27: Attending the martial arts exam award ceremony

The Imperial Capital, the capital of Huaxia!

The headquarters of the Seven Alliances and One Hall and the Imperial Capital University were both located in the Imperial Capital. Upon receiving the notification, Lu Yuan immediately took a Teleportation Array to the Imperial Capital.

On the way there, Lu Yuan recalled what Jiang Tianxia had said during the Martial Examination.

"The rewards for this year's Martial Examination are very tempting, especially for the top three, so raise your score as much as possible. Don't lower your guard just because you think you can get into a top university."

The Martial Examination rewards are very tempting?

Lu Yuan focused on this sentence, and he was receiving the award as the national number one!

Currently, in Huaxia and even all countries on Blue Star, there are two ways for residents to travel: high-speed rail and Teleportation Array.

The former is cheap but takes a long time, while the latter is expensive but efficient and fast.

It is about a thousand kilometers from Tianhua City to the Imperial Capital. From buying a ticket for the Teleportation Array to arriving in the Imperial Capital, it took Lu Yuan less than twenty minutes.

Of that time, fifteen minutes were spent waiting for the Teleportation Array to start.

Just after arriving in the Imperial Capital, Lu Yuan met Jiang Tianxia, who was also attending the award ceremony.

"I really didn't expect you to overtake me and Chu Wushe in the last twelve hours."

Jiang Tianxia, still reminiscing about the Martial Examination, initiated the conversation.

She was dressed very casually, wearing a long white T-shirt and a bright blue skirt, paired with a pair of white sneakers.

This outfit made Jiang Tianxia look youthful and beautiful, which fit her age and temperament very well.

Her energetic twin-tail hairstyle made her look even cuter, provided one ignored the image of her swinging a two-meter-long pitch-black giant sword to slay ferocious beasts.

"I didn't expect to be the national number one either," Lu Yuan said.

After all, he had already gone on a killing spree at that time, eager to hunt ferocious beasts to break through to the Qi Refining Eighth Star, and to let the Star Swallowing Legion evolve once again!

"I can accept it, but I guess Chu Wushe is furious."

Jiang Tianxia walked side by side with Lu Yuan out of the Teleportation Array point.

Actually, she couldn't accept it at first either, and only became convinced after watching the recording of Lu Yuan's Martial Examination.

Outside the Teleportation Array point, staff members who had been waiting for a long time to welcome the top 100 examinees in the country spotted Lu Yuan and Jiang Tianxia, opened the car doors, and gestured for them to enter.

The car drove toward the city center of the Imperial Capital, and Lu Yuan admired the bustling city through the car window.

High-rise buildings came into view, along with luxury cars visible everywhere and clean streets.

Soon, the car stopped outside a complex with eight magnificent palaces, and Lu Yuan took the card handed to him by the staff member.

"This card allows you to move freely anywhere in the headquarters. Be sure to keep it safe and never lose it; otherwise, it will trigger an alarm, and handling that is very troublesome."

The young lady in uniform said with a smile.

She would be the one to lead Lu Yuan and Jiang Tianxia on a tour of the headquarters.

"My name is Zhong Tongtong, and I am honored to be your guide," Zhong Tongtong said.

The two people in front of her were the national number one and number three in the Martial Examination; both were elite among people, and their future prospects were limitless.

Zhong Tongtong was very professional and answered every question during the tour.

Lu Yuan felt everything around him was fresh, as it was his first time coming to the Imperial Capital and the headquarters of the Seven Alliances and One Hall.

Jiang Tianxia, however, showed little interest, as it was clearly not her first time.

"This is the headquarters of the Heavenly Sword Alliance, and the headquarters of the Hall of Judgment and the Thunder Alliance are on the left and right sides, respectively," Zhong Tongtong said, looking at the magnificent palace where a giant sword sculpture reached straight into the clouds.

The headquarters of the Seven Alliances and One Hall each had their own unique features and representative symbols.

The Heavenly Sword Alliance was a sword, the Thunder Alliance was a giant hammer, the Hall of Judgment was a rainbow, and the Wind-Splitting Alliance was an eagle...

Among them, the Heavenly Sword Hall was located in the center of the headquarters and was recognized as the strongest power among the Seven Alliances and One Hall!

When the time reached nine in the morning, Lu Yuan walked into the Heavenly Sword Hall and saw many examinees who, like him, were attending the award ceremony.

