“You even broke the ‘ceremonial mirror,’ so naturally you get full marks. If you hadn’t broken the mirror, you would have gotten 99 points.” Ma Gongzuo nodded with a smile.
Shen Qian breathed a long sigh of relief; the belated joy finally filled his chest.
He did it, he really did it!
All three subjects were perfect, with a score of 300.
An unprecedented grand slam in the Wuhan University entrance examination!
Ma Gongzuo waited a few minutes until Shen Qian calmed down before he smiled and spoke.
"Congratulations, Shen Qian. You are indeed amazing. I never thought that the rules left by the King of Jiangling would actually be broken. This has made me fully understand the original intention of the King of Jiangling in setting up obstacles."
Shen Qian sensed that Ma Gongzuo's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, so he waited quietly.
Ma Gongzuo walked to the edge of the platform and gazed at the distant Milky Way.
"There are some things that Ling Xiao may have already told you, such as the main purpose of the college entrance examination system is to select talents, and for you who have not yet truly experienced the cruelty of the world, competing and striving is not suitable."
"In a sense, that's true."
“When I was working at the Examination Bureau, after I learned why there was no national martial arts champion, I also thought so for a time.”
"But later, when I rose to a higher position, I saw things from a different perspective and realized that the Prince of Jiangling did not actually intend to block the way out."
"But... becoming the champion of martial arts is just too difficult."
"Of the two people in history who scored 299 points, one was also the youngest king in history, being only thirty years old when he was enfeoffed as a count. Now, he is only one step away from becoming the youngest King Wu. He is the most talented person I have ever seen in my life..."
"Of course, I'm referring to before you appeared."
"Even he was just one step short, I thought it would never happen again."
"I am truly impressed by your breakthrough today, and I look forward to the day when you will break even more records."
Standing behind Ma Gongzuo, Shen Qian bowed slightly in gratitude for the elder's praise...
This was something I learned from Shi Dingyan, borrowing his books on respecting teachers and valuing the Way.
"However, Shen Qian, are you really ready to wear the crown of the national martial arts champion, this unprecedented laurel?"
Suddenly, Ma Gongzuo changed the subject and asked slowly.
Shen Qian raised an eyebrow, a ripple of emotion stirring within him, but then realized that Ma Gongzuo wouldn't target him without reason, so he calmed down.
"Please teach me, Minister Ma."
"The King of Jiangling set up three final tests not only to correct the purpose of the college entrance examination, but also, conversely, to ensure that when the top scorer in the country actually emerges, it will be indisputable!"
Shen Qian nodded slightly; he had thought of that as well.
"However, the more this is the case, the more you will become a benchmark. When you finish the college entrance examination and reach the summit, countless climbers will naturally turn around and come towards you."
"Are you... ready to face those countless challengers?"
Shen Qian was taken aback, then frowned. This was something he hadn't considered, but it was indeed a very likely scenario.
Few martial artists can easily convince others.
Although he climbed to the top, he didn't compete against all 520,000 people. There must have been other geniuses like Wang Shuo.
If the title of a martial arts champion could intimidate them, they wouldn't have reached their current level of success.
Even if it weren't for winning, but simply for the desire to spar, Chen Qian was certain he wouldn't be able to resist.
"There is another reason."
Ma Gongzuo carefully considered his words before continuing, "Since the revival of spiritual energy, our human race, through the efforts of countless predecessors and warriors, has finally managed to regain its footing in this chaotic world. At least on the surface, it still appears to be a peaceful place."
"But, as you should know, external threats have never diminished... At least we still have a long way to go before we can regain our pre-cataclysmic dominance."
He nodded and said that, as far as he knew, the threat of monsters had never truly subsided.
For example, his former hometown, Lu City, which was devoured by a mysterious giant serpent...
"A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind, and not only external factors, but also internal factors will always pose hidden dangers... People can be good or evil, loyal or treacherous, and this is something that cannot be avoided in any era."
"It's fine if you stay quietly within the human race, but you will eventually go out into the world. You will inevitably face storms, but if the storm comes too early or too fiercely, then it will not be a good thing."
"Are you saying that I might be targeted by external threats?" Shen Qian asked.
"It's not possible, it's inevitable," Ma Gongzuo said solemnly. "Our human race has learned too many painful lessons on this matter. You must understand that before the survival of the race, there is no right or wrong. Our human race's strongmen have slaughtered countless monster lairs."
He fell silent for a moment before sinking.
Ma Gongzuo remained silent for a while before sighing softly, "It is my responsibility to explain the pros and cons to Shen Qian, but the choice is still your right."
"My advice to you is... to hold off. No one can take away the honor that belongs to you, but perhaps now is not the most appropriate time to announce it. The title of provincial champion is already dazzling enough."
"Perhaps when autumn arrives, and when Shen Qian can secure some protection for himself, the time will come."
"autumn?"
He looked up before sinking in, "What's in autumn?"
"There is another, even grander competition that will sweep through all your peers, and countless more prodigies will emerge... It is an incomparably vast stage."
Ma Gongzuo said meaningfully.
"If you agree to my suggestion, the national martial arts champion award will be given to you as usual, and I will also make appropriate compensation in other ways. Alternatively, you can refuse and think it over carefully. There is no rush to give me an answer."
After Ma Gongzuo finished speaking, he fell silent, giving Shen Qian time to think.
Shen Qian was caught in an unprecedented dilemma.
How should I choose?
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