Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

The next morning, Zhao Xian got up early, washed up briefly, and began practicing in the courtyard.

After finishing their boxing routine, Zhao Cheng and Wang Cong stepped out of the house.

Zhao Xian greeted the two men, then picked up a ring-pommel sword from the side, drew it from its sheath, and continued practicing his swordsmanship.

Before a Qi Refining cultivator reaches the late stage of Qi Refining, most of their strength depends on martial arts skills; otherwise, they are only slightly stronger than ordinary people.

All the officials in the village, except for Cao Miao, were in the same situation.

Take Liu Mao, for example. He had reached the sixth level of Qi Refining, but he was not familiar with martial arts. When the Daoists surrounded him, he was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground and trembled.

One can imagine the strength of cultivators in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining.

My grandfather, Zhao Mu, was also at the sixth level of Qi Refining. He was once a Dao soldier. According to him, when he went into battle, he relied on his own martial arts skills.

As for that meager magical power, it was only used to control the talismanic soldiers in his hands.

However, once one enters the late stage of Qi Refining, their magical power becomes profound, and their spiritual sense also increases significantly. At that time, Qi Refining cultivators can cast spells or control magical artifacts.

The cold light was sharp and piercing, and the blade's gleam, as white as snow, followed him closely. His agile figure moved nimbly, as if he were surrounded by silvery light and shadow.

Wang Cong and Zhao Cheng were already used to this, and simply stood aside to fetch water and wash up.

"Ah Xian's swordsmanship has truly become more and more refined; compared to a month ago, it can be described as a leap forward!"

After washing up, Wang Cong looked at the figure bathed in the glint of swords in the courtyard and gave a shout of praise.

"In one or two years at most, Ah Xian will be able to reach a state of divine mastery with this set of 'Chasing Wind and Slaying Spirit Blade'."

Zhao Cheng, standing to the side, nodded slightly without realizing it and smiled.

As soon as I finished my morning exercise, two messages popped into my mind.

"Pine Crane Nourishing Vitality Fist Proficiency +20!"

"Wind Chaser Spirit Slayer Blade Proficiency +20!"

Holding his breath and concentrating, a golden light screen entered Zhao Xian's eyes.

Owner of the cauldron: Zhao Xian

[Qi Yun: Floating White]

[Spiritual Root: Fire Root (丙中火)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 4]

[Lucky Golden Pearl: 0]

【技艺】：六阳诀（精通：9366/10000）、基础箭术（大成：3013/100000）、松鹤养元拳（精通：4956/10000）、追风斩灵刀（精通：1203/10000）

"The Six Yang Technique is nearing completion. In another twenty days, it should be able to reach the advanced level."

"At that time, the speed of cultivation may be increased by another 30%."

"I should be able to reach the fifth level of Qi Refining before the end of the year!"

Thinking of this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Ah Cheng, Xiao Cong, you two look at Ah Xian. He cultivates diligently every day. I observe that he is about to enter the fifth level of Qi Refining."

Chen Yuancheng also walked out from the main hall at this moment, his gaze shifting from Zhao Xian to Zhao Cheng and Wang Cong, and he said with a smile.

"Alas, Mr. Chen, we two are no match for Ah Xian!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cong stepped forward and said with a grin.

"If you don't properly practice your martial arts, Ah Xian will catch up with you."

Seeing Wang Cong's nonchalant expression, Chen Yuancheng shook his head and sighed.

A short while later, the four finished their breakfast, then led their horses out of the courtyard and headed towards the city.

......

After wandering around the city for an hour or so, Zhao Xian asked Chen Yuancheng where the county school was.

Back then, my spiritual aptitude was slightly lacking, so I was unable to enter the county school. Now that I'm in the city, I naturally want to go and take a look.

Chen Yuancheng did not hesitate and immediately led Zhao Xian and the other two to the county school.

