m to become slightly faint-headed.
At this moment, he felt as though he hadn't slept for five days. He was fatigued from head to toe.
"So... do you want to start now?"
Seeing that the other party was having trouble opening his eyes, Hall Master Feng couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure!"
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
"Fine then. Let's go over there, the Record Crystal is out of range here." Hall Master Feng nodded.
Regardless of whether it was for the apothecary examination or the beast tamer examination, for the sake of fairness, a Record Crystal would be used to record the entire process, such that those who doubt the impartiality of the examination could check on it.
Soon, they arrived at the center of the room where the Record Crystal was located. Hall Master Feng and the other two beast tamers sat down.
Upon seeing them sitting down, everyone knew what was going to happen. They immediately burst into discussions.
"The examination is about to start!"
"Right! He is skipping the apprentice examination and going straight for the beast tamer examination. This is the privilege given only to the topmost geniuses. Even Mo Yu xiaojie didn't enjoy such a benefit. I would like to see if the fellow would dare to remain in this place once he fails!"
"He just happened to tame a few savage beasts by luck, do you think he possesses true capabilities? I think that he will fail for sure!"
"The first test assesses his theoretical knowledge. Without several years of study, it is impossible for one to remember the countless savage beasts in the world and their characteristics. Back then, in order to remember them all, our prince made to read through the books everyday. This fellow isn't even twenty. Even if he were to start studying from his mother's womb, how much content can he remember?"
"He is trying to attract attention. I doubt that he has any true ability..."
Seeing that Zhang Xuan was about to take the examination, everyone immediately crowded over, and many of their gazes were filled with derision.
It has been long since someone had skipped the apprentice examination and gone straight for the beast tamer examination. Green with envy, most of them hoped that Zhang Xuan would fail.
This was especially so for Zhou Xuan and Zhu Jinhuang. Due to their relationship with Yun Tao and Mo Yu xiaojie, they were filled with hatred for this fellow. They would love it if Zhang Xuan were to make a mockery of himself.
If the other party were unable to even pass the theoretical examination, becoming a beast tamer... would be nothing but a dream!
Amidst the commotion, Mo Yu was also brought back to reality. She stepped forward and glanced at the young man coldly.
With just a single glance, her eyebrows shot up.
What is wrong with this fellow?
Just a moment ago, he was flipping through books spiritedly. But now... Why does he seem as though he had been sucked dry?
The others could tell that something was amiss with Zhang Xuan as well. Shen Bi Ru exchanged glances with Yun Tao, and deep creases appeared on their foreheads.
"Zhang laoshi, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Zhang Xuan nodded. "It's just that I'm a little exhausted!"
To duplicate that huge collection of book in less than two hours into the Library of Heaven's Path took up a lot of his energy. Not only did he have to keep willing for 'flaws' to appear, the tremor in his mind whenever a book was compiled took a toll on him. It would be truly weird if he were to appear spirited instead.
In his current condition, it was a wonder that he could still remain standing.
"Elder, if you aren't feeling well, why don't we rest for a bit and take the examination tomorrow?" Yun Tao asked.
The person before him was potentially a Zongshi realm expert. What in the world did he go through for him to be so exhausted?
"It's no problem..."
Knowing that they were simply expressing their concern, Zhang Xuan was about to reject them politely when a cold sneer echoed.
"I think he is intentionally feigning it. Maybe his actual intention of heading into the library is to read up on the beast taming books, and upon realizing the difficulty of the examination, he decided to feign weakness to avoid the examination!"
The one who spoke was Zhu Jinhuang.
There was blatant contempt in his eyes, and it seemed as though he was resolute to uncover a fraud's disguise.
"There must be the case! How is it possible to become so withered after reading just a few books? Pardon me for my ignorance, but this is my first time hearing of such a thing!" Zhou Xuan took this opportunity to get back at Zhang Xuan.
"This..."
"Now that they spoke of it, it does seem possible."
