Li Da, and Li Xiao

​​Hundreds of Imperial Guards encircled the exam grounds, barring all martial candidates and onlookers from approaching within a hundred meters. Zhao Ping'er tugged at Zhao Xunan's sleeve, her brow furrowed with worry:​​

"Master, are Xiao Nuo'er, Li Da, and Li Xiao going to be okay?"

"Relax," Zhao Xunan said, his tone casual but laced with hidden unease. "With my Guess-the-Exam Guide, they should… probably… maybe… be fine."

Zhao Ping'er glared at him, her small fist thumping his arm. "That's not reassuring at all!"

As they chatted, Zhao Xunan suddenly felt a gaze boring into him. He turned to see a large, bandaged face staring back—a man with a swollen, egg-shaped head and a goofy grin.

Startled, Zhao Xunan returned the gesture with a polite nod, though he had no idea who the man was. The stranger, however, seemed delighted to make eye contact.

The exam began at dawn and ended at noon—just two hours for the written test and formation drill, far shorter than the imperial exams. The pressure was palpable, but the difficulty was lower too.

When the bronze bell rang, students poured out of the testing halls. Zhao Ping'er grabbed Xiao Nuo'er, her voice tight with anxiety: "How'd it go?"

Xiao Nuo'er beamed. Li Da and Li Xiao sidled up, lowering their voices: "Master Zhao's a genius. The essay questions were just like the ones he drilled us on. The formation drill? Flawless. Even the Six Secret Teachings—we got over 80% right. We're golden!"

Zhao Ping'er sighed in relief. These exams determined their shot at the imperial civil service—and whether her late master and mistress would be posthumously honored.

After a quick snack and a trip to the latrine, the sparring round began. With their decent cultivation bases, Li Da and Li Xiao sailed into the top hundred.

But as Li Xiao prepared to take the field again, Zhao Xunan laid a hand on his shoulder. "Your opponent's no pushover. If things get dicey, forfeit."

Li Xiao's eyes widened. "Master, I can't let the Martial Arts Academy down. Even if it's tough, I'll fight till I drop!"

Zhao Xunan watched his disciple stride into the arena, a mix of pride and worry churning in his chest. He's growing up… but I wish he'd listen sometimes.

"Li Xiao's opponent's no joke," Song Chuizi warned, materializing beside Zhao Xunan with a grimace. "Better keep an eye on him."

Zhao Xunan nodded, squeezing Zhao Ping'er's cheek playfully as she tugged at his nose. "I told him. But he's stubborn—he won't back down unless he's unconscious."

Song Chuizi's face darkened. "That guy's a madman. Let me fill you in…"

The stranger with the bandaged face—Guo Zipu—watched Li Xiao from the corner of the arena, his eyes sharp as flint.

​​"Your blood smells like mine,"​​ he croaked, his voice hoarse and unnatural.

Li Xiao blinked, sniffing the air. "Sweat, maybe? It's sweltering today."

"Idiot," Guo Zipu spat. In a flash, his right index and middle fingers—sharp as daggers—stabbed toward Li Xiao's eyes.

Li Xiao didn't flinch. He ducked, driving his forehead into Guo's nose with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed, but Li Xiao's eyes stayed locked on his opponent.

Guo staggered back, then lunged again, his fist a blur of white mist (inner qi, Zhao Xunan realized). Li Xiao blocked with his elbow, but the force sent him skidding backward.

They clashed again—a flurry of elbows, knees, and throws—until both lay on the ground, bloodied and gasping.

"Kill him!" Guo snarled, surging up to slam his fist into Li Xiao's chest.

The impact cracked the seven-inch stone floor. Li Xiao skidded backward, but he didn't fall. Bloodied and bruised, he grinned. "Master said… never give up. Not till I can't move."

Guo froze. For a moment, the two boys looked eerily alike—both covered in blood, both refusing to yield.

"You… you're like me," Guo muttered.

Li Xiao wiped blood from his face, grinning wider. "Master says I'm too naive to get sarcasm. But I get this: I'm not losing. Not today."

Zhao Xunan watched, his heart heavy. Guo's inner qi swirled visibly—he'd stepped onto the path of immortality. Li Xiao, for all his grit, was still a mortal.

"He's already crossed the threshold," Zhao Xunan said quietly. "Li Xiao doesn't stand a chance."

Song Chuizi nodded, swallowing hard. "I… I didn't realize he was that far along."

But then Li Xiao roared, tackling Guo again. The two crashed into the arena wall, their bodies a blur of motion.

"Master Zhao!" Li Xiao yelled, blood flying. "I said I won't quit till I can't move!"

Guo's eyes flickered with something like pity. "You're… just like me. Stubborn. Foolish."

He threw a punch—a killing blow. Li Xiao raised his arms to block, but the force was unstoppable.

Crack!

Li Xiao's ribs snapped. He collapsed, but as Guo loomed over him, he grinned. "Worth it. For the academy. For Master."

Guo's fist hovered, trembling. For a moment, Zhao Xunan thought he might stop.

But then Guo's face hardened. "You're right. We're the same. And I… I can't let you win."

His punch landed.

Li Xiao's body flew backward, crashing into the stone floor with a deafening thud.

Silence fell over the arena.

Then, slowly, Li Xiao pushed himself up, his chest heaving. Blood poured from his mouth, but his eyes burned with defiance.

"I… didn't say I'd stay down," he croaked.

Guo stared, then laughed—a bitter, admiring sound. "You're… something else. Fine. Let's finish this."

Across the arena, Zhao Xunan clenched his fists. Li Xiao… don't push too hard.

But deep down, he knew his disciple would fight till the end. Just like him.

And somewhere, in the crowd, Xiao Nuo'er cheered, her small voice cutting through the chaos: "Li Xiao Gege, you can do it!"