Chapter 163: Chapter 143: College Entrance Exam Reform

“`

That day, after Chen Xing had just finished his Beast Taming training, he received a text message from his coach.

“The new national examination policy for this year has been released.”

A document followed shortly after.

Chen Xing opened the file.

It was a yellow imperial decree, not only bearing the Imperial Seal but also the seals of the Prime Minister and the Grand Council.

Since the reforms in Great Xia, many policies have been issued by the Cabinet.

The use of the Imperial Seal has become quite rare.

The Great Xia Xianyi Emperor decreed:

Since the Grand Ancestor unified the Central Plains and established Great Xia, education has flourished, and the national examination has been the essential pathway for selecting talent. However, it is observed that in recent years, while the examination system has selected many talented individuals, it has not been without its oversights. The national examination, as the means for selecting the pillars of the state, must be conducted with care, in pursuit of even more perfect methods.

I have pondered that the essence of the examination system lies in combining theory with practice, allowing what scholars learn to be applied to the needs of the state. Therefore, I have decided, effective immediately, to reform the national examination system, and specifically add a practical training component to test the true knowledge and abilities of the students.

First, strict selection of instructors.

The success of practical training largely depends on the instructors. I order that all academies select individuals of exemplary character and learning, with rich experience to serve as instructors responsible for guiding students in practical training. The selection of instructors must be based on both moral character and talent, strictly prohibiting favoritism and fraud.

Second, construction of “Shenmeng Towers.”

I have heard of the mirages and the fantasies conjured by the Sheng dragons as told in the legends of the Exotic Regions.

Now, Shenmeng Towers are to be established in every state throughout the country. Besides the literary examination, the martial examination at the national examination arenas will be canceled, with trials to take place in the Shenmeng Towers instead.

The trials in the Shenmeng Towers consist of reenactments of various battles since the founding of Great Xia. Students will participate as soldiers in the battles, and their final scores will be determined based on the outcomes of the battles, their directions, contributions, and other comprehensive performances.

Third, improvement of the reward mechanism.

To encourage students to actively participate in the practical training of the national examination, I have decided to reward those who perform outstandingly. All academies should set up scholarships, rare resources, and other reward measures according to the students’ performance in practical training, as an encouragement.

This reform of the national examination system aims to select more truly talented and learned individuals. I hope that all academies and relevant departments seriously implement the reform measures, and work together to cultivate the pillars of talent for Great Xia. Let it be done!

—Great Xia Xianyi Emperor.

After Chen Xing finished reading the document, he realized that this year’s national examination had canceled the traditional arena exam.

The arena battle was changed to trials within the Shenmeng Tower.

Chen Xing had heard whispers of a reform in the national examination, which had been released two months before the exam date.

It was likely that the higher-ups had also considered that it would not be suitable to announce new rules just a few days before the exam, so they gave students nationwide time to prepare and adapt in advance.

Chen Xing searched online, and instantly, a plethora of information about the Shenmeng Towers popped up on his phone.

In the city centers of many states throughout the country, a mysterious building had appeared that looked very similar.

These posts were accompanied by many pictures.

Seeing such a grand event, a thought flashed through Chen Xing’s mind unbidden.

Could this have something to do with the Path of Legends?

Perhaps it was an after-effect of having heard so much about the Path of Legends.

He became suspicious of any grand affair… wondering if it might be related.

Because the Path of Legends required creating legendary stories in a certain area, integrating the local culture and history for propagation.

And this imperial decree specifically mentioned the Sheng dragon.

Given the significance of this document, it was believed that it would soon be printed in countless copies and then spread throughout the entire world.

…

That evening, after Chen Xing inspected the newly completed breeding farm in the suburbs, he returned home to share the news with his family.

“Dad, Mom, I’ve acquired an industry outside,” Chen Xing said.

“???” Chen’s father and mother exchanged bewildered looks.

Chen Xing took them to the breeding farm in the suburbs for a visit.

Only then did their parents realize that Chen Xing had secretly started a Beast Taming breeding farm.

Although they didn’t quite understand, they still expressed their support.

As long as their child was happy.

After trying out a night’s stay, they decided they wanted to return to live in the city.

Because it was too remote here.

Even though the nights were peaceful, daily life and shopping were inconvenient.

At their age, they had greater requirements for the practicality of their living environment.

Chen Xing decided that, for the time being and before the national exam, he would stay at the breeding farm.

Even though his family didn’t stay there often, Chen Xing had reserved rooms for them; Chen Lingya requested a room on the second floor at the corner, while Chen’s mom and dad each had a room on the first floor.

Chen Xing himself lived on the third floor’s top level, which directly connected to the roof terrace.

