All three event activities, seven chain-quest types, stolen exam papers and the Imperial Quiz Challenge.
Event overview
About the event
Ink and Literary Elegance takes place on the second weekend of each month, following the Imperial Examination quiz. Its chain quests are popular for their straightforward battles and generous rewards. You can participate even if you did not take part in the Imperial Examination.
Event time
The second Sunday of each month, 14:30–17:00.
Requirements
Level 30 or higher, in a party of at least 3 players.
Quest NPC
Vice Minister of Rites, Chang'an (233, 111).
Additional NPC locations
Busy servers may place two additional copies at Chang'an (500,
70) and (410, 210). The three locations are the event NPC area, outside the bookstore and below the raised platform.
Activities
Grand Celebration — chain quests
Imperial Quiz Challenge — compete to answer questions
Recover the Stolen Papers — retrieve stolen exam papers
How to participate
The event consists of Grand Celebration, Imperial Quiz Challenge and Recover the Stolen Papers. The quiz and thief activities use spawned NPCs or enemies; Grand Celebration is a chain of quests you collect from an NPC.
Rewards
Experience, money and event points, with a chance of items such as transformation cards, gems, Five Treasures, Amnesty Tokens and advanced beast manuals.
Important rules
Double reward time and refined training (triple reward time) do not affect rewards.
Basic and intermediate Hui Meng Pills and Hui Meng Drinks are effective.
If you die in battle, you revive on the spot without a loss.
After cancelling a quest, you must wait 3 minutes before collecting another.
If party members have different chain progress, or a quest fails, the entire party's chain count resets to 0.
Quest time limits
Each round has 6 quests, with a 40-minute limit per quest.
Event points
Earning points
All activities in Ink and Literary Elegance award event points.
Spending points
Visit the Vice Minister of Rites for a prize draw. Each draw costs 20 points.
Important rules
The Vice Minister of Rites disappears at 24:00 on the event day, so exchange your points in time.
Unused points do not expire and can be carried over to the following month.
Stolen exam papers
Obtaining papers
Defeat enemies in Recover the Stolen Papers on the afternoon of the second Sunday of each month.
Turning in papers
Give the papers to the Vice Minister of Rites for rewards, including Five Treasures and Super Golden Willow Dew.
Important rules
Papers stack up to 30 per stack.
They may be placed in your travel bag, but not in a warehouse or home storage.
They cannot be given to other players, traded or sold at a stall.
They may be kept and turned in during the next event.
Double and triple reward time do not affect rewards. Basic and intermediate Hui Meng Pills are effective.
Grand Celebration
Type 1 · Escort the envoy
Follow the quest instructions to the designated location and click the envoy to make him follow you. Escort him to Chang'an, fighting one encounter on the way, then click him again to complete the quest and receive your reward.
1. A little south of the station arrival point in Tang Border, near Dasheng.
2. Near (60,
17) in southern Changshou Outskirts.
3. On the left side of Tang Wilderness.
Tang Border: go to the station master at (87, 250), then travel to Chang'an.
Tang Wilderness: go to the station master at (205, 27), then travel to Chang'an.
Changshou Outskirts, route A: Xiniu Hezhou Land God at (96, 12) → Tang Wilderness station master at (205, 27) → Chang'an.
Changshou Outskirts, route B: station master at (60, 67) → Beiju Luzhou station master at (47, 119) → Chang'an.
The two outskirts routes take about the same time on foot; route A is faster when using the flying skill.
You must escort the envoy to Chang'an without Flying Talismans or Guide Flags. Only station transport is allowed during the escort. One encounter is guaranteed and usually takes about two turns. Seal the front-row Cat Spirit or Bandit Wife: these Pansi enemies flee on the second turn after being sealed. They repeatedly drain MP with Sisters of One Heart, so bring a sealing character.
The leader can use a small, fast-casting transformation such as Giant Bat to make NPCs easier to click.
Type 2 · Make a writing brush
Speak to Chen Yuanwai at Chang'an (165, 35). Then find Wang Wu inside Zhenyuan Martial Hall, entered from Chang'an (383, 122), and speak to him to start the battle. After winning, take the wood or beam back to Chen Yuanwai for your reward.
