Chapter 265: Zhongshan's Greatest Advantage!

In the Daluo Dynasty, the imperial examination was held!

The purpose of the imperial examination was to select the most outstanding talents for the Daluo Dynasty, fill vacancies in the government, and provide an opportunity for all kinds of cultivators to showcase their talents and join the Daluo Dynasty.

In the Daluo Dynasty, where strong individuals abounded, there were two parts to the examination: the literary test and the martial test.

The martial test was straightforward; as long as your strength was sufficient, you could be selected, but you could only enter the third tier.

The imperial examination was divided into three tiers: the first tier had only three individuals—the top scholar, the role model, and the flower seeker. These were the top three most outstanding individuals.

The second tier had sixteen individuals, who were considered to have both literary and martial abilities, slightly inferior to the first tier.

The third tier had seventy-two individuals, specializing either in martial arts or writing remarkable articles.

With Zhongshan's cultivation at the sixth level of the Golden Pill Realm, his best outcome would be one of two possibilities: either he would be in the third tier, impressing others with his literary talents, or he would write an astonishing work that overshadowed his cultivation, allowing people to overlook his cultivation level and place him in the first tier.

However, no matter how impressive his literary talents were, he would still have to be able to defeat three individuals with similar strength to his own.

Dealing with three individuals of similar strength? Zhongshan was full of confidence.

On the day of the imperial examination, it was a grand occasion with many strong individuals gathering. These strong individuals were not only participants but also some reclusive cultivators who came to observe the grand occasion of the imperial examination because every imperial examination would produce some astonishing talents.

First was the martial test.

Zhongshan had a reputation for self-awareness and naturally wouldn't compete for the top spot in the martial test. Instead, he chose the literary test and challenged the first tier.

Challenging the first tier meant defeating three individuals of similar strength.

In front of a huge arena, surrounded by a large audience, Princess Qianyou, Ah Da, and Ah Er patiently watched from the sidelines. In a secluded corner, Zhong Zheng also watched in admiration.

In the center of the arena stood four people—Zhongshan with a sword, surrounded by three men in purple robes.

These three men in purple robes were just recruited from the military. Because no one below the Yuanying stage had ever challenged for the first tier, what was the point of someone at the Golden Pill stage participating? They were just too weak.

With a sword in hand, Zhongshan remained calm as the three men in the Golden Pill stage surrounded him. If it were anyone else, they would definitely have to be extremely cautious, because all three were soldiers, and their strength was honed from countless battles. Even though Zhongshan was only at the sixth level of the Golden Pill Realm, the aura surrounding him was still awe-inspiring.

Each of the three men grabbed their swords and stared coldly at Zhongshan. Their identities as soldiers reminded them to never let down their guard at any moment.

"Begin!" the referee shouted.

As soon as the referee finished shouting, all four of them moved at the same time!

Boom!

A continuous thunderous roar rang out as countless lightning bolts descended from the sky, pouring down from all directions, completely shrouding the entire arena in the center. Countless electric currents overflowed, causing the spectators on the outside to quickly retreat. In the blink of an eye, the arena was cleared.

Due to the special materials used for the arena, there was no damage, but the momentum was somewhat frightening. Was this the power displayed by someone at the sixth level of the Golden Pill Realm? The peak of the Golden Pill Realm? What kind of technique was this?

The overwhelming thunder and lightning obscured the view inside, leaving everyone present stunned. Although there were a few strong individuals among the spectators, most of them were at the Golden Pill stage, and a very few were at the Yuanying stage. They couldn't participate in such a fierce competition.

However, the battle of these "weaklings" shocked everyone present. Could I handle this?

Boom!

Endless thunder and lightning exploded, revealing the scene inside once again, exactly the same as before. Zhongshan held his sword in the center, surrounded by three men. At this moment, the clothes of the three men were slightly charred, and their faces were covered in cold sweat. They gripped their large swords, trembling slightly—not out of fear, but because their hands were a little exhausted.

"Please, you have my respect." Zhongshan sheathed his sword and said lightly.

The spectators around widened their eyes, looking at Zhongshan in the center. Is he being foolish?

"Thank you, senior, for going easy on us!" The three men all clasped their fists towards Zhongshan.

The referee, with a hint of doubt, declared, "Zhongshan wins!"

Zhong Zheng, on the side, smiled excitedly and left, while Princess Qianyou clenched her fists in excitement. Only those with lower cultivation levels on the outside stared with wide eyes, watching this incredible scene unfold.

Just one move? It ended with just one move?

With a slight smile, Zhongshan accepted the jade plaque handed to him by the referee and walked back to Princess Qianyou's side amidst some curious glances.

Pushing through the crowd, Zhongshan flew to other arenas to see how others were faring.

Mr. Shuijing also chose the literary test and directly defeated three individuals of similar cultivation levels. Seeing Mr. Shuijing walk down calmly, Zhongshan smiled slightly. Mr. Shuijing also had great ambitions.

Mr. Shuijing was at the Emperor's Realm. If he gave his all, entering the second tier would be no problem. But he gave up; he only wanted to showcase his literary talent. In the way of literature, his ambition was to secure one of the three spots in the first tier.

In this way, Mr. Shuijing also concealed his true strength. How strong was Mr. Shuijing? No one knew. Perhaps only the Emperor could discern it.

Never let others know everything about you. Especially if everyone knows, the more mysterious you are, the safer you are. The more public you are, the more dangerous it becomes. Zhongshan had known this for a long time, and Mr. Shuijing naturally understood it as well. So, what they showed to the outside world was only a limited extent of their abilities.

