I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 199 Continuous Breakthroughs
Upon returning to the Blessed Land of Wenxu, Xue Xiang immediately began his cultivation without saying a word.

He sat cross-legged on the Wenxu Platform and placed a blue demon core into the Nebula Box.

As he activated the Spirit Guiding Technique, the demon core transformed into pure spiritual energy, slowly merging into his dantian.

Half a day later, after consuming seven cyan demon cores, he estimated that the time was almost right.

With a thought, he consumed two Wenxu Pearls in succession.

As Wenxutai activated his breakthrough ability, a beam of auspicious light enveloped him, and the blood and qi that had been stagnating to the extreme within his body suddenly expanded, with a surge of heat flowing around him.

A large amount of spiritual power flowed into the stream of spiritual energy, and with a whoosh, the fourth spot of light was lit up in the lotus flower of the Dao Foundation.

Xue Xiang was overjoyed, knowing that he had successfully completed the fourth level of Foundation Establishment.

Strike while the iron is hot, without taking a break, he continues to work hard.

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye. After consuming all the demon cores and several Wenxu Pearls, he has lit up eight of the light spots on the Dao Foundation Lotus.

The pure spiritual power provided by the demon core, especially the surging spiritual power contained in the black demon core, opened Xue Xiang's eyes to a whole new world.

It's true: breaking through is exhilarating, and breaking through continuously is exhilarating.

In just over a month, he reached the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.

Xue Xiang felt that all the hard work was worth it.

However, the Wenxu Pearls were being consumed too quickly, falling below the safety line, with only three remaining.

After taking a bath and resting for a while, Xue Xiang summoned his literary energy to cover himself before leaving the cave.

Upon seeing him emerge, the general guarding the formation quickly released the array.

Xue Xiang flew out of the Bohai Sea and arrived at the nearest major city, Bohai City.

After waiting for a day, Suning arrived.

Outside Bohai City, the lake glistens.

The autumn waters are as clear as a mirror, and a gentle breeze stirs up fine ripples.

An old willow tree droops low on the bank, its branches and leaves casting shadows that sway into the heart of the water.

Xue Xiang walked side by side with Suning.

She was still dressed as a man, in a green robe with a white belt around her waist, the hem of her robe fluttering slightly in the wind.

Sunlight filtered through the lake and into her hair, creating a shimmering, jade-like glow.

Xue Xiang tossed over an unrestricted storage ring, which Su Ning caught. Inside was a section of arm bone.

With just a mental scan, Su Ning sensed the radiant aura emanating from the bone, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "You, you really did it! How is this possible...?"

Even the usually icy, jade-like beauty was stunned into silence.

Xue Xiang smiled, his gaze falling on the water. "Just lucky. In the chaotic Wen Yuan Sea, the human and demon races were at war. I was just taking advantage of the chaos and found this item there."

Su Ning paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Your luck is just too incredible."

I've also heard about the battle you mentioned that took place in the chaotic seas of Wenyuan; it's no exaggeration to say it shook the world.

A rising star emerged among the demon race—the Bear Vajra, whose cultivation was extremely high and whose literary talent was astonishing. It is said that he could defeat enemies with poetry, and that a single line could command a thousand troops, even surpassing the literary generals of the human race.

In the future, they will surely be the greatest enemy of Confucian scholars like you.

Xue Xiang lowered his eyes, his smile unchanged, "We'll have to see it to know if it's true or not."

Did our human race have no heroes to emerge in that earth-shattering battle?

Su Ning's eyes shone brightly: "Heaven will not abandon the human race."

The one who appeared was an elder, the owner of a blessed land of literature and learning, known as the Master of Mingde Dongxuan.

The old master taught without discrimination, and was actually the master of Xiong Jingang.

To refine the essence of the Benevolent Sword, the elder recited the "Ode to Righteousness," which shocked the world.

Unexpectedly, the elder's "Ode to Righteousness" was so powerful that it extinguished the benevolent sword intent that had remained undiminished for thirty thousand years.

