Invincible Divine Sword

After obtaining the examination identity token, Yang Xiaotian went to the waiting area to await instructions for the exam.

As dusk settled, and after the registration had closed, He Mei arrived in the waiting area to inform Yang Xiaotian and the others that, like previous years, the exam's task was to pass through the Hongmeng Divine Hall.

"Those who can pass through the Hongmeng Hall within ten days can become freshmen of Hongmeng Academy," He Mei stated coldly, "The Hongmeng Hall is fraught with danger; even disciples at the Dao-Confirming Realm are highly likely to die if they attempt to pass through!"

"It's still possible to withdraw from the exam at this point," she added.

Clearly, her words were directed with intent.

She gave Yang Xiaotian a cold, hard look.

In enrolling for the Hongmeng Academy freshman exam, the academy allows participants to withdraw midway and not take the exam, but if they do withdraw, they will be penalized by the academy.

Of course, punishment is better than death.

Yang Xiaotian sat there, ignoring He Mei.

Seeing this, He Mei said nothing further.

Afterward, He Mei led Yang Xiaotian and others to the front of the Hongmeng Divine Hall.

In front of the Hongmeng Divine Hall stood a Holy Image.

This Holy Image was precisely that of the Primordial Universe Taoist.

When Yang Xiaotian and the other disciples arrived before the holy image of Primordial Universe Taoist, it emitted a faint glow, but the glow was so weak and brief that it was hardly noticeable in the sunlight.

As the faint glow emitted from the holy image of Primordial Universe Taoist, He Mei happened to be looking towards it, and she was startled, then suspiciously stared at the image, but it emitted no further light.

Did I just see things? she wondered within.

She bowed slightly to the holy image of the Primordial Universe Taoist, saluted, and then came before the Hongmeng Divine Hall, using her secret technique to open its grand entrance.

She then let Yang Xiaotian and the others in.

And reminded them they only had ten days.

As the doors of the Hongmeng Divine Hall opened, Xiao Hong and a group of disciples swarmed in.

Yang Xiaotian also walked inside.

Once all the disciples for this year had entered, the doors of the Hongmeng Divine Hall closed.

Yang Xiaotian found himself inside the vast hall alone.

This Hongmeng Divine Hall's inner space forms its unique realm; all entering disciples are transported to independent spaces, so Yang Xiaotian did not see Xiao Hong and the others.

Of course, although he and Xiao Hong were sent to different independent spaces, each person's exam content was the same.

Before them stood a Divine Stele.

Yang Xiaotian approached the Divine Stele.

Upon the stele were inscribed mighty Dao Runes, profound and unfathomable.

This was the Hongmeng Divine Stele.

The Hongmeng Divine Hall consisted of ten levels, with each level featuring a Hongmeng Divine Stele; only by comprehending the mysteries inscribed on these steles could one advance to the next level.

Generally, disciples at the Dao-Confirming Realm could not comprehend these Hongmeng Divine Steles.

They contain the profound mysteries of the Dao.

Only those who reach the Saint Realm, develop a Dao Heart, can comprehend the mysteries of the Dao.

Thus, it is almost impossible for a Dao-Confirming Realm disciple to pass the Hongmeng Academy freshman exam.

Furthermore, attempting to comprehend these steles at the Dao-Confirming Realm poses a great risk of backlash, leading to severe injury or even death!

Yang Xiaotian gazed at the Hongmeng Divine Stele before him and smiled.

Though this stele was more profound than the Primordial Universe Divine Technique he practiced, they both originated from the same source; thus, with just one look, he had nearly comprehended it.

Yang Xiaotian then proceeded to view it a second time.

Upon completing the second viewing, he had thoroughly comprehended all the mysteries of the stele.

After deciphering the first level's Divine Stele, Yang Xiaotian waved his hands, conjuring a rune which he imprinted upon the stele.

Instantly, the Divine Stele erupted with blinding light.

All the runes inscribed upon it illuminated fully.

With all its runes aglow, the divine hall's splendor surged, a golden ring appeared high in the air, and this golden ring rotated relentlessly.

Everyone was taken aback.

"Has someone actually passed the first level?!"

However, the Hongmeng Divine Hall had barely been open for a quarter of an hour!

Outside the hall, He Mei was also stunned.

The Hongmeng Divine Hall had existed for a million years, yet no one had ever passed the first level within merely a quarter-hour of its opening.

The fastest anyone had ever managed was one hour.

"Who could it be? Could it be Miss Xiao Hong from the Fenglin Commerce Guild?"

The crowd mumbled in speculation.

After all, of the disciples enrolled for the examination, Xiao Hong from the Fenglin Commerce Guild was the most gifted.

"It must be our miss! I've always said our miss would surely take first place in this Hongmeng Academy freshman exam!" an agitated expert from the Fenglin Commerce Guild exclaimed.

Chen Yong also smiled delightedly: "Quickly inform the chairman about this great news. The chairman and his wife will certainly be very happy to hear it."

In no time, experts from the Fenglin Commerce Guild hurried to report this joyous news to their chairman.

Meanwhile, He Mei quickly reported the situation to Tang Chang, the head of the Hongmeng Academy Heavenly Fire Branch Campus.

Tang Chang was having a discussion with Vice-Principal Xie Qiu about the upcoming Taming Beasts competition of the Heavenly Fire Kingdom, when suddenly, he received He Mei's message talisman. Upon reading it, he was taken aback.

He then handed the talisman to Xie Qiu to read as well.

After reading it, Xie Qiu was equally surprised and delighted, laughing heartily: "Xiao Hong, that girl, truly surprises and delights, passing the first level of the Hongmeng Hall in under a quarter hour."

He Mei's message stated that someone had passed the first level of the Hongmeng Hall in under a quarter hour, and this person was likely Xiao Hong.

Tang Chang and Xie Qiu were on good terms with the Fenglin Commerce Guild's chairman and knew his daughter, Xiao Hong.

Tang Chang also laughed gleefully: "Miss Xiao Hong is destined to shine brightly in the future." Then the two sent a return message talisman to He Mei, instructing her to keep them updated on the situation in the Hongmeng Divine Hall.

Although He Mei's message suggested it was likely Xiao Hong, she wasn't completely certain, but the two had already assumed it was her.

After passing the first level, the doors to the second level of the great hall automatically opened for Yang Xiaotian, and he proceeded inside, once again facing a Hongmeng Divine Stele.

This time, the Divine Stele was larger than the first, with more inscriptions and even deeper meanings.

Yet, as before, Yang Xiaotian comprehended it fully by his second viewing.

He conjured runes with his hands again, imprinting them onto the second Hongmeng Divine Stele.

The Hongmeng Divine Stele erupted with dazzling light.

Outside, everyone concentrated intently on the Hongmeng Divine Hall, and suddenly, they saw the hall glow brilliantly once more, a larger golden ring ascended, illuminating the entire plaza.

He Mei and everyone else were flabbergasted.

"This can't be, not another quarter hour?!" one stunned disciple exclaimed.

Had Xiao Hong deciphered the second level too in less than a quarter hour?

Yet He Mei was uncertain, could it really be Xiao Hong?