Fortunately, the list of exam participants was not released publicly. Everyone only knew the names of a few “seeded players,” and they still thought this was someone recommended from an unknown remote small county. That would be considered truly obscure.

People were confused, inquiring everywhere, but no one knew where Lu Nuonuo came from.

“Then what about my bet money?” someone shouted. “Damn it, this can’t be a case where the bookmaker wins all, right?”

“Names not on the betting board don’t count! Give the money back, give the money back!”

“Hold on, everyone.” The bookmaker was sweating profusely. “This is a tie, and the other first place is Lu Xingzhou! Lu Nuonuo doesn’t count; we’ll go by Lu Xingzhou!”

“How can it be a tie? The top scholar and second place must be determined, right?”

“The officials don’t rank by individual categories, they only look at the overall list. A tie in an individual category doesn’t matter to the officials anyway! As I said, this is a privately circulated list. On the surface, both of these individuals named Lu refined six Fourth-Grade pills, and the quality is all top-notch. There’s no distinction between them, so it’s just a tie for first place!”

“Then why did you say Lu Nuonuo earlier?”

“Because Lu Nuonuo is younger! The person who transmitted the list thought she was first! But what does the person who transmitted the list count for? Do the officials recognize that?”

People exchanged confused glances. Indeed, the “individual category top scholar” was just a popular designation; the officials did not separately list a pill refining list. They only looked at the total score.

If Lu Nuonuo’s name had been on the betting board, everyone might have argued about who was truly first, perhaps ranking by age, cultivation time, and so on. But since Lu Nuonuo was not on the betting board in the first place, of course, only those who bet on Lu Xingzhou won the jackpot.

Originally, if Lu Xingzhou had been declared first directly, it would similarly have been considered a dark horse and would have sparked major discussions. The unexpected impact of the inexplicable Lu Nuonuo, however, made Lu Xingzhou’s first place seem especially normal for a while, temporarily calming things down significantly.

Sheng Yuanyao finally squeezed through, her face flushed with excitement: “I bet on Lu Xingzhou! Give me the money!”

The bookmaker looked at her sympathetically: “Miss Sheng, you bet on the overall list.”

Sheng Yuanyao was furious: “Are you cheating me or not?”

“Don’t lose face.” Pei Chuyun smiled and pulled her away. Her fair, delicate hand gracefully tossed a betting slip onto the table: “Pill refining individual category, I bet a hundred taels on Lu Xingzhou. What are the odds for Lu Xingzhou in this category? Come on, come on, give me the money.”

Sheng Yuanyao: “……”

Looking left and right, Pei Chuyun was the only one who won the jackpot. The odds seemed a bit terrifying.

I’m really stupid, how could I forget that you can bet on individual categories too…

The surrounding murmurs of discussion drifted into her ears: “Looking at this, this year’s overall list is definitely going to be obscure.”

“Yes, these two individuals named Lu are so strong in the pill refining category. As long as they achieve a standard score in the literature and medical treatment categories, they will likely be among the top few. But there weren’t many bets on Lu Xingzhou for the top five, let alone Lu Nuonuo.”

“It seems only Miss Sheng and Miss Pei bet on Lu Xingzhou for the top scholar… Miss Sheng bet a lot.”

“It won’t really be Lu Xingzhou for the top scholar, will it? If it is, Sheng family’s ten years of Town Demon Division salary combined isn’t comparable to this single bet. They’ll directly earn a large fortune.”

Sheng Yuanyao’s heart stirred slightly. She quietly instructed her attendants: “Go help me ask if Qingyao Garden is for sale, and how much it costs.”

“Regardless of whether the Dan College list is out, the Newcomer List really should be updated.” In the Town Demon Division, Sheng Qingfeng was discussing with the old chief: “Although it’s not time for the customary half-yearly list change, the changes now are truly significant. Dragging it out will always lead to discussion and, in the long run, will damage the credibility of the Great Qian heroes list.”

The old chief didn’t handle many affairs now. Hearing this, he nodded slightly: “Qingfeng… actually, you don’t need to discuss this with me. You can make this your first reform measure after taking office. For example, change the customary half-yearly list change to once every three months.”

Sheng Qingfeng had the same idea in mind, but of course, he still wanted to show respect to the old chief. The old chief’s opinion on who should succeed him after retirement was also very important.

Hearing this, he quickly said: “Chief, please don’t say that. The Town Demon Division still needs your experience to guide us. Moreover, who will succeed is still an unknown number; His Majesty hasn’t decided yet.”

