A Martial Saint Among Men: From Joining a Martial Arts School

61. Knocking

As the martial arts examination drew near, the atmosphere in Qingshan City became somewhat heavy.

All the major powers are preparing for the martial arts examination.

Even the five major families put aside their airs and frequently contacted the disciples of various martial arts schools.

Several disciples of the Lu Family Martial Arts School, including Chu Xuan, were approached by various people. However, Chu Xuan politely declined them all.

After news of Xu Yuan's triumphant rise spread, he became an honored guest of the five great families. Almost every night, a carriage would stop in front of the martial arts school to pick him up for banquets.

However, Xu Yuan did not miss his cultivation the next day, so Lu Tong did not say anything.

That evening.

After the outer disciples dispersed, Lu Tong once again summoned the inner strength disciples to the backyard.

When Chu Xuan arrived, he found that there were a few more people than last time, but his second senior brother Tao Ping was missing.

Lu Tong sat in a grand chair, holding a small purple clay teapot in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

"Master, everyone has arrived."

Wei Hong stepped forward and whispered.

Lu Tong opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a deep voice, "I called you here again because of the martial arts examination. The number of participants for this year has been decided: fifty. According to past practice, to be guaranteed entry into the Xuan Yang Sect, you must be in the top thirty."

"Top 30?"

Many people present gasped in shock.

Qingshan City is not a large city, but it is not small either.

In previous years, the martial arts examinations typically had two to three hundred participants.

Of course, not all of these people possessed the hidden strength (暗劲). The entry requirements for martial arts registration aren't high; anyone who has broken through to the visible strength (明劲) level can apply!

But Mingjin's participation was basically just for show.

They will be eliminated in the first round.

Of course, if you're incredibly lucky, you might also pass the imperial examination.

Chu Xuan heard from his mother that his cousin Chu Ming had not yet broken through to the Dark Force realm, but had also signed up for this year's martial arts examination.

Competing for a top 30 spot among two or three hundred people is incredibly difficult, as you can imagine.

Even if you're not aiming for a spot in the Xuan Yang Sect, but rather for the martial arts examination, the pressure is still immense.

Ignoring the crowd's discussions, Lu Tong said calmly, "A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass, and a raging fire refines true gold! This martial arts examination is both a strong wind and a raging fire!"

If you don't even have this much confidence, you shouldn't bother joining in the fun...

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd again, and his voice became stern.

"Don't blame me for not warning you. Before the exam, it's best not to take sides lightly. If you go down the wrong path, it won't just be a matter of failing the exam; you could bring disaster upon yourself!"

Everyone was shocked.

A disciple who had recently broken through to the Inner Strength realm whispered, "Master, what do you mean by 'danger to death'...?"

"The Five Great Families!"

Lu Tong said calmly, without keeping anyone in suspense.

Everyone was surprised and puzzled at the same time.

Lu Tong snorted, "You think the martial arts examination is as simple as it seems? The waters of Qingshan City run much deeper than you imagine! Alright, everyone disperse!"

He waved his hand, too lazy to say anything more.

After leaving the backyard, everyone lost interest in talking and dispersed.

Chu Xuan greeted Dongfang Lin and then turned to go home.

He had a feeling that Lu Tong's words today, seemingly meant to remind them, were actually meant for Xu Yuan!

These people are nothing but tools!

backyard.

Wei Hong refilled Lu Tong's purple clay teapot with water.

Seeing Lu Tong frowning and staring at the door, he asked, "Is Master worried about Junior Brother Xu?"

Lu Tong withdrew his gaze and sighed softly, "Xu Yuan has enough talent and strength, but unfortunately, his character is lacking too much! I thought that this experience of breaking down and rebuilding would help him improve..."

Xu Yuan's indulgence these past few days had indeed disappointed him. That's why he took the opportunity of reminding the other disciples to give Xu Yuan a nudge.

But judging from Xu Yuan's behavior just now, he clearly didn't listen.

"Master, how many people do you think will be able to enter the Xuan Yang Sect in this martial arts examination?" Wei Hong asked.

Lu Tong frowned and pondered for a moment.

The Lu Family Martial Arts School had a total of eight people who signed up this time, seven of whom were at the hidden strength level and one at the manifest strength level.

