50: Chapter 50 Old Deng, you've already chosen your own death!

Upon the high platform!

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, dressed in his official robes, wore an expression that was dignified yet carried a hint of gentleness. He took a slow step forward, his gaze sweeping across the thirty students of the Wurong County Academy before him. His eyes paused for a moment on the faces of Shen Qinglan and Chen An, before he slowly spoke:

"I am County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming of Wurong County. Today, I am honored to witness the entire process of this Martial Examination. Seeing you young people in such high spirits, fighting valiantly on the arena, battling across Realms, and striving with all your might to be the first, I am truly gratified."

"The Martial Examination selects talent, not only based on martial arts cultivation but also on Heart-Nature and character."

"The thirty of you are all the elite of our county's younger generation, and the future hope of Wurong County!"

"However, do not think that just because you have secured a spot in the Prefectural Academy, you can slack off!"

"This time, the Imperial Dynasty has issued a decree for the Five Prefectures Joint Examination among Chengtian Prefecture, Qingyuan Prefecture, Wanan Prefecture, Changgeng Prefecture, and Zhaoming Prefecture!"

"In three days, you will depart with me to the Prefecture City to participate in the grand gathering of the five prefectures."

"At that time, the Geniuses of the five prefectures will gather, and the experts will be as numerous as clouds. It will be both an Opportunity and a trial. I hope you will cast aside any arrogance, focus on consolidating your cultivation, bring out the same Battle Intent you showed on the arena today, stand out in the Joint Examination, and bring glory to our Wurong County!"

"Yes, thank you, County Magistrate! We will keep this in mind!!!"

Facing the personal encouragement from County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, who was both their local official and an expert in the Innate Realm, all the students bowed in unison. Their expressions were respectful and solemn, their eyes filled with reverence and excitement.

Everyone stood tall with stirring hearts, having already secretly resolved to give their all in the Five Prefectures Joint Examination, so as not to fail the County Magistrate's expectations and to make a name for Wurong County.

After County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming finished speaking, Instructor Fan Suiyun slowly stepped forward. His simple robe appeared even more elegant in the sunset glow. His gaze swept over the bowing students, and his voice was gentle yet resonant. Every word came from the heart, containing both affirmation of the students' hard work and instructions regarding the Five Prefectures Joint Examination, as well as expectations for everyone's future martial path.

Immediately following him, Ancestor Zhou Tong of the Zhou Family stepped out. His aura as a martial expert was restrained within his body, his gaze swept sharply across the students, and his tone was direct and sonorous.

"I won't say much nonsense! There are no shortcuts on the path of martial arts. Only through unceasing hard work and facing difficulties head-on can one continuously achieve a Breakthrough in their Realm."

"Today you won the competition and obtained the qualification for the Prefectural Academy, which is worth being proud of, but this is by no means the end; it is a new starting point."

As he spoke, Ancestor Zhou Tong paused, his gaze glancing seemingly unintentionally at Chen An, who was standing in the front with a calm expression. He said, "Remember, on the path of martial arts, cultivation is the Foundation."

"Winning for a moment counts for nothing. As long as your Martial Bone is superior, and you have perseverance and determination, calm your heart to polish your Foundation, and work hard day and night without slack, you will naturally be able to break through the shackles of your Realm and ascend to a higher Peak of martial arts in the future. Do not indulge in momentary gains and losses or superficial fame, lest you ruin your own future on the Great Dao!"

Hearing Ancestor Zhou Tong's words, the students were immediately encouraged once again.

However, these words had a different flavor when they reached Chen An's ears.

"It seems this old geezer has quite a big opinion of me!"

Clearly catching the look in Ancestor Zhou Tong's eyes—which was meaningful, containing hints of advice, and even a touch of warning—Chen An's eyes flickered slightly, and he understood instantly.

He suddenly realized one thing: why Zhou Shuyan had insisted on getting on stage to fight him despite knowing he was no match and having no Battle Intent, and ultimately even deliberately pretending to be injured and falling off the stage in defeat. If his guess was correct, Ancestor Zhou Tong must have secretly instructed Zhou Shuyan beforehand, which forced Zhou Shuyan to do what he just did.

