In this world, nine out of ten things often don't go as one wishes. Accidents are everywhere. There's no such thing as absolute certainty; at any time, change is always possible.
Even more so in the Eternal World, where the Heavenly Dao is fickle and nothing is set in stone—there is no true constant.
Unable to participate in the imperial examination, Zhou Yu did feel regret. But he didn't blame anyone, especially not Xiao He. His only real disappointment was missing out on the first Da Yi imperial examination, and with it, the chance for his name to be sung throughout the land. Beyond that, it meant little.
Ascending to the court wasn't limited to a single path through the exams.
The Hall of Recruitment and the Immortal Academy were both legitimate and official routes to political advancement. Zhou Yu believed that, with his talents, he could enter Da Yi through those channels smoothly—just without the pomp and prestige of a golden-ranked title.
But then, what is prestige worth?
What he truly longed for was to compete head-on with the finest talents in Da Yi—not for victory or defeat, but for that exhilarating clash of minds and wills, where passion and intellect collide and leave an indelible mark upon one's life.
Unfortunately, the chance had slipped by.
Still, Zhou Yu had no plans to wait around. Time waits for no one. Da Yi evolved daily—each year bringing earth-shaking change, transformation that could be clearly felt. Not becoming part of this metamorphosis would be a massive regret.
Every person with ability wishes to ride the tide of their era.
Zhou Yu was no different.
"Brother Zhou, have you already decided? Our king is eager for talented individuals. Through the Hall of Recruitment, one can gain an immediate audience. With your ability, there won't be any issues at all," said Xiao He with certainty.
Zhou Yu merely smiled, remaining silent, still listening intently to the voice echoing from the void.
"Su Shi—ranked third on the Golden List. Passed the imperial examination. This examination's Tanhua (Third Place Scholar)."
Unknowingly, as the top three rankings were announced, the voices resounded across the entire Da Yi Dynasty. They rang in everyone's ears—it was practically impossible not to hear.
Su Shi, third place—the Tanhua.
"He only placed third? Then who could possibly rank higher?"
Zhou Yu's expression shifted subtly.
"Li Kui—ranked second on the Golden List. Passed the imperial examination. This examination's Bangyan (Second Place Scholar)."
Then a deeper, more resonant voice rang out, reverberating across the heavens.
The title of Bangyan spread across the empire—no one remained unaware. It was a name that invoked envy.
Li Kui—an eminent figure of the Legalist school.
Zhou Yu inhaled sharply. His expression turned serious. He hadn't expected such a major Legalist figure to take part. It only made him regret even more that he'd missed the chance to compete.
But if even second place was Li Kui, then who could possibly take the first?
That was a question not just on Zhou Yu's mind—it echoed throughout Da Yi.
Even breathing seemed to halt in anticipation.
No one dared make a sound. Not a whisper.
At some unknown moment, the sky above Xuanhuang City became as clear as a freshly washed blue canvas. Green clouds shimmered with light. A crimson sun slowly rose on the horizon.
In the next instant, the Golden List hanging atop Azure Cloud Tower radiated with dazzling golden light.
Then, high in the void, an enormous phantom projection of the Golden List emerged, visible across all of Da Yi. Everyone—no matter where—could see it clearly.
The previously displayed names faded, losing their brilliance.
Then, as if an invisible golden brush was writing in the air—its tip glowing with radiant light and drawing ink from the rising sun—it began to write anew on the Golden List. Every stroke sounded like ringing metal.
In a blink, all the names vanished, leaving only three radiant characters:
Zhuge Liang.
BOOM!!!
The three characters floated in mid-air, shining like the stars, sending waves of immeasurable divine light cascading through Xuanhuang City, rippling outward across all of Da Yi.
Every person—farmers in fields, merchants in markets, noble girls in boudoirs, young boys reading scrolls, bounty hunters in the wild, soldiers guarding the frontier—everyone could see the name.
They felt it brand itself into their very soul.
"Zhuge Liang."
Zhou Yu murmured, his eyes shining with intense brilliance, softly speaking the name aloud.
From that moment, everyone under the heavens would know Zhuge Liang's name.
"Among the imperial examination ranks, only the Top Scholar (Zhuangyuan) can stand alone at the pinnacle, become famed across the empire, and be remembered for all eternity. It is a singular honor, a true glory. Among hundreds of thousands of examinees, only one can claim it."
