Chapter 76

"By the way, if you want to compete for the last seven martial student positions, there is a person in white you must pay attention to. This person comes and goes quickly and never speaks on the stage. His opponents, from start to finish, can't even last longer than a breath."

Han Bin picked up a piece of fish from the table, swallowed it, and continued, "Moreover, he always uses a simple and identical move. So far, no one has been able to force him to use a second move. My notebook records some powerful experts, and some of them have watched his matches. They turned and left after seeing him fight. Now, it's rumored that he doesn't use more than 20% of his strength in the matches, and no one has been able to force him to use his full strength yet."

"What's his name?"

A sharp light flashed in Yang Ji's eyes as he lifted his head from the notebook.

"White Shengming."

Han Bin said, "However, no one has ever heard of this name. Now, people are suspecting that he might be a hermit living deep in the mountains, someone few know about."

The border region is vast and primitive, and it is far from the imperial city. Therefore, many criminals of the court, discarded disciples of noble families, and disappointed disciples of sects, as well as people with various other reasons, have fled their original homes and run to the deep mountains of the border region, changing their names and starting new lives.

Over the decades, these people of unknown origin have settled and reproduced in the border region, passing down their descendants and disciples.

Han Bin suspected that this White Shengming was one of these people. Although their ancestors' identities were unknown, the court still recognized their eligibility to participate in the imperial examinations.

Yang Ji flipped to that page in Han Bin's notebook and indeed found the information about "White Shengming." Everything about this "White Shengming" was mysterious, even the boxing technique he used was straightforward, similar to "Black Tiger Heart Snatching."

However, such a simple move was something no one could block.

Although most of Han Bin's records were vague, there was still some useful information:

"White Shengming, age unknown, origin unknown, extremely powerful, characteristics: fast speed, quick reaction, high insight, few can match him."

Yang Ji continued to flip through the notebook and soon found the information about Shen Tong. The information about "Shen Tong" was more extensive, as Han Bin had gathered more information than Yang Ji could alone:

"Shen Tong, son of the wealthy merchant Shen Wan, peak of the first level of martial arts, uses the martial technique 'Ten Thousand Chaos Hammer Method'..."

"So, the martial technique he uses is called 'Ten Thousand Chaos Hammer Method.' Thinking about it, it really lives up to its name."

Yang Ji thought to himself and continued reading. When he flipped to the last page, his eyelids suddenly twitched.

"Han Bin, why is my name on your list?"

Yang Ji suddenly turned his head and looked at Han Bin, who was focused on eating.

Han Bin's notebook had Yang Ji's name on the last page. The information was not extensive, only one evaluation: "Extremely sharp..."

"Hehe, you didn't know. In the 10th venue, you and Shen Tong are already very popular figures. Unfortunately, there is very little information about you, just a name. As for the final evaluation— I took the liberty of adding it for you."

Han Bin laughed, somewhat smugly.

Yang Ji frowned but said nothing. He knew that this was his first time participating in the martial examinations and his first time in Pingchuan City, so no one could possibly recognize his background.

Han Bin had followed him for a while and experienced the "Shuangjiling" incident with him, so he was the only one who would pay special attention to him.

Yang Ji didn't say much and continued to flip through the notebook.

"Wang Xuan, Shen Tong, Zuo Guangdou, Lu Youdao, Shi Qing, White Shengming..."

A series of names from the notebook flashed through Yang Ji's mind, and he thought to himself. The number of participants in the "martial examinations" was too large, and Han Bin's records were undoubtedly just a part of it.

However, in a place like the Earth Dragon Inn, the fact that many people were paying attention to and discussing them proved their formidable strength. If he wanted to achieve success in the "martial examinations," he would have to overcome them.

"The first round of the martial trials has not ended yet, so there should still be enough time to watch their matches."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Thump, thump, thump!

A crisp sound of footsteps suddenly came from the stairs, and in an instant, it seemed like a flame cloud appeared in everyone's perception.

"Hum!"

In the Earth Dragon Inn, the crowd suddenly burst into a buzz. Yang Ji didn't pay much attention at first, but then he noticed that many of the candidates opposite him stood up and stepped back, looking quite wary, as if a big shot had arrived.

"Hmm?"

Yang Ji's heart stirred, and he subconsciously followed the gazes of the crowd. He saw a waiter at the stairs, followed by several martial arts guards, and a young man in white, looking ethereal and detached, slowly walking up.

"Li Chen!"

Yang Ji's eyebrows twitched slightly, not expecting to meet him here. But then he thought, the Earth Dragon Inn was the most famous inn in Pingchuan City, so it wasn't strange for Li Chen to be here.

