Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1392 - 238: Dragon Dormant Spiritual Liquid, Martial Arts Examination! (2)

Chapter 1392: Chapter 238: Dragon Dormant Spiritual Liquid, Martial Arts Examination! (2)

The bronze cauldron reflected specks of golden light.

On the eastern side of the training ground, ten enormous bronze targets were neatly arranged, with bronze mirrors atop them reflecting beams of golden light under the sun.

Dong—Dong—Dong—

The sound of war drums steadily rose, rolling over the Royal Capital like spring thunder.

This drumbeat was the horn for the Martial Examination, announcing the official commencement of this grand event, held every three years.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning also handed over his Identity Token and the wax-sealed envelope he brought from Guangning Prefecture at one side of the training ground.

In front of him, the three inspecting officials took turns verifying his Identity Token’s authenticity, repeatedly comparing several portraits of Jiang Ning, and checking the envelope to ensure it was sealed and unopened. This was followed by additional checks from the other two.

After confirming everything was in order.

The three officials each stamped the envelope with their red seals.

Once this series of procedures was completed, the envelope was locked away in an iron box behind them and sent to the chief examiner for verification.

At the same time.

Attendants handed Jiang Ning an outfit of black and white attire.

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning expressed his gratitude.

He took the attire and headed toward the changing room.

He knew the procedures of the Martial Examination.

Although it was not as meticulous as the Imperial Examination, it also required a uniform dress code.

He quickly changed into the attire and came out.

His long hair was also tied up with a black and white ribbon.

As soon as he stepped out of the changing room, he saw Wan Jianyi approaching with a commanding presence.

His eyebrows were sharp like swords, and his gaze was fierce.

At the moment he saw Jiang Ning, Wan Jianyi’s eyes gleamed brightly.

"I look forward to our match!" Wan Jianyi’s lips curved slightly.

"I do too!" Jiang Ning responded, then proceeded to the waiting area for rest.

...

Moments later.

A soldier from the Forbidden Army, wearing armor adorned with red silk, approached Jiang Ning.

"Sir, the chief examiner has finished the review. Here is your examination token!"

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning replied, accepting the token from the soldier.

"You’re welcome, Sir!" The soldier’s demeanor became even more respectful upon hearing Jiang Ning’s thanks.

He knew well the status of those who could reach this stage of the Martial Examination and what a bright future awaited them.

Among the thirty-six prefectures of the Nine States, anyone who made it this far, appearing before him, was indeed the most elite candidate of their prefecture.

Even if one’s performance later were to be poor, entry into the military would still easily make them his superior, earning them the title of general.

More so with this person in front of him, for he was fully aware of Jiang Ning’s identity.

Jiang Ning was one of the most dazzling elite candidates in Great Xia in recent years, perhaps even unrivaled.

He assumed such elite figures would be arrogant and aloof.

Yet he was surprised to find this young man so amiable, offering thanks to a mere soldier of the Forbidden Army.

Touched, he turned and left.

His duties were quite busy today and could not be delayed in the slightest.

"Lord Jiang!" At that moment, a voice sounded from behind.

Jiang Ning turned to see someone he recognized, Yan Youjiao.

In the Child Test at Dongling County, besides himself, Yan Youjiao was the foremost, possessing Martial Arts Sixth Grade skills, enough to stand out among the younger generation in Dongling County at the time.

Afterward, they both attended the Martial Examination provincial test. Although Yan Youjiao didn’t reach the Fifth Grade, his skills had surpassed those during the Child Test, eventually obtaining a first-class ranking, becoming his contemporary in the Martial Examination.

As fellow participants in the Martial Examination, it was natural for them to qualify for the Martial Examination.

So Jiang Ning was unsurprised at Yan Youjiao’s appearance.

"Ah, my countryman!" He smiled at Yan Youjiao.

"Lord Jiang has such a broad heart!" Yan Youjiao, seeing the smile on Jiang Ning’s face, felt touched, and respectfully said again, "I was impulsive in my youth earlier, and I have offended you many times!"

While speaking, Yan Youjiao cupped his hands toward Jiang Ning, his demeanor respectful.

He had stumbled through the provincial test in Guangning Prefecture, narrowly scraping by with a first-class ranking, barely earning the title of scholar.

Looking over Dongling County, this achievement is already something to be proud of.

In the past, his heart would have been filled with pride as well.

But having witnessed Jiang Ning’s charisma back then, and seeing how he crushed the competition at the local examination in Guangning Prefecture to claim the title of top scholar, he utterly realized that he and Jiang Ning were not on the same level.

His own accomplishments were nothing to be proud of in front of Jiang Ning.

"Don’t just stand there; sit down! You’ll need your strength later on," Jiang Ning said.

"Yes!" Yan Youjiao nodded respectfully and then sat down next to Jiang Ning.

