Chapter 350 - 166: Noble Clans, Noble Generals, A Title’s Advent, 1 Jiazi Ago, Dragon Elephant Martial Saint

Chapter 350: Chapter 166: Noble Clans, Noble Generals, A Title’s Advent, 1 Jiazi Ago, Dragon Elephant Martial Saint

"Others need to be tested, but why would you?"

"Even if you handed in a blank scroll, I, your Instructor, would let you walk right in!"

Yao Hong’s eyes held a hint of admiration, but also some regret.

"It’s just a shame you joined so late. If you had been here two years earlier, you could have made it into this class. But spending more time polishing your skills to participate in the next one isn’t a bad thing either."

"Alright, go on."

He watched as the pensive Ji Xiu stepped through the gates of the Ancient Mansion.

Only after Ji Xiu’s back and those of the others who were exempt from the test had completely vanished from sight...

...did Yao Hong turn his head, his strict, meticulous expression returning.

"Those who have qualified, step forward one by one. Choose either the Martial Stele or the Divine Stele and make your attempt. Only those who pass the threshold will then be tested on their skills in archery and horsemanship before they can be accepted into the Mansion Courtyard."

His words had barely faded.

In the distance, the ground suddenly trembled violently, like a rumpled blanket. Waves of dust billowed up as a chariot, pulled by two Fire Divine Steeds of an Alien Species, galloped toward them at incredible speed!

On either side of the chariot, two large, jet-black banners stood tall, fluttering and snapping in the wind!

Emblazoned upon them was an enormous iron-backed brown bear with piercing eyes, its posture as immovable as a mountain!

Seeing this, Yao Hong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’This is...’

’A family crest!?’

A family crest!

Within the Great Xuan, only those with a Fiefdom were permitted to display such a thing, granting them the right to openly recruit a Personal Guard and train their own private forces!

Without this right, one could only do so in secret, or...

...they would be branded a bandit!

A single family crest.

Often represented a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom that had weathered the tides of a hundred years!

Some of these Noble Clans were only overseen by Clan Elders at the Peak of Dragon and Tiger.

But some...

...even had an aging Martial Saint!

All eyes were drawn to the brown bear banner, and then—

A tall, burly youth stepped out of the chariot. His gaze was arresting as he shouldered a flagpole with one hand. Draped in an Immortal Robe, the Divine Thoughts in his eyes flared brightly!

He then looked toward the Martial Stele and the Divine Stele and roared with laughter.

"Gao Ye of the Dan Mountain Gao Clan, a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom, has come to Jiangyin! I wish to become a Prefecture Student and claim the essence accumulated by the Dean over sixty years, to win some glory for the old Dean in this generation’s Prefecture Official Examination!"

BANG!

Gao Ye, holding the banner high, leaped down. Behind him, two crimson Fire Dragon Steeds, comparable to an Alien Species, snorted flames, scorching the air. Before everyone’s eyes, the youth walked step by step...

...to the front of the twin steles. He brazenly shoved aside the testers on both sides and pressed his palm directly onto them!

Immediately after, the Double Armor Rating of [Martial Stele: ’Armor Grade’], [Divine Stele: ’Armor Grade’]...

...appeared!

Seeing this, a proud look appeared on the youth’s face. He raised the great banner, spread his arms, and struck a pose as if to receive a gift.

But after waiting for a good while, he didn’t sense the slightest wisp of essential thought transforming into sustenance to help his Martial Dao and Divine Soul advance in unison. He couldn’t help but wonder:

"What’s going on? Is this stele broken?"

"Didn’t they say the Jiangyin Prefecture hasn’t produced a true Armor-Grade talent in generations, and that the accumulated essence from the Dean is supposed to be immense?"

"Why can’t I feel a thing?"

...

Inside the Mansion Courtyard.

The Jiangyin Institute Chief toyed with a white chess piece.

Hearing the chime from outside, followed by beams of light from the twin steles shooting into the sky, he paused, a glimmer of delight in his eyes.

"Such a commotion! A good seedling has arrived!"

He finished muttering to himself and set down the chess piece. He looked at the tall, white-haired, white-bearded old man sitting opposite him, who wore a tall hat and a wide sash. A note of caution crept into his voice.

"Elder Martial Saint, Brother Wenjiang has been dead for sixty years. The events of that time were convoluted; how can all the blame be placed on you? It was a struggle for the Dao, a cataclysm from the heavens..."

"You shouldn’t blame yourself so much."

"From my perspective, your Dragon Elephant Lineage has a worthy successor. Isn’t that young lad who’s coordinating the Schools within the prefecture also a young prodigy?"

"If he’s nurtured well in the future, it’s not impossible for him to attain the position of Daoist and even earn a Title."

"Why don’t you... come with me to meet the young talent of my Jiangyin Prefecture’s current generation?"

"You also taught classes here in Jiangyin back in the day and served as a Master. I was fortunate enough to have attended a few of your lectures myself..."

In response, the white-haired, white-bearded old man only half-opened his eyes. With a hint of indifference, he tapped the chessboard.

"I have come out of seclusion after sixty years. The reason I came to Jiangyin Prefecture is that my disciple’s last known whereabouts were here in Jiangyin."

"According to the True Inheritance of my Sect, he should be in a County called Anning."

Upon hearing this, the Jiangyin Institute Chief immediately understood.

"Elder Martial Saint, rest assured. I will send men to search for Brother Wenjiang’s remains. It’s just that, after sixty years..."

His hesitant words caused the tall old man to close his eyes, a lonely air of profound detachment briefly appearing around him.

"If they can’t be found, then so be it. But at least this will bring some closure."

"Besides, I only emerged from seclusion after a full sixty years. I removed that boy’s name from the records long ago. Even if I ’welcome him back to the clan’ and collect his bones, no one who comes will have any grounds to object."

"Moreover..."

The old man slowly opened his eyes.

"Have you forgotten..."

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!

A thunderous rumble seemed to echo from the old man’s very Flesh, Bone, Skin, and Membrane. A divine light shone in his eyes. He now resembled an Ancient Dragon Elephant, as if a single light step from him...

...could stomp a hole right through the entire Jiangyin Prefecture!

"I am a true, bona fide Titled Martial Saint!"

"Sixty years was more than enough time to show respect."

"If they push me too far..."

Xu Longxiang clenched his fists, his eyes grim and cold.

"I am not opposed to showing those people what I’m capable of!"

The Jiangyin Institute Chief’s heart sank. He felt a pressure as vast as mountains and seas suddenly flare up, then just as suddenly retract. Even though he had reached the realm of Dragon and Tiger, his mouth went dry with bitterness.

’Is this the gap between the realm of Dragon and Tiger and that of a Titled Martial Saint...’

’It’s despairing.’

Xu Longxiang stood up.

"Alright, let’s go."

"After all, I was once a Jiangyin Prefecture Official myself, though that was a thing of the past, nearly a hundred years ago..."

"It’s a perfect chance to see what kind of seedling could shake the twin steles after a hundred years."

"However, this child was born at the wrong time."

"Had he been born two hundred years ago, he might have had a future among the Noble Generals in the White Jade Capital. Opportunities to earn merit were as numerous as the stars."

"But now, the Profound Court has dimmed, the cataclysm has arrived, no one holds the tripod, and chaos reigns..."

"At the end of this path, even if one wishes to become a Martial Saint, they will be nothing more than a vassal to others."

Thinking of the Profound Court, the old man sneered faintly.

Then, he strode out of the pavilion.

Behind him, the Jiangyin Institute Chief broke out in a cold sweat.