Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 213 Participating in the Trial (Just Joining the Fun)

After the Battle of Dingling City, Xuan Chong conducted a screening of the prisoners, keeping some of the horned people who could tame beasts to ensure the daily care of these Triceratops behemoths; the majority of the remaining horned people who were not deeply corrupted by the Evil Moon would also serve as laborers for the construction of the port.

In December of the second year of the Tongzheng calendar, Kau hired adventurers from the port to transport Silverhorn's sixteen men, bound hand and foot, to Griffin City by sailboat.

It was only thanks to the horned people's strong vitality after being modified by witchcraft that they were able to heal even after being shot so many times and having the lead bullets dug out.

After Kau returned to the city-state, many winged people surrounded the wooden cage, watching their enemy. The horned people corrupted by the evil moon roared, some trying to use witchcraft, but the obsidian seal on the iron cage blocked their spiritual power.

This type of obsidian, which is unique to the thorn forest, is called "Yin Sha Ghost Stone" by the Grand Master of Alchemy; it is a strange object that can taint spiritual energy.

In the city-state, the old king and Prince Lurg watched from the tower as their kingdom's archenemy was paraded through the streets in a cage.

The King: "What is your opinion of our northern allies?"

Luger: "This time they faithfully fulfilled the contract, at least this time."

The king's tone became somewhat questioning: "And what about next time? Will our relationship with them be that of allies or masters and servants?"

Lurger remained silent. This was because, after the war, Xuan Chong had told Kau that the battle had not been fought in vain, and that the Feathered Clan needed to provide women for marriage alliances.

The king said, "Da Yao is a powerful empire. If we are to form a marriage alliance, I hope that Xi Yuan can marry the general from the north."

Under his father's blue gaze, Lurger's pupils gradually turned blue as well: "That General Da Yao did not approve of this matter."

The king revealed his obsession: "Kau said he wants to participate in our King's Test. What do you think will happen if he passes the trial?"—What he could not tolerate most was a knight who was originally loyal to him developing a cult of personality towards someone else.

Luger struggled to shift between good and evil: "If he passes the trial, it proves he is worthy of being king. I will admire him."

The king's pupils darkened further: "If you think so too, then it means he can find a large number of followers in the Tranquil Sea."

…the concepts of etiquette and lineage…

Inside the tent, Xuan Chong asked the civil officials and attendants who had come to practice their skills, "The Feathered Clan city-state wants to form a marriage alliance with us. What do you all think?"

"No way!" a student exclaimed immediately, and then everyone else followed suit, explaining the pros and cons.

Xuan Chong smiled as he looked at the students and asked them to state their reasons.

Xuan Chong himself never intended to agree to the marriage proposal from the Feather Clan city-state lord, who offered his daughter as a gift. He simply didn't want to send Xuan Chong away.

If Xuan Chong and she have a child, although they will not have any right to inherit the Southern Frontier, it will pose a great threat to Dingling City and the trade route to the Thorn Ridge in the north. This is because these two places are too close to the territory of the Feather Clan and could be split off by the Feather Clan's native forces.

From the perspective of the most serious national interests: if the Feathered Clan were to carve out territories in the name of Wu Fei's descendants in the future, then the Dingling City and the Thorn Ridge trade route that were carved out would inevitably become culturally Feathered. Just like the current warring states within the Great Yao, they are all fighting for their own territories under the guise of the legitimate lineage of the Emperor.

Xuan Chong was no Alexander the Great. After his expedition, his vast territory was fragmented amidst internal strife among his descendants. And the lands Xuan Chong conquered had no intention of returning. Even if he couldn't swallow them all today, he wanted to keep them for himself.

Those who follow Xuan Chong may have offspring, but Xuan Chong, as the ruler, cannot. As for the future offspring of Wu Lu, whether they will marry into noble families with winged bloodlines on the southern border depends on the degree of "Yao-ification" in that region. Barbarians are not worthy of intermarrying with the nobles of the Central Plains.

