The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 229 - 121: Provincial Examination_2

When the penalty is actually enforced, they can hardly withstand it.

Moreover, those Capital Officials have no pressure when it comes to bullying these low-ranking officials from poor provinces.

Would anyone with a powerful background go to such places?

The result is that, to cut corners, the examiners often base the ranking on the level of the eight-legged essay, and other test content is mostly overlooked.

This is because the format of the eight-legged essay is the most standard and rigorous, not requiring the examiners to expend a great deal of Heart Power during review, and thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of mistakes.

Gradually, it has developed to the point where, in the examination, only the first session’s eight-legged essay is considered substantial, while the contents of the remaining two sessions become merely a formality.

If the provincial examination is like this, it naturally follows that the examination gradually becomes the same.

It can be said that precisely because of its standardization and rigor, the eight-legged essay has become a relatively fair method of examination selection in this era.

Moreover, the examination papers for both the provincial examination and the examination are copied by another set of professionals, so even those with unattractive handwriting will not have their final results affected.

As for why scholars need to learn the official script, that’s because it’s particularly necessary for writing official documents after entering the bureaucratic field.

A beautiful official script is more likely to draw the attention of superiors.

The popularity of official script is also due to its standardized and rigorous appearance, which is not tiring to read.

In their private lives, scholars promote art, but in official business, the body is truthful, prioritizing efficiency above all else.

This is so they can have more leisure time in their private lives.

After all, for the most part, official business is carried out like emotionless working machines. It’s only during non-official time that they become the true Old Master.

Not to mention scholars, even the Emperor cannot endure the laboriousness of paperwork, and therefore the Great Yu Dynasty established the Ritual Supervision and the Cabinet.

Thus, the Emperor is freed to truly exert his authority and enjoy the imperial grandeur, wealth, and develop his personal hobbies.

For instance, those interested in Alchemy would practice alchemy, those who enjoy cricket fighting would play with crickets, woodworkers would do carpentry, and those wishing to study abroad would go study overseas...

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Soon, the day before the provincial examination graced by the Emperor’s favor arrived.

In previous years, the provincial examination was held in early August; this year, due to being graced by the Emperor’s favor, it was postponed by more than half a month and scheduled to start on the first day of September.

Feng Wu, having had experience before, meticulously prepared various items needed for the examination for Xu Qing.

Actually, they were mainly various kinds of small snacks.

"Just finish them on the first day; they are prone to spoil and taste bad if left too long," Feng Wu reminded him.

Xu Qing nodded; he had already entered a state of Refining Internal, and withstanding for six days was no issue; not eating for the following five days wouldn’t matter either, and it would be suitable for fasting.

Nonetheless, his female master had prepared medicine pills to supplement Qi-Blood and physical strength for Xu Qing, and even a few ginseng roots.

These were gifts received by Mr. Feng, who was too reluctant to consume them himself, and instead, he gave them to his daughter to nourish her body then Feng Wu passed them on to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing saw that she had prepared a variety of items thoroughly; although he was now immune to all illnesses and untouched by heat or cold, he did not refuse.

To live in this world and have someone genuinely care for you is a blessing.

He did not consider whether Feng Wu would feel the same for him if he did not possess his current abilities. After all, Xu Qing himself would not be able to do so.

Why ask of others what you cannot do yourself?

After the night passed, Feng Wu dressed in men’s clothes and escorted Xu Qing to the provincial examination hall.

She watched Xu Qing pass through the search process and enter the examination venue, thinking to herself:

"If you do not become the Five Classics Leader, then I will follow you wandering the world, which also fulfills my desire to see the vast world outside. As for father, he has his own path to follow, and it might not be a bad thing without me holding him back."

"Ah, still, it would be best if you pass. Your temperament and abilities are too suitable for becoming a rebel. If I followed you then, I fear I would bring disaster to my father, but if I don’t follow you, I’d find life terribly dull..."

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...

Xu Qing entered the provincial examination venue, the Examination Hall, where a Holy Image sculpture of the Confucian was enshrined.

Using his Divine Soul Manifestation Cultivation this time, he felt a very different aura from the Holy Image here; it had been worshipped through dynasties by Emperors and Monarchs who ruled over their domains, including feudal lords.

Xu Qing could feel from them an air of utmost strength and firmness, different from the Dynasty Destiny.

Under such a pressing aura, even Xu Qing’s Manifested Divine Soul found it hard to emerge.

"This aura, unlike the Dynasty Destiny that changes with the rise and fall of the Dynasty, endures mightily and steadfastly. It’s even more masculine than Martial Arts Qi-Blood," Xu Qing thought to himself with awe.

He could even sense the presence of a powerful Divine Soul within the Holy Image, devoid of any sense of self, instead restrained by an aura of "principle."

It was neither a divine spirit nor a naïve and infantile soul like the Old Wutong Tree.

There was nothing supernatural.

Nor would it accept worship fueled by the thoughts and prayers of devotees.

Because their "principle" was born for the people of the world, a robust and valiant vitality arising from the visions of a beautiful life cherished by billions of people.

It was the backbone forged by generations of benevolent and aspiring heroes.

Unyielding and courageous in struggle.

"Other provincial examination venues must also have similar Holy Images, and even if they don’t possess such mighty power, they should be sufficient to prevent masters versed in Dao Skill from entering and cheating at the examination venue," Xu Qing thought silently to himself.