In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

"The first round of assessment has concluded, and I am very satisfied with your performance. I hope you will continue your efforts in the second round."

"The second round of assessment will be different from the previous ones. It will be a real test for each of you, and it may even be somewhat dangerous."

Let's begin!

As the examiner finished speaking, everyone's gazes narrowed slightly.

Not only is it a real test, but it could also be dangerous?

"The second round of assessments is different from the previous ones; this is troublesome!"

"I thought my experience from last time would help me do better this time, but I didn't expect they'd change to a completely new assessment!"

Those who had participated in the martial arts exam once or even two or three times shook their heads helplessly.

"Please wait a moment!"

After uttering those words, the examiner sat back down with an air of nonchalance.

"What do you think this second round of assessment will be like?"

"Since the examiner said it's a real test for each of us, and even carries a certain degree of danger, I guess it will likely be a direct practical exercise!"

"It's probably not very likely. In the past, although there was actual combat in the martial arts examinations, it was in the third round that the final ranking was determined."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, speculating about what the second round of assessment would entail.

As for wealthy young men like Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida, who were neither rich nor poor, they couldn't help but worry and even considered backing out.

They didn't value the title of martial arts scholar that much, and failing the exam wouldn't have a significant impact on their future, so naturally they didn't want to lose their lives so easily.

Lu Yuan stood there calmly, waiting for the assessment to begin.

With his current cultivation level and strength, he has nothing to worry about.

If the upcoming assessments pose a danger to him, then everyone else will probably be wiped out.

"Brother Ji, are there many geniuses in the county town?"

On the other side, someone asked Ji Baiying with great curiosity.

"A lot!"

Ji Baiying's gaze narrowed slightly, and then she said in a deep voice, "In Qinghe County, people like Chu Jun and Xu Lin may be very dazzling, but in the county town, they can only be considered outstanding at best. Their talent is far from comparable to those truly top-tier geniuses."

"They not only have a profound foundation, but entering the realm of craftsmanship is as simple as eating and drinking for them. Moreover, iron and even copper are not their real goals. Only gold is worth their arduous pursuit."

He had seen many top-notch geniuses in the county city. Polishing iron or even copper might not be too difficult, but polishing gold was almost impossible. If they forced it, they would not only waste resources and time, but also delay their future. In the end, they would basically have no choice but to break through to the eighth rank.

As for himself, he might try, but he can only hone his skills for half a year at most. If he succeeds, that would be a great blessing. If he fails, he should never force it, lest he ruin his future.

In short, after witnessing the brilliance of top-tier geniuses in the county town, Ji Baiying found these so-called geniuses before her utterly unappealing, and even somewhat laughable.

They haven't even reached the level of true mastery yet they seem to think they can look down on the world, unaware that they are no different from frogs at the bottom of a well.

Of course, he was the same way in the past. After going to the county town, he realized what it meant to have geniuses as numerous as carp crossing a river.

Before long, several officials came to verify the registration information.

Furthermore, almost all students who achieved scores in the second-tier middle school and the second-tier lower school were informed that they had failed the entrance exam.

As for those who received a grade of C, there's no need to say more; they were all eliminated.

Subsequently, 150 people, including Lu Yuan, officially entered the second round of assessment.

Led by two examiners, they entered the huge tent that had been prepared in advance.

Then an enormous octagonal cage appeared before them.

Inside the octagonal cage, a crimson-eyed tiger, twice the size of an Iron-backed Bull, lay prostrate.

The breath it exhaled from its mouth and nose was as red as flames.

Although he was bound in the cage by a specially made chain as thick as a water bucket, the sight still made everyone's scalp tingle.

"It's actually a Crimson Flame Tiger!"

The well-informed Ji Baiying couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Brother Ji, what kind of being is the Crimson Flame Tiger?"

The person next to him quickly asked.

"This Crimson Flame Tiger is not only a true exotic beast, but it is also more terrifying than more common exotic beasts such as the Spirit Rhinoceros and the Iron-backed Wild Bull. Even the weakest Crimson Flame Tiger is comparable to a ninth-rank martial artist in terms of speed and strength."

Ji Baiying said with a solemn expression, "Most importantly, it can also spew out crimson flames, which even ninth-rank martial artists who have cultivated iron or even copper skin cannot withstand. Once touched, they will either die or be seriously injured."

Upon hearing this, everyone was completely stunned.

This isn't an assessment; it's clearly a death sentence for them.

Such a terrifying Crimson Flame Tiger was beyond their ability to contend with, let alone even get close to.

Even Chu Jun, Xu Lin, and Qian Rou's expressions became extremely solemn at this moment.

Although they had successfully entered the ranks, they had not even mastered the Iron Skin technique, so there was absolutely no way they could withstand the attack of the Crimson Flame Tiger.

"Brother Yuan, I don't want to take the exam anymore, I want to go home!"

"Me too!"

Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida immediately hid behind Lu Yuan, their eyes filled with rejection.

Their lives are far more important than the mere academic achievement of a martial arts scholar.

Besides, if you don't pass this time, you can take it again next time. There's absolutely no need to work yourself to death this year, or even risk your life.

As for the county martial arts academy, even without the title of martial arts scholar, as long as the family is willing to pay some price, they can still enter it through other special means.

In short, it's fine to come and have some fun, but it's not worth losing your life.

Most importantly, even if they manage to get through this second round, there is still a very high chance that they will fail to make the final cut.

At this moment, Lu Yuan was thinking about whether he could kill the Crimson Flame Tiger if he fully revealed himself, even at the cost of exposing the Blazing Sun Sword Qi, and whether he could get a share of the tiger meat and tiger skin.

"Those who want to withdraw voluntarily can leave now!"

At this moment, one of the examiners, dressed in a scholar's robe, spoke with a faint smile.

"Let's go!"

"Brother Yuan, we're waiting for you outside!"

As soon as the examiner finished speaking, Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida quickly turned and left.

Immediately afterwards, another thirty or so people walked out.

In the end, about a hundred people remained, standing firmly in place.

"You are all good. For martial artists, innate talent is important, resources are important, and temperament is equally important. Without an unwavering heart for the martial path, one cannot become a true powerhouse!"

The examiner in the scholar's robe looked at everyone and said with a smile.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, this second round of assessment does not actually require you to fight the Crimson Flame Tiger. After you enter the cage, you only need to do your best to avoid its attacks. Those who can survive for five breaths will be classified as Grade C, those who can survive for ten breaths will be classified as Grade B, and those who can survive for fifteen breaths will be classified as Grade A."

"If the first round of testing was a test of strength, then this second round is a test of courage!"

……