Chapter 181 Approaching the Supreme God (Part 3)
Before entering the Dragon Gate, there was another large courtyard, filled with countless examinees.
The jade chimes hadn’t rung, and the Dragon Gate hadn’t opened, so the examination hall was likely undergoing its final preparations.
Thus, most examinees stood alone, either muttering and silently reciting, or clasping their hands and looking up at the Supreme God, desperately seeking divine intervention at the last minute. Some were even so nervous they were experiencing stomach pains, nausea, and dizziness.
Those who came with classmates or friends huddled together in small groups, encouraging and wishing each other well, and even chatting a bit to alleviate their anxiety.
“Dongdong, good luck with the exam! After we finish, let’s go for a late-night snack, your favorite spicy rabbit head.”
Liu Sheng saw that Dongdong was about to enter a state of nervous hyperventilation, so she had no choice but to comfort her, using the food-stimulation tactic.
It was a pity that Liu Sheng couldn’t tell Dongdong about what she had obtained.
Moreover, she hadn’t even fully comprehended it herself; it was full of various symbols and garbled code, which, based on its patterns, seemed to be a computer language, but far more profound than that of Yi Yu’s world.
The World just said it would be of great use, and that she shouldn’t worry about the exam.
Liu Sheng naturally believed the World, and believing the World meant believing in herself; this was confidence.
Dongdong nodded heavily and also said, “Sheng Sheng, with your ability, you’re sure to pass, and perhaps even become the Zhuangyuan!”
However, Dongdong’s voice was too loud, and a circle of examinees around them heard her words and looked over, curious to see who possessed the potential to be the Zhuangyuan.
Liu Sheng felt a bit embarrassed, wishing she could pull out 【A Mysterious Narrow Door】 and disappear into it. Unfortunately, she hadn’t brought her Storage Pouch, and the 【Narrow Door】 was being used to house Ling Xiaoshu, who had been clamoring to come along.
Unexpectedly, she heard a soft snort.
A man with a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks said, “Where did this cat and dog come from, claiming they can be the Zhuangyuan? Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re cute!”
A short, cute young man next to him was startled and mumbled softly, “She didn’t claim it herself…”
It turned out his companion had said something similar to him, and upon hearing the word “cute,” he couldn’t help but apply it to himself.
“Let me tell you, I can recite the top ten favorites to win this imperial examination by heart, and I remember their appearances clearly. I’ve never seen a character like you,” the monkey-cheeked man looked directly at Liu Sheng, making it clear who he was talking about.
“Senior Brother Hou, who are these top ten?” a busybody asked.
“My surname isn’t Hou! It’s Zhu!” Brother Zhu’s cheeks puffed out in anger, making him look less thin.
“Oh, oh, sorry, Brother Zhu, who are the top ten?”
Liu Sheng found this annoyingly familiar voice. She turned her head and saw Gao Yisheng’s gaze meet hers, and he even winked at her.
“First, of course, is Wen Gongzi, the son of Shoufu Wen, who is first in Realm,” Brother Zhu began counting on a slender finger.
The mention of “Wen Gongzi” immediately sparked a flurry of whispers.
However, Wen Xuanning was still waiting in line outside and couldn’t hear the discussions.
“Second, the chief of Chang’an Academy, Chu Shudu.”
“Third, the daughter of Lord Ling of the Ministry of Works, Ling Yuke.”
As people listened, they gathered around, waiting to hear the next name.
Even those who weren’t interested in gossip couldn’t help but prick up their ears, using it as a mental break to relieve tension.
“That makes sense. And I heard that Wen Gongzi’s father and Young Miss Ling’s father are among the examiners… Wouldn’t they be able to…?” someone with audacious courage began to speculate.
“That’s wrong. All examiners these past few days have been guarded by the Imperial Guards to prevent leaks,” someone who was more informed clarified.
“How do you know that?” others asked suspiciously.
“My father is in the Imperial Guards, and he hasn’t been home for days…”
“Oh…”
A young girl in pink said rather impatiently, “If you ask me, it was better before. When the National Academy set the questions, they just kept the examiners confined to the Academy. There wouldn’t be so much trouble.”
Everyone gasped when they heard her speak so boldly.
“Young Miss, be careful what you say… The examiners are the officials, and they’re waiting inside…” a kind person reminded her.
