Black Stone City, Black Stone Avenue.

This was the main thoroughfare of Black Stone City, a road that ran from the city gates through the entire Outer City and Inner City. It was exceptionally wide, able to accommodate ten horse-drawn carriages abreast, and its sides were lined with the most lavishly decorated restaurants and teahouses.

Today, Black Stone Avenue was in an uproar. Elegant carriages and fine steeds streamed by endlessly, the rumble of their wheels over the bluestone slabs a constant drone.

Along both sides of the road, even the luxurious restaurants that were usually quiet on a typical day were now packed with people.

The windows of the second-floor private rooms were ajar. Young ladies from prestigious families, dressed in fine silks, frequently leaned out, some waving round silk fans, others tossing down sachets. The sound of their chattering was as crisp as the song of larks.

Besides the young ladies from the great families, the best seats in the main halls of the restaurants and teahouses were occupied by people from the major martial arts halls, merchant guilds, and other powerful factions.

Even the sides of the street were completely packed with common folk.

Soldiers of the Black Stone Army were maintaining order.

The moment Su Yu stepped out of the carriage with Lin Wanzhu and her group, a roaring wave of sound washed over him like a blast of heat.

"So many people! This is the perfect time for a girl like me to make a name for herself!" Lin Jing, dressed in a daring leather skirt, gazed at the sea of people around them, her eyes burning with excitement.

Lin Wanzhu calmly straightened the hem of her skirt and smiled. "This year’s Martial Examination is indeed a grand event. All the major families, martial arts halls, and other factions are paying close attention. Anyone who can distinguish themselves here will have a place in Black Stone City’s future."

"I’m sure offers of goodwill from many factions will arrive before the examination is even over." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

With that, her beautiful eyes turned to the slightly nervous Lin Dong beside her. She teased, "Lin Dong, you’re not a boy anymore. If you can make it into the top twenty, I’m afraid the young ladies in these towers, tossing their matchmaking balls, are going to wear down the threshold of the Lin Family’s home. So? Have you spotted anyone you fancy?"

Lin Dong gave a wry smile at her remark. "Sister Lin, please stop teasing me. With so many experts participating, I really have no confidence I can make it into the top twenty."

But being teased by Senior Sister Lin helped him relax.

Su Yu, on the other hand, was perfectly calm. His gaze penetrated the crowd, landing on the Martial Examination grounds in the distance.

Three enormous arenas were arranged in a triangular formation. Below them were rows of cyan stone blocks of various sizes. This was the first trial of today’s Martial Examination: the stone-lifting strength test!

In this world where true power resided within the individual, Qi and Blood and physical strength were the most direct measures of a Martial Artist.

’The first trial is the stone-lifting strength test, the second is Iron Chain Cross River, and the third is the arena tournament.’

Su Yu mentally reviewed the stages, a sharp glint hidden deep in his eyes.

"Out of the way! Get the hell out of my way!" a voice roared.

The crowd parted like the tide as a large group of people strode through.

The man in the lead had a gleaming bald head and was bare-chested, his muscles bulging like granite. It was Sun Yan, the prodigy of the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall.

His gaze swept over the crowd as his voice boomed like a great bell. "Where’s Cui Wanhe? Tell him to wash his neck and wait! First place is mine this time!"

Behind him, his younger brother, Sun Shi, was silent, but his presence was as imposing as a small, mobile iron tower, exuding an intense pressure.

Farther back, several other experts from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall followed quietly. An elderly man among them said, "Sun Yan, don’t cause any trouble before the Martial Examination starts. We’re going to find a spot to watch."

Sun Yan slapped his bald head resoundingly, clearly displeased. "First Master, I never start trouble! So long as no one provokes me!"

The old man knew his temperament and could only shake his head helplessly before leading the others directly to the nearest restaurant.

A short while later, another commotion rippled through the crowd.

"The Hongshan Martial Arts Hall is here!"

A man appeared with a Nine-Ring Saber slung across his back. His black hair was unbound, and his face was as cold and hard as iron. It was Cui Wanhe!

