I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 224 Overwhelming the Heavenly Emperor
The Qintian Palace was located in the Canglan Prefecture government office, situated on Baodao Peak.

In the early morning, the fog was like cotton wool, and the mountains and rivers were a pale color.

The office was located halfway up the mountain and was called "Leitai," surrounded by stone gate towers on all four sides.

Inside the main hall, on the main seat, sat a man dressed in black robes with sharp features; he was none other than Huang Zunyi, the head of the Qintian Hall.

He was bent over his desk reviewing "The Pulse of the Literary Stars," his pen moving with sharp strokes.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the palace gate. A moment later, an attendant hurried in, bowed, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Zhao Kui has an urgent report to make."

Huang Zunyi raised his eyes and said calmly, "Send it."

Zhao Kui then entered the hall. He was the resident commander of the Canglan Division of the Qintian Palace, and he was tall and imposing with an aura as solid as a mountain.

Zhao Kui, with a solemn expression, bowed and reported, "Your Highness, the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan sent out a notice this morning, announcing that he will personally go to Canglan Division tomorrow to 'discuss' with you."

Huang Zunyi paused slightly with the pen in his hand, looked up, and his gaze was like lightning.

Zhao Kui bowed and said, "I believe that the Lord of Mingde Cave is merely a rogue cultivator who has gained power by chance. How dare he presume to 'discuss' with you? It's utterly presumptuous."

Huang Zunyi remained calm, turned to look outside the hall, where he saw only misty clouds. "Tomorrow... well, since he wants to be humiliated, let him have his way."

Zhao Kui was taken aback and looked up at him. "Your Highness, you mean..."

Huang Zunyi paced slowly, his robes trailing silently on the ground. "Pass on my order: mobilize the three battalions of the Thunder Battalion to construct the Ten Directions Hidden Thunder Formation."

"Yes."

Zhao Kui responded, but could not hide his surprise.

Huang Zunyi casually picked up a gold talisman and tossed it into Zhao Kui's hand. "Take this invitation card from Elder Zhu and go to the eight great families of Canglan Prefecture to invite their leading figures to attend the ceremony tomorrow."

"Watch the ceremony?"

Huang Zunyi smiled slightly, “Watch how I deal with this self-proclaimed ‘sage’ delusional person.”

Zhao Kui responded loudly and strode out.

Before long, news that the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan would meet with Huang Zunyi shook Canglan Prefecture.

In a short time, various academies, noble families, and sects mobilized their disciples to rush to Bodao Peak.

A scholar in a green robe rode in on a crane, a swordsman carried a blade and rode the wind, and a powerful family patriarch rode a beast in a chariot...

Overnight, carriages and banners filled the foot of Baodao Peak like a tide.

That morning was the appointed time for the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan to visit.

Inside the main hall's elegant room, Huang Zunyi sat before a mirror, his blue robe flowing down his sleeves, his face reflected in the mirror, half-lit and half-shadowed.

He took a small amount of white powder and gently applied it to his left cheek, layering foundation on top of foundation until he finally covered up the shadow.

A voice announced from outside the door, "Your Highness, all the distinguished guests have arrived and are seated in the square to await you."

Huang Zunyi slowly put down the powder box, brushed off his clothes, and stood up.

He stepped out of the inner hall, walked down the long steps of the corridor, and under the golden sky, the square in front of the Canglan Division's main hall was already bustling with people.

The square is paved with bluestone, and banners are hung high all around. When the wind blows, the banners flutter and their shadows are like waves.

Representatives from various academies, prefectures, and prominent families gathered, their blue robes, crimson garments, and Buddhist robes creating a vibrant scene.

When Huang Zunyi took the stage, the entire audience stood up to greet him.

Huang Zunyi raised his hand and gently pressed down, and everyone took their seats.

He swept his gaze across the entire room and said loudly, "Gentlemen, you are all scholars and should know proper etiquette. However, in recent years, many madmen have emerged from the mountains and fields, making presumptuous comments on the government and falsely claiming to be sages."

Such people not only violate etiquette and moral principles, but also dare to abuse their seniority and act arbitrarily outside the golden rules and regulations. If this is not corrected, how can the dynasty maintain its order?

The audience members all bowed their heads in agreement.

