Thinking back now...
Could there be some connection between this question and the reason for Tian Hao's appearance here?
Vaguely.
This feeling of almost breaking through reminded Xu Yun of the Fragmentation Skill he learned in his previous life from the famous fragment master, Pei Tugou.
Seeing how readers reacted to his fragments at the time, perhaps most of them felt just as restless as he did now?
Then Tian Hao simply mentioned that he was a descendant of merchants, and hurried back to his seat.
Perhaps because the First Opium War had not yet erupted in those years.
Tian Hao's long robe and braid were strange, but the other students' faces didn't show much disdain as 'the Sick Man of East Asia' might suggest.
Mostly they were curious and inquisitive, which wasn't friendly, but it wasn't overtly mocking either.
Then William Whewell called a few more students' names in succession.
Ten minutes later.
As he routinely scanned the list, his hand paused noticeably.
