Mythical Three Kingdoms

Soon, Cao Cao knew what those dozen or so streaks of light were, because the Grand Assembly had been disrupted by those streaks of light—oh, rather by the civil and military officials under Brother Cao.

At the moment the celestial lights appeared, Guan Yu reflexively looked outside the hall, and Xun Yu, Chen Qun, and others also felt a sense and all looked back in that direction.

When the streaks of light rushed in, Liu Xie noticed, but before he could panic, these radiances had already merged into the bodies of the civil and military officials below the throne.

At the instant the azure radiance merged into Guan Yu's body, a sharp gleam flashed from his eyes, and then a bluish, scaleless dragon image immediately encircled Guan Yu.

After Guan Yu's Fortune Manifestation, it seemed to have stirred Cao Cao's nerves. Instantly, Cao Cao's side of the Fortune Manifestation Body sprouted like mushrooms after rain, growing in a large patch.

Whether it was Xun Yu's Red Qilin or Dian Wei's headless giant phantom staring at the azure dragon across from Guan Yu, it was clear none of them were fake. Meanwhile, Cao Cao's ostentatious Coiling Dragon aspect was, in fact, too disruptive.

Though Coiling Dragon implies not yet ascending to heaven, Coiling Dragon already signifies a pinnacle on earth. Liu Xie, though nurtured by women, knew these things and looked at Cao Cao with a trace of cold light in his eyes.

Chen Qun, beside Xun Yu, could only smile wryly. Originally close to manifesting as a Five Virtues Qilin, Xun Yu's sudden outshining surpassed him by a notch. So in the end, he could only show the Tenghua Aspect. Though still a Five Virtues, it could only be a foil.

Ma Chao manifested a sturdy phantom permeated with hair-raising lightning glow. One wouldn't need to think to know it was the Thunder God of the Ancient Era. However, perhaps due to many people gathered, almost all those present who attained Fortune were compelled to manifest their Fortune Aspects.

Indeed, the average quality on Cao Cao's side was really high. In the end, even Cao Hong manifested a Pixiu phantom. Speaking of which, Cao Hong truly loved money as life itself, hoarding without release.

However, amidst this vast sea of Fortune Manifestation, Sima Yi's manifestation was a very ordinary flower and grass aspect, extremely similar to Chen Qun's image—though much more blurred and smaller—thus, not striking at all.

[My Fortune Manifestation is...] Sima Yi silently thought, [Facing the strong with a respectful expression, slowly absorbing the strong's nutrients until achieving the image I wish to accomplish. This should be the power of Human Cauldron manifesting its true heart and fortune... Liu Xuande truly attained it…]

[So now I should…] Sima Yi glanced at Liu Xie, whose complexion had darkened atop the stage, and couldn't help but chuckle softly in his heart. Indeed, it was a good opportunity.

Amidst this chaos, the first grand assembly held by Liu Xie got disrupted, leaving him no choice but to leave angrily, flicking his sleeves in fury.

Xuu Zijiang lifted his gaze to the Fortune over the Imperial City. After the celestial streaks of light flew into it, the Fortune of the Han Dynasty grew increasingly thin. However, the fortune spreading from the east made Xuu Zijiang smile lightly, as it was merely the decline of this generation of the Han Dynasty.

"Xun Wenruo, just choose you. Second place goes to you. Li Wenyou has already retired, and Zhou Gongjin must bind with Sunx Bofu, leaving the second choice to you." Xuu Shao silently decided Xun Wenruo's second place on the Civil Official List, seeing the Five Virtues Qilin.

He had met Zhou Yu, who was indeed stunningly talented, but evidently, without Sunx Ce, Zhou Yu operated at only seventy percent capability. Based on the current performance, Xun Wenruo sufficiently and steadily sat in the second position.

[Also that Jia Wenhe guy, best to clear him out of the top three.] Xuu Shao's focus shifted from the strength to the problem of Jia Xu's very existence, realizing he'd mark in the official announcement that Li Ru, already in retirement or deceased, could enter the top three.

After much contemplation, Xuu Shao decided to provide that note. The Civil Official Ranking List itself couldn't judge merely by strategy; factors such as influence, talent selection, and employment had to be considered.

Li Ru left behind a few clear strategies, but being one of Dong Zhuo's major force builders and genuine strategist under him, achieving the strongest feudal lord in a decade, plus not failing at gunpoint under Hulao Pass, warranted his selection.

As for the bad deeds Li Ru committed, Xuu Shao didn't care. He was judging ability, not virtues. Comparing virtues would make this ranking pointless. Working as a civil official, even if the heart wasn't dirtied, the hands were.

Therefore, if marking Li Ru's top three entry, and if Jia Xu snuck into top three as well, the civil official system under Dong Zhuo's force would need adjusting, hence Jia Xu being kicked out of top three.

"Tian Yuanhao and Ju Gongyu died miserably, otherwise these two could enter the top ten." After kicking Jia Xu to fourth, Xuu Shao started adjusting the rankings again.

"Guo Fengxiao severely specialized, moving him back is fine. After all, this measures comprehensive standards. At worst, mark him as unmatched in ingenious strategy." Xuu Shao marked a blank spot.

"Fa Xiaozhi, this guy, if measured by his achievements could reach the top five, yet despite specialization, his overall ability needs more improvement..." Xuu Shao marked another spot.

"Lub Zijing, calm and composed, Liu Xuande's left and right arm, fixed at fifth..." Xuu Shao felt writing further became a struggle. Though aware of Xun Youi, Chen Gong, and others' terrifying capability, they couldn't mount sufficient forces to display large-scale command potential.

The capability wasn't absent, simply lacking the experience. Figures like Xun Youi outrank Li Youu in intellect, but singly challenging large wars, Li Youu reigned victor. Xun Youi's lack of large-scale war experience among impoverished populace left them with theoretical wartime definitions.

In capability parity, experience tilted the balance, yet many under Cao Cao are typically inexperienced. Without a major campaign engaging over ten thousand veterans, their definitions of grand warfare remain theoretical.

Thus, Xuu Shao was helpless. Clearly, figures like Xun Youi, Chen Gong, Cheng Yu, whose capability should firmly enter top ten, had been squeezed out by Sheni Pei, Xuu You, and Xun Shen. Not saying these three were weak, but Xun You's trio lost unjustly…

[Publishing this list is tough…] Xuu Shao smiled wryly, [Later, I'll travel and observe the Fortune Manifestation Bodies of officials all over the land, and with this, confidently determine it.]

Xuu Shao realized he undertook a very troublesome task, yet accepted it joyfully. Once published, without surprises, his peak moment would arrive, enjoying life's pleasures and in pursuit of posthumous fame.

[But why does Li Youu always seem somewhat off...] Xuu Shao gazed upward with a deep headache. The man behind that ominous shadow was definitely not weak! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for a recommendation vote, monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)