“So you’re actually a Grandmaster of the Innate Realm?”

“No, I don’t know martial arts, and I’m not a martial artist. I cultivate the Heavenly Dao, which is the so-called ancient Qi cultivator. You can also consider me a member of the Three Teachings.”

“Then your cultivation level is comparable to a Grandmaster of the Innate Realm?”

“Of course not. I am actually only at the initial stage of the Innate Realm. However, my spirit is stronger than that of ordinary Innate Realm cultivators, and the quality of my qi is higher. But the total amount of qi and my understanding and mastery of the Dao are still insufficient, so I am not considered an Innate Grandmaster.”

In terms of spiritual realm, Zhang Weihao has already reached the limit of innate potential. His physique is still developing, so he is not yet at the level of a Buddhist Vajra, but he is comparable to a true Vajra. However, his understanding of martial arts is far from sufficient.

After all, it’s a different world, and the martial arts world is a different kind of game, quite different from traditional Chinese martial arts.

In general, Zhang Weihao is now able to fight against a Grandmaster of the Innate Realm. The Grandmaster of the Innate Realm certainly cannot stop him, but it is also difficult for him to kill the Grandmaster of the Innate Realm. It is a 50/50 match.

It’s not that one can’t reach the Innate Realm in one go, but doing so would destroy one’s foundation.

Zhang Weihao plans to take it one step at a time, upgrade perfectly, and finally challenge the Celestial Longevity Realm. Therefore, he is not in a hurry to break through, but will slowly improve to the limit and then break through when there is no more room for improvement.

“Then how are you able to unleash such exaggerated strength?”

“Simulation is about understanding and comprehending the Dao of Heaven. The truly powerful principles and martial arts are all in books. Read more books, master the knowledge in the books, and you will gradually understand. I have seen some very good scholars who entered the Great Celestial Phenomenon Realm in one step by reading, but they can only reach the Great Celestial Phenomenon Realm.”

Zhang Weihao’s words were full of disdain, as he felt that such a breakthrough method was the most foolish.

It seems impressive, but its potential is actually quite limited because it has already reached its limit.

When you choose one of the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit and give up the other two, it means that you are giving up more potential and higher limits.

The snowy world is the best example. The truly powerful one is the one who cultivates the three religions simultaneously and achieves immortality. This is probably even more evident in the immortal realm.

Looking at the large number of books displayed on the carriage, Shangguan Haitang felt that Zhang Weihai’s words made a lot of sense. Moreover, these were not ordinary books; they were actually various classics from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Since Zhang Weihai was able to participate in the provincial examination, his attainments in Confucianism were naturally quite high. Furthermore, Shangguan Haitang had investigated him before, and this guy was actually a minor top scholar.

The imperial examination system began in the seventh year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (587 AD) and ended in the thirty-first year of the Guangxu era of Qing (1905 AD), lasting for 1318 years. The formal imperial examination system was only open to those who had passed the county-level examination (xiucai). They had to participate in three levels of examinations: the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination. Before becoming a xiucai, a well-read scholar had to take three more examinations to obtain the qualification: the county examination, the prefectural examination, and the academy examination.

The preliminary examination was the first level of the children’s examination. It was held in each county and presided over by the county magistrate. It took place in February each year and consisted of five sessions. This was a preparatory examination. Those who passed it qualified for the prefectural examination.

The prefectural examination was the second level of the preliminary examinations, held in each prefecture and presided over by the prefect. It took place in April each year and consisted of three sessions. Candidates who participated in the county and prefectural examinations were all called “students”.

The provincial examination was the third level of the children’s examination and was also held in various prefectures. The examination was conducted by educational officials appointed by the emperor. The timing was not fixed, but it was held twice every three years, with two sessions. Those who passed the provincial examination became “students”, commonly known as “scholars”. Among them, students were divided into three grades. The best students were called “linsheng”, which meant that the state would provide them with food every month. The next best were “zengsheng”, who were not provided with food by the state. There were a certain number of “linsheng” and “zengsheng” students. The third grade was called “fusheng”, which were those who passed the general examination.

