The apprentices, following their number plates, were divided into groups and sent to designated training grounds, awaiting the opening of the gate at the far end of the courtyard—the venue for today’s apprentice trials.

Xiangzi’s group headed to the second training ground.

These young lads, fresh on their first day, hadn’t yet settled their nerves when they faced the first trial’s daunting challenge. Naturally, their hearts fluttered with unease.

Xiangzi, however, observed his surroundings with keen interest.

The vast arena was filled with weapons—swords, spears, and halberds—interspersed with massive stone mills and iron chains.

Not to mention the array of training equipment, the sheer size of the martial hall’s training ground was staggering.

Outside the sealed gate, five rows of apprentices stood neatly, easily accommodating dozens.

Used to the cramped training room at Harmony Rickshaw Yard, Xiangzi was truly awestruck.

This is just the apprentices’ training ground?

Sighing inwardly, Xiangzi scanned the apprentices—roughly fifty in number.

With six such training grounds, that meant around three hundred apprentices in total.

Baolin Martial Hall held such large-scale recruitments twice a year.

Xiangzi’s heart stirred as he recalled Liu Tang mentioning that only a few dozen apprentices achieved rank each year.

Less than one in ten made it through?

In other words, only one in ten of these carefully trained young talents could withstand the “bone-tempering broth”?

Even with his prior confidence, Xiangzi now felt a twinge of doubt.

Noticing Xiangzi’s expression, Jiang Wangshui, standing nearby, spoke with barely concealed pride. “Brother Xiang, today’s trial is just the first of the courtyard tests. No need to make a fuss.”

Courtyard tests? The first?

Xiangzi was taken aback, unfamiliar with the term.

Jiang Wangshui’s smugness grew. “My brother told me the apprentice courtyard is divided into three ranks.”

“Third-rank are ordinary Blood Energy Barrier apprentices, mostly here for credentials or with no hope of advancing.”

“Second-rank are those who pass the blood energy, sinew, and skin trials, showing potential for cultivation.”

“First-rank are the cream of the crop. They only need to train their sinews and skin daily, and the hall provides free medicinal soaks and nourishment—no cost.”

Free? Xiangzi’s eyes lit up.

“But becoming a first-rank apprentice isn’t easy. You need top marks in all three tests,” Jiang Wangshui said with a humble smile. “Even I’m not entirely confident.”

Chen Jiashang, the chubby youth who’d been listening, seized the chance to chime in with a grin. “With Young Master Jiang’s talent, honed in a martial hall since childhood, you’re leagues above us. If you can’t make it, the rest of us might as well pack up and go home!”

His flattery was extravagant, dismissing the entire courtyard in one sweep.

Everyone here was a self-assured young talent, and many shot displeased glances.

Jiang Wangshui, unfazed, reveled in the attention.

Just then, a gruff voice cut through the crowd. “Who’s spouting such big talk? Oh, it’s the Jiang kid from that gambling den matron’s house!”

The crowd parted like a tide, revealing a burly, fleshy youth.

Despite his bulk, the youth’s tight muscles were evident.

With a menacing air, he jabbed his greasy chin at Jiang Wangshui, his jowls quivering. “With your half-baked skills, if you can enter the first-rank courtyard, then I, Chen Jiang, might as well become an outer disciple!”

At the sight of this hulking youth, Jiang Wangshui’s expression froze.

Chen Jiashang, with a sly smile, pulled Xiangzi aside to explain.

Chen Jiang hailed from the Chen family of East City. His father, “Big Head Chen,” once owned several gambling houses, including the bustling Deyilou at East City’s front gate.

But when Four Seas Gambling House opened, its cunning proprietress, with novel gambling methods, nearly drove Deyilou out of business.

In this world, running a gambling house required clout. Big Head Chen was backed by the “Qing Gang.”

Not long after Four Seas opened, he led a gang of thugs to confront them.

Somehow, the two sides didn’t come to blows.

But the Jiang and Chen families became enemies, their covert feuds and knife fights commonplace.

Just over a month ago, Chen Jiang challenged Jiang Wangshui’s martial hall, thrashing him under the guise of a friendly bout, reigniting their families’ feud.

Even Jiang Wangshui hadn’t expected Chen Jiang to join Baolin as an apprentice.

Xiangzi noted the gleeful undertone in Chen Jiashang’s explanation.

His smile unchanged, Xiangzi subtly stepped back half a pace.

—

Stung by Chen Jiang’s taunts, Jiang Wangshui’s face flushed, veins bulging. “How do you know I can’t make first-rank? Don’t underestimate me!”

