Rise in the Martial Chaos: Starting From a Martial Arts School

Yang Jing withdrew his gaze and looked up at the tall, imposing Cyan Qilin Platform.

The cyan-black stone walls of the platform still bore the fist and palm prints left from countless past contests. As the wind blew past, one could almost hear the clang of steel from the battles of yesteryear.

He held his breath, focused his mind, and quietly waited for the strength assessment to begin.

He had already familiarized himself with the rules of the Cyan Qilin Battle, having learned them in detail from Lin Ziheng.

Before the official platform battles, there was a mandatory strength assessment.

This assessment was overseen and judged by the Main Peak Elders and the Seven Veins Stewards. They would evaluate the participants’ performance in actual combat against exotic beasts to give everyone a general ranking based on their strength.

The final tournament matchups would be determined by this ranking.

The top-ranked disciple would face the last-ranked disciple, the second-ranked would face the second-to-last, and so on.

This was precisely why Steward Zheng had solemnly warned him not to hold back too much during the assessment.

Otherwise, if he ended up at the bottom of the rankings, he would have to face the strongest opponent in the very first round. He would most likely be eliminated immediately, with no chance to participate in any subsequent battles.

The core of this strength assessment was the process of fighting an exotic beast.

The Elders and Stewards would give a comprehensive evaluation based on the power of a disciple’s punches, the agility of their Body Technique, the finesse of their moves, and their control over their own strength. This evaluation would directly determine their initial ranking.

In the distance, amongst the crowd of spectators, two figures in cyan robes stood on their tiptoes, straining to see the Cyan Qilin Platform. Their eyes were fixed on Yang Jing.

These two were none other than Zhao Hongxiang and Cai He Kang, Outer Sect disciples from Lingxi Peak who had just pushed their way through the crowd.

Watching the handsome, white-robed figure below the platform, Zhao Hongxiang was filled with a complicated mix of emotions, as if he’d knocked over a spice rack.

He himself was already at the Peak of Transformation in his Cultivation, but his foundation was still shallow. He had no idea how much longer he would have to train to pass the Dragon Gate’s martial trials and advance to the Inner Sect.

Yet Yang Jing, the very person he once looked down on, had not only become an Inner Sect Disciple but was now standing on the Cyan Qilin Platform, competing against the top experts from every peak.

Even if Yang Jing performed poorly on the Cyan Qilin Platform and was quickly eliminated, this achievement alone already put him far, far ahead.

Beside Zhao Hongxiang, Cai He Kang was also staring intently at Yang Jing, his eyes filled with envy and admiration.

Surrounding the Cyan Qilin Platform were not only hundreds of spectating disciples but also the Main Peak Elders and Stewards from the various veins, all watching with sharp, piercing gazes.

’If I were standing there,’ he thought, ’I would’ve been so nervous my limbs would have turned to jelly, and I wouldn’t even be able to walk straight.’

But Yang Jing stood perfectly straight, his expression calm, as if the surrounding noise and stares had nothing to do with him.

Cai He Kang had to admit, that unflappable composure and steadiness alone were enough to earn his admiration.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly with regret.

’If only I had made an effort to get closer to Yang Jing back when he was still in the Ninth Courtyard. Wouldn’t I now have a powerful friend and backer in the Inner Sect?’

Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret.

Soon, after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the clamor around the Cyan Qilin Platform gradually subsided.

Several Elders from the Main Peak slowly ascended to the viewing gallery beside the Cyan Qilin Platform. The Stewards of each vein also moved to their designated positions. The first part of the Cyan Qilin Battle—the strength assessment—was about to begin.

A series of heavy footsteps echoed as many Outer Sect disciples worked together to carry massive iron cages, walking slowly to one side of the Cyan Qilin Platform.

The cages were forged entirely from dark refined iron and covered with dense spikes. Inside each one was a ferocious-looking exotic beast.

Some of these exotic beasts had their fur standing on end, while others bared their fangs. They periodically let out deafening roars that made the iron cages HUM, causing the spectating disciples to shudder in alarm.

Yang Jing’s gaze swept over the iron cages. He did a quick count and saw about thirty-six or thirty-seven of them, which corresponded to the thirty-six disciples from the various veins participating in this Cyan Qilin Battle.

According to the rules, each disciple had to go onto the platform and engage in actual combat with one exotic beast.

Although the strength of these exotic beasts varied, it didn’t have a major impact on the assessment.

The core of the Elders’ and Stewards’ judgment was the strength a disciple displayed during the fight.

After all, everyone standing here to participate in the Cyan Qilin Battle was an elite among the Inner Sect Disciples at the Inner Strength Level. Slaying an ordinary exotic beast was not a difficult task for them.

Yang Jing looked at the exotic beasts locked in their iron cages and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

’The sect really has a shrewd plan. After these exotic beasts are slain, their carcasses will be sent directly to the kitchens, where they’ll be skinned, deboned, and cooked into nourishing dishes for the disciples.’

’This way, they complete the strength assessment and save the kitchens the effort of killing the beasts themselves. It’s killing two birds with one stone.’

Just as Yang Jing was marveling at the sect’s resourcefulness, a resonant voice suddenly boomed across the Cyan Qilin Platform, drawing the attention of every disciple.

A Main Peak Steward dressed in blue martial attire strode onto the Cyan Qilin Platform. He had a powerful build and a resolute face. The moment he stood in the center of the stage, he exuded an air of authority.

His gaze was like a torch as he slowly swept it across the thirty-six elite disciples from the various veins lined up below the platform. He announced in a clear, loud voice, ”The strength assessment for the Cyan Qilin Battle officially begins now!”

As his voice fell, the entire area fell silent in an instant. Even the murmurs of the spectating disciples were hushed.