A goddess dwells in my heart.

Chapter 16 The Potential of an Emperor

Liu Changtian stood with his hands at his sides behind Lu Zheji, not daring to utter a sound.

He sensed something was wrong.

He had noticed this when he was bowing earlier; the Empress's attitude towards Lu Zheji was noticeably better than towards others, at least she recognized him.

And that unknown big shot who could sit on equal footing with the Empress was obviously acquainted with Lu Zheji.

The woman in the red dress leaned lazily against the back of the chair, her almond-shaped eyes slightly curved, looking at Lu Zheji with a half-smile, her eyes clearly saying "We meet again".

Then he heard Lu Zheji say, "Sister Yin, you've become even more beautiful in just a few days."

Sister Yin... someone who can sit side by side with the Empress, yet he calls her "sister."

Cold sweat began to seep from Liu Changtian's back.

I hope I haven't messed with the wrong person...

The Empress lowered her eyes, flipping through the case files before her. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she looked up at Lu Zheji, asking, "Student Lu, why do you have no written exam results?"

Lu Zheji remained composed and said frankly, "Your Majesty, when I was answering the questions, I inadvertently violated some taboos of the Goddess Palace. According to the law, the Moon Guard has punished me by invalidating my scores."

Does violating the taboo of the Goddess Palace simply mean your grades are invalidated?

Liu Changtian's pupils shrank. Such a crime would ruin the future of an ordinary student, or even lead to imprisonment. But judging from Lu Zheji's tone, it was as if he had been punished by copying books several times!

The Empress nodded slightly, a hint of approval appearing on her cold and beautiful face: "Not bad."

good?

What's so good about it?

Liu Changtian felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet. How could he, who had defied the Goddess Palace, actually receive a "not bad" from the Empress?

Yin Siyue chimed in lazily from the side, her charming and seductive voice saying, "If the results hadn't been invalidated, this kid would have just barely made it to the bottom of the list, and wouldn't have needed to come to this exam."

The Empress's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Lu Zheji and softly uttered two words: "Very good."

Liu Changtian was completely dumbfounded.

The bottom of the list? Is that good? Most of the students in the academy can make the list, so what's so good about being at the bottom?

He felt as if he had stumbled into a heavenly palace. The person in front of him was not some minor member of the royal family, but clearly a great figure whom he could not even look up to, so much so that this high and mighty Empress would lie through her teeth to flatter him.

Not only Liu Changtian thought so, but the examiners from different sects and government departments on the examiner's table were also exchanging glances in secret, their hearts filled with doubt and uncertainty, silently guessing which powerful prince this student Lu was, that the Empress would treat him with such special regard.

Only Lu Zheji himself knew that the Empress's "not bad" was a compliment to him for upholding the integrity of the Lu royal family and not writing defamatory words about betraying his ancestors on the exam paper in order to survive.

The reason it was "very good" was that the Empress not only knew he was mentally challenged, but also saw in the case file that his martial arts exam results were obtained when he was at the first level of cultivation.

It is truly remarkable that a person with a weak innate spirit and intellectual disability could still manage to rank at the bottom of the list despite suffering such a great loss.

Lu Zheji himself was somewhat impressed with his pre-awakening self; he was at the maximum level, truly at the maximum level.

However, he remembered the exam paper that Yin Siyue had shown him before, which clearly hadn't been graded...

"In that case, let the martial arts demonstration begin." Empress Lin Xiwei's voice pulled everyone back to reality. "Lu Zheji, your chosen opponent is this Liu Changtian?"

"Yes," Lu Zheji replied.

Lin Xiwei's gaze swept over Liu Changtian for a moment, then she looked at Lu Zheji and said, "His cultivation has reached the peak of the second realm, while you have only recently entered the second realm. The difference in your realms is almost an entire major realm. Are you sure you want to choose him?"

Lu Zheji raised his head proudly: "Your Majesty, if the opponent is just an ordinary and mediocre person, winning will not show any ability. Since I have come to take the exam, I should find a worthy opponent to fight."

Upon hearing this, Yin Siyue chuckled and said, "You certainly have ambition, but... your opponent doesn't seem to be ready yet."

At this moment, Liu Changtian's mind was in complete turmoil. From the moment the Empress said "very good," he had been rapidly calculating what kind of person he had offended with his bold words in the school when he spoke up for Miss Shen.

Even the Empress had to give the powerful prince a wide berth, while I, a mere sixth-rank bannerman, dared to say in front of so many people that I would do my best to teach him a lesson.

Images began to uncontrollably surface in Liu Changtian's mind—he was suppressed by those in power, made things difficult by his superiors, ostracized by his colleagues, and finally expelled from the Demon Slayer Division on a trumped-up charge. He was walking on a dark road when someone put a sack over his head and broke his leg, disfigured his face, and became a lame beggar despised by everyone on the streets of Chang'an.

Meanwhile, the pure and beautiful Miss Shen in his heart, under pressure from her family, tearfully married the纨绔 (playboy) who had caused him to this state...

