Quota Selection (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

The two stepped out of the library and headed toward the Blacksmith Room.

On the way, the two fell silent.

Wu Zhiai suddenly spoke up, "You must have questions in your heart, right? Why am I willing to bet your future on ten percent of the caravan's equity?"

Chen Mo had already guessed a little, "Because ten percent of the caravan's equity is not something Wu Laoda can easily swallow?"

Wu Zhiai smiled, her brows relaxing, "That is one reason. Ten percent of the caravan's equity isn't actually that much to me, but for Wu Laoda, even half a percent would make him hungry for it."

"The second reason is that I have no choice."

"No choice? There are dozens of Ming Jin practitioners in Black River Town, right?" Chen Mo was somewhat puzzled.

Wu Zhiai shook her head, "On the surface, there are dozens, but in reality, most of them have allegiances. Furthermore, those who entered the Ming Jin realm long ago have already reached their limits; they are far inferior to a nineteen-year-old Ming Jin practitioner like you."

Having said this, she paused, "So when I say I have no choice, I mean I cannot find anyone more suitable than you among the others."

After she finished speaking, she broke into a smile, which looked exceptionally graceful against her cyan dress.

This Third Miss of the Wu Family had reached the age of marriage, yet she had never sought a good match, choosing instead to cleave through the waves in the increasingly murky, stagnant water of the Wu Family.

Perhaps she just wanted to prove something.

Or perhaps, she simply hadn't waited for her fated match yet.

The two arrived at the Blacksmith Room.

"I won't disturb you," Wu Zhiai said, "If you need anything else, you can ask me at any time."

"Actually, there is something." Chen Mo thought for a moment, "Sister Ai, could you help me buy some refined iron?"

"Refined iron... it should only be available in the county town. I will have the people going to procure goods today pick some up while they are there."

After Wu Zhiai left, Chen Mo immediately immersed himself in the Mountain and Water Cultivation...

Another ten sunrises and sunsets passed.

The spring morning was faintly bright.

Chen Mo finished his morning cultivation and checked the progress of the Mountain and Water Cultivation in his mind:

He had almost stepped into the late stage of Ming Jin, had fully mastered the first four forms of the Fuhu Fist, and had also gained a preliminary understanding of the Luo Smoke Steps.

He stood up and stretched his back; the injuries from last time had recovered completely, leaving not a trace behind.

"It's time to go to the Tianqing Martial Hall. I must secure a spot for the Martial Examination."

He hadn't gone to the martial hall for the past few days, and Yin Tianqing hadn't held it against him. Although the Hansha Gang had sent people to secretly scout the Wu Family, they hadn't made a direct move.

"I'll eat breakfast before I go."

Chen Lan kept him behind. Once the maid brought the morning meal, Chen Mo swept through it like a whirlwind, and the bowls and plates were soon empty.

"Be careful on the road," Chen Lan urged, her face showing a hint of worry.

The fact that Chen Mo had been assassinated could not be hidden from her for long. She didn't blame Chen Mo for keeping it from her, but she had been anxious every day since.

"Don't worry, Sister. I am not the same as I was before."

Chen Mo left the Wu Family, crossed the streets and alleys, and stepped into the Tianqing Martial Hall. The sound of martial arts practice echoed in his ears.

When two pairs of eyes saw him arrive, they suddenly flashed with sharp light.

One was Ji Chang, and the other was Yin Shanshan.

Ji Chang walked up to Chen Mo and clicked his tongue twice, "Tsk tsk, the person rumored to have killed two Ming Jin practitioners from the Hansha Gang is standing right in front of me."

"By the way," Ji Chang changed the subject, "The selection for the Martial Examination spots has already begun. Senior Brother Yue Lun has firmly occupied one spot."

"The remaining two spots must be chosen from among all the Ming Jin martial brothers."

Hearing this, Chen Mo scanned the area.

Aside from himself and Ji Chang, there were six others at the mid-stage of Ming Jin or higher, including Luo Heng, Zhou Pi, and Yin Shanshan.

He clenched his fists secretly.

