[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-lies-hidden":3,"chapter-the-dragon-lies-hidden-the-dragon-lies-hidden-chapter-7":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon Lies Hidden",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2289305,4477,"Chapter 7: Recruitment","the-dragon-lies-hidden-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>In the regulations, Xiang Weiyuan valued the martial assessment most—it was something Zhang Sheng had never mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial assessment gathers all candidates into a celestial illusion, randomly dividing them into two teams to attack each other. Each team holds a key location; victory is achieved by annihilating the enemy or by capturing and holding the enemy’s key location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading the regulations, Xiang Weiyuan still had many unanswered questions: How were the two teams divided? Who would command them? How would the disciples become familiar with each other and coordinate? Would weapons be issued? Would the equipment be reasonable? Though Xiang Weiyuan had read many historical battle cases and studied basic military tactics, too many unknowns made any simulation impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan pondered repeatedly; he could only adapt during the exam itself. After all, scores were calculated by enemy eliminations—so he would kill as many as he could. Xiang Weiyuan, who had slain refugees by hand at age three, was not afraid of combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a light knock came at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan opened the door and saw several youths standing outside. The one in the center had delicate features and wore a blue silk robe, slightly shorter than Xiang Weiyuan; by the standard of the mountains near Ye County, the boy must have been about eleven or twelve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of these youths radiated noble aura. One, seeing Xiang Weiyuan’s tall stature and coarse cloth robe, sneered with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central youth, seeing Xiang Weiyuan’s height, brightened immediately and said: “I am Li Zhi, eldest son of the Marquis Hui’en of Southern Qi. What is your name, senior brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan was slightly startled. The boy clearly came from high status, but he had not expected him to be the son of a Southern Qi Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xiang Weiyuan had never heard of Marquis Hui’en, he knew the official systems of all states: the title “Marquis Hui’en” was not merely a dukedom—it denoted imperial lineage. Moreover, Southern Qi was currently powerful, having recently crushed Ji State in battle after battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet how had the son of a Southern Qi Duke traveled so far to take the exam in Feng Yuanjun of Ji State?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Zhi’s question, Xiang Weiyuan remembered the young Daoist’s warning and replied: “I apologize, but the Daoist just said I must not reveal my identity or name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Li Zhi’s companions snorted: “Can such trivial rules bind us? Brother Li found you—that’s your fortune! If you don’t seize this opportunity, someone else will snatch it. You’re so old and dim-witted—surely you’re not really from Feng Yuan, right? Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another youth said: “His clothes confirm it. All the previous Feng Yuan locals wore tattered rags.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi did not stop the two youths, nor did he join their mockery. Instead, he glanced into the room and saw the regulations on the desk. He smiled and said: “So senior brother is diligent. But these regulations are all empty words. I, Li Zhi, dislike circumlocution. I came to you specifically about the martial assessment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial assessment? Xiang Weiyuan’s interest stirred. “I’d like to hear more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him finally respond, Li Zhi perked up: “The martial assessment truly tests the art of uniting men. On the surface, each candidate is judged solely by their own actions—winners aren’t necessarily ranked high, losers aren’t necessarily low. But think carefully: if you lose, how high could your score possibly be? So to win the martial assessment, the key lies before it even begins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were ideas Xiang Weiyuan had never considered. He listened intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi continued: “Why are we gathered in dormitories but not forbidden from meeting? Precisely so we can organize ourselves, establish hierarchy. For this martial assessment, I will enforce military structure: I will appoint Generals, Mobile Corps Commanders, Vanguard Commanders in advance, and all others as soldiers. As soon as we enter the assessment, we will assemble instantly under strict orders—discipline absolute. Only then can we act with strategy, moving as one limb commands another! With our elite force against their rabble, how could we possibly lose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Li Zhi sized up Xiang Weiyuan’s physique and smiled: “I see your bearing—you’re perfect for Vanguard Commander! If you secure victory in the martial assessment, I’ll guarantee you a third-tier blessed land slot. If you achieve great merit, even a second-tier celestial realm slot is possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan froze. He had never imagined that blessed land and celestial realm slots—so precious in daily life—were casually offered by Li Zhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan still remembered his father, Wei Youcai, who had hoped only that he might join the Crimson Tide Sect, begin the immortal path, and live a few more decades. Yet to Li Zhi, such a sect slot was too meager to even mention as a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan was still young; he felt only a strange heaviness in his chest, though he could not explain why. But he still had questions—and since Li Zhi was willing to speak, he asked: “If I accept your offer but end up on the opposing team, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi laughed: “You’re not as foolish as your age suggests—good question. Team divisions are decided by great masters; I don’t know who will be on which side. If you’re placed on the other team, simply betray them at the critical moment. Even if your score drops slightly, the others on your side will score lower—your rank will rise. Even if your final score is poor, I’ll compensate you personally—your third-tier blessed land slot is guaranteed. So, senior brother, will you now tell me your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Weiyuan shook his head: “The regulations strictly forbid revealing one’s identity or name before the exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi’s smile froze on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a smile: “Rules are chains for ordinary people—but in our hands, they become whips to drive others. Since you’ve chosen to follow me, you need not care about rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Senior Brother Li has nothing else, I’ll return to reading the regulations.” Xiang Weiyuan bowed to Li Zhi, then reentered his room and closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding youths could no longer contain themselves. Those with good manners accused Xiang Weiyuan of failing to recognize a true immortal; those without restraint cursed him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their eyes, Xiang Weiyuan was merely a local bumpkin, old and dull. To enter the Crimson Tide Sect was already divine fortune. Even fourth-tier sects didn’t let their core disciples speak to them. Now Li Zhi offered a third-tier favor—and he dared not kneel and thank him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi showed no anger. He said calmly: “It doesn’t matter. Some always pretend to be above it all. When they see the final scores, they’ll regret it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi passed Xiang Weiyuan’s door and walked to the next. Before he could knock, the door opened and a youth rushed out, beaming: “I’m Lu Duan of Linghe County, Yongzhou… no, Feng Yuanjun! I beg to follow you, Senior Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next door opened, and a girl stepped out, bowing gracefully: “Wang Siqiao of Yanzhou, I wish to follow Senior Brother Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, doors opened, revealing more boys and girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duan Qian begs to follow Senior Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cao Wan wishes to fight alongside Senior Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi’s smile bloomed like a flower. He gently helped each boy and girl to their feet, comforted them, made promises—his voice soft as spring rain, crafting a perfect scene of sovereign and minister in harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, Xiang Weiyuan continued reading the regulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi’s claim—that rules were chains for others but whips in his hands—was true enough. But it might fool others; it could not fool Xiang Weiyuan, who had read countless histories. Li Zhi, with his special status, could break rules without consequence. But if Xiang Weiyuan revealed his name before the exam, that single violation alone would disqualify him from the entire test. So had he answered, he would have handed Li Zhi his own life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such examples filled the histories. How could Xiang Weiyuan be fooled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1351,"2026-06-20T03:38:27.933Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","49a7a8156edb9294f6de4c4a725840c0f7ac8eb040d0117fda50ef0bb8a212e9","the-dragon-lies-hidden-chapter-8","the-dragon-lies-hidden-chapter-6",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-lies-hidden-cover.jpg"]