Chapter 46: Another Top Grade, Marvelous Indeed

Zhao Xing originally planned to submit his paper and then go eat, but since Chen Shijie had spoken, he could only stand by and wait.

Several examiners were reviewing the papers separately, each responsible for a portion, and then they would cross-check each other's work. In total, there were just over five hundred papers, not too many. However, there could be absolutely no mistakes.

Xue Wenzhong first saw the question titled 'The Southern City Faces the Wind, Acting with Violence.' Seeing that Zhao Xing hadn't fallen into the trap of the question and had answered it perfectly, he felt half of his worries dissipate.

"Cao Zhenjun's methods, he seems to have memorized them well, and correctly too. Many of his laws are indeed passed down from Zhenjun," he remarked.

Then he saw the question about 'The Earth is Cold, Spring Wood is Not Used, Summer Sun Steams, and Insects Thrive.' After reviewing Zhao Xing's answer, Xue Wenzhong's heart was completely at ease. His expression shifted from somber to bright, even showing a smile.

"I misjudged him. To answer this question so perfectly, his understanding of the Five Elements is already profound. The rest of the questions are not even worth mentioning," he said, feeling quite gratified and much more relaxed.

He no longer worried about Zhao Xing becoming arrogant due to his achievements.

Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan were reviewing the section where Zhao Xing had silently written the classics. All the questions were answered correctly, without a single mistake or omission.

It wasn't just about strong memory; Zhao Xing's speed was impressive. To complete thirty sheets of paper in a night without a single error was truly remarkable.

"Marvelous! Marvelous! Marvelous!" Chen Shijie suddenly exclaimed three times, startling the other examiners.

Chen Shijie's voice was so loud that even the candidates outside might have heard it. Indeed, some candidates outside did hear it, and they weren't exactly deaf.

Some people had seen Zhao Xing submit his paper early and enter the hall. Those who heard it were puzzled, wondering just how marvelous Zhao Xing's answers were to make the chief examiner shout like that.

"The Five Elements are not more precious than Earth. Earth resides at the center and governs the four directions, commanding all without competing with Fire for fame," Chen Shijie read, which was Zhao Xing's answer to the last question.

The reason Chen Shijie was so excited was purely because he himself was from the 'Earthly Advantage Sect.' Zhao Xing's answer was undoubtedly to his taste.

Moreover, this statement perfectly aligned with the philosophy of the Earthly Advantage Sect, making it something any member of the sect would appreciate.

Because it further elevated the Earth element, crowning it as the head of the Four Directions, even though it seemed a bit exaggerated, it was done in a way that was quite convincing.

Zhao Xing's answer hit the mark, not just empty flattery, but it scratched Chen Shijie's itch perfectly!

"Ahem, ahem, I lost my composure," Chen Shijie quickly realized his mistake under the curious gazes of others and covered it with a dry laugh. "It's nothing, everyone take a look at this paper, we must judge it fairly."

"Are you even trying to hide it? That grin is harder to suppress than a water cart. With your attitude as the chief examiner so obvious, how can we judge it impartially?" Gao Linong thought to himself, feeling that this chief examiner was really unreliable.

He didn't take the paper because he didn't want to be biased and give Zhao Xing a high score, even though Chen Shijie had already shown his stance.

Gao Linong, being straightforward, didn't want to compromise his integrity.

The others were different; they immediately took the paper and began to review it seriously.

"Hmm? Truly marvelous!" Tang Wanchun exclaimed after reading it. Although he wasn't from the Earthly Advantage Sect, from an objective standpoint, this answer indeed deserved a high score.

Pang Yuan and the other reviewers felt the same way. Regardless of Chen Shijie's attitude, Zhao Xing's answer to the last question was indeed eye-catching and well-reasoned, not just random fabrication.

When the papers were cross-checked, the other officials also acknowledged Zhao Xing's wisdom.

"Returning to the Heavenly Time, supplementing Spring for a while, reducing Summer for a while? Adjusting Yin with Bing Fire, continuing Yang with Ding Fire, this answer is even more complete than what I had imagined," one examiner commented.

"The Southern City builds mountains with the earth's veins, the mountains block the wind, the city to the east constructs canals, drawing water around the city, creating the Return to Origin Waterwheel. Isn't this exactly what Cao Zhenjun once did?"

"I set this question, using Cao Zhenjun and the ancient city as examples. I didn't expect him to see through it at a glance," Gao Linong admitted, unable to resist taking a closer look as his colleagues began to praise.

After a moment, he looked at Zhao Xing with a complex expression. Why wasn't this person my student? Yet, it was Old Si Nong who unearthed him!

"Well, at least his handwriting is bad!" Gao Linong thought sourly. "Yes, among the top grades, his handwriting must be the worst!"

Without hesitation, the examiners unanimously gave Zhao Xing a top grade evaluation. Even Gao Linong didn't go against his conscience to give a middle grade, because the examiners' scores and comments would be recorded and reported.

To give a middle grade for bad handwriting would leave a bad impression of bias, and in this era, bad handwriting wasn't considered a big deal.

Since the official rankings couldn't be given out so quickly, Zhao Xing, being the first to submit his paper, received the first top grade evaluation.

Others still had to continue their exams, and the examiners couldn't keep him there for long. Zhao Xing bowed silently and left the examination hall.

The next day, more people submitted their papers, and the results of the over five hundred candidates' exams were released that afternoon.

Zhao Xing once again received a top grade. This time, due to the difficulty of the theoretical exam, only two others besides him received top grades: Ding Shan and Liang Bai.

Ding Shan was well-known among the people, being the most outstanding member of the Huailiu Courtyard in his middle years, always assisting Xue Wenzhong with handling literary classics. His understanding of Magic Arts was average, but he earned a top grade purely because of his age and experience.

Liang Bai received a top grade for the first time. This kind of theoretical exam didn't test Magic Arts proficiency but purely theoretical knowledge, so it was normal for someone with average cultivation to receive a top grade.

Besides them, there were nine others on the First List, including Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and Xiao Ze.

Zong Shichang fell to a second rank, as this was not the area where the Zong Young Master excelled.

"He actually got another top grade. His Magic Arts are exquisite, but even his theoretical knowledge is so profound? Could it be that this person is truly material for an official?" Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze, who had put in a lot of effort to surpass Zhao Xing in this exam, were greatly disappointed when the results came out.

How could he get another top grade?

"It must be Old Si Nong's favoritism, giving his favorite student hints or opening a small stove in advance," Huang Tao grumbled resentfully.

"Brother Huang, you didn't do well in the exam, so you can't stand others doing well?" someone teased.

"Exactly, the questions weren't set by Old Si Nong alone; your teacher could see them too."

Madam Cai had prepared so many meals, not in vain, as more people gathered around Zhao Xing to talk.

"You lost to Brother Zhao, so there's no need to hold such a grudge. You were the one who challenged him first and tried to take his place."

"Brother Huang, don't deceive yourself; it's meaningless."

"..."

Huang Tao felt cornered, but seeing more and more people surrounding Zhao Xing, he didn't dare to argue further, lest he lose face. So he slunk away dejectedly.

(End of Chapter)