After the negotiation with Judge Tian ended, Xu Xing relayed Judge Tian's words to Chang Ji, who was feigning sleep.
He guessed that with Chang Ji's abilities, he must have already heard the conversation between him and Judge Tian.
Chang Ji's cultivation realm should have reached the Storing Truth Realm of internal cultivation; it was even possible he had also practiced external martial arts.
It was truly hard to say what formidable hidden methods these renowned military and noble families possessed in this extraordinary world.
"Mr. Xu..."
"I, Chang Mou, acknowledge you as my brother."
Upon hearing this, the nine-foot-tall Han man's words choked up, and tears welled in his eyes.
He's better at pretending than I am; such an obvious act. Xu Xing thought to himself.
Having been prison friends with Chang Ji for over a month, how could he not know Chang Ji's true nature? If one truly regarded military commanders as simple-minded, they would undoubtedly be deceived beyond recognition.
He had proposed rescuing Chang Ji as a condition for his service to the Siming Mountain Stronghold.
Firstly, it was for the sake of the "righteousness" banner, which would endorse his future betrayal of the Court.
Secondly, if he were to join the Siming Mountain Stronghold alone, without any backing, he would inevitably be constrained by the local faction there—a foreseeable outcome.
One who does not plan for eternity is not fit to plan for a moment.
One who does not plan for the entirety is not fit to plan for a single domain.
If Chang Ji joined Mount Siming, the two of them, as outsiders, would undoubtedly form a small clique under the pressure from the local faction. Then, by leveraging Chang Ji's military expertise, Xu Xing would truly thrive after joining Mount Siming.
Furthermore, since he "joined the group" on the condition of rescuing Chang Ji, it meant Chang Ji owed him his life. Among rebels bound by righteousness, Chang Ji might betray anyone else, but never him.
To betray him would be to cut off his own path of retreat!
However... before escaping from the Sky Prison, I should still try my best to improve my cultivation first.
The 'me' in the Instance World is also approaching the Storing Truth stage.
After silence returned to the Sky Prison, Xu Xing continued to sit cross-legged in cultivation, nurturing his inner qi.
...
...
「After the County Exam ended.」
Xu Xing checked his ranking; it was neither high nor low, placing him fourteenth on the Main List.
The Prefecture Exam was usually held in April each year.
After the County Exam, he still had over two months to prepare for the Prefecture Exam.
Compared to the County Exam in Jingyang County, the Prefecture Exam of Jingzhao Prefecture was much more difficult. Jingzhao Prefecture in the north had always been a major center for education and culture, making competition fierce. With Xu Xing's abilities, he had a 90% chance of passing the Prefecture Exam in other prefectures of Qin Province, such as Fengxiang Manor, Tonzhou Province, and Hanzhong Manor.
But in Jingzhao Prefecture, his chances were only fifty to sixty percent.
A starving camel is still bigger than a horse.
Jingzhao Prefecture, after all, was once the former capital.
Because Weijing Academy was in Jingyang County, County Lord Wu had shown considerable appreciation for Xu Xing's examination papers. However, in Jingzhao Prefecture, Xu Xing's background from Weijing Academy wasn't enough to make him stand out among the multitude of examinees.
「Thus, one month before the exam was due to start.」
Xu Xing, citing the need to prepare for the exam and seeking tranquility, temporarily moved out of the Weijing Academy's dormitories. He went to the temporary station of Xiaoyi Hall, intending to seek help from the Elder Brother Association regarding the Imperial Examination.
"Count Yin's preferences?"
"And his previously written articles?"
In the side hall of the guest room, Master Ma sat in the seat of honor. Hearing Xu Xing's first request after becoming an incense master, he pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I will instruct my men to handle this. If all goes well, you should receive this information before the exam."
It was a common practice for examinees to analyze the chief examiner's preferences and past works before the examination.
Only by catering to the examiner's tastes could one hope to gain their appreciation.
To give a simple example: if Count Yin were a conservative, and Xu Xing's essay was too sharp and progressive, Count Yin would certainly dislike it, resulting in its dismissal. Conversely, if Count Yin belonged to the westernization faction, and Xu Xing's essay was too conformist and traditional, it would also be dismissed.
Once a paper was dismissed, the examinee had little recourse for appeal.
They could only wait for the following year.
Therefore, Xu Xing's request to Xiaoyi Hall was quite reasonable.
Collecting information on Count Yin was a difficult task for an individual, but not for the Elder Brother Association. With a certain expenditure, they could obtain detailed information.
The brothers who joined the Elder Brother Association weren't just struggling commoners; there was no shortage of people from all walks of life.
"In addition," Xu Xing continued after discussing the Imperial Examination, "this disciple has recently made progress in cultivating his technique and is close to a breakthrough. I implore Master Ma to lend me a hand."
The reason he was different from the rank-and-file brothers and had earned Master Ma's appreciation was his literacy and his potential to pass the Imperial Examination. This could elevate his status and offer a path to an official career.
Thus, when he first met Master Ma, he first asserted his considerable confidence in passing the Prefecture Exam, subtly presenting his own value. Only then did he propose that Master Ma use his inner force assistance to help him achieve a breakthrough.
This way, even if Master Ma was inclined to refuse, he would first internally weigh the gains and losses before deciding.
Of course, his request for Master Ma to gather intelligence on Count Yin was also a serious matter.
It was just that, compared to his breakthrough, the intelligence on Count Yin was not as immediately pressing.
"Help you break through..." Master Ma hesitated for a moment, then said, "While forcefully breaking through the barrier with inner force is feasible, your future attempts at breakthroughs will become much more difficult. Often, your cultivation efforts will yield only half the results for twice the effort."
Helping someone achieve a breakthrough would not only consume his painstakingly accumulated inner force, but the warrior who broke through in such a manner would also find their future path severely hindered.
In a word, the gains did not justify the losses!
"Master Ma, with this disciple's... aptitude, aspiring to a higher realm in the future would likely be a lifelong struggle..."
"It would be better to break through now, while I am still young."
"Furthermore, an enhanced realm also brings significant improvements to one's memory and cognitive abilities."
Xu Xing cupped his hands and said.
He was different from ordinary people. After a breakthrough, he would manifest a Destiny, and then use Taoist Fruits to solidify it. For example, his Red Fate, 'Average path of martial arts,' had not only altered his body in Reality but had also provided feedback to his body in the Instance World, improving his aptitude considerably.
So, according to his prediction, while forcibly breaking through might have some aftereffects, they would definitely be minor.
Besides... this was just the Instance World.
His self in Reality would not be affected!
"What you say does indeed make sense..." Master Ma nodded slightly.
He was, in a way, Xu Xing's semi-mentor and had some understanding of Xu Xing's martial aptitude. He knew Xu Xing's talent was only marginally better than that of an ordinary person. Such aptitude indeed made significant future achievements unlikely.
It would be better to break through early, enhance his body's potential, and thus be better prepared for the Prefecture Exam.
"Disciple thanks Master Ma."
A hint of joy flickered across Xu Xing's face, and he quickly thanked Master Ma.
Although he had somewhat deviously schemed against Master Ma this time, Master Ma was no fool. If there were absolutely no benefits in helping him break through, why would Master Ma agree? To put it bluntly, it was a matter of mutual benefit.
He had merely increased his own perceived value during the process, making Master Ma more confident in investing in him.