Seeing the situation, Huang Zunyi smiled slightly and suddenly changed the subject, "The Imperial Observatory is the foundation of the court's literary system. Today, we are issuing a reward to attract outstanding talents from all over the world."

He raised his hand and waved, and a servant presented a scroll.

Huang Zunyi said, "This scroll lists eight positions for officials granted hereditary privileges. Upon entering the position, they are immediately granted official rank and can directly enter the ranks of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience burst into an uproar.

"A hereditary official... appointed with official rank... actually a full-fledged position?"

"Eight people, that's the first time in nearly ten years!"

"Directly imported, oh my god!"

Many prominent figures exchanged glances, their expressions filled with excitement.

Nowadays, the imperial examinations are difficult, the number of places is scarce, and it is extremely difficult to be admitted to a high-ranking position.

An old scholar sighed in a low voice, "With this move, it seems that Your Majesty will win the hearts of the people."

Someone replied with a smile, "The Lord's actions are shrewd. The distribution of rewards at this moment is simply a clear indication that all those who share his sentiments can benefit from this favor."

The Imperial Observatory alone could not possibly wield such power, which is enough to demonstrate that Lord Huang has a powerful patron backing him.

Huang Zunyi surveyed the entire audience and continued, “The might of Heaven is above, and the principles of the court are in our hearts. If any villain dares to offend the sacred law, they shall be punished together. What do you all think?”

Below the stage, representatives from all sides stood up in response:
"Wang is willing to pledge his family's scholarship to assist the Emperor in reforming the literary system."

"The Du family will respectfully obey the Emperor's will and vow to work together with one heart and one mind."

"The Shen family has lived up to the nation's expectations and is willing to serve Your Majesty."

"........."

The sounds echoed one after another, causing the clouds outside Canglan Bureau to ripple slightly.

Suddenly, a long shout came from outside the mountain gate, its sound like a booming bell, piercing through the clouds and splitting rocks.

"The envoy of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan pays homage to the mountain!"

The commotion abruptly stopped.

Everyone turned around and saw a group of cloaked figures walking through the mist at the end of the clouds.

The leader was two zhang tall, with shoulders as broad as mountains, and every step he took caused the bluestone to tremble slightly.

The skin peeking out from under the cloak had a golden hue and subtle blue veins flowing through it; at first glance, it didn't look human at all.

Afterwards, several people appeared normal, some wearing scholar's robes and others wearing Buddhist robes, but all of them covered their faces with cloaks.

A sudden gust of wind caused the banners to flutter wildly.

The tall, cloaked figure raised his hand and lifted his hood, revealing a resolute face. His voice boomed like thunder, "My name is Youxiong Jingang, a disciple of the Master of Mingde Dongxuan. I have come to pay my respects to the Venerable Huang Dianzun on my master's orders."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

"There's a Bear King Kong?!"

"Isn't that a hero of the demon race?!"

"What is he doing here?!"

Someone slammed their fist on the table and shouted angrily, "How dare a mere demon roam freely within our human territory! Seize him on the spot!"

Another scholar coldly rebuked, "It's one thing for the Master of Mingde Dongxuan to be confused, but to actually teach heretical disciples is a disgrace to Confucianism!"

"How dare the demon race roam our human territory!"

Shouts and reprimands rose and fell, and the air in the square almost solidified.

Huang Zunyi remained unmoved by the winds of change, but secretly rejoiced.

Upon first hearing that the Master of Mingde Dongxuan was coming to "discuss" with him, he appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was apprehensive.

The prestige of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan rose like the sun in the east during this year.

His deeds are nothing short of legendary.

If this old man were to act aggressively, Huang Zunyi was genuinely worried that he wouldn't be able to stop him.

Now that the Lord of Mingde Cave only sent Youxiong Vajra, his confidence immediately soared.

As the shouts subsided, Huang Zunyi raised his hands, and the scene fell silent. He glanced at Youxiong Jingang and said, "How can a mere demon be allowed to run rampant in our human territory?"
You, Xiong Jingang, are indeed well-known among the demon race, but among the human race, you are insignificant.

The Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, didn't you want to debate the great principles of the world with me? Why don't you dare to come and see me?

His disciples murdered a high-ranking official and fled into exile.

