Chapter 57

"How did it happen? Could it be that the matter was leaked and discovered by the imperial court?"

Fang Buzhong's expression changed dramatically. If the imperial court had discovered it, the situation would be extremely serious, and a terrifying purge would likely follow. The court had always been intolerant of heretical sects.

The purge eight years ago had claimed countless lives. If it were to happen again, the death toll would likely be just as high.

"It's not that!"

The two "messengers" of the Tianyin Sect shook their heads.

"This matter is very strange. The White Bone Messenger vanished into thin air, and even the body can't be found. Now, our Holy Sect has already sent people to investigate this matter."

"That's good."

Fang Buzhong nodded. As long as it wasn't discovered by the imperial court, the disappearance of one "White Bone Messenger" was not crucial to the overall situation:

"We won't get involved in this matter. However, our superior has a message to pass on. This is our first collaboration. Once the plan succeeds and we capture the person you want, we hope you will keep your promise and hand over the item."

"Hehe, naturally."

The two "messengers" of the Tianyin Sect smiled.

"Our Sect Leader said that although the item is of great importance, our Holy Sect's ambitions lie elsewhere, so we will not deceive you on this matter. After this, our mission will be completed, and other messengers of higher rank will take over and contact you."

"Um."

Fang Buzhong nodded and did not linger, quickly leaving the inn.

...

Outside Pingchuan City, the forest was vast and dense, more majestic and towering than the mountains surrounding the Yang clan.

After leaving the inn, Yang Ji headed straight for the depths of the forest.

The literary examination was followed by the martial examination, with only a month between them. Many students preparing for the exams would enter the forest outside Pingchuan City before the exam to train intensively, hoping to achieve a high ranking in the "martial examination."

"Rushing water!"

A series of loud splashes echoed in all directions. A massive waterfall cascaded down from a height of several dozen feet, crashing into the pool below, sending up a mist of water.

"This place is good."

Yang Ji stood on the cliff, surveying the surroundings and thought to himself.

This place was far from Pingchuan City and very remote, so ordinary students rarely came here. However, it was also extremely quiet, free from disturbance by others, and the spiritual energy was more abundant due to the presence of the pool.

"There is about a month and a half left until the martial examination. With my current strength, I should be able to make further progress before the exam."

Yang Ji pondered in his heart.

The first level of martial arts required the cultivation of abundant blood and qi, with a full body radiating red light, to reach the peak of the first level. Yang Ji had just entered the first level, still far from the ability to shatter stone and cut through metal. Only through intense training before the martial examination could he hope to improve his strength and stand out.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Yang Ji focused his mind and spirit, unifying his boxing intent. Standing at the top of the cliff, he threw punch after punch. His eyes were bright, and his arms swung like hammers, the explosive sounds blending with the roar of the waterfall.

After a moment, a powerful suction force emanated from Yang Ji's body, and the surrounding essence energy condensed into a tangible form, like mist, swirling and flowing, continuously entering Yang Ji's body.

"I wonder if I will encounter Yang Wen and Yang Wu in the martial examination..."

In a daze, a thought suddenly flashed through Yang Ji's mind.

The Yang clan had a history of a hundred years and had been operating in the border region for decades. Many of its disciples had entered the imperial court to serve. Yang Wen and Yang Wu were among the outstanding ones.

Yang Ji had made a bold move, traveling a hundred miles to reach Pingchuan City, and the matriarch probably hadn't received the news yet. However, with time, the matriarch would likely become aware and might send Yang Wen and Yang Wu to investigate.

The matriarch had plotted to expel Yang Ji at the age of sixteen, leaving him with nothing. Yang Ji intended to give her a hard slap and a fierce counterattack at the age of sixteen.

Before that, Yang Ji did not want to reveal too much information and make her wary. This was why he did not reveal his name to Han Bin of Shuangjiling.

However, the incident at Shuangjiling also gave him an idea, leading to another thought.

"It's better if I remain unknown. Once I become famous, it will be hard to hide, and Yang Wen and Yang Wu will eventually find out. I must prepare in advance."

Yang Ji thought to himself. To stand out in the martial examination and achieve success, it was inevitable to attract attention, unless he did not want to succeed.

In the depths of his mind, Yang Ji recalled the time he tracked the Green Forest bandits and visited the "Hundred Herbs Shop" at night. He had been identified twice, which was a significant failure.

Although Zhao Wu and Li San were not ordinary people, it was enough to show that Yang Ji's disguise had major flaws.

"A person's physique cannot change, but the aura emitted from within can. As the saying goes, 'a scholar who has been away for three days should be regarded with new eyes.' Some changes in appearance, combined with changes in aura, can even make one seem like a different person..."

Yang Ji's thoughts raced, and he had a vague idea of what to do.

There was still time, and Yang Ji had enough time to prepare. For now, he was not in a hurry and quickly immersed himself in training. The roar of the "Taihe Devil Tiger Fist" echoed through the sky amidst the rumbling sound of the cliff.

