I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Pangu's Heavenly Way, the Great World of Jambudvipa.

Divine flags fluttered atop Mount Buzhou, while red waves surged below, forming a vast red ocean of flags.

Ever since Zhuang Yan used the red flag as an order during the Liu Chenxiang incident, commanding all the gods of Xiniu Hezhou to organize their own suppression of the rebellion, the red flag has become a symbol.

Over the years, now throughout the entire Jambudvipa world, wherever there are palaces, temples, or monasteries dedicated to the Great Emperor Shenxiao, the Haotian flag and the red flag are planted everywhere.

Zhuang Yan, dressed in a 'Twenty-Four Heavens Mysterious Robe', wearing a 'Twelve-Tassel Heavenly Venerable Crown', and tied with a 'Zhou Tian Jade Bucket Treasure Belt', was surrounded by the Fire Spirit True Immortal, Erlang True Lord, the Ten Directions Heavenly Lords, and the celestial officials of the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm, and protected by three thousand generals of the Vanguard Camp, rode in a golden chariot and jade palanquin, passing through auspicious clouds of nine colors, and landed on the imperial road.

At this moment, gods and immortals from all over the world on both sides of the imperial road cheered and waved their red flags tirelessly, shouting the words "Your Majesty the Divine Firmament".

The reason why Mount Buzhou is so lively and bustling today is that, three hundred years after the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm issued the 'Jiaxu Decree', the first examination encompassing the entire Jambudvipa world is finally about to be held.

This examination will select celestial officials of the Middle Yuan Third Rank and the Lower Yuan Third Rank, which is equivalent to celestial officials of the fifth rank and below.

Zhuang Yan slowly rose from the jade carriage, raised his hand and gently pressed down, and the surrounding roaring sounds gradually subsided.

After the noise completely subsided, Zhuang Yan slowly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Since the issuance of the Jiaxu Decree, the first 'Celestial Official Examination' of the Mortal Realm Jade Palace will finally begin in three days."

"As the supreme ruler of the mortal realm, I am hereby ordered by the Jade Emperor to govern the human world. I also wish all candidates the best of luck in displaying their talents and achieving top honors."

Those candidates who stood on both sides of the imperial road to participate in this Heavenly Official Examination all bowed and shouted, "Thank you, Your Majesty Shenxiao!"

Zhuang Yan asked the Fire Spirit Immortal beside him, "Have the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings arrived?"

Fire Spirit Immortal said, "Your Majesty, they have all arrived."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly. "Summon."

Fire Spirit Immortal immediately proclaimed in a loud voice: "His Majesty has decreed that the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings be summoned to an audience with the Emperor."

As soon as the Fire Spirit Immortal finished speaking, the officials of the Tongcheng Academy on the right side of the imperial road, one every hundred feet, each holding a token, announced: "His Majesty has decreed that the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings be summoned to an audience with the Emperor."

The Five Great Emperors, holding jade tablets, strode forward and bowed before Zhuang Yan's jade carriage, saying, "Your subjects pay homage to His Majesty the Supreme Divine Emperor of the Spirit Platform."

Holding jade tablets, the Four Sea Dragon Kings hurried to the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors, then bowed and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject, the Dragon King of the East Sea (the Dragon King of the South Sea, the Dragon King of the West Sea, and the Dragon King of the North Sea), pays respects to His Majesty the Supreme Divine Emperor of the Spirit Platform."

Zhuang Yan spoke, saying, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Five Sacred Mountains Emperors bowed in thanks and then stood up straight, while the Four Seas Dragon Kings rose from the ground after bowing in thanks as well.

Then Zhuang Yan asked the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings, "Present the list of candidates from the five continents and four seas."

The Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings accepted the order and then took out a roster from their sleeves.

Lu Hanzhi, the head of the Tongcheng Academy, came over, took the roster from the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings, and then boarded the jade carriage to present it to Zhuang Yan.

The Heavenly Official Examination is divided into the 'Selection Examination' and the 'Formal Examination'. The Selection Examination is held by the Five Sacred Mountains Divine Palace and the Four Seas Divine Palace, with the aim of selecting talents from across the five continents and four seas.

All those who pass the selection test and achieve a score in the top three categories are eligible to advance to the formal examination at Buzhou Mountain.

Those who pass the exam but are ranked in the lower three grades cannot participate in the formal examination, but can be appointed to positions in their own continent or sea, but can only hold the position of a deity of the lower third grade.