This is an act that disregards moral principles and violates human ethics.

If I were him, I should have already requested imperial permission to kneel before the emperor, instead of sending a demon to fob me off.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted in agreement:
"Your Excellency is absolutely right!"

"The sacred law must not be insulted!"

"The Confucian school of thought must be rectified starting today!"

The voices of the crowd merged into a single wave, shaking the very heavens.

The wind howled suddenly on Leitai, and banners and horns fluttered wildly.

Xiong Jingang and the six cloaked figures stood motionless, the wind sweeping through their heavy cloaks without even causing a ripple.

With a clear whistle, Xiong Jingang silenced the commotion and said loudly, "What Venerable Huang said is merely one person's opinion."

The circumstances surrounding the killing of Lord Liu and his party differ between what my senior brother said and what the Venerable Master said.

Furthermore, my senior brother already has evidence; it will only take a moment to investigate.

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd began to whisper among themselves again.

"Slick tongue."

Huang Zunyi slowly stood up and walked down the platform step by step, angrily pointing at Xiong Jingang, "Xue Xiang is just a criminal official, how can his words be trusted?"
As for the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, although he has made contributions to the court, he is ultimately just a commoner who is unfamiliar with court etiquette and laws. What qualifications does he have to discuss the Dao with me?

The escorting officials were murdered, and Xue Xiang bears the primary responsibility!
As a teacher, the Master of Mingde Dongxuan did not think of restraining his disciples, but instead allowed them to escape. Which of these actions is in accordance with the teachings of the sage?
He still dares to shamelessly call himself a master of Confucianism, a sage of the first rank?

His words were sharp as knives, each one more piercing than the last, causing all the scholars present to nod in agreement.

"Your Excellency is absolutely right!"

"These people have disrupted the established order and should serve as a model for the world!"

"The dignity of the imperial court must not be tarnished!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently built, Huang Zunyi let out a long roar, "Three battalions of soldiers, listen to my command!"

He had already made up his mind to leave behind Xiong Jingang to establish his authority over the world.

boom!
The drums at the rear sounded in unison, three battle flags were raised simultaneously, and black-armored soldiers marched out in formation, their thunder spears raised in unison.

Each gun barrel was inlaid with lightning-patterned runes, with flashes of electricity.

Their footsteps stomped in unison, and lightning patterns on the ground lit up instantly, forming a ten-directional ring array.

Purple light shot up from the ground, resembling an electric grid.

The formation surged, the sea of ​​clouds swelled, lightning danced wildly above the thunder platform, and the sound shook the mountains and rivers.

This formation is the "Ten Directions Hidden Thunder Formation," a secret creation of the Imperial Heaven Palace. It can draw upon the power of thunder, making it incredibly powerful.

"You Xiong Jingang, since you dare to appear in the territory of my Qintian Palace, don't even think about returning. I will leave you here today and see if the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan dares to show his face!"

He pushed with both hands, and the ten directions of thunder patterns suddenly lit up, with purple lightning piercing the sky.

In an instant, the entire Thunder Platform was enveloped in lightning, and the sound of electricity intertwined into a raging sea, shaking heaven and earth.

Huang Zunyi's expression was cold and stern, his robes billowing like clouds. "Heaven has its righteous laws, and man has his moral principles. Today, I, your humble servant, proclaim to the world with these clear laws that as long as my Qintian Palace exists, demons will not be allowed to join the ranks of Confucian scholars!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunder roared again, waves of light swept across the ground, and wind and clouds pressed down.

Everyone held their breath.

Meanwhile, Xiong Jingang and his group remained standing under the lightning, as calm as mountains.

"Whether demons can enter the Confucian school is not up to you. My demon race also cultivates literature and law. My master once said that the Confucian school is the source of education for the world, and it opens up good relationships widely. This is called education for all."

"A narrow-minded person like you, who hasn't even entered the Confucian school, how dare you presume to discuss its rules?"

Xiong Jingang spoke eloquently, which drew a barrage of curses.

Xiong Jingang, however, did not care at all and pointed at Huang Zunyi, saying, "Since Your Excellency wants to use force, then please do so."

I only hope that after the rough treatment, Your Highness will be at ease enough to come with me on this trip.

These words immediately drew a torrent of curses.

