In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

"To be considered a qualified candidate at such a young age, unless one possesses exceptional talent, must be taking secret medicine and overdrawing their potential. Perhaps they can gain some recognition now, but their future is destined to be bleak!"

"Judging from the first two rounds of assessments, he didn't seem to reveal much. We'll see his limits in the next round!"

Cao Yang, Xu Lin, and others who had met Lu Yuan once at the Gathering of Heroes also gave him a strange look.

Soon, led by the two examiners, everyone walked out of the tent.

Thirty-six people, including Lu Yuan, stood neatly below the command platform.

"Congratulations! Passing the first and second rounds of assessments is enough to prove your excellence."

The examiner rose again and walked to the front of the stage, looking down at the crowd with a faint smile. He continued, "Furthermore, of the thirty-six of you, six will be eliminated, but the rest will be included on the list regardless of their final ranking!"

Upon hearing this, most people couldn't help but show a look of joy.

Only a few people, knowing their own strength was somewhat lacking, looked quite nervous.

If nothing unexpected happens, they will likely be one of the six people who are about to be eliminated.

"I bet Ji Baiying will be this year's martial arts champion!"

"It's hard to say. Although Ji Baiying is indeed very strong, Chu Jun, the young master of Lieyang Martial Arts School, and Xu Lin, the young master of Sanhe Martial Arts School, are not much weaker than him."

"Whether I'm the martial arts champion or not doesn't matter, as long as I'm in the top thirty!"

The crowd gathered outside the training ground was also buzzing with discussion.

In most people's eyes, the so-called martial arts champion is just a nice-sounding title. As long as they can rank in the top 30, they have already achieved success.

"Master Chu, how confident are you in your ability to handle Chu Kuang?"

In the crowd, Xu Song asked Chu Kuang with a faint smile.

"My son Chu Kuang's natural talent, though not as good as Ji Baiying's, and he entered the ranks a bit later, may still surpass him in actual combat. As for your good grandson, I'm afraid he can only end up ranking third!"

Chu Kuang smiled and said directly.

"Third place is enough!"

Xu Song smiled nonchalantly.

"Master Song, Brother Hong and Brother Fang should all be able to make the list, right?"

On the other side, Chen Pi, Gu Ming, Chen Yong, and others from Song Academy couldn't help but ask Song Tingwei a question.

"Both of them have mastered the Wind-Breaking Blade Technique, and with my unique secret technique that I have relied on for many years in the martial world, there shouldn't be any problem for them to be on the list."

Song Tingwei smiled and nodded.

The fact that he was able to train two martial arts scholars in just six months was enough for him to be proud of.

"I wonder if A-Yuan will eventually get accepted and make the list?"

Chen Pi then looked at Lu Yuan and murmured.

Chen Yong and the others beside him were also looking at Lu Yuan with extremely complicated expressions, seemingly lost in thought.

"Master Huang, between Lu Yuan and Cao Yang, who do you think has a better chance?"

Among the crowd, the Zhou brothers, Wen and Wu, also asked Huang Hui questions.

"Lu Yuan is even more capable than Cao Yang!"

Huang Hui glanced at Lu Yuan and then spoke directly.

"Of course, my brother Yuan is stronger!"

"Brother Yuan could probably take down that guy with just one hand!"

Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida, standing to the side, both spoke with absolute certainty.

"You will be randomly divided into twelve groups. First, there will be intra-group competitions, and the ranking will be determined by the number of wins. The first-place winner can compete for a spot in the top ten, while the third-place winner will have to participate in the final elimination battle, where they will compete in pairs. The winners will be on the list, and the losers will be eliminated."

Let's begin!

After the examiner finished speaking, he sat back down.

Before long, Lu Yuan received his group assignment list from the clerk.

His two opponents are Hong Lei and Xu Qing.

Hong Lei was naturally an old acquaintance. Although he hadn't seen him many times during the month he spent at Song Academy, and they had hardly spoken, the Wind-Breaking Saber Technique that he had mastered was taught by Hong Lei himself.

As for Xu Qing, he was a top-notch genius sponsored by the Zhao family of Wanhetang, and I had met him once at the Heroes' Gathering of Lieyang Martial Arts School.

"Ah Yuan, if you get the chance, help me cripple Hong Lei!"

At this moment, Fang Chang suddenly walked quickly to Lu Yuan's side, leaned close to him, and whispered something.

"Feel sorry!"

Lu Yuan gave Fang Chang a deep look and then spoke directly.

He had no grudge against Hong Lei, so naturally he wouldn't cripple him just because of Fang Chang's words.

Why won't you help me?

Fang Chang glared angrily at Lu Yuan, feeling utterly betrayed.

"Your natural talent is better than his; with more resources, you can easily surpass him."

After a slight pause, Lu Yuan looked directly at Fang Chang and continued, "After the martial arts exam, I will give you..."

But before he could finish speaking, Fang Chang interrupted him.

"Lu Yuan, from this day forward, we are severing all ties!"

After saying that, Fang Chang turned and left angrily.

Before long, the training ground was divided into twelve small areas.

Each region has an official responsible for recording information such as the number of victories in battles.

Lu Yuan, Hong Lei, and Xu Qing, led by a tall, thin official, arrived at one of the areas.

"Although fists and feet have no eyes, you must try not to kill, and you must not use hidden weapons or poisons or other insidious methods!"

Upon hearing the tall, thin clerk's words, all three nodded.

"Match 1: Xu Qing vs. Hong Lei!"

As the tall, thin official finished speaking, Xu Qing and Hong Lei stepped out and walked into the center of the arena.

"please!"

The two men clasped their hands slightly in greeting, and then attacked simultaneously.

Although Hong Lei had reached the Transformation Realm and mastered the Wind-Breaking Saber Technique, he was still far inferior to Xu Qing, who was already at the Entry-Level Realm, and was almost powerless to resist.

"Snap!"

Suddenly, Xu Qing completely crushed Hong Lei's right hand that was holding the knife.

"Hiss... This kid's ruthless! He actually crippled his right hand!"

"Not only is he destined to fail the exam, but even if his right hand can be healed, he probably won't be able to use a knife again!"

Many people gasped in surprise upon seeing this.

"Brother Hong!"

Chen Pi, Gu Ming, Chen Yong, and the others were all horrified.

At this moment, Song Tingwei also clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger.

Only Fang Chang in another area had a hint of a smile in his eyes at this moment.

With Hong Lei's right hand crippled, he could no longer compare to him, and Song Yuan was already in his grasp.

"Zhao Shuo, your people are just like you, ruthless and vicious!"

In the crowd, Zhou Wen turned to look at Zhao Shuo and frowned.

"Is it my fault? I just hope your people won't be like this kid, not only powerless to resist, but also as fragile as paper. Xu Qing just gave him a light touch and he crumbled."

Zhao Shuo scoffed, saying nonchalantly, "Fists and kicks have no eyes. In martial arts duels, life and death are left to fate. If you're afraid, just have your men admit defeat. I don't mind at all!"

"Lu Yuan is also a qualified candidate, so it's too early to talk about who will win or lose."

Zhou Wu snorted coldly.

"Lu Yuan will definitely not lose!"

Huang Hui said with absolute certainty.

In the arena, Hong Lei endured the excruciating pain and was helped away by the officials.

"Lu Yuan, is it? Do you still dare to fight?"

Xu Qing turned to look at Lu Yuan, her eyes filled with provocation.

"As you wish!"

Lu Yuan remained calm and walked over directly.

……