I have a martial arts panel.

Thank you.

After the people in front of the notice made way, a young man named Tao Qingyuan nodded his thanks, appearing very humble and polite.

He walked up to the notice, read it carefully, then paused for a moment before leaving under the watchful eyes of the people.

Subsequently, the previously subdued discussions rose again.

"As expected of Tao Family Village's number one genius, he's the center of attention wherever he goes."

Guo Ye watched Tao Qingyuan's disappearing figure, his tone tinged with bitterness.

Xu Ning listened without replying.

In his past life, Tao Qingyuan was the same age as him, seventeen years old, and he was indeed a leading figure among the younger generation of Tao Family Village.

Even Tao Jin, the eldest granddaughter personally taught by clan chief Tao Jingxing, still could not compare to Tao Qingyuan's reputation.

Almost everyone in Taojiazhuang accepted the fact that Tao Qingyuan would be the number one expert in Taojiazhuang in the future, and they also believed that Tao Qingyuan would be the next clan leader of Taojiazhuang.

"Tao Qingyuan joining the Black Armor Guard is definitely a done deal."

"Even among the Black Armor Guards, with Tao Qingyuan's talent, he would definitely be among the top."

"..."

There's been a lot of discussion about Tao Qingyuan.

"Let's go, Guo Ye."

Having learned about the selection process for the Black Armor Guards, Xu Ning did not linger any longer.

With a month to go before the selection, given my current strength and foundation, I don't need to worry too much about the selection process.

"You'd better take this seriously, Xu Ning!"

Guo Ye also came to his senses and said earnestly.

He knew very well that he had no chance of joining the Black Armor Guard, but if Xu Ning did, he would at least have a Black Armor Guard brother to back him up.

"Understand."

Xu Ning waved his hand dismissively.

……

Time flies.

A month has passed, early winter has passed, and the weather is getting colder and colder.

A few days ago, Kangyun County was blanketed in its first heavy snowfall of the winter, leaving the ground covered in a pristine white blanket that has yet to melt.

Unlike the others who were preparing for the Black Armor Guard selection, he didn't need to prepare anything special.

During this month, Xu Ning continued to go into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs and occasionally went hunting.

One day, Xu Ning was lucky enough to discover a spiritual medicine worth two units of energy, which he immediately absorbed.

In addition, his earnings had been good during this period, so Xu Ning used the silver he had on hand to buy another swallowtail flower. After absorbing 3 more energy units, he now had 7 energy units remaining.

This feeling of having more and more advantages to advance made Xu Ning feel very at ease.

Before dawn, the entire Taojiazhuang village was already bustling with activity.

Today is the day the Black Armor Guards come to Taojiazhuang to select talents.

Families with eligible members were quite nervous, all hoping to be selected by the Black Armor Guards.

Xu Ning's family was no exception.

The house was already bustling with activity as soon as the rooster crowed.

"Xu Ning, are you done washing up? Come and eat!"

Xu Lian had already prepared breakfast.

Early in the morning, there was a large plate of meat on the table, along with steamed buns, flatbreads, and a bowl of egg drop soup.

Xu Lian was worried that Xu Ning would be hungry during the selection process, which would cause her to underperform.

"They're here."

Xu Ning wiped her face and walked to the table.

Looking at the breakfast on the table, Xu Ning smiled helplessly: "Sis, you've gone too far."

"Stop arguing and eat quickly."

Xu Lian nagged, "Your brother-in-law has already gone to the drill ground in the village. He said he'd go check out the situation for you first, so you wouldn't arrive completely clueless."

"..."

Xu Ning was rather speechless at her sister and brother-in-law's eagerness.

"Mother, Uncle."

At this moment, Tao Tao walked into the room, still half asleep.

Her braids were tied crookedly, and the buttons on her cotton-padded jacket were fastened haphazardly. She walked over with a swaying gait, looking as if she were not fully conscious.

Tao Tao usually sleeps until sunrise, but today the house was bustling with activity early in the morning, and the noise outside made it impossible for her to sleep.

"There's meat in it!"

As Tao Tao approached the dining table, she stood on tiptoe to take a peek.

Upon seeing the meat, his eyes, which had been narrowed to slits, suddenly widened.

"It's not for you to eat."

Tao Tao leaned forward, about to grab it, when Xu Lian slapped her away.

"Your uncle has something important to do today, so make sure he's well-fed."

Xu Lian sat on the chair, grabbed Tao Tao's collar, and pulled her into her arms: "You're over four years old, and you can't even dress yourself properly. And your hair is all messed up."

