Class monopoly? Then break this monopoly!

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Chen Xu and Wang Mochuan sat facing each other, chatting idly, the atmosphere gradually becoming relaxed and familiar.

However, half of Chen Xu's attention was still on the Cauldron Scripture; he couldn't resist checking the like count.

With each word of praise from Wang Mochuan, they were now less than thirty likes away from the accumulated 1000 likes!

"Brother Chen, I also have a rough suggestion," Wang Mochuan said, putting down his bowl of porridge. "Considering your Courtyard Examinations over the past few years have always been plagued by various accidents, perhaps you shouldn't attribute it solely to the vague notion of Fortune.

Life is unpredictable, and temporary setbacks are not strange. If Brother Chen doesn't mind, why don't you stay at my home for a while?

My house has three courtyards and dozens of servants. I wouldn't say we're incredibly wealthy, but with managers and servants handling household affairs, you won't have to worry about daily life.

Brother Chen can just focus on preparing for the exams and recovering from your leg injury. When the time comes, you can travel to the Prefectural City with our caravan. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Wang Mochuan finally revealed the true purpose of his visit to Chen Xu. It turned out he was indeed here to show goodwill!

Not only was he here to show goodwill, but by inviting Chen Xu to stay at his home, it was clear he was investing in Chen Xu.

Before Chen Xu could reply, Wang Mochuan asked with concern, "By the way, Brother Chen, how is your leg injury recovering? Should I help you find a renowned doctor?"

Chen Xu paused. The last person who offered to help him find a renowned doctor was Lin Qi, and Lin Qi was now lying in a coffin.

Of course, Lin Qi's ill intentions didn't mean Wang Mochuan would be the same.

As long as the other party didn't show any unusual behavior, Chen Xu couldn't casually interpret someone's kindness as malice.

He politely declined, "How could I possibly trouble you so much, Brother Wang? I'm used to a quiet life, and recently I've become quite engrossed in the culinary arts. I wouldn't dare impose on you by staying at your home.

However, if Brother Wang has free time, you're welcome to visit my humble abode often. I'm looking for someone to share my cooking with, so I hope you'll come often to taste my dishes."

Wang Mochuan was momentarily speechless, then chuckled, "I see, Brother Chen, you're truly devoted to the culinary arts! But, your leg..."

"My leg injury has greatly improved and will heal soon. Thank you for your concern, Brother Wang."

"Very well, you have your path. But since your leg injury can heal, you should still go to the County School as soon as possible.

Several teachers are currently compiling the list of students who will be taking the exam in the Prefectural City this year and need to provide guarantees. Don't be late and get left out."

Wang Mochuan's reminder was very timely, and Chen Xu thanked him profusely.

Afterward, they chatted casually for a few more sentences, perhaps lamenting Lin Qi's death or discussing the possible content of this year's Prefectural and Courtyard Examinations. Wang Mochuan casually gave Chen Xu some advice on exam matters.

Wang Mochuan already held the title of Xiucai Scholar, so theoretically, he only needed to wait for the imperial examinations in the autumn and didn't need to pay much attention to the Prefectural and Courtyard Examinations.

However, Wang Mochuan's clan had a direct branch in the Prefectural City, and a young master from that branch was taking the Xiucai examination this year.

This young master had been frail since childhood and always caused his family worry. The direct branch hoped that Wang Mochuan could personally go to the Prefectural City during the spring examinations this year to accompany and guide the young master for a few days, helping him pass the Xiucai exam.

Because of this, Wang Mochuan added, "Coincidentally, Governor Guo was transferred at the beginning of the year, and the new Governor Su in our Jiangnan Circuit once studied under the Great Confucian Master Yanqing. He has a fondness for numerology.

I heard that Governor Su advocates for governance that benefits the people and is a pragmatist. If Governor Su sets the questions for this year's Courtyard Examination..."

At this point, Wang Mochuan lowered his voice slightly, "I fear the proportion of numerology questions might increase. Brother Chen, you have a great talent for numerology. If you could offer some guidance to my cousin then, you'd also be welcome to view the collection of books in my cousin's family.

We could even attend lectures together at the clan school. Mutual help benefits both sides, what do you think, Brother Chen?"

Hearing this, Chen Xu finally understood why Wang Mochuan was so clearly trying to show him favor.

It was likely that his intrusion into the Star Array yesterday had prompted Wang Mochuan.

Although in everyone's eyes, Chen Xu, like Cui Yunqi and the others, had not passed the array's test, Chen Xu had at least walked into it!

Being able to walk in was already far superior to the mediocre.

Chen Xu didn't directly refuse Wang Mochuan but instead asked, "Brother Wang, I have something I don't understand. 'Cultivating Qi through reading' – I'd like to know how to cultivate it. None of the teachers at our County School have explicitly explained how to cultivate Qi in class.

To my shame, before I saw the Star Array yesterday, I didn't even know that there were such powerful individuals in the world who could move mountains and seas, like in myths.

Are there gods and immortals in our imperial court?"

To be honest, Chen Xu's background was too humble.

Although he had passed the Tong Sheng examination through diligent study and was studying at the County School, compared to someone from a prominent family like Wang Mochuan, he was still ignorant in some aspects, like a blank slate.

People breathed the same air, yet there were clearly infinite barriers between them.

Chen Xu had discussed many things with Mr. Zhou on the mountain yesterday, but what Mr. Zhou said was too grand and sometimes difficult to put into practice.

Wang Mochuan was stunned by Chen Xu's question. Then, he brought his fingers together and said, "My understanding of cultivating Qi is merely introductory."

After speaking, he lightly moved his fingers across the table in front of him.

Without any obvious gesture, a clear cloud pattern was carved into the corner of the table with his bare hand!

Chen Xu carefully sensed it and could detect a strange flow of energy dissipating and surging within Wang Mochuan's dantian.

This perception and sensing were the abilities of a Level 2 Wood Chopping skill, Microscopic Vision.

Without Microscopic Vision, and if Wang Mochuan hadn't actively demonstrated it, Chen Xu would never have realized that Wang Mochuan possessed such "immense strength" through normal interaction.

After finishing the cloud pattern, Wang Mochuan let out a soft breath and said, "I'm ashamed, my skills are not refined, I can only do this much. If I disperse this energy, I'm just a weak scholar with no strength to even lift a chicken."

You call this a frail scholar?

Chen Xu could already carve wood with his bare hands relying solely on his Vitality, but that was due to his physical strength, unlike Wang Mochuan's pure "luck."

He was very curious. Wang Mochuan didn't keep him guessing and explained, "Scholars can naturally cultivate a Righteous Qi just by reading. It's just that ordinary scholars lack secret methods; they can cultivate Qi, but they can't retain it, and it's extremely difficult for them to actively use this Qi.

Unless they achieve the rank of Juren or higher, receive methods from the imperial court, or their ancestors were from aristocratic families with inherited traditions."

So that's how it is. Secret methods and inherited traditions are a form of class monopoly.

Just then, several messages popped up on Chen Xu's Cauldron Scripture: [Cumulative Likes: 999]

[Cumulative Likes: 1000]

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