It was only then, that Xuan Yuan Po realised the area before the Tower of Purging Dust was quiet as can be; everyone was staring at him with spectacular expressions upon their faces.
His voice was loud and clear, he had answered Tang Thirty-Six very naturally, without thinking to tone down his volume.
Thus, he had informed everyone present of the tactic Orthodox Academy had prepared for him in advance, including his opponent.
Was this battle tactic still going to be effective?
Chen Chang Sheng shook his head and placed two crystals into Xuan Yuan Po’s pocket, he also passed a water pouch to Yuan Po’s mouth and had him drink some.
Tang Thirty-Six moved to Xuan Yuan Po’s side and said something to him quietly.
The Li Palace clergyman looked at the Orthodox Academy group, wanting to laugh yet holding back, saying: “Be a little quicker.”
After being urged to hurry, Xuan Yuan Po felt a little nervous, almost choking on the water; Chen Chang Sheng quickly smacked his back; Tang Thirty-Six hastened his words, reminding him to pay attention to battle events; the match grounds became a little chaotic, seeing this scene, Su Mo Yu couldn’t control himself, he shook his head and said: “There was such a long period of time previously and yet all of you just spent it frivolously, isn’t it rather late to be rushing now?”
“You don’t understand, if we told him too early, we would have to worry about him forgetting. Not to mention, we didn’t know who his opponent would be, how could we teach him anything?” replied Tang Thirty-Six, without even turning his head around.
Luo Luo walked up to Xuan Yuan Po and said: “Since you’re going to win anyway, what is there to be nervous about?”
Xuan Yuan Po stammered a little, replying: “It… it… can’t be… helped.”
Chen Chang Sheng stared into his eyes and said: “Just remember Tang Thirty-Six’s words, you will win for certain.”
Xuan Yuan Po vigorously nodded his head.
Tang Thirty finally finished his last minute battle advice; he pumped a fist onto Xuan Yuan Po’s chest and said: “Have a good opening match.”
……
……
Xuan Yuan Po stood upon a ground covered with sand, he lifted his head to look at the black eaves that created a circle and the blue sky above that had been segmented out by this circle; he was suddenly reminded of the dish back at the Hundred Herb Garden.
A single creak could be heard from behind him and the doors to the Tower of Purging Dust once again closed shut.
He came to his senses, finding that his mind had just wandered, this didn’t cause him to fluster, but instead, he found that he could clearly remember what Tang Thirty-Six had told him over these past few nights; he thought to himself, this should count as to not being nervous?
He looked opposite, gestured his hands and did a formal greeting to his opponent.
At this moment, on the floor of the tower, stood only he and his opponent, no examiners were present and neither could any sounds from outside the tower be heard; it seems there was some sort of silencing array in action.
An emotionless voice came drifting in from above.
“If you are ready, then you can start.”
Xuan Yuan Po peered at the upper floor but didn’t see anyone, nor did he see any sort of window, he couldn’t help being curious about the location of the examiners, he suddenly remembered what Chen Chang Sheng had told him and rushed to ask: “What if… what if someone was to be beaten to death?”
The Tower of Purging Dust was blanketed in silence; the unseen examiner was quiet for a long time.
His opponent had an unsightly expression upon their face.
The examiner’s voice once again resounded: “It won’t be possible to beat someone to death.”
Xuan Yuan Po gave an exclamation of understanding before looking at his opponent, asking: “Are you ready?”
His opponent was from Huang Shan Valley (Yellow Mountain).
Huang Shan Valley was from the South.
Not all disciples from the Southern sects could participate in the Grand Examination, just as how the Capital would hold a foundation trial for the Grand Examination, the South would also have a similar pre-examination.
Passing the foundation trial was proof of this examinee’s ability, not to mention his time for passing the Martial Trial was shorter than most of the other examinees, attesting to the fact that his divine sense and True Essence capacity is better than most.
Previously, when he was picking his opponent, the examinee from Huang Shan Valley displayed a lot of difficulty in his decision, this was because Orthodox Academy’s fame was far too great, it didn’t represent a lack of confidence; not to mention, his final choice of Xuan Yuan Po meant that he had some confidence in being able to win against Xuan Yuan Po, or more specifically, a battle plan.