Zheng Qing entered the exam hall with a Fortune Bun in his mouth.
This bun, with a superstition-based filling and blood-red skin, is a must-have snack for most students of Jiuyou Academy before entering an exam hall. From a mystical classical perspective, it is a wizard's blessing for a better future; however, from the standpoint of modern magic theory, consuming these buns offers no more advantage than having a smear of Wenqu Star Ash on one's forehead.
Because Zhang Ji Xin took a mysticism elective this year, his exposure to such superstitious-based traditional foods as influenced the young scholarship student, diminishing its allure.
Before this exam, he didn't even eat six on a plate but merely nibbled one in significance.
Of course, the bigger reason was that he woke up late and didn't have time to finish a whole plate.
