In front of the hall, the fourteen scholar-candidates remained silent—none chose to withdraw.
The young attendant smiled and said, "Since no one is withdrawing, this round can begin. Master Rowan."
Daoist Rowan strode out from within the hall, his gaze sweeping over Quinn Shepherd and the others. He smiled, "The previous rounds tested your fundamentals, ingenuity, and temperament. This round will test your strength. Though you are only scholar-candidates, reaching this point already sets you apart—each of you possesses remarkable power. As the hall lord of Pure Sun Hall, I will personally oversee this trial."
The scholar-candidates exchanged glances. One muttered quietly, "This isn’t fair..."
Daoist Rowan’s eyes flashed. He chuckled, "Of course it isn’t fair. You come from local colleges and universities, while the Imperial Academy stands apart. As the Imperial Academy’s Grand Rector, I’ve studied its entire collection of scriptures—even at the same realm, I outclass you by far. So, for this trial, you only need to withstand three moves from me. Survive three moves without defeat, and you pass."
He smiled gently, "I will seal my cultivation, leaving only the Five Luminaries Realm active. You may rest assured."
At these words, the scholar-candidates all breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the duel was at the same realm, they feared no one.
After all, in their own colleges and universities, each was a standout among martial artists and warriors—they had every confidence in themselves!
Daoist Rowan also smiled faintly, relaxing inwardly. Though the realm was equal and only three moves were allowed, there was plenty of room to maneuver—he could let someone pass without a flaw, or eliminate others in three moves.
He was, after all, the Grand Rector of the Imperial Academy. Even if not truly invincible at this realm, he was still a rare force in the world!
"Shane Ding, you're first."
Daoist Rowan sealed his cultivation and said in a deep voice, "Attendant, bring the wooden swords."
The young attendant brought over two wooden sword cases and set them upright on the ground.
Daoist Rowan pointed with a finger. A thread of yuanqi, fine as silk, shot out, drawing a wooden sword from one case. "Each case holds thirty-six swords, perfect for the Sky-Steel Sword Style. You may strap the case to your back for ease of use. As for me, one sword is enough."
Shane Ding stepped forward, strapped the sword case to his back, bowed to Daoist Rowan, then shouted and activated the Sky-Steel Sword Style. Wooden swords flew out from the case, one after another.
The Sky-Steel Sword Style is a compulsory technique for scholar-candidates across the realm. Quinn Shepherd had already witnessed it aboard the tower-ship to the capital. The first time he saw it, he was stunned, marveling at how formidable Everpeace’s martial artists were—any one of them could unleash such a refined sword art.
But once he realized nearly every scholar-candidate practiced the Sky-Steel Sword Style, his thoughts shifted—he figured he could take on ten of them single-handedly.
Shane Ding unleashed the Sky-Steel Sword Style, thirty-six wooden swords swirling up and down with considerable force. But as soon as he began, Quinn Shepherd knew he couldn’t block even one of Daoist Rowan’s moves—let alone three.
Whoosh—
Daoist Rowan controlled his sword with qi. With a single thrust, the wooden blade darted with uncanny precision, flashing through all thirty-six swords and piercing Shane Ding’s chest. The youth was sent flying, crashing to the ground with a thud, and lay there for a long moment without rising.
"Your cultivation isn’t weak," Daoist Rowan said with a nod and a smile.
The other scholar-candidates felt a chill. Daoist Rowan’s swordsmanship had reached the state of transformation—what they called 'divine transformation.' Transformation means entering a realm where technique becomes its own world.
At this level, one is no longer bound by sword forms—any movement becomes swordsmanship.
More terrifying still, even though Daoist Rowan had sealed all his other divine treasuries, leaving only the Spirit Embryo and Five Luminaries Treasuries active, his cultivation was still incomparably deep—far above Shane Ding’s!
It was frightening—could anyone really withstand three of his moves?
Daoist Rowan’s gaze flickered. "Shane Ding, leave the sword case. You may descend the mountain. Next scholar-candidate: Ethan Qin."
"Ethan Qin?"
Quinn Shepherd blinked and looked at the youth stepping out of the line. The boy was strikingly handsome, refined in bearing, with an unyielding yet courteous air. His face felt oddly familiar to Quinn.
He reminded Quinn of General Quentin Shaw—the young General.
Ethan Qin stepped forward, strapped on the sword case, and bowed respectfully.