On the Path to the Great Dao Chapter 292: Even Without Hands, You Can Still Get into 29

On this day, many people were looking up at the sky.

A cloud was missing from the sky above the Western Capital.

That cloud had shrouded the Western Capital for eight long months, growing from nothing, becoming larger and larger, turning into a dark cloud hanging over everyone's heart, making it difficult for the sky to clear.

When the cloud arrived, the officialdom of the Western Capital was shaken by an earthquake. The Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet resigned, the Seal-Holding Eunuch resigned, the Three Dukes—the Grand Preceptor, Grand Guardian, and Grand Tutor—resigned, the Left and Right Commanders-in-Chief of the Five Armies resigned, the Civil and Military Left and Right Pillars of the State resigned, the Left and Right Chief Censors resigned, and nearly half of the Ministers of the Six Ministries resigned!

After that cloud arrived, many people in the Western Capital indeed died. So, even after resigning their posts, couldn't escape their fate, becoming guests of the cloud, hanging vividly in the sky dozens of miles away.

The hearts of the people in the Western Capital were filled with fear and anxiety. Everyone wanted to find the chief culprit and hand him over, lest they themselves be implicated. But about the events of eleven years ago, they themselves didn't know much.

Under such pressure, they endured for eight long months.

Now, this cloud had finally left.

Many people felt as if a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders.

The Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Astronomy urgently ordered their subordinate tikeeping officials, along with a host of academicians and minor officials, to get busy searching for the direction the cloud had gone.

Many, many Heaven's Listeners also beca much busier. Whenever one looked up, they could always see several Heaven's Listeners with enlarged ears flying back and forth in the sky. Outside the Western Capital city walls, many ears grew on trees and grassy fields, and even on cliffs, ears of various sizes sprouted. The Venerated Kings and Venerated Lords among the Heaven's Listeners had also been mobilized.

So vast Primordial Spirits also deeply penetrated the underworld, patrolling in all directions, searching to see if that cloud was hiding in the underworld.

When that cloud was here, they were terrified, fearing it would co looking for them.

After the cloud left, they beca anxious and indecisive, feeling that since it was no longer under their surveillance, there was always so danger, and they always wanted to find that cloud again.

This busyness did not affect Chen Shi.

He went to the Xinxiang guildhall, found Hu Feifei and the other scholars from Xinxiang, then located Tian Yue'e, Huang Fengnian, Fu Xiu, and other provincial graduates who had traveled with him on the road to the capital for the exams, inviting them all to enter the minor heaven to cultivate.

During these days, Tian Yue'e, Huang Fengnian, and the others had stayed in the Western Capital. Food, clothing, and daily expenses all cost money. They ca from the countryside, barely scraping together enough travel expenses before the journey, and so hadn't even managed to gather enough, relying on drawing talismans for people and exorcising evil spirits along the way to earn a bite to eat.

Once in the Western Capital, Hu Feifei took them to find the Red Mountain Hall, letting them join as talisman masters. These days, helping the common people around the Western Capital exorcise evil spirits, they had actually earned a bit of money to get by, and their cultivation strength had also improved considerably.

The minor heaven was hidden within the Fox Grape Mirror. It seed like just a mirror, but the space inside was vast and boundless, even larger than the Western Capital city.

Inside, the righteous energy of heaven and earth was extrely abundant. Cultivating there was dozens of tis better than outside.

Everyone entered the minor heaven, looking around, exclaiming in amazent.

"The sun, moon, stars, and rivers here are all wrong. When you cultivate to the Return to Emptiness realm, don't cultivate according to them," Chen Shi instructed.

Hu Guanghan laughed and said, "Return to Emptiness realm? Provincial Graduate Chen, you think too highly of us. In this lifeti, we dare not even dream of cultivating to the Return to Emptiness realm. Being able to achieve Spirit Transformation and Divine Descent would already be remarkable. Even if we follow the right person, at most we might reach Emptiness Refining."

As soon as these words were spoken, Fang Wuji, Pan Ga, and others nodded in agreent.

