Starting with Xingyi Quan, it swept across the chaotic world.

After saying that, Sun Yi left without looking back.

Only Dong Hui and her maid Xiao Chun were left standing there, bewildered in the wind.

"Miss... what should we do with Young Master Sun now?" Xiao Chun asked timidly.

Dong Hui's mind was in complete turmoil, and she spoke irritably:

"How would I know?"

Her father sent her here today to strengthen her relationship with Sun Yi.

Unexpectedly, this attempt to enhance their relationship actually scared the other person away.

Moreover, Lu Li, whom his family rejected, actually tried again and became a martial artist with hidden strength, even shining brightly in the martial arts examination.

Although amazing strength does not necessarily mean that Lu Li can pass the martial arts exam, the opponent's internal strength cultivation is real.

Having a martial arts master with hidden strength in one's family is a symbol of safety in the outer city of Lin'an. Officials, merchants, and martial arts schools will all give them some face.

Such a wealthy and eligible bachelor, yet he had inexplicably rejected him back then.

For a moment, Dong Hui felt a pang of regret.

Seeing the complicated expression on her young lady's face, Xiaochun tentatively spoke up:

"Miss, why don't we have Master take the initiative to discuss this matter with the Lu family? There might still be a chance."

"Discuss, a turning point?" Dong Hui's eyes lit up. Although she knew it would be difficult, if it really could be done, it would be worth a try.

Xiaochun nodded repeatedly and began to speak logically and persuasively:

"You and Young Master Lu are childhood sweethearts, and the Dong and Lu families are old friends. If the master goes to plead for you, even if he can't reach an agreement directly, it shouldn't be difficult to arrange for you two to meet again. At that time, it will depend on Miss's efforts."

Although it's somewhat shameful for the woman to take the initiative to propose marriage, the situation is completely different when the other party is a martial arts master with internal strength.

Hearing these words, Dong Hui's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

She suddenly realized that Xiaochun's words made sense.

At least there's a chance.

That's a chance to become Lady Anjin!

Now that Sun Yi, whom they had carefully chosen, has left, the most promising and controllable candidate is perhaps only Lu Li.

"Alright, Xiaochun, if it really works out, I'll reward you handsomely!"

Dong Hui spoke with a smile.

It's just a matter of taking the initiative once. If given the chance, she'll definitely show Lu Li how she takes the initiative.

……

When Lu Li returned to the location of the White Crane Martial Arts School, he was immediately showered with compliments.

He responded to the compliments and praise with a smile.

When Liang Jing saw Lu Li approaching, he walked away with a gloomy expression.

Xu Fang had mixed feelings. After thinking about it, she still couldn't bring herself to do it, so she went to watch others collect stones.

"Junior brother, congratulations!" Duan Kang clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Your strength is probably comparable to mine!"

"Senior brother, you flatter me." Lu Li returned the greeting and said, "Junior brother knows that I have little practical experience. Only by improving my skills can I improve my ranking. That's why I risked choosing the Nine Stone Giant Stone."

"I admit there was an element of gambling involved, but I won the bet."

Duan Kang expressed his understanding upon hearing this.

In fact, those who come prepared for the martial arts exam know the rules of the two rounds of the martial arts exam.

There are thirty places available for the martial arts examination in Lin'an City to select the top scholars. The number of places is determined based on performance in two rounds.

The higher the score in the first round of skill and courage, the lower the requirements for the second round.

Of course, no matter how well you perform in the first round, if you perform terribly in the second round, you will not be able to become a martial arts scholar.

Since there is only one chance to pick up stones, for those with sufficient strength, playing it safe is the most important thing.

For those who lack the necessary skills but want to achieve a surprising victory in the imperial examinations, the stone-picking contest is an opportunity to give it a shot.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two of them settled down to watch others work with stones and analyze the formidable enemies they might encounter the next day.

Zhang Wu stood at a distance and glanced at Lu Li with disdain.

