Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 711, Second Subject

After packing up the bodies of the Tan brothers, Xiao Ran turned to look at Shao Hongzhang. The guy was still studying the document in his hand over and over. Xiao Ran frowned slightly, walked over and kicked him in an annoyed manner.

"Don't bother, your method won't work."

The moment Xiao Ran grasped the writing pillar, she understood—Shao ​​Hongzhang's idea was far too naive. Could the methods left behind by Huang Chao be so easily countered?

Besides...

Xiao Ran was filled with doubts: The design of this ghost city was far more sophisticated than usual. Could Huang Chao really have done such a thing by himself?

It's not that Xiao Ran looks down on Huang Chao.

Huang Chao is no less talented, capable, or even as good-looking as me.

Even if he were a celestial being, even if he held the Imperial Seal of the State, it would still be no easy task for him to transform the ghosts into this form.

This reminded Xiao Ran of the Ghost City model that Gui Huai had shown him, which seemed to hold hidden secrets, but was pierced by a golden arrow before it could be revealed, nearly annihilating him...

"Wait, those models..." A thought flashed through Xiao Ran's mind, "Could they be related to the secret arts of geomancy?"

"Thump! Thump!! Thump thump—!!"

The dull tolling of the bell suddenly rang out, and a dark red beam of light suddenly lit up the distant horizon, like a blood-dripping signpost.

"The time has come! All candidates, hurry to the Heavenly Gate!" The bell tolled with a sharp shout, urging everyone to rush to the pillar of light.

"Shall we...shall we go?" Shao Hongzhang looked at Xiao Ran, clutching the document for a long time before finally having to admit that his plan to "set things right" was pure fantasy.

Huang Chao's methods were far more sophisticated than expected, and even though he managed to seize the Wenzhu, its effectiveness was far less than anticipated.

He handed the writing tablet back to Xiao Ran: "With this in hand, at least we can tear apart the barrier between the two worlds at any time, and we still have the initiative."

Xiao Ran weighed the writing pillar, which had transformed into a long staff, in her hand and sighed softly, "What else can we do? Let's go and see."

The two said no more and hurried toward the eerie pillar of light.

The journey was short; in less than twenty minutes, the two arrived at the source of the pillar of light.

Before me stood a colossal gate, above which hung a huge red lantern, its chilling red light emanating from it.

A dense, twisted mass of figures had already gathered in front of the door, far exceeding the number when they had besieged Xiao Ran earlier.

"My goodness... just how many people has this devil Enco lured in?!" Looking at the swarming figures in front of the door, Shao Hongzhang's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Amidst the sea of ​​demonized examinees, Xiao Ran and Shao Hongzhang, these "normal" individuals, seemed utterly out of place. Especially since Xiao Ran was dragging the corpses of the Tan brothers in her arms, the aura emanating from the bundle drew countless greedy and hungry gazes fixed upon the two of them.

Shao Hongzhang felt a chill run down his spine from being stared at, his teeth chattering, and he huddled tightly behind Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran, however, paid no heed, wielding the long staff formed from the literary pillar, and striding confidently with Shao Hongzhang by his side. As long as he didn't actively activate the talent within the literary pillar, the surrounding demons and monsters could only stare helplessly. If it weren't for this reliance, not only Shao Hongzhang, but even Xiao Ran wouldn't dare to be so arrogant.

"Look! The second and third brothers of the Tan family are here too!" Shao Hongzhang suddenly pointed to a spot not far away. The two Tan brothers, after their demonic transformation, had enormous bodies that far surpassed those of others, standing out like cranes among chickens, and could be recognized at a glance.

The two men also saw Xiao Ran. When their eyes fell on the packaged corpse of their brother behind him, grief and indignation instantly welled up on their faces. They turned their heads away, unable to bear the sight, but dared not have any more thoughts of revenge.

Xiao Ran's methods had completely terrified them, and now they only wished they could get as far away from this scourge as possible. With their current skills, which were comparable to those of top-tier experts, if they could escape alive, they would have a place to stay no matter how chaotic things were outside.

As for that damn Imperial Seal? To hell with it!

Xiao Ran glanced at them from afar, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. Seeing them as defeated and helpless, he remained vigilant. He understood the principle of eliminating any potential threats.

"Boom!!"

A deafening gong rang out in front of the door, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Several eunuchs filed out from inside the gate.

Before she could even see the person's face clearly, Xiao Ran felt a burning sensation in her arms. Looking up, she indeed saw Dai Long in the eunuch line!
The leading old eunuch was none other than the one who had bathed with Dai Long earlier. The old eunuch slowly stepped forward, while the other young eunuchs all lowered their heads and held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

"It's him!!" Shao Hongzhang was horrified when he saw the old eunuch's face.

"You recognize him?" Xiao Ran asked, glancing sideways.

