Xiao Yu’s expression indeed changed slightly. "Really? Someone from Ruyang Prefecture."
In these Endless Mountains, encountering someone from close to one’s hometown inevitably brings a sense of familiarity.
Ximen Kankan said, "Next time you see him, tell him I gave him a nickname, Liu Monkey."
Duan Rong replied, "Such words are asking for trouble; you better tell him yourself."
As they chatted idly, Duan Rong and the others walked out of the Deep Valley.
After all, the four had passed the first examination, and gathering together now brought a festive atmosphere.
They returned to the mountain top of Duan Rong and prepared a sumptuous dinner.
Moreover, they opened Ximen Kankan’s last jar of fruit wine, and the four drank to a slight buzz in the cave. Shen Mizi, unable to handle liquor, ended up getting drunk.
As the gathering dispersed, Xiao Yu stayed to take care of the now-sonorous Shen Mizi, while Duan Rong and Ximen Kankan went to sleep in the nearby cave.
The next day, they rested for a day.
On the third day, at dawn, everyone got up early to hurry to the second examination.
Duan Rong yawned and followed Xiao Yu and company along the cliff edge to the cable car.
Shen Mizi glanced at Duan Rong and asked, "Aren’t you exempt from the second exam? Why are you tagging along?"
Duan Rong replied, "With you and Ximen Kankan, none of you are peace-inducing. I’m here to help Xiao Yu keep an eye on you."
"Wow..." Shen Mizi chuckled, "Not even married yet, and you’re already taking up the brother-in-law stance."
As Shen Mizi spoke, she lightly bumped Xiao Yu with her shoulder. "Ah..."
Xiao Yu’s face reddened, giving Shen Mizi an exasperated glance after being nudged.
Shen Mizi immediately stopped talking, suppressing her laughter.
Duan Rong walked behind, shaking his head quietly. Shen Mizi certainly had a natural sharp tongue.
After crossing three Iron Chains, Duan Rong and others arrived at a mid-mountain plateau.
Seeing this plateau was expansive, and the ground had been marked with large red circles.
The glaring red circles stretched into the distance, dizzying the eyes.
The platform’s entrance, framed with wooden railings, had a small wooden gate ajar with several Judgement and Rectification Department personnel stationed.
An inspector was verifying visitors’ Sect Cloud Scrolls and Assessment Forms.
Checking one, letting one in.
At this early hour, only four or five stood by the gate, and Duan Rong and company swiftly approached.
The inspection was brisk, typically getting a glance before permission to enter.
Soon enough, Ximen Kankan, Shen Mizi, and Xiao Yu were inside, waiting near the gate.
Duan Rong stood beside the door, handing over his Sect Cloud Scroll and Assessment Form.
The inspector opened the Cloud Scroll, glancing between Duan Rong and his portrait, ready to clear him until noticing the absence of a stamp and number on Duan Rong’s Assessment Form.
Frowning, the inspector glared at Duan Rong and questioned, "Why is there no stamp or number on your form?"
With such strict checks, Duan Rong looked at Xiao Yu and the others, having no choice but to retreat.
Just as Duan Rong was about to explain, a figure suddenly jumped from behind the inspector.
Yang Yi had arrived early at the site of the second exam, had a Grandmaster’s Chair moved close to the gate.
Then, reclined in the chair, one leg perched on the armrest, half asleep, catching up on rest.
Yang Yi’s casual posture was because he knew top sect leaders showed little concern for the second exam; no Elder had come from the Elder Hall.
At the Internal History Department, only a Historian came, leaving the Judgement and Rectification Department under his lead. For this exam, he practically had control, able to act as he pleased.
Snoozing in the Grandmaster’s Chair, Yang Yi suddenly heard someone at the gate shout something about missing numbers and stamps on an Assessment Form.
Assuming it was someone trying to fake their way through, he immediately became alert, stood from the chair, and jumped to the gate, sternly demanding, "What’s going on?"
The inspector at the gate immediately handed Duan Rong’s Sect Cloud Scroll and Assessment Form to Yang Yi, saying, "This guy, his form lacks the second exam’s number and stamp."
Yang Yi rubbed his drowsy eyes, flipping the Assessment Form, indeed seeing the space for stamping empty.
He smirked, raising his head to look over at the standing Duan Rong.
Catching Yang Yi’s glance, Duan Rong felt slightly embarrassed, explaining, "Ah! Steward Yang, these three are friends from my hometown, taking the second exam today. I thought I’d join for a look. Since it’s inconvenient, I’ll take my leave."
Duan Rong finished, waiting for Yang Yi to return his Sect Cloud Scroll and Assessment Form.
Seeing Duan Rong’s demeanor, the inspector couldn’t help but smirk, giving Duan Rong a mocking glance.
Having worked under Yang Yi for years, he knew all too well Yang Yi’s stubborn nature; finding fault wherever possible and inherently making things difficult. Was this guy trying to impersonate someone else? Facing Steward Yang, uttering ’inconvenient’ while seeking to slip away.
Wishful thinking!
Yet Yang Yi suddenly declared, "No inconvenience at all. How could it be? Brother Duan, please come in!"