Gu Qingyan wrote at a tremendous speed, completely ignoring the distracting sounds of the outside world.

  Regardless of whether the fame was good or bad, Sun Mo was famous now. At least ? of the examinees knew that he was the one who said ‘you are just a dog waiting for others in front of their door!’,

  But to Gu Qingyan, so what of it?

  (No matter how famous you are, can you be more famous than me?)

  Gu Qingyan was pursuing those genius seniors in his school, as well as those great teachers. He didn’t even regard Sun Mo as his competitor, not even for a single second.

  Because Sun Mo wasn’t worthy.

  “Full marks! I must obtain full marks!”

  Gu Qingyan was giving his all, challenging his limits!

  Dang! Dang! Dang!

  When the bell rang, Gu Qingyan placed his brush down. After that, he glanced at the tidy stack of exam papers and revealed a pleasantly surprised smile.

  (I actually finished answering everything?)

  (Seems like my potential isn’t fully excavated yet!)

  “Place down your writing brush and leave the classroom in order. No talking is allowed, no one is permitted to stay behind!”

  Tang Nian warned.

  Some examinees had unsightly looks on their faces as though they were suffering from constipation. (Ai, can’t you guys give us half an hour more?) However, the rest revealed expressions of relief. (This torment is finally over.)

  “In the future, I will hand in my exam papers in advance while getting full marks!”

  Gu Qingyan flicked his sleeve and smoothened the crease on his shirt before calmly leaving the classroom. Everywhere he passed by, the examinees took the initiative to step aside for him.

  When Tang Nian’s gaze matched with Gu Qingyan’s, he involuntarily revealed a smile on his face. This was a smile that appeared only when he saw a top-graded examinee.

  There were admiration and encouragement in his eyes!

  When the examinees saw this, all of them felt exceptionally envious because they wouldn’t be able to find a chance to fawn on great teachers. However, Gu Qingyan basically didn’t need to do this. Although great teachers wouldn’t lower their statuses to take the initiative to chat with him, as long as Gu Qingyan spoke, no great teachers would reject having a conversation with him. ……

  The office building had now become grading areas for exam papers. 309 people were responsible for grading the spirit rune written exam, and these people were all great teachers who specialized in the study of spirit runes. This was to guarantee that the grading wouldn’t have a mistake.

  “How many examinees does the Saint Gate plan to eliminate this year?”

  An aged great teacher sighed. His concept was there should be education for everyone irrespective of background, and he wished to encourage more people by letting them become 1-star great teachers. Hence, he really wasn’t very fond of such a strict exam.

  “I feel like this is the correct way. In the past, too many low-quality newbies had managed to obtain the title of a 1-star great teacher.”

  Su Tai’s lips twitched.

  The lesser the number of great teachers, the more it would show everyone else how precious great teachers were!

  “Everyone, please grade the papers as fast as possible. We have to release the results tomorrow!”

  Tang Nian urged.

  The Saint Gate’s examination was divided into many grounds. If you were eliminated in any one, you could just return home immediately. So, they had to release the results tomorrow morning, or it would affect the examination tomorrow afternoon.

  Because grading exam papers were too mechanical, it was very boring. However, after the great teachers cast the Encyclopedic Knowledge halo on themselves, they could maintain their conditions at their peak states. There was no need to worry about them making a mistake.

  “I’ve marked 16 papers as of now and every one of them failed. Ze, they dared to come and participate in the 1-star great teacher examination with such low standards?”

  Su Tai tossed a 40 mark exam paper down as a look of disdain appeared on his face. (Are all the newbies today so full of themselves?)

  “Only half would be able to pass given the difficulty level of last year’s paper!”

  Tang Nian spoke a word of fairness.

  “Ai!”

  That aged great teacher sighed. This was fate. If you took the exam at the wrong timing, you could only blame yourself for your bad luck.

  “Have any of you marked Gu Qingyan’s paper yet?”

  Su Tai had seen too many rubbish exam papers and wanted to grade a higher quality one to ‘cleanse’ his eyes. Secondly, he wanted to see for himself the capabilities of this top graduate from the Skyraise Academy.

  Everyone shook their heads. Another hour passed and Su Tai suddenly called out.

  “I have a premonition that this paper is definitely Gu Qingyan’s!”

  Su Tai was very excited because after marking six of the papers, there wasn’t a single wrong answer. Also, the writing was beautiful and had the imposing air of a master.

  “Let me take a look!”

  “Let me admire it too!”

  “Don’t rush!”

  The examiners placed the exam papers in their hands down and crowded around in excitement, surrounding Su Tai.

