Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Martial Examination Begins

Year 9918 of the Tianwu Calendar, June 1st.

Morning.

Today was the day the martial arts examination began.

After finishing his breakfast, Jiang Ming strolled down the street, gazing at the towering buildings with a sense of familiarity.

Because of the special occasion, all private vehicles were prohibited except for public transportation, so as not to interfere with the examinees.

The national martial arts exam was no mere formality.

“By the end of today, the results for the provincial champion will be out. Let's hope nothing unexpected occurs, or else...”

Jiang Ming shook his head.

His eyes sharpened as the system interface appeared before him once more.

Name: Jiang Ming
Qi Cultivation: Level Four (Grandmaster)
Body Cultivation: Fourth Transformation
Divine Cultivation: Fourth Tier
Techniques: Yin-Yang Sutra, Dragon-Elephant Heavenshaking Art, Yin-Yang Spirit Refinement Method; Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, Three Immortal-Slaying Swords, Blade and Sword Beyond the Realm, Yin-Yang Millstone, Yin-Yang Heaven-Shrouding Hand, Nine Suns Divine Fist, Sword Control Art, Myriad Swords to One School, Inch Fist, Starlight Finger, Great River Sword Intent, and others
Talents: Hundredfold Comprehension, Nirvana Rebirth, Soul Sovereign (temporarily fixed), Master of Space (temporarily fixed)
Tasks: Achieve provincial champion in the preliminary martial arts exam; become the Federal Champion in the final martial arts exam

In the past few days, aside from purchasing copious amounts of medicinal cuisine to fortify his body, Jiang Ming had also acquired numerous fundamental divine techniques for study and assimilation.

With his physique at the peak of the third transformation, he swiftly broke into the realm of the fourth transformation.

Guided by various spirit refinement methods, he had even managed to deduce a unique divine technique.

Drawing upon the Laurel Diagram, the Golden Crow Visualization, and observing that most divine techniques were rooted in the lunar and solar essences, and given his own mastery in the Dao of Yin and Yang, he was able to develop the Yin-Yang Spirit Refinement Method.

With a simple bout of cultivation, his progress was meteoric, stepping directly into the fourth tier with no bottlenecks whatsoever.

“With psychic power awakened, as long as I meditate, my spiritual strength grows ceaselessly. This is determined by talent, and early progress is relatively easy.”

“The path of spirit refinement, though, is arduous—it requires creating something out of nothing!”

Yet for him, it was effortless.

With the Soul Sovereign talent, he was not only capable of telekinesis but could also rapidly advance in divine cultivation.

The eight tiers of divine cultivation are: Calm Spirit, Focusing Soul, Phantom Image, Materialization, Manifestation, Domain, Soul Core, and Essence Nucleus.

Calm Spirit is to achieve tranquility and emptiness, with a sliver of awareness maintained amidst thoughtless clarity, supporting visualization and spiritual development.

Focusing Soul is the condensation of soul power from nothingness; a further step allows one’s soul to take shape, forming a self-image. As it cannot manifest externally, this is called the Phantom Image stage.

When soul power can be projected, no longer formless or elusive, but able to be condensed into tangible form for material attacks, that is the Materialization stage.

Divine cultivation at the fourth tier—Materialization.

As for Manifestation?

Divine cultivation largely relies on visualization. When the object of visualization gains sentience and can leave the body, displaying wondrous abilities—that is the Manifestation stage, and so on.

“Divine cultivation grows ever more unconventional.”

“This world, too, grows ever stranger!”

Jiang Ming felt a certain dissonance.

Yet regardless, his combat power had skyrocketed.

However, his wealth of 1.8 billion was already nearly depleted.

Ahead, a figure appeared, blocking his path.

“Zhiyan!” Jiang Ming’s eyes lit up as he recognized her.

Qin Zhiyan, his classmate, had shed much of her youthful immaturity; she now exuded a mature charm, her beauty more radiant and sweet, her aura more reserved yet powerful, with subtle fluctuations of intent rippling from her.

“Congratulations!” Jiang Ming grinned.

“Thank you!” Qin Zhiyan brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, her pretty features becoming even more refined. She looked at Jiang Ming with genuine gratitude. “If not for you, I would have almost certainly died in there.”

“Tell me about it?” Jiang Ming gestured forward.

“All right.”

They walked and talked.

“After I returned, I wanted to find you right away, but I needed to acclimate to my new strength first, so I waited until now,” Qin Zhiyan explained briefly, then recounted her experience.

Upon entering the secret realm, she had diligently cultivated the Nine Yin Divine Skill and Nine Yang Scripture Jiang Ming had taught her, as well as the Myriad Swords to One School technique and a set of Drizzle Sword Arts.

