The Examination Begins
Finally, the day before the exam arrived quickly.
Inside an office at the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy Chancellor served as the chief examiner, with several Doctors serving as assistant examiners.
There were three Imperial Academy Doctors, of the Principal Sixth Rank, who were in charge of the rituals of paying tuition, supervising classes, and conducting examinations.
Although the official rank of Taixue Doctor is higher than that of Imperial Academy Chancellor, in matters of entrance examinations, he serves as the assistant to the Imperial Academy Chancellor. As a sixth-rank official, he is more than capable of assessing some new students.
Before the exam, the examiners need to do a final check of the exam questions.
Because the entrance exam for the Imperial Academy involved examiners receiving students' information and then creating individualized questions for each student, it was necessary to repeatedly check the questions to ensure they were suitable for the student.
Over the countless years, they have never made a mistake. They are experienced and have keen insight, always able to grasp what students are good at and what they are not good at, and then conduct targeted assessments to ensure that the students have indeed met the standards of the Imperial Academy.
While everyone was busy.
Suddenly, the Imperial Academy Chancellor spoke.
"Gentlemen, the questions for Lu Ji, Tao Hongjing, He Fasheng, and Du Guangting's batch of candidates have been finalized. Now, only Li Qi's question is missing. Does anyone have any leads on this person?" The Imperial Academy Chancellor asked the Imperial Academy Doctors.
"Is there something wrong with him? Oh, does Chancellor Li think this person has a special identity?" A scholar from the Imperial Academy looked up and said.
"His identity is indeed special. This person is the young master of Wushen Mountain. He came here for an exchange program. It was agreed beforehand that he would enroll directly, but the great shaman there took the initiative to propose an exam, which is why this happened." Another Imperial Academy Doctor reviewed the information again and confirmed Li Qi's background.
"Young Master Wushen Mountain, that question shouldn't be too difficult for him. Although Wushen Mountain is a barbarian land, it has a profound foundation. After all, it is a branch of Human Path, so it should be quite easy for him in terms of knowledge." The third doctor looked very relaxed.
"No, no, no, you three doctors, you must be careful. Absolutely, absolutely do not let him pass." The Imperial Academy Chancellor raised his head and said seriously.
The other three Imperial Academy professors immediately stopped what they were doing and frowned.
"Chancellor Li, do you want us to engage in favoritism and corruption?" One of the doctors spoke first, "Even if this person comes from Wushen Mountain, things still have to be done the same way. That's the rule. Don't make a mistake."
His tone was serious, and he seemed to deeply abhor such things.
The other two remained silent, but judging from their expressions, they had clearly reached a consensus and would not arbitrarily change the exam questions.
The rules of Human Path are of paramount importance, and those who cultivate Human Path regard these principles as their very life.
Human Path once had a great Legalist School master, and there is the story of "the one who creates the law perishes with it." He clearly created the law, but after violating it, when faced with his own life and his own law, he did not hesitate to choose the law and ultimately died as punishment for his own actions, which shows how heavy the burden was.
"No, no, I do not mean to ask the three of you to show favoritism, but to teach Wushen Mountain a lesson. This matter was issued by the Director of Studies, and there is a letter here." The Imperial Academy Chancellor said, taking out a letter.
"Wushen Mountain had already made an agreement, but then changed their demands at the last minute. We have changed our demands several times to meet their unreasonable requests. Si Ye is furious about this and considers it rude. As you know, Si Ye is a Confucian scholar who believes in 'repaying injustice with justice.' He must severely punish Wushen Mountain for their rudeness."
The Imperial Academy Chancellor said this, then observed the expressions of the others.
However, those PhDs all looked displeased.
"Even so, if you want to complain, you should go to the Great Shaman of Wushen Mountain. This back and forth is indeed unpleasant, but it is that Great Shaman who is making the back and forth. You should go to him to complain, not take your anger out on a child," a scholar from the Imperial Academy said immediately.
Another person immediately added, "Looking at this young master of Wushen Mountain's resume, he is clean and honest, studies diligently, has never committed any illegal or disorderly acts, is humble, and is polite in his interactions with others. Even if there is a conflict between the two families, one should not take one's anger out on a child. Such behavior is despicable."
The third person immediately chimed in. "Furthermore, if the difficulty of the Imperial Academy's exams can be altered, will the teaching of knowledge be subject to secrecy? Even if he hasn't broken the law, will he still be punished? Master craftsmen teach according to rules, and students must also follow rules. There must be methods in speaking and acting in order to achieve success. Without these methods, teachers cannot teach, and students cannot learn. This is true even for learning a craft, let alone the way of the sages?"
