Provincial Examination (2)

"Am I fighting for third place, or am I only capable of third place?"

In the Qi family's side room, Qi Yu suddenly asked this question.

He could tell the family had a plan.

His martial arts test this time was merely a move in the family's grand strategy.

The family wasn't using him; it was just that his previous behavior had been too dissolute and absurd, so they hadn't dared to let him know too much.

Since he was a chess piece, then... he wanted to understand how he should move, rather than acting recklessly.

Winning or losing, success or failure, could both serve as a purpose.

Compared to fighting... understanding why one fights, and to what extent one fights, was more important.

Qi Zhao said, "Of course, the higher the rank, the better. However, those two individuals just now were truly difficult to contend with... so, the plan to fight for third place was conceived."

Qi Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "If I get into the top three, Grandpa might indeed feel a sense of cherishing talent. But there are only so many resources. Will the second branch really relent and truly divide a portion of the Poison Water Army and the Herb Gathering Pavilion, these two big prizes?

Cousin, I need to confirm, you aren't... entirely counting on Grandpa and Second Uncle to change their minds and consider our grand strategy, are you?"

Qi Zhao slowly shook her head, then looked at her cousin with a serious expression. "Cousin, we aren't that naive.

Just go and take the test, and do your best to aim for a high position.

Third Uncle once said, 'Those who are petty and conniving can hardly draw a powerful bow'...

If one's mind is cluttered, drawing a sword and looking around indecisively, they can't recover the pure, competitive spirit of a martial artist. But when paths cross, only the brave can win.

A great power always needs such martial artists as the sword's tip, and it also needs petty individuals with cluttered minds who stir up trouble in the dark and treacherous hell as the sword's body.

Cousin isn't skilled in martial arts, Third Uncle is seriously injured, and my father cultivates his body through martial arts, having long lost the will to strive. But none of us want to decline, none of us want to lose what should rightfully be ours...

So let us watch you advance fearlessly from within hell."

After speaking, she suddenly glanced at Qi Yu's determined eyes, smiled gently, and took a ring from her embrace, handing it over.

The ring was stained with blood...

"What is this?"

"If... you truly end up facing Zhen Ke'ai, and you feel you can't win, then show him this ring. As long as he sees this ring, he probably won't continue to attack."

Qi Yu pushed the ring back.

He had checked the opponent's information beforehand. He could still see his combat power. If he still ended up in a situation where he had to "beg for mercy with a ring," then he was truly finished.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The earth-shattering drumbeats suddenly exploded.

The previously noisy training ground fell silent.

It was time for the martial arts examination to begin.

Qi Yu put down the booklet, adjusted his robes, and stood up, striding out of the side room.

After he left, in the Qi family's side room, Madam Liu and Qi Zhao continued their hushed, clandestine conversation.

Meanwhile, Song Xue, who was accompanying Madam Liu, though she didn't want to eavesdrop, the room was so small that it was impossible for her not to hear.

The more she listened, the more shocked she became...

Were these the kinds of things that could be discussed in front of an outsider like her?

Madam Liu, being as sharp as she was, sensed Song Xue's unease and suddenly sighed, "The current predicament of the third branch makes Miss Song laugh."

Song Xue quickly said, "Aunt, no, no. My father often speaks of the friendship he had with Third Master back then. If Third Master's family is in trouble, I believe my father wouldn't stand by idly."

Madam Liu said wistfully, "I know Miss Song and Yu'er were betrothed in childhood, but even if you were to marry into our family now, you wouldn't be able to enjoy happiness."

After speaking, she took out a small purple sandalwood box from her sleeve.

The moment the box opened, a crimson light flowed, and a plump, juicy vermillion fruit lay quietly on the brocade lining. The fruit's skin still held a sheen like morning dew.

"Vermillion Flame Fruit!"

Song Xue was stunned.

The Vermillion Flame Fruit was the core ingredient for making Crimson Flame Powder. One Vermillion Flame Fruit could produce ten packets of Crimson Flame Powder.

However, the combined effect of those ten packets of Crimson Flame Powder was not as good as one Vermillion Flame Fruit.

