Martial Master

The big examination day had arrived.

Early in the morning, Qin Chen dressed neatly and energetically walked out of his room, seeing his mother busy in the kitchen.

"Chen'er!" Qin Yuechi paused her work upon seeing Qin Chen and quickly brought over a bowl of steaming noodles and some cooked dishes.

"Mother, today is the academy's big exam. You don't have to be busy. Come with me to have a look," Qin Chen said while eating.

To avoid pressuring Qin Chen, Qin Yuechi hadn't mentioned the academy's big exam these past days. Today being the examination day, she had initially wanted to give him some instructions but hesitated, fearing it would add pressure on him. To her surprise, Qin Chen brought it up himself.

"Alright, you go ahead first. I'll come by later," Qin Yuechi nodded, looking at Qin Chen gently.

The Tianxing Academy was bustling with people and excitement.

The annual big exam was the grandest event at Tianxing Academy, held once a year. Many nobles from the capital would attend, and even the royal palace would send experts. The elusive headmaster would also personally participate.

For every student at the academy, the annual big exam was of utmost importance and not to be missed.

At this moment, groups of students stood together in threes and fives, fervently discussing.

Even before the exam had started, many students had already gathered at the academy's martial arts field, waiting for the exam to begin.

Around the martial arts field, there were many high platforms for the visiting nobles and students' parents.

Qin Chen thought he had arrived early, but upon reaching the martial arts field, he found most of the students were already present.

"Look, isn't that Qin Chen?"

"I heard he hasn't awakened his bloodline yet. If he fails again, he'll be expelled from the academy."

"He's a disciple of the Qin family, the grandson of Duke Wu. How could he not awaken his bloodline? It's unbelievable!"

"Tsk tsk, I heard he's an illegitimate child of the Qin family. Bloodline inheritance comes from the parents. His mother is the eldest lady of the Qin family, so her bloodline should be strong, but his father..."

"Shh, keep quiet. Regardless, he's still a member of the Qin family. If someone hears you, do you still want to live?"

Wherever Qin Chen went, murmurs followed, and the surrounding students cast curious glances at him.

Qin Chen heard these words but remained expressionless.

These comments couldn't stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.

"Young Master Chen, you're finally here."

A delighted voice called out as Lin Tian and Zhang Ying excitedly approached Qin Chen.

"Are you two alright?" Qin Chen glanced at them. Over half a month had passed, and their injuries had healed, making them appear energetic.

"We're fine. But Young Master Chen, did Wei Zhen cause you any trouble later?"

Remembering the last incident, the two still felt lingering fear.

"Him?" Qin Chen chuckled lightly, "If he dares to come, I'll make sure he never returns."

Qin Chen's casual yet domineering demeanor left Lin Tian and Zhang Ying stunned. They looked deeply at Qin Chen, realizing that this brother of theirs had genuinely changed.

"By the way, Young Master Chen, the technique you gave us last time is amazing. After practicing it, Lin Tian and I have been gathering true qi several times faster than before. It's truly... We don't even know how to thank you!"

The two came to their senses, reminiscing excitedly, faces full of gratitude.

In just half a month, not only had they broken through to the mid-Human Level, but they had advanced further, a feat they previously thought unimaginable.

"It's no big deal, no need to dwell on it," Qin Chen smiled easily. He had already noticed that the aura around them had significantly improved, not only entering mid-Human Level but also nearing the late-Human Level.

It seemed that Lin Tian and Zhang Ying both had decent talent; otherwise, they wouldn't have progressed so quickly with just a piece of technique.

"Qin Chen, I didn't expect you to really dare to participate in the year-end big exam?"