I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 26 Spirit Snake
Xie Haiya nodded, "So young, yet so calm and composed; he has a bright future ahead of him!"
You haven't gained nothing; don't underestimate the merits that come with being considered in the civil service exam, as they can add points to your score.

Xue Xiang stood tall and bowed to Xie Haiya, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

He knew very well that Xie Haiya must have gotten this reward for him, because only Xie Haiya knew that his goal was to pass the city examination.

There's no need for thanks between us.

Xie Haiya took out a gourd about the size of a thumb and threw it to Xue Xiang.

Xue Xiang took it, uncorked the gourd, and found a red pill inside.

"Fengwu Dan is used for healing injuries and treating illnesses."

Xie Haiya said, "Didn't you come to pay your respects before the New Year? I didn't have a suitable gift then, so I got this pill when I went back to my hometown. I'm giving it to you as a reward."

Xue Xiang was overjoyed.

Feng Wu is a synonym for a divine physician in ancient times. If one can use his name to preface a elixir, its effects will surely be miraculous.

At that time, Dong Jiacun also sent Fengwu Dan, which Xue Xiang longed for but dared not accept.

At this moment, Xie Haiya bestowed it upon him, so of course he would not refuse.

After accepting the Phoenix Five Pills, Xue Xiang cupped his hands and said, "Master, I have another request."

“You’ve already said it, so what’s with all this talk about feelings? Just say it.”

At that moment, Xue Xiang told him about Xun Sizhou and Wu Kui's application to be transferred to the Seventh Court's law enforcement team.

"It's nothing serious. I'll put in a good word, and you can let them handle the paperwork."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Is there anything else? If not, hurry up and prepare for the exam. There are only three months left until the city exam."

"I have always been diligent in my studies. I have already found a teacher, Dingwen. With some intensive study, passing the city examination should not be difficult."

"The city examination is not only about testing the understanding of the classics, but also about the level of cultivation. If you are not at the third level of Qi Refining, you are not even qualified to take the exam. It is clear that there are still thresholds."

"This humble servant is still one step away from mastering the technique. I humbly request Your Excellency to bestow upon me the cultivation method."

During this period, he did not draw spirits into his body. The root cause of this was that he did not want to waste the spiritual energy of the sacred image.

He hoped that while guiding the spirit into his body, he could also practice the cultivation method.

What kind of cultivation technique do you want?

Xie Haiya couldn't be more satisfied with Xue Xiang as his subordinate. First, Xue Xiang helped him break through the barrier of cultivation with a single word, then he helped him defeat Su Suiran, and he also provided great assistance in the matter of Jiahe.

Now that Xue Xiang has lost the Yunmeng Times, Xie Haiya is powerless to help and feels somewhat guilty.

"It's difficult and powerful; you can cultivate it at the third or fourth level of Qi Refining."

"You're really daring to perform dental work. It's difficult and powerful. Can you even learn how to do it?"

"This humble servant has only one request, and I hope Your Excellency will consider it."

With the blessing of the spiritual realm, Xue Xiang would not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cultivate his techniques.

"You're just giving me a hard time. Just wait and see."

Xie Haiya waved his hand, "You don't need to come on duty for a while, just focus on your studies."

Xue Xiang bowed respectfully and then left the Plum Blossom Hall.

After descending Jiufen Mountain, he went straight to Jiahe Trading Company, intending to rent a refinery room.

If one is practicing martial arts, a quiet space and protective formations are required, so residential houses are not very suitable.

A waiter from Jiahe led him around the room. Xue Xiang had reserved a room and was now waiting for Xie Haiya to give him confirmation.

Just as Xue Xiang was about to leave Jiahe, Butler Dong suddenly appeared.

On several occasions when I visited the Dong Family Garden, I was always received by Butler Dong, and the two became quite familiar with each other.

Butler Dong led Xue Xiang into the elegant room, bowed respectfully, and handed him a red note with the number "C17".

"This is an auction voucher. Although you didn't come, my master made the decision to bid for it on your behalf, which cost one spirit stone."

