Chapter 68: A Bad Omen

He felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him and couldn't help but stand up.

His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the little white tiger, muttering, "How can this be? Its roar can actually affect me."

Bai Tianyou was filled with shock. As a mid‑stage Celestial Immortal, being embarrassed by a little white tiger's roar was hard for him to accept, and it made him deeply doubt the tiger's identity.

Zhou Yi saw the scene, simply waved to Bai Tianyou and said calmly, "Perhaps it especially likes that name." He then added, "From now on I will take full responsibility for everything concerning it; you need not worry."

He then suggested, "After the meal, let gentlemen Fang Yun and Yu Hao take you to the enlightenment lessons; Bai Tianyou, if you wish, you may join as well."

Hearing this, Bai Tianyou was momentarily stunned and asked in confusion, "How do I have a part in this?"

Zhang Yun and Yu Hao had intended to use this rare break to catch their breath, but the Human Ancestor had another arrangement.

Though a bit helpless, the two said little and simply quickened their eating.

After Zhou Yi named the white‑tiger cub "Shen Ni," the atmosphere at the table became unusually harmonious.

Although Bai Tianyou still harbored many questions and thoughts, having agreed to Zhou Yi's request and seeing the little white tiger acknowledge Zhou Yi as master, he believed Zhou Yi would not harm the white‑tiger clan and ceased further probing.

As the meal lingered, the plates piled higher and higher, nearly a person tall.

The little white tigers ate until their bellies were round, then lay on the table to rest.

Fang Yun and Yu Hao also stopped eating, carefully observing the youngsters.

Zhou Yi gently placed Shen Ni from his arms among the other little white tigers and said, "Once we've finished, let's set off; early enlightenment is always good."

Fang Yun stepped forward and whispered, "Human Ancestor, Shen Ni is just staying with everyone; does he not require special treatment?"

Zhou Yi glanced at him, smiled, and said, "It's still too early for special care; after all, he's young and should first build a solid foundation with the others. I believe his growth path will be longer than other white tigers, so granting special treatment now is premature."

Fang Yun sensed that Zhou Yi's gaze at Shen Ni carried a particularly familiar expression, but he could not tell if it was his own illusion.

Since the Human Ancestor had already expressed his stance, he said no more, nodded, and together with Yu Hao, Xiao Ling'er and others each lifted several little white tigers and headed toward the academy.

Bai Tianyou quickly wiped his mouth and hurried to keep up.

When the group entered the academy, they found it more spacious and grand than they had imagined.

A series of compact rooms were orderly arranged, both independent and interconnected, adaptable to needs.

Yu Hao and Fang Yun selected the largest among them, placing each little white tiger in its spot, and even Bai Tianyou sat quietly in his assigned place.

The first lesson was taught by Yu Hao, who recited the "Three Character Classic": "At the beginning of man, nature is inherently good…"

At the same time, Fang Yun stepped out from the back door, approached Zhou Yi, and handed him a stack of papers, a hint of nervousness and anticipation on his face.

Through Fang Yun's relentless effort, papermaking has become widely used in Human Race society.

Though the sheets were coarse and lacked smoothness, in that era it was undeniably a great invention.

Zhou Yi took the test paper, skimmed it quickly, then furrowed his brows and asked in puzzlement, "Are the questions you designed too difficult?"

Fang Yun handed him a test that included essay questions and poetry assessments.

In another world, these questions might only be at a basic level.

But for the Human Race just beginning to learn cultural knowledge, being able to write characters is already a rarity.

Sui Huang, standing nearby, heard Zhou Yi's words, leaned over curiously, and with a single glance felt dazzled; many of the questions he did not understand.

So he chose silence, standing quietly aside, observing the discussion between the Human Ancestor and the humans.

Fang Yun, seeing this, nodded and explained, "This is merely a preliminary test. According to your educational policy, the Human Race's knowledge transmission will continue generation after generation. First let this generation lay the foundation; after the next generation eradicates illiteracy, we will formally implement the imperial examination to select talent."

After hearing Fang Yun's words, Zhou Yi fell into contemplation.

He checked his system panel, which showed the Human Race's destiny points had reached three hundred thousand, implying at least three million people.

Turning to Sui Huang to ask the current population, Sui Huang's spirit brightened, and he replied swiftly, "Now our Human Race numbers 45.6 million people."

Considering the population increase, Zhou Yi further asked whether there was pressure on administration.

Sui Huang's expression changed abruptly, admitting that with the growing populace, management was indeed becoming increasingly unsustainable.

It had been manageable before, but now facing over forty‑five million people, even trivial matters keep them overwhelmingly busy.

Currently some minor issues have been delegated to the hunting team, with only major matters decided by him; even so, they remain exhausted.

Seeing Sui Huang's change of expression, Zhou Yi formed a plan in his mind, ready to speak.

"Design a ranking system from First to Ninth Grade, first letting the hunting team preliminarily divide ranks according to each one's cultivation level."

Officials responsible for managing the Human Race's affairs must consider household registration, rites, and the like.

In forty years, three generations of officials should be selectable.

Afterwards, a large‑scale examination will be held to further fill these vacant positions.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yun immediately understood the Human Ancestor's intention.

"This is to implement the imperial examination system!"

He felt pleased inside, after all he was very familiar with this method of talent selection.

Once the imperial examination is formally enacted, the Human Race's culture will experience tremendous advancement.

And his contributions to cultural education will bring him great benefit.

Now, sparse currents of lofty Qi are gradually gathering above the Human Race, a force stemming from the merit generated by his written words and created articles.

He has firmly reached the early stage of Quasi Saint.

He muses that if the imperial examination begins, he is confident he can smoothly advance to the mid‑stage Quasi Saint, a natural progression.

"I understand," Fang Yun replied, then hurried to another room to begin constructing the official hierarchy he deemed appropriate.

At this moment, Yu Hao finished the first enlightenment lesson, stepped out of the classroom, looked around, and asked in puzzlement, "Where is Fang Yun? It's his turn to lecture the 'Thousand Character Classic.'"

Yet he could not find Fang Yun. Zhou Yi stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and Yu Hao instantly got a bad omen.

Sure enough, Zhou Yi's next words shocked him: "He now has more important matters; the enlightenment teaching for these children is temporarily entrusted to you."

"At least for these two days, that's the case; thank you for your effort—those with ability are always busier." Having said that, Zhou Yi turned away without heeding Yu Hao's reaction.