Chen Shi didn't understand and asked, "Why is that?"

Tian Yue'e laughed heartily and said, "People like us, reaching the Spirit Transformation realm should be our limit. But the next two realms, the Divine Descent realm and the Emptiness Refining realm, are realms bestowed by the Celestial True God, unrelated to cultivation. So, at most, one can cultivate to the Emptiness Refining realm. To go further, one needs cultivation techniques, wealth, cultivation partners, resources, and other things piled on. Without money, no one can advance."

Chen Shi suddenly understood. "So that's how it is. No wonder Grand Emissary Sun Yisheng has been stuck at the peak of the Emptiness Refining realm, unable to break through."

Sun Yisheng was the Grand Emissary of the Guanghui Treasury. Having cultivated to the peak of the Emptiness Refining realm, he was probably lacking three of the four elents—Wealth, Partner, Land, and thod—and thus remained unable to break through.

Chen Shi also thought that many officials in the Western Capital, like Sun Yisheng, seed to be stuck at the Emptiness Refining realm, unable to advance further. For example, among the Divine chanism Battalion warriors who chased them on the road, several were at this realm.

It was evident that the True God's blessing, bestowing two realms, had still narrowed the gap between ordinary cultivators and the scions of great clans sowhat.

Although Chen Shi taught according to each person's aptitude, passing on various cultivation techniques from the True King's Tomb to them, having the thod alone wasn't enough. They still needed Wealth, Partner, and Land.

Wealth, naturally, wasn't hard to understand. During cultivation, consolidating and breaking through realms all required the use of money. Refining spiritual elixirs and miraculous dicines to treat injuries and illnesses, forging talisman-weapons, talisman objects, and even magic treasures also required a vast amount of wealth.

Land referred to precious places like the minor heaven and grotto-heavens and blessed lands. Even Chen Shi felt it was very inconvenient when cultivating at ho or in the Guangji Treasury. He possessed blessed lands like the minor heaven and the small temple, and still felt this way. Others didn't even have a precious land for cultivation.

And Partner didn't simply refer to a spouse, but to a cultivation partner. A cultivation partner is soone of the sa path. It could be an elder from one's sect, a fellow disciple, or a companion who cultivates together. They can recall one's Primordial Spirit and Nascent Soul when they leave the body, save one's life when one falls into Qi Deviation, and also fight side-by-side when encountering enemies. Moreover, the greatest role of a cultivation partner is to assist in breaking through realms during critical periods.

Wealth, Partner, Land, and thod—these four are crucial for cultivation.

Lacking one or two, there is still a possibility of breaking through, but most cultivators often lack all four.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "If you can't cultivate further, just co find . I'll help you advance!"

Only three days remained until the tropolitan examination. During these three days, two to three hundred people gathered in the minor heaven, all diligently cultivating.

Everyone rarely encountered such a blessed land. Cultivating inside the minor heaven, they forgot to eat and sleep.

Chen Shi also cultivated inside the minor heaven. His Nascent Soul was gradually growing larger and now resembled a four or five-year-old child.

The Nascent Soul becoming equal in size to the body was the limit of his cultivation. Only then could it rge with the soul to form the Primordial Spirit.

He hadn't returned ho these past few days. Chen Tang didn't mind, continuing to attend court daily, going to the Ministry of Revenue for official business, and returning only in the evening.

On the afternoon of the third day, Chen Shi invited everyone out of the minor heaven, saying, "Gentlen, enduring the hardships of studying by a cold window, training through the coldest winters and hottest sumrs, all for the sake of achieving scholarly honor. Tomorrow, in the examination hall, I wish you all success on the golden list!"

Over two hundred provincial graduates bowed in return, smiling and saying, "If not for Provincial Graduate Chen's nurturing, we would likely have failed the exams, not knowing when we would have the chance to rise above the crowd."

"In this lifeti, we dare not forget the nurturing grace!"

Chen Shi bid them farewell and walked towards the Chen residence.