This was because the Vermillion Flame Fruit contained too much heat. If it were left on the ground for a day, its juices would naturally dry up, turning it into a dried fruit. When this dried fruit was ground and made into Crimson Flame Powder, its efficacy was naturally inferior to that of a juice-filled Vermillion Flame Fruit.

Therefore, this fresh Vermillion Flame Fruit was a very precious medicine for Eighth Rank martial artists, especially those on the verge of breaking through to the Seventh Rank. It was priceless and rarely available on the market. It was mostly produced in rare, blessed locations in the wilderness or dangerous areas, and could only be obtained through chance.

Madam Liu pushed the box towards her. "Currently, of the Qi family's secret land, the Ten Directions Field, only one area still belongs to our family. This is a Vermillion Flame Fruit produced in that field. It is very beneficial for nourishing the heat of an Eighth Rank martial artist. It was picked less than half an hour ago this morning. Miss, please take it quickly later. Otherwise, it will lose a lot of its medicinal properties."

After speaking, she stood up again and bowed, "Thank you, Miss Song, for looking after Yu'er these past few days."

Song Xue quickly stood up and repeatedly said, "Aunt, I'm not here for the Vermillion Flame Fruit, not for any benefits..."

Madam Liu's gaze was like a torch as she pressed, "Then what are you here for?"

Song Xue was momentarily speechless. The answer in her heart was naturally clear: She had always had feelings for him in the first place. Seeing his changes, his progress, his excellence, she naturally fell for him...

But how could she say such a thing when even thinking about it made her feel embarrassed?

Madam Liu suddenly smiled, "Then... how about using this Vermillion Flame Fruit as a betrothal gift? What do you say?"

A betrothal gift?

Song Xue's mind went blank. Her face showed surprise, then she bit her lip. As she lowered her gaze, a hint of joy appeared.

At the examination grounds...

Candidates gathered from all directions toward the center, each collecting their examination token.

The tokens were issued randomly, with numbers and ranks assigned according to "Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai," meaning there were twelve small examination areas.

The number of people in each area depended on the total number of participants.

For example, if there were twelve hundred people, the "Zi" series tokens would be numbered from "Zi One" to "Zi One Hundred."

However, if the number of participants was this large, the martial examination might be spread over two days.

Today, there clearly weren't that many people; Mount Wei City hadn't produced twelve hundred Eighth Rank martial artists in three years.

Qi Yu glanced at his bronze token, which read "Yin Six."

He then scanned the other candidates in the Yin series, totaling thirty-two people. Roughly calculating, there were nearly four hundred Eighth Rank martial artists.

Eighth Rank was considered a good foundation; with some effort, one could reach it...

But Eighth Rank was a major bottleneck. It was the process of refining the Blood Burst heat within the body into true strength. This process... not only required practice, innate talent, and comprehension but also external aids to accelerate it. Thus, the numbers plummeted. Perhaps only one young Seventh Rank martial artist could emerge from dozens of Eighth Rank practitioners.

Otherwise, one could slowly toil away, practicing diligently every day without slacking, and achieve success by middle age... but by then, it would be too late to advance further.

At this moment...

On the command platform, the chief examiner slowly stood up, surveyed the crowd below, and announced in a clear voice, "The spring air is bright, and the Dragon Gate stands high.

You all carry your seven-foot bodies and harbor a heart for martial arts. Today is the time to test your mettle.

Since you have come to take the exam, you should know to act within your abilities, stop when appropriate, and strictly adhere to the examination rules. Any cheating... will be severely punished!"

He paused briefly.

"Begin the examination!!"

As the last two words fell...

A minor official called out the names, and candidates began to enter according to their assigned numbers.

Qi Yu was ranked sixth.

He watched the candidates ahead of him.

The first round involved drawing a hard bow and lifting stone locks.

Perhaps due to differences in martial arts and strength, they had flexibly divided them into "main" and "secondary" categories.

The first candidate seemed to be from a martial hall in the east of the city. A data display floated above his head, showing "18~26." He chose the "hard bow" as his main event.

