Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

After the inspection concluded, Xie Cangrong asked Tang Yi, "Tang Yi, this is the first imperial examination in Great Xia. I have reviewed your paper, and it is sufficient for you to be among the top three. However, Chief Examiner Liu placed you at the bottom. Do you know why?"

Tang Yi was very intelligent and had vaguely guessed the reason, but he still followed Xie Cangrong's words and asked, "I hope Your Majesty will enlighten me."

"Too much brilliance, too much sharpness. Throughout history, there have been countless young heroes, but very few have grown into truly great talents."

"A fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

Xie Cangrong was also very young, but at this moment he seemed to be his elder, quietly looking at him: "Liu Bingxuan suppressed you in the hope of curbing your arrogance and not underestimating the heroes of the world. This was also approved by me. I hope you will not blame him, nor blame me."

Setting obstacles for young people and genuinely challenging them—is that a benefactor or an enemy?

Everyone's perception is different.

Xie Cangrong didn't gamble, so he dragged Liu Bingxuan out as a shield.

He will also continue to observe this person during this process.

Tang Yi was startled.

In an instant, it felt as if I had been lifted from the bottom of the valley to the clouds.

So... he was the most valued person in that imperial examination?

Using the guise of training to suppress others is completely different from genuinely caring about training and wanting to help them succeed.

This world is real and cruel; not many people will give you a chance.

The attention given without any reason is already a great favor.

His being recalled to serve His Majesty, being examined and questioned, and being praised is proof of this.

At this moment, he was also extremely grateful that he had not given up on himself and spent his days in despair.

He quickly rose and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I thank you greatly; Lord Liu, I thank you for your guidance. I have settled in Qingjiang and taken root in this local area, where I have seen and learned a great deal. How could I ever forget your great kindness in guiding and inspiring me? I am not heartless; how could I blame Your Majesty and Lord Liu?"

Xie Cangrong smiled and said, "That's good then. I originally intended to let you cultivate your talents in Qingjiang for three years before recalling you to the court, but it seems that's no longer necessary."

Xie Cangrong knew perfectly well who in the current court had become incompetent fools, relying on their past achievements to get by, and who was still capable of doing anything, and what they were capable of doing.

Tang Yi is not an isolated case; he will continue to promote and recall people one after another.

With unforeseen changes on the horizon, simply playing it safe won't work.

The imperial examination system and education system will also be implemented.

Talent should be fluid; some people will inevitably become corrupt.

Those with talent and great potential should be promoted to meet the upcoming challenges.

For Tang Yi now, to be recognized, noticed, and trusted by someone like His Majesty, rising from obscurity, is an act of kindness that surpasses all expectations.

The young man, brimming with fervor, looked intently at Xie Cangrong and declared, "Your Majesty, I am willing to die for you!"

Xie Cangrong simply waved his hand and said, "Mr. Mo keeps talking about whether he's alive or dead. Let's all live well."

"yes!"

The awkwardness between the young emperor and his ministers gradually faded.

Xie Cangrong seemed to remember something and asked him, "Just now, did you encounter Qi Xiu?"

"yes!"

Xie Cangrong asked with great interest, "Our Great Xia governs the country according to law, and the world is at peace. Minister Qi has made great contributions to this. What do you think? Feel free to discuss it with me."

Tang Yi remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, then boldly and frankly asked, "Your Majesty, is the law greater than the ruler, or is the ruler greater than the law?"

Qi Xiu's political views were very clear. The common people might not understand them, but the officials certainly could.

No one else in the entire Great Xia court would dare to ask this question.

Even Qi Xiu would not confront Xie Cangrong directly.

There is an unspoken, ambiguous layer between monarchical power and the law.

"Hehe~"

Xie Cangrong chuckled upon hearing this: "Tang Qing, not bad! Your arrogance has dissipated, but your sharpness remains."

When Xie Cangrong addressed him as "Qing," Tang Yi felt even more excited.

Your Majesty's magnanimity is as vast as the sea; you are truly a wise and benevolent ruler of the world.

Xie Cangrong didn't try to hide anything and answered quite frankly, "I do want the emperor to be above the law, but as our Great Xia develops and progresses, the law will gradually have to take precedence over the emperor."

Tang Yi paused for a moment, then said, "The ruler is above the law. If a foolish ruler is on the throne and repeatedly violates the law, the rules will collapse. But people are flexible, and ideas change. Rigid laws may not keep up with the changing times, and the supremacy of the law can also breed chaos. Therefore, I believe that when a wise ruler is on the throne, the ruler is above the law; when a foolish ruler is on the throne, the law is above the ruler."

Xie Cangrong chuckled lightly: "Heh, Tang Qing makes it sound so easy."

"Wouldn't it be better for His Majesty to remain on the throne forever?"

Another devout follower of Xie Cangrong has been born.

In the past, when emperors sought immortality, their ministers would always try to dissuade them.

Now that cultivators have appeared and immortality has become possible, many people actually yearn for their monarch to live forever.

Xie Cangrong simply waved his hand upon hearing this: "I have no time for cultivating immortality."

His power lies in the Great Xia Dynasty; he will not pursue the illusory path of immortality through cultivation.

Contacting cultivators is merely a way to learn and draw inspiration from them...

Extract its essence to enhance the Great Summer.

For someone of imperial status to learn the techniques of a cultivator is tantamount to willingly submitting to the status of a human.

Tang Yi frowned, then said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to seek the way to immortality."

Unexpectedly, Xie Cangrong glared at him and said, "Tang Yi, don't waste your talent on these illusory things. You are an official of the Great Xia Dynasty. You should be thinking about how to help me govern the country."

This was the first time Xie Cangrong had ever been angry with him.

Tang Yi was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and said, "Yes! Your subject knows his mistake!"

Your Majesty's excessive clarity and wisdom have become a happy problem.

"Since you have some understanding of the law, go to the law office tomorrow and assist Qi Xiu in handling matters."

"yes!"

……

Time flies, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Mingtang was the place where the Great Xia Dynasty held ceremonies and received foreign guests.

It is spacious, bright, and magnificent.

Xie Cangrong, dressed in a black imperial robe and wearing a crown, sat upright on the dragon throne.

The civil and military officials had already taken their places, their faces solemn, and waited quietly.

Solemn and serious.

This was the first formal reception council between the Great Xia and the Taihua Sect, not the Yuntai banquet held to entertain Lu Junfeng previously.

"The Immortal Alliance envoy has arrived!"

As a servant outside the main gate shouted, time seemed to start flowing again.

All the officials of the Great Xia Dynasty turned their heads to look outside the door.

Xiao Zheng, dressed in pristine white robes, walked at the very front, his steps graceful and elegant, exuding an air of otherworldly grace.

Even the usually unruly Xuan Gu was ordered to be properly disciplined today, and together with Xiao Zheng, he led Lu Junfeng and other elite disciples to court.

In the heart of the Great Xia Dynasty, a majestic aura swirled, and ministers of varying temperaments, each with their own fierce and ruthless nature, surveyed the area, while waves of invisible energy pressed down upon them.

Xiao Zheng raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the monarch sitting on the throne at the highest point.

With neither servility nor arrogance, and in a clear and resonant voice, he said, "Xiao Zheng of the Taihua Sect, along with my disciples, pays respects to Your Majesty."