There are only 3 enemies. Attack the boss alone. The left phoenix acts first and casts Pudu Zhongsheng on the boss; the right phoenix acts second and triggers its healing with Zizai Xinfa. These two Putuo phoenixes have very high HP and both physical and magical resistance, and cannot be killed. They flee on the turn after the boss dies.
Leaving the phoenixes unsealed delays the kill. Use Wudidong to seal them, or manually focus the boss with physical attacks.
Type 3 · Request exam questions (deliver a letter)
The quest names a sect NPC. Travel there and give the letter bag to that NPC, then click again to start the battle. Win to complete the quest.
Flying Talismans, Guide Flags (including combined flags), sect-return spells and the Lingguang Treasure Box are not allowed. The flying skill is allowed. Keep moving: walking can trigger a chance to teleport the entire party close to the target NPC within 1 minute. Standing still will not help. A message saying you took a nap may appear when this teleport triggers.
Deliver the secret letter or quest item to the designated NPC, then click the NPC to fight. The battle is straightforward; seal the Li enemy and collect your reward after winning.
The nap may not trigger, in which case you must travel the whole route yourself, much like an escort quest. If your destination is distant Fangcun Mountain, you can earn the Slanting Moon and Three Stars achievement.
Type 4 · Inspect an exam site (patrol)
Go to the yamen or exam venue named in the quest and walk around inside until the battle triggers. Check the assigned venue carefully: patrolling the wrong one will not start the fight.
1. Chang'an Yamen: Chang'an (11, 63).
2. Jianye Yamen: Jianye (144, 82).
3. Imperial Academy: Chang'an (280, 200).
Defeat the masked thief to receive your reward. The fight is simple, with only 5 enemies, although the boss has more HP. Physical attackers and attack pets are useful.
Type 5 · Borrow an ink stick (rubbing and writing)
Find Qin Qiong through the entrance at Chang'an (87,
77) and complete the rubbing minigame as instructed. Once all 5 players finish writing, the reward triggers automatically. If too many players are idle or the completion requirement is not met, the party enters a battle instead; win it to finish.
The supplied guide gives two different thresholds: 3 players at more than 50%, and 3 players at more than 60%. These figures conflict; check the requirement displayed in the minigame.
The fallback battle is very easy. With fewer than 5 players or idle teammates, the leader can click Qin Qiong again to submit early and trigger the fight.
If you control five accounts, writing manually is quick and saves equipment durability.
Type 6 · Order paper (burn talisman paper)
Visit the Fushou Shop through Chang'an (518,
236) to collect talisman paper. The shopkeeper sends you to burn it in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, on either floor 1 or floor
2. Go to the floor specified by your quest and right-click the paper in your inventory to complete the task.
Enemies are visible in the pagoda. Avoid touching them, as an unnecessary battle wastes time.
Type 7 · Borrow an inkstone (quiz)
Visit Yan Ruyu in the bookstore through Chang'an (517, 74). Click the NPC and have the party leader answer the question. A correct answer completes the quest and grants the reward. The questions cover general game knowledge. If you answer incorrectly, click again and retry until you get it right.
Chain-quest rewards
Leader rewards
After leading the party through a full round of 6 quests, the leader can visit Prime Minister Yin for one prize-wheel spin.
Prize wheel
The wheel does not award experience or reserve money. Its best rewards include Amnesty Tokens and Shen Doudou; lower-value rewards include treasure-map boxes. Leaders can finish an afternoon with a backpack full of rewards.
Event points
Completing quests and turning in stolen exam papers both award event points. After the event, visit the Vice Minister of Rites to spend them on prize draws at 20 points per draw.
Recover the Stolen Papers
Spawn times
15:00
15:02
15:30
15:32
16:00
16:02
16:30
16:32
16:57
16:59
Timing notes
Spawns may occur twice every half-hour from 15:00, roughly 3 minutes apart, at 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30 and 17:00 across five areas. This differs from the detailed timetable above, especially for the final pair. Follow the actual in-game announcements.
Requirements
Level 30 or higher, with at least 3 players.
Spawn locations
Enemies appear in five areas selected from locations including Jianye, Xiliang Women's Kingdom, Zhuzi Kingdom, Changshou Village, East Sea Bay, Aolai Kingdom, Xianyuan Cave Heaven, Baoxiang Kingdom and Jiangnan Wilderness. Check the announced locations for each spawn.
