I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 225 Junior Brother Gold Medal (Silver Alliance 11)

The square seal that Huang Zunyi took out was not made of ordinary gold, but was made of ancient bronze, wrapped with seven-star sand and refined. The four corners were engraved with dragon patterns, and the bottom of the seal was inlaid with the red seal characters "Qintian".

As he infused his spiritual power, the golden seal roared, and rings of blazing light spread outwards.

"Open! The heavens!"

The golden seal soared into the sky and hung beneath the clouds.

Immediately afterwards, countless starlight suddenly lit up the entire sky above Canglan Division.

The starlight was drawn by the golden seal and forcibly torn off from the Milky Way.

The sky trembled, stars fell, and light cascaded down like a waterfall, converging into shimmering chains that swirled in the air.

With each slight movement of the chains, the air cracked open.

That's a power capable of crushing mountains.

"The power of celestial bodies..."

Someone in the crowd exclaimed in alarm, their voice filled with fear.

"This is a forbidden technique of the Imperial Observatory, requiring the Celestial Seal as a catalyst to gather the power of the Twenty-Eight Mansions! He intends to use the celestial stars to annihilate these powerful figures!"

The room erupted in noise.

The chains slowly descended, like an invisible divine punishment, carrying both divine might and murderous intent.

The wind pressure increased dramatically, and the thunder roared like drums.

Suddenly, the Sacred Tree of Literature swayed without wind, and the vast expanse of literary energy formed a sky-covering curtain, firmly blocking the falling starlight chains.

"Brother Jin Gang, do you even know what you're doing? If it really doesn't work, then we'll have to step in."

The one speaking was none other than the Lord of the Profound Principles of Ritual.

It turns out that these cloaked figures are all the masters of the Wenxu Blessed Land.

That day, after Xue Xiang brought back his mother, Xiao Shi, and Xiao Wan, he contacted the various Lords of Wenxu through the Wenxu Platform.

The friendship forged back then is now proving useful.

With these masters of the Wenxu Kingdom supporting him, he dared to venture out into the world.

These lords of the Wenxu Kingdom, who have a favor to ask of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, are eager to make him owe them a favor.

Therefore, when Xue Xiang gave the summons, everyone sprang into action.

However, the Lord of the Wenxu Ruins did not expect the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan to play such a big game. It was not just a confrontation with the Lord of Qintian Palace, but an actual challenge to the national system.

Otherwise, how could Huang Zunyi alone have attracted the power of celestial phenomena?

At this moment, the various lords of the Wenxu were somewhat flustered.

If the one who appears is the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, they will not panic even if the sky falls.

However, only the disciples of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan could appear, including Xiong Jingang, and they had no idea what to expect.

Just then, the sky above burst into a burst of starlight, and chains formed by a large number of nebulae pierced through the giant screen of literary energy and crashed down.

Xiong Jingang raised his hand and pointed at Huang Zunyi, saying, "Your Excellency is stubborn and unworthy of being called a master of Confucianism!"
My teacher is noble and unconventional, embracing all beings, and regarding truth as the sole principle in the world!
This is the true demeanor of a master—you wouldn't understand!

He took a deep breath, and a golden flame suddenly shone brightly between his brows. "Today, I will use a piece called 'Bole' to suppress your evil intentions."

"Bole, what Bole?"

"A guy who judges horses, a character mentioned in a popular picture book legend recently."

"It's that guy who's good at finding a thoroughbred among ordinary horses."

"What are you doing now? This is so strange."

"Isn't it obvious? He's trying to write something, to evoke literary inspiration."

"He's just a demon, yet he's too arrogant. Only poetry and prose can truly be considered literature. What makes you so confident? Just because he's a disciple of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan?"

"........."

The room was filled with noise.

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Xiong Jingang recited in a thunderous voice, "Only when there is a discerning eye can a thoroughbred horse be recognized."

A fine horse is easy to find, but a discerning eye to recognize its worth is rare.