She had also quietly amassed considerable wealth to accelerate her progress.

“Meeting the conditions for early departure was relatively simple, but achieving any major accomplishment was incredibly difficult. To become Empress, Supreme Martial Leader, to seize the ultimate martial skills of the martial world, and to acquire the two legendary weapons said to guarantee martial supremacy—each was a monumental challenge,” Qin Zhiyan sighed.

Jiang Ming’s expression flickered.

Two weapons conferring martial supremacy?

The Heaven-Reliant Sword and Dragon-Slaying Saber?

“One is the Dragon-Slaying Sword, the other the Dragon-Slaying Saber. Compared to the other accomplishments, these were at least within reach,” Qin Zhiyan continued. “I was unwilling to leave empty-handed, so I began to scheme, focusing solely on the sword and saber. From what I gathered, although these weapons were extraordinarily sharp, they lacked any obvious special abilities. I suspected some hidden secret lay within, yet went undiscovered, making them even more desirable.”

“So, I secretly spread rumors that a great demon had descended, who could unlock the ultimate secrets of the sword and saber.”

“In the third year, when experts sensed the great demon’s presence in the imperial city, they flocked there en masse. Sure enough, the owners of the sword and saber appeared.”

“Fortunately, my talent was decent, and with your peerless techniques, I progressed rapidly. In two years, my strength soared; armed with the Drizzle Sword technique and Nine Yin Divine Skill, I even grew ambitious to comprehend sword intent.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled slyly, like a little fox, and winked at Jiang Ming. “Guess how I achieved my accomplishment?”

“By sweeping all rivals before you?” Jiang Ming suggested.

“If I had that kind of power, I wouldn’t have needed any schemes!” Qin Zhiyan could not suppress her laughter. “It was quite simple, really. With so many experts converging on the imperial city, fierce battles were inevitable. The sword and saber changed hands several times, but I simply watched from the shadows, biding my time and gathering strength.”

“With so many strong contenders, no one would suspect that I, a mere girl, was the so-called ‘great demon’ from beyond this world.”

“Two months before the third year ended, I comprehended the Intent of Rain—my power surged!”

“Then, in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I struck decisively and seized both the sword and the saber unexpectedly.”

“It was hard to keep them, but having them in my grasp, even for a moment, was enough.”

“The instant I obtained them, I achieved my accomplishment.”

“I didn’t know if losing them afterward would negate the achievement, so to be safe, I immediately returned!”

“Haha, Jiang Ming, aren’t I clever? Aren’t I impressive?”

Qin Zhiyan shook her head in pride.

Jiang Ming gave her a thumbs-up.

This was more than cleverness; it proved she was daring, meticulous, relentless, and adept at seizing opportunity. Otherwise, securing both sword and saber would have been nearly impossible—an extraordinary feat.

“Clever and impressive. With the martial arts exam today, you’re sure to soar above the rest, your name resounding through the Federation,” Jiang Ming said. “Before the exam, you’re already at the quasi-fourth level of martial cultivation—few students in any school can claim that. No, even saying ‘few’ is an understatement.”

If one followed the standard path, reaching the third level of martial cultivation in the final year was nearly impossible, let alone comprehending sword intent.

As for other students who entered the secret realm, those who achieved significant accomplishments were extremely rare—one in a million.

“Brother Jiang, if you ever need my help, just say the word!” Qin Zhiyan didn’t offer excessive promises, but her resolute tone made Jiang Ming suspect she would not refuse even if he invited her to a hotel right now.

In the classroom.

Most of the students had already arrived.

“How’s it going?” Fatty Wang extended his hand, a faint wisp of true qi swirling in his palm. He raised his brows, shook his head, and waggled it smugly.

“Not bad, you really did it!” Jiang Ming was not particularly surprised.

This guy was undeniably talented, just far too lazy—fortunately, the recent spur had inspired him to train hard, and the effort had paid off.

“Of course! Do you know who I am? This time, I’m going for a top university!” Fatty Wang was full of fighting spirit.

Soon, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Chen, entered the room, with Ms. Yang following behind.

“After years of hard work, the day has come for your efforts to bear fruit. Here, I wish you all the best—may you achieve great results. Those taking the martial arts exam who have reached the level of Resonant Bones and above, please follow me. Remember, there will be further verification later. If you haven’t reached the required level, do not come along, so as not to miss the assessment on the other side!” Mr. Chen gave a brief speech, then led the way out.

The martial arts exam was divided into two parts.

Those at Resonant Bones and above entered the virtual battle net.

Those below that level were assessed for raw strength.

Simple and direct!