The Drunken Immortal Inn, second floor, a private booth.
This was the liveliest inn in Anping County, filled with the endless sounds of clinking glasses and drinking games.
Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe chose a table by the window, watching as the lights of a thousand homes gradually lit up the world outside.
On the table were several hearty dishes and a pot of fine "Champion Scholar Red Wine."
"Come, Brother Chu, this cup is for you!"
Gu Qinghe raised his cup and drained it in one go. The harsh liquor burned its way down his throat, but it didn’t make him the least bit drunk. The constitution of someone in the Qi Cultivation Stage was far beyond that of an ordinary person; any mortal wine that entered his stomach was instantly neutralized by his Spiritual Qi.
But this wine wasn’t for getting drunk. It was for the mood.
After a few cups, Gu Qinghe’s tongue loosened, and he grew gradually more agitated.
"Brother Chu, I’m actually well aware of my situation."
Gu Qinghe set down his cup with a bitter smile. "I don’t have a chance in this Daoist School selection. In the first pass, Qi Absorption, I only got a B-minus. The second, Spirit Control, was just mediocre. As for the Heart Inquiry Pass..."
He shook his head, his eyes full of helplessness. "I almost didn’t make it out of the Illusion Realm. In the end, my foundation is just too weak, and my temperament isn’t strong enough. I was just too impatient."
Chu Bai was silent. He knew Gu Qinghe was telling the truth.
"The killer is my bone age."
Gu Qinghe sighed heavily. "If I don’t pass this year, I’ll be over the age limit next year. The gates of the Daoist School are, for all intents and purposes, permanently closed to me for this lifetime."
"One step behind, always behind."
This one sentence encapsulated all the bitterness of a Humble Family Cultivator.
"If I want to secure an Official Status, from now on, my only option is to cross the single-plank bridge of the Celestial Examination. Competing against Cultivators of all ages, against those old foxes who have been honing their skills for who knows how many years... It’s hard! So incredibly hard!"
Gu Qinghe grabbed the wine pot and poured himself another cup.
Chu Bai looked at his classmate but offered no words of comfort. Comfort would be hollow at a time like this.
However, Gu Qinghe didn’t wallow in despair. He downed another cup of wine. Though his eyes were a little red, they held more relief than anything else.
"But I’ve come to terms with it."
He set down his cup, a slight smile on his face. "At least I’m a Qi Cultivation Cultivator. With this level of Cultivation, here in Anping County, I could work as a Darts Master for an Escort Agency or join a Nursing Home for a wealthy family. I can at least make a living, and it would be a hundred times better than my old life."
"At the very least, I’ll have money to treat my mother’s illness, and I can pay off my old debts."
"Official Status is great, but if it’s not in the cards for me, I’ll just be a Loose Cultivator. Even if the climb is slower, it’s better than rotting in the mud. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope."
Hearing this, Chu Bai praised him silently.
’This Resilience—to recognize the harsh reality of his situation yet still love life and refuse to give up—isn’t that a powerful Dao Heart in its own right?’
"Brother Gu, you have a broad mind." Chu Bai raised his cup. "Even without an Official Status, with your temperament, you will surely achieve great things in the future. I toast to you."
The two looked at each other, smiled, and drained their cups.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the two parted ways at the inn’s entrance.
"Waiter!"
Before leaving, Chu Bai called out to the server who was about to clear the table. "That roast chicken we barely touched, and that plate of braised beef—please wrap them up for me in oil paper."
"Right away, sir!"
Chu Bai took the warm, oil-paper package and tucked it into his robe, close to his body. It was for his parents and younger siblings; it should still be warm when he got back.
Only after doing this did he turn and walk toward the Zhang Mansion in the eastern part of the city.
Night had fallen, but a light still shone in the study of the Zhang Mansion.
"Disciple pays his respects to Master."
Completely sober, Chu Bai bowed respectfully.
"You’re back?" Daoist Zhang set down the Dao Scripture in his hands. He looked at his calm disciple and smiled. "How was your day?"
"It was fine. I had a few drinks with Gu Qinghe."
Chu Bai then recounted his performance in the examinations over the past few days, holding nothing back.
Of course, regarding that world-shocking evaluation, he didn’t boast, merely saying it was the examiner’s undeserved praise.
After listening to Chu Bai’s account, Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and nodded, his satisfaction plain to see.
"Not bad. You truly haven’t brought shame upon your master."
"As for whether you’ll pass, although the results haven’t been posted, in my opinion, it’s more or less a sure thing."
Then, Daoist Zhang suddenly teased, "Once you’re accepted into the Daoist School, I’m afraid you won’t want to listen to this old codger’s ramblings anymore. The Instructors there are far more capable than I am."
"Master jests," Chu Bai said quickly. "A teacher for a day is a father for life. All of my abilities were taught by you."
"That is true," Daoist Zhang said without false modesty, his expression turning serious. "But the Daoist School is indeed extraordinary. It’s said that a true Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator is stationed there year-round to lecture on the Dao, and they possess inheritances of even more profound Cultivation Techniques. If you can get in, it will be a true case of the fish leaping over the Dragon Gate."
A Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!
Chu Bai’s heart trembled.
He had vaguely surmised that his master’s Cultivation was at the Late-stage Qi Cultivation, already making him a top figure in the County.
Ordinary academy instructors, like Master Liu, were generally at the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation. Daoist Zhang’s status was higher; otherwise, why would the academy have established an Inner Hall just for him?
The Celestial Court’s control was strict. Although a Cultivator’s Realm was not directly tied to their position, it was largely determined by it.
Their method of control was simple: resources.
Methods for breakthroughs, treasured lands for cultivation, and most critically, Spiritual Qi...
Which of these was not under the control of the Law Net?
The limit for an ordinary Loose Cultivator was often the Early-stage Qi Cultivation. Aside from a few who stumbled upon a fortuitous opportunity, it was very difficult to advance further.
But the Foundation Establishment Stage... those were true Immortal-like figures who could perform Sword Flight and had a lifespan of two hundred years!
No wonder everyone flocked to the Daoist School.
"For the next few days, you should stay here in the mansion and wait for the results to be posted," Daoist Zhang said gently. "It just so happens that I have some insights on cultivation that I can take this chance to pass on to you."
Chu Bai was touched by his words, but after a moment’s hesitation, he cupped his hands and said:
"Master’s kindness is something this disciple will never forget. It’s just..."
He felt the still-warm package of roast chicken in his robe, and his gaze softened. "This disciple has been away from home for several days for the grand examination. My parents must have been worried sick day and night, unable to eat or sleep in peace. Now that the exam is over, regardless of the outcome, I wish to return home first to let them know I am safe, so they won’t worry."
"I will return tomorrow morning to receive Master’s teachings."
Daoist Zhang looked at the boy before him, who knew how to repay kindness and valued relationships, and the admiration in his eyes deepened.
"Of all virtues, filial piety is foremost. In Cultivation, one cultivates the Dao, not heartlessness."
Daoist Zhang waved his hand. "Go on, don’t keep your parents waiting. You can just come back on the day the results are posted."
"Thank you, Master!"
Chu Bai bowed once more, then turned and strode away.
Outside the city gates, moonlight spilled like water onto the dirt road of the countryside.
At his current speed, the journey of more than ten li wouldn’t take long if he sprinted, but this time, Chu Bai didn’t hurry back.
He had been rushing about for several days straight. Although his physical body had improved significantly and he wasn’t exactly tired, the ordeal had been mentally draining. Now, he could finally relax and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Unhurried, he walked home beneath the moon.

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