Chapter 598
The original story
He held a silver spear, its tip gleaming coldly, his aura locked onto Jiang Xuan, ready for battle.
However, the gap in strength cannot be bridged by courage.
The battle began, and Wang Kang's spear moved like a dragon, his moves exquisite, clearly showing he was no ordinary fighter.
However, faced with Jiang Xuan's terrifying power and unparalleled fist intent, which had been tempered by the [Nine Shaking Heavens Collapse Dao], his struggle lasted for less than ten breaths.
Jiang Xuan didn't even use his full strength. He simply unleashed a "Mountain-Splitting Collapse" move, and the condensed fist wind shattered Wang Kang's spear light with overwhelming force, its remaining momentum striking Wang Kang's crossed arms as he tried to block.
"Oh!"
Wang Kang groaned, his body sliding uncontrollably backwards for seven or eight zhang before crashing onto the edge of the arena. His arms were throbbing with pain and numbness, and his silver spear flew out of his hand.
He struggled to stand up, but found that his internal energy was in disarray, and he couldn't muster any strength for a moment.
"I... admit defeat."
A bitter look appeared on Wang Kang's face as he spoke with difficulty.
He knew that his opponent had already shown mercy; otherwise, that punch would have seriously injured him.
"Jiang Xuan wins!"
The referee announced the result loudly.
"They won! Jiang Xuan won!"
"Hahaha! I knew it!"
"Having conquered four rounds of battles at the Human Realm, establishing dominance over the world! Passing the provincial examination! That's incredible!"
"A prodigy! An absolute prodigy! I'm already looking forward to his performance in the national examination in three months!"
A deafening roar of cheers and shouts erupted from the entire arena! Countless people applauded Jiang Xuan. His ability to overcome all obstacles with only the cultivation of the Human罡 Realm, especially his comeback victory in the death group of the third round, and ultimately his secure passage through the provincial examination, had won over the vast majority of those present.
On the white jade platform, Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen, Du Dongtu, and the others watched Jiang Xuan on the arena with calm expressions. They had long anticipated this outcome and even considered it a matter of course.
"This child will pass the provincial examination without a doubt."
Liu Wujun said calmly.
"Hmm? Where is he?"
Wei Lingzhen suddenly let out a soft exclamation and glanced at the arena. She discovered that Jiang Xuan, who had just won, did not linger for a moment after the referee announced the result. His figure flashed a few times and disappeared into the crowd, leaving the martial arts arena ahead of time.
Upon seeing this, Du Dongtu couldn't help but grin.
"This kid runs fast. What, does he think he's got the victory in his grasp and doesn't want to watch the rest of the match? Or is he afraid of being surrounded by people asking about Jin Yutang again later?"
Wei Lingzhen shook her head and chuckled, her tone conveying a sense of understanding.
"He didn't come here for empty fame. Passing the exam and obtaining the qualification for the national examination is probably his only goal. As for his ranking, he probably doesn't really care."
Upon hearing this, Liu Wujun snorted coldly.
"Hmph! Even if he doesn't care, the rankings still need to be done! Based on his performance in the four rounds, especially his record of fighting the top five all by himself in the third round, he deserves to be number one!"
Although he said that Jiang Xuan might not be able to take first place, he already had a clear answer in his heart.
Wei Lingzhen and Du Dongtu exchanged a smile, both understanding that Liu Wujun was still a little too proud to admit it.
They had already decided in their hearts that Jiang Xuan was undoubtedly the top performer in this provincial examination. This young man was indeed an extraordinary individual who could not be measured by common sense.
“However,” Du Dongtu said, his smile fading and his tone becoming serious.
"The national examination is different from the provincial examination; it is a stage that brings together the elites of the entire empire. As far as I know, there will even be young cultivators at the Spirit Sea Realm participating."
Although Jiang Xuan possesses extraordinary combat power, his cultivation level is ultimately a fatal flaw. Upon arriving at the Forbidden City, he will likely face even greater challenges.
Liu Wujun nodded slightly.
“His cultivation level is indeed his weakness.”
But this child's potential is undeniable. Give the order that after all the assessments are completed, immediately organize a review and provide a ranking of the overall results as soon as possible.
"Yes."
Immediately, a servant followed and left.
The important figures said no more and turned their attention back to the fierce battle in the arena. However, in their hearts, they already had a clear answer regarding Jiang Xuan's final result.
……
Jiang Xuan's early departure from Yanxia Academy was not due to a lack of concern for the upcoming matches, nor was it out of arrogance.
Instead, he kept thinking about Xue Jin's unusual behavior that morning, and had a vague premonition that something important was about to happen.
