"What are your answers?" Sambala then looked at the other two groups. Since Shiyu and Reiko's answers were already correct, the other two groups simply chose to give up.
Reiko answered two quick-response questions correctly in a row.
Reiko seems to be a natural-born master of riddles; Reiko performance was so amazing that Shiyu could hardly believe it.
"If someone didn't know the actual situation, they might think that Elder Sambala had leaked the question beforehand."
Shiyu quietly asked, "Reiko, what's going on? How are you so strong? Did you answer all these questions before?"
Reiko replied, "You should know I love reading, right? I've read through all these ancient riddles from our Great Inner Palace Country. I thought they'd ask some profound questions, but they're all just these kinds of riddles."
"It seems that choosing to bring you along for this test was definitely the right decision!" Shiyu couldn't contain her excitement.
For the next five questions, Reiko answered them all flawlessly and correctly. The other two groups, however, performed terribly; they were simply there to make up the numbers.
"One last question, this is a very difficult one. It was once posed by a monster, and many people were eaten by the monster because they couldn't answer it," Elder Sambala then asked.
"Listen carefully, none of you may be able to answer this question, but it is a mandatory question."
"What animal has four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and Sanjo in the evening?" Elder Sambala asked.
This time, Reiko wasn't in a hurry to stand up either, because she had never heard of this question before, and couldn't think of such a strange question for the moment.
As for the other two groups, I know even less.
Elder Sambala seemed to be testing Shiyu's group, and then said, "Travelers, although you have already won, I still hope you can answer this question!"
Time ticked by, and none of the three groups answered.
"What's going on? This is a mandatory question! Why aren't you all answering? Is it because the question is too difficult? How about I choose another one?" Elder Sambala said deliberately.
Shiyu was overjoyed. He knew the answer to this question better than anyone else, because it was the same question posed by the Sphinx in Greek mythology.
Reiko replied, "Elder Sambala, since this question is mandatory, perhaps everyone just doesn't want their answer to be the same as everyone else's. I think it would be better if everyone wrote down their answers on paper and handed them to you?"
Shiyu nodded to Reiko, indicating that he had no problem with the answer to the question.
Reiko was also a little surprised in her eyes, and then watched Shigure write the word "" on the paper.
Although she was curious as to why the final answer was "human," Reiko knew that Shiyu must have been very confident to write it that way, so she handed over the answer sheet directly.
Afterwards, Elder Sambala looked at the answers of Shiyu and Reiko's group and showed a surprised expression.
The answers from the other two groups were naturally far from the correct ones.
"I'd like to ask, travelers, are you sure about your answers?" Sambala also asked.
"I'm sure, 100% sure!" Shiyu showed great confidence.
"Alright, your answer is human! This is the most difficult riddle among the ancient proverbs in our village. Although I know the correct answer is human, I don't know why. Since you're so sure your answer is correct, could you tell us? This has nothing to do with testing anymore; I'm simply asking you for help."
Sambala, the other contestants, and even Reiko all looked at Shiyu with great curiosity.
Shiyu explained, "The answer to this question is 'human.' What has four legs in the morning? When a baby is first born, it naturally crawls on all fours. What has two legs at noon? When a child grows up and becomes an adult, it naturally walks on two legs."
What has Sanjo at night? It's a person, of course, because adults get old and can no longer walk, so they have to use a cane.
"The morning, noon, and evening of this question represent the life cycle of all things, from beginning to glory, and then to the end. Life is nothing more than this."
At that Shiyu was like a great philosopher, and his aura instantly captivated everyone.
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is! I never imagined the reason for this problem was like this! That's wonderful!" Elder Sambala couldn't contain his excitement and finally applauded.
"On behalf of the entire Dedesai Village, I congratulate you both on passing our test of wisdom! The three tests of strength, speed, and intelligence—I never expected you to pass them all! Just like that black-haired and red-haired couple from over a decade ago! You passed perfectly!" Elder Sambala unknowingly revealed a crucial piece of information.
"A couple with black hair and red hair!? Could it be?" Reiko was also very surprised.
"Yes, they come from the East just like you, and it seems they are also ninjas," Sambala then said. "We'll talk about that later! The Omniscient Convention is about to begin! And you are the main characters of this tournament!"
"What? Start right away?" Neither Reiko nor Shiyu were able to react.
"So, what exactly is the meaning of this Omniscient Assembly?" Neither of them understood.
"Haha! Actually, the three tests are part of the Omniscient Convention! This Omniscient Assembly is a traditional custom of our Dedesai Village, representing a spirit of continuous progress. If you pass the tests, you have naturally passed the Omniscient Convention! Now forget everything!"
Elder Sambala then threw away his cane and, accompanied by music that suddenly started playing from Dedessa, began a very "seductive" dance, Shiyu and Reiko burst out laughing.
Not only Elder Sambala, but all the fishermen in the village danced joyfully. To them, the person who completed the three challenges was the most respectable hero.
The entire night was filled with passion; music, dance, wine—everything was part of the Omniscient Convention.
Having barely slept all night, Shiyu and Reiko arrived before Elder Sambala.
"Elder Sambala, could you tell us everything we want to know?" Shiyu asked.
"Of course! Child! Ask me any questions you have, and I'll tell you everything I know!"
Shiyu naturally asked first, "The black-haired and red-haired couple you mentioned, did they also pass these three tests? Do you know their names? Do they look like me?"
Shiyu could finish her question, Elder Sambala said, "Are those two your parents?"
"Did you know?!"