The very first sentence resonated with power and elegance.

The enormous Fusion Tree in the air trembled violently, and in an instant, the giant screen of literary energy burst open into thousands of streams.

Those flowing lines transformed into golden patterns, surging into the sky and colliding head-on with the falling star chains.

Starlink was blocked, and the roar was like ten thousand drums beating at once.

"He used words to interpret the celestial phenomena!"

"How is this possible! What a magnificent piece of writing! It has stirred up such literary energy!"

"Heavens! This demon race can actually use literature to activate the Sacred Tree of Literature and fight against the Star Array of the Celestial Palace?!"

Huang Zunyi's expression changed drastically, and he roared, "You scoundrel, how dare you—"

The bear-like Vajra ignored him and continued chanting:

“Thus, even if a horse is famous, it will only be humiliated by the hands of slaves and die in the stable, and it will not be called a thousand-mile horse.”

His voice grew louder and louder, and his whole body exuded a refined aura.

The light of the precious tree shone brightly once more, and the vast literary spirit, woven from his words, intertwined into a magnificent halo.

The Star Chains trembled upon impact, instantly losing their sharpness.

Strange phenomena faintly appeared in the sky.

A heavily armored warhorse emerged from the sky, its mane like fire, its neigh deafening, and charged straight towards the star formation.

The sound transformed into a long, sweeping wind, causing countless star chains to sway.

"A thousand-mile horse may consume a stone of millet in one meal. Those who feed the horse do not know that the horse can run a thousand miles, yet they feed it."

Xiong Jingang continued chanting, each word like thunder.

The strange phenomena intensified, and countless phantom horses, some blue and some white, appeared in the sky, galloping endlessly.

They tread upon the flowing stream of literary energy, traversing the long chain of starlight, like ten thousand horses breaking through an enemy formation.

"What a masterpiece, 'Bole'! With just a few words, the reasoning is precise and the ideas are vast and unrestrained. This lineage of Mingde Dongxuan truly produces a great number of geniuses!"

"Is the power of prose far superior to that of poetry? Why is that? Poetry is mostly beautiful in its imagery, while its arguments conform to Confucian principles. Every piece of prose that argues these principles has the effect of educating the world and people's hearts!"

This essay, "The Talent Scout," is truly a masterpiece.

Thunder roared again, cracks appeared across the sky, and starlight became unstable.

Xiong Jingang's voice was even louder: "It is a horse, though it has the ability to travel a thousand miles, it is not well fed, its strength is insufficient, and its talent is not outwardly apparent."

"If one cannot even obtain a horse comparable to an ordinary one, how can one expect it to travel a thousand miles?"

As these words fell, a vast green plain suddenly appeared in mid-air, with a lone horse galloping and mountains and rivers undulating.

Everyone looked up and felt as if they were inside a painting.

The painting is alive; it has mountains, fields, wind, and grass, with the clatter of horses' hooves, as if treading on one's heart.

The lightning bolts struck again, but were shattered by the sound of hooves, turning into starlight that gathered on the grassland.

The starlight was absorbed as soon as it touched the ground, turning into streams of literary energy.

Huang Zunyi was furious. The golden seal in his hand shone brightly again, and he shouted, "Suppress it!"

Runes flashed wildly on the golden seal, and the remaining star chains swept down with blinding light.

But Xiong Jingang refused to back down.

He recited the last few lines in a long, booming voice: “Those who feed horses do not know their ability to travel a thousand miles; they do not train them properly, and they cannot fully utilize their talents.”

He stood before them, whip in hand, and declared, "There are no horses in the world!"

"Does he truly have no horses? Or does he truly not recognize horses?"

boom! boom! boom!
The last word was like a thunderbolt.

The starlight in the entire sky shattered instantly, turning into a sky full of fiery streams that fell into the light and shadow of the Fusion Tree.

At that moment, heaven and earth turned upside down, wind and waves swept across, and the light was as bright as day.

The star array collapsed.