"The county school is an official school. I only studied at the clan school when I was young, and this is my first time coming to the county school." Looking at the county school gate in the distance, Chen Yuancheng introduced the three people behind him, "According to the Qian law, the head of the county school should be the county magistrate, followed by the instructor, who is a high-ranking official of 100 shi (a unit of grain).

"But in reality, county magistrates are very busy with official duties, and county schools are mostly run by instructors."

"A few years ago, one of our clansmen was studying at the county school, but unfortunately he was expelled from the county school in his sixth year."

Hearing this, Wang Cong, who was behind him, also chimed in.

"The county school conducts an assessment every three years. If the assessment is passed, the student can continue to study for another three years, with a maximum of nine years of study at the county school."

"Acong, that member of your clan must have failed to reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining in the past six years, which is why he was expelled from the county school."

Chen Yuancheng was quite familiar with the county school. After listening to Wang Cong's words, he pondered for a few moments and then immediately explained.

"Ah Xian, I remember your younger cousin was studying at the county school?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cong turned to Zhao Xian and asked.

"Yes, my uncle's son, Zhao Shengling, is of the second rank and studies at the county school. He began his journey to the Dao this year."

"My spiritual root is at the middle level, only a little short of the upper level. If it were at the upper level, I could also enter the county school."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian naturally smiled and replied.

"Actually, even someone with a C-grade aptitude can enroll in the county school." Chen Yuancheng suddenly looked at Zhao Xian and grinned. "As long as you pay the county school one hundred low-grade spirit stones, you can enroll."

"One hundred low-grade spirit stones, and over ten thousand coins!"

"We're just ordinary folks, which family could afford that?"

Wang Cong exclaimed in surprise.

"Mr. Chen, is this really true?"

Suddenly, Zhao Xian had a thought and asked again.

"Of course, many children from wealthy families in the countryside enter the county school in this way." Chen Yuancheng nodded slightly, then his expression changed slightly as he looked at Zhao Xian. "Xian, I remember your younger sister seems to have a Class C spiritual root?"

"My younger sister, Zhao Yu, possesses a water-attribute, level-3 spiritual root, and is thirteen years old."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately smiled and replied.

If what Chen Yuancheng said is true, then it would be appropriate to send my younger sister to the county school to study and cultivate herself. After all, it's a self-taught approach, and she won't be able to master anything.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng nodded thoughtfully.

Before long, the four arrived at the gate of the county school, where four armed soldiers stood in front of the gate, fully armed and quite skilled.

The four men dismounted, led their horses to a hitching post, tied the reins, and headed towards the gate.

The soldiers guarding the gate saw that Chen Yuancheng and Zhao Xian, who were in the lead, were both dressed in long robes and headscarves, with ringed swords at their waists. They knew that they were county officials and did not stop them.

The four entered the county school. The school had many buildings, and the four of them took a quick look around.

At noon, students from the county school finished their studies and streamed out of their dormitories in large numbers.

There were children around ten years old and young students around twenty years old who had not yet come of age. The former were very lively, while the latter were all very composed.

"All the outstanding talents of the county have now entered the county school!"

Seeing this scene, Zhao Xian also sighed with emotion.

"Ah Xian, you wear a black robe and a black turban, and although you look like a minor official, you already surpass most of these students!" Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Chen Yuancheng immediately looked at Zhao Xian with a touch of emotion, "Next year, when you change your black turban to a red one, the students of the county school will be no less impressive!"

"What Mr. Chen said is very true. After nine years of study, if students of the county school cannot be promoted to the prefectural school, and if their families do not have much power, it is very difficult for them to become officials."

"Chen Junzhen has truly treated our people well!"

Zhao Cheng, who was standing to the side, also remarked with considerable emotion.

When Zhao Xian was inspecting the land, he secretly manipulated the system to reduce the land taxes of the residents of Shanghuting Road, especially those of Yangpingli Road.