Huang Zunyi was so enraged that the powder on his face could no longer stay on, revealing a terrifying face that was half-lit and half-shadowed.

He flicked his long sleeves, "Formation collapse!"

boom!
The Ten Directions Hidden Thunder Array was activated instantly.

The underground runes blazed brightly, and purple lightning transformed into countless chains of thunder, rising from the earth's core and soaring into the sky.

The thunder roared and the wind and waves surged, the entire Thunder Platform seemed to have transformed into a furnace, ready to refine heaven and earth.

The purple current surged, transforming into a celestial river that poured down, instantly engulfing Xiong Jingang and all the cloaked figures.

"How domineering!"

Someone sighed softly, "Such power is something even Nascent Soul cultivators cannot escape."

"The thunder array of the Qintian Palace once suppressed and killed a demon king of a region. Such a demon disciple will surely be reduced to ashes."

The roar drowned out everything.

Countless electric arcs intertwined in the light, burning the air and refining the surrounding area.

Huang Zunyi's clothes fluttered in the wind, his gaze cold and fixed on the air in mid-air.

Suddenly, a deep, muffled roar came from the center of the "furnace," like a mountain breathing or thunder echoing.

The next instant, the electric screen exploded.

The purple lightning that filled the sky was unexpectedly swept back by an even stronger golden flame, causing it to explode with a deafening roar.

"what!"

The entire audience was stunned.

Then, all the cloaked figures moved at once.

One person raised his palm, and white wind patterns swirled around his fingertips, the wind and thunder turning into a vortex;

Another person's sleeve produced thousands of silver characters that transformed into an array, absorbing all the lightning currents.

One of them drew his sword and pointed it, the blade of light piercing the air and severing the array patterns.

"Oh!"

With a deafening roar, the thunder collapsed.

The formation reversed, the runes shattered inch by inch, the blue stones flew, and the lightning shattered into countless meteors.

The entire Thunder Platform was blasted and shook violently, the underground thunder veins broke, and purple energy scattered in all directions.

The three battalions of soldiers at Qintian Temple were swept away by the gale like felled wheat, and the stone steps on the mountainside cracked inch by inch.

"This...how is this possible!"

"The Ten Directions Hidden Thunder Formation has been destroyed?!"

"Could it be that they... are all Nascent Soul stage experts?!"

The crowd was terrified and quickly retreated.

The few people who emerged from the lightning curtain were still wearing cloaks, their expressions calm, their steps steady, as if the lightning tribulation just now was nothing more than dust.

Meanwhile, Xiong Jingang stood in the center, his robes slightly torn, and lightning crackling across his golden-patterned skin. "Huang Dianzun, have you finished showing off your power?"

His voice was like a bell, so loud that even the thunder seemed to fall silent.

Huang Zunyi's face turned ashen, his eyes filled with disbelief. He took a deep breath and roared, "If you don't act now, when will you?"

In an instant, half of the onlookers made their move.

"Guardian of the Palace!"

"We must not allow evil to run rampant!"

"Watch me slay the demon!"

Someone raised their sleeve, and the talisman in their palm swelled dramatically.
Someone drew their sword, and the sword's aura pierced the air;
Even more impressively, an old scholar picked up his brush and wrote swiftly in the air, hundreds of characters flying together.

In an instant, the spiritual light, thunder, and sea of ​​fire converged into a line and crashed into the air.

This power is enough to flatten mountains and seas.

However, the group of cloaked figures remained standing in place.

A person raised their hand, their five fingers slightly spread, and a faint halo of light appeared in their palm.

The light, though seemingly ordinary at first glance, engulfed the thunder as it spread.

With a flick of his sleeve, the other person caused all the runes in the air to disappear simultaneously, as if ink had been washed away with water.

Some wrote characters in formation, others formed seals with their palms. After a moment, all the attacks dissipated, and the light and shadow shattered like smoke.

Instantly, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone was shocked to the extreme.

Among the group that made the move, at least all were Core Formation experts, and there were no fewer than ten Nascent Soul experts whose names could be recognized. Despite the combined efforts of so many powerful cultivators, they were unable to budge the cloaked figures in the slightest.

Huang Zunyi's face turned pale, and he pointed at Xiong Jingang, saying, "Do you think you can rebel against the imperial court with just a few people?"

dream!

