The registration venue of County Test was an open-air square in the middle of Donglin School.
There were thirty-six registration tables on the square due to a great number of applicants. People in charge of registration were students of Donglin School.
In spite of considerate arrangements, in front of every registration table waited many applicants in line.
Seeing this condition, Lin Xun had to queue up in front of one of registration tables.
It was very easy to sign up. One paid ten imperial copper coins and then could get a County Test token.
Suddenly, a conversation attracted Lin Xun’s attention.
“Amazing! It’s said that the chief examiner of this County Test was his Excellency, Yao Tuohai from Green-maple County!”
“Who is he?”
“You idiot! Thirty years ago, his Excellency Yao was fifteen years old. It was a little late to attend County Test at his age. However, he passed ‘County Test’, ‘State Test’ and ‘Province Test’ in succession just within one year!”
“What's more, his Excellency Yao was so extraordinary that he stood out from numberless young elites when he took the Nation Test! Although being not admitted to the Green-deer School, he impressed the Prime Minister at present of the empire with outstanding performance. Finally, his Excellency Yao was promoted to a position in the central area of the empire and then his name was well known all over the empire!”
“These years, no one has passed the Nation Test in the southwest province of our empire. His Excellency Yao could achieve such achievements, which is fabulous! The only one who can be compared with his Excellency Yao is Liu Wujun, governor of southwest province!”
“Oh my god! Why will his Excellency Yao come to Donglin Town to take charge of the County Test now that he is so awesome? Even if he would preside over a test, it should be a provincial one!”
“Yes. No one knows why his Excellency Yao will come here. Plenty of people have signed up to take the County Test because of his coming. I heard that some practitioners in nearby cities are rushing here after hearing the news and most of them will take this County Test just to show themselves to him. Once recognized by him, one might get a rapid promotion and have a bright future.”
“Damn it! In their dreams!”
“Anyway, the competition must be fierce since there are so many examinees but only one thousand people will pass the test in the end. I’m afraid that even some eligible practitioners will be eliminated.”
Hearing this, Lin Xun was so surprised as he had never thought there would be so many changes in the County Test this time.
In the meantime, the name “Yao Tuohai” was heard by him for the first time. When Lin heard about his great stories, Lin Xun also realized that Yao Tuohai must be such a brilliant person that he could win recognition from the Prime Minister thirty years ago.
Why would such a big shot come to Donglin Town to take charge of the County Test?
There must be a vital reason for this.
Lin Xun did not care about this, but he felt speechless after hearing the conversation. Just because of Yao Tuohai’s coming, the number of applicants increased rapidly. There must be many excellent practitioners, however, the final admission quota was limited. Therefore, the competition would be clearly fierce.
“Now I am under 14 years old and have reached the sixth level of Martial Realm, but it’s not certain that I can pass the County Test…”
Lin Xun had been so confident, but now he was a little unsure.
The County Test was simple. Firstly, the examinee’s age must be or under fifteen years old. Secondly, the examinee must have experience in cultivation.
All applicants of the County Test must meet the two requirements. Nonetheless, the admission quota was limited. The final winners must be the best of the best while the mediocre would definitely fail!
Soon Lin Xun came to the registration table.
Behind the table sat two students, a boy and a girl, from Donglin School. One collected the fees and gave out the test tokens. The other noted down the information of applicants.
Lin Xun paid ten imperial copper coins and then the girl who was sitting behind the registration table said, “Tell me your name and hometown.”
Lin Xun answered, “Lin Xun, from Feiyun Village, Donglin Town.”
The boy who was in charge of giving out the test tokens raised his head suddenly and asked, “You are Lin Xun?”
The boy looked handsome, with the appearance of a talent, but his expression was gloomy. He had been downhearted and absentminded when giving out the tokens.
But now, his eyes became as sharp as a blade and he looked extremely excited, staring at Lin Xun.
Soon, he realized his gaffe and returned to calmness, stopping staring at Lin Xun.
“You know me?” Lin Xun asked, raising his eyebrows.
Lin Xun was very sensitive. Just now he felt that the boy was resentful and released a faintly murderous intention, although the boy tried to hide it deeply.
“I mistook you for someone else.” The boy shook his head and answered in a little cold voice.
“Oh.” Lin Xun smiled and said, “What a coincident!”
That boy gave Lin Xun a test token and said, “There are many coincidences and unfortunate things in this world. You’d better leave quickly. Don't get in the way of others’ registration.”
