Chapter 294: Chapter 260: Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition! Red Flame Refining Technique!

"Chu Ming, there’s no need to worry too much. With Commander Xiang around, Commander Fang will be fine."

Xiao He assumed that Chu Ming was concerned about Fang Xiao.

In fact, Chu Ming was worried not only about Fang Xiao but also about his master, Xiang Yue.

"By the way, you and Old Shen came early in the morning for...?" Xiao He asked.

"County Magistrate Xiao," Chu Ming took out a jade token, "I wish to join the First-Grade Cold Family."

This jade token was precisely the token of the ’First-Grade Cold Family’ that Xiao He had previously asked Shen Yu to deliver to him.

"You want to go to Qin Capital?"

When Chu Ming proposed to join the ’First-Grade Cold Family’ at this time, Xiao He thought it was because Chu Ming wanted to go to Qin Capital due to Fang Xiao.

Chu Ming nodded.

Joining the ’First-Grade Cold Family’ was for the parts of the Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture outside the Mountain Scripture and for that strange painting scroll, as well as for his master Xiang Yue and Housekeeper Fang. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"The First-Grade Cold Family was established by the Seventh Prince, and it’s said that it has the Crown Prince’s support. Those who join are all talented but from humble backgrounds," Xiao He looked at Chu Ming, "With your talents, it’s good to go to Qin Capital sooner."

"I will send a message to Xiao Wen. Once you reach Qin Capital, take this jade token to Xiao Mansion, and Xiao Wen will take you to meet the Seventh Prince."

"Thank you, County Magistrate Xiao." Chu Ming cupped his hands.

"The annual ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition will be hosted earlier this year, just next month, in less than a month. Once you reach Qin Capital, if you have the chance, you can participate."

"Being named on the Golden List would be very beneficial for you."

The ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition?

Chu Ming felt a slight stir in his heart.

In the Qin Capital of the Great Qin Dynasty, a month before the end of each year, the place becomes particularly lively, especially with the ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition that attracts talented individuals from all walks of life from the thirteen counties.

The so-called ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition involves a variety of subjects, ranging from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, lyrics and poetry to competitions in martial arts, and even alchemy, artifact refining, sculpture, weaving, and so on, almost covering all skills and crafts.

Every time those who achieve top ranks in the competition become the target of competition among dignitaries and noblemen.

It can be said that climbing into the top three of the competition, one would be called a master across the entire Great Qin Dynasty, enjoying endless glory and wealth, with no shortage of appointments and titles.

But these are not the most important; what truly attracts the talented individuals from the thirteen counties is the ’being named on the Golden List.’

The Great Qin Dynasty possesses a National Treasure called the ’Star Golden List,’ and this list is the ’Golden List’ for being named.

’Being named on the Golden List’ does not simply mean carving one’s name on the ’Star Golden List.’ It refers to being recognized by the ’Star Golden List’ through the ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition.

The ’Star Golden List,’ as a National Treasure, is naturally extraordinarily mysterious.

Participants in the ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition all have the chance to be recognized by the ’Star Golden List.’ If recognized, they will receive a great opportunity and fortune that countless people dream of.

Those recognized by the ’Star Golden List’ will receive a golden-list-bestowed chance for enlightenment, a moment of profound understanding allowing one to directly reach the supreme realm.

If compared to enlightenment, the insight from the Golden List is thousands of miles above, while the insight from enlightenment may not even catch a glimpse of a corner of the floating clouds.

However, the greater the opportunity, the greater the difficulty and cost to obtain it.

The ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition has been held since the founding of the Great Qin Dynasty, with at least a thousand instances by now. Yet, according to records, the number of those recognized by the ’Star Golden List’ is so few it can be counted on one hand, with not one appearing even in hundreds of years.

But should one appear, they would undoubtedly become the most radiant figure of the era, leading to unparalleled mastery in any skill, inevitably making history.

The most recent figure recognized by the ’Star Golden List’ was a prince from two hundred years ago in the Great Qin Dynasty. He achieved enlightenment in martial arts and, within twenty years of practice, reached the National Guardian Realm.

At that time, the Great Qin Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles, in dire straits. It was this National Guardian Realm Prince who repeatedly intervened, first quelling internal strife, then resolving external threats, leading to the dynasty we have today.

Otherwise, two hundred years ago, the Great Qin Dynasty might have already...

"The ’Golden Hundred Knowledge’ Grand Competition is being held earlier?" Shen Yu was somewhat surprised, "The last time it was held earlier was two hundred years ago, during a time of turmoil in the dynasty, wasn’t it?"

Shen Yu participated decades ago, competing in poetry and lyrics, making the top ten, which turned him into a friend of Xiang Yue.

Xiao He nodded, his expression serious: "This time, the advance is likely not simple either. I wonder if it’s because of that King of North Snow..."

"Never mind, let’s not talk about that."

Mid-sentence, the elder turned and stared at Chu Ming: "You should know about the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, right?"

"I know." Chu Ming cupped his hands.

"Hmm, the real opportunity of the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition is being named on the Golden List. It doesn’t depend on ranking or personal influence. Whether one is recognized by the Golden List depends entirely on one’s ability. It’s just a pity that since that time over two hundred years ago, no one has achieved it again."

"However, the chance for ’being named on the Golden List’ was already slim. As long as you can make it into the top ten of the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, your official rank is sure to rise, and many well-established family scions will eagerly seek your friendship."

Xiao He voluntarily expressed the benefits of the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition.

"Thank you, County Magistrate Xiao. If the opportunity arises, I will participate."

Chu Ming was not very interested in the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition. The so-called enlightenment, for him, sounded less useful than the four great lakes of the Sea of Consciousness.

The four great lakes of the Sea of Consciousness almost always allowed him to enter a state of enlightenment.

The prince’s enlightenment on the Golden List two hundred years ago took him twenty years to cultivate to the National Guardian Realm, which is the Sea of Qi Realm. The time taken seemed overly long...

What he lacked were the Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm and Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivation techniques, as well as the cultivation techniques for a Primordial Qi Warrior, not just enlightenment.

"You have a talent in poetry and literature. I suggest you spend more time in this area during this period. The study of the Mountain Scripture can take a pause." Xiao He added.