37: Chapter 37 Chen An, you're dead!

Chen An walked along the bluestone street, heading slowly toward the County Academy exam grounds.

Morning light bathed the long street, and both sides were already bustling with an unbelievable level of activity.

The ordinary streets and alleys of the past had completely transformed today, permeated everywhere with a rich and grand festive atmosphere.

Shops along the road were decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, hanging up festive red silk and lanterns, while peddlers set out their food and tea early, their cries rising one after another.

The streets were crowded with people, shoulder to shoulder, and one could see young Martial Artists, freshly dressed and full of spirit, everywhere. They carried weapons at their waists, their strides filled with a youth's arrogance and nervousness.

These young Martial Artists were generally accompanied by one or more elders, who were mostly the fathers or elder relatives of the Martial Artists.

The elders walked along slowly, whispering instructions about the exam rules and taboos, soothing the tense nerves of their Juniors, and occasionally offering pointers on martial techniques for on-the-spot adaptation.

The closer they got to the main gate of the County Academy, the more crowded the flow of people became, and the noisy atmosphere grew even more intense.

Young people coming for the exam gathered from all directions, their colorful martial arts attire intermingled, and teenagers with swords or blades at their waists were everywhere.

The square in front of the County Academy was spacious, but it was already packed with people. Young Martial Artists stood in lines waiting for the exam, elders stood on both sides, and the common folk along the street surrounded the area, watching as discussions, instructions, and the playful noise of children interwove.

The air itself seemed to be filled with tension, excitement, and anticipation.

Chen An moved through the crowd, his tall, upright figure dressed in black martial arts attire. Even though he had used the Spirit-Restraining Technique to thoroughly conceal his cultivation at the Perfection of the Grandmaster Realm, his handsome and imposing appearance still caused many passersby to frequently glance his way.

"Chen An, over here!!!"

At this moment, a crisp call reached Chen An's ears from not far away.

He looked up and saw Shen Qinglan smiling and waving at him from in front of the County Academy gate.

Besides Shen Qinglan, Chen An also noticed a steady-looking middle-aged man standing beside her, along with a middle-aged woman with a gentle and dignified appearance.

The man was wearing a dark blue brocade robe, his back straight, his brows carrying the majesty of someone in a high position. His gaze fell peacefully on Chen An, observing him with warmth.

The woman was dressed plainly and elegantly, her demeanor calm and quiet, a faint smile on her lips. Her eyes held a touch of observation and kindness as she looked gently at Chen An, who was walking over slowly.

These two were none other than Shen Qinglan's father, Shen Zongyue, and her mother, Lin Xueyan.

Chen An was not surprised that the two of them appeared today. He walked over, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying, "This Junior greets Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen!"

"Little An, we are family, no need for such formalities. Get up quickly. Aunt hasn't seen you in a long time. You child, you wouldn't go to the Prefecture City even when told to. Come, let Aunt get a good look at you!" Seeing Chen An come over to pay his respects, Lin Xueyan quickly reached out to pull him up, her eyes full of kindness and affection, as if looking at her own Junior.

"Not bad, not seen for a short time, and your figure has become even more upright, you've grown taller, and your muscles and bones look more solid and steady!" Shen Zongyue looked at Chen An, nodding with satisfaction and praise in his eyes.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle and Aunt!"

Being held and inspected affectionately by Lin Xueyan and hearing Shen Zongyue's praise, a faint smile appeared on Chen An's face as he said, "Previously, this Junior was focused on preparing for the County Exam, closing myself off to cultivate, so I haven't been able to visit. Once the County Exam is over and the dust settles, this Junior will definitely go to the Prefecture City in person to visit Uncle and Aunt."

"Good, good, good. By then, Aunt will cook your favorite Yuzhen Pastry herself!" Hearing Chen An's words, Lin Xueyan's expression softened even more, and she smiled as she dotingly patted his arm.

"It is enough that you have the intention!"

Shen Zongyue also nodded slightly, the look of approval in his eyes deepening, and said slowly, "Do your best in today's County Exam. I have already made the necessary arrangements at the Prefectural Academy!"

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Hearing this, Chen An felt a warmth in his heart and immediately bowed and cupped his hands in thanks.

Although with his current cultivation, he did not need a special admission quota from the Prefectural Academy, Shen Zongyue's initiative to take care of things and provide secret protection was a genuine sign of high regard and care, which could not help but move him.

"Oh my, you all are truly getting along so well. If someone didn't know, they would think you were the real family?!" Shen Qinglan, who had been standing on the side since Chen An arrived, looked at the three of them and suddenly said with a sour tone.

Once these words were out, Lin Xueyan immediately chuckled, reached out to affectionately hook her arm through Shen Qinglan's, and chided her while rubbing the top of her head: "You girl, are you jealous of Little An?"

Shen Zongyue's lips also curled into a gentle smile, and he shook his head helplessly, looking at his daughter with full doting affection.

However, at that very moment, Chen An suddenly felt two cold gazes fall upon him.

He frowned slightly, turned his head to follow the malicious gaze, and happened to meet the eyes of Instructor Liu Zhixing and his son, Liu Qingyun.

The two stood on the side of the crowd not far away, their faces as gloomy as water, their eyes filled with undisguised resentment and hostility. They stared fixedly at Chen An, as if they wanted to swallow him alive.

Meeting Chen An's gaze, Liu Qingyun's lips moved slightly, silently spitting out a sentence across the crowd. Immediately afterward, he raised his hand and made a fierce horizontal slash across his own throat, his expression ferocious, his face full of vicious murderous intent and threats.

Seeing this provocative throat-slitting gesture, Chen An's eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint chill flashed through them.

Although they were far apart, with his cultivation, he instantly read Liu Qingyun's silent words:

"Chen An, you are dead!!!"

"Little An, who are they..." Seeing Chen An's reaction, Shen Zongyue turned his head, his gaze just happening to catch the Liu family's undisguised hostility and Liu Qingyun's provocative gesture, and he asked with a slight frown.

"It's nothing, just two clowns, Uncle need not worry!" Chen An said with a faint smile.

Hearing Chen An's reply, Shen Zongyue took a deep look at him, then nodded thoughtfully, and said no more.

Meanwhile, Shen Qinglan, who was on the side, also saw the Liu father and son. Seeing the hostility on their faces, although she did not know why, a cold glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"Clang!!!~~"

Just then, a sonorous and heavy bell sound suddenly rang out from outside the County Academy gate. The bell toll was deep and distant, echoing in layers over the entire Wurong County.

Before the echoes had faded, the two heavy, vermilion, gold-gilded gates of the County Academy were slowly pushed inward, the opening of the doors carrying an ancient and solemn atmosphere.

Several Instructors of the County Academy, dressed in standard martial robes and looking solemn, stood on both sides of the gate, their majestic gazes sweeping over the dense crowd of teenagers waiting for the exam.

"The exam grounds are open. All students, take out your exam tickets and line up to enter!"