In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Although the Zhou family controlled Guangchuntang, which made a fortune every day, they were still not as powerful as the Zheng, Zhang, and Qian families, which had been established for centuries, they were far from being comparable to ordinary wealthy households.

Those who can receive their funding must be true geniuses with excellent aptitude, or even first-rate geniuses with exceptional aptitude.

What merits or abilities does Lu Yuan possess?

Not only Fang Chang was puzzled, but Gu Ming, Chen Yong and others were also filled with confusion.

They simply couldn't understand how Lu Yuan had been chosen by Guangchuntang.

Surely it can't be just because he's good-looking, right?

"Master Song!"

At this moment, Lu Yuan took the initiative to walk over and bowed to Song Tingwei with his fists clasped.

Although from the day he entered Song Academy until he left on his own initiative, Master Song had never taught him anything or given him many resources to assist his cultivation, if Master Song had not allowed him to enter Song Academy in the first place, he probably would not have been able to embark on the path of martial arts so quickly and grow so rapidly.

"It is your good fortune to be noticed by Guangchuntang. Your aptitude is not good, but if you practice diligently and assiduously, you may be able to hope for hidden strength or even neutral strength in the future."

Song Tingwei looked at Lu Yuan with a strange expression, then encouraged him with a smile.

Although he didn't understand what the Zhou brothers saw in Lu Yuan, in his opinion, Lu Yuan had ordinary talent and even with the Zhou family's support, he would never be able to reach the Dark Force realm in a short time; he would need at least several years of arduous cultivation.

As for the Transformation Realm, it is almost impossible to achieve without decades of dedicated practice.

Lu Yuan, still smiling, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Song Tingwei, neither confirming nor denying anything.

"Ah Yuan, I never expected that you would receive sponsorship from Guangchun Hall after leaving Song Academy. Congratulations!"

At this moment, Chen Pi stepped up to Lu Yuan and said with a smile.

"Brother Chenpi, it's been a long time!"

Lu Yuan smiled and spoke.

"Your physical constitution is about the same as ours. Even with the support of Guangchuntang, you should only be at most at the Mingjin level now, right or wrong?"

Chen Yong also walked over, looking at Lu Yuan with a strange expression, and continued, "Now that we are both at the Ming Jin level, if we encounter each other later, could we fight with all our might?"

"If you can really come to me, I will grant your wish."

Lu Yuan turned to look at Chen Yong and said calmly.

"I believe that with Guangchuntang's support and being younger than us, even if Ayuan has no hope this year, he will surely pass the exam within ten years!"

Chen Pi said with a smile.

"Ten years is too long; I'll seize every moment!"

Lu Yuan, however, spoke directly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Pi and the others were all stunned.

Could it be that Lu Yuan intends to make a full-fledged effort to advance in this year's martial arts exam?

Could it be that he has already reached the level of hidden strength or even transformed strength?

"wishful thinking!"

Chen Yong curled his lip, feeling that Lu Yuan was completely overestimating himself.

"Ah Yuan, this year's martial arts examination is far more difficult than in previous years. Even if you have successfully reached the level of Ming Jin or even An Jin with the support of the Zhou family, it is still impossible for you to pass the exam and be on the list."

At this moment, Fang Chang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

Lu Yuan simply smiled and replied.

Although only two months had passed, the two seemed to have grown even more distant when they met again.

"In that case, you'd better take care of yourself!"

Fang Chang said no more.

His future is destined to be far beyond what ordinary martial artists can achieve.

As for Lu Yuan, he has no future.

"Thump! Thump! Thump..."

As the drums sounded, Lu Yuan followed the crowd, first registering his information, and then receiving his number plate: 921.

Just then, a fragrant breeze suddenly wafted by.

Lu Yuan looked up and saw a tall, slender young woman dressed in a red outfit walking quickly past.

"This is Miss Qian Rou, the eldest daughter of the Qian family."

"It's said that she's not only the undisputed heir to the Qian family patriarchal line, but also a top-tier genius with exceptional talent—a true heroine, incredibly capable and charming!"

"Unfortunately, this woman is extremely arrogant. Even top-tier geniuses like Chu Jun and Xu Lin might not catch her eye. Perhaps only those so-called super-first-rate geniuses can meet her standards!"

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Lu Yuan also looked up at the proud and independent Qian Rou.

Like the Zheng and Zhang families, the Qian family was a true century-old powerful clan.

Qian Rou, the eldest daughter of the Qian family, is likely to become the undisputed heir to the family head not only because she is a first-rate genius with exceptional talent, but also because she possesses other extraordinary advantages.

"Brother Yuan, you've got your eye on him?"

"If Brother Ruoyuan likes her, we'll definitely find a way to help you win her over!"

Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida squeezed through the crowd and smiled at Lu Yuan.

"That's not what I meant!"

Lu Yuan shook his head directly.

At least for now, he has absolutely no plans to find a partner.

"Holy crap, why is this guy back?"

Suddenly, Zheng Shuang pointed at someone and exclaimed in surprise.

"This is getting interesting. Chu Jun and Xu Lin thought this year's martial arts champion would be one of them, but the biggest variable has returned!"

Zhang Yida also looked surprised as he spoke.

Lu Yuan turned his head and saw a handsome young man dressed in white robes with prominent features.

"Didn't he go to the county seat? Why is he back to participate in the martial arts examination?"

"I heard there are too many geniuses in the county town, and he was quite discouraged, so he had no choice but to come back!"

"Although his natural talent is slightly better than Chu Jun and Xu Lin, when he went to the county town, compared with those truly top-tier geniuses, he was still far from enough. How could he not be discouraged?"

The people around him also looked at the cold and handsome young man with strange expressions, and whispered among themselves.

Clearly, this aloof and handsome young man was not only well-known to everyone, but also had a great reputation.

"Brother Yuan, this guy's name is Ji Baiying. Although his family background isn't as good as ours, he has extraordinary talent. His aptitude is even better than Chu Jun's and Xu Lin's. You could say that his success in reaching the rank of a high-level cultivator in just three years is entirely due to his talent!"

Zhang Yida said with a strange look in his eyes.

"My Zheng family tried to recruit him at all costs, but he looked down on my Zheng family. He even rejected the offers from Lieyang Martial Arts School and Sanhe Martial Arts School, and then went directly to the county town."

Zheng Shuang also said with a somewhat strange expression, "I didn't expect him to suddenly come back to participate in the martial arts exam."

"Brother Yuan, if you want to become the martial arts champion, your biggest rival should be him!"

The two of them turned to look at Lu Yuan at the same time, and said with some serious expressions.

"Today, I have no rivals!"

Lu Yuan, however, remained expressionless, a confident smile playing on his lips.

He has already mastered the Golden Skin technique. Even if he cannot use the Blazing Sun Sword Technique and the Finger Flicking Skill, his true strength is enough to rival that of an ordinary eighth-rank cultivator, thanks to his perfected Wind-Breaking Saber Technique and Swift Wind Step.

Unless Bai Ying also achieves the Gold Skin this season, he cannot be considered his true opponent.

"Cao Yang... he's still alive?"

Just then, Zhang Feng and the others suddenly exclaimed in astonishment.

……