Year 276 of the Tang Dynasty, late autumn.

The final section of the Imperial Examination that took place in the imperial palace would be the last grand event before winter.

Tens of thousands of students from all 3,000 academies of the Tang Dynasty would be paying close attention to the examination outcome and honor roll.

The palace stood majestically within the vermillion walls that stretched to both ends of the horizon.

The palace's Vermillion Bird Gate sat at the end of Vermillion Street. The palace buildings rose proudly with tall spires and high roofs. The students looked unusually vibrant under the brilliant morning rays reflected by the glazed tiles.

Before the Vermillion Bird Gate, troops of Royal Guards in full armor marched orderly with swords hanging on their waist. The intensity in their eyes made people avoid eye contact.

There were also armed guards on horses above the walls, their eyes fixed on the front gates.

The palace exuded a breathtaking quality that left the students in awe. Everyone kept their voices to a whisper.

After passing through the gates, there was a huge white jade plaza before the main building. The choice of color made it look like it was covered by a layer of snow from the first snowfall.

At the far end of the plaza were flights of stairs made of white jade. Along the sides of the elevated platform were carvings of the five-clawed dragons. The White Jade Court was surrounded by enchanted runes, making it seem as though the dragons were about to leap out from the walls and disappear into the rain clouds.

Taiji Palace was just right beyond the White Jade Court. Under the enhancement of the runes, it looked like a heavenly palace hidden behind clouds, solemn and majestic.

It was the authoritative establishment of the Tang Dynasty.

The gigantic square that could hold tens of thousands of people was occupied.

The Royal Guards had formed a line surrounding the entire square.

Some civilians and cultivators were allowed to enter but they could only stand on the sidelines and observe.

The first prince, other royalties and noblemen were nearby the White Jade Court. They perched high above the elevated platform, overlooking the whole plaza.

A tier below the aristocrats were the infamous sect leaders of the ten great sects. Chao Xiaojian's upper body laid exposed beneath his open white robes. He looked wild and unrestrained with his cracked steel sword in hand.

The Sword Guild was originally ranked first in the ten great sects, but ever since Xuanyuan Taihua disappeared into the demon realm, the Sword Guild's ranking plummeted. If it was not for Chao Xiaojian, they would have dropped out of the top ten long ago.

Auspicious clouds hovered above the palace.

The glorious sunlight flowed down from both sides of the ceramic glaze roof like streams of liquid gold.

In front of the Vermillion Bird Gate, students alighted from their carriages. Some of them wore plain white robes while others were cloaked in extravagance. All of them were walking in the direction of the square excitedly.

It was as if they could hear the heartbeat of the Tang Dynasty the moment they set foot on the white jade tiles.

Fang Lang was unnoticeable in his plain green uniform among the five hundred students.

He was carrying the sword box that had the Blooming Lotus Sword and the Obsidian Sword. He stood at the end of the Vermillion Bird Gate right before the imperial pathway.

At this moment, the Ministry of Rites officials and eunuchs were all standing around the palace, quietly waiting for their arrival.

Each candidate was required to go through registration and confirmation from a name list before entering the imperial pathway that led to the preparation area.

Jiang Linglong had a veil on. Her training clothes accentuated her sculpted figure. Her twinkling eyes became crescents after she noticed Fang Lang.

"Fang Lang, we'll be opponents once we step onto the imperial pathway." Jiang Linglong laughed and said in a gentle voice.

She thought back to her first meeting with Fang Lang. The stubborn young lad she met back in the Jade Pavilion was at the same level as her.

The world worked in mysterious ways.

Fang Lang smiled warmly and said, "Don't go easy on me. Promise me you'll give your best. Grant me a chance to experience your true skills, Old Jiang."

The passive ability would not be activated if she withheld her powers. It would not count as a cultivation exchange and the battle would just be a waste of time.

Jiang Linglong was stunned when she heard him.

Then, she gave him a soft smile. 'Again with the Old Jiang?'

Shortly after, Jiang Linglong walked towards the imperial pathway. After she passed the inspection by a female official from the Ministry of Rites, she was let into the preparation area.

"What a bold statement."