The layout of the roof terrace was quite simple, and Chen Xing had specifically purchased a perch stand, placed in the corner of the terrace, reserved for the Sìxiàng.

“`

After summoning Sìxiàng, the creature looked around curiously. Its eagle eyes instantly locked onto the claw stand nearby, instinctively spread its wings, and fluttered up onto it. Clinging to the stand with its legs, it steadied itself atop.

But when Sìxiàng looked at its master, it noticed the master seemed to be smiling?

What was the master smiling about?

Of course, the most important reason for building this place was for large-scale Beast Taming breeding, to obtain Skill Point Fragments.

Because it was the first time dealing with this, to ensure more Beast Tamings were covered and their favorability was well nurtured.

Chen Xing didn’t buy too many Beast Taming cubs at once, as handling too many at the same time would have been difficult, and it would have been embarrassing if their favorability failed to increase.

The day after the breeding facility in the suburbs was delivered, the Beast Taming creatures Chen Xing had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived.

A white truck drove in from the newly constructed smooth road and parked in the parking lot.

The driver got out, opened the cargo area, and summoned his Beast Taming creatures to help lift the wheel-equipped cages out of the vehicle.

Inside the cages were sleepy Twin-fiend Dogs’ puppies.

Some of them were quite spirited, leaning on the edges of their cages.

Curiously looking around.

As these Twin-fiend Dog puppies settled into the breeding facility, the once rather quiet place instantly became lively.

In no time, the whole breeding facility was filled with the calls of these puppies.

“There are fifty Twin-fiend Dog puppies in total, ten males and forty females.”

The truck driver took out a notebook for Chen Xing to sign for the delivery.

After completing the sign-off, the truck driver drove the large vehicle away from the facility.

Chen Xing turned around and looked at the Twin-fiend Dog puppies in the surrounding cages, then gestured towards the rooftop behind him.

“Sìxiàng.”

Sìxiàng glided down from the rooftop and landed beside Chen Xing, tilting its head, waiting for instructions.

“When I open the cage doors later, watch over these puppies for me, so they don’t run around.”

Sìxiàng nodded, “Okay, Master.”

Chen Xing went back into the house to prepare food.

He took out frozen meat from the freezer to thaw in advance.

Then he made some beginner pet food out of the meat, and afterwards, mixed it with some common meat from the market, blending the two together.

When Chen Xing came out with several large bowls.

The Twin-fiend Dog puppies, enticed by the scent, all gathered around.

The puppies were not shy, each lifting their little heads and wagging their tiny tails vigorously.

Chen Xing squatted down, holding a bowl and feeding them one by one, he wanted these little dogs to know who was feeding them.

After all, to increase favorability, one must be directly involved.

Puppy favorability increases faster than that of adult dogs, and if it’s fast, Chen Xing believed it would take just ten to fifteen days to see results.

Chen Xing had already saved up fifty-eight Skill Points, and the next skill he wanted to activate was advanced meat pet food.

Advanced meat pet food required three hundred Skill Points.

If he relied solely on his own Beast Tamings to slowly accumulate Skill Points, it might take half a year.

By that time, the high school exams would have already ended.

But if the Twin-fiend Dog puppies increased their favorability quickly, perhaps it wouldn’t take half a year.

He might have the chance to unlock advanced meat pet food before the high school exams.

Of course, Chen Xing wasn’t doing this purely for the exams; pet food could aid in improving pets’ Energy Levels, and the earlier it was activated, the faster the Energy Levels could rise.

…

At the Azure Dragon High School’s team training field, Tian Xuechuan stretched languidly after finishing a day’s intense training.

He looked up at the sky, feeling the intermingling sense of fatigue and satisfaction from post-training.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and turned to Wu Ju, who was beside him, “I haven’t seen the junior for a few days. His breeding facility should have opened by now, right?”

“That’s right, it has already opened. Today, the Beast Tamings he bought just arrived at his place,” Wu Ju replied.

“Oh? Really?” Tian Xuechuan’s eyes lit up, full of curiosity about his junior’s Beast Taming breeding facility.

After all, he had never seen a real Beast Taming breeding facility before.

On a whim, he suggested, “How about we go take a look? We can also show some support to our junior.”

Wu Ju thought it was a good idea, so she took out her phone and sent a message to Chen Xing, asking if it was convenient for them to visit.

It wasn’t long before she received a reply from the junior.

Wu Ju glanced at the message on her phone screen and then turned to Tian Xuechuan, “The junior asked if we could buy some extra meat on the way over.”

Upon hearing this, Tian Xuechuan laughed and patted Wu Ju’s shoulder, “No problem! Let’s go buy the meat and then head over to check out our junior’s Beast Taming breeding facility!”