Everyone entered the cave, while the three Provincial Graduate teachers kept watch outside through the night.
Fang Yun had thought the three Provincial Graduate teachers were being kind, but after listening closely, he realized they were too excited to sleep. They were discussing the nonexistent Five-Movement Grand Academician in hushed voices, sounding as thrilled as common townsfolk gossiping about royal scandals and famous figures' secret affairs. They practically wanted to run to the Sacred Academy and demand answers.
The students and soldiers inside the cave were equally excited. They rejoiced that the Human Race had a "Five-Movement Grand Academician." No one was jealous or doubtful; every comment was positive.
"Many thanks to the Five-Movement Grand Academician. According to the findings of our predecessors, every Literary Star Stirring—or the even greater Literary Star Illumination—raises the Human Race's Literary Qi. Those of higher Literary Rank will become more numerous as well. That is the Literary Star, after all, the voice of Heaven. Even if we merely heard it, we benefited without end."
"Yes. I estimate that starting this year, there will be three to five more Provincial Graduate slots. We'll have a better chance of passing the Provincial Graduate examination."
"I hope I can encounter a Literary Star Illumination in my lifetime. Then I'll have a better chance at becoming a Metropolitan Graduate."
"Keep dreaming. There has not been a Literary Star Illumination in centuries. Studying the Classics of the Sages properly is the true path."
As Fang Yun listened to their discussion, he pondered his own concerns.
*To keep others from connecting me to the Literary Star Stirring, I can't reveal that I'm a Before-the-Sages Academy Student tomorrow. I'll delay it for as long as I can. In any case, I only came to observe this time. With three Provincial Graduate