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Wrapping her arms around Chaoge, Feng Wu said, “Silly girl, don’t say that. It’s just Imperial College and you only need to take the exam if you want to. It’s not worth crying over.”

However, Feng Wu’s comforting words only made Chaoge cry harder.

Still weeping, Chaoge took Feng Wu’s hand. “I have to get into Imperial College. You’re going there and so am I. I don’t want to be left behind, Xiao Wu —”

Feng Wu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Alright, alright. We’ll go together. I promise.”

Grand Secretary Fang heaved a long sigh. “Fine. Little Chaoge can join you in studying, but you know the odds of her passing the exam.”

Feng Wu nodded. She knew she would find a way to help Chaoge.

Grand Secretary Fang saw Feng Wu as his chief student. “The physical tryout won’t be a problem for you. As a Level 4 Spiritual Grandmaster, you’re already one of the best among the new students.”

Feng Wu nodded.

“Your main problem is the written exam.” Grand Secretary Fang start to explain the exam to Feng Wu in detail. “First of all, tell me, why do you think Imperial College set up a written exam?”

“That’s right. Why?” Chaoge was bewildered.

The old man kept his gaze on Feng Wu.

Feng Wu said, “Because all government officials of the empire are chosen from graduates of Imperial College. Imperial College’s graduation exam is known as the national exam, and those who pass it can start their career in politics as junior officials.”

That was why the entrance exam was so strict.

Not all graduates of Imperial College had to become politicians, but all politicians were graduates of Imperial College.

“Moreover —” added Grand Secretary Fang, “The families of public officials will consider Imperial College graduates first when it comes to marriage. Without this education, you won’t even be able to marry well.”

Therefore, to the people of the Junwu Empire, entering Imperial College meant promising futures for them.

Otherwise, their futures would be very bleak.

Chaoge tugged at Feng Wu. “Xiao Wu, I have to take the exam and get in.”

Grand Secretary Fang was speechless.

Xiao Wu had a good chance of getting in, but Chaoge didn’t seem to fit anywhere.

Feng Wu nodded. “Alright. You’ll get in if you want to.”

Grand Secretary Fang didn’t know what to say.

He shook his head and said to Feng Wu, “Your task now can be considered hard and easy at the same time.”

Feng Wu looked at him in bewilderment.

Pointing at the paper, the old man explained, “Section one, filling in the blanks. All you need to do is memorize mechanically. The excerpt is taken from one of 1000 books, so what you need to do is learn those 1000 books by heart.”

Feng Wu said, “No problem.”

The old man darted a suspicious look at her. That was quick.

“It’s 1000 books we’re talking about here. Not one book.”

“I know.”

Grand Secretary Fang said, “And you can’t just flip through them. You have to remember every word by heart.”

Feng Wu said, “No problem.”

Grand Secretary Fang rubbed his forehead. “If you say so. Now, let’s move on to section two.

“This section requires you to write down a passage from memory, which is essentially the same as section one. It’s also randomly picked from one of those 1000 books and you have to memorize all the words.”

Feng Wu nodded. “Of course!”

Grand Secretary Fang turned the page. “Section three consists of multiple choice questions, and they can be about anything. It tests the knowledge that you’ve accumulated over the years —”

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“Xiao Wu, you have extensive knowledge of formations and cultivation theories, and you gave the correct answer to every single question on those subjects. However, when it comes to subjects you haven’t delved into, you don’t know the answers.”

Feng Wu nodded earnestly. The old man was right.

“That means it’ll be very difficult for you to improve. So many subjects are covered and there’s so much you’ll need to learn. You won’t have time to remember all the books. My advice is that you should give up on this section.” Grand Secretary Fang was very straightforward.

But Feng Wu only frowned. She didn’t want to give up.

Grand Secretary Fang went on flipping through the exam paper. “You got full marks in section four.”

He gave Feng Wu a strange look. “Apart from ice, do you know the other elements as well?”

Because her beautiful master had explained to her the elemental laws from a strategic point of view, to show Feng Wu a big picture of the entire continent —

Feng Wu nodded. “Yes.”

For the moment, Grand Secretary Fang decided to take her word for it, though he didn’t actually believe her.

For he himself who had studied the elemental laws for so many years still had a lot more to learn, even at this age. She was only 13. How much could she know?

Little did Grand Secretary Fang know that Feng Wu had been taught by the most formidable person to have ever existed on this continent.

“Because of your skills in formation and medicine refinement, you got full marks in section five as well.”

Grand Secretary Fang let out a sigh of relief after the analysis. “Therefore, your main problem is memorizing the content tested in sections one and two. So —”

Grand Secretary Fang took a booklet from the old steward and handed it to Feng Wu. “Here’s the book list. Remember everything in every book and you should be able to get into the top 1000.”

“What if…” Feng Wu asked. “What if I want to get full marks in section three as well…”

Grand Secretary Fang gave her a strange look. “Kiddo, you only have less than seven days.”

Other people started preparing for this exam pretty much the moment they were born. It would take them at least ten years as they made their way through junior and intermediate schools before they got to the actual exam.

And Feng Wu only had seven days.

“That’s why I said ‘what if.’” Feng Wu smiled.

“If you still have time after memorizing those 1000 books —” Grand Secretary Fang glanced at the old steward.

The old steward went to the bookshelf at the back of the room and brought back a small wooden box.

“I know. She’ll need to memorize everything in the booklets in that box, right?” Chaoge’s eyes sparkled.

Grand Secretary Fang was speechless.

He turned to Feng Wu. “There are ten booklets here, and they all just contain book titles. Each booklet is an extensive reading list for one subject: in total, 10,000 books are mentioned here. And you only have seven days.”

Feng Wu nodded. “I’ll read them if I have time.”

She was certain that given Jun Linyuan’s temperament, he would only come up with new ways to make her life harder. That was just the way he was. So, Feng Wu wanted to make sure that she was ready for anything.

Grand Secretary Fang nodded. He then turned to Chaoge and he sighed again.

Chaoge said, “I – I’ll start reading, too… I’ll read them all!”