Chapter 134 – Listening to Waves From the Sea of Trees (2) (1/2)
The Dallying Forest covered a vast area, but for a cultivator that had completed their Purification, this was a distance that could be crossed relatively quickly. The key to crossing this evergreen forest was dependent upon finding a correct path using one’s divine sense, therefore, only those who were confident they could pass through the sea of trees would begin entering the forest – an examinee entering the forest would be an indication that they could exit, the only thing left to consider was how long they would take.
The report from the Martial Trial caused everyone in the Hall of Zhao Wen to feel shocked; Mao Qiu Yu picked up the time records and found that from the time when Chen Chang Sheng had first started to spread out his divine sense to his entering of the forest, the time taken was actually shorter than that of Liang Ban Hu’s. Prince Chen Liu could also view the records from the side and said in an astonished voice: “Could Chen Chang Sheng’s divine sense really be this strong?”
“If his divine sense really was this strong, why would he be unable to even Purify?” replied the principal of Li Palace College with an expressionless face; he did not believe in Chen Chang Sheng possessing such a strong divine sense.
Prince Chen Liu considered for a while and then answered: “From observing him previously, it seems he has completed his Purification.”
Li Palace College’s principal gave a cold laugh: “Even then, what of it? To take such a long period of time to succeed in Purification could only mean an average divine sense at best; it’s more likely that that youth couldn’t grasp the paths within the Dallying Forest, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to pass, he decided to throw caution to the wind and take his chances in the forest itself.”
The Hall of Zhao Wen once again became silent, for the words of Li Palace College’s principal sounded reasonable – currently, amongst the hundreds of examinees that were inside the forest, there must have been a considerable number that had decided to enter after being unable to map out the entire forest while outside.
Entering due to having no choice other than relying on luck to stumble upon a correct path; Chen Chang Sheng might have also made the same decision.
They all turned their gazes towards the one sat in the centre of the group, towards His Eminence, The Archbishop.
The Archbishop’s eyes remained closed, as if he was sleeping and thus, deaf to their current conversation.
What followed, caused the principal of Li Palace College’s face to quickly darken.
Reports from the forest constantly arrived at the Hall of Zhao Wen, with clergy members setting up a map to depict the present situation – a red mark indicated Chen Chang Sheng’s current position; since entering the forest he had never stopped, constantly moving onwards; though the path taken wasn’t straight, its direction could only lead forward; his consistent speed further indicated his confidence and conviction.
As time passed, the red mark representing Chen Chang Sheng continued inexorably forwards, towards the outer perimeter of the forest. Tracing out a path that might have seemed complicated, but was actually one of the simplest routes; the hall became increasingly quiet, everyone looked at the remaining section of the path, though it was still obscure they understood that it shouldn’t produce any difficulties.
Minister Xin, who had been standing outside of the hall, saw something that caused him to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead and reveal a small smile.
The clergy continued bringing in the latest updates to the Martial Trial and that attention-grabbing red mark once again moved forwards, but this time, it had moved out of the Dallying Forest.
The Hall of Zhao Wen remained quiet, the Archbishop’s eyes remained closed, not showing the least bit of concern.
The principal of Li Palace College was silent.
Prince Chen Liu musingly said: “This fellow’s divine sense was actually this strong, who could have guessed?”
It was indeed unexpected for Chen Chang Sheng, who couldn’t even complete his Purification, to have such a strong divine sense.
Mao Qiu Yu said: “After the Grand Examination, we need ask that child the process he went through to determine his Fated Star.”
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, since Chen Chang Sheng possessed such a strong divine sense, his Fated Star couldn’t have been ordinary, this needed to be clearly documented for the glory of the Zhou Dynasty.
Receiving news on the Martial Trial a little later than the Hall of Zhao Wen, the masses that had gathered outside of Li Palace quickly came to know of the latest development; cheering erupted amongst them.
Hearing the faint sounds of cheering drifting in, Mo Yu turned to Prince Chen Liu and asked: “No one dared to wager upon Chen Chang Sheng being able to place first upon the First Banner; what would you say they are cheering for?”