Next day, at No. 2 high school training hall.
The training hall of No. 2 High School was filled with a buzz of excitement and anticipation as the third-grade students gathered for the first stage of the White River City Martial Arts Examination. The hall, a large, open space with high ceilings and polished wooden floors, had been transformed into a makeshift examination room. Long tables were arranged in neat rows, each occupied by students from the third grade, their faces a mix of nervousness and determination.
At the front of the hall stood the examiners, a group of seasoned martial arts instructors and scholars, their expressions stern and focused. They were responsible for evaluating the students' knowledge of martial arts, a crucial component of the examination that tested the students' understanding of theory and history, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge in practical situations.
Chu Yan entered the training hall with his fellow students, his demeanor calm and composed. His reputation as one of the most promising students in No. 2 High School preceded him, and many eyes turned to him as he made his way to his assigned seat.
As he sat down, Chu Yan glanced around the hall, taking in the faces of his peers. Among them, he spotted Su Ming, his best friend, sitting a few rows ahead. Seeing Chu Yan arrive, Su Ming waved his hand with a laugh.
As the last of the students settled into their seats, the head examiner stepped forward, his voice carrying across the hall with authority. "Welcome, students, to the first stage of the White River City Martial Arts Examination. This is the liberal exam, where we will evaluate your knowledge and understanding of martial arts. You will have two hours to complete the exam. Please answer all questions to the best of your ability."
With that, the examiners distributed the examination papers, placing one in front of each student. Chu Yan picked up his paper, his eyes scanning the questions with a practiced ease. The exam covered a wide range of topics, from the history of martial arts to the intricacies of various techniques and philosophies.
The questions were challenging, designed to test not only the students' knowledge but also their critical thinking and analytical skills. For example, the question Chu Yan is asking about the strategic importance of footwork in swordsmanship and how it can affect the outcome of a duel.
As the exam progressed, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Some students furrowed their brows in concentration, while others glanced nervously at the clock, their pens moving frantically across their papers. The only sound in the room was the scratching of pens and the rustling of paper, punctuated by the occasional sigh or shifting in seats.
As the two-hour mark approached, the head examiner called for the students to finish their answers and put down their pens. The room was filled with a collective sigh of relief as the students leaned back in their seats, their faces reflecting a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
The examiners began collecting the papers, moving methodically through the rows of tables. Chu Yan handed in his paper, his expression calm and collected. He had done his best, and now it was time to wait for the results.
With very advanced technology, it is very easy to mark a student's point using a machine. Just after two hours, the examination result has already been published.
Chu Yan stood among the crowd, his eyes scanning the list of names with a calm, focused expression. Beside him were his friends Su Ming, Zhang Yu, and Li Fui, all of them eager to see if they had made it to the next stage.
As they scanned the list, Chu Yan's eyes quickly found his own name. He had expected to pass, given his confidence in his answers, but seeing his name on the list confirmed his efforts had paid off.
"There it is," Chu Yan said, pointing to his name. "We made it."
Su Ming, standing next to him, breathed a sigh of relief as he spotted his name on the list. "Thank goodness. I was starting to get worried."
Zhang Yu and Li Fui quickly found their names as well, and a wave of excitement passed through the group. They had all made it to the next stage of the examination, and their hard work and dedication had paid off.
"Congratulations, everyone!" Chu Yan said, his smile broadening. "We've all made it to the martial evaluation."
Li Fui, who had been particularly nervous about the exam, couldn't help but grin. "I can't believe it. I thought I messed up on a few questions, but I guess I did better than I thought."
Zhang Yu clapped her hand, a smile on her face. "You did great, Li Fui. We all did. Now, let's focus on the next stage."
The excitement in the air was palpable as the students began to discuss the upcoming martial evaluation.