Chapter 51: The Grand Examination

"The Grand Examination begins!"

Vice Captain Zhao Wei, acting on instructions from Tang Sheng and Dao Xiong, slowly rose to his feet and spoke with a strong, resonant voice.

Below the stage, everyone’s expression sharpened.

All that year of grueling training was precisely for this moment—to stand out and achieve glory.

An increase in the number on your waist token meant better cultivation techniques, elixirs, weapons, and other resources.

Who among martial cultivators doesn’t seek fame and status?

Zhao Wei scanned the crowd.

"The Huaqing Sect has specially reserved two slots for our branch to compete in their entrance trials; all outstanding individuals under thirty-five are eligible to vie for them."

At these words,

everyone instantly showed expressions of shock.

Even the three vice captains were stunned.

Zhao Wei’s lips curled slightly—he was the only one besides the captain who knew of this, and he had already secretly prepared for it a month ago.

He was thirty-four this year, precisely at the thirty-five-year cutoff.

His strength had surged dramatically; he would spare no effort.

Having seen this opportunity, he would fight with all his might to seize it.

Zhao Wei himself came from humble origins; he knew too well the hardships of having no patron, and understood even better the value of having a master’s guidance.

If he could join the Huaqing Sect, his martial path would stretch farther and become easier.

Zhang Yang’s face darkened.

He could see clearly that Zhao Wei had gotten advance word.

But then came a wave of helplessness.

He was already forty, far past the thirty-five-year age limit—not just him, but the other two vice captains as well.

Perhaps that was precisely why the captain had told only Zhao Wei.

With the three of them out of the race,

which of the section chiefs or officers down below could possibly challenge Zhao Wei?

In other words, Zhao Wei was virtually guaranteed one of the two slots for the Huaqing Sect entrance trials.

He had always been at odds with Zhao Wei; he certainly didn’t want to see his enemy gain such a great fortune.

"Fine. I’ll just avoid him from now on."

Zhang Yang sighed inwardly.

The two other vice captains, Zhou and Qian, exchanged glances, each seeing regret in the other’s eyes—too bad time showed no mercy; they could only blame their poor luck in rebirth.

But down in the crowd, the section chiefs, officers, and disciples erupted.

Zhao Wei was the only young vice captain, but among them, there were far too many under thirty-five.

Many were eager to try.

The calmest fell into two categories: one, like Zhou Shulin, who met the eligibility but knew he had no chance; the other, like Li Rui, who had long surpassed the age limit.

"Thirty-five."

Li Rui hadn’t expected that even after being reincarnated, he’d still face workplace age discrimination.

Back in his past life as a programmer, those big tech firms never hired anyone over thirty-five.

He certainly wanted to join the Huaqing Sect.

After all, according to the system’s achievement settings, joining a stronger sect would grant substantial achievement points.

But he was philosophical about it.

If I get it, it’s fortune; if I don’t, it’s fate.

He’d endured too many uncontrollable things in his life—if he couldn’t accept it, he’d have been furious to death long ago.

In the crowd, he happened to spot Liang He’s figure.

He cast him an encouraging glance.

The Huaqing Sect never selected disciples based solely on strength; this time was likely no different—it might ultimately choose someone younger with greater talent to compete in next year’s entrance trials.

Wu Tu sighed: "Brother Li, I think they’re deliberately targeting us."

Indeed, like Li Rui, he had also surpassed the age limit.

He was just thirty-six this year.

Wu Tu nearly choked on rage.

Don’t even think about faking it—the Huaqing Sect’s methods far exceed ordinary imagination; they’ll have bone-readers confirm your true age.

Still, remembering his abysmal root quality, he gave up any hope.

Watching the crowd below grow increasingly excited,

Jiang Yan’s eyes flickered with cunning.

Her thoughts aligned perfectly with Li Rui’s.

Jiang Yan had only promised Qinghe County one relaxed age limit slot, but the final choice of who entered the Huaqing Sect still had plenty of room for maneuver.

They would select two each from the Tian Di Alliance and the Blood Tiger Gang.

Then choose the final candidate from those four.

"First, pick a strong, high-ranking person to help us hunt the Ghost Ming Cult, then pick a young, talented one,

and when Father makes his final selection, deliberately choose the young one,

that way, we won’t violate sect rules, yet still get these people to do the work."

She had already planned it all out.

That’s why she’d carefully noted the ages of the high-ranking members of the Tian Di Alliance and Blood Tiger Gang, precisely setting the thirty-five-year cutoff.

Zhao Wei might understand this too—but with even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, men like him would fight to the death for it.

Ding!

The bronze gong rang once—the Grand Examination officially began.

The rules for the Tian Di Alliance’s trial were simple: challenge on the arena. Defeat the person on the platform, take their waist token, and your status rises automatically.

Even ordinary disciples could directly challenge the captain.

Of course, almost no one would be so foolish.

Soon, a man leapt onto the arena—a sturdy young man.

He gestured to another burly man below: "Ma Dong, come up!"

The burly man leapt onto the stage.

The two clashed fiercely.

After a stick of incense burned down, the burly man was stabbed off the platform by the young man’s sword.

His waist token number dropped from "325" to "278".

The young man didn’t greedily seek more; he promptly jumped down and vanished into the crowd.

A strong start.

The atmosphere ignited instantly; ordinary disciples leapt onto the arena one after another, some winning, some losing.

Waist tokens changed hands again and again.

During this time, Zhou Shulin even climbed up once.

After a full two watches of combat, he barely won, his token rising from "387" to "378".

The increase was minor.

But Zhou Shulin was thoroughly satisfied.

Another of Li Rui’s acquaintances also climbed up—Liu Tong.

Liu Tong had made great progress.

With his powerful Tiger’s Might Saber, he drove his opponent back step by step, securing victory with ease.

His token number surged from "217" straight to "41".

Many looked on with envy.

Tang Sheng on the high platform also showed interest.

"What’s that boy’s name?"

Zhang Yang hurried forward: "Lord Tang, his name is Liu Tong—my wife’s younger brother. He trains hard with the saber and has considerable talent."

Tang Sheng nodded: "Good root quality, excellent comprehension—a promising talent."

Hearing Tang Sheng’s evaluation, Zhang Yang was overjoyed.

If Liu Tong gained favor, his brother-in-law would naturally benefit.

This scene made the two other vice captains, Zhou and Qian, burn with envy—but what could they do? They had no relatives as accomplished as Liu Tong.

The Tian Di Alliance had no rules against favoritism; in fact, having a powerful relative was seen as a mark of prestige.

Just as Li Rui was growing bored—

Liang He leapt onto the stage.

(End of Chapter)