I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 134 First Arrival
"I will never forget your life-saving grace, senior."

Zhongli Mei bowed respectfully, showing no trace of arrogance.

Xue Xiang waved his hand casually, and two Phoenix Five Pills and two Rejuvenation Pills floated towards Zhongli Mei, saying, "It is fate that we met. You flatter me, young friend Zhong."

Zhongli Mei took the pill and quickly put it in his mouth, feeling extremely grateful.

Nearly thirty years later, he once again felt the care and love of his elders.

"Gentlemen, if anyone is seriously injured, please speak frankly with me."

Xue Xiang cupped his hands in greeting.

"We are all fine, senior, please do not worry."

"The Eight Directions Wind and Rain Formation of Canglan Academy is also formidable, blocking most of Lei Ze's attacks."

"........."

Everyone expressed their opinions, but ultimately no one dared to step forward and accept Xue Xiang's pills.

"In that case, everyone please return. This old man will be going into seclusion. Two months from now, we will all gather together to listen to young friend Murong discuss the Dao."

After Xue Xiang finished speaking loudly, everyone bowed respectfully and withdrew.

…………

Having just left the Blessed Land of Literature, Ni Quanwen, aboard his flying boat, said in a deep voice, "Have you all noticed that Senior seems to have a particularly high opinion of that Xue Xiang?"

"That's for sure. The senior is a great Confucian scholar, and Xue Xiang is a rising star of our Confucianism. He is excellent in poetry and prose. It's not wrong for the senior to like him."

Wei Fan was very pleased with himself. He was supervising the examination in Canaan, and Xue Xiang came out on top.

In his reflections, he didn't forget to mention this matter.

The Lord of Mingde Dongxuan specifically named Xue Xiang today, clearly remembering his merits.

This is a senior who has suppressed the two saints of Yunlei and Dianying. It is an honor to be remembered by him.

"not only that."

Ni Quanwen said, "Have you all forgotten where Xue Xiang obtained his literary talent and established his literary palace?"

"Hangu Relics".

"Inspector Deng Fangzong frowned."

"Whose blessed land is the current master of Mingde Dongxuan inherited?"

Ni Quanwen said in a deep voice.

Everyone was astonished.

"That's right, the current master of Mingde Cave also inherited the blessed land of Elder Hangu."

"If you look at it this way, Xue Xiang and the Lord of Mingde Cave have quite a connection."

"What kind of connection is this? Many of the candidates from that batch of examinees gained literary energy from the Hangu Ruins. Xue Xiang was just one of them."

"The key is that one of them has established contact with the current Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, and the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan favors Xue Xiang. If things continue like this, I wouldn't be surprised if the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan lets Xue Xiang inherit the Wenxu Blessed Land one day."

After Ni Quanwen said this, everyone fell silent.

Wei Fan said, "Now it seems that Murong Yu is a formidable opponent, and Xue Xiang may not be able to defeat him."

Kong Yourong, the Director of the Imperial Academy, said, “Compared to Murong Yu, Xue Xiang is, after all, a Confucian scholar under our jurisdiction. He has inherited the mantle, which is better.”

"It's natural."

"Since there's this potential, we should still try our best to make it happen. By the way, isn't Xue Xiang the leader of Canaan County? Why hasn't his personnel file been transferred yet?"

Wei Fan asked in a deep voice.

He Changqing, the deputy envoy of the palace, said, "I sent someone to inquire, and they said that the personnel file has been transferred to the Second Hall of Canaan County, and the Second Hall has already decided on Xue Xiang's new position."

He was appointed as the deputy head of the Nine Halls and Three Courtyards, concurrently serving as the head of the Spiritual Property Clearing Room.

These words shocked everyone present.

Ni Quanwen glared at He Changqing hatefully, "This is blatant! Which county exam champion would arrange to go to the Flaming Mountain?"

Do these people have no moral compass?

Wei Fan said coldly, "This is trying to kill Xue Xiang. This is unacceptable."

Kong Yourong said, "It's too late to talk about these things now. The procedures are all done. I think it's good to let Xue Xiang get some experience and be tempered down there."

Wei Fan snorted coldly, "Brother Kong, it's easy for you to talk when you're not in the same boat. Wasn't your grandson also in the top three in the Yiling County examination this time? I remember he was assigned to a post in the prefecture, where there's no storm."

Kong Yourong flew into a rage, "Old Wei, if you have something to say, say it to my face. Who are you trying to imply?"

Ni Quanwen waved his hand, "Stop arguing, I'll personally oversee Canaan County."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

…………

Jiufen Mountain, Plum Blossom Hall, West Warm Pavilion.

