The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 349 A Lecherous Scoundrel (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
This dark figure was extremely fast. Although it looked humanoid, it was as thin as a piece of paper, just like a shadow.

It was moving swiftly along the cliff face, looking both excited and ferocious.

The dark figure would occasionally glance back at Zhou Dong and the others, gesturing wildly, yet its body did not fall off the mountain wall, as if it were glued to it, without any weight.

Zhou Tong suddenly frowned, turned around and looked at the cliff wall in the distance. The dark figure immediately stopped moving and clung tightly to the wall, like a shadow. Zhou Tong looked around but found nothing.

When he turned around, the shadowy figure moved again, seemingly even more excited, waving its arms, shaking its head, and making faces at Zhou Tong's back.

If Zhou Tong could see the shadowy figure at this moment, he would be surprised to find that it was a human, not some wild beast that had become a spirit, but a faceless, pitch-black shadow.

He stood there for a while, about twelve hours later, when he saw Kumārajīva slowly open his eyes and say, "Benefactor Zhou, please continue your cultivation. Tell this humble monk to come and protect you."

Zhou Tong agreed and sat down cross-legged. Kumārajīva stood up, a hint of excitement on his face. The spiritual energy here was so dense that it was indescribable. Twelve hours of cultivation was almost equivalent to a year, something that was unthinkable outside.

Just as he was immersed in joy, his expression suddenly changed. He turned around and looked at the distant mountain wall, his eyes wide open like copper bells, and he didn't move an inch.

Then the dark figure imitated the previous scene, clinging to the cliff face, disguising itself as a shadow, and appeared to be nothing unusual.

However, Kumārajīva was not like Zhou Tong. His eyes were fixed on the location of the dark figure, and his robes were slightly bulging, clearly indicating that he was on high alert.

Although he couldn't see anything, a sense of unease rose in his heart, and he instinctively felt that something existed in the cliff.

Kumārajīva did not blink, and the dark figure did not move. Several hours passed in this way before Kumārajīva finally let out a long breath.

He slowly turned around, but as soon as he did, he turned back in a flash, his expression even more solemn.

The shadow remained unchanged. Kumārajīva took a few steps forward, but worried about the well behind him, so he could only look into the distance again until the twelve hours had passed.

Then A'Zhu slowly opened her eyes, got up and walked over: "What are you looking at, Master?"

Kumārajīva said in a low voice, "This humble monk feels that there is something in that cliff?"

"Something exists?" A'Zhu was slightly taken aback. "Master, are you saying there are living creatures hiding here?"

Kumārajīva nodded: "It must be a living thing, spying on us. I don't know what it wants to do, but unfortunately I can't see what kind of monster it is. I can only sense it in my mind."

A'Zhu said, "Since they are hiding and spying, they probably don't have good intentions, but they don't show themselves either, so they must be afraid of something."

Kumārajīva said, "That's right, but we can't be careless. After all, we are in the open while the other side is in the dark. They might be plotting some kind of trick to strike when the opportunity arises."

A'Zhu said, "That's possible, but there's no action yet. Master, please focus on your cultivation. I'll keep an eye on things for you."

Kumārajīva said, "This humble monk thinks it's better for Miss A'Zhu to continue her cultivation, while this humble monk will continue to keep an eye on things."

A'Zhu smiled and said, "Master, are you still worried? My daughter will not make any mistakes. You can go and cultivate with peace of mind."

After a few moments of contemplation, Kumārajīva slowly nodded: "In that case, I'll have to trouble Miss A'Zhu."

As she spoke, she went to sit down to the side, and A'Zhu looked at the cliff with a thoughtful expression.

Two or three hours passed, and the mountain wall remained motionless. A'Zhu thought for a moment and began to walk forward. She had only taken a few steps when she heard Zhao Ti's voice: "Don't go over there."

A'Zhu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Zhao Ti, only to see that Zhao Ti was still cultivating with his eyes closed, but his voice continued to ring in her ears: "There is indeed something over there, just keep an eye on it, focus on cultivation, don't alert it."

A'Zhu nodded, and then, just like Kumārajīva, looked down into the cliff, her body still and her eyes fixed on the cliff.

Twelve hours passed in the blink of an eye. Huang Tianbiao and Lang Tianruo woke up together, stood up and walked over: "Miss Azhu, please continue your cultivation. Let the two of us protect you."

Azhu lowered her voice and told them about something hidden in the distant mountain wall. The two men looked surprised and nodded vigorously: "Miss Azhu, don't worry. We'll be there to warn you at the slightest sign of trouble."

A'Zhu gave a few more instructions and then began to cultivate. After twelve hours, it was Zhou Tong's turn. The rat and the wolf relayed the story. Zhou Tong exclaimed in surprise, "It seems that my previous feeling was not a mistake. There really is something plotting something. You two hurry up and practice your skills. I'll keep an eye on things again."

This went on for several rounds, and after about ten days, the white mist at the wellhead was no longer dense and turned into water droplets, but it was still thick.

Suddenly, Huang Tianbiao's body swelled up like an inflated balloon, with his bones and tendons seemingly throbbing inside. He cried out in pain and then rolled around on the ground.

