Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System

Chapter 536: Chapter 227: First in the Imperial Examination, Worldview Shattered

In his own eyes and many others’, the top three finishers were supposed to be him, Yan Zhen, and either Meng Xiaochuan or Pu Shiyi. Tuoba Yunhong also had a decent chance.

Chu Lingguang, however, was never considered a contender.

But against all expectations, Chu Lingguang hadn’t just placed in the top three—he had actually taken the title of Hui Yuan.

He and Yan Zhen had been left so far in the dust that they didn’t even have grounds to complain. All they could do was watch Chu Lingguang claim first place.

"AHH!"

At this thought, Qin Yu’s anger flared. Spurring his great black horse forward, he charged and was the first to attack the adult Greedy Tiger.

His Bloodline Divine Abilities erupted.

A wave of gravitational force pulsed from his longsword, throwing the charging Greedy Tiger off balance.

"WHOOSH!"

A gleam of sword light whistled through the air.

The Greedy Tiger dodged aside with nimble speed, but a cut still appeared on its cheek. Qin Yu’s unusual Bloodline Divine Abilities had caught it by surprise, allowing the edge of his blade to slice across its face.

"ROAR!"

The wound instantly enraged the adult Greedy Tiger.

It lunged at Qin Yu with its full power, its massive body moving so fast it created several afterimages. Still on horseback, Qin Yu’s movements were restricted by the need to protect his mount.

Finally, he had no other choice but to dismount and face the adult Greedy Tiger in direct combat.

As for the other four nearly-adult Greedy Tigers, three charged toward Yan Zhen, while the last one pounced on Qin Yu’s fleeing black horse. With a single swipe of its claws, it tore the heart right out of the prized Han Gao Steed. One bite, and it snapped the horse’s neck.

Fury blazed in Qin Yu’s eyes.

He abandoned the adult Greedy Tiger, his only thought to kill the younger one.

Of course, "younger" was only in comparison to the adult.

This "younger" Greedy Tiger was still over four meters long. A single swipe of its claws, while perhaps not enough to shatter a six-layered Dharma Aspect, could still pose a fatal threat to an ordinary expert at Qi Sea Perfection.

"WHOOSH!"

Yan Zhen released his Sword Momentum.

The threat posed by the three younger Greedy Tigers was just as great, if not greater, than that of the single adult. He let his own black horse go, sending it running north. He would catch up to it after he broke through the encirclement.

"Get out of the way!"

Qin Yu unleashed his Bloodline Divine Abilities once more. A slash of his sword summoned a gale that wrapped around the younger Greedy Tiger, a binding force that slowed its movements. He immediately thrust his sword toward the beast’s heart.

"ROAR!"

The adult Greedy Tiger roared.

With a flicker of movement, it snatched the younger tiger out from the pull of Qin Yu’s power, saving it from being stabbed through the heart.

"BOOM!"

But Qin Yu immediately launched himself forward. A terrifying power exploded from his entire body, leaving a half-meter-deep crater where he’d stood as he sprinted north.

His running speed now was even faster than that of Yan Zhen and the Little Prince at the National Border. Though he couldn’t outpace a Han Gao Steed at full gallop, he quickly caught up to the one Yan Zhen had released, vaulted onto its back, and charged like a madman in Chu Lingguang’s direction.

Chu Lingguang had pulled ahead, but he was still within sight.

’Even if I can’t catch him, I can’t let Chu Lingguang leave me completely in the dust.’

"Yah!"

Chu Lingguang galloped ahead. Guided by his Consciousness Manipulation Power, his great black horse moved at a full-speed gallop that was slightly faster than those of Yan Zhen, Qin Yu, and the others.

Victory was just ahead.

The title of Hui Yuan was within his grasp.

’I never thought I could actually snatch first place from prodigies like Qin Yu and Yan Zhen. If my Consciousness Manipulation Power hadn’t given me an advantage in this third round, I probably wouldn’t have even made the top three.’

’This must be fate’s blessing. I have to thank whoever designed the rules for this third round.’

Chu Lingguang was already fantasizing about what would happen after he won the title of Hui Yuan: the joyous faces of his senior brothers like Guo Wei and Shaorong, the image of his Second Aunt breaking into a wild dance the moment she heard the news.

He pictured the Wine Street Boss and the villagers from Liu Family Gully banging gongs and drums in celebration, Senior Sister Guo staying up all night to stew pig’s feet for him, and so many matchmakers flocking to his door that they’d wear down the threshold. One by one, these scenes played out before his eyes like a projection.

"Ahhh!"

"I’m the Hui Yuan!"

He couldn’t help but shout aloud.

His voice seemed to carry all the way to the Canopy Attic where Young Master Jin Yi and the old man behind him could hear it. A smile touched both their lips. To pass the Martial Arts Examination was one of life’s greatest joys, to say nothing of becoming the Hui Yuan.

Moreover, Chu Lingguang was a commoner. Most people could never imagine the sheer elation he felt at this moment, but both Young Master Jin Yi and the old man found his laughter infectious.

The two couldn’t help but wonder, ’When was the last time we were ever as happy as Chu Lingguang is right now?’

"Hahahaha!"

Chu Lingguang laughed heartily.

Hearing it from behind, Qin Yu gritted his teeth in frustration as Chu Lingguang, still in his line of sight, grew more and more distant.

"Yan, I’ll wait for you up ahe—"

Chu Lingguang couldn’t resist looking back. He knew Yan Zhen and Qin Yu were guaranteed to be in the top three.

But his smile froze at this moment.

He saw the furious, desperate Qin Yu chasing after him, and he also saw Yan Zhen, trapped outside the gorge and surrounded by five Greedy Tigers.

Yan Zhen’s Sword Momentum enveloped all five beasts. He unleashed a furious flurry of strikes, blocking their relentless attacks. Behind him, other contestants heard the deafening roars and the explosive sounds of his Sword Momentum and were frightened into taking wide detours.

Faced with a powerful threat and a great temptation, Tuoba Yunhong, Meng Xiaochuan, and Pu Shiyi also changed their course, hoping to snatch third place from Yan Zhen.

They knew that if they helped Yan Zhen break free, taking third place from him would be nearly impossible. Even the proud Tuoba Yunhong swallowed his pride and chose to go around.

"Yan!"

Chu Lingguang pulled on the reins.

Yan Zhen’s strength was undeniable, but against an adult Greedy Tiger and four nearly-adult ones simultaneously, even an expert in the True Martial Realm would be at a disadvantage.