It must be because he defeated Liu Qingyun earlier, causing him to lose his bet with County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, and now he is venting his anger on him.

"Old geezer, you have already courted death!"

A phrase suddenly flashed through Chen An's mind.

Of course, he was just letting his imagination run wild.

Ancestor Zhou Tong was merely venting his anger; at most, he would just warn him a couple of times. He wasn't relying on his Innate Realm cultivation to bully the weak, so he wouldn't actually kill him. After all, he wasn't some kind of maniacal killer!!!

After the three of them finished their words of encouragement, and the atmosphere was at its Peak, Head Elder Wei Linyuan slowly walked out from the high platform. Although his figure was aged, his back was straight, and his demeanor was steady and extraordinary.

Behind him followed several Instructors of the County Academy, each holding an antique wooden tray in their hands, walking slowly.

The students below subconsciously cast their gazes onto the wooden trays. When they saw the items placed inside, their eyes all lit up slightly, and a look of eagerness and yearning welled up in their eyes. They faintly guessed that these were the rewards for the top scorers and the leading students of the Martial Examination.

Head Elder Wei Linyuan's cloudy eyes swept over the students, a flash of gratification appearing in them, before they landed on Shen Qinglan, who was in the front, and he said, "Shen Qinglan!"

"Greetings, Elder Wei!" Shen Qinglan stepped out respectfully and bowed.

"You are very good!" Looking at Shen Qinglan's cold and ethereal figure, Head Elder Wei Linyuan's eyes were full of appreciation. He said, "This time you have won the top spot in the Martial Examination. This is the reward from the County Magistrate and the County Academy for you: a Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill and a bottle of Profound Rank High Grade Blood Essence Pill!"

Having said that, he signaled the Instructor behind him to step forward and hand the wooden tray to her.

He looked at Shen Qinglan solemnly, his tone filled with expectation: "I hope you do not waste your talent, focus on comprehending the Martial Skill, and use the Medicinal Pill to consolidate your cultivation. With the Five Prefectures Joint Examination imminent, I hope you will sharpen your edge, make further progress, bring fame to our Wurong County Academy, and forge your own path in the martial arts!"

"Yes, thank you, County Magistrate, for your kindness. Thank you, County Academy and Elder, for your generous gifts!"

Shen Qinglan stepped forward, bowed slightly with a calm expression, and reached out her jade-like hand to calmly take the wooden tray containing the Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill Secret Manual and a bottle of Profound Rank High Grade Blood Essence Pill.

The remaining twenty-plus students who made the list behind her heard of this reward, and their eyes flickered, their faces showing uncontrollable envy.

Whether it was the Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill or the Profound Rank High Grade Blood Essence Pill, both were treasures that ordinary Cultivators could only dream of.

Ordinary Martial Artist Families might not be able to buy even one, even if they exhausted all their savings. Now, Shen Qinglan had obtained two just by winning the top spot in the County Academy Martial Examination; how could everyone not be envious?!

Standing beside Shen Qinglan, Chen An couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when he saw the reward she received.

He hadn't expected the County Academy to be so generous with the reward for the top spot this time. In the past, it seemed it was just a Profound Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique and a bottle of qi condensing pill.

However, after thinking about it for a moment, Chen An guessed the reason. It must be because the Five Prefectures Joint Examination is approaching, and the Wurong County government and the County Academy intend to boost the students' cultivation, which is why they specially raised the specifications of the rewards this time.

Of course, another point should be Shen Qinglan's cultivation. With her cultivation, the qi condensing pill is clearly no longer suitable. She has long entered the Acquired Realm, and ordinary qi condensing pills have very little effect on her and cannot help her cultivation at all.

If the government and the County Academy followed previous years' practices and rewarded her with qi condensing pills, it would appear perfunctory.

Weighing both sides, they broke the rules to bring out the Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill and Blood Essence Pill, which not only fits Shen Qinglan's current cultivation needs but also shows their importance through the generous reward, while simultaneously setting an example for the other students on the list to motivate everyone.

"Chen An!!!"