7: The first stage of the martial arts scholar examination

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump..."

As soon as Zong Yuanwang finished speaking, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from within the City Lord's Manor.

Everyone looked closely and saw thirty-six bronze mechanical men, each over two meters tall and wielding heavy bronze staffs, slowly walking toward the square. They stopped about forty meters in front of the line of examinees.

"Standing before you are the examination automatons for the first stage of this Martial Arts Scholar examination—the Basic Combat Power Stage."

Watching the bronze mechanical men appear, City Lord Zong Yuanwang spoke calmly from beneath the statue of the Martial God:

"The Martial Arts Scholar examination consists of two stages: the first is the Basic Combat Power Stage, and the second is the Advanced Combat Power Stage."

"The Basic Combat Power Stage requires your combat strength to reach at least a decent level within the Seventh-Rank Late Stage. The specific examination method is to have you battle these bronze mechanical men."

"Each of these bronze mechanical men is at the Seventh Grade Peak Stage. Although their strength is considered the weakest among the Seventh Grade Peak Stage due to limitations in martial techniques, they are still not something an ordinary Seventh-Rank Late Stage Martial Artist can withstand."

"Once the exam begins, if you can hold out against these mechanical men for ten breaths, it means you possess a decent level of combat power for a Seventh-Rank Late Stage Martial Artist. You will then naturally pass this first stage."

"Of course, you can also choose to defeat it within ten breaths. Doing so proves you have at least the combat power of a normal Seventh Grade Peak Stage, meaning you won't need to take the second stage. You'll be considered to have passed immediately and will be granted the title of Martial Arts Scholar."

"However, this method is only suitable for a very small number of people. Most will still have to participate in the second stage, the Advanced Combat Power Stage."

"The examination method for the Advanced Combat Power Stage is also simple: two Martial Artists who passed the first stage will be randomly paired through a lottery to duel on the training grounds. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated."

"Those who successfully advance will naturally obtain the title of Martial Arts Scholar."

"Alright, those are the rules. Without further ado, let's prepare for the first stage of the examination."

"Examinees from Jia-Jia Number 1 to Jia-Jia Number 36, step forward now and choose your bronze mechanical man!"

"Yes, City Lord!"

As soon as the City Lord finished speaking, the thirty-six examinees standing at the very front of the crowd immediately obeyed and stepped forward.

Among them were middle-aged men weathered by time, high-spirited youths, women with fiery and enchanting figures, and even white-haired elders.

However, at this moment, they all headed to the examination area with nervous expressions, while their relatives and friends around the square began to cheer them on:

"Dad! Good luck! You're the best, I know you'll succeed!"

"Huai'er, don't be nervous. Your strength reached the Seventh-Rank Late Stage long ago. As long as you're careful, passing this first stage will definitely be no problem."

"Aunt Hong, your father's greatest wish was to become a Martial Arts Scholar. Unfortunately, he lacked the talent and couldn't pass in his lifetime. Your talent far exceeds his, and he placed all his hopes on you. You must pass the exam today!"

"Grandpa..."

...Voice after voice rang out, each carrying endless expectations.

Finally, with a loud "clang" of a gong, all thirty-six bronze mechanical men on the square moved in unison.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

On the square, the bronze mechanical men brandished their long staffs, each erupting with terrifying strength and speed that tore through the air, charging toward the examinees like heavy tanks.

The examinees immediately moved to block the attacks of the bronze mechanical men.

"Breeze Sword!"

"Wind-Dispelling Palm!"

"Green Snake Whip Technique!"

"Gale-Rending Spear Technique!"

...Examinee after examinee shouted, using their various methods and Divine Abilities to tangle with the bronze mechanical men.

However, these bronze mechanical men were incredibly fierce. Though their moves were simple, they contained immense power. Each strike of the staff swept forward like a monstrous wave, battering the examinees.

The Seventh Grade Peak Stage—the weight of this level of combat power was quite significant. Not only were their strength and speed superior to the Seventh-Rank Late Stage in every aspect, but their martial arts had also generally reached Seventh-Rank Martial Art Perfection or Sixth-Grade Martial Art Major Achievement.

Although it was still slightly inferior to Lin Yi's near-Perfection in a Sixth-Grade Martial Art, it was within the same tier.

Thus, with all these factors combined, their combat power was more than just a level higher than an ordinary Seventh-Rank Late Stage.

Furthermore, those at the Seventh Grade Peak Stage struck quickly; in just ten breaths, they could unleash at least forty to fifty moves.

So, despite the examinees being extraordinary, after only six breaths, some began to falter.

"No!"

From the middle of the square, a voice filled with endless frustration rang out.

A spear-wielding youth, after clashing with the bronze mechanical man before him, seemed unable to withstand the force. His spear was suddenly knocked away by the automaton's staff, and he was then struck, flying backward as he spat out blood.

The spear-wielding youth had failed the first stage.

"Long'er!"

On the square, a middle-aged man in purple robes cried out in shock, his face full of anxiety.

With the failure of the spear-wielding youth, the first batch of examinees began to fail one after another, like falling dominoes.

"Uncle Feng!"

"Dad!"

"Master Liu!"

"Boss!"

...Examinees failed one after another. Soon, ten breaths had passed, and less than half of the original thirty-six examinees were still standing.

Even those remaining were panting heavily, their faces pale with looks of relief; almost none of them were in peak condition.

Seeing this, many of the surrounding examinees and their loved ones grew even more nervous.

On the other side, beneath the statue of the Martial God, City Lord Zong Yuanwang remained expressionless as he spoke calmly:

"The first batch of examinees has finished. Next, the second batch, examinees Jia-Jia Number 37 to Jia-Jia Number 72, take the field. The third batch, Jia-Jia Number 73 to Jia-Jia Number 108, get ready."

"Yes, City Lord!"

Hearing this, the second batch of examinees all obeyed and entered the field with mixed emotions.

Soon, after ten breaths, the second batch's exam concluded.

This batch fared slightly better than the last, with twenty people passing—more than half—though sixteen were still eliminated.

Then the third batch took the field. This group was even worse than the first, with twenty-four people eliminated and only twelve passing. It was a brutal outcome.

Then came the fourth batch—Lin Yi's group. It finally began.

"The third batch has finished. Next, the fourth batch, examinees Jia-Yi Number 1 to Jia-Yi Number 36, take the field. The fourth batch, Jia-Yi Number 36 to Jia-Yi Number 72, get ready."

"Yes, City Lord!"

Lin Yi and the others obeyed. Immediately, cheers of encouragement erupted from the surroundings... "Uncle Songlong! Good luck!"

"Uncle Bai, you must pass the exam!"

"Brother Zibai, as long as you pass, I'll treat you to three days and nights of wine and entertainment at the Spring Breeze Pavilion! Haha! Go for it!"

"Yier, good luck!"

...Amidst the voices, Lin Yi turned his head and instantly spotted his parents in the crowd.

His mother, Ji Xuan, looked uneasy; she had her eyes closed and her hands pressed together in prayer, muttering something under her breath.

His father, Lin Haichuan, tried his best to remain calm, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed his inner tension.

It couldn't be helped! Even though the two elders knew Lin Yi was strong and should have no problem passing the first stage...

...the Martial Arts Scholar examination was simply too important. It carried the weight of all of Lin Yi's hopes from his years of martial arts training.

Therefore, no matter how much confidence they had in Lin Yi, they couldn't help but feel a sense of panic and nervousness.

"Father, Mother! Don't worry. This time, I will definitely pass the Martial Arts Scholar examination!"

Seeing this, Lin Yi took a deep breath. With a sudden movement, he took a firm step forward and entered the examination field.