Chapter 4, Tiandao Academy

For countless years, the Grand Examination has selected numerous strong individuals. It is said that those at the pinnacle of the continent today have all had the experience of coming to the capital of the Zhou Dynasty to participate in the Grand Examination. A well-known fact is that the current Pope of the National Religion and the Elder of the Southern Saintess Peak were both outstanding participants in the Grand Examination. Not to mention that certain geniuses from the Western Demon Clan once disguised themselves as humans to take part in the Grand Examination. Even the Demon Clan had a young lord who ventured to the capital, only to be recognized by the previous Pope, who directly subdued him with divine magic.

Because he was lost in thought and had his head lowered, he did not notice that on both sides of the stone path at the entrance of the Heavenly Dao Academy, there were two enormous stone walls. These walls were intricately carved with strange and exotic flowers, and in the center, there were densely packed hundreds of names inscribed, seemingly a kind of list. Many gazes were fixed upon those names, filled with fervor and admiration

The attire worn by those youths was similar in style, predominantly black, with golden sashes around their waists, indicating that they were the uniforms of the Tiandao Academy. Chen Changsheng understood that these individuals were students from the previous year who had failed the grand examination at the beginning of the year. These individuals, proud and arrogant, were unable to reconcile their spirits due to their failure, and they would undoubtedly not show any kindness to the new students coming to take the entrance exam for the Tiandao Academy today. Listening to their sharp and caustic remarks and observing the mockery reflected in their eyes, he instinctively lowered his head even further.

Those students laughed heartily, discussing the candidates without restraint, their words extremely harsh, and they showed no control over their volume, possibly even intending for the subjects of their discussion to hear, which was utterly despicable. The chubby boy being talked about turned red in the face but dared not retaliate, for what the students said was the truth. He had indeed just undergone a cleansing of his marrow over ten days ago, and the possibility of being admitted to the Heavenly Path Academy was virtually nonexistent. The most critical point was that even if by some stroke of luck he managed to enter the academy, he could not afford to offend these seniors.

The number of applicants for Tiandao Academy is substantial, forming a long queue that resembles the legendary hundred-zhang bifurcated serpent from the Western Demon Realm, extending from the distant buildings all the way to the grassy area. In the middle, there is even a clear stream, with many new applicants standing on the wooden bridge over the river, buffeted by the chilly winds of early spring, their faces turning somewhat ashen.

When he left Xining, he had already calculated the time, and upon arriving in Kyoto, it was precisely the date for the spring admissions of various universities. He could also anticipate that the number of applicants for Tiandao Academy would be extremely high, but he did not expect it to reach such a terrifying level. Especially the group of young people at the entrance of the academy, who stood lazily and crookedly, pointing and gesturing at the crowd, made him feel somewhat uncomfortable

Chen Changsheng was unknown to anyone, and naturally, there was no idle chatter. He gazed at the distant building with a hint of curiosity. His current focus was solely on the admissions examination of the Heavenly Dao Academy, wondering if it was indeed as described in the books, or if they were still using that particular method. Why did those who failed so quickly succumb? Or had the examination of the Heavenly Dao Academy truly changed?

He held a list in his hand, which contained the names of several academies in Kyoto. After inquiring about the address of the first academy from the manager of the Fangshi, he quickened his pace. He did not notice that a carriage was following him from behind, nor did he realize that the horse had unicorn blood, much less pay attention to the somewhat concealed blood phoenix emblem on the yoke.

