"This time's Imperial Examinations are full of hidden dragons and snakes. The Emperor has ordered us to preside over this. We must be careful lest we make a mistake and become a laughing stock."
In the chief examiner's office, many officials dressed in official robes and black veils sat together. After the examination had begun, there was a moment of silence. Then, they felt the atmosphere was very oppressive and could not help but whisper to each other.
For this Imperial Examinations, 9,000 High Scholars were gathered. Many of them were disciples of influential families, and there were also many cultivators. It was indeed a mix of dragons and snakes. The situation was so complicated that it was rare to see something like this in the previous dynasties.
In the past, these chief examiners were all high and mighty and in a good mood. After all, they controlled the fate of the candidates. How could they not be happy?
But this year's Imperial Examinations was different. There were many people here. Not just the examiners, even the Da Qian royal family had to be wary of them!
All the aristocratic families, powerful hegemons, and even the aristocratic families of the Sages had sent their brilliant disciples to participate in the Imperial Examination. Some of them had a higher prestige among the scholars than all the examiners present combined.
Faced with these people, the examiners did not feel like they were in control of their own fate. They could only pray that they were lucky and did not make any mistakes.
At this time, even the deputy chief examiner, Li Shenguang, did not stop the examiners from whispering to each other.
This was because he himself felt a sense of pressure.
The chief examiner sat high up, not saying a word. It was the Da Qian Grand Tutor, Hong Xuanji!
For such a big examination, only Hong Xuanji, a Human Immortal, who had controlled the court for 20 years, could suppress the famous Marquis Wu Wen. Although the history of the aristocratic families was much longer than Hong Xuanji's, just the word 'Human Immortal' was enough to make any aristocratic family's halo dim.
In the face of absolute power, any long history or ancient prestige was not worth mentioning.
Perhaps some aristocratic families dared to reject the marriage of their princesses. But in today's examination, the disciples of the aristocratic families would definitely not dare to cause trouble in the examination hall of a Human Immortal.
However, at this moment, Hong Xuanji was sitting motionlessly on the main examiner's seat, like a clay puppet.
At the same time, directly across from the main examiner's house was a temple with a flourishing incense. Inside the temple were statues of ancient sages and great scholars. These statues emitted a dignified, unyielding, and awe-inspiring aura. At first glance, people would feel a sense of respect rising from the depths of their souls.
These sages were all people who could be called 'scholars'.
"Hmm?" Li Shenguang looked at Hong Xuanji, then looked at the ancient sage image in the temple opposite him. He felt that there was a vague connection between the two. He could not help but feel a chill in his heart!
Cough …
A cough startled all the examiners of the thirty-six rooms. They all looked at Li Shenguang and stopped whispering to each other. They did not know what this Minister of Rites, the Cabinet Minister, who had opposed Hong Xuanji in the provincial examination, was going to do.
"My fellow colleagues, as examiners, we have to seek out talents for the sake of the country and decide the fate of the High Scholars. Especially this time, we have to determine whether the essay is good or bad. We cannot afford to be careless. All of you are well-educated people, and should be able to choose not to listen to what others can choose not to listen to. Why don't you all come out and take a look at the profound spirit of your essay?"
Li Shenguang stood up and cupped his hands.
"Official Li, how should we look at the spirit of the essay? Although we know that the words of the ancient sages were like pearls, and that when the brush landed on the paper, the essay glowed brightly, and the words floated in the air, illuminating the heavens and the earth. However, this is only seen by ghosts and gods. We are not ghosts and gods, and our eyes are mere mortals. How can we see it? "
One of the examiners smiled.
"Not so. Words are like martial arts. Every move and stance of martial arts has an imposing aura. It is the same for words. The virtue of writing is infused with the essence, Qi, and spirit. It is a level higher than martial arts. If it is a sage's essay, Qi will fill the heavens and the earth. As scholars, after we get rid of all distracting thoughts, we can focus our spirit into our eyes. Although we cannot see, we can feel it. All of you are well educated, so you should know how to get rid of all distracting thoughts, right?"
Li Shenguang smiled.
"Official Li is right. Let us come out and take a look at the spirit of the essay."
The examiners present were not stupid people. They were all smart people who had been through many literary battles and had studied for decades. Which one of them was easy to deal with?
Furthermore, besides studying to nurture Qi, the scholar-officials also read more Daoist books to seek longevity. They also had some understanding of many Daoist techniques and gadgets. Although the Imperial Court had banned Daoist techniques and they could not openly practice Daoist techniques, it was still possible to eliminate distracting thoughts, observe Qi, observe Qi, and sense some things.