As for those who did not pass, they should go back and continue to work hard, and participate again in the next selection test.

Therefore, the list submitted by the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings consisted of the top three outstanding talents selected by the Five Continents and Four Seas Divine Palaces, who were personally led by the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors and the Four Seas Dragon Kings to Buzhou Mountain to participate in the formal examination.

Zhuang Yan reviewed the registers of the Five Sacred Mountains one by one, then handed them to True Immortal Fire Spirit. He then began to examine the registers of the Four Seas.
But after looking at the register of names from all over the world, Zhuang Yan frowned. "The Dragon King of the East Sea."

Upon hearing Zhuang Yan call his name, the Dragon King of the East Sea immediately bowed and said, "Your subject is here."

Zhuang Yan asked, "How many living beings are there in your Eastern Sea?"

The Dragon King of the East Sea paused for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, the East Sea has trillions of living beings. I... uh... I haven't counted them."

"You haven't counted? As the Dragon King of the East Sea, you don't even know how many living beings are under your rule?" The Dragon King of the East Sea trembled and quickly bowed, saying, "Your subject is guilty, your subject is guilty."

Zhuang Yan said, "All sixteen people on this list are from your East Sea Dragon Clan. Have all the creatures of your East Sea died out?!"

As soon as Zhuang Yan finished speaking, the roster in his hand flew out and hit the Dragon King of the East Sea on the head with a 'thud'.

The Dragon King of the East Sea was instantly terrified and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me. I did indeed notify all living beings in the East Sea to participate in the selection examination this time, but in the end, very few people came to take the exam. Even among those who did, only a few hundred barely passed. In the end, only sixteen members of the East Sea Dragon Clan achieved the top three grades."

After listening to the Dragon King of the East Sea's explanation, Zhuang Yan asked calmly, "Is what you said true?"

The Dragon King of the East Sea kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. How could I dare to deceive Your Majesty?"

Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "In that case, please get up. I will send someone to the East China Sea to investigate this matter afterward."

The Dragon King of the East Sea breathed a sigh of relief and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise." He then picked up the register, thanked the Dragon King, and rose.

Upon witnessing the fate of the East Sea Dragon King, the West Sea Dragon King and the North Sea Dragon King exchanged a glance, their expressions visibly tense.

Sure enough, when Zhuang Yan saw the rosters of the West Sea and the North Sea, anger flashed in his eyes. "Where are the Dragon Kings of the West Sea and the North Sea?"

The Dragon Kings of the West Sea and the North Sea knelt smoothly on the ground, their faces filled with fear as they kowtowed and said, "Your subjects are here."

Zhuang Yan asked, "Dragon King of the West Sea, there are 268 people on your West Sea register, all of whom are descendants of your West Sea Dragon Clan. How do you explain this?"

The Dragon King of the West Sea repeatedly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. It was not my intention to do so, nor was it because I only allowed my own descendants to pass the selection test. It is only because the creatures of the West Sea are truly uneducated. There were many participants in this West Sea selection test, but none of them reached the level required to participate in the main test. Please, Your Majesty, understand.”

Zhuang Yan said, "The Buddhist sect is located in Xiniu Hezhou. Xiniu Hezhou was once a place where Buddhism flourished. Your Western Sea is connected to Xiniu Hezhou by land and sea. Have you never received any education from it?"

"Your Majesty, please allow me to report." The Dragon King of the West Sea said, "Although the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas often come to the West Sea, whether they are descendants of the West Sea Dragon Clan or creatures of the West Sea, nine out of ten of those who have been taught by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have converted to Buddhism, and the remaining ten out of ten have also left the West Sea. As a result, it is naturally difficult for the creatures of my West Sea to be taught."

Upon hearing this, Tiger Vanguard, standing behind Zhuang Yan, said to Chi Ling, "No wonder there are so many true dragons in Buddhism; they were all dug up from the Western Sea."

Chi Ling couldn't help but smile when she heard this, but when Huo Ling Zhenxian cast a glance at them, the two of them immediately fell silent.

After listening to the explanation from the West Sea Dragon King, Zhuang Yan said to him, "You may rise as well. I will send people to investigate this matter later." The West Sea Dragon King felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly kowtowed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then he stood up and stood with the East Sea Dragon King.

Then came the Dragon King of the North Sea. Before Zhuang Yan could ask, the Dragon King of the North Sea took the initiative to report: "Your Majesty, I have something to say to Your Majesty."

