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

Chapter 170 After Passing the Imperial Examination

"Brother Meng, you have achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination today. Do you have any thoughts to share? Would you be willing to compose a poem?"

Although Li Bai didn't know what was in the shadows, he was certain that he had a mission to fulfill today.

Li Bai was ultimately bestowed the title of "Poet Immortal" by the Tang Emperor. Moreover, the illusion triggered the power of the Tang Dynasty's imperial examination system, which provided an opportunity for all commoners to advance. He broke the clan's blockade of power. Therefore, even if Brahma himself set up the illusion, he could not completely affect Li Bai.

This question proves it.

Ok?
Meng Jiao looked at Li Bai, a hint of something unsettling in his eyes.

You must know, this is the poet Li Bai! Yet he didn't even make it to the last place. Logically speaking, Li Bai should be dejected and frustrated right now. How could he still have the mind to ask himself if he has any plans to compose a poem?
The moment this thought arose in Meng Jiao's mind, he instinctively covered his mouth, afraid of revealing his thoughts.

"No? But you are the top scholar in the imperial examination! Ten years of hard study, it would be such a pity if Brother Meng couldn't compose a poem."

Everyone present seemed to be moved by Li Bai's words and immediately echoed them.

"Yes! Talented Meng, compose a poem so we can witness the scholar's talent."

"The top scholar reciting poetry in public will surely be a famous story passed down through generations."

Meng Jiao was a little embarrassed by the crowd. Recalling the past ten years and seeing so many faces eagerly waiting, he immediately laughed and said, "Poet Immortal is too kind. If I were to be pretentious, I would be letting down my colleagues. In that case, Meng Jiao will make a fool of himself."

Li Bai immediately picked up his brush, and some sensible students knelt down in front of him. Others laid out Xuan paper on his back, and someone else held up an inkstone and handed it to Li Bai.

The whole process was so fast that Meng Jiao was a little confused, and then he burst into laughter.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Tears welled up in Meng Jiao's eyes. The hardships of studying for more than ten years seemed to have found their perfect meaning at this moment.

This imperial examination system will surely drive all the poor students crazy. It's like a fish leaping over the dragon gate. I've only just topped the list, and so many people are already trying to flatter me with my poem. What if I want to go even higher?

Chang'an!

This is only the beginning, and I'm already starting to feel reluctant to part with you! Meng Jiao thought to himself.

"The sordid past is nothing to boast about; today, my thoughts are boundless in their debauchery!"

"Excellent!" Li Bai immediately picked up his brush, and the elegant calligraphy paired with this line brought tears to the eyes of all the students.

Brahma hid in the shadows, his large eyes wide like copper bells, his childlike face filled with shock.

"The illusion here is a way for me to ensure its authenticity by drawing upon the power of the future. Therefore, this Meng Jiao will actually exist in the future. If he were in the Tang Dynasty, I would definitely do everything in my power to bring him into the Asura lineage. This kind of demonic influence is so strong, so very strong!"

Just as Brahma was beginning to feel a sense of regret for the talented man, he heard a series of sobbing sounds, followed by unrestrained laughter.

The sordid past is nothing to boast about; today, my thoughts are boundless in their debauchery!
As the students watched Li Bai's words on the imperial edict turn into a dazzling gold and fly into the air, they all recited it in unison.

"What a magnificent display of unbridled and boundless thoughts! No wonder you are the top scholar; with just one sentence, you have expressed your true feelings, and I am already impressed!"

"Isn't that based on the previous statement that past filth is nothing to boast about? It is precisely because of past filth that we are dissolute today. Isn't that how all of us students have come through?"

"That's right! It was Emperor Tang who established the imperial examination system, giving us the opportunity to leap over the dragon gate and enter the emperor's court! This situation we have today was created by our ancestors risking their lives, but even so, it is still extremely difficult for us to enter the court!"

Some students burst into tears, while others covered their faces and wept; clearly, this one sentence had resonated with everyone. In the shadows, Brahma's lips twitched uncontrollably, and his eyes began to redden. He wasn't empathizing, of course; he was angry. Then, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Hahahahaha!
"This demon king actually mistook empathy for demonic possession, hahahahaha!"

As he laughed, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, because he realized that the humans of the Tang Dynasty were somewhat terrifying. Such a poem, with just one line, could move so many people. If the Tang Dynasty were to truly develop, how many people would be able to use artistic conception like Li Bai?

"The Tang Dynasty is quite interesting. This information must be passed on to the Ancestor. Otherwise, when the Ancestor comes out of seclusion, he will be unaware that the Tang Dynasty has developed to such an extent that he will suffer a great loss."

"All I need to do here is to break Li Bai's morale. I have Mara to cover my ultimate move. I need to preserve my strength and leave behind a wisp of my will to transmit the information back. I absolutely cannot be like that brute Shiva, who left not even a trace of his soul behind."

Brahma was already considering retreating. He knew that the three demon kings had only taken possession of three demons on Tang Sanzang's inevitable route in order to align with the karmic cause and effect of the calamity. None of them had a cultivation level exceeding that of a Great Luo Golden Immortal. If they did not make preparations in advance, they would all be annihilated like that wisp of Shiva's will.

Thinking of this, He parted a strip of shadow.

"Brother Meng, please continue!" Li Bai felt his mind clearing up a bit more and immediately called out.

"Riding a swift horse in the spring breeze, I can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day!"

"it is good!"

Li Bai shouted loudly and immediately wrote a poem. As soon as the poem was finished, a white horse appeared beneath Meng Jiao and carried him to the capital.

Meng Jiao rode his horse with a whip, truly displaying great elegance.

"Excellent! No wonder you're the top scholar!"

The cheers grew louder, and after Meng Jiao finished expressing his emotions, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Li Bai.

"Poet Immortal, on this auspicious day of announcing the results, how about we have a few drinks?"

“You’re being unfair, Scholar. You’ve already finished your poem. How can the Poet Immortal not write one? Although he didn’t make the list, he is still the Poet Immortal personally bestowed by the Tang Emperor. On such an auspicious day, it wouldn’t do if the Poet Immortal couldn’t leave behind some of his calligraphy.”

Someone in the crowd spoke up, and everyone turned to look at the source of the sound. The student who was being stared at immediately waved his hands repeatedly.

"It wasn't me who said it, it wasn't me who said it!"

"I think that brother is right. Could it be that the Poet Immortal thought his talent was inferior to that of the top scholar Meng, so he dared not put pen to paper?"

The students looked towards the new source of the sound, and that student waved his hand repeatedly.

Meng Jiao was about to speak when he suddenly staggered. He opened his eyes again, a cold smile on his lips: "I have long admired the name of the Poet Immortal. In today's scene, it seems that if the Poet Immortal does not compose a poem, he will truly be unable to appease the public's anger!"

Immediately, a chorus of agreement erupted from the crowd: "Exactly! Exactly!"

Li Bai looked at Meng Jiao, his grip on the brush tightening. He sensed malice, a very clear malice.

Although he didn't understand why the top scholar had suddenly changed his temperament, Li Bai still smiled and said, "Very well! Although I have little money, I do have a dappled horse and a thousand pieces of gold. Today, I will use them all to exchange for silver, set up a banquet to celebrate for Brother Meng, and write another poem to fulfill Brother Meng's wishes!"

(End of this chapter)