Chapter 309: Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition

"You won't even tell me your name?"

The beautiful girl couldn't help but laugh and said, "Young master, are you afraid that by revealing your name, we will try to climb the social ladder using your status?"

Su Yi replied, "I'm concerned about causing trouble for you."

"Trouble?" The beautiful girl paused for a moment and said, "Could it be that you have gotten into some trouble? Why not share it with us? Maybe we can help you."

Su Yi smiled and said, "It's not a trouble I can't handle on my own."

Seeing that the beautiful girl was about to ask further, the white-robed youth interrupted, "Junior sister, this young master has his reasons. Please don't ask anymore."

After a pause, he spoke warmly to Su Yi, "If the young master needs help and there's something we can do, we won't hesitate to offer assistance."

His words were calm but carried a sense of confidence.

Su Yi, being astute, had already noticed that this pair of siblings were not hypocrites. They possessed a rare sense of righteousness.

If his inference was correct, these two individuals had probably not encountered significant setbacks and hardships so far. They still retained a spirit of chivalry in their hearts.

This made him somewhat nostalgic. However, he didn't know if, after experiencing the trials and tribulations of the world in the future, he could maintain such a heroic and righteous character.

On the way, although Su Yi didn't inquire, he learned through the siblings' conversation that the white-robed youth's name was Fu Qingyuan, and the beautiful girl was named Gu Caining. Both of them came from Xingya Academy, located in the Hongzhou region of Da Zhou.

...

On the bank of Qinglan River, at Qiuming Ferry.

When Su Yi and the other two arrived, they saw the vast river in the distance, with turbulent water and roaring waves crashing against the shore, presenting a spectacular sight.

On one side of Qiuming Ferry, a majestic boat was moored, measuring thirty zhang in length with numerous masts and billowing sails.

"Brother Qingyuan, Miss Caining, you've finally arrived!"

On the boat, a tall and imposing figure in black clothing waved his hand and said with a smile, "Come aboard quickly, we'll depart in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

Fu Qingyuan smiled, clasped his fist, and boarded the boat together with Su Yi and Gu Caining.

"Brother Qingyuan, who is this?"

The black-clad young man looked at Su Yi and asked with a smile.

Fu Qingyuan smiled and said, "He's a friend I met on the road. Like us, he's also heading to Yujing City, so we decided to travel together."

With that, he introduced Su Yi, saying, "This is Yan Wenfu, the core disciple of Kongtong Academy. He is a prominent figure among the younger generation, having already reached the Grandmaster realm at the age of only nineteen. He is highly regarded by Kongtong Academy."

The black-clad young man politely smiled and said, "Brother Qingyuan, you flatter me. Follow me, there are many others on this boat who, like us, will participate in the 'Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition.' I'll introduce them to you later."

Saying that, he took the lead and headed towards the top deck of the boat.

The three-story boat was adorned with flying eaves and arches on the top floor, where one could overlook the magnificent scenery of the Qinglan River.

Inside one of the palaces on the boat, more than ten young men and women were already seated, drinking and chatting in a lively atmosphere.

When Yan Wenfu arrived with Su Yi and the others, they naturally attracted many gazes.

Seated at the head was a young man wearing a feathered crown and a bright yellow jade robe. With his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, he smiled and invited them to take their seats one by one.

However, there were only a few seats left in the palace, and they were somewhat secluded near the entrance.

Yan Wenfu felt somewhat apologetic and whispered, "Brother Qingyuan, we arrived a bit late. Let's make do with these seats."

Fu Qingyuan nodded with a smile.

Su Yi didn't mind at all. He was just going with the flow and adapting to the situation.

They all took their seats without delay.

"Young master, the one sitting at the head is named Wen Yuchong. He is the number one figure among the younger generation of Luyang Academy and is extremely famous. He's only in his twenties but has already reached the Triple Grandmaster level. It is said that if Wen Yuchong can rank in the top three in the 'Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition,' the current emperor has promised to grant him a feudal lordship!"

Gu Caining whispered in a low voice, her tone filled with admiration.