"If we're talking about passing the martial arts exam, there should be three or four people. As for those who can enter the Xuan Yang Sect... I'm afraid only your third junior brother and Xu Yuan will be able to," Lu Tong sighed.

Wei Hong looked surprised: "Master doesn't think highly of Junior Sister?"

Lu Xiaoshuang broke through to the Dark Force realm two years ago and has also registered for this martial arts examination. With Lu Tong personally guiding her, Lu Xiaoshuang should theoretically have a better chance.

Lu Tong shook his head: "Shuang'er has good talent, but she's not top-tier. After all, she's a girl, and under my protection all these years, she hasn't experienced any real combat. She doesn't have much of an advantage in the practical assessment of martial artists."

"What about Junior Brother Chu?"

Chu Xuan?

A glimmer of hope appeared on Lu Tong's face, but he still shook his head: "Chu Xuan has a good temperament, but unfortunately... his natural talent is too poor. If he had another year, perhaps he would still have a chance."

Wei Hong finally understood Lu Tong's troubles.

Although the Lu Family Martial Arts School seems to be full of talented people, in reality, only Liang Qiusong and Xu Yuan have a real chance of entering the Xuan Yang Sect.

Lu Xiaoshuang and Chu Xuan had little hope.

As for Dongfang Lin and the others, they either had been stuck at the Ming Jin level for more than a year, or they had only recently broken through, so there was no hope for them.

Compared to other martial arts schools, this is probably far inferior!

Before long, the martial arts examination arrived.

It was early morning, before dawn.

Chu He, the younger sister, got up early to prepare food and clothes for Chu Xuan.

His mother, Zeng Kegui, stood in the hall, praying for Chu Xuan's well-being.

"By the Bodhisattva above, I, Zeng Ke, beseech the Bodhisattva to bless my son so that he may return safely. I do not ask for him to be rich or powerful, but only that he may be free from harm and disaster. I am willing to give up ten years of my own life in exchange for my son's safety..."

Chu Xuan was also pulled to kneel down to the side. Without the slightest impatience, he did as his mother asked, following her instructions meticulously.

Soon, Ren Yan and his son also arrived.

Chu Xuan's uncle also brought his two children to visit him.

"Uncle, where's my aunt? Why didn't she come?"

Chu Xuan was surprised to see that his aunt Zeng Hong hadn't come and asked her about it.

"Um... your aunt has something to do today..."

Hu Dazhi's gaze darted away, and he spoke awkwardly.

Something?

Chu Xuan immediately noticed the evasive look in the other person's eyes.

When his gaze swept over his mother and sister, he noticed that their expressions were also somewhat unnatural.

"Uncle, has something happened to my aunt?" Chu Xuan asked in a deep voice.

"this……"

Hu Dazhi was momentarily speechless, his face turning red with embarrassment.

"Tiger, where's your mother?" Chu Xuan looked directly at his cousin Hu Wenrui.

Hu Wenrui whispered, "Cousin, my mother is injured. She was beaten up, and her face is still swollen. She didn't come because she was afraid you would see it."

Are you injured?

Chu Xuan's gaze immediately turned cold and sharp: "Uncle, what happened? Aunt is injured, why didn't you tell me? Who did it?"

"Nephew, let me handle this matter."

Seeing Hu Dazhi's troubled expression, Ren Mingcheng sighed and said, "We all know about this. It's not that we wanted to hide it from you, but we planned to tell you after you finished the martial arts examination, so as not to affect you."

"What exactly happened?" Chu Xuan frowned.

It turns out everyone else knew, except me.

Ren Mingcheng said, "Your aunt went to the Bai family a few days ago to deliver braised meat to the seventh young mistress of the Bai family, but unexpectedly ran into the eldest daughter of the Bai family. There may have been some misunderstanding between them..."

"It's not a misunderstanding!"

Hu Wenrui looked up, his eyes reddening, and said, "The eldest daughter of the Bai family is a bully! She falsely accused my mother of stealing from her, slapped my mother, and even tried to have her stripped naked and searched. If it weren't for the Seventh Young Mistress arriving in time, they..."

"Tiger, stop talking!"

Hu Dazhi quickly pulled Hu Wenrui aside and tried to persuade Chu Xuan, saying, "Xiao Xuan, it's really nothing serious. Your aunt just got slapped; she'll be fine in a couple of days. We country folk are tough; this is nothing..."

Miss Bai?

Bai Kexin?!