The Imperial Academy scholars unanimously agreed that they would not make things difficult for any candidate.
However, their reaction was exactly what the Imperial Academy Chancellor had anticipated.
Therefore, upon seeing this, the Imperial Academy Chancellor immediately backed down. "Alas, that's what I was thinking too, but there's nothing I can do. This is something that Scribe Zhu ordered. As you all know, Director Zhu is in charge of the academic assessment of students. Getting his letter puts me in a very difficult position."
But then a professor from the Imperial Academy sneered, "Ha, what's so difficult about that? With this letter in hand, we'll just inform the Chancellor impartially, and he'll surely suffer a great loss!"
"The rules are fixed and unchanging, they will not be relaxed for Qin and Chu, nor will they change their appearance for Hu and Yue. They are fixed and not deviant, they are implemented but not distorted, they are established in a day and passed down for ten thousand generations, how can they be changed because of a mere Director of Studies? Chancellor Li, why don't we come with you and go report to the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy earlier, this time we must punish him severely!"
"That's right, if there are souvenirs, then it's only right!"
"That's how it should be! Come on, let's go together!"
The group quickly reached a consensus, agreeing that they shouldn't tamper with the students' belongings and that any revenge should be taken against the students themselves; it was not the act of a gentleman to take his anger out on others.
Seeing this, the Imperial Academy Chancellor sighed and said, "Indeed, well then, since that's the case, I'll go with you to deliver this letter to the Chancellor."
The four of them joined hands, stood up, and walked out of the office. They saw the Imperial Academy Chancellor carefully lock the door and seal off the security measures. After ensuring that everything was in order, he left with the three Imperial Academy Doctors.
However--
Shortly after they left, the barrier opened automatically, revealing a small crack in the gate personally set up by the Third-Rank High Priest.
A transparent ripple quietly entered it.
Meanwhile, the four people went to file a complaint, and the result came out quickly.
The chief minister believed that although the director of studies had reasons and was forgivable for arbitrarily changing the rules, he was still a teacher and this practice should not be allowed to continue. He ordered the director to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion and forbade him from touching Li Qi's affairs again. If he violated the rules again, he would be dismissed from his post, stripped of his official position, and sent back to the Ministry of Personnel for further service.
It was said that he was to be sent back to the Ministry of Personnel for further service, but in reality, everyone knew that he was basically going to be demoted, and it was unlikely that he could become a fourth-rank official again.
The three PhDs were very satisfied with the outcome, feeling that the chief officiant had handled the matter very fairly.
The matter was closed, but no official announcement was made.
After all, it involved a supervisor, and since no trouble arose and it was dealt with in advance, there was no need to make it public.
They went back, carefully activated the barrier, and continued their previous work.
The PhD students did not try to take credit, but instead continued to responsibly assign questions to the candidates, ensuring that everyone could be appropriately tested in their area of expertise.
This ensures that they can fully utilize their strengths, rather than encountering things they haven't learned before, while also maintaining a level of difficulty to ensure that these candidates can meet the Imperial Academy's admission standards while giving full play to their abilities.
However, to others, such 'fairness' is extremely difficult to achieve.
Even if one fully utilizes their strengths, only a very small number of people can pass the Imperial Academy's test, averaging less than one per year.
Long, long ago, in Savage Wilderness and backward era, various sects and forces tested their members primarily on combat, requiring them to fight in arenas and engage in violent contests.
However, that era has changed. Fighting is just one of many skills now. In modern Chang'an, there is no need to risk one's life at every moment.
Throughout history, military force has always held an absolute advantage.
After all, force plays a crucial and irreplaceable role.
But times always change.
At first, those cultivators who only knew how to fight looked down on these scholars, because mathematics could not save you from the bandits' blades, nor could it tell you when ice would freeze or why rain would fall, nor could it help you defeat your enemies.
But things are very different now.
After finishing his exam preparation, Li Qi had a good night's sleep.
After getting up, he lay in bed for a while and contacted Shen Shuibi through his terminal to check on her situation.
It's only been a few days, so naturally nothing major has happened. Shen Shuibi's side is peaceful. She has even set up some formations for cover and defense, and is prepared to fight people from a distance.
As for the Child of Destiny, there is some progress, but he is still too young, so Shen Shuibi does not plan to show herself for the time being.