These examinees were gathered together, chattering about something.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, the examinees' chatter came to an abrupt halt.

"He must be Lu Yuan, the national number one."

"That's right, it's him. I've watched the video of him killing the Xuan Gang Realm ferocious beast, the Moon Polar Bear, countless times!"

The examinees stared at Lu Yuan in unison, their eyes filled with awe.

This was the national number one of the Martial Examination, who had also broken the all-time scoring record for the Martial Examination; the super-high score of 1.15 million made them feel intimidated!

Of course, there were exceptions; a few examinees looked at Lu Yuan with indifference.

For example, Wan Zichen, who was ranked fourth nationally, and Ge Yanping, who was ranked fifth.

"Someone is unconvinced by you," Jiang Tianxia said with a smile.

She could roughly guess the thoughts of Wan Zichen and Ge Yanping. Lu Yuan, who had awakened the special Combat Class Puppet Master, had a fighting style similar to that of a Dark Attribute Practitioner.

It was nothing more than controlling a legion of Guie (skeletons) to besiege ferocious beasts. While Dark Attribute Combat Class Practitioners were strong, they had a clear drawback.

That was their over-reliance on summons; once they lost the protection of their summons, they were nothing.

"He's just relying on the fact that the ferocious beasts have no brains. If we had a proper fight, Lu Yuan wouldn't be my match!" Wan Zichen thought.

He was confident that he could quickly close the distance to Lu Yuan, thereby causing Lu Yuan to lose his combat ability.

Not only did he think so, but Ge Yanping, who had awakened the Wind Attribute, also held the same attitude.

Standing at the very front, Chu Wushe, who was wearing a white tracksuit, stared at Lu Yuan indifferently.

Although his gaze did not show contempt for Lu Yuan, it was filled with hostility!

"Everyone, you are now at the Heavenly Sword Hall Martial Arts Plaza. I believe there is something you will all be very interested in."

The staff member acting as the guide, Zhong Tongtong, said, successfully capturing the examinees' attention.

"This object is called the Giant Sword Stone. Everyone, within three seconds, unleash a Spirit Skill at the Giant Sword Stone, and the Giant Sword Stone will detect the power of your Spirit Skill," Zhong Tongtong said with a smile, standing next to a giant sword statue covered in sword marks.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhong Tongtong's introduction, the examinees gathered around the Giant Sword Stone, examining it constantly.

Spirit Skills were the most important means for a Practitioner during combat. Although the Giant Sword Stone could not simulate a fight against a ferocious beast, it could detect the power of a Spirit Skill and display it in the form of a realm.

"Many elders also use the Giant Sword Stone for testing. If you are interested, you can experience it," Zhong Tongtong said.

"This feels very interesting."

Jiang Tianxia was eager to try and took out a heavy sword from her storage ring.

"Aren't you going to try?" Jiang Tianxia said to Lu Yuan, who was next to her.

Lu Yuan looked around and stroked the thumb-sized four great calamities in his pocket.

"This place is a bit small; I can't really unleash my power," Lu Yuan said. If he were to bring out the four great calamities and all his ghost puppet soldiers, the plaza probably wouldn't be able to hold them.

"I'll go first!"

An examinee raised his hand voluntarily. His name was Huo Xiangfei, ranked seventieth in the country, and he had awakened the Wind Attribute.

He had currently cultivated to the Qi Refining Fifth Star!

Swish, swish, swish—

Countless wind blades hit the Giant Sword Stone, and the examinee looked at the screen with an expectant expression.

[Qi Refining Realm Six-Star]

This meant that if his Spirit Skill hit a ferocious beast, he could kill a Qi Refining Realm Six-Star ferocious beast in seconds!

"Not bad," Huo Xiangfei said, expressing his satisfaction.

Although the Giant Sword Stone was inanimate and ferocious beasts were alive, it proved that he had the strength to fight above his level.

"My turn!"

Many examinees began to test, including Wan Zichen, who was ranked fourth, and Ge Yanping, who was ranked fifth.

Their realm was at the Qi Refining Realm Six-Star, and when they unleashed their Spirit Skills, the screen displayed [Qi Refining Eighth Star].

Clap, clap, clap—

Applause broke out; so far, the power of the Spirit Skills they had unleashed was the strongest.

Hearing the applause, Wan Zichen proudly adjusted his hairstyle.

