"Something most suitable for me?" Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes brightened as he thrust out his right hand. "Hand it over!"
"Your honor, this thing is best used when your opponent is unaware of it. If everyone knows that you have this, I’m afraid..." The middle aged candidate hesitated as he looked around.
"I understand!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded and leapt to the candidate’s side. He was not worried that this candidate might still have something up his sleeve. After all, the duel was over.
"Your honor, this is known as the Seven Treasure Box!" The middle aged candidate carefully placed the box in Fang Zhengzhi’s hand.
"Seven Treasure Box?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the black metal box in his hand.
"Yes, this box is created from seven different treasures. It was crafted by the famous Mo Family Smith using the Seven Star Array Mold. Under normal circumstances, anyone weaker than a pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State cultivator cannot defend against it. However, with the element of surprise, even a Supernatural cultivator may not be able to defend against it!" The candidate explained.
"So powerful? Just now... you wanted to attack me with this?"
"Yes..."
"Okay then, thank you!"
"You’re most welcome. I am glad that it has found a good owner! I am sure that you can bring the most out of it!" The candidate said sincerely.
"Hahaha... you have foresight!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded and chuckled.
All of the officials were stunned to hear Fang Zhengzhi’s laughter. Isn’t this a little too strange? Fang Zhengzhi set up a trap for the candidate to fall into, yet the candidate was giving him a gift?
Shouldn’t he suffer some form of retribution?
I guess nice guys really aren’t rewarded!
...
The duel was over within moments. The result was expected, but the process was jaw dropping.
After the invigilator announced the results...
He declared the start of the final.
The duel would be between Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu.
Based on their Theory Examination results, this duel would determine who would take home the top spot for the imperial examinations.
Would Fang Zhengzhi win?
Or would Yan Xiu from the Yan Family win?
The officials stared at the two men on the stage. They were all guessing and predicting the results for this final.
From what they had just seen, Fang Zhengzhi was already at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State.
By virtue of the fact that Yan Xiu could match Xing Qingsui’s attacks in their duel, he was also of similar ability.
This was a battle between two pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State candidates. Furthermore, they were both under 18 years old.
Other than deciding who was going to be the top of the imperial examinations, it had another special meaning. It would determine who was the Great Xia Dynasty’s next talent.
On stage.
Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu looked at each other.
"I guess we have to fight again." Fang Zhengzhi said in exasperation.
"Yes." Yan Xiu nodded.
"When we left the capital the last time, you said that you would defeat me. You have the chance now." Fang Zhengzhi nodded. They were friends, but they were not going to hold back during the duel.
"Okay."
"Will you use weapons?"
"How about you?"
"No."
"Then I won’t either." Yan Xiu immediately kept his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan.
All of the officials began to worry when they saw Yan Xiu keep his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. Can Fang Zhengzhi be trusted?
The last duel was a perfect example.
Ping Yang looked at the officials in disdain. Then, she turned to look at King Duan. He was watching the spectacle unfold solemnly.
Her eyes glimmered brightly in that instant.
"Does Sixth Brother think that Fang Zhengzhi would trick Yan Xiu?"
King Duan had not been happy ever since the start of the duels. When he heard Ping Yang’s voice, he turned to look at her.
"One can never trust Fang Zhengzhi’s words!" King Duan replied without hesitation.
"Is that so? Then how about we have a little wager?" Ping Yang was getting excited.
"Oh? What do you want to wager?" King Duan asked, his interest piqued.
"I hear that you have a good bow named "Sun Shooting"..." Ping Yang said in anticipation.
"I cannot give you the Sun Shooting Bow! That is my personal weapon!" King Duan interrupted Ping Yang.
"Brother, you have plenty of weapons, but you do not have a good stallion. Why don’t you use this opportunity to get yourself a good one?" Ping Yang had anticipated King Duan’s reaction. She did not give up, choosing to bait him with an irresistible incentive.
"You want to use your Snow Jade in a wager?" King Duan’s eyes brightened. There was only one Snow Jade in the entire capital. This was a stallion he always wanted.