But in just a short while, his body began to change, and finally he lost his beastly form and became a thin old man with a yellow hat and yellow clothes, and sparse yellow eyebrows and beard, who got up from the ground.

"I've transformed! I've transformed!" It exclaimed in a low voice, its expression filled with ecstasy.

After a while, Lang Tianruo's whole body convulsed uncontrollably, writhing in pain on the ground. Then he leaped up and transformed into an old man with gray hair, gray eyebrows, and a gray beard, his face full of surprise: "I never thought I would have a day when I could transform into human form."

At this moment, it was A'Zhu who was guarding again. The two hurriedly took over A'Zhu's cultivation and began to protect the group.

Zhao Ti suddenly trembled slightly, his magical power cultivation had actually entered the realm of the fourth level of the Twelve-Story Tower, the White Tiger Blade, and the tribulation corresponding to the fourth level, the Spirit Pill Wind Evil Tribulation, was about to arrive.

The Tribulation of the Spirit Pill Wind represents a breakthrough to the limit. Once overcome, both one's magical power and state of mind will be different from before, resulting in a leap in change. Quantitative change leads to qualitative change, stepping into a completely new level.

At this moment, he looked inward and felt a loud bang. His thoughts began to wander and become confused. He felt his body suddenly sink and another world appeared before his eyes.

Looking at the clear blue sky, the gentle breeze and bright sunshine, and the bustling crowds all around, Zhao Ti was stunned for a moment. He turned around and saw that behind him was the Taibai Restaurant.

"I've already refused Mo Xun's offer of silver as a token of gratitude, and only had a light taste of the food and wine before taking my leave?" Zhao Ti pondered for a moment, then became certain in his heart. Previously, his classmate Mo Xun had been grateful for his poem and had booked the largest restaurant in Yuzhou, Taibai Restaurant, to host a banquet. During the meal, Mo Xun had urged him to drink and eat, and even tried to seduce him with his beauty. Finally, he offered him five hundred taels of silver, all of which Zhao Ti had refused before taking his leave.

Why is my mind so foggy? It seems I've forgotten so many things. Right, who am I again? I'm Zhao Ti, a scholar from Yuzhou?
That's right, I am Zhao Ti. Now I need to go home and study hard to prepare for the provincial examination in the fall. Once I pass the provincial examination, I will go to the capital, Qianjing, next year to participate in the spring provincial examination and try to obtain the title of Jinshi.

The Great Qian Dynasty has a vast territory, comprising ninety-nine prefectures. Among them, the capital, Qianjing, is located in the center of Qianzhou. It is enormous, incredibly prosperous, and the largest city in the world.

The imperial examinations of the Great Qian Dynasty were divided into four levels. The first level was the preliminary examination. Those who passed were called students or scholars. After becoming scholars, they could enjoy privileges such as exemption from corvée labor and not having to kneel when meeting officials such as county magistrates.

The second level is the provincial examination, which requires the status of a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination). Those who pass are called Juren (a scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination) and have the qualification to directly enter officialdom. Even if a Juren does not pass the Jinshi (the highest level of the imperial examination), he/she has the opportunity to be appointed as a county magistrate or instructor, which is something that a Xiucai cannot achieve.

Moreover, the scope of tax exemption and corvée exemption for those who passed the imperial examinations was expanded. Not only could they be exempted from taxes and corvée labor for their entire family, but they could even take in tenants and land. Many landlords would register their land under their own names to avoid taxes, and local gentry and officials would actively seek to befriend them.

Moreover, officials of the prefectural level could be treated with equal courtesy, without the need for kneeling or bowing, and they could ride in sedan chairs. Their clothing, residences, and other aspects of their lives also had special specifications and styles.

Even if a successful candidate in the imperial examinations commits a crime, they cannot be directly convicted. The court must first be notified to strip them of their academic titles, and the government is not allowed to directly punish or imprison them.

The third level is the metropolitan examination, in which candidates who passed the provincial examination travel to the capital to take the exam. The Ministry of Rites presided over the exam, and those who passed were called tribute students, which served as the key to the next level, the palace examination.

The fourth level is the palace examination, which is personally conducted by the emperor. Those who pass the examination are collectively called Jinshi (进士).

The Jinshi degree was divided into three grades, with the first grade consisting of three people: Zhuangyuan (状元), Bangyan (榜眼), and Tanhua (探花), who were awarded the title of Jinshi.

Several people in the second rank were granted the title of Jinshi (进士).

The third-ranked candidates were also a number of people, and they were granted the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

The top three scholars in the imperial examinations—the first-place winner (状元), the second-place winner (榜眼), and the third-place winner (探花)—were all renowned figures in the scholarly community. Even if they didn't achieve high official positions later, they were still widely admired among scholars and became role models for them.

As Zhao Ti pondered this, he walked home. His family lived in the southeast of Yuzhou City. They were commoners, but they still had some ancestral property that they could rent out to earn income. Therefore, they were not worried about food and clothing and were able to support a scholar.

