Chapter 98

"Hum!"

A ripple of energy swept through the void. The moment the heavily armored captain opened his eyes, a blinding light burst forth, illuminating the world in daylight. However, it lasted only a short while before the astonishing light quickly faded.

"Everyone, listen carefully."

The heavily armored captain's voice was completely calm, but everyone who heard it felt no urge to resist.

"The imperial court selects scholars through the imperial examinations, and you are the pillars of the state. The true pillars of the state will never be neglected by the court!"

Complete silence fell over the martial hall. Even the most rebellious students chose to remain silent at this moment, listening quietly. The captain held a high and noble position, second only to the general stationed in Pingchuan County. In the border region, he was truly second to none and above all others.

The military was under strict guard. Outside of this occasion, it was almost impossible to meet a high-ranking official like a "captain" under normal circumstances.

"However, do not harbor any侥幸. Even among the martial students, there are distinctions. The court's rewards will only be given to the true geniuses!"

The heavily armored captain's gaze shifted, and several armored soldiers understood his meaning. With a clanging sound, they stepped forward and opened two large chests.

Seeing the contents of the two large chests, everyone's eyes lit up, including Yang Ji, who couldn't help but look over. In the first large chest were neatly stacked blue robes. A quick count revealed about six or seven sets, exactly the number for the seven martial students.

"Robes of Merit!"

Yang Ji's heart trembled, a thought flashing through his mind.

The "Robes of Merit" represented the court's bestowal of "Merit." Wearing these robes immediately signified a higher status. All merchants, farmers, artisans, and laborers had to give way to those with "Merit."

No one, regardless of their status, had the right to beat someone with "Merit." Even family elders were no exception; otherwise, it would be considered contempt of the court and treated as a crime.

Any martial student, martial scholar... their punishment was the responsibility of the court. Only officials with "Merit" could punish them.

Wearing these robes, one could even directly enter the city lord's residence to meet the local city lord.

However, Yang Ji also knew that the "Robes of Merit" for martial students and those for literary students had another distinction. All the "Robes of Merit" for martial students were made of special materials, resistant to water and fire, and could even withstand attacks from ordinary swords and knives.

For a "martial practitioner," this was an additional layer of protection.

As for the second large chest, there were fewer items inside. It contained three pills, one large and two small. Yang Ji didn't recognize the large one, but he recognized the small ones.

"Blood Qi Pills!"

Yang Ji was startled. The two small pills were the "Blood Qi Pills" he had taken.

"This is the Essence Blood Pill, which only the top scholar of the martial examination can possess."

The heavily armored captain extended two fingers, picked up the red pill from the box, and said to the crowd.

Hum!

The crowd was in an uproar, and even Yang Ji's heart trembled. In martial arts, pills were divided into low-grade "pills" and high-grade "elixirs."

"Pills" like "Hundred Herbs Pill" and "Iron Bone Pill" were common, while "Blood Qi Pills" were at the peak of "pills." "Pills" were effective in enhancing martial practitioners, and the ability to directly enhance a martial practitioner's blood qi was the limit of "pills."

As for "elixirs," their effects far surpassed those of "pills."

This was the first martial "elixir" Yang Ji had seen. The blood qi of the "Essence Blood Pill" was not as dispersed as that of the "Blood Qi Pill." Yang Ji could clearly feel an invisible restraint binding the energy inside the "Essence Blood Pill," with only a small portion escaping.

However, even the small portion that escaped was much more intense than the total energy of the "Blood Qi Pill." The vast amount of energy contained in the "Essence Blood Pill" was evident.

"In this world, martial arts are revered, and the strong are respected. Only the top scholar of the martial examination can obtain the Essence Blood Pill and choose the strongest martial technique from these!"

The heavily armored captain clapped his hand, and a wave of blood qi surged from the large chest. Three scrolls, intricately crafted with gold and silver threads, floated in the air, emitting a radiant glow.

Hum!

The crowd was in an uproar, even Li Chen and his ilk widened their eyes, their breathing slightly disordered.

"Scriptures! It's actually scriptures!..."

At first, only a few voices were heard, but soon the hall was filled with excited chatter, and almost everyone's eyes were bloodshot. No one expected that the court's reward would not be martial manuals, martial records, or martial classics, but genuine scriptures!

The value of such items even surpassed that of the "Essence Blood Pill."

Standing on the platform, Yang Ji's mind was slightly disordered. "Robes of Merit," "Essence Blood Pill," "Martial Technique Scriptures"—such rewards were almost enough to drive one mad.

Yang Ji could hear his own heart pounding, and almost simultaneously, he heard the disordered and rapid breathing of others. Everyone was in a similar state at this moment.

"Treasure belongs to the strong, not the virtuous. The first place will receive the best from me, the second place will receive the next best, and the third place will also receive what they desire. But the fourth place..."

The heavily armored captain's gaze swept over the crowd, and he coldly snorted.

"The fourth place will receive only a set of 'Robes of Merit,' nothing else. The same goes for the others! So think carefully. If you cannot defeat your opponents, you will receive nothing. Sometimes, the thousandth place and the eighth place are no different!"

The heavily armored captain waved his hand, and the three scrolls fell back into the chest, which clicked shut.

Without the allure of the "Robes of Merit," the glow of the pills, or the shimmer of the scriptures, the crowd's faces dimmed, and they looked disappointed.

"Carry them away!"

The heavily armored captain said without turning his head.

"Yes!"

Two burly armored soldiers obeyed, quickly carrying the two large chests away. Many eyes followed the chests, showing reluctance.

"Hard work brings rewards. What rewards you receive depend on your own efforts. — Go now!"

The heavily armored captain waved his hand, ending the speech, displaying a decisive and efficient style.

Throughout the process, no one said a word. Without a doubt, the heavily armored captain's words had taken effect, and a burning flame of desire ignited in everyone's eyes.

A total of 14 of the strongest candidates soon dispersed, each preparing for the upcoming battles.

"Can you do me a favor, Han Bin?"

Yang Ji walked down from the platform and found Han Bin in the crowd.

"Ah?"

Han Bin looked surprised but did not refuse.

"Help me find Lu Ling and have her investigate someone for me."

Yang Ji whispered a few words.

The final round of the martial examination was about to begin, and Yang Ji did not want to miss any opportunity to understand his opponents. Since Lu Ling was unavailable, Yang Ji had to ask someone else for help.

"Sure, don't worry. Lu Ling knows me, I'll take care of it."

Han Bin patted his chest, assuring Yang Ji, and then disappeared in the direction of the hall's entrance.

Yang Ji nodded, calmed his mind, and looked up at the platform.

"Scriptures... even many large clans don't have them!"

Yang Ji thought to himself, "This time, I really have to give it my all!"

"Scriptures" were the target of any force, but only the top three in the martial examination could obtain them. This explained why all factions, whether wealthy merchants, military, or clans, placed such importance on the martial examination.

"Men die for wealth, birds die for food," the heavily armored captain's revelation of the martial examination's rewards had not only driven the 14 finalists mad but even the candidates watching from below were driven to frenzy!