Those extremely brilliant Confucians could tell autumn from the fall of a leaf. They could deduce life and death by observing people's Qi. The laws of the world were all in their minds.
Li Shenguang came out of the main exam room. The other examiners all looked at Hong Xuanji, who was sitting in the hall like a puppet of a saint. He didn't say a word. They pondered in their hearts and followed him out.
"Look, the examinee in that room is Grandmaster Wenyuan, right? His scholarly aura and spirit soared into the sky, like the Essence Qi of a martial arts Saint. However, the Essence Qi of a martial arts Saint is overbearing and strong, while Grandmaster Wenyuan's Essence Qi is upright and upright, soft but firm, enough to compete with the sun and the moon. As for the others, some of them are also floating in the air, but they are like fireflies."
Just as Li Shenguang came out, his eyes moved. He looked at the roof of one of the exam rooms on the west side and pointed with his finger.
The roof of that room was as empty as the wilderness. There was nothing there.
But in Li Shenguang's eyes, he saw a gentle, tenacious, and white light that soared into the sky. It gave people a feeling of vastness and righteousness.
As for the other exam rooms, there was also light, but some were ten feet, some were only a foot, and some were like lanterns.
"When one concentrates on writing an essay, all distracting thoughts are eliminated, and the essence, spirit, and spirit appear. The martial path is about every move and every move. When writing an essay, the essence, spirit, and spirit are integrated into the words. Every word in the essay is equivalent to every move in the martial path. You have to integrate your strongest spirit into the words. Only then will the words have light, and can they be seen by ghosts and gods."
With just one look, Li Shenguang had a rough idea of the quality of the essays among these nine thousand examinees.
Those examinees on the roof without any light definitely didn't have the spirit to write, or they were hiding their strength and weren't concentrating on writing.
Writing an essay was the same as practicing martial arts. If one didn't integrate their own spirit, they wouldn't be able to write a good essay.
"Brother Shenguang is truly knowledgeable and pure. We can't see any essence, and can only feel a slight elegance. Grandmaster Wenyuan is a grandmaster after all. This time, the Emperor has decreed that there is no need to search the examinees before entering the exam."
The rest of the examiners nodded in agreement.
"Logically speaking, even if they were hiding their strength, there should be strong people in today's exam. I wonder why that eight-year-old Fang Clan prodigy didn't shine? Could it be that he was also hiding his strength? Also, that Hong Yi was the top scorer in my exam last year. I heard that a few days ago, he actually became the top scorer in the martial arts exam. Logically speaking, he should have shown his strength. Could it be that he isn't concentrating on writing? "
Li Shenguang didn't care about the examiners' agreement. The examiners beside him couldn't compare to him. They couldn't clear their minds of distracting thoughts. Naturally, they couldn't see the spirit of those who were concentrating on writing.
"Oh?" Just at this moment, Li Shenguang suddenly saw a beam of light shoot out from the east exam room, straight into the sky! Up to the Candlelight Han, it actually vaguely formed a cloud in the sky, brilliant like a beautiful brocade!
"Splendid Essays, Splendid Essays … East side examination room, who's in that room?"
Li Shenguang's face paled.
Seeing Li Shenguang's expression change, the examiner beside him hurriedly said, "The room in the east exam room belongs to the Fang Clan's eight-year-old prodigy, Fangyuan. What's wrong? Sir? What did you see? "
"I saw a beautiful essay …" Li Shenguang looked at the sky, at the dazzling cloud, and couldn't help but murmur, "What a good little prodigy. His scholarly spirit and elegance doesn't dissipate. It's like a beautiful essay … A beautiful essay …"
"Xie Wenyuan is indeed extraordinary … At such a young age, Fangyuan's essay is already as beautiful as Xie Wenyuan's. Even with the Monogatari's help, he wouldn't be like this. He's truly a genius! Hong Yi, you unfilial son. You've always been proud of your literary talent. Now that you've seen these two people, I'm sure you've calmed down. "
Hong Xuanji didn't need to look. With his spiritual perception, he could already sense everyone's mental state in the exam room.
"The emperor, the crown prince, Ji Changyue, and the others should be looking at the Fenghua Pavilion now."
Imperial City, Fenghua Pavilion.
