Provincial Examination (1)

The third month of spring, and the peach blossoms had already bloomed.

The blooming peach blossoms rustled in the wind, and the horizon gradually revealed the golden hue of the bright sun...

The site for the Provincial Examination was a training ground within the inner city, said to be where the "Heavenly Soldiers" under the command of the Central Commandant trained.

The "Heavenly Soldiers" were the pride of Mount Wei's Five Direction Army. Though few in number, each soldier was exceptionally skilled.

Once a martial artist reached the Eighth Rank, they could project their Blood Essence outwards. When gathered like clouds and mist, marching in formation, they gained a semblance of soaring through the skies, as if in the clouds, hence the name "Heavenly Soldiers."

This army answered directly to the City Lord, its authority as weighty as a mountain.

At this moment...

Officials sat solemnly on the platform, their expressions grave.

The elevated rooms on either side, originally meant for the Heavenly Soldiers' rest, had been slightly decorated today to serve as viewing areas for Mount Wei's dignitaries.

It was called a viewing, but in reality, it was a talent selection.

If a scholar from a humble background performed exceptionally, within half a day, a steward would arrive to discuss marriage proposals. If a female martial artist possessed striking beauty, she would become the target of many suitors.

As for the scions of noble families, they dared not slacken either.

Today was not only a martial arts test but also a demonstration of potential, directly impacting the allocation of family resources in the future.

It could be said that here... no one held back.

The Spirit Serpent Martial Hall naturally had its own private viewing room. Upon arrival, examinees and spectators would enter through two different paths.

One path led forward into the examination grounds, while the other went around the side, up the stairs to the elevated platform, and then along the corridor into the viewing room.

Song Qinghong repeatedly cautioned Chu Xiao to pay attention.

He seemed even more nervous than Chu Xiao.

On the other side, Song Xue gently encouraged Qi Yu, "Entering the Eighth Rank is when your strength improves the fastest. Progress tends to slow down later on, so Young Master Qi doesn't need to worry too much about those who entered the Eighth Rank earlier... It's common for some to stagnate for years, or even regress."

As she was speaking, a figure suddenly ran towards them from the other side.

Upon closer inspection, it was Qing Dai, the maidservant accompanying Madam Liu.

"Young Master, there's still some time before the official start of the examination. Madam wants you to come with me."

The young maidservant had sharp eyes. Seeing Song Xue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Qi Yu, she added with a smile, "Madam also said to invite Miss Song along. She has a small gift to present, as a token of her gratitude for your care of the Young Master over the past month."

Song Xue was slightly taken aback.

Madam Liu was Qi Yu's mother, yet she had rarely invited her to meet over the years.

Her gaze shifted slightly, and her first reaction was to steal a glance at Qi Yu, thinking, If he doesn't care at all, then it's fine not to go.

However, as she looked, she met the boy's expectant eyes.

Song Xue blushed deeply, a flush rising on her cheeks.

She lifted her head, feigning an air of arrogance...

Song Qinghong burst into laughter. How could he not know his daughter's feelings?

If there were no affection, why would his daughter have compiled so many booklets for Qi Yu, and why would she have stayed for a whole month to help him cultivate?

Without waiting for his daughter to speak, Song Qinghong made the decision.

"Xue'er, convey my regards to Third Master Qi."

"Father, I'm going then."

"Go ahead."

Qing Dai then led the two towards the viewing room of Third Master Qi's residence.

The room was a medium-sized viewing chamber.

Inside... Qi Changshun was not present.

Besides Madam Liu, there was a young lady in fine clothing and a lean man.

The young lady was Qi Yu's cousin, Qi Zhao, from the elder branch of Qi Changfu. She was currently wearing an apricot-yellow brocade dress embroidered with gold thread, her expression composed and intelligent.

The lean man was someone Qi Yu recognized. He was Guan Mingfei, a Seventh Rank expert from his uncle's household. He carried no weapons, only a dark grey martial arts uniform. His aura was contained, and he stood in a corner like a shadow, almost unnoticeable if one didn't look carefully.

The floating numbers "49~89" above his head indicated that he was clearly stronger than Ding Yi, his own commander.

The few exchanged simple greetings.

Song Xue lowered her gaze slightly, her cheeks tinged with a light red, unsure of what to do.

Madam Liu smiled and took her hand, leading her to the window to speak softly.

She had initially been indifferent to this young lady, but after learning that she had diligently trained with Qi Yu for over a month and taught him wholeheartedly, her impression of her grew favorable.

On the other side, Qi Zhao took out a thin booklet and handed it to Qi Yu.

Qi Yu took it.

He opened it and looked.

The front of the booklet recorded the "Key Points for Passing the First Two Rounds" and detailed the operational patterns of the Wooden Man Array and the Iron Man Array. The back contained rows of information, with portraits on the left page and character details on the right.

Song Xue glanced at it and was immediately stunned.

The Qi Family had gathered information on all their potential opponents...

But how could the Qi Family be so certain that Qi Yu would receive an "A-grade" evaluation in the first two rounds and enter the top three contention for the third round?

Qi Zhao looked at Qi Yu and said, "Cousin, just flip through it. Focus on competing for the third spot."

Qi Yu flipped through the booklet while asking, "Are there two people I absolutely cannot defeat?"

He knew the people in this room were all aware of Lu Yan's existence and that he had successfully cultivated the Hunyuan Contending Force... This was part of the core members of the first and third branches of the family.

As for the other part, it was his father, his uncle, Ding Yi, and others...

Qi Zhao nodded and whispered, "The last two people in the booklet."

Qi Yu flipped straight to the back.

