Dual Transmigration: American Prison, Surviving to a Fantasy Development Stage

Liangzhou City, Governor's Residence.

The atmosphere inside the main hall was solemn. A dozen prefects sat on either side, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air, but no one had the mind to touch the teacups.

Today is the last gathering before the state examination.

Governor Ding Jianyang sat upright in the main seat, wearing a scarlet official robe. He had a thin face, three long wisps of beard, and his eyes were gentle yet scrutinizing.

He looked around and spoke slowly.

"Gentlemen, it is a rare opportunity for us to gather together."

After this martial arts examination concludes, I will certainly reward you all handsomely.

As he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Zhao Boli, intentionally or unintentionally.

In Huayang Prefecture, two outstanding scholars emerged from a single martial arts examination.

The news had already reached his ears.

This was a grand event that hadn't been seen in Liangzhou for many years.

What does the Innate Realm mean?

This means that making it into the top 100 of the martial arts examination is now a certainty.

If they're lucky enough to break into the top ten of the league, that would be even more amazing.

At that time, not only will Huayang Prefecture be proud, but he, as the governor of Liangzhou, will also have a significant achievement to show for it.

Ding Jianyang was pleased, but he didn't show it on his face. He simply nodded slightly to Zhao Boli.

Zhao Boli understood immediately and was about to get up to thank him when a prefect with a long beard spoke up first.

"Lord Zhao, you are truly blessed."

The prefect looked on with envy and said in a sour tone, "I heard that Huayang Prefecture has produced two extraordinary figures this time."

One is Wu Changning, the son of the former prefect Wu Bin, a young prodigy at the Innate Realm.

Another one, supposedly a dark horse, is named Lin Feng, whose strength is estimated to be at the Innate Realm as well. Two Innate Realm experts from one prefecture—that's truly remarkable, something to be envied!

As soon as he said this, the prefects present all echoed his sentiments.

"Yes, yes, Lord Zhao is truly blessed with unparalleled good fortune."

"How did Lord Zhao end up with such a good thing?"

"In our several prefectures, it's already quite good if we can have someone at the peak of the Acquired Realm; we wouldn't even dare to dream of someone at the Innate Realm."

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, their words dripping with sarcasm.

No wonder they're sour.

Zhao Boli was appointed as the prefect in a time of crisis.

He was promoted from the position of acting magistrate of Yongguan County after the unexpected death of his predecessor, Wu Bin.

Who would have thought that, having just become the prefect, he would be caught up in such a martial arts examination, which produced two outstanding scholars?

This was like a pie falling from the sky and hitting him right on the head.

If only these two innate talents were born in my own household, how wonderful that would be?

Once his achievements are reported to his superiors, a promotion is just around the corner.

Zhao Boli felt the sour looks from everyone and was secretly delighted.

He remained outwardly calm, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and waved his hand modestly.

"Not at all, sirs, you flatter me."

I presume that your households are not lacking either, but you are simply keeping the news hidden and unwilling to reveal it.

"Maybe there will be a surprise when we step into the ring."

This was a perfectly worded statement, flattering everyone without appearing arrogant.

Ding Jianyang looked at this scene and said with a smile, "Zhao Boli, you don't need to be modest."

Huayang Prefecture produced two Xiantian (innate) level experts, and regardless of their achievements, these are all genuine accomplishments.

"Once the provincial examination is over, I will certainly report to His Majesty and request commendation for you."

After saying that, he was in a rather pleasant mood.

Regardless of which prefecture's Xiantian is located within Liangzhou, if his subordinates produce talented individuals, he, as the governor, will feel proud.

Upon hearing the governor's words, Zhao Boli's lips curled up slightly, and he quickly stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "This is all thanks to the governor's excellent guidance; I am merely benefiting from your influence."

"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to know how to flatter so well." Ding Jianyang stroked his beard and laughed.

Although he was a prefect, in terms of background, he might not be as powerful as Zhao Boli.

The Zhao family was a first-rate family in the Great Wei Dynasty.

Zhao Boli was able to become a prefect at such a young age, so there must be someone behind him.

However, everyone understood these words without saying a word.

Just then, a young guard rushed in and whispered a few words in Ding Jianyang's ear.

