Examiner Jiang moved on without waiting for them to sort out their emotions, giving the next instructions. "Those whose token numbers have been called, please enter the examination hall. The rest can collect their papers and review their mistakes."
Two examiners behind Examiner Jiang stepped forward and began giving all the remaining participants their answer sheets. Slowly, the participants began examining their mistakes.
All 5 academies and 4 sects were, after all, institutes working for people under the Empire's authority. So, this was a good learning experience for these candidates, even if they've failed. It wasn't the end, but a step along a long path.
And those who learn from their mistakes might reach a far higher level than those who succeeded on their first try as failure is the best teacher.
Similar scenes were happening in the other 7 sections. Results were announced, and failed participants were asked to leave after examining their papers and realizing their mistakes.
The atmosphere in the arena remained charged with nervous energy. The results were flashing on the screens outside, but confusion reigned.
No one knew who had earned which score, so every time someone entered the examination hall, cheers erupted from the crowd. It was intentional—adding suspense, and building anticipation.
Mother Bing watched anxiously from the VIP stands, her eyes fixed on the examination hall. Yuan was competing for the first time, and she couldn't hide her worry.
She didn't care if someone from the pavilion passed, which made the pavilion people sigh. But fortunately, except for one or two, they all passed the 1st round. Her sole focus was on Yuan.
The women around her could sense her anxiety. "What's wrong, Miss Bing?" the city lord's wife, Han Jing, asked, her voice soft.
"Nothing," Mother Bing sighed. "My son's participating in the competition… I just,"
The group of women laughed lightly, the tension easing for a moment. "Being a mother is no easy task," one of them joked. "Especially when you have to take care of the big child (Husband) as well."
Laugher rose once again. A grown-up man sometimes behaves like a child.
"True," Han Jing agreed, her smile warm. "But it's an adventure in itself, isn't it? It teaches you many new things and helps you grow too."
The other mothers nodded in understanding. Children sure were a handful, but they also brought joy and happiness. At least, until they grow up and cause trouble in new ways.
Bing Shang couldn't help but smile, even as her eyes stayed glued to the examination hall as Yuan entered the examination hall with Lu Ze and others. Her son had made it this far. That, at least, was something to be proud of.
As the last of the participants entered the hall, Examiner Jiang stepped forward once again and said,
"There are 206 of you remaining. You will be divided into five teams. This stage will last only 2 hours. Shortly, five beasts will be brought in and each team has 20 minutes to evaluate one beast before moving to the next."
Examiner Jiang signaled to bring the beast cages in as he continued, "The last 20 minutes are free for you to do anything. The top 40 candidates will advance to the next stage."
The participants exchanged glances, and Jiang's next words sent them into action. "Split into five teams."
After splitting into 5 teams of around 40 participants, Yuan found himself in the fourth team, alongside Lu Zi and several others.
The first round was the same for everyone: a test of knowledge. But the second round... that was where the true challenge lay. Each section had its own unique test. Beast tamers had to tame a beast, beast curers had to heal one, and alchemists were tasked with recognizing herbs and composing a pill recipe.
Soon, 5 different size cages were brought in, each containing a different beast. The scent of the beasts filled the air—sweat, fur, and something wilder. Each participant was provided with a pen and paper to write their evaluation report.
A look of excitement flashed across Yuan's eyes.
"Your time starts now," Examiner Jiang said as he started the timer, his voice ringing with authority.
Instantly, the hall exploded into motion as each participant rushed to their respective cages to examine the beasts. Yuan approached the first cage, where a wild rabbit sat motionless. The beast's red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
It was the most common wild beast, the "Red-eyed rabbit", which Yuan had evaluated a lot of times. He studied the rabbit with practiced eyes, his mind already making quick assessments as he began to write down the evaluation report.
Beast Type: Red-eyed rabbit
Gender: Male
Age: Infant (around 10 days to a half month old)
Colour: White
Grade: No star, a wild animal
Level: Unclassified, a wild animal
Talent: High Speed
Element: None
Growth potential: None, unless nourished by rare herbs or a special treasure.
Yuan examined the rabbit one more time and nodded to himself, satisfied with his assessment. He then moved on to the next cage.
More than ten people surrounded it, but Yuan's focus was unshaken. The beast within was a "Storm Hawk", a flying category War Beast known for its ferocity.
Yuan immediately began evaluating the beast and scribbled quickly, marking down his observations.
Beast Type: Storm hawk
Gender: Male
Age: Young (more than 9 months old)
Colour: Silver-white
Grade: 1 star,
Level: Level 1
Talent: Speed, Wind Storm, Wings-Blade
Element: Wind element
Growth potential: Up to Mid-stage level 3
After finishing his report, Yuan turned to two more cages—one containing a long-horn rhino, and the other a stone lizard. Both were 2-star beasts, easy enough to evaluate, especially after receiving the lectures for a whole month. Soon. he made an evaluation report of them.
But it was the last cage, the one that held a snake, that he avoided.
Yuan's gaze flickered to the Golden-Tongued Python; its massive coils unmoving. Instantly, he knew what it was—an extremely rare and venomous snake. But he didn't want to evaluate it.
Not many people noticed this oddity, besides Han Jie (The representative of King Shu Academy) and his parents.
Han Jie frowned slightly, puzzled by Yuan. His parents exchanged a knowing look but said nothing. Yuan's hatred for the snake family was well-known to them, though it had softened somewhat over the years. Still, it was clear he wasn't about to evaluate that particular creature.