The proclamation of the Golden List echoed throughout the entire examination courtyard.
Jia Zhu was trembling with excitement. Even with his typically dull personality, he couldn't suppress the joy in his heart. To stand out among hundreds of thousands, even if he was among the lowest ranks—perhaps even last—being selected was still being selected. To have one's name listed on the Golden List was a mark of recognition that no one could erase.
"Congratulations, congratulations! Brother Jia, to have your name listed on the Golden List and be promoted as a Juren, your future is boundless."
Other examinees nearby offered their heartfelt congratulations with smiles.
Becoming a Juren (provincial graduate) meant one foot was already stepping onto the political stage of the Great Yi Dynasty. No one could predict where such a path might lead, but it was sure to be filled with opportunity. Naturally, such a person was worth befriending. After all, few who made it to the imperial exams were fools. Taking the exams together formed a bond akin to battlefield camaraderie. In the bureaucratic arena, those early friendships often became lasting ties.
Jia Zhu, brimming with joy, thanked everyone around him profusely.
"Li Quan, ranked sixty-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-fifth on the Golden List. Achieved Juren status!"
Just then, another name was proclaimed from the Golden List.
A middle-aged scholar immediately broke into a joyous grin and burst out laughing. "I made it! I finally made it! Even though it's near the bottom, I still passed!"
His joy was evident. Out of several hundred thousand candidates, only about sixty thousand were chosen. That was already an astonishingly low acceptance rate, and no one could guarantee their success. To hear one's name called was cause for sincere, visible elation.
As names continued to be announced, something miraculous happened—a surge of fortune and destiny descended from the heavens, enveloping those whose names had been called. At that moment, it felt as if golden light blanketed their bodies. Under the effect of this karmic boon, many found that previously impassable cultivation bottlenecks suddenly gave way with ease.
Boom!
Whether it was Jia Zhu or Li Quan, both broke through to a new level of cultivation as the fortune infused them. Old injuries were effortlessly healed. Their bodies felt lighter than ever before. Even their potential seemed heightened, now far more exceptional than before.
This was the result of Heavenly Fortune Baptism—a cleansing of body and soul akin to Marrow Cleansing and Rebirth.
Such benefits were almost impossible to achieve through conventional cultivation.
"Chen Bailie, ranked sixty-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-fourth on the Golden List. Achieved Juren status!"
...
The announcements continued with a steady rhythm. Each newly named scholar received the karmic baptism, experiencing Marrow Cleansing and Rebirth, a transformation that elevated their very cultivation aptitude.
Moreover, many noticed that the higher a candidate's rank, the denser the fortune they received. The golden glow surrounding their bodies grew more intense accordingly. Clearly, higher ranking brought greater karmic rewards.
Shua shua shua!!
As the announcements went on, many of the successful candidates were ecstatic. Those who hadn't heard their names showed somber expressions—they knew their chances were slim.
Everyone knew how they had performed.
Especially those who had been eliminated in the examination space—whether due to their city falling or their own death—had little hope. They already anticipated the result.
Watching others receive Fortune Infusion, they could only gaze on with envy.
This was one of the immense benefits of joining the Great Yi's imperial system.
Time passed unnoticed.
The successful celebrated, while the unsuccessful paled, some nearly lifeless in their expressions. They could only watch with longing in their eyes.
"It's the Golden List. The examination results are being announced—this is the Proclamation of the Golden List."
In Xuanhuang City, citizens living closest to the Imperial Tree Palace looked to the sky in astonishment. They too heard the broadcasted proclamations. Many halted what they were doing, standing still, ears attentive.
No one could remain indifferent to the imperial examinations.
It was the top priority of the Great Yi Dynasty.
To hear the Golden List Proclamation—what an honor. Even the most urgent matters were set aside.
The voice of the proclamations grew louder, spreading farther. From the examination courtyard, it expanded to cover a large section of Xuanhuang City—and still it spread.
The higher a candidate's rank, the broader the proclamation's reach. This was the essence of Fame Spreading.
Low rank meant fewer people would remember your name. But the higher the rank, the broader the reach—making one's name more likely to be remembered.
Before long, the entire Xuanhuang City was blanketed by the proclamations, and then it extended into the wilds and other immortal cities. Not just humans could hear it—beasts and even other races in the wilderness could hear the announcement.
The scale of the event was overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
The top 100 names on the list were broadcast across nearly the entire Great Yi Dynasty.
The power of such fame ensured each name would be etched into the memories of the masses.
At that moment, in an immortal city far from the capital...
In a courtyard, a handsome young man stood quietly, gazing in the direction of Xuanhuang City. His gaze was deep—filled with yearning and a trace of regret.
He silently listened to the proclamations ringing through the sky.
"Brother Zhou, it's all my fault. If not for me, you would surely have made the Golden List. With your talent, your name should have been called. I ruined your future..."
From inside the house, a frail young girl stepped out, her face pale and sickly. This was Xiao He, her face full of guilt.
"Xiao He, how can this be your fault? If anyone is to blame, it's me—my fate simply wasn't aligned this time. Besides, it was my own decision not to participate in the exam."
Zhou Yu smiled gently, sweeping away the trace of regret in his expression.
"Brother Zhou..."
Xiao He bit her lip, still burdened by guilt.
It turned out that, shortly before the imperial exam, Xiao He had heard that a rare mushroom known as the Azure Cloud Mushroom grew in the wilderness outside the city. It was sky-blue in color, emitting a glow like floating clouds. Not only was it delicious, but consuming it was said to greatly enhance literary inspiration—perfect timing before the exam.
Naturally, many ventured out early in the morning to harvest them.
Xiao He was among them. She left the city before dawn, hoping to harvest the mushroom during its brief growth window—just after sunrise. If missed, it would wilt and vanish.
But hidden beneath one such mushroom was a deadly Scarlet Blood Snake. When still, it resembled nothing more than a dry twig—barely thicker than a finger. It was almost impossible to spot.
Mesmerized by the mushroom, Xiao He failed to notice and was bitten. The venom was swift and deadly.
Were it not for her cultivation protecting her heart meridian with true qi, she would have died on the spot. The Scarlet Blood Snake's venom ignited the blood, causing it to burn, ultimately engulfing the entire body in blood flames, reducing the victim to ashes—a terrifyingly cruel death.
Fortunately, a solution existed. The Yin-Yang Pill, gained by Zhou Yu during the Lantern Festival, was capable of countering even the most vicious poisons. Using the power of yin and yang to purify the venom, it was the ideal cure.
Zhou Yu had immediately given the pill to Xiao He, saving her life.
But though the poison was neutralized, Xiao He suffered severely. Her vital essence and spirit were depleted, leaving her weak and at risk of permanent damage. Had it not been for the pill replenishing her foundation, she might have faced a ruined cultivation path.
Faced with her condition, Zhou Yu had no heart to pursue the exam. He stayed behind to care for her, missing the chance of a lifetime.
It was an immense loss.
Zhou Yu firmly believed that, had he gone, his name would have been among the Golden List. He would have become a Juren, remembered throughout the dynasty.
But time waits for no one.
What's missed is missed. There was no room for regret.
"Enough, Xiao He. As long as you're safe, missing the exam is nothing. In the Great Yi, talent is not limited to the imperial exam. There are other ways to rise. Don't worry, I already have a plan."
Zhou Yu comforted her once more, smiling with calm resolve.