The Qiao Pass competition.
Da Wang and Ji Hu both achieved a Grade A Middle Grade result.
Ji Hu was ranked higher.
Da Wang hoped to break into the top ten in this year's Daoist Examination.
Even after encountering this group of Noble Family Disciples, his ambition had not wavered. He had lost to Chu Lingguang and Ji Hu in the Qiao Pass competition, but in the second event—the saber trial—he was determined to even the score.
Ji Hu, however, only had eyes for Chu Lingguang. He was equally determined to win this second trial; he would not allow himself to lose to a Lower-class Youth again.
The five of them walked onto the sandy field together.
Chu Lingguang remained silent, gathering his focus along with the others as they awaited the examiner's command. Guo Wei's words, "just do your best," had allowed him to completely relax. He ignored the countless gazes from the crowd, his mind and body at ease.
The moment he grasped the long saber,
