Chapter 224: Outside the Tribute Yard (Part 1)
Liu Sheng awoke from the illusion and stretched with a big yawn.
With that movement, her bones cracked all over her body.
Having spent thirty days in the illusion, she suddenly woke up and saw the Examination hall, feeling disoriented as if she didn't know where she was.
But an even more undeniable discomfort came from her body.
For her, this body had been genuinely propped up on this table for a full day, and even a Cultivator with Spiritual Qi protecting her body would still have an aching back, sore waist, and stiff neck!
She wondered what the chief examiner was thinking; since it was this format, why didn't they lay out some soft mats on the ground so the candidates could just lie down upon entering the Examination hall, without even needing tables?
Thinking this, Liu Sheng looked up at the beaded curtain ahead.
However, the area behind the beaded curtain was now empty; it seemed the five examiners had already left.
“This candidate, this Examination has ended, you may leave,” an official beside her said, reaching out to guide her out, even sounding a bit eager.
Looking at his deep dark circles and tired expression, he had clearly been there for a day as well and was eager to get off duty.
She nodded, sharing the same thought.
After all, she had been working for thirty days straight!
Stepping out of the Examination hall, she saw that the night was already deep.
The divine brilliance of the Supreme God seemed unusually bright tonight, almost eclipsing the moonlight.
The eyes on the god's face glowed, as if looking directly at Liu Sheng.
【You must be feeling guilty…】
【Perhaps.】
【But, I wonder how the world’s progress is coming along?】
【Yes… Ever since it gained most of the Faith Points and began invading the illusion, the world hasn’t spoken.】
【Wuwuwu, the world wouldn’t…】
【Crash?】
【Collapse?】
【Run away?】
However, facing Liu Sheng’s malicious conjectures, the world still did not respond.
Liu Sheng had no choice; feeling the world still silently operating within her Dantian, she could only wait patiently.
…
Also leaving were Lin Shuying and Gao Yisheng, who, like her, had peacefully completed the thirty days, and a short, round-faced young man, who should be the fourth-ranked candidate named Yu Huan.
“The results of this Examination will be based on the comprehensive ranking of Faith Points, and the results will be announced in about five days,” the official finally instructed the four candidates before leaving.
The four exchanged glances, subtly feeling that something was amiss.
“Junior Sister, regarding this matter, let’s discuss it outside,” Lin Shijie said to Liu Sheng. They were still inside the Tribute Yard, and some things were not convenient to say.
Gao Yisheng hadn't expected Liu Sheng to have a Senior Sister and couldn’t help but look at her curiously.
Seeing this, Liu Sheng quickly introduced them: “Lin Shijie, this is my colleague from Qinghe, Gao Yisheng.”
“This is my Senior Sister, Lin Shuying.”
The two exchanged greetings, getting acquainted.
However, she hadn’t expected that two of the people who made it to the end were actually Liu Sheng's acquaintances.
Of course, she knew Lin Shijie’s abilities, so this result was not surprising.
But as for Gao Yisheng…
Liu Sheng recalled how Gao Yisheng was always quite popular with female clients at the Ten Thousand Affairs Hall, and she wondered if it was really because of that?
Liu Sheng didn't know she had hit the truth.
Yu Huan watched from the side. Although he didn’t know any of them, he knew that those who remained until the end were certainly not ordinary individuals. He naturally wanted to get acquainted, and finally, blushing, he stepped forward to introduce himself: “I am Yu Huan. It’s fate to be in the same Examination. May I ask your… um, fellow students’… names…”
Gao Yisheng saw his appearance and immediately felt pity, growing a bit closer. He introduced himself and also included Liu Sheng and Lin Shijie.
Liu Sheng watched Yu Huan and Gao Yisheng become instantly familiar, and Lin Shijie was also very friendly towards Yu Huan, which left her dumbfounded.
