Chapter 7: Practical Exam(1)

Three fleeting days slipped through Tang Jian's grasp, vanishing like sand through an hourglass. Today marked the day of the entrance exam, a pivotal moment that would shape the future of a young aspirant named Tang Jian, who harbored ambitions of becoming a supreme ruler.

In the span of those three days, Tang Jian dedicated himself to honing his physical strength with unwavering determination. In stark contrast, his roommate Li Bai seemed content to indulge in idle pursuits, spending his time devouring meals and surrendering to the embrace of slumber. Witnessing this lackadaisical behavior, Tang Jian's perception of Li Bai underwent a complete transformation, or at least that's what he led Li Bai to believe.

In truth, Tang Jian had been discreetly observing Li Bai's actions during these past few days while cleverly fostering the notion that he himself was nothing more than a simple yet malevolent individual. This calculated approach served two purposes: first, by assuming the guise of simplicity, Tang Jian ensured that Li Bai would never suspect him of concealing any ulterior motives; and second, as intelligent individuals often steer clear of malevolence, Tang Jian sought to maintain a respectable distance from Li Bai. After all, Li Bai was a noble, and Tang Jian had no intention of antagonizing him unnecessarily.

"Junior Tang Jian, Junior Li Bai, please make your way to the practice hall as soon as possible. The entrance exam is about to commence," a resonant voice called out, rousing Li Bai's anxiety while leaving Tang Jian composed and collected, drawing on his experiences as a seasoned politician.

Without wasting a moment, Tang Jian and Li Bai departed their dormitory, their steps purposeful as they embarked on their journey toward the practice hall.

A cacophony of chatter engulfed Li Bai and Tang Jian as they entered the general studies hall, where a throng of young children buzzed with nervous energy, their minds consumed by the impending examination.

Amidst the sea of anxious voices, a young boy, who had once appeared as destitute as a beggar, approached Tang Jian, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Hey, are you the special case they've been whispering about? The three-year-old who secured the opportunity to take the entrance exam through his father's influential connections?"

This unexpected query caught Tang Jian off guard. While it was true that he had been chosen as a special case to participate in the exam, he was well aware that he wasn't the only one granted such an opportunity. Yang Yuhuan had informed him of this fact, not viewing Tang Jian as a beneficiary of nepotism, but rather recognizing his innate genius, akin to those who had preceded him as special cases. However, this beggar, seemingly emerging out of thin air, insinuated that there were rumors circulating about Tang Jian's selection being solely attributed to his father's connections.

Ordinarily, anyone would have lost their temper in the face of such impertinence. Yet, Tang Jian was no ordinary individual; he was a shrewd politician, reborn with astute instincts.

Maintaining his composure, Tang Jian retorted to the beggar, his words dripping with eloquence, "You may have misconstrued the rumors, for it is my accomplishments and skills that have earned me the right to partake in this exam, not my father's connections."

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Witnessing Tang Jian's poised and articulate response, the rude beggar remained silent, retreating quietly from the scene. Meanwhile, Li Bai, observing from the sidelines, struggled to comprehend the significance behind the beggar's actions. For Tang Jian, however, the beggar's intentions were clear—he had approached Tang Jian to ascertain the veracity of the rumors and to gauge Tang Jian's temperament.

Unbeknownst to Tang Jian, this impudent beggar had inadvertently thrust him into a fresh predicament. The beggar's disrespectful remark had triggered a barrage of cold gazes from those in attendance, all victims of the false rumors that had tainted Tang Jian's reputation. Now, Tang Jian's curiosity ignited, and he yearned to uncover the identity of the individual responsible for spreading these malicious falsehoods.

Lost in thought, Tang Jian was abruptly interrupted as a figure stepped onto the stage, clapping his hands to seize everyone's attention. Judging by his commanding presence, it was evident that he was the instructor overseeing the proceedings.

"Attention, everyone! I am Instructor Jiang Wen, and I shall be overseeing your practical examination," Instructor Jiang Wen bellowed, ensuring that his words resonated with each and every participant.

"To assess your practical skills, we shall engage in duels with practice dolls crafted from resilient wood, guaranteeing the safety of our young candidates. In order to pass this test, you must spar with the practice doll until the incense stick before me burns completely," Instructor Jiang Wen explained with fervor, his enthusiasm palpable.

Li Hou—this was a name that would forever linger in the minds of those present in the practice hall. Why, you might ask? Because Li Hou, a courageous hero, had been the first to volunteer for this grueling test, facing the daunting adversary known as the practice doll to provide valuable insight to his fellow examinees.

Tang Jian, however, suspected that Li Hou had been consumed by overconfidence. Regardless, Li Hou, like his name suggested, lunged at the practice doll with a fiery determination. Alas, his efforts proved in vain as the practice doll swiftly delivered a resounding slap, sending Li Hou tumbling and crashing into the wall of the hall. Thus ended the journey of a valiant hero who had sacrificed himself to illuminate the capabilities of the practice doll to his comrades.

The spectacle left an indelible impression on everyone in the practice hall; they now possessed a firsthand understanding of the practice doll's might. The force behind the doll's slap was akin to that of a martial artist in the first layer of the Body Forging stage. Nevertheless, these practice dolls paled in comparison to real martial artists, and the first layer of Body Forging was a stage that only granted marginal strength beyond that of an average adult.

However, for these examinees, mere five-year-olds yet to reach the Body Forging stage, passing such a test would prove exceedingly challenging.

As Tang Jian had anticipated, an overwhelming 90% of those who had taken the exam thus far had failed miserably. Among the candidates, Li Bai's results proved the most favorable, a testament to his prior attainment of the first layer of the Body Forging stage. After all, he was of noble birth.

Next in line was the beggar—the one who had caused Tang Jian an unforeseen predicament. "Respected instructor, I am Liang Meng. I humbly request the opportunity to undertake this test," the seemingly destitute child spoke eloquently, his demeanor marked by politeness.

Granted permission, Liang Meng faced off against the practice doll, which promptly aimed a simple uppercut at him. Yet, through a deft movement, Liang Meng evaded the attack with grace, his beggar-like countenance untouched. Liang Meng continued to dodge and defend against the relentless onslaught of the practice doll until the incense stick burned down to its last embers.

Impressed by his performance, Instructor Jiang Wen awarded Liang Meng a perfect score. The instructor recognized that Liang Meng had relied on his intellect, evading and defending rather than blindly engaging the practice doll like his less astute peers.

This demonstration revealed that Liang Meng was far from a nobody. To even qualify for this exam, one needed a notable accomplishment or a powerful patron in their corner.