I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 48 Invincible
Xue Xiang analyzed the newly released information from the "system" and summarized it as follows:

First, cross the Fallen Sea ahead and capture more and higher-level literary energy.

Second, those who fall into the sea will automatically be removed from the trial.

Third, ferocious sea monsters lurk in the sea.

Fourth, those undergoing trials must not travel together on the same ship.

Before long, the golden light shining on the island disappeared, and everyone knew that the trial had begun.

Wei Wendao said loudly, "Gentlemen, although we cannot travel on the same ship, we will try our best to stay close to Brother Xue when we board."

Everyone agreed with a roar.

Whoever you follow will ensure you get to eat meat and stay safe; this journey has already proven that.

"Thank you all for your kindness."

Xue bowed.

He knew, of course, that when everyone gathered together, there would be a problem of sharing the food.

But now that everyone is taking the exam together, helping and supporting each other, they have forged a deep bond of camaraderie and camaraderie.

Looking at the long term, once the trials are over, officials will definitely be assigned. In the officialdom, you can't get by without connections.

What is a network of connections? These people in front of you are an unbreakable network of connections.

At that moment, everyone focused their thoughts on the blue aura floating in the air. A few breaths later, small boats began to float on the sea.

Everyone jumped onto the boat.

"Did you notice? The water here is a strange color; it's jet black and has a chilly feel to it."

"Be careful, everyone. The name 'Falling into the Sea' also indicates the presence of sea monsters, so there must be risks."

"..."

Having made their decision, everyone began to recite the verses. Suddenly, a sea breeze swept in, blowing the ship northward.

After walking for about half an incense stick's time, a thin mist suddenly drifted over the deathly still sea, and the waves suddenly surged.

In an instant, the field of vision narrowed to only a few feet.

"Everyone be careful."

"Why can't I see it?"

Brother Xue, where are you?

Xue Xiangcai answered, only to find that the reply had already drifted far away.

The fog quickly dissipated, but the sea remained turbulent, its dark depths resembling the gaping maw of a ferocious beast.

What's terrifying is that Wei Wendao and the others have long since disappeared from sight. In the vast world and boundless sea, only Xue Xiang remains, facing the situation alone.

Soon, a streak of azure ink floated in the sky above the sea to the northwest.

The aura was the same as the ordinary cyan aura, but it was surrounded by a white halo.

Xue Xiang realized that this must be the textual style that the "system" was indicating could be captured.

He immediately urged the small boat to approach quickly, and with a gentle wave of his hand, the cyan aura flew towards him.

Just then, the sea surface boiled over, and a huge tentacle stretched out, like the arm of an excavator, with a millstone-sized, octopus-like head emerging.

whoosh,
The golden aura ring on Xue Xiang's wrist shot out and transformed into a giant sword, easily piercing through the octopus monster's head.

The cyan aura entered his hand, transforming into a cyan ring that slipped onto his arm.

Xue Xiang no longer withdrew the golden literary energy, letting it transform into flying swords that escorted the small boat to the left and right.

It's unclear how much time has passed, but Xue Xiang has collected thirteen strands of cyan literary energy and two strands of black literary energy, with no purple literary energy yet.

Beneath every stream of gathered literary energy, sea monsters lurk.

Perhaps the giant sword manifested with golden literary energy was too powerful, because the group of sea monsters were killed by the giant sword before they even had a chance to show their power. The journey was completely uneventful.

Xue Xiang was standing steadily at the bow of the boat when suddenly, turbid waves surged into the sky ahead, their force surging. He quickly moved the boat towards them.

But then they saw more than ten trial participants fiercely attacking a group of sea monsters.

No, a group of sea monsters were attacking more than ten trial participants.

In an instant, sword energy, demonic energy, and killing intent intertwined, and chaotic light soared into the sky.

Behind the demons, a huge white halo swirled, within which a large amount of cyan and black spiritual energy intertwined, with a wisp of purple among them.

"This is a cluster of literary energy. This cluster is probably worth more than all my hard work over the years. No wonder these people are going to fight each other fiercely."

Having understood what was happening, Xue Xiang was unwilling to rush over to grab the food and prepared to move his boat away. Suddenly, he heard a shout, "Brother Xue, save me!"

Xue Xiang looked closely and called out to the man, whose name was Lu Weimin, who was the Confucian scholar from Yunmeng.

