Early Registration

Time passed, and before long, the day to register for the Martial Academy Grand Competition arrived.

For all young martial artists of the Great Jin Dynasty, the annual Martial Academy Grand Competition was undoubtedly a dragon gate. If they crossed it, they could ascend to the heavens in a single step and enter those top-tier sects. Not only would they gain vast cultivation resources, but more importantly, they would obtain high-level cultivation techniques and martial skills.

Those high-level cultivation techniques and martial skills were all summaries of the experience accumulated by countless martial predecessors over hundreds and thousands of years. Without such experience, trying to slowly explore the martial path alone would be twice the effort for half the result.

The cultivation techniques and martial skills sold on the market were basically commonplace goods. True masterpieces would only be kept within official powers and those top-tier sects.

To ensure the secrecy of their inheritances, the authorities and major powers kept an extremely tight grip on high-level cultivation techniques and martial skills. Once they discovered that a disciple had leaked a technique, the lightest punishment was having their cultivation crippled, while the harshest was immediate execution.

The shops on the market were likewise strictly forbidden from selling high-level cultivation techniques and martial skills. Once discovered, they would be punished without mercy.

Thus, even a major local clan like the Liang Clan possessed no high-level cultivation techniques or martial skills. Their descendants still had to take part in the Martial Academy Grand Competition and find a way to enter a sect power.

Although Liang Bo possessed the ability to deduce cultivation techniques and martial skills, directly obtaining high-level techniques would undoubtedly save him quite a few skill points.

Moreover, after entering a top-tier sect, he could obtain even more cultivation resources. These resources were not limited to pills and spiritual herbs; they also included certain special cultivation grounds. Through the arrangement of formations or naturally formed strange environments, these places allowed martial artists to cultivate with twice the result for half the effort.

Although Liang Bo could rapidly improve his martial skill proficiency, advancing his inner force cultivation still had to be done step by step.

Furthermore, as a martial artist, one could hardly avoid going out to adventure and coming into conflict with others. At such times, having a top-tier sect as backing naturally gave one greater confidence when acting.

Therefore, Liang Bo needed to use this competition to enter a top-tier sect, and he also had to achieve good results. Only then could he receive attention.

That day, the square before the Nanyang Prefecture Martial Academy was already packed shoulder to shoulder. Because there were too many people, the organizers had set up more than ten registration points.

Liang Bo had not come with the other Liang Clan descendants. Instead, he arrived at a registration point alone, weaving through the sea of people as all sorts of discussions filled his ears.

"Have you heard? There are quite a few formidable experts among the martial artists taking part in the Martial Academy Grand Competition this time. Over in Shunyang City, there's someone called Wang Dong. He's incredibly strong. He's only fifteen, yet he's already reached the fourth rank of martial arts."

"No way, that monstrous? Reaching the fourth rank of martial arts at fifteen—wouldn't a genius like that be able to enter any power he wanted?"

"Exactly. In previous years, those martial artists who entered the three great powers—the Limitless Sword Sect, True Martial Sect, and Purple Sun Temple—were generally only at the fifth rank!"

"With fourth-rank martial arts cultivation, as long as his martial skills aren't too poor, it really might be possible."

"Wang Dong?" Liang Bo's gaze flickered. Reaching the fourth rank of martial arts at fifteen—such talent was indeed terrifying. Even after taking the Cleansing Spirit Fruit to break through, Liang Bo's current cultivation was still inferior to that person's.

However, when it came to martial skills, he was confident he could surpass him. After all, the realm of unity between man and blade was not something one could reach casually. Wang Dong was only fifteen and did not have a cheat like his; his mastery of martial skills should not have reached such a high level.

"Liang Bo, you came too!" At that moment, a hearty voice rang out from behind him.

Liang Bo turned and saw a tall, burly youth in green robes. A smile immediately appeared on his face.

This youth was Liang Bo's friend, Zhao Wu, a member of the Zhao Clan, one of Wan City's three great families.

Zhao Wu also often went to the small forest outside the city early every morning to practice martial arts. He and Liang Bo frequently ran into each other there, and since they were about the same age, they got along very well and quickly became friends.

His strength was about the same as Liang Bo's had been before, also at the peak of the seventh rank of martial arts.

Liang Bo glanced at him and smiled. "Zhao Wu, you came so early. Looks like you're very confident about this competition!"

Zhao Wu gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "How could I be? You know my strength. I might be able to pass the preliminary test, but as for the practical assessment, that'll depend on luck. And the arena battles a month from now? I don't have the slightest confidence in those. This competition was suddenly brought forward, and I wasn't prepared at all. I haven't slept well these past few days—I've been cultivating hard at home every day."

The Martial Academy Grand Competition of previous years was divided into three stages. The first was the preliminary selection, which was not particularly difficult. Generally speaking, anyone under eighteen whose cultivation had reached at least the seventh rank of martial arts could pass.

The second stage was the reexamination, which was considerably harder and also more dangerous. Usually, participants had to fight demonic beasts to the death. Only those who passed the practical assessment could proceed to the next stage.

As for the third stage, the remaining participants would engage in arena battles. Each major power would set up several arenas according to its recruitment needs for the year, allowing martial artists to challenge them.

For people at Zhao Wu's level, as well as Liang Bo's previous level, passing the first stage was basically not difficult, but the second stage depended on luck. Only if they were fortunate enough to pass the second stage would they have a chance to join top-tier sects such as the Floating Cloud Pavilion.

Liang Bo smiled. "The competition was brought forward, so while you weren't prepared, neither was anyone else. So I don't think you should worry. You should be able to achieve good results this time."

"I hope so!" Zhao Wu scratched his chin and said, "Oh, right. Doesn't your Liang Clan have the qualification to recommend its own descendants to join the Floating Cloud Pavilion? You should have gotten a recommendation slot, right?"

"No."

"No? Why not? With your strength, you should rank in the top three among your Liang Clan's younger generation, shouldn't you?"

"Something unexpected happened, so I didn't participate in the clan competition." Liang Bo shook his head, unwilling to say more.

Zhao Wu did not think much of it and said, "That's fine too. I heard that those who enter a sect through recommendations can generally only start as outer disciples, while those who join through an official route like the Martial Academy Grand Competition are at least inner disciples from the moment they enter. Their prospects are much better."

Liang Bo nodded slightly. The reason the Liang Clan had the qualification to recommend descendants to the Floating Cloud Pavilion was because several years ago, the Liang Clan's eldest young master—Liang Bo's cousin, Liang Xing—had shone brilliantly in that year's Martial Academy Grand Competition. He could originally have joined one of the three great powers, such as the True Martial Sect, but ultimately chose to join the Floating Cloud Pavilion.

Among the benefits the Floating Cloud Pavilion had promised him at the time was permission for the Liang Clan to recommend three people to enter the Floating Cloud Pavilion each year for the following ten years.

However, just as Zhao Wu had said, those who entered the Floating Cloud Pavilion through recommendation found it difficult to receive much attention and could only begin as outer disciples. It was like entering through the back door, so their treatment naturally could not compare to those who entered the sect through the proper route of the Martial Academy Grand Competition.