Triple Examination Laureate!

After breaking through the fog and entering the Dragon Qi, Qiu Yan devoted himself to comprehending it, and two days passed by unknowingly.

This was only because he used a trick, entering the Dragon Qi through external force, so he couldn't fully comprehend the Order and only touched upon a few words. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to gain anything in just two days.

Similar things happened frequently in ancient times. Grand Confucian who saw the true meaning of Order pursued it diligently. Once they touched upon it, some simply resigned from their official posts and went into seclusion, picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence. It would take them several years to achieve something.

Even so, Qiu Yan was already satisfied, after all, there was still a long way to go.

During these two days, Hu Qi and Dai Guo guarded the door, not daring to leave even for a moment. Because of the reminder from the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription, the two did not rashly break into the room, thus avoiding some trouble for Qiu Yan.

Qiu Yan will remember their feelings and will repay them in return.

However, not now.

Within two days, all the examination papers for the Palace Examination had been graded. It was said that the emperor had determined the rankings early this morning and was now sending people to post the Golden List successful candidates.

According to past practice, soon someone will summon Qiu Yan to the palace to participate in the Grand Ceremony of Proclaiming Results, and finally he will ride a horse through the streets!

The dynasty placed great importance on the imperial Imperial Examinations. Once the Golden List successful Eight Directions was published, it would cause a stir throughout the land and become known to all the people in no time!

Now that the list of successful candidates has been posted, people immediately head straight for Qiu Yan. They are exhausted from their journey, covered in sweat, but they don't even have time to catch their breath. They shout "Success!"

In no time, the entire inn was buzzing with excitement!

"The Golden List has been posted! Brother Qiu, you have achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination!"

"That's only natural. On the day the Metropolitan Examination posted, Brother Qiu caused some unusual phenomena. It was ordained by Heaven!"

Congratulations to the top scholar!

The inn was filled with examinees and scholars who already knew the results would be posted today. Hearing the commotion in the lobby and hearing the announcements, they understood the reason and came over to offer their congratulations.

Those on and off the list are now in two completely different worlds.

Zhou Guan and Luo Jiayun, who were traveling with Qiu Yan, were equally overjoyed. Luo Jiayun had failed the imperial Metropolitan Examination and had been depressed for a while. However, she had recovered in the past two days and was naturally happy to hear that Qiu Yan had become the top scholar. She also strengthened her determination to take the exam again in three years.

Meanwhile, as soon as the news spread that the top scholar was staying at the shop, many passersby flocked in to offer their congratulations.

"The top scholar is none other than the celestial star of Wenqu Star descended to earth!"

"Let's also bask in its Literary Qi and benefit from it!"

"So it's Qiu Yan, Young Master Qiu. Weren't you already famous Prosperity Capital? Getting the top score is only natural!"

Hu Qi and Dai Guo, who followed Qiu Yan downstairs, still felt a sense of unreality, but they still took some reward money and shared it with the person who brought the good news.

Although they possessed cultivation, they were quite down on their luck when they traveled the martial world. Unexpectedly, they became servants in Qiu Yan's household. Along the way, they rose step by step, and now that their master has become the top scholar in the imperial examination, their status has also risen accordingly. When people come to deliver the good news, they receive reward money and bow respectfully, making the two of them even more arrogant.

However, most of the people who came and went had heard of Qiu Yan's name before, mostly when Wen Zhizhen was mentioned. Now that Wen Zhizhen had been imprisoned for cheating, although it was said that some people were working on his behalf, he had been "forgotten" by most people.

At this moment, no one would compare him to Qiu Yan anymore.

Human nature is fickle, to this extent.

"We humbly request that the top scholar grant our humble shop a name!"

At this moment, the innkeeper came over. He wasn't originally there, but upon hearing that someone staying at the inn had become the top scholar in the imperial examination, he rushed over without hesitation, bringing pen and ink, to ask for a piece of calligraphy.

But someone shouted, "Master, you're quite shrewd! Who doesn't know that the top scholar's calligraphy has reached a Transformation Realm? A single piece of his calligraphy is worth a fortune. You're just trying to get a piece with empty words; you've got a good plan!"

These words made the shopkeeper blush, but he didn't back down. He had never heard of Qiu Yan's calligraphy. After all, Qiu Yan had kept a low profile after arriving in Prosperity Capital. When he wanted to sell his calligraphy and paintings to earn money, he was turned away the first time. It wasn't until he gained some fame in the Pang Residence's villa that things turned around.

However, Human Path, "Brother Qiu has passed the imperial examination today. Why not ask for a lucky charm? If we grant the old man's request, it will be a good story."

The saying that one should ask the top scholar for a calligraphy piece is indeed a wish for good fortune.

Qiu Yan didn't mince words, nodded in agreement, then took the paper and pen, picked up the brush, and without any fancy moves, wrote the eight characters "May wealth flow in and business prosper".

But when he wrote his characters on paper, those characters, full of vigor and vitality, also possessed a strong and resolute air, as if a warrior were wielding a sword, powerful and forceful, each character startling, winning a round of applause!

The innkeeper then realized he had actually obtained a treasure, and he was overjoyed.

Many of those who praised Qiu Yan's calligraphy earlier were actually just being polite and flattering. But now that they saw these eight characters, they realized that Qiu Yan's calligraphy was truly exceptional, possessing a unique charm. While admiring it, they couldn't help but feel envious, thinking to themselves that the innkeeper was incredibly lucky.

Some even plotted how to obtain the calligraphy from the owner.