He scanned the pages.

Upon seeing the first name, his pupils suddenly constricted, revealing an incredibly strange expression.

"Zhen Ke'ai."

He scanned the portrait next to it, which depicted a youth with innocent eyes, looking somewhat foolish and simple.

He recognized most of the young masters in Mount Wei City.

The surname "Zhen" was a prominent one in the southern part of Mount Wei City.

The Zhen Family's situation was similar to the Qi Family's; they controlled one of the Five Direction Armies, with one branch holding the reins...

However, he had never heard this name before, nor had he seen this person.

Qi Yu subconsciously asked, "From the Zhen family in the south?"

Qi Zhao nodded and said, "The Gale Army is controlled by the Zhen family's first branch. Zhen Ke'ai is from the fourth branch... His original name was Zhen Tianshuang. After his father and brother both died, his mind became unstable, and he couldn't even remember his own name. Others teased him, telling him his name was 'Zhen Ke'ai,' and he believed them. Because of his foolishness, his family's assets were nearly encroached upon by his relatives."

Qi Yu asked, "Was it because he showed martial arts talent that he managed to keep his family's assets?"

Qi Zhao didn't answer, only raised his hand and lightly brushed under the paper.

Instantly, several lines of fine ink characters appeared next to the portrait of the foolish youth:

[Zhen Ke'ai]

[Affiliation: Zhen Family (Overt), Umbrella Sect (Covert)]

[Identity: Umbrella's Shadow]

[Trait: Impeccable]

Umbrella's Shadow: Commonly known as Black Umbrella, a covert echelon within the Umbrella Sect, composed of bloodthirsty fanatics. Baptized by secret texts, they have succeeded in feeling the presence of the "Myriad Umbrella God" and possess superior aptitude and terrifying power. They may exist in any overt echelon, their identities merely concealed.

The writing appeared for a moment before quietly fading away.

Clearly, the paper and Qi Zhao's fingers contained special materials that caused the text to briefly manifest.

Qi Yu's pupils constricted slightly.

Myriad Umbrella God?

Secret text baptism?

Immediately, he continued flipping.

Upon seeing the second name, he was taken aback again.

Qi Zhao raised his hand and brushed over it, and a line of information emerged:

[Han Yan]

[Affiliation: Black Bear Martial Hall (Overt), Umbrella Sect (Covert)]

[Identity: Disciple]

[Trait: Full Body Armor]

Summary: Although merely a disciple, he is no ordinary disciple. Baptized by secret texts, he has succeeded in feeling the presence of the "Myriad Umbrella God" and possesses inferior aptitude.

The writing appeared and quickly vanished.

Qi Yu continued flipping forward.

Clearly, the opponents to be wary of in this booklet were arranged from back to front.

Zhen Ke'ai was the strongest, followed by Han Yan.

He flipped through several pages, and only on the fifth page did he see the name "Chu Xiao."

Qi Yu asked, "Was Junior Brother Chu secretly trained by Teacher Song for a long time... Was he underestimated?"

Qi Zhao shook his head.

Qi Yu continued flipping pages.

As he flipped through, his movements slowed.

He suddenly looked up, at Qi Zhao, at Guan Mingfei, and then at his mother by his side...

A simple thought flashed through his mind like lightning: If the Qi family already knew the Umbrella Sect like the back of their hand... then was the Qi family, or more precisely—his cousin, his mother, even his father, his uncle, all of them... already part of the Umbrella Sect?

His cousin had been watching his expression the whole time. At this moment, the corner of her mouth curved into a smile, and she raised her hand to her lips, making a shushing gesture.

On the other side...

The Qi family's second branch had a private room.

In the room, Qi Changji was absent, and Qi Feng was also not present.

A beautiful woman sat regally on the soft couch in the main seat. Dressed in a deep purple brocade robe with her hair elegantly pinned, she was leisurely fiddling with the incense burner with her fingertips.

This was Madam Peng Wenhua, the First Wife of the Qi family's second branch.

Behind Madam Peng Wenhua stood a maidservant with her head bowed, three guards with swords stood solemnly on either side, and four young martial arts candidates waited in front—these were all individuals aiming to join the Poison Water Army this time.

Sun Li was among them.

Madam Peng Wenhua slightly raised her eyelids, her voice calm yet laced with coldness. "The first and third branches have truly banded together now, all to deal with our second branch."

The room fell silent.

Her fingertips paused, and she slowly said, "If any of you manage to break into the third round and encounter that Third Master Qi... what should you do?"

The four martial artists responded in unison, "We will show no mercy!"

Sun Li suddenly chuckled, "Madam worries too much. How could such a fop possibly reach the threshold of the third round?"

Madam Peng Wenhua said lightly, "The first and third branches have poured in so much resources, we must guard against it."

Sun Li cupped his hands and said with a smile, "True gold is tested by fire, and strong grass is known in the gale.

This martial arts examination is the fierce fire, it is the strong wind. On the battlefield, no matter what kind of person they are, they will have nowhere to hide.

Last year, that fop spent a fortune to support a Yao woman from the Umbrella Sect, and in the depths of winter, he still went to the Golden Wind Jade Dew Pavilion for pleasure...

If such a person can enter the third round, this subordinate will willingly request the punishment of the whip."

Whipping was a form of punishment within the Poison Water Army.

By saying this, Sun Li hoped to leave an impression on his mistress, which would help him advance in the future.

Madam Peng Wenhua was amused by him and smiled.

Sun Li continued, "One hundred lashes!"

Madam Peng Wenhua's mood greatly improved, and she said leisurely, "Reward him~~"