As he pondered these things, he felt as if he were in a dream, a feeling that was quite unreal. But when he looked around, the scene was real. So he shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and focused on walking home.

As you walk towards the Yujiang River, you see its emerald-green waters, shimmering and beautiful, clear and calm. Many painted boats and pleasure boats drift on the river, and the sounds of singing and dancing drift gently by, making you feel intoxicated. You wish you could stay there and indulge in the joy. Life is short, so enjoy it while you can, and don't let your golden goblet be empty under the moon.

Zhao Ti looked at it for a moment, trying to clear his mind of his chaotic thoughts, and muttered to himself: "Playing with things and losing one's ambition is not advisable. I should straighten my mind and conduct myself, and study hard. I must not think about playing or being lazy until I have mastered my studies... No, even if I have mastered my studies, I must not be lazy in my studies. My life is finite, but knowledge is infinite."

"To pursue the infinite with the finite is perilous! And to claim knowledge in this way is even more perilous! Do good without seeking fame, do evil without incurring punishment. Follow the natural order as your guide; this way you can preserve your life, maintain your health, care for your parents, and live out your years."

As he spoke, he walked up the Jade Belt Bridge with his head held high. The Jade Belt Bridge is one of the three bridges of the Jade River. The Jade River flows through the city of Yuzhou, and there are three bridges on this section of the river: Jade Belt, Jade Chain, and Jade Ring.

This bridge is extremely long, and it is not the kind of small arched bridge that ordinary craftsmen could build. It is said that when these three bridges were built, not only did officials with magical powers help, but water beasts in the water also assisted. It took several months to complete.

Zhao Ti then walked to the center of the bridge and saw a huge painted boat sailing across the water. The boat was decorated very ornately, with red lanterns hanging down and shimmering pearls. Auspicious beasts were carved on its ridge. Its design was not something that ordinary merchants could afford.

Meanwhile, melodious and clear music drifted from the pleasure boat, refreshing the mind and spirit, unlike the vulgar music played on other pleasure boats.

Zhao Ti glanced at it and thought to himself that the owner of the boat must be a refined scholar, not the kind of person who indulges in pleasure. But then he wondered what this had to do with him. Why was his mind filled with such distracting thoughts today? He should hurry home and study.

But at that moment, the beaded curtain of the painted boat's cabin door was rolled up, and a young girl stepped out.

Zhao Ti had already started to turn his head, but when he saw the girl, he suddenly stopped.

The girl had a slender and graceful figure, as delicate as a willow branch, and her eyebrows and eyes seemed to contain morning dew and peach blossoms, and her graceful movements seemed to hold a galaxy.

Her eyebrows were like painted smoke, her nose was delicate and straight, her lips were naturally red without any makeup, and her dimples were shallow when she smiled, just like a crabapple blossom in early March.

Her dark hair was tied into a flowing cloud bun, and with light steps, her jade hairpin swayed, which further accentuated her snow-white skin and made her radiant with beauty. She possessed an unparalleled beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms.

"Luo Fu..." Zhao Ti uttered two words softly. The girl who stepped out of the painted boat was actually Qin Luo Fu.

The most beautiful and talented woman in Yuzhou, the daughter of Qin Xuanzhi, the Prefect of Yuzhou, the daughter of the Qin family, one of the eight great families of the Great Qian Kingdom, and one of the ten most famous beauties in the world.

With her natural beauty and favored by the emperor, her bright eyes shone like pearls, and her kind and intelligent nature came from a distinguished family. She was Qin Luofu, a talented woman from Yuzhou.

Zhao Ti had seen Luo Fu once before. She was so beautiful that her temperament was as elegant as a secluded orchid and as serene as a white cloud. She was gentle yet strong, and her beauty was ethereal and otherworldly. She possessed both the graceful charm of the Jiangnan region and the aloof elegance of a snow-covered mountain. She was unforgettable.

In particular, she possesses a subtle scholarly air that makes her unforgettable.

"A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections..." Zhao Ti shook his head self-deprecatingly. His knowledge and character were far from sufficient to be a gentleman, so naturally he should not pursue her. Only after achieving success in his studies could he consider settling down and starting a family.

The girl on the painted boat seemed to have heard Zhao Ti's words. Suddenly, she raised her snow-white neck and looked over with eyes as bright as peach blossoms and stars.

Hmm... I forgot about Luo Fu's prowess in both literature and martial arts. All eight great families have martial arts and Taoist magic, which can do things that ordinary people cannot. Did she hear what she just said?
Zhao Ti pondered for a moment, but he had heard it, and he hadn't said anything frivolous or vulgar. It was just an ancient poem about humanity and human nature, nothing serious.

He glanced at Luo Fu again, their eyes meeting briefly before he looked away, then walked with his head held high and chest out toward the Jade Belt Bridge.

The girl stood on the boat, her clear eyes gazing at his retreating figure. Her beautiful, arched eyebrows furrowed, and she uttered three words softly: "You lecher..."

Zhao Ti naturally didn't hear those words. After crossing the bridge, he headed straight southeast and arrived at a street corner about 15 minutes later.

(End of this chapter)