He worried that the old drunkard would leave without saying goodbye.
When he hurried back to the small courtyard in the south of the city, pushed open the familiar wooden door, and saw Xue Jin sitting against the wall as usual, holding a wine jar, he couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
"Senior, I'm back."
Jiang Xuan smiled and waved the two jars of fine wine he had just bought on the way.
"You passed the provincial exam, shall we have a drink to celebrate?"
Normally, when Xue Jin sees good wine, her eyes will light up and she will eagerly take it.
This time, however, Xue Jin simply raised her head slowly, looked at the wine jar in Jiang Xuan's hand, shook her head, and did not reach out to take it.
His wrinkled old face held an unusually complex expression, a mixture of hesitation, solemnity, and even a hint of... barely perceptible apology.
He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly, his voice carrying an unprecedented seriousness.
"Jiang Xuan, the provincial examination is over."
There's something... concerning you, something I must tell you.
Jiang Xuan's smile froze instantly, and the bad premonition in his heart suddenly magnified at that moment.
Outside, the city of Yanxia was in a frenzy of celebration and clamor because of the conclusion of the final round of the provincial examination, but in this secluded courtyard, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet and solemn.
Xue Jin stopped keeping him in suspense and told Jiang Xuan everything he knew, including the message from the Dark Night Six-Winged Falcon, the betrayal of the Purple Soul Deacon, and the choice that the Dark Night Queen had asked him to convey.
Jiang Xuan listened quietly, his expression gradually shifting from initial astonishment to a deep solemnity.
When he heard that the Queen of the Night had already guessed his identity, and that his background was actually involved in the core secrets of the Obsidian Sanctuary, even leading to the betrayal of a deacon at the Cave Heaven Realm, he clearly realized that the enemy who had taken away his original spiritual veins back then was probably far more powerful and terrifying than he had imagined! His own survival might be an unexpected variable for the enemy.
He couldn't help but recall Mr. Deer. It was Mr. Deer who helped him survive and guided him to the Purple Obsidian Empire to find clues about his origins.
His original plan was to enter the Azure Deer Academy in the Forbidden City through the national examination and then slowly investigate. But now he learned that someone already knew his background. The mysterious Dark Night Queen not only knew, but also seemed to have been secretly watching, and even... restraining the Obsidian Sanctuary? Why didn't she tell him sooner? What other secrets were hidden here?
The closer Jiang Xuan got to the truth, the thicker the fog seemed to grow, and the more complex and astonishing the forces and secrets involved became.
Seeing Jiang Xuan's ever-changing expression, Xue Jin sighed and advised him in a low voice.
"Young man, listen to my advice. The Forbidden City... you'd better not go. Even someone like Zi Hun would betray you because of news related to you, which shows how terrifying the obstacles ahead are. Going there would likely mean certain death, with little chance of survival."
Jiang Xuan remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head, his gaze passing through the courtyard wall as if looking towards the distant horizon.
He shook his head, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable determination.
"Senior, my sole purpose in entering the Purple Sun Empire is to find the truth about my origins."
Now that the clues are in the Forbidden City, how can I shrink back because of the dangers ahead?
He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, and analyzed.
"Moreover, if they really wanted to kill me, with their power, why would they wait until now? Why would they go to such lengths to set up so-called 'obstructions' along the way? They could have simply sent people to Yanxia City to kill me."
Since they didn't do that, and instead proposed such seemingly contradictory conditions, perhaps... they have other plans, or perhaps this is itself a kind of 'test'.
Looking at Jiang Xuan's unwavering gaze, Xue Jin knew that further persuasion would be useless.
He understood the boy's temperament; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
He stopped trying to persuade him, and just sighed heavily, as if he had aged considerably in an instant.
Jiang Xuan pushed the wine jar forward again, forcing a smile on his face in an attempt to dispel the heavy atmosphere.
"Senior, let's drink. At least today, let's celebrate passing the provincial exam."
Xue Jin snorted at his feigned ease, but ultimately took the wine jar, broke the clay seal, and took a large gulp. The spicy wine went down his throat, but it seemed unable to dispel the heavy worry in his heart.
In this quiet courtyard, the two leaned against the corner of the wall, drinking silently under the hazy moonlight.
……
As evening fell, the provincial examinations, which had lasted for several days, finally came to a complete end. One hundred lucky individuals successfully stood out and earned the precious qualification to go to the Forbidden City to participate in the national examinations.
The discussion throughout Yanxia City did not diminish; on the contrary, it became even more heated with the release of the final result.
