Martial Examination

After Qingming, the scenery everywhere began to turn lush and verdant.

Tianqing Martial Hall.

Chen Mo had just finished practicing the first four forms of the Fuhu Fist. His gaze narrowed slightly as the progress of his comprehension appeared in his mind:

[Thousand Hammer Refinement, Mountain and Water Cultivation]

[Fuhu Fist: The punch carries the roar of a tiger, containing inner momentum]

[Comprehension: 53/100 (Minor Success)]

By now, the Stone-Crushing Strike and the Wave-Intercepting Style were nearing perfection, the Sand-Raising Style had also seen a breakthrough, and he had barely begun to grasp the fourth form, the Flowing Cloud Attack.

Unlike the first three forms, the Flowing Cloud Attack focused more on the combination of footwork and fist techniques, allowing the practitioner to be more agile and graceful during combat.

Ever since Chen Mo learned the Flowing Cloud Attack, Ji Chang had never been able to get the better of him.

In Ji Chang's own words, Chen Mo's comprehension was nothing short of monstrous!

On this day, the two finished their sparring session.

Ji Chang glanced at Master Yin, who was sitting in the main hall with a grave expression, and whispered, "Junior Brother, look, Master is worrying about this year's Martial Examination."

Chen Mo looked up at Yin Tianqing not far away. "Master isn't participating in the Martial Examination himself, so what is there to worry about?"

Ji Chang shook his head. "I suspect something has gone wrong with the Martial Examination."

Seeing that Chen Mo didn't know much about the Martial Examination, he explained, "Every year, martial artists at the Ming Jin level or above can participate in the county's Martial Examination. By the calendar, it's only a month and a half away. When the time comes, Master will lead a few disciples to go together."

It was true that the imperial examination was a stepping stone in the world of martial artists.

Passing the Martial Examination meant becoming a Martial Scholar, which was officially recorded in the registry and recognized by the government, ensuring a secure life for the future.

Because of this, the days when the Martial Examination was held each year were the most important for Ming Jin and Dark Jin martial artists.

"Look," Ji Chang signaled with his eyes. "Master has called Senior Brother Yue Lun in for a private talk. He's probably giving instructions regarding the Martial Examination."

Ever since Zhang Chong took a "position" at the Zhao Family, he had been spreading rumors, and his visits to the martial hall had become less frequent.

Aside from Zhang Chong, the disciple with the most seniority and strength was Yue Lun, who was at the early stage of Dark Jin.

A moment later, Yue Lun returned, his face as relaxed and casual as ever.

After him, several other disciples were called in for private talks one after another, including Ji Chang.

When Ji Chang came out, his expression was slightly grave, and he seemed distracted during his subsequent training.

Next to be called was Yin Shanshan. She spoke with Yin Tianqing for a long time, and even sounds of crying could be heard. Chen Mo noticed that when she came out, she was wiping her eyes, and her lids were red.

The Ming Jin disciples were called in one by one. After Luo Heng came out with a gloomy expression, Chen Mo was the last to be called in.

Upon entering, he saw Yin Tianqing standing by a training stake, his face full of worry.

Yin Tianqing asked first, "Chen Mo, how have your Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique and Fuhu Fist been coming along lately?"

It sounded like a casual inquiry.

Chen Mo shared about forty or fifty percent of his insights, keeping the rest to himself.

Yin Tianqing nodded repeatedly as he listened, occasionally looking enlightened.

In the end, however, Yin Tianqing sighed and said, "Everything you've said is perfectly correct. There aren't even three people in all of Anyang County who understand the Fuhu Fist as well as you do. However, the path of martial arts values natural talent above all else. Although you entered the Ming Jin stage very smoothly, there is little hope for you to break through to Dark Jin..."

Hearing this, Chen Mo felt not a shred of discouragement. With the Mountain and Water Cultivation, breaking through to Dark Jin was a matter of course for him.

