Chapter 74

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles without loss." In the realm of martial arts, one's level of cultivation undoubtedly holds a significant advantage, but a competition is not simply a comparison of levels. Wisdom and skill play a crucial role.

For Yang Ji, this was undoubtedly a rare opportunity to understand his competitors.

"The Weasel Martial Technique, with its agile movements, utilizes the strength of the limbs and toes, emphasizing the coordination of tendons and muscles. Although its speed does not match the White Snake Martial Technique, its agility and flexibility in direction surpass even my White Snake Concealed in Grass..."

A flash of insight crossed Yang Ji's mind.

The final victor of the "Martial Arts Examination" would undoubtedly be selected from among the candidates at the Martial Realm level. However, Yang Ji's attention was not limited to just the Martial Realm opponents. In any level of competition, as long as there were outstanding qualities, Yang Ji would pay special attention.

"Even a short ruler has its use, and even a long ruler has its limitations." Even the weakest candidates often have one or two outstanding qualities. Yang Ji took their strengths to make up for his own shortcomings.

With over twenty competition venues and thousands of martial arts students, numerous matches were taking place at every moment. Even with his remarkable memory, Yang Ji could not possibly remember everything.

Therefore, he had specially prepared a notebook, filled with densely written notes.

"This is a grand feast..."

Every cell in Yang Ji's body was stretching, and he thoroughly enjoyed this grand feast of martial arts. While everyone was cheering for the matches, Yang Ji absorbed useful information like a sponge.

"Buzz!"

A buzzing sound echoed in Yang Ji's mind, and his vision suddenly blurred. An extreme sense of fatigue surged through his body. Continuously observing, recording matches, and analyzing techniques and weaknesses was very draining, even for a "Warrior."

However, soon, a cool energy surged from his brow, spreading throughout his body. Yang Ji's depleted mental energy instantly became full again, and he energetically continued to record what he saw...

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was almost midnight. The number of people in the "Martial Hall" gradually decreased, and many candidates who had finished their matches left to return to their lodgings.

When the final match ended, the "Martial Hall" finally rang with a "Clang."

"It's over!..."

Yang Ji sighed and looked up, seeing the army officer in charge of the match, accompanied by four elite soldiers, quickly turn and leave the arena.

"The competition is intense. At least three thousand candidates have been eliminated today and will have to return home."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

The "Martial Arts Examination" was this cruel. Although the number of participants had decreased, the upcoming matches would only become more intense, as the weaker candidates had been eliminated, leaving only the stronger ones.

Yang Ji stood silently for a moment, then mixed in with the crowd and left the "Martial Hall."

It was already late outside, and the road was pitch black.

Yang Ji returned to his room and did not immediately go to sleep. He reviewed the matches of the evening, looking at the notes he had taken, before finally going to bed...

The next day, countless candidates once again flooded into the massive "Martial Hall."

"Boom!"

With a loud noise, Yang Ji used the "Cloud Hands" technique to uncontestably send an opponent flying off the stage. The crowd below let out a chorus of exclamations.

After yesterday's match, where Yang Ji defeated Sun Fan with a single move, he had gained a lot of attention. Now, when Yang Ji competed, the stage was clearly filled with people who had come specifically to watch him.

"Amazing!"

"Another single move!"

"I wonder who is stronger between him and Shen Tong!"

"I really look forward to a match between them. The top candidate in the 10th venue will definitely be either him or Shen Tong. It's just a matter of whether they will meet."

...

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Yang Ji and Shen Tong's styles were so unique, almost always resolving matches in one or two moves. Compared to other candidates who fought to the death, sometimes for the duration of an incense stick or even longer, these two stood out.

Yang Ji merely smiled faintly at the comments from the crowd and did not pay attention. According to the rules of the competition, only the strongest candidates would qualify for the next round of the martial examination, but the number was not limited to just one.

He and Shen Tong did not necessarily have to determine who was stronger!

"Boom!"

After Yang Ji, Shen Tong struck with a powerful blow, cleanly and decisively sending his opponent flying off the stage, drawing a chorus of cheers.

On the second day of the 10th venue, the number of participants had decreased from over 300 to just over 100. All those below the Ninth Level of the Breathing Realm had been eliminated, leaving only those at the Tenth Level of the Breathing Realm and several candidates at the Martial Realm!

Now, almost everyone believed that the winner of the 10th venue would be among the several candidates at the Martial Realm and Yang Ji and Shen Tong.

"Contestants 1244 and 3877, please step forward!..."

The voice of a large, dark-faced man echoed on the stage.

The match had ended, and Yang Ji stood in the crowd with his eyes closed, still visualizing the matches between Shen Tong and the recent candidate, over and over again.

Shen Tong's movements in Yang Ji's mind were slowed down, but each move was powerful, a straight punch sending the opponent flying off the stage like a cannonball.