Qian Emperor Yang Pan, Crown Prince Yang Yuan, Prince He, Prince Yu, and even a few dukes, Ji Changyue, and the others had all climbed up to the tallest building in the imperial city to look at the enormous Yujing City. After dawn, the sun rose, the clouds were light, and the spring breeze caressed their faces.
"Changyue, I called you here today to look at the literary spirit of my Da Qian with you. Culture is related to the rise and fall of a dynasty. The more literary spirit there is, the more prosperous a dynasty will be. Today is also the day of the Imperial Examinations. Good and bad people mingle. You and I, the emperor and subject, should take a look at the literary spirit of my Da Qian."
Qian Emperor pointed at the Tribute Courtyard from afar.
"Twenty years ago, I received the advice of the late emperor and became the top scorer. But today, I feel ashamed to see the literary spirit of the Tribute Courtyard. Grandmaster Wenyuan's essay spirit reaches the heavens and competes with the sun and moon. I can't compare."
"Oh! Changyue, you're now the leader of the Righteous Daoist Sect and have cultivated for twenty years. Although Xie Wenyuan was your teacher back then, you've surpassed him now. "
Qian Emperor Yang Pan said.
"Studying clears one's heart, and so does cultivating Dao. I've only cultivated minor unorthodox arts in recent years to defeat enemies and slay demons. I have some methods, but when it comes to understanding the heart of Dao, I'm far from Teacher's. "
Ji Changyue also looked up at the Tribute Courtyard, his tone calm and respectful.
"Eh? Beautiful essay! "
Just then, Qian Emperor Yang Pan's expression changed slightly. He looked up at the Tribute Courtyard and then at the sky.
Ji Changyue's expression changed as well.
"Xie Wenyuan may be a grandmaster of the literary world, but I won't lose to him! His spirit is infused into his words, and every word is bright and bright. My words are as beautiful as embroidery, covering your essence. "
Fangyuan's brush paused for a moment, and lines of lively handwriting appeared on the paper.
This "eight-year-old prodigy" had a proud expression on his face as he picked up his brush. "In this vast world, only Xie Wenyuan can compete with me in terms of literary talent. Unfortunately, he came to the examination this time to advise His Majesty with his essay, so he definitely won't be able to enter His Majesty's discerning eyes. This time, the title of Zhuangyuan is mine."
"The nine thousand scholars of the aristocratic families are all mediocre!"
Fangyuan smiled faintly and continued writing.
"This person can be the eternal teacher of the people. Every word he says is the law of the world. This is a sage, this is what the 'Confucius' said, the Divine Dao …"
After Hong Yi solved the question with 'an ordinary man can be the teacher of a hundred generations, every word is the law of the world', his thoughts suddenly surged. He seemed to have grasped the spirit of the ancient 'Philosophers'. Their imposing manner! Their greatness!
He can be the eternal teacher of the people. Every word he says is the law of the world.
What language can one use to revere such a person? How can one worship him?
As he wrote, Hong Yi's spirit sensed his understanding and reverence for the Divine Dao of the ancient 'Philosophers'. His spirit, temperament, and thoughts were slowly condensed and did not spread outwards.
But gradually, the words on his brush began to fly, and each word seemed to resonate with the 'gods' that were worshiped in the temple.
Every word Hong Yi wrote seemed to be a baptism of his spirit and thoughts.
Suddenly, he felt that his article seemed to have reached the final stage, so he abruptly lifted his pen.
Rumble!
An enormous and oppressive Essence Qi suddenly shot into the sky!
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The instant Hong Yi raised his brush to finish, the memorial tablets and statues of the various schools of thought that were enshrined in the temple began to tremble violently.
Trembling voices resounded in the Tribute Courtyard.
"Hundred Sages Resonate! How is this possible? Whose essay is in line with the Divine Dao? That's why a hundred Sages Resonate! What essay is this? Let me see! "
Li Shenguang had just entered the room when he ran out, not caring about his image at all.
"Hmm?" Hong Xuanji also stood up.
At the same time, in the Fenghua Tower, Emperor Qian Pan and Ji Changyue were also shocked!
"Hundred Sages Resonate! Whose essay is this? Impossible! Impossible! These statues of the Philosophers have been enshrined for generations and have a trace of the power of the gods. Although they have no consciousness, they have their own reason. Only when the spirit of the essay is close to the Divine Dao will it resonate with them! " Fang Yuan stopped writing. In a daze, he almost dropped a drop of ink on the paper. Luckily, he caught it with his hand.
However, his thoughts were interrupted and he could not continue writing.
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