The next morning, the sky was gloomy. A magnificent moon was still visible in the sky, shimmering with silver moonlight.
Chu Yan got up early and said goodbye to his parents. He did not wake up his sister who was sleeping soundly and rushed straight to the school.
At the school gate, many students were accompanied by their parents. They were already so old that they did not need their parents to send them off. However, today was the final examination for the whole school. Many parents were worried and took a day off to send off their children.
This was not an exaggeration. When the college entrance exams came, the whole nation would be mobilized. The reason is that the examination is a leap gate for students to soar to the sky.
However, among these people, the appearance of Chu Yan, who was wearing a black martial arts uniform, attracted a lot of attention.
Ever since Chu Yan and Ouyang Feng had entered the special classes, both their cultivation and their martial arts were far ahead of everyone else. No one else could compare to them. Every final exam was a stage for the two of them to compete. Although it had always been Ouyang Feng who won more than he lost, the two of them could still be considered to be on the same level.
Of course, this is under the circumstance that Chu Yan didn't use his full strength.
Chu Yan sat on a stone bench in the school's quiet garden, a serene space away from the bustling main grounds. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was slow and steady as he meditated, centering himself in preparation for the upcoming examination. Despite his relatively calm demeanor, his thoughts were focused, and his senses alert.
Footsteps approached, and Chu Yan opened his eyes to see Ouyang Feng walking toward him. Ouyang was tall and athletic, with a confident stride and a sharp gaze. His reputation as one of the strongest students in the school was well-deserved, and his competitive nature was no secret.
"Chu Yan," Ouyang Feng greeted, a slight smile on his lips. "I figured I'd find you here, preparing for tomorrow."
Chu Yan stood and returned the smile, his eyes meeting Ouyang's with a mix of respect and friendly rivalry. "Ouyang Feng. Are you ready for the examination?"
Ouyang Feng shrugged, his confidence evident in his casual posture. "As ready as I'll ever be. But I have to admit, I'm curious to see what you'll bring to the table. Even though everyone doesn't know, I know that you have been holding back yourself in every sparring session."
Chu Yan chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. "I've just been careful not to reveal all my cards too soon. Tomorrow will be the real test."
Ouyang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of curiosity and challenge in his gaze. "You know, the other schools are going to be bringing their best, especially No. 1 high school student, Mu Hai. I heard his cultivation already reach the sixth-layer martial artist realm."
Chu Yan shakes his head. "Having a high cultivation realm doesn't mean they are stronger than us. In fighting, the proficiency of martial art is equally important as cultivation."
Ouyang Feng crossed his arms, considering Chu Yan's words. "You're right. I also want to see how strong this Mu Hai is. Speaking of martial arts, how far is your proficiency in Gale Force Fist?"
Chu Yan smiled mysteriously. "Guess?"
Ouyang Feng sneered, knowing he wouldn't get the answer even though he expected it.
"Ouyang Feng," Chu Yan said, his tone sincere, "I'm looking forward to seeing what you're truly capable of. Let's make sure we give it our all tomorrow."
Ouyang Feng grinned, a competitive glint in his eye. "Same to you, Chu Yan. I have a feeling we're going to surprise everyone, including each other."
They both knew that the path of a martial artist was filled with obstacles, but they were ready to face them head-on. The White River City Martial Arts Examination was just the next step in their journey, a chance to prove their skills and push their limits.
As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, all the students made their way back to their dormitories, their minds focused on the challenges that awaited them tomorrow.