  That aged great teacher also wanted to come over, but after glancing at the papers in his hand, he gave up. (Who knows, the papers I am grading now might be Gu Qingyan’s.)

  “Teacher Su, do you want me to read through and evaluate for you?”

  A great teacher spoke in a half-teasing and half-serious tone.

  “Hehe!”

  Su Tai didn’t reply, he felt contempt in his heart. (How ridiculous, I’m not a fool. How can I give up such a chance to you?)

  Being able to grade the exam papers of a genius was like an opportunity.

  Honestly speaking, Su Tai was very confident in himself, but he didn’t feel his potential could surpass Gu Qingyan’s. No matter if Gu Qingyan became the future headmaster of the Skyraise Academy or not, he would definitely be more impressive than Su Tai. Hence, Su Tai mustn’t miss out on this chance to have a connection with him.

  “Quickly grade the papers!”

  Someone urged.

  Su Tai had long since memorized the answers so he could read ten lines at a single glance. He was able to tell the results quickly.

  “First paper, all correct!”

  “Eighth paper, also all correct!”

  “Ninth paper, still all correct!”

  Su Tai grew joyful. “Sorry, everyone. This year, the first set of full marks exam papers will appear from my hands!”

  The tenth exam paper was full of discussion-type questions.

  It was the most difficult topic to score full marks on. Hence, as long as one’s main gist was correct and they gave examples to support their theory, they would be able to get it right.

  “You guys, with such beautiful answers, how can I not give him full marks?”

  Su Tai marveled.

  Everyone read through the paper and nodded unceasingly with admiration in their eyes. There was really nothing to pick on. However, when the paper reached the hands of a middle-aged great teacher, he frowned.

  “However, for the last major question, this answer seems to be lacking something?”

  After the middle-aged teacher spoke, before others could reply, Su Tai already called out.

  “It’s lacking something?” Su Tai immediately disputed, “Gu Qingyan has already predicted the development and usage of the spirit rune. Isn’t this enough?”

  There was no model answer for the last major question. The question requested the examinee to expound on the future of the study of spirit runes and its influence on the world.

  “Teacher Tang, you should come and evaluate this!”

  Su Tai took the paper back and passed it to Tang Nian.

  “Hehe!”

  Although the middle-aged great teacher was unhappy with Su Tai’s attitude, he knew that he shouldn’t have blurted what he said earlier out. For this question, Gu Qingyan had already answered it quite well, yet he still said that Gu Qingyan’s answer was lacking something. If word of this were to spread, it might attract some unneeded trouble.

  Gu Qingyan wouldn’t be so petty as to become angry over such a matter. But who knew what the other teachers and students of the Skyraise Academy would think?

  “Teacher Bai, what do you think it lacks?”

  After Tang Nian finished reading, he also felt that something was lacking. But as to what exactly it was, he wasn’t able to pinpoint it.

  “I have no idea, but I only feel that with Gu Qingyan’s fame, he should have given a better answer!’

  The middle-aged great teacher honestly spoke.

  “Che!”

  Su Tai’s lips twitched. (I didn’t expect that Teacher Bai would actually be a simp with his large eyes and thick eyebrows.)

  “Alright, enough. Make good use of the time to grade the other papers!”

  Tang Nian urged.

  Having seen these full marks papers, everyone felt like they had just drunk three-days worth of iced cola. They felt so satisfied that their hearts turned cool.

  “Everyone. I’m sorry, I’ll be taking away the first ‘prize’ this year!”

  Su Tai was very happy.

  “Congratulations to Teacher Su.”

  “You will be lucky the entire year!”

  “No matter what, Gu Qingyan has to treat you to a meal, right?”

  The great teachers laughed. There was a saying in the great teacher world – if one graded a full mark set of exam papers, they would have a year of good luck.

  “Thanks!”

  Su Tai sat down reservedly and prepared to focus on his work. Yet, all of a sudden, he heard the aged great teacher saying, “It’s too excellent!”

  Su Tai’s eyebrows lifted. He then smiled and teased, “Teacher Zhang, are you praising me?”

  Zhang Mai lifted his head with an astonished look on his face. “Praising you?”

  “Eh!”

  Su Tai frowned. (Are you trying to act dumb to annoy me because you are unhappy?)

  “Everyone, quickly come and take a look. I also have a set of exam papers here, and this might actually be the one from Gu Qingyan!”

  Zhang Mai excitedly called out.

  “Ah? Another full mark set of exam papers?”

  “Is this real?”

  “Are there two Gu Qingyans?”

  The great teachers exchanged mutual glances. It was naturally impossible for there to be two Gu Qingyan. In that case, whose exam papers were those?

  “Impossible!”

