The Big Test Arrives

The next morning.

Li He changed into the training uniform Master Wang had given him, brought the necessary identification and the electronic letter personally written by Hall Master Chen Changqing, and set off.

His destination was the Martial Arts Talent Exchange Center in the eastern outskirts of the city.

It was a massive integrated plaza, providing a platform for young people who had failed the annual college entrance exam or sought better opportunities in martial arts.

Before he even drew near, the roaring hubbub washed over him.

The plaza was packed shoulder to shoulder, the air thick with the smell of sweat. Huge electronic screens continuously played promotional videos for the major martial arts halls.

Martial arts halls of every style had set up their recruitment stations across the plaza. From top-tier halls occupying the central positions with temporary exhibition pavilions to obscure dojos huddled in corners with only a table and two chairs, everything was represented.

Li He swept his gaze across the crowd. All kinds of martial arts seekers had gathered here.

There were wealthy young heirs in branded training uniforms, looking relaxed as they headed straight for the top-tier martial arts halls. Clearly, they had come either to polish their credentials or seek better resources.

There were also plainly dressed youths with sharp eyes and powerful vitality fluctuations. Most had decent talent but poor family backgrounds, and after failing the college entrance exam, they regarded martial arts halls as their last chance to change their fate.

Then there were those with average vitality and ordinary innate constitutions, hoping to find an opportunity for a breakthrough within the martial arts hall system. These people made up the majority.

This was a microcosm of the Federation's martial arts world, full of opportunity, competition, and brutal reality.

Following the instructions in the electronic letter, Li He passed through the bustling crowd and headed toward the heart of the plaza.

One of the exhibition halls stood there.

Its design combined ancient-style upturned eaves and interlocking brackets with sleek modern structures.

A dedicated projection screen repeatedly displayed Evergreen Martial Arts Hall's emblem and promotional footage. The plaza before its entrance was broad, streams of people flowed through it, and several long lines had formed. Its popularity was obvious.

Though Master Wang and the others had never spoken of their past, they were masters who had immersed themselves in Ancient Martial Arts for many years. Their judgment and foundation were naturally extraordinary, and the martial arts hall they recommended could not possibly be an ordinary place.

Evergreen Martial Arts Hall's presence confirmed that.

Li He walked toward Evergreen Martial Arts Hall's registration desk when a familiar voice came from beside him. "Li... Brother Li?"

Li He turned around and found Wang Hao.

He had dyed his hair black again and wore a brand-new training uniform. The rebelliousness he once had was gone from his face, replaced by a measure of restraint.

Perhaps Li He had left too deep an impression on him. Wang Hao's gaze flickered away before he finally gathered the courage to look over.

"Wang Hao?" Li He replied.

"It's me, Brother Li! Grandpa told me about you, and he told me to learn from you from now on and keep my feet on the ground."

He gave a deep bow. "Thank you for saving me that day. I was ignorant before. From now on, you're my big brother!"

Li He gave a slight nod.

If Wang Hao could turn over a new leaf, Li He would not reject him outright. "There's no need to bring up the past. You're here for the martial arts hall assessment too, right? Prepare well for it."

"Yeah!" Wang Hao let out a breath of relief. "Brother Li, you're here to test for Evergreen too? Let's line up together."

The two went to the end of the long line at the registration desk.

The line moved slowly. About fifteen minutes later, with some distance still remaining before the registration counter, Li He remembered the electronic letter and took it out to check. Wang Hao hurriedly pulled out his own as well.

A young disciple maintaining order nearby had sharp eyes. Catching sight of the format of the electronic letter in Li He's hand, he immediately stepped forward and asked politely, "May I ask if the letters you two are holding are recommendation letters personally issued by Hall Master Chen?"

The two nodded.

The young disciple smiled warmly. "So you are talented candidates recommended by Hall Master Chen. You don't need to wait in line here. Please come with me. There is a dedicated recommendation channel."

