The thirty-second year of Yongsheng, spring.
The second day of the second month, Dragon Raises Its Head.
The vast martial training grounds buzzed with voices.
For the many martial artists of Qinghe County, today was the most important day of the year.
It was the opening day of the Martial Examination.
Those who passed today would earn fame and official standing, cross into a higher social class, enjoy numerous privileges, and rise above ordinary people.
However, although any genuine Bright Energy Realm martial artist under the age of thirty qualified to take the Martial Examination, at nearly every examination, the Bright Energy Realm candidates came merely to make up the numbers.
Even most Hidden Energy Realm martial artists were there at most to go through the motions, broaden their horizons, and gain some experience for the next Martial Examination.
Most importantly, every Martial Examination came with casualties.
So if one's cultivation and strength were insufficient, not only would one fail to pass, but one might also be injured or even lose one's life.
Even so, nearly every young martial artist who met the requirements still flocked to take part.
Several officials were already seated on the General's Platform directly ahead.
Below, clerks were registering information and handing out numbered tags.
"Brother Fang, I heard plenty of first-rate geniuses are taking this year's Martial Examination. The two most famous are Chu Jun of the Blazing Sun Martial Hall and Xu Lin of the Sanhe Martial Hall. They're also the hottest contenders for Martial Champion!"
Amid the crowd, the people from Song Academy had gathered together. Someone spoke to Fang Chang.
"If I had the backing of the Blazing Sun Martial Hall or the Sanhe Martial Hall, how could I be any weaker than them?"
Fang Chang furrowed his brow, his eyes