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Chapter 268: A Palm Shatters

In that moment, panic spread throughout the entire Wen Yuan Pavilion. Countless examinees showed infinite fear. They had only come for a simple exam, so why were they facing heavenly retribution?

Those with lower cultivation immediately summoned their flying swords and quickly fled, while those who couldn't escape in time quickly formed protective barriers around themselves. Some even took out various magic treasures, preparing to withstand the heavenly thunder.

They both admired and resented Zhongshan for writing an article that was not tolerated by the heavens and the earth. Because of Zhongshan, everyone had witnessed this masterpiece of the ages, but because of Zhongshan, their lives were now in danger.

"To hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening is enough!"

For the few who were brave enough to face such a trial, they had no regrets even if they perished. But for most, they hoped to both learn and live.

The Wen Yuan Pavilion below suddenly descended into chaos. The elegant demeanor of the examinees was nowhere to be seen. Elegance? What use was elegance when one's life was at stake?

Above the Wen Yuan Pavilion, many of those who had been on the floating islands were now visible. These people had each defeated three opponents of the same level. Apart from Zhongshan, who was a peculiar case, most of them were super experts.

Although the heavenly thunder was vast and mighty, in the eyes of these people, it was not necessarily a death sentence. Moreover, the primary target of the countless lightning bolts was Zhongshan and his article, which the heavens could not tolerate.

The examinees above were more curious about what Zhongshan had written. What kind of amazing article could provoke heavenly wrath and thunder?

In an instant, the trio of Qi Tianhou, Jinchán, and Shuijing all turned their gazes towards Zhongshan.

Qi Tianhou clenched his fists, a hint of battle intent flashing in his eyes. It seemed that he had underestimated Zhongshan before.

Jinchán clasped his hands together and recited scriptures with closed eyes, apparently not expecting such an outcome. His "Splendid Landscape of Mountains and Rivers" seemed far from enough compared to this heavenly punishment!

Shuijing Master stared at Zhongshan, his brow furrowing slightly, a hint of incredulity flashing in his eyes. How old was Zhongshan? Just over a hundred years old? This young age, how could it be?

Shuijing Master regarded Zhongshan as the main rival in this literary examination because Zhongshan always seemed mysterious and unpredictable. But even if he couldn't figure Zhongshan out, Shuijing Master was infinitely confident in his own article. No one could surpass him, not even Zhongshan. Although Shuijing Master was extremely modest on the surface, in his heart, he was proud and confident. Perhaps only that princess was his Achilles' heel. As for how Zhongshan's article was, although he had thought it might surpass others', it couldn't possibly surpass his own.

Zhongshan's article was written, and the might of the heavens was unpredictable. To move the heavens was a sign of a good article, but to provoke the heavens like this... Was it still a good article? Even if one cursed at the heavens, the heavens wouldn't be angry. But what did Zhongshan write to anger the heavens like this?

Weaklings fled in all directions, chaotic and panicked. The strong remained vigilant, but also calm.

In this moment of calmness, no one was more composed than Zhongshan.

In the eyes of everyone, Zhongshan was truly bizarre.

Gold Core Sixth Stage, most people could see this. With just that one purple lightning bolt, it could blast him into dust. In this moment, if it were anyone else, wouldn't they run for their lives?

But not Zhongshan. Instead, he stood proudly in the wind, his clothes billowing as the strong winds blew past him.

Zhongshan remained fearless because he already knew the outcome. The Red Phoenix Lotus remained pink, unchanged. That meant there was no threat. Surely, there would be strong individuals from all directions to shield him from the lightning. Even if not, standing here, the lightning would just veer off course.

With nothing to fear for himself, what did Zhongshan have to be afraid of? The top spot was already his. At this moment, standing firm in his principles was better than cowering in fear. At the very least, it would make others unable to fathom his intentions, and that was a good thing! The less people understood about him, the safer he would be. Mystery was always the best protection.

Facing the thunderstorm like the end of the world, Zhongshan remained calm. Standing on the floating island, he faced the wind with a furious gaze towards the heavens.

In the eyes of everyone, although they found Zhongshan's behavior strange, their admiration for him only increased. To face the heavenly thunder without changing his expression! Most people couldn't do that.

As Zhongshan's article's red light soared into the sky, the Grand Xuan King's gaze also turned towards him. In his four eyes, a faint silver light shimmered, and he looked at Zhongshan with slight surprise.

Seeing Zhongshan's unwavering demeanor, the Grand Xuan King couldn't help but marvel. To remain so calm even as the thunder descended, not even blinking an eye, he was truly a remarkable individual!

