Chapter 230 (2/2)

Then, they would be presented with two options. The first one was to continue to stay in the academy to continue to pursue advanced studies and the mysteries behind ether particles. This was a path where one researched cultivation.

The second option was that after one reached the bottleneck, the person could leave the academy. The Empire would naturally help arrange a good position outside, which was not limited to positions in the Ministry of Finance, in the army, in the Royal Weaponry, or in the Royal Knight Association. It could also be the position of an academy’s Headmaster, a City Lord, or a Marshal of the Imperial Guards who was tasked with the job of leading regional troops. They were all great positions.

Of course, after leaving the Regional Academy, they would not be able to return to continue their studies. The only exception was passing the National Selection, which would allow them to continue cultivating in the Empire’s National Academy located in the Imperial Capital.

No matter how talented Fang Xingjian was, the ten Heavenly Barriers Conferred Knights had to face were extremely tough. Devitt thought to himself that no matter how fast Fang Xingjian was, he would still need to stay in the academy for a number of years. Devitt would thus have lots of time to employ sugar-coated bullets to coax the secrets of the Pantheon Monument out from Fang Xingjian.

The spectators at the back were all stunned. The seventh level of the Pantheon Monument, to solve all of the mysteries behind the Pantheon Monument… What kind of concept was this? It was something that had not been accomplished for the past two hundred years, but now, it was accomplished by a seventeen year old young man.

The four examiners who had been extremely solemn and strict all this time were now surrounding Fang Xingjian. Their expressions, their actions, were all simply as if they were looking at their own kids.

Amidst the crowd, Tresia’s Xiu Yi frowned as horror filled his eyes, “Impossible! Impossible! No one has been able to solve the final mysteries behind the Pantheon Monument! How could Fang Xingjian have done it? Have I heard incorrectly? My eyes must have been playing tricks on me… I must have heard wrong…”

However, the six circles of light on Fang Xingjian’s back were still flashing in his mind.

He felt that it was the first time that his life had become like an illusion, as if he was witnessing a legend.

Amidst everyone’s extremely astonished gazes, Devitt and the other three examiners returned to their original positions. They had exchanged words with the old man who guarded the Pantheon Monument and understood Fang Xingjian’s situation.

Devitt was beaming, seeming very satisfied with this year’s results. He smiled and said, “The results of this selection’s Pantheon Monument Observation have far surpassed that of previous years. A total of thirteen examinees had results in comprehending the Pantheon Monument’s mysteries. Out of them, there were three who comprehended the second level, two who comprehended the third level, and one who comprehended the fifth level…”

He then finally went on to announce the most shocking news, “… But what I’m happiest to hear is that our Great Western Region Regional Academy’s Pantheon Monument has finally been fully solved. The seventh level has been comprehended, something which no one has ever succeeded in before.

“Fang Xingjian. He has solved all seven levels of the Pantheon Monument’s mysteries and has comprehended the Melancholic Monarch’s greatest legacy. Therefore, I’m pleased to announce that the one to be placed in first position in the Pantheon Monument Observation is Fang Xingjian.”

In that instant, everyone broke out in applause. Lilia, Ferdinand, Anthony, and Robert all clapped furiously, their palms turning red.

Xiu Yi and Zhou Yong looked at this scene in disbelief, feeling as if they were still in a dream.

The young ladies who had been cheering for Hoult were all rendered speechless, as if someone was grabbing their necks.

The other rankings were based on the level the individuals had comprehended. Those who had comprehended the same level would be further distinguished by the time they took to comprehend. If the amount of time they took was the same as well, then it would be based on the prowess of the martial arts they had comprehended.

In the third stage, sixteen examinees would be selected. Other than the twelve who had comprehended the Pantheon Monument’s mysteries, the remaining examinees would have to verbalize what they had comprehended, and demonstrate the little martial arts they had gained. They would then be assessed.

There were people who had tried to put on an act, people who had spouted rubbish, as well as people who had some truth in what they spoke and were not far from attaining a breakthrough in their comprehensions.

These people were naturally all assessed. However, there were not many spectators who had their attention on them. Everyone’s focus was now on Fang Xingjian. At this moment, he was the one and only leading character.

After the sixteen examinees were selected, everyone cheered.

The sixteen examinees were Fang Xingjian in first place, Hoult in second, Wei Leng in third, Anderson in fourth…

As for David, he was obviously eliminated.

After all the rankings were completed, the sixteen examinees were led to the dining hall for their meals. After finishing their meals, these people who were all talents blessed by the heaven and were only one step away from becoming Conferred Knights would then have a private discussion with the examiners before starting their respective preparations for the final stage, the arena battle.

And although the rankings in the third stage had no impact on the results of the arena battle, they had a great impact on the bets placed by those from Kirst. At least on this night, Ferdinand, who had placed his bets that Fang Xingjian would come out first place for the third stage, had went to sleep in smiles.