From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 198 The Final Exam: Xiao Yao's Rise to Fame

“Wen Chen…” I turned my head sharply to look at him, “I…” My voice caught in my throat.

A chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head, and my mind went blank.

and many more……

I missed the question!

They missed an entire page of rune analysis!

How could this be?

I definitely checked it once!

There was less than an incense stick's time left; there was simply no time to spare!

Large beads of sweat rolled down my forehead, and my palms began to feel damp and sticky.

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, as if it were about to burst through my ribs.

The surrounding candidates handed in their papers one after another, all with relaxed smiles on their faces, as if victory was assured.

I bit my lip, trying to stay calm, but the panic inside me surged like a tidal wave, almost drowning me.

No, I can't give up!

I took a deep breath, forced myself to concentrate, and quickly flipped through the exam paper. My pen moved like a butterfly, leaving streaks of ink on the paper.

"Xiao Yao, give up. You've run out of time." A sarcastic voice rang in my ear.

I looked up abruptly and saw Senior Brother Wang standing in front of my desk with a mocking smile on his face.

Several other candidates stood beside him, all looking at me with disdain, as if I were already a failure.

"We finished a long time ago. No matter how much you struggle, you can't change the outcome."

A surge of anger burned within me, and I gripped the pen so tightly that my nails almost dug into my flesh.

"Shut up!" I glared coldly at Senior Brother Wang. "My affairs are none of your business!"

"Oh, you've got some backbone, huh?" Senior Brother Wang sneered, then suddenly reached out and snatched my exam paper.

"Let me see what our useless junior sister wrote..."

"Give it back to me!" I stood up abruptly, trying to snatch the exam paper back, but was pushed away by Senior Brother Wang.

"Don't touch me!" He frowned in disgust, held my test paper high, and read it aloud in front of everyone, deliberately distorting my answers, which drew laughter from the surrounding candidates.

I felt my blood was about to boil, and my chest was filled with anger and humiliation.

I stared intently at Senior Brother Wang and said, word by word, "Senior Brother Wang, you'd better stop now!"

He laughed even more unrestrainedly, as if he had heard a joke.

"Enough is enough? Xiao Yao, who do you think you are? A useless piece of trash without spiritual roots, yet you dare to shout here?" As he spoke, he tore my test paper into pieces and threw them into the air.

"Your exam is over!"

The fragments fell like snowflakes, and my heart sank to the bottom.

Just then, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out...

"stop!"

The cold voice was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the surrounding laughter.

I looked up abruptly and saw Wen Chen standing outside the crowd, his gaze as cold as ice, fixed on Senior Brother Wang.

A warm current flowed into my heart, and I felt as if I had grasped a lifeline, a glimmer of hope igniting within me.

“Wen Chen…” I murmured his name, my voice trembling slightly.

He approached step by step, each step feeling like it was treading on my heartstrings, gradually calming my racing heart.

He came to my side, gently pulled me behind him, and shielded me with his tall body, like an indestructible city wall, blocking out all malice.

"What's going on?" His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Senior Brother Wang's expression changed. "Senior Brother Wen, I was just joking with Junior Sister Xiao. You don't have to take it seriously."

Wen Chen gave him a cold glance, her gaze sharp as a knife.

"A joke? Tearing up exam papers and disrupting the exam room is a joke?"

Senior Brother Wang's face turned even uglier. He opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but found that he had nothing to say.

The surrounding candidates also fell silent, not daring to make any more noise.

I gripped Wen Chen's sleeve tightly, feeling the warmth and strength emanating from him, and the fear in my heart gradually dissipated.

At that moment, Senior Sister Zhao finished her exam paper and confidently handed it to Elder Li, a victorious smile on her face.

My heart sank suddenly, and a tremendous pressure hit me, making it almost impossible for me to breathe.

Deacon Lin began to check the candidates' answers. He meticulously flipped through each exam paper, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, as if he could see through everything.

My palms started sweating, and my heart was beating faster and faster. I was worried that the oversight I had made because of Senior Brother Wang's interference would be discovered.

Time ticked by, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

My breathing became rapid, and it felt like a huge rock was pressing on my chest, making it hard for me to breathe.

“Xiao Yao…” Wen Chen suddenly spoke, his voice low and gentle, carrying a soothing power.

Believe in yourself.

His words were like a clear spring, flowing into my heart and gradually calming my restless mind.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and focus all my attention on the exam paper in front of me.

"Time's up!" Deacon Lin's voice, like a thunderclap, shattered the silence of the examination hall.

I looked up abruptly and saw him walking towards me, holding my test paper in his hand...

My palms were sweaty, and my hands were trembling slightly.