"Ultimately, they are youths, high-spirited and fond of the feeling of being the center of attention."

In the office on the eighth floor of the Heavenly Sword Hall, several elders looked down at the Giant Sword Stone from above.

"Being young is truly great; our Heavenly Sword Hall hasn't been this lively for a long time."

A man of about fifty with a hooked nose said.

His name was Qi Zhihong, one of the elders of the Heavenly Sword Alliance.

Most of the elders of the Heavenly Sword Alliance were Gold Attribute Combat Class Practitioners, and the minimum realm for an elder was the Law Realm.

"Indeed, a breath of youth is rushing toward us," another elder with a horse face said, watching with great interest as the top 100 examinees in the country tested the power of their Spirit Skills.

"It's my turn, it's my turn!" Jiang Tianxia rushed up, carrying her pitch-black giant sword.

Profound-Grade High-Tier Spirit Skill: Wild Battle Intent!

As Jiang Tianxia unleashed her Spirit Skill, her momentum visibly soared, and she slashed horizontally at the Giant Sword Stone!

This scene caused the Heavenly Sword Alliance elders to frown deeply.

Is that how a sword is used?

Bang—

[Qi Refining Eighth Star]

[Qi Refining Realm Nine-Star]

[Xuan Gang Realm One-Star]

...

The screen stopped at Xuan Gang Realm Two-Star, proving that this strike from Jiang Tianxia was enough to kill a Xuan Gang Realm Two-Star ferocious beast in seconds!

"Not bad, right, Lu Yuan?" Jiang Tianxia said with a smug expression.

Lu Yuan nodded; a Qi Refining Stage Seven Stars Practitioner unleashing a Spirit Skill capable of killing a Xuan Gang Realm Two-Star ferocious beast.

Jiang Tianxia was indeed worthy of being an SSS-Rank Talent Combat Class Practitioner who had awakened the Gold Attribute.

"The power is quite fierce, but this child is more suited to using a blade; she hasn't demonstrated the agility of a sword at all," the horse-faced elder complained.

Clap, clap, clap—

Applause broke out again, and Jiang Tianxia retreated to a safe position.

Chu Wushe first glanced at Lu Yuan, then stepped forward.

The plaza instantly fell silent; among all the examinees, Chu Wushe and Lu Yuan had the highest realms, having astonishingly reached the Qi Refining Eighth Star!

And Chu Wushe was ranked second in the country, having sat securely at number one in the country for six out of the seven days of the Martial Examination!

"Let me try," Chu Wushe said in a hoarse voice, standing in front of the Giant Sword Stone.

Rumble—

Thunder roared!

Profound-Grade High-Tier Spirit Skill: Thunder Sacrifice

Profound-Grade High-Tier Spirit Skill: Wind Control Thousand Feathers

Profound-Grade High-Tier Spirit Skill: Severing Strike

Chu Wushe unleashed three Profound-Grade High-Tier Spirit Skills in one go, and continuous explosions rang out!

[Xuan Gang Realm Two-Star]

[Profound Gang Realm Three-Star]

...

The screen stopped at profound gang realm four-star!

The whole crowd gasped; Chu Wushe, at the Qi Refining Eighth Star, had unleashed Spirit Skills within three seconds and could actually kill a profound gang realm four-star ferocious beast in seconds!

Although ferocious beasts wouldn't foolishly stand there and get hit, it proved that Chu Wushe had the strength to fight across a major realm!

"Chu Wushe is bottling up a fire in his heart."

Heavenly Sword Alliance elder Qi Zhihong said.

"Because Lu Yuan snatched his national number one spot?"

"What else could it be? There are gaps even among geniuses. Both of them are top-tier geniuses, but it's a pity they were born in the same era," Qi Zhihong sighed, while also being surprised by the power of Chu Wushe's Spirit Skills.

Having detected the power of his Spirit Skills, Chu Wushe looked at Lu Yuan.

Their eyes met!

"Why do I feel like he wasn't hitting the Giant Sword Stone, but me?" Lu Yuan had a strange expression.

In the pin-drop silent plaza, Chu Wushe, who had been staring at Lu Yuan for over ten seconds, raised an eyebrow.

"Would you all please make some space for Lu Yuan!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the examinees looked at Lu Yuan in unison and consciously stepped back more than ten meters.

The test results for the national number two, Chu Wushe, were out. What level would the national number one of the Martial Examination, Lu Yuan, be at?