Chapter 62: Earning the Title of Top Scholar in the Special Imperial Examination

"Ah, ah, ah!"

Cui Xiucheng let out agonized cries on the arena floor. His martial arts journey was a shortcut forcefully expedited by Cui Yufan through vast fortunes, regional power in Liangguang, and the profound heritage of the One-Word Sword Sect. The true qi within his body had not been forged through his own bitter cultivation; rather, it was infused into him by others whose cultivation was already complete. The various streams of true qi he had absorbed into his body came partly from high-level Jianghu experts of different sects purchased by his father at exorbitant prices, and partly from masters of the One-Word Sword Sect. These streams of true qi were fundamentally of disparate origins.

Under normal circumstances, such a method posed few problems, as many scions of prestigious and powerful clans cultivated this way. However, Cui Xiucheng harbored immense ambition and was far too eager for quick success, achieving the Bone-Forging Realm in the shortest time since the founding of the Great Li Dynasty. The massive amount of true qi within his body had not yet been fully absorbed, refined, and converted into his own. Having lingered in his body for too long, it ultimately became a hidden disaster.

During this duel, Cui Xiucheng had unleashed thirty-two consecutive forms of the Sky-Dividing Sword technique, causing the true qi within him to stir and run amok. At last, all these heterogenous streams of true qi erupted simultaneously.

Zhang Tiantai had also told Meng Yuxi that day that he had already found true qi to infuse into him to help elevate his realm. Yet Zhang Tiantai was deeply aware that the infusion of true qi must not be rushed; it could only be done step by step, gradually converting it into one's own true qi before further infusion. Moreover, the true qi Zhang Tiantai had sourced came from Meng Yuxi's fellow martial nephew, a Grandmaster realm expert whose techniques shared the same lineage as Meng Yuxi's Cloud-Treading Star-Suppressing Art. By utilizing the sect's own techniques in conjunction with the sect's own true qi, the phenomenon of rampaging true qi would never occur.

Hearing Cui Xiucheng's miserable screams, Meng Yuxi was somewhat baffled. He had originally intended to toss Cui Xiucheng out of the arena, thus fulfilling the Emperor's command against inflicting fatal injuries while also saving face for Cui Yufan.

However, Cui Xiucheng's body was now suspended three inches off the ground, and majestic streams of true qi were dispersing into the Qi-Dissolving Pearl. Meng Yuxi felt as though an intangible, soft pressure was constantly pushing against his chest. No matter how many times Meng Yuxi shifted his position, this pressure clung to him like a shadow. He guessed that this must be the miraculous effect of the Qi-Dissolving Pearl, which was actively dissolving the true qi radiating from Cui Xiucheng.

Cui Xiucheng was in excruciating pain throughout his entire body, and his expression had already faded into a withered faint.

With his back turned to the high viewing platform where Eunuch Wen, the Emperor, and their entourage sat, Meng Yuxi secretly reached into his robes to touch the Qi-Dissolving Pearl. He felt that the pearl had grown slightly warm, and wisps of airflow grazed the back of his hand. Feeling a slight stinging sensation on the back of his hand, Meng Yuxi dared not touch it any longer and hastily withdrew his hand.

He continuously used his fan to tap and parry before his chest, making it look as though the two men were exchanging blows using invisible true qi.

"Your Majesty, why does the combat on the stage suddenly look like this?"

The Imperial Noble Consort asked, somewhat puzzled, as she held up a glittering, golden telescope. She had watched their previous exchange of blows, which had been exceptionally brilliant and full of back-and-forth action, but now it looked as though Meng Yuxi was merely rehearsing forms against a single target.

The Consort on the high platform had not heard a single one of Cui Xiucheng's miserable screams.

The Emperor merely smiled at the scene before him without a word. "The time of an incense stick is almost up, and we are about to see the outcome. My beloved Consort must still have a little patience."

Cui Yufan's expression flickered uncertainly. His own martial arts were only at the Qi-Refining Realm, so he was completely unable to perceive the operation and changes of the true qi on the stage. Yet his son suddenly stopped moving and was suspended above the ground—wasn't this simply waiting to be beaten? He had never seen such a bizarre technique before. Could it be that his son had once again had a flash of insight and devised some brilliant strategy to defeat the enemy?