Deacon Lin walked up to me with a serious expression, and I could almost hear my own heart pounding.

He unfolded my test paper, his gaze sweeping over it from top to bottom, and I almost stopped breathing.

The surroundings were completely silent, and I could feel countless gazes fixed on me, as if they were all waiting for the final judgment.

Wen Chen gently placed her hand on my shoulder, and a warm current instantly spread throughout my body. I took a deep breath and told myself to stay calm.

Just then, a miracle happened!

I felt a powerful force surge into my body, my mind became clearer than ever before, and the pen in my hand seemed to come alive, dancing rapidly across the exam paper.

Those complex runes and obscure incantations suddenly became incredibly simple. I didn't even need to think; the answers just came to me naturally.

Time seemed to stand still; all I had left was the pen in my hand and the exam paper in front of me.

The surrounding noise and tense atmosphere had nothing to do with me.

My eyes were only on those words and symbols, and I had only one thought in my mind: to finish it!

As I finished the last stroke, I let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from my body.

I looked up and saw that all the other candidates were staring at me in disbelief. Senior Brother Wang's face was extremely ugly. He was staring at me intently, as if he wanted to devour me alive.

"How is this possible... How could she possibly have done it..." he muttered to himself, his voice filled with resentment and jealousy.

I smiled slightly, my heart filled with pride and joy.

I did it!

I not only finished the test, but I also felt that I did very well!

Just then, Deacon Lin suddenly spoke up: "Senior Brother Wang, your exam paper..." His voice was deep and serious, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

Senior Brother Wang's expression changed, and he subconsciously took a step back.

"What...what happened to my test paper?"

Deacon Lin did not speak, but simply showed his exam paper to everyone.

On the exam paper, there were several obvious signs of correction, and the handwriting was messy and full of mistakes.

"Cheating!" Deacon Lin's voice boomed like thunder in the examination hall.

Senior Brother Wang's face turned deathly pale instantly. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found himself speechless.

Not only Senior Brother Wang, but several other candidates were also found to have cheated. They all looked pale and dejected, like wilted eggplants.

The atmosphere in the examination room became solemn, and all the candidates held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

As I watched their fate unfold, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

Justice was served, the cheaters received their due punishment, and order in the examination room was restored.

Deacon Lin walked up to me, his face no longer serious as before, but instead showing a hint of appreciation.

"Xiao Yao," he began, "your exam paper..."

Deacon Lin paused, then a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Absolutely perfect!"

boom!

My mind exploded like a firework, dazzling and brilliant.

Perfect?

I actually got a perfect rating!

I could hardly believe my ears; my heart was pounding wildly in my chest, and a surge of heat coursed through my entire body.

The other candidates around me looked at me with disbelief, and even the usually composed Senior Sister Zhao had a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Senior Brother Wang's face turned ashen, his lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Elder Li took my exam paper, read it carefully, then stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.

"Excellent, excellent. This answer sheet is clear in its thinking, rigorous in its logic, and insightful in its unique perspective. It is truly rare." His voice was loud and powerful, echoing in the examination room.

"Xiao Yao," Elder Li's gaze fell on me, with a hint of appreciation, "you performed exceptionally well in this major examination, ranking among the top."

Top of the list!

These four words, like a golden ray, illuminated my entire world.

I felt like I was standing on a cloud, floating lightly, almost about to take flight.

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted around me, and I saw familiar faces all looking at me with admiration.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my excitement, and bowed deeply to Elder Li.

"Thank you for the compliment, Elder."

Elder Li smiled and nodded, then announced the results of the major exam.

As expected, I achieved excellent results and became the focus of everyone's attention.

As I walked out of the examination room, I felt like I was walking on a red carpet, every step filled with confidence and strength.

"Xiao Yao, you are amazing!"

"Xiao Yao, you are my idol!"

“Xiao Yao…”

Congratulations poured in, and I smiled in response to their praise, my heart filled with joy and pride.

Suddenly I felt someone gently tugging at my sleeve. I turned around and saw it was Wen Chen.

He stood behind me, looking at me tenderly with a slight smile on his lips.

"Congratulations." His voice was deep and magnetic, like the melody of a cello, echoing in my ears.

I looked at him, my heart filled with gratitude and emotion.

I know that without him, I would never have achieved what I have today.

"Thank you," I said softly, my voice trembling slightly.

He reached out and gently stroked my hair, his eyes as tender as water, as if they could melt away all the ice and snow in the world.

"This is what you deserve."

Looking at him, my heart was filled with sweetness and happiness.

I know that my future will be even more wonderful!

"Xiao Yao..." A crisp voice interrupted the tender moment between Wen Chen and me...