“His Majesty has already spoken with me… these days, his mind is focused on the matters of the Dan College. Now, pill refining is the most important matter in his heart… after this matter concludes, there should be news.”

Sheng Qingfeng was overjoyed: “Then many thanks for the chief’s cultivation.”

The old chief smiled: “When I was your age, I also wanted to climb up with all my heart, to live an iron-blooded, majestic life and become a smooth official… now my great limit is approaching, and looking back, the past seems like a grand dream. Qingfeng, at a certain time, you will realize that nothing is as important as one’s own cultivation… no wonder so many sect leaders just laugh proudly in the green mountains, unwilling to step into this mortal world.”

Sheng Qingfeng did not reply.

The old chief sighed: “I know you are different from others… your Sheng family has served in the Town Demon Division for generations, your father and ancestors all sacrificed themselves in the line of duty. You appear light and unburdened, handling things more smoothly than anyone else, but that’s just your way of protecting yourself. In fact, you have backbone and want to achieve something… Yuanyao follows you in this.”

Sheng Qingfeng finally said: “I dare not accept such praise. But if everyone were like those so-called sect leaders, talking about a clear wind and bright moon, bamboo staff and straw sandals, living a carefree life, then who would handle matters? Just like the East River demon case, it was Yuanyao who investigated; the Dream Return City demon cultivator case was handled by the county governor. Where were the First-Grade sects?”

“That’s why only you can succeed; others are not qualified.” The old chief stood up and patted his shoulder: “Unexpectedly, the appointment document will arrive in these two days. As for the Newcomer List and other things, you handle them. I am old and can’t keep up with the changes, so I won’t interfere with the young people’s matters.”

Sheng Qingfeng stood up to see him off: “Chief, walk slowly.”

The old chief walked a couple of steps, then suddenly remembered something and laughed: “That Lu Xingzhou, his momentum is very strong… what is his relationship with Yuanyao?”

Sheng Qingfeng didn’t expect the old leader to mention this. He gave a wry smile and didn’t say anything: “Children’s matters, how can I trouble the chief to worry about them…”

“This may not just be children’s matters… this person is now stirring up the winds and clouds. The Newcomer List fundamentally cannot contain this dragon.” The old chief lowered his voice: “Even Chao Huang Princess may not be able to row this dragon boat alone.”

What in the world does this mean? Sheng Qingfeng had a belly full of words choked in his throat. He watched in astonishment as the old chief left.

“Vice Seat, Vice Seat, the Dan College list is out!” A subordinate ran in from outside: “Every family is trying to recruit people according to the list. Should we in the Town Demon Division make a move?”

Sheng Qingfeng was startled for a moment: “The list is out so quickly this year? Didn’t they just finish the exam?”

“His Majesty personally oversaw it, and I heard the main examiners all stayed up all night grading papers.”

“Damn it, go quickly and see!” Sheng Qingfeng rushed out in a hurry.

As for Dan masters, the practice of “recruiting sons-in-law based on the list” is not as prevalent. Dan masters are all Dao cultivators, and most Dao cultivators are purely focused on cultivation, basically staying in their nests from morning till night without moving. Whether they are homebodies or not, they are generally not suitable as sons-in-law. However, it is indeed common for various forces to recruit them in advance.

Of course, there are some who do recruit sons-in-law, often newly rich parvenus without much accumulation.

The Town Demon Division naturally also needs to recruit pill refining and medical talents. It’s better to recruit them before they enter the Dan College for intensive cultivation, so that when they come out, they are Town Demon Division personnel. If they are snatched up by other departments, it’s still acceptable, but if they are recruited by big clans like the Huo family or Pei family, it would be a waste of national talent.

Sheng Qingfeng rushed to the main gate of the Dan College in a great hurry. It was already crowded with people, a group of people craning their necks waiting for someone inside to come out and post the list.

Even with so many people, Sheng Qingfeng spotted his daughter’s ponytail bobbing in front at a glance. Old Sheng felt annoyed and reached out to pull her ponytail.

“Who pulled your auntie, are you trying to die!” Sheng Yuanyao’s saber was already halfway out of its sheath with a *qiang* sound as she turned around angrily.

The next moment, her angry face turned into a fawning one: “Sheng Vice Seat, why are you here…”

“With so many people, what are you doing squeezing in here? Is this something a thousand tael young lady should be doing? Do you still care about your image?” Sheng Qingfeng angrily pointed to the wine building on the side: “Look at the other Miss Pei over there, watching from the building, how elegant! How can you be like a monkey?”