And another even kinder person tugged at the kind person’s sleeve and whispered, “Don’t worry about it; her father is an examiner…”
Liu Sheng and Dongdong saw clearly and naturally recognized the young girl as Ling Yuke.
Ling Yuke, of course, heard the remark, and her small face was filled with cold arrogance: “Hmph, it’s all because my father became an examiner. I haven’t seen him in five days.”
At her words, silence fell.
“Lord Ling bears a heavy responsibility, so of course he can’t leave,” someone, disliking the awkward silence, offered comfort.
“Senior Sister and Lord Ling indeed have deep father-daughter affection, haha, haha.”
“Who is your Senior Sister?” Ling Yuke gave a displeased glare to the person trying to claim kinship.
Dongdong quietly whispered to Liu Sheng, “This is what they call taking advantage and then acting innocent.”
Liu Sheng softly reminded her, “We also took advantage of her, though only for one day.”
“…Alright,” Dongdong reluctantly shut her mouth.
After all, she had given them a hint about the direction a day in advance, though it hadn’t been of much use to Dongdong.
Ling Yuke’s conduct was perhaps not very popular; although she was good-looking and came from a good family, no one continued the conversation, and the awkward topic quickly passed.
“Brother Monkey, Brother Monkey, keep going.”
“I’m not called Brother Monkey! Hey, old man, this is the second time you’ve done that.”
“Oh, Brother Pig, please continue,” Gao Yisheng said without apology.
“This session of ours is truly a gathering of stars. Let me continue to enumerate them one by one.”
Even though this was not good news for ordinary examinees, Brother Zhu spoke with a proud look, narrating slowly, as if he were there to tell a story rather than take an exam.
“Fourth, Jing Hao, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo.”
Upon hearing this name, Liu Sheng and Dongdong quickly scanned the area to see if Jing Hao was present. Indeed, they saw him leaning against a loquat tree in the courtyard, looking indifferent, as if he hadn’t heard his own name.
“Fifth, Xie Yan of the Xie family from Xichuan, the younger brother of Xie Tang, last session’s Zhuangyuan.”
Dongdong only then realized and said to Liu Sheng, “So little Yanzi is also in this session. He’s really smart. But we haven’t seen each other in a long time; I rarely go back to Xichuan.”
“Sixth, Lin Shuying, the daughter of the Dali Temple’s Shaoqing.”
Hearing this familiar name, Liu Sheng craned her neck to look. Lin Shuying and Qu Chunyan stood together, quietly gesturing a shushing motion to her, clearly not wanting to be too high-profile.
“Brother Pig, oh no, Brother Monkey, this list of yours seems to be all children of officials, except for Chu Shudu.” Gao Yisheng frowned.
The others nodded in agreement.
“Are there no children from humble families?”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“Isn’t that a bit biased, looking down on humble families?”
Among the thousands of examinees this session, how many could truly be from prestigious families?
Most were simply children from humble families, carrying their dreams.
However, those who could reach the Initial Realm’s sixth stage generally didn’t come from too poor a background.
“I wonder where this list came from. Could it be Brother Monkey’s fantasy?” Someone even questioned the list’s origin.
“Oh, don’t be so impatient,” Brother Zhu, no longer bothered by the appellation, quickly explained, “This list of mine was leaked internally, saying that these are all candidates being observed by those at the top…”
“As for humble families, let me continue. Everyone knows why children from humble families aren’t ranked higher.”
Everyone, of course, knew.
Some people could know the direction of the exam questions early and prepare in advance, while most could only wait for the Ministry of Rites’ public announcement. Although, given the current direction, knowing early might not necessarily provide much advantage.
But what if? Who knew if there were other hints that hadn’t been told to everyone?
Thus, these past few days, there had always been small frictions between the children of officials and those from humble families.
“Seventh, Shen Ziyan, the chief of Hanshan Academy. See, here he is!”
This was a Junior Brother two or three sessions younger than Liu Sheng, but Liu Sheng didn’t recognize him.
“Eighth, Lu Shen, the chief of Luming Academy.”
Lu Senior Brother hadn’t arrived yet, but given his personality, if he heard his name was on the list, he would surely be embarrassed and blush deeply.
“Ninth, Xu Dajuan, the chief of Bailu Academy.”
“Tenth, Liu Sheng.”