I just passed the imperial examination, what the heck is this "Celestial Official System"?

The spirit essence is stored in the dantian, which is a sign of the gathering of vital energy.

This is what is commonly referred to as "entry-level product".

It is the Ninth Grade Gathering Yuan Realm.

"Nine-grade Gathering Yuan, Eight-grade Condensing Spirit, Seven-grade True Realm. The strongest cultivator in Shannan County is a Seven-grade cultivator, and Manager Zheng of the farmhouse should be an Eight-grade cultivator."

The Great Zhou Dynasty had extremely strict requirements for the cultivation assessment of its officials. Only those who reached the Gathering Yuan Realm could be considered to have secured their official positions after passing the imperial examinations.

After all, if one cannot even achieve the rank of a high-ranking official, remaining in the government would diminish one's prestige.

Song Li looked towards his dantian.

The spiritual energy rotated slowly, radiating a warm glow, and wisps of spiritual energy from heaven and earth were drawn into it, making it extraordinary.

I watched it for a long time.

Song Li then withdrew his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"A top-quality product!"

Everything happened naturally.

He looked at the panel.

Name: Song Li

[Realm Level: Ninth Rank (Gathering Yuan Realm)]

[Exercise: Everlasting Spring Exercise]

[Spells: Sharp Metal Spell, Sweet Rain Spell]

[Fortune: 22/100]

The "Unranked" field in the realm section of the panel has been replaced by "Nine Ranks".

There is a panel display.

Song Li became even more certain about his early entry into the ranks.

He originally planned to cultivate the Flying Leaf Technique first, but unexpectedly, he suddenly felt a fluctuation of spiritual energy half a month ago. He understood that this was a sign that he was about to break through, so he immediately decided to go into seclusion.

Fortunately, he had already stocked up on enough dry food in the house, plus spirit wheat, so he didn't have to worry about food.

Seven days of seclusion.

Finally, a breakthrough was achieved.

After reaching the highest level, there won't actually be a significant breakthrough in strength; condensing spiritual energy represents the possibility of going further.

Without spiritual essence, the absorbed spiritual energy is ultimately like a rootless duckweed, unable to solidify within the body.

That's why he was able to defeat Liu Ding, who had just entered the rank of martial arts, with ordinary martial arts skills.

If Liu Ding consolidates his power for another six months, the outcome will be uncertain.

"Looks like I need to find some books on the Gathering Yuan Realm."

If you just shut yourself in and ponder things blindly, you might go astray. Wasting time is a minor issue; if you completely ruin your path to spiritual cultivation, you'll regret it.

Song Li was not some self-proclaimed chosen one of this world who believed he could forge a path never before trodden.

With the experience of predecessors to draw upon, we can certainly avoid taking detours.

I've heard that in ancient times, those who reached a certain rank were considered immortals.

It's because they have too little experience.

As the path of cultivation has been explored by predecessors, reaching the next level is no longer so difficult.

Therefore, we must learn from the experience of our predecessors.

To prevent Liu Ding from plotting against him again, Song Li did not intend to reveal his entry into the rank for the time being. Asking his colleagues directly would not work, so going to the library to find relevant books was the only option.

The books that record Juyuan are not particularly valuable; there's no need to go to the ceremonial office in the city, as they can be found in the library of a farmhouse.

Step outside.

Song Li went straight to the library in the northwest corner of the farmhouse.

This is a two-story building.

What could be placed in a farmhouse library could not possibly be any advanced techniques or spells, or even a single cultivation manual; they would only contain miscellaneous tidbits of knowledge and the laws and regulations of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It took almost no effort.

Song Li obtained a copy of "Juyuan Handbook" from an old man with a full head of white hair who looked at least seventy years old.

This old man was a temporary worker.

Yes.

Because the library was so unimportant, no one was willing to put a full-time employee there, so it was left to be guarded by an elderly man in his seventies.

As for whether the old man in front of him was the old monk sweeping the floor, Song Li had no idea.

I got what I wanted.