"Brother Zhang, aren't you going to say hello to your junior brother?" A burly martial artist with dark energy asked with a smile beside Zhang Wu.

Junior brother?

Ha... In the past few months, he has never called me "senior brother" once.

Zhang Wu spoke calmly:

"Not familiar with them."

"Oh? You're both disciples of the White Crane Martial Arts School with hidden strength, yet you're not familiar with each other?" Qiu Ming asked, intrigued.

Zhang Wu narrowed his eyes slightly, his words carrying a barely perceptible hint of contempt:

"Hmm... that person is a loner, always alone, only focused on practicing martial arts and ignoring the kindness of others. It's a pity he's only been practicing internal energy for a month, possessing only brute strength, he's probably not good in actual combat..."

Zhang Wu stopped speaking at just the right moment.

Upon hearing this, the martial arts student named Qiu Ming, who possessed internal strength, seemed to understand something, and then spoke with a knowing look:

"Okay, I'll remember this person."

As soon as he finished speaking, a smile appeared on Zhang Wu's lips.

They didn't say anything more.

……

The first round of "skill and courage" ended quickly amidst the noise.

The results have also been released.

Lu Li saw that he was ranked eighteenth.

Lu Li wasn't too surprised by this result, after all, there are always people better than you and there's always something beyond your understanding.

At the same time, he also knew that among the 153 hidden strength experts, there were definitely some who, like Senior Brother Duan Kang, chose to play it safe. If they had gone all out, his ranking would have dropped considerably.

Fortunately, he also concealed some of his strength.

We can't reveal all our strength. If we do, how can we catch someone off guard?

How can you scheme against people now!

"Anyone who ranks in the top thirty in the martial arts examination will receive the title of Martial Arts Scholar; there is no difference between the rankings..."

Lu Li pondered the rules of the martial arts department.

The second round of Dark Force contestants totaled 153 people, who fought in pairs to compete for the top 30 spots.

In total, there will be 76 matches in the first round, with one player receiving a bye.

Seventy-seven people remained after the first round.

The second round consists of 38 matches, with one player receiving a bye.

After the second round, there were 39 players left.

The third round consists of nineteen matches, with one player receiving a bye.

After this round, there will be only twenty people left.

"Based on my ranking in the first round, as long as I win all three rounds, I should be able to advance smoothly."

Although he didn't know how "the name is determined by the performance in two rounds" was determined, he was good enough in the first round to make it into the second round, so he should be in the top 30.

Lu Li pondered for a moment, then looked up the list, his expression growing increasingly serious as he went up.

"Shi Qingyang, twelve shi..."

Even though he lived a secluded life at the Baihe Martial Arts School, he had heard of Shi Qingyang.

Legend has it that the opponent was the top Dark Strength expert at the Bagua Martial Arts School, and he could have passed the imperial examination for martial arts last year, but he chose to spend a year in seclusion in order to achieve a better ranking.

Twelve stones... Even with all my strength, I might not be able to lift them.

"I hope I won't run into him tomorrow..." Lu Li exhaled a breath of stale air, and then returned to the White Crane Martial Arts School team.

Over the years, the martial arts system of Dayong has developed into an unwritten rule.

Candidates participating in the martial arts exam must return to their own martial arts school after completing one round of exams on the same day.

This is all for the purpose of ensuring safety.

Because in the past, there have indeed been cases where people have paved the way for their disciples and grand-disciples by specifically selecting high-ranking talents to assassinate.

Besides these, there are many other methods, such as poisoning, adding croton seeds or laxatives to food.

After all, it's a martial arts major that can change one's destiny, so nothing is surprising.

Returning to one's own martial arts school is the safest option. The responsibility is then distributed among the school owners, and with a master of martial arts prowess in charge, if anything goes wrong, it can only be attributed to bad luck.

Soon, the White Crane Martial Arts School team finished organizing and left under Qin Yan's leadership.

……