Gou Zai Xianwu Wenjing Search for Opportunities

Having spent many years working in the county government, Master Xu had some understanding of this matter, but he still pretended not to know and respectfully asked, "May I ask, sir, what exactly is this?"

The third steward was happy to play the role of teacher: "There are only three points: first, family background; second, aptitude; and third, character. Nowadays, family background is the most important factor in evaluation. If you have this one criterion, you can ignore everything else."

The so-called family background refers to whether one's ancestors cultivated Taoism, were granted titles, or served as officials; for example, if one's ancestors were immortals, or if one's ancestors were kings or nobles for generations, or if one's ancestors held high-ranking positions and served as officials for generations...

Lin Yuan felt a headache coming on, realizing that the situation was too complicated. He looked at Master Xu, who was listening attentively, so he imitated Master Xu and began to listen as well.

Seeing that the three were listening attentively, the third steward smiled knowingly: "Neither of you has a good family background, so you can only work on your aptitude."

Master Xu immediately pressed for a more specific explanation.

"Qualification is judged on only two things: first, the evaluation of an expert, and second, proficiency in both literature and martial arts." The third steward shook his head slightly. "The evaluation of an expert is best done by immortal masters and Taoist masters from immortal temples, but of course, masters of literature and martial arts in the mortal world are also acceptable. As for proficiency in literature and martial arts, Taoist scriptures are the best, followed by other schools of thought; and for martial arts, it is martial arts."

Lin Yuan nodded, finally finding a positive review he could generate.

Master Xu then asked, "And what about their character and temperament?"

"Mindset? Don't even think about that." The third steward chuckled. "Mindset is hidden within, elusive and unpredictable. It can be there or it can be gone in an instant. That's why the immortal masters and Taoist priests of the Immortal Temple have to comment on whether you have it or not. This is their private domain."

Lin Yuan thought to himself, "Well, this is another backdoor left by the immortal masters and Taoist masters, a standard specifically set for certain special groups of people."

Master Xu nodded: "My eldest grandson once studied the Taishang Ganying Jing under the great scholar Ma Xuan at the Bofu Academy, and was highly praised by Master Ma."

Xu Bin immediately began reciting: "Misfortune and fortune have no fixed gate; they are summoned by oneself. The retribution for good and evil follows like a shadow..."

The third steward nodded: "With Mr. Ma's reputation, it's certainly fitting! When Mr. Ma came to Lizhou to lecture, he had three thousand disciples following him, and he was highly respected in Lizhou. It's not easy for the Earl's Mansion to invite him to lecture, and it's truly a stroke of luck for you, Young Master Xu, to have such an opportunity."

No wonder Master Xu sent his grandson to the Earl's Mansion School; it turns out there are many hidden benefits there.

Lin Yuan had never heard of Ma Xuan, nor had he heard of the Taishang Ganying Jing (Scripture of the Supreme Response), so he could only ask, "May I ask, steward, if I were to be judged based on martial arts, how would that be?"

"The requirements for martial arts for serving disciples are not high. Passing the entrance-level martial arts master assessment before the age of sixteen is considered to be of good aptitude. However, it's too late for you this year!" The third steward shook his head.

Lin Yuan immediately stated, "I am currently only a little short of entering the Bone Forging Realm, and I should be able to break through before the Autumn Competition."

"That's not the problem. The martial arts master assessment is in August every year, and the Immortal Temple Autumn Competition is also in August, so there's not enough time. Secondly, the guarantee document has to be submitted a month before the Autumn Competition, so you won't have enough time this year," the third steward explained in detail.

Lin Yuan smiled wryly and said, "So, if I get the rank of Martial Master this year, will I participate in the Autumn Competition next year?"

"It's possible. But I advise you to participate in the Autumn Competition this year. The spots for the Immortal Temple are already scarce, and there are many people vying for them. Even if you get one this year, it's hard to say what will happen next year." The third steward's meaning was clear: some things are better left unsaid.

Master Xu smiled and pressed further, "May I ask the steward, is there a solution?"

"That's not difficult. Find a martial arts master to critique your skills, or compete with others to make a name for yourself. There are martial arts masters in the Earl's mansion, but you'll have to manage the relationships there yourself."

After saying that, the third steward added, "Actually, these are not necessary."

"Oh?" Master Xu immediately agreed.

Lin Yuan suddenly realized that Master Xu had become a straight man, but the third steward was completely won over by it.

"Since the Li family has agreed to your request, they will naturally ensure that your guarantee is well-written. However, once it is submitted to the Immortal Temple, it depends on how strict the temple's review is this year. If the review is not strict, it will pass; if it is strict and there is no evidence, it may be rejected."

After speaking, the third steward recalled, "In the past ten years or so, there was one time when the Immortal Master was angry and conducted a strict investigation, resulting in the return of a batch of prisoners. Of course, it's highly unlikely that this will happen this year, but we can't guarantee it."