Right when Fang Lang was about to step onto the imperial pathway, he heard someone clapping.

He saw a beautiful youth with a folded fan looking at him. A gorgeous smile was on the youth's face.

"I'm Ximen Xianxian. It's an honor to meet the theory and combat champion. I was wondering if you're free after the final battle? I can bring you to the entertainment house in Changan. You can choose to visit any one of the twelve Queens of Flowers for free. We can have an academic discourse and recite poems. What do you think?" Ximen Xianxian said smilingly.

Fang Lang was speechless. This was the infamous scholar who had unrestricted access to the entertainment houses in Changan?

'Interesting! He looks exactly like what I imagined! And so unapologetic!'

"Freeloading is not my thing." Fang Lang smiled politely at Ximen Xianxian.

Then, he turned around and strode towards the imperial pathway.

Ximen Xianxian was stunned. 'Brother, you've got the wrong focus here!'

Nevertheless, Ximen Xianxian was still smiling while he watched Fang Lang leave. 'What an interesting guy.'

After going through the official inspection, Fang Lang entered the imperial pathway and walked towards the preparation area. 500 students stood at their assigned spaces with their nameplates, waiting for the final battle to begin.

Fang Lang smiled brightly when he saw Wei Sheng among the crowd.

Wei Sheng nodded awkwardly and thought, 'Are we that close? Although you gave me some insights and motivation, I helped you fight against Li Yuanzhen. I don't owe you anything.'

Dang!

A sound echoed from deep within the palace as an old eunuch struck the ancient bell.

The resonance of the bell quieted the tumultuous crowd in the square.

All the civilians and cultivators turned around and looked in the direction of the Taiji Palace.

The officials, royalties and sect leaders rose from their seats and faced the Taiji Palace.

"Here comes His Majesty"

The Emperor's eunuch announced loudly in his piercing voice. His voice alone without using any spiritual sense was so loud it could be heard from every corner of the square.

An invisible royal pressure spread across the plaza instantly.

Everyone including the Royal Guards, spectators, officials and candidates kneeled at once

Even the second-class sect leaders scrambled to their knees

The entire world bowed before the Emperor.

Only the top ten sect leaders and a boy dressed in green remained standing in the White Jade Square.

Fang Lang had the urge to kneel when he felt the royal pressure against his body. However, this sensation was similar to the one he experienced in the Spirit Pagoda. He managed to endure the pressure with his strong will. His previous encounter had made this pressure much easier to withstand.

Inside the Taiji Palace, a pair of brooding eyes on top of the dragon throne locked onto Fang Lang. The eyes seemed to have traveled through time, climbed every mountain and crossed every sea.

He could easily crush this proud young man by exerting his strength, but he did not.

The eunuch beside him stared at Fang Lang in disbelief. He was about to berate the boy when the Emperor raised his hand. The eunuch was silenced before he could open his mouth.

The atmosphere thickened.

The ten sect leaders turned their gaze to Fang Lang, including Chao Xiaojian.

'How dare he stand at their level?'

The Emperor allowed it?

Amazing!

Fang Lang was calm. His green robe swayed in the morning breeze as he stood upright like a bamboo.

He attracted many eyes, including Old Jiang who was kneeling at a far corner.

The court eunuch stared at the boy with a weird expression.

However, since the Emperor was not bothered by it, the eunuch would be overstepping His Majesty's authority if he interfered.

The eunuch opened the royal decree and announced the rules and regulations of the final battle. His voice reverberated through the main court and the square.

"By the orders of the Emperor, the final section of the Imperial Examination will have two segments. For the first segment, each sect leader of the ten great sects will come up with a task. Those who pass five rounds will be allowed to proceed to the second segment. The second segment consists of a combat battle before the Emperor. It will decide the ranking of the top three winners."

The entire square fell silent right after the eunuch's announcement.

The rules were totally different.

This Imperial examination was nothing like the ones held before.

A majority of the students in the preparation area frowned worriedly. Some of them were extremely stressed while some were rather blase about the change.

The ten sect leaders were slightly caught off guard by the announcement but they bowed before the Taiji Palace in acknowledgment soon after.

"At your command, Your Majesty," all ten sect leaders answered together.

