He transformed from a fierce tiger pillar into a martial saint.

Chu Yang understood Meng De's words perfectly.

Stay and work as a handyman at the martial arts school?

I'm afraid I'll keep myself as their cash cow!

Is there a good way to survive by befriending martial artists?

Isn't my own past experience a living example of what not to do?

Only by becoming strong yourself can you truly be strong.

If this had happened before, I would have been fooled by the other party's so-called sincerity.

They schemed against me for so long before, almost killing me, and now they're going to continue scheming against me... Chu Yang secretly made a mental note of this.

Meng De continued, "Master values ​​attitude the most. Therefore, you cannot let Master know the real reason why you haven't come to the martial arts school for more than ten months. Otherwise, even if you stay to do odd jobs, it won't be acceptable."

Chu Yang's face was filled with gratitude: "My two senior brothers are truly benevolent beyond compare. I thank you both. However, I have indeed been practicing diligently at home, and perhaps I can..."

Before Chu Yang could finish speaking, Feng Zixian waved his hand and laughed, "If Master asks, this is the right thing to say. Junior Brother Chu is indeed quick-witted and astute; it's no wonder that your Senior Brother Meng and I have always thought highly of you."

"Given time, we will all strive to master the hidden strength. If we pass the martial arts examination, we will certainly take you with us and arrange a good job for you so that you can make good connections with the upper echelons of Zhouping County."

Right now.

Several figures walked out from the inner courtyard.

These people are all internal disciples with hidden strength!

Tiger Roar Martial Arts School currently has a total of seven disciples with hidden strength.

Two disciples with internal strength were on temporary assignments and therefore had not returned.

Before them stood the remaining five disciples of the Dark Force realm.

The leader was a man in his thirties with a square face named Chen Feng, who was also the senior disciple of Tiger Roar Martial Arts School.

The headmaster of Tiger Roar Martial Arts Academy only provides guidance to the outer disciples on a regular basis. On ordinary days, it is this senior brother, Chen Feng, who transmits the skills on behalf of his master.

This senior disciple was kind and gentle, and was deeply respected by most of the disciples in the outer courtyard.

For the outer court disciples, the other inner court disciples with hidden strength were also figures they could hardly reach, and their eyes were filled with awe.

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

"Greetings, fellow disciples!"

Feng Zixian, Meng De, and other Ming Jin disciples, along with many outer court disciples, also addressed each other with clasped hands in a respectful manner.

Chen Feng and the other inner court disciples returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Then, Chen Feng cleared his throat.

"Fellow disciples of the outer academy, today is the assessment day for disciples who have been in the martial arts school for a full year. Those who pass the assessment may stay! Those who fail will leave the martial arts school."

Chen Feng's words were clear and resonant, causing a sense of tension among the disciples who had been there for a year, and some even held their breath.

Even the other dozen or so disciples who hadn't been there for a year were extremely nervous. Their assessment was just a few months away.

Chen Feng's gaze swept across the disciples who had completed a year of study.

His gaze quickly swept over Chu Yang. He paused for a moment, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by regret.

When Chu Yang first joined the martial arts school, it was Chen Feng who examined his bones on behalf of their master. Among the disciples who joined the school that year, there were four with seventh-grade talent, and they were also the four with the best aptitude among them.

When Chu Yang first started teaching the Fierce Tiger Stance, he was very serious and hardworking. He would ask questions in detail when he didn't understand something, showing a diligent and eager-to-learn attitude. Therefore, Chen Feng also had high hopes for him.

However, after only ten days, Chu Yang began to get close to those Ming Jin disciples and started to take the "social route." Chen Feng gave him some pointers, but Chu Yang only listened on the surface and was indifferent in reality.

Chen Feng stopped trying to persuade him. Later, Chu Yang rarely returned to the martial arts school, and Chen Feng only inquired briefly without delving into the details. He figured he could simply remove him from the school according to the rules after a year.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yang has returned.

"Many of these disciples who regularly practice the Fierce Tiger Stance at the martial arts school have not yet reached the level of Ming Jin. How much more so Chu Yang, who has been staying at home for a long time and is undisciplined, has probably already wasted his meager foundation."

"His return this time was probably due to hearing rumors that some businesses and families would be coming to select people, and he was simply looking for such an opportunity! But who would choose someone who has so neglected their martial arts?"

As Chen Feng thought about these things, the slight regret in his heart completely disappeared.

Chen Feng continued, "As you may have heard, the Wang Family Business, Amber Business, Lin Family of Dongcheng, and Zhenyuan Escort Agency in Zhouping County are currently recruiting some people. The requirements for martial arts strength are not that high, but they need to work full-time."

"These businesses, families, and escort agencies are all very powerful in Zhouping County. This is a good place for junior brothers who did not pass the assessment, so you don't need to worry too much."

For many disciples, practicing martial arts was a way to earn a better life in these chaotic times. However, after a year of diligent practice, they still failed to reach the Ming Jin level and thus could not become true martial artists.

Although working for these businesses, large families, and security escort agencies is certainly not as lucrative or free as other martial arts practitioners holding temporary positions, it is still better than the days when they were constantly on the move and suffered exploitation and oppression from various gentry, bandits, and gangs.

They had only heard rumors before, but now that Chen Feng had confirmed it, they all breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the path of martial arts is as difficult as traversing mountains and rivers, and only a few can reach the Ming Jin level.

Chen Feng and the others suddenly moved and looked at the archway that was adjacent to the inner and outer courtyards.

An elderly man, seemingly thin yet exuding explosive power, stepped forward. He possessed an aura of suppression that caused all the disciples present to hold their breath, their eyes filled with deep awe.

He was none other than Chen Fengxiao, the master of the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School. It is said that he came from the prefectural city, but returned to his hometown to observe mourning for his parents. His feelings for his hometown grew stronger, so he stayed in Zhouping County and established the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School.

Initially, the underground gang Flying Squirrel Gang caused trouble at Tiger Roar Martial Arts School, but was swept away by Chen Fengxiao overnight. From then on, the Flying Squirrel Gang disbanded and disappeared from the historical stage of Zhouping County.

After that battle, Chen Fengxiao's reputation as a Grandmaster spread throughout Zhouping County, and the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School gained a firm foothold.

"Greetings, Master Chen!"

Led by the inner court disciples, everyone respectfully called out.

Chen Fengxiao glanced around and nodded slightly.

He then said, "I hope you all perform well in today's assessment. Even if you haven't reached the Ming Jin level, you should still give it your all, so that you might be selected by some merchants, families, or escort agencies."

"Furthermore, anyone who fails this assessment will not be allowed to remain at the martial arts school, not even as a handyman!"

Several inner court disciples remained calm upon hearing this.

It's irrelevant to them.

Moreover, they also knew that this was Chen Fengxiao's way of tightening his grip.

In the past, some disciples who failed to meet the standards would be kept as handymen at the martial arts school with the guarantee of several formal disciples. As a result, some disciples became more complacent, thinking that even if they had not reached the Ming Jin level, there was still room for improvement.

This move has increased the sense of urgency and pressure for all the disciples.

A flicker of unease crossed the eyes of both Feng Zixian and Meng De. Their plans were about to be disrupted.

Could it be that Master Chen is deliberately targeting Chu Yang?