Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

Commandant Chen Chuan stroked his beard and laughed:

"If he weren't this kind of person, the Commandant probably wouldn't like him so much."

Then, he smiled and advised Ye Ci, "The martial arts exam is one path, but it's like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. Even if you have the ability to win a place in the county exam, do you know that a first-class scholar from Songjiang County is nothing special in the prefectural city? My camp has no shortage of first-class scholars from various counties."

Ye Ci said, "Even after passing the county-level imperial examination, I will continue to practice martial arts and prepare for the military examination."

"Kid, are you planning to take the martial arts exam to become the top martial arts champion?"

Qin Lie took a breath and asked in an annoyed tone.

"Indeed stubborn."

Commandant Chen Chuan twitched his noodles twice this time: "We asked Master Yang, and he said you have inferior aptitude. Of course, he also praised your tenacity and said you are a good seedling. Master Yang also said that he didn't even dare to teach you the techniques above the Baoshan stance, for fear that you would be too stubborn and ruin yourself by practicing them."

"Your highest potential in this life is at most the Transformation Realm, so joining the army early might not prevent you from achieving something. The world is in chaos right now, and this is precisely the time when the court needs capable people. With the Commandant paving the way, you might very well surpass him in the future. Even at the Transformation Realm, it's not impossible to become a general and be ennobled!"

Ye Ci felt that they could sit at the same table with Teacher Yang.

"..."

Entrusted by Qin Lie, Chen Chuan, as an elder, earnestly persuaded Ye Ci, talking until his lips were hoarse, but he couldn't move Ye Ci in the slightest.

"I think I have a chance to reach the Transformation Realm within a year, and I want to take the martial arts exam."

Chen Chuan kept blowing his beard, as if he were talking to a good-for-nothing son or grandson, which could drive a person half to death with anger.

"Even if you reach the Transformation Realm, you still need to spend three years honing your skills at the outer sect of a sect in the prefectural city. Entering a sect is not like joining a martial arts school by simply paying tuition; it requires certain physical attributes and comprehension. If you want to learn more advanced martial arts, you must become an inner disciple within three years..."

Ye Ci listened silently.

In other words, even if one reaches the Transformation Realm, one can only join the outer sect of a sect. If one cannot advance further, one will become just another ordinary person. Therefore, many Transformation Realm martial artists seek their own way out.

Some stayed in the prefectural city to make a living on their own, some returned to the county to open schools and teach students, and some became apprentices of wealthy families.

Therefore, Commandant Qin believed he had unearthed a piece of gold, and it would be a pity to put it into the sect, which would only waste his life in the end.

"I still want to try the martial arts exam," Ye Ci replied calmly.

The Commandant opened his mouth, and after a long while, he said helplessly to Qin Lie:

"I have nothing to say."

Qin Lie also clicked his tongue, pondered for a moment, waved his hand, and said:

"This kid won't learn his lesson until he hits a brick wall!"

"That's enough!"

Qin Lie said to Chen Chuan, "Go and write a letter of recommendation from the Qingmu Sect for Ye Ci to take with him. If this kid can really master the Transformation Realm, the Qingmu Sect can let him give it a try."

Ye Ci's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Commandant."

"With your natural talent, even if you master the Transformation Realm, no sect will accept you. Given Master Yang's compassionate nature, he's even more afraid that you'll harm your health. Therefore, the Green Wood Sect is an option."

He paused, then explained the reasons in detail.

The methods of cultivating internal energy from the level of Hua Jin to Bao Dan Jin are mostly based on the five elements, cultivating true energy within the body. For example, Qin Lie practices the Li Huo Jiu Yang Gong. If his spear technique is used with Bao Dan Jin, it will carry an extremely strong scorching energy, also known as Bing Huo Jin.

If Yang Huaichuan were to recommend someone, he would definitely recommend them to the Mountain and Mountain Sect to learn the Rock-Suppressing Mountain Skill, which would allow them to unleash the Earth element.