Startled by Yin Siyue's mention of him, he quickly composed himself, bowed, and said, "This student has no problem and will certainly do his best!"

Even so, he was already feeling uneasy. If he really showed no mercy and embarrassed this young master of noble birth, would he face retaliation afterward?

Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, Yin Siyue's alluring voice rang out again: "Your name is Liu Changtian? Are you one of the students who passed the imperial examination this year?"

Liu Changtian hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Yes, I am fortunate to have been appointed as a junior officer in the Demon Slayer Division."

"Little Flag..." Yin Siyue lightly tapped her chin with her fingertip, a hint of amusement flashing in her phoenix eyes, "How about this, if you can defeat him in the martial arts competition, I will appoint you as the Chief Flag Officer of the Demon Slayer Division."

"Commander-in-Chief?" Liu Changtian exclaimed in surprise. "This is against the rules! How can someone be promoted to commander-in-chief so soon after joining the company?"

"Rules?" Yin Siyue chuckled lightly. "What I say is the rule."

Lin Xiwei added calmly, "She does have that ability."

Liu Changtian felt an overwhelming joy instantly wash away all his worries. It wasn't just because of the fifth-rank captain position, but more importantly, because this powerful woman in the red dress wasn't on Lu Zheji's side; in fact, she was subtly his adversary!

As long as I take this opportunity to perform well and latch onto this powerful figure, I can rise to the top quickly. Why should I fear the retribution of a failed career in the future?

I, Liu Changtian, will now stand on your shoulders and soar to the heavens!

"I will certainly live up to your expectations!" Liu Changtian's voice trembled with excitement, and his gaze toward Lu Zheji was filled with renewed fighting spirit, even carrying a hint of condescension.

"In that case, let's begin," Lin Xiwei declared decisively.

……

The martial arts demonstration took place in the open space outside the school.

The two men each held a wooden sword and stood facing each other.

Liu Changtian took a deep breath, suppressing all his distracting thoughts, and his eyes sharpened.

He wanted to win, and he wanted to win spectacularly! Not only for the position of commander-in-chief, but also to prove to everyone present that Liu Changtian was not someone to be underestimated!

Lu Zheji, sword in hand, bowed and said, "Please."

"please."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Changtian made the first move.

With his cultivation at the peak of the second realm, he exerted his full power, stomped his foot, and shot out like an arrow, thrusting the wooden sword straight at his chest.

However, the next moment, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Lu Zheji merely turned slightly to the side, and the wooden sword deftly deflected and guided the attack, precisely striking the weakest point in Lu's sword strike.

Liu Changtian felt the sword suddenly tremble, and most of the immense force was dissipated. The tip of the sword barely grazed Lu Zheji's clothes, missing him by only an inch.

How is that possible?

Liu Changtian was terrified. Before he could think, he suddenly changed his sword stance, sweeping the wooden sword horizontally towards Lu Zheji's side.

Lu Zheji shifted his feet, his body drifting back like a willow catkin. At the same time, his wooden sword pointed out at an extremely tricky angle, aiming directly at the gap under Lu Zheji's ribs exposed by his sweeping attack.

Liu Changtian broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly sheathed his sword to defend himself, his wooden sword barely managing to block the attack.

The enormous difference in spiritual power forced Lu Zheji to take a step back, but Liu Changtian's heart sank.

This strike was a defensive move he was forced to make.

He, a dignified peak of the second realm, was forced to defend on the second move against an opponent who had just entered the second realm.

On the examiners' table, the people who had been sitting casually gradually straightened up without realizing it.

Lin Xiwei's almond-shaped eyes widened slightly, and her red lips pressed together almost imperceptibly.

The other sect elders exchanged bewildered glances, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.

They had not previously expressed any objection to the fact that Liu Changtian's realm was much higher than Lu Zheji's because a higher realm meant greater control and freedom of movement.

It's not about rigging the match. The outcome of the martial arts competition isn't important; what matters is the strength of the examiners. Everyone present is highly skilled, and it's easy to tell at a glance how capable these juniors are.

It's just that with someone cooperating, things look a little better on the surface.

The so-called "court examination" is ostensibly to ensure that no talented person is overlooked, but in reality, isn't it just a back door for these spoiled brats?

But now that I look at it, no, you really do have something!

To be able to fight back and forth despite such a huge difference in cultivation level, such talent would never have been reduced to the stage of the Hall Examination if he hadn't offended the Goddess Palace.

They actually found gold in this sea of ​​excrement today!

At this moment, after the initial shock and embarrassment, Liu Changtian had completely put away all his contempt.

He was no longer in a hurry to achieve quick success, but instead took a steady and methodical approach. Relying on his more abundant spiritual power and faster speed at the peak of the second realm, he gained the upper hand. His sword momentum surged like a tide, attacking Lu Zheji wave after wave.

Lu Zheji suddenly felt a great increase in pressure. He moved around the field, his wooden sword flying so fast that it was impenetrable, deflecting Liu Changtian's attacks one by one. However, he was clearly on the defensive, and even when he did manage to counterattack, he could not shake Liu Changtian's foundation.

