Dual Transmigration: American Prison, Surviving to a Fantasy Development Stage

From the high platform, Zhao Boli took in the entire scene.

He nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

That kid really knows what's good for him.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice to ask, "Since Wu Changning has won every game and no one can defeat him, then this prefecture hereby announces that Wu Changning is the top scorer in this year's Huayang Prefecture Martial Arts Examination."

Are there any dissenting voices among you?

The audience was silent.

"Alright." Zhao Boli nodded. "Let the match continue."

-

The game continues.

Now that the first place is no longer in doubt, everyone starts vying for the top nine spots.

In everyone's mind, Lin Feng's strength is undoubtedly second to none.

Next up was Lin Feng.

His first opponent was a tall, thin man in the mid-stage of his acquired cultivation, wielding a long, finely crafted steel spear.

This person had witnessed Lin Feng's abilities before and knew he was no match for him, but he was unwilling to admit defeat directly, so he gritted his teeth and went on stage.

The gong sounds.

The tall, thin man was the first to draw his gun, the tip of which flashed three times, piercing Lin Feng's throat, heart, and lower abdomen.

Lin Feng sidestepped to avoid the attack, while simultaneously sweeping his longsword horizontally.

Swords and spears clashed.

Startled by the immense force, he hurriedly pulled back, trying to create distance.

Lin Feng did not give him a chance.

He lunged forward, his knife moving with him, slashing with force, like a street thug, each strike faster than the last, without any fancy moves, relying entirely on speed and power.

The tall, thin man was forced to defend himself, looking utterly pathetic.

After five moves, the tall, thin man dropped his spear and staggered off the stage.

"Number six, Lin Feng, wins!"

A round of applause erupted from the audience.

Some people whispered among themselves, "Lin Feng is really amazing. He can take on a mid-stage Acquired Realm cultivator like it's nothing."

"What's the use of being powerful? You still don't dare to fight Wu Changning."

"That's different. Even if we don't dare to fight, we still have the strength."

Lin Feng stepped off the stage, hid in the shade, and drank water.

Over the next two days, the matches continued one after another.

Thirteen people were eliminated. Wu Changning advanced, while one person was crippled.

That means there are 11 people left, and each of them has to fight ten more battles.

Even though each match was short, it still lasted for two whole days.

Lin Feng's every match is like autumn leaves being swept away by the wind.

Regardless of whether his opponent was at the early or peak stage of the Acquired Realm, he remained unhurried, his swordsmanship casual, effortlessly pulling out his sword with overwhelming force, securing a steady victory.

He never made more than five moves, and he never showed the slightest sign of strain.

Some people started to think about it.

"Just how strong is Lin Feng?"

"I reckon he's at least at the peak of the Acquired Realm, and might even be at the Innate Realm."

"Very likely"

"Huayang Prefecture actually has two Innate Realm experts, that's truly defying the heavens!"

"It's a pity I didn't get to see a battle between innate masters; what a shame."

Two days later, all the matches ended.

Zhao Boli stepped onto the stage, took the roster, glanced at it, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"The top ten in this year's Huayang Prefecture Martial Arts Examination have been determined."

He read aloud:

"First place: Wu Changning, with a perfect record of twelve wins, making him the top scholar in Huayang Prefecture."

"Second place: Lin Feng, with eleven wins and one loss."

"Third place..."

"Seventh place, Zhao Erniu"

After reading the list, he closed the roster and glanced at the ten young faces below the stage.

"You ten will be granted the title of Martial Scholar starting today. After your identity will be registered on wooden plaques, you will be able to participate in the Liangzhou State Examination next month."

Similarly, ten people will be selected to obtain the title of "Martial Arts Examination Person".

The applause of the audience was thunderous.

At this moment, Zhao Boli's mood was even brighter than the midday sun.

In the small Huayang Prefecture, two innate masters emerged from a single martial arts examination.

What does this mean?

I searched through the records of Huayang Prefecture and went back hundreds of years, and I had never heard of such a grand event.

The names of Wu Changning and Lin Feng, each stroke representing a stepping stone to his future advancement.

If Wu Changning and Lin Feng can make it into the top 100 in the palace examination, even if they are just listed on the list, it will be a great achievement for him as the prefect.

Moving it a little higher shouldn't be too difficult.

Zhao Boli suppressed the smile on his lips, cleared his throat, and glanced at the ten people below the stage.

"Alright, you ten men, follow the adjutant to register your identity tags."

After it's all done, I will personally take you to collect your rewards.

"Yes, sir!"

All ten responded in unison.

The process for obtaining the identity plaque was the same as in Yongguan County, except that the words on the plaque were changed from "student" to "scholar".

Lin Feng took the new wooden plaque, examined it from all angles, and found it to be warm to the touch and much more exquisitely crafted than the previous one.

After the registration was completed, Zhao Boli added, "Keep the previous wooden plaques for the student candidates safe and don't lose them."

Going forward, when verifying identities, both must match.

Everything is recorded; there's no room for falsehood.

"Yes."

Everyone carefully put the old and new wooden plaques away from their bodies.

Zhao Boli nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand: "Let's go, come with me to the treasury to collect the reward."

He spoke as he walked, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear:

"Each person receives five hundred taels of silver, one bottle of muscle-regenerating powder, and one bottle of qi-tonifying pills."

Alternatively, you can choose one of the following acquired martial arts techniques: knife skills, sword skills, or internal energy cultivation methods.

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

Five hundred taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live on for several years.

Shengji San is a miraculous medicine for healing wounds; external injuries heal instantly with just one application.

The Qi-replenishing pill can quickly restore internal energy and can save lives in critical moments.

Not to mention the cultivation manual—for most of the people present, this was their only chance in their lives to come into contact with so many cultivation manuals.

"Thank you, sir!"

Zhao Boli waved his hand and glanced at Wu Changning again: "The reward for the top scholar will be doubled."

He paused, then looked at Lin Feng and smiled meaningfully.

Lin Feng understood and nodded slightly.

The treasury was located on the east side of the city lord's mansion, and was a three-courtyard building with blue bricks and gray tiles.

Soldiers were guarding the entrance. When they saw Zhao Boli leading his men, they quickly saluted and let them pass.

Inside the warehouse, rows of wooden shelves are neatly arranged, with various supplies categorized and placed in a specific order.

The cultivation method area was in the last section, with several large bookshelves filled with thread-bound classics, and someone was specifically on duty there.

The crowd dispersed and each made their own selection.

Some chose internal energy cultivation techniques, some chose sword and saber manuals, and some chose lightness skills and movement techniques.

For them, this is not only an opportunity to improve their strength, but also a guarantee.

Even if one fails to pass the imperial examination in the future, having this skill book by one's side will provide more options, whether it's opening a school to teach students or serving a wealthy family.

Zhao Erniu squatted in front of the shelf of internal energy cultivation manuals and flipped through them for a long time before finally choosing a book called "Hun Yuan Gong".

Lin Feng walked slowly among the bookshelves, casually flipping through a few books before putting them back.

Acquired martial arts techniques were no longer of any use to him; he was just going through the motions and picked a sword manual that looked pleasing to the eye.

Half an hour later, everyone finished making their selections and left one after another.

As soon as Lin Feng stepped out of the treasury gate, he was stopped by Zhao Boli's adjutant.

"Young Master Lin, the Prefect requests your presence."

Lin Feng nodded and followed the adjutant to a quiet study in the backyard of the government office.

Zhao Boli was sitting behind his desk drinking tea when he saw Lin Feng come in. He smiled and waved, "Lin Feng, come and sit down."