Sheng Yuanyao glared hatefully at Pei Chuyun, who was watching from the building. Earlier, this Miss Pei was also squeezing in here; she was just pulled away by Pei Yu… how did she suddenly become like a child from another family?

Sheng Yuanyao spoke with righteous indignation: “Sheng, as the main official of the Town Demon Division, is here on public business! How can I imitate that Pei family parasite who only knows how to eat!”

“Who assigned you this task? Are you publicly pretending to be on official business with me?” Sheng Qingfeng pulled his daughter’s hair and dragged her outwards: “Go play with that Pei family girl, there’s nothing for you to do here!”

Sheng Yuanyao went upstairs dejectedly and plopped down beside Pei Chuyun.

The examinees waiting for the list were not in this building; they were basically all squeezing below to look at the list. However, Lu Xingzhou and his master were not here; they didn’t know where they had gone. Neither Sheng Yuanyao nor Pei Chuyun saw them. The building was mainly occupied by the young masters of the clans and nobles, including Huo Heng, the third son of the Huo family.

Pei Yu was chatting with Huo Heng with a fake smile: “Brother Huo’s family is quite capable of refining pills, I hear a single Immortal Pill cured His Majesty that year. Why, do you still need to come out and recruit people now? Can’t cultivate them yourselves?”

Huo Heng said indifferently: “Brother Pei is joking. Even if the Huo family cultivates a Dan master, they still need to enter the Dan College for intensive cultivation.”

“Oh?” Pei Yu laughed: “Brother Huo’s tone… one might think the Dan master top scholar for this year has already been pre-booked by the Huo family.”

Huo Heng said indifferently: “It’s almost like that. If not the top scholar, then the second place should also be secured.”

Hearing him say this, everyone knew that Xuan Qing Daoist was basically secretly cultivated by the Huo family. He was indeed the biggest favorite to win the champion. Even if he unexpectedly lost the top scholar position, keeping a second place should not be a problem.

Accidents can’t happen twice, right?

These noble young masters did not go to the gambling house. The list was posted too quickly this year, so they probably hadn’t heard the private news from the gambling house… This Huo Heng hadn’t heard about the two individuals named Lu, so he was still very confident…

Pei Chuyun’s eyes darted around. She picked up a round fan and covered her mouth, laughing lightly: “Young Master Huo the Third, perhaps you shouldn’t speak too soon. Maybe some people who originally belonged to the Huo family are no longer with you?”

Huo Heng looked at her with some disdain: “A village girl brought back from outside, she just doesn’t know anything. Do you really think everyone is willing to bear the name of betraying their master and neglecting righteousness?”

Pei Chuyun casually picked up some sugar from the table and watched the snow-white sugar slip through her fingertips: “Then Young Master Huo the Third, do you dare to make a bet with this village girl? Let’s just bet that the top scholar and second place that the Huo family could have originally owned will be like sand through your fingertips, only to be watched with your eyes but not belong to you.”

Upon hearing these words, everyone thought the Pei family wanted to snatch people from the Huo family. Huo Heng thought so too, and then he said with a cold laugh: “What if you lose?”

Pei Chuyun pointed to the large pig’s head on another table not far away: “Whoever loses, just shout ‘I love you’ three times towards that pig’s head.”

“Crude and inelegant.” Huo Heng snorted coldly, but he didn’t object, which meant he agreed.

“Here it comes!” A sudden clamor erupted from the crowd below. Meng Li held a roll of yellow list in his hand, and protected by a group of guards, he squeezed through the crowd and hung the list on the wall.

Everyone’s gaze immediately fell on the highest position.

Top Scholar: Lu Xingzhou.

Second Place: Lu Nuonuo.

The entire area was silent. The wine building above was even quieter, so silent that you could hear a needle drop.

For a moment, no one questioned why the obscure Lu Xingzhou became the top scholar or who Lu Nuonuo was… everyone’s gaze fell on Huo Heng’s face, filled with overwhelming malicious mockery.

The Pei family didn’t need to snatch people from the Huo family… the candidates for the top scholar and second place themselves announced that they were originally owned by the Huo family, but now, like sand through their fingertips, they could only watch as they slipped away, not belonging to them.

Pei Yu imitated Huo Heng’s earlier words, his tone dripping with sarcasm: “It’s almost like that. If not the top scholar, then the second place should also be secured, hahahaha.”

Huo Heng’s face was ashen.

Pei Chuyun smiled slightly, her slender finger pointing towards the pig’s head: “Young Master Huo the Third, please proceed?”