Chapter 84 - 53: The Competition

For this year’s examination, Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had six Dark Energy disciples participating. Whether by coincidence or deliberate arrangement by the examiners, all six of them were scattered among different arenas.

However, Yang Jing suspected the examiners had done this on purpose.

The examination had a long history, and its rules were well-established.

Rumor had it the chief examiner from the Prefecture City had even served as an examiner for the Prefecture Examination, making him incredibly experienced.

Xu Hong glanced at the seventh arena and said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Yang, do you understand the reasoning behind the arena assignments?"

Yang Jing shook his head. "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

He had read the examination regulations Liu Maolin had given him, but they weren’t very detailed. And since this was his first time participating, there was much that Yang Jing didn’t understand.

With the examination about to begin, Yang Jing wouldn’t miss any opportunity to learn more. Every bit of understanding would give him more confidence in the matches to come.

Yang Jing knew that his Senior Brother, Xu Hong, had participated in the examination at least seven or eight times. He had started competing ever since he became a Mingjin Martial Artist, and in recent years, as a Dark Energy Martial Artist. Seven or eight times might even be a low estimate. Not just anyone had that much experience with the examination.

Xu Hong smiled and said, "I wouldn’t call it ’enlightenment.’ I’m just sharing some experience to keep you from wasting energy on minor things and letting it affect your matches."

He paused for a moment, then continued in a hushed tone, "This year’s examination has a total of eight arenas, one fewer than last year."

"If you look closely, you’ll see that each arena has roughly one or two martial artists at the Peak of Dark Energy, plus a few other Dark Energy masters, and then about twenty or so Mingjin Martial Artists."

"This is a deliberate move by the chief examiner and the other examiners to scatter the top fighters. They don’t want the real experts concentrated in one place, which would cause the Dark Energy martial artists to cluster and eliminate each other too early in the competition."

"I see. Thank you for telling me, Senior Brother," Yang Jing said, realization dawning on him. That detail hadn’t been in the examination regulations.

Xu Hong’s gaze slowly swept over the martial artists around the seventh arena, noting their identities and strengths. At the same time, a thought crossed his mind.

’Though he and his junior brother, Yang Jing, weren’t especially close on a normal day, that was inside the Martial Arts Hall. They were still from the same school, and out here, they had to stick together.’

’Besides, as the senior brother, offering a few words of advice was part of his duty.’

"Junior Brother Yang, in this seventh arena, there are three people you must be particularly wary of." Xu Hong’s tone grew solemn.

Yang Jing tensed upon hearing this, knowing his senior brother was about to point out some crucial details he was unaware of. He quickly cupped his fist. "Please instruct me, Senior Brother."

Having said that, he leaned in to listen, not daring to be disrespectful.

Xu Hong pondered for a moment before speaking. "The first is Shen Lie, from the Po Mountain Martial Arts Hall. He’s a master of the Mountain-Breaking Fist. Its style is similar to our Mountain-Shattering Fist—focused on raw, overwhelming power. But he’s already at the Peak of Dark Energy. His fists carry such heavy force that he can shatter a half-foot-thick slab of bluestone with a single punch. I’ve traded blows with him before. Though it was only a brief exchange, I knew I was no match for him. He’s the most likely contender for first place in your seventh arena."

’Barring any surprises,’ Xu Hong estimated, ’the top spot in this seventh arena will almost certainly go to Shen Lie. After all, how often do such upsets really happen?’

Yang Jing nodded silently, committing the two words "Shen Lie" to memory.

"Next, there’s Qian Feng from the Lieyang Martial Arts Hall," Xu Hong continued, nodding his chin in a certain direction to indicate the man’s location.

Yang Jing followed the direction his senior brother indicated. A small group of three or four people stood there, but Yang Jing’s eyes immediately landed on a young man dressed in black.

"Don’t bother looking for him now; you’ll recognize him later. Just remember to be extremely cautious when you fight these people. The second things look bad, open your mouth and surrender immediately."

Xu Hong warned, "There’s no shame in admitting defeat. Don’t let youthful pride make you do something foolish. Getting beaten half to death and thrown from the arena—that’s the real shame. If you damage your vital energy and set back your physical conditioning, your path on the Martial Dao will be severed, even if you eventually recover from your injuries."

A chill ran down Yang Jing’s spine. He nodded, his expression grave. "Yes, Senior Brother. I understand."

Xu Hong grunted in acknowledgment and continued, "This Qian Feng from Lieyang Martial Arts Hall isn’t at the Peak of Dark Energy, but his strength shouldn’t be underestimated. He has mastered the Wind-Splitting Palm to an incredible speed. The wind from his palms is as sharp as a blade, and he’s especially skilled at using his Dark Energy for evasive footwork and vibrational attacks. He’s not an easy opponent."

Yang Jing nodded, committing the key details about this man to memory. Should he face him later, this information would be vital.

"The third is Chen Wu of the Chen Family. While the Chen Family isn’t one of the six great families, they’re still one of the most prominent families in the county. They even have a Huajin Martial Artist in their ranks."

Xu Hong glanced in another direction and continued, "This Chen Wu practices Tongbei Fist, a style known for stretching the body and delivering long, continuous strikes. He wields his Dark Energy with ease, and with the full backing of the Chen Family, he fights viciously. A Dark Energy disciple from the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall was injured just from sparring with him."

Yang Jing committed all of this to memory. He raised his hands and gave Xu Hong a solemn, cupped-fist salute, his face filled with sincere gratitude. "Thank you for your detailed guidance, Senior Brother. I will not forget this kindness."

Xu Hong’s smile widened at Yang Jing’s words.

’He had simply felt that as the senior brother, he should help out where he could. Even if their relationship at the Martial Arts Hall was just average, they were still fellow disciples out here. But now, it seemed that earning the goodwill and favor of a Dark Energy master like Yang Jing was an even better outcome.’