"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud..."
As Zong Yuanwang finished speaking, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly rang out inside the City Lord's Mansion.
Everyone looked closely and saw thirty-six Bronze Automatons, each over two meters tall and gripping a heavy bronze staff, slowly approaching the square. They stopped only after reaching a point more than forty meters from the front of the examinees' line.
"Standing before you are the Bronze Automatons for the first stage of this Martial Scholar Examination—the Basic Combat Power Stage."
Watching the Bronze Automatons appear, City Lord Zong Yuanwang spoke leisurely beneath the Martial Emperor Statue:
"The Martial Scholar Examination has two stages: first, the Basic Combat Power Stage, and second, the Advanced Combat Power Stage."
"For the Basic Combat Power Stage, your combat power must reach at least a solid level among Late Seventh Rank martial artists. The test is simple: you'll fight these Bronze Automatons."
"Every one of these Bronze Automatons is at Peak Seventh Rank. Their martial skills are limited, so they're among the weakest at that level, but even so, an ordinary Late Seventh Rank martial artist can't hold them off."
"Once the test begins, if you can last ten breaths against these automatons, that will prove you have solid combat power among Late Seventh Rank martial artists, and you'll pass the first stage."
"Of course, you can also choose to defeat one within ten breaths. That would prove you have at least the combat power of a normal Peak Seventh Rank martial artist. In that case, you won't need to take the second stage—you'll pass outright and immediately earn the title of Martial Scholar."
"But this method is suitable for only a very small number of people. Most will still have to take the second stage, the Advanced Combat Power Stage."
"The test for the Advanced Combat Power Stage is also simple: two martial artists who passed the first stage will be randomly chosen by drawing lots to fight in the training yard. The winner advances; the loser is eliminated."
"Those who advance will naturally earn the title of Martial Scholar."
"All right, those are the rules. Enough talk. Let's get ready for the first stage."
"Candidates Jia Jia Numbers One through Thirty-Six, step forward now and choose your Bronze Automaton!"
"Yes, City Lord!"
As soon as the City Lord finished speaking, the thirty-six candidates at the front of the crowd immediately stepped forward.
Among them were weathered middle-aged men, spirited young men, curvaceous women, and even white-haired elders.
But at that moment, every one of them wore a tense expression as they headed for the testing ground. Around the square, their family and friends began cheering them on:
"Dad! Keep it up! You're the best. I know you'll make it!"
"Huai'er, don't be nervous. Your strength has long since reached Late Seventh Rank. Just be careful, and you'll have no trouble passing this first stage."
"Honggu, your father's greatest wish in life was to become a Martial Scholar. Sadly, he lacked the talent and never managed it. You're far more talented than he was, and he placed all his hopes in you. You have to pass today!"
"Grandpa..."
One voice after another rang out, each carrying boundless hope.
At last, with a clang of the gong, all thirty-six Bronze Automatons moved at once.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Across the square, the Bronze Automatons swung their staffs, each unleashing terrifying power and speed. They smashed through the air and charged at the candidates like a fleet of heavy tanks.
The candidates immediately fought back against the Bronze Automatons' attacks.
"Clear Wind Sword!"
"Expelling Wind Palm!"
"Green Snake Whip Technique!"
"Rending Wind Spear Art!"
The candidates shouted and used every means at their disposal, each displaying their skills as they fought the Bronze Automatons.
But the Bronze Automatons were incredibly ferocious. Their moves were simple, yet packed with immense force. Each staff strike crashed down like a towering tidal wave, battering the candidates one after another.
Peak Seventh Rank combat power carried considerable weight. Their strength and speed surpassed those of Late Seventh Rank martial artists across the board, and their martial arts had generally reached either perfection in a Seventh-Rank Martial Art or Great Accomplishment in a Sixth-Rank Martial Art.
They still fell short of Lin Yi's near-perfection in a Sixth-Rank Martial Art, but they belonged to the same general tier.
Taking all these factors together, their combat power was more than a level above that of an ordinary Late Seventh Rank martial artist.
On top of that, Peak Seventh Rank fighters struck quickly. In just ten breaths, they could deliver at least forty or fifty attacks.
So although every candidate taking the test was formidable, some were already unable to hold on after only six breaths.
"No!"
A voice brimming with bitter reluctance rang out from the square.
A young man wielding a spear had just fought his Bronze Automaton. Apparently unable to keep up, he had his spear knocked from his hands by a staff strike. The next blow hit him squarely, and he spat blood as he was sent flying to the ground.
The Spear Youth had failed the first stage.
"Long'er!"
A Purple Robe Middle-Aged Man on the square cried out when he saw this, his face filled with worry.
As the Spear Youth failed, the first batch of candidates fell one after another, like dominoes toppling.
"Uncle Feng!"
"Dad!"
"Master Liu!"
"Boss!"
Candidate after candidate failed. Soon, ten breaths had passed, and fewer than half of the original thirty-six were still standing.
Even those who remained were panting, pale-faced, and visibly relieved. Almost none of them had come through unscathed.
Seeing this, the candidates and their family and friends around the square grew even more nervous.
Meanwhile, beneath the Martial Emperor Statue, City Lord Zong Yuanwang remained calm and spoke with an even voice:
"The first batch of candidates has finished. Next, candidates Jia Jia Numbers Thirty-Seven through Seventy-Two, take the field. The third batch, Jia Jia Numbers Seventy-Three through One Hundred and Eight, get ready."
"Yes, City Lord!"
The second batch answered as one, each entering the testing ground with a different feeling in their heart.
Soon, ten breaths passed, and the second batch's test ended.
This batch did a little better than the last. A full twenty people passed, more than half, though sixteen were still eliminated.
Then the third batch took the field. They did even worse than the first, with a full twenty-four eliminated and only twelve passing. It was a brutal test.
After that came the fourth batch—Lin Yi's batch. At last, it was their turn.
"The third batch has finished. Next, candidates Jia Yi Numbers One through Thirty-Six, take the field. The fourth batch, Jia Yi Numbers Thirty-Seven through Seventy-Two, get ready."
"Yes, City Lord!"
Lin Yi and the others answered as one. Cheers immediately rang out around them.
"Uncle Songlong! You've got this!"
"Uncle Bai, you have to pass!"
"Brother Zibai, if you pass, I'll treat you to three days and three nights of wine at Spring Breeze Tower! Ha ha! Get in there!"
"Yi'er, good luck!"
The voices rang out all around. Lin Yi turned his head and quickly found his parents in the crowd.
His mother, Ji Xuan, looked anxious. She had her eyes closed and her hands clasped together, murmuring something under her breath.
His father, Lin Haichuan, tried to keep his expression calm, but the fist clenched tightly in his hand had already betrayed him, revealing how nervous he was inside.
It couldn't be helped. His parents had already learned that Lin Yi was strong and should have no trouble passing the first stage.
But the Martial Scholar Examination mattered too much. It carried the hopes Lin Yi had placed in years of martial arts training.
So no matter how confident they were in Lin Yi, they couldn't stop their hearts from pounding with nerves.
"Father, Mother, don't worry. This time, I'll definitely pass the Martial Scholar Examination!"
Seeing them, Lin Yi took a deep breath, then stepped forward firmly and entered the testing ground.
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