Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

When the list came out, Li Chengguan was not at his post in Changxiao Town. Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps he was intentionally avoiding it for fear of being confronted.

Wishing you a moonlit night of uninvited travel.

We found Li Yan.

"May I take a look at the exam paper?"

Li Yan sighed and said, "I knew you would come looking for me. I watched that child grow up, and I felt bad seeing her fail the exam."

As he spoke, he laid out the exam papers of the first few people.

"How does Mingzhu's knowledge compare to Miss Cui's?"

"Xiao Wu, do you know how many scholars and literati flock to the examination hall? And how many are as talented as Miss Cui?"

“Mingzhu is intelligent, but not enough.”

Zhu Wuyao pursed her lips and remained silent. She flipped through the exam papers in her hand and saw the answer sheet of the candidate who had surpassed Mingzhu in the fair competition for those few spots.

His writing is skillful and insightful, demonstrating extensive knowledge and practical application. He even points out the real drawbacks of Li Cheng's governance.

One of them even dared to point out Li Yan's mistakes.

His character, knowledge, and vision are all of the highest caliber.

The others... came in through the back door. Zhu Wuyao couldn't stop them at the time, so he has no grounds to criticize Li Yan now.

Gently put down the exam paper.

Just how strong must one's personal abilities be to break through all the limitations and stand out? Mingzhu was defeated by knowledge, family background, experience, and the ways of the world.

The upward mobility channels for poor families have been almost completely blocked.

Li Yan said from the side, "A person with such extraordinary talent as Mingzhu will surely pass the exam on the third try!"

When the remaining urban management departments will hold exams again is unknown.

Mingzhu's family doesn't have that kind of spare money.

After failing the exam, Mingzhu visited the Xuan Shi Courtyard.

She showed no sign of disappointment, and her tone was perfectly normal, as if she were quite relieved and open-minded, saying:

"Sister Wu, I won't be able to come over as often as I used to. My family tightened their belts to support my education, and now it's my turn to give back. I have to go out and earn money to support my family."

"If you are fortunate enough to have seen the Dragon Gate but fail to leap over it, you will only be reduced to your original form and become a mudfish again."

I wish to remain silent unless invited.

Shen Anzhi said:

Having seen the vastness of the sky and the expanse of the sea, one will feel dissatisfied.

"It would be better if you had never seen it from the beginning, then ambition and resentment would have no way to torment you. The price of being sober is pain."

Mingzhu took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in her heart, and smiled:

"At least, I know how I lost."

After speaking, Mingzhu rose and took his leave.

She walked to the courtyard gate, turned around and saw Xuan paper fluttering in the wind and ink-colored verses.

The courtyard gate gradually closed.

That world seemed to grow ever narrower in her eyes.

Until she was isolated.

Mingzhu has never been arrogant, so it is particularly easy for him to bend down. The hand that holds the pen can be used to write letters for people, help people copy books, and do accounting for shops. It can also be used to wash clothes and wash dishes.

Sometimes, when I run into fellow students from the same college, they'll come to serve food under my scrutinizing gaze, and I can greet them with a smile and say, "You should definitely try this dish at this restaurant."

Then quickly set out the bowls and chopsticks.

She learned a lot from Mr. Cui's open-mindedness.

It was only then that Zhu Wuyao realized that Mingzhu had been preparing to fall back into the mud for a long time.

She never put on any pretentious airs, maintained good relationships with her classmates in the academy, and never boasted about her knowledge.

Therefore, he did not suffer much ridicule after his fall from grace.

By leveraging the connections within the academy and utilizing the resources from various places where he had worked, he could occasionally find jobs that were easy to do but paid well. In the cracks, Mingzhu slowly began to sprout and grow.

At first, it was full of stumbles and setbacks, but gradually I became more at ease.

Zhu Wuyao knew that Mingzhu had never given up her studies; she read and pondered, but it seemed that it was not for the purpose of seeking fame and fortune.

