Unraveling The Puzzle
But to his surprise, he discovered something else was in his possession.
He open the bag with curiosity and much attention. To his surprise, he saw a scroll.
Gui Shan didn't raise any alarm, he saw the scroll and quietly went through it.
He then discovered that it was an earth level scroll which could immensely increase his cultivation.
Gui Shan gave it a thought; "should I keep it to myself or return it to the academy, perhaps this was the test".
Immediately Gui Shan realized that this was part of the test, he quickly got up at from his bed and told Tang Tang of it.
"I suddenly found a strange item in my belongings which I believe belongs to the academy", Gui Shan said to Tang Tang.
"Me too, I found an astro-realm scroll and was contemplating on whether to keep it for myself",
"I'm glad you came", Tang Tang said.
"Come to think of it, don't you find it strange that all of a sudden after we were asked to return to our dorms, we both found these",
"Perhaps this is the third test, to test our honesty and loyalty to the academy",
"I advice we return it soon", Gui Shan said.
"You are quite right, I think this is not just a coincidence, it maybe be the test in disguise", Tang Tang added.
After the talk, they both agreed to return the items back to principal Ming's chamber.
They both went there to avoid alerting the others, so that they wouldn't cause a pandemonium by unverified deductions.
They found their way to principal Ming's chamber and decided to summit the items.
"Good day principal, we found these items in our belongings and we guessed they are properties of Guiyi academy", Gui Shan said.
"I admire you both for your willingness to return these items and your undoubted honesty to the academy", principal Ming said.
They were both happy for the compliments made by principal Ming. They returned happily.
Others who also discovered these items returned it to the academy with delay.
It was eventually two days after the announcement was made, they all gathered wondering how the qualifiers would be selected.
"Good morning to you all", master Yang Jun greeted the students.
"I believe we all had a pleasant night and are all anxious about the results for the test",
"Unknowingly to most of you, we conducted a secret test and have selected the qualifiers for the next round", master Yang Jun added.
Without wasting time, leaderboard was revealed with the names of those who passed and those who were eliminated during the course of the test.
"Some of you may wonder why you failed the test",
"Actually the academy conducted a honesty test, some items were mingled with your belongings",
"And it was expected that you all return it, since it belongs to the academy",
"But some due to their obsession with possessions and greed, they coveted it", master Yang Jun said.
The following passed the test;
'Gui Shan', 'Jin Xu', 'Tang Tang',
'Yu Xuan', 'Bi Yao', 'Mao Li',
'Hu Mei', 'Ru Yuo', 'Wan Fei', and 'Gu Li',
'Xiao Hui' was disqualified. Instead of returning the items, he decided to keep it to himself.
"Congratulations to those who made it to the final round. The final round is about to begin",
"This final would determine if you are fit for Guiyi academy. I urge you once again", principal Ming said.
"The final test would be a written test. Only those with adept knowledge would pass this test", principal Ming said.
As the tradition of Guiyi academy is, the final test is to ascertain the ability of the students to think smart and resolve rising issues.
They were all taken to the academy's hall, where the written test for the entrance examination takes place.
The participants all marched into the all with anxiety.
Because they could tell from the previous tests that this is going to the final and most difficult one so far.
They were all given sitting positions and were told to listen to instructions that would be given.
Principal Ming cleared his throat as he was about to address them;
"I believe you all know the expectations and code of the academy",
"We detest cheating and encourage the bright students",
"I challenge you to do your best and ensure you come out successful", principal Ming said.
The participants nodded in agreement. Then principal Ming continued his speech.
"In this test, both your reading, writing and deductive skills would be tested",
"In the booklet where you would be given, you would find a story and it's required that you read carefully and understand",
"The story you are about to be given is about a murder case, you are to solve the case and deduce the killer",
"If you can successfully do this, you would qualify as our student", principal Ming said.
After his address, some booklets were given to each of the participants. They were required to read carefully and deduce their answers logically.
The aim of the test was to ascertain those of them who are adept with the pen.
The test began with an allocated time.
Upon seeing the time allocated, some of the participants murmured stating that the time was too short and insatiable.
The countdown began;
Gui Shan is seen in a state of deep concentration, same goes for his friends.
The story was as follows;
"In a city, there lived a councilor he was known for his selfish and callous personality. The people in that city hated him for his audacious behaviors which happened to affect the dwellers of the city.
He had so many associates and subordinates under him, he lured them into serving him by giving them affected promises.
They pledged their loyalty to him since he promised to take good care of them and their generations to come. He had a right-hand man who served him with loyalty and undivided attention.
But it all changed when the right-hand man discovered that he was being used and deceived, he tried confronting the councilor but he thought it would be unwise and lead to his death.
In the same city they lived a farmer who was the head of the farmers association in that city. Long before the rule of the councilor, the farmers have been doing well and getting incentives.
But it all ended when the new councilor came into position. He enforced new laws that affected the farmers and the city dwellers.
As the head of the farmer's association, he decided to confronted the councilor and beg for at least some consideration.
But the councilor turned deaf ears to all his pleas. Meanwhile, the right-hand man of the councilor overheard them.
This Led to an argument between the farmer and the councilor, the farmer wasn't scared for his life because he was doing this for the better of his people.
That evening, the farmer left there angrily and decided to go somewhere and drink away his burden.
Meanwhile at the councilor's mansion, he was stabbed from the back by an unknown individual that night.
Surprisingly enough, the farmer woke up in the morning seeing a bottle of wine and a dagger stained with blood in his right hand. He found himself few miles from the councilor's mansion.
Before he could get up, he was arrested by the councilor's guards and locked in prison for attempting to murder the councilor.
All these sounded strange to the farmer, he declared that he was innocent of all charges, although he had an argument with the councilor, he had no intent to murder him.
Upon hearing the farmer out, it was later discovered that he was drugged.
Upon further investigation, the farmer was free of the charges. The real murderer was discovered.
Who was it?....", the booklet read.
For some moment, Gui Shan pondered on the story and sought for the real killer.
The participants all gave their respective answers and summited as the allotted time elapsed.
They were instructed to stay back as the results would be announced soon.
The participants were all marked and they announced those who passed.
"The exam was indeed one that required your deductive skills",
"But before the results would be announced, I'll provide you with the answer to the story".
"The real killer was the councilor's right-hand man. Since he saw that the farmer an the councilor had a feud, he decided to use that opportunity to kill the councilor and place the blame on another",
"In his scheme, he drugged the farmer who went to a tavern to drink. He did this with the help of an attendant",
"Seeing the farmer was drunk, they pretended to help him but took him to a spot close enough to the councilor's mansion and placed a bottle of wine and the dagger in his hand", principal Ming said as he unraveled the story.
"Congratulations to those of you who passed", he said.
The following passed the test;
'Gui Shan', 'Jin Xu', 'Tang Tang',
'Yu Xuan', 'Bi Yao', 'Mao Li',
'Hu Mei', 'Ru Yuo', 'Wan Fei'.
Only Gu Li was eliminated.