Their goal was to strip the Li Yang Imperial Family of its last shred of dignity.
In a flash, the Empress had already considered several possibilities, each one an unbearable blow.
But she couldn’t believe things had taken such a turn so quickly. She refused to accept that her secretive methods could have been detected by the Three Great Sects in advance.
At this thought, the peerless Empress couldn’t help but grit her teeth. She stared intently at Li Chang’an and continued, "Leaving now wouldn’t be quitting. If you have other concerns, you can tell me directly. So long as it is within my power, I will grant your request!"
"There’s no rush. Why don’t you think it over carefully?"
She didn’t know what the other Sects had offered Li Chang’an.
But she had already made so many preparations. If she ended up empty-handed, it wouldn’t just be a massive loss of face for the Liyang Dynasty; her own reputation as the newly enthroned Empress would be ruined.
Seeing this, many of the candidates present began to exchange uncertain glances.
Clearly, they hadn’t expected the Empress’s personal visit to the examination grounds to result in such a major blunder.
She had come in person, vowing to recruit a great talent, only to be rejected...
It was an utter laughingstock, no matter how you looked at it!
The Demon Sect’s Lu Sheng couldn’t help but roar with laughter, rubbing salt in the wound. "Your Majesty, it seems your kind gesture has been utterly wasted! The man simply doesn’t appreciate it!"
The young monk from the Buddhist Sect also put his palms together. "Amitabha."
Though he said no more, at this moment, his silence was a form of mockery in itself.
The Empress was finding it hard to maintain her composure.
The numerous officials from the Li Yang Imperial Court who had followed her were also disheartened.
It was a fact that Li Yang was in decline.
But the current Empress was determined to make a difference.
Yet, on her very first public appearance, she had been met with such a polite but firm rebuff.
Seeing that everyone seemed to be gloating over her predicament...
Li Chang’an paused, his gaze sweeping over the disciples of the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demon Sects.
He brought his gaze back and said, "Your Majesty, why not wait a little longer? We can discuss the rewards after I’ve taken first place."
"After all, this is the Liyang Dynasty’s Martial Arts Examination. What would it say if the champion’s title were snatched away by another Sect?!"
His voice wasn’t loud, but the area had fallen so silent you could hear a pin drop.
And so, everyone heard Li Chang’an’s words, and the pride—the sheer arrogance—that lay beneath them.
Everyone present—from the candidates and examiners to the Empress herself—stared with wide, disbelieving eyes. They were all completely dumbstruck.
’Who the hell is this guy? Where does he get off being so arrogant?’
’Boasting so shamelessly in front of the Demon Sect’s Saint Heir and the Buddhist Sect’s young monk... who gave him the nerve?’
The Empress was one of the first to understand what Li Chang’an meant.
She realized then that he wasn’t rejecting her offer. He was planning to compete in the Martial Arts Examination today to win back some face for her and the entire Li Yang Imperial Court.
’But can he do it?’
The Empress thought not.
It wasn’t that she thought Li Chang’an lacked talent or combat strength.
On the contrary, it was precisely because she had some knowledge of his power that she had gone to such lengths to recruit him.
But with that one statement, Li Chang’an had thoroughly offended the Three Major Sects. When the arena battles began, he would surely be ganged up on by all of them.
No matter how strong Li Chang’an was, it would be difficult for him to accomplish anything against so many opponents.
At this thought, she suppressed her turbulent emotions and shook her head. "I appreciate your intentions, but now is not the time for bravado. The most pressing matter is to return to the capital with me at once!"
Li Chang’an slowly shook his head.
He had resolved to take first place in this examination long before he arrived. It was the only way to make a name for himself in the Li Yang Martial World overnight.
And it was the only way to make the Empress truly take him seriously.
An opportunity that promised a tenfold return for a single measure of effort was not something Li Chang’an would give up easily.
Seeing his resolve, the Empress said no more. She retreated silently to the side, but secretly shot a meaningful look at the chief examiner, Shi En, who stood behind her.
The meaning was simple: if an accident were to happen, they absolutely had to protect Li Chang’an’s life.
Shi En understood and gave a slight nod.
...
In all these years, the Three Great Sects had never seen a candidate in the Martial Arts Examination as outrageously arrogant as Li Chang’an.
Challenging everyone single-handedly.
It wasn’t just arrogance; it was practically a death wish!
Seeing the Empress offer no further comment, Lu Sheng snapped his folding fan shut. A broad smile spread across his face as he said, "Not even Her Majesty can stop you from seeking death. For the sake of your courage, I’ll have my people leave your body intact!"
The young monk from the Buddhist Sect had ignored Li Chang’an the entire time. Now, he turned to a nearby examiner and asked, "Since all the candidates have arrived, shouldn’t the arena battles begin?"
The examiner who had been addressed looked flustered.
He glanced at the Empress and, seeing her nod, rose to his feet and announced, "The sixth round of the Martial Arts Examination, the Martial Arts Arena Battle, now begins!"
The first five rounds of the Martial Arts Examination tested physical conditioning and technical proficiency.
In other words, any candidate with adequate physical fitness and well-honed skills could pass the first five rounds and gain recognition.
But those first five rounds lacked a competitive atmosphere, and few people paid them any special attention.