Yin Tianqing did not notice Chen Mo's reaction and moved on to the main topic. "The rules for this year's Martial Examination have changed..."

Chen Mo focused his full attention, not daring to miss a single detail.

Yin Tianqing continued, "In previous years, there were no restrictions on registration for the Martial Examination. But this year, in order to accommodate certain powerful clans, the authorities have verbally limited the quotas for small factions, and for our Tianqing Martial Hall... there are only three spots."

Chen Mo frowned. "Three spots... then the eldest and second senior brothers must be taking two of them."

Yin Tianqing shook his head. "Zhang Chong is taking a spot from the Zhao Family."

Chen Mo was stunned. He finally understood what Yin Tianqing was worried about.

Zhang Chong had a high chance of becoming a Martial Scholar, but now that he had gone to the Zhao Family, the Tianqing Martial Hall risked coming away empty-handed.

"Then how will these three spots be determined?" Chen Mo asked the question he cared about most.

"Yue Lun takes one," Yin Tianqing paused slightly. "The remaining spots will be contested by you Ming Jin disciples. As for how you will compete, I will tell you once I have decided."

Chen Mo nodded in agreement.

But he knew that based on Yin Tianqing's earlier assessment of his natural talent, this master did not hold high hopes for him.

Or perhaps, Master already had his favorites in mind.

Chen Mo made up his mind: he was determined to secure one of those spots for the Martial Examination!

Yin Tianqing suppressed his worry slightly. "Since you have entered the Ming Jin stage, I should personally guide you, but I have been... tied up with some trivial matters these past few days. In a few days, I will check your progress."

"Thank you for your concern, Master. I have been discussing any questions I have with my senior brothers, and I haven't encountered any difficulties for now."

Yin Tianqing nodded and said with a meaningful tone, "You have indeed never given me cause for concern."

The master and apprentice exchanged a few more polite words before Chen Mo pushed open the door and left.

Chen Mo walked over to Ji Chang, who gave him a meaningful look and asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"

Chen Mo held up two fingers, indicating the two available spots.

Ji Chang first nodded, then shook his head.

Tianqing Martial Hall had a total of nine practitioners at the Ming Jin stage, two of whom were at the Great Perfection of Ming Jin, and three at the late stage of Ming Jin.

With Ji Chang only at the mid-stage of Ming Jin, ranking outside the top five, competing for one of the two spots was practically a pipe dream!

Chen Mo's expression remained as calm as ever, yet beneath that tranquil surface, undercurrents were surging.

He walked to the side and began his stake training.

Before the Martial Examination began, he needed to reach Dark Jin to have any hope of passing with high marks.

And to reach Dark Jin, his comprehension progress in the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique had to reach the minor accomplishment stage.

However, he hadn't been practicing for long when a noisy commotion broke out in the hall.

Two figures approached, carrying a chilling "killing intent."

Ji Chang stopped his training first and looked toward the two men approaching.

One of them was Luo Heng, and the other was Zhou Pi, a mid-stage Ming Jin disciple and Luo Heng's only friend in the hall—a case of like-minded people flocking together.

Luo Heng gave a sinister smile and said, "Senior Brother Ji, you must already know the rules for this year's Martial Examination. Since the spots are being contested openly, why don't we warm up a bit?"

"I don't have time," Ji Chang refused point-blank.

Luo Heng did not give up easily, goading him, "If you don't even dare to face me, how can you talk about facing the competitors in the Martial Examination?"

In truth, this statement was not false.

But precisely because it was true, Ji Chang's heart grew unsettled.

After a few breaths, he asked, "How do we warm up?"

Only then did Luo Heng reveal a satisfied expression. "Two people from each side. Zhou Pi and I will be one team, and you and Chen Mo will be the other."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Mo, who had been practicing, stopped abruptly.

Ji Chang turned his head to seek his opinion, and for once, Chen Mo nodded.