The day before Xue Xiang was to take up his post, Xie Haiya finally returned and immediately summoned Xue Xiang.

The cold wind of December quietly blew into the pavilion, and the fragrance of plum blossoms drifted in with the wind. The fire in the stove inside was burning brightly.

Xue Xiang sat by the window, holding a cup of warm tea in both hands.

After finishing his tea, Xie Haiya hurried in, carrying a package. He placed it in front of Xue Xiang, saying, "So you won't keep coming here to steal tea leaves."

This time, I bought you ten catties (5 kg) all at once, enough for you to drink for a whole year.

"Senior brother, you've truly transformed from a bird into a phoenix; even your tone is more assertive than before. Where have you been promoted to?"

“The state, the seventh department, the third hall, the hall master.”

Xie Haiya answered crisply and decisively.

Xue Xiang was already very familiar with the official system of the dynasty.

From the central government to the local level, there are five levels and ten grades, which correspond to the ten grades of immortal talismans.

The pavilion, hall, office, chamber, and courtyard, arranged in a line from top to bottom, correspond precisely to these blocks.

Taking Canglan Prefecture as an example, under the Canglan Prefecture Seal Temple are thirteen departments, each department has three halls, each hall has three courtyards, and each courtyard has three rooms. In addition, there are supplementary government offices set up as needed.

At the level of Canaan County, there are thirteen halls, each with three courtyards and three rooms. Additional offices may also be set up as needed.

Further down to Yunmeng City, there are thirteen courtyards, each with three rooms.

Finally, we arrived at Suiyang Town, which is the Thirteenth Chamber.

The system of a dynasty is generally like this.

Xie Haiya was originally the head of the Seventh Academy in Yunmeng City, a ninth-rank immortal position. However, because he held the title of "Master of the Palace," his rank was upgraded to eighth-rank immortal.

Now, Xie Haiya has been transferred to the Third Hall of the Seventh Division of Canglan Prefecture, where he is now the Hall Master of the Right Seal. This has elevated him to the Rank Seven Immortal Talisman, a rank equivalent to that of the Order of Yunmeng City.

The state government offices, compared to those below, held higher positions and wielded greater power.

When someone is transferred to another post in the future, they will be promoted one level, as is customary.

Compared to Xie Haiya, Xue Xiangcai had only just acquired a tenth-grade immortal talisman. The difference between the two was like heaven and earth.

"To be honest, I owe it all to you. I wrote an official document about the development of Suiyang Ferry, which was highly valued by Director Tong of the Seventh Division, who personally requested my services. In addition, thanks to Senior Uncle Song's influence, the matter was settled."

Xie Haiya leaned back on the soft couch with a relaxed expression, looking as if he had been relieved.

He's been exhausted these days.

When will Senior Uncle Song go to Canaan for inspection?

Xue Xiang missed his senior apprentice whom he had never met.

He's about to start a new job and desperately wants a new mentor.

"At the latest, it will be after the New Year."

Xie Haiya noticed Xue Xiang's worry and comforted him, "I have already reported your matter to the sect."

The sect will take note, after all, you are the top scorer in the county examination, and within the current Tongjiang School, you are no longer just an ordinary person.

In terms of importance, you are far superior to me.

If something really happens, the sect won't stand idly by.

Xue Xiang was secretly relieved, feeling that his risky move to seize the top spot was a wise one.

"Furthermore, don't take the threat from powerful clans too seriously."

Xie Haiya said, "To be precise, I also come from a prominent family, and in fact, I have been assimilated into the system."

The only ones who resent you are those two families who stole their thunder.

Not every aristocratic family in the world wants to make things difficult for you.

Furthermore, even when they make things difficult for you, they only use the underhanded tactics within the government.

No one is crazy enough to assassinate you, or even your family.

Therefore, their methods, over and over again, are limited to just two tricks.

If someone is stabbing you in the back, the scheme they set up is like an arithmetic problem they've given you; if you solve it, that's your skill.

If you can't solve it, you're incompetent.

If you want to rise to the top, you are destined to climb step by step.

Have you understood everything I've said?

Xue Xiang laughed heartily, "Senior brother, even if you don't become an official in the future, you'll still live a good life."

"How do you say this?"

"Giving people a massage, a psychological massage. After listening to you say a few words, I feel light and carefree, like I have no worries at all."

Xue Xiang stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Don't worry, senior brother. I, your junior brother, am not afraid of trouble. I'm only afraid of not having trouble."

After saying that, he picked up a bag of tea leaves and left.

"Wait a minute."

With a wave of his hand, Xie Haiya sent a small red box into Xue Xiang's palm.

