Great Yue.
Within the resplendent imperial palace, two rows of court officials bowed in salute and cried "Long live Your Majesty" three times.
Emperor Dingyuan sat upright upon the imperial throne, looking down at the many martial examination candidates gathered for this palace examination.
Great Yue now held nationwide martial examinations as well. Since the nation was established through martial force, the strength of its military commanders was the focus of the entire empire.
"The written examination has concluded. Activate the star array."
"For the final palace examination, all successful candidates will resist the oppressive star array. The duration of their endurance will determine the final rankings."
An elderly eunuch at the side announced loudly.
Below, row after row of palace examination candidates stood broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Even the weakest exceeded two meters in height, their bodies knotted with muscles.
Even the women had thighs nearly as thick as an ordinary man's waist.
At a glance, the entire hall was a sea of muscular contours, while the air was thick with fragrances meant to conceal body odor.
Emperor Dingyuan wore an imperial crown draped with pearl strands, his face obscured behind the curtain. His eyes were like those of a wolf and eagle, cold yet carrying a trace of anticipation.
"You may begin." He raised his left hand slightly.
The elderly eunuch bowed at his side, then walked to one side and stopped before a relief carving on the wall. Reaching out, he twisted the giant dragon's eye on the relief.
Click, click.
Amid the faint sounds of mechanisms.
Metal wire-mesh walls slowly rose around the square formation formed by the dozens of candidates.
Boom!!
In an instant, violent rumbling tremors erupted, accompanied by a heavy, invisible pressure that crashed down upon every candidate present.
At once, the candidates'