The Mountains-and-Rivers Cauldron, the First Martial Examination Event! (April Monthly Tickets: 34)

On the drill ground.

"Correct!"

Jiang Ning's voice rang out, firm as a stone striking the ground.

The already noisy drill ground grew louder still.

Countless gazes fell on Jiang Ning.

But to him, they weighed less than a feather and could not stir him in the slightest.

The examiner looked at Jiang Ning and nodded, then continued checking the people behind him.

Some time later, having verified everyone's details, the examiner returned to stand before the crowd.

"Candidates, do you understand the rules?"

"Please explain them to us, sir!" one of the candidates said, cupping his hands.

The examiner nodded.

"Today's martial examination has only two events: lifting weights and standing archery!"

No one objected. They all knew why.

The farther the martial examination progressed, the simpler its tests became.

"Earn a top-grade rating in both events, and you may advance to the next stage to compete for the honors of first, second, and third place!"

Elsewhere.

"Little Eight, who do you think will take first place this year?"

On the raised platform, a woman with the bearing of a noble lady spoke softly.

"What do you think, Second Sister?" Ji Minghao replied, tossing the question straight back to her.

"Little Eight is as slippery as ever!" The woman smiled warmly, then turned to another prince on the viewing platform. "Little Five, what do you think?"

"Second Sister, first place will surely go to Wan Jianyi. After all, he is the foremost figure of the younger generation today."

"Fifth Brother, there's a saying: beyond every person stands another, and beyond every sky lies another sky!" A young man nearby, who looked no more than a boy, joined in.

"Little Thirteen, who do you favor?" Ji Mingyuan asked.

"I favor Jiang Ning of Dongling Commandery," the young man said evenly,