The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

"Greetings to the Hall Master."

Xu Qing stepped out of the palace gates, as a group of talented members of the Recovery Society came to welcome him.

Though the imperial examination was just concluded and the paper grading has yet to start, Xu Liushou's reputation had already been established.

Jiangning's Young Master Xu, consecutively achieved six firsts.

These six firsts were pointed out personally by the heavens, to say a rather disrespectful thing, Xu Liushou is not even considered an emperor's student; he is sent down by the heavens to be the literary master of the current age!

Such is the audacity!

If anyone wishes to refute, then write an article that astonishes the Wenqu Star.

Now, Xu Qing's examination essay is placed deep within the Wenyuan Pavilion, before the holy image of the Master, alongside the few remaining Saint's handwritten manuscripts from the imperial family.

Indeed, there are only a few of the imperial family's Saint's manuscripts left now.

It is said to be because they were burnt in a palace fire.

But there are also rumors saying the old emperor used them for alchemy.

Should the use of Saint's manuscripts for alchemy be spread, where would the old emperor's honor lie?

Thus, this rumor remains a minor tale and certainly cannot be spoken openly.

No matter what, the true gap between Xu Qing's examination essay and the Saint's manuscripts is likely just a life away.

"All of you, rise." Xu Qing replied courteously.

His gestures now exude elegance and naturalness, yet the ancient demeanor of a saint cannot be concealed. The halo of the Wenqu Star is too prominent.

The scholars, who have always maintained that there is no first in literature, lacked the confidence to compare their essays with Xu Qing's.

Now, those who could be compared with Xu Qing's level of essay are only the saints and great scholars who have passed away; contemporary great scholars are no match.

After all, should someone say, "Your essay is praised so highly, why hasn't it astonished the stars?"

Such a remark would break any great scholar's defense.

Like a master of Dao skill among a bunch of worldly tricksters, who could stand firm?

Facts triumph over any eloquence.

Other tribute-funded scholars exiting the imperial examination observed numerous scholars welcoming Xu Qing, feeling immensely envious, yet they could not conceive ideas of replacing him.

Xu Qing's prominence is too overwhelming; if they were in his place, they wouldn't be able to carry such an aura and would surely be trembling with anxiety.

Yet this prominence landing on Xu Qing seems quite natural.

Because Xu Qing did not arise suddenly; each event he accomplished was quite sensational.

Therefore, Xu Qing's path to achieving six consecutive firsts was a natural progression, not making people feel abrupt.

Encircled by the crowd, Xu Qing returned to the South Zhili Hall.

Among the members inside, there are some who took the imperial examination alongside him.

It can be said that for these members, taking the same class of imperial examination together with the Hall Master is undoubtedly the greatest honor of their lifetime, turning into an undeniable asset for future rankings.

This class of examination and imperial examination is destined to be recorded in history, illuminating the entire Longevity Dynasty.

Xu Qing felt fulfilled, seeing fame and fortune lightly. Even assured of being the six supremes of the present age, surpassing ancient and modern, he was not greatly excited.

When things are as they should be, why be excited?

He told everyone: "The imperial exam question was about how to quell the Yang clan's rebellion in Bozhou and stabilize the Southwest. The strategies I outlined in the imperial exam were concise and comprehensive, laying out the basic plan, which, unsurprisingly, will also be the court's subsequent guidelines for quelling the unrest."

Yan Shan and the members felt extremely stirred.

Using the strategies written in the imperial exam directly as the upcoming court policies; such unabashed audacity was, from the Hall Master's mouth, entirely natural, unquestionable.

In this context, no one would consider the saying, "The towering tree must be destroyed by the wind."

Because the Hall Master is not a towering tree, but a bright moon, guiding the way forward in the perplexing night.

At this moment, Yan Shan's slogan "If the heavens did not give birth to Xu, the world would be in eternal night" appeared astonishingly foreseeing.

In later historical studies, historians regarded this slogan as a major turning point in Yan Shan's political career. Precisely this slogan broke the dark politics of the Longevity Dynasty, ushering in a new, invigorating force.

Yan Shan successfully transitioned from a Hanlin Editor to a Six Department Inspector, holding a position of low rank but high power, thus opening doors for entry into the empire's central authority.

Of course, in Yan Shan's personal notes, the slogan was entirely heartfelt.

He deeply commented on this event, stating that in that context, if one followed the Hall Master, working for him similarly, they would naturally associate with that slogan.

This was not even a slogan but was the "fact" visible at that time.

Yan Shan believed that anyone with experiences under the Hall Master's wing would draw the conclusion "If the heavens did not give birth to Xu, the world would be in eternal night."

The Hall Master might not always be absolutely correct, but not following him is certainly incorrect.

Not only Yan Shan thought this way, but other members shared similar sentiments.

Xu Qing always emphasized making deep considerations, and in their recent reflections, the greatest realization they reached was following the Hall Master's words.

These words sounded flattering, but they were their genuine thoughts.

Because the Hall Master's achievements are evident, anyone can inquire and confirm them.

Xu Qing saw everyone's excitement, their thoughts subtly reflected in his mind. It's not some transcendent insight, but a resonance born from aligned intentions.

They now believe that following Xu Qing allows one to accomplish great deeds, ascend in rank and wealth, and attain historical fame.

On the land of the Great Yu Dynasty, the biggest secret of success since ancient times is following those destined for greatness, as long as one survives until the day of the grand achievement, thus becoming a founding elder.

The so-called "climbing the dragon and attaching to the phoenix" is merely this.