【This is probably why he managed to get so many Faith Points.】
Thus, on the short journey from the Dragon Gate to the entrance of the Tribute Yard, the four became quite familiar under the enthusiastic and talkative Gao Yisheng’s mediation.
Especially Yu Huan and Gao Yisheng, who had even arranged to tour Chang’an City together tomorrow.
“By then, I’ll teach you how to play Yezixi; you don’t know how yet, do you?”
Seeing Yu Huan shake his head in confusion, Gao Yisheng immediately rubbed his hands together, ready to enthusiastically explain.
Liu Sheng shook her head helplessly. Her concern wasn't that Gao Yisheng would lead him astray, but rather that Gao Yisheng wouldn't be deceived by this innocent, little white rabbit-like young man.
【Forget it, two foxy men, don’t bother.】
【Just wait and see who tricks whom.】
【Going back to sleep is more important!】
【Yes, even with our rotating shifts, even quantum fission gets tired!】
However, Liu Sheng’s desire to rush home was not easily realized.
The moment they walked out of the Tribute Yard’s main gate, a thunderous cheer and applause suddenly erupted from the quiet surroundings.
Although it was late, many people were gathered at the entrance, all looking at the four of them with anticipation. The moment Liu Sheng and the others appeared, they swarmed forward, asking questions all at once.
“May I ask who is the top scorer this time?”
“Miss, are you the first place in this Examination?”
“Young Master, what are your thoughts on successfully passing thirty days?”
“I heard this Examination was quite innovative, using evangelism as the test. As a high-scoring candidate, what are your views on this Examination?”
These people holding paper and pens and constantly asking questions were the writers from various newspapers.
“Miss, may I discreetly ask, how many Faith Points did you get?”
“Student, how did you manage to stay until the end?”
“They don’t look particularly special, why did these few people make it to the end?”
“Student! Do you still remember me! I’m the one whose Faith Points you stole…” This person came rushing over furiously, not knowing who to target, but before his fist could land, he was pulled away by his classmates.
These were the candidates who had waited outside due to curiosity, unwillingness, anger, and other emotions.
“Young Master, you look like a talent, a Dragon and Phoenix among men, may I ask… are you married?” Someone first blocked Gao Yisheng, who clearly looked to be of marriageable age.
This was the legendary “catching a son-in-law below the list .”
Although there wasn't an official ranking yet, the few candidates who emerged at this time were undoubtedly among the top few. Parents with marriageable children at home thought it better to seize the opportunity and make arrangements while they were still relatively unknown. Otherwise, once the official ranking was released, their value would increase, competition would be fiercer, and their own children might not get a chance.
It was indeed a well-thought-out plan.
“Girl, do you want to be my family’s daughter-in-law?” A middle-aged woman asked Lin Shijie very directly, startling her greatly.
For Yu Huan, who still looked like a child, fewer people asked, but there were still many hoping to pre-book this potential seedling. Some even hoped to arrange an engagement between their thirty-year-old daughter and Yu Huan now, with the marriage taking place when Yu Huan reached adulthood.
“This young lady, my family is wealthy, and my son has admired you for a long time. Look, isn’t he handsome and a good match?”
A richly dressed old man stood in front of Liu Sheng, speaking excitedly to her, then pulled over a shy young man who indeed looked somewhat delicate and handsome, making him turn a few times, like selling a piglet.
“This… I don’t know him? How can he admire me?” Liu Sheng wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
“My son fell in love at first sight the moment the young lady walked out of this door. He has walked several steps since then, so it counts as admiring you for a long time,” the old man chuckled.
Liu Sheng saw the young man’s ears turn red and quickly used her light-body movement technique, shifting her body to dodge away.
“Miss, Miss! What do you think of my son? Doesn’t his physique give you a sense of security?” As a result, two mountains of flesh stood before her, and one of them spoke.
“Don’t like it, don’t like it!” Liu Sheng shouted as she fled, missing Ling Xiaoshu a bit.
If Xiao Shu’s leaves were here…