Inside the Imperial Examination Hall, a most absurd scene was unfolding.

Just as Chen Xu was publicly announced as the top scholar in this provincial examination, in the West Exam Hall, Hut No. 17 with the character "A," Mo Huaizhang suddenly opened his mouth.

Surprisingly, like Luo Wenhuan, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

However, when Luo Wenhuan spat blood, he tried hard to avoid his answer sheet, fearing it would stain the paper and cause him to fall in ranking.

Mo Huaizhang's blood, however, landed squarely on his own answer sheet.

"Pfft!"

He spat the blood, then abruptly fell backward.

Bang!

The sound of him hitting the ground was loud, instantly attracting the attention of the clerks collecting the papers and the patrolling soldiers.

A series of footsteps approached.

"Another one collapsed, alas..."

This was the soldier's low sigh.

They were used to seeing candidates collapse, but those who fell before submitting their papers still evoked some pity.

Most importantly: "This answer sheet is soiled by blood, unfortunately, it must be declared void."

"What's there to pity? Enough with the chatter, quickly pack it in the box, seal it up, there's the next one, move along!"

The soiled sheet was sealed separately in another rune lockbox, subject to multiple checks, before confirming its disqualification.

Yet at this moment, the "fainted" Mo Huaizhang secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Let it be, so be it.

Rather than being overshadowed by Chen Xu in the exam and ending up as the second place scholar, it's better to step aside and compete in the next examination.

With Chen Xu, such a dazzling top scholar, who would remember the second place overshadowed by him?

Mo Huaizhang didn't want to settle for second place; he only wished to claim first.

This time, being disqualified due to "illness" was better than being publicly compared to Chen Xu in poetry and essays.

Mo Huaizhang's reasoning wasn't entirely without merit, but the absurdity within it remained an internal matter.

Thus, a provincial examination unfolded grandly, and its curtain was half drawn with equally grand momentum.

But the impact of Chen Xu's essay, which manifested as purple smoke, was far from fading; it could even be said that this was merely the beginning.

Outside the examination hall, amidst the hustle and bustle, with laughter and tears, greed and anger, the myriad facets of the mortal world—let them not be elaborated.

On the exam grounds, the news of Chen Xu's purple-smoke essay quickly spread with gale force as the Imperial Examination Hall opened its doors.

In summary, the whole city was boiling.

Yet similarly, this was just the beginning.

In the Imperial Examination Hall, the bell rang three times again.

Candidates were still orderly leaving the venue, while the papers had long been sealed and stored.

Only Chen Xu remained in the hall, invited by Chief Examiner Feng Xing to the Observatory, where he was engaged in a dialogue about specific issues in the essays.

At first, Chen Xu stood.

Feng Xing was seated in the chief examiner's chair, his gaze a mix of admiration and complexity. He asked, "How on earth did you conceive such an unparalleled strategy to vanquish demons?"

This was, in fact, a compliment.

Of course, there was also a subtle intent to probe into Chen Xu's foundation.

Chen Xu came from an ordinary farming family, a background known to many, and theoretically, even if he were exceptionally talented, he should lack insight into certain issues.

Yet the absolute strategy to defeat demons mentioned in Chen Xu's essay was the very epitome of paramount statecraft.

Many issues dissected in the essay were obscure matters that some great figures in the Jade Capital Celestial City had vaguely touched upon but could not unravel!

Feng Xing, having come from the Jade Capital temporarily to preside over this Celestial South Dao examination, was undoubtedly well aware of such universally troubling issues.

Undeniably, after reading the specific content of the essay, Feng Xing was also struck by Chen Xu's strategy.

Slaying demons was easy, but vanquishing demons completely was difficult, cutting them off at the root even more so.

However, following the strategy outlined by Chen Xu, the fundamental cause of locust plagues could be eradicated.

Feng Xing scrutinized the essay; initially amazed, subsequently shaken, and upon the third read, he suddenly realized, this was no mere provincial examination demon suppression strategy!

This clearly was a "preliminary exploration of the heavenly way," with profound significance, each scrutiny offering readers new understanding.

The dialogue between the two intensified Feng Xing's awe with each question.

Unable to restrain himself, he voiced his probing.

Chen Xu understood the underlying meaning of Feng Xing's words, and in an instant, he considered invoking Ji Weizi, the Great Scholar's name.

Yet constructing one lie typically requires yet more lies for coherence.

While Ji Weizi's spirit still lingered, should Chen Xu invoke his name today, who knows if it wouldn't reach his ears tomorrow?

Even though Ji Weizi had long intended to offer Chen Xu his support, he likely wouldn't expose Chen Xu.

However, why do so?

For some questions, rather than providing a direct answer, it's better to leave others room for imagination.

Chen Xu pondered for a moment, feigning thought, then said:

"Please, Grandmaster, discern clearly, as a student, I have always enjoyed studying in dreams, occasionally gaining insights and feelings from past lives.

I also delight in listening to the wind and watching the rain, observing toads hiding by shallow muddy shores after rain, eating mosquitoes, catching grasshoppers.

Upon long observation, I discover venomous snakes lurking in the grass, preying on those toads and frogs.

It is commonly said, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; the oriole preys on the mantis only to be preyed upon by snakes, which are then preyed upon by hawks.

The hawk, ruler of the skies, seemingly has no natural enemies, but if all terrestrial insects and beasts are slaughtered, the hawk will struggle to breed due to lack of food.

Naturally occurring phenomena interlock continuously.

Locusts, being part of creation, how can they be exempt from this cycle?

In thoughtful consideration, this is merely observing and emulating nature.

The student's humble insight, Grandmaster, please correct it."

What a fine example of "emulating nature"!

Chen Xu spoke calmly and leisurely.

Though he incited purple smoke with a single article, he showed no youthful arrogance; instead, he maintained a steady demeanor, displaying the expected humility before the examiner.

Upon finishing, he cupped his hands in salute.

Feng Xing sat in his chair, lost in the speech.

Only after Chen Xu saluted did he hastily rise, extending a hand to support Chen Xu with, "I dare not accept the title of Grandmaster!"

"Xu... may I call you this?" he asked.

Chen Xu replied naturally, "Grandmaster's favor, how could I refuse?"

Feng Xing laughed heartily; looking at Chen Xu again, he felt his timing in rising was slightly late.

He should have risen the moment Chen Xu ascended the Observatory!

Feng Xing was somewhat regretful while savoring the essay content, lamenting being stuck on the Observatory.

Under such gaze, some words were inappropriate.

Ultimately, Feng Xing let Chen Xu leave before the hall closed again.

Though Chen Xu's purple smoke article assured the top scholar position, other rankings required careful examination and selection by the examiners.

Chen Xu left the exam grounds at the rear of the crowd.

Meanwhile, in the Jade Capital Celestial City.

The news of someone invoking purple smoke with their essay at the Celestial South Dao's provincial examination had already passed through the rune array and arrived.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.