Chapter 208: Provocation or Testing

With similar doubts, Miss Vilyric took another look around.

These spirit vein compasses responsible for carrying the exam questions were spaced apart at considerable intervals, and barriers blocked the view, while the array representing the continent lay submerged within. Unless one employed some special means, participants absolutely could not see the questions or answers of others.

The role of the reporter was to deliver each corresponding participant’s answers directly to the examiner one-on-one in such a situation. After the latter judged right or wrong, they would bring back the news, engaging in completely closed communication, with practically no chance for spying or spectator enjoyment.

This was also why the literary competition had fewer spectators and less heat than the martial competition, as, apart from the scene itself, outsiders hardly found anything to watch. The ones showing up were mostly the participants’ friends and family or those merely bored, seeking some excitement.

In such a scenario, if the officials intended… they could indeed offer a particular participant some special treatment or underhanded tricks.

Thoughts raced, and Miss Vilyric didn’t linger on them but casually pointed her pointer stick at a sign in a remote area.

“Here.”

The polite middle-aged male reporter immediately nodded in response.

“Is this your answer? Each question allows for three attempts; do you need to confirm again?”

“No, just report it.”

“Understood, please hold on.”

He stopped the hourglass, took the sign pointed out by Miss Vilyric, recorded the number it represented, and then turned to head toward the area where the examiner verified answers. After a brief exchange, he quickly returned to the compass, smiling.

“Congratulations, your answer is correct. Now we will begin the setup for the second question; please wait a moment. The time spent waiting will not count toward your answering limit, rest assured.”

Having explained gently and in detail, he waved his hand, and two assistant girls came forward again, swiftly setting up a new environment.

In just a few minutes, the two pairs of nimble hands completely overturned the situation on the continent, changing it into a completely new appearance, and only then did the reporter allow the hourglass to resume flowing and gestured to the Priestess.

“Um…”

The girl pondered for a moment over the new situation.

The difficulty of this question had evidently increased sharply; at first glance, there seemed to be no abnormalities. Miss Vilyric considered for nearly ten minutes before finally spotting the collapsing node through a fleeting flash of insight and informed the reporter.

Seizing the opportunity while the latter went to verify the answer, the Priestess glanced around and confirmed one fact.

She was definitely being set up.

Those other assistants clearly were using their manuals to set up the compasses, while the two girls in front of Miss Vilyric were going completely manual, not even pretending to play along—it was obvious her situation was different from the others.

If the first question was merely a test of sorts, the second question was clearly way off.

Though Miss Vilyric had not formally studied subterrene knowledge, the books she had read were distilled essences compiled by powerful predecessors, and this body possessed nearly photographic memory. To put it bluntly, if she couldn’t answer any questions, at least 99% of the participants would be left groping in the dark.

And evidently, a rematch could not possibly eliminate that many participants.

What was the Eastern Yuan Holy Monarch… no, what on earth did this Eastern Yuan Holy Monarch want? Was he really just looking for trouble?

Though Miss Vilyric wasn’t entirely sure of the answers, it seemed her luck was decent enough, as she answered the second question correctly. After the reporter returned, the two assistant girls promptly started setting up the third question according to the rules.

Miss Vilyric said nothing, quietly watching their performance.

She thought this question would be even harder, perhaps reaching a jaw-dropping level, but to her surprise, the two girls set the compass in a very strange, utterly baffling manner.

It wasn’t hard—in fact, it was too simple. The chaotic weather patterns practically spelled out all the corresponding spirit vein nodes, and there were more than one—about six or seven—irregularly scattered across the Dongyuanzhi Kingdom, resembling hints rather than exam questions.

“…What does this mean?”

The two girls remained silent, merely stepping back after completing the array setup, standing with their heads lowered. Only the reporter, possessing [Seeking Immortal] realm strength, smiled at her with a gentle expression.

“Miss Vilyric, we are just servants here; we cannot answer questions, only convey a few words from our master.”

He shifted his tone slightly, offering a tinge of authority, as if mimicking someone.

“Miss Vilyric, you are quite interesting. Since you’ve participated in the Four Saints Selection Tournament, why suppress your true strength? I have prepared a gift suitable for you, which I wish to present personally upon your victory in the Qiguo division. I hope… you won’t disappoint me.”

After speaking, the three bowed simultaneously, and the reporter gestured, “Please.”

“Congratulations, you’ve passed this round of scrutiny. Please proceed to the backstage to receive your new identity tag.”

“Should I take this as a provocation? Or a test?”

Though Miss Vilyric inquired, the three remained silent, as if they had no intention to say anything further.

Understanding their stance, the Priestess turned her gaze toward the Eastern Yuan Holy Monarch, who was indeed watching from the high platform.

It felt like sparks briefly touched.

After glancing at the several subtly marked locations on the needle plate and committing them to memory, the black-haired girl nodded and turned to leave.

“Since you want to see… I’ll oblige you.”

…

In the Dongyuanzhi Kingdom, deep within the Xianxia Mountain Range.

As one of the largest ancient mountain ranges in the Ancient Spirit Realm, the origin of Xianxia remains unclear. However, rumors claim that once a sacred being exterminated demons here, engaging in battle for days, causing anomalies to rise into the sky, with radiant clouds illuminating the mountains, leading people to believe it was unapproachable, hence the name.

While the Four Saints Selection Tournament was in full swing across the Ancient Spirit Realm, new visitors arrived in this tranquil mountain range.

It was a man dressed in commoner’s clothing, looking somewhat travel-worn, even ragged. He carried a slashing sword for protection, walking somewhat timidly in the depths of the mountains. Every time a wild beast roared in the distance, he would involuntarily tremble, seemingly terrified.

Nonetheless, he still forced himself to venture deeper into the Xianxia Mountain Range, as if some power or an unavoidable reason was pushing him from behind.

If Miss Vilyric were here, she would have instantly recognized him as the “Cheng Zhenwu” who briefly commanded the Black Scale Army at Wangxi Basin and had stealthily escaped while the ever-watchful Wen Zhengyang was momentarily distracted after a setback.

Of course, to be precise, he was the “Fake Cheng Zhenwu” with an unknown real name.

Seeing the darkness deepening around him, the fake Cheng Zhenwu finally paused, gasping for breath, and pulled out a fragmented stone tablet from his pocket, seemingly talking to himself.

“Great One, I… I’ve already made it to the corresponding position as you instructed. What should I do next?”

The stone tablet glowed faintly, and a weakening voice slowly emanated from within.

“Look around; there should be a waterfall nearby. Pass through the waterfall to find an artificial cave. Once inside, tell me, and I will continue guiding you.”

“Huh? But it’s getting dark now; if I keep barging in… Great One, are you still there?”

The fake Cheng Zhenwu wanted to say more, but the stone tablet had already dimmed considerably, suggesting the presence within had weakened to an extreme extent, making it difficult to even say a few more words.

This added even more unease to the strange expression in his eyes.

However, the situation was already beyond redemption. Posters were everywhere outside looking to capture him, “Cheng Zhenwu.” His original identity was no longer usable, and apart from relying on this stone tablet, he had no way out. If he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a dungeon—or worse, face execution—he could only grit his teeth and keep moving forward.

“Sigh… what a predicament…”

The man helplessly continued on his way, unaware that, in the night shadows, several pairs of eyes were already watching him intently.

   

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