Chapter 43

"Through my review, I have seen that it is a line of poetry, just one line, but I will not tell you the specific content. I can only say that this line of poetry has an incomparable momentum and is extremely important! I have already reported this matter to the Chu State's Ministry of Literature, and you must not publicize it."

Cui Shilang waved his hand, his expression leaving no room for refusal. Everyone felt the weight of their responsibility and unanimously promised not to leak any information.

Cui Shilang then scanned the group with his eyes and said sternly, "Finally, regarding today's announcement results, Yue Heng needs special treatment. After he becomes a Tongsheng by attracting a star and his name is registered, I will immediately take him to Qi Prefecture's Qi City Government Office for further training. Hong County will not remember this person, and all the examiners and candidates today will not remember this person!"

"Sir!"

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Qi and the Literature Master were immediately reminded of a regulation in the Ministry of Literature's teaching order and cried out in alarm.

Xunyan, the inspector, also had a look of surprise on his face, his expression becoming very solemn. He hadn't expected Cui Shilang to make such a decision!

"Sir! Hong County has not wronged Yue Heng. Even if there were minor issues, they have already been severely punished. Bai Ming was executed, and the servants who committed the crime in his family were also put to death on the spot. The two brothers of the Kuang family were severely warned, and the other candidates all got along well with Yue Heng. The examiners even favored him!"

"Sir, Hong County rarely produces a genius like Yue Heng. His future is boundless, and Hong County should be proud of him. Can't you leave us this bit of pride, Sir?"

"Sir! Please show mercy..."

County Magistrate Qi and the Literature Master were almost on their knees, begging. Cui Shilang's decision was to use the Illusion Spirit Array to erase everyone's memory of Yue Heng, then quietly take him to Qi Prefecture, severing all ties with Hong County.

How could this be allowed!

Wasn't this forcibly taking away the credit from the people of Hong County!

Cui Shilang sneered coldly, "Ever since Yue Heng wrote 'Early Spring,' the Chu State's Ministry of Literature has strictly protected him. Yet you treated it as a mere trifle, allowing a scoundrel like Bai Ming to slander him. How can you have the face to say you treated him fairly? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. One resonant article isn't enough? Another battle poem isn't enough? Do you want to force him to perform a lingering melody? Do you even plan to force him to recite that resonant article that can reach the Ministry of Literature in public?"

Cui Shilang's voice grew louder and his tone heavier. The last few questions were filled with killing intent. His body emitted a torrent of divine palace aura, his divine consciousness breaking through the restrictions of the government office's array, directly pressing down on County Magistrate Qi and the Literature Master, forcing them to kneel on the ground!

"Sir, calm down!"

Xunyan approached Cui Shilang and whispered, "Sir, after the announcement, there is still the star attraction. The energy of the Yinshan stone is far from enough to erase the memories of so many people. Why not just erase the memory of 'Chang Wu' from all the examiners? The candidates won't be greatly affected."

Cui Shilang had already made his decision. He was just trying to warn County Magistrate Qi and the Literature Master. Those who did not follow the Ministry of Literature's orders would be punished in countless ways!

"Hmph! Announce the results normally, then activate the Illusion Spirit Array before the end to erase everyone's memory of 'Chang Wu,' including mine!"

Cui Shilang said coldly, then ignored the others and walked to the array's focal point again, intending to quickly encrypt and send a message to the Qi Prefecture's Ministry of Literature, sealing all information related to Yue Heng.

County Magistrate Qi and the Literature Master were drenched in sweat. Only after Cui Shilang walked away did they remember to thank Xunyan.

Xunyan sighed softly, "Sir Qi, Sir Literature, this year Hong County produced such a talent. The Ministry of Literature's actions are also a last resort. Please understand."

The two wiped their sweat, saying they dared not, and looked at each other, sighing again. Their fates had been greatly altered by Yue Heng since the spring examination began.

"Announcement!"

Three large lists of names appeared in the air above the government office. The number of martial artists and craftsmen was the highest, with only 140 scholars, which was still an increase of about 40 from previous years due to the high number of cheating cases. This showed how difficult it was for scholars to become Tongsheng, with most failing this first hurdle.

"First place, Yue Heng! 730 merits!"

Many people called out loudly, feeling puzzled by this number.

That's not right!

This result must be wrong!

"His waist badge shows 730 merits. Could he have scored zero on the spring examination?"

"Strange, strange! How can someone who scored zero pass the spring examination?"

"Idiot! He's one of the twenty special admissions! Besides, how dare you privately discuss Young Master Yue? Have you forgotten the fate of Bai Ming and the Kuang brothers?"

"Young Master Yue is our friend! How dare you speak ill of him? Are you tired of living?"

"Shh! Don't talk. Look at the second place, Ji Cong. His total merits are less than 400, even after the retake. The gap is really..."

"Indeed, the difference between the scholar list and the martial artist and craftsman lists is too great! Hmph!"