"Really? This senior is really amazing."

Xue Xiang responded appropriately.

Su Ning said, "Not only that, the 'Ode to Righteousness' written by our predecessors has been engraved as a treasured chapter in the Confucian temples of various countries. Confucian scholars from various countries recite the 'Ode to Righteousness' with great admiration."

The Confucian temples of various countries have been working diligently to refine the "Ode to Righteousness" into a war poem for future military battles.

Xue Xiang laughed and said, "There are so many heroes in the world, I really want to meet them all."

Sunlight shimmered in Su Ning's eyes. "Brother Xue, are you not a hero of our time? Every one of your works is a classic. Your name is known all over the world."

It may not be inferior to the Bear King Kong.

Brother Xue's successful repatriation of Zhongwu's remains will surely bring him great success in the study of the Wendao Stele. I wish Brother Xue all the best in his endeavors.

"Thank you."

Xue Xiang returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Suning nodded and left.

Its body swayed lightly like a willow branch, skimming across the water's surface and splashing up a few glimmers of light.

Xue Xiang stayed in Bohai City for two days before setting off back to Yunmeng City.

With more than ten days left before the examination for the Guanyin Wendao Stele, he decided to return home first, since he hadn't been back for a long time.

Flying eastward, they arrived outside Yunmeng City in half a day, by which time it was nearly dusk.

The city gate's archway remains unchanged, and the two characters "Yunmeng" on the plaque are still faintly discernible despite being worn away by wind and rain.

Xue Xiang gazed at the city for a moment before slowly entering.

After returning home, he first paid his respects to his mother, and then chatted with Xiao Shi and Xiao Wan.

After several months, I found everything was fine at home.

Xue Xiang knew that he was no longer the same as before, and if news of his return spread, his family would hardly have any peace.

Therefore, he deliberately kept quiet and did not make the slightest noise.

As night fell, after the whole family had gone to bed, Xue Xiang went to the courtyard.

The moonlight was deep, the bamboo shadows swayed in the courtyard, and the occasional bark of a dog could be heard in the distance.

A figure drifted over; it was Cheng Bei, one of the two Core Formation Realm bodyguards Xue Xiang had left in Yunmeng to look after his family.

Xue Xiang asked, "Has there been any unusual activity lately?"

Cheng Bei said in a low voice, "After the young master left home, the city was quite peaceful. However, three days ago, a servant from the Xue family of Jiangzuo came by, saying that he was delivering congratulatory gifts."

He paused slightly, his expression complex. "The servant claimed he was ordered to greet the mistress, and his words were respectful, but his attitude was extremely humble. The mistress was in low spirits for several days after the servant left."

"The Xue family?"

Xue Xiang frowned.

Night owls only come into the house when they have something to do.

He didn't have a good impression of the Xue family in Jiangzuo, but Xue's mother seemed to have a strong obsession with moving Xue's father's remains back to the ancestral grave.

Xue Xiang stayed at home for five days, spending his time on pleasure outings and climbing mountains, never leaving his family's side.

Five days later, he left a letter and quietly left Yunmeng City, returning to Canglan Academy that very night.

The next morning, Xun Sizhou, who had come to deliver breakfast, informed Xue Xiang of the recent news.

"...The latest top ten list is basically unchanged, with Gu Jianchen still holding the top spot...Song Tingfang has broken into the top ten; I heard he completed the purple-level mission on his own."

...Furthermore, this time the contemplation of the Wendao Stele will be viewed by people from both prefectures, and Confucian scholars from the neighboring Jiannan Academy will also be there...

The time to view the stele is in two days. In the days that have passed, all the inns at the foot of the mountain are fully booked, and Canglan City is filled with nightly revelry, with various poetry gatherings and literary events happening one after another..."

After Xue Xiang finished eating ten steamed buns, Xun Sizhou also finished his report.

Xue Xiang instructed him to buy four kinds of pastries. After he had bathed and changed his clothes, Xun Sizhou happened to return with the pastries.