Day by day, Yang Ji trained alone in the forest, undisturbed, and his strength improved rapidly, with significant progress every day.

Several days passed in a flash.

Crack!

Yang Ji casually moved his limbs, and his bones crackled, indicating a significant increase in strength.

During this period of training, Yang Ji could clearly feel that his flesh, tendons, and muscles had become more robust, his bones more dense and hard, and even the speed of his blood and qi circulation had increased, clearly surpassing his previous state.

"Good. If I continue at this rate, I might reach the peak of the first level before the martial examination, with abundant blood and qi, capable of shattering stone and cutting through metal, and even tearing apart tigers and leopards."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Reaching the peak of the first level of martial arts did not guarantee success in the martial examination, but often, battles were not solely determined by strength and realm. Wisdom and skill played a significant role!

"The literary examination is approaching. After years of preparation, it's time to put it to use. I should go!"

Yang Ji's robe fluttered, and he leaped out like a galloping horse.

Boom!

The air currents on both sides rushed backward, and Yang Ji's passage stirred up a strong wind, even leaving a long trail behind him. After about half an hour, Yang Ji finally reached Pingchuan City.

Buzz!

The entire Pingchuan City was bustling with people, densely packed, with crowds of those participating in the literary examination everywhere. With three days left until the literary examination, the grandeur of this imperial event was evident.

Yang Ji passed through the city gate and returned to the inn. The room was empty, and "Fang Buzhong" was not there, having gone somewhere. Yang Ji did not linger and immediately prepared for the examination.

Ding!

Three days later, a clear and resonant bell sound echoed through the sky, marking the beginning of the triennial literary examination.

In the northern part of Pingchuan City, heavily guarded, a grand hall covering hundreds of acres and three stories high stood in the city. The hall was open on all sides, with gray walls and gray tiles, exuding an ancient and profound cultural atmosphere.

The massive structure loomed over the land, majestic and imposing, with the two dragon-dancing, phoenix-twirling characters "Wen Dian" (Literary Hall) on the main gate.

Although Pingchuan City was far in the border region, where the imperial court's rule was somewhat limited, it spared no effort in the national "examination system," covering every aspect.

In all provinces, prefectures, and counties, the "Literary Hall" and "Martial Hall" were built side by side, with almost identical designs and similar specifications.

"An eight-hundred-year-old Literary Hall!"

Yang Ji gazed at the massive structure, feeling a deep sense of awe. According to legend, the "Literary Halls" and "Martial Halls" across the Han Empire were built using blueprints from the previous era, when "scholars became sages," and had a history of eight hundred years!

The imperial court had invested enormous human, material, and energy resources in this. Despite the eight hundred years of wind and rain, the "Literary Halls" and "Martial Halls" remained as solid as ever, showing no signs of damage.

Ding!

With the loud bell sound, a civil official appeared before the bell tower of the "Literary Hall," his clear voice echoing through the sky:

"In the 23rd year of Hongyuan, the seventh literary examination, bow!"

In the next moment, the crowd outside the "Literary Hall" knelt down, bowing to the massive golden "Huabiao" (ornamental pillar) representing the Han Empire:

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years!..."

The loud voices echoed through the sky.

The "Child Examination" was the lowest level of the Han Empire's examination system, marking the beginning of students' respect and reverence for the imperial court.

This was an indispensable ritual in the Han Empire.

Yang Ji hesitated for a moment but then knelt down. As he knelt, he had a strange feeling, sensing a slight weakening of his mental energy, as if it was being absorbed into the golden "Huabiao" above the "Literary Hall" with the chanting.

"Is this... capable of absorbing mental energy?"

Yang Ji thought to himself. The loss of mental energy was minimal, almost negligible, and had no significant impact on him.

Taking advantage of this moment, Yang Ji secretly raised his head and faintly saw the "Huabiao" above the "Literary Hall" emit a faint glow, which disappeared after a moment.

"Alright, take out your wooden token and prepare to enter!"

The ceremony ended, and with the voice of the guards, the literary examination began.

Yang Ji took out his wooden token, passed the inspection at the entrance, and entered the "Literary Hall" with the surging crowd. The tokens had numbers, and all seats were pre-arranged.

After a bit of searching, Yang Ji found his seat, which was in a corner on the third floor of the "Literary Hall"!

"Success or failure, it all comes down to this!"

Yang Ji thought to himself.

The "Literary Hall" was filled with a dense crowd, buzzing with noise. It was impossible to tell how many people had entered, even with Yang Ji's keen eyesight.

The "literary examination" was not difficult, but only three candidates would be selected.

Even though Yang Ji had prepared thoroughly and had confidence in his eight years of hard work, he still felt immense pressure and a slight nervousness upon entering the hall.

"Do my best and leave the rest to fate. Just work hard!"

Yang Ji took a deep breath, calmed himself, and set up his writing materials. At that moment, he felt as if he had returned to the eight years of intense study.

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