53: Chapter 53 The Embroidered Uniform Guard Assessment Begins

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's voice, like rolling thunder, echoed over the training grounds, drawing an indisputable conclusion to this fierce battle.

Below the ring, Du Fei, who was barely supporting himself with one arm and had blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, heard the verdict.

His vision suddenly went black. The pent-up rage, unwillingness, humiliation, and the excruciating pain from his injuries erupted simultaneously, making his throat feel sweet.

With a "pfft," he spat out another mouthful of congealed blood, which splattered onto the dust before him, a shocking sight.

"I... refuse... I refuse to accept this..." He gritted his teeth until they creaked, his eyes staring with resentment at the tall, upright figure on the ring.

He hissed, "Using... using speed to launch a sneak attack... what kind of skill is that? A direct... a direct confrontation..."

Before he could finish, he began to cough violently again, which aggravated the shattered bones in his right shoulder.

The piercing pain was unbearable, and finally, unable to hold on, his vision went completely black, and he collapsed to the ground, fainting.

Disciples familiar with him and the martial arts hall stewards immediately rushed forward to carry him away for treatment.

Below the ring, the Disciples who supported Du Fei looked grim and whispered among themselves:

"Senior Brother Du lost too unjustly! It was completely because that brat relied on his fast movement technique!"

"Exactly, if it were a real test of strength and solid fist technique, Senior Brother Du would definitely have won!"

"Hmph, even if he won, it was an unfair victory!"

However, many more Disciples, especially those who were neutral or had always disliked Du Fei's conduct, held a different view:

"A win is a win! On the ring, what is there to distinguish between a sneak attack or not? Being able to dodge Senior Brother Du's ultimate move is a skill in itself!"

"Senior Brother Lin's movement technique was unfathomable; I couldn't even see it clearly! That is what you call true skill!"

"Exactly, Senior Brother Du's strength is strong, but what's the use if he can't hit anyone? Senior Brother Lin won fair and square!"

Liu Yunfeng, Wang Yu, and others had long since excitedly rushed to the side of the ring, their faces flushed, waving their arms and cheering loudly for Lin Tian.

Wang Yu even threw a fierce punch, feeling the pent-up frustration he had held for so long finally release in a satisfying breath.

Lin Tian stood in the center of the ring, slowly inhaling and exhaling to calm his Qi and blood after the intense battle.

Listening to the cheers and arguments below, his expression remained calm, without much excitement, save for a slight, pleasant curve at the corner of his mouth.

"The spot... is finally mine." He thought to himself, a heavy burden finally lifted from his mind.

With this spot, he could participate in the official Imperial Guard examination.

Once he passed, it would be a vast new world, and the threat of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall would no longer be a concern.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng walked over and patted Lin Tian on the shoulder, his eyes full of relief and appreciation: "Not bad, you won beautifully. Speed is inherently a part of strength; being able to train your movement technique to such a Realm is a testament to your ability."

"Rest well and adjust your condition. Five days from now is the date of the official Imperial Guard examination."

"Yes, Revered Master." Lin Tian replied respectfully.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye, amidst tense preparations and increasingly heated discussions in the outside world.

On this day, the entire Heishan City seemed to become restless.

In every street and alley, teahouse and tavern, the core of everyone's conversation was the "Imperial Guard Examination."

For the vast majority of people in this large border city, the Imperial Guard was an existence high in the clouds—mysterious, majestic, and possessing overwhelming authority.

Now that they were conducting an open selection in the city, although the public had no right to observe, the mere sense of participation and the potential changes that might follow were enough to make the whole city boil with excitement.

The examination location was set at the "Qianlong Villa," which was under direct royal jurisdiction in the east of the city.

This villa covered an extremely vast area, backed by dangerous peaks and facing a great river.

Inside, there were training grounds, palaces, and gardens, all fully equipped. On ordinary days, it was heavily guarded, and idlers were not allowed to enter.

Today, the villa gates were wide open, yet it was still not a place for just anyone to enter.

Only Martial Artists holding a recommendation spot and the key figures of their respective factions were qualified to step inside.

The Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall team, led personally by Hall Master Chen Qingfeng, arrived outside the villa on time.

Lin Tian, Senior Sister Chen Yu, and Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang, dressed in the martial arts hall's specially made dark blue combat attire, looked spirited and composed, following behind Chen Qingfeng.

Liu Yunfeng, Wang Yu, and others also came along.

Although their Families had some influence, in such an occasion, they could only be considered as affiliates of the martial arts hall, tagging along to gain some experience.

Stepping into the villa, an atmosphere of solemnity, majesty, and a faint air of competition rushed towards them.

The vast training ground had long been cleared, and spectator seats were set up all around.

At this moment, many people were already seated, all of them influential factions in Heishan City:

In addition to the two major martial arts halls, "Liehuo" and "Baiyun," which were as famous as the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, there were representatives from the City Lord's Mansion, several martial arts Families that had been rooted in Heishan City for many years,

as well as representatives from some chambers of commerce with deep backgrounds and strong financial resources.

Lin Tian scanned the area and saw that many young Martial Artists had already gathered in the field, mostly around twenty years old.