As he passed by Chengdu Street, suddenly, a voice laughed and said, "Provincial Graduate Chen, please stop."

Hearing this voice, Chen Shi's mind shook slightly. He stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

He saw a young gentleman, about twenty years old, standing on the opposite side of Chengdu Street, looking at him across a road two zhang wide.

Between them was a bustling market with heavy traffic.

Behind the young gentleman followed several people, two of whom were familiar faces: rit Officer and Military Consultant Fang Tan and rit Officer Wei Xize of the Fu Zheng Pavilion.

The young gentleman was handso, tall, and well-proportioned, with no visible excess muscle on his entire body.

His skin was fair, his facial features just right: a heroic and straight nose, neither too big nor too small; bright eyes; lips neither too thick nor too thin; full earlobes; and his beard was shaved very clean.

There was a red mole between his eyebrows, unclear whether it was dotted with cinnabar or natural. On his head was a purple-gold crown, tying up his hair, with a hairpin decorated with a red pom-pom. When he walked, the pom-pom swayed back and forth, quite eye-catching.

He wore white long robes and trousers inside, with a red lined jacket on the outside. A green jadeite belt was tied around his waist. On his feet were a pair of Cloud Ascension Boots, white soles, black uppers, embroidered with golden dragons using gold thread and with cloud patterns using silver thread. They should be talisman objects forged through a thousand hamrs and a hundred refinents.

Seeing these boots, Chen Shi knew that inside them, there must be the Six Ding and Six Jia Deities.

"Young Master?"

Chen Shi continued walking forward, saying calmly, "After I slaughtered the entire Taiping Sect on Phoenix Ridge, I heard your voice through the Thousand-li Communication Talisman."

The Young Master walked on the road opposite the street, separated from him by the crowd, and said with a smile, "Since entering the capital, I have been in closed-door cultivation these past days and only erged today. Many people in the Fu Zheng Pavilion knew I wanted to et you and tried to dissuade , saying you were a lawless ruffian and that I shouldn't co to see you. But I still ca. I had to personally et the long-renowned Child Prodigy. I must have a heart-to-heart talk with you."

Both their voices were not loud, yet clearly transmitted to each other's ears.

Chen Shi said, "You've seen now. You can go back."

Looking at the road ahead, the Young Master said with utmost sincerity, "I believe there must be a misunderstanding between us. Provincial Graduate Chen, I deeply believe you are a man of great ambition. You co from a rural village, have witnessed evil spirits plaguing the countryside, seen the struggles of all living beings under demonic transformation, and also seen officials who are worse than evil spirits. This world is like a cage, trapping both you and . I believe you also have the heart to change the world."

His voice carried a convincing power. Speaking eloquently, he always managed to attract others' attention.

"But it wasn't like this during the True King's Era. In the True King's Era, all demons were subdued, the people lived in peace and contentnt, the elderly had a place to spend their remaining years, the strong had work to apply themselves to, the young had the ans to grow, and the sick had access to dical care."

The Young Master said, "Back then, evil spirits were also few and couldn't form a formidable force. But all this changed with the death of the True King. Over the years, the people have increasingly suffered, evil spirits have grown more rampant, demonic transformations have blood like flowers, everywhere. The court and the common people have long been plagued by entrenched malpractices. Officials don't act for the people but think about maintaining their own ruling positions, about letting their own descendants prosper. Great clans control the court's governance, minor clans control local areas, and scholars beco the 'pure stream,' only good at empty talk and blowing their own trumpets."

He sighed with lancholy. "I believe, like , seeing this scene also pains your heart. Seeing the people suffer, you also feel their pain. The common people, before they even have a chance to grow old, die in the mouths of evil spirits or finally under harsh governance. Young, ambitious talents have no place to use their abilities; the court is full of the 'pure stream.' Selling children, the young have no ans to grow; plagues run rampant, the sick have no dical care. The Ming Dynasty has already decayed!"

The Young Master turned his face to look at Chen Shi, his gaze fervent. "I think, like , you also want to change all this! You want to eradicate the decay, you want to suppress the hordes of demons, you want to overturn everything that causes human suffering! You want to restore the glory of the True King's Era! Similarly, this is also what I want!"