The three levels of the children’s examination were all called the “top scholar” in each level. Those who achieved the top scholar title three times in a row were known as the “minor three scholars”.

The opposite of “small three-in-one” is “big three-in-one”, which refers to being first in the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination.

The provincial examination, the first level of the formal imperial examination, was held in the provincial capital (including the capital city). It was conducted by a temporary organization composed of examiners appointed by the imperial court and local government officials. The examination was usually held in August, hence the name “autumn examination”. In the event of major celebrations such as the emperor’s birthday or the ascension of a new emperor, additional examinations would be held on an ad hoc basis, which were called “special examinations”.

The provincial examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days. Candidates were required to enter the examination hall one day in advance and leave the day after the examination.

The examinations were held at the Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall), usually located in the southeast corner of each city.

Those who passed the provincial examination were called “Juren”. The first place was called “Jieyuan”, the second place was called “Yayuan”, the third to fifth place were called “Jingkui”, and the sixth place was called “Yakui”.

The metropolitan examination, the second level of the formal imperial examinations, was held in the Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall) in Beijing. The chief and deputy examiners were officials who had passed the imperial examinations and were either Grand Secretaries or Vice Censors-in-Chief, and were below the rank of Minister. The examination was held in February of the year following the provincial examination (later changed to March after the Qianlong Emperor), hence the name “Spring Examination”.

The provincial examination also consisted of three sessions. Candidates entered the examination hall one day in advance and left the day after the examination. Those who passed the examination became “Gongshi”  and the top scorer was called “Huiyuan”  .

The Palace Examination, the third level of the formal imperial examination, was held in the imperial palace. It was first established during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, and the emperor personally set the questions. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Palace Examination was held on April 21st in the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Afterwards, the candidates who participated in the Palace Examination were divided into three grades. The first grade was called the First Class, which consisted of three people and was awarded the title of “Jinshi Jidi”. The first place was called “Zhuangyuan” also known as “Tianzi Mensheng”   the second place was called “Bangyan”  , and the third place was called “Tanhua” . The Second Class consisted of one-third of the candidates and was awarded the title of “Jinshi Chushen”  The first place was called “Chuanlu”  . The Third Class consisted of the remaining candidates and was awarded the title of “Tong Jinshi Chushen” .

Those who consecutively achieved the titles of “Jieyuan,” “Huiyuan,” and “Zhuangyuan” were known as “Lianzhong Sanyuan,” also called “Da Sanyuan.” Historically, only 21 people achieved the title of Da Sanyuan in the entire history of the imperial examinations, and most of them were from the Tang and Song dynasties. After the imperial examinations were fully perfected and entered the Ming and Qing dynasties, there were only six people in total, three in the Ming and three in the Qing. Zhang Weihao is currently in the Zhengde era, and there have already been two of them. There will be one more in the future.

Those who achieved the title of “top scholar” in the preliminary examinations three times in a row, followed by the titles of “top scholar in the provincial examination,” “top scholar in the metropolitan examination,” and “top scholar in the imperial examination,” were called “six consecutive top scholars.” There were only two such people, and one of them happened to be Huang Guan in the Ming Dynasty, followed by Qian Qi during the Qianlong era.

Of course, it’s quite easy to achieve the “Small Three Excellences” , and there are many such examples throughout history. What’s rare is the “Big Three Excellences”  and the “Six Excellences in a Row”  which are absolutely worthy of being recorded in history. These are the most outstanding literary stars among literary stars, the most outstanding exam gods among exam gods, destined to be remembered for generations and revered as exam gods by countless students.

The imperial examinations were too much of a matter of chance. Many people passed, but they didn’t get first place. There were too many variables, so it was really difficult to achieve the highest score in all six levels.

Even literary giants like Su Dongpo couldn’t achieve this, nor could sages like Wang Yangming. Therefore, Shangguan Haitang never imagined that Zhang Weihao’s goal was to win the top six imperial examinations in a row.