  Su Tai doubted. “Teacher Zhang, are you mistaken? The questions this year are all very difficult.”

  Su Tai had bragged for half-a-day about his exam papers. If those exam papers didn’t belong to Gu Qingyan, how awkward would he feel? Besides, he would lose the opportunity to build a relationship with Gu Qingyan.

  “Teacher Su, I will pass you the brush. How about you grade it?”


  Zhang Mai also felt unhappy now. (How can you doubt my professionalism?)

  Zhang Mai didn’t notice what everyone had been talking about earlier because the answers to this last exam paper were simply written too beautifully. This was especially so for the final major question. The answer was thought-provoking and would broaden the horizons of everyone. It made him so intoxicated that he forgot all the clamor around him.

  Su Tai didn’t take the papers, but Teacher Bai took them and browsed through them quickly. After he finished reading, he involuntarily cried out loudly.

  “Beautiful, truly too beautiful! I dare to state that these are then Gu Qingyan’s exam papers!”

  Teacher Bai greatly praised it.

  All the great teachers immediately crowded over and surveyed it carefully.

  Tang Nian frowned and shook his head. As the invigilator of the classroom, he had personally seen Gu Qingyan’s writing. Hence, he could be sure that Su Tai’s papers were Gu Qingyan’s ones.

  “Could there be two sets of exam papers that scored full marks?”

  Tang Nian was shocked. He knew all the talented newbies who had registered for the study of spirit runes examination, but they shouldn’t be able to score full marks.

  “Could there be a dark horse?”

  When Tang Nian stood up, he heard those great teachers marveling out loud.

  “Really well-written!”

  “Excellent, very excellent!”

  “It’s just that his writing is not as stylish!”

  “Stop nitpicking. We are great teachers and not calligraphers.”

  The great teachers were all excited as though they had just discovered a new land.

  “Teacher Tang, quickly come and look at the answer for the last major question. Didn’t I say that the previous answer seemed to lack something? This part of the answer is what was lacking!”

  That Teacher Bai chortled, “I dare to use my head as a bet. This must then be Gu Qingyan’s exam papers!”

  Tang Nian’s curiosity was piqued. He hurriedly came over and looked at the papers.

  “Allow me to take a look at it!”

  Tang Nian was smiling originally, but the moment he saw the writing, his countenance changed. (My heavens, why is the writing style so familiar?)

  Chapter 447: The Two Words ‘Sun Mo’ Are Written with Vigorous and Fascinating Strokes

  Great teacher Bai’s original intention was to let Tang Nian look at the final major question. However, he didn’t expect Tang Nian to start all the way from the first examination paper.

  (What are you trying to do?)

  Teacher Bai didn’t understand.

  Zhang Mai felt depressed. “Teacher Tang, it’s impossible for me to be mistaken. Also, look at the writing, it’s as smooth as flowing water. This indicates that when Gu Qingyan was answering the questions, he did everything in one go without hesitation. What does this mean? This means that he was extremely confident!”

  All the great teachers nodded because all the examinees had used writing brushes. Hence, they could tell whether the answers were written in one go or with pauses in between.

  There was absolutely no way to fake the ink traces.

  Tang Nian didn’t reply. Instead, he was attentively checking each question, wanting to find a mistake.

  It wasn’t because he wanted to prove that Sun Mo couldn’t make it. Rather, he wanted to know if there was really such a shocking genius!

  (Under such hell-like difficulty, you finished the exam within two hours. Are you a devil? Even 2-star great teachers might not be able to do this!)

  Fill in the blank questions, all correct!

  Judgment questions, all correct!

  Recitation questions, all correct! ……

  The more Tang Nian saw, the deeper the shock on his face was. As a 4-star great teacher, his experience was very abundant. Just from looking at the quality of answers and the writing, he was able to deduce Sun Mo’s realm.

  Tang Nian was also a great teacher that specialized in spirit runes.

  “The latter waves of the river are catching up with the earlier waves!”

  Tang Nian sighed. Just by reading the answers in front, he knew that Sun Mo’s understanding of spirit runes was deeper than Gu Qingyan’s.

  “I’m not wrong, correct?”

  Zhang Mai felt joyful. “You should quickly look at the final question. That is the essence!”

  “How good can it be?”

  Su Tai felt contempt. He stretched his neck and leaned over. But after taking two glances, his face turned pale.

  Su Tai was famous ever since he was young. He was a bit frivolous and arrogant, but he did have the talent. This was why he grew nervous and revealed a few hints of reluctance when he saw Sun Mo’s answer.

  It was extremely outstanding. No, it should be said that his answer was unprecedented.