He felt a stirring excitement within.

The fourth on the Hidden Dragon List is now sitting right beside him.

As a martial artist, he knew how remarkable this achievement was.

Such figures were once stars in the sky to him.

He also knew that this was not Jiang Ning’s limit, but rather his starting point.

For he knew that Jiang Ning was not even of age yet, and there was still so much room for growth.

In less than two years, he believed that the Jiang Ning beside him would achieve what Wan Jianyi had, reaching the first rank on the Heavenly List, becoming the highest peak among the younger generation.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but clench his fists, pressing down the excitement and longing in his heart.

At this moment.

With sword-like brows and shining eyes, carrying an air of unparalleled grandeur, Wan Jianyi also walked in.

Like Jiang Ning, he wore a pure white martial arts robe on top, with loose black pants below.

Wan Jianyi’s gaze swept around and settled on Jiang Ning.

At this moment, Yan Youjiao felt as if he was on pins and needles, with his hair standing on end, his heart filled with fear.

"Lord Jiang, that day you refused to engage me, today you can’t avoid it anymore!" Wan Jianyi said.

Although his voice wasn’t loud, it was clear in the resting area.

As the tension in the air changed, all eyes were drawn to Jiang Ning and Wan Jianyi.

Every martial student here was a true prodigy of martial arts, comparable to glittering moons among peers.

But at this moment, they all knew that in front of the two true prodigies, they could only serve as the background.

To see these two here, being a prodigy was just the entry ticket.

One of them was the current first on the Heavenly List, an unparalleled prodigy that Sword Pavilion hadn’t seen in a hundred years.

The other had reached the fourth rank on the Heavenly List before even coming of age.

The achievements of either were objects of their admiration.

"I’m also curious, you’re already first on the Heavenly List, why are you so focused on me?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Because you’re strong! You’re the opponent I take most seriously in my eyes! Your true strength is far beyond just being fourth on the Heavenly List! Only by competing with the strong can one constantly improve!" Wan Jianyi said.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning saw the bald monk behind Wan Jianyi.

He couldn’t help but smile, "And what about Master Mingxin?"

"Mingxin? He is not as good as you!" Wan Jianyi replied seriously.

"A-mi-tu-o-fo!" Mingxin behind Wan Jianyi clasped his hands together in front of his chest.

"So Master Mingxin has come!" Wan Jianyi turned and said.

"Why say so, benefactor? When I entered, you were clearly already aware!" Mingxin’s expression was calm.

"Mingxin, you have harbored anger!" Wan Jianyi’s tone was calm, and then he added, "Coming here to participate in the Martial Examination, you’ve also harbored greed!"

Mingxin folded his hands, his robe fluttering without wind, "The benefactor says this poor monk harbors anger because I chanted the Buddha’s name upon hearing ’not as good as Jiang Ning’. You say I harbor greed because I step into the arena of fame and fortune for the Martial Examination. However, benefactor hasn’t seen..."

He lightly tapped his heart with his fingertip, "When greed and anger arise, this poor monk observes them like observing clouds coming together and dispersing. The Martial Examination is not for gaining fame, it’s like a target and a copper mirror, reflecting all forms of sentient beings, precisely the venue for Mingxin to realize his nature."

Wan Jianyi crossed his arms and sneered coldly, "A fine excuse! If you don’t cling to the external, why bother stepping onto the stage to compete?"

"Amitabha!" Mingxin faintly commented, his presence glowing with a pale golden halo, "Years ago, Dharma meditating facing the wall for nine years was cultivation, Hui Ke severing his arm in the snow was also cultivation. What appears to be a battlefield of fame in the benefactor’s eyes, in this poor monk’s view...

At this point, Mingxin paused, then raised his hand to point at the enormous cauldron in the center of the practice field, "is only the image of five cauldrons holding down rivers and mountains. When the cauldrons move, thoughts move; when the cauldrons are still, the heart is still; how can it be restricted by whether or not to ascend the stage?"

"Weak arguments! If your heart is truly as calm as an ancient well, you should turn and leave now," Wan Jianyi said.

At this statement, sword intent burst forth, and all the martial students in the room held their breath, while Yan Youjiao was drenched in cold sweat.

"Blessed!" Mingxin suddenly smiled, like ice breaking in spring, "Benefactor Wan’s question is very much like when the Second Patriarch asked Dharma, ’Where is the place of peace for the heart?’"

He clasped his hands and bowed, "This poor monk answers: The Martial Examination field also serves as a meditation cushion, where thoughts of victory and defeat all return to Prajna."

Wan Jianyi suddenly pressed his sword and laughed, "Indeed, a remarkable Mingxin Monk! We’ll see you at the practice field later, whether it is your copper mirror reflecting the heart, or my sword breaking through illusions!"