Chen Xu booked a premium room at the inn.

Later, he instructed the Daoist Soldier to follow the long-sighted Da Yan for a while.

The Daoist Soldier investigated around the area where Da Yan was active and quickly identified that the owner of the residence was surnamed Luo.

Coincidentally, this Luo Family was distantly related to the Mo Family where Mo Huaizhang belonged.

Though they were distant relatives, wasn't it just right for distant relatives to step in during a public opinion battle?

The public opinion battle for the imperial examinations might seem extraordinary, but it is essentially like this.

Matters concerning scholars have always emphasized on a good reputation from ancient times.

If one is truly talented, it is difficult to remain unknown. And if truly obscure, even with great talent, one often faces more challenges in the imperial examinations.

Of course, there are always those who remain silent for ten years and amaze everyone with one stunning achievement.

However, such unconventional cases aren't specifically referential, so they're typically excluded.

Referring to this year's autumn exam.

Take the Celestial South Dao as an example, Chen Xu's reputation had grown enough to be listed in the "Great Li's Splendor Record," from Thirty-First to Twenty-Fifth of the Profound List. Even if it's just the Profound List, and not the Earth List or Celestial List, it can indeed be called "famed throughout the world."

Of course, "famed throughout the world" also varies in levels, Chen Xu's might be the lowest level—but let's not dwell on that.

Just speaking about this year's autumn exam, given Chen Xu's reputation, if he couldn't achieve Top Scholar, frankly, even the examiners might face scrutiny.

Why would someone ranked Twenty-Fifth on the Profound List not even achieve Top Scholar?

Is that reasonable?

Uh, it actually is reasonable.

Because as long-sighted Da Yan mentioned, the examination tests worldly literature, not poetry, so why should writing poetry guarantee you become Top Scholar?

However, examiner commentary remains a relatively subjective process.

Sometimes, examiners are indeed more inclined to favor candidates with significant reputations to avoid complications.

What?

You say the autumn exam has cover name grading, everyone's names are hidden during the exam, so no worry about examiners being influenced by candidates' reputations?

Oh, that would be too naive.

Mind that it's easy to hide names, but hard to obscure writing style. Truly top-tier writing is inherently distinctive, sometimes making it difficult for examiners to ignore even if they want to.

So, when speaking of Mo Huaizhang's public opinion battle, it's likely due to Chen Xu jumping from Thirty-Sixth to Twenty-Fifth on the Profound List.

Chen Xu's reputation is overwhelming; among the candidates, those aspiring to Top Scholar can't help but feel threatened.

Inside the inn, Chen Xu explained to the little hedgehog:

"Now, with my movements being mysterious, others find it difficult to directly undermine my reputation, so this widespread public opinion battle is an effective response.

Only by breaking the inherent belief that 'Chen Xu must achieve Top Scholar' can others recognize that being Twenty-Fifth on the Profound List doesn't necessarily equate to the best writing, thus providing other candidates the chance to shine."

Wei Yuan understood, but felt aggrieved for Chen Xu.

The little hedgehog angrily said, "Brother Chen, you are evidently the best, yet they insist on twisting this; hmph! What good is spreading more public opinion?

Those people aren't getting into the 'Great Li's Splendor Record', aren't they just sour grapes because they can't reach them?"

The little hedgehog also knew of the grapes' allusion.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu couldn't help but smile and said, "Ah Yuan, you favor me because you are close to me.

However, the provincial exam hasn't begun, the test hasn't been taken, who dares to claim they're definitely the best?

There's never a first in literature and never a second in martial arts; it's not unusual that some might disapprove. However, the spread of public opinion like this might not be a bad thing for me."

Wei Yuan widened his eyes, pondering intensely, but still puzzled: "Brother Chen, they're attacking your reputation; how's that not a bad thing?"

Chen Xu chuckled, "The idea of 'being too rigid risks breaking', if a candidate's reputation is too prominent, do you think it'll surely leave a good impression on the examiners?

No, when confronted with some examiners with peculiar temperaments, it might actually lead to dislike."

"Oh, but didn't you mention earlier that examiners sometimes fear public opinion?" Wei Yuan's little head was spinning, increasingly confused.

"People's hearts change in a moment; not wanting to oppose public opinion doesn't mean examiners will necessarily follow it while grading.

Thus, establishing a few powerful opponents makes the exam setting more fair, which, instead, benefits me.

Naturally, for people like Mo Huaizhang, it's the same.

Such publicity helps mitigate their former disadvantages, ensuring I don't overpower them."

"Is that so? So this is a fair exam?" Wei Yuan was left somewhat dizzy by this explanation, consistently feeling like he understood, yet sensed something was amiss.

Chen Xu gently brushed the soft, spine-like hair on the little hedgehog's head and smiled, "Understandable in spirit, pitiful in sentiment, however..."

However, he certainly wouldn't thank his competitors.

That day was the fifth of June.

Chen Xu also learned that, just a few days earlier, on the first of June, a giant turtle swam to Silver River Crossing in Xuanji City again.

Similarly appearing was an immense scroll reaching the sky.

The scroll also recorded the "Great Li's Splendor Record," only compared to the version on the first of May, this time's Splendor Record had minor changes.

For example, Chen Xu's ranking had changed.

At the same time, the Star Picker, ranked second on the Celestial List, unexpectedly fell to third!

And the previous third-ranking Pei Jingque then jumped to second place.

As for Xie Mingyi, holding first place, he remained steadily in the lead.

This shows that the "Great Li's Splendor Record" possibly changes monthly, presenting a fresh version on the first of every month.

Previously, during the first of June, Chen Xu was still out in the wild, naturally missing the news.

Now, having arrived in Lingxi County of Qinglin Prefecture, he learned about these new developments.

The Great Li's Splendor Record is extremely peculiar; for instance, previously, when Chen Xu eradicated ghosts in Pufeng Mountain, that event had never been revealed to outsiders, yet the Splendor Record accurately documented it.

This time, Chen Xu killed the evil cultivator in Xiaopo Village, then the Black Monkey King, similarly unbeknown to outsiders, yet again the record detailed the events, publicly sharing them.

Most interestingly, even that night when he lay drunkenly with the little hedgehog on the treetop, spontaneously composing the poem "Raising a Cup to Ask the Moon," it surprisingly appeared in the Splendor Record.

Honestly, this sensation as if constantly watched by invisible eyes isn't exactly pleasant.

However, the Great Li's Splendor Record is too mysterious; many of Great Li's wise haven't cracked it, so Chen Xu needn't trouble himself.

Setting aside the discomfort of everything being recorded—

Oh, the event of Ghost Market wasn't recorded in the Great Li's Splendor Record.

As Chen Xu initially judged: this mysterious list doesn't understand the Netherworld!

In short, removing the unpleasantness, the Great Li's Splendor Record always aids Chen Xu in gaining fame at the most opportune moments.

So, how could it not be considered an ally?

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