Under the envious and curious gazes of those around them, the two were led to a separate window.

A pretty female disciple handled registration there. She took their electronic letters and scanned them for verification with an instrument.

"Beep! Verification passed."

"Students Li He and Wang Hao, welcome to Evergreen Martial Arts Hall. Your recommendation letters have been confirmed as valid. Please provide your identity information and basic records."

Li He and Wang Hao handed over their identity cards as instructed.

The female disciple worked with practiced efficiency. "Your information has been entered. These are your assessment number tags and examination area maps. The assessment will begin after two o'clock this afternoon, on the third floor of the exhibition hall. You may go over first to familiarize yourselves with the environment, or wait in the rest area."

She handed them two rigid numbered cards, her manner gentle and courteous.

"Good luck with your assessment, both of you!"

After leaving the registration desk, Wang Hao was somewhat excited. "Brother Li, having a recommendation letter really is different. We didn't have to line up, and that senior sister was so nice to us."

Li He nodded, but his heart remained calm.

The recommendation letter was only a stepping stone. The real test lay in the assessment ahead.

Following the map, the two passed through the spacious, brightly lit corridors inside the exhibition hall and took the elevator to the upper-level core examination area.

The rest area stood at the entrance to the examination area, furnished with seats and drinking facilities. A little farther away was a dining section where they could order a few stir-fried dishes to fill their stomachs and pass the noon hours.

Quite a few candidates were already waiting there.

Some rested with their eyes closed, while others spoke quietly. The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Several disciples wearing Evergreen Martial Arts Hall's dark green uniforms were stationed around the area, responsible for guiding candidates and maintaining order.

The two casually found a corner in the rest area and sat down. Wang Hao was restless, looking around and sizing up the other candidates.

Li He, on the other hand, closed his eyes to rest and silently circulated the mental method of the Turtle-Crane Health Stance, bringing both his body and mind into peak condition. The discussions and footsteps of the other candidates were shut out.

Before long, the electronic clock on the wall reached exactly two in the afternoon, and several examiners stepped onto the central control platform of the examination area.

The leader wore a dark green uniform with silver trim, unlike the others. He stood tall and straight, with a cold face. He was Zhao Xiong, the vice hall master of Evergreen Martial Arts Hall.

His gaze was as sharp as lightning as it swept over the room. An invisible pressure silenced the noisy waiting area. In the end, his eyes lingered briefly on Li He and Wang Hao.

The guide called out, "Attention, candidates! The new student assessment for Evergreen Martial Arts Hall now officially begins. All candidates, please remain quiet and follow me into the examination area in the order of your number tags!"

Li He glanced at his number: Class C Number 8.

Wang Hao's was Class C Number 7. Their order was right next to each other.

"Class C candidates, come this way," the guide called.

The two immediately rose and followed the guide through the light-screen door into the examination area.

Li He took a quick look around. There were many chambers here, though he did not know their specific purposes. A martial arts platform stood in the center, while above it was a window behind which several examiners held pens and paper.

"We will now begin the first assessment: vitality testing. Candidates whose names are called, enter the corresponding chamber!"

"Class C Number 7, Wang Hao, enter Testing Chamber Number 3!"

The examiner called his name.

Wang Hao nervously entered the testing chamber. The door closed and light flared up. A moment later, the display outside the chamber began to update:

Vitality: 6.9

When the figure appeared, the examiners on the second floor remained expressionless. The disciple responsible for recording swiped across his tablet, marking it down.

But when the innate constitution assessment data was transmitted at the same time, several examiners' eyes lit up.

Second-grade innate constitution!

His vitality was slightly lacking, but he was young and had potential. He was a candidate worth focusing on.

Wang Hao walked out of the chamber and headed to the recording desk to register. Feeling the gentler gazes of the examiners, he settled down somewhat.

"Class C Number 8, Li He, enter Testing Chamber Number 4!" The examiner's voice rang out again.