Chapter Sixteen: The Great Comparison Draws Near

  *, when I encounter a great comparison, I become a dragon, nine heavens dragon chant shocking changes in the sky, forever first in Yongcheng County.

  Half a month later, the day of the grand comparison arrived as scheduled. The city of Yongcheng Prefecture immediately became a focal point within a hundred miles, and many royal princes gathered in the city.

  The royal year-end competition, although it has become a convention of the Great Xia Imperial Family, with the same procedure every year and not much novelty, has almost become an annual ritual, with more symbolic meaning than practical significance.

  However, this year's annual grand competition in Yongcheng County was quite different from previous years. This time, many talented individuals emerged, making the competition a spectacular display, like a meteor streaking across the sky, leaving behind a brilliant and eternal glow.

  Walking alone on the street, I feel the surging atmosphere of the city, with people flowing everywhere, as if a million people have suddenly poured into the city.

  In this case, it doesn't feel strange at all in the summer, but when it comes to the year-end grand comparison, the flow of people in the city will increase, making the wide Yongcheng County a bit crowded.

  The Great Xia Empire ruled the world for tens of thousands of years, and the number of princes and nobles was numerous, scattered throughout the world. In the Yongcheng Prefecture alone, there were nearly a million people.

  The year-end competition, although not all the princes participated, came to Yongcheng County City, and there were still a small number of them. In addition to their respective guards and servants, the large number of people can be imagined.

  So many people flooded into Yongcheng County City, making the city more lively than usual. One of the focuses and topics that everyone was concerned about was the imperial family's year-end grand competition.

  The annual finals of the Daxia Imperial Court are a national event that is on par with the imperial examination, along with the Wenju and Wujue, and are known as the three green channels for selecting talents.

  This year's year-end awards are related to himself, so Xia Tian will naturally pay a little attention to them. He wants to know some news about this aspect, and be prepared for any situation.

  The place where news spreads fastest is none other than tea houses and wine shops. The first stop in summer is a wine building.

  "Sir, welcome! Would you like to be seated downstairs or in our VIP lounge upstairs?"

  As soon as he entered the wine house, a waiter came up to greet Xia Tian warmly.

  "It's fine just downstairs."

  Scanning the first floor, he saw there was still an empty table, and Xia Tian said.

  The first floor was crowded with people, almost filling several dozen tables, mostly some rough and burly men, eating large chunks of meat and drinking wine from big bowls.

  "Have you heard? The annual grand competition at the Wang Mansion is about to begin again, and this time, there are many talented individuals participating, it's going to be even more exciting than previous years."

  As he was slowly savoring a light and refreshing fruit wine, a loud and rough voice entered Xia Tian's ears.

  The posture of drinking wine remains unchanged, still so elegant, of course, it can also be said to be pretentious, but the summer ears are erected very high, eavesdropping on the conversation over there.

  "Of course, I've heard of it. The imperial family's annual grand competition, which takes place every year, isn't anything special, is it? As for what they call genius, it's all just hype. Those dukes and princes and other big shots praise their own children to the skies, but when it comes time for a real test, they're always disappointing."

  Another person spoke up, clearly unimpressed by the royal family's year-end grand comparison.

  "Nonsense, at the royal family's year-end grand competition, there may be many mediocre princes, but there are also many talented individuals. My young master is one of them, known in the Jianghu as the Lightning Sword."

  A robust man with a long beard stood up and looked at the person who had just spoken, saying in a deep voice.

  "Oh, is it the Lightning Sword? He indeed has real talent and skills. Legend has it that at just 21 years old, he had already cultivated to the Xiantian realm, truly deserving of his reputation as a genius."

  Whether it was fear of the robust man's aura or genuine admiration for the Flashing Sword, the person's words were filled with praise.

  "Hmph, what's so special about Xiang Dong's Lightning Sword? My uncle is the real genius, and he'll definitely take first place in this tournament."

  A young man in brocade clothes snorted and said proudly.

  At these words, the robust man with a long beard glared angrily and shouted loudly: "You little brat, what are you saying? How dare you slander my young master! Are you looking for death?"

  "You're the one who's asking for death, Xia Donglai is just a viscount, but my uncle is an earl. This is a case of lèse-majesté, believe it or not, I'll have you arrested."

  The young man in brocade clothes was also a hot-tempered person and spoke very loudly.

  "Earl, isn't it great to be an earl? You're all royal sons. At the Grand Comparison Assembly, it doesn't matter what title you hold, only who ranks higher. If you have skills, leave behind your family's name, Earl. During the Grand Comparison, let's see how you measure up against my family's young master."

  As for the identity of the earl, the sturdy man with a long beard had some reservations, but he still shouted loudly.

  Gazing coldly at the robust man with a long beard, the young man in brocade clothes spoke fiercely: "Good, you have guts. Remember this, my uncle is Xia Wangyou."

  "It's actually a treasure hunter, isn't it? According to rumors, among the young generation of the Yongcheng Imperial Family, treasure hunters are the most exceptional."

  "In the first two big competitions, Xia Wang participated and achieved good results, even once ranking eleventh, which was a pity."

  "Shandian Jian Xia Donglai is not simple either. He only participated in one big auction and killed his way into the top twenty. Now, a year has passed, he should be even more formidable."

  "But it's unknown who is more formidable between Xia Donglai and Xia Wuyou. It won't be long before the outcome is clear."

  ……

  Xia Donglai and Xia Wuyou indeed had a bit of fame, at least in Yongcheng County, not many people have heard of their names.

  Last year's final showdown, Xia Donglai's ranking was not as high as Xia Wuyou's, however, after a year has passed, many things will change, and only through competition can we know who is stronger or weaker.

  Many people in the wine house quarreled over Xia Donglai and Xia Wuyou's strengths and weaknesses, and almost came to blows.

  Under this fiery atmosphere, the long-bearded strong man and the brocade-clad young man couldn't get along with each other, and had already started to rub shoulders and make threatening gestures, who knows when they would start a fight.

  In this case, where can you still hear any useful news? So Xia Tian settled the bill, shook his head and walked out of the wine house.

  In the memories of summer, this year-end grand competition, talented individuals emerged one after another. The champion was even a super genius.

  That name, remembered clearly by Xia Tian, was the person called Xia Wudi. Later on, he also achieved great things, his cultivation advancing rapidly, and in one move, he ascended to immortality.

  Now thinking about it, this year's annual grand comparison, although there are many talented people, but except for Xia Wudi, Xia Tian really can't remember anyone else.

  "Never mind, I'll just go buy a copy of the rankings chart that records the actual strength comparison. It's an official evaluation, so it should have some authority."

  After some thought, Xia Tian made up his mind.