  The great teachers in the office all gathered over, no longer grading their own papers. Their excitement was ignited by Sun Mo’s answer, and they started a round of fervent discussion.

  The final question asked about what they thought of the future of spirit runes.

  Almost all the students wrote about the application of spirit runes in combat. Gu Qingyan was no exception.

  Naturally, given Gu Qingyan’s horizons and talent, his answer far surpassed everyone else and contained far-sightedness.

  Then what about Sun Mo?

  What he wrote about was the application of spirit runes in everyday life.

  This was a way of thought no one had ever considered before.

  One must know that ever since spirit runes were created, it existed for the sake of assisting one in combat. The goal that spirit rune masters pursued was to use spirit runes to make themselves stronger, to control the battle and gain victory!

  However, no one had ever thought of applying spirit runes into the aspects of daily life.

  Look at Sun Mo’s answer.

  Design and inscribe a type of spirit rune that would make water swirl in a certain direction under the bottom of a metal pail. Water currents would be formed and by doing this, one no longer needed to wash clothes by hand. They could directly toss the dirty clothes into the pail for them to wash by itself.

  Also, a tool in the shape of three leaves and a holder could be designed. After inscribing a spirit rune on it, the spirit rune masters could make the three leaves rotate rapidly to produce unceasing gusts of wind. It was definitely a godly item in the hot summer for one to mitigate the heat. ……

  There was basically no need to read further. Just the applications of these two types of spirit runes were enough to revolutionize the entire world.

  Although everyone here were lofty great teachers and were heavily respected by others, it didn’t mean that they really stood aloof from the world!

  For things like washing clothes, even if they didn’t do it themselves, everyone must have seen it before!

  Given the intelligence of great teachers, they just needed to think about it carefully, and they would be able to see that there were many ways to utilize these concepts. Once such a rune was designed and its application was proven effective, how much effort could one save?

  Because of his profession, Tang Nian thought even deeper. If one sold the design of such a spirit rune, how rich would they be?

  One must know that every single household had to do laundry. Poor families might not be able to afford the rune, but for those who were slightly well off, they would buy it no matter what, right?

  Besides, many royal clans in the Nine Provinces had places like washing chambers. In fact, even many wealthy clans had them.

  What were these places for?

  Naturally, to do laundry!

  The staff there had to wash clothes every single moment. With Sun Mo’s idea, many people would lose their jobs.

  However, how much money could those rich families spare?

  He really didn’t dare to imagine.

  Also for that wind-blowing tool, it was simply ground-breaking. Did you know how wealthy people avoided heat in summer? Other than stacking ice in their homes, the only other way was to get a maid to fan them every second.

  All the great teachers on the scene stopped talking. They sank into deep contemplation instead. Even Su Tai was able to understand how strong the practicality of these two tools was.

  “Genius! Truly a genius concept!”

  Tang Nian wasn’t able to control it as he cried out.

  Everyone nodded.

  Su Tai opened his mouth and wanted to rebut, but he wasn’t able to find any excuses.

  “Teacher Zhang, congratulations to you!”

  Su Tai had a depressed look on his face. All his hope of building a connection with Gu Qingyan was dashed.

  “Haha!”

  Zhang Mai stroked his beard and praised, “Gu Qingyan’s performance is as expected of the top graduate from the Skyraise Academy. His talent would make everyone bow in defeat, acknowledging their inferiority willingly!”

  “Yeah. Although the other set of exam papers aren’t bad, the standards of the two examinees are clearly seen, and the earlier one is somewhat inferior.”

  “What a pity, that examinee would definitely be first if he took the exam last year!”

  “I wonder whose exam papers are those?”

  The great teachers discussed, feeling a pity for the examinee whose papers were marked by Su Tai. After that, they started to praise the papers Zhang Mai had marked. They were filled with compliments at Gu Qingyan’s capabilities.

  At this moment, Tang Nian wanted to tell everyone to stop lauding. That set of exam papers weren’t done by Gu Qingyan. However, he didn’t know how he should speak.

  He felt that he might be beaten up if he revealed it!

  “Everyone, everyone, please listen to me. The content of this last question must absolutely not be leaked out!”

  Zhang Mai’s expression turned solemn as he reminded everyone strictly.

  Everyone started. After that, they nodded.

  “Definitely!”

  “Teacher Zhang, you are thinking too much. We are all great teachers, not thieves!”

  “Once this concept of Gu Qingyan succeeds, it’s unknown how much money he would be able to earn!”

  The great teachers hurriedly guaranteed to keep this a secret. After that, they revealed expressions of envy. If Gu Qingyan really managed to design two runes like that, he would earn so much that even his coffers were filled to the brim.

