Chapter 113: The Provincial Examination Begins, and a Rare Opportunity

The Provincial Examination is a more significant assessment than the Minor Provincial Examination; it is the second rung on the ladder to success, a leap over the dragon’s gate. Only those who have achieved a rating of "Good" or higher in all three levels across all six fundamental arts are eligible to participate. Meeting this standard for all six arts is a daunting task. Only by passing the Provincial Examination can one truly be considered a "Scholar," a status that ranks higher than that of a "Student."

Once a student attains the status of Scholar, their prospects improve significantly, whether in terms of employment opportunities or preferential admission into sects and guilds. For instance, when Shi Tiexin applied for a job as a supermarket cashier, the girl who was excellent at mathematics likely lacked official Scholar status; otherwise, she would not have needed to compete against novices like them and would have been hired immediately.

Shi Tiexin dreamed of attaining Scholar status, as it would elevate him from the very bottom of the social hierarchy. Even if he were to work for a corporation, it would make promotions and pay raises much easier to secure. At the very least, in Tumubao, Scholars were already considered part of the minor elite. Even the recruiters from the Star-Work Group subsidiaries who came to the Orphanage to scout talent were not necessarily as prestigious as an official Scholar.

Not to mention, upon becoming a Scholar, one could pursue further education at higher-level academies. Shi Tiexin could only fantasize about the various high-level benefits that came with such a path, as he lacked any real understanding of them.

Of course, all of this was still too far off for Shi Tiexin. His mind was entirely occupied by the upcoming qualifying test for the Minor Provincial Examination. He did not feel that the distant Provincial Examination had anything to do with him, and thus, he was unaware that it was being held today.

Unexpectedly, he stood to earn a small sum today thanks to the Provincial Examination. With these thirty points, the extra income from the business cards he was making, and the waiver of the security uniform rental fee, his first installment payment should be covered.

There are quite a few perks indeed.

While Shi Tiexin was calculating his own petty gains, he remained oblivious to how precious an opportunity it was for novices facing the Minor Provincial Examination to observe the Provincial Examination. The benefits were far greater than just those thirty points.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the entrance to the First Orthodox Academy of Tumubao was already packed with a sea of people. Among them were parents seeing off their children, lead teachers, and, more significantly, novices and students preparing for the Minor Provincial Examination or future Provincial Examinations, all hoping to get a glimpse of the situation to improve their own chances of success.

However, not just anyone could enter the main gate.

Imposing security guards formed a defensive line at the entrance, strictly checking everyone passing through. Aside from the examinees, only those with observer permits were allowed inside. The number of observer permits allocated served as a direct reflection of the status and strength of the various novice schools and orthodox academies in the martial world.

Setting aside the non-graduating students of the various orthodox academies, let us first look at the novice examinees from the various novice schools. At 9:20 AM, the novices from each school began to enter in groups, and one could discern the level of each district simply by their demeanor.

The crowd gathered at the school gate discussed the proceedings, occasionally letting out exclamations of admiration. Among them, the discussion between two non-graduating students was the most informative.

"Look, that’s the team from the Upper District’s First Novice School, isn't it? A full sixty people—how spectacular!"

"The strength of the First Novice School is, of course, beyond doubt. And these sixty are the cream of the crop within that school; each one is brimming with spirit and truly extraordinary."

"Why don't I see Shen Xingye?"

"Does the young master of the Shen family need to come here to observe the Provincial Examination? He’s surely already the undisputed first place, isn't he?"

"Haha, true. Besides, none of the direct descendants of the other five great families are participating this year, so the young master’s first place in the Upper District’s Minor Provincial Examination is likely set in stone. Of course, if he had run into that someone from the Si family two years ago, it would have been a different story."

"Watch your tongue, watch your tongue; don't discuss such topics. Oh, look, those over there must be from the North District; they also look quite formidable."

"The North District is likely the strongest district in this Minor Provincial Examination besides the Upper District. If you ask me, the competition for the top spot in the North District might be even more intense than in the Upper District, because there is actual suspense."

"Look, the South District has arrived too. The four schools of the South City have come together, over a hundred people—that's quite impressive!"

"The South is also very strong; the rivalry between the North and South has never ceased."

"Eh? Who are those people over there?"

"Them? They are from the Star-Work United Children's School in the Muyuan District. That school is quite lackluster; they only have ten observer spots. However, it is said that someone named He Chong has decent cultivation and is a strong contender for the top spot in the Muyuan District."

"Haha, the economy in the Muyuan District is passable, but their cultural education is truly subpar. 'Of the nine districts in Tumubao, Muyuan is the weakest'—that saying isn't just talk. If the Student Union didn't forbid cross-district examinations, the Muyuan District would have become a training ground for the other districts long ago!"

"Even so, being the best in the district is no small feat. If this He Chong comes to the First Orthodox Academy for further studies in the future, we should keep an eye on him."

At the entrance of the First Orthodox Academy, the Star-Work United Children's School had arrived with only ten people, a lineup that couldn't compare to the dozens brought by other schools. However, most of these ten did not feel ashamed; they lacked the ambition to compete with the various masters. They were satisfied with simply becoming students, earning a degree, and securing a better job in the future.

Only He Chong stood at the forefront, high-spirited and full of drive.

Ever since he had put that stubborn Shi Tiexin in his place, he had been riding high in school recently. Almost everything he commanded was followed without question. Thus, he had been feeling quite good about himself lately, walking with an even more imposing stride, and soon reached the gate of the First Orthodox Academy.

"Please present your credentials," the security guard at the gate said, holding out a hand.

He Chong looked toward the person behind him and spoke courteously to a young man who appeared quiet and gentle: "Brother Gu, please go first."

The Star-Work Union was a conglomerate of various factories. This harmless-looking, smiling young man was the only son of Director Gu from the Star-Work Union’s general headquarters office, while He Chong was the son of the Executive Vice President of Star-Work Paper, a subsidiary of the conglomerate.

In terms of rank, He Chong’s father was half a grade higher than Gu’s father. However, in terms of position, Gu’s father held a crucial role, and a capital official is always considered higher than a local one; it was hard to say who truly held more power in the end. Moreover, the office director was no ordinary position; his future was bright, and if they were to meet, He Chong’s father would have to greet Gu’s father with a smile.

Therefore, looking across the entire Star-Work Children's School, the only person in this year's cohort that He Chong felt any wariness toward was this "Brother Gu," who had only recently enrolled.

Fortunately, this guy seemed timid by nature and had no intention of vying for the top spot. He always kept to himself, yielding all the glory to others, and was very sensible.

This time was no exception.

"Brother He, you are too kind to me. You are the renowned top talent of the Star-Work School, so of course, you should go first." The young man bowed slightly and stepped back, looking deferential.

"Haha, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

The young man’s low posture greatly satisfied He Chong. He raised his hand to show his credentials and was the first to swagger into the First Orthodox Academy.