The smoke of war rises in Huaiyou; the battlefield situation in the Land of Dragon’s Origin is changing by the moment. 

Li Shi’an’s team unexpectedly rekindled an old connection with Huang Tian through a bowl of hot porridge, triggering the Zhang Niujiao card and causing an uproar among the crowd.

Choices matter far more than effort.

And at this moment, in the eyes of the vast majority of candidates and outside observers, the “overall trend” was unmistakably in favor of the Yuan Court. 

Alex, relying on the unique “Order” and “Covenant” traits of his “Sun King” Louis XVI card, along with his dazzling diplomatic skills, had successfully won over the local Yuan Court bureaucrats, earning initial trust and authority. He was steadily climbing the Yuan Court’s promotion ladder, shining brilliantly.

Meanwhile, many other candidates—including the highly capable Zhang siblings, Zhang Hongyuan and Zhang Qingyue—quickly reached the most “rational” conclusion after their initial shock and reluctance.

Should they go head-to-head with a team of orphans—possessing bizarre talents but shallow foundations, still distributing free porridge—to vie for that elusive and already “tainted” legacy of the Yellow Heaven?

Or should they go with the flow and join the Yuan Court faction, which is currently at the height of its power and boasts abundant resources, and use the strength of this colossus to rapidly advance my own standing? 

The answer was self-evident.

Zhang Hongyuan’s expression darkened as he forced himself to suppress the turmoil stirred within him by the activation of the “Earth Lord’s Mark.” He said to his sister in a deep voice, “Pay no heed to those unorthodox practices. The Yuan Court’s dominance is now a fait accompli. Though our military headquarters’ deck originated from resistance, there are no fixed rules in the ways of the law—only power endures. The right path is to leverage the Yuan Court’s resources to draw out more powerful character cards as quickly as possible.” 

Zhang Qingyue nodded, though her gaze still instinctively drifted toward Li Shi’an’s team.

Soon, led by Alex, the Zhang siblings and a host of other elites successfully integrated into the Yuan Court’s war machine through various means—some were recruited for their martial prowess, others were recognized for their strategic insights—becoming part of the vast force tasked with suppressing the rebel army.

The radiance of their cards intertwined with the Yuan army’s malevolent aura, causing the Yuan court’s momentum to reach new heights. Just then, the pivotal figure in this unfolding drama finally made his entrance.

Woooon—!

A deep, resonant horn blast echoed across the battlefield, carrying immense, intimidating pressure.

On the distant horizon, a massive cloud of dust swirled as a huge commander’s banner unfurled amid the haze, its surface embroidered with the fierce image of a Xiezhi. Beneath the banner, a middle-aged civil official with a stern face and piercing gaze rode forth on horseback, flanked by a group of generals in gleaming helmets and armor. His appearance seemed to emanate an invisible force field, causing the chaotic energy around him to momentarily settle.

【Key Character of the Scene: Jia Lu, Minister of Works of the Yuan Court and Commissioner-in-Chief of River Management and Flood Control (Intermediate Purple Card)】 has arrived!

【Character Traits】: Master of Water Management (provides a significant bonus to terrain modification and engineering-related card effects), Strict Discipline (greatly enhances the discipline of his troops, making them less likely to rout), Combining Suppression and Persuasion (skilled at undermining enemy morale and persuading rebels to surrender).

【Current Mission】：Command all Yuan forces to quell the Red Turban Rebellion in Huaiyou and recapture Haozhou.

Jia Lu’s gaze swept across the battlefield, finally settling on Haozhou City. Without the slightest hesitation, he waved the command banner in his hand.

“Issue orders to all troops: proceed according to plan and encircle Haozhou City! Build fortifications and dig trenches to cut off their external aid and sever their supply lines! I intend to turn Haozhou City into a death trap!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At his command, the various units of the Yuan army—already fully prepared—sprang into action like a precision-engineered war machine. Driven by the Yuan troops, vast numbers of conscripted laborers began frantically digging trenches and building earthen ramparts.

Alex’s “Sun King” card emitted streaks of golden light, and the phantom image of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles was projected onto the construction site. This strangely boosted the laborers’ efficiency and discipline, greatly accelerating the progress of the fortifications. The power of the 【Codex】 even began to optimize logistical coordination.

Zhang Hongyuan activated the “Taiping Talisman Book,” sending stream after stream of earth-yellow talismans into the ground to reinforce the newly constructed fortifications, making them even more robust. Meanwhile, Zhang Qingyue continuously summoned bean soldiers, who transformed into tireless Yellow Turban warriors.

