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

According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

One must pass three top-level assessments in the county government to earn a minor merit.

Song Li only received an A grade twice.

This small achievement can be considered an extra reward from Magistrate Sun.

at this time.

Lines of small text appeared before my eyes.

Name: Song Li

[Realm: Ninth Grade (Fifth Level of Juyuan Realm)]

[Exercise: Everlasting Spring Exercise]

[Spells: Sharp Metal Spell, Sweet Rain Spell, Flying Leaf Spell, Mound-Hoeing Spell]

[Fortune: 85/100]

Song Li looked at the "Luck" column.

"Only 15 points away!"

According to estimates.

At most, it will take about a month before they receive the next blessing from the celestial official.

The joy of accident!

My mood fluctuated wildly.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"More advisors."

When packing his luggage, Song Li didn't forget to bring Zhou Shiye along as well.

He knew better than anyone the saying that it's easy to avoid the King of Hell, but difficult to deal with his underlings. As the county magistrate's trusted advisor, he had to be even more respectful.

Otherwise, you won't even know when you've suffered a loss.

"Master Zheng, you have a good eye. Lord Song has a bright future ahead of him."

Master Zhou still had a smile on his face.

soon.

He then distributed all the rewards for the farmhouses.

Even though the county magistrate has generously bestowed rewards this time, only the most outstanding individuals are qualified to receive them.

The farmhouse was quite large, and including Manager Zheng, there were only five people in total.

Moreover, among these five people, only Song Li obtained the Gathering Yuan Pill.

According to what I've heard, Magistrate Sun generously offered ten Gathering Heaven Pills as a reward, meaning that not all of the top eighteen people standing on the arena will receive a Gathering Yuan Pill.

Song Li was ranked eighteenth, yet he was rewarded with the Gathering Yuan Pill. This was probably because he had performed so well so soon after passing the imperial examination, which made Magistrate Sun think highly of his potential, so he was willing to rank him higher.

That's all.

Master Zhou then looked at Song Li and said, "Young Master Song, the county magistrate wants to select outstanding individuals from the nine branches to join the demon-slaying team and maintain peace in the region. In my opinion, Young Master Song is very suitable."

"The Demon-Slaying Team..."

Song Li narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had heard about this matter before.

I heard that the reason Sun Zun brought forward the county examination and promised a huge reward was because of the demon-slaying team.

If you were to ask what the most important thing in Shannan County is, it would be...

This is undoubtedly the case of the demon race colluding with Rong Anbo.

The Marquis of Rong'an was arrested and escorted to the capital, and the demon race fell silent. However, this did not mean that the matter was over. If Magistrate Sun could not eliminate the spies and strongholds of the demon race hidden in the southern part of the mountain, he might lose his hard-earned seventh-rank position.

According to Song Li's knowledge.

Sun, the county magistrate, did not actually cultivate to the seventh rank on his own; rather, he was forcibly promoted to this rank by an imperial decree.

If one loses their official position, their cultivation level will also plummet.

At his advanced age of over 150, he would likely die on the spot.

It's a truly life-threatening situation.

However, annihilating the demon race is not something that can be accomplished by one person alone.

A large number of people are needed.

Nowadays, the county government in Shannan is rife with a culture of concealing one's abilities, advocating for a policy of neither making any achievements nor committing any mistakes, and developing in a low-key manner.

This wouldn't have been a problem in the past, but when it really comes down to it, there's no one available. Magistrate Sun wants to use the county examination to stir up this stagnant pool and select some of the best and brightest.

Indeed, this assessment produced quite a few outstanding individuals.

"Young Master Song, this demon-slaying team is a great opportunity to make a name for yourself. The Yellow Dragon Mansion will also send people. Once you are noticed by those officials, you can go straight to the government office overnight. Your future is limitless."

At the opportune moment, Master Zhou spoke up.

Song Li is a promising talent, ranking among the top eighteen.

He has already caught the eye of the county magistrate; if this young man doesn't join the demon-slaying team, the magistrate will have a hard time explaining himself.

That's why he was willing to say a few more words.

Otherwise, although Zhou Yan did not hold an official position, his status in the county government was even higher than that of many of the nine chief clerks, so why would he be willing to talk to a mere clerk like Song Li?

Song Li, with a docile expression, bowed respectfully:

"It is our duty to slay demons and monsters, and we cannot shirk this responsibility."

Master Zhou: "So, Young Master Song has agreed?"

"Yes, Master Zhou."

Master Zhou nodded in satisfaction and said to the clerk behind him, "Write down Young Master Song's name, and put him first in the list."

He gave the instructions.

Joining the demon-slaying team isn't easy.

Even those who performed exceptionally well this time were selected through a process of rigorous selection.

Song Li is different; he is ranked in the top eighteen and must ensure that no one is missed, otherwise he will all be punished by Magistrate Sun.

after that.

Master Zhou then recorded the names of the two old farm officials in the register before taking his leave.

After Master Zhou and his party had gone far away.

The entrance was still crowded with people.

A group of agricultural officials looked at Song Li with envy.

What future is there in living in this farmhouse?

Only by joining the demon-slaying team can one be seen by the county magistrate or even important figures in the prefectural government, and that is the real opportunity to soar to great heights.

It's not hard to tell from Master Zhou's behavior just now.

Song Li's joining the demon-slaying team is now a sure thing.

A bright future lies ahead!

Some of the more senior officials who had secretly bullied Song Li were terrified and filled with regret.

Who would have thought that a newcomer who had only been with the company for a year could rise to prominence so quickly?

"No, we have to think of a way to make up for it."

These old agricultural officials pondered.

Throughout the entire process, Director Zheng remained expressionless.

It is clear that they already knew about the demon-slaying team.

He waved his hand:

"Everyone, you can leave now."

That's all.

He then turned and went back to the house.

As soon as Zheng left, some people who were familiar with Song Li surrounded him.

"Brother Song, if you become rich and powerful, don't forget me!"

"We little saplings will have to rely on Brother Song, this great tree, from now on."

......

The ears were filled with flattery.

Song Li remained unmoved.

Being complacent and overconfident is a major taboo in officialdom.

In his past life, he had seen young people who became too proud and arrogant eventually fall from grace and be smashed to pieces, so he always maintained a peaceful state of mind.

"Don't make fun of me. I'll treat my brothers to drinks another day."

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

Despite being startled awake, he had no intention of becoming a loyal subject.

With a creak.

As the door closed, the extreme desolation and the feeling of being in a completely different world made even Song Li feel uneasy.

"No wonder so many people get carried away. The desolation that follows the commotion can really kill young officials."

In other words, Song Li had already experienced this in his previous life, which is why he was able to remain calm.

He cast a spell to bring rain.

Consider it as burning incense and bathing before practicing martial arts.

Song Li took out a small wooden box from his sleeve, inside which was the Gathering Yuan Pill bestowed by the county magistrate.

Open the wooden box.

The familiar, exotic fragrance immediately filled my nostrils and lingered for a long time.

"It's really good stuff."

Song Liyi praised it.

He was only at the fifth level of Qi Gathering cultivation, yet he consumed two Qi Gathering Pills in a row.

The treatment of a genius!

Even members or disciples of a large clan or lineage might not receive this treatment.

"It's still better to be an official."

Song Li swallowed the Gathering Yuan Pill without hesitation.

A surge of powerful spiritual energy exploded outwards.