However, the Snow Jade was Ping Yang’s prized possession. She had never used it in a wager.
"What is Snow Jade? I will use the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion!" Ping Yang waved him off.
"Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion? That is Ninth Brother’s..."
"Don’t worry about that. The Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion is at my residence. When have I not kept my word?" Ping Yang interrupted King Duan and pounded her chest in assurance.
When Ninth Prince Lin Yun heard this, his expression turned bitter.
The Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was his.
However, there was no way he was going to get him back. When Chi Guyan borrowed the stallion from him, she had promised him that Ping Yang would return it when Chi Guyan returned to the capital.
However...
Chi Guyan was in the Heaven Dao Pavilion. She never returned to the capital.
As such, the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was his greatest sacrifice. Even though Chi Guyan had sent over a letter, Ping Yang had swallowed it when the Ninth Prince handed it to her.
In that instant, the Ninth Prince’s heart shattered.
Take it from her by force?
Ping Yang’s residence had better guards than the palace.
Reason with her?
The only piece of evidence had been eaten by Ping Yang. Furthermore, Ping Yang was heavily favored by the Emperor. Even if she wasn’t, there was nothing that he could do without evidence.
His Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion had already fallen into the hands of the devil.
Right now, Ping Yang was using his Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion in a wager. More importantly, she was going it in front of him. Only he could understand the pain in his heart.
King Duan turned to look at the Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince knew what King Duan meant. He grit his teeth and nodded.
Since he wasn’t getting it back...
He might as well do someone a favor.
"Okay then, I will bet that Fang Zhengzhi will draw his sword!" King Duan understood that the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was already in Ping Yang’s hands.
"It’s a deal!" Hahaha..." Ping Yang could not contain her excitement.
King Duan was also quite happy. He was not happy with the duels. However, now that someone was about to ‘give’ him a Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion, he felt much better.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea that Ping Yang had bet on him.
His concentration was fully on Yan Xiu. He could feel Yan Xiu exuding confidence.
That was an innate confidence.
"I am ready." Yan Xiu bowed towards Fang Zhengzhi.
"I am ready as well." Fang Zhengzhi bowed.
"Then let’s begin."
"Okay!"
In the eyes of the officials, Fang Zhengzhi was not one who valued such pleasantries. However, he bowed to Yan Xiu.
This was something that confused the officials.
However, their confusion was quickly replaced by awe.
"Open!" A voice rang out from the stage. Then, almost all of the officials stood up subconsciously.
Yan Xiu had already moved.
Normally, these officials would know better than to stand. However, in this case, even Emperor Lin Mubai shifted in his seat.
After Yan Xiu finished speaking that word, his expression became pained as beads of sweat rolled from his forehead.
Most importantly...
There were two pale red whirlpools below his feet.
These were not formed from air. They looked like they had appeared from thin air. Yan Xiu seemed to be being pulled down by the two whirlpools.
"That’s right, Yan Xiu had been to that place!"
"Oh my god. He’s only 16 and just broke through to the Heavenly Reflection State. Why would his dad throw him into that bloody place?!"
"I never expected that someone from the Yan Family would be able to come out alive. Furthermore, he’s only 16..."
"Well done Yan Xiu! The results for this contest may be determined. However, the court examinations will be very interesting!"
All of the officials were terrified by what they saw. When they looked at Fang Zhengzhi, their expressions were filled with pity.
"When I went back this time, I actually went to a place." Yan Xiu seemed to be muttering to himself as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"What place?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly curious to find out after seeing Yan Xiu’s expression. Yan Xiu was never one to express himself, which was why Fang Zhengzhi did not ask before that.
.
"I went to a parallel dimension similar to the Divine Constabulary’s Heavenly Treasure Hall. The others call it a "Unheavenly World", but the Yan Family calls it "Ancestral Hell"!" Yan Xiu continued.
"Ancestral Hell?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.
"Yes, I am about to attack!" Yan Xiu did not say anymore.
"Come at me!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded. He had already prepared himself for this.