With his current strength at the late stage of Ming Jin, combined with the boost in comprehension brought by the Mountain and Water Cultivation, it would not be difficult to win a spot.

"What are the rules for the selection?" he asked.

A hint of worry flashed in Ji Chang's eyes, "One-on-one duels. The final two winners can participate in the Martial Examination."

He was clearly lacking in confidence, "Four matches will be held in the morning to select four people, and then two will be selected from those four in the afternoon."

Chen Mo understood.

Over there, Yin Tianqing walked out from the inner room, his gaze like lightning, landing on every disciple.

When he swept his eyes over to Chen Mo, he showed a look of surprise and strode over like a tiger, "You brat, I didn't expect that in just a few days, you would have already entered the late stage of Ming Jin."

As soon as these words were spoken, several martial brothers, including Ji Chang, were all stunned.

Such speed was considered top-tier even within the entire martial hall.

Zhou Pi, who could not even withstand a single exchange with Chen Mo, now showed a hint of fear, while beside him, Luo Heng gritted his teeth, already prepared for the life-and-death struggle to come.

"The competition for the selection spots begins now." Yin Tianqing took out a wooden box he had prepared beforehand, inside which seven or eight paper balls were scattered.

"Each person will take one paper ball at random. The papers are marked with either Jia or Yi, and those with matching numbers will compete against each other."

"For example, Jia-1 will compete against Yi-1, Jia-2 against Yi-2, and the winner of the final number will compete against the winner of the second number, while number three competes against number four."

After Yin Tianqing finished his explanation, the group took their paper balls one after another.

Chen Mo opened his paper ball and saw that it was marked "Yi-3".

Ji Chang, standing beside him, held up his "Jia-2" slip, then looked around. When he saw that Junior Brother Li, who was at the peak of Ming Jin, had drawn "Yi-2", his heart sank.

Yin Shanshan had drawn "Jia-1" and her opponent was Zhou Pi, while Luo Heng had drawn "Yi-4", and his opponent was a Senior Brother who was also at the middle stage of Ming Jin.

Chen Mo saw a Senior Brother Liang, who was at the late stage of Ming Jin, holding a "Jia-3" slip, and the two of them cupped their fists toward each other in acknowledgment.

Senior Brother Liang had been at the late stage of Ming Jin for a long time and possessed a gentle temperament.

In this round of four matches, there were no grudges to settle.

As the competition began, Yin Shanshan faced Zhou Pi. Both were at the middle stage of Ming Jin. Yin Shanshan's Soft Cloud Hand was like cotton; it appeared soft and powerless, but in reality, the force was continuous, wave after wave.

In the thirteenth round, Zhou Pi was knocked out of the arena, and Yin Shanshan was victorious.

Next, Ji Chang faced Junior Brother Li, who was at the peak of Ming Jin. He did not last many rounds before being defeated by a casual punch from his opponent.

Over these past few days, no matter how diligently Ji Chang had practiced, he still hadn't reached the late stage of Ming Jin; the gap between the middle stage and the peak of Ming Jin was obvious.

He left the arena with a dejected expression.

Who wouldn't want to show off their skills in the Martial Examination, achieve a high ranking, and soar to success?

Seeing him like this, Chen Mo patted him on the shoulder without saying a word.

He and Senior Brother Liang stepped into the arena at the same time and bowed to each other.

The scene of their match could be described as "calm as water." Senior Brother Liang's Crane Walk Palm was not known for its destructive power, but rather for its persistence and endless force.

However, the longer they fought, the more he frowned, because no matter what he did, he could not break through Chen Mo's defense. The latter's mysterious movement technique was like a sparrow in the clouds, making it difficult to get close.

In the end, in the nineteenth round, Chen Mo knocked Senior Brother Liang out of the arena with a Stone-Crushing Strike that used only eighty percent of his strength.

The final group held the most suspense, as both were at the middle stage of Ming Jin. Luo Heng struck with ferocity, but his opponent was no pushover either.

They traded blows, their fist force scattering like locusts.

Finally, after a full-power clash of fists, both retreated toward the edge of the boundary.

By just half a step, Luo Heng emerged victorious.