0038 The Impossible Preliminary Exam (Please Vote for Recommendations!)

Chong Fan furrowed his brow. “Why? ...Because of a warrior’s dignity?” As if recalling something, a note of mockery crept into his voice with the latter words.

Jiang Feng shook his head. “No, of course it’s not because of that.”

“The Grand Examination, as its name suggests, is a test. What is the purpose of a test? Certainly, it’s to obtain some qualification, but more importantly, it’s an assessment of a martial artist’s true ability. To cheat in such a test... you’re really only fooling yourself.”

He patted Chong Fan’s shoulder. “In actual combat, it’s fine to use it to make up for your shortcomings. But for the Grand Examination? Best not to.”

Chong Fan mulled over his words for a moment, then confirmed, “So you would still use it in battle?”

Jiang Feng broke into a grin. “Of course! In a life-and-death struggle with the enemy, if you can gain any extra advantage, you’d be a fool not to use it!”

Chong Fan nodded thoughtfully, finally managing a smile.

Three days later, on the first day of April, it was once again the day of the bi-monthly market. That morning, after finishing his training, Jiang Feng smiled and asked Chong Fan, “Shall I carry you down the mountain again?”

Chong Fan handed him a leather bag. “Help me carry this. I want to try walking by myself.”

The bag was packed full of dried beast meat he had made himself. Jiang Feng raised his eyebrows. “You want to take this to sell at the market?”

Chong Fan shook his head. “No, you alone aren’t enough. I need more test subjects.”

Taste-testers, perhaps? The market was indeed a good place for that.

Slightly later than last time, the two of them arrived at the bi-monthly market. As soon as they arrived, Chong Fan plopped down on the ground, panting heavily. Jiang Feng hauled him up and let him rest against a tree, laughing. “I never thought you’d actually make it down on your own.”

Chong Fan shook his head, still gasping for breath, his face flushed and his heart pounding fiercely. At last, when he caught his breath, he said, “It’s all thanks to your training these past days... otherwise...”

He looked up, saw the expression in Jiang Feng’s eyes, and asked in confusion, “What is it?”

Following Jiang Feng’s gaze, his own brow immediately knitted.

This time, there were noticeably fewer people at the market than before, and both buyers and sellers seemed less enthusiastic. They gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, and the air was thick with a heavy, anxious mood.

Jiang Feng walked over to a group of people, where several were arguing hotly. “...A cultivator with one strand and two apertures, and an experienced hunter at that, can’t defeat a first-grade, first-level beast—do you think that’s normal?”

One strand referred to the first set of energy branches, meaning all seven apertures on the first branch had been opened, signifying advancement to the Dawn Realm. After opening the first strand, a new energy branch would naturally develop, also with seven apertures. Normally, a cultivator with one strand and two apertures should be on par with a first-grade, second-level beast. An old hunter with experience should be even more capable.

“Battles are unpredictable. Maybe something unexpected happened.”

“One mishap is normal, but five? Five cultivators with one strand and two or three apertures—each passed the Heavenly Test, but failed the Human Test!”

The burly man spat on the ground with force. “What Human Test—more like a Beast Test!”

His words carried a double meaning, and those around exchanged glances, all feeling he had a point.

Such mistakes might happen with novices, but these were all veteran hunters—how could they keep making errors at a time like this?

Clearly, they were talking about the Tianzhao Preliminary Examination.

The last time Jiang Feng came to the market, he’d heard some examinees discussing this very issue. Last year, the same thing happened: they passed the Heavenly Test, only to fail at the Human Test.

How could it still be the same a year later? It was indeed strange!

Someone asked, “Those people—are they still in Hezhong County?”

It was the same burly man who knew the details. “The results for the Tianzhao Preliminary are announced today, the last batch who finished yesterday are still there, probably waiting for the final outcome.”

“If they failed the Human Test, what luck could they possibly hope for? Most likely, they didn’t make it.”

“If this keeps happening, something is bound to go wrong.”

At these words, everyone fell silent. Their eyes glinted with complex emotions, clearly all in agreement.

The Tianzhao Preliminary Examination was the gateway to the Grand Examination.

One could attempt the preliminary up to three times in a lifetime. Failed last year, failed this year—only one chance remained.

There were certainly some who had already used up all three chances.

Without the chance to take the Grand Examination, they would never be certified as martial cultivators nor truly enter that society, losing access to greater resources and learning opportunities. For a martial artist, it meant most of their life’s potential was wasted.

For any cultivator, this was a matter of utmost importance. If they failed due to their own lack of ability, so be it—but if there were other factors...

Suddenly, someone straightened up. “I’m going to Hezhong County to see for myself.”

“You’re taking the Preliminary?”

“No, I already have the Tianzhao Token.”

“Then what does this have to do with you?”

“If the Tianzhao Preliminary can be compromised, what guarantee is there that the County Examination won’t be as well?”

