Outside the illusory formation.
With a whoosh!
Light flared from the bodies of more than three hundred people at the same time.
Then they opened their eyes in bewilderment.
"You have been eliminated."
Master Xu looked at them coolly and said only one thing:
"When matters of the nation and family are at stake, you cherish your own safety and petty gains. Go back and temper your will properly. Take the exam again next year."
With that, he casually waved his hand.
More than three hundred people rose directly with the wind and flew toward the grounds outside.
By the time they left, they had not even managed to say a word.
Master Xu looked blandly at the officials in the field.
"You may all withdraw as well."
"Yes."
As the officials departed.
Only Master Xu, Sai Chuxue, and Zeng Shilin remained at the scene.
The enormous scroll continued to turn slowly.
The images upon it showed the seven hundred people still taking the imperial examination.
"Everything concerning this examination is strictly confidential. Remember, not a single word may be revealed to outsiders."
A smile appeared on Master Xu's face as he looked toward Sai Chuxue.
Yet Sai Chuxue was staring blankly at the figure on the scroll.
It was Zeng Anmin.
The chill from before was gone.
Only her tightly pressed lips remained.
"Foolish child."
Master Xu shook his head with a soft laugh, then raised his gaze toward the immense scroll.
"To expend so much Divine Soul Power merely to simulate a single war."
"Is it worth it?"
Master Xu's voice reached Zeng Shilin's ears.
Zeng Shilin stared fixedly at the image.
He murmured softly:
"A merit for the present age, a benefit for a thousand autumns."
It was unclear whether he was answering Master Xu or