Chapter 174: Chapter 138: Shot Down

Led by Liu Wan and Li Dayao, Chu Lingguang and the others made their way from the back courtyard to the Martial Arts Arena.

They were all surprised to find a crowd of dignitaries and nobles seated there.

’Eldest Brother.’

Chu Lingguang scanned the crowd.

He immediately spotted Yang Shaorong.

Yang Shaorong was a Captain in the Qiling Governor’s Mansion, commanding three thousand soldiers. As a man of high station and considerable power, he was naturally qualified to enter, observe the competition, and evaluate the merits of Li Dayao and Liu Wan.

He was even seated right at the front.

Yang Shaorong spotted Chu Lingguang at the same time.

Ever since Chu Lingguang took first place in the initial round by achieving a full-body breakthrough, Yang Shaorong had held high hopes for him. On the day the second-round results were announced, Li Dayao and Liu Wan had put the news on lockdown; not even the Imperial Guard Captains dared to leak a word.

At the time, the outside world was abuzz with speculation.

Some people realized that a monstrous prodigy had emerged within the Qiling Governor’s Mansion.

Speculation ran rampant outside.

Many people began to investigate in secret.

Unfortunately, with the Court’s strict regulations and the academy sealed off, everyone only knew that a storm was brewing, but not who was at its center.

Even now, they still didn’t know who that person was.

That was why Yang Shaorong and the others were so keenly interested in this performance review of Liu Wan and Li Dayao. Many had to pull strings just to get the qualifications to come and watch.

Yan Zhen, for example.

Yan Zhen was quick-witted and intelligent.

Sensing that something was amiss long ago, he had immediately contacted Wei Yongguang. It was only through Wei Yongguang’s arrangements that he managed to secure a spot to watch alongside Yang Shaorong and the others.

As a Martial Scholar.

He had yet to achieve a higher title, so despite taking first place and winning numerous awards in the previous term, Yan Zhen never would have gotten in without Wei Yongguang pulling some strings.

Both he and Yang Shaorong saw the person they were looking for.

Seeing his younger brother among this final group of people, Yan Zhen breathed a silent sigh of relief and gave Yan Chengdu a slight nod of encouragement.

Having been forewarned by Yan Zhen, Yan Chengdu already knew about this test. He couldn’t help but tighten his grip on his Willow Leaf Saber. ’I have to last at least fifty rounds, and I need to get the upper hand against the Imperial Guard. Even if I can’t compare to my brother, I can’t bring shame to the Yan Family.’

Chu Lingguang returned Yang Shaorong’s nod. Seeing each other at this moment brought a sense of joy to them both. With the news kept under wraps, Yang Shaorong had worried that Chu Lingguang’s aptitude might not be enough to get him to the final round. Now, seeing him in the crowd, he knew that regardless of how long Chu Lingguang lasted in the test, he would have a good report to give Guo Wei afterward.

“Quick, look! Lord Feng is over there.”

Lin Longde pointed to a man sitting behind Yang Shaorong. It was none other than the chief examiner from South City, Feng Junyi.

Sensing the gazes of Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde, Feng Junyi couldn’t help but give them a smiling nod.

Grateful for the guidance Lord Feng had given them on their journey, both Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde hurriedly bowed to him in greeting from across the arena.

Feng Junyi’s smile widened.

He had already returned to his post when he suddenly received a message from the academy. He was informed that the top three candidates from South City had all made it to the final round and was invited to attend and supervise the assessment.

He had thought that perhaps someone from South City would make it to the final round, but he never expected all three of them to qualify.

Regardless of how long Chu Lingguang and the others managed to last, this was already a brilliant mark on his record as the South City proctor.

Although Yan Chengdu hadn’t received personal guidance from Feng Junyi, he didn’t dare show any disrespect to his chief examiner and also hurriedly bowed from a distance.

Feng Junyi nodded slightly and said to Yan Zhen, who was behind him, “Two heroes from a single family. Master Yan is truly blessed.”

“You’re too kind, my lord,”

Yan Zhen said hurriedly.

Nearby, Fan Zhibian’s expression soured.

He and Feng Junyi were rivals. Of the top ten candidates from Jin City, only Chen Jin, Qi Shiwei, and Gao Yimu had made it to the final round; the rest had all been eliminated. They had clearly failed to awaken the Dragon Elephant Power. In terms of administrative achievement, his record for proctoring Jin City had already fallen short of Feng Junyi’s.

His only hope now was that Chen Jin’s group of three would excel in the final assessment and outperform Chu Lingguang’s trio. It would be best if one of them turned out to be the prodigy who had caused such a stir.

’My father actually got in too.’

’Did Fan Zhibian arrange it?’

Emperor Yue Xuan’s brow furrowed. He spotted his father in the crowd, sitting next to an old man with a beaming smile who was dabbing at his face with a handkerchief. Just then, his father pointed excitedly in his direction and said, “Eunuch Liu, that’s my son, Emperor Yue Xuan! He must be the one you’re looking for.”

It was through Eunuch Liu’s arrangements that Yue Yuanshan had gotten the opportunity to enter the academy and watch the final round.

“What a handsome young man.”

As Chu Lingguang and the other ten candidates emerged, Eunuch Liu’s narrow eyes scanned back and forth over each of them several times. Emperor Yue Xuan, with his heroic and dashing looks, was particularly striking among the eleven and had caught his eye long ago.

Now, learning that this was Yue Yuanshan’s son, Eunuch Liu couldn’t contain his excitement.

“My son has been exceptionally gifted since childhood, and he’s also incredibly diligent. He never takes his master’s teachings lightly. His success today is a testament to both his master’s excellent guidance and his own round-the-clock training,” Yue Yuanshan said, his face glowing with a pride that came from deep within.

“Good. Very good. Excellent! I have a fondness for children who are both astonishingly talented and hardworking. As long as he can take first place today, I will pass my legacy on to him,” Eunuch Liu said with a laugh.

The more he looked at Emperor Yue Xuan, the more convinced he became that this was the one he had been searching for.

He had been traveling nearby when he heard that a storm was brewing in the Qiling Governor’s Mansion and had immediately changed his course. Unfortunately, not even someone of his status could find out exactly who this phenomenal “storm-starter” was.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep