Starting from the Locked Dragon Well, I'll grind my way to becoming the Great Sage of Immortal

The two-headed turtle-shaped water-suppressing beast appeared on time as always, breathing in and out moonlight. It seemed to be getting more and more familiar with Jiang Qi, and even when he finished his practice, both heads nodded at the same time, showing a remarkable intelligence.

Afterwards, continue to simmer the medicinal soup and swallow the tonic pills to promote the growth of qi and blood.

......

The next day.

Licheng, Wusiwai Square.

Today, the place is bustling with activity, gathering martial artists, representatives of various factions, and onlookers from all over Licheng.

The outer square of the military headquarters is imposing and majestic, with a wide and flat area paved with bluestone in front of the gate.

Several tall arenas were erected in the center, with spectator stands set up around them.

Directly in front of them was a huge gray-black rock about ten feet high. Its surface was smooth, with faint, mysterious patterns flowing around it, and a heavy, solemn aura emanated from it.

This is the key to the first stage of this assessment: the Qi and Blood Stone.

The martial artists participating in the assessment have lined up in the designated area, numbering as many as three hundred.

Jiang Qi, Xu Zhao, Zhang Xiao, and other disciples of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School were prominently featured among them.

Yue Qing, Xuan Le, and others from Zhenyue Martial Arts School were also nearby.

Members of the Iron-Clad Gang, the Green Water Gang, and other forces and families are involved.

Jiang Qi gazed at the Qi and Blood Stone in the distance, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The name "martial artist" will be revealed today!

The audience seats were already filled with people from all walks of life.

At Litong Money Shop, Pang Wei, Pang Zhan, and his second uncle Pang Fu were all among them.

On the Ironclad Gang's side, there were several hall masters, including Qin Lie, as well as some high-ranking members.

Qin Hongyu sat beside her father, dressed in a neat and tidy outfit. Her gaze occasionally swept over the assessment team below, especially lingering on Jiang Qi for a moment before she pursed her lips.

She was also to participate in the martial arts assessment today, but because of the previous accident, Qin Lie was worried, so he asked her to stay by his side for the time being and enter the venue when the assessment began.

In the crowd below.

"Keep it up, Qi-ge!"

"The Protector of the River will surely win!"

Zhao Xiaoqi, Brother Sun, Uncle Wang, and Guo Meng and Zhao Tong from Shuifang also squeezed into the crowd of onlookers to cheer for Jiang Qina.

Another location is the Zhenyue Martial Arts School area.

The martial arts master, Yue Shanhu, glanced in the direction of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School and said to Yue Qing in a deep voice, "Qing'er, in the second round of the arena battle, there's no need to hold back."

"Let everyone in Licheng see that the disciples of my Zhenyue Martial Arts School are stronger than those from the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School!"

Yue Qing was tall and had a resolute face. Upon hearing this, he clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Father, rest assured! Your son will certainly not fail you!"

The atmosphere in the Qingshui Gang's preparation area was somewhat subtle.

A handsome young man in brocade robes, with a somewhat sinister air, was surrounded by a crowd of admirers.

This man's name is Li Tianren, the young master of the Qingshui Gang, and he was once a close friend of Yan Beifeng, the son of the deceased leader of the Blood Blade Hall.

At this moment, Li Tianren's gaze was fixed on Qin Hongyu from the Ironclad Gang, his eyes filled with curiosity. He then swept his gaze over the other Ironclad Gang members participating in the assessment and coldly ordered several Green Water Gang members around him:

"In the upcoming matches, if you encounter anyone from the Ironclad Gang, give them your full strength! Cripple them if you can!"

"Don't worry, young master! We'll make them pay!" Several members of the Green Water Gang responded with sinister smiles.

Just then, a manager of the Qingshui Gang quietly approached Li Tianren and whispered in his ear: "As per the young master's instructions, the Blood Blade Hall is ready. If the plan goes smoothly, the water alley will change hands today."

