Some candidates displayed exceptional skill in carpentry, demonstrating extraordinary ability in the relevant fields.Others exhibited great prowess in criminal law, and upon seeing that the people of their cities had no laws to abide by, they began referencing legal systems from across history, compiling their own set of penal codes. The result was a city where customs were upright, and no one dared to cross the line.
There were also candidates with military knowledge who began training troops, recruiting armies, and fortifying their cities like impregnable bastions. They fought fiercely against beasts and monsters, providing protection for their citizens.
However, there were also those who only knew theory without practice. Once they had to apply their ideas, they became disoriented and confused. Their cities descended into chaos, unable to resist external enemies, and were ultimately destroyed by ferocious beasts. The entire population perished—rivers of blood, corpses strewn everywhere.
Such candidates were instantly expelled from the virtual space upon death. Their scores were naturally abysmal. If they couldn't defend their city, nor demonstrate their skills in education, agriculture, law, commerce, military affairs, construction, medicine, administration, or civil management, then they were deemed utterly unqualified. Clearly, such candidates were not fit to become pillars of Great Yi.
They were eliminated in the very first stage.
Even those with moderate performance had unimpressive scores and hovered at the edge of elimination.
In this trial, if a candidate led an entire city to ruin, how could the Great Yi Dynasty possibly entrust them with an important position? Moreover, if none of their disciplines scored above six points, then clearly, they were not talents worth cultivating. It would be better for them to remain ordinary citizens and focus on cultivation.
Inside the virtual space, time had been altered using a massive amount of spiritual energy by StarNet. The time ratio was such that three years inside equaled just one day outside. This tremendous difference came at a huge resource cost. If not for the significance of the imperial examination, Yi Tianxing would never have allowed such extravagance.
After all, reversing the flow of time consumes a terrifying amount of energy.
But for the examinees, this was a great fortune. They gained three extra years of experience—a precious boon for any genius.
For many, this could be the key to a breakthrough.
Every change that occurred within the virtual world was recorded in detail by StarNet and observed closely by the examiners such as Cai Yong.
In the first year alone, a large number of candidates were eliminated—an inevitable outcome, as not everyone is born a ruler.
Unnoticed, the three years in the virtual space were nearly up. In that time, the examination world had undergone tremendous transformations. Many candidates used the time to settle their minds and refine their strengths.
At this moment, in an ancient city named Jinyun City, a middle-aged man could be seen within the City Lord's Mansion, writing fervently at his desk. Every stroke he made was deliberate and cautious—careful, more careful, and even more careful.
When the final character was written, a radiant scholarly light burst forth from the manuscript.
The middle-aged man let out a long breath, looked at the book before him, and showed a look of deep satisfaction. He threw his head back and laughed, "Good, good, good! After three years of effort, I, Li Kui, have finally compiled a complete legal code. With this code, the Great Yi Dynasty can be perfected—law-abiding and just. No matter how this examination ends, as long as I've completed this code, I've done my duty for Great Yi!"
The joy he exuded was genuine and uncontainable.
The Great Yi Dynasty, being different from ordinary kingdoms, faced a unique problem: many existing laws could restrain ordinary people, but not cultivators, and certainly not the desires of the human heart. Thus, many existing laws were ill-suited to the Great Yi's needs. While many officials had long hoped for a new set of Great Yi-specific laws, few had the talent, time, or focus to compile them. So the matter was continuously delayed.
But what are laws? Laws are a net and a shackle—a net over desire, a shackle on the heart. It is precisely because of these constraints that morality arises, etiquette develops, and a sword of justice hangs above the heads of the people, ready to strike down wrongdoing.
Now, the code that Li Kui compiled was a legal system specifically tailored to the Great Yi Dynasty. While some parts still required adjustments and refinement, it was fundamentally sound and adaptable to specific situations.
At that moment, a divine light descended from the heavens, enveloping the book.
A voice resounded from the heavens, echoing through the entire examination realm:
"Candidate Li Kui, after three years, has compiled a legal code applicable to cultivators and suited for the Great Yi Dynasty. A contribution of immense importance to the state and its future. As a result, you are awarded full marks (10 points) in the Criminal Law subject, and 8 points in the Education subject."
This heavenly voice reached every candidate's ears.
Although the code focused on criminal law, it also significantly contributed to moral education, as education operates within the bounds of law. It is the law that restrains the heart, and many disciplines are intertwined and interdependent.
"What a magnificent legal code! Truly worthy of a pillar of the Legalist school. As a renowned historical figure, he is indeed unmatched when it comes to drafting laws. Excellent, excellent! With this code, the laws of Great Yi can finally be perfected and implemented."
When the divine light faded, the legal code vanished and reappeared in Yi Tianxing's hands.
It now radiated a mystical glow, imbued with scholarly energy, filled with authority and structure.
Flipping through the book, Yi Tianxing nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed, this is a code suitable for a civilization of cultivation."
He was impressed—this code addressed a major shortcoming in the current governance of Great Yi.
He already knew who Li Kui was.
To draft such a code, perfectly combining law with the realities of the Great Yi Dynasty's evolving decrees, only one man was capable—Li Kui, a renowned figure of the Legalist school.
Li Kui was a political reformer during the Spring and Autumn Period, a native of Anyi, Wei State. A key figure in the Legalist movement, he served under Marquis Wen of Wei, leading reforms.
He was talented not only in criminal law but also in economic policy—implementing strategies like "maximizing land productivity" and "grain price stabilization." He advocated crop diversification to prevent famine and promoted law over noble privileges, rewarding merit over birth. Under his reforms, Wei rose as a powerful state in early Warring States.
He also compiled the "Canon of Laws (Fa Jing)", the first comprehensive legal code in Chinese history, a milestone that influenced all later dynasties.
"Congratulations, my King," said Huang Chengyan with a smile."With this code, Great Yi will become even more orderly and law-abiding. Another obstacle to our expansion is removed."
The importance of law was undeniable.
The first function of law is to "settle disputes and define ownership." One Legalist, Shen Dao, once gave a simple analogy:
"A rabbit runs, a hundred men chase it. But if rabbits are stacked in the market, none dare touch them. Not because they don't want rabbits, but because ownership is clear, and the law forbids it."
The second function is "encouraging merit and deterring crime"—to reward military achievement and make evildoers tremble. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the nation and win wars.
Until now, the laws of Great Yi were crude for a cultivation-based empire.
"Yes," Yi Tianxing declared solemnly,"To build a dynasty of cultivation, we must enact not just mundane laws, but Heavenly Laws (Tian Tiao). After this examination, we will gather all Legalist talents and, based on this code, draft a complete Heavenly Code for Great Yi. All who dwell under our rule shall obey it. Heavenly Laws shall not be violated."
His eyes gleamed with resolve.
The laws of a fortune-bound dynasty (Yun Chao) cannot be taken lightly. Once a Heavenly Law is written, it becomes part of the dynasty's destiny, nearly impossible to alter. Additions are possible, but removal is extremely difficult—only the sovereign can amend them. These laws become Heaven's Mandates, unchangeable and binding.