"In our Celestial South Dao, he's not the only one on the Profound List!"

As Rong Chang Yan's words fell, the whole venue was silent for a moment.

After all, his tone was unbearably arrogant, yet strangely, this arrogance invoked an extremely intense emotional surge.

As a result, everyone was too stirred to refute him right away.

Only beside Chen Xu, a hedgehog quietly poked its head out from a small wicker basket, staring angrily at Rong Chang Yan who was boasting.

Wei Yuan was furious. If it weren't for the fear of causing trouble for Chen Xu, it would've rebuked Rong Chang Yan on the spot!

Luckily, although it didn't speak up, the man with the beard holding the "Great Li's Splendor Record" said, "In our Celestial South Dao, indeed he's not the only one on the Profound List, but he's the only one who made it without being a Scholar.

Not only in our Celestial South Dao, but in the entire Great Li, there's no one else who entered the Profound List without being a Scholar!

Being fellow Daoists of the Celestial South, what's wrong with feeling proud of Mr. Chen? Is there anything wrong to it?"

Indeed, that's quite right!

Wei Yuan clung to the small basket, nodding repeatedly.

But Rong Chang Yan was not hurried, saying, "My friend, you've misunderstood my meaning.

I'm saying, Master Chen Xu, of course, is quite remarkable.

But do you all think he exorcises demons relying solely on his identity as a Scholar? Even if his literary talent is outstanding and he writes magnificent chapters, he can prematurely expand the Sea of Literature.

But as a Scholar, his combat prowess is ultimately limited. How could he possibly crush and easily exterminate a Core Formation Realm evil Dao in its stronghold?

To kill a Core Formation Realm evil Dao, and then the gifted Black Monkey King, such strength, haha, I don't believe he's merely a Scholar."

"If not a Scholar, then what is he?" The bearded man retorted in a deep voice.

Rong Chang Yan said, "I suspect he cultivates some Qi Cultivation technique, possibly has reached the Core Formation Realm! It's just that his reputation overshadows this point."

The bearded man immediately countered, "But if he truly is in the Core Formation Realm, why isn't there any record in the Great Li's Splendor Record? After all, other talents, if they reach the Core Formation Realm, are clearly documented."

Heh, this line hits the mark.

Rong Chang Yan was momentarily speechless, unable to refute.

The bearded man finally exhaled, laughing triumphantly, "How about it? My friend, is it so difficult for you to admit others are impressive?"

Rong Chang Yan's face flushed, snorted, "Where did I not admit Master Chen's greatness?

I'm only saying, his combat skills are strong, but in the imperial examination, he might not necessarily excel in this year's autumn examination!"

The hedgehog's eyes widened, almost spewing fire.

The bearded man also grew angry, saying, "You act pretentious just to seem unique, that's fine, but you speak nonsense, saying Mr. Chen might not excel this autumn exam.

You, you... you're simply ignorant, foolish, and hateful!"

He pointed at Rong Chang Yan, chastising him thrice.

But Rong Chang Yan squinted and said, "You are the ignorant, foolish, and hateful one! Oh, you are angry?

Don't rush, if you have the skills, hear me out."

Seeing the bearded man clenching his fists, seemingly ready to fight, Rong Chang Yan pressed his palm heavily on the table.

Crack—

As his palm pressed down, a corner of the table abruptly split open.

Such force instantly silenced the observing crowd, unexpectedly realizing this seemingly refined man like Rong Chang Yan possessed such skill.

Who would dare ignore his words now?

Only the man opposite him, clenching his fists and glaring.

Rong Chang Yan smiled, saying, "I didn't say Master Chen's talent isn't stunning or extraordinary.

Just that, haha, poetic talent is poetic talent, literary talent is literary talent.

Friends, excelling in poetry doesn't guarantee good essays. Writing excellent essays in the prefecture and institute exams doesn't guarantee excelling in the village exams.

The imperial examination isn't just poetry, essays are more significant by proportion.

These exams, it's not about who's stronger or has greater mana, who can exterminate Core Formation Realm evil Dao, then surely excels in the autumn examination?

Haha, I'm not saying Master Chen will fail, but for individuals like them, if they don't rank top, it's hardly an achievement."

The bearded man argued, "What makes you say Master Chen can't rank top?"

"Alas." Rong Chang Yan sighed, "My friend, you must understand what kind of examinees our Celestial South Dao faces this autumn.

Leaving aside Yunjiang Prefecture's Chen Xu, just discussing Qinglin Prefecture's Mo Huaizhang, isn't he an exceptional talent?

Writing 'Ten Songs of Enlightenment' at twelve, providing the world's children with the simplest and most understandable path to enlightenment.

Today, how many children in Qinglin Prefecture don't know 'Ten Songs of Enlightenment'?

Even without pursuing higher study, memorizing 'Ten Songs of Enlightenment' is better than being blind, right?

Mo Huaizhang has been a Scholar, settling for ten years, now finally ready for the village exam this year, friends, do you believe Mo Huaizhang can't surpass Chen Xu?"

This...

Once again, the venue fell into silence, with no one daring to decisively answer that Mo Huaizhang couldn't surpass Chen Xu.

Only Wei Yuan, clinging to the small basket, grumbled softly, "What Mo Huaizhang, Brother Chen could surpass him with just a finger!"

Chen Xu listened, chuckling softly, reaching out to stroke the hedgehog's bristling fur.

Thankfully, the little mouse was still asleep in the Spirit Garden Pouch, otherwise who knows how angry it would be.

Meanwhile, Rong Chang Yan continued to speak at length:

"Leaving aside Qinglin Prefecture's Mo Huaizhang, let's discuss Pingyang Prefecture's Zhou Qian, Luo Wenhuan, Song Chengye, which of these talents isn't formidable?

Zhou Qian's sharp words once wrote an article that angered an old Scholar to death from his opponent's family.

Luo Wenhuan excels in Divination, once calculated the Pingyang Prefecture City's walls to move three feet outward.

Song Chengye penned the 'Four Seasons Annotation', even receiving praise from Great Scholars...

Additionally, several talents from the Jade Capital have come, these need no further specification.

Friends, it's said the world's literature holds ten points, Jade Capital claims three points, Central Plains two points, the remaining six lie with Celestial South Dao.

While Northern Border owes the world a point!

Even if Chen Xu can fight, can he surely surpass these talents, winning top honors in the autumn exam and securing the top candidate position?"

Rong Chang Yan's words were firm, every sentence sincere.

Despite his arrogant demeanor, who could refute him now?

Even the hedgehog, Wei Yuan, heard his argument, unwittingly clenched its teeth, eyes filled with worry.

Indeed, Brother Chen's poetic talent was unparalleled across the land.

But securing the top candidate in the autumn exam isn't solely achieved by writing poetry!

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