Chen Jiang’s fat face twisted into a cunning grin—exactly what he wanted.

“Big words! Careful you don’t choke on them!”

“By tradition, the blood energy test’s top grade requires lifting the first-rank iron horse. Can you manage that?” Chen Jiang sneered, his small eyes glinting.

“How dare you look down on me!” Jiang Wangshui snapped, voice rising. “Today, I’ll lift that iron horse and claim top grade!”

“Then dare you bet with me, Jiang Wangshui? We both try for the first-rank iron horse. Loser pays a hundred silver dollars!” Chen Jiang’s eyes gleamed.

“Bet’s on! Who’s scared?”

The words slipped out, and Jiang Wangshui’s face paled, realizing he couldn’t beat Chen Jiang.

A hundred silver dollars was no small sum.

If his brother learned he’d gambled, he’d skin him alive.

Shuddering, Jiang Wangshui’s lips trembled, wanting to back out but unable to speak, standing frozen in panic.

Xiangzi had no interest in such childish bets.

His focus was on Chen Jiang’s “first-rank iron horse”—likely a strength-testing device.

Today’s trial, dubbed the “blood energy test,” measured blood energy strength—essentially, raw power.

Xiangzi was confident in his blood energy. From past fights, ordinary ninth-rank martial artists couldn’t match him.

But without knowing the test’s specifics, he needed caution to avoid a misstep.

For this apprentice selection, Xiangzi was determined to succeed.

This trial reminded him of his past life’s elite school admissions—fair in name, but an information gap like “what’s an iron horse?” could trip him up.

Clearly, most youths here, like Jiang Wangshui and Chen Jiang, already knew the trial’s details.

Only a poor kid like me is in the dark.

He regretted not asking Liu Tang more before their parting.

Chen Jiashang sidled up, chuckling. “That Chen Jiang’s a natural powerhouse. Word is, he’s mastered the iron horse in his hall. Jiang’s in trouble now.”

“Oh? You seem to know Chen Jiang well. Same surname—old friends, perhaps?” Xiangzi asked lightly, catching a key detail.

Chen Jiashang’s smile froze. “No way! I’m from humble stock. How could I know such a big family?”

Xiangzi’s expression didn’t shift, but he had his answer—this kid definitely knew Chen Jiang.

Recalling Chen Jiashang’s earlier flattery of Jiang Wangshui, Xiangzi suspected he was setting a trap with Chen Jiang.

Xiangzi gave Chen Jiashang a deep look.

Having survived South City’s blood and fire, Xiangzi’s calm gaze held a sharp glint that made the chubby youth falter.

Chen Jiashang laughed awkwardly, probing cautiously, “Brother Xiang, you’re from common folk too, right?”

Xiangzi blinked, surprised his disguise hadn’t fooled the youth. Is “poor” written on my face?

“Don’t misunderstand, Brother Xiang,” Chen Jiashang hurried to explain. “It’s your cloth shoes. Big families wouldn’t wear those to a trial.”

To prove it, he showed off his own cloth shoes.

He wasn’t wrong. Xiangzi hadn’t splurged on leather boots. With refugees everywhere and game scarce, quality leather came from hunting beyond Great Green Ridge, driving up prices.

Chen Jiashang’s keen observation was impressive.

He slung an arm around Xiangzi’s shoulder, whispering, “Brother Xiang, it’s mostly rich kids here. Us commoners are rare. Meeting like this is fate. We should stick together.”

Xiangzi nodded with a smile, but his guard rose further.

Stick together? Like you did with Jiang Wangshui?

His past life’s workplace taught him some snakes bite anyone, anytime.

Chen Jiashang was about to say more when a shout cut him off.

“Silence! The apprentice trials begin!”

“Check your number plates. When called, step forward. Delay, and you’re disqualified!”

“Now, number one! Who’s number one?”

The apprentices fell solemn.

A burly youth raised his hand. “I’m number one!”

It was Chen Jiang, the bettor against Jiang Wangshui.

The Deyilou heir’s fat face brimmed with arrogance as he strode forward.

At the threshold, he spun, pointing at Jiang Wangshui. “Jiang kid, watch closely!”

“Get that hundred silver dollars ready for when I come out!”

His words were brazen, but his imposing bulk silenced any retorts.

Chen Jiang had some fame in East City.

A few of his cronies shouted, “Master Chen’s unstoppable!”

Humiliated publicly, Jiang Wangshui, speechless and pale, trembled.

Chen Jiang smirked disdainfully and swaggered inside.