The golden seal was reversed, and Huang Zunyi staggered backward, blood gushing from the corner of his mouth.

He clung tightly to the platform, glaring down at the crowd below, his face ashen.

The Sacred Tree of Rongwen slowly closed up, and its radiance faded.

The sky returned to silence, with only the last rays of sunlight lingering in the air.

Youxiong Jingang stood amidst the ruined formation, his golden-patterned skin still shimmering faintly.

He looked around and said in a deep voice, “My teacher once said that the way of Confucianism is not about bloodline or power, but about recognizing talent, accommodating talent, and nurturing talent.”

Only those who have the ability to recognize talent can attract the best minds in the world.

If the Venerable One does not understand this meaning, no matter how magnificent the Imperial Heavenly Palace may be, it will ultimately remain a cage.

Everyone fell silent, their hearts trembling like the sea.

Someone whispered, "The Master of Mingde Dongxuan is truly a talent scout of our time. His disciples, Xue Xiang and Youxiong Jingang, are both extraordinary talents."

"Yes, it is fortunate that our human race has such a sage."

"I believe that Elder Mingde Dongxuan's teachings of universal education are the most profound truth. Although Xiong Jingang is a demon, he recites Confucian texts and is gentle and courteous. Where is the arrogance of a demon?"

"........."

Amidst the discussions, Huang Zunyi was enveloped in golden light, his figure seemingly drawn in by heaven and earth, disappearing into the void in an instant.

Xiong Jingang and his cloaked companions also vanished without a trace.

The entire hall was initially deathly silent, then erupted in a clamor.

That was the head of the Imperial Observatory, an official appointed by the imperial court, who was captured in public.

The group exchanged glances, their hearts filled with inexplicable bewilderment.

This move is a blatant declaration that the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan is no longer a reclusive cultivator hiding in the mountains, but a force capable of resisting the national system.

Someone said in a trembling voice, "Unless the imperial court makes a firm decision to completely sever the Mingde Dongxuan lineage, no one can stop them."

"Absolutely impossible. This old man enjoys a very high reputation among the demon race and has always been known for his literary works, never seeking personal gain in officialdom."

What benefits would there be in being an enemy of someone who is old, wise, and powerful?

Some sighed, while others lowered their heads and remained silent.

A mountain breeze swept across Thin Knife Peak, causing banners to flutter and stirring up dust.

Where the wind passes, the echoes still linger in the world, as if countless galloping horses have ridden the wind and disappeared into the clouds.

And that essay, "The Talent Scout," lingers in everyone's hearts.

…………

Mingde Cave, Mysterious Literature Ruins, Blessed Land.

On the green meadow outside the blessed land, the grass is as green as woven fabric, and the wind blows down from the mountaintop, carrying a cool fragrance.

On the green plain, all the powerful figures who used to gather here were present.

Although today is not a day for preaching, the battle in which the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan sent Youxiong Jingang to Baodao Peak to capture Huang Zunyi has already attracted worldwide attention.

Although you powerful figures cannot participate in person, you are still honored to have come. You came not only to watch the excitement, but also to see if Senior Mingde Dongxuan has any requests for you, so that you can also do your part.

After all, it was said that those who assisted the Master of Mingde Cave on Thin Blade Peak that day were basically all Nascent Soul cultivators.

Seeing that Senior Mingde Dongxuan's prestige was growing and that more and more people were crowding around him, he realized that if he didn't work harder, he might soon find himself without a place before Senior Mingde Dongxuan.

The group came with the intention of contributing their efforts, but when they arrived, they were met with a scene that left them speechless.

Then we saw Huang Zunyi, the head of the Qintian Hall, dressed in a simple scholar's robe, with his hair neatly tied up, a gentle expression, and a smile in his eyes. He stood on the green platform, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said, "I know that you have come to visit Master Mingde Dongxuan."

But the teacher had already gone into seclusion, and the eldest disciple, surnamed Xue, was appointed to manage the sect.