"Zoom!" An icy gust of wind blew by and a figure appeared right in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
The initially calm Fang Zhengzhi was stunned. He knew that Yan Xiu was more powerful than before. After all, he had watched the battle between Yan Xiu and Xing Qingsui.
However...
The speed that Yan Xiu showed before and the speed Yan Xiu had now were completely different.
What changed?
Fang Zhengzhi used the Wind Shadow Technique in an attempt to dodge.
However, it had no f*cking use.
Yan Xiu continued to close on him like a phantom he could not rid himself of. Furthermore, he was much faster than Fang Zhengzhi.
This was a speed Fang Zhengzhi had seen before.
He had seen Ying Shan travel at such speeds in the World of the Sage.
What the f*ck?
Did he manage to breakthrough into the Supernatural State in just a few months?
Just as Fang Zhengzhi was thinking about it, a sharp aura came crashing down on him. It felt just like a blade was slicing down towards him,
He dodged to the right reflexively.
"Kacha!" His blue long sleeved shirt became a short sleeved one.
At that very moment, there was a crack in the stage. It looked like it had been sliced cleanly with a knife. It went straight through the ground, and the rocks around it were completely untouched.
Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes widened.
What the hell is this?
He glanced at Yan Xiu and realized that Yan Xiu did not move. He was still standing at where Fang Zhengzhi was.
He was still stepping on the two pale red whirlpools, his expression pained.
However, this was not what Fang Zhengzhi was most concerned about. Yan Xiu clearly did not have a weapon in his hand.
So...
What the hell caused the crack in the stage?
All of the officials looked at each other in disbelief when they saw the damage to the stage.
"He really has understood it!"
"He is already this powerful at 16!"
"There are people in history who have attained such power at the Heavenly Reflection State. However, I think he is the only one who has done it at 16 years old!"
"If nothing goes awry, he should be the successor to the Yan Family."
"I think this duel is over. I wonder what plans the Emperor will have for Yan Xiu in the future!"
All of the officials concentrated on Yan Xiu. No one bothered to look at Fang Zhengzhi.
"Something most suitable for me?" Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes brightened as he thrust out his right hand. "Hand it over!"
"Your honor, this thing is best used when your opponent is unaware of it. If everyone knows that you have this, I’m afraid..." The middle aged candidate hesitated as he looked around.
"I understand!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded and leapt to the candidate’s side. He was not worried that this candidate might still have something up his sleeve. After all, the duel was over.
"Your honor, this is known as the Seven Treasure Box!" The middle aged candidate carefully placed the box in Fang Zhengzhi’s hand.
"Seven Treasure Box?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the black metal box in his hand.
"Yes, this box is created from seven different treasures. It was crafted by the famous Mo Family Smith using the Seven Star Array Mold. Under normal circumstances, anyone weaker than a pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State cultivator cannot defend against it. However, with the element of surprise, even a Supernatural cultivator may not be able to defend against it!" The candidate explained.
"So powerful? Just now... you wanted to attack me with this?"
"Yes..."
"Okay then, thank you!"
"You’re most welcome. I am glad that it has found a good owner! I am sure that you can bring the most out of it!" The candidate said sincerely.
"Hahaha... you have foresight!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded and chuckled.
All of the officials were stunned to hear Fang Zhengzhi’s laughter. Isn’t this a little too strange? Fang Zhengzhi set up a trap for the candidate to fall into, yet the candidate was giving him a gift?
Shouldn’t he suffer some form of retribution?
I guess nice guys really aren’t rewarded!
...
The duel was over within moments. The result was expected, but the process was jaw dropping.
After the invigilator announced the results...
He declared the start of the final.
The duel would be between Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu.
Based on their Theory Examination results, this duel would determine who would take home the top spot for the imperial examinations.
Would Fang Zhengzhi win?
Or would Yan Xiu from the Yan Family win?
The officials stared at the two men on the stage. They were all guessing and predicting the results for this final.
From what they had just seen, Fang Zhengzhi was already at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State.
By virtue of the fact that Yan Xiu could match Xing Qingsui’s attacks in their duel, he was also of similar ability.