Zhuang Yan glanced at the list of Beihai registrants in his hand and said, "Speak."

"Your Majesty," said the Dragon King of the North Sea, "Although my North Sea connects Zhongshan Sea Continent and Beiju Lu Continent, Beiju Lu Continent was very difficult to enter more than three hundred years ago before Your Majesty opened it up. Therefore, the creatures of my North Sea could hardly communicate with Beiju Lu Continent. As for Zhongshan Sea Continent, before it was rediscovered by Buzhou Mountain, it was also a wild and remote place, and there were no great virtuous immortals here to spread their teachings."

Zhuang Yan said calmly, "So that's why there are no other creatures from the North Sea on your roster?"

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the reason," said the Dragon King of the North Sea.

Zhuang Yan then asked, "So what do you do? What is the purpose of you, the Dragon King of the North Sea?"

The Dragon King of the North Sea quickly replied, "Your subject governs the North Sea on behalf of Heaven and educates its inhabitants."

At this point, the Dragon King of the North Sea stopped talking abruptly, then kowtowed and said, "Your subject is guilty."

"Hmph." Zhuang Yan gave a light snort, then looked at the North Sea Dragon King and said, "Today is an auspicious day, so I will not pursue the matter further."

The Dragon King of the North Sea kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is merciful and your grace is boundless. I am eternally grateful."

"Get up," Zhuang Yan said.

The North Sea Dragon King thanked him, stood up, bowed, and walked to stand next to the West Sea Dragon King.

Finally, it was the South Sea Dragon King. When Zhuang Yan saw the South Sea Dragon King, his expression immediately improved. "Among the names on the list of those from the South Sea who came to participate in the formal examination this time, there are seventy-six members of the South Sea Dragon Clan and a total of two hundred and ninety-seven other aquatic creatures from the South Sea. This is enough to show the effectiveness of your South Sea Divine Palace's teachings over the years."

"Your Majesty," the Dragon King of the South Sea bowed and said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. However, I dare not take credit for it. This is all due to the compassionate grace of Guanyin Bodhisattva."

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Although it is the compassionate grace of Guanyin Bodhisattva, it is also very rare for you, as the Dragon King of the South Sea, to be able to select the virtuous and capable without bias, Fire Spirit True King."

Fire Spirit Immortal bowed and said, "Your subject is here."

Zhuang Yan said, "I will bestow upon the Dragon King of the South Sea ten jugs of imperial wine, ten golden flowers, and a jade ruyi scepter from the mortal realm."

"Your subject obeys the decree." True Immortal Huo Ling bowed and accepted the decree.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of the South Sea quickly bowed and said, "Your subject, the Dragon King of the South Sea, kowtows to the Supreme God of the Divine Firmament." After saying this, he bowed and paid his respects to Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Rise."

The Dragon King of the South Sea bowed in thanks and stood up. He then walked to stand beside the Dragon King of the North Sea, and the three Dragon Kings of the West Sea, North Sea, and East Sea all cast envious glances at him.

Afterwards, Zhuang Yan received the candidates who came from all over the world and ordered a banquet to be held to entertain them as well as the immortal cultivators who came from all over the world to attend the event.

Three days later, the Heavenly Official Examination officially began. The examination venue was set up on the Imperial Road, and the examination was personally presided over by the True Immortal of Fire Spirit, with 30,000 divine generals from the Zhechong Camp supervising the examination.

The Heavenly Official Examination is divided into three parts: the Virtue Examination, the Literary Examination, and the Military Examination, with the Virtue Examination being the most important.

Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin both passed the preliminary examination and successfully advanced to the main examination, while Xue Pan was eliminated in the preliminary examination, and his score was at the bottom.

Among the Jia family members selected were Jia Tanchun, Jia Baoyu, and Jia Xichun, who only passed the preliminary examination but were still far from passing the actual examination.

After Xue Ke, Xue Baoqin, and Jia Tanchun sat down in their respective examination seats, they heard the examiner say, "Please pick up the jade mirror on your desks."

Jia Tanchun immediately picked up the mirror jade, and then heard the examiner say, "Infuse your magic power into the mirror jade."

Jia Tanchun did as instructed, and in an instant, her vision blurred, and she found herself in an illusion.

Before she could think too much, the illusion before her suddenly changed, and a village appeared. The village was peaceful and serene, with the sounds of chickens and dogs audible, men tilling the fields and women weaving, children playing, and life in tranquility.

