Martial Scholar Examination First Round

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang..."

As Zong Yuanwang's voice fell, bursts of dull footsteps suddenly echoed within the City Lord's Mansion.

Everyone looked closely and saw thirty-six bronze automatons, each over two meters tall and wielding heavy bronze long staffs, slowly walking towards the plaza. They stopped about forty meters in front of the group of examinees.

"Standing before you are the assessment 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: the first is the Basic Combat Power Stage, and the second is the Advanced Combat Power Stage."

"The Basic Combat Power Stage requires your combat power to reach at least a decent level of Late Seventh Rank. The specific assessment method is to have you fight these bronze automatons."

"Each of these bronze automatons is at the Peak Seventh Rank level. Although limited by martial arts techniques, their strength at the Peak Seventh Rank is considered the weakest tier. However, they are not something ordinary Late Seventh Rank martial artists can resist."

"When the assessment begins shortly, as long as you can last ten breaths under these automatons, it will represent that you possess decent combat power among Late Seventh Rank martial artists, and you will naturally pass this first stage."

"Of course, you can also choose to defeat it within ten breaths. If you do, it will represent that you have at least normal Peak Seventh Rank combat power. In that case, you will not need to participate in the second stage and will be considered to have passed directly, immediately receiving the title of Martial Scholar."

"However, this method is only suitable for a very small number of people. Most people will still have to participate in the second stage, the Advanced Combat Power Stage."

"The assessment method for the Advanced Combat Power Stage is also very simple: two martial artists who passed the first stage will be randomly selected by drawing lots to fight in the training grounds. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated."

"Naturally, those who successfully advance will obtain the title of Martial Scholar."

"Alright, these are the rules. Without further ado, let's begin preparing for the first stage of the examination."

"Candidates Jia Jia Number One to Jia Jia Number Thirty-Six, step forward immediately and choose your bronze automaton!"

"Yes! City Lord!"

As the City Lord's voice fell, thirty-six candidates standing at the forefront of the crowd immediately stepped forward in response.

Among them were middle-aged men with weathered faces, spirited youths, alluring women with fiery figures, and even elderly men with white hair.

However, at this moment, they all wore expressions of nervousness as they headed to the examination grounds. Around the plaza, their family and friends began to cheer them on:

"Dad! Go! You're the strongest, I believe you'll succeed!"

"Huai'er, don't be nervous. Your strength has already reached Late Seventh Rank. Just be careful, and you'll definitely pass this first stage."

"Hong Gu, your father's greatest wish in life was to become a Martial Scholar, but unfortunately, his talent was insufficient, and he never succeeded. Your talent far surpasses your father's. Your father placed all his hopes on you during his lifetime. You must pass the assessment today!"

"Grandpa..."

Voices rang out, each carrying endless expectations.

Finally, with the sound of a gong and drum, the thirty-six bronze automatons on the plaza moved in unison.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

On the plaza, Bronze Automatons swung their long staffs, each unleashing terrifying power and speed, breaking through the air like heavy tanks charging towards the crowd.

The examinees immediately took action to resist the attacks of the Bronze Automatons.

"Clear Wind Sword!"

"Expelling Wind Palm!"

"Green Snake Whip Technique!"

"Rending Wind Spear Art!"

Examinees shouted, each using their own methods, displaying their Divine Abilities as they tangled with these Bronze Automatons.

However, these Bronze Automatons were incredibly ferocious. Although their every move was simple, each contained immense power. Their staffs swept forward like monstrous waves, impacting each examinee.

Peak Seventh Rank, the combat power at this level was quite substantial. Not only were their strength and speed superior to Late Seventh Rank in all aspects, but their martial arts had also basically reached the Perfection level of Seventh-Rank Martial Arts or Great Accomplishment of Sixth-Rank Martial Arts.

Although it was still slightly inferior to Lin Yi's near-Perfection Sixth-Rank Martial Arts from before, it belonged to the same tier.

Therefore, with all these factors combined, their combat power was more than one level higher than ordinary Late Seventh Rank individuals.

Furthermore, Peak Seventh Rank fighters attacked quickly, able to unleash at least forty to fifty moves in just ten breaths.

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Thus, even though the examinees participating in the assessment were all extraordinary, after only six breaths, some examinees could no longer hold on.

"No!"

A voice filled with endless unwillingness rang out in the plaza.

A youth wielding a long spear, after engaging with the Bronze Automaton before him, seemed to be struggling. The long spear in his hand was suddenly knocked away by a staff from the Bronze Automaton. He was then struck by the Bronze Automaton's staff and sent flying, spitting blood, to the ground.

Spear Youth, first trial, failed.

"Long'er!"

On the plaza, a Purple Robe Middle-Aged Man exclaimed in shock, his face showing anxiety.

Following the Spear Youth's failure, the first batch of examinees seemed like falling dominoes, one after another failing.

"Uncle Feng!"

"Dad!"

"Master Liu!"

"Boss!"

One by one, the examinees failed. Soon, ten breaths passed, and of the thirty-six examinees who had originally participated in the assessment, less than half were still standing.

Moreover, even this half were panting, their faces pale, with expressions of relief. Almost none were in peak condition.

Seeing this, many surrounding examinees and their friends and family became even more nervous.

On the other side, under the Martial Emperor statue, City Lord Zong Yuanwang remained expressionless and calmly said:

"The first batch of examinees' tests are concluded. Next, the second batch of examinees, Jia Jia Number Thirty-Seven to Jia Jia Number Seventy-Two, will enter. The third batch, Jia Jia Number Seventy-Three to Jia Jia Number One Hundred and Eight, prepare."

"Yes! City Lord!"

Upon hearing this, the second batch of examinees received their orders and entered the testing grounds, each with different feelings.

Soon, ten breaths later, the second batch of examinees' tests concluded.

This batch was slightly better than the previous one, with a full twenty people passing, exceeding half. However, sixteen people were still eliminated.

Then the third batch entered. This batch was even worse than the first, eliminating a full twenty-four people, with only twelve passing. It was incredibly brutal.

After that was the fourth batch, Lin Yi's batch. It finally began.

"The third batch of examinees' tests are concluded. Next, the fourth batch of examinees, Jia Yi Number One to Jia Yi Number Thirty-Six, will enter. The fourth batch, Jia Yi Number Thirty-Six to Jia Yi Number Seventy-Two, prepare."

"Yes! City Lord!"

Lin Yi and the others received their orders, and the surrounding area immediately erupted with cheers and encouragement.

"Uncle Songlong! Go!"

"Uncle Bai, you must pass the assessment!"

"Brother Zibai, if you pass the assessment, I'll treat you to three days and three nights of wine and women at Spring Breeze Tower, haha! Go for it!"

"Yi'er, go!"

The voices came in waves. Lin Yi turned his head and immediately found his parents in the crowd.

His mother, Ji Xuan, looked anxious. She had her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, and was muttering something under her breath.

His father, Lin Haichuan, tried to maintain a calm expression, but his tightly clenched fist betrayed him, revealing his inner tension.

It couldn't be helped! Although the elders already knew that Lin Yi's strength was not weak and that passing this first hurdle should be no problem.

But the Martial Scholar Examination was too important. It carried the hopes of Lin Yi's martial arts training for the past several years.

Therefore, no matter how much confidence they had in Lin Yi, they couldn't help but feel nervous and flustered at this moment.

"Father, Mother! Don't worry, this time, I will definitely pass the Martial Scholar Examination!"

Seeing this, Lin Yi took a deep breath. Then, with a step, he firmly strode forward and entered the testing grounds.