Looking at his situation, it was indeed dire. Besieged by two powerful demons, and without the help of a golden sword and the support of others, he, already exhausted, could not hold on any longer.

"Brother Lu, hold on, I'm coming to get you out."

Xue Xiang quickly moved his ship closer, activated his golden giant sword, and joined the battle.

The golden sword was sharp, and before long, Xue Xiang received Lu Weimin.

A giant, two-legged demon with a demonic face charged across the sea towards him, its black cloud of energy actually supporting the golden giant sword.

Xue Xiang waved his hand, and the collected literary energy transformed into a giant shield to block the invading black clouds. He then loudly chanted, "Sword light illuminates the sky, making it azure; killing intent chills to the bone."

Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and dozens of swords, their cold light illuminating the sky, unleashed a chilling killing intent that almost materialized as they pounced towards the enemy.

In a single exchange, the masked, two-legged demon was slain, and a swarm of sharp swords cleared the way.

Before long, he had killed more than ten sea monsters and was about to help Lu Weimin break through the encirclement.

“Mr. Erdiao, we are both from the same Confucian school, why don’t we help each other? I may have made mistakes before, why do you stand by and watch me die?”

"Yes, we have offended you before, but we did not target you, Brother Xue."

"Brother Xue, are you really going to sit idly by and watch us be driven into the sea by the sea monsters and lose our qualification for the trial?"

"If you save Zhao, Zhao will owe you a huge favor."

"In the end, it's all just empty talk. Can't we all be more practical? Are you still reluctant to part with that literary energy group?"

A pale-faced, fat man shouted in a stern voice, "Brother Xue, if you make a move, that literary energy cluster is yours."

We fought these sea monsters to the death, and we've done some good; how about that make up for the offense we caused you before?"

"I'm sorry, but my abilities are limited, and I'm afraid I can't help you all."

Xue Xiang is not someone who can be fooled by a sweet treat after being slapped.

He was determined to possess that scholarly air.

These people are already on the verge of collapse, yet they boast that they are giving away what belongs to Xue. Isn't this just fooling idiots?

“I, Sun Yuji, swear to the heavens and the literary tradition that if Brother Xue helps me overcome this current difficulty, I will owe you a huge favor and will definitely repay you in the future.”

Finally, someone couldn't hold on any longer and started making vows and oaths.

There's no way around it; getting a chance to participate in the trial is just too difficult.

The importance of literary talent for Confucian scholars seeking official positions cannot be overstated.

Even though it was a gathering of Confucian scholars who had passed the imperial examinations, those with literary talent were naturally considered superior.

Moreover, if one doesn't obtain literary talent in the city examination, the probability of obtaining it in the prefecture examination is extremely low.

Therefore, many students from the city, in order to gain the opportunity to pursue literary studies, did not hesitate to give up their already obtained academic titles and retake the city examinations.

“I, Wang Dong, swear to the Heavenly Dao of Literature that if Xue Xiang helps me, I, Wang Dong, will owe Xue Xiang a great debt of gratitude. If I am ever asked to do something in the future, I will do my utmost to help him.”

"I, Tu Guoliang..."

“I am Sun Guan…”

"........."

Since everyone has this attitude, Xue Xiang might as well accept their kindness.

Then he urged the small boat forward and rushed towards the cluster of literary energy, reciting aloud, "The sword lies across the autumn water, its frost-covered mark cold; the aura gathers in the cold river, the twilight deepens."

Instantly, the entire venue was filled with literary atmosphere, strange phenomena began to emerge, and waves of energy surged forth.

Xue Xiang gathered his strength in his dantian and replied in a sharp voice, "In the cold light and shadow, the demon's head falls; in the killing intent, blood rains down."

In an instant, dozens of sharp swords emerged, all wrapped in a fierce and domineering aura, and burst forth in all directions.

Hundreds of demons were beheaded, their blood spurting like rain.

The once bustling battle arena was now eerily silent, its surface shimmering with cold light.

Lu Weimin stared blankly at Xue Xiang and murmured, "Brother Xue, you have boundless talent."

In this realm of trials, where literary energy flows freely and connections to the Heavenly Dao are easily made, aren't you invincible?

Almost there.

Xue Xiang shrugged and put away the literary energy ball.

(End of this chapter)