But suddenly a torrential downpour began, and then a voice appeared in Jia Tanchun's ear: "Now you are the deity of this place. This torrential rain is a divine decree. In a quarter of an hour, the river will overflow, a flash flood will break out, the entire village will be destroyed, and no one will survive. Please make a choice within half a quarter of an hour. The timer starts now."

Jia Tanchun's heart tightened as she looked at the anxious and panicked people below. Although she knew it was an illusion, she felt an urgent sense of urgency.

As time slowly passed, Jia Tanchun's eyebrows furrowed tightly. Just as time was about to run out, Jia Tanchun finally gritted her teeth and made a decision, "Since it is a 'test of virtue,' then virtue must come first. Stop the rain and save people."

The moment Jia Tanchun made her choice, the torrential rain stopped, but a cold voice rang in her ears, "If this question is answered incorrectly, the amount of rain that will fall from the sky shall not be increased, decreased, or altered without authorization. Those who violate this rule shall be executed for the crime of 'disobeying the imperial decree and deceiving Heaven'."

"This..." Jia Tanchun was dumbfounded. Wasn't this a test of virtue? Wasn't it enough that she stopped the rain to save people?

But the exam didn't give her much time to think, and soon the scene before her changed again, with a picture of drought and desolation appearing before her eyes.

“The magistrate and his wife of Fengxian County quarreled. In a fit of anger, the magistrate overturned the altar where the Divine Emperor was worshipped and let the dog eat the offerings. This scene was witnessed by the Divine Emperor, who was on a tour of the area. The Divine Emperor was furious and issued an edict that Fengxian County would suffer a three-year drought.”

"Now you are the deity of this land. Seeing the desolation of the world, the endless drought, and the hopelessness of all living beings, what choice do you make? Please make your decision within a quarter of an hour."

This question did not stump Jia Tanchun. Her answer was to write to the Divine Emperor, pointing out that Heaven has a benevolent nature and that this was the fault of the Prefect of Fengxian County, and that innocent people should not be implicated. She believed that the Prefect of Fengxian County should be punished by having his lifespan reduced by twenty years, thus absolving him of the punishment of a severe drought.

After making her choice, Jia Tanchun waited anxiously. Soon, the voice rang out: "Correct answer. This question is rated 'Excellent'."

'Phew!' Jia Tanchun breathed a sigh of relief, as her confidence, which had been shaken by the first question, was greatly restored.

The next question is the third one: "You are a deity, and a demon under your jurisdiction is about to attain immortality. However, you know where he is hiding. Before he becomes an immortal, you can kill him at any time. What will you choose? You have 15 minutes to answer. Please answer."

Jia Tanchun fell into deep thought. One of the demons she had subdued was about to attain immortality. Should she slay the demon or let him become an immortal?
After thinking for a moment, Jia Tanchun immediately made her decision: "Slaying demons and eliminating evil is of utmost urgency." She chose to slay demons and eliminate evil.

"Wrong answer. All beings are equal, and all living beings in the world have the freedom to attain immortality." The voice coldly announced the result.

Jia Tanchun stood there blankly, wondering, "Is it wrong to slay demons and monsters?"

But no one answered her; only the voice announcing the start of the fourth question: "Now, in the chaos, the various Heavenly Daos are attacking each other, slaughtering each other endlessly. If you were to represent the Heavenly Dao of Pangu to attack one of the Heavenly Daos, how would you treat the beings of that Heavenly Dao? You have half an hour to answer. Please answer."

Jia Tanchun snapped out of her daze, but upon hearing the question, she was utterly astonished. "How should we deal with this? Are we to exterminate them all? The beings of the Heavenly Path are also living beings!"

This time, Jia Tanchun chose to treat everyone equally because of the principle of "equality of all beings." The beings of other Heavenly Paths are also beings, so they should be treated the same as the beings of Pangu Heavenly Path.

"Wrong answer!" a piercing voice rang out. "The virtue of Pangu's Heavenly Way is not the virtue of any other Heavenly Way. When the Ways differ, virtue cannot be manifest; when virtue is not manifest, righteousness is not upright. Your Heavenly Way is not my Heavenly Way. Your beings are not my beings. Other beings are not my beings. If they can return to my virtue, then my virtue can be bestowed upon them; if they cannot return to my virtue, then my virtue cannot be bestowed upon them." (End of Chapter)