After the Holy One took office, the Great Zhou Dynasty finally reached an agreement with the southern forces. The southern states and sects can send their own delegations to participate in the Great Zhou Dynasty's grand imperial examination, with evaluations based on mutual agreement. Furthermore, southern scholars are not required to accept titles and rewards from the Great Zhou Dynasty, while others will be treated equally in terms of books and benevolence. Additionally, the grand imperial examination has been given a completely new name in this new agreement

On Chen Changsheng's list, there are six academies, with the Tiandao Academy ranked first. In fact, throughout the continent, Tiandao Academy is qualified to be ranked among the very top. Over the past two hundred years, students from Tiandao Academy have achieved first place in the Grand Examination a total of twenty-four times. Every student studying here is exceptionally gifted. This academy has produced many high-ranking priests for the national religion and has contributed countless talented practitioners to various sects. Most importantly, the current Pope of the national religion was once a student of this academy. Every student studying here is exceptionally gifted. This academy has produced many high-ranking priests for the national religion and has contributed countless talented practitioners to various sects. Most importantly, the current Pope of the national religion was once a student of this academy.

The crowd continued to move forward, passing the grassland and the stream, yet still not approaching the building, arriving at a row of bamboo sheds. Looking at the stern-faced teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy behind the stone table, and at the piece of rock on the table that was as dark as volcanic stone, Chen Changsheng recognized what it was, recalling an old case he had seen in the Dao scrolls, and was momentarily taken aback

Chen Changsheng made his way through the crowd, listening to the foul language around him. He raised his eyebrows slightly, pondering whether he could endure it if he were the subject of such discussions. Fortunately, he kept his head down, and his demeanor was too ordinary, making him inconspicuous in the crowd. Thus, he was lucky to avoid the situation of being mocked and smoothly passed through the gate of the Mo Yu Courtyard, entering inside

"General Daoist Scriptures? Even the bookworm Gou Hanshi would not dare to say such a thing, right? You sympathize with the experiences of that foolish idiot, but I actually feel for his parents. The humiliation he suffers is secondary; the money spent previously cannot be recovered. If I were the parents of that foolish fat man, I would rather take that money to seek some elixirs at the altar to lose some weight, at least to marry a wife"

Like every morning for the past fourteen years, Chen Changsheng woke up at five o'clock, opened his eyes immediately, took five breaths to calm his mind, turned over to get out of bed, put on his shoes and clothes, made the bed, and began to wash up. He had a bowl of duck porridge and four steaming meat buns from the first steamer in the front hall of the inn, then returned to his room, rinsed his mouth with last night's old tea, tidied his clothes in front of the copper mirror, and then walked to the small courtyard

The Heavenly Book Tomb is of utmost importance to practitioners. Although the Great Zhou Dynasty is powerful, it cannot dare to monopolize it and defy the will of the world. The various forces in the south are also unable to resist the temptation to enter the Heavenly Book Tomb to observe the stele. Even during the years when the demon clan was repelled and the two sides gradually distanced themselves, the southern factions publicly resisted, yet many powerful practitioners from the south still participated in the Great Dynasty Examination in a private capacity.

The Tiandao Academy has the best record in the history of the Grand Examination, making it the most difficult to enter, yet it still attracts the highest number of applicants. As Chen Changsheng arrived at the entrance of the Tiandao Academy, he gazed at the majestic and imposing jade-black gates, and at the academy's name inscribed in the calligraphy of the founding emperor. Naturally, he felt a sense of admiration and longing. However, this emotion was soon dissipated by the bustling atmosphere of the entrance, reminiscent of a marketplace, along with the pungent odors of sweat and ink, causing him to instinctively lower his head.

The southern countries, especially the Changsheng Sect and other reclusive sects, are naturally very dissatisfied with this rule. In their view, although the Heavenly Book Tomb is located in the capital of the Great Zhou, the Heavenly Book is a divine stone that has descended to the world, and it is undoubtedly a shared treasure of the entire continent. As a result, the south has previously resisted the Great Imperial Examination several times, leading to extremely strained relations between the two sides

What does it matter if one marries a wife? Even if it is a cold plum blossom, it only cares for itself. In the future, if he has seventeen or eighteen sons and daughters, they will all be as plump and foolish as he is. Raising pigs in a litter, is that a good thing?

Lowering his head is not due to fear, but rather because he has a slight obsession with cleanliness, both physically and psychologically. Therefore, he does not want to smell the body odor emanating from the crowd, nor does he wish to hear those words.