Everything was in good order, and there were no surprises.
After chatting for a while and confirming that everyone was alright, Li Qi felt relieved and turned off the terminal before heading off to take the exam.
Soon, he arrived at the examination hall alone.
Because I lingered in bed for a while, the exam hall was already packed with people.
It felt like the college entrance exam hall, and even more so.
There aren't many test takers, only a few thousand, but the number of accompanying family members, onlookers, media, and other people probably exceeds one hundred thousand.
The Imperial Academy examination was a major event, and newspapers and various media outlets were happy to report on it, so many people gathered around.
Everyone knows that those who can enter the Imperial Academy are destined for great things and will soon become important figures.
Although it's not considered very big in Chang'an.
The density of high-level cultivators in Chang'an is frighteningly high. You can pick up a ninth-rank cultivator anywhere on the street, and those above the eighth rank are running around everywhere. Seventh-rank cultivators are a little rarer, but they are not one in a thousand.
Only those who reached the sixth rank were considered rare, but they could be seen in the news and newspapers at any time, so the public didn't find it strange.
In fact, news reports about officials of the third and fourth ranks could be seen in the Upper Heaven.
This also boosted public Heart Qi, but even with high Heart Qi, those who are not up to standard will still not be up to standard.
It's like an ordinary citizen seeing high-ranking officials and dignitaries every day, cursing the emperor and commenting on emperors and generals, and not finding it strange at all.
However, once you step outside, let alone comment on emperors and generals, being able to handle the security guards in your neighborhood and control your own property management is already considered quite capable.
With these random thoughts running through his mind, Li Qi calmly confirmed his identity using his terminal, broke free from the crowd, and stepped into the line of examinees amidst the gazes of many onlookers.
The candidates also displayed a variety of attitudes.
Some are still cramming at the last minute, frantically studying books or constantly researching Cultivation Method, trying to make their cultivation more profound.
Some seemed confident and assured, chatting and laughing with those around them, but it was hard to tell if they were really that sure.
Some were trembling with fear, their bodies drenched in cold sweat. Li Qi was afraid they would die of a heart attack in the examination room.
Some appear perfectly fine, laughing heartily, but in reality, their fingers tremble and their steps are unsteady.
Others closed their eyes and concentrated intently, only glancing occasionally at their family members gathered outside before continuing their preparations.
The world before an exam is just as vibrant as it is in a hospital.
Li Qi, of course, didn't care.
For him, the Imperial Academy's exams weren't too difficult unless they were deliberately designed to make things difficult.
He had wondered why he always received a response when he performed rituals and hoped for a divine response, unlike what the books described as being much more difficult.
Now he understands the reason.
There's nothing special about it; it's simply because he's a genius.
Reaching the rank of a certain grade after only one year of cultivation is already enough to terrify many people. Li Qi has only been cultivating for a little over three years and is already at the eighth grade, with the possibility of breaking through to the seventh grade at any time.
Even among the young masters of Wushen Mountain, he was considered outstanding, reaching the point where many great shamans praised him. Passing the imperial examination should not be a problem for him.
As long as the questions aren't too outrageous, it's fine.
Li Qi wasn't exaggerating when he said this; in fact, the value of the young master of Wushen Mountain was much higher than that of the students at the Imperial Academy.
Although the number of students at the Imperial Academy was already small, it still managed to admit one student per year.
It may seem like a small number, but over the years it has accumulated to a considerable amount. If you counted all the officials in the Tang Kingdom who had studied at the Imperial Academy, you would say that at least 100,000 people were not included, and that doesn't even include those who didn't become officials.
However, the young master of Wushen Mountain, generally speaking, a great shaman only has one disciple, occasionally two or three, and in very rare cases, more than that number, and he does not expand his recruitment, and most of the time he only has one disciple in his lifetime.
The quantity is naturally much lower, so the quality is higher.
But it can be considered a strategy.
Although the number of students at the Imperial Academy is slightly larger, their output is stable and there is basically no element of luck involved. Moreover, with a larger number of students, there will naturally be outstanding individuals among them, such as Liu Junyi, who was able to fight against the three young masters working together in both knowledge and combat strength without being at a disadvantage.
The number of young masters from Wushen Mountain is small, but they are all elites. Just the three that Li Qi is familiar with —Bo Yue, Yan Ke, Zhong Minglou— are all outstanding talents no matter where they are taken.
Time passed little by little.
About fifteen minutes later, the bell rang.
Li Qi and the others filed in.
The exam has begun.