On the weapon rack were three bows, arranged from lowest to highest strength: eight-force, ten-force, and twelve-force.

The candidate unhesitatingly reached for the middle bow.

To pass the martial examination, one had to achieve at least a middle grade in their chosen "main event."

This hard bow was not for ordinary hunters. Its body was deep brown, made of rosewood, layered with sheets of ox horn. The bow arms were as thick as a child's arm, and the bowstring was made from tanned beast sinew.

The candidate took a deep breath. The muscles in his arms instantly tensed, a faint white blood essence surged, and after planting his feet firmly, he gripped the bow's handle with his left hand, his right hand's three fingers nocked the string, and with a low exhale, he shouted...

"Draw!"

Crack...

The bowstring moved in response, drawing back only halfway. His face turned red, and his arms trembled slightly.

"Draw!!!"

The candidate shouted again.

With this shout, the bowstring drew back further, fully drawn.

The minor official watched intently.

After drawing it fully, one had to hold it for a single breath to be considered successful.

The candidate felt as if time was stretching, each moment an eternity. The bow creaked and groaned with his trembling arms, and his face was now flushed crimson.

After one breath, he released the string, exhausted. The bowstring twanged back to its original position, jolting him backward, his tiger's mouth bleeding.

Next was the stone lock lift.

The stone locks were divided into five hundred, six hundred, and seven hundred jin.

The candidate hesitated for a moment before choosing the "six hundred jin" lock, as achieving a middle grade was required to pass.

The first round was purely about brute strength. If he couldn't achieve a middle grade in this round, he would have to risk aiming for an "A" grade in the second round to compensate and pass the overall examination.

A moment later...

The clerk in the Tiger Field, Unit 1, announced: "Tiger Field 1, White Ape Martial Hall, Yu Kai, Second Class, Middle Grade."

Following that, more announcements were made in succession...

"Tiger Field 2, Iron Fist Martial Hall, Zhao Changpeng, Second Class, Middle Grade."

"Tiger Field 3, Shi Family, Shi Yong, Grade A Middle..."

A sturdy-looking man clenched his fist, his face flushed red from surging Blood Essence, yet he appeared excited.

Passing the first round with "Grade A Middle" meant that even "Second Class, Lower Grade" in the second round would be enough to qualify!

And as everyone knew, the first round wasn't difficult; the second round was the challenge.

Soon...

it was Qi Yu's turn.

On the high platform, the Second Branch's First Madam, Peng Wenhua, narrowed her long, thin eyes, her gaze chillingly fixed on the figure below.

She watched her eldest nephew slowly walk onto the examination stage, watched him reach past the strongbow below, and place his hand on the very top of the weapon rack. He picked up the twelve-force greatbow, a hint of mockery appearing on his face.

Qi Yu didn't use heat.

He casually took down the twelve-force greatbow, tested it slightly, hooked his fingers onto the bowstring, and in a relaxed posture, drew it in the chaotic examination grounds.

The bow formed a perfect crescent, creaking loudly.

After two breaths, he slowly lowered the bowstring, placed it back on the rack, and amidst the clerk's stunned expression, who had even forgotten to record, he moved on to the stone lock area.

He walked directly to the seven-hundred-jin stone lock. Still without using heat, he merely bent one knee, clasped the base of the stone lock with ten fingers, and then straightened up, lifting the seven-hundred-jin stone lock over his head.

Two breaths later, he gently placed the stone lock back in its original position, without stirring up even a speck of dust.

The previously noisy Tiger Field examination area fell silent.

An uncontrollable murmur of astonishment erupted from below the stage.

"He didn't use heat!"

"Who is he?"

"Without heat, relying purely on physical strength, a twelve-force bow, and a seven-hundred-jin lock. If he had used heat... what then?"

"How is this possible?!"

Crack!!

In the Second Branch's side room, a purple copper incense burner was violently swept to the ground, scattering incense ash everywhere.

Peng Wenhua's face was covered in frost: "It seems the First and Third Branches still have quite a few good things... Good steel should be used on the blade's edge. With these resources, they actually gave them to that prodigal son. Truly ignorant of the greater good!"