"Hmm... I recognize him." Shao Hongzhang stared intently at the old eunuch and said in a low voice, "This man is named Wang Qiang, an old fox in the palace. He always puts on a sanctimonious and pontificating air, but in reality, he is insatiably greedy, as everyone knows!"

Wang Qiang surveyed the entire room, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Good, good... It's been so many years since our family has seen such a 'lively' Enke." His gaze swept over the Tan brothers' mountain-like figures, his approval deepening. However, his gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Xiao Ran and Shao Hongzhang below.

The smile on the old eunuch's face froze instantly.

The air suddenly plummeted to freezing. Just as Wang Qiang was about to lash out, he took a closer look, his gaze settling on Shao Hongzhang behind Xiao Ran. His slender eyebrows twitched slightly, and a strange, inscrutable expression flashed across his face.

"Godfather, is something wrong?" Dai Long asked cautiously, observing the situation.

Wang Qiang was silent for a moment, then waved his hand: "Never mind, it's just a small matter, nothing serious. Let's not waste time, let's begin."

"Yes!" Dai Long secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had seen Xiao Ran earlier and was afraid that Wang Qiang would make things difficult for him. Seeing that his godfather would not pursue the matter, he immediately took a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict from behind him.

"Disciples!" Dai Long's shrill voice pierced the silence:

"I have opened this special imperial examination to widely recruit talented individuals, prioritizing their innate abilities! Those with superior abilities are like pillars of the state, fit for important posts; those with average abilities, through diligent study and gradual advancement, should be promoted to county and prefectural officials; those with inferior abilities, though they may be suited for military service, will ultimately struggle to become truly capable, but may be appointed as clerks according to their talents. The world is still uncertain, and you all still have a chance to turn things around. I hope you will all shine brightly in the next examination and not disappoint my expectations..."

After reading the imperial edict, Dai Long stepped forward and shouted, "Those with superior aptitude will have three opportunities; those with average aptitude will have two; and those with inferior aptitude will only have one! All candidates, enter through this gate, and your aptitude will be judged accordingly!" After speaking, he bowed and retreated behind Wang Qiang, standing with his head bowed.

The massive gate behind them creaked and slowly opened. A sudden crack opened, and a gust of bone-chilling wind, accompanied by a piercing shriek, surged out!

Upon seeing this, the Tan brothers rushed forward first. Both were exceptionally burly, and their demonic transformation was the most profound. As they reached the gate, the red lanterns above the lintel suddenly flickered with a greyish-white light.

The eunuch taking notes immediately announced loudly, "Both of you are of average ability!"

Even the mighty Tan brothers only possessed mid-grade root talents? Everyone in the arena was taken aback.

Immediately afterwards, the other demonized examinees filed in.

The lanterns' light mostly turned into a pale, eerie green—all indicating inferior quality.

Xiao Ran secretly estimated that, in terms of strength, Tan Shancai might have barely reached the upper level when he was alive, but unfortunately, his body had long since disappeared, so there was no point in thinking about it anymore.

“Inferior grade…inferior grade…inferior grade…”

"Thump!!" The recording eunuch's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, sharp with disbelief: "One top-grade talent!"

"Top grade?!"

Countless burning gazes instantly focused on one person. That person was short in stature, with barely noticeable signs of demonic transformation, yet possessed a superior-grade root weapon!

"Do you recognize him?" Shao Hongzhang asked in a low voice.

Xiao Ran shook his head: "Unfamiliar." He quickly recalled the faces of those who had entered with Gu Xintang and the others, confirming that this person was not among them. Could it be someone who came later? But he was certain that this person was neither Wu Man nor Jin Chanzi. Unable to figure it out, he stopped thinking about it and called to Shao Hongzhang: "Let's go, it's our turn."

After hesitating for a moment, Shao Hongzhang finally gritted his teeth and followed.

As the two approached the door, the old eunuch Wang Qiang, who had been sitting upright with his eyes closed, suddenly raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp as hooks, and precisely locked onto Shao Hongzhang. He gave Shao Hongzhang an extremely slight nod.

Shao Hongzhang was taken aback, and subconsciously nodded. The two then exchanged no further words.

Xiao Ran stepped into the gate area. The red light of the lantern hanging on the lintel swirled, and a blurry human face appeared on its surface! The face looked Xiao Ran up and down, and then the lantern burst into a dazzling silver-white light!
"A top-tier talent!!"

Xiao Ran was not surprised at all. What else could a being of the Hundred Elements type be but a superior root talent?
Just as he was confident and ready to stride confidently across the threshold of that massive gate...

A strange sense of familiarity suddenly washed over them! A bewitching red light, like a venomous snake that had caught the scent of its prey, shot out from the blood-red lantern, tearing through the air in an instant and locking onto Xiao Ran's arm with unparalleled precision...

(End of this chapter)