Chapter 15 Selection Begins

Facing the sunlight, the three of them stepped towards the village outskirts.

"Based on our walking speed, heading east like this for two days will take us to Qingniu Ferry." Yang Baozhang explained the route to Yanghua Academy, "Upon reaching Qingniu Ferry, there are carriages heading to the academy. It should take two more days by carriage to reach the selection site, Yanghua Town."

"I'm following your arrangements, Baozhang." Lin Yuan had never ventured outside the village, so he didn't need to worry about finding the way, and he buried his head in marching forward at a quick pace.

That night, the three of them found an open space, lit a bonfire, and slept in their clothes. The next morning, after eating the prepared dry food and jerky, they set off again.

Two days later, under Yang Baozhang's lead, the weary travelers arrived at Qingniu Ferry.

By the busy roadside, Yang Baozhang handed a bundle to Lin Yuan.

"I can only see you off to here. These are items the village prepared for you. Keep them safe. I hope you succeed in the selection this time!" Yang Baozhang's eyes were filled with hope as he patted Lin Yuan's shoulder.

Deng Xiuguang gave Lin Yuan a hug, "Take care, Brother Yuan!"

"I won't let you down!" After the hug, Lin Yuan cupped his hands in salute, bidding farewell to Yang Baozhang.

Following the main road, Lin Yuan found Qingniu Inn, boarded a carriage, and headed towards Yanghua Town.

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Two days later.

"Yanghua."

The town was surrounded by towering walls, and above the two-zhang-high central city gate, black characters on a white background imprinted in Lin Yuan's eyes.

The hustle and bustle never ceased, with crowds and traffic streaming.

This town was even larger than a county town from the previous world.

At the time of the selection in Yanghua Town, thousands of youngsters from various villages gathered here, making the already bustling town even more crowded.

After asking for directions to the academy, Lin Yuan proceeded without any obstacles.

Lin Yuan was now standing in a place resembling a side hall of an ancient temple, where the entrance plaza was already packed with people.

After queuing for nearly an hour, it was finally Lin Yuan's turn. He submitted the copper plate left by the runner.

"Bull Horn Village's Lin Yuan, right?"

The person sitting behind the table glanced at Lin Yuan.

"The copper plate is correct, you may go inside." After registration, he handed back the copper plate, indicating for him to enter through the big door behind.

"Tong Qing, Fu Lichen, He Zhi, Lin Yuan..." After entering the door and under the guidance of the gray-robed servants, groups of ten were led to their respective resting quarters.

"These rooms will be where you stay. Everything needed for the next few days has been provided. Settle in." The person explained that the selection would be held the day after tomorrow, then left.

The accommodations were arranged in a siheyuan with about ten rooms and a central open space about three zhangs square with various facilities for training and recuperation.

"Looks like we've settled in." Lin Yuan's place was located more towards the foot of the mountain.

The next morning, after eating the dried meat provided in the room, Lin Yuan meditated and continued to accumulate Qi-Blood.

"This meat is good! The nutrients provided are extra rich, the accumulation of Qi-Blood is much faster than in the village." Lifting his heart excitedly, Lin Yuan whispered, "Just as expected from the academy, even us apprentices who haven't entered yet are treated so well."

As he waited for the warm feeling in his abdomen to dissipate, Lin Yuan stopped his cultivation and prepared to practice martial arts in the yard outside.

However, to his disappointment, people in his compound had already started training earlier than him.

No need to rush, let's observe how they practice martial arts first.

Opening the door, Lin Yuan saw young men and women practicing martial arts outside.

After some observation, he estimated that most people's skills were akin to Wang Dong's. However, since they were merely familiar with martial arts and had not engaged in real combat, it was hard to assess accurately.

There were three or four others sitting on stone benches, watching others practice martial arts with scrutinizing gazes, perhaps comparing their own strength to others in their minds.

Seeing Lin Yuan approach, their gazes lingered on his face for a moment before turning back to the practicing individuals without speaking. The selection hadn't started yet, and nobody wanted to reveal too much information. After a few young men finished practicing boxing, they returned to their rooms, ending the session quickly.

Thus, Lin Yuan returned to his room, shut the door, and quietly accumulated Qi-Blood.

Two days later.

"The time for selection has come, and today is the day." Sitting cross-legged, Lin Yuan gazed at the morning sunlight streaming through the window, shining onto the bed, and ceased the flow of Qi-Blood in his body.

"Dong, dong, dong." Three heavy bell tolls resonated throughout the compound. Upon hearing the bell, Lin Yuan opened the door to find the gray-robed servant waiting outside.

Once everyone was assembled, they followed the servant to the designated venue.

By the time they reached the plaza, it was already a sea of people. Those participating in the selection swarmed the plaza like myriad fish crossing a river.

It was no less crowded than a concert in the previous world, only without the fervent excitement.

"I am the strongest in the village, but seeing the people here for the selection, they all have an extraordinary aura, everyone is an expert. During the selection, I need to be extremely cautious." Someone said with a face full of caution.

"Listening to the conversations, the martial arts levels of these people are profound, and I wonder if it's true. But if it is, their strength far surpasses mine, and I have no hope of advancing." Someone else realized their strength was lacking.