In Zhao Cheng's view, this move could not be reported to the county without Chen Yuancheng's approval.

This single act will greatly ease the burden on the Zhao clan of Yangpingli during this lean season.

If one step is successful, every step will be successful. In the future, the Zhao family in Yangping Village can also grow and expand like a snowball.

......

The four of them stood in a corner of the county school chatting for a while when Zhao Cheng suddenly noticed a figure peeking in their direction.

"what?"

With a soft "hmm," Zhao Cheng tugged at Zhao Xian's sleeve, gesturing with his eyes.

Zhao Xian immediately followed Zhao Cheng's gaze and saw a familiar, thin figure peeking over in their direction.

"Asheng!"

Zhao Xian stepped forward a few paces and shouted loudly.

"It really is Asheng!"

Zhao Cheng muttered to himself, and seeing Chen Yuancheng and Wang Cong's confusion, he immediately explained, "It's Ah Xian's cousin who studies at the county school."

Upon seeing Zhao Xian shout, the thin figure also strode forward to greet him.

"Brother!"

Upon reaching Zhao Xian, the thin figure also exclaimed with joy.

"Wow! Brother, you've become a clerk?!" After a careful look, Zhao Sheng turned to Zhao Xian with delight. "This ring-handled sword is really beautiful!"

Zhao Xian patted Zhao Sheng's shoulder and said with concern, "Why don't you eat more? You're so thin!"

After saying that, he pulled Zhao Sheng to pay his respects to Chen Yuancheng.

"Mr. Chen, this is my younger cousin, Zhao Sheng, who is currently studying at the county school!"

"Ah Sheng, this is Mr. Chen, the magistrate of Wohu Township!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately showed reverence and bowed respectfully.

"Asheng, get up!"

Chen Yuancheng also said with a smile.

After Zhao Sheng stood up, Zhao Cheng greeted him, and Zhao Sheng respectfully replied, "Fourth Brother!"

Seeing that it was already noon, Chen Yuancheng led the group out of the county school, intending to find a tavern.

Zhao Xian apologized to Chen Yuancheng and said that he had come to the county town to take Zhao Sheng home to visit him first, and then go to find the three of them.

Chen Yuancheng readily agreed.

Leading his horse, Zhao Xian casually bought some gifts on the street, and then, guided by Zhao Sheng, headed to his home.

The houses in the county town were very expensive, and Ji's father, Zhao Zhi, naturally couldn't afford to buy one, so he rented a house from a brokerage firm.

The courtyard is located in the south of the city, not too far from the county school in the east.

The area south of the city was mostly inhabited by poor villagers from the county, and the roads in the village were often flooded and full of potholes.

Zhao Xian, dressed in a long robe, leading a sturdy horse, with a ringed sword hanging at his waist, walked here, attracting the attention of passersby.

Zhao Sheng sat proudly on his horse, and greeted familiar Taoists he encountered.

Zhao Xian naturally understood Zhao Sheng's ulterior motives, but was happy to cooperate.

There was no other reason than that his uncle, Zhao Zhi, was away on business for many years, leaving only his mother and son at home, which made them somewhat hesitant and timid.

Now that Zhao Xian happens to be in the county, he naturally wants to come and visit.

Before long, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Zhao Sheng dismounted and pushed open the courtyard gate, but unfortunately the gate was too low for the horse to pass through. Zhao Xian had no choice but to tie the horse to a tree nearby.

After receiving the gift, Zhao Xian entered the courtyard, where a middle-aged woman was washing rice.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, he seemed not to recognize him. After taking a few steps closer, he exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! Sanlang, what brings you here!"

"Ah Xian greets Aunt!" Zhao Xian placed the gift aside and bowed respectfully.

"My brother is now a village official, and he's come to the city with the village headman on business." Zhao Sheng couldn't hide his excitement. "That sturdy horse outside is also my brother's!"

"Wow! Saburo has really made something of himself!"