After the students finished their persuasion, Xuan Chong nodded and said, "That's right. When it comes to public power, we must be cautious. Local private clans may use marriage alliances to interfere with public affairs. So, how about you all come up with a plan?"

While sincerely accepting advice, Xuan Chong began to remind these future key ministers that they would face no less temptation from beautiful women than he would!

The students soon came to the conclusion that in the future, the marriages of officials who wield public power would require the monarch's approval.

These interns were so happy with their suggestions, since they weren't state officials anyway! But a few years later, they were dumbfounded to find that they had brought trouble upon themselves.

…Xuan Chong: Boys who conquer other worlds must be careful about the issue of territories becoming joint property after marriage…

In Dingling City, Xuan Chong is observing a place that the locals call the Tranquil Sea, also known as the Dingling Ocean.

Xuan Chong began to study how to handle the "trial".

On the nautical chart, the sea area occupied by the Feathered Clan has several place names such as Tranquil Sea, Swift Ocean, and Bohe Strait.

The Tranquil Sea, located on the equator, is quite unique in that it is perfectly circular. This circle is so perfectly regular that it almost looks "artificial." The center of the circle is perpetually shrouded in mist.

In the legends of the Feathered Race, only a king can pass through their central region. The Horned People previously caused trouble, hindering the Feathered Race's path to trial in the north.

Xuan Chong observed through a high-altitude probe that there was something rising directly from the horizon in the central area of ​​the Tranquil Sea.

A few days later, Xuan Chong made a special trip to Chiyou Mountain to look up information. In the ship's system database, there were two pieces of information that Xuan Chong couldn't understand, but felt were very important.

The intelligent description in the minerals database states: "This planet meets the conditions for extraterrestrial mining. A large amount of 'cosmic covenant matter' has been injected into its core, which can form an anti-gravity field in the region. Therefore, large amounts of material can be sent into space orbit."

The AI ​​recording the spread of interstellar culture states: "This star sector belongs to the Immortal Realm, whose inhabitants have a tradition of building floating palaces. (Xuan Chong understands this; there are several floating palaces in Yaodu, rumored to have been built by immortals.)"

However, immediately following this intelligent labeling of the "floating" palace's location, in addition to marking the Heavenly Palace of Yaodu, the Tranquil Sea area was also marked. Furthermore, because the celestial palace in the Tranquil Sea is extremely high, it requires positioning services from the ground. Therefore, the founders of the celestial palace would leave behind a "celestial servant group" on the ground, allowing the "celestial servants" to periodically carry positioning chips back and forth between heaven and earth.

Xuan Chong felt he had grasped a clue when he read this content; because the work of these immortal servants seemed to be particularly relevant to the Feather Clan's trials.

Xuan Chong quipped: So the Feather Clan Trial was actually like "unclogging the pipes for the Immortal Palace," and the genetic enhancement granted after unclogging the pipes was taken as the bloodline reward for passing the trial.

…Deconstructing culture…

In April of the third year of the Tongzheng calendar, Dingling City was completed. After presiding over the city's sacrificial ceremony, Xuan Chong rushed to Storm City to prepare for the sea trial ceremony.

However, Xuan Chong only allowed Ang Ri and a few other close confidants, as well as Mu Yun Kuo Hai, a local subordinate, to accompany him.

Firstly, they didn't want the "trial culture" to permeate their own city and become an established custom. After all, it was a barbarian custom.

Secondly, he didn't want his risky actions to become known. Xuan Chong knew that if he mentioned "trials," the soldiers would definitely object.

In the port of Storm City, groups of Winged Race members waited aboard their Wind-Riding Ships. The Winged Race observers used astrolabes to observe the angles of the distant starry sky, because the Winged Race believed that the Divine Palace passage would only open when the three most sacred stars intersected.

At this moment, all the winged people need to do is spread their wings and, like moths to a flame, follow the guidance of the stars into the tunnel that leads from the divine palace to the ground.