Lin Xun took the test token and stroked it for a while. With a smile, he suddenly leaned towards the boy who was sitting behind the registration table, “There must be some reason for this coincidence. Friend, I believe we will meet each other again in the future.”
His words seemed to carry a lot of meaning. Then Lin Xun turned away.
The schoolboy followed Lin Xun with his eyes until he disappeared, with gloomy face and eyes full of coldness.
“Lian Fei, what’s up?” The girl beside him was surprised and asked. Lian Fei’s face was so dark and unusual.
“Never mind.” He shook his head and took a deep breath, and then he smiled, “Susu, don’t worry. Let’s continue. There are too many people here today to sign up. We have to hurry up.”
“Yeah.” The girl nodded her head. She was certainly not stupid. She felt something special from the scene which happened just now.
She thought to herself, “Is that person Lian Fei’s enemy? He is just a teenager. I thought he might be extraordinary. Lian Fei does not hope me to meddle in his business. But since I met his enemy, then I won’t allow Lian Fei to keep eating humble pie. He…is the man who I take a fancy to!”
…
Lian Fei!
Walking out of the Donglin School, Lin Xun had been recalling the look of the boy he just saw and now had a rough idea about who he was.
Lin Xun had few enemies in Donglin Town except for Lian Fei who cultivated in Donglin School.
Lin Xun failed to recognize him because they had not met each other before. Today encountering the enemy by chance, he was nearly impetuous to kill him.
But Lin Xun didn’t. Because it was in Donglin School which was heavily guarded by many overmatches. He couldn’t act recklessly.
Lin Xun had already remembered his appearance. So, there would be a chance to kill him one day!
Lin Xun was clear that Lian Fei itched to kill him, the patricide immediately. But Lin Xun would absolutely not give Lian Fei any chance for revenge.
The bustling street was jam-packed with people who came and went. All kinds of sounds rose and fell, which made the street noisy.
Many people were talking about “Yao Tuohai”. Today, Yao Tuohai became the center of attention in Donglin Town.
He would come to Donglin Town to take charge of County Test. This news, just like a windstorm, caused a sensation throughout the whole town. A lot of people were guessing the real purpose of his coming.
After all, it wasted his talent on this petty job for him to preside over a “County Test” merely. It was beneath his dignity.
Lin Xun did not care much about these things. No matter how famous Yao Tuohai was, there was nothing relevant to him.
Soon, Lin Xun walked into Lee Kee Bookstore. After greeting his old friend, the shopkeeper Elder Uncle Lee, Lin Xun began to choose books for Shia Zhi.
It was still early when he left Lee Kee Bookstore. Lin Xun seldom had a leisure time like this. He wandered on the street and bought some delicious preserves, spiritual fruits and grilled meat.
Lin Xun looked strained in the past few days, facing the threats posed by Clan of Wu and Lian Fei. He didn’t step out of the Civilian Area for almost half of month as he had to concentrate on preparing for the fight with them.
For the time being, the threats seemed to be gone and Lin Xun finally could breathe a sigh of relief. Lin never pushed himself too hard, as he knew that in terms of cultivation, both hard practice and relaxation were very important. Ceaseless crazy practice was harmful. Going too far is as bad as not going far enough.
So, he decided to go out for relaxation. Soon after, he was attracted by a place called “Donglin Martial Practice Hall” when hanging out along the street. Then, he stopped walking without thinking.
“Hi my Childe, would you like to have a try? We have a Spirit Testing Stone which can measure the spiritual power of you and it would be of great help to your future cultivation.”
A footboy with bright eyes, quickly came to Lin and warmly said, “In addition to the Spirit Testing Stone, we have Martial Practice Rooms that are specially prepared for the practitioners, in which have different levers of cooper puppets. So, you can temper yourself through practice of martial arts without being hurt.”
“Oh, I can temper myself through practice of martial arts here?” Suddenly, Lin Xun was a little bit interested in this.
Feeling some conation from Lin Xun, the footboy who knew that strike while the iron is hot said to Lin Xun, “We also have some Arenas for marital arts contests if you are not interested in what I mentioned above. By participating in a contest, you can not only learn from your opponent but also get some bonus if you win.”
Lin Xun was not interested in the martial arts contests at all. But he had somewhat interest in the Spirit Testing Stone and Martial Practice Room because he also wondered how much power he had now.
After thinking for a while, Lin Xun gave the footboy five imperial copper coins and said, “Show me the Spiritual Testing Stone first.”
The footboy looked cheerful, took the money and said, “Thanks, please follow me, my Childe.”