0100 hit until it closes!

The state examination was imminent, so the three examiners from the Mind Heart Academy had arrived early. They were all at least in the Body Illumination realm, with the strongest Wang Xueguan having already advanced to the Heart Illumination realm. When the Demon Cave was closed, he would also be among them. When the Demon Cave suddenly opened and faced the great enemy of humanity, they joined the battle without hesitation. On that day, on the Thousand Lion Bridge, Hu Xueguan had become one of the main forces in the combat. They had come here after all for the grand examination. The state trial was blessed by the Heavenly Wood and must proceed. Now that Tai Cang City in Yushui State had become like this, what should be done? Wang Xueguan, in his busy schedule, had communicated with the Heavenly Wood power to conduct an inquiry. Yesterday, the Heavenly Wood power had finally given a reply. The grand examinations in other states remained unchanged, but the state examination in Tai Cang City would be transformed into a new form based on the current situation!

Hua Su quickly said, “The higher-ups are still discussing how to notify all the candidates. You will likely receive the formal notice in the next two days. If there are no accidents, the new grand examination rules will definitely relate to the Demon Race. You need to prepare well!”

After three days of continuous fighting, Jiang Feng and others seemed to have arrived in another world, and the grand examination seemed far away for a time. Only when Hua Su mentioned it now did they realize that the grand examination was imminent, and they were still probationary candidates.

Ping Luanshan punched and said, “I hope the new grand examination rules are to kill the Demon Race! One point for killing one, the one who kills the most will be the top of this state examination!”

The other three responded one after another, “Yes, that’s the best!”

I didn’t expect that Ping Luanshan’s one sentence would actually come true. Another three days passed, and all candidates were summoned to gather at the Prefectural Yamen. Jiang Feng and others received the notice and, without even having time to change their clothes, hurriedly left directly from the battlefield and returned to Tai Cang City. Along the way, their expressions became even more solemn.

Tai Cang City was already deserted, with no pedestrians on the streets. The entire city seemed shrouded in a layer of pale black mist, gloomy and dark, through which even sunlight could not penetrate. That was the Demon Qi diffused from the Demon Cave, now covering the entire city. Fortunately, in the past two days, Jiezi Pavilion had sent a large amount of medicine through their special channels, freely distributing it to soldiers and civilians, which had weakened the influence of the Demon Qi. The atmosphere in the Prefectural Yamen was also oppressive, and everyone spoke in low voices.

As soon as Jiang Feng and others arrived at the entrance, the guards noticed them. They hadn’t had time to change their clothes, and their heads and bodies were covered in solidified black blood, immediately revealing that they had just returned from fighting the Demon Race. The guards respectfully saluted, and after Jiang Feng explained his identity, he said in a low voice, “The candidates are gathering in the school field, most of them are already there, hurry over.”

The atmosphere in the school field was eerie, with the candidates lined up in teams and standing quietly. Influenced by the outside world, their emotions were far from as excited as during the county examination, and some even showed panic on their faces. On the viewing platform in the school field, the three examiners stood high up, huddled together, whispering something. Jiang Feng looked up and frowned slightly. The examiners had obvious displeasure on their faces, as if something displeasing was about to happen. Under such circumstances, any change was worth vigilance, and no one knew what results it would bring.

However, Jiang Feng said nothing. Taking Ping Luanshan and the others, he entered the team and lined up at the back. The three were very quiet. The iron and blood tempering over this period had changed them profoundly. The young man in front wrinkled his nose and muttered, “It smells so bad…” He turned his head, let out an “eh,” and leaned over. “You just came down from the battlefield?” Jiang Feng replied briefly, “Yes.” The young man widened his eyes. “You are also candidates for this time? What level? You dare to go to the battlefield to kill Demon Race now?” He slightly raised his voice, immediately attracting the attention of the surrounding people. They had been a bit nervous, and the looks coming over were somewhat strange. Jiang Feng’s answer remained brief. “Dealing with the Demon Race is everyone’s duty as humans.” The young man closed his mouth without speaking, but his expression remained strange. Jiang Feng was right: humans and the Demon Race were different races, natural enemies. When they met, they had to kill each other to the death. But the people of the Nine Heavens Continent were used to an easy life, so how dare they actively fight such a terrifying Demon Race? Even if the Demon Cave opened, there were city defense troops and stronger martial cultivators to handle the aftermath; what did they have to do with it?

