The Three, Six, and Nine Ranks

After Great Xia was founded, the Central Plains region was in ruins and in need of rebuilding. To select capable individuals, the imperial examination system was established.

Initially held annually, it was later changed to once every three years.

When the immortal path experienced a resurgence and the struggle for doctrinal fortune began, a large number of scions from prominent families started cultivating immortality. Consequently, very few people participated in the imperial examinations, and it was reverted to being held once a year.

Despite this, the talent within the Great Xia court continued to dwindle day by day.

Therefore, when Kuang Cheng uttered the word "imperial examination," Ji You was visibly taken aback, only to then remember that such a system still existed in the world.

Kuang Cheng rolled up his wide sleeves and rested them on his knees as he explained, "According to Great Xia law, if one is fortunate enough to attain the rank of fourth grade, one person from their immediate family or descendants can cultivate immortality. My father said that the continuation of the Kuang Family hinges entirely on me."

Qingyun World's immortal authority superseded Great Xia's imperial power. Under the current tribute system, commoners racked their brains to change their social status and escape their servile identities.

This Young Master Kuang, who had been immersed in scholarly pursuits since childhood, was burdened with such expectations.

Become an official, become an immortal, then reproduce prolifically. If an immortal's direct descendant could also cultivate immortality, the family could gradually prosper.

This was the only way of survival that families like the Kuang Family, despite possessing some property and fertile land, could find while remaining at the lowest rung of society.

After a moment of thought, Ji You expressed a hint of confusion, "If only the direct relatives of fourth-grade officials can cultivate immortality, then Fang Zhongzheng is merely a seventh-grade County Magistrate. Why was Fang Ruoyao able to enter the Celestial Academy?"

"Her entry into the Celestial Academy has nothing to do with Lord Fang. It's because of her elder brother, Fang Ruoming. The eldest son of the Fang family left home to join the army at fourteen and has been serving for seven years. He is highly regarded in the Northern Garrison, which secured a spot for Fang Ruoyao."

Ji You suddenly understood upon hearing this.

Although Great Xia had ruled the Central Plains for many years, numerous small nations and tribes still lay in wait around its borders. Among them, the warlike Witch Barbarians had been repeatedly invading, causing constant conflict on the northern frontier. Furthermore, the Demon Race maintained an ambiguous stance, keeping the reigning emperor perpetually wary.

Consequently, the status of officers in the Northern Garrison had been rising year after year. While not as esteemed as Immortals on the mountains, their position was undoubtedly higher than that of commoners.

"It seems your Fang family's aspirations are the same as your Kuang family's. Whether it's becoming an official or joining the army, the ultimate goal is for someone in the family to become a cultivator."

Kuang Cheng pursed his lips at the remark, "Everyone knows that only by becoming a cultivator can one have a chance to escape the status of a lowly commoner."

Ji You couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, "Great Xia strictly prohibits commoners from cultivating immortality, enslaving them for production, and then offering the majority of the proceeds to the Immortals. As the number of cultivators increases, the tribute only grows heavier. Is there no end to this?"

"Great Xia has existed for thousands of years, hasn't it always been this way?"

"Old Kuang, if one day you could wield absolute power, would you dare to change this world?"

Kuang Cheng froze for a moment, then understood his meaning, his eyes widening in disbelief, "How can you speak such nonsense? People will die for this!"

"What's wrong with dying? Since ancient times, who has not died? Let loyalty shine through history."

In Qingyun World, Immortals were revered, and poetry was a neglected minor art, not well-developed. However, the concise words still managed to touch the heart. Yet, for thousands of years, no one had dared to utter such audacious words, causing a tremor in people's hearts.

Kuang Cheng's expression shifted several times before he finally spoke, "Is this your ambition?"

"Me?"

Ji You blinked in surprise, then gave a sheepish laugh, "No, I only dare to urge others to shine through history. I myself cannot; I'm afraid of death."

When a person is utterly speechless, they are usually extremely speechless. Kuang Cheng's lips twitched.

However, after a moment, upon seeing Ji You's blood-soaked clothes, he couldn't help but pause.

Since ancient times, who has not died? Let loyalty shine through history...

Just as Kuang Cheng was pondering the true meaning of these words, he felt a weak pat on his shoulder.

"Hey, do you have any red dates at home? Bring some for me to replenish my strength..."

"Uh, I'll go get them right away. Please wait a moment."

"Wait up!"

Ji You called out to the scholar who had already stood up. After a moment of thought, he added, "Is your family hosting a banquet? A chicken leg would be even better..."

Kuang Cheng was momentarily stunned. "Alright."

Seeing him leave, Ji You couldn't help but sigh.

Honestly, in all his years, he had never imagined he would one day be eating red dates to replenish his blood.