"Cui Wanhe, I’ve been waiting for you! Don’t you dare shrink back like a little girl today! You’re going to fight me to the bitter end!"

Cui Wanhe remained as impassive as ever. His dark eyes swept over the Sun brothers, but he didn’t say a word, heading straight for the registration desk.

Following that, an even more frenzied wave of screams pierced the din.

"Ahh! It’s Dai Xing!"

"Master Dai looked at me! He’s looking at me!"

A sudden chorus of female screams erupted as a flock of beautiful young women pushed forward frantically.

From the balconies on either side of the street, handkerchiefs and sachets rained down.

A slender young man carrying a long spear slowly approached. He had sharp, sword-like brows and eyes as bright as stars—exceptionally handsome, but his face was an icy mask, and his gaze was hollow and deep.

Two stunningly beautiful women followed him. One fanned him continuously, while the other periodically adjusted his robes.

"Tsk, it’s these lunatics again. And that Dai Xing is just as obnoxious." Lin Jing muttered, looking at the screaming girls as if they were idiots.

Lin Dong hurriedly stopped his sister. "Come on, sis, the examination is about to start. Don’t cause any trouble."

Dai Xing of the Chasing Wind Martial Arts Hall.

’I’ve read up on him,’ Su Yu thought. ’A prodigy who has opened his Second Acupoint, second only to Cui Wanhe and Sun Yan.’

After a little while, Senior Sister Lin announced, "Master Qin is here."

Su Yu retracted his gaze and followed the others to offer their greetings.

Qin Fangqiong was dressed in a brand-new Martial Artist Robe today, his face beaming with pride.

"Are you all prepared?"

"We’re ready!"

Master Qin nodded in satisfaction, his gaze skipping over the others to land on Chen Fan. His tone grew exceptionally gentle and deep. "Chen Fan, you are my personal disciple. This battle concerns not only your own future, but the honor of our White Ape Martial Arts Hall. The top ten—are you confident you can make it?"

Chen Fan straightened up, brimming with high spirits. "Rest assured, Master! I will give it my all and secure a place in the top ten!"

Chen Fan’s heart swelled with excitement. Over the past month, Master Qin had not only taught him personally but had also supplied him with an abundance of pills and resources.

His First Acupoint realm was now stable, and he had even made slight progress. His mastery of the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber had advanced by leaps and bounds, nearing the Skillful Realm. He thought to himself, ’Besides the prodigies from those major martial arts halls and great families, who could possibly be my opponent?’

Master Qin smiled, gratified, before turning to Su Yu. His tone was cooler, but it still held a hint of expectation. "Su Yu, as for you... although I have not personally instructed you, I am aware of your diligence in the Martial Arts. Give it your all. Don’t betray your own efforts."

Although Qin Fangqiong didn’t think Su Yu could make the top twenty, he had given him the opportunity. Whether he was a dragon or a worm, it was now all up to his own destiny and skill.

"HUUUUUUUU..."

A deep, mournful horn blast sounded from the direction of the Inner City, instantly silencing the clamor that filled the street.

The entire Black Stone Avenue fell silent.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The ground began to tremble rhythmically, as if a giant hammer were striking the earth.

Everyone’s gaze converged on the end of the road.

Four magnificent Exotic Beasts advanced abreast, pulling a luxurious carriage that was jet-black and inlaid with lustrous gold.

The beasts stood taller than a man at the shoulder, their bodies covered in dark-red scales, as if they were bathed in blood. With each step, their massive hooves left distinct white marks on the hard bluestone road.

"HSSSSS!"

The lead beast in the center snorted, shooting two jets of scorching white vapor three feet into the air. A hot, coppery scent instantly filled the area.

"Those are Red Blood Thunder Beasts! Every single one is comparable to a Martial Artist of the Flesh Refining Realm!"

In the crowd, a knowledgeable Martial Artist gasped. "To use such Exotic Beasts to pull a carriage... It must be someone from the Three Great Families!"