In the imperial study of the palace, Emperor Jin Geng was looking at the palace examination papers.

The grand examination held every three years is an important talent selection for Daxia. It is related to the foundation of the country, so he attaches great importance to it.

After the palace examination ended today, he was marking the examination papers of the tribute students in the imperial study.

"Good article!" He couldn't help but praise the paper in his hand.

The article quoted from classics, was written with great skill, and every word was like a gem. It was absolutely unique among the papers he had seen.

Emperor Jin Geng turned to the name of the examinee and saw the name 'Li Shiming'.

His expression was slightly startled. The name Li Shiming had been mentioned many times in the intelligence recently.

Most importantly, Li Shiming was very close to the royal worshiper Gu Jia. Gu Jia had visited Li Shiming's house many times, and Li Shiming had also participated in many gatherings of monks.

From this point of view, Emperor Jin Geng was certain that Li Shiming was also a cultivator.

Based on Emperor Jin Geng's understanding of Gu Jia, even as an emperor, he could not gain much respect from Gu Jia, let alone get along with him.

"What a pity that such a talent cannot be put to good use!" Emperor Jin Geng shook his head. He had originally planned to appoint Li Shiming as the top scholar, but knowing that Li Shiming could not become an official, he could not choose such a person as the top scholar.

Even as much as he liked Li Shiming's articles, he hated the fact that Li Shiming could not be used for his own benefit.

Emperor Jin Geng wanted to put Li Shiming among the top three so that he could get the lowest status of a Jinshi.

Although he thought so, Emperor Jin Geng also had to consider Gu Jia. Even if he didn't consider Gu Jia, he didn't want to anger the monk Li Shiming because of this matter.

"Then give him the third place!" Emperor Jin Geng picked up the imperial pen and made the decision.

The next day, the Jinshi candidates who came to express their gratitude entered the imperial palace, where their scores were announced by eunuchs.

When Li Shiming was announced as the third place in the imperial examination, the officials and new scholars present realized that Li Shiming, who was supposed to be there, had not arrived.

Even the eunuch who announced the decree couldn't help but turn his head and look at Emperor Jin Geng, wanting to see his angry expression.

But what all the officials and new scholars did not expect was that Emperor Jin Geng was not angry.

"If Li Shiming didn't come, then he didn't come. Continue!" Emperor Jin Geng waved his hand and said.

He also understood that this exam was nothing more than a worldly game for the cultivators, and he also knew that Li Shiming was currently visiting Gu Jia.

In fact, Li Shiming did not want to come to the hall to express his gratitude. He was called over by Gu Jia as soon as he entered the palace.

"My dear Li, you don't really want to stay in Daxia to be an official, do you?" He said to Li Shiming with a smile in the small courtyard of Gu Jia's palace.

"Of course not, but I have studied hard for ten years, so I'd like to put it to the end!" Li Shiming shook his head and replied.

"You are a cultivator, and you will be a cultivator of the Tianhai Sect in the future. Are you going to kneel down and worship the emperor when you enter the hall?" Gu Jia tapped his fingers.

Li Shiming didn't expect that Gu Jia attached more importance to the status of monks than he did. Although he didn't want to kneel, he could endure it for the sake of his last wish in the mortal world.

But it's too late to say anything now. Anyway, the palace examination is over. At least he is a Jinshi, which means he has fulfilled his original obsession and also given an explanation to his father Li Wenyuan.

"Would you like to hear how you did on the exam?" Gu Jia asked with a smile.

As he spoke, his hand cast a spiritual rune in space, and then a picture appeared in front of the two of them.

This picture is exactly the scene in the hall. Not only does it have pictures, but it also has real-time sound.

The picture is not an ordinary picture, but a three-dimensional picture with 3D effect.

Li Shiming opened his eyes wide, looking at everything in front of him in disbelief.

Isn’t this virtual imaging technology? In the past, when technology was so advanced, this technology was not fully mature. Although it could be realized, it was extremely expensive.

"The entire palace is within the range of the magic circle set up by the sect. I can observe what happens in any part of the palace at any time!" Gu Jia saw his surprise and explained with a smile.

Li Shiming really wanted to ask Gu Jia, does the emperor know about this kind of magic array?

If the emperor knew that his every move could be observed by Gu Jia, would he still be willing to live in the palace?

"Oh, that's great, my young friend has won the third place in the imperial examination!" Gu Jia laughed when he heard the eunuch's announcement.

Seeing that the emperor had no dignity in front of the monks, Li Shiming lost all hope of winning the third place.

Gu Jia looked at Li Shiming's expression and felt very proud. He did so on purpose just to eliminate Li Shiming's attachment to the secular world.

Monks are lonely and need to stay away from the world and the hustle and bustle.

Only monks who can endure loneliness can pursue a higher realm.

The two monks sat on chairs and watched what was happening in the hall.

Li Shiming felt the gap between himself and the secular world, but this did not affect his pursuit of cultivation.

Living his life over again, he cherishes life even more. He wants to live longer, he wants to travel to every corner of the world, and he wants to see the true nature of the world.

"Brother Gu Dao, can cultivation lead to immortality?" In this atmosphere, Li Shiming asked a question.

"Guess how old I am this year?" Gu Jia asked with a smile when he heard this question.

Li Shiming observed Gu Jia carefully. Gu Jia looked to be between 40 and 50 years old. As a monk, he might look younger, so he made a judgment.

"Brother, are you seventy years old?" Saying this age is already an exaggeration.

"Haha!" Gu Jia laughed loudly, and then he seemed a little lonely and continued: "I am 123 years old this year, and I have practiced hard for more than a hundred years, but now I am still waiting to die in the secular world!"

Li Shiming looked at Gu Jia in surprise. He didn't expect Gu Jia to be 123 years old.

You know, among mortals, the appearance of an old man over 110 years old is already a great auspicious sign, not to mention one who is over 120 years old.

Looking at Gu Jia's appearance, he doesn't look like he is 123 years old at all. Judging from his condition, he will have no problem living for another few decades.

"The longest lifespan of a Qi-refining cultivator can be close to two hundred years old. However, due to various reasons related to the cultivator's physical body, it would be good if they can reach one hundred and fifty years old!" Gu Jia explained to him.

"Wouldn't it be true that cultivators at a higher level would live longer?" Li Shiming asked again.

"The lifespan of a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage is at least two hundred years. I don't know what the lifespan will be beyond that, but it is inevitable that the higher the level of cultivation, the longer the lifespan!" Gu Jia answered with certainty.

At this moment, Li Shiming's idea of ​​cultivation became extremely firm.

He has a computer room, a large IBM z15 server, and countless research results from his previous life. He firmly believes that he can go further on the path of cultivating immortals and live forever.