After two days of competition, Shen Tong had not used many moves, and there was only so much Yang Ji could observe. However, Yang Ji still discovered many things.

"His strength is not necessarily greater than mine, but when combined with that hammer technique, his power can be significantly increased. I might not be able to block him. However, it's not entirely without a chance. This hammer technique is clearly not at its peak, and as long as the moves are not perfectly formed, there will be weaknesses."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Shen Tong's hammer techniques were still too few, but this did not stump Yang Ji. Any technique has traces that can be followed. Yang Ji closed his eyes and continuously replayed Shen Tong's two moves in his mind, calculating and deducing...

After a moment, Yang Ji opened his eyes, drenched in sweat.

"I'll go check out the other venues."

Yang Ji said and turned to leave.

"Whoosh!"

A flash of blood-red blade light appeared, and a not insignificant Martial Realm candidate did not even have time to dodge before a bright long sword was pressed against his neck, making him pale and motionless.

"Contestant 5641, Lu Dao, wins!"

...

Below the stage, Yang Ji quickly jotted down the result in his notebook. By the second day of the competition, each of the over twenty venues had extremely formidable opponents, including several at the Second Level of the Martial Realm.

There were simply too many people, and Yang Ji could not possibly keep up with all of them. The notes in his notebook were just a drop in the bucket.

When the midday matches ended, Yang Ji left the "Martial Hall," still thinking about the matter.

"Brother Yang, Brother Yang Ji, over here!..."

As he walked down the street, a familiar voice suddenly came from above. Beside the green stone street, a three-story, grand restaurant stood, beautifully decorated and impressive.

The restaurant was bustling with people eating. On the second floor, by the railing, a familiar face was excitedly waving at him.

"Han Bin!"

Yang Ji looked up at the second floor, somewhat surprised, but did not stop and continued walking.

Han Bin had seen Yang Ji from the railing early on. Seeing Yang Ji about to leave, he became anxious and leaped down from the three-story height.

"Brother Yang, Brother Yang, don't go!"

Han Bin hurriedly caught up.

"Is there something you need?"

Yang Ji frowned, not stopping.

"Hehe, Brother Yang, it's rare to meet, let's have a meal together."

Han Bin said with a grin.

"No need, I have things to do, I'll be going."

Yang Ji waved his hand. He still needed to go back and organize his notes and prepare for the afternoon matches. The more he understood, the more he felt the pressure of this "Martial Arts Examination," and winning would not be easy.

"Wait!—"

Han Bin became very anxious when he saw Yang Ji about to leave.

He was not just coincidentally meeting Yang Ji. This place was not far from the "Martial Hall," and most people would pass by this restaurant when leaving.

Yang Ji's personality always kept people at a distance, and it was not easy to catch him.

"The competition in this year's Martial Arts Examination is intense, and it is widely acknowledged that it surpasses any previous year. It is extremely difficult to stand out, and the number of warriors has also increased, with many powerful competitors. Don't you want to know about them?"

Han Bin said, thinking on his feet.

"Generally acknowledged? More intense than any previous year? Where did you hear this?"

Yang Ji did not answer but asked in surprise.

"Hehe, you didn't know, did you?"

Han Bin saw Yang Ji's reaction and knew his words had an effect, smiling:

"This isn't just my opinion; it's widely acknowledged. The Martial Arts Examination is difficult, with only seven people selected from thousands, but it has never been this difficult. Without going into details, there are quite a few candidates at the Second Level of the Martial Realm in the over twenty venues."

"In the past, there were some, but not this many. Even the army's officers and commanders are discussing this. Moreover, there's a rumor that a significant 'big figure' is participating this year."

Han Bin said.

"Big figure? What big figure?"

Yang Ji raised an eyebrow, looking at Han Bin in surprise. He and Han Bin had almost entered the city at the same time, and Han Bin's cultivation was not even as high as his. How did he know so much in such a short time?

"I don't know what big figure it is. But the rumor is only circulating among a small group."

Han Bin smiled, seeming to know what Yang Ji was thinking:

"Are you surprised by how I know so much? It's not because I have some secret means. All the information comes from here."

Han Bin pointed to the restaurant behind him, where a large sign read "Dilong Restaurant" in gold letters!

"This is the tallest, largest, and most famous restaurant in Pingchuan City. In every Martial Arts Examination, most people come here to eat. When I arrived, someone told me that if I wanted to gather information, I should frequent this place. — Brother Yang, you didn't know, did you?"

Han Bin said.

Yang Ji shook his head. This was his first time in Pingchuan City, and he wouldn't know. Moreover, unless someone had participated in the Martial Arts Examination before, they wouldn't know such details.

In the Yang Clan, no one would have given him such advice.

Yang Ji thought for a moment and then did not refuse, following Han Bin up to the restaurant.

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