The Qingmu Sect's martial arts technique is called Qingmu Changchun Gong. Compared to other techniques, it is gentler and milder, and has relatively lower requirements for physical constitution. However, its strength is also the weakest among the five elements.

The weaker the force, the less damage it will cause to oneself.

Even so, no sect would accept someone with inferior talent.

However, the imperial court stipulated that military examinations required recommendations from clans, which were ostensibly recommendations but in reality, guarantees.

Therefore, without a letter of recommendation and with Ye Ci's poor aptitude, it would be extremely difficult for him to join a sect.

The sects are places that cultivate talents for the imperial court, and the recommendation letters from the Commandant's Office have a certain degree of binding force.

Therefore, this favor was extremely important, essentially requiring a backdoor to be opened.

In no time, the Commandant had written the letter of recommendation, stamped it with the official seal of the Commandant's Office, put it in a kraft paper envelope, and handed it to Ye Ci.

Qin Lie seemed to see through everything, and said calmly:

"You won't be able to train for long before you give up. The pain in your body at that time is something that most people can't endure."

"I'll give you three years. If you reach the Transformation Realm within three years and realize you can't advance any further after joining a sect, then immediately come and join my ranks."

He felt that three years would be enough time for Ye Ci's dream to be shattered.

"Thank you, sir!"

Ye Ci accepted the letter, overjoyed, thinking to himself that this letter of recommendation was the greatest gain of the day.

This affection even surpassed his previous statement in front of everyone that he would protect Ye Ci.

Because no one can live under the protection of others forever.

Ye Ci kept this in mind and thanked him again:

"Your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and I will never forget it."

"I want your kindness to be as heavy as a mountain, so you should bow down and serve under me."

Qin Lie glanced at him and waved his hand dismissively:

"Go ahead, go ahead, if you can't improve, come and join me sooner rather than later."

"Thank you, sir."

Ye Ci stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and then took his leave.

After he left, the Commandant stroked his beard and said, "It's clear that you, sir, are truly eager to try your luck. But since you've already made the recommendation, why not go all the way and say a few auspicious words to the young man?"

"What auspicious words should we say?"

Qin Lie said irritably, "I mean, if he were to become the top scholar in the imperial examinations, would he even be able to pass?"

Then, he changed the subject: "Is there any news from the imperial court? Should we transfer troops to the border or quell the rebellion?"

"It's still uncertain. The court is in a great mess right now. I've heard that the Censorate receives so many impeachment memorials every day that they fill baskets. For now, we can only wait for news." The Commandant said, then shook his head. "We belong to the old troops of the Holy Martial Army, so it's hard for us to be given important positions. We might just be sent to quell a rebellion."

"hiss……"

Qin Lie sighed heavily: "Fighting with refugees is not my wish."

The Commandant lowered his voice: "There are also rumors that some people in the court hope that the old troops of the Holy Martial Army will take charge, because the Leopard Division of the General Who Conquers the South has been impeached the most severely. It is said that you may be asked to lead troops to reorganize it. In that case, it would be a swap, but it would offend the Marquis of Jianwu. Letting his general's son come to this place as a Commandant is really a huge demotion."

******

Ye Ci went out to the stable to look for the horse, but saw a figure squatting on the ground, idly drawing circles with a twig.

Hearing the noise, the man looked up, saw Ye Ci, and quickly came over to greet him.

This person was none other than Wu Tan.

"Offering of leaves".

He turned sideways, greeting Ye Ci as he went to untie the reins and lead the horse out.

Ye Ci recognized the person in front of him as a guard from the Shen family, but didn't know his exact name, so he politely said "thank you".

"You're too kind, Master Ye. My name is Wu Tan. I've always seen how diligently you practice your skills, so I haven't dared to bother you. I just escorted you back to the Shen residence and came back to watch over your horse."

Wu Tanqin handed the reins to Ye Ci.

Ye Ci wondered to himself, "Could the horse kept at the Commandant's Mansion really be stolen?"