Song Li was in a good mood and walked briskly towards the dormitory.

"Brother Song?"

Halfway there.

My colleague Zhou Fu walked towards me.

Upon seeing Song Li, he slowed his hurried pace. Because Song Li had defeated Liu Ding last time and helped him vent his anger, he had been in contact with Song Li more often than usual, and their relationship was better.

"Brother Zhou, why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhou Fu was taken aback, then suddenly realized: "Brother Song has been in seclusion these days, detached from worldly affairs, so he doesn't know that a few days ago, the people from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Martial Arts Department suddenly rushed into our farmhouse and almost got into a fight with Steward Zheng."

"Guess what?"

Zhou Fu has fallen into his bad habit of keeping people in suspense again.

Song Li also wanted to know what happened next, so he abandoned his plan to kick Zhou Fu and asked cooperatively, "What's wrong?"

"It was because of Rong Anbo's crime that Master Ma was taken to the dark dungeon."

Song Li frowned slightly.

He had certainly heard of Marquis Rong An.

He was one of the three earls of Huanglong Prefecture. The Great Zhou Dynasty was extremely stingy with titles, so the status of an earl was much higher than that of a county magistrate.

But what does the Earl of Rong'an have to do with being convicted?

Seeing that Song Li's appetite had been completely whetted, Zhou Fu became even more eager to talk:

"I heard that the Marquis of Rong'an was accused of plotting a rebellion and was sentenced by the court to have his entire family exterminated."

Song Li asked, "How did Manager Ma get implicated?"

Ma Hongwen is the deputy head of the farmhouse. He is extremely good at socializing and is said to have good relationships with many gentry families in Shannan County. He even has the appreciation of nobles in Huanglong Prefecture. There were rumors that Ma was going to be promoted to the prefecture.

The shock of hearing the news that he was to be beheaded in public was immense.

Zhou Fu couldn't help but sigh:

"Speaking of which, that old bastard Rong Anbo is really a scoundrel. He actually keeps a diary, and all the officials who have given him gifts over the years have been recorded in his diary."

"A high-ranking official in Longjing was furious and ordered everyone to be held accountable. As a result, at least a hundred officials in our Huanglong Prefecture were imprisoned."

Song Li: "..."

Even with his temperament, he couldn't help but curse, "You bastard."

Obviously.

The Marquis of Rong'an had been planning this for a long time and did it on purpose.

As for that big shot in Longjing, he didn't care at all about how many eighth-rank or even ninth-rank officials died.

It's true, when gods fight, mortals suffer.

This also serves as a warning to Song Li: do not easily learn to be adept at navigating social situations and maneuvering skillfully in the court, or you will end up like Chief Ma.

As for treason...

Song Li couldn't understand how a mere earl could plot a rebellion.

It's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—it's futile.

The Marquis of Rong'an was probably just a victim of the court's infighting.

Zhou Fu: "I received a favor from Steward Ma back then. I can't do anything else, but I can still deliver a meal to him."

"Brother Song, I'll take my leave first."

Watching Zhou Fu leave.

Song Li couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing him rising from a tall building, seeing his building collapsed.

Back then, when Manager Ma was in the farmhouse, he was surrounded by a large entourage and had an extraordinary presence. Now, people would probably avoid him like the plague. It's truly rare to find someone like Zhou Fu.

A brief interlude.

Song Li returned to his room and opened the "Juyuan Handbook" in his hand.

"The gathering of vital energy by cultivators marks the beginning of the path to immortality. I write this note only to help future generations to straighten out the crooked path and increase their chances of attaining enlightenment..."

The notes contained no more than ten thousand words.

Song Li finished reading it quickly.

Some of my doubts about the Gathering Yuan Realm were answered in the book.

It's at the very end of the book.

Song Li saw a familiar name.

"Written by Zheng Yue, a minor official from Shannan, in the 713th year of Tianyuan, to encourage fellow Daoists. I am concerned about the calamity that befell the northern city, but for me, life and death are both acceptable."