Butler Dong said, "Our master said he feels guilty towards you, so he will not meet with you. If you are magnanimous, please pay this spirit stone, take the voucher, and use the voucher to collect the auctioned item."

Xue Xiang guessed what Dong Jiacun meant by "feeling guilty," and immediately paid a spirit stone to obtain the auction certificate.

A moment later, he received a large red box, which he opened to find a wrapped belt inside.

He took out his belt, and with a whoosh, the belt instantly straightened, transforming into a four-foot-long sword, its blade as clear as autumn water, its cold light gleaming.

"This sword is named Spirit Serpent. It comes from the Nameless Sword Tomb. It can cut through iron like mud. The spiritual patterns inside can be transformed into softness when spiritual energy is poured into it and it can be wrapped around the waist."

Butler Dong said, "My master has treasured this sword for many years and is reluctant to put it up for auction."

Now, the sword has returned to the hero, and the time is just right.

As expected, when Xue Xiangxing touched the sword, his spiritual power penetrated it, and the steel instantly became as soft as silk.

He untied his outer robe and wrapped the Serpent Sword around his waist, the groove in the hilt precisely locking the tip of the sword in place.

Xue Xiang cupped his hands and said, "Please tell Elder Dong for me that people in the martial world are often not in control of their own destiny. I don't blame him. I will invite him for tea another day."

After leaving Jiahe Trading Company, Xue Xiang went straight home.

Liu Mei and Xue Shi were drying cabbages in preparation for making sauerkraut, Xiao Wan was busy in the kitchen, and her mother was talking to someone in the hall.

"They are from the Yunmeng Newspaper."

Liu Mei said in a low voice.

Xue Xiang reached out and brushed the fluff off her head. Her eyebrows were delicate and her face flushed.

"Master."

Zhou Mengyu came out from the hall to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue invited him to speak in the tea room in front of the entrance.

As soon as the tea was served and the waiter left, Zhou Mengyu knelt down and said, "If it weren't for the master's favor that day, how could I have such an opportunity today?"

"After Yunmeng was seized, Zhou should have resigned to uphold his integrity, but that villain threatened my family, leaving Zhou no choice but to comply."

Xue Xiang helped Zhou Mengyu up, saying, "Brother Zhou, you're too kind. You work hard at the newspaper to earn your living, so you can hold your head high wherever you go."

By the way, how's the newspaper doing these days?

Zhou Mengyu said, "The man surnamed Li is quite magnanimous; he didn't interfere much with the newspaper's operations."

But he was even more radical than the owner, who borrowed funds and prepared to go all out.

He felt that the owner was too stingy, so he approached the other money lenders and increased the amount of money borrowed.

Now, our network covers all six cities of Canaan, and we've leased 80% of the printing houses in those cities.

"What is the current status of the funds in the account?"

“A few days ago, you gave the printing workshop an advance of six months’ funds. The printing workshops that joined later also demanded the same treatment. Of the five hundred spirit stones you borrowed, less than one-tenth is now gone.”

However, our newspapers are in high demand, and our cash flow is not in danger.

"What about Feng Bai? How is he?"

"Being treated as an honored guest by Li Shaobai, the owner should have seized this person long ago. As long as he is here, no one can take away Yunmeng Newspaper."

Zhou Mengyu felt deeply sorry.

He was deeply involved in the situation and knew very well that the success or failure of the Yunmeng Times depended solely on Xiang Jianjiang.

"There's no point in saying more now. The Yunmeng Times is a golden brand that we created together. Brother Zhou, work hard and don't tarnish it."

After seeing Zhou Mengyu off, Xue Xiang returned to the main room, where the family was gathered around the table, studying a pile of wooden blocks.

"Carpenter Sun finished it so quickly?"

Xue Xiang picked up a red dragon card, rubbed it in his palm, and found it to be warm and smooth with clean edges.

The mahjong set on the table was custom-made by carpenter Sun, whom he had commissioned.

(End of this chapter)