Everyone snapped to attention.

That was the real crux of the matter. If the Tianzhao Preliminary couldn’t be trusted, how could the County Examination be any better?

In no time, the market’s crowd had thinned by half. Hezhong County was near Luming Town; they could hardly help but go and see for themselves.

Chong Fan looked at Jiang Feng. “If you want to go, just go.”

Jiang Feng asked, “What about you?”

“I’m curious about this as well... I’ll go with you!”

...

The Tianzhao Preliminary lasted three days. The first day of April was the final day, when the results were posted.

The preliminary for this region was held in Hezhong County—the County Examination would also take place there in future.

Setting out from Luming Town and following the Chuan River downstream, before long one would see a sandbar in the river, joined to the bank by a spacious wooden bridge.

Hezhong County sat atop that sandbar.

As soon as Jiang Feng arrived in the area, he sensed something was off.

Normally, the results were posted at six o’clock in the afternoon, but by that time, most people already had a rough idea of whether they’d passed and those without hope would have left early.

But today, a good number of people were gathered at the bridgehead, silent in small groups, their uneasy gazes fixed on the county offices—a heavy, oppressive atmosphere suffused the air.

Jiang Feng and Chong Fan exchanged a glance. Jiang Feng whispered, “You stay outside, don’t go in.”

Chong Fan considered for a moment and nodded. “Alright. Be careful.”

Jiang Feng nodded and made his way through the crowd toward the heart of Hezhong County.

Chong Fan remained where he was, his sleeves fluttering in the mountain wind, making him look especially thin and frail. He muttered softly, “What on earth is happening?”

...

Ping Luanshan was also taking part in this Tianzhao Preliminary.

Though they’d only met once before, Jiang Feng had taken quite a liking to this ageless, mysterious man.

Last time, Ping Luanshan had been worried about failing the preliminary—Jiang Feng wondered now how he had fared.

He crossed the wooden bridge as a squad of cavalry rode past. Clad in armor, they surveyed the crowd with cold eyes glinting beneath leather helms.

Clearly, Jiang Feng wasn’t the only one to notice the unusual mood—the county officials were already on alert.

As he made his way into town, he saw several more patrols.

There were two types of cavalry: one wore earth-colored leather armor and rode ordinary white horses; the other wore blue uniforms and rode Windrider Steeds—first-tier, tamable spirit beasts. The latter were better equipped and clearly of higher martial rank, though it was clear both sides had the same duties.

For a county to have two such organized factions—how curious.

“So many more disciples of Hidden Stream these days...” Jiang Feng’s ears pricked at a passing voice.

Hidden Stream disciples?

He tapped the speaker on the shoulder, smiling as he asked. He quickly got his answer.

Fifteen years before, King Zhu Yang of the Zhu Kingdom had formally apprenticed himself to Master Hidden Stream.

At the time, the master was famed throughout Zhu for advancing to the Heart-Illuminated Martial Lord, and it was only natural for the king to seek him out. The nation was proud to have such a formidable figure among them, and happy he chose to stay.

After becoming Imperial Preceptor, Master Hidden Stream continued to take on disciples, who in turn took their own pupils. Over time, his followers spread across the land.

They called themselves “Hidden Stream Disciples,” helping and supporting one another, becoming a major force in the Zhu Kingdom.

King Zhu Yang encouraged this, frequently meeting with outstanding disciples and promoting them to official posts.

Gradually, joining the Hidden Stream became the best path forward for independent cultivators in the kingdom.

Those blue-clad riders, with their sleeves embroidered with water motifs, bore the emblem of the Hidden Stream.

At the mention of Master Hidden Stream, Jiang Feng’s expression darkened. After listening, he thanked the informant and walked away, brows knit even tighter.

Hidden Stream Disciples—a burgeoning force strongly backed by King Zhu Yang?

It seemed his own path ahead would not be so straightforward.

Turning down two streets, Jiang Feng glanced to the right and immediately lowered his head, slowing his step.

Down the alley stood two blue-clad disciples, speaking to a young man across from them.

“...Once you apprentice yourself to Master Xian Ning, you’ll become one of the Hidden Stream. There’s no need to take the Tianzhao Preliminary. With your talent, Master Xian Ning will surely give you a Tianzhao Token directly!”

Clearly, the young man had excellent aptitude and had been targeted for recruitment.

To receive a Tianzhao Token directly, without even taking the preliminary...

Jiang Feng’s mind raced—he felt as if he’d stumbled onto something important.

Before the thought could fully form, a familiar voice rang out, “Ah, I’m honored by your invitation, but I already have a master. I can’t take another!”

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Thank you all for your lollipops—yes, I’m three years old this year, and Children’s Day is my holiday! Wishing everyone a happy Children’s Day, may you always keep a child’s heart and a youthful face!