Xue Xiang, carrying the snacks, left the cave. The autumn wind blew from the lake, swaying the pine shadows, and the depths of the academy remained silent.

Along the cobblestone path, the osmanthus trees are half-yellow, and the sound of recitation drifts from afar, intermittent and faint.

Wei Fan's residence was located in the north courtyard of the academy, where a newly built two-story bamboo pavilion named "Chengsi Zhai" was constructed.

A grove of bamboo stands before the pavilion, its leaves rustling in the wind like a surging tide.

Xue Xiang climbed the steps and knocked on the door. The doorman, who had a mustache, saw him and hurriedly came forward with a smile. He pointed to the pastries in Xue Xiang's hand and said, "Only you can have this every time. My master complains about it, but he only brings it out when there are guests."

"I always have to say a few words, 'This is a gift from you,' and the guest quickly praises your literary talent, making my husband very proud."

Xue Xiang laughed and handed over a spirit tablet.

The doorman accepted the spirit tablet, beaming with joy. He pointed to the south pavilion and told the doorman to mind his own business.

As soon as Xue Xiang stepped into the South Pavilion, Wei Fan's voice came first, "Don't listen to that kid's nonsense. I really don't want to eat your lousy pastries."

Wei Fan was seen hunched over his desk, reviewing documents. The desk was piled high with papers and folded documents, scrolls were scattered all over the floor, and several pages still had half-dried ink on them.

The copper kettle beside the tea table was emitting white steam, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the room.

Xue stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Teacher, your voice is full of energy, which shows that you are as strong as ever. I am relieved."

"Come on, I'm already glad you came back alive after your trip. Sit down, sit down, I have a few official documents..."

Wei Fan waved his hand without even looking up.

Xue Xiang moved closer to the table, glanced at the open documents, and was taken aback. "What is this? Is it a change to the official system?"
What made you think of pulling this stunt?

Wei Fan snorted, "Let's just make a fuss."

When a new leader takes office, his first act is to reform the official system.

In his words, if the official system is unclear, then the cause of the matter will be unclear, and the people will ultimately be fooled. It is necessary to clarify the administration and take the lead in making the powers and responsibilities clear. Wouldn't that solve the problem?
"Alright, stop asking. Just look it up yourself. The new official system and reform goals are all written there."

Xue Xiang was also polite and quickly found the official document containing the guiding opinions.

He had a photographic memory, and finished reading it in just over ten breaths.

In his view, the new official system was both a major and a minor change.

On a larger scale, the original numbered government offices have disappeared. For example, the First Hall, which was in charge of discipline, has been directly changed to the Discipline Hall.

This change eliminated all the data-related government offices from top to bottom.

It's not a big deal; the original official rank system of pavilions, halls, departments, chambers, and courtyards remained unchanged, as did the welfare benefits for officials.

The core structure of the council at the Temple of the Seal remains unchanged.

"The new Grand Secretary is Grand Secretary Shen, isn't he? He certainly has a strong drive for advancement."

Xue Xiang put down the official document and commented.

Wei Fan said, "He may not be ambitious, but he is really trying to seize power."

I forgot to tell you, he comes from the old and prestigious Shen family of Boling. You definitely don't have a good impression of him.

So, from now on, don't always think about doing things that will bring glory to the whole country.

Three days later, this training course came to an end.

You haven't earned enough credits to graduate.

Are you planning to continue serving outside the academy as a minor official, or would you prefer to stay and accumulate credits?

"Of course I will contemplate the Wen Dao Stele. As for what I will do after contemplating the Wen Dao Stele, I plan to go to the North to develop my career. There are many opportunities there as the borders are being opened up."

Xue Xiang told him the truth.

"Contemplating the Wendao Stele is three years from now; I'm asking about the present."

"Right now, I will visualize the Wendao Stele so that my teacher may know that I have welcomed back the remains of Zhongwu."

Wei Fan froze, remaining silent for a long time.