The eldest brother is also practicing, and it will take him several days to finish.

My second senior brother, Xiong Jingang, has already returned to the demon realm. I, Huang Zunyi, am grateful for my teacher's life-saving grace and am now here to support him.

Everyone was shocked.

Everyone knows how Huang Zunyi got his position; it hasn't been long since then, and Huang Zunyi has become a trusted advisor to the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

While everyone might feel a pang of jealousy that Xue Xiang and Youxiong Jingang were accepted as disciples by the Master of Mingde Dongxuan, they could still understand.

After all, both of them are renowned geniuses and are worthy of being included in the main lineage of the Mingde Dongxuan School.

But what about Huang Zunyi? He was a prisoner of war. Even though he had a high status and powerful cultivation, he was still a prisoner of war.

Many people are dissatisfied, but dare not speak out.

They all felt that they deserved to be taken as disciples by the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

One of the bolder ones shouted, "Fellow Daoist Huang, didn't you come here to reason with Senior Mingde Dongxuan?"

How did they manage to set up such a grand event at Wenxu Fudi?

Huang Zunyi said, "In the past, I was ignorant and did many absurd things."

Master Mingde Dongxuan did not consider Huang's behavior absurd, but instead instructed his senior brother Xue Xiang to do his best to save him, which is why Huang is clear-headed today.

Although Master Mingde Dongxuan did not agree to accept Huang as his disciple, Huang had already decided to recognize Master Mingde Dongxuan as his teacher and wholeheartedly listen to his teachings.

The teacher is in seclusion, and permission has not yet been granted. However, the eldest disciple has given his consent, so I, Huang, am here to make the arrangements.

It turned out that after Huang Zunyi was captured and taken back to the Mingde Cave Mysterious Literary Ruins Blessed Land, the other masters of the Literary Ruins immediately returned.

Xue Xiang then used the same trick again and cured Huang Zunyi's literary talent tree. As expected, he was so deeply infected by evil thoughts that his consciousness had been invaded.

Now that Huang Zunyi has been rescued, he is extremely grateful to Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang naturally attributed all of this to the Master of Mingde Dongxuan, while Huang Zunyi had long held the Master of Mingde Dongxuan in high esteem.

Huang Zunyi was deeply afraid that one day he would fall into that terrifying abyss of chaotic consciousness again, so he insisted on recognizing the Master of Mingde Dongxuan as his teacher.

Xue Xiang valued Huang Zunyi's status and was naturally happy to have him join his ranks.

However, he still had to maintain his composure, so he claimed that the Master of Mingde Cave was already in seclusion and suggested that he, as the senior disciple, should make the decision first and let him be a nominal disciple.

Seeing that everyone was coming to join in the fun, Xue Xiang was too lazy to go out and greet them, so he pushed Huang Zunyi out to handle the reception.

Surprisingly, he did a pretty good job in receiving guests.

Upon hearing this, half of the people requested to be accepted as disciples of the venerable Elder Mingde Dongxuan, even if it was just as a nominal membership.

Huang Zunyi frowned, displeased. What kind of class were these people? They had no self-awareness and dared to try to get under the tutelage of the venerable Mingde Dongxuan?
However, being a newcomer, he dared not presume to act, and simply said that he would wait until his teacher emerged from seclusion before making a decision.

Left with no other option, the group had to leave.

Among them, there were also those with a relaxed mindset, namely the Canglan Academy faction.

Ni Quanwen, Wei Fan, and others were full of confidence.

After all, Xue Xiang had already become the senior disciple under the Master of Mingde Dongxuan, so why shouldn't they be entitled to the benefits they deserved?

Qingping was quiet, with a gentle mountain breeze.

After seeing off the last group of people seeking instruction, Huang Zunyi remained standing on the green plain, cupping his hands in the direction of the cave entrance, and asked, "Senior Brother Xue, they've all left. Do you have any further guidance?"

A light mist drifted as Xue Xiang slowly emerged, sunlight streaming down from the pine branches, casting a clear glow on his brow.