Xue Xiang opened it, and inside lay a pill that was half black and half white, exactly the same as the Foundation Establishment Pill he had seen in the Martial Arts Hall.

"This is?"

"This is a reward from the sect. You've been the top scholar in the county examination for many years. Your spiritual root aptitude is poor, and a Foundation Establishment Pill might not be enough to solve your immediate problem, but you should accept the sect's goodwill."

"Senior brother, do you think I should donate some more shares to the sect? I'm already feeling embarrassed."

Xue Xiang was absolutely telling the truth, ever since he joined the Tongjiang School.

Aside from the shares he gave to Xie Haiya, which Xie Haiya then transferred to the sect, he had never actually made any contributions to the sect.

"Don't be ridiculous. If you win the Bronze Scale Ranking again, that will be the best reward for the sect."

Xie Haiya laughed and said, "Alright, you should head back now."

You can think about taking up your post in Canaan, but don't overthink it.

The system operates according to its own rules. Some people may be able to use the flexibility of the rules to suppress others, but the rules themselves must have room to exist.

By doing what others cannot, you have found your own space.

Haven't you always done this in Yunmeng and Suiyang Town?
"Just keep doing it this way, you can't go wrong."

"I've got it. Who knows when we'll meet again after this parting? Take care, senior brother."

Xue Xiang stepped forward and gave Xie Haiya a big hug.

"Good lad, using so much force."

Xie Haiya patted Xue Xiang on the shoulder, wanting to say something, but Xue Xiang had already gone far away.

………………

The third day of the twelfth lunar month, in the morning.

A convoy of two horse-drawn carriages rolled into the west gate of Yong'an City.

Xue Xiang sat in the driver's seat of the carriage in front, surveying the bustling streets.

He visited Yong'an during the county examination.

However, at that time, he was in a hurry and had things on his mind, so he did not observe with the mindset of a traveler.

Today, Yong'an is a city far larger than Yunmeng, and its prosperity far surpasses that of Yunmeng.

He suddenly understood why Dong Jiacun of Jiahe Trading Company always wanted to move the town to Yong'an.

If he were Dong Jiacun, he would probably have the same thought.

When the carriage crossed Hufang Bridge, the surrounding area was already bustling with activity.

In the city, the streets were wide and bustling with merchants, whose cries of vendors rose and fell.

The storytelling voices emanating from the teahouse mingled with the music from the distant restaurant, creating a lively scene.

The shops on both sides stretched endlessly, selling brocade, spices, and antiques in a dazzling array, their signs gleaming in the winter sun.

Occasionally, a few children would run past the street corner carrying sugar figurines, their laughter ringing out, while kites soared high, swaying gently in the wind.

When Xue's mother lifted the carriage curtain and saw this bustling scene, she couldn't help but sigh softly.

Xiao Shi and Xiao Wan had already leaned out halfway, their eyes wide open, as if they wanted to see the whole city.

The woman with willow-browed eyebrows, her face hidden by a bamboo hat, said softly from the passenger seat, "My lord, it's much more lively here than Yunmeng."

Xue Xiang laughed and said, "Yong'an is a big city, only slightly inferior to Tieling."

"Tieling? Where is that?"

"Mega-city".

Xue Xiang smiled and gently flicked the reins, turning the carriage into a small alley, leaving the noise of the street behind.

The alley is paved with stone slabs, clean and tidy, with white walls and black tiles standing quietly on both sides.

The red lanterns hanging from the eaves swayed gently in the wind.

Xue Xiang felt very quiet, and everything was fine.

Soon, the tranquility was shattered by the rapid sound of horses' hooves.

A cavalry unit galloped towards us from the opposite direction, their hooves like iron.

Xue Xiang quickly steered the carriage to the side of the road, and Fan Youyi behind him followed suit.

The narrow alley was barely wide enough for a car or horse to pass each other.

The lead knight, in his early thirties, with a fair complexion, no beard, and cold eyes, pulled on the reins and pointed at Xue Xiang, shouting, "Back off now!"

Xue Xiang frowned and pointed to the open space to the side, "It's wide enough, you should be able to pass?"

"Stop talking nonsense and forcing me to show my token?"

The knight revealed a black token engraved with a sword, next to which was written 931.

These official business tokens are issued when one goes on a business trip.

931 represents nine halls, three courtyards, and one room.

Xue Xiang immediately understood that they had run into their own team.

He received the position of Vice Dean of the Nine Halls and Three Courts, and was in charge of overseeing the Spiritual Property Cleanup Office.

"My token has never failed to shine."

Xue Xiang showed his bracelet, on which the celestial talisman shone brightly, its spiritual light illuminating and forming characters, clearly indicating Xue Xiang's command.

