Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1401 - 243: Duel for the Martial Champion

The wall on the south side of the training ground.

As the fabric continued to unfurl.

Names appeared one by one.

There were a total of seven people including Jiang Ning in Class A.

Eighteen in Class B.

Thirty-three in Class C.

The martial artists stared unblinkingly at the slowly unfolding yellow fabric.

When they didn’t see their names among the fifty-eight, their disappointment was hard to conceal.

Because they knew very well, in the Martial Arts Examination.

There are three classes in total.

The treatment received in each class is entirely different.

The top class includes the champion, the runner-up, and the third-place winner.

They are also the most prestigious three in each examination.

Several in the second class are awarded the title of martial scholar.

But to be in the second class, one must receive an A-grade or higher in the examination.

Now, without an A-grade, at most they can only be in the third class.

Though the third class also confers a title, its treatment and status are correspondingly the lowest.

Often relegated to Fifth Grade sword-bearing guards in the Imperial Palace, Fifth Grade regulars in the Forbidden Army, and Fifth Grade assistant generals.

They can only be awarded the same martial scholar background.

Compared to the second class, their rank is at least half to one grade lower.

Members of the second class can generally serve as Fourth Grade royal guards, Fifth Grade deputy generals, etc.

A difference of one grade can mean worlds apart in certain situations.

But at this moment, many martial artists remain extremely tense.

Many martial artists know that with their performance, it’s impossible to attain an A-grade.

And to be in the third class, conferred with the martial scholar background, they need at least a B-grade.

If they don’t even achieve a B-grade.

Then they remain a martial participant, not a martial scholar.

Normally, missing the chance to earn the martial scholar title means waiting for the next exam in three years.

But three years later, some martial artists will reach thirty.

Once past the age limit, they no longer qualify to participate in the examination.

And will forever be distant from the martial scholar title.

In the crowd, some martial artists clenched their fists, their gaze fixed firmly on the slowly unfolding yellow fabric.

As the yellow fabric continued to unfold, the black characters on the yellow background appeared before them.

They could clearly see that the ink on the yellow fabric had not yet dried, still spreading across it.

As the names emerged, some martial artists breathed a light sigh of relief.

Among them, there was a subtle disappointment, yet also a trace of relief.

A moment later.

The yellow fabric was fully unveiled in front of everyone, and the martial artists saw all the names with A and B ratings.

Seeing the few dozen names listed, some looked heavenward, eyes filled with profound unwillingness, some prostrated on the ground, weeping with joy, some suppressed their smiles with clenched hands.

Various emotions displayed on the faces of the martial artists, diverse and varied.

On the high platform to the north, Wang Hong quietly watched the martial artists’ reactions, allowing them time to process their emotions.

He had walked this path himself, knowing how tough it was for any martial artist to make it here, how much hardship they had to endure, how much loneliness and cold nights they had to suffer.

In the thirty-six provinces of the Nine States, martial artists are as numerous as the stars in the sky, as countless as grains of sand in a river.

Reaching this point, standing on the training ground, they are all true paragons, extraordinarily disciplined and self-reliant.

No one arrives here easily.

If they carried anything with them along the way, they would be squeezed out by the many paragons.

After a long while, at his command.

Boom—

The drum resounded once again.

Boom boom—

The drumbeats were like thunder, akin to spring thunder booming above the training ground.

Instantly, everyone’s attention was drawn to the training ground.

"Next, comes the most crucial part of this martial examination!" Wang Hong’s voice echoed.

Despite the resounding drumbeats, they couldn’t hide the power of his voice.

Each word fell clearly into everyone’s ears.

"It’s here!" Hearing Wang Hong’s voice, Wan Jianyi clenched his fists.

As the top on the Heavenly List, he could not tolerate or accept taking a backseat to others.

He knew that to prove himself, it was in the upcoming segment.

Only by defeating Jiang Ning and Mingxin, becoming the martial champion, could he truly live up to his top-ranking status on the Heavenly List.

"Please, masters, take the stage and set up the formation!"

Wang Hong’s voice rang out again.

The next moment.

Several masters in orange robes leaped from the stands around the training ground.

Slicing through the sky, their robes fluttered loudly.

In a flash, several masters landed at the four corners of the training ground.

At this moment, everyone also saw the object in their hands emitting a faint white light, resembling a compass.

"Open!"

"Open!"

"..."

The masters held the compass in their left hand, forming marks with their right, shouting loudly.

As their voices echoed, the compasses in their hands burst into brilliant light.

Following that, lines of patterns extended from the compasses, quickly interconnecting, covering the surroundings of the training ground.

A ripple-like misty barrier appeared above the training ground.

"Please, the seven martial scholars with A ratings enter the training ground." Wang Hong’s voice rang out again.

Hearing this, Wan Jianyi was the first to move.

With a single flash, he appeared before the barrier.

The watery mist-like barrier slowly opened a gap, and he stepped forward through it.

At that moment, Jiang Ning and the other six arrived at the barrier and walked through the gap.

Behind them, the newly opened gap closed again.

"Gentlemen, these are your battle plaques!" Wang Hong’s voice rang out once more.

The next moment.

He waved his hand, and seven black beams shot through the air towards Jiang Ning and the six others.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning raised his hand to grab, and the black beam arrived in his palm.

He looked at the battle plaque in his hand, seeing the number one inscribed on the black wooden plaque.