Xiao Xun, facing the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast with glowing red eyes and golden irises, felt a sense of reluctance.
However, he desperately tried to calm his mind and spoke to the ferocious beast, regardless of whether it could understand human speech: "I've heard that your species is unique to Saint Roman, and ordinary magical beasts can't do anything to you."
The Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast nodded proudly.
The crowd erupted in an uproar, and the media reporters were stunned. "What is this?"
"Does that even count?"
"Can you give orders like that?"
Xiao Xun glanced at the crowd and then turned back to the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast, saying, "Do you recognize who I am?"
The proud Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast shook its head, indicating it did not.
The crowd was in an uproar again, and Xiao Xun drew the slender sword from his waist.
Just as everyone eagerly watched to see how Xiao Xun would make the water-averse Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast jump into the water tank, Xiao Xun directly stabbed it in the rear.
The pain made the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast roar in anger and leap into the water tank.
The Elder shouted, "Congratulations to Marquis Swain of Saint Roman for becoming the first to pass the trial."
"I protest..."
Someone raised their hand and shouted. Everyone's gaze turned to the speaker, Prince Kent, a noble warrior from the Centaur tribe.
He could draw a bow with one arm and shoot an arrow a thousand meters away.
Xiao Xun turned to face him, "What do you object to?"
"The first two trials were fine, but the requirement for the third was clearly for the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast to voluntarily jump into the water, not for you to crudely stab it with a sword. If it's like that, I could just shake its head and throw it in, and that would count as me passing!"
Following Prince Kent's explanation, everyone began to protest, shouting "Invalid!" and "Unfair!"
Xiao Xun raised his hands to calm them, "Alright, since so many of you are dissatisfied, I'll do it again, shall I?"
The Elder suddenly picked up the microphone, "Since everyone disagrees, we invite Lord Swain to demonstrate for everyone again. But let's state beforehand that no one is allowed to use any method that has already been used in the arena."
"Agreed."
"Concur,"
"No objections..."
"..."
The Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast approached Xiao Xun again. Xiao Xun took out a white handkerchief and wiped his slender sword.
Then he looked at it and said coldly, "Do you recognize me?"
Fearing another stab, the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast nodded heavily.
The audience immediately began to murmur, praising Xiao Xun's intelligence and wisdom, calling him a remarkable sage.
His own countrymen even said that such a person would be a perfect match for the Queen, and some even spread rumors that Xiao Xun's strategic advice was the reason for the victories on the front lines.
After this event, Xiao Xun earned the nickname "Peerless Strategist" in this world.
Xiao Xun looked into the eyes of the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast, "Are you still arrogant now?"
The Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast shook its head.
Before anyone could react, Xiao Xun threw away the handkerchief and flicked the tip of his sword with his finger, "Do I need to remind you of the rest?"
The Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast turned and leaped into the large water tank. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
Xiao Xun walked over to the Elder and took the microphone, "Now, does anyone still have any questions?"
The crowd fell silent, instead erupting in cheers of support.
Amidst the cheers, Xiao Xun returned to the castle with the guard. The trials continued. With Xiao Xun's demonstration, many of the subsequent participants came up with all sorts of strange methods, some amusing the Crimson Flame Golden-Eyed Beast, some using direct physical threats, and some using magical threats.
Upon returning to his bedroom in the castle and seeing Mu Jiahe, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Mu Jiahe, half-reclining on the bed, looked at the man in front of her curiously, "What's so funny?"
"My Queen, I truly didn't expect you to come up with this move."
"What's wrong with this move? Didn't it work quite well? The entire city's citizens were stunned by your sensational performance!"
"..."
After this competition, the innkeepers and restaurant owners in the capital of Saint Roman were overjoyed. With so many people coming to participate and watch, they could charge whatever they wanted, and people were willing to pay, making a fortune.
Not only them, but other entertainment venues in the vicinity also saw increased consumption, especially the taverns.
They even wondered how wonderful it would be if the Queen held such a competition every year.
But this was also unrealistic; the Queen couldn't choose a consort every year, could she!
Some people caught a whiff of opportunity and started seeking sponsors, establishing a similar competition in the capital of Saint Roman every three years. While the Queen might not find a partner, they could find the "Number One Under Heaven." The competition would not only test magic but also intelligence and decision-making skills. Whoever won would be crowned the undisputed Number One Under Heaven.
Every three years, it attracted many participants, as the winner would not only legitimately claim the title of Number One Under Heaven but also receive a substantial prize, achieving both fame and fortune.
The winner of the current session would also need to challenge the previous year's Number One Under Heaven, and only by defeating them could they truly claim the title.
All accommodation and food expenses for the participants were sponsored by the merchants of the capital, who were very willing to bear this cost, as it was much more cost-effective than advertising. It was akin to forced consumption.
Some people even booked rooms a year in advance. The first few competitions were free to watch, with revenue coming from advertising and merchant sponsorships. However, the sheer number of people made management impossible, and there were even instances of stampedes. Consequently, they had to start charging for admission, with prices varying based on seating location. Even so, participants and spectators continued to flock in.
To alleviate the frustration of those who couldn't get in, mages provided live magical broadcasts around the venue, allowing those outside to see the competition scenes.
Xiao Xun chatted with Mu Jiahe for a while. During their conversation, a minister reported some urgent matters, including significant battle reports from the front lines.
The Grand Elder also informed him that only over forty people had passed the first trial.
"Your Majesty, could you give me a hint about the content of the second trial so I can prepare?"
Mu Jiahe's expression turned serious, "As Queen, how can I engage in favoritism or corruption? I must uphold the principles of fairness and justice. Don't force me to make mistakes."
Xiao Xun, hearing Mu Jiahe's sudden emphasis on principle, asked, "Aren't you afraid I won't pass?"
"I've already told you it's an open-book exam, so the questions will naturally be ones you are familiar with."
Xiao Xun said with concern, "What if I still don't pass?"
Mu Jiahe said solemnly, "Then you won't be qualified to enter my bedroom, and you'll have to stay in Saint Roman forever. But don't worry, the treatment I offer you will be many times better than in your world."
Xiao Xun said with a wronged expression, "I don't want that! Aren't you deliberately setting traps, planning to keep me here?"
"That depends on your abilities..." she said, then chuckled triumphantly.
As she spoke, she glanced at the time, "Alright, it's time for dinner. You can go to the kitchen and ask them to prepare some ingredients you need. I haven't eaten your cooking in a long time."
Xiao Xun thought for a moment, genuinely unsure what to make. "How about hot pot?"
Mu Jiahe immediately rejected it, "That has too strong a smell, and it takes too long to prepare. Just use the ingredients we have and make something else. As long as it's not unpalatable."
In reality, it wasn't that Mu Jiahe didn't want to eat hot pot, but rather that she wanted to see what delicious dishes Xiao Xun could create with the available ingredients in this world.