Gentlemen, if we don't use our full strength now, when will we ever get the chance?

As soon as Huang Zunyi's shout fell, all the hundreds of powerful cultivators present responded with shouts in return.

In an instant, some people burned their golden cores, while others activated their infant fire; in a moment, spiritual power swept through like a hurricane.

Xiong Jingang shouted, "Gentlemen, although my master did not want to commit many killings, he also instructed me that a gentleman's conduct should be as free from guilt."

I implore you all to lend me a hand.

As soon as he finished speaking, the group of cloaked figures moved.

A point of light simultaneously appeared between their eyebrows.

The light gathered in the air, like countless fine threads extending from different directions, intertwining with each other, and finally condensing into a huge tree of literary energy.

The tree had no roots or shadow, its branches suspended in the sky, and its leaves shimmered and undulated, as if woven from scriptures.

Its crown is like an umbrella, shining brightly.

When the wind rises, the words on the leaves appear and disappear, some like "Feng Ya" and others like "Zheng Yan," and the sound of soft recitation can be faintly heard.

There was an uproar in the crowd.

"The Sacred Tree of Rongwen, how is this possible? Could these cloaked figures all be great masters of my Confucian school?"

"The Tree of Literature has the remarkable effect of spreading literary energy!"

What is meant by elaborate literary style?

A young cultivator, puzzled, asked loudly.

An old Confucian scholar once said: "Those who elaborate on things do so to spread their literary talent and benefit the masses."

Often used in battles between two armies, Confucian scholars would first lay out their literary style for others to use.

However, everyone's writing style bears their own unique imprint, which cannot be borrowed by others.

Therefore, to achieve the desired literary effect, it is essential to gather and integrate the sacred tree of literature.

To condense the Sacred Tree of Literature, one must be a Nascent Soul cultivator who has also achieved success in cultivating literary energy.

The Fusion Tree before me is incredibly powerful; I have never seen anything like it before.

This demonstrates just how terrifying the strength of these cloaked figures is.

The Lord of Mingde Dongxuan is indeed no ordinary being.

Before the murmurs among the crowd had subsided, the sacred tree of literature began to rustle and shed its literary essence.

The group of cloaked figures immediately recited poems, and their literary energy instantly transformed into the most violent imagery, blasting towards the crowd and steadily suppressing the hurricane-like spiritual attack.

In an instant, the branches and leaves of the Rongwen Sacred Tree stretched out in all directions, and the light threads intertwined to form a net, enveloping the entire square.

No matter how violent your attack, it will be gently gathered by the net of light, like the tide being gently pushed back to the seabed.

Those powerful individuals who had been wielding various magical artifacts suddenly felt their artifacts lose weight and could no longer muster any power.

The raging currents of air between heaven and earth were actually balanced by that Sacred Tree of Fusion.

Huang Zunyi stared at this scene, his eyes twitching violently. How many Nascent Soul Grand Perfection cultivators had come? Where did they all come from?

At the Nascent Soul level, each realm represents a new level of existence.

Early Nascent Soul stage and mid-Nascent Soul stage are even two different species.

He was certain that all of these cloaked figures were probably at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

None of the powerful figures he summoned possessed such cultivation.

Amidst the rustling of the wind, only the sacred tree of Rongwen swayed gently, its leaf veins gleaming like pages of a scripture being turned.

Youxiong Jingang said with a sigh, "Master Huang, my master is old and can only ask you to come to Wenxu Blessed Land to discuss the Dao face to face and distinguish between the pure and the impure."

Huang Zunyi was furious. "You audacious monster, spewing nothing but fallacies and heresies!"

He leaped into the air, his long sleeves fluttering, and shouted, "What 'education for all' and what 'opening up the Dharma to all beings' are all deceptive talk!"
Confucianism stands as the orthodox school of thought; how dare you demons presume to speak of literature and morality? Today, I, the Venerable One, will slay you to rectify the hearts of the world, and see what that old man, Mingde Dongxuan, can do then!

As the words left his mouth, the half-light and half-shadow on his face turned completely dark.

He raised his hand and flipped it over, and a square seal emerged from his palm, gleaming with golden light.

(End of this chapter)