"Congratulations, Mr. Shuijing," Zhongshan smiled.

"Thank you, and congratulations to you too, Princess," Mr. Shuijing said immediately.

"Mr. Shuijing, are you planning to challenge for a spot in the first tier?" Princess Qianyou asked with a smile.

"Just giving it a try!" Mr. Shuijing modestly replied.

As they walked towards other arenas, they conversed.

"You're challenging the first tier for my senior sister, aren't you?" Princess Qianyou chuckled.

Mr. Shuijing smiled wryly, but said nothing.

"Actually, I'm still very curious to this day. Back then, you had never seen my senior sister, why did you search for her everywhere based on some rumors? Even after my senior sister became the queen, you were willing to serve in the Royal Palace. At that time, you hadn't even met her, right?" Princess Qianyou asked in puzzlement.

"No, I hadn't," Mr. Shuijing shook his head.

He hadn't? He pursued her without ever meeting her? Only based on rumors?

"I've investigated my senior sister's history. She definitely didn't know you before. Her memory wasn't lost, nor was it sealed. Her life was very simple until she became the queen. Why did you develop feelings for her? Is there such a kind of love that doesn't need to know the person before falling in love?" Princess Qianyou asked in confusion.

"Hehe, please forgive me, Princess," Mr. Shuijing showed a wry smile.

Seeing Mr. Shuijing's expression, Princess Qianyou timely changed the topic. Meanwhile, Zhongshan looked somewhat strange. Just as Princess Qianyou said, Mr. Shuijing's emotions were truly inexplicable, but were they really inexplicable?

Not long after, they arrived at a larger valley. Outside the valley, a large number of cultivators surrounded it, and formations were set up. Within the formation, General Qitian, Ge Lin, stood tall. He wore a golden crown with phoenix wings on his head, a suit of golden armor, and cloud-walking lotus shoes on his feet. In his hand was a dragon-patterned golden cudgel. With one hand holding the cudgel, General Qitian looked proud.

Three Yuan Ying stage cultivators who were besieging him now had swollen faces, obviously hit by General Qitian's cudgel.

General Qitian inserted his golden cudgel into the ground.

"Boom!" The valley shook, and the three men surrounding him all gripped their knives tightly.

"Aren't you admitting defeat yet?" General Qitian chuckled arrogantly.

Seeing this, Zhongshan and his group completely understood. General Qitian had won; it was just a cat-and-mouse game.

At this moment, another valley in the distance was crowded with numerous cultivators.

For this match with no suspense, the five of them didn't bother to look and quickly flew over.

"Shuijing, how do you think Ge Lin has recovered this time?" Princess Qianyou asked as they flew.

"Very strong, extremely strong, even beyond Shuijing's abilities," Mr. Shuijing shook his head.

"Oh? Mr. Shuijing actually gives such a high evaluation?" Zhongshan frowned.

"Yes, Zhongshan, you haven't seen Ge Lin's dominance yet. I just witnessed it not long ago. This strength isn't about martial prowess; his martial and magical powers have not yet reached their peak. I'm referring to his intelligence and pride. However, there's one thing you should be able to see, his title," Mr. Shuijing smiled.

"Title? Qitian? In the Great Luo Empire, there's only one 'Tian,' and that's the current Emperor. Ge Lin is actually bestowed with the title of 'General Qitian.' Isn't that on par with the Emperor? This General Qitian, does he have any other secrets hidden from the public?" Zhongshan questioned.

"No, I have a guess, but it's not yet confirmed, so we'll have to wait and see. However, Zhongshan, you don't need to worry. Even if General Qitian is strong, he also has a weakness, and this weakness happens to be your greatest advantage," Mr. Shuijing said.

"Oh? Mr. Shuijing, you jest," Zhongshan shook his head.

"I'm speaking the truth. I don't know how you developed this advantage, but even after striving for thousands of years, I'm still inferior to you, allowing you to always stand undefeated," Mr. Shuijing looked at Zhongshan solemnly.

"Oh? What is it? What keeps Zhongshan undefeated?" Princess Qianyou asked curiously.

Even Princess Qianyou didn't know what Mr. Shuijing was referring to.

"Mr. Shuijing jests. My cultivation is just a little higher, and my intellect is slightly sharper, that's all. Mr. Shuijing must have mistaken," Zhongshan shook his head, deflecting the conversation.

From Zhongshan's tone, Mr. Shuijing could tell that Zhongshan was deliberately avoiding it. Zhongshan also knew what his greatest advantage was but refused to admit it.

Princess Qianyou stared at Mr. Shuijing, wanting him to speak.

In this situation, Mr. Shuijing could only smile bitterly and say, "Mr. Zhongshan's advantage is not cultivation, not intellect, but Mr. Zhongshan refuses to admit it, so I won't say more."

Seeing Mr. Shuijing's reluctance to speak, Princess Qianyou looked at Zhongshan with a hint of confusion. What other secrets did Zhongshan have? The more she understood, the more secrets he seemed to have?

Absolute advantage? Of course, Zhongshan had an absolute advantage. It wasn't his status, intelligence, Mo Yu Talismans, Red Lotus' Vermilion Pearl, Shadow Body Technique, or even the Wolf Clan contract. Unexpectedly, Mr. Shuijing had seen through it. However, since it was revealed, let it be. Zhongshan would never admit it, and no one would believe it anyway. Besides, it was an intangible advantage.