Huang Zunyi immediately cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Senior brother, I am deeply grateful for your rescue. I have been given a second chance at life. If it weren't for your help, I would have been plunged into the abyss in this life."

Xue Xiang stepped onto Qingping and looked at Huang Zunyi again; he found him pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at him.

There was no trace of hostility in this person; he was clearly a gentle and dignified elder.

Even though he knew that Xue was far inferior to him in age and cultivation, he still kept to himself and his manners.

"Lord Huang, please have a seat."

Xue Xiang pointed to the stone table and chairs on the green platform.

Huang Zunyi still cupped his hands in greeting, "I dare not accept the title of any high-ranking official. I am determined to become a disciple of Senior Mingde Dongxuan and receive his teachings, even if it is only as a nominal disciple."

"If my senior brother sees me as someone worthy of guidance, and addresses me as junior brother, Zunyi will be eternally grateful."

He was fed up with that feeling of being out of control and having his consciousness invaded.

Today, we regain our peace and tranquility, which is akin to being reborn.

Xue Xiang smiled slightly and gestured for him to sit down. "That's fine then."

Huang Zunyi offered Xue Xiang a cup of tea, which Xue Xiang accepted with both hands and drank. "I will then take it upon myself to accept you as a disciple on behalf of our master. Junior brother, when did you first realize that something was wrong with you?"

Huang Zunyi paused for a moment, then pondered, “Around the mid-Nascent Soul stage. At that time, although my cultivation was stable, I often dreamed of strange lights and shadows, as if someone was whispering in my sea of ​​consciousness.”

At first, I didn't take it seriously, but later, when I went into seclusion and meditated, I started to experience more hallucinations.

I often see myself standing on a high platform, looking down on all the people, and a sense of arrogance suddenly rises in my heart, making me feel that the laws of the world are unbearable and that only I can correct them.

I knew it was wrong then, but I was still led astray by that thought.

At first, I thought it was a demonic impulse, so I reflected on myself using scriptures, reciting "Zhengyan" and "Fengya" daily, seeking peace of mind. But the more I read, the more agitated and angry I became, often harboring hatred for my colleagues, hating them for defiling the sacred path. Later… I became the person my senior brother saw.”

Xue Xiang asked, "Did you notice anything unusual about the Literary Tree at that time?"

Huang Zunyi nodded, "I noticed it. There is often black energy surging at the roots of the tree, as if it is being eaten by insects. I thought it was due to the depletion of literary energy, so I tried to repair it, but the more I repaired it, the more chaotic it became."

"Senior brother, do you know what's going on here?"

Xue Xiang pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the distant mountain mist. "I heard my master say that after a saint merges with the Dao, if there are still evil thoughts that have not been eradicated, they will wander in the world."

With his last remaining thoughts, the sage forged 108 literary and moral steles to suppress evil intentions.

Even today, evil thoughts have grown and are corrupting people's hearts.

As a result, the more chaotic the literary atmosphere becomes, the less clear-minded it becomes.

The change in my junior brother stemmed from the erosion of evil thoughts.

Fortunately, my master instructed me to use a secret technique to eradicate my junior brother's evil thoughts, so he should not fall into evil ways again in the future.

Xue Xiang didn't want to explain to him what the Flower of Literary Tradition was all about. If he said too much, he wouldn't have any evidence, and the other person would just overthink it.

Huang Zunyi expressed his gratitude again.

Xue Xiang waved his hand, "There must be others in the court like my junior brother, but they are very well hidden and cannot be fathomed."

From now on, junior brother, you should be careful when you serve in the court.

Huang Zunyi said solemnly, "If that's the case, then it's really troublesome. Could it be that Elder Zhu is in the same boat?"

To be honest, Elder Zhu was also involved in this conspiracy with me to frame my senior brother.

He was the former Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and his prestige was extraordinary.

Logically speaking, he wouldn't target a minor official like his senior brother.

