The one in the lead had sword-like brows and starry eyes, a high nose and thin lips; whether in appearance or aura, he stood out as extraordinary.

　　“Why won’t you let everyone go over?”

　　“This is the Great Qi scholar’s exam, not your The Fisher Family’s backyard! Aren’t you afraid we’ll report you to the proctors?”

　　“If you insist on this, don’t blame us for being rude!”

　　Yet the leading man remained unmoved. “I’ve made myself very clear. Based on last night’s observations, there aren’t many spirit fire points in that field. Competing for them will only lower the efficiency of collection. Rather than wasting time on meaningless scrambling, it’s better to set an order from the start. After The Fisher Family finishes collecting, it won’t be too late for you to go.”

　　“Even we can’t go over?”

　　Suddenly, a woman in blue robes stepped out from the crowd, the double-feather embroidery on her shoulders already revealing her identity.

　　“The Lawson Family from Youzhou is here,” someone whispered.

　　Brian Carter realized that she was the very girl who had jumped onto the exam table and, by herself, made everyone on site obediently follow her orders.

　　“So it’s Miss Lily Lawson. I’ve heard much about you,” the man nodded in greeting. “I’d heard your name back in the capital. To know words is to know the law; your astonishing talent is unmatched in Youzhou.”

　　“You flatter me.”

　　“Reputation never spreads without reason. Even rumors must have some extraordinary cause behind them—at least, that’s what I believe.”

　　Tsk, this guy really knows how to talk, Brian Carter thought to himself. With a face like a celebrity and such earnest praise, he’d be hard for any woman to resist.

　　Sure enough, the woman called Lily Lawson showed a faint smile. “Thank you. But you still haven’t answered my question.”

　　“Yes. But we’ll only collect for one day.” He raised a finger solemnly. “No matter how much we gather, we’ll withdraw from here tomorrow and won’t set foot here again until the exam ends.”

　　“Just one day?”

　　“Just one day. After that, you can arrange your time as you wish. If needed, we can even leave some people to help you guard this place.” The The Fisher Family leader swept a contemptuous glance at the crowd behind her. “If you don’t agree, then we’ll have to compete by strength. But unfortunately, this scholar’s exam doesn’t care who’s stronger. If those rats fishing in troubled waters steal the spirit fire, wouldn’t you feel indignant?”

　　Lily Lawson pondered for a while before nodding. “Alright.”

　　The crowd immediately erupted.

　　“What’s the meaning of this! The noble families are ganging up to bully us poor examinees?”

　　“The Fisher Family gets a day, The Lawson Family gets a day—what about the Fang family? If each of you takes a day, what are we supposed to do?”

　　“Enough talk! Let’s all go together—I don’t believe he can stop us!”

　　“Don’t make me laugh!” the man suddenly shouted, shocking the crowd into silence. “Even so, you still have three days left, don’t you? This is the Qi State scholar’s exam, not a place for you to muddle through. Only the capable can become a fangshi—isn’t that how it should be? If you’re not as strong, yet want to snatch the spirit fire in the chaos, how ridiculous is that! Instead of shouting here, why not think about how to win a day’s priority?” He paused, one hand behind his back, the other palm turned forward. “Of course, if anyone wants to prove themselves now, I welcome it at any time!”

　　As Lily Lawson turned to leave and passed by Brian Carter, Brian Carter looked at her with interest. “I didn’t expect you to agree so readily. Aren’t you afraid people here will spread rumors that The Lawson Family doesn’t even have the courage to compete with The Fisher Family?”

　　“It’s you.” Lily Lawson seemed to recognize him as well, putting on a helpless expression. “I’m really not anyone remarkable. It’s not strange to fall short before The Fisher Family’s top junior, Nancy Fisher.”

　　“Uh…” Brian Carter blinked in surprise. He’d thought that those hailed as geniuses would have some pride and wouldn’t want to lose to others. It was the first time he’d seen someone yield so straightforwardly.

　　“If they’d already started fighting before I got here, maybe things would be different. But as it stands, Nancy Fisher isn’t wrong.” Lily Lawson chuckled and waved goodbye. “Besides, even a bad order is better than no order at all.”

Chapter 9: Fangshi Showdown

　　With emotions running high, someone finally couldn’t hold back and pulled out a medicine pouch and tally paper at the The Fisher Family disciples.

　　That was the preparation for casting a spell.

　　Brian Carter had used fangshu before—or rather, it was precisely because he’d practiced it that his understanding had been completely rebuilt. But this was his first time seeing people use spells to fight.

　　In this world, a complete spell was usually divided into three parts: what is conceived, what is connected, and what is done. Only when all three were united could the full power of the spell be unleashed. Simply put, you first visualize the spell you want to use in your mind, then use the corresponding medicinal ingredients as a medium, and finally reveal the process of its transformation.

　　This was also the most incredible part of his new understanding—qi not only responded to the caster’s will, but also caused some of the surrounding qi to change as well, like a stone thrown into a lake, sending ripples across the surface, and ultimately turning the spell into reality.