Chapter 36

This was something the Wuxiang Envoy absolutely could not accept!

This time, the Wu Zuo Shi would also be watching in the shadows, ensuring that both Baili Dongjun and Jiang Mu Ming were brought back to Beyond Heaven!

"Fortunately, there's still no trace of him so far."

"I hope... he won't show up..."

After all, this time the Wu Zuo Shi was personally taking action—a powerhouse infinitely close to Half-step Profound Spirit!

Two days later.

Qianjin Platform.

Academy Grand Examination!

Candidates flocked into Qianjin Platform one after another.

Among them, Baili Dongjun and Ye Dingzhi were naturally present.

In addition, the King of Qingcheng Mountain's party, Song Yanhui of Peerless City, and Little Gambling King Yin Luoxia of Thousand Gates all arrived as well.

"Sister, hurry, there are seats over here!"

Yin Luoxia pulled a woman dressed in an elegant peach-blossom-pale gown to sit down.

And that woman was none other than the Imperial Daughter of Northern Queendom, Yue Yao, who had come under an alias to participate in the Academy Grand Examination in coordination with the Wu Zuo Shi!

"Brother Ye, care to sit together?"

Baili Dongjun also invited Ye Dingzhi to take a seat.

Once everyone had settled down.

On Qianjin Platform, the Eight Princes of Northern Li also appeared one after another.

They sat solemnly on the high platform.

The young book attendant Ling Su, under Young Master Liu Yue, stepped forward.

"Now, I shall announce the examination topic!"

The next moment.

A banner suddenly unfurled, bearing four large characters.

Ask the Heart, Seek the Way!

"Ask the Heart, Seek the Way? What does that mean?"

"I still don't understand how we're supposed to take the exam!"

"How is this year's topic completely different from before?"

Below, the gathered examinees buzzed with discussion.

"Silence!"

Young Master Liu Yue, one of the Eight Princes of Northern Li, swept his long fan.

A sharp gust of wind shot out.

The crowd instantly fell quiet.

Then.

Young Master Zhuo Mo, Lei Mengsha, another of the Eight Princes of Northern Li, stepped forward.

He said, "Heh heh, next up, it's my turn to explain the exam topic to everyone."

"Actually, this is two topics in one!"

"Ask the Heart is the Preliminary Test, and Seek the Way is the Second Test."

"Only those who pass both hurdles are qualified to take the Final Test at our Jixia Academy!"

Once Lei Mengsha started talking, he couldn't stop.

But on this occasion.

It was exactly his time to shine.

"As for the first hurdle, it's very simple—just stand on this Qianjin Platform for a moment."

"Then you'll know whether you can pass the Preliminary Test."

But no matter how Lei Mengsha explained.

The crowd below still couldn't understand, their hearts full of confusion.

They said it was Ask the Heart, but could standing on Qianjin Platform really let you ask your own true heart?

Meanwhile, in the high tower of Qianjin Platform.

King Qing Xiao Xie, who hoped to find someone among this batch of examinees to use for himself, thereby building up strength and contending for the throne, watched on.

He couldn't help but frown.

"What kind of examination is this? Just a test of the heart—how can that reveal a candidate's true ability?"

"What Academy Second Master? He's nothing but a mediocre talent!"

King Qing Xiao Xie was deeply dissatisfied. He flung his wine cup in anger and was about to leave on the spot.

But then he thought of the throne, which might be within his reach.

He held back.

Besides, he wanted to meet this suddenly emerged Academy Second Master.

To see if he could be recruited for his own use.

After all, today was the Academy Grand Examination, where he himself had set the questions—there was no way the Second Master wouldn't show up!

Down below the Qianjin Platform.

The crowd of examinees discussed for a long time without reaching any conclusion. It seemed the only way was to go up to the Qianjin Platform itself.

Only then would they know what this stage truly entailed!

"I, Duan Baiyi of the White Robe Sect, am willing to be the first."

From the crowd.

A young man in white robes stepped forward.

With a light leap, he landed on the Qianjin Platform.

The examinees below all focused their attention, eager to see what the first stage would test.

"Excellent!"

An ethereal voice rang out.

The next moment.

A mist drifted over the Qianjin Platform.

And when the mist cleared.

Duan Baiyi had vanished.

"Where am I..." When Duan Baiyi regained consciousness.

He found himself by a river.

He had forgotten many things from before.

In his hand, for some reason, he held a rusted iron sword. In his panic, the long sword slipped from his grasp.

And fell into the river.

"My sword!"

Just as Duan Baiyi was about to retrieve it, he saw bubbles gurgling up from the river. After a burst of ethereal mist...