty and narrow-minded personality remained unchanged.

Ji Bai nodded thoughtfully.

It seems that no matter which dynasty it was, gossip always spread the fastest.

"Of course I'm different from him."

Ji Bai's expression became unusually serious, as if he were stating some truth, and he said, "I am much more talented than him."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, their faces showing a constipated look of wanting to say something but holding back.

Just as Ji Bai was explaining his plan, Gongsun Yang hid in the crowd. He found a spot at the back, bent over, and hunched his shoulders to hide himself.

As a scholar from a small country with no money, status, or background, he certainly didn't stand out when he deliberately kept quiet.

As Ji Bai spoke more and more, his memories of the red-faced examiner became clearer and clearer.

The words of the red-faced examiner flashed through Gongsun Yang's mind.

"He could have easily obtained the Wenxin, but he gave it to this examiner who was on his deathbed."

Gongsun Yang looked around and saw that there were quite a few people who had been forcibly abducted by Ji Bai.

Although Ji Bai didn't force them to be cannon fodder like the people of Chu, his actions were certainly not morally sound.

Gongsun Yang frowned slightly. For some reason, he felt that Ji Bai looked somewhat familiar, but when he tried to figure out what that familiarity was, it was as if a membrane separated it from his mind.

Perhaps it's just my imagination.

Ji Bai naturally noticed him, and he subconsciously rubbed his fingers together twice.

Aside from washing his face and changing his clothes, he didn't change or lower his voice at all after meeting Gongsun Yang again. Surprisingly, Gongsun Yang, who had been in contact with him for a few days, didn't recognize him.

Ji Bai narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering to himself, "Is this also a rule of the Book Mountain?"

When he transitioned from a guard to an examinee, the red face that belonged to the guard would fade from other people's memories.

Ji Bai couldn't help but click his tongue. This cheat code was much more convenient for him than wearing a mask.

Ji Bai realized once again just how much authority Shushan had given him.

He remained expressionless, calmly explaining his plan. Seeing the stunned expressions on everyone's faces, he couldn't help but laugh, "What, do you think the task I gave you was too easy?"

The crowd's faces turned pale and then red, until finally someone couldn't help but say, "So you went to all this trouble to keep us here just so we could cheer for you and be your foil when you come on stage?"

Ji Bai frowned slightly, looked at the person who spoke, and said, "This is called the on-site atmosphere team, and it's a very important job."

The man fell silent.

He learned for the first time that flattery had another name.

"Isn't this better?"

Ji Bai sighed several times in a strong voice without interruption, then walked up to the man, his tone carrying a hint of great compassion.

"If I follow Qi, at least I can step in and protect you."

Ji Bai tilted his head slightly and continued, "Otherwise, who do you want to follow? Will you follow Chu to be a stepping stone for those two brothers, or will you follow Qi to be a punching bag for that hot-tempered madman?"

Ji Bai's intentions were not bad; he was explaining this possibility to them in a clear and organized manner. However, these words were automatically transformed into a hidden threat in the ears of these people.

—If you don't listen to me, I'll make you both the stepping stone and the punching bag.

In fact, Ji Bai did not deliberately select anyone. It just so happened that those who fell into his hands were all lone scholars from small countries. Their status was already low, so his methods were naturally not harsh.

The reality of having no one to rely on makes it difficult for them to quickly unite, even when they encounter similar people.

The group had no choice but to continue walking. Ji Bai, holding the compass, gradually slowed down. As he expected, footsteps soon followed behind him.

Ji Bai had naturally anticipated that Gongsun Yang would take the initiative to approach him.

Ji Bai glanced at Gongsun Yang, nodded politely, and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Gongsun Yang had already had a good drink at Ji Bai's place, and his throat was much better. He first offered some compliments and thanks, then got straight to the point, saying:

"Brother Ji, have you been to the Puppet Forest?"

Ji Bai's eyes widened, and she looked at him in surprise. "How did you know I'd been there?"

Gongsun Yang felt uneasy, but he put on the mask of gratitude.

He slowly and in detail recounted what had happened in the Puppet Forest to Ji Bai, deliberately omitting his participation in the assessment and emphasizing the red-faced examiner.

Gongsun Yang was not one to refrain from competition; he carefully observed the other party's reaction.

Ji Bai cooperated very well, his facial expressions fluctuating with Gongsun Yang's words. He managed to turn one point of surprise into five, showing a great deal of effort in portraying his astonishment.

His expression seemed both real and fake, and even Gongsun Yang couldn't see through his true emotions.

After the other party finished speaking, Ji Bai commented, "I did see that red-faced examiner, but I didn't give him that Wenxin out of kindness."

"Why is that?" Gongsun Yang couldn't help but ask.

Ji Bai spread his hands, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "His literary talent is only at the fourth rank, and I don't even think much of it, so I'll just give it back to him as a way of receiving good karma."

Gongsun Yang: "..."

Damn it, is a fourth-rank literary talent really that lowly?

"I know you're worried about me, but don't worry, I won't do anything that doesn't benefit me."

Ji Bai reached out and patted the other person's shoulder, a smile playing on his lips: "The place I'm taking you to next is the benefit I exchanged with him."

Gongsun Yang twitched his ears. He was naturally not stupid enough to inform Ji Bai on his own initiative. His original purpose was to find out some things from him, but he did not expect the feedback to come so quickly.

"Putting aside that ordinary fourth-grade literary talent, that examiner was indeed quite extraordinary."

Ji Bai never blushed when praising himself; he was the kind of person who could lie without batting an eye. While praising the red-faced examiner's excellence, he said to Yan Ming:

"That examiner was much smarter than the others. In exchange, he leaked some information to me, and you'll find out soon enough."

Gongsun Yang nodded, not understanding what was going on.

Two hours later, the crimson Gobi Desert was close at hand, already eagerly revealing its cruel nature.

At this moment, Ji Bai had no idea that he would encounter someone who shouldn't be there.