Camp after camp rose from the ground; deep trenches encircled Haozhou City, while deer-shaped barricades, watchtowers, and arrow towers were densely scattered, exuding a menacing aura.

Under the leadership of Jia Lu, a renowned historical statesman, the Yuan court’s war machine harnessed the strength of countless examinees, demonstrating a war efficiency that bordered on the hopeless.

In contrast, the Red Turban Army inside Haozhou City, though clinging to survival behind their city defenses, saw figures like Guo Zixing and Zhu Yuanzhang charging left and right in desperate attempts to break the siege. Yet, in the face of overwhelming military might, such attempts could only end in bloody defeat and heavy casualties.

The siege was now a foregone conclusion.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you are now watching live coverage of the finals of this year’s Senior High School Mock Exam, featuring the ‘Huaiyou: Land of the Rising Dragon’ scenario! I’m your commentator, He Bin!”

“I’m commentator Chen Miao!”

The city television station’s live feed cut in, and the voices of the two commentators echoed throughout the hall.

“Wow! The situation is changing by the second! As we can see, the Yuan Court faction—led by Jia Lu and comprising numerous elite candidates, including Imperial Academy prodigy Alex Bourbon and the Zhang siblings from the Yellow Heaven Military Headquarters—has already completed an ironclad encirclement of Haozhou City!” He Bin spoke at a rapid pace.

Chen Miao chimed in, “That’s right! Their efficiency is astonishing. Contestant Alex Bourbon’s ‘Sun King’ card acts as a true catalyst on the battlefield, greatly enhancing engineering efficiency and organizational coordination. The Zhang siblings’ talismans and colossi give them a natural advantage in constructing fortifications. With this powerhouse alliance, the Yuan Court’s victory is all but assured!”

“Yes!” He Bin said with admiration. “This is what makes choice so important—and it’s a testament to the depth of tradition found in top universities and distinguished families! They accurately assessed the situation and seized the momentum of the times. Although the competition has only just begun, I feel the scales of victory have already tipped significantly.”

The camera naturally shifted to Haozhou City, focusing on Guo Zixing’s forces inside the city, who were struggling to hold their ground and seemed somewhat at a loss.

“What a pity…” Chen Miao’s voice took on a note of regret at just the right moment. “Our genius from Seventh High School, Li Shi’an—a Purple-tier Talent—actually brought us a huge surprise right at the start. His ingenious act of ‘distributing porridge’ even triggered an unknown historical resonance, earning him the temporary character card ‘Zhang Niujiao.’”

“But,” He Bin picked up the thread, his tone regretful, “a single person’s flash of inspiration seems far too insignificant in the face of the great tide of history. He chose the Red Turban Rebellion faction—which in itself is a hell-level starting point. Now that Haozhou is under siege and cut off from the outside world, even with the greatest wisdom in the world, he’ll likely be unable to turn the tide.”

“It’s an honorable defeat,” Chen Miao concluded. “By starting with a White Card, advancing all the way to a Green Card Lord, and triggering a historical resonance in the finals, Li Shi’an has proven his potential and uniqueness. I believe that regardless of the final outcome of this assessment, with his Purple Talent and the qualities he demonstrated today, any top university in the country would be more than happy to extend an offer to him. His future remains bright.”

The commentator’s words echoed the sentiments of the many admissions officers in the audience.

“Teacher Chen, don’t worry,” said a teacher from the neighboring school, patting Teacher Chen on the shoulder. “Li Shi’an is a raw gem. He just had a bit of bad luck this time—he chose the wrong faction. Look at his on-the-spot adaptability and understanding of the cards; he’s definitely a top-tier prospect. The doors of our ‘Beilu Academy’ are always open to him! We guarantee the best resources and benefits!”

The admissions director from another prestigious university also chimed in: “We at ‘Nanjiang University’ are also very interested in Student Li. A purple-tier talent, growth-type cards, and the ability to apply his knowledge across different areas—students like this are a rare find. The Siege of Haozhou may seem like a hopeless situation, but it’s also a form of tempering. Even if he loses now, we still want him!”

As Teacher Chen listened to the conversations around him, he felt a mix of emotions.

He nodded repeatedly: “Thank you, thank you, everyone! Shi’an… he’ll definitely do his best!” Even Sui Yang, seated in the VIP section, furrowed his brow slightly at that moment.