Yi Tianxing stood within the palace, gazing at the golden name, smiling as he spoke.
To rise above tens of thousands of scholars—this honor was well-earned.
And yet, it wasn't over.
BOOM!!
Ten breaths later, golden light surged from the Golden List, transforming into a massive Golden Cassia Tree, its branches covered with shimmering golden osmanthus flowers.
Then, a cloud of azure light condensed in the sky, descending naturally beneath Zhuge Liang's feet, lifting him gently into the air until he hovered before the Golden List.
He held a snow-white feather fan, lightly waving it. A scholarly elegance radiated from him.
Above the azure cloud, a celestial chariot formed. Pulled by nine heavenly green steeds, the chariot's canopy was made from the blooming golden cassia tree.
"Golden List Proclamation—The Top Scholar Tours the Heavens!"
The voice that echoed from the list carried a soaring resonance.
BOOM!!!
The heavenly steeds pulled the chariot, beginning its tour across the realm.
This was a glory reserved only for the Top Scholar—to tour the heavens, traveling throughout the Da Yi Dynasty.
It wasn't just an honor—it was a blessing to the people.
The azure clouds paved the path, golden light beamed across the sky, and multicolored auspicious lights followed.
Wherever the chariot passed, golden cassia blossoms rained down from above—scenting the air for thousands of miles, a spectacle of dreamlike beauty. It was as if the heavens themselves were weeping joy in floral form.
"The Golden Cassia represents talent and the power of will. It is a blessing from the Top Scholar. Quick—everyone gather as much of the golden blossoms as you can! For scholars, they sharpen the mind and inspire insight. For cultivators, they boost comprehension and enlightenment. For children, they awaken the intellect and enhance wisdom. Do not waste this rare fortune!"
The voice of Cai Yong echoed through the void.
In Xuanhuang City, those who touched the golden flowers found them melt into their bodies. Minds cleared, souls were cleansed, and a newfound clarity emerged. It felt as if dust within the heart had been swept away.
Zhuge Liang's journey began.
He did not skip a single city of the Da Yi Dynasty. Despite the great distances, the heavenly steeds seemed to traverse instantly—no one could grasp their speed. Wherever they passed, a golden flower rain followed.
The blessed felt fatigue and sickness vanish. Spirits lifted. Children's eyes sparkled with newfound intelligence.
Where Zhuge Liang went, golden blossoms filled the sky.
Countless people forever etched his name and appearance in their hearts.
"Next time, I must fight for the top rank! To tour the heavens as the Top Scholar—this is a glory for a lifetime! Even if I died right after, it would be worth it. No regrets."
Countless scholars were shaken to the core, hearts brimming with longing and resolve.
They yearned to take his place, to be the one traveling the world beneath the blossoms of the Golden Cassia.
Without a doubt, when the next examination came, countless brilliant minds would exhaust every means, every effort, just to claim the title of Top Scholar.
Not for riches, not for fame—for the honor of touring the heavens.
"This is the true meaning of golden list glory."
Even those who had already passed the exam looked on in awe and envy.
Compared to this… simply passing the test meant nothing.
It was like comparing heaven and earth.
"Damn it! What are the humans trying to do? These golden blossoms feel like knives cutting into me!"
"Bastards! Da Yi grows more terrifying by the day. Just one stupid exam and they've stirred up this kind of spectacle. One day we'll raze their kingdom to ashes!"
In the wilderness, the golden cassia blossoms drifted on the wind.
When non-humans came into contact with them, they felt a burning pain—as though their bodies were being sliced open. They had to flee.
The blossoms were imbued with Heavenly Righteous Qi, noble and pure. This energy repelled all evil and corruption—it carried the collective aspirations of the human race.
The other races could not withstand it.
And yet, in their hearts, they grew more fearful of Da Yi.
Its power increased by the day. Those who lived in the wilds now felt an invisible pressure looming above—a threat of annihilation that could fall at any moment.
That contrast bred madness.
More and more alien warriors harbored thoughts of destroying Da Yi.
But with immortal cities anchoring the wilderness, they couldn't touch the core of Da Yi.
Without breaking those fortresses, they were helpless.