Chapter 86

Just as the arena was boiling with excitement, Yang Wen and Yang Wu withdrew their gazes from the stage, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

"This guy... is too strong!"

The two were filled with surprise and doubt, the same thought flashing through their minds. In the realm of Martial Arts, when "Warriors" of the same level fight, it is very common for the battle to last for hours without a clear winner. To defeat an opponent with one move, as had just happened, would require a significant overall strength advantage.

Both of them came from the Yang clan and knew Yang Ji's background like the back of their hands. Six months ago, he was still only at the third stage of Breathing, and a single Yang Yong could make him bleed from the nose.

If he had grown to such a formidable level in such a short time, to the point where he could defeat a first-level Martial Arts "Warrior" with one move, the two found it hard to believe.

"If it really is Yang Ji, ... he can't possibly be this powerful!"

Thoughts raced through Yang Wen's mind, his eyes revealing deep contemplation. The scenes of "Zhao Qi" being kicked away by "Yang Ji" kept flashing in his mind.

Yang Wen's thoughts kept circling around the image of "Yang Ji" leaping into the air and striking "Zhao Qi" away, which left a profound impression on him.

In a match, leaping into the air is a major taboo. If it were him, he could also have sent Zhao Qi flying, but it would never have been as graceful and effortless as "Yang Ji."

His timing was too perfect, making it seem as if Zhao Qi had no resistance at all. This was not just a matter of having great strength.

"This kind of instinct is terrifying!"

A flash of insight crossed Yang Wen's mind.

He asked himself if he could have done what Yang Ji did, and the answer was no.

"Yang Ji! Go for it—"

At that moment, a woman's voice suddenly came from the crowd, fleeting and barely noticed. But Yang Wen and Yang Wu quickly caught it.

The noise in the arena made it hard to hear, but the woman's voice was clearly not far from them, somewhere nearby.

"How did a woman get in here?"

Yang Wen's eyes flickered, and he temporarily put his thoughts aside.

According to the imperial rules, women were not allowed to participate in the "Martial Examination." A woman appearing in such an important match was not a normal occurrence.

The crowd around the stage was dense, making it difficult to locate someone. But Yang Wen and Yang Wu quickly spotted her.

She was wearing a set of imperial armor, followed by two guards with strong blood qi. If not for a closer look, one might have mistaken her for an imperial soldier.

However, the "soldier's" figure was clearly much slimmer than a man's, and strands of black hair could be seen beneath the helmet, revealing that she was a woman.

"Lu Ling!"

"Daughter of the City Lord!"

...

Seeing the side profile of the armored figure, the two were shaken and called out in unison. Yang Wen and Yang Wu, who served in Pingchuan City, knew the city's officials and important figures well.

The armored figure, though disguised as a man, was undoubtedly Lu Ling, the daughter of the City Lord of Pingchuan City.

"Why is she here?"

Yang Wen and Yang Wu were startled, the same thought flashing through their minds. Lu Ling held a unique position in Pingchuan City. Besides being the City Lord's daughter, her powerful martial skills were legendary.

If women were allowed to participate in the Martial Examination, Lu Ling's terrifying strength would have long surpassed all others and taken the top spot! Yang Wen and Yang Wu, though confident in their martial skills, had to admit that compared to this legendary City Lord's daughter, they were far behind.

"Lu Ling!"

Just as Yang Wen and Yang Wu were filled with doubt, Yang Ji also noticed Lu Ling in the crowd. If not for his familiarity with her voice, he might not have noticed her.

"Lu Ling, why are you here?"

Yang Ji asked, his face showing curiosity.

Used to seeing her in a yellow outfit, suddenly seeing her in armor and on a warhorse felt quite fresh.

"Haha, how do I look? Not bad, right?"

Lu Ling, however, did not answer. Instead, she moved her hands and feet in the heavy armor, walking back and forth in front of Yang Ji with a proud and satisfied look.

"Not bad, not bad..."

Yang Ji smiled. He had to admit that although Lu Ling was a woman, she had a commanding presence in the armor.

"Hehe, my father was supposed to come this time. The City Lord has the responsibility to inspect and supervise each Martial Examination. I came in his place this time."

Lu Ling walked a few rounds, satisfying her curiosity, then explained why she was there. She paused and asked curiously:

"By the way, what's going on? Why did you suddenly change your outfit? If I didn't know you were in the second round of the preliminaries and recognize your figure, I wouldn't have been sure it was you."

"This is a long story, I'll tell you later."

Yang Ji smiled.

Lu Ling had mentioned she might come to watch his match, but he didn't expect it to be so soon. He was quite happy to see her.