Each one had bulging temples, sharp eyes, and vigorous Qi and blood, carrying an air of toughness in their every movement and posture.

Clearly, these were the elites carefully cultivated and meticulously selected by various Families and martial arts halls, the true cream of the crop of Heishan City's younger generation.

Liu Yunfeng, Wang Yu, and others followed behind, looking around curiously and nervously.

Their Families were indeed not significant enough for such an occasion, and being able to enter was already thanks to the martial arts hall, so naturally, they dared not speak loudly.

The arrival of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall immediately attracted numerous gazes.

After all, it was one of the three major martial arts halls alongside Liehuo and Kuangfeng, with a deep foundation.

Countless gazes swept over them, filled with scrutiny, assessment, curiosity, and even hidden hostility.

Most of the gazes lingered more on Senior Sister Chen Yu and Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang, while Lin Tian was merely glanced over.

After all, Senior Sister Chen Yu was the Hall Revered Master's daughter, and her talent and strength were already well-known;

Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang was the head Disciple of the martial arts hall, as steady as a mountain, and had also been famous for a long time.

Only Lin Tian was very unfamiliar, and he seemed the youngest, leading many to secretly guess if he was just an accompanying Disciple here to "see the world."

However, there were a few gazes that paused suddenly when sweeping over Lin Tian, becoming cold and sharp.

"Look! It's that brat!" At the seating area of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, a young Disciple whispered, his eyes locked firmly on Lin Tian.

The Liehuo Hall Master, sitting in the center, was an elderly man around fifty, with a flushed face and a fierce Aura between his brows.

Hearing this, he slowly turned his head, his gaze like a torch, landing on Lin Tian, his voice low: "He is Lin Tian? The one who killed two Disciples of our hall, and the one at whose hands Elder Yan Lie is suspected to have fallen?"

"It is him!" a Martial Artist who looked like an Elder whispered from the side, "Before Elder Yan Lie went missing, he had been keeping an eye on him. This boy's movements are secretive, and with the protection of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, we haven't found a suitable opportunity to make a move."

"Hmph." The Liehuo Hall Master let out a cold snort from his nose, withdrew his gaze, and said in a chilling tone, "It doesn't matter. The monk can run, but the temple cannot.

As long as he dares to leave Heishan City, there will always be a time when he is alone.

The matter of Elder Yan Lie has not yet been investigated, but if it is truly related to him... our Liehuo Martial Arts Hall will definitely crush his bones and scatter his ashes!"

Several Core Disciples of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall nodded one after another, their gazes towards the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall filled with malice.

"Hall Revered Master, the people recommended by the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall this time should be Senior Sister Chen Yu, Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang, and... Du Fei, right?" a Disciple guessed, "I heard that Du Fei also recently achieved a Breakthrough to the Second Grade."

The Liehuo Hall Master nodded slightly: "It's highly likely. That old fox Chen Qingfeng will definitely send over the best seedlings. That kid Du Fei does indeed have good talent."

He turned to the three young Martial Artists behind him, who had refined Auras and arrogant eyes, and said in a deep voice: "Listen clearly to me. During the examination, if you encounter anyone from the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, especially those three, do not hold back!

If you can cripple them, do it; if you can kill them... find an opportunity!"

"Rest assured, Hall Revered Master!" the three replied in unison, a flash of killing intent passing through their eyes, "We will definitely ensure that their Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall comes away with nothing!"

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Just as the various factions were whispering and secretly competing, three heavy and highly penetrating drum sounds suddenly came from the direction of the most magnificent hall in the depths of the villa!

The drumbeats were vigorous and soul-stirring, instantly suppressing all the noise in the venue.

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all looked over intently.

They saw the heavy, vermilion-lacquered gate of the main hall slowly opening inward, and a team of people filed out.

Leading them was a middle-aged man around forty years old, with a cold expression and a stature as straight as a pine tree.

He did not deliberately exude any Aura, but when those eyes, deep as cold pools, swept across the venue, everyone felt a chill in their hearts, as if they were being gripped by an invisible hand.

He wore a mysterious black Feiyu suit, with a long, narrow, pitch-black Xiuchun saber hanging at his waist.

His steps were steady, and he naturally carried a cold, majestic air of life-and-death authority.

Behind him followed eight Imperial Guard warriors, also dressed in Feiyu suits with tough Auras, splitting into two rows.

When this group appeared, the entire Qianlong Villa instantly became silent, so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

Even the most arrogant young Genius could not help but straighten their backs and restrain their expressions.

The middle-aged Imperial Guard walked to the high platform in the center of the training ground and stood still.

His gaze was like lightning, slowly sweeping over the dense crowd below the platform.

Everyone touched by his gaze could not help but lower their heads or look away.

A moment later, he withdrew his gaze.

His voice was not particularly loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, carrying an unquestionable coldness and authority:

"This official is Centurion Shen Lian of the Heishan City Imperial Guard."

"By order of my superiors, I am presiding over this selection examination for the Heishan City Centurion Office's minor flag officer position."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the various young faces below, and continued:

"Now, I announce—"

"The Imperial Guard examination, officially begins!"