The middle-aged man referred to as Instructor Lin nodded and said, "Don't worry, Miss Hua, I will make the arrangements."

Hua Qianxue added, "Make sure to explain the rules clearly to him."

After speaking, Hua Qianxue looked at Ye Chen and said, "I'm leaving, may we meet again if fate allows."

With that, Hua Qianxue and Granny Rong swiftly departed.

Watching Hua Qianxue's gradually disappearing figure, Ye Chen suddenly felt a sense of distance.

These days, even though he had been with Hua Qianxue, there was actually an immense chasm between them!

Instructor Lin's voice brought Ye Chen's thoughts back. He said, "Ye Chen, my name is Lin Ying, and I am an Outer Courtyard Instructor. All young people attending the Cangxing Martial Arts Academy's examination this year are under my responsibility before the assessment."

Ye Chen clasped his hands towards Lin Ying and said, "I rely on Instructor Lin for the upcoming events."

Lin Ying replied, "Come with me."

The two walked along the road.

Lin Ying began to introduce the relevant details about the examination to Ye Chen.

"Basically, all the people coming for the examination have arrived. There are over three hundred people, and the standard for participation is being under twenty years old and above the Gathering Yuan Realm Eighth Layer.

Of course, unless someone in the Gathering Yuan Realm Eighth Layer has something particularly outstanding, they almost have no chance of passing the examination.

Even those in the Gathering Yuan Realm Tenth Layer have very little chance of passing the test.

As for this year's examination content, it cannot be disclosed to you yet. These details will only be announced on the day of the examination."

Ye Chen understood that the reason Lin Ying was being so polite to him was because Hua Qianxue had instructed him to give Ye Chen a detailed introduction. Otherwise, why would an Outer Courtyard Instructor of the Cangxing Martial Arts Academy waste time on a mere Gathering Yuan Realm Tenth Layer kid like him?

Seizing this opportunity, Ye Chen asked whatever he didn't understand as quickly as possible.

"Instructor Lin, how are the Inner Courtyard and Outer Courtyard at Cangxing Martial Arts Academy distinguished?"

"Those who pass the examination become Outer Disciples. To become Inner Courtyard Disciples, one must either perform exceptionally well in the examination or strive hard to cultivate and rise to the Inner Courtyard after becoming an Outer Disciple.

The primary difference between the Outer Courtyard and the Inner Courtyard lies in the cultivation resources.

These resources include cultivation techniques, martial skills, medicinal pills, weapons, and the guidance from instructors.

This year's examination tentatively has ten slots for the Inner Courtyard.

However, four Inner Courtyard slots have already been previously determined."

"They can be predetermined?" Ye Chen was somewhat surprised. Doesn't that mean some people don't even need to take the exam?

Lin Ying said, "The four pre-determined slots are for exceptional talents. Don't think it's unfair; they earned recognition from the instructors at Cangxing Martial Arts Academy.

Even if they were to participate in the examination, the Inner Courtyard slots are guaranteed for them, so there's no reason to go through the process again."

At that moment, Ye Chen was thinking about how, if he passed the examination and joined the Cangxing Martial Arts Academy, what Elder Yang would think of him.

What is Elder Yang's status within the Cangxing Martial Arts Academy?

However, he didn't voice these questions.

There was no need.

Hua Qianxue didn't mention Elder Yang either, clearly not wanting too many factors to interfere with his examination.

Soon, Lin Ying led Ye Chen to the other side of the foot of the mountain.

Here, there were several simple dwellings.

But more so, it was people scattered in small groups, sitting casually on the open ground.

A man in his twenties wearing gray clothes with star patterns embroidered on them approached, bowed to Lin Ying, and said, "Instructor Lin."

Lin Ying said, "His name is Ye Chen, and he just arrived to participate in the Martial Arts Academy examination. Are there any vacant rooms left?"

The young man thought for a moment and said, "There are three rooms left."

Lin Ying said, "Arrange one of them for him."

Even though Hua Qianxue requested no special treatment, Lin Ying planned to do him a favor for small matters.

The young man's eyes flashed as he immediately smiled and said, "Yes, Instructor Lin."

