At this moment, before Zhang Jian could speak, Zhang Lu beside him couldn't help but shout out loud, his mouth almost splitting to the sky. However, just as he started speaking, the crowd exploded into chaos, with various Advanced Scholars turning their gazes, many of them casting envious looks, not lacking sour expressions.

"So young, how could someone of this age rank second on the Imperial Examination Results? What skill does he have!"

But before the voice faded, an Advanced Scholar from the Southern Provinces spoke up.

"What skill? Brother Zhang is a role model for us Advanced Scholars from the Southern Provinces, a young prodigy, his articles are as splendid as blooming flowers, how could usual Advanced Scholars compare!"

"Indeed, how can age determine the depth of one's writing? Such a statement is utterly wrong! Who among us Southern Advanced Scholars does not know Brother Zhang's knowledge!"

"Congratulations to Brother Zhang!"

Numerous Advanced Scholars also spoke, each with a complex expression, yet their demeanor was convinced.

This is the power of reputation.

With many Advanced Scholars speaking in support, the discussing voices quickly calmed down, leaving behind a sea of envy and congratulations.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Jian had a slight smile on his face, at the same time glancing at Zhang Lu beside him, making Zhang Lu's old face slightly red.

"Young Master, I've lost my composure!"

Zhang Jian smiled and waved his hand, he could understand Zhang Lu's joy.

He too was happy.

Ranking second on the Imperial Examination Results was beyond his expectation this time, as he didn't rely on Destiny to wish for it, but purely on his genuine talent and learning.

Ranking second on the Imperial Examination Results also gives hope for securing the top three positions in the Palace Examination, namely Champion Scholar, Second Highest Scholar, and Third Highest Scholar.

And at this time, many Advanced Scholars quickly shifted their attention, focusing on another young and vigorous Advanced Scholar.

That is this session's top scorer, Wangqing Province.

He is an extremely orthodox Advanced Scholar, currently wearing an embroidered Confucian robe, tightly wrapped, seemingly not from the County's Noble Families, yet he became the focus under the Golden List.

Many wealthy households had already prepared in advance, sending their family servants rushing over quickly, while some directly targeted Zhang Jian.

This is another spectacle under the Golden List.

Seizing son-in-law from the list.

Zhang Jian already has a fiancée, unwilling to be 'seized', he indicated Zhang Lu to step forward to block, while he smoothly blended into the center of many Advanced Scholars, disappearing in an instant.

Meanwhile, in the crowd, Shi Lun was also quickly browsing through the rows of the list.

A full two hundred eighty-five Imperial Scholars were admitted in the Ministry of Rites Examination during the sixth year of Emperor Jingwu's reign.

This number is not particularly many, but not too few either.

Out of thousands of Advanced Scholars, nearly a tenth proportion.

In the icy weather, Shi Lun felt sweat all over, partly due to the bustling crowd, partly due to anxiety, until he saw his name at the hundred ninth position.

The hundred ninth name in Jixian County Shi Family Workshop, Shi Lun!

Seeing his name on the list, Shi Lun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, carefully browsing the entire list, his expression suddenly stiffened. Among the eight Advanced Scholars who traveled to Haojing with him, only Zhang Jian and himself were on the Golden List.

Zhan Xiong had also failed.

This made Shi Lun quite sorry for him. Zhan Xiong's foundational skills were solid and his charm impressive, unexpectedly he failed, possibly due to issues in the later policy discussion or other aspects.

Shi Lun noticed Zhan Xiong's face showed disappointment not far away, many Advanced Scholars beside him were also sad and grief-stricken.

In the ice and snow, some out-of-control Advanced Scholars wailed and cried, or directly shouted unfairness.

Feeling the atmosphere gradually changing, Shi Lun seized an opportunity to sneak away.

Afterwards, Shi Lun sprinted back to the Champion Scholar's Residence in one breath.

The Champion Scholar's Residence was no longer bustling as it had been ten days ago.

Most of the Advanced Scholars had already dispersed. Those who didn't succeed couldn't face returning to meet friends at the Champion Scholar's Residence, most could only quietly pack their belongings and prepare to leave the Capital.

Only those few who made it onto the Golden List could strive further towards becoming Champion Scholars.

Shi Lun met Zhang Jian here.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian, Shi Lun's eyes brightened as he stepped forward to congratulate.