Especially in the third round of assessment, Jiang Xuan's earth-shattering battle against five opponents, including Le Zhiyou, and defeating four Earthly Realm experts and one Heavenly Realm expert, was widely discussed and hailed as a classic! Jiang Xuan's name has become the most dazzling presence in this provincial examination, without exception! Almost everyone believes that he is undoubtedly the top performer in the overall provincial examination!
However, Jiang Xuan, who was at the center of the storm, had no interest in these empty titles and discussions; he didn't even care about the final rankings.
After drinking with Xue Jin in the courtyard, his heart had already flown to the distant and mysterious capital of the empire.
The next day, Jiang Xuan woke up from his hangover, used his internal energy to dispel the remaining effects of the alcohol, got up and went straight to Jin Yutang.
Today, Jin Yutang is a far cry from its previous deserted state! The shop is bustling with people inside and out, and the staff are working non-stop.
All of this was naturally thanks to the publicity surrounding Jiang Xuan's several "strokes of genius" on the provincial examination stage.
Gu Liang was buried behind the counter, busy with a thick stack of drawings and material lists. Although his face showed fatigue, his eyes were full of excitement and energy.
He is currently focusing all his efforts on refining the seven new spiritual weapons that Jiang Xuan gave him.
Upon seeing Jiang Xuan enter, Gu Liang immediately put down his work and warmly greeted him.
"Jiang Xuan! You've come at the perfect time! Look, these are the names I've come up with for those seven new spiritual weapons, along with my initial design ideas!"
He pulled Jiang Xuan into the inner room and pointed to a beautifully drawn sketch on the table, on which were written four large characters in a flamboyant style: "Golden Scale Series"!
"Golden Scales?"
Jiang Xuan read it aloud.
"That's right!"
Gu Liang explained excitedly.
"The character 'Jin' is taken from our Jin Yu Tang! And the character 'Lin' is a homophone for your character 'Xuan,' and it also carries the meaning of 'A golden carp is no ordinary fish in a pond; it will transform into a dragon when it encounters wind and clouds!' It implies that our Jin Yu Tang, and you Jiang Xuan, are no ordinary fish in a pond; you will eventually ride the wind and become a dragon, making your name known throughout the world! What do you think?"
Jiang Xuan listened quietly to Gu Liang's passionate narration, and seeing the burning ambition in his eyes, he couldn't help but be infected by it. He nodded and sincerely praised him.
"The name is good, and the meaning is even better. Gu Liang, you've put a lot of thought into it."
Gu Liang was even happier to receive Jiang Xuan's affirmation, but then he noticed a hint of seriousness hidden between Jiang Xuan's brows, so he suppressed his smile and asked with concern.
"Jiang Xuan, is there something you need from me today?"
Jiang Xuan didn't hide anything and spoke directly.
"The provincial examination results are out. Once I receive the official certificate, I will leave Yanxia City and head to the Forbidden City."
Gu Liang's smile froze instantly, and a deep sense of reluctance flashed in his eyes. Although he had known this day would come, he still felt a pang of sadness when the parting actually arrived.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to persuade him to stay or to go with him, but looking at the bustling scene inside and outside Jin Yutang, he could only manage a bitter smile in the end.
He has too much on his shoulders to extricate himself.
"You're leaving so soon... I wanted to give you a proper farewell party..."
Gu Liang's voice was somewhat low.
Jiang Xuan smiled, patted his shoulder, and said in a relaxed manner.
“You’re a very busy person now, the owner of Jin Yutang. How can you have time to drink with me? We can drink to celebrate when you’ve refined the ‘Golden Scale Series’ and it’s famous throughout the empire.”
Gu Liang knew that Jiang Xuan was trying to comfort him, and he was deeply moved, nodding vigorously.
"Okay! It's a deal! When the time comes, I'll definitely bring you the best wine from Jin Yu Tang!"
Jiang Xuan smiled and stood up.
"Alright, I should go now. I still need to go to Shidingzhai and the Spirit Pattern Master Commune."
Gu Liang hurriedly saw him off. Watching Jiang Xuan's departing figure, he felt that Jiang Xuan seemed to be hiding something on his mind this time, and was more composed than before.
But before he could think about it further, he was called away by his colleague to handle some business, so he had to put his doubts aside for the time being.
……
After leaving Jin Yutang, Jiang Xuan went to Shi Ding Zhai.
However, he did not see the person he wanted to see.
The steward who received him respectfully informed him.
"Young Master Jiang Xuan, it's truly unfortunate. Manager Mu has gone to the mines outside the city to inspect a batch of important goods and is expected to return in half a month." (End of Chapter)