"He was probably confident until he started flipping through the books and realized how profound the art of beast taming is. Fearful, but not wanting to disgrace himself, he decided to come up with an excuse..."
"That must be the case..."
Most of the crowd thought that the words of the duo were logical and agreed with their view.
If that's not the case, how can a simple trip to adjust his mental state result in him returning as though he was on the verge of death?
He seemed so exhausted that it was as if he could collapse at any moment...
It is impossible for someone to become so tired just by reading books... Since this situation can’t be explained, only a single possibility is left. He is feigning it.
"There's no need for it. We can start now!"
Hearing the doubts and discussions in the surrounding, Zhang Xuan waved his hands.
"This is the paper that I just came up with. You have an hour to complete it, and you will pass the examination if you score full marks. You may start now!"
Seeing him persist, Hall Master Feng decided to say nothing. Instead, he passed a huge stack of paper to Zhang Xuan.
Just like the written paper in the apprentice apothecary examination, it was dozens of pages thick. It would take a long time just to write an answer to every single question, not to mention the effort required to think through every question carefully in order to ensure that the answers are correct.
Zhang Xuan lowered his head to glance at the papers, only to see all kinds of questions on the fundamental knowledge of beast taming on it. The questions covered all aspects of beast taming, and without sufficient knowledge, one might not even understand the questions.
"Alright, you can begin answering. The time starts now!"
Seeing Zhang Xuan receive the papers, Hall Master Feng gestured grandly and said.
"Un!" Zhang Xuan placed the papers on the desk and picked up a brush. He was about to begin answering when he felt his head ring. His entire hand seemed to be trembling uncontrollably.
The rapid pace at which he duplicated the books into the Library of Heaven's Path had really taken a toll on him. Due to his insufficient cultivation, not only was he drained mentally, his body took a huge toll as well.
It would probably take at least an hour of rest before he can recover.
But he didn't have the time for it now.
If he were to rest for an hour, it would be impossible for him to finish that thick stack of papers. Even with the assistance of the Library of Heaven's Path, it was an impossible feat.
As long as he were to answer a question wrongly, he would fail the beast tamer examination. Failing and embarrassing himself was a small matter. More importantly... He would be unable to enjoy the privilege of a free ride. That was something he couldn't tolerate.
"Look, he seems to be so tired that he can't even hold the brush!"
"Hehe, do you believe that a cultivator whose cultivation exceeds Pixue realm can be so tired as to be unable to hold a brush? It must be an act!"
"That must be the case! He must have seen the questions and felt that it is beyond him. That's why he chose to feign weakness... Honestly speaking, this is the kind of people that I despise the most!"
"Who doesn't despise such people?"
Seeing how Zhang Xuan's fingers were trembling to the point where he was unable to grip his brush properly, everyone harrumphed coldly.
Hall Master Feng, Beast Tamer Lu, and the others stared at one another doubtfully.
Can that really be the case?
But it isn’t logical for Zhang Xuan to be so exhausted just by running about the library!
"Zhang Xuan, if you feel that you aren't in a condition to answer the questions, I can allow you to rest for a day and start tomorrow."
After confirming visually that the fellow before him was to be in a bad state to answer the paper, Hall Master Feng couldn't stand it further and said.
Sighing, with trembling hands, Zhang Xuan placed the brush down.
The other party was right. Even if he were to force himself to write, his words would likely be illegible given his current condition.
More importantly... His speed wouldn't be sufficient. It was likely that he would have to stop to rest after writing a few lines. It was impossible for him to finish the paper like that.
If Zhang Xuan wanted to pass the examination without wasting a day resting here... There was only one last option!
Sighing, Zhang Xuan lifted his head and looked forward.
"Hall Master Feng, the two beast tamers, I am not in a condition to hold a brush. Can I opt for a discourse instead?"
"Discourse?"
The three beast tamers stood up in astonishment. Disbelief was reflected in their eyes.
"Wha-What did you say? You wish to take on the most difficult form of the theoretical examination... discourse?"