This was a battle between two pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State candidates. Furthermore, they were both under 18 years old.
Other than deciding who was going to be the top of the imperial examinations, it had another special meaning. It would determine who was the Great Xia Dynasty’s next talent.
On stage.
Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu looked at each other.
"I guess we have to fight again." Fang Zhengzhi said in exasperation.
"Yes." Yan Xiu nodded.
"When we left the capital the last time, you said that you would defeat me. You have the chance now." Fang Zhengzhi nodded. They were friends, but they were not going to hold back during the duel.
"Okay."
"Will you use weapons?"
"How about you?"
"No."
"Then I won’t either." Yan Xiu immediately kept his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan.
All of the officials began to worry when they saw Yan Xiu keep his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. Can Fang Zhengzhi be trusted?
The last duel was a perfect example.
Ping Yang looked at the officials in disdain. Then, she turned to look at King Duan. He was watching the spectacle unfold solemnly.
Her eyes glimmered brightly in that instant.
"Does Sixth Brother think that Fang Zhengzhi would trick Yan Xiu?"
King Duan had not been happy ever since the start of the duels. When he heard Ping Yang’s voice, he turned to look at her.
"One can never trust Fang Zhengzhi’s words!" King Duan replied without hesitation.
"Is that so? Then how about we have a little wager?" Ping Yang was getting excited.
"Oh? What do you want to wager?" King Duan asked, his interest piqued.
"I hear that you have a good bow named "Sun Shooting"..." Ping Yang said in anticipation.
"I cannot give you the Sun Shooting Bow! That is my personal weapon!" King Duan interrupted Ping Yang.
"Brother, you have plenty of weapons, but you do not have a good stallion. Why don’t you use this opportunity to get yourself a good one?" Ping Yang had anticipated King Duan’s reaction. She did not give up, choosing to bait him with an irresistible incentive.
"You want to use your Snow Jade in a wager?" King Duan’s eyes brightened. There was only one Snow Jade in the entire capital. This was a stallion he always wanted.
However, the Snow Jade was Ping Yang’s prized possession. She had never used it in a wager.
"What is Snow Jade? I will use the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion!" Ping Yang waved him off.
"Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion? That is Ninth Brother’s..."
"Don’t worry about that. The Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion is at my residence. When have I not kept my word?" Ping Yang interrupted King Duan and pounded her chest in assurance.
When Ninth Prince Lin Yun heard this, his expression turned bitter.
The Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was his.
However, there was no way he was going to get him back. When Chi Guyan borrowed the stallion from him, she had promised him that Ping Yang would return it when Chi Guyan returned to the capital.
However...
Chi Guyan was in the Heaven Dao Pavilion. She never returned to the capital.
As such, the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was his greatest sacrifice. Even though Chi Guyan had sent over a letter, Ping Yang had swallowed it when the Ninth Prince handed it to her.
In that instant, the Ninth Prince’s heart shattered.
Take it from her by force?
Ping Yang’s residence had better guards than the palace.
Reason with her?
The only piece of evidence had been eaten by Ping Yang. Furthermore, Ping Yang was heavily favored by the Emperor. Even if she wasn’t, there was nothing that he could do without evidence.
His Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion had already fallen into the hands of the devil.
Right now, Ping Yang was using his Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion in a wager. More importantly, she was going it in front of him. Only he could understand the pain in his heart.
King Duan turned to look at the Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince knew what King Duan meant. He grit his teeth and nodded.
Since he wasn’t getting it back...
He might as well do someone a favor.
"Okay then, I will bet that Fang Zhengzhi will draw his sword!" King Duan understood that the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion was already in Ping Yang’s hands.
"It’s a deal!" Hahaha..." Ping Yang could not contain her excitement.
King Duan was also quite happy. He was not happy with the duels. However, now that someone was about to ‘give’ him a Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion, he felt much better.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea that Ping Yang had bet on him.
His concentration was fully on Yan Xiu. He could feel Yan Xiu exuding confidence.
That was an innate confidence.