Upon hearing this, a glint of joy flashed in Li Tianren's eyes, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Well done. Let the Blood Blade Hall take action."

The steward hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Young Master, I am rather slow-witted. Apart from that somewhat old Suolong Well, Sweetwater Lane seems to have nothing particularly special about it..."

Why go to such lengths, even during the martial arts assessment?

Li Tianren glanced at the middle-aged man and said coldly, "Just do what I tell you to do. Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Knowing too much about some things won't do you any good."

"...Yes! I spoke out of turn!" The middle-aged man felt a chill in his heart and quickly bowed his head and retreated.

Not far away, Qin Lie looked towards the Qingshui Gang, his brows furrowed slightly.

Blood Blade Hall Master Yan Lie was not present...

"What is the Green Water Gang up to at this critical juncture?" He wondered, and after a moment's thought, he whispered a few instructions to Chen Ying, the deputy hall master beside him.

Chen Ying nodded and then left his seat.

About fifteen minutes later.

Boom-!

A clear and resonant gong sounded throughout the venue, silencing all the noise and discussion.

An official dressed in a blue robe, exuding an air of authority, slowly ascended the central platform, surrounded by several military officers.

"quiet!"

The official's gaze swept across the entire room, his voice booming like a bell.

"I am Zhou Wenyuan, Chief Clerk of the Licheng Martial Arts Division. Today, the martial arts qualification examination officially begins!"

"Now, I will announce the assessment rules and procedures..."

Zhou Wenyuan explained the assessment content and precautions one by one, which were roughly the same as what Master Lin had said before, but more detailed and formal.

"...The first challenge: comprehending the Qi and Blood Stone! All participants, in turn, step forward and sit on the prayer mat three feet in front of the stone."

Sink deep into the stone and comprehend the secret technique within, "Blood Resilience Skill." Those who persist for the duration of an incense stick's burning are deemed qualified; those who persist for an hour will receive a Blood Clotting Pill as a reward!

During the meditation process, no noise or disturbance to others is permitted; violators will be expelled!

"The assessment shall now begin! Participants, please enter!"

With another gong sound, three hundred young martial artists walked in order to the prayer mats that had been placed in front of the Qi and Blood Stone, and each found a seat.

Jiang Qi also found a spot and sat down cross-legged.

He had just adjusted his breathing when a heavy, immense, and strange pressure emanated from the boulder and instantly enveloped him.

Immediately afterwards, the blood and qi in the body seemed to be drawn by something, and began to accelerate uncontrollably.

The shock was initially slight, but it quickly intensified, as if it were about to turn his body's energy and blood upside down.

Fortunately, Jiang Qi has a solid foundation, and his blood and qi have been refined through the [Blood Absorption] technique, giving him control far exceeding that of others at the same level.

This fluctuation was barely noticeable to him; with a thought, he easily calmed it down, his mind quickly entering a state of clarity and tranquility, where he began to carefully perceive the profound rhythm contained within the oppressive aura.

But for others, it wasn't so easy.

"puff!"

"Ugh!"

Almost the instant everyone sat down, screams and groans rang out one after another.

Many of the martial artists who had just sat down suddenly sprang up as if springs had been inserted into their buttocks, their faces turning red or pale.

Even worse, some people coughed up blood and staggered backward, clearly unable to withstand the shock to their blood and qi caused by the blood and qi stone, and were instantly eliminated.

Some people were still unwilling to give up and tried to sit down again, but without exception, the backlash from their blood and qi was even more severe, and they were directly dragged out by the clerks of the military department.

Less than ten breaths into the session, more than half of the three hundred participants in the assessment left the meditation area with grim expressions.

"Such a rigorous selection process!" a whisper rang out from the crowd.

No wonder the Martial Arts Department dared to make the "Resilient Blood Technique" a secret skill for public examination. The threshold of mental and blood control alone is enough to eliminate most of those with weak foundations and weak will.