Cui Yufan had always deeply admired Cui Xiucheng's adaptability, so he said nothing further and simply waited quietly for the result.

Before long, Cui Xiucheng's body suddenly went limp and stopped hovering. The moment his feet touched the ground, his entire frame collapsed onto the arena floor, withered like a frost-bitten eggplant.

Only then did Cui Yufan realize something was amiss. He hurriedly bowed to the Emperor, eager to leap down and investigate what had happened to his son.

The Emperor merely waved a hand. Even though Cui Yufan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, he dared not move a single muscle and could only stand in place, sweating profusely.

"Eunuch Wen!"

The Emperor spoke softly, issuing a command.

Eunuch Wen bowed to the high platform to acknowledge the decree, then leaped nimbly onto the arena, pressing his hand against Cui Xiucheng's neck to check his injuries.

Meng Yuxi shook his black fan, shifted his feet lightly, and gracefully retreated to the center of the arena, keeping his eyes fixed on Eunuch Wen and Cui Xiucheng.

Eunuch Wen's brows were tightly knitted as he muttered to himself in contemplation.

Consumed by deep paternal affection and unable to bear it any longer, Cui Yufan anxiously urged from the high platform, "Eunuch Wen, what exactly is my son's condition? Make a report and let us know!"

Only then did Eunuch Wen stand up and call out in a clear voice, "Cui Xiucheng is unconscious and defeated. Meng Yuxi is the victor!"

"Hahaha, Your Majesty, congratulations... I respectfully invite Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort to bestow the reward upon the top imperial exam scholar, Yuxi."

Overjoyed, Meng Changchang prostrated himself directly on the ground, thinking to himself, *I almost said 'congratulations on the wedding' instead of 'respectfully invite' just now; that was a narrow escape.*

With his face pressed to the floor, Meng Changchang heard the Emperor say, "Beloved Official Meng has raised a fine child, truly a pillar of talent for our Great Li Dynasty. Please rise, and let us go together."

Before Meng Changchang could even stand up, several eunuchs dressed in brocade robes nearby began to shout, "Make way for the Emperor's carriage!"

The cries of "Make way for the Emperor's carriage!" echoed wave upon wave, carrying all the way to the martial arts arena.

The tiger-and-leopard guards in the arena had already swiftly laid out a massive golden dragon auspicious tapestry across the ground, setting up two glittering dragon-and-phoenix chairs complete with all manner of canopies and decorations.

Meng Changchang hurriedly stood up, only to find that the Emperor and the Empress had already walked ahead. Just as he was about to follow in their footsteps, Cui Yufan heavily shoved past him. Meng Changchang nearly lost his footing, swaying a few times before steadying himself. Cui Yufan glanced sideways at Meng Changchang and let out a heavy snort.

With a smile plastered across his face, Meng Changchang said, "Lord Cui, the outcome of the imperial examination has been decided. It would be best for you to be a little more magnanimous!"

Ignoring Meng Changchang, Cui Yufan followed closely behind the Emperor and the Empress toward the arena platform.

"How is the son of Beloved Official Cui? How are Cui Yufan's injuries?"

The Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort seated themselves comfortably in the dragon-and-phoenix golden chairs.

"Replying to Your Majesty, Young Master Cui is expected to have no major problems. He is merely suffering from exhaustion and fainting; a couple of nights of good rest will set him right."

Eunuch Wen knelt before the Emperor, making a respectful report.

"Reporting to Your Majesty!"

Cui Yufan strode forward from behind the crowd, knelt down beside Eunuch Wen, and kowtowed in response.

Hearing this, the Emperor said, "Beloved Official Cui, please speak."

Cui Yufan kowtowed two more loud kowtows before speaking, "My unworthy son, Cui Xiucheng, has already attained the Bone-Forging Realm. How could this Meng Yuxi, a mere ordinary person without any cultivation realm, possibly defeat my son in a duel? Your humble servant believes that there must be hidden experts lurking within the Meng estate who resorted to underhanded tricks to help Meng Yuxi win. This duel was entirely unfair. Please make a ruling, Your Majesty!"