"After you," the sect leaders said to each other, then laughed.

The ten sect leaders flew down onto the imperial pathway and stood in order of their sect rankings.

Chao Xiaojian from the Sword Guild stood at the very end of the imperial pathway.

The sect leader of the Main Path Guild stood right below the White Jade Court as befitting the guild's number one ranking.

The candidates were standing face-to-face with the ten sect leaders, the strongest people in the Tang Dynasty. The atmosphere was terrifyingly stressful. The leaders were like celestial beings overlooking them.

All of the students were intimidated by their presence.

Fang Lang took a deep breath as he stared at the cracked steel sword that Chao Xiaojian was carrying. Excitement danced in the boy's eyes.

Dang!

The bell rang once more from deep within the palace.

The sun had fully risen to the skysunlight shone onto the imperial pathway like a golden blanket. The court eunuch in Taiji Palace yelled, "Let the final section begin!"

His high-pitched voice pierced through the sky, reaching above the layers of clouds.

On the imperial pathway, Chao Xiaojian smiled and said, "My test is simple."

Just after he finished saying, the weatherbeaten steel sword darted out and hovered in front of him.

Chao Xiaojian extended a finger and touched it.

Buzz

The sword cry exploded and resonated in each corner of the square, penetrating even the depths of Taiji Palace.

The green steel sword spun slightly in front of him, exuding a wisp of sword intent.

Chao Xiaojian swung his arms back. Suddenly, the hovering sword split into two and started multiplying until there were 500 swords!

The 500 steel swords were twisting in the air, generating a thunderous vibration. It was like a forest of swords had sprouted on the imperial pathway.

"Each sword contains a wisp of my sword intent. If anyone can resist it and draw a sword, they shall pass. I name this test, Reflection of the Blades." Chao Xiaojian chuckled openly like his loose, untied robe.

"Anybody?" The entire preparation area was silent after he finished, no one dared to make the first move.

Chao Xiaojian from the Sword Guild was a ninth-class sword master with exceptional sword mastery skills. Even a wisp of his sword intent would not be easily suppressed.

Every student knew this was a test with a solution.

Nevertheless, Chao Xiaojian was not someone to be underestimated.

The scene of 500 hovering swords was a spectacle for the spectators alongside the imperial pathway.

The officials and cultivators from other sects were transfixed by the impressive display.

All eyes were on the floating swords.

Seconds and minutes passed, nobody moved a step.

Suddenly, a light chuckle broke the silence.

"If that's the case, I'll go first." Li Yuanzhen said with a laugh. The right administrator's son was as polite and charming as always.

He took a step forward while laughing. His clothes billowed in the air as he walked towards the 500 hovering steel swords.

Beside him, Fang Lang raised his eyebrow and thought, 'Someone finally took the lead.'

Fang Lang followed right behind him.

The moment Fang Lang started moving, Liu Bubai walked out confidently and thought, 'Sword mastery is my major!'

The three of them stopped in front of the imperial pathway.

The remaining students in the preparation area who were considering joining them halted and stared at the three of them curiously.

Li Yuanzhen was at the very front.

He stopped in front of a sword and reached out. However, just as he was about to make contact, a surge of sword intent burst out and engulfed Li Yuanzhen.

Time was ticking away.

Li Yuanzhen's brows furrowed deeply as he remained rooted to the ground with his eyes closed. Both of his hands were on the sword but he struggled to pull it free.

Fang Lang and Liu Bubai exchanged a brief look before approaching the forest of swords with a heavy expression. They stayed close to each other and each chose a hovering sword.

Fang Lang extended his hand and grabbed the hilt of a sword.

Boom!

A strong wave of sword intent shot out of the sword. Fang Lang frowned, trying to focus on his defense. Suddenly, the Sword Intent Seed in his energy center cyclone shook violently. Chao Xiaojian's sword intent was instantly devoured.

The Sword Intent Seed was still unsatiated and proceeded to absorb seventy percent of the sword intent from the adjacent sword.

Under everybody's gaze and Chao Xiaojian's frozen smile, Fang Lang grabbed hold of the sword and passed through the forest of sword effortlessly as if he was plucking a leaf from the forest.