Lin Yuan nodded. If that was the case, there was still a glimmer of hope.

The third steward was in a good mood and added, "Lin Yuan, you still need to have some real skills, otherwise it will be difficult to pass the Autumn Competition. The Autumn Competition is divided into civil and military categories; you only need to pass one of them. The civil category is debating the Daoist scriptures, and the military category is a martial arts competition."

Lin Yuan immediately replied, "Thank you, Steward. I understand. I will practice martial arts diligently and strive for a breakthrough as soon as possible. I will do my best to help others with their comments and to help me gain fame through competitions."

After the three stewards finished explaining the details, the three of them left.

Before leaving, Master Xu whispered a few words to the third steward in private.

……

Back at the Xu family home.

Master Xu asked Lin Yuan to wait in the hall.

After a while, the Master brought out a stack of silver notes and said earnestly, "Whether it's seeking expert opinions or competing for fame, money is needed. Take these three hundred taels and use them first; consider it a small token of my appreciation."

Lin Yuan is now a completely different person. He excels in both academics and martial arts, and his future is truly promising, making him a worthwhile investment. Of course, he also intends to appease Lin Yuan regarding the choice between the two guaranteed admission slots.

"Master, what is this?" Lin Yuan was actually a little touched to see such a thrifty teacher take out silver.

Even if he couldn't pass the Qiu Bi, he couldn't hold a grudge.

"Take it." Master Xu forcefully shoved it into his hand. "I'm not very familiar with the martial arts masters in the Martial Arts Hall of the Earl's Mansion. You'll have to ask Li Shi and the Third Steward for connections. Anyway, no matter who you ask, you can't go empty-handed."

"I am deeply grateful to my teacher. I will repay him handsomely in the future!" Lin Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and put the money in his pocket, as it was a time when he needed the money.

Master Xu chuckled and said, "If you and Mo'er enter the Immortal Temple together in the future, I hope that you, as his senior uncle, will take care of him."

"Rest assured, Master. As fellow disciples, we should naturally look after each other." Lin Yuan understood. It was truly wonderful to have such a grandfather.

Xu Bin immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle-Master!"

……

Lin Yuan declined Master Xu's offer to stay for a meal, left the school, and went to the Carp Pavilion to find Li Shi.

As it turns out, Li Shi led his men out on patrol today, and Hu Cai and Zhao Sheng also went. Normally, they wouldn't come back and would go straight home.

Unable to find anyone to talk to, Lin Yuan closed his eyes and searched for people around him.

Why don't we ask Wu Yong?

He was born into a powerful family and also secured a spot in this year's autumn competition for disciples of the Immortal Temple, so he must have some connections.

So Lin Yuan ran back to the Li residence, found Instructor Wei's courtyard, and heard martial arts practice inside. He didn't go in to disturb him, but simply waited for Wu Yong to finish practicing his swordsmanship and come out.

After a while, a servant saw him and came up to ask him what was going on. When he heard that he was waiting for Wu Yong, the servant offered to call him for him.

Wu Yong, covered in sweat, laughed and said, "Junior Brother Lin."

"Senior Brother Wu, I've come to ask you about something." Lin Yuan immediately explained the matter of the quota for serving disciples in the autumn competition in detail.

Wu Yong was overjoyed to hear this, as it was rare to find a like-minded companion: "Great! If you can get into the Immortal Temple, we'll have company from now on!"

"But getting a good review is a bit tricky. I hope Senior Brother Wu can help me think of a way." This was the first time Lin Yuan had asked Wu Yong for a favor. He needed to use this favor in a critical moment.

Wu Yong patted his chest and said, "This is easy!"

After saying that, he looked around and said, "Let me go and ask Master Wei for leave. We'll talk when we get back."

Lin Yuan waited for a while, then left the mansion with Wu Yong and arrived at the Hu family's courtyard.

This place is where everyone usually gathers, and the cook brought the two of them watermelons to cool them down.

Wu Yong sat on a bamboo chair in the courtyard. After taking a bite, he said, "Actually, my guarantee also needs to be well-received. My family had originally prepared a competition for me to make a name for myself, but we didn't have to use it. If you want to use it, I can introduce you to it."

"Tell me about it." Lin Yuan stopped eating the watermelon and perked up.

Have you ever heard of the Martial Arts Ranking?

"The Dragon and Tiger Ranking? No, is this compiled by the government or a monastery?"

"No, it's not. It's an unofficial ranking, created in the martial arts world. However, many scions of powerful families want to make a name for themselves and gain praise, so the status of those who participate in the ranking has become increasingly higher, and its influence has grown. Over the centuries, this unofficial ranking has gradually gained recognition. The government and Taoist temples have essentially tacitly accepted this ranking; as long as someone makes it onto the list, they are considered to have considerable martial arts talent."