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

"The fifth level of Qi Gathering?"

In the study, Master Zheng was flipping through a book when he heard that Song Li had broken through to the fifth level of Qi Gathering. He then looked up, his eyes filled with surprise.

It hasn't been that long.

Song Li had only been in the farmhouse for eight months, yet he had already surpassed most of the farmhouse officials.

Such talent is truly formidable.

"very good."

A smile spread across Zheng's face.

With exceptional comprehension and decent spiritual roots, aside from starting cultivation a bit late, he could be considered an extremely talented genius in Shannan County.

"This kid has a good character; he doesn't just hide his talents all the time, and he doesn't hesitate to fight when it's time to prove himself."

The county exam is only a few days away.

If Song Li makes a breakthrough at this time, his ranking in the county examination will definitely improve even further.

Having a benefactor's approval is not enough.

There needs to be a reason for someone to offer you help.

Promotion without any justification will not only damage the reputation of the person who was promoted, but it may not actually be a good thing for the person being promoted.

Manager Zheng:

"Do your best in the county exam."

"As for the rest, I will find a way."

......

......

early morning.

A cool breeze is blowing; it's a rare refreshing moment in the day.

At this time.

Many officials from Shannan County had already gathered in the courtyard of the county magistrate's residence.

Song Li naturally came to the county magistrate's mansion with the rest of the farmers.

He has been in office in Shannan for almost a year.

He had only been to the county magistrate's residence twice before. The last time was when the magistrate hosted a banquet to bestow rewards. Otherwise, today would be his first time visiting the county magistrate's residence.

"It's truly magnificent."

Even though it wasn't the first time.

But Song Li still couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the large courtyard, big enough for horses to run.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the county magistrate was often referred to as the Marquis of a Hundred Li (a unit of distance), meaning that within that hundred li (a unit of distance) of territory, the county magistrate was the supreme authority.

"I heard that Magistrate Sun has been the magistrate of Shannan for forty years, and his prestige is deeply entrenched."

Song thought.

"Brother Song."

Just as Song Li was adjusting his breathing and waiting for the assessment to begin, Zhu Ran's face, covered with a thick beard, came closer.

"Brother Zhu."

Song Li smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

When Huo Zhun saw that Zhu Ran was completely ignoring him, he couldn't help but roll his eyes and curse her as an idiot.

Zhu Ran grinned widely and whispered in Song Li's ear:

"Brother Song, the spiritual mansion I mentioned to you before has already taken shape. It might be completed this year. When that happens, you'll definitely be the second one to enjoy it."

"So fast?"

Song Li was somewhat surprised.

He originally thought he would have to wait at least a year, but unexpectedly, he is expected to be able to cultivate his spiritual mansion this year.

Zhu Ran was smug:

"Thanks to this siege of the rat demon, because the number of monster bones that flooded the market at once was too large, the materials for refining weapons are at least 30% cheaper than usual. I borrowed some spirit stones from the elders of my clan, so there shouldn't be any problem."

Song Li held Zhu Ran's talent for weapon crafting in even higher regard.

Cheap materials only lower the barrier to entry for crafting. The key to crafting lies in the craftsman himself. If he is not skilled enough, no amount of materials will help.

If Zhu Ran can truly cultivate a spiritual palace, it won't take much; just entering it for cultivation once every three to five days will greatly benefit her cultivation.

The spirit palace is precious.

Even if he were a farmer, having spirit stones wouldn't necessarily guarantee him a way in.

This friend was worth making!

Zhu Ran started talking.

He then launched into a long and eloquent speech about weapon forging, and when he got excited, he took out the iron hammer he had been carrying on his back and swung it around for a while.

This drew disapproving glances from the surrounding officials.

Song Li listened with great interest.

About 15 minutes later.

Almost all the officials from the nine offices were present, and the courtyard became lively.

The officials of the county government began to count the number of people.

Another incense stick's worth of time passed.

"The county magistrate has arrived!"

With a loud shout, the courtyard fell silent.

next moment.

An elderly man with white hair but vigorous spirit walked swiftly up the high platform in the courtyard.

It was Sun Chengming, the magistrate of Shannan County.

Song Li hid in the crowd and carefully observed the master of Shannan County.

This was the first time he had met him.

The appearance of County Magistrate Sun signifies the official start of this year's county examination.

However, unlike previous assessments, in addition to Magistrate Sun, there was also a spirited and energetic woman.

"Gong Ling, she's here too?"

Song Li recognized the woman's identity at a glance.

Not only him, but many others also recognized Gong Ling's identity, causing a stir in the crowd.

On the high platform.

Magistrate Sun smiled and turned to look at Gong Ling standing beside him: "Lord Gong, Lord Lu has also come to Shannan?"

Gong Ling said calmly:

"Master is indeed not in Huanglong Prefecture."

Sun, the county magistrate, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Gong Ling did not answer his question directly, but she did reveal some information that he did not know.

Since Lord Lu is not in Huanglong Prefecture, it means he has already left the city. The only case that could warrant his personal involvement is the case of Marquis Rong'an.

The matter of the Marquis of Rong'an even alarmed Lord Lu.

Magistrate Sun spoke very politely: "Lord Gong, for this assessment, I would like to recommend someone to try out in the prefecture. If my memory serves me well, my friend Ji Shu should be in Lord Gong's martial arts school. It is truly fate."

He was a county magistrate, holding the rank of seventh grade.

Gong Ling was a seventh-rank official.

Despite the fact that Magistrate Sun's rank was higher than Gong Ling's, he showed no sign of arrogance.

In this Great Zhou Dynasty, official titles were determined by one's proximity to the core of power.

Let's just say that.

Even a ninth-rank official in the capital is more sought after than a county magistrate like him.

This principle applies equally to Huanglong Prefecture and Shannan County, not to mention that the woman's master was that two-seal celestial official.

Gong Ling: "A record?"

He vaguely remembered the name.

She could see through Magistrate Sun's intentions: to use this opportunity to befriend her master.

In this regard.

Gong Ling wasn't averse to it, after all, her master often mentioned wanting to take on another disciple so that he could serve her.

If there are truly promising talents in Shannan County, she wouldn't mind taking them with her.

Sun, the county magistrate, withdrew his gaze and looked again at the group of officials from Shannan County in the courtyard. Hundreds of officials, including the chief clerk, were all present.

"The assessment begins!"

"Our southern mountain is currently in a time of turmoil, and we should take it upon ourselves to slay demons and eliminate evil. The topic of this assessment... shall be a discussion of the Dao."

Upon hearing this...

The cultivators from the Martial Arts Department, the Criminal Affairs Department, and other government offices were immediately overjoyed.

The farmhouses and alchemy workshops were in mourning.

The discussions among cultivators certainly cannot be just sitting down and exchanging pleasantries. How are the levels of their Daoist skills assessed?

You'll only know once you've tried it.

"Discussing the Way..."

Song Li pondered to himself.

According to those old agricultural officials, in the past, the questions set by Magistrate Sun mostly did not involve magical combat, because if they did, the logistics departments such as the farmhouse and the alchemy room would be at a great disadvantage.

The reason for the change.

It is likely related to the demonic disturbances that occurred in Shannan County a few days ago.

Sun, the county magistrate, chose to launch the county examination at this critical juncture, perhaps with the intention of selecting soldiers.

Suppressing the demonic rebellion cannot be accomplished by relying solely on the military affairs office.

of course.

Perhaps it's because Gong Ling is a member of the Huanglong Prefecture's martial arts sect.

"Are these farmhouses in grave danger?"