Now, not at the small temple in Xining Town, without the need to chop firewood or fetch water, he faces the nascent morning mist and the distant light of dawn, closing his eyes to begin a period of quiet contemplation. In his mind, he silently recites the Daoist texts until he feels refreshed and clear-headed, which he considers the completion of his task. He then walks through the side door onto the gradually bustling streets of the capital, inconspicuously blending into the crowd, and begins his day.

The family servants accompanying the new examinees are not allowed to enter the Tiandao Academy, so once inside the academy, the environment immediately becomes quieter. Chen Changsheng took out a pure white handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, exhaled, and felt a bit more relaxed. Following the student in front, he joined the long line at the back.

Countless years ago, the heavenly scriptures descended upon the world, awakening the wisdom of the people and leading to the development of numerous schools of thought. However, despite the myriad changes, the essence remains unchanged. Tracing back to their origins, all are encompassed within the classics of the Daoist canon. This applies to agriculture, commerce, and academia alike. The most widely recognized and authoritative standard for evaluating these is the annual imperial examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Not bad, seeing his unsteady steps, he has probably just undergone the cleansing of his marrow within the last two months. I fear his muscles and bones have not yet been tempered. How dare he come to take the entrance exam for our Heavenly Dao Academy? Does he think this is some kind of national religious academy? Haha... I really don't understand what these fools are thinking. Do they really believe that with their meager and pitiful divine consciousness, they can comprehend the Daoist scriptures?

The Grand Imperial Examination was initiated by Emperor Taizu of the Great Zhou. Regardless of whether one enters the court as an official, joins the military as a general, or serves in the national religion as a priest, the results of the Grand Imperial Examination are the most important criterion. Most crucially, Emperor Taizu issued a decree stating that only those who ranked in the top three of the Grand Imperial Examination would be qualified to enter the Heavenly Book Tomb to observe the Heavenly Book. Due to this regulation, countless strong individuals come to the capital every year at the beginning of the year. During the first Grand Imperial Examination, Emperor Taizu stood atop the city wall, watching the talents from various sects across the continent flock in like fish, and famously remarked, which subsequently established the status of the Grand Imperial Examination.

Look at that fool, looking like a pig, with a few pimples on his face, and yet he insists on sticking a fan in his neck, thinking he is some kind of dandy? He doesn't even consider that the layers of fat on his neck are about to break the fan!

Indeed, there are many academies in Kyoto. Under the governance of the Empress Dowager, with strict decrees in place, the administration is clear and transparent, and the lives of the people have gradually improved. Over the past few decades, the situation has been exceptionally stable, marking a prosperous era. Various academies have emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain, and even a few years ago, many private academies specifically aimed at the imperial examinations, secretly taught by powerful figures from the national education, appeared. Of course, the most renowned and powerful academies are still those few with the longest histories, two of which even predate the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Soon, some young boys and girls emerged from that building, their faces as pale as those of their companions on the bridge, looking quite unappealing. Since they were not frozen, it was evident that the examination had not gone well. The people still in line, upon seeing their disheartened expressions, immediately became tense, losing any inclination for casual conversation

Those are stories from many years ago. What people are more concerned about now is the grand imperial examination next year, whether Qiu Shan Jun of the Longevity Sect will participate, how many from the Seven Rhyme of the Divine Kingdom will enter the top tier, whether Xu Yourong will break through in advance and leave the Saintess Peak to return to Kyoto, and whether that genius powerhouse known for his cold and mysterious demeanor in the Demon Clan wilderness will make his first appearance before the world or continue to engage in a bloody pursuit with the strong of the Demon Clan. Besides these, what the people of Kyoto are most concerned about is which remarkable talents will emerge from the Kyoto Academy. Will that genius powerhouse known for his cold and mysterious demeanor in the Demon Clan wilderness make his first appearance before the world, or will he continue to engage in a bloody pursuit with the strong of the Demon Clan? Besides these, what the people of Kyoto are most concerned about is which remarkable talents will emerge from the Kyoto Academy.