Things like this couldn’t be rushed. Chu Lingguang could only take it one step at a time.
"Just do your best."
Guo Wei added.
"Right. I’ll do my best."
Chu Lingguang nodded.
「That night.」
Chu Lingguang was in his room, checking his panel.
Favor Points: 32199
Mixed Element Skill (0/10000)
Great Cang Heart Method (26425/120000)
(Remaining Lifespan: 191 years)
Without hesitation, Chu Lingguang spent all the Favor Points he had obtained from Guo Xiaotian on the Great Cang Heart Method.
His panel updated.
Favor Points: 0
Mixed Element Skill (0/10000)
Great Cang Heart Method (58624/120000)
(Remaining Lifespan: 191 years)
As the value increased, Chu Lingguang immediately probed his Great Cang Heart Method, searching for any unusual changes in his body. He focused on the forty-six responses, trying to see if he could awaken them.
Time flew by.
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Although Chu Lingguang hadn’t slacked on his cultivation, after three consecutive days, he had been unable to awaken the forty-six responses. All he had managed was to grasp that point of innate resonance.
Today was the start of the Palace Examination.
He and the other candidates arrived at the Beast Taming Circle.
The Beast Taming Circle was located behind the Imperial Palace. Security was so tight that not even dukes or high-ranking nobles could enter easily. Even Guo Wei and the others were unable to watch from the sidelines.
Today, only the group of candidates, led by the Imperial Guard and various officials, entered the Beast Taming Circle.
The Palace Examination was an assessment conducted directly under the emperor’s watch.
It only lasted one day.
The rules changed with every session. The emperor placed great importance on each candidate’s performance, and no hint of cheating was tolerated.
The moment they stepped into the Beast Taming Circle, Chu Lingguang, Yan Zhen, and the others felt strange ripples emanating from all around them.
These ripples weren’t aggressive.
It felt like a Spiritual Sense sweeping over them.
But Chu Lingguang, Yan Zhen, and the others knew these ripples were not so simple. This was especially true for Chu Lingguang. Aided by his powerful Sea of Consciousness, he felt that these gentle ripples could transform from a docile lamb into a man-eating tiger in an instant.
The ripples seemed to be a natural defense system, preventing anyone from running amok within the Beast Taming Circle. Anyone who triggered it would be torn to shreds.
"KNEEL!"
The Beast Taming Circle was huge.
In the distance stood a towering, pyramidal dais.
Imperial Guards stood watch on it, while Dukes and Ministers stood in order upon its steps. At the very top sat several figures whose faces were indistinct.
At the command, all the candidates knelt toward the dais in unison.
They shouted together, "Long live our Emperor, for ten thousand upon ten thousand years!"
Everyone pressed their foreheads to the ground. Even Yan Zhen and Qin Yu didn’t dare glance toward the dais in an attempt to see the faces of those seated there.
Although they had all found their own Martial Arts Heart, none would dare provoke such a powerful ruler. They had been taught loyalty to the throne and love for their country since childhood, and they held their sovereign in deep reverence.
’As a Transmigrator, my mindset is more progressive, and I feel little attachment to the Great Yuan Dynasty. But faced with a rigid system and overwhelming martial power, I can only behave myself like the others.’
’As for getting stronger, overthrowing the Great Yuan, and founding my own Dynasty... I’m not thinking about any of that right now.’
’My Heart Guarding Skill is exceptional, so I’m only focused on the task at hand: pass the examination, become a Military Scholar, and go home.’
"The finest talents in the realm are among you candidates. We hope you will hold the world in your hearts, set lofty ambitions, constantly strive for excellence, and contribute to the prosperity and strength of our nation."
"We declare that the Martial Arts Palace Examination begins... now!"
The voice that came down from the dais was extraordinarily resonant.
Chu Lingguang and the others trembled. The voice was not only resonant but also carried an immense pressure, as if a single soft command could rattle their minds. Clearly, the Emperor of Great Yuan was an unparalleled Martial Arts expert.