After making the necessary arrangements, Lin Ying looked at Ye Chen and said, "Follow Su Jianghai. I have other matters to attend to."

"Thank you for your trouble, Instructor Lin."

Lin Ying waved a hand and left.

The young man named Su Jianghai smiled and said, "Ye Chen, come on, I'll take you to your lodging. There's still five days until the examination, and having a place to stay is much more comfortable than being outside. You can also prepare well for the examination in the room, aiming for a good performance."

"Thank you, Brother Su," Ye Chen said politely.

Su Jianghai laughed and said, "No need to be polite with me. We will all be disciples of Cangxing Martial Arts Academy, seeing each other often. Who knows, I might even need your help in the future."

In Su Jianghai's view, since Lin Ying made special arrangements for a place for Ye Chen, there must be a special reason. Perhaps Ye Chen has backing support, so it's best to establish good relations now.

Under Su Jianghai's guidance, amidst numerous envious, questioning, and angry gazes, Ye Chen moved into a small independent cabin.

Inside, the furnishings were simple.

But at least there was a table and a bed.

"Brother Su, normally there should be conditions for staying in the room, right?" Ye Chen asked casually.

With over three hundred participants in the examination and only three rows of rooms, twelve per row, totaling thirty-six rooms, it was clear not just anyone could stay there.

Su Jianghai said, "Those with stronger abilities can stay, but there are exceptions. Some people are from major families in Unrivaled County and have countless ties with Cangxing Martial Arts Academy, enabling them to secure a place through special channels.

Ye Chen, just settle in. Since it's Instructor Lin's arrangement, I'll make sure everything is taken care of, and nobody will dare trouble you.

Oh, here's a form you need to fill out. It's information that all exam participants must record."

As he spoke, Su Jianghai took out a piece of paper from his coat.

The information required for registration included name, age, cultivation realm, and origin.

After Ye Chen filled out the information, Su Jianghai smiled and said, "I won't disturb your cultivation. If you need anything, just come to me. Instructor Lin usually won't come to this area, and I'll be here until the examination."

After Su Jianghai left.

Ye Chen closed the doors and windows.

This time, he had been given an advantage, but Ye Chen didn't think much of it.

Connections are also a form of strength!

Moreover, with five days left until the examination, staying outside all the time, how could he enter the Sword Tomb to cultivate?

In five days, with effort, he might even manage to refine all the stele of the first layer of the Sword Tomb and open the second layer.

Ye Chen had confidence in the Cangxing Martial Arts Academy's examination.

Though he was only at the Gathering Yuan Realm Tenth Layer, the support of two Sword Intents and the explosive power of Sword Yuan was extraordinary.

But since Yang Tianji set this as a trial for him, he'd show the best results he could achieve.

Yang Tianji's legacy was praised even by Luo Qingyi within the Sword Tomb, so he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity!

If trouble did come his way,

fighting would solve it!

Su Jianghai had just mentioned that those who were strong could stay. Ye Chen's combat power was enough to handle ordinary True Essence Realm sixth or seventh layers. Even against slightly more talented foes, he could deal with True Essence Realm third or fourth layers!

"Elder Qingyi, I'm entering." Ye Chen began to connect with Luo Qingyi.

However, there was no response from Luo Qingyi.

Ye Chen muttered something to himself, then entered the Sword Tomb and began refining the steles, solidifying his foundation.

Half a day passed.

In intense pain, Ye Chen refined more than seventy stele, and more than half of the steles in the first layer of the Sword Tomb had been refined.

Once again, he felt his limit.

His dantian no longer allowed the gas whirl to condense further!

Ye Chen took out various bottles and jars from the Storage Ring, selected a few pills apparently used for building a foundation, swallowed them, and then used the Nine Heavens Sword Manual to refine the pill energy. After refining, he found his dantian had grown a bit, then immediately continued refining the steles.

Unrivaled County, Cangxing Martial Arts Academy, was a wholly new beginning.

The geniuses here far exceeded those in Qingyun City.

The experts here were countless times more powerful than those in Qingyun City.

To hold his head high, live with dignity, and avoid being bullied, he had to strive.

Ye Chen clearly understood that his start was much later than others, so he'd have to work much harder to catch up!

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