"Brother, how far have you mastered the Eight-step Breaking Fist? I've reached the stage of mastery, and I will surely advance in this selection, haha."

"I've brought the Broken Plum Hand to minor success, my bones are strong as steel. Advancing is just within reach." Another person said with a confident smile.

"My father said my purpose in this selection was to observe others' training and use of martial arts for inspiration. Next time's selection competition will be my true participation." Many participated with a learning mindset.

Surrounding the plaza were towering trees rising from the ground like armored soldiers guarding the entire square.

Under the sunlight, flags of various designs floated in the blue sky.

In the fresh morning wind, immense flags fluttered magnificently.

From a distance, Lin Yuan gazed at the flags, spotting the one matching the design on his copper plate, and walked towards it.

People were already standing under the flag's platform, awaiting their arrival.

"Dong." As the auspicious time arrived, another heavy bell toll rang out. Instantly, the once noisy plaza turned silent.

Only the flags rustled in the wind, curling and unfolding, producing a tapping sound.

"I hereby declare the opening of the selection in Yanghua Town, under the jurisdiction of Baiyan City, and Yanghua Academy."

A person emerged on the high platform in the plaza's center and proclaimed loudly. Though they seemed to exert little effort, everyone could hear it clearly.

"Who is that eminent person? Declaring the start of the selection, they must be of high status." A discussion erupted among the crowd upon hearing the announcement.

"Hah! You don't even know Valley Elder Gu, the one overseeing instruction at the academy? How ignorant." Someone immediately sneered upon hearing the query.

"So it's the Transmissions Elder. Speaking so lightly from such a distance, yet I can hear it clearly, truly impressive."

"The abilities of such figures are beyond our imagination," people marveled.

As Lin Yuan understood the speaker's identity, Valley Elder Gu's voice echoed nearby.

"You are all excellent martial arts disciples from villages under the academy's jurisdiction, but the academy's selection is a selection of the best. I hope for all of you to strive forward, perform consistently, and leave no regrets regardless of victory or defeat."

After Valley Elder Gu departed, another person stood on the high platform.

"I am the Discipline Hall Deacon of the academy, and I will announce the rules. This academy selection involves forty-eight thousand participants. Candidates must possess Qi-Blood strength exceeding that of a bull to qualify; those lacking are disqualified."

"Candidates with the strength of a bull will enter a battle of ten, with one out of ten advancing. Ultimately, three thousand will qualify."

"Candidates must not be over eighteen years old in bone age. Concealment will lead to penalties."

"Candidates must not use prohibited objects, or face penalties."

"Candidates must not use demonic martial arts, or face penalties."

"Candidates from the same village must not enter the same arena in the second stage, or face penalties."

"Throughout the selection, the Discipline Hall disciples will patrol and supervise. Follow the rules, or face strict punishment for violations."

"Finally, a reminder: if fortunate to qualify, focus deeply on cultivating martial arts without arrogance. If regrettably not qualifying, strive diligently and combat earnestly in the next competition."

"The selection formally begins."

With the Deacon's words concluded, the person under Lin Yuan's flag placed a human-sized boulder on the stone platform in front of everyone. When the boulder settled, the runes on the platform glimmered for a moment before returning to calm.

"Those who received the academy's copper plate, line up and use your Qi-Blood strength to strike this stone. If light is triggered, you'll advance to the second stage." The person addressed the crowd after setting the boulder.

"After three attempts, if light is still not triggered, you are disqualified. Those disqualified may leave on their own. Alternatively, you may watch the remaining competition from the giant trees or stone steps around the plaza until its conclusion and leave at will."

The crowd listened to his instructions, lining up to take their strength test, Lin Yuan among them.

As the first vigorous young man shouted, he punched with a bow stance right into the center of the boulder, which immediately illuminated.

"Ah, it lit up! Amazing." The crowd marveled at the first young man's punch that made the stone glow.

"Watch my punch...what? Not lit yet? Light up, damn it! Ah, failed." The second young man punched harder each time but failed to generate any light after three punches, leaving in disappointment.

"Even with all his strength, he couldn't activate the light. That guy's abilities fell short; he didn't qualify. Looks like we can't underestimate this array." Seeing the second boy's Qi-Blood strength similar to theirs yet unable to trigger light made some people nervous.

Then more people went up to test their strength. Those who succeeded were understandably jubilant, but usually only one out of three succeeded—sometimes over a dozen in a row couldn't activate the light. As the testing line shortened, it was Lin Yuan's turn to test.

"Do not hold back, use all your strength."

The person remained composed, subtly warning Lin Yuan upon his approach.

"Thank you for your advice, sir. I will certainly give it my all," Lin Yuan nodded gently upon hearing the reminder.

Taking a deep breath, he focused on the central mark on the stone, then swiftly circulated his Qi-Blood within, suddenly flushing his face with exertion.

"There!"

Lin Yuan shouted, as his right arm's veins bulged. Channeling his Eight-step Breaking Fist, he punched the array with all his might.

No light emitted.

"Aww, it didn't light up!" The crowd sighed, watching Lin Yuan exert all his effort, only for the array not to respond. A multitude of eyes fixed upon him, some with disdainful pity.