First Stage of the Military Examination

The two chatted as they walked, reaching the end of the passageway where the view suddenly opened up.

Beneath a massive dome, a futuristic urban-like structure sprawled before them.

A complex network of walkways, signage, and floating screens crisscrossed the space.

The crowd dispersed here, still dense but far more orderly than the plaza outside.

"Examinees this way, family members and teachers please proceed to the visitor passage, invigilators report to Zone A," came a clear announcement over the loudspeaker.

Su Qi paused slightly, turning his head toward Liu Yuan. "The examinee waiting hall is in Zone C. Can you find it?"

Liu Yuan rose on her tiptoes, following the signs before nodding, her face alight with eager excitement. "Don’t worry, big brother. I’m not a kid anymore."

She let go of his arm.

"Meanwhile, you—with those dark circles—better not fall asleep during the exam," she teased with a mischievous grin.

Su Qi: "..."

"I’m heading to check in."

"Mm!" Liu Yuan nodded vigorously, her smile bright.

With that, she turned and jogged toward Zone C, quickly merging into the crowd of examinees dressed in various colors.

Su Qi stood still, watching her back disappear around the corner of the passage before finally turning toward the direction marked "Invigilator Zone A."

The passageway grew quieter, the floor made of some sound-absorbing material that made footsteps echo faintly.

Occasionally, uniformed staff hurried past, each exuding faint or strong energy fluctuations, their expressions serious.

The atmosphere here carried an intangible pressure, heavier than the clamor outside.

Clearly, these staff members were privy to some "inside information."

Though certainly not as detailed as Su Qi’s.

Arriving at the Zone A check-in, Su Qi verified his identity once more.

The reception was handled by a composed female invigilator in her thirties.

She glanced at Su Qi’s electronic credentials, then gave him a once-over, her eyebrows lifting almost imperceptibly.

"So young?" Her tone held a trace of scrutiny.

While there were certainly twenty-somethings in the invigilator ranks, most were assigned to auxiliary or logistical roles.

Someone like Su Qi, directly appointed to independently oversee an exam, was rare—especially in a first-tier city like Jiangxia.

Not that she meant to challenge him.

With Jiangxia on the brink of turmoil, she’d have to be an idiot to stir up trouble now.

Unity was what they needed most.

So, the female invigilator didn’t press further.

The martial exam’s invigilation system had its own vetting standards—if he was here, he’d passed.

She tapped into a specialized backend program. "Let’s see… Your assignment is emergency response?"

Here, her voice faltered slightly.

Typically, this role required someone at least at the peak of the eighth rank.

"Your movements will be relatively unrestricted. Here’s your access card and exam hall map. Procedures and precautions are all detailed inside."

Su Qi took the card with a word of thanks.

——

Meanwhile, Liu Yuan had already arrived at the Zone C examinee waiting hall.

It was like stepping into another world.

The vast space could easily accommodate eight hundred people, yet now it was nearly full.

Top examinees from high schools across Jiangxia City gathered here, the air thick with restless energy.

Liu Yuan found a relatively empty corner and sat down.

——

Elsewhere.

From the audience’s perspective, a powerful musical fanfare blared over the speakers.

Every gaze was drawn forward as several figures emerged onto the platform.

At the forefront stood a middle-aged man with a stern, unyielding demeanor, his presence as solid as a mountain.

"Silence!"

His voice, though not loud, carried clearly across the venue, instantly quelling all noise.

His sweeping gaze cast an invisible pressure over the crowd, sending a ripple of unease through the examinees.

"I am the chief invigilator of this year’s Jiangxia City Martial Exam—Guardian Jiang, the city’s protector."

"The martial exam is a selection, a competition, and even more so…"

He coughed. "Ah, forgot my lines."

"Never mind. You’re not here to listen to me ramble anyway."

This wasn’t for show—he’d been swamped lately, with no time to rehearse.

"Straight to the point. This year’s exam has undergone major revisions, divided into three stages."

"Stage One: Basic Assessment! Worth 20% of the total score."

"Stage Two: Arena Duels! Worth 29%."

"Stage Three: Live Combat Hunts! Worth 51%."

"Specific rules will be announced before each stage begins."

"With that, I declare the Jiangxia City Annual Martial Exam—Stage One, Basic Assessment—now open!"

As Guardian Jiang’s words faded, the subdued atmosphere from his speech reignited into fervor.

——

Back in the Zone C examinee waiting hall, the mood shifted subtly as well.

The originally smooth walls lit up with massive, silent screens displaying clear guidance and grouping information.

Eight hundred examinees were swiftly divided, surging toward different exit passages according to the numbers on the screens.

"Testing Field E, Number 7..."

Liu Yuan quickly spotted her name and corresponding test area on the screen.

Around her were examinees of similar age, each radiating palpable energy fluctuations—some strong, some weak, but without exception, brimming with fighting spirit.

"A-1, please proceed to testing."

"B-1..."

"C-1..."

This basic test didn't carry much weight, but it was mandatory.

Its purpose was primarily to assess "metrics" and "unique talents," ensuring no potential went overlooked.

Soon, the call reached E-7.

Suppressing the slight unease stirred by the unfamiliar environment, Liu Yuan strode forward briskly.

The passage wasn't long, and she soon arrived at Testing Field E—a far more expansive space resembling a massive indoor training ground.