Chapter 261: The top talent (2/2)
”What else?”
”The imperial courts are highly political. Influence and authority rule there. The Heaven Dao Pavillion is the closest to ‘Dao’ in the entire empire. You will be able to access significantly more resources there.”
”How many disciples do they take in every year?” Fang Zhengzhi nodded. ”One pavilion, four sages, thirteen constabularies” was the representation of power in the empire.
The Heaven Dao Pavillion was right at the top of the food chain.
They were the only ones who were peers with the Great Xia Dynasty. In the eyes of the cultivators, the Heaven Dao Pavillion was even more attractive than the imperial courts.
However, such a well endowed place was not open to everyone.
”They only take in three disciples every two years. During the selection, the Northern Barbarians and the Southern Mountain Range people will all be attending. The Heaven Dao Pavillion and the Great Xia Dynasty have a standing agreement that at least one of the disciples will be from the Great Xia Dynasty.” Chi Guyan explained.
”Three?!” Fang Zhengzhi had expected the selection to be difficult, but he never expected it to be this difficult.
Three disciples every two years?
How many disciples did they have?
”Are you thinking that they run the risk of not having any successors by having such a stringent selection?” Chi Guyan guessed Fang Zhengzhi’s thoughts.
”I would like to think of it as a break in the line.” Fang Zhengzhi did not deny it.
”Haha, you don’t have to worry about that. The Heaven Dao Pavilion has a tradition. At any point in time, they will have 3000 disciples inside.”
”3000 disciples?” Fang Zhengzhi was confused.
If they accepted three every two years, 3000 disciples...
That did not make any sense!
”As to why they have 3000 disciples, you would understand once you enter. I think you should focus on passing the court examinations!”
”Is it very difficult?”
”Well, if you thought the imperial examinations were difficult, the court examinations would make them look like a piece of cake!” Chi Guyan explained.
”Why so?”
”Normally, people would be given the posts of officials once they pass the imperial examinations. Promotions would be given afterwards based on their contributions. However, the court examinations are the final Dao examinations. The final name list is strictly guarded. They will only select nine people, and there is no top three.”
”No top three?”
”No top three. The top ranking individual in the court examinations would be given the title ‘Ringleader’.
”Ringleader?” Fang Zhengzhi knew what it meant. This phrase was used to describe the leader in a particular field.
This term could also be used to describe someone who was peerless.
”Yes, ringleader is the special title conferred to the top scorer at the court examinations. The commoners would confer him the title of ‘Top talent’!” Chi Guyan said calmly.
”Top talent?” Fang Zhengzhi looked at Chi Guyan, ”You are also a top talent?”
”Yes, but why didn’t you specify my gender in the title like what others do?”
”Are there any in the Supernatural State at the court examinations?”
”It differs from year to year. There were two in the edition I participated in.”
”Two Supernatural State? Why didn’t they pass the court examinations?”
”The Great Xia Dynasty uses the ”Law of Dao” as the foundation for our cultivation. Many things can happen in the short span of two years. For example, who would have expected you to top both the county and provincial examinations?”
Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
The road of cultivation was constantly changing. It all depended on one’s understanding. Who was to say that he couldn’t breakthrough to the Supernatural State in two years?
”I get it now.”
”Actually, a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator may not necessarily lose to a Supernatural State one. Even though the difference is significant, some who are at the pinnacle of the previous state can push through and breach the gap.”
”Like you?”
”There is one other person!”
”Who?”
Chi Guyan did not answer Fang Zhengzhi immediately. A name flashed across her mind.
This was a name which reverberated throughout the entire Great Xia Dynasty.
Nangong Hao!
Four years ago, Nangong Hao had participated in the examinations, taking home the top spot at the imperial examinations. Everyone favored him to take home the title of ‘top talent’.
The Heaven Dao Pavilion also announced that Nangong Hao would definitely be selected as a disciple if he could pass the court examinations and attend the selection.
However, he unexpectedly gave up that opportunity, claiming that his foundation was not stable. He chose to return to the Nangong Family to continue his cultivation.
This had caused an uproar.
He had managed to defeat Supernatural State cultivators as a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator. How could his foundation not be stable?
No one knew what he was thinking.
No one knew why he would give up such a golden opportunity.
Two years ago, when the examinations were held once again, everyone expected that Nangong Hao would return to claim the title and enter the Heaven Dao Pavilion. However, the attendee was Nangong Mu.
In the end, Nangong Mu also gave up before the imperial examinations, choosing to return to the Nangong family.
However, this time, no one was surprised.
Chi Guyan had burst onto the scene. She destroyed all the competition in her way, taking home the title of ‘ringleader’ and entered the Heaven Dao Pavilion.
One year later, she challenged Nangong Hao.
She topped the two Dragon Rolls and became the top talent of the generation.
Nangong Hao’s name slowly faded into obscurity. People were now raving over Chi Guyan, the one who they thought was going to fulfill the heavenly prophecy.
However...
Chi Guyan knew one thing.
The Heaven Dao Pavilion has an age restriction on the disciples they recruit. A quick calculation told her that this would be Nangong Hao’s last chance to be recruited.
This meant that...
Nangong Hao would definitely participate in this edition of the court examinations.
”I think that you will meet him very soon. He will also participate in the court examinations!” Chi Guyan sat down next to Fang Zhengzhi without saying more.
Fang Zhengzhi took in the aroma from her clothes. Then, he remembered something, ”15,000 silvers a night, are you serious?”
Chi Guyan’s body moved slightly.
”Make a guess!”
Fang Zhengzhi’s expression changed. I have studied so much, don’t try to trick me. If you do, I will make sure I make you something worse than a servant.
”If I give you a way to instantly make yourself stronger, do you still want the silvers?” Chi Guyan continued before Fang Zhengzhi could respond.