Enemy types
Swipe horizontally to view all columns.
| Enemy | Traits |
|---|---|
Scroll Robber | Bandit appearance; average difficulty |
Unknown Passerby | Gambler appearance |
Exam Suspect | Mountain-bandit appearance; average difficulty |
Enemy notes
Scroll Robbers and Exam Suspects have similar encounters of average difficulty.
Quest flow
As soon as the system announcement appears, go to the named area, find an enemy and click it to enter battle.
Battle strategy
These fights are straightforward. Defeat the front-row Formation Guard Mechanism first. Once it falls, the enemies defend without attacking and take double damage; the back row's defenses drop substantially.
Rewards
All party members receive money and experience, with a chance of item rewards and a guaranteed stolen exam paper. Each defeated Scroll Robber or Exam Suspect gives every party member one paper. Turn papers in to the Vice Minister of Rites for rewards and points.
Thieves' hideout
Defeating an enemy from a timed spawn may teleport you into the thieves' hideout. You may open 5 Thief Chests containing stolen exam papers or item rewards. After the fifth chest, you are teleported out.
Hidden boss
In the Unknown Passerby encounter, do not kill the boss. It flees on turn 4 and reveals an area containing a small boss. Defeat that boss for additional rewards.
Useful tip
Watch the screen closely or set keyword alerts for the announcements.
Important rules
Double and refined-training reward time do not affect rewards.
Basic and intermediate Hui Meng Pills may be used.
Death is non-standard and causes no loss.
Imperial Quiz Challenge
Event time
The second Sunday of each month, 14:30–17:00.
Unlock requirement
When the server completes a combined total of 10,000 Grand Celebration quests, the Imperial Quiz Challenge opens. Three scholars — Zhi Scholar, Shidu Scholar and Jixian Scholar — appear at random locations in Chang'an.
Quiz requirements
Level 30 or higher, with at least 3 players.
Quest NPCs
Zhi Scholar, Shidu Scholar and Jixian Scholar in Chang'an. Their coordinates vary; check the system announcement.
NPC locations
Random locations within Chang'an.
NPC availability
The scholars remain for 10 minutes before disappearing, so join promptly.
Li Shimin
Enter through Chang'an (98, 234). Li Shimin is at (47,
47) in the palace's Golden Throne Hall.
Quest flow
Once the system announces the three scholars, head to their locations in Chang'an and answer their questions. Zhi Scholar, Shidu Scholar and Jixian Scholar test your party's knowledge.
How to play
Answer as a party. A correct answer earns 1 point; an incorrect answer deducts
1. Once your party reaches 10 points, visit Li Shimin to collect the reward.
Ranking
Each party occupies one rank. Finishing earlier gives a higher rank and better rewards.
Quiz rules
Either the leader or a teammate may answer; the first selected answer counts.
At one scholar, answer 4 questions: correct answers give +1 point and wrong answers give −1.
A scholar grants rewards at most 4 times.
Continue with the other two scholars afterward.
There is no limit on attempts at the last scholar.
The NPCs remain for at most 10 minutes before disappearing.
Useful tips
Estimate the spawn time from your server's population. Stop chain quests and watch the screen, or set keyword alerts.
Use New Year Flying Talismans.
Learn the question bank.
Set a Lingguang Treasure Box location at Li Shimin.
Rewards
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| Rank | Reward |
|---|---|
1st | Five high-value Five Treasures items for the party, with every member receiving a reward. |
2nd | Colored Fruit, transformation cards and similar rewards. |
3rd | Possible rewards include Night-Shining Pearls, Super Golden Willow Dew (C66) and Colored Fruit. |
4th–10th | A lower reward tier, possibly five gems. Rewards may include Super Golden Willow Dew, Yanling Fruit, lower-value Five Treasures, Golden Willow Dew and gems. |
After 10th | Money and experience only. |
Competing for first place
Watch for the system announcement containing the scholars' coordinates. On busy servers, the 10,000-quest total can be reached quickly: scholars may appear before 14:35 after a 14:30 start. Set keyword alerts in advance, find the announced coordinates immediately and aim for 10 correct answers. One mistake can let other parties pull ahead.
Other rewards
Experience, money, event points for NPC prize draws, and items such as Five Treasures, Colored Fruit and advanced transformation cards.