In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

With the conclusion of several elimination rounds, this martial arts competition has come to a complete end.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, the thirty people on the list gathered once again below the reviewing stand.

"Congratulations! Being able to stand here means that you have all passed the imperial examination and become scholars in martial arts!"

The chief examiner, dressed in armor, came to the front of the stage again and addressed the crowd with a smile.

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

Even in the entire Qinghe County, Wu Xiucai was already considered an unapproachable and towering figure.

Having such an achievement is a great honor and a source of pride for one's family.

Even Lu Yuan had a slight smile in his eyes at this moment.

However, compared to the academic title of Wu Xiucai, what he really wanted was a spot directly admitted to the county martial arts academy, which was what he urgently needed.

Although his current net worth exceeds 35,000 taels, and he has top-tier resources such as exotic beast meat and blood essence pills that he can hardly use up in a short time, he still needs to go to the county city martial arts academy to access a higher level of martial arts.

What he needs most right now is not cultivation resources, but more and better cultivation techniques.

Apart from the Five Elements Vajra Body, he has mastered all other cultivation techniques to perfection, but has not yet reached the conditions for breaking through the limits.

If one wants to break through the limits, it will likely require a corresponding Xuan-grade cultivation technique.

Moreover, the Five Elements Vajra Body is not complete. Currently, it only has the Skin Polishing Chapter, Flesh Refining Chapter, and Bone Forging Chapter. To further improve it, it is necessary to find more profound-grade or even higher internal cultivation methods for it to absorb the essence of.

The scene outside the stadium was also quite lively.

Many people gathered around the Zhou brothers, Wen and Wu.

"Old Zhou, congratulations! You have excellent taste. Guangchuntang has actually sponsored a martial arts scholar who ranked fifth on the imperial examination. I'm truly envious!"

"Little Zhou, Little Zhou, we should visit each other more often!"

Everyone clasped their hands in a respectful gesture of respect and offered compliments.

"You flatter me. Lu Yuan's achievements are entirely due to his own hard work. The support from Guangchuntang is merely icing on the cake!"

Zhou Wen waved his hand with a smile, and then continued, "Of course, the medicinal soups and pills from my Guangchuntang are indeed unique. They are not only of sufficient quantity, but also have an excellent effect on assisting cultivation."

"I dare not speak for other things, but with the support of my Zhou family's Guangchun Hall, Brother Lu Yuan's cultivation progress has indeed been twice as effective with half the effort."

Zhou Wu smiled and echoed.

Although Lu Yuan failed to become the champion of martial arts, even though he only ranked fifth on this year's list, he can still be considered a top performer.

"Old Zhou, we naturally trust that your Guangchuntang can support such a young talent. From now on, all the resources our Lu family needs will be sourced solely from your Guangchuntang!"

"My Sun family is the same; we buy all the resources we need from your Guangchuntang!"

Upon hearing this, everyone chimed in with their opinions.

It can be said that although Lu Yuan did nothing for Guangchun Hall, his ranking fifth on the martial arts list alone was enough to elevate Guangchun Hall's reputation. It is estimated that the financial support invested in him will be recouped several times over in no time.

Once he goes to the county martial arts academy and makes a bigger name for himself, he will surely bring immense benefits to Guangchun Hall.

"Brother Lu Yuan was able to kill Cao Yang with a single strike; his true strength is probably comparable to that of a true ninth-rank martial artist, isn't it?"

"Of course! If he weren't so young and hadn't been exposed to martial arts for so short a time, he might even have a chance to compete for the title of martial arts champion!"

Zhang Feng, Chen Zheng, Wang Chao, and others also discussed the matter with expressions of astonishment.

"When Brother Yuan truly reaches a high level, he'll be able to easily defeat the likes of Ji Baiying, Chu Jun, and Xu Lin!"

"That's right, even with Qian Rou, Brother Yuan will be able to completely control her!"

Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida were extremely excited.

"Perhaps it's not impossible that he's already been admitted to the ranks!"

Huang Hui suddenly thought to himself.

Although he found his guess somewhat absurd, the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

"Apart from the top ten, everyone else can go to the county martial arts academy within half a month."

On the platform, the chief examiner continued, "As for those of you who ranked in the top ten, you must gather here early tomorrow morning and come with me to the county town."

Upon hearing his words, all ten of them, including Ji Baiying, Chu Jun, and Lu Yuan, couldn't help but show surprise.

Why are you in such a hurry to take them to the county town? Is there some important matter that you need them to do?

"Don't worry, there's an opportunity I'll take you to obtain, as an extra reward for being in the top ten!"

The examiner smiled and said.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up with anticipation, wondering what kind of opportunity it might be.

……

"He passed... Young Master passed the exam, ranking fifth!"

"That's wonderful! Young Master has become a scholar!"

Before Lu Yuan even entered the courtyard, the maids who had received the news cheered with immense joy, feeling honored and filled with anticipation for the future.

As the saying goes, "When one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

For these servants, the more prestigious their master's household was, the better they would naturally be.

"Our ancestors have shown their power... Our ancestors have shown their power..."

Madam Yang had already set up an incense table and prepared various offerings.

Overjoyed, she wept tears of joy as she continuously distributed reward money to the maids.

Although the little girl didn't understand what a scholar was, she clapped along and laughed non-stop.

"A-Yuan, come quickly and pay respects to our ancestors!"

As soon as Lu Yuan entered the door, Yang Shi pulled him to pay respects to the ancestral tablets.

"You clap once... I clap once..."

After that, Lu Yuan played with the little girl.

Madam Yang personally cooked a large table of delicious dishes with the help of her maids.

During this period, people came to offer their congratulations in an endless stream.

Neighbors and neighbors came to congratulate him and brought small gifts as a token of their good wishes.

Some wealthy families also visited the door with generous gifts to establish connections.

In addition, the generous congratulatory gifts from the Zheng and Zhang families were personally delivered by Zheng Shuang and Zhang Yida, the two direct descendants of the family.

The Zhou brothers, Zhou Wen and Zhou Wu, from Guangchuntang, as well as Zhang Feng, Chen Zheng, Wang Chao, and others, were all present.

With the help of Huang Hui, a seasoned veteran, Lu Yuan was able to manage.

As night fell, the hustle and bustle gradually subsided, and the courtyard returned to its tranquility.

"Thump! Thump! Thump..."

Just as Lu Yuan was about to return to the central courtyard, there was another knock on the door.

Upon opening the door, a burly middle-aged man stood there with a smile on his face.

"It's him!"

Lu Yuan's gaze narrowed slightly. He Qing, the former deputy leader of the Iron Palm Gang, had once shown him a portrait.

If he remembered correctly, the burly man in front of him was none other than the person in the painting.

……