"Chuckles, that's fine."

Lu Ling smiled, not pressing further. "To be honest, you look quite good in that outfit. It suits you."

...

On the other side of the stage, Yang Wen and Yang Wu silently watched Yang Ji and Lu Ling chatting in the crowd, their suspicions completely dispelled.

"It seems we were mistaken."

Yang Wen suddenly said:

"That guy is probably just a namesake of Yang Ji."

"Right. We've been serving as martial officials in Pingchuan City for seven or eight years and haven't even met Lu Ling. Yang Ji, who stays in Jinan City, is even less likely to have met her."

Yang Wu nodded.

The two had initially suspected that the guy might be Yang Ji in disguise, but seeing this, they had basically ruled out that possibility. The City Lord's daughter is not someone just anyone can meet.

Even if you tried to curry favor, given Lu Ling's rumored personality, you would likely end up with a nose full of dust and no good will, only increasing their dislike.

"Who knows what his background is. He's not just strong, but he also knows Lu Ling. He must have some significant background. — There's actually someone this powerful in Pingchuan County with the same surname as us, but we don't know him!"

Yang Wen muttered.

"Unknown, he must be a hermit from some remote mountain. Only they could have raised someone like this."

Yang Wu thought for a moment and said.

The two were now completely convinced that the "Yang Ji" in the Martial Examination was just a coincidence of the same name.

Compared to the unbelievable miracle of "Yang Ji breaking through from the third stage of Breathing to the Martial Arts realm in six months, possessing incredible strength, entering the preliminaries of the Martial Examination, and knowing the City Lord's daughter Lu Ling," the two preferred to believe that the Yang Ji who appeared in Pingchuan City was just there to participate in the "Civil Examination."

As for Yang Ji's whereabouts... the Civil Examination was over, so Yang Ji should have returned to Jinan City.

To be honest, apart from the same name, the two were completely different in terms of martial skills, demeanor, and social circles.

"Since we've determined it's not him, let's not investigate further. Lu Ling's personality is not to be trifled with. If she discovers we've infiltrated and are investigating her friend, we'll have a big headache."

Yang Wen thought for a moment and said.

Lu Ling, regardless of her status, background, or strength, was not someone they could afford to offend. And while Lu Ling could disguise herself to come in, they could not.

If Lu Ling discovered them, it could affect their future career advancement in the military. After much consideration, the two quietly left.

...

Although Yang Ji was talking to Lu Ling, he could still see Yang Wen and Yang Wu in the crowd with his peripheral vision. Only when the two left did he feel relieved.

He had been thinking that just defeating Zhao Qi might not be enough, and whether he should take some other measures. But unexpectedly, the two guys left.

"Yang Wen and Yang Wu won't give up easily unless they're sure. Hmm, ... it seems this is related to Lu Ling."

Yang Ji thought and concluded that everything must be due to the appearance of "Lu Ling."

Yang Wen and Yang Wu, as martial officials, still had some reservations about Lu Ling.

"Number 4435 Wang Xian, Number 5651 Cao Meng, step forward!..."

At that moment, a loud voice came from the stage. Yang Ji's body tensed, and he turned his gaze to the stage.

Two figures, like cranes among chickens, stepped onto the stage from either side. The figure on the left, motionless, seemed to swallow everything like a still pond, was none other than Wang Xian, whom Yang Ji had met at the "Dilong Tavern," a descendant of a military family.

"It's him!"

A flash of insight crossed Yang Ji's mind, and he focused on the stage.

Lu Ling looked at Yang Ji curiously, following his gaze to the stage where Wang Xian stood, her mind deep in thought, then remained silent.

"The match begins!"

At the command, Cao Meng on the right side made the first move.

"Roar!—"

A roar, and a fierce wind rose. Within ten steps of Cao Meng, the air whistled sharply, and the air currents churned, forming numerous fierce and terrifying pythons around him, making one's heart chill just by looking at them.

"Cao Meng, the Fierce Python Fist, a Martial Arts technique, the first place in Zone 19, is very formidable!..."

A familiar voice came from behind, and Yang Ji turned to see Han Bin standing there.

"Is this a friend?"

Lu Ling glanced at Han Bin, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"Um."

Yang Ji nodded.

"Nice."

Lu Ling simply said two words, then watched the stage with Yang Ji.

"This Cao Meng is quite strong. To be able to form nine python shapes with the Fierce Python Fist at the Martial Arts realm is already very impressive. Just by this, his strength is probably not inferior to yours."

Lu Ling's strength was higher than Yang Ji's, so her evaluation was accurate. At that moment, the two on the stage were already engaged in a fierce battle.