  For something like money, no one would feel that they had too much.

  However, the people of this era still had moral integrity. Even though they wanted money, they wouldn’t stoop so low as to steal the creative idea of another!

  “Since this is the case, we shouldn’t publish this exam paper, right?”

  Teacher Bai frowned.

  According to the examples of past years, once an examinee that scored full marks appeared, their exam papers would be displayed. This was to prove that the Saint Gate’s marking system was fair and fraudless, and there wouldn’t be any suspiciousness internally. At the same time, it was a type of glory and encouragement to examinees.

  Just think about it, becoming famous in a single day. How great of an influence would it have on one’s future?

  “That’s for sure!”

  Zhang Mai nodded. He didn’t dare to guarantee that the examinees wouldn’t steal the concept.

  “What a pity, this is a very glorious thing!”

  Several people sighed.

  “What’s there to be sorry about, would Gu Qingyan lack this bit of fame?”

  Zhang Mai couldn’t help but laugh.

  “That’s right!”

  Everyone laughed. The atmosphere suddenly became incomparably relaxed. Only Tang Nian had a bitter look on his face.

  “Eh? Teacher Tang, what’s wrong with you? Do you have a stomachache?

  Su Tai was concerned.

  “.……”

  Tang Nian really wanted to say he had a stomachache.

  “Oh right, since the results are out, why don’t we tear the name seal to see who’s the other examinee that scored full marks?”

  Zhang Mai stroked his beard. “Honestly speaking, that fellow is also a talented individual!”

  “Let’s take a look!”

  All the great teachers turned to Tang Nian. Because he was the main examiner, he should make the decision.

  According to the rules, they could only tear off the name seals after every set of exam papers were graded. However, there would be some exceptions for full marks exam papers.

  “Teacher Tang!”

  Su Tai sincerely implored. He also wanted to know about the owner of his exam papers.

  Tang Nian felt a headache. Seeing the looks of anticipation on their faces, he could only brace himself and wave his hand. “Up to you guys then!”

  “Teacher Su, please do the honors. After all, you were the one who graded the papers!”

  Zhang Mai suggested, exuding a transcendent attitude.

  Su Tai smiled, mentally musing about how good Zhang Mai’s luck was to actually get Gu Qingyan’s papers. However, the examinee Su Tai marked was also able to get full marks. Since this examinee shouldn’t be too bad either in terms of talent, Su Tai didn’t mind making the junior an acquaintance.

  For the sake of fairness, the names of the examinees were sealed on all exam papers the moment they were handed up.

  Su Tai held the corner of the paper and pulled.

  Si~

  A part of the name slip was torn, revealing a word ‘Gu’.

  “Eh? This student also has the surname ‘Gu’?”

  Zhang Mai was curious. “Seems like the Gu Clan has produced many geniuses this generation!”

  Tang Nian glanced at Zhang Mai, mentally musing at why he didn’t realize Zhang Mai was such a simp in the past.

  Su Tai exerted some force and tore the rest of the slip. After that, he was stunned. (Am I seeing things wrong?)

  Su Tai subconsciously rubbed his eyes.

  “Let me take a look who it is. Ah?”

  Zhang Mai lowered his head and called out. The shocked look on his face was as though he saw a giant dragon being pinned down on the ground and had its as*hole r*ped by a rabbit.

  “Gu……Gu……”

  Zhang Mai’s mouth mumbled, but he wasn’t able to finish what he wanted to say.

  The other great teachers had dumbfounded looks on their faces as they sank into silence. Why did this set of papers belong to Gu Qingyan? In that case, the other set of exam papers……

  All of them turned their gazes onto the set of exam papers in Zhang Mai’s hands without prior consultation to each other.

  Tang Nian kneaded his forehead. (As expected!)

  Su Tai was hoping badly that he would be able to get Gu Qingyan’s exam papers. Logically speaking, Su Tai had gotten his wish and should feel happy, but he didn’t know what expression he should make.

  This set of exam papers scored full marks, but it wasn’t the best one!

  Many people might feel like it was not bad. But to Gu Qingyan, there was an 80 to 90% chance that he would feel ashamed to mention it.

  “T……Teacher Zhang, tear the name seal!”

  Teacher Bai urged.

  Zhang Mai’s hands were shaking. He felt somewhat awkward. After all, he had boasted that his set of papers were done by Gu Qingyan. Now that things came to this, didn’t that mean that he was as blind as a bat?

  “Let me do it!”

  Upon seeing this, Tang Nian took the set of papers and tore the name seal. Two large words written in a vigorous and fascinating style appeared.

  Sun Mo!

  An aura of talent immediately gushed forth.