"Although only the Northern Court's Three Offices are recruiting divine clerks this time, the listed positions aren't ones just any creature can fill. You have only three hundred years of cultivation. Unless you have some other specialty, I'm afraid we cannot hire you," the Divine Official said flatly, looking at the man without opening the bamboo slip he had offered.
"My lord, I'm skilled at riding horses," the man said again.
The Divine Official shook his head and said coldly, "Far too many creatures have that specialty. Do you have any other abilities?"
"I..." The Qi Refiner looked troubled. Clearly, he did not.
Seeing this, the Divine Official pushed the bamboo slip back to him. "Next."
"Alas!" Having been rejected, the Qi Refiner sighed, put away his bamboo slip, and bowed to the Divine Official once more before turning to leave. Before departing, he took one last look back at the South Heaven Gate, wondering whether he would ever have a chance to walk through it in his lifetime and become an honorable Heavenly God.
Watching the man fail his interview and leave, Sun Wukong's eyes shifted thoughtfully. Then-hiss! He suddenly sucked in a sharp breath. It hurt terribly. His injuries were acting up.
Clutching his chest, Sun Wukong broke into a cold sweat and gasped for breath, moving forward little by little with the queue. Only after a long while did the pain subside, easing somewhat.
"Whew..." He let out a breath, then continued watching the interviews ahead.
"My lord, I have eight hundred years of cultivation, and my original form is a parasol tree. I have considerable experience cultivating flowers and plants. I humbly ask you to give me a chance." An old man in gray Daoist robes handed a bamboo slip to the Divine Official conducting the