In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Lu Yuan, along with Ji Baiying, Chu Jun, Xu Lin, Qian Rou, Jiang Ying, and four others, gathered at the martial arts arena. Led by the chief examiner, they headed straight out of the city and sped along the ancient road through the wilderness.

After traveling for two and a half days, the group finally arrived in Anyang County, covered in dust.

The city was not only extremely magnificent, but also well-connected, surrounded by vast plains.

Outside the city, there is a wide canal that leads directly to distant places.

Compared to Qinghe County, the city walls of the prefectural city are much more majestic and tall, at least several dozen feet high, and seem to be made of neatly cut, unusual black boulders, covered with mottled traces of time.

At the city gate, a squad of soldiers in full armor were stationed.

These soldiers were all valiant and sharp-eyed, exuding a chilling aura.

Not only were they all true martial artists, but they had also basically reached the level of internal strength. In particular, the team leader was a true master of internal strength, which shows the prosperity of martial arts in the county.

The flow of people coming and going was extremely dense, and caravans loaded with goods were almost continuous.

Even before entering the city, it was already clear that the prosperity of the prefectural city far surpassed that of Qinghe County.

As expected, upon entering the city, they were greeted by a cacophony of noises.

On the wide avenue paved with bluestone, there is a constant stream of pedestrians.

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The shops on both sides were filled with a dazzling array of goods.

It not only has shops, but also buildings such as towers and pavilions.

"As expected of the prefectural capital, it's so much more prosperous and bustling than our Qinghe County!"

"There's no comparison at all; the difference is enormous, like heaven and earth!"

Everyone looked up and around, full of curiosity.

"There are indeed far more martial artists in the county seat than in Qinghe County!"

Lu Yuan could also sense that at least 30% of the passersby were genuine martial artists.

Although their exact cultivation level cannot be determined, there must be a significant amount of Transformation Realm among them.

Even among true rank-3 martial artists, there should be quite a few.

It is conceivable that a master of the Transformation Realm who is considered a top expert in Qinghe County would be nothing more than an ordinary martial artist in this county town. Even a ninth-rank martial artist would probably not be considered a true top expert here.

Therefore, although Lu Yuan is not only a ninth-rank cultivator but has also mastered the Golden Skin technique, he still needs to maintain a steady and low-key approach after arriving in this county city. He should then work hard to increase his proficiency and strive to advance to the eighth-rank Body Refining Realm as soon as possible.

[The Five Elements Vajra Body Flesh Refining Technique: Beginner Level (17/1500)]

Although the initial proficiency of the Five Elements Vajra Body's Flesh Refining chapter is 500 higher than that of the Skin Polishing chapter, and he hasn't practiced much in the past few days, Lu Yuan is still confident that he can successfully master the basics of the Flesh Refining chapter and reach the eighth-grade Flesh Refining realm within the next ten days.

"Lord Wu Zheng, shall we go directly to the Martial Academy?"

At this moment, Ji Baiying asked the examiner rather impatiently.

He had already spent half a year in this county town, so naturally he wasn't as curious as the others.

He even felt a bit disdainful, thinking that the way these country bumpkins came to the city was really embarrassing.

"No, we're going to Bright Moon Manor!"

Wu Zheng smiled and shook his head, then said directly.

"What... is it the Bright Moon Manor that produced a martial arts grandmaster?"

Upon hearing Wu Zheng's words, Ji Baiying couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Yes, it's Mingyue Manor!"

Wu Zheng smiled and nodded.

"Lord Wu Zheng, does this mean our extra reward can only be obtained by going to Bright Moon Manor?"

Everyone was drawn to Ji Baiying's exclamation and looked at Wu Zheng with anticipation.

As Lord Wu Zheng had mentioned before, those who were in the top ten would receive extra rewards. The reason he brought them to the county city ahead of time was because of a fortuitous opportunity, which he wanted to bring them here to claim.

Obviously, the so-called reward and opportunity must be related to this Bright Moon Manor.

"That's exactly right!"

Wu Zheng didn't say much, but just nodded with a smile.

The group continued on their way, passing through bustling streets.

About half an hour later, they left the city again and headed towards Bright Moon Manor.

They dismounted only when they reached a lake.

In the depths of the vast blue water, a magnificent complex of buildings hangs suspended above the lake.

The pavilions, terraces, and magnificent palaces are connected by winding boardwalks to form a waterfront estate.

"Is this Mingyue Manor?"

Everyone looked on in astonishment.

"Brother Ji, have you been here before?"

Someone turned to look at Ji Baiying and asked.

"Although the county seat is not like Qinghe County, with its complex and intertwined power structures and factions, there are only a few truly top-tier forces. One of them is this Bright Moon Manor!"

Ji Baiying shook her head slightly and continued, "The only forces that can rival them are the Money Gang, the Canal Gang, the Unity Alliance, and the Xie family, the Qiao family, and the Cui family, three martial arts families with hundreds of years of heritage."

"It is conceivable that an existence like Mingyue Manor is not easily set foot in by ordinary people. Although I had longed to go there before, I was never invited to set foot there."

His meaning was simple: ordinary people are not qualified to enter Mingyue Manor, and he was no exception before.

That's why he was so shocked and excited when he learned that Wu Zheng was not only bringing them to Mingyue Manor, but also to obtain some opportunity.

Before long, a large ship broke through the water and stopped in front of everyone.

"Lord Wu, please board the ship!"

A middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes stood on the deck, smiling at Wu Zheng.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Chu."

Wu Zheng nodded, and then led the group to board the ship with their horses.

After boarding the ship, everyone went directly into the cabin and took their seats in turn.

Soon, young maids served hot tea and pastries.

"Lord Wu, are these the outstanding young talents of Qinghe County?"

Manager Chu's gaze swept over everyone, then he smiled and asked Wu Zheng.

"They are the top ten candidates from Qinghe County this year!"

Wu Zheng smiled and nodded, then asked, "Have the people from the other two counties arrived yet?"

"The heroes from Jinshan County and Anding County arrived at my Mingyue Manor half an hour ago."

Manager Chu nodded.

"It seems that it's not just the top ten from Qinghe County who get extra rewards."

Upon hearing Manager Chu's words, Xu Lin couldn't help but show a strange expression.

"Anyang Prefecture governs three counties: Qinghe, Anding, and Jinshan. Naturally, it won't favor one over the other. Since we can come to Mingyue Manor to seek opportunities, the geniuses from the other two counties can too!"

Chu Jun, however, spoke directly.

"I wonder how the top ten spots in the other two counties compare to ours?"

A young man dressed in a blue brocade robe asked curiously.

This person's name is Zheng Xu, and he is a genius of the Zheng family.

"Only after the competition will we know who is stronger and who is weaker!"

Zhang Hu, the genius from the Zhang family standing beside him, looked on with anticipation.

The others were also eager to try, hoping to compete with the geniuses from the other two counties.

"What's the point of comparing ourselves to them? Compared to the top-tier geniuses in the county town, we so-called geniuses are nothing but fireflies. How can we possibly compete with the bright moon?"

However, Ji Baiying frowned slightly at this moment.

These frogs in a well need to see the world and broaden their horizons; otherwise, they will never know their own limitations!

……