When Lu Feng saw that Grandmasters could project their internal energy, his eyes lit up.
"Whoa! Martial Grandmasters in this world can actually project their internal energy!"
In his previous life, Lu Feng had watched plenty of wuxia and fantasy movies. Some of the martial arts masters in them could project their internal energy and kill people from a distance.
Newly initiated Grandmasters could generally extend their internal energy within ten zhang.
As Grandmasters continued to advance in the Martial Realm, the range of their projected energy gradually increased. Typically, each minor advancement added about three zhang to its range.
However, a very small number of Grandmasters had greater talent and more powerful martial arts, allowing them to project their energy farther than others at the same level.
Besides describing the characteristics of Grandmasters, the book also briefly introduced the more powerful Great Grandmasters and those in the Innate Realm.
There was very little information about these two higher Martial Realms. Great Grandmasters could briefly achieve Aerial Flight, while Innate Realm Great Powers could fly for extended periods and wield abilities as mysterious as those of ghosts and gods.
The book also included some information about Strange Beasts. Ordinary Strange Beasts were roughly as strong as human Martial Artists. Above them were Spirit Beasts and Fierce Beasts, whose strength corresponded to that of human Martial Masters and Grandmasters.
At the top were Demon Beasts, whose strength rivaled that of Innate Realm experts. They were not only at least as intelligent as humans but also bloodthirsty by nature. Whenever one appeared, it could lay waste to an entire city.
After two days, Lu Feng finally finished reading the entire Martial Arts Compendium.
By then, he had gained a general understanding of the Martial Realm and the Strange Beasts in this world.
His longing for this world's martial arts had also grown stronger.
If he could reach the Great Grandmaster Realm, he would be able to fly through the air. It was something he had always dreamed of in his previous life.
Well, it looks like the road ahead is long. I wonder if I can cultivate to that level! Lu Feng thought.
Just then, a knock came from outside.
"Captain Lu, the County Magistrate asked me to fetch you. He'd like to speak with you."
Recognizing Yamen Runner Xiao Wang's voice, Lu Feng immediately rose and opened the door. "So it's you, Xiao Wang. I'll go see the County Magistrate right away."
After that, he went to the County Magistrate's study. Inside, he found not only the County Magistrate and Strategist Wang Jun, but also a middle-aged man he didn't recognize.
Lu Feng cupped his hands toward the County Magistrate. "Your subordinate Lu Feng pays his respects, County Magistrate. May I ask why you summoned me?"
County Magistrate Wang Lichuan smiled. "Heh, Captain Lu, I called you here to discuss the Martial Examination in the prefectural city."
Lu Feng had already guessed that was the reason. However, he had never been to the prefectural city or taken part in a Martial Examination.
So he would have to wait and see how the County Magistrate planned to handle the arrangements.
Wang Lichuan paused, then raised a hand to introduce the man. "This is the Wang Family's Retainer, Wang Chen. He was originally assigned to guard me, but since you're going to take part in the Martial Examination, I've arranged for Retainer Wang to accompany you. That way, you'll have someone to look out for you."
Lu Feng's gaze shifted slightly. He looked at the middle-aged man sitting to one side. The man's build and appearance were unremarkable, but a murderous aura clung to him. At a glance, he seemed anything but soft-hearted.
Since he served as County Magistrate Wang Lichuan's personal guard, his martial strength was surely no lower than the Martial Master Realm. It was hard to tell, though, what rank of Martial Master he was.
"So you're Retainer Wang. I'm Lu Feng. It's an honor to meet you, senior." Lu Feng cupped his hands in greeting.
Wang Chen looked him over, then nodded. "Mm. A pleasure, Captain Lu."
After that, he said no more. Seeing this, Wang Lichuan continued, "Captain Lu, Retainer Wang knows Baiyue County City quite well. The two of you will set off together tomorrow morning. If there's anything you don't understand along the way, you can ask him. Understood?"
"Understood. Thank you for looking out for me, County Magistrate."
Although the County Magistrate only wanted to use Lu Feng's participation in the Martial Examination to boost his own record, he had indeed looked after Lu Feng during this time.
Lu Feng would remember that.
"Good. In that case, go home and get ready for now. Tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon, Retainer Wang will wait for you at the South Main Gate." County Magistrate Wang Lichuan gave his instructions.
Lu Feng nodded. "All right. I'll remember."
Wang Lichuan walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Lu Feng, make sure you do well in this Martial Examination. Try to earn a good ranking and show everyone that Qinglu County isn't at the bottom."
"Yes. I won't let you or the people of Qinglu County down, County Magistrate."
After their conversation, Lu Feng left the County Yamen and headed straight home to prepare.
Time flew by, and soon the next morning arrived.
With a small bundle on his back, Lu Feng made his way to the South Main Gate.
Before he could reach it, he spotted two tall horses waiting in front of the city gate.
Several guards stood nearby, along with Wang Chen, the Wang Family Retainer.
Lu Feng hurried over and cupped his hands to Wang Chen. "Retainer Wang, sorry to have kept you waiting!"
Wang Chen gave a slight nod. "Not long. Since you're here, let's go."
"All right. I'll be counting on you from here on, Retainer Wang."
After that, the two mounted their horses and galloped south along the Official Road.
According to Lu Feng's memory, Baiyue County City lay south of Qinglu County, but it was quite far away.
Even on horseback, it would take five or six days to get there.
So the two rode hard throughout the journey, stopping only to eat or rest at a Post Station.
Along the way, Lu Feng took the opportunity to ask Wang Chen about Baiyue County City.
Wang Chen didn't talk much, but whenever Lu Feng asked a question, he answered carefully.
For instance, Baiyue County City was more than five times the size of Qinglu County City. It had not only tens of thousands of stationed troops but also important officials from the Imperial Court, such as the Prefect.
The prefectural city was also home to several well-known Noble Families and powerful merchants.
It even had several Great Powers in the Grandmaster Realm.
The two rode on at a brisk pace for three days. During that time, nothing unusual happened, and they didn't encounter any bandits blocking the road.
"Captain Lu, there's a Post Station ten li ahead. We'll spend the night there," Wang Chen said, pointing ahead.
Lu Feng nodded. "Mm, sounds good."
A short while later, they finally saw the Post Station ahead. When they entered, they found other guests inside.
Four oddly dressed people were seated in the main hall.
Their clothes seemed ill-fitting, which was why their attire looked so strange.
It was also clear that all four were martial artists.
As Lu Feng watched them, Wang Chen suddenly said, "All right, the rooms are booked. Let's head up."
Lu Feng nodded and followed him to the rooms on the second floor.
As soon as they entered, Lu Feng said, "Retainer Wang, I think those four people downstairs look suspicious."
Before you continue