“Coming here to take the exam was nothing but my father’s coercion. I wasn’t mentally prepared for it at all. Even if I pass, I doubt the outcome will be any good. So I plan to just stay in a teahouse or an inn during the exam period, until the assessment is over.” As he spoke, William Grant’s tone grew lighter. “No need to compete with others, no need to sneak out at night to dig up ghost-fire graves. As long as I make it to the last day, I can at least give my father an explanation when I return. Of course, if it weren’t for your advice, Brother Carter, I wouldn’t have made up my mind so quickly. Even if you see me as a coward, I still wanted to thank you in person—”

“Coward? I never said that.” Brian Carter interrupted with a smile. “On the contrary, you’re already quite brave.”

“No need to comfort me, Brother Carter...”

“It’s not comfort. In my view, the courage to be honest with yourself is no less than the courage to face evil spirits head-on. Withdrawing has nothing to do with bravery; it’s just that, compared to being a low-level practitioner in some remote place, being a rich man’s son is a much better prospect.”

William Grant stared at him for a while before letting out a soft laugh. “Honestly, there aren’t many people who think like you. Once you’re hired by the Privy Council, even the lowest practitioner is an official, while a merchant is always just a merchant. But I think you do have a point.”

He seemed to let go of his worries, picked up a pancake, and took a big bite. “Brother Carter, if you don’t pass the exam, come find me at the Big Bowl Grain Shop. I promised to treat you to a good meal.”

Brian Carter rolled his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be wishing me smooth sailing at a time like this?”

“I’d like to, but this assessment is far from as simple as it looks.” William Grant said as he ate. “Yesterday, someone already asked around about Qingshan Town’s situation—there really is a ghost-fire ground here, but it’s pitifully small. Normally, for hundreds of candidates to each collect a full bottle of spirit fire, you’d need at least a mass grave. But I heard there are only a few dozen scattered burial mounds there.”

“That’s way too few...” Brian Carter said in surprise.

“Exactly. Even if every grave produced spirit fire, it would only be enough for about a hundred people. At this rate, conflict is inevitable.” The fellow townsman sighed. “Maybe that’s what the examiners intend—unless you fight others, don’t even think about qualifying. But for those who aren’t from noble families, it’s just too unfair...”

“Besides that, the cost of food and lodging for seven days is another constraint. I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but you started out with only half as much money as others. If you don’t pass, it’s not because of your ability, so don’t push yourself too hard.”

“True.” Brian Carter said frankly. “I originally planned to solve the problem in three days, but now it seems three days isn’t safe. If the information you heard is correct, this struggle might last until the very end of the exam.”

“Too bad I can’t help you any further.”

William Grant didn’t try to hide or avoid the issue. After all, their relationship was still shallow. Gratitude was one thing, but risking his own safety to camp outdoors and save money for Brian Carter to finish the exam—such self-sacrificing behavior was out of the question.

“It’s fine. Sharing information with me is more than enough.” And that marinated beef, Brian Carter thought to himself. “If it were yesterday, I really wouldn’t have had any good ideas, but today, things might not be so hopeless.”

“You’ve found a way to raise money?” the other asked in surprise.

“Sort of.” Brian Carter nodded. “By the way, did you have any nightmares last night?”

“Nightmares?” William Grant scooped up some tofu pudding. “Don’t remember... I basically never dream.”

Brian Carter’s expression stiffened, and he suddenly felt uncertain. “Uh, let me put it another way—if you had a nightmare, dreaming of a blood-red moon and monsters all over the ground, would you be scared?”

William Grant thought for a moment. “Of course! That’s a scene straight out of purgatory! If I were in a place like that, I’d probably faint from fright.”

No way... that exaggerated? Brian Carter was stunned. “But it’s just a dream...”

“Dreams are important omens.” He said seriously. “I don’t dream much, but I know dreams are an extension of consciousness—especially for those who channel qi. You mustn’t take the signs in dreams lightly.”

So that’s how it is... Brian Carter realized.

This is a world where consciousness can affect matter, which means dreams are no longer just ordinary deep-brain activity. Judging dreams solely by how scary they are is like using old logic to solve new problems—carving a mark on a boat to find a lost sword.

“That’s good, then.” He smiled in relief. “I just wanted to try something before, but after what you said, I’m pretty confident now.”

“Really?” William Grant put down his pancake. “Can you show me? Oh, I’m not trying to take advantage, I’m just really curious—”

Brian Carter pointed behind him. “Come with me. While it’s still early.”

……

Qingshan Town, in front of the suspension bridge connecting the inside and outside of the mountain.

Brian Carter waited for a candidate carrying a travel bag and hurrying along.

“Brother, please wait.” He stepped forward and cupped his hands. “I am a candidate from Fenghua County, Brian Carter.”

The other man looked at him suspiciously, then slowly stopped. “Mr. Clark, Youzhou.”