Because this tunnel, which runs directly from the sea to the divine palace, is invisible to the naked eye. Only the Feathered Race can sense it after flying over and reaching a certain altitude. For the Feathered Race, this is quite exhausting. However, for Xuan Chong, he could already see the line hanging from the sky in his field of vision. It was a passage that remained straight even in the distorted space of the Evil Moon.

Storm City is about 270 kilometers away from that passage, so the Feathered Clan used giant eagles to pull carts across the sea to find the correct target point before taking flight.

Before many eyes, Xuan Chong ascended into the sky, not with the wings of the Feather Clan, but with a set of unorthodox tools he had created himself.

This was a propeller plane, also equipped with four rocket thrusters filled with compressed gas and oxygen. —As he boarded this contraption, Xuan Chong checked his own mecha folding bay. If things went wrong, he would simply unfold his mecha and fly down. Actually, the mecha could fly up, but it was unique and couldn't be replicated. Xuan Chong had compiled a database of the methods for creating this set of "equipment" needed for ascension, recording it in a jade slip.

Xuan Chong hopes that future practitioners of other paths can follow this method and replicate the Feather Clan's ascension trial.

After all, the Feather Clan Trials are all about getting rewards after you go up. This is a plan for the younger generation of Yao people to leave behind a "claim".

To the astonishment of the winged people, the flying machine roared into the sky, soared to the top of the clouds, then detached and ascended into the air on flames.

Half an hour later, inside the silica glass dome, Xuan Chong watched as sparks flew from the friction of the large amount of dust around him, realizing he had crashed into the "tunnel descending from the heavens." Only within the atmosphere where the tunnel column was located could so much dust be suspended. Suddenly, the plane pulled up sharply, taking off like a spring rising from the ground.

Suddenly, Xuan Chong felt the gravity begin to gradually weaken. He checked the altimeter and found that he was at an altitude of 5,000 meters! In the past, only the kings of the Feathered Clan could float here, touch this low gravity zone, and then ascend into the sky.

Xuan Chong looked down at the earth. The horizon was distorted, as if a sheet had been pinched and lifted up. Xuan Chong looked south towards the pointed cone that was marked on the map as Death Island, which was being polluted by a force falling from the sky.

Xuan Chong looked up in the direction of Xie Yue. At least from this angle, that area resembled a black hole, and only the distortion of starlight could confirm Xie Yue's existence. This distortion had already reflected an entrance leading directly to Xie Yue on the ground.

…a clash with tradition…

Within the city-state of the Feathered Race, groups of Feathered Race people gazed up at the distant celestial pillar. For once a Feathered Race astrologer entered the tunnel, they would see a point of light appear on the previously invisible pillar.

For a specific example, refer to the Tyndall effect; light beams are invisible from other angles, but become visible through dust scattering. The winged race's emission of light upon entering the celestial pillar is not due to the Tyndall effect, but rather the gathering of photons from the surrounding space.

Within this Heavenly Pillar Passage, any individual member of the Feathered Race would generate a hundred times more light relative to the outside world, but now the Xuanchong Flying Vehicle is very large, generating thousands of times more light.

On the white tower and the masts of the sailboats, the winged nobles were abuzz with discussion. These winged people quickly realized that the northern Yao people had won the trial. Of course, their attitude at this point wasn't one of blind obedience. Xuan Chong didn't encounter the plot of American blockbusters where the protagonist learns local skills and is then recognized by the local elders.

Soon, a member of the traditional Winged Clan shouted, "These outsiders are not following the rules; they do not pass the trial!"

As several winged creatures egged them on, many others chimed in, saying, "If you didn't fly up with wings, it doesn't count!" "It doesn't count, what kind of trial is this? I could do it with that machine!"

Pairs of wings flapped, like raptors baring their fangs and brandishing their claws.

…xenophobic…

The escorts, including Angri and Muyun Kuohai, sensed the danger as they rushed over.

Mu Yun Kuohai: "My lord, what about us? (He hesitated, wanting to retreat)"

Angri glanced at him indifferently: "Your loyalty is wavering."

Mu Yun Kuohai was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "My lord, it's me!"

Angri interrupted him, "Stay here."