Xu Lian undid Tao Tao's buttons and tied her hair into a small braid.

"I'll get you a pot of water and some slices of cured meat, just in case you get hungry and need to replenish your energy."

Xu Lian put Tao Tao down from her arms, and then went to prepare while talking.

Seeing Xu Lian's posture, Xu Ning inexplicably thought of the college entrance examination in his previous life.

The two do have similarities. For ordinary people, being chosen by the Black Armor Guard is like getting into a good university, which will greatly change the trajectory of their future life.

"Peach, come here."

Seeing Xu Lian leave, Xu Ning picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and waved it in front of Tao Tao.

Tao Tao immediately understood what Xu Ning meant. She first peeked out the door and found that her mother was still busy.

So she grinned and skillfully snuggled into Xu Ning's arms, sitting on his lap.

"ah."

Tao Tao's mouth dropped open.

Xu Ning stuffed the meat into Tao Tao's mouth.

Go, go, go.

"Uncle, will you be able to successfully join the Black Armor Guard?"

Tao Tao looked up at Xu Ning.

From this angle, she could only see Xu Ning's chin.

These past two days, Tao Yunchuan and Xu Lian have been talking about the Black Armor Guards every day, which has made Tao Tao understand what Xu Ning is going to do today.

"There shouldn't be any problems..."

Xu Ning tried to stuff another piece of cake into Tao Tao's mouth, but Tao Tao dodged it and didn't eat it.

So Xu Ning picked up another piece of meat, and Tao Tao ate it this time.

"I wish you success, Uncle."

Tao Tao, whose mouth was full of meat, couldn't speak clearly, but Xu Ning understood her.

Thank you.

"Uncle, you're too kind."

……

After breakfast, Xu Ning took the things Xu Lian had prepared and went to the training ground.

Xu Lian clearly wanted to go with Xu Ning, but after hesitating for a long time, she decided not to go.

It wasn't that Xu Ning wouldn't allow it, but Xu Lian felt that she would be very nervous watching her younger brother's assessment from the sidelines.

Xu Ning left home.

It was just dawn, and many people were hurrying towards the training ground.

Although some people did not participate in the selection and assessment, and their families did not have eligible candidates, this was the first time that the Black Armor Guard had recruited new members in Kangyun County, and most people wanted to watch the excitement.

"Xu Ning, over here!"

As soon as Xu Ning arrived at the training ground, she heard her brother-in-law Tao Yunchuan calling her.

"Brother-in-law..."

Xu Ning walked over.

"I'll take the things."

Tao Yunchuan snatched the water and dried meat from Xu Ning's hands almost plunderingly.

He grabbed Xu Ning: "Come with me, I've already shown you around the venue, come and take a look..."

Afterwards, Tao Yunchuan personally explained the layout of the training ground to Xu Ning.

Weightlifting stones, various weapons, and a frame whose purpose is unclear...

After Tao Yunchuan said that, Xu Ning also roughly thought about the possible assessment items.

People from the village continued to flock to the drill ground, and soon it was packed with people.

……

at the same time.

Outside Taojiazhuang.

Tao Jingxing, along with clan elders such as Tao Jinglu and Tao Jingfang, personally stood outside the village.

They were personally waiting for Xia Yuanxing, the Black Armor Guard Captain, and his entourage.

Despite the fierce winter winds, none of the elderly clan members showed any sign of weakness.

Da da da.

In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard.

"They're here..."

Tao Jingxing murmured.

Then a group of men dressed in black armor rode in on horseback.

The leader of the group carried a broadsword on his back, and his horse was covered in iron armor. The tall warhorse and his burly body gave people a fierce and imposing feeling from afar.

"Captain Xia!"

Before the horse team had even stopped, Tao Jingxing clasped his hands in greeting from afar, his voice booming.

"Chief Tao!"

As they approached the gate of the manor, Xia Yuanxing leaped directly off his horse.

The moment it landed, the enormous impact caused the ground to tremble slightly.

"You've all had a long journey, please come in and rest for a while. We've prepared breakfast."

Tao Jingxing personally stepped forward to greet them, followed by the clan elders.

Xia Yuanxing ripped off his mask and looked at the faces of the clan elders. He then said, "Clan Chief Tao, you've gone to a lot of trouble, but there's no need for that. The important matter here today is selecting the next generation of talents. Just take us directly to the selection venue."

"Alright."

Tao Jingxing gestured, "Please."