He admired Li Shi’an’s ingenious ideas and keen historical intuition, but the current situation was indeed far from optimistic.

“Jia Lu commands his troops with strict discipline. Under siege, both provisions and morale within Haozhou City will be rapidly depleted. The Red Turban Army is already rife with factional strife, and Guo Zixing suffers from the negative trait of 【Arrogant and Suspicious】… With internal strife and external threats, breaking this deadlock will be extremely difficult.” Sui Yang mused to himself, “Li Shi’an, what exactly are you waiting for? Could there be some variable I haven’t seen?” 

On the battlefield, on the outskirts of Haozhou City.

Li Shi’an’s unit, taking shelter behind makeshift soup kitchens and shacks, had not yet been drawn into the fiercest siege battles. However, as the Yuan army’s scouting patrols expanded their range, their room to maneuver was being steadily squeezed.

He Bieshan stared at the endless Yuan army siege works in the distance—which were still being reinforced—and grew so frantic that blisters formed at the corners of his mouth. “Shi’an! What are we going to do? The Yuan bastards’ forces are terrifying! With Jia Lu personally in command and so many skilled fighters backing him up, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold Haozhou City! With our meager forces, charging in is a suicide mission, and staying outside is just waiting to die!”

Hao Yun’s expression was equally grave. She looked at the 【Zhang Niujiao】 card in her slot—still in the “Unawakened” and “Data Corrupted” states—then glanced at the gaunt, emaciated refugees around her who depended on her soup kitchen to survive. She whispered, “We’re running low on food too… The Yuan army has raided all the nearby villages; it’ll be very hard to find more supplies.”

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on a dirt embankment, spear in hand, gazing into the distance with a furrowed brow, silent.

Li Shi’an scanned the pitiful handful of cards in his hand: a mid-tier green “Nine-Man Captain” card, a pile of white “Soldier” cards, a temporarily useless yellow “Yellow Turban” card, and… a pile of “Household” cards depicting pots, bowls, and cooking utensils.

No matter how you looked at it, this was a losing hand.

The TV commentator’s regret, the admissions office teacher’s “honorable defeat,” and the onlookers’ sighs all seemed undeniably justified. Yet Li Shi’an’s gaze remained calm.

He heard the commentator’s words; he heard the phrase “divine favor.” Yes, divine favor—that elusive, ethereal divine favor.

At this moment, the Yuan Court, claiming the mantle of legitimacy, led by distinguished ministers, and gathering the finest talents from all corners of the realm, did indeed appear to be brimming with overwhelming destiny, unrivaled under heaven. Choosing it seemed like a sure path to soaring to new heights.

But…

Jia Lu, a renowned minister of the late Yuan dynasty, was celebrated for his expertise in river management. Yet it was precisely the “currency reform” and “Yellow River dredging” projects he oversaw that became among the final straws that broke the back of the Yuan dynasty’s rule, directly sparking the Red Turban Rebellion!

“Paper Money Reform” referred to the issuance of new paper currency, which led to hyperinflation; “River Dredging” involved conscripting laborers to manage the Yellow River—a massive undertaking that sparked widespread public resentment.

Historical records state that while Jia Lu was leading his troops in the siege of Haozhou… he died suddenly!

The cause of Jia Lu’s death remains a mystery; some say he died of illness, while others claim he was assassinated by the rebel forces. Regardless, as the Yuan court’s supreme commander on the Huaixi front, his death directly led to the collapse of the Yuan army’s siege lines, gave the Red Turban rebels in Haozhou a chance to catch their breath, and indirectly created a golden opportunity for Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise to power.

This was the inevitable course of history.

Beneath the Yuan court’s seemingly overwhelming fortune lay a massive, long-buried threat—one powerful enough to blow it to smithereens.

Li Shi’an slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his gaze growing incredibly profound. He didn’t need to play any cards.

He simply needed to wait.

Until the moment when, beneath that overwhelming tide of fortune, the dormant volcano erupted with a thunderous roar. Until the seemingly invincible Chief Commissioner of River Control… suddenly dropped dead!

And that moment…!…

Judging by the feedback from the field’s energy, it will be in the very next round!

“Bieshan, Yun Yun,” Li Shi’an’s voice was uncharacteristically calm, “Get everything ready… to take possession of our first territory and receive our first batch of victory.”

“Huh?” He Bieshan and Hao Yun froze simultaneously, completely caught off guard. “The heavens and the land are on our side.”