I start by accepting Sun Wukong as my disciple and reshape the Journey to the West

Chapter 169 Failure
"The list of challenges has been posted! The list of challenges has been posted! Come and see!"

The voice in his ear made Li Bai momentarily stunned. Looking at the crowd surrounding him, his body showed no reaction.

The scene here left him somewhat stunned.

He shook his head vigorously: "This is Chang'an. I've come here to take the imperial examinations. Yes, ever since the imperial examination system was introduced, everyone, regardless of their wealth or social status, has the opportunity to become an official in the court!"

In the morning, a peasant; by evening, a courtier in the emperor's palace!
Thinking of the poems he had "composed," his face beamed with an endless smile.

"Emperor Tang was ultimately a wise ruler. He would surely leave his mark on history simply by relying on the imperial examination system. It would be an honor for us scholars to serve under Emperor Tang one day. This time, I am sure I can pass the imperial examination!"

Beside Li Bai, a man dressed as a scholar laughed loudly.

His clothes were somewhat faded and even had many patches, but even so, his eyes were full of shrewdness and hope. However, his constantly twirling hands proved that his heart was not as calm as he appeared.

"May I ask your name, brother?" Li Bai found it quite amusing and couldn't help but inquire.

"Meng Jiao! And you, brother?"

"Li Bai!" Li Bai didn't hesitate and directly gave his name.

"Ah! You are the poet Li Bai! Heavens, I never thought I would meet you here!" With Meng Jiao's shout, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Since the implementation of the imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty, two names have been remembered by the world: one is, of course, the Tang emperor who promulgated the imperial examination system, and the other is the poet Li Bai.

The world was ignorant and did not know the true meaning of the imperial examination, but the saying "In the morning a peasant, in the evening an official in the emperor's court" made everyone understand the significance of the imperial examination system.

In the early stages of the trial implementation of the imperial examination system, the five clans and seven prominent families created countless obstacles. Even though the twenty-four ministers had a cohesive force beyond the imagination of the world, their positions determined their thinking, and there were still some people below who could not see things clearly.

Therefore, in order to protect their own interests, the five clans and seven powerful families did everything in their power to suppress the advancement of disciples from humble backgrounds, even resorting to assassinating talented individuals!

The series of unexpected events eventually made the world realize that some people were blocking their promotion.

Then came a series of large-scale remonstrances, each involving the sacrifice of one's life!

Before the implementation of the imperial examination system, although the five prominent families and seven powerful clans held absolute power in the court, there were always some people from humble backgrounds who overcame numerous obstacles and entered the court.

For seven consecutive days, every poor scholar who could enter the imperial court died in front of the Tang Emperor. The Tang Emperor was furious and ordered his twenty-four ministers to conduct a thorough investigation, thus launching a purge against the stubborn.

Ultimately, it was because the poor students understood from the very beginning the true value of the saying "From a humble farmer in the morning to a high-ranking official in the evening," so they did not hesitate to unite when faced with the obstruction of the five prominent families and seven powerful clans.

He used his physical body to strike the gates of heaven, questioning the true intentions of the emperor.

Later generations recorded that when the Tang emperor promulgated the imperial examination system, five prominent families and seven powerful clans blocked the advancement of commoners. For seven consecutive days, many commoners and officials remonstrated with the emperor to the death! The Tang emperor personally ordered twenty-four officials to conduct a thorough investigation, and nearly a thousand members of their clans were killed.

As he listened to the cacophony of voices, tears welled up in Li Bai's eyes, and he sniffed hard.

"I simply offered an analysis: it was the martyrs who made it possible for us to achieve what we have today! They paved a bloody path for us with their lives."

Li Bai's words were full of sincerity. He then bowed to the void, and the students followed suit, paying their respects to their ancestor.
In the shadows, Brahma was completely bewildered.

Hey? ? ?
Is this the illusion I designed for him? No, wait a minute! My illusion was meant to shatter his spirit, how did it turn out like this?

Brahma carefully mobilized his spiritual power, beginning to re-cover the illusion. However, it was to no avail!
The scene here seemed frozen in place, as if some unseen force was resisting his power.

"No, Tianbo Xun must be fighting a tough battle outside. I absolutely cannot do nothing." Brahma had a very strong sense of responsibility. However, what he didn't know was that Tianbo Xun in the Lushan realm had already given up the battle and had begun preparing to send information back.

Brahma was unaware of the situation outside, so he moved, and his ears began to emit a series of piercing hissing sounds.

The scene finally moved, and some people even approached Li Bai. At the same time, the imperial edict began to change. Li Bai's name, which was originally at the top of the list, disappeared and was gradually replaced by Meng Jiao.

"Poet Immortal Li Bai, what a great reputation! Just because he wrote a poem, does he really think he's the leader of all the students? I heard that Poet Immortal Li Bai also participated in this imperial examination. I wonder where he ranked!" a student said loudly.

"The poet Li Bai, with just one poem, transcends time and becomes the top scholar among all students! He must be able to be on the list, right?" someone echoed.

"Among you people, Brother Li is undoubtedly number one, I've heard of that long ago!" Meng Jiao said, then subconsciously covered his mouth.

This wasn't what he wanted to say, but there was no stopping him.

Li Bai frowned slightly. Yes, the imperial edict had been posted, so why hadn't the crowd cheered yet?

Li Bai subconsciously looked towards the imperial edict; it turned out the soldiers had just arrived.

"Take the challenge!"

Suddenly, a huge imperial edict fell from the city wall.

"Ahhh! I'm the top scholar? I'm the top scholar?" Meng Jiao couldn't believe it at all; his name was number one.

"Congratulations, Brother Meng!" Li Bai's heartfelt congratulations caused Meng Jiao's expression to change drastically.

"Thank you, Brother Li. As a poet, you will surely be on the list!" For some reason, Meng Jiao had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what the problem was.

Li Bai took a deep breath. He had a vague feeling about something. He looked at the two people who had questioned him earlier, but they had long since disappeared.

"It seems I have no chance of making the list!" Li Bai thought to himself, and without any hesitation, he started walking outside.

People may harbor unfounded malice, but today's malice is far too directed.

He somehow acquired a calligraphy brush in his hand and began to walk towards the shadow where Brahma was.

Li Bai didn't know why he walked towards that shadowy spot, but he knew in his heart that he must have some kind of mission.

This inexplicable feeling was more profound than the thought of failing the exam, so Li Bai acted on it thoroughly.

"Hahaha! The poet Li Bai didn't even make the list!"

"How ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! Someone who can't even make the list deserves to be called a poet immortal?"

Suddenly, a group of people surrounded Li Bai and burst into shrill laughter.

"Brother Meng, as the top scholar, do you feel anything today?" Li Bai ignored the crowd, glanced at the shadows, and then looked at Meng Jiao and asked.

(End of this chapter)