The knight was startled and quickly dismounted. The knights behind him all dismounted as well, cupped their hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Vice Dean Xue."

"No gift."

Xue Xiang waved his hand and said, "What's the rush? Where are you all going?"

The lead knight said, "My subordinate Feng Zhengchun has been ordered to go to Shuangqingshan to provide reinforcements, but there has been trouble there..."

Feng Zhengchun hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Xue Xiang realized it might be related to the Spiritual Property Cleaning Room.

However, he had not yet taken office and there was no need for him to take on trouble for himself, so he instructed Feng Zhengchun and his party to go quickly.

Half an incense stick later, Xue Xiang arrived in the East District, in front of a house on Yuejin Street.

Yunjian News has a branch in Yong'an.

When Xue came to Yong'an, Zhou Mengyu arranged for him to rent a house and settle down.

When Xue Xiang and his party arrived, Jiang Qi, the head of Yun Jian News' Yong'an branch, was already there with his team to greet them at the entrance.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Xiang began inspecting the old house.

Two old locust trees stood outside the gate, their trunks gnarled and twisted, with remnants of winter snow clinging to their branches.

Pushing open the door, you'll find yourself in a path paved with bluestone.

On both sides of the passageway, there is a row of neatly trimmed holly bushes, whose greenery looks particularly vibrant in the depths of winter.

This is a two-courtyard house.
The first section is the open space from the main gate to the front yard.

The ground is paved with blue bricks, neat and orderly, and several extremely tall bronze lamp stands are placed in the four corners. If the lamps are lit at night, the light and shadows will surely sway.

The side rooms were converted into kitchens and storage rooms.

Passing through the screen wall, you arrive at the main hall in the second courtyard.

The main hall is spacious, with beams and pillars made of whole pieces of nanmu wood. The eaves are intricately carved, and a plaque inscribed with "Yunshui Qingyin" hangs in the center of the hall.

Extending to the left and right from the main hall are the east and west wing rooms.

The courtyard is square, with a main hall in front and a flower hall in the back, surrounded by corridors that not only protect against the cold wind but also facilitate movement.

Behind the courtyard lies a pool of clear water.

The lake water was drawn from both inside and outside Yong'an City, and its surface shimmered.

"Lord Xue, the owner of this place is also an official who has been transferred to another prefecture. Below the second courtyard, there is a very large basement, which has been converted into two refining rooms according to your wishes."

Jiang Qi is efficient and capable.

Upon hearing this, Xue Xiang became interested and immediately wanted to visit the refining room.

Entering the left wing of the second courtyard, push open the door, and you will see the entrance to the basement.

After descending the steps for nearly two zhang, you will see a passage with two stone doors facing each other on either side.

Pushing open the stone door on the left, the interior is bright and clear, with array patterns embedded in the stone walls.

Xue Xiang recognized it as a simplified version of the Panlong Formation.

Even though he was underground, he could faintly feel a breeze blowing, which meant that there were hidden air vents inside.

The refinery, though crude, was sufficient.

After a brief tour of the refinery, Xue Xiang returned to the ground.

Jiang Qi said, "It's very close to Leng Cuifeng, where you work. It's only a short walk away."

If you're interested in buying it, I've asked the owner, and he said he's heard of you and is willing to sell at a 20% discount.

Xue Xiang waved his hand, "I'm a wanderer in the officialdom, wherever I end up, that's where I'll go. How can I possibly settle down and acquire property?"
Please stay here for now, Brother Jiang. Thank you for your trouble. Your men should go back now.

I will speak to President Zhou; you are very capable.

Jiang Qi looked pleased, bowed, and led his entourage away.

The Xue family spent the whole afternoon tidying up their house.

Although the house had been cleaned spotlessly, there were always countless things to do when you move into a new home.

After dinner, Xue Xiang went straight into the alchemy room and continued to use the Blessed Spirit Realm of the Sage Image, combined with the Nebula Overlord Body Technique, to guide the spirit into his body.

After the spirit was summoned, he focused his mind into the literary palace.

Inside the literary palace, the talent that had almost vanished has grown back in considerable numbers, while the willpower remains completely unmoved.

He knew that the growth of these talents must be the result of the dissemination of his poems "Ascending the Heights" and "On the Love of Lotus" after the county examination.

He first summoned his sword spirit, releasing a wisp of talent that swirled around it.

The sword seemed to have the ability to absorb and release talent, and in a short time, it completely devoured that wisp of talent.

Xue Xiang merely nourished the sword's spirit, not allowing it to devour him.

He sheathed his sword and began to assess his current situation.

(End of this chapter)