However, this amount of blood loss was akin to a menstrual period; it just looked more alarming.

Young Master Ji forced himself to sit up, closed his eyes, and began to observe his spiritual sense internally. After a long while, he opened his eyes, revealing a look of utter despair.

His Spirit Core was truly shattered, broken beyond recognition, like a blooming lotus...

The good news, however, was that he could still absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, preventing a fall in his cultivation realm.

He would have to make do with this. Perhaps this was the price of being too reckless. Still, the Celestial Academy was a sacred sect. Once he reached Shengjing, he might find some methods to repair it.

In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the eighth month. The white poplars had long since shed their leaves, and the withered grass lay in decay.

Ji You continuously cleansed his body with spiritual energy, and his Blood Essence gradually recovered. Apart from his shattered Spirit Core, he was no different from an ordinary person.

At this time, the Celestial Academy had also set the date for their departure to the capital: the hour of Mao on the following day.

Along with the news came an invitation. County Magistrate Fang Zhongzheng was hosting a farewell banquet for him and Fang Ruoyao and had invited him to attend.

Although Fang Zhongzheng was not a good person, he was an extremely shrewd individual who understood how to read the situation. From Instructor Cao's attitude, he had already vaguely sensed that Ji You was different from his daughter, who had entered the Celestial Academy through a reserved spot.

After all, Ji You had been accepted into the Celestial Academy. Despite his dislike for the Fang family, he still had to maintain appearances. Thus, he accepted the invitation.

However, after three rounds of drinks, Fang Zhongzheng nearly dragged him into becoming sworn brothers. This incident caused Fang Ruoyao's face to turn ashen throughout the entire banquet.

Fortunately, Ji You did not linger at the feast. He ate two chicken legs, offered some words of praise to Cao Jinsong and Pei Ruyi, and then hastily departed.

"Why is Ji You always in such a rush? What is he off to do now?"

"He's probably heading to the threshing ground. They're setting up a stage there, and everyone else has arrived. They're just waiting for Young Master Ji."

The servant attending them brought over wine and reported this when asked.

Pei Ruyi blinked slightly. "Setting up a stage? Are they putting on a play?"

Fang Ruoyao smiled faintly, pouring wine as she spoke. "I heard Ji You was chatting with someone on the street this morning. He said that now that he's become an Immortal from the Celestial Academy, if he could get a prominent family in the city to acknowledge him as a patron, he'd… uh, he'd definitely get rich. He's probably busy with that right now."

Upon hearing this, Pei Ruyi's brow furrowed, and her expression soured.

This Ji fellow, not even a true disciple of the Celestial Academy yet, was already using that name to extort tributes. It was a bit too arrogant.

After all, the master of Fengxian Mountain Villa was a cultivator in the Upper Five Realms. He only gained such qualifications after breaking away from the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion and choosing his own location to establish his villa.

However, before Pei Ruyi could speak, the servant carrying the wine quickly waved his hand. "Miss misunderstood. It's not prominent families in the city."

"Not?"

"The ones called to the threshing ground are children from poor families."

"?"

Fang Ruoyao was slightly taken aback and glanced at Pei Ruyi subtly. "I didn't expect him to solicit tributes even from poor families."

The servant hesitated again. "Young Master Ji isn't collecting tributes."

"How do you know he isn't collecting tributes? Stop blabbering."

"Because… because my dog is going too, to ask Young Master Ji to be his godfather."

Fang Ruoyao froze for a moment. Realizing the topic wasn't favorable to her, she quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right, Senior Sister. Speaking of tributes, my portion was already sent to the capital yesterday. I wonder how Ji You's tribute will be transported? Perhaps I could ask my father to arrange another carriage to accompany him?"

Paying to study, studying to pay. Such matters were unchanging, even in this Qingyun World.

Although Fang Ruoyao's elder brother had a distinguished military record and was highly regarded by the Northern Garrison General, Fang Ruoyao was still a mortal, and her tribute could not be waived.

But the Ji family had been in decline for a long time. She didn't believe Ji You could afford the tribute.

Pei Ruyi glanced at her when she inquired about this matter before replying, "Those who haven't reached the age of twenty and have achieved Perfection of the Lower Three Realms do not need to pay tribute to the sect."

"Ah?"

"Let alone pay tribute, with his cultivation, if he had chosen the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, he could even receive a monthly stipend from the sect."

Pei Ruyi raised her half-full wine cup. "Otherwise, why do you think Instructor Cao squats by the city gate every day like he's guarding against a thief, afraid that Ji You will be poached?"

Fang Ruoyao's expression faltered upon hearing this.

She had originally thought all students of the Celestial Academy were the same. But hearing this, she realized that even within the Celestial Academy, there were different ranks and tiers.