Cough, cough, I didn't mean to say that my senior brother's official rank is low..."

Xue Xiang waved his hand, "My official rank is indeed very low; I haven't even taken the imperial examination yet."

By the way, based on your experience, junior brother, what advice do you have for me?

Xue Xiang accepted Huang Zunyi as a disciple not only because he valued Huang's cultivation and status, but also because of Huang's extensive experience in officialdom.

Huang Zunyi said, "Senior brother is exceptionally talented, with literary talent that surpasses all others. To be accepted as our master's most outstanding disciple is already a remarkable achievement..."

Xue Xiang waved his hand, "It's unnecessary for us brothers to talk about such trivial things. Let's just get straight to the point."

Let me first introduce my situation.

He has just reached the eighth level of foundation building and has only just begun to forge his verses; he has not yet refined the power of the five elements.

"Preparing for the imperial examinations, I just managed to obtain an eighth-rank immortal talisman, but haven't officially taken office yet."

Huang Zunyi was somewhat dazed. Was his senior brother really in such a terrible state?

It has to be a teacher! Truly a practitioner of using talent without being bound by convention, a true connoisseur of talent.

While sighing, Huang Zunyi focused on evaluating Xue Xiang. After several breaths, he said in a deep voice, "If I were the senior brother, I should be focusing on preparing for the academy examination right now."

My senior brother surely thinks that with your aptitude, you'll have no problem passing the academy's exams. He suggests you go to the north and secure a real position to build up your resume.

Xue Xiang didn't deny it, nodding and saying, "That's really what I think. Is there a problem?"

Huang Zunyi said, "That is the path that ordinary people should take, and it is definitely not the path that our Mingde Dongxuan lineage's senior brother, a super genius and a future overlord, should take."

Xue Xiang was completely dumbfounded. So many prefixes?
It seems that flattery is an essential skill for anyone who can become a high-ranking official; this guy is incredibly adept at it.

"Then, in your opinion, which way should I go?"

Xue sincerely sought advice.

Huang Zunyi asked, "To participate in the special examination for distinguished scholars?"

Xue Xiang frowned. "Special appointment? Never heard of that."

Huang Zunyi said, "The special examination is a joint examination of five countries, which has just been held once."

Since the rise of the demon race, the conflicts between human nations have been forced to subside.

To quell the conflict, the five states of Xia, Zhou, Qin, Chu, and Han jointly held a special examination to select talented young people from across the country to take the exam.

The first special examination for nominees was at the level of a provincial graduate. Although it was a trial run, the final result was disastrous.

The next special examination will be for scholars of the highest rank. Those who pass will receive a degree recognized by the five nations.

I don’t know what rewards each country bestows upon scholars who participate in the special examinations, but the top three in the provincial academies of my Great Xia have the opportunity to enter the Holy Temple.

The sacred temple nurtures the Ancestral Tree of Literary Qi, and the literary Qi emitted by the Ancestral Tree is the purest and most sacred literary Qi. This sacred literary Qi is the key to refining the power of the Five Elements.

If you can achieve a good ranking in the special examination, it is better than being the top scorer in the provincial academy examination.

The rewards from the central authority won't be meager; at the very least, I'm confident I can give you a significant amount of time to successfully forge the power of the Five Elements.

Xue Xiang was overjoyed and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Junior Brother."

He meant it sincerely when he called me "junior brother".

Huang Zunyi said, "The special examination is very important, very important, very important."

This is a much more important resume than any official position in the north.

What rewards the government will give to those who have won glory for the country through special examinations is unpredictable.

Originally, in the first trial, the power to select members was in the central government, and it was basically assigned to the clan members by the various patriarchs.

However, this session is the first official one, and there are many disputes between countries that need to be resolved through this special examination.

Its significance is even greater.

Therefore, the selection criteria for members must be extremely stringent.

With your qualifications, I'm afraid it will take me a lot of effort to get you selected.