After listening, Ding Jianyang nodded and waved for the guards to leave.

He stood up, straightened his official robes, and said to the crowd, "All one hundred and fifty scholars have arrived. The competition will begin soon."

Gentlemen, please follow me to the drill ground.

"Yes, Lord Ding."

All the prefects stood up and followed Ding Jianyang outside.

The autumn air was crisp and clear, the sky a deep, clear blue without a single cloud.

Inside the training ground of Liangzhou City, 150 martial arts scholars stood in neat rows.

They were dressed in various outfits, with swords hanging at their waists. Although they tried their best to maintain a shocked expression, they were still very nervous inside.

Many people whispered among themselves to the scholars from the same household, discussing whose abilities were stronger.

For them, this state exam was a life-changing opportunity.

Although there is only a one-word difference between a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination) and a Juren (a scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination), they are two completely different social classes.

If you passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), you would have the opportunity to be sent down to a local area to become a small city lord or a county magistrate.

He then entered officialdom, bringing honor to his ancestors.

But a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations is ultimately just a title; he is still far from having any real power.

This is a step that many people can't take in their entire lives.

The sun gradually rose higher.

Si Shi (9-11 AM) and Wu Shi (11 AM-1 PM).

With the sun blazing overhead and it almost noon, the competition still hadn't started.

The scholars were getting impatient, and a buzz of discussion arose in the line.

But I didn't dare say anything.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

Several carriages slowly approached, with soldiers clearing the way in front and behind.

The carriage was lavishly decorated, and the flags of the Liangzhou Governor's Office were hung on the carriage.

A junior officer strode forward and shouted, "Silence! The Prefect has arrived!"

The entire room fell silent.

All eyes turned toward the carriage.

The carriage came to a stop, and the curtain was lifted.

A middle-aged man dressed in a scarlet official robe slowly stepped down from the carriage.

He was slender, with three long wisps of beard, and his face was gentle yet dignified.

It was Ding Jianyang, the governor of Liangzhou, whose strength was at the peak of the Innate Realm.

Behind him, more than a dozen prefects filed down and followed him toward the high platform.

Ding Jianyang climbed onto the high platform, looked around, and his gaze swept over the 150 young faces.

He nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Indeed. You are all outstanding talents of Liangzhou. To be able to stand here is already a testament to your exceptional abilities."

Today is your crucial moment to leap over the dragon gate; you must seize this opportunity.

He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, enough with the chit-chat."

This official hereby announces—the Liangzhou Provincial Examination has officially begun!

As soon as he finished speaking, the chief examiner strode forward and shouted:

"The lottery begins!"

The crowd began to line up to draw lots.

Lin Feng was in the middle of the line. When it was his turn, he reached into the box and took out a wooden plaque.

Group 6, Class A3.

The examiner continued to announce the rules: "In order to select the best possible candidates, this state exam will be divided into fifteen groups, with ten people in each group."

Each player must play one match against each of the other nine players in their group. The top three players with the most wins advance. The first round has the most eliminations, with 105 players being eliminated.

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

Some people were so nervous their hands and feet were trembling, some were eager to try, and some were secretly calculating their chances of winning.

Lin Feng stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the contestants who were drawing lots.

Fifteen groups, ten people in each group, nine matches.

This competition format is reasonable, as it minimizes the element of luck.

To advance, you have to fight your way through each match.

After the draw, the first group of ten people stepped onto the stage.

Game start.

Lin Feng stood below the stage, watching with great interest.

The first group consists of ten people with varying skill levels.

The strongest one is at the peak of the Acquired Realm, with a calm aura and clean, decisive moves.

The weakest one was only at the peak of internal strength—he might be able to dominate in the county examination, but in the prefectural examination, he was just a pushover.

It was almost an instant kill; he was knocked off the stage with a single move from the peak of internal energy, clutching his chest and unable to get up for a long time.

Lin Feng was somewhat surprised that even those at the Inner Strength Realm could sneak in, indicating a shortage of talent.

On stage, the competition continued.

Because the skill gap in the first group was too large, the top three were quickly determined.

The competition didn't finish until 6 PM, when the sixth group finished.

"Lin Feng, a scholar from Huayang Prefecture, has successfully advanced to the next level."