"I didn't expect him to participate in this martial examination."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Li Chen, the third son of the Li Clan, was known as one of the "Three Heroes of Pingchuan," and his strength was unquestionable. However, what left the deepest impression on Yang Ji was a few months ago, when Li Chen calmly repelled several knife-wielding bandits in the Hundred Herbs Hall and even killed the strongest bandit leader.

At that time, Yang Ji was only at the tenth level of the breathing realm, and he only thought Li Chen was very strong. Now that he had reached the martial arts realm, recalling that day, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

"An ordinary person can barely match a martial arts realm bandit, but Li Chen can take on four and even kill a second-level martial arts bandit. This strength is terrifying. With him participating in the martial examination, one of the seven positions is already taken."

Yang Ji thought to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.

Li Chen, one of the "Three Heroes of Pingchuan," shouldn't have come to participate in the "martial student" examination, but thinking about it, Li Chen had only recently become one of the "Three Heroes of Pingchuan."

The martial examinations were held every three years, and three years ago, Li Chen probably wasn't so powerful!

"Thank you."

Yang Ji closed the notebook and handed it back to Han Bin. The Li Clan and the Yang Clan had always had a strained relationship, and although Yang Ji and Li Chen had met once before, they were not on good terms. At this moment, he didn't want to interact with him too much and just picked up his chopsticks to eat quietly.

Thump, thump, thump!

The resounding footsteps echoed from the stairs and passed by Yang Ji's table, heading further away. Just as Yang Ji thought Li Chen hadn't noticed him, the footsteps suddenly turned and paused for a moment before heading toward Yang Ji's table.

"Yang Ji? We meet again."

Li Chen stopped in front of Yang Ji and Han Bin's table, smiling. Flanked by two guards, he exuded an air of a nobleman.

The atmosphere became somewhat delicate, and the candidates on the second floor of the Earth Dragon Inn were quickly drawn to the scene, looking over.

"Master Li!"

Han Bin was taken aback. He hadn't recognized Li Chen at first, as Li Chen didn't often appear in Pingchuan City. However, the surrounding chatter clearly revealed Li Chen's identity.

Han Bin hadn't expected that the plainly dressed Yang Ji would know Li Chen and hurriedly stood up. Li Chen's oppressive aura was very strong, and for Han Bin, who was only at the breathing realm, it made even breathing difficult.

"Does the Third Master have any advice?"

Yang Ji frowned and said coolly. Although he didn't provoke trouble, he wasn't afraid of it either!

Li Chen smiled, not taking it to heart. To be honest, he wouldn't have paid attention to Yang Ji, but the last meeting left a deep impression on him.

The last time they met, Yang Ji was only at the tenth level of the breathing realm. However, in just a few months, Li Chen found that Yang Ji had already reached the martial arts realm. Such rapid progress made it hard for Li Chen to ignore him.

The Li Clan and the Yang Clan had always had a strained relationship, and if it were another Yang Clan disciple, Li Chen wouldn't have given them a second glance. But Yang Ji's identity was somewhat special, and Li Chen had reviewed his background, knowing it well.

"Your rapid progress is impressive."

Li Chen stood at the edge of the table, looking down at Yang Ji with a half-smile, "What do you think about what I said last time? The Yang Clan can't accommodate you. With your talent, why don't you come and join me? I believe it would be much better for you to stay in the Yang Clan, and I never mistreat my subordinates."

"Thank you, but I have no interest in being a tool for others!"

Yang Ji said coolly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Yang Ji knew that the Li Clan didn't lack a few "martial artists." The reason Li Chen treated him differently was not because he saw great talent in him or felt a deep connection, but because he valued his identity as a Yang Clan disciple.

If he joined the Li Clan, it would undoubtedly be a blow to the Yang Clan.

Although Yang Ji had no good feelings toward the Yang Clan, he had no interest in being used by others.

"I don't like being refused."

Li Chen said coolly, his gaze turning colder.

No one likes being refused, especially twice!

Yang Ji sneered. Although Li Chen appeared polite and broad-minded, the pride of a major clan's direct lineage was impossible to hide.

If Li Chen had spoken nicely, Yang Ji might have talked to him. But this "recruitment" attitude left him with no good feelings.

In the Yang Clan, he wasn't afraid of the power of the First Lady, so why would he be afraid of Li Chen's threats?

"Everything has a first time. You'll get used to it."

Yang Ji said calmly.

The Earth Dragon Inn suddenly became quieter, and even the most insensitive people could feel the tension between the two.