Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 1214 - 1211_1

As soon as Shangguan Xuanyi saw that venom met water and turned briefly purple before quickly turning blue, he automatically conjured an image of a poisonous herb in his mind.

Considering his superb visual acuity, he took precautions to avoid any mistakes. But to avoid getting disqualified in this first round, he patiently waited until Xiao’er finished writing. He glanced at her answer sheet and then casually started writing his own answers.

The four of them were the fastest to write out their answers out of everyone present.

Once Shangguan Xuanyi saw that everyone had done, he asked, "Sir, can we submit our papers early if we have finished?"

Although each round was supposed to last one hour, only half of that time had passed. Shangguan Xuanyi always cherished his time and did not want to waste time waiting for others.

The elderly man with the appearance of an immortal nodded his head and walked over to Shangguan Xuanyi. Looking at his paper, he commented, "What beautiful calligraphy! Strong and forceful, penetrating the paper, each stroke and line filled with character, free and carefree. It’s as if a dragon was swimming among the words, instilling a sense of awe-inspiring magnificence."

If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was here for a calligraphy competition.

Competition? Right, this was a poison mastery competition. The elderly man quickly remembered. "His calligraphy is as far removed from his looks as the heavens are from the earth. I can’t help but wonder if his poisoning skills resemble his calligraphy or his appearance."

The elderly man glanced at the list of poison’s components on Shangguan Xuanyi’s paper and his eyes widened. "They’re all correct?"

He then looked at the antidote formula, and his eyes widened even more: "That’s right too?"

The elderly man cast a glance at Shangguan Xuanyi: "This man has a good understanding of poison. And his calligraphy is also excellent. It’s just a pity he’s so ugly! It’s true, nobody’s perfect, apart from oneself!"

The elderly man took Shangguan Xuanyi’s paper, "You scored full marks for this round. The next round involves searching for poisonous items in the mountains. Take a piece of paper from the lady in front, and return here at four o’clock tomorrow."

"Sir, it’s one o’clock now. Why does he have to come back here at four o’clock? Isn’t the next round supposed to be 24 hours? Why does he have an extra half hour?"

"Oh, didn’t you know? Those who submit their papers early in this competition can move on to the next round in advance. Consider this extra time a reward." the elderly man stroked his white beard as he explained.

There was such a rule for rewards? How would they have known, they hadn’t heard of it before!

Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads to study their vials of venom.

They needed to gain more time for the mountain search in the next round.

Xiao’er quickly raised her hand: "Sir, I will also submit my paper."

Xi’er and Shangguan Xuanyao also raised their hands: "Sir, we’ll also submit ours!"

The elderly man was standing right between Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi. When he heard this, he just picked up Xiao’er’s paper and looked at it, "This handwriting! So beautiful and powerful, it’s a visual pleasure!"

He looked at Xiao’er, ah, elegant and handsome. But his physique is a little weak! Seems like some congenital insufficiencies! A man who looks so weak is not reliable!

The elderly man gave his mental evaluation and then started reading the paper’s content, his eyes widened even more in surprise: "She got everything right too!"

Not only were the components correct, but even the quantities were spot on!

This girl! This girl! She seems even smarter than me!!!

What a pity, she has congenital deficiencies!

Next, the elderly man said to Xiao’er what he had just said to Shangguan Xuanyi. Then he walked over to Xi’er and Shangguan Xuanyao, picked up Shangguan Xuanyao’s paper, and had a look.

He eyed Shangguan Xuanyao surreptitiously, surprised: "What’s going on today? Don’t they say your handwriting reflects your character? Why are there so many people today whose handwriting doesn’t match their looks?"

Then he looked at the contents of the paper:

Everything was answered correctly again. Although it wasn’t as thorough as the previous two, this was already up to the standard!

The elderly man repeated roughly the same things he said earlier, and then looked at Xi’er’s paper. Having seen the previous three’s papers, he felt much calmer this time.

She too has beautiful handwriting! The paper scored full marks!

Has this year’s exam been leaked? Impossible! The old man shook his head.

Then he took a look at Xi’er: This one looks....ah, too pale! Too androgynous!

But those who have studied poisons for many years are usually kept out of the sun. Plus, he seemed young! Promising talent!

The elderly man evaluated in his heart, and repeated the same words.

Xiao’er and the other three went to the lady and took a piece of paper, then left the platform.

Considering that the four of them scored full marks quite easily, the elderly man decided to take a tour, checking everyone’s answers. Upon seeing the quality of the other answers, which was not dissimilar to the previous year’s, he finally believed that the test had not been leaked!

As for the fact that all four of them had scored full marks, why didn’t the old man suspect that they cheated? Because the distance between tables was too great, he didn’t believe anyone had such good eyesight that they could see what the people around them were writing!

Even he, who was famed for his exceptional vision, could not see that far. How could others possibly see?

After receiving the topic for the second round, the four of them entered the mountain from the side of the platform. There was a small path leading into the mountain.

Because the others had not yet completed the first round, only the four of them were in the mountains.

Xiao’er opened the scroll in her hand and took a look. She needed to find: a Red-footed snake! A rattlesnake! Three-colored grass!

Seeing this, Xiao’er became angry. Of the three poisonous things she had to find, two were snakes! This was obviously against her! They knew that what she feared the most was snakes!

"What poisonous things do you need to find?" Xiao’er peeked at the scroll in Shangguan Xuanyi’s hand.

Seeing this, Shangguan Xuanyi handed the scroll before her, making it easier for her to see.

Purple hibiscus, Dancing Grass, Drunken Leaf Luo... all plants!

Xi’er and Shangguan Xuanyao also mentioned the three things they needed to find, which were all plants as well.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er looked at Shangguan Xuanyi with a bit of grievance.

Shangguan Xuanyi took a look at Xiao’er’s scroll, he couldn’t help but laugh, "Don’t be afraid, I’ll help you catch the snakes!"

So that’s why they allowed maids and young servants to come along in this round of the competition. Some poisonous creatures could bite. In case someone got bitten, there would be someone nearby to save their life!

Upon hearing this, Xi’er took Xiao’er’s scroll and took a look. She couldn’t help but laugh out loud, "Sister, you are really lucky!"

Everyone in the family knew Xiao’er was afraid of snakes, and everyone else got plants. Only her scroll mentioned snakes, and not just one, but two! If this wasn’t luck, what is?

"I remember that lady glancing at me specially just now. Do I look like someone who can catch snakes?" Xiao’er said gloomily.

Even if Shangguan Xuanyi helped her catch the snakes, when she handed them in, what if she got nervous and dropped the snakes? ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Xiao’er’s mind raced, thinking of a hundred thousand possibilities!

And so, she found herself further and further from the road to snake catching!