"Congratulations Brother Zhang for ranking second on the Golden List, Champion Scholar is within reach!"

"Brother Chengfeng, let's share the joy!"

Zhang Jian gently bowed, also smiling.

From this moment, their relationship would go a step further, not only kindred spirits as friends, but now also peers of the same year.

As fellow Advanced Scholars and friends, they were likely to become political allies looking out for each other carefully watching.

This was destined to be more intimate than ordinary friendships.

Shi Lun was early to realize this and could see clearly the principal and subordinate dynamics, though both came from the Commandery, Zhang Jian surpassed him in wisdom or in his ways of handling matters, with his future achievements likely outshining Shi Lun.

Shi Lun didn't mind this deep down, not only because Zhang Jian helped relieve a major threat allowing him to smoothly participate in the Ministry of Rites Examination, but also because he was deeply impressed by Zhang Jian's talent.

Admiration from the bottom of his heart.

Soon after, a few more Southern Scholars who made it entered the Champion Scholar's Residence. After a few cups of drinks, they gently dispersed.

They all knew making the Imperial Examination Results was not the end.

Three days later, the Palace Examination is the most crucial.

Though they won't fail, it concerns naming and appointing of official positions.

On the way, Zhang Jian's expression was filled with surprise.

He realized that after making it to the Golden List, a certain intangible Spiritual Mechanism from deep within the Sheji Destiny seemed to favor him, flowing continuously into his body, causing the Golden Liquid Magical Power in his Dharma Spring within him to rapidly increase, revealing a sense of fullness, dynamism, and brilliance.

"Is this how you gather Sheji Spiritual Mechanism, invading the mystery of Creation?"

Zhang Jian thought secretly.

He knew even ordinary people possess Spiritual Mechanisms, which is why demon ghosts enjoy consuming the Essence Blood of all beings as a source of their cultivation.

Similarly, the Imperial Court's operation hides Spiritual Mechanisms, obtaining the authority of Heaven and Earth and Sheji Destiny equates to acquiring the Creation of all beings' operation.

This is the ultimate mystery of cultivating in the governmental gate.

The 'Tongshan Pure Treasure Record' is originally capable of gathering various Spiritual Mechanisms, including Sheji Spiritual Mechanism. As Zhang Jian had just gained entry to the highly prestigious Imperial Examination Results of the Daqian Court, naturally Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanisms entered his body, increasing his magical power.

"No wonder the Patriarch said, the secular world is the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land that cultivators yearn for, but its Blessed Land's Spiritual Mechanism is not easily absorbed by common cultivators!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly.

The increase in magical power made him feel extra anticipation for the upcoming Palace Examination.

While making the Imperial Examination Results is prestigious, it cannot compare to scoring the highest in the Golden List.

Scoring the highest in the Golden List, and bridal chamber candle night.

This has always been a beauty of the mortal world.

...

Zhang Jian immersed himself for three days in a small courtyard. During these three days, besides bidding farewell to some Advanced Scholars leaving the Capital, he stayed in the small courtyard honing his magic power and studying.

Until three days later, the auspicious time arrived.

The location of the Palace Examination was inside the Imperial City, not specifically in the Jinluan Hall, usually it is a palace designated as vacant by the Emperor.

This time, Emperor Jingwu indicated the examination to take place in Chengtian Hall to show the court's emphasis on talent.

...

At this moment, early in the morning, two hundred eighty-five Imperial Examination Candidates passed through Jade Capital Street, led by four Chief Examiners through various Imperial Streets, reaching a palace called Hanyuan Sect, where several Imperial Censorate officials were waiting, along with officials from Taichang Temple informing the two hundred eighty-five Imperial Examination Candidates of certain rituals after entering the hall, and cautioned against losing comportment in front of the major officials and the present Emperor.

If one loses comportment in front of the hall, there's also a risk of failing.

This is one of the few ways failure may occur.

Of course, generally, such accidents won't happen.

At this time, Zhang Jian was listed second among the Imperial Examination Candidates, right behind the top scorer from Wangqing Province, he noticed some Advanced Scholars were already nervous, a few whose faces were less than "dignified," watched by several Imperial Censors, appeared very tense.

Losing comportment in the hall includes being ugly.

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