The other young man on Jiang Feng’s right suddenly laughed and said in a deep voice, “Dealing with the Demon Race is everyone’s duty? Well said!” Jiang Feng looked over. It was a pale-faced young man with a thin yet handsome face, dressed in luxurious clothes, with a sword at his waist. One could tell at a glance that it was a decent body-refining treasure. This young man obviously came from an extraordinary background, and his arrogance was not concealed at all. He raised his chin and said, “After the state examination ends, if the Demon Cave is not closed yet, I will go kill the Demon Race with you!” He showed a toothy smile and said softly, “It’s also to fulfill the obligation of humanity!” Jiang Feng smiled slightly and nodded heavily. “Good, together!” The young man stared at him and said, “My name is Ning Changkong. What’s your name?” “Jiang Feng!” The young man “oh”ed. “From the Jiang family?” Jiang Feng was about to speak when a voice suddenly came from the side. “A lowly species from the Jiang family side branch, who are you to be considered part of the Jiang family!” Jiang Huaiming was standing a bit far and close to the side, with several people around who were all young disciples from the Jiang family. He coldly glanced at Jiang Feng and directed at Ning Changkong, “Ning San Shao, don’t let yourself be deceived by this flashy liar!” Jiang Feng then remembered that the surname Ning was indeed a prominent family, ranked quite high in the 42nd family. This young man indeed looked like he came from the Ning family. But what made him more concerned was that Jiang Huaiming had appeared here. Judging by his appearance, he was exactly the same as last time. Could it be that the matter with Huang Guimei hadn’t involved him? No, there was a hidden panic in his eyes. It seemed he had already heard about the Huang Guimei matter, but no one had come to find him yet. Ning Changkong’s expression faded. “He was just answering my question. The Jiang family matter is also what I asked. What about the flashy liar? And…” He looked Jiang Huaiming up and down, his mouth twitching with obvious disdain. “I was talking to Jiang Feng, why did you suddenly interrupt? Isn’t that too impolite?” Jiang Huaiming’s face flashed with a blush of shame and anger. He said in a low voice, “This kid acts unscrupulously. I was just kindly informing you!” Ning Changkong coldly said, “Then thank you, but I have my own judgment. I don’t need others to meddle.” The words “meddling” were spat out one by one, hard and harsh, as if hitting Jiang Huaiming on the head. Jiang Huaiming became even more furious, snorted, turned, and walked away. The Jiang family youths looked at each other and followed him. Ning Changkong tilted his head, a bit puzzled. “What exactly is he here for?” Ping Luanshan, listening to their confrontation, suddenly had a great liking for this noble young master, smiling and chiming in, “Some people just like to provoke trouble. You can’t understand him at all!” Ning Changkong nodded seriously. “Yes, some people’s personalities are eccentric and hard to understand.” The one in front, Jiang Huaiming, couldn’t help but stumble and quickened his pace. No matter what Jiang Huaiming came for, these words unknowingly brought Ning Changkong and Jiang Feng closer. Ning Changkong seriously said to Jiang Feng, “The family has been inherited for a long time, in the prosperous branches there are inevitably worms. Don’t generalize.” Jiang Feng restrained his smile and replied seriously, “Yes, I remember.” Just now when Ning Changkong was talking to Jiang Huaiming, he had used the Illumination Power Vision to pay attention. This noble young master already had one chain of seven orifices, with Illumination Power overflowing, always on the verge of breaking through. Moreover, his Illumination Power flow was slow yet fast, a manifestation of extremely high concentration. It could be seen that his foundation was extremely solid, and his strength was extremely strong among peers. Compared to his strength, Jiang Feng cared more about his character. This person was straightforward and sharp. He immediately saw Jiang Feng’s vague aversion to families and immediately gave direct advice, which was quite reasonable… This person is worth associating with! After making such a judgment, Jiang Feng’s expression became even more sincere. Ping Luanshan and others looked at each other, and their attitudes became much warmer. Ning Changkong lowered his voice and asked them about the Demon Cave situation. Jiang Feng had been staying near the Zitong Forest in the eastern part of the city these past few days and was not very familiar with the overall situation of Tai Cang City. But he introduced the current situation of the Demon Cave in Zitong Forest and what the Demon Race was like very clearly and comprehensively. Ning Changkong listened very seriously, and some other candidates around unconsciously moved closer, showing solemn expressions. One candidate said, “The situation is much more serious than we imagined…” Another said, “If the Demon Cave isn’t sealed, and the Demon Race is endless, how long would we have to fight?” Ning Changkong sighed, “Then fight until the Demon Cave is closed!” This sentence was the aspiration of Jiang Feng and others. The few looked at each other and smiled at the same time. At this moment, three loud “dong dong dong” sounds of gongs suddenly rang out from the stage, immediately attracting everyone’s attention. Jiang Feng and others immediately shut up and looked up together. The gong sounds just fell, and a burly fat man strode onto the high platform. He was born with a smiling face, smiled before speaking, and looked very amiable. Jiang Feng’s gaze dropped, seeing the patterns on his robe hem, and his heart sank. Black water patterns, disciple of the Flowing Stream Sect! The fat man with a big belly strode to the center of the viewing platform, smiling and cupping his fists to the candidates, “Hello, everyone, young talents. I am the new Prefect of Yushui State, Wan Qi Yu. Today, I, together with the three examiners from the Mind Heart Academy, will announce the method of this state examination to you all!” Wan Qi Yu? New Prefect? Jiang Feng narrowed his eyes, a bit puzzled. The Prefect named Lou Hanmo whom he had seen in the Prefectural Yamen last time… Why change the general in the middle of an emergency in Yushui State?! Most importantly, why replace him with a disciple of the Flowing Stream Sect?