In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Of the geniuses from the three counties, apart from Ji Baiying, the others were basically seeing the top geniuses of this year's imperial examination from the county seat for the first time.

"The Money Gang is one of the two major gangs in the county. Although its overall strength is comparable to the Canal Gang, it has an absolute advantage in terms of wealth. Jin Wuming is the young leader of the Money Gang. He not only started building his foundation from a young age, but also has resources that far exceed those of other martial artists of the same level. He never lacks anything, even exotic beast meat and blood essence pills!"

Looking at Jin Wuming, who was surrounded by the crowd like a star, Ji Baiying couldn't help but say with envy, "He himself has top-tier talent, and his cultivation speed is far beyond that of ordinary geniuses. Although he is only eighteen years old, he is already a ninth-rank martial artist and has successfully cultivated the Golden Skin!"

"The one to his left is Bai Xiaotang, the daughter of the leader of the Unity Alliance. Her family background and talent are no less than Jin Wuming's!"

"As for the person to his right, that is Murong Jue, the young master of Mingyue Manor. Not only is his family background and talent comparable to the other two, but he can also visualize the Boundless Jade Wall at any time. If nothing unexpected happens, this year's newcomer king should be contested by the three of them."

Upon hearing Ji Baiying's last words, everyone couldn't help but look at Murong Jue with envy.

If they too could have such a background and be able to visualize the Boundless Jade Wall at any time, they would all be confident that their future achievements, even if not as great as Murong Jue's, would certainly be comparable.

The emergence of the top three candidates in this year's examination in the county town has drawn gasps of surprise from both senior and new students.

"If the martial arts academy in the prefecture is already so full of hidden talents, one can only imagine how powerful the sects that dominate the entire prefecture are, or even those in the capital!"

Chu Jun exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened in surprise, feeling a chill run down their spines upon closer examination.

The Great Zhou Dynasty was founded on military might, and the royal family and clans shared the world.

The royal family holds power over the country, while sects occupy their own territories.

Anyang County, where they lived, along with two other counties, was under the jurisdiction of Tianshui Prefecture.

In Tianshui Prefecture, the government office appears to have the most authority, but in reality, it is the Ziyang Sect that has dominated Tianshui Prefecture for hundreds of years.

The Ziyang Sect can not only collect taxes in Tianshui Prefecture, but also establish a private army that is not subject to the government's command.

It can be said that most of the rebellions that occurred in Tianshui Prefecture were suppressed and quelled by the private army of the Ziyang Sect.

There are even rumors that the Longevity Cult, which worshipped evil gods and almost swept through the entire Tianshui Prefecture many years ago, was wiped out overnight by several grandmasters and elders of the Ziyang Sect, who personally led 30,000 private troops.

In short, the Ziyang Sect in Tianshui Prefecture was essentially a state within a state.

Even for these martial arts academy geniuses who already hold the title of Martial Scholar, they still need to pass the triennial martial arts examination in order to enter the Ziyang Sect.

It is easy to imagine how many geniuses the Ziyang Sect would have, not to mention the capital city, which gathers almost half of the geniuses of the entire Great Zhou.

"The Purple Sun Sect... Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

Lu Yuan couldn't help but show a strange expression at this moment.

He doesn't really care how many geniuses there are. With his destiny of mastering skills through practice, he is in no way inferior to any so-called genius.

He was particularly interested in the Ziyang Sect and the pinnacle of martial arts.

Compared to the martial arts academy in the county town where he is currently located, the Ziyang Sect is naturally at a higher level of martial arts, and one must pass the martial arts examination to enter.

Furthermore, based on the information he currently possesses, the path of martial arts is divided into Ming Jin, An Jin, and Hua Jin before entering a certain rank. After entering a certain rank, it is further divided into nine ranks to one rank. Above the first rank, there seems to be a martial arts grandmaster.

So, what comes above the Grandmaster of Martial Arts?

Undoubtedly, there will be even higher levels.

Could there even be a concept of cultivating immortality in this world?

Of course, he is only at the eighth rank now, and he has very little experience with it. Whether it is the first rank, a martial arts master, or immortal cultivation, it is still too far away from him.

What he needs to do now is to take steady steps, continue to work hard to improve his proficiency, grow rapidly, and climb to the top step by step.

After the excitement subsided, Lu Yuan took his identity token and was led to his residence at the Martial Academy.

Although they are not detached houses, they are fortunate to have individual rooms for each person.

After a quick cleaning and tidying up, Lu Yuan hadn't even had a chance to start cultivating when Ji Baiying called him out again.

"We all come from Qinghe County. Now that we're at this martial arts academy, it's only right that we look after and support each other!"

After the top ten seats in Qinghe County were reunited, Ji Baiying spoke directly.

As for the other twenty people who also came from Qinghe County, perhaps he forgot to call them.

"I have one more piece of advice for you, and I hope you will all remember it: be patient in all things and never easily start a dispute with others."

Ji Baiying's gaze swept over the crowd, and she said with a somewhat solemn expression, "This isn't Qinghe County. There are many people here who are far stronger than us, especially the top geniuses from those prefectural cities. Not only are they extremely strong themselves, but the forces behind them are also forces we simply cannot afford to offend. In short, if we fight them, we'll be at a disadvantage if we can't win, and if we can win, they'll call in reinforcements, and we'll be at an even greater disadvantage!"

Everyone listened quietly, and no one spoke up to refute.

"The martial arts academy is actually a small world of its own, with distinct factions and fierce competition. In severe cases, it can even lead to death. Therefore, it is best not to easily join gangs established by senior students."

After a pause, Ji Baiying continued.

As the top-ranked player, he seems to be the natural leader.

Upon hearing Ji Baiying's words, everyone nodded in agreement.

They're not stupid; they naturally know how to avoid misfortune and seek good fortune.

Lu Yuan wholeheartedly agreed with Ji Baiying's words: being steady, low-key, and unassuming would prevent others from being jealous and allow one to develop and grow in peace.

"I've already found out that the Martial Academy is divided into inner and outer courtyards. The outer courtyard basically doesn't have teachers specifically instructing on cultivation matters. We freshmen who have just entered the Martial Academy will have to pass the freshman assessment three months later if we want to enter the inner courtyard!"

Ji Baiying's gaze swept over everyone before she continued.

"Brother Ji, what level of ability is required to pass the assessment?"

Xu Lin quickly asked, and everyone else also looked at Ji Baiying.

"Gold-plated skin, grade nine or eight!"

Ji Baiying said directly.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed slightly.

Although they all possess top-tier physical attributes, it is not easy for them to achieve the Golden Skin rank or advance to the eighth grade within three months.

"Gold-tier skins are extremely rare. My advice is, if you can't achieve this within two months, don't waste any more time; go all out to break through to the eighth rank!"

Ji Baiying's suggestion was not only directed at others, but also at himself.

"Brother Ji, during our three months in the outer courtyard, will we be able to obtain the martial arts academy's techniques and resources?"

After a brief silence, Chu Jun also asked.

This is also the question Lu Yuan wants to know.

He had not only mastered the Golden Skin technique, but had also advanced to the eighth rank, so passing the new student assessment would naturally be no problem for him.

In the three months before entering the inner courtyard, in addition to continuing to cultivate the Five Elements Vajra Body, he also wanted to cultivate some new techniques.

"Of course! We can go to the library now!"

Ji Baiying nodded, and then led everyone directly to the library.

……