He said excitedly, "They told not to co see you. They said you were a stubborn person, an evil person, a wicked outlaw beyond redemption. But I know you're not! You and I are the sa kind of people!"

"You harbor great kindness, you are misunderstood, you have the heart to change the world but nowhere to apply your strength, you have grand ambitions and a body of skills but no place to use them! Provincial Graduate Chen, you and I are the sa kind of people, you and I are not enemies!"

The Young Master said loudly, "You and I should join forces, should influence the current situation, should set right what has been thrown into disorder, should seize victory from chaos, should change this world, and work hand in hand to build an ideal True King's Era!"

He stretched out his hand to Chen Shi, his words earnest. "Provincial Graduate Chen, there aren't many people in this world who understand you. You and I are not strangers. Co, co over here, lend a hand!"

Fang Tan and Wei Xize were moved by his words, unable to help their eyes turning red.

The Young Master's heartfelt words also stirred their resonance.

Chen Shi looked straight ahead and said calmly, "Finished talking?"

The sincere expression on the Young Master's face froze.

Chen Shi ignored his outstretched hand and continued walking forward, saying, "If you're finished, then go back, wash your neck clean, and wait for to slaughter you like a little chick during the grand examination."

The Young Master's face darkened. He stopped and watched Chen Shi walk further and further away.

Early the next morning, Chen Shi woke up early. Chen Tang did not go to court. He took Chen Shi to wash up, burn incense, offer incense at the spirit tablet of Grandpa Chen Yindu, and then had Chen Shi bow to his mother, saying, "For the tropolitan examination, you cannot carry talisman-weapons, talisman objects, or magic treasures. If you have any on you, take them off to avoid the embarrassnt of being searched and also to prevent losing them easily."

Chen Shi took out the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword and so treasures from his body and handed them to him.

"Your clothes also need to be changed to ordinary ones. You cannot wear talisman object-type clothing, and you cannot have talismans drawn on your body."

Chen Tang thought for a mont and said, "Firearms are also not allowed."

Chen Shi mumbled sothing and took out so iron caltrops from the small temple.

Chen Tang looked at these iron caltrops, which were taller than himself, and the corner of his eye twitched. "Cannons are also not allowed, and the dragon-headed rockets cannot be taken either."

Chen Shi dejectedly took out two General Cannons and about ten rockets.

Chen Tang looked at these massive objects, each two zhang long, and couldn't help but get a headache. Was the small temple behind this child's head that big? How did he stuff so many things in?

"With General Cannons, there must be cannonballs. Take out the cannonballs."

Chen Shi took out the cannonballs and said, "There's nothing else this ti."

Chen Tang was sowhat skeptical. He entered his small temple, rummaged around, invited out the Talisman God Tianji and Stone Ji Your Ladyship, and said, "You plant these spiritual herbs in the minor heaven. These also cannot be taken. Don't worry, I'll keep these things you stored in the minor heaven for you. They won't get lost."

After Chen Shi finished handling everything, Chen Tang said, "The dog also cannot be taken."

Black Pot barked a few tis in protest, but Chen Tang firmly refused.

He checked several more tis, confirming Chen Shi wasn't smuggling anything, and then personally escorted Chen Shi to the Ministry of Rites yan.

This tropolitan examination was presided over by the Ministry of Rites. The Literary Test would be held at the Ministry of Rites, and the Martial Test would be held at the Divine chanism Battalion's grounds.

The Ministry of Rites yan had already begun vacating many yan buildings and mansions a few days ago to provide a place for the provincial graduates from various regions to take the examination. The Literary Test was divided into three sessions: the first tested interpretation of the classics, the second tested discourse, and the third tested policy questions. The Martial Test was divided into three sessions: the first tested techniques, the second tested arts, and the third tested combat.

Morning would test literature, afternoon would test martial arts, for three consecutive days.

The results would be announced one month later.

After that would co the palace examination.

