The Death-Defying Exam

“A change? Has the Holy Church’s scripture been altered?”

“No, not the Holy Church’s, but rather a decision reached after discussions between His Majesty and myself. Previously, fighters within the Lanning Empire could only take the examination at eighteen years of age, yet many other nations on the Aethelgard Continent set their standard at fifteen. This meant many excellent young fighters from our empire entered the Battle God Academy three years later than others, which is detrimental to the growth of the empire’s Battle God numbers.”

“Thus, after His Majesty consulted with Godfather Ferdinand, it was decided to lower this year’s examination age standard to fifteen!”

Duke Widener spoke at length, then started breathing heavily. Du Chen felt a flicker of confusion. This man was a Titled Battle God Scion, surely a powerful Battle God himself, so why was his physique so weak?

In stark contrast, Anges, also a Titled Battle God Scion, was imposing and majestic, exuding a captivating aura—clearly a peerless general who had commanded battlefields.

Anges stated, “Duke Widener, if my memory serves me correctly, your son Kaman is already fifteen, isn’t he?”

“Indeed, he’s also participating in this year’s exam!” Widener chuckled awkwardly. “I was just thinking, Francis is also fifteen…”

So, they wanted him to take the exam for that so-called “Cradle of Battle Gods,” that “Diamond Path to Soaring Success.” Du Chen was realistic. His Precious Lotus Scripture had only reached slightly past the second layer, and his inner strength was merely equivalent to a One-Star battle qi. Moreover, he didn’t know a damn thing about combat techniques. At this level, taking the exam would be nothing short of utter humiliation!

“Uncle Widener, you know I can’t cultivate battle qi!” Du Chen chuckled.

“Oh, my memory is failing me!” Widener smiled apologetically. “But the Holy Church’s scripture doesn’t forbid those without battle qi from participating! In fact, it mandates that Titled Battle God Scions must participate at least once! So, Duke Anges, are you planning to have Francis forfeit!?”

“No!” Anges suddenly raised a hand. Forfeit? Wouldn’t that be tantamount to admitting defeat?! How could a scion of Sigurd Saint-Shine, Battle God ever surrender?!

The Saint Sigurd Cain family only produced battle-hardened heroes, never spineless cowards who clung to life in disgrace!

“Minister of Imperial Rites Widener, Francis, the third son of the Saint Sigurd Cain family, will participate in the Battle God Academy selection exam on time!”

Widener’s eyes brightened. He couldn’t believe Anges had actually agreed. He probed, “Duke, then I shall submit Francis’s name. Once a name is submitted, he must participate in the exam, no matter what happens!”

Anges pondered for a moment, then declared resolutely, “Submit his name!”

“Oh, Duke Anges, your courage fills me with admiration! Well… I’ll go prepare then!” He then gave Du Chen a warm smile. “Nephew Francis, you must prepare diligently for the exam!”

Widener left in high spirits.

Du Chen watched his retreating back, finding the stout man very odd. Why was he so happy about Du Chen taking the exam? He was grinning like a fox who’d found the hen house!

“Francis!” Anges called Du Chen, his expression peculiar as he instructed, “Have Steve teach you some things about the exam, then…”

He abruptly fell silent.

Du Chen waited, confused, for him to continue, until Anges turned and walked away, only speaking coldly with his back to Du Chen: “The Saint Sigurd Cain family only produces battle-hardened heroes; there are no cowards who surrender and beg for mercy!”

Battle-hardened heroes… Could people actually die in this exam?

***

“Heavens, has Father lost his mind? To actually send you to the Battle God Academy exam!?”

Within the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate, in his own study, Steve leaped up and cursed their father upon hearing Du Chen was to take the exam. “My dear brother, how could you agree? Isn’t this just sending you to your death!?”

Du Chen wondered, “Can people actually die in a regular exam?”

“Nonsense!” Steve paced frantically. “I get it now! Widener is clearly seeking revenge for Kaman!”

“Big Brother, calm down first. What exactly is going on?”