Suddenly, with a clatter, the copper kettle beside him fell to the ground, splashing hot water out and spilling all over the floor.

"You—" He pointed at Xue Xiang, his fingers trembling slightly, as if he were half-believing, half-doubting, or as if afraid he had misheard, "What did you say? The remains of Zhongwu? You...you brought them back?"

Xue Xiang nodded.

Wei Fan swallowed hard, his throat bobbing a few times.

He sat down against the desk, but his bottom missed the target, and he almost fell over. In his panic, he braced himself against the desk, and several scrolls of documents fell to the ground.

He took a few breaths before managing to calm himself down: "This, this is... a sealed-level mission, and you just... you completed it..."

Xue Xiang smiled, said nothing more, and simply cupped his hands slightly.

Wei Fan stared at him, his eyes flashing with a complex expression.

“I’ve seen plenty of geniuses over the decades. But you, kid…”

He shook his head and sighed deeply.

It took Wei Fan several dozen breaths to see the remains of Zhongwu in Xue Xiang's storage ring, which was not under any restrictions, before he was convinced that Xue Xiang was not lying.

Wei Fan remained silent for a moment, then finally asked, "How...did you manage to do this?"

His eyes shone with light, yet also concealed deep concerns.

Xue Xiang smiled slightly, "We were lucky. As soon as we entered the Wen Yuan Chaotic Sea, the sea was calm. When we got closer, we saw that the human race and the demon race were fighting over the sword intent of the Benevolent Sword. They used two Wen Dao Stele rubbings to suppress the literary energy inside."

Seeing this as a golden opportunity, I secretly slipped downstairs to search.

However, there were many monsters inside, and it was only by relying on a few poems that I was able to kill the literary monster and finally find the remains of Zhongwu.

In truth, they really got a huge advantage...

Wei Fan sighed and slowly leaned back in his chair. After a long while, he said, "You're such a lucky fool."

I've also heard about the battle for the Benevolent Sword Intent. The demon race produced a genius, but our Elder Dong Xuan of Mingde is still amazing.

I thought you'd suffer a lot and give up on your way to the chaotic Wen Yuan Sea. But you actually managed to sneak in and even brought out Zhongwu's remains.

Tsk tsk…

Wei Fan raised his hand and tapped the table. "This is a long-forgotten mission. Once it is announced, the academy will be shaken, and the imperial court and even the other countries will be shaken."

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down; if you don't have the strength to keep others in check, don't stand out too much."

He paused, then added in a low voice, "Even if you have the ability, you have to protect yourself. Especially now, the central government has just changed its head, and the new policies are just beginning. Many people are waiting to establish their authority. If you show your face, you'll probably become a target for criticism."

Wei Fan's eyes sharpened again as he looked at Xue Xiang. "I think you should lower your credit score this time. I'll handle the credit system; I guarantee you'll be in the top ten."

The top ten and the number one candidate both require the same amount of meditation time, so why bother striving for first place?

After a moment's thought, Xue Xiang agreed with Wei Fan's analysis.

In his view, reputation and fame are not the same thing.

He disguised himself as Xiong Jingang and recklessly displayed his poetic genius.

He knew that this was exactly what the demon race lacked.

Otherwise, given his achievements, he wouldn't have been granted the title of marquis so easily.

A large part of the reason is that the top leaders of the demon race want to set an example.

Xue Xiang would naturally want to fight for such a well-deserved reputation.

Similarly, he also gained a lot of attention by using his identity as the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

Through word of mouth, the Master of Mingde Dongxuan has become a great Confucian scholar and a sage of his time.

Such a reputation is extremely important; it can be a lifesaver in critical moments.

The reputation of completing a sealed-level mission can only attract envy, jealousy, and hatred. It can neither intimidate anyone nor make anyone think highly of him. At worst, people will just say that he was lucky.

What use is such a reputation that invites trouble?

Wei Fan's suggestion was exactly what he wanted to hear.

(End of this chapter)