Zhu Wuyao had no idea what Mingzhu was thinking when he silently turned the pages of the book.

Until one night.

Mingzhu piled all the books and articles in the courtyard and set them on fire.

Her brother and sister rushed forward to put out the fire.

"What are you doing! Ah Zhu, this is something you cherish very much!"

"Sister, I'll go fetch water!"

Mingzhu raised her hand and pressed down on her brother's shoulder, then pulled her sister back, and said:

"In such a world, books are useless."

She thought of the sedan chair on the day the results were announced, of the "advice" Li Chengguan gave her after drinking, of the tables and chairs smashed during the battle of immortals, and of Mr. Cui's countless sighs, yet his choice to remain secluded from the world.

The flames danced in her eyes, gradually calming down until they were extinguished, leaving only ashes.

Day two.

Mingzhu arrived at the Suspended Poetry Courtyard.

She knelt before Zhu Wuyao and said:

"Please, immortal, impart your teachings to me."

At some point, Mingzhu realized that the two people in the Xuan Shi Courtyard were no ordinary people.

Shen Anzhi shook his head and said:

"Although you have spiritual roots, you have little talent."

"We are just rogue cultivators with shallow cultivation, and we ourselves cannot achieve immortality, so we cannot teach you."

Mingzhu ignored his words and stared intently at Zhu Wuyao.

Zhu Wuyao remained silent for a moment, then heard Shen Anzhi's telepathic message in his ear—

"Junior Sister, imparting Taoist techniques will alter her original destiny. Don't forget our bet."

She smiled and replied telepathically:

"Senior Brother Shen is certainly on guard."

Before she was certain she could protect the candle, Zhu Wuyao wouldn't cause any unnecessary trouble. She shook her head and said:

"Your comprehension is too poor."

Lacking talent and comprehension...

The two people's comments dealt a heavy blow to Mingzhu, especially since one of the people who made the judgment on her was Sister Wu, whom she had always respected.

Mingzhu sensed the rejection in his words.

I know that forcing it is useless.

She looked slightly downcast, but quickly cheered herself up and looked up to say:

"Even though I am not destined for immortality, Sister Wu is still my guide in poetry and calligraphy, and can be considered my teacher."

"Disciple, come back tomorrow."

After saying that, she got up and left decisively, not giving Zhu Wuyao any chance to correct her on the terms "my teacher" and "my disciple".

After the person left, Shen Anzhi commented:

"He is good at seizing opportunities, unafraid of losing face, and decisive in his actions. He has improved a lot in the years since he left the academy."

Day two.

Zhu Wuyao quickly slipped away, wanting to avoid Mingzhu and also to see what message Ge Mingsheng had delivered from the wooden box.

After the protective shield was removed, he extended his divine sense.

Noticing that no one was in the Suspended Poetry Courtyard, the gate was wide open.

She frowned and was about to turn back when Shen Anzhi stopped her halfway. He smiled and said:

"The ten-year period is approaching. Junior Sister Zhu, I've placed a copy of the 'Qi Refining Manual' on the stone table in the courtyard. Do you think she'll take it without asking?"

Mingzhu saw that the courtyard gate was wide open, and assumed that, as they had agreed in the past, opening the gate was a way of welcoming her.

She knocked on the door but received no answer, so she went into the courtyard.

Sure enough, they found the secret manual on the stone table in the courtyard.

Zhu Wuyao chuckled and said:

"Seduction tests, that's not the rule."

"Shen Anzhi, I originally thought you made the bet to trap me, but now it seems you are also quite interested in her?"

"Is there something strange about her fate?"

Shen Anzhi shook his head and said:

"I have no idea.

"Her fate is unremarkable. She will be imprisoned in a small courtyard for theft, and her life will be like a fish swimming in shallow water, confined and unable to achieve her ambitions."

"But the fact that I have come here means that what is about to happen here is extraordinary."