Steve pressed both hands onto Du Chen’s shoulders and explained, “The Battle God Academy, as its name suggests, selects fighters of exceptional aptitude and trains them to become true Battle Gods! So, you can imagine what its exams test, right?”

“Combat?”

“Precisely! And they don’t care if you have battle qi or not; once you step onto the combat arena, it’s a fight to the death! The Battle God Academy exam has two parts: first, a written test—don’t worry about that, just memorize more Holy Church scriptures and you’ll pass. But after the written test, there’s a martial trial. Every year, the Holy Church specially allocates a certain number of ‘death quotas,’ allowing a portion of candidates to die during the exam!”

Du Chen was shocked. “That’s outrageous! It’s just an exam!”

“It *is* just an exam, but it’s *also* an exam to select Battle Gods!!” Steve sighed, his voice grave. “The Four Battle God Admonitions state: ‘Never retreat in battle, never evade an enemy, forget life in desperation, and never surrender when death is certain!’”

After speaking, Steve sighed repeatedly. Du Chen understood his meaning. The Four Admonitions conveyed one message: Battle Gods were true warriors. If you feared death, then don’t become a Battle God, and don’t participate in this exam!

“Big Brother, can I not take the exam?”

“No, the Holy Church’s scripture dictates that once you sign up, you must participate. Otherwise, it’s a violation of the Holy Church’s scripture, and you should know the consequences! You can concede during the martial trial, but you absolutely cannot fail to show up… Wait!”

Suddenly, Steve’s eyes lit up. “My brother, I have a plan! Remember, during martial trials, fighters usually equip sacred artifacts first. As soon as you see your opponent pull out a sacred artifact, concede immediately!”

“Big Brother, Father said the family only produces battle-hardened heroes…”

“What do you care about Father? My dear brother, family honor is important, but it’s not more important than your own life, is it?” Steve chuckled.

Du Chen felt a surge of warmth. In this world of Battle Gods, most people valued honor above all else, just like Anges today. As a Deputy Commander, he couldn’t have failed to see Widener’s scheme, yet he still agreed for the sake of the family’s prestige. Steve, however, prioritized Du Chen’s safety. Perhaps having such a big brother in this life was his good fortune!

Steve continued, “Besides, you have Godfather Ferdinand’s three blessings, which grant you thirty points. Even if you concede in the martial trial, your written test score combined with the blessing bonus points will ensure your results aren’t too shameful!”

Du Chen smiled and nodded, but inwardly, he was defiant. Should a “thief” simply admit defeat? He now possessed the strength of a peak One-Star Martial Fighter, so he wasn’t without means of self-preservation during the exam.

If that was the case, why not participate in this exam? At worst, his Lotus Internal Force would be exposed, and he’d simply push all the credit onto the mysterious guardian Battle God! That way, the Holy Church wouldn’t say anything, and if the Holy Church kept silent, Anges wouldn’t dare utter another word!

Thinking this, Du Chen said, “Big Brother, don’t worry, I know what to do!”

Steve, believing Du Chen had decided to concede, relaxed and said with resentment, “That old fox Widener is too detestable! He must be using his position as Minister of Imperial Rites to group you with Kaman during the exam, so Kaman can seize the opportunity to get rid of you! Damn it!”

Du Chen mused to himself, *That’s probably exactly what’s happening—Kaman seizing the chance for revenge…*

*Heavens, so Duke Widener and his son Kaman are threatening my life. Will the mysterious guardian Battle God resort to the Flaying and Shrouding Rite again?*

Du Chen’s heart turned cold. Just then, Steve nudged him. “Which young lady are you thinking of? You look so pale? Are you reluctant to give up Avril?”

“Oh, come on, Big Brother, I’m not interested in that girl!” Du Chen gave a wry smile, but his mind was still contemplating whether the mysterious Battle God would act again.

Steve took Du Chen’s hand and led him outside. “Forget about Avril for now. The exam will take a long time. You should first handle the matters concerning the Southern City properties!