Xue Xiang was taken aback. "Junior brother, what do you mean? I'm not bragging, but I was the top scorer in the county examination. Over the years, I've been quite well-known, if not famous throughout the country."

Am I not even qualified?

Huang Zunyi cupped his hands and said, "Senior brother is too modest. Of course, senior brother deserves to be famous all over the world, but senior brother is only at the eighth level of the Foundation Establishment stage."

It would certainly be enough for a normal imperial examination.

However, in the special admission exam, they were simply not good enough.

Senior brother, you may not know this, but because this special examination concerns the interests of all countries, all parties are making thorough preparations.

However, countries are also restricting each other to avoid turning a special examination into a gathering of old monsters.

Therefore, all countries have stipulated that those participating in the special admission examination cannot be older than thirty.

Thirty years old?

Xue Xiang said, "As far as I know, it's considered good if you can establish your foundation by the age of thirty, and you're considered an elite if you can form your core."

Huang Zunyi said, "If you stand from the perspective of an ordinary person, you will naturally come to this conclusion. But if you think about it carefully, those who can participate in the special examination..."

Furthermore, if the special admission examination is elevated to such a level, representing national honor and interests, what kind of people will be selected?

Xue Xiang frowned, and after thinking about it carefully, he realized that Huang Zunyi made sense.

Among those around him, Song Tingfang, Yin Tianci, Gu Jianchen, and others had all reached the Core Formation stage before the age of thirty.

If we look at it nationwide, thirty years old is indeed a very large age range.

As far as he knew, his sixth grandfather, who was over seventy years old, had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, but had fallen from his cultivation level for over ten years when he was over eighty.

Age is not a barrier to cultivation progress in this world.

According to Huang Zunyi, this special selection exam is equivalent to the World Cup, or a war in peacetime, where countries will definitely select the best of the best.

Xue Xiang wasn't surprised that a Nascent Soul expert was selected to participate in the competition at the age of thirty.

In the late stage of Core Formation, perfection is probably the bare minimum.

His Foundation Establishment realm strength is indeed insufficient.

"So, according to you, I'm not qualified to participate?"

Xue Xiang was filled with worry.

He certainly wanted to participate in this level of exam, since if he did well, the imperial court's rewards would be substantial.

Huang Zunyi said, "Given your cultivation level, Senior Brother, it's indeed a tough road, but your reputation is definitely big enough."

I will do my best to help my senior brother, and he should also think of some ways to help himself.

Publicize your past achievements as much as possible, and try to make a splash among the public.

My senior brother's reputation in Shilin is naturally astounding, but among ordinary people, his reputation is not enough.

Therefore, I think that in the coming year, my senior brother should go out more into the community and stir up some trouble.

Being in the central command allows me to speak up for my senior colleague.

"Brilliant! Junior brother's suggestion is truly brilliant. Let's go with it."

Xue Xiang couldn't agree more.

…………

It's only early winter, and the first snow has already fallen.

The icicles on the eaves rustled softly in the wind, and the distant mountains and courtyard trees were all buried in a silvery white.

A secluded courtyard house overlooking the mountain, with its gate half-closed.

Inside, the red clay stove was burning brightly, the charcoal crackled, the teapot gurgled, steam slowly dissipated in the air, sandalwood incense wafted around, and the charcoal glowed red. The room was so warm that one could wear only a single layer of clothing.

But Sect Leader Zhao didn't even wear a single layer of clothing. He lay on a red incense table covered with soft fabric, his eyes glazed over, his lips slightly parted, and he murmured softly from time to time.

She knelt on a snow-white lynx hide, which, despite its incredible water absorption, was now swollen and somewhat puffy.

Sect Leader Zhao became increasingly talkative. Even though there were only two people in the room, she kept changing her address, from "enemy" at the beginning to "brother" and then to "father".

Perhaps she had been kneeling for too long and felt uncomfortable, so she changed to a sitting position, but her dazed eyes remained unchanged until she finally turned into a puddle of mud and fell into a deep sleep.

(End of this chapter)