As the crowd dispersed from the plaza, night fell.
Dongyuan’s bustling nightlife kicked off.
Today’s Martial Exam prefecture round was the hot topic over meals and drinks.
Cao Zheng joining this year topped the chatter—nobody saw it coming so sudden.
“I’ve heard it’s Mo Clan’s doing, they took a beating in the tower last time, must be out for Lin Yun’s blood!”
“Lin Yun beat Wei Qi—that’s proof he’s ace, without Cao Zheng, he might’ve nabbed the crown, but with Cao in, it’s a long shot.”
“No kidding, Cao Zheng’s a legit first-turn Tribulation realm!”
…
Talk like this buzzed across the city.
Some merchants even opened betting pools on tomorrow’s champ—Cao Zheng or Lin Yun, the hot favorites.
Nearly nine out of ten backed Cao Zheng!
Lin Yun fans, plus those betting neither would win, barely hit one in ten.
…
Time rolled on, dawn’s light spilling over the land—the next day arrived.
Today was Dongyuan’s Martial Exam finale—the fight for the top spot!
By 9 a.m., a swarm of cultivators packed the plaza, awaiting the matches.
Even monks from Dongyuan’s lower counties trekked in, just to catch the prefecture finals!
Way more people than yesterday.
The plaza was a sea of heads.
Among them, a familiar figure to Lin Yun.
The famed Dongyuan archer—Wei Qi!
Hearing Lin Yun was in, he’d come to watch—past exams never piqued his interest.
With the huge turnout, Dongyuan’s soldiers keeping order doubled from yesterday—troublemakers got nabbed on the spot.
Despite the masses, order held tight.
Lin Yun, Zhu Xu, and Clan Leader Zhu showed up.
Cao Zheng and the other contestants arrived early too, prepped to fight.
Even without a shot at first, a solid showing might catch the Prefecture Lord’s eye for a cushy Dongyuan gig.
So, even sans the crown, they’d go all out.
Up front.
The Prefecture Lord and imperial envoy took their seats.
Today, the Prefecture Lord’s son, Yi Cheng, joined, standing by his dad.
“Prefecture Lord, today’s finals—Dongyuan’s hot picks for the crown are Cao Zheng and Lin Yun, right?” the envoy said.
“Yeah, Cao Zheng’s the one, no doubt,” the Prefecture Lord replied smoothly.
“Father, three months back I met this Lin Yun, he said his goal was the crown, wouldn’t take my invite to join Dongyuan,” Yi Cheng sneered.
“Without Cao Zheng, he might’ve had a chance, but Cao’s in—he’s got none!” the Prefecture Lord said calmly.
“Father, if he can’t win, he’ll miss the empire’s cut, then Dongyuan’s his best bet—I say we don’t take him, arrogant prat like that, we don’t need!” Yi Cheng pressed.
The Prefecture Lord said nothing, tacitly agreeing.
Normally, second to fifth, pending background checks, got scooped by Dongyuan—with its billions-strong population and vast sprawl, they always needed talent.
“Time’s about right.”
The envoy stood.
Facing the crowd, he declared, “On behalf of Fire Cloud Empire, I announce—Dongyuan’s Martial Exam finals start now!”
At that, the 20 contestants gathered below the stage.
“Today’s finals are straight promotion—20 to 10, 10 to 5, 5 to 3, then the champ,” the referee explained.
“Right, draw lots now—first round, 20 to 10,” the referee said.
Lin Yun went first, pulling a monk named ‘Qin Ge’.
Lots drawn, round one kicked off.
First up—Lin Yun versus Qin Ge.
On stage.
Qin Ge, in blue robes, hefted a spear on his back, looking older than Lin Yun.
The referee called start.
“Heard you beat Wei Qi, no small feat, but I’m not buying the hype!” Qin Ge said, yanking out his spear.
“Then let’s go, narrow road—win or lose,” Lin Yun said evenly.
“Here I come!”
Qin Ge unleashed his third-rank Mahayana aura, spear flashing cold, reaching Lin Yun in a blink!
“Fast spear!”
“Too bad, against raw power, it’s useless!”
Lin Yun’s arm jolted, his Holy Spirit-grade sword arced brilliantly, tenth-layer Taixu Power plus demon bone erupting, force hitting terrifying heights!
*Boom!*
One move—Qin Ge flew off the stage.
“Lin Yun wins!” the referee shouted.
Lin Yun’s calm gaze swept the crowd below.
“Hm? He’s here?” He spotted Wei Qi in the throng.
Their eyes met.
Lin Yun was surprised—Wei Qi came to watch?
He stepped off.
Next match rolled in fast.
The 20-to-10 bouts wrapped one by one—winners cheered or stayed cool.
Cao Zheng, like Lin Yun, crushed his foe effortlessly, strolling off unfazed.
Of the ten, only Lin Yun and Cao Zheng’s fights were cakewalks—others traded blows.
So far, no one had forced out their real strength or trump cards—these foes were too weak.
Next round, 10 to 5, lots drawn.
The referee announced, “10-to-5 first match—Lin Yun versus Cao Zheng!”
“What? Lin Yun versus Cao Zheng?!”
The crowd erupted.
“10-to-5 and they clash already! Talk about bad luck!”
Who’d have thought the two favorites would meet so soon?
No doubt, one would crash out here, missing the top five!
Only first got the national round ticket—second or tenth, no diff, no nationals.
“Ha, brilliant! Finally!”
The Mo duo—Mo Yangrong couldn’t help cheering!
Clan Leader Mo grinned wide, barely containing it.
They’d been itching for this moment!
