My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"How about another way?"

The middle-aged man looked at Jiang Xiaobai, raising an eyebrow slightly: "What exactly is the method?"

"It's very simple."

Jiang Xiaobai sat there, smiling, and said, "Defend the title!"

"It's one person versus twelve people."

Jiang Xiaobai said, "If the person defending the title is weaker than any of the other challengers, then they should step down!"

"If this person successfully holds on until the end... then he will be the winner today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur of discussion arose throughout the entire Lanting Tower.

"One person versus twelve people?"

"Isn't this too difficult?"

"Losing to just one person means you've failed to defend your title. The method is simple, but it's far too cruel!"

Yes, this method is so simple that everyone can understand it immediately.

As part of the normal assessment, each of the thirteen people answered their own questions, and the final ranking was determined by the person who wrote the answers and the senior members of the building.

But defending the arena is different; the person defending the arena must suppress the other twelve.

If one of them defeats the defending champion, the defending champion must leave the arena.

This isn't a test question, it's putting someone... on a fire to roast!

"That's interesting."

After a moment of contemplation, the middle-aged man suddenly smiled and looked at the thirteen people in Section A: "Alright, it's up to you."

"only……"

The middle-aged man paused slightly before asking, "Who will defend their position first?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's attention immediately fell on the Jia section.

Du Chong frowned.

Neither Guo Zhan nor Zhong Yu said anything.

The Third Prince sat there calmly, while the others had different expressions but did not speak.

Obviously, everyone understands what it means to be the first to defend one's title.

Being the first to go up may seem like you have an advantage, but in reality, it's also the most dangerous.

Because the twelve people behind you will all be targeting you.

"Hehe, I think anyone else is fine as long as they don't choose me."

Seeing everyone's silence, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but smile: "After all... once I go up, I might not be able to come down!"

"puff!"

Zhang Xinnian, standing behind, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

After laughing, he quickly covered his mouth.

But his shoulders were still trembling.

Tang Ningshuang stood to the side and pursed her red lips.

This guy... he's shameless!

Li Zhiwei, sitting on the fourth floor, also heard these words, and the corners of her lips, hidden behind her veil, curved slightly.

Lin Qinrou shook her head.

This person has absolutely no sense of humility; they don't even know how to write the word "humility."

However, it is precisely because of this that she is more like him.

"Young Master Jiang!"

Du Chong's voice rang out at this moment: "The idea was yours, and you seem so confident."

"Why don't you defend the title for now?"

As soon as he finished speaking, many people in District A nodded in agreement.

That's right. Since Jiang Xiaobai dared to suggest this method, he should naturally go first.

Otherwise, no matter how nicely you put it, it's just using others as a test case.

"Me? No, no, no!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's face showed a look of deep regret: "My intention in coming up with this idea was to give you a chance to stand out!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai turned his head to look at the Third Prince: "Third Prince, aren't you the Grand Secretary's disciple?"

"Why don't you go up first?"

"No!"

The Third Prince frowned slightly, then said calmly, "It's not too late for me to go up second."

"oh."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "So, the Third Prince likes to strike after the opponent has made their move."

The Third Prince's expression darkened slightly, but he remained silent.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't press the matter further, but instead looked to the other side: "Guo Zhan, you're the second-best newcomer this time, why don't you go up and set an example?"

You're the kind of guy who'd beat up your grandpa!

Guo Zhan's face stiffened, and he cursed inwardly.

He naturally didn't want to be the first to go.

After all, none of the people sitting in Section A today are simple.

Being the first to defend one's title is too risky.

Thinking of this, Guo Zhan snorted coldly, "I... I'll wait a little longer too."

"Okay, sure."

Jiang Xiaobai then looked at Zhong Yu: "Zhong Yu, you're the third-ranked scholar, you go first!"

"You...you should be the one to come!"

Zhong Yu suppressed his anger and said, "You're still the top scholar in this imperial examination."

"I bought my way into the top score!"

Jiang Xiaobai replied.

"Anyway, I'll postpone it a bit!"

Zhong Yu said angrily.

"Tsk!"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head and said, "Why are you all being so polite?"

Then he looked at the others: "This gentleman?"

Upon hearing this, the man immediately lowered his head and drank his tea.

Jiang Xiaobai then looked at the other one: "And you?"

The man shook his head and simply closed his eyes to rest.

"Why!"

Jiang Xiaobai sighed and said, "I originally wanted to give you a chance to showcase your talents."

"What a pity."

With that, Jiang Xiaobai shook his head and slowly stood up: "Since none of you want it, then... I'll go first!"

After speaking, Jiang Xiaobai walked back towards the person who had written the text.

After he stood next to the writer, he waved to Zhang Xinnian.

Zhang Xinnian was taken aback, as if he understood something, and quickly moved the chair that Jiang Xiaobai had just been sitting on.

When the chair was placed next to Jiang Xiaobai, he did not sit down immediately. Instead, he turned around and looked at the twelve people in Section A.

"I'm warning you beforehand, once I sit down, I won't be able to get down!"

With that, Jiang Xiaobai said with a smile, "Are you... sure no one's coming up?"

Within Zone A, the twelve people displayed varying expressions.

Du Chong stared coldly at Jiang Xiaobai.

The Third Prince frowned slightly.

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu also looked rather unwell.

Even so, no one stepped forward.

"Alright, since you're all being so polite, then I'll take a seat."

Jiang Xiaobai waited a moment, and seeing that no one spoke, he gently shook his head and sat down in the chair: "Ah, that feels so good!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai looked at the twelve people in Section A and said with a smile, "From now on, all twelve of you, one by one."

"If you win, I admit defeat!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Afterwards, many people's expressions turned strange.

No.

They won, so it was a loss for you, right?

You're making a big fuss, and you're quite arrogant!

Tang Ningshuang, standing below the stage, finally couldn't help but roll her eyes.

This guy... he really knows how to talk nonsense!

Above the fourth floor.

Xiao Zijing's eyes crinkled with laughter: "Interesting, this person is really interesting."

"Arrogant!"

Xiao Qingxiu gave a soft snort.

Jiang Xiaobai fought twelve people alone; I really don't know how he died!

Zhao Sheng's lips curled up. Jiang Xiaobai was quite clever before, but now he's acting foolish.

He rushed in by himself!

This person's brain is really messed up!

Li Bingzhang sat there, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

That kid, he can never settle down anywhere.

Lin Fengshuo smiled broadly; he found it quite amusing.

The middle-aged man who was writing the paper looked at Jiang Xiaobai, who had already sat down, with a somewhat surprised expression.

But since things had come to this, he naturally couldn't say anything more: "Since Young Master Jiang wants to defend his title, then I will set the challenge."

"Come!"

Jiang Xiaobai sat down in the chair and raised his hand: "Give me a question!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, then added, "However, I would trouble the writer to keep it simple."

Why?

The middle-aged man was taken aback.

"Ah, this young master is kind-hearted."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the twelve people below the stage and said earnestly, "I really don't want them to lose too badly..."