Even so, the gazes of the examiners grew even more intense.

To be able to withstand such a huge disadvantage in cultivation for so long without showing any signs of defeat, Lu Zheji's talent and resilience have been fully demonstrated. Even if he is ultimately defeated, he is definitely worth fighting for!

The examiners were already glancing at each other out of the corner of their eyes, quickly calculating in their minds what price they should offer to recruit this unexpected dark horse.

……

Liu Changtian grew increasingly frustrated as the fight progressed. Every sword strike he wielded was powerful and heavy, and his opponent's spiritual power was far inferior to his own, yet he simply couldn't break through that seemingly crumbling defense.

Lu Zheji's sword was like a pool of water; his power was dispersed and dissolved layer by layer as it entered, eventually disappearing without a trace.

He gritted his teeth, and the wooden sword transformed into a continuous barrage of sword shadows, his attacks becoming increasingly fierce.

Under the onslaught of sword strikes, Lu Zheji seemed to be struggling to defend, and a fleeting opening was created for him.

Liu Changtian's eyes suddenly lit up. Without the slightest hesitation, he thrust out his wooden sword like a venomous snake, aiming straight for the opening.

We won! The flag is mine! Miss Shen is mine!

However, just as his sword tip was about to touch Lu Zheji's clothes, Lu Zheji's previously stagnant figure twisted slightly at an incredible angle, as if he had anticipated it.

At the same time, his wooden sword slashed upwards at an extremely strange angle, aiming straight for Liu Changtian's armpit, which was wide open from his full-force thrust.

Liu Changtian was terrified and hurriedly withdrew his sword to defend himself. He twisted his body with all his might, and the wooden sword retreated hastily, barely blocking the gap under his armpit.

The two wooden swords clashed again.

"Yes."

This soft sound seemed no different from the countless previous encounters, but Liu Changtian's face turned pale instantly.

The next moment, the wooden sword that had been blocking him suddenly twisted and released, striking precisely the weakest point in his defensive stance.

Liu Changtian felt a sudden numbness in his tiger's mouth, and his five fingers could no longer grip the sword hilt.

The wooden sword flew out of my hand, tumbled a few times in the air, and landed on the ground with a thud.

The school was deathly silent.

The tip of Lu Zheji's sword was already pressed against his throat.

Liu Changtian stood there blankly, his face still showing the shock and bewilderment of that moment.

"I...I..."

His lips trembled, and suddenly he let out a piercing wail: "Give me another chance! I lost because I was careless! Give me another chance!"

Yin Siyue's cold laughter came from the examiners' table, like a bucket of ice water being poured over someone's head: "Aren't you embarrassed enough? Your sword moves have been completely seen through. You'll only lose a hundred times even if you fight a hundred times."

Liu Changtian was jolted, as if struck by lightning.

The examiners remained silent.

They could all see that Liu Changtian was indeed an outstanding junior, with a peak second-realm cultivation level and quite remarkable swordsmanship. He was a promising talent worthy of being nurtured in their sect.

On paper, his strength is a level above Lu Zheji's.

But Lu Zheji's final sword strike was definitely not a lucky fluke.

He had already seen through the flaw in Liu Changtian's defensive move when Liu Changtian was forced to defend due to his initial underestimation of him. Everything that followed was to force Liu Changtian to repeat the defensive posture that he had initially seen through at a specific time and in a specific way!

Facing an opponent stronger than himself, he not only managed to defend but also proceeded step by step, guiding the opponent to completely display the defensive moves he wanted to see during the fierce battle. This meant that Lu Zheji had thoroughly figured out Liu Changtian in these few dozen rounds of combat.

What an amazing talent...

Amidst everyone's admiration, Liu Changtian broke down.

His legs buckled, and he collapsed to his knees, covering his face with his hands and bursting into tears.

Lu Zheji was startled by the scene.

He sheathed his wooden sword and looked at Liu Changtian, who was crying bitterly on the ground, with a puzzled expression. His eyelids twitched.

No, brother, why are you crying?

How far you can go in the Demon Slayer Division ultimately depends on your cultivation level. Your talent is there, you just missed an opportunity to advance earlier, so why are you crying so sadly?

Anyone who didn't know better would think I stole your beloved girl.

He shook his head, ignoring the distraught Liu Changtian, and turned to the examiners' table, bowing respectfully and announcing, "The student's martial arts demonstration is complete."

Lin Xiwei's gaze lingered on Lu Zheji for a moment before she turned to the examiners beside her: "What do you all think of student Lu?"

The examiners snapped out of their shock, exchanged glances, and saw a determined gleam in each other's eyes.

They were about to speak, racking their brains for ways to praise this dark horse, especially the two more straightforward martial arts elders, who were so anxious that they were scratching their heads, their minds simply not enough to come up with anything.

Yin Siyue chuckled softly, uttering a sentence in her charming and alluring voice:

"The bearing of an emperor."