This evening, Chen Xu's heart surged with emotion.

He always had a strong premonition that something significant was about to happen, a premonition that pushed him to breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm before the provincial examination.

This also accelerated the flow of inspiration, allowing him to wield his pen effortlessly in the examination hall, as purple smoke rose from his words, and Literary Qi coursed through them.

Now, although the provincial examination seemed to have ended,

the true test seemed to have just begun.

Chen Xu wasted no time. After dining with the two Little Demons, he immediately returned to his room.

He assigned tasks to the two Little Demons, instructing them to guard the home and protect him.

Wei Yuan and Ah Shi earnestly agreed.

Once Chen Xu returned to his room, he immediately immersed his Heart and Spirit into the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

He wanted to attempt refining the Dragon Soaring Pill right away.

The greatest obstacle that had previously hindered him from refining this pill, certain key auxiliary materials, he had now obtained.

For example: blood of the Top Scholar of the Deer Cry List!

Although the list had not yet been posted, Chen Xu's title as Top Scholar was already certain.

In the Imperial Examination Hall, the Heaven-Equalizing Bell had rung for him. Within the Sea of Literature, the transformation of Literary Qi was nearing completion.

He was now the Top Scholar of the Celestial South Dao provincial examination and could freely use his blood as an auxiliary material to refine the Dragon Soaring Pill.

However, the other crucial auxiliary material, Tears of the Sea of Literature and Ink Pool, he had not yet obtained.

Regarding this item, Chen Xu had contemplated where it should come from.

Should he capture a fellow scholar and beat them up?

Or invite a friend and move them to tears?

Or perhaps, simply find a way to cry a good cry himself?

However, Chen Xu was not entirely sure if, even if he cried his heart out, he could truly obtain the Tears of the Sea of Literature and Ink Pool.

After all, it required tears from the Ink Pool, not actual human tears.

For this reason, Chen Xu fell into a moment of hesitation.

He was just about to try moving himself and brewing tears when he suddenly heard a "knock knock knock" at the courtyard door.

The knocking had a rhythmic, restrained, and courteous sound.

Immediately following was a familiar voice, the excited yet suppressed voice of Cui Yunqi.

He called from outside the door, "Brother Chen, it is I, Cui Yunqi, humbly visiting. If Brother Chen is available, please acknowledge me with a word.

If Brother Chen is inconvenienced, there is no need to respond. I shall leave in fifteen minutes."

It turns out, when Chen Xu went to the Cui Family to deliver manuscripts for "Heavenly Creations' Romance," he left his mark even though it was just a quick visit.

Cui Fu, while overseeing the printing and publishing of "Heavenly Creations' Romance," quietly investigated unusual happenings across the city.

He knew more about Chen Xu than others, so instead of seeking out where unfamiliar scholars were renting, he investigated where unusual food aromas had emanated.

This led him to discover the newly prosperous neighborhood of South City and eventually deduce Chen Xu's residence.

But even knowing Chen Xu's residence, Cui Fu dared not rashly send someone to disturb it.

On the contrary, he covertly sealed the information to prevent others from disrupting Chen Xu's peace.

It was only after the examination ended and Cui Yunqi returned home from the examination hall that Cui Fu divulged the information to him.

How could Cui Yunqi restrain himself?

He hurriedly took a few Qi Cultivation and blood-replenishing Spiritual Medicines, then quickly bathed and refreshed himself before rushing here to see Chen Xu.

He had not yet had the chance to learn the specifics of Chen Xu's essay, as although the Cui Family had aristocratic roots, they never reached the power center of Great Li.

Cui Yunqi was still far from it all; under the current circumstances, he had no way of accessing actual imperial secrets.

Now, except for the tiny core group, according to protocol, Chen Xu's essay would only be posted and publicized after the provincial examination results were announced.

Yet even without seeing the content of Chen Xu's essay, Cui Yunqi held many intense emotions he wished to express.

He knocked on the door cautiously and waited outside anxiously.

The time for a few breaths seemed like a mere moment, yet for Cui Yunqi, it felt like an eternity.

So long that he became a bit nervous, almost bewildered, before hearing a voice from inside: "Brother Cui, please come in. A friend's visit brings great joy; how could I refuse?"

Creak, the courtyard door opened.

Looking up, Cui Yunqi saw Chen Xu standing at the door with a smile.

The breeze gently caressed them, the setting sun slanted its rays, an old friend's demeanor remained unchanged yet also seemed completely different.

Truly like a towering mountain, the cold moonlight reflected across the world, ethereal like an immortal.

Cui Yunqi suddenly felt a sense of self-shame.

But as he recalled Chen Xu's words causing purple smoke to rise, he remembered being once rivals with Chen Xu, and his wager in the Four Great Gambling Houses that Chen Xu would surely become the Top Scholar.

And now, these facts all confirmed Cui Yunqi's foresight.

Cui Yunqi's spirits suddenly soared again.

Until Chen Xu invited him inside, and they sat across from each other under the pomegranate tree in the small courtyard.

Chen Xu waved his hand, laying out Spirit Wine and fruit platters on the table.

Cui Yunqi raised his glass, drinking it in one go, praised the fine wine, moistened his throat, then spoke excitedly:

"Brother Chen, do you know that during the nine days of our examination, at least hundreds or thousands of dragon bone water wheels were erected in the Pingyang Prefecture area?

Now, it's not just Pingyang Prefecture, but the manufacturing method for dragon bone water wheels has spread throughout the entire Seven Prefectures of the South.

In Yunjiang Prefecture, our Cui Family has built dragon bone water wheels wherever possible.

With these water wheels, irrigation is timely, ensuring this year's farming season isn't delayed. Specifically, not just this year, but for many years to come, our farming seasons will no longer be delayed!

This is a monumental achievement, Brother Chen, I, I…"

As he reached this point, his emotions were so overwhelming that he suddenly became tongue-tied.

Cui Yunqi, known for his eloquence and argumentative prowess, never imagined he would find himself at a loss for words one day.

Chen Xu remained composed; although his heart brimmed with joy, he simply raised his cup and said, "Thank you, Brother Cui, for letting me know."

He refilled Cui Yunqi's cup, indicating for him to clink glasses.

Cui Yunqi suddenly felt a sense of being favored, promptly raising his glass to clink it with Chen Xu's.

Clink!

The crisp sound of the glasses lightly touching made Cui Yunqi feel deeply touched, reflecting on past events, saying:

"Brother Chen, the world is indeed full of fascinating coincidences. I used to be so conceited, arrogantly basking in self-satisfaction, as if the world revolved around me, but in reality, it was like a frog in a well gazing at the sky.

In one's little world, no matter how proud, it's merely a grand illusion, laughably unreal, with no real significance.

But now, because of my acquaintance with Brother Chen, I have stepped out of that tiny wellhead. Although I've clearly understood my own insignificance and no longer pride myself on my abilities, it's evident I've seen broader horizons and a wider world.

To witness such vastness, my existence is not in vain."

Having said this, Cui Yunqi could no longer restrain the exuberant emotions in his heart.

He felt a tightness in his chest, lifted his head slightly, and tears flowed from his eyes.

Seeing Cui Yunqi's tears, the Food Cauldron Celestial Book beside Chen Xu suddenly opened.

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