1 For my family, I'll do everything.

Morning.

Cloud Dynasty, Ying Prefecture City.

Today the imperial examination was over, the Releasing of Roll was launch.

At this moment, candidates were gathered around the wall where the results are posted. Although they wore fancy tunics, they were unable to conceal their nervousness.

All of them appeared worried as they glance at the lists of passing candidates, hoping that they could catch a glance at their shimmering names.

This was a moment of truth.

If they pass the exam, they could change their destiny.

They would then be placed at the highest level, becoming part of the important figures of the Cloud Dynasty. If they perform well, there was a possibility of working in the capital city. There would even be a slim chance of being recruited as a student of the prestigious Cloud Academy; the gathering of young Immortals!

These were the goals of the scholars here present in the area. Even Wu Ning wasn't an exception.

As Wu Ning looked around to find his name, his gaze happened to land on a two syllable pinyin. At first, his expression was stunned. Second, disbelief. For the third time, happiness.

He had succeeded, he passed the examination!

Wu Ning's heart raced and his fists clench. Those days of sleepless nights were worth it.

"Now that I pass the examination, I'll officially work as a public sector employee, even becoming a prospective, influential politician isn't out of my reach." Wu Ning said, smacking his lips. "Although I'm young, I'm not hoping to receive an invitation to the Academy. I'm already satisfied to give my Mother and Lil sis a better livelihood."

Thinking of his family, Wu Ning's heart clench.

His father was a blacksmith apprentice of an Immortal, and with the money he earns from his job, he was able to support his family's livelihood.

However, five months ago, his father left with the Immortal to a neighboring town to buy some materials and he never came back. A month after his disappearance, the Immortal notified them that his father perished under the hands of vicious beasts.

It was very sudden and Wu Ning's family couldn't accept the truth. Although the Immortal compensated them with 300 gold liangs, the debts they own and the basic living needs, they were truly short in money. In just four months, their funds shortened.

Furthermore, his mother caught a deadly disease. It was very latent. If remain untreated, his mother would suffer from it.

It had been a month since she had caught a disease. If they hadn't sold their small-sized house for 200 gold liangs, Wu Ning didn't know where to find money to buy his mother's medicine, Scarlet Pine Juice.

Scarlet Pine Juice costs around 5 gold liangs per 1 litter. It was used to treat symptoms such as fever, weakness, and headache. It was an expensive medicine, but Wu Ning never hesitated to buy it. This is his mother's life, he was afraid, deeply afraid that something will happen to her.

His little sister was still young. If mother left too after father, what will happen to her? Growing without parents?

Wu Ning can't imagine what will happen to his little sister nor his mother. Although they were grieved by his father's sudden death, they had to continue living!

At this moment, an official appeared, he was the supervisor of the examination. The moment he appeared, the scholars around the area looked at him.

He swept his gaze for a brief moment and said, "Out of 100 participants, 35 of you had passed. This year's examination was better than the last. Those that didn't pass, don't be saddened, you may try next time."

Hearing the Supervisor, the failing participants was crestfallen. Some of them even shed tears.

Wu Ning looked at them and sighed. It was within his expectation. Some of the people here were not young already. Next year? Perhaps, they would never have the chance to take the examination after this year.

"There are few candidates that had the caught the eye of his lord," The Supervisor was full of smile, "Qi Xue, Long Xiaobo, Xiang Xueqin, and Wu Ning. These four come with me, as for the rest you may leave."

This time, the people began discussing.

"Hai, is the emperor thinking of sending them to the prestigious Cloud Academy?"

"Perhaps. The four famed scholars are very young. They are around the age of sixteen. Once their martial talents are tested, their reputation would even shoot through the roof. As for us? We are but mere mortals."

Hearing that, some people around the area sighed.

"Who do you think has the highest chance of awaking a martial talent here and the one who's more talented?"

"For me, Qi Xue is more talented. He has the knowledge, family background, and his literally talent is outstanding. He has the highest chance of awakening a martial talent, soaring above us mortals. Amongst them, only Wu Ning pales a bit."

"True. His father was a well-respected Blacksmith apprentice. Although he was a mortal like us, his achievement was praised by few Immortals. Unfortunately, he died too early, leading Scholar's Ning path to collapse. I heard his mother had even caught a disease."

"That happens? I've never heard of that. Such a young lad, yet carrying heavy burdens. I admire him."

Wu Ning and three other youth pretend not to hear the discussions and followed the Supervisor. Wu Ning, in particular, felt that he was quite lucky.

He never thought that he caught the eye of the City Lord. Who was he? He was standing at the top of the Ying Prefecture City, admired by many. Furthermore, he was an esteemed Immortal. Even Wu Ning admired him so much.

As the Supervisor led them to the City Lord Estate, Wu Ning was stunned. He was actually meeting him?

Thinking of this, Wu Ning couldn't help but become excited.

Not long after, they entered a hall, and a middle-aged man with a thick beard appeared right in front of the group, sitting casually in a chair.

The moment the Supervisor sees him, he becomes respectful, "City Lord, these are the young talents of this year."

"Mhmm," The City lord smiled and looked at the four youths. He paid attention more to Qi Xue since the young man was someone with noble status. "Tomorrow in the morning, I'll test your martial talent. Martial Rocks are expensive, but I believe the four of you are worthy to be tested. Don't disappoint me."

After thirty minutes, Wu Ning left the City Lord estate. As he walked, he couldn't feel his feet. His feeling at the moment was pure bliss.

The City Lord would sponsor his testing of martial talent and Wu Ning was very grateful for it. Testing a martial talent costs a Martial Rock and it was expensive.

Martial Rocks were precious treasures, they couldn't be purchase by mere gold liangs. It was said to cost around 10 Essence stones. Converting them to the currency of mortals, it was around 1,000 taels of gold. It was an exorbitant amount for a one-time use Martial Rock.

"For my family, I'll do everything," Wu Ning's eyes shone, "no matter how low my chances of awakening a martial talent, I'll grasp it!"

After he returned to his apartment, Wu Ning closed the wooden gates and knocked on the door, "Lil sis, open the door, quick."

A voice reverberated back, "Brother! You're back. Why you're so late?"

Then the door opened. Wu Ning looked at his young sister who was only 12 and had a chubby face.

Eh? Why Lil sis is crying?

Wu Ning looked at her and hurriedly said, "What happened?"

Her sister shed more tears, her voice trembling. "Mother…She…She…"

Hearing her, Wu Ning's eyes darkened, his heart was stabbed with countless needles.