Pawning lifespan, starting from a low-level martial arts world to transform into a dragon.

Chapter 68 Preparing for the Martial Arts Examination

A few days later, Chen Ye was summoned by Cui Xijun.

When he arrived at the flower hall, Cui Xijun was sitting upright in the hall, playing with a wooden plaque in her hand.

"The matter of the martial arts examination has been arranged for you. This is your examination certificate; please keep it safe. Four days from now, take this certificate directly to the academy to participate in the martial arts examination."

Chen Ye reached out and took it. He saw that his name was engraved on one side of the wooden plaque, and below it was the examination number "Lu Shijiu" written in ink.

Turning it over, the other side describes his physical characteristics in neat ink: "Sixteen years old, dark-skinned and beardless, seven feet six inches tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose and thin lips."

He carefully concealed the examination certificate on his person, then cupped his hands and inquired, "May I ask, Third Miss, what is the procedure for this martial arts examination? Is there anything I need to prepare beforehand?"

Cui Xijun explained, "The martial arts examination in the capital is different from the selection held every three years in the provinces. It is not for selecting officials, but for maintaining the status of various impoverished aristocratic families. Therefore, the examination is the simplest, with only two tests: a skill test and a contest, which are completed in one day."

"Among them, the skills and bravery were further subdivided into lifting stones, drawing a strong bow, and wielding a large sword. The competition involved fighting on the spot with the examiners to test martial arts skills."

"Those who rank in the top eighty in the examination will be granted the status of a scholar."

Cui Xijun then gave further instructions, recounting some details she had gathered about the martial arts examination.

Chen Ye listened patiently and wrote down everything.

After explaining everything, Cui Xijun looked up at Chen Ye and said, "Logically speaking, you should have taken care of all the connections when you participated in the martial arts examination. However, the Cui family spent some time arranging this qualification for you, and the time before the examination is already tight, so there wasn't enough time to take care of everything for you. The rest is up to you."

Chen Ye smiled slightly, his gaze calm, and said, "Third Miss, the manor has already done more than enough, and I am deeply grateful. If it doesn't work, it's no one's fault but ours. Besides, I am confident that I can give it a try."

"Alright, I won't say anything more. You should rest well, focus on your cultivation, and conserve your energy to prepare for the martial arts examination in four days."

"Yes, Third Miss. Time is of the essence, I must go and cultivate now."

After speaking, Chen Ye bowed and turned to leave the flower hall.

Hongling watched Chen Ye's figure completely disappear outside the door, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Miss, do you think he... will succeed this time?"

"It's highly unlikely," Cui Xijun sighed softly. "I've inquired, and this time, those participating in the imperial examinations in the capital region include impoverished families, sons of soldiers, and commoners recommended by various aristocratic families, totaling nearly six hundred people."

"Let's leave aside the common people for now. Even those from humble backgrounds or military families, no matter how poor they are, have been nurtured by their families from a young age and have the resources of their clans to support and hone their martial arts skills. Compared to them, Chen Ye, who comes from a self-taught background... is ultimately lacking in foundation."

"But then his second sister ran into some trouble, so he could only offer limited help."

If he were given another year or two, with his talent and some support from the manor, perhaps it really would be possible. But this time… it was far too rushed. Ultimately, time was simply too tight.

Hongling nodded in agreement, "I don't understand either. Miss Ming told him to prepare for a year, but he insists on taking the exam in just one month. I really don't know where his obsession comes from."

"Well, young people are often impetuous, so let him be. If he fails the exam this time, he might be able to calm down."

……

After leaving Cui Xijun's room, Chen Ye practiced his martial arts as usual, using his sword intent to hone his physical body.

At this point, he had already undergone seven transformations, and his physical body was only two transformations away from reaching perfection.

Overall, he has done his best in the past month.

Four days passed in the blink of an eye.

At dawn, the yellowish-white sunlight just began to appear in the east, and the sky was shrouded in a bluish-green hue.

Chen Ye woke up precisely on time, his biological clock ticking, and was full of energy.

Over the past few days, he has made inquiries from various sources and has gained a general understanding of the strength of the younger generation of the major families in the capital.

Young masters from aristocratic families of his age typically have cultivation levels around the fifth stage of transformation.

Those who can achieve seven or even eight rebirths are often from prominent or secondary families, whose families are prosperous and have no worries about declining status, so they will not participate in the capital's martial arts examination.

Therefore, most of the participants in this year's martial arts examination in the capital were poor students from declining families, or wandering swordsmen who intended to join aristocratic families.

Overall strength is limited.

Chen Ye scooped up a bucket of well water, quickly washed his face, and a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes.

With seven transformations and three parts sword intent, he might very well achieve a good ranking in this martial arts examination.

After washing up, he walked out of the Cui family's gate, intending to ask the gatekeeper for a horse.

To his surprise, Su Guang was already waiting outside the door with his horse at some unknown time.

Chen Ye stepped forward and asked, "What brings you here?"

"Knowing you're taking the martial arts exam today, I've come to see you off." Su Guang led his horse forward and said with a smile, "The road from the Cui family's Jingguo Mansion to the academy isn't short, and I thought you might need a horse, so I brought it for you as well."

Chen Ye took the reins and said, "You're very thoughtful."

After saying that, he mounted his horse and said, "I'm going now. I haven't been able to get together with you all because of the Xie family's affairs and the martial arts examination. We'll find another opportunity to drink together after this is over."

"Gathering for drinks is a minor matter; planning for the future is the real issue." Su Guang stepped back, clasped his hands in a fist and said solemnly, "Once you become a scholar, I will become your guard and lead your horse."

"Then it's a deal."

Chen Ye laughed loudly, said no more, turned his horse around, and galloped off towards the school.

The Imperial Academy of the Great Jing City was located next to the Imperial Palace and Gardens, in the suburbs of the capital.

Leaving the Jingguo Mansion, passing through the Xizhimen Gate and heading out of the city, after riding swiftly for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, one turns onto the straight official road leading to the school.

Armed police officers with knives could be seen patrolling along the roadside, their imposing presence awe-inspiring.

Most of these people were temporarily transferred from the patrol department, and if you got a little closer, you could feel a faint bloodthirsty aura emanating from them.

Clearly, these people have blood on their hands.

After all, those gathered here today are all martial arts masters.

If not handled properly, it could easily lead to chaos and serious problems.

No movement under the emperor's nose should be taken lightly.

This is also why the academy was located outside the city rather than inside it.

After walking a while longer, the vermilion gate of the school came into view.

Chen Ye saw that a layer of barricades had been set up on the open space in front of the school gate, and the air was filled with the stench of horse manure.

The armed police officer standing at the door stopped him, made him dismount, and gestured for him to lead his horse into the stable.

He readily agreed and did not offer any further arguments on the matter.

After settling the horses, he walked into the school through the passage cleared by the armed constables.

When he reached the wall, a long queue had already formed in front of him. The noisy queue diluted the solemn atmosphere of the patrol officers.

The main gate of the academy had three sections, and Chen Ye and many other candidates entered through a side gate.

The gatekeeper checked the identification document, confirmed the identity of the person, conducted a simple body search, and allowed passage after confirming that no dangerous items were being carried.

After passing through layers of verification, Chen Ye stepped through the gate of the academy and joined the crowd to enter the examination hall for the martial arts examination.