When Chen Shi arrived at the Ministry of Rites yan, he saw experts from the Ministry of Rites and the Divine chanism Battalion everywhere. Divine chanism Battalion warriors wore swords at their waists, carried bird guns on their backs, hung dicine pouches, had lead bullets in cloth bags, and iron caltrops hanging behind their buttocks.

In the sky stood Yellow Turban Warriors over ten zhang tall, bending down to look, scanning each provincial graduate entering the examination grounds.

Ministry of Rites officials, anwhile, summoned their Primordial Spirits to inspect each provincial graduate's body, checking for any prohibited items.

In addition, huge divine beast stone statues stood in each examination hall. There were two types of divine beasts: one resembled a dragon but had four legs, its body shorter than a dragon's, with a cheerful appearance and a smiling face. The other resembled a tiger but had dragon horns and dragon scales, with a mane on its back, a majestic appearance, and eyes full of suspicion.

When Chen Shi arrived, several minor officials from the Ministry of Rites were offering incense to the stone statues, presenting sacrificial offerings like cattle and sheep.

Suddenly, the stone statues clanked and clattered, coming to life, transforming from stone into flesh and blood, leaping down from the altar, and beginning to scrutinize each examinee.

"Those are Bì'àn and Fùxì. Any cheater, even if they summon ghost gods, cannot escape their notice."

Chen Tang said, "Go in now. Take the exam well, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Chen Shi acknowledged and stepped forward to report his na. An examiner, hearing his na, led him into the examination hall.

Chen Shi sat on a ditation cushion. The examination hall he was in was a large hall. Besides him, there were over a dozen desks and ditation cushions, most of which were empty. Only two desks had people: one was the Young Master, the other was a unfamiliar young man.

The entire examination hall had only the three of them.

"I am Zhang You. Greetings, Provincial Graduate Chen."

The unfamiliar young man sat on his ditation cushion, slightly bowing to Chen Shi with a smile. "I didn't stay at the Qixia Taoist Temple; I was lodging at my uncle's house."

"No whispering!" an examiner shouted.

Then, the two divine beasts, Bì'àn and Fùxì, strode in, walking around majestically, examining the three.

Accompanied by the sound of a bell, an examiner ca to the front of the three, his face stern, and said clearly, "Today's grand examination first topic is divided into Four Books interpretation, Book of Changes interpretation, Book of Songs interpretation, and Spring and Autumn Annals interpretation. The Four Books interpretation has six questions; the Book of Changes, Book of Songs, and Spring and Autumn Annals each have three questions. Each provincial graduate chooses one question, interprets and explains it. The ti limit is one hour."

Then, so minor officials ca from the opposite side, pushing signboards into the hall. One of the signboards read: "Four Books interpretation: One, 'Use the calendar of the Xia, ride in the carriage of the Yin, wear the ceremonial cap of the Zhou, and let the music be the Shao with its pantomis.' Two, 'Love his relatives, and then love the people; love the people, and then love all creatures.' Three..."

Chen Shi looked at each one. Minor officials distributed writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The paper was Xuan paper, the ink was already ground, and the brushes were prepared.

The topic Chen Shi chose was: "Thunder in the sky: Great Strength. The superior man does not tread upon paths that are not in accordance with propriety."

"Scholar Zhu explained this topic!"

He was quite excited and imdiately picked up the brush to write his na, native place, and the chosen topic, about to start writing.

At that mont, a minor official walked over, pulled the Xuan paper from under his hand, carefully studied his brushstroke style and handwriting, and pondered his chosen topic.

Two other minor officials also ca over, took away Zhang You's and the Young Master's papers, and began studying their handwriting and topics right there.

After a while, the three minor officials actually sat down, wielding their brushes like the wind, writing *swish, swish, swish* as they penned the interpretations of their chosen topics on the papers!

Chen Shi was dumbfounded. He hurriedly said to Bì'àn and Fùxì, "Cheating! They're cheating for us!"

The two divine beasts turned a deaf ear, completely ignoring this scene.