The Martial Examination Begins (Seeking Continued Reads)

Since ancient times, martial arts had followed an established rule.

There were two chances to break through from Ming Jin to Dark Jin, but strictly speaking, people believed there was only one.

If the first attempt failed, the second breakthrough became drastically more difficult. Those who succeeded on their second attempt were few and far between, and every one of them was a scion of a great lineage who had treated rare natural treasures like daily fare.

Yin Tianqing explained this principle.

Everyone fell silent.

The mountain wind swept through the window curtains, howling in their ears.

As for Chen Mo, he still hadn't quite reacted.

Just now, while meditating, he had circulated the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique and tried to break through that final obstacle.

But when he was just a hair's breadth from breaking through, the meridians that were about to open became blocked again.

However, Chen Mo had made a curious discovery.

Though he hadn't succeeded in breaking through, the channels of his meridians had widened slightly, allowing them to contain more Jin Qi than before.

And with Mountain and Water Cultivation, he could attempt a breakthrough every time he digested Comprehension points.

Other people got two tries in a lifetime. He had practically no limit.

The more his meridian channels widened, the more his Jin Qi would surely surge like a flood when he broke through to Dark Jin.

This delightful discovery sent Chen Mo's heart surging.

But he forcibly suppressed his joy, putting on a bewildered expression. "Then... do I still have a chance to break through to Dark Jin?"

Yin Tianqing paused. He regretted that his earlier words might have damaged Chen Mo's martial resolve, and hurried to reassure him. "Since there's a second chance to break through, then it's possible. Don't worry. I'll find a way to help you succeed."

Chen Mo nodded, though he still looked dejected.

The others knew that this was merely their master's attempt to comfort him.

In Black River Town, not a single martial artist had managed a second breakthrough in recent years.

Of a hundred people, there might not even be one who could succeed on their second attempt.

Chen Mo's path in martial arts had been completely severed.

An expert at the peak of Ming Jin might be able to protect himself, but competing for the title of Martial Scholar, let alone stepping onto a higher stage, was unlikely.

Everyone cast Chen Mo a consoling look. They wanted to say something, but the words caught in their throats and wouldn't come out.

The horses galloped onward, their hooves pounding as the wheels rumbled.

No one knew how much time passed.

The carriage rolled into the county seat and finally stopped in front of an inn.

Chen Mo followed the others out and looked up. On the signboard above the entrance were three boldly written characters: Jucai Building. They suited the martial examination atmosphere in Anyang County perfectly.

They entered the inn. Yin Tianqing paid, and everyone went to their own rooms to rest.

Yin Tianqing and Yin Shanshan had a room to themselves, while the other men shared rooms in pairs.

Ji Chang, who was sharing a room with Chen Mo, said, "You've still got it much better than me. I took the martial examination last year and placed forty-fifth. This year, I can't even participate. If you place somewhere in the twenties or thirties, you'll leave me far behind."

Chen Mo knew the other man was trying to lighten the mood, so he played along instead of letting the conversation die. "I wouldn't even be satisfied with the twenties or thirties. And you had the nerve to come back after placing forty-fifth? My goal is naturally the top ten!"

The top ten meant passing the Martial Scholar examination and having your name on the list.

Ji Chang was taken aback. Then he realized that Chen Mo was willing to joke about it, which meant he had mostly overcome the knot in his heart over failing his breakthrough.

Ji Chang burst into laughter, then said, "Then I'll be waiting for the day you pass and return in glory, junior brother!"

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I heard that the Martial Scholars who make the list go to Qingmei Workshop to celebrate all night."

"Qingmei Workshop is the most famous Hua Pavilion in Anyang County. The songstresses there sing like celestial beings, and the dancers are as beautiful as heavenly maidens."

As Ji Chang spoke, his eyes narrowed and his right hand reached out, fingers curling as if he were intoxicated by the thought. "A songstress on the left, a dancer on the right, all around you... Just imagine it. Tsk, tsk..."

Seeing Ji Chang's expression, Chen Mo went off to practice his stake forms and punches.

When Ji Chang came back to his senses, he saw that Chen Mo had already "circled the stake" all the way to the corner of the room. Wiping the drool from his mouth, he said, "Junior brother, how about this? I'll go check the place out for you first. If I find anything worthwhile, I'll come back and tell you."

"Suit yourself."

With Chen Mo's permission, Ji Chang immediately pushed open the door and left.

Chen Mo remained alone in the room, immersed in his stake-walking practice.

I have to break through before the Technique Trial begins!

He told himself.

The morning of the third day.

The sunlight was warm and gentle.

The martial examination was being held at the Anyang County training ground, which was packed to capacity.

Chen Mo and Li Xuan stood in the lines of examinees, divided into the A and B groups. Chen Mo was number twenty-two in Group B, while Li Xuan was number nineteen in Group A.

Seven or eight officials in neatly arranged rows sat at the front of the training ground. The one in the middle wore a crimson official robe and had a dignified appearance; those on either side wore blue robes.

The martial examination was held by the government to select talent. These officials in crimson and blue represented the government, and every word and gesture of theirs bore the air of officialdom.

Near either side of the training ground, the great lineages had claimed all the best viewing spots. The few people from Tianqing Martial Hall could only watch from farther away, craning their necks.

After the chief official in crimson finished his speech, the war drums thundered across the training ground, stirring everyone's blood.

Before the drums had even stopped, the first event—the Strength Trial—began.

Chen Mo waited at the edge of the field and looked toward the center, where he saw a dozen or so stone locks of various sizes.

The stone locks weighed between three hundred and eight hundred pounds, in increments of fifty pounds.

Each examinee's score was recorded according to the heaviest stone lock they could lift and hold for ten breaths.

Those who lifted a three-hundred-pound stone lock received a C grade; those who lifted five hundred pounds received a B grade; anyone who could lift seven hundred pounds received an A grade.

"Every year, no more than fifteen examinees get an A grade. So if you want your name on the list, you'd best earn an A in the Strength Trial."

A martial student beside them addressed the group.

Chen Mo examined him closely. The fabric of his martial uniform was fine and expensive; he was surely a scion of some great lineage.

"Brother, may I ask which lineage you're from?" Chen Mo asked.

After all, these scions of great lineages knew plenty of inside information. If he could glean a few details from one of them, he'd save himself a lot of effort.

The other man gave Chen Mo a brief once-over. Seeing that he wasn't from a rival faction, he let his guard down. "I'm Xie Jinnian of the Xie Family. And you, brother?"

"The biggest Xie Family in Anyang County?"

Chen Mo was startled, then clasped his hands in greeting. "My name is Chen Mo. I'm from Tianqing Martial Hall in Black River Town."

In Anyang, the Xie and Qi Families dominated.

Even the Zhao Family, who threw their weight around in Black River Town, had to take a back seat to the Xie and Qi Families.

And of the two, the Xie Family seemed to hold a slight edge.

Chen Mo hadn't expected to encounter a scion of Anyang's greatest lineage as soon as he arrived at the examination grounds.

When Xie Jinnian heard that he was from Black River Town, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "I've heard the Black Tiger Hall rules that corner of the land. It's quite well known throughout Anyang."

As he spoke, Xie Jinnian's eyes casually swept over Chen Mo from head to toe. He concluded that Chen Mo hadn't reached Dark Jin yet, and silently calculated, This man shouldn't be much of a threat. That's one fewer competitor to worry about.

Just then, a muffled shout erupted from the center of the training ground, and the crowd broke into a roar.

"Seven hundred pounds! The first seven-hundred-pound lift of the year!"