Other scholar candidates might strongly question the fairness of the scholar list, but Ji Cong would not. He was calmly looking at the list, smiling, and not making any comments.

His friends around him were fighting for him, complaining to the government office and examiners, insisting that they couldn't believe Yue Heng was normally admitted. They believed there must be some foul play.

"False speech is also one of the ten major sins of scholars. Everyone should watch their words and stop talking!"

Ji Cong said calmly, reminding his friends to stop discussing the matter.

"But, Young Master Ji, if the list is manipulated, it will harm your interests! The difference in star attraction time determines the foundation of the divine palace. The gap between first and second place is too large. We feel it's unfair for you..."

"No need. I am convinced of my loss to Young Master Yue."

Ji Cong remained unperturbed, even looking in Yue Heng's direction and giving a slight bow, regardless of whether Yue Heng could see it. He just did his own thing.

"Ah? Why, Young Master Ji..."

Everyone was puzzled. This was definitely not like Ji Cong's style!

Ji Cong smiled and explained, "He was already a Tongsheng before the exam. How could I compare?"

"What!"

"Pre-exam Tongsheng?"

"Impossible! How could a poor student become a pre-exam Tongsheng?"

Everyone was stunned, looking at each other, and no longer dared to say a bad word about Yue Heng.

Because they knew Ji Cong never lied. Even if asked by an enemy, Ji Cong would speak frankly. Any information from him was true!

"So, everyone should watch their words. Moreover, although Young Master Yue is from a poor family, he has true talent. For a poor student to become a pre-exam Tongsheng is a thousand times harder than for a wealthy family or a clan. You should try to befriend him, not make enemies like the Kuang brothers and Bai Ming. Are you still holding onto your prejudice against poor students?"

After saying this, Ji Cong did not persuade further.

Everyone has their own aspirations. Even his friends were drawn to him because of his identity as a Ji family son.

To survive in this cruel world, the most important thing is discernment. In his view, only a fool would oppose Yue Heng!

"Congratulations, Brother Yue, you are indeed the top Tongsheng!"

"Congratulations to you too, Brother Lu, you also made it into the top hundred and became a Tongsheng!"

"Pity Brother Huang. Out of a thousand, only a hundred plus are selected. Brother Huang's failure shows how difficult and rugged the path to sainthood is. Sigh, what a pity!"

Lu Changyuan and others gathered around Yue Heng, congratulating each other. They mentioned several candidates they knew, most of whom were eliminated, returning in disappointment. The number of scholars who lost control in the examination hall was countless. Those who were over age and failed, thinking of the blood levy, were all inexplicably afraid, crying and losing their composure, not knowing how to face the future.

Yue Heng could not change this. Not everyone was as knowledgeable as him. He couldn't save everyone.

"All candidates on the list, please separate by profession and follow the examiners into the government office. Those who did not pass must not enter or leave the government office without permission, and wait for orders."

The candidates followed the orders. Yue Heng stood at the front of the scholar group, following the leading examiner to the government office's library, where he saw the Literature Master and others.

He also noticed the kind-hearted Xunyan and Cui Shilang among the examiners.

"Those who meet the requirements of the 'Tongsheng Grand Ceremony' are eligible for star attraction time. Star attraction is the most important step from a common student to a first-level Tongsheng. It determines the foundation of your divine palace and your future achievements. All the scholars recorded in the documents and classics have a solid foundation from their star attraction, and many more have activated their divine palaces and nurtured literary symbols on their own. So, you must take this seriously. I will now explain a few points to note!"

The Literature Master looked at the 140 scholar candidates and said solemnly, "First, follow your true heart and let the starlight impact your strongest literary consciousness. Do not force a choice."

Yue Heng understood. After the Fuxi starlight shines, because the divine palace is not yet formed, it can only search for the literary consciousness and combine with the strongest force in the literary consciousness.

If a person is kind, their literary consciousness might mostly be supportive and defensive. If the starlight is forced to impact an aggressive consciousness, it could lead to failure, preventing the literary symbol from forming and even failing to activate the divine palace.

"Second, if you have consciously cultivated your literary consciousness and have a deep understanding of a particular literary symbol, just short of enlightenment, then during the star attraction, this consciousness should be prioritized. This ensures the formation of the literary symbol, activates the divine palace as soon as possible, and maximizes the divine palace through the power of the Fuxi star."

"Third, there is no distinction between strong and weak, good and bad, useful and useless literary symbols. The only difference is whether the scholar can use them. So, regardless of which literary symbol you nurture, do not be overly joyful or sad, as this could destabilize your divine palace and hinder future advancement."

"Finally, you have one incense stick's time to prepare, focus your mind, and sense your true heart. The star attraction is about to begin."

After the introduction, almost all the candidates closed their eyes and took deep breaths, focusing their main consciousness on the most likely consciousness to nurture a literary symbol.

Yue Heng felt someone in front of him and opened his eyes. The Literature Master was looking at him, and he immediately thought of "Ji Gu," feeling a bit embarrassed.