Chapter 149: Spring Imperial Exams

If you don't possess a fire-attributed spiritual root, then choose a fire-attributed technique!

A fire-attributed technique?

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

This suited him well; his thunder-fire spiritual root is top-notch, the highest grade among the ninth rank, and practicing a fire-attributed technique would also be greatly beneficial to him.

Your fighting style favors offense, but relying solely on thunder-attributed techniques and swordsmanship is too narrow; adding another technique would greatly help in combat, but you must distinguish primary from secondary!

In early cultivation, specialization is better than being broad but not refined!

"

The Slay Demon True Lord solemnly warned.

Zhang Jian nodded, indicating he had taken note.

He paused slightly, then the Slay Demon True Lord said again, 'Only a few fire-attributed techniques are recorded in the Slay Demon lineage; the one suited to you is just this Vermilion Bird Imitation Technique—a fire-attributed technique obtained by a certain elder of the Slay Demon lineage. Its power is merely average, but it's more than enough for a novice cultivator like you to practice.'

Zhang Jian nodded upon hearing that.

Naturally, being able to obtain a technique for free is a joyous matter.

Zhang Jian then left Slay Demon Peak and, under Bai Xianyin's guidance, received two techniques.

Only after obtaining the Vermilion Bird Imitation Technique did Zhang Jian learn what 'mediocre' meant.

It is a Yin God–level technique.

Meaning it can still be used after reaching the Yin God realm.

That is good news.

Zhang Jian could be certain that his Golden Core foundation was already established; condensing a Golden Core would likely not take much time.

He did not need to spend extra time refining his mana like other cultivators.

His body inherently contains many Heavenly Treasury Marvels; although most have merged with his flesh, breaking through to the Golden Core realm would not be too difficult.

Zhang Jian estimated that, before attaining the Yin God realm, he need not worry about increasing his mana.

……

After obtaining the two techniques, Zhang Jian returned to his physical body.

Within the study, the radiance of the Heaven-Earth Mystic Gate surrounding Zhang Jian faded, yet a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

This time his gains were not small; he could now properly digest them for a while.

Thereafter, Zhang Jian did not continue to act ostentatiously; knowing the rise of Emperor Jingwu, he could roughly infer part of that emperor's character.

It is certain that he would not favor those who are ostentatious by nature.

Fortunately, what he has done during this period is already more than enough; if the Governor of Wu in Immortal-Gathering Commandery can withstand the first wave of infiltration by the Primordial Heaven Sect, then his and Shi Lun's merits ought not to be buried, and perhaps they have already been placed before the current emperor's imperial desk.

That is already enough.

One time is enough.

Two times, three times—rather not good.

Once could be a coincidence, but many times would inevitably make others suspicious!

……

Three months passed!

Zhang Jian spent most of his time reviewing lessons in that small cottage, and besides that, he honed his mana and contemplated the several techniques he had newly acquired.

He rarely went out.

Among the rare occasions when he did go out, one was when his great-uncle Qi Yuanwu went on campaign.

Another was through Shi Lun's recommendation, whereby he met a few fellow examinees from various southern commanderies and made their acquaintance.

……

Early spring arrived unnoticed amidst Zhang Jian's closed-door diligent cultivation.

Although early spring was approaching, the outside remained freezing cold, yet the arrival of the festivities added a touch of liveliness to the streets.

Inside the study, Zhang Jian could also hear the children and youths cheering outside; this was roughly the few times a year when they could pause their labors to enjoy a proper meal.

At this moment, however, Zhang Jian was writing letters.

He had many letters to write: to Zhang Yi, to Lady Zhang Qi, to Dragon Maiden Bai Liying, to his fiancée Qi Yuhua, and also to his several younger brothers.

He did not find it troublesome.

Whenever this time came, it seemed to warm that heart of his which had grown numb and rational from cultivation.

Zhang Lu had been watching from the side; after several months, his suddenly grown stature finally slowed, yet he still stood half a head taller than Zhang Jian, and his formerly childish face was now maturing.

During these three months, Zhang Jian diligently cultivated and did not forget to properly temper this close family member.

Zhang Lu had already mastered the White Tiger Hundred Victories Strength, reaching the second level of the Body Tempering Five Levels—the Yi Jin Peak—and the next step was Marrow Washing.

Zhang Lu was indeed well suited to martial arts; his bearing possessed an innate tiger's might, as if a White Tiger Star had descended upon the world, and with proper tempering he would become a formidable shock troop on the battlefield.

But in Zhang Lu's view, Zhang Jian had undergone an even greater transformation.

Having not left the house for three months, a transcendent, otherworldly qi settled upon Zhang Jian, transforming into an aura of scholarly refinement.

His complexion was fair, his skin like jade—he naturally bore an aristocratic air, and after months immersed in books, having grasped certain special principles, his whole person gave off a particularly pleasing ease at a glance.

Zhang Lu could only describe it as comfortable.

Zhang Lu then said, 'Young master, after the festivities, the Ministry of Rites examination will soon begin; I have sent people to inquire these past few days, and if I am not mistaken, the examination will still be held at the Imperial Academy.'

'Hmm, no surprise!'

Zhang Jian showed no particular surprise; he set down his brush, and a wisp of invisible drying qi rose from his hand, directly causing the ink on the page to dry gradually.

The power of the Vermilion Bird Imitation Technique to control flames was what he used here.

The Vermilion Bird flame capable of subduing demons and slaying monsters, now controlled by him to this extent, also attested to his proficiency in fire-attributed techniques.

He then sorted and packed the letters, instructing Zhang Lu, 'Seal them and send them back!'

Zhang Lu nodded, then his eyes showed some hesitation as he said: "Young master, should I go again to those few secret poetry societies to inquire a bit about the direction of this round's copying of the classics and the examination of the meaning of ink?"

When the spring examinations arrived, in Haojing during this period, the various academies and poetry societies had already become lively; everyone was guessing the exam topics, and even some officials took part.

And among those poetry societies, the academies have some specialties in this regard.

This is especially eye-catching.

It must be said that some people are naturally adept at perceiving the essence through phenomena, and can find shortcuts in whatever they do.

The imperial examinations are the same; there are always some officials who can guess the examiners' intentions, occasionally hitting the mark.

"No need!"

As for these, Zhang Jian actually had full confidence; he waved his hand, and at this moment his mind was mostly still in the Transmission Hall of Tong Shan, which is why he has recently been unwilling to leave his room.

It's still cultivation incense.

Of course, mainly because these ordinary exam questions of the mundane world are too easy; for him who possesses the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, there isn't much difficulty.

So there's no need to waste energy here.

Zhang Lu saw this and didn't mind; Zhang Jian didn't take it seriously, but as his attendant he couldn't afford to be careless, so he decided to investigate ahead of time.

With the silver bestowed by the master of the house, he could still obtain some internal gossip circulating among the poetry societies.

Actually, Zhang Jian disdains such inside information, because it easily reminds him of those scams that swindle people out of their fortunes.