What Wei Yuan valued most in the regulations was the martial test section, which was something Zhang Sheng had never mentioned before.
The martial test gathered all the candidates into a Grotto Heaven Illusion Realm, where they were randomly divided into two teams to battle each other. Each team had a strategic point, and victory was declared by either annihilating the enemy or capturing and holding the enemy's strategic point.
After reading the regulations, Wei Yuan still had many questions. How were the two teams divided during the martial test? Who would command them? How could the disciples become familiar with each other, and cooperate? Would weapons be issued, and would the equipment be appropriate? Although Wei Yuan had read many historical accounts of real battles and studied some basic military strategy, there were too many unknowns to make any deductions.
Wei Yuan pondered repeatedly, and it seemed he could only adapt to the situation during the test. After all, the scores were calculated based on eliminating enemies, so he would count as many as he could eliminate. Having personally fought against refugees at the age of three, Wei Yuan certainly did not fear fighting.
At this moment, the door was gently knocked.
Wei Yuan opened the door, only to see several youths standing outside. The one in the middle, with delicate features and dressed in blue finery, was only slightly shorter than Wei Yuan. By the standards of the mountains in Ye County, this youth should be around eleven or twelve years old.
All these youths exuded an air of nobility, and some looked upon Wei Yuan's tall stature but regarded his coarse clothes with a trace of disdain.
The youth in the center seemed impressed by Wei Yuan's size and said brightly, "I am Li Zhi, the eldest son of Duke Hui En of Southern Qi. How should I address brother?"
Wei Yuan was slightly surprised, for the youth across from him obviously had a noble status, but he had not expected him to be the son of the Duke of Southern Qi.
Although Wei Yuan had never heard of Duke Hui En, he was aware of the officialdom in various countries. The title of Duke Hui En not only denoted a duke but also royal lineage. Moreover, Southern Qi was currently very powerful, with recent battles causing Ji Country to suffer greatly.
But why had the Duke of Southern Qi's son traveled all the way to Fengyuan County in Ji Country to take the exam?
Seeing Li Zhi's inquiry, Wei Yuan recalled the young Daoist's advice and thus replied, "I'm truly sorry, but the Daoist earlier said we must not reveal our identities and names."
One of the youths next to Li Zhi sneered, "Do you really think such rules can restrain us? Brother Li has found you, which means it's your opportunity! Not seizing it now might mean it will become someone else's later. You're so old and seem so clueless, are you really a local from Fengyuan? Haha!"
Another youth said, "Judging by the clothes, that seems about right. The other locals from Fengyuan we saw earlier were also dressed in rags."
Wei Yuan remained silent.
Li Zhi did not stop the other youths, nor did he join in their ridicule. Instead, he glanced into the room and saw the regulations on the desk. Smiling, he said, "So brother is such a diligent student. But the regulations are just a bunch of nonsense. I, Li Zhi, do not like to beat around the bush. I'm here for the martial test."
The martial test? Wei Yuan's interest was piqued, and he replied, "I would like to hear the details."
Seeing him finally react, Li Zhi perked up and said, "The martial test is actually about gathering the will of the masses. Judging solely by the regulations, each person will be evaluated on their individual actions during the test, where the victors don't necessarily score high, and the losers don't necessarily score low. But with a little thought, one would realize that if you actually lose, how high could your evaluation be? Therefore, if you want to succeed in the martial test, the key is actually before the test begins."
All of this was beyond anything Wei Yuan had considered, so he listened intently.
Li Zhi went on, "Why do they gather us in the dormitory ahead of time, yet do not prohibit us from meeting each other? This is to let us organize and establish connections in this period, to clarify the distinctions between leaders and followers. For this martial test, I will adopt a military structure, setting up positions like General, Guerrilla, Vanguard, and so on in advance, with the rest as Soldiers. Once we enter the martial test, we will assemble immediately and follow military commands strictly. Only then can we execute strategic moves and act with precision! Our side will be an elite group facing the enemy's rabble, how could we not be victorious?"