Two years ago, to manipulate the eight million soldiers of the Great Yu Dynasty with such a "weak" physique, it seemed the rumors weren't baseless.

As the heavenly thunder roared closer, the Grand Xuan King, as the chief examiner, naturally had the responsibility to maintain order in the examination hall.

Looking up at the sky, a silver light shone from his four eyes.

"Hmph..."

With a light snort, the Grand Xuan King made his move.

With a slight wave of his left hand, everyone in the Wen Yuan Pavilion felt a sudden halt, as if even their hearts stopped beating.

The wind around them ceased.

With a stop of his left hand, the wind ceased, while his right hand rose towards the heavens.

"Hum..."

Everyone saw a golden palm shadow detach from the Grand Xuan King's right hand and fly upwards. When it reached a height of three hundred meters, suddenly...

"Boom!"

A deafening roar drowned out the endless thunder. Everyone saw that the golden palm shadow seemed to pause suddenly, as if it was obstructed by something, stopped in its tracks.

No, it wasn't stopped, but the golden palm shadow had formed a gap!

Where the palm stopped, a parallel cut appeared, intercepting the palm and isolating all the descending lightning.

As the golden palm struck, a vast and surging force seemed to erupt from where it stopped, like the ocean surging, crashing into the sky. Suddenly, the compressed airflow mixed with the force of the Grand Xuan King's palm turned into a golden giant wave that surged towards the sky.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, all the lightning, covering the sky like the end of the world, was completely dispersed by this golden giant wave, continuing to surge towards the sky.

"Boom!"

Under the immense force, the endless dark clouds and thunderclouds were shattered by this palm force.

The sky remained as dark as ever, but at this moment, the clouds were no longer endless. Instead, numerous cracks appeared suddenly, revealing some light. In this pitch-black sky, it seemed like an enormous spiderweb had suddenly appeared, looking incredibly shocking.

Gradually, the dark clouds in the sky seemed to yield, dispersing slowly.

Everyone looked up at the sky, witnessing the immense thunderclouds that had been shattered by a single palm? Just one palm?

The Grand Xuan King?

All eyes turned to the Grand Xuan King, this person who possessed unparalleled strength, the Crown Prince of the Great Luo Dynasty, the Grand Xuan Crown Prince, the Grand Xuan King!

At this moment, everyone looked at the Grand Xuan King with awe. This was absolute power, incomparable strength. The top existence in the world.

Watching the Grand Xuan King shatter the thunderclouds with one palm, Zhongshan took a deep breath.

The Crown Prince of the Great Luo Dynasty? Was this the strength of the Crown Prince? Too powerful, too formidable. If the Crown Prince was already this strong, then what about the Emperor?

The number one figure in the Great Luo Dynasty, how powerful was the Emperor?

The ancient capital was indeed a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. How many more surprises would it hold?

Qitian Marquis looked at the Grand Xuan King, a faint smile playing on his lips, but there wasn't much admiration. Water Mirror Master, to the south, furrowed his brows and took a deep breath, his eyes filled with uncertainty. To the west, Jin Chan took a deep breath, watching intently.

That one palm was destined to remain in the hearts of most people. It imprinted the invincible image of the Grand Xuan King.

The Grand Xuan King shattered the thunderclouds with one palm, showing no surprise in his eyes, as if it were an ordinary occurrence. He turned his head and glanced at the hourglass not far away.

"The time is up." The Grand Xuan King's voice was not very loud, but it eerily echoed in everyone's ears, sounding like a thunderous explosion in their ears. After the event of shattering the thunderclouds with one palm just now, his voice seemed even more imposing.

At this moment, those who hadn't finished writing no longer complained. Seeing this extraordinary event, if anyone still complained about not having enough time, they would only be looked down upon by others.

Time was up, and everyone put down their brushes. Among the more than one hundred thousand essays, four of them emitted a faint glow.

To the east, Qitian Marquis's essay shimmered with golden light.

To the south, Water Mirror Master's essay emitted a white glow.

To the west, Jin Chan's essay emanated a cyan light.

To the north, Zhongshan's essay glowed with red light.

In the past, to produce such extraordinary works in one imperial examination was already extremely rare, but this time, four such works were produced. Truly, talents were emerging one after another in the Great Luo Dynasty's golden age.

The top three rankings, the champion, role model, and top scholar, were already uncontested. Even if someone dared to contest them, they would be too embarrassed to admit it.

The Grand Xuan King's expression was solemn. After the time was up, instead of having the officials collect everyone's essays, he inspected each one personally, as if he were selecting something.

Everyone patiently waited until the Grand Xuan King had inspected everyone's essays before he spoke again, "His Majesty has issued an edict."