As Ang Ri prepared to summon Tai Yue Luan, he suddenly saw a familiar face—the Cang Meng mage.

Angri stared at him, and unexpectedly, at this time when the Feather Clan was in a state of high spirits, this "prophet" walked straight over without regard for the storm of public opinion created by the Feather Clan.

Angri gripped the sword.

However, Cang Meng said, "Lord Angri, it's been a long time."

Angri: "Yes, and what message do you bring this time?"

Cang Meng looked at the distant storm clouds and saw Xie Yue's tentacles descending: "The demon is coming soon. Please tell the Lord of Nanling to prepare."

Angri glanced at the Feathered Clan around him, who were filled with xenophobic hostility: "Is this the place you're talking about where the Evil Moon Descends?"

Cang Meng: "Yes."

Ang Ri quipped: But we're not welcome here.

Cang Meng raised his hand, and a surge of energy forcibly silenced the sounds of the Feathered Clan members within a hundred feet. The Feathered Clan fell silent instantly. An elderly nobleman recognized Cang Meng and pointed at him, mouthing, "You, you are!"

Cang Meng ignored him and said to Ang Ri, "They are all fools. We wise men cannot be deceived by them."

Ang Ri swallowed hard. Cang Meng's cultivation level was higher than his. He might not be able to defeat her now.

Angri: "Since you believe that a 'calamity' is imminent, why don't you tell my lord yourself, instead of having me relay it?"

Cang Meng sighed: "That person is the chosen one. I can only observe from afar and cannot touch him; otherwise, I will suffer a calamity of fire."

Angri: "My lord does not like to be directed by external forces."

Cang Meng smiled bitterly: "It's not that I ordered him, but that he is a celestial being. He follows the will of Heaven, and I observe and obey it."

…disaster…

On a ship fifty kilometers away, Jinjiao was furious. He gritted his teeth after hearing from the people of Beishangjiao, whom he had rescued, about the death of his brother.

Jinjiao said sadly, "Brother, I warned you long ago that you must be careful when you encounter the Fiery Fate of the North. You must not touch it directly, or you will be burned. Why didn't you listen?"

The other people on the ship also knelt down. Compared to Silver Horn's unpredictable temper, Gold Horn maintained a relatively stable personality when he received the blessing of Evil Moon, and he used this courage to subdue his subordinates.

Seeing their leader so heartbroken, the surrounding tribal leaders cried out, "Master, we must avenge the Second Master!"

Jinjiao gritted his teeth: "Of course we must take revenge! Contact all our lines, and I will burn every city on the northern shore of the Tranquil Sea."

What Jinjiao meant by "getting moving" was to unite the horned people's slaves in all the winged city-states in an uprising. That's right—on this coastline, the horned people are slaves of the winged people.

Xuan Chong had studied the Feathered Clan, especially after secretly dissecting their corpses. He determined that they had very strong muscle explosiveness, and their combat style was more about skill and agility. They were good at using double-edged swords, or combinations of daggers and shields, but their stamina was insufficient. If they wore 20 kilograms of heavy armor, their stamina would be easily exhausted.

On another level, the winged people are not good at manual labor, so they capture horned people as slaves to make up for their lack of labor force during the construction of their city.

Of course, because the Feathered Race had long held a dominant position, while the Horned People were relegated to a lower status, their beliefs differed. While the Feathered People sang hymns and offered prayers to the sky in bliss, the Horned People knelt in darkness and offered prayers to the earth in anguish. (This demonstrates the power of the caste system, enabling both the ruling and enslaved races to share a common faith.)
Because the people of the Horned have no outlet for their suffering, the power they believe in tends towards "chaos," hoping that after the order disappears, they will have a sliver of hope in the dark, which is what the Evil Moons yearn for.

Golden Horn arrived at the bow of the ship, and eight winged people were hoisted out, their wings broken and twisted, their eyes gouged out; a demonic ritual had begun.

A crimson power spread across the ship, and then all 666 horned people crammed on board were blessed. The four-colored evil moon enveloped the ship filled with horned people.

(End of this chapter)