Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

The sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

As dawn broke, the town of Chixia was already bustling with activity.

Many elderly people who rarely go out on weekdays also stood at the back of the crowd, leaning on their canes and tiptoeing to look towards the direction of the East City Training Ground.

Today is the day the Great Zhou Martial Arts Examination begins.

For the young martial artists of Chixia County, this was no ordinary competition, but a real opportunity to change their fate.

Those who pass the imperial examinations will receive the title of "Martial Arts Scholar," be registered in the official register, be exempt from taxes, and be protected by the imperial court. From then on, they will no longer be ordinary martial artists, but registered martial arts talents of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If one can pass the military examination in the future, it is not entirely impossible to become a high-ranking official, achieve military merit, and be ennobled or appointed as a prime minister.

Even just the title of "Martial Arts Scholar" is enough to save many poor students from taking a decade of detours.

Therefore, early in the morning, the area outside the drill ground in Chixia County was already packed with people.

Around the training ground, county officials with knives were already on duty to maintain order. High wooden fences kept ordinary people out; only candidates taking the martial arts exam, owners of various martial arts schools, and prominent local gentry and nobles were allowed to enter the training ground.

The wind blows from afar.

In the center of the training ground, a black and gold dragon flag of the Great Zhou Dynasty stood tall, its fluttering in the wind. As the dragon patterns rolled and turned, it seemed as if a black dragon was truly coiled in the clouds, looking down at the young martial artists below who were about to compete for fame and glory.

To the north of the drill ground, there was a command platform.

A red carpet was laid on the platform, and armored soldiers stood on both sides, their long swords gleaming coldly at their waists, standing as straight as spears.

In the center of the command platform sat a middle-aged man dressed in official robes.

This man had a square face and cold, stern eyes. Although he wore no armor, he possessed a chilling aura unique to military figures. He was none other than Zhou Lingfeng, the chief examiner of the martial arts examination in Chixia County and the county magistrate of Chixia County.

There were also VIP seats set up beside him.

In the VIP section sat the dignitaries invited by Zhou Lingfeng to witness the ceremony.

One of them was a girl of sixteen or seventeen, dressed exquisitely, with a hint of nobility in her eyes and brows, as if she came from a prominent family. She sat in the VIP section, her expression neither enthusiastic nor as nonchalant as usual, but rather showing interest as she gazed down at the training ground below.

It was none other than Miss Tang, Tang Yuqi.

The maid Qi Mengdie stood behind her.

Tang Yuqi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said in a low voice, "These are the so-called young talents of Chixia County?"

Qi Mengdie nodded and said, "Martial arts are especially important for people from small counties like this. They have no other way to get ahead, and the only way is to pass the martial arts exam and rise above their circumstances."

Tang Yuqi scoffed, "A salted fish is a salted fish, even if it flips over, it's still a salted fish."

"Besides, the Great Zhou Dynasty is currently in dire straits; where is there any Dragon Gate left..."

Below the training ground, all the candidates participating in the martial arts examination of Chixia County stood in line.

They had drawn lots in advance and received their respective candidate numbers. Now, they lined up according to their numbers, standing densely in several rows, and at a glance, there were several hundred people.

Some came from martial arts schools, wearing uniform training clothes, standing together with an imposing presence; some came from security escort agencies or gangs, with fierce expressions; and some came from poor families, dressed simply, but clenching their fists, their eyes burning with an irrepressible desire.

Their eyes burned as they looked at the command platform, as if they could already see the moment when they would pass the imperial examination and become martial arts scholars, bringing glory to their families.

The path to martial arts is like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge.

Once you climb up there, it's like a fish leaping over the dragon gate.

On one side of the training ground, the masters of the five major martial arts schools in Chixia County gathered together.

Although they weren't seated in the VIP section, they were still different from ordinary spectators. The county government had specially reserved seats for the five of them, both to give the five major martial arts schools some respect and to let them witness their own disciples vying for fame in the martial arts competition.

