Becoming a Sage Starts From Condensing the Essence of Time

Chapter 85: Holding Two Swords in the Spring Quarter Examination Hall, A Discussion on the Northern Expedition (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios       Editor: Atlas Studios

Spring rain came time and again. The end of each round meant that they were one step closer to the opening of the Spring Quarter Examination.

Now that the Spring Quarter Examination had finally begun, a grand event bloomed all over Lin’an like apricot peaches in spring.

To every scholar who studied hard, the Middle Examination was only the beginning. Going to Lin’an to take the Spring Quarter Examination was the final goal.

The Spring Quarter Examination was held in the Literary Department. As the

Holy Land of Great Zhao’s scholars, this was not the first time the Literary Department had held the Spring Quarter Examination. Many people agreed that it would be more ceremonial to hold the Spring Quarter Examination in the Literary Department.

The Literary Department was filled with vitality in the spring. The green grass beside the stone path was washed away by the spring rain, and new young leaves appeared. They seemed to contain sharp sword intent that tore through the envelopment of the entire winter and waved towards the mortal world.

An Le ascended the stone steps. The spring rain was like oil as it flowed down the steps, emitting a hint of spring.

On the way, there were many scholars carrying luggage on their backs. Their expressions were solemn and nervous. To any student who had studied hard for ten years, the pressure of the Spring Quarter Examination was extremely great. Very few people maintained their normal hearts.

Without seeing many familiar faces, An Le followed the stone path and arrived at the black-and-white Literary Department building complex.

Walking on the limestone road, there were gradually more people in the distance. Scholarly scholars in Confucian shirts were queuing up to enter the Literary Department’s examination hall.

The white walls and black tiles were like the atmosphere of a water village.

Bits of green climbed up the white wall, like embellishments in the misty rain.

It became even more hazy.

In the distance, there was a familiar figure carrying a huge luggage. The bulging luggage not only contained exam supplies, but also some food and so on.

After all, not all candidates were cultivators. They could answer questions peacefully for three days and three nights without eating or drinking.

The Spring Quarter Examination was divided into three rounds. Each round had a total of three days. Starting from the ninth day of the New Year, they would leave the examination hall once every three days. Furthermore, they had to enter the examination hall to begin the examination.

It was a test of the candidate’s physique, willpower, and so on.

However, that was only for ordinary examination candidates. They were also facing the scholars who had entered the List B Scholar Rankings. If they wanted to enter the List A Scholar Rankings, they would have to refer to it for another day after all the examinations ended.

There would be a cultivation test.

All the examinations were carried out in the Literary Department, even the last assessment of cultivation.

In the Literary Department, there were quite a number of Provincial Scholars gathered. Although the number of people had decreased after Great Zhao moved south, there were still more than 3,000 examinees from all over the Great Zhao Dynasty.

When An Le saw Liu Yue, he was talking to two scholars with confident smiles on their faces.

“Brother An, this is Brother Xu and Brother Zhu. The literary conference I mentioned to you last time was organized by Brother Xu.”

When Liu Yue saw An Le, his eyes lit up. He hurriedly greeted him and introduced the scholar beside him.

The scholar surnamed Xu was not interested in An Le. He only cupped his fists and bowed slightly before bidding farewell to Liu Yue and turning to leave with another person.

Liu Yue was slightly embarrassed. Without An Le’s permission, he did not dare to introduce An Le’s name. He did not expect An Le to not give him face.

An Le did not mind. The other party did not even have Age Qi on him. He was not a cultivator, so he naturally could not provoke An Le.

When Liu Yue saw that An Le’s luggage was so simple, he was even more certain of his guess. The smile on his face widened.

He was a famous painter and an unfathomable cultivator. His status was worlds apart from his, but he could actually chat happily with him. This meant that the other party was sincere in making friends with him.

The queue was very long. An Le and Liu Yue chatted as they waited.

During the process, An Le scanned the team and could see that there were many cultivators mixed in. There was Age Qi floating on their bodies.

There were actually not many Provincial Scholars who came from all over the world to enter List A. Most of the cultivation Provincial Scholars studied in the Literary Department. They had other channels and privileges to enter the examination hall, so they naturally would not waste their time queuing here.

Taking advantage of the gap in the queue, Liu Yue introduced the lineup of examiners for the Spring Quarter Examination to An Le.

“There are two main examiners for the Spring Quarter Examination this time.

The main examiner is the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Xu You. The deputy examiner is Yan Chaoqing. There are also ten other examiners as invigilators and inner curtains. Of course, the one in charge of everything in the end is the current Prime Minister Qin.”

Liu Yue took a deep breath and said.

“Prime Minister Qin is in charge of everything? Why isn’t the head examiner the Minister of Rites?” An Le asked curiously.

Liu Yue had been in Lin’an recently, so he was much more well-informed than An Le, who was cultivating in seclusion.

“Originally, it was the Minister of Rites who was in charge of the examination, but something happened later. Because the Minister of Rites was close to the Lin Residence, Prime Minister Qin found an excuse to impeach and remove him from this position. He was replaced by the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. The Left Assistant Minister was once Prime Minister Qin’s student, so he naturally received Qin’s trust.”

Liu Yue narrowed his eyes and whispered. He naturally did not dare to speak loudly with such gossip.

An Le nodded and frowned slightly. Prime Minister Qin’s Residence was really pressing on the Lin Residence step by step. Even the Minister of Rites, who was slightly related to the Lin Residence, was implicated. This action was undoubtedly intimidating the royal court and made all the factions related to the Lin Residence draw a line with the Lin Residence.

The storm had already gradually risen. Just by standing at the edge, one could feel the sharpness of it.

After queuing for almost an hour, they finally approached the Yuan Gate Search Office.

Soldiers with sabers and armor on their waists stared coldly at the examinees.

“Why do you have a sword?”

The surveillance officer looked at An Le and shouted..