"I am ready." Yan Xiu bowed towards Fang Zhengzhi.
"I am ready as well." Fang Zhengzhi bowed.
"Then let’s begin."
"Okay!"
In the eyes of the officials, Fang Zhengzhi was not one who valued such pleasantries. However, he bowed to Yan Xiu.
This was something that confused the officials.
However, their confusion was quickly replaced by awe.
"Open!" A voice rang out from the stage. Then, almost all of the officials stood up subconsciously.
Yan Xiu had already moved.
Normally, these officials would know better than to stand. However, in this case, even Emperor Lin Mubai shifted in his seat.
After Yan Xiu finished speaking that word, his expression became pained as beads of sweat rolled from his forehead.
Most importantly...
There were two pale red whirlpools below his feet.
These were not formed from air. They looked like they had appeared from thin air. Yan Xiu seemed to be being pulled down by the two whirlpools.
"That’s right, Yan Xiu had been to that place!"
"Oh my god. He’s only 16 and just broke through to the Heavenly Reflection State. Why would his dad throw him into that bloody place?!"
"I never expected that someone from the Yan Family would be able to come out alive. Furthermore, he’s only 16..."
"Well done Yan Xiu! The results for this contest may be determined. However, the court examinations will be very interesting!"
All of the officials were terrified by what they saw. When they looked at Fang Zhengzhi, their expressions were filled with pity.
"When I went back this time, I actually went to a place." Yan Xiu seemed to be muttering to himself as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"What place?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly curious to find out after seeing Yan Xiu’s expression. Yan Xiu was never one to express himself, which was why Fang Zhengzhi did not ask before that.
.
"I went to a parallel dimension similar to the Divine Constabulary’s Heavenly Treasure Hall. The others call it a "Unheavenly World", but the Yan Family calls it "Ancestral Hell"!" Yan Xiu continued.
"Ancestral Hell?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.
"Yes, I am about to attack!" Yan Xiu did not say anymore.
"Come at me!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded. He had already prepared himself for this.
"Zoom!" An icy gust of wind blew by and a figure appeared right in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
The initially calm Fang Zhengzhi was stunned. He knew that Yan Xiu was more powerful than before. After all, he had watched the battle between Yan Xiu and Xing Qingsui.
However...
The speed that Yan Xiu showed before and the speed Yan Xiu had now were completely different.
What changed?
Fang Zhengzhi used the Wind Shadow Technique in an attempt to dodge.
However, it had no f*cking use.
Yan Xiu continued to close on him like a phantom he could not rid himself of. Furthermore, he was much faster than Fang Zhengzhi.
This was a speed Fang Zhengzhi had seen before.
He had seen Ying Shan travel at such speeds in the World of the Sage.
What the f*ck?
Did he manage to breakthrough into the Supernatural State in just a few months?
Just as Fang Zhengzhi was thinking about it, a sharp aura came crashing down on him. It felt just like a blade was slicing down towards him,
He dodged to the right reflexively.
"Kacha!" His blue long sleeved shirt became a short sleeved one.
At that very moment, there was a crack in the stage. It looked like it had been sliced cleanly with a knife. It went straight through the ground, and the rocks around it were completely untouched.
Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes widened.
What the hell is this?
He glanced at Yan Xiu and realized that Yan Xiu did not move. He was still standing at where Fang Zhengzhi was.
He was still stepping on the two pale red whirlpools, his expression pained.
However, this was not what Fang Zhengzhi was most concerned about. Yan Xiu clearly did not have a weapon in his hand.
So...
What the hell caused the crack in the stage?
All of the officials looked at each other in disbelief when they saw the damage to the stage.
"He really has understood it!"
"He is already this powerful at 16!"
"There are people in history who have attained such power at the Heavenly Reflection State. However, I think he is the only one who has done it at 16 years old!"
"If nothing goes awry, he should be the successor to the Yan Family."
"I think this duel is over. I wonder what plans the Emperor will have for Yan Xiu in the future!"
All of the officials concentrated on Yan Xiu. No one bothered to look at Fang Zhengzhi.
