Chapter 72: Exact and Unerring

Unwittingly, Zhou Yi's strength has reached a fearsome height, even touching the threshold of the Saint Realm that many masters find impossible to surpass, a barrier like a heavenly trench that has blocked countless strong ones.

At Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi felt Zhou Yi's mighty aura and was greatly shocked.

He flashed, soaring through the air toward Zhou Yi's location.

"He is attempting to break through the Quasi‑Saint Realm, and he is taking a path never seen before!" Zhenyuanzi muttered to himself.

Not only him, but the great powers of the Vast Wilderness World—such as Minghe, Taiyi Shen, Diqun, Kunpeng and the Twelve Demon Gods—also sensed a change in Zhou Yi's aura.

They each rose into the air, seeking to investigate and see what kind of miracle this prodigy, who enabled the Human Race to achieve such feats within a hundred years, could create.

"If he can forge a new path and break through successfully, I am willing to become a disciple of the Human Race!" Zhenyuanzi said without hesitation.

The words prompted surprised expressions from those around.

As a top cultivator possessing the Earth Scripture, Zhenyuanzi's willingness to become a junior's disciple shows that Zhou Yi's breakthrough is of extraordinary significance.

Minghe replied lightly, "Zhenyuanzi, you hold the Earth Scripture and yet wish to take a junior as a disciple—aren't you being overly modest?"

Zhenyuanzi let out a contemptuous snort, and as the Earth Scripture slowly unfolded, a powerful oppressive aura spread.

Minghe felt a shock in his heart, immediately cast a spell, and swiftly increased the distance from Zhenyuanzi.

"What do you know!" Zhenyuanzi shouted, "As long as one can reach the Saint Realm, what does any of this matter?"

He continued, "Nüwa and others became saints not because they were born that way, but because they took Hongjun as master. If we had succeeded in taking a master then, what would distinguish us from those saints?"

The few nearby turned pale upon hearing this; they had not expected Zhenyuanzi to speak so boldly.

Yet, who can truly understand the obsession in Zhenyuanzi's heart?

Hongyun's death has always been like a thorn deeply lodged in his heart. Years ago, in the struggle for a chance to become a saint, Hongyun met a tragic fate.

If one could reach the Saint Realm, perhaps he would have the power to revive his old friend.

In Zhenyuanzi's view, any price is worth paying to achieve this goal.

All saints were alarmed by Zhou Yi's actions, awakening from their seclusions and turning their gaze toward the Human Race.

Zhou Yi is treading an entirely new path; if he succeeds, the saints' status will face an unprecedented challenge.

On the calm Tongtian River, Taishang's expression grew serious. "Brother, shall we act together and eliminate him outright."

Taishang said, "If a saint emerges among the Human Race, it would be a huge threat."

Taishang looked up at the sky, as if awaiting some sign, and for a moment could not decide, remaining frozen.

Meanwhile, the examination below was nearing its end, and candidates were submitting their answer sheets one after another.

Waves of literary Qi surged from the exam hall, converging on Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi used his divine abilities to fuse this literary Qi, attempting to break through the barrier to the Saint Realm with its power.

Despite exhausting all methods, Zhou Yi still could not surmount the final hurdle. A hint of resolve flashed in his eyes.

"If you wish to stop me, then see if you can hold me back!" Zhou Yi roared, the flames in his hand intensifying, turning everything around into nothingness.

Then a long sword appeared in his hand, its blade white as jade.

Zhou Yi raised the sword, concentrating his whole strength into a single strike, and slammed it at the tightly shut door.

A tremendous roar echoed, as if the whole world shivered. The door shook violently under the sword. Inside Zixiao Palace, the elder Hongjun saw this and was also shaken.

He had originally been ready to intervene and stop Zhou Yi's breakthrough.

"Someone actually managed to forge his own new path; if this kid succeeds, won't my Xuanmen Dao techniques become a laughingstock?"

As Hongjun was about to act, an unexpected event occurred: after trembling, the door slowly opened a sliver, letting a faint beam of light seep through.

Zhou Yi sensed that faint glimmer of hope, felt a surge of excitement, and wanted to seize the chance to surge forward.

However, at this moment, he had no cards left to play.

All his merit flames had burned out, his lofty righteous Qi was exhausted, and even the literary Qi had been used to forge the sword in his hand.

The steps beneath his feet lost their strength at this moment, no longer able to support his crucial step.

Staring at the Quasi‑Saint Realm, near yet unattainable, Zhou Yi sighed deeply, "It seems I can only go this far."

He released his entire aura at once; in an instant, the onlookers turned pale, feeling a powerful, profound presence bearing down on them.

Although this aura had not yet reached saintly height, it was infinitely close.

The other saints instantly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing clearly that Zhou Yi's current realm lies above Quasi‑Saint but below Saint, a precarious in‑between.

Though he possesses great power, it is still insufficient to become a true saint, so he could still be defeated or eradicated.

"Within this Chaos, to break through to the Saint Realm still requires the methods taught by our master," the saints thought.

Even Tongtian Jiaozhu could not help but feel a tinge of regret.

"From today onward, I call myself the Literary Saint!" Zhou Yi's voice thundered across the entire Chaos world.

As his words fell, a miracle occurred: countless lights rained from the sky like snow, landing on Zhou Yi—heaven and earth's recognition and reward.

Zhou Yi gestured, using the lights to form a massive list; then the scores and names of all candidates appeared sequentially on it, slowly rising into the air to display the results of this Human Race's imperial examination.

"This is our clan's Wen Dao List, recording the scores of past Human Race examinations; each year's ranking must be absolutely accurate."

The people below, seeing this, respectfully bowed and responded in unison, "We shall faithfully follow the Literary Saint's decree!"

This highly anticipated examination concluded.

Because of Zhou Yi, the grand event that should have drawn the Chaos world's attention dimmed considerably; everyone watched the proudly standing Zhou Yi—a prodigy recognized by heaven and earth—with a hint of dread.

As Zhou Yi's figure floated down, a white silhouette streaked toward him like lightning; Fang Yun and Shi Hao's expressions changed dramatically, ready to intervene.

However, Zhou Yi merely lifted his hand slightly, a glowing "Ding" rune shot out at speed, and in an instant time and space around seemed frozen, everyone fixed in place.