At that point, Li Zhi sized up Wei Yuan's physique and smiled, "I see brother has quite the presence, the role of Vanguard suits no one better than you! If we successfully take the martial test, how about I guarantee you a place in a Third-class Blessed Land? And if brother achieves great merit, securing a spot in a Second-class Cave Heaven is also within reach."
Wei Yuan was startled, never expecting that the treasured Cave Heaven Illusion Realm slots, which were extremely precious on normal days, could be given away so casually according to Li Zhi.
Wei Yuan still remembered his father, Wei Youcai's greatest hope before he departed was for him to join the Red Tide Sect and officially embark on the Immortal Path, to live for dozens more years. And yet, slots in sects like the Red Tide Sect, in Li Zhi's eyes, were deemed too meager to even mention as gifts.
Still young, Wei Yuan only felt an inexplicable pressure in his heart without understanding why. However, he did have a question and since Li Zhi was willing to speak, he continued to ask, "Then what if after I accept Brother Li's invitation, we end up in different groups?"
Li Zhi laughed and said, "Age hasn't been lived in vain for Brother here, that's a good question. The division of groups is personally decided by the mighty ones, and I don't know who will be in which group. If Brother ends up in another group, then turning your coat at a critical moment is possible. Even if doing that lowers your evaluation, the others in your group would score even lower, and your ranking would actually rise. To take a step back, even if Brother ends up with a poor score, I will provide additional compensation. An opportunity in a Third-class Blessed Land at least will not escape you. So, now, Brother, are you willing to reveal your name?"
Wei Yuan shook his head and said, "The regulations stipulate that one must not divulge their identity or name before the exam."
The smile on Li Zhi's face became stiff.
He forced a smile and said, "Rules, such things, are chains to the common folk, but in our hands, they are but whips to drive us forward. Since Brother has followed me, there is no need to worry about rules."
"If Brother Li has no other matters, I'll continue reading the regulations," said Wei Yuan as he bowed to Li Zhi and then went back to his room, closing the door behind him.
The surrounding youths could not contain themselves, those with better upbringing accused Wei Yuan of having eyes but failing to recognize a true Immortal, while those with worse simply cursed out loud.
In their view, Wei Yuan was just a local of humble origin and advanced age; gaining admission to the Red Tide Sect was already a stroke of great fortune for him. Even core disciples of a Fourth-class Sect had no privilege to speak to them, and here was Li Zhi offering a Third-class favor, yet Wei Yuan dared to do so without bowing gratefully?
Li Zhi did not get angry, he calmly said, "It's okay, there will always be those who consider themselves above it all. When they see their final scores, they will regret it on their own."
Li Zhi then went past Wei Yuan's room, approaching the next door. Before he could knock, the door swung open, and a youth with a full-faced smile rushed out saying, "I'm from Yong State Linghe County... no, Fengyuan County's Lu Duan, willing to follow Brother Li's lead!"
Another door opened, and a young girl emerged, bowing deeply, "Yan State's Wang Siqiao, wishes to follow Brother Li."
Then, several doors opened one after the other, and a few young boys and girls came out.
"Duan Qian wishes to follow Brother Li!"
"Cao Wan wishes to fight alongside Brother Li!"
...
Li Zhi's smile was already blooming like a flower, helping every boy and girl to their feet, giving consolation and promises with a voice as gentle as a spring breeze, artfully playing out a scene befitting of a ruler and his ministers.
Inside his room, Wei Yuan continued to read the regulations.
What Li Zhi had just said was true, rules are but chains to others, but are whips in one's own hand. This might fool others, but deceiving Wei Yuan, who was well-read in history, was not so easy. Li Zhi's status was special and he could openly defy the rules without repercussions. But if Wei Yuan revealed his name and identity before the exam, just that alone would be enough to cancel his eligibility for the unified examination. So, had Wei Yuan responded just now, he would have handed the control over his life and death directly to Li Zhi.
Such examples were as common as strands of hair in the history books; how could Wei Yuan fall for such a trap?