Even so, there was a large crowd of heirs from noble families vying to get in.
Why? Because many noble families, after several generations, faced certain awkward situations. In order to maintain certain privileges, the family needed a certain number of new talents.
Here, we have to mention the peculiarities of the hereditary system of noble titles: Many noble titles did not inherit "Qi Fortune," did not extend longevity, nor did they help in advancing one’s realm.
A noble title did not equal an official position (except for the Marquis). Take Xia Jing as an example, his father was a First-class Marquis.
If he inherited it, he would be downgraded to a Second-class Marquis. At this point, he still counted as a Marquis, and the court would arrange a corresponding official position for Xia Jing, sending him into office.
Under normal circumstances, even if Xia Jing was an ordinary person, he would become a Standard Fifth Rank, possessing skills and corresponding Qi Fortune of that rank.
However, if Xia Jing did not achieve any merits and passed it to his son, the Second-class Marquis would become a third-rank Marquis.
At this point, the title of Marquis would not include an official position, or the inheritance of Qi Fortune, only property, feudal land, and fields.
Herein lies the problem, having a large amount of wealth and titles but without corresponding strength and official positions—it was a bonanza.
However, the upward path was still open. With a title and by cultivating oneself without becoming an official, one could still reach the Fifth Rank Realm. With this strength and realm, seeking an official position or safeguarding the family’s interests was promising, and there was no need to go through the competitive Daoist or civil service systems.
From this perspective, noble families were still much better off than commoners.
But being a power under Emperor Jing was truly difficult. Opportunities like the Ten Suns Cave Heaven had high entry fees, and fighting for benefits within did not exempt one from life-or-death struggles.
However, if one won, the heirs of those great families could secure their titles, safeguard their family’s interests, and might even gain appointments.
Originally, earning merits on the battlefield was one channel, but fighting the Southern Barbarians did not require so many people, so other methods needed to be considered.
"If a great opportunity appeared in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, it would certainly attract many heirs of the powerful to compete."
"Which big thigh should I cling to?" Zhao Xing contemplated.
Tian Shan was not suitable; Teacher Tian was already aged, and without a good official position, he was only a teacher at the Geography Institute. Although he had connections, connections were not the most crucial at this moment.
Regardless of his strength, Tian Shan probably no longer had the ambition to compete.
Yang An? He was already a Standard Fourth Rank military officer and could not get involved in many areas; their relationship was also not that close.
Fan Zhaoli? As the Dean of the Geography Institute, his combat strength was decent, but his position still lacked leverage. Besides, the last time he helped was because of Teacher Tian. With many nobles competing this time, he might not be willing to help much.
After much consideration, Mr. Zhao finally settled on Liu Tianning.
Liu Tianning was of the Fifth Rank; he could go almost anywhere, and he was a member of the Military Realm Inspection Department. If he did not seek Heaven and Earth Spiritual Beauty, the court would send him.
Liu Tianning’s strength was also formidable. As for Qi Fortune? Zhao Xing had never spied on Liu Tianning’s Qi Fortune; Grassmen did not carry Qi Fortune, and during the retreat, there was no time to observe.
But thinking about it, it would not be bad. A man capable of becoming the First-Rank Chief Minister of Agriculture, how poor could his Qi Fortune be?
"Well, I promised not to get entangled with him, but now I’m getting more and more entangled," Zhao Xing felt somewhat melancholic. "The more benefits Lao Liu brings now, the more hatred he will bring later."
But the future could be discussed later.
This opportunity needed to be seized by Zhao Xing.
Immediately, Zhao Xing tidied up a bit, took out the Earth Mirror, and requested an audience with Liu Tianning.
After receiving permission, he flew towards the Ten Thousand Skill Palace.