It should be understood that anyone who can capture the spirit of calligraphy is undoubtedly a master calligrapher, and such people rarely give away their work, making this opportunity truly rare.

As if the atmosphere wasn't lively enough, Zhou Guan moved closer to Qiu Yan, cupped his hands, and said, "Brother Qiu, you were the top Metropolitan Laureate in the Provincial Examination, the top scholar in the metropolitan Metropolitan Examination, and now you've achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination— Triple Examination Laureate! Even counting previous dynasties, only four or five people have achieved this. Such an achievement will surely be recorded in history and admired by future generations!"

These words reminded everyone present, and immediately another wave of excitement ensued. Several merchants even shouted at the top of their lungs, knowing that Qiu Yan was still unmarried and wanting to find a son-in-law.

They knew the importance of the matter and understood that Qiu Yan, as the top scholar, could not easily enter a merchant's family. However, they still wanted to try their luck, so they described their daughter in glowing terms, as if she were Xi Shi reborn, which made Zhou Guan and the others secretly marvel.

However, Qiu Yan remained oblivious, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor regardless of what others said, which earned the secret admiration of many. After all, it's easy to say one is unmoved by external gains or losses, but how many people can truly remain calm in the face of events that could change their destiny?

However, what they didn't know was that Qiu Yan's mind wasn't entirely focused on the Imperial Examinations; the path of the Imperial Examinations was merely one part of his experience of Human Path.

At this moment, everyone's attention and emotions were focused on the matter of becoming the Golden List examination, but Qiu Yan's mind was immersed in a strange feeling—

The Dragon Qi that had been hovering in the sky was now descending in wisps, swirling around Qiu Yan. He had already noticed it in the room, which was why he told Dai Guo to prepare a reward.

After merging with the Dao Order, Qiu Yan's sensitivity to Dragon Qi became increasingly apparent.

However, besides the Dragon Qi, there was also a great deal of People's Wishes gathering. Qiu Yan could vaguely sense that these People's Wishes came from all over the city, and they were especially strong on the people who came to offer their congratulations in the lobby of the inn.

"This should be based on the top scholar's position, which gathers the power of People's Wishes. Hmm, it's somewhat different from the public support that used to be gathered based on reputation. It's more like the prayers and Votive Thoughts by incense."

Secretly sensing the situation, Qiu Yan pondered its essence and discovered something interesting. Since he couldn't use Divine Path power and had to rely solely on his own will to analyze and interpret it, he needed more and stronger People's Wishes, and it would also take more time.

"The Golden List successful candidates has been posted, and the fame has spread, but the atmosphere in the city hasn't reached its peak yet. We'll have to wait until after the Grand Ceremony of Proclaiming Results, when the whole city is in a frenzy, before we'll have even more opportunities..."

As he was thinking, a voice came from outside the inn—

"Is Young Master Qiu here? We have been ordered to escort you to the Imperial Academy." The voice was somewhat shrill, and those around knew the person's identity immediately, daring not to say anything more.

Then, a young, fair-skinned man entered the hall, accompanied by two servants in brocade robes.

The man had a effeminate demeanor, yet his gaze carried a certain air of authority, making it clear at a glance that he was a eunuch with some power in the palace.

As soon as he arrived, the voices of the others faded away.

Due to the influence of officials and gentry, the common people had no goodwill towards the eunuchs in the palace. In plays, they were often portrayed as villains or clowns. Although they disliked them, no one dared to rebuke them to their faces.

The eunuch looked around, his gaze landing on Qiu Yan. His expression changed, and a smile appeared on his face, "Congratulations, top scholar! The Grand Ceremony of Proclaiming Results is imminent. Please change your clothes and come with me to the Imperial Academy."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Zhou Guan, seemingly quite familiar with Qiu Yan's situation.

Behind him, a servant came up carrying a tray with a black gauze hat on it, and under the hat were folded headscarves and a crimson robe, and he helped Qiu Yan into the room to change.

Not long after, Qiu Yan left amidst cheers and farewells from the crowds lining the streets.

Then, the eunuchs took him and Zhou Guan to the Imperial Academy, where the Chancellor came to give them instructions. The Grand Ceremony of Proclaiming Results was no small matter, and naturally there were many etiquettes to follow and many things to pay attention to.

Busily, the successful candidates of this year's imperial examination gathered together and soon boarded their carriages to head towards the Imperial Palace. Soldiers cleared the way, making quite a grand spectacle and attracting crowds of onlookers.

After passing through the three gates and arriving outside the Golden Hall, the many Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were led by Qiu Yan, followed by Ye Yun and Li Le, and walked into the palace. After the previous steps, their spirits were high, and they felt their hearts surging with excitement. They had never experienced such glory in their lives!

Before the throne in the Golden Hall, hundreds of officials stood on either side, truly a grand gathering!

The Imperial Examinations was crucial to the continuation of the dynasty and was not a simple test. Those selected would become local officials or important ministers in the Central Pivot government, and should not be taken lightly.

Such a scene of all the officials gathered together naturally stirred the blood of the newly appointed scholars, and many of them turned red in the face.

Once the candidates had taken their places in the open space before the emperor, an official requested that the emperor ascend the throne. Amidst the music and ceremonial music, a procession of people cleared the way, and eunuchs escorted them as Li Kun slowly approached.

Immediately following, the courtiers bowed and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The tremendous sound resonated with the Imperial Palace's Fortune, causing the Void to tremble!

Standing before the newly appointed scholars, Qiu Yan was the first to be affected. In an instant, his five senses were overwhelmed, and his thoughts surged forth!

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