Qin Wuhe, the master of Canglong Martial Arts School, sat among them, dressed in a blue robe, with a calm expression.

On the other side, Zhao Xuanfeng, the owner of Weiyuantang, sat upright in a chair.

Zhao Xuanfeng was tall and thin, with a gloomy face and narrow, dagger-like eyes. Even sitting casually, he gave off an unapproachable aura. He tapped his fingers lightly on the back of his chair, his gaze sweeping across the line of examinees before finally turning to look at Qin Wuhe beside him.

He suddenly smiled, his eyes narrowing: "Master Qin."

Qin Wuhe turned his head to look at him: "What advice does Master Zhao have?"

Zhao Xuanfeng smiled and said, "I wouldn't call it giving pointers, but I've heard that your Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Academy has produced an extraordinary genius this time, named Shi Hao, right?"

He spoke in a loud voice, and several museum owners nearby heard him.

Shen Congjun, the master of Qianhe Martial Arts School, slightly raised his eyes, and Han Zhengshan, the master of Benlei Martial Arts School, also turned his head to look over. Even Cao Lie, the master of Panshi Martial Arts School, who was sitting at the very edge, grinned, looking like he was watching a show.

Zhao Xuanfeng continued, "He was already at the peak of the Blood Refining Realm when he registered. Tsk tsk, reaching the peak of the Blood Refining Realm at this age is no small feat."

"It seems that your Canglong Martial Arts School is going to become very famous in Chixia County this time."

Among the hundreds of martial arts examinees, most were only at the minor level of Blood Refining, while those who reached the major level of Blood Refining were already considered skilled.

As for those at the peak of the Blood Removal Realm, they stand out from the crowd.

These kinds of people are all aiming to become the top martial arts scholar.

Qin Wuhe remained expressionless, merely glancing at Zhao Xuanfeng indifferently: "Master Zhao is certainly well-informed."

Zhao Xuanfeng laughed and said, "With the martial arts examination just around the corner, who wouldn't know if there's any trouble in the county? Especially a genius like Shi Hao."

Qin Wuhe said slowly, "Shi Hao does have some talent, but in martial arts, the outcome is unpredictable. How far this young man can go depends on his own abilities."

Zhao Xuanfeng smiled gently: "Master Qin is too modest."

"With the Blood Transformation Peak technique and the Azure Dragon Force from your Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, I think the champion of this martial arts competition is undoubtedly your Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School!"

"After years of forbearance, it's time for your Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School to soar to new heights."

Upon hearing this, Cao Lie, the master of the Rock Martial Arts Academy, laughed heartily: "Master Zhao is right. That's a genius at the peak of the Blood Transformation Realm. If I had such a disciple, I'd be grinning from ear to ear today."

Qin Wuhe glanced at the two of them, knowing that they were flattering him but were actually up to no good and waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

He was burning with anger.

For so many years, Canglong Martial Arts School has been in decline and has always been looked down upon by others.

"Hao'er, you have to make your master proud! Give their disciple a good beating!"

Qin Wuhe didn't waste time arguing with the two; he was ready to prove himself through his actions.

At that moment, a drum suddenly sounded in the training ground.

Boom!

The noisy training ground suddenly quieted down a bit.

On the platform, County Lieutenant Zhou Lingfeng slowly rose to his feet.

The masters of the five martial arts schools fell silent and turned their gazes toward the arena.

Qin Wuhe looked at Shi Hao in the line of examinees.

Zhao Xuanfeng then looked at Li Huchen, who was at the very front of the Weiyuantang team.

The broad-shouldered young man had his head slightly lowered, as if he were resting with his eyes closed. But just by standing there, he made the surrounding examinees subconsciously keep their distance from him.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhao Xuanfeng's lips.

Boom!

Boom!

After three drumbeats, Zhou Lingfeng's gaze swept across the crowd below the stage with lightning speed:

"The sixth day of the sixth lunar month!"

"Martial Arts Examination Success!"

"Opening Ceremony!"