She was referring to the young man with the feathered crown and sword-like eyebrows who had organized this banquet.

The other young men and women present, when conversing with Wen Yuchong, all showed varying degrees of respect.

Su Yi nodded, lifted the wine jug, and poured himself a drink. Occasionally, his gaze wandered outside the palace, where he could see the vast river in the distance and the deep blue sky, resembling an ink painting, which brought delight to his eyes.

"By the way, what is this Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition?" Su Yi asked after taking a sip of wine.

Gu Caining was taken aback for a moment, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I'm starting to suspect if you are as young as we are, not even aware of the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition..."

With a patient expression, she proceeded to explain the details of the competition.

It turned out that every three years, on the first day of August, Da Zhou would hold an Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition to select the most outstanding young warriors of the younger generation.

Disciples from the top ten academies in the country and the most talented youths from the six major provinces would all participate.

If one could rank among the top fifty in the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition, they would receive rewards and a title from the Da Zhou court.

Those who ranked in the top ten would have the opportunity to serve within the Da Zhou imperial family.

The top three, known as the Martial Prime, Martial Second, and Martial Third, held the most prestigious positions.

Not only would they have the chance to be received and awarded by the current Emperor of Da Zhou, but they would also be able to enter the Qianlong Sword Sect for cultivation!

Like the men and women sitting in this grand palace, they come from different parts of Da Zhou and are the outstanding figures of the younger generation, all aiming to go to the Jade Capital City to participate in the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition.

Understanding this, Su Yi couldn't help but wonder, "It's only the fifteenth of April now, and there is still some time before August. Why do we have to go so early?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Caining finally confirmed that this seemingly extraordinary guy really didn't know the rules of the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition.

After some thought, she said, "To participate in the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition, one must go through multiple rounds of screening and assessments. In the end, only three hundred people are chosen to participate. These assessments will begin in mid-next month and continue until the first day of August."

Only then did Su Yi realize it.

At this moment, a sneer came from a nearby seat, "Interesting, you don't even know about the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition, yet you are sitting in this grand palace. Could it be that you're here to freeload?"

The speaker was a tall and thin young man wearing a royal blue robe. He was toying with a wine cup, his face filled with mockery and ridicule.

Obviously, he had heard the conversation between Su Yi and Gu Caining just now.

Su Yi ignored him, while Gu Caining furrowed her brows and said, "Wei Xian, our conversation has nothing to do with you. It would be better if you showed some respect."

The young man in the blue robe, called Wei Xian, curled his lips and said, "I am not being disrespectful. I just didn't expect that such an ignorant person would exist in this world. Who among cultivators doesn't know about the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition?"

With that, he shook his head, assuming an attitude of not caring anymore.

Gu Caining felt somewhat displeased but couldn't refute him.

The "Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition" of Da Zhou was undoubtedly a top-notch event. As a cultivator, not knowing about it was indeed quite peculiar.

Su Yi smiled, raised his wine cup, and said to Gu Caining, "Let me offer a toast to the young lady, thanking you for your help on the way."

Gu Caining smiled and raised her cup to clink with his.

On the other side, Yan Wenfu, the black-clothed young man, lowered his voice and asked Fu Qingyuan, "Brother Qingyuan, who is the young man who came with you and why does he not even know about the Autumn Imperial Examination Martial Competition?"

Fu Qingyuan forced a bitter smile and also whispered, "Brother Yan, please don't mind... um... just consider that young master as an ordinary passerby."

He couldn't explain anything either.

"Passerby..."

Yan Wenfu smiled and immediately stopped paying attention to Su Yi.

Not long after, the boat set sail, heading upstream along the vast Qinglan River towards the Jade Capital City, a journey of about sixty miles.

However, due to the turbulent and swift current of the Qinglan River, and the fact that they were traveling against the current, it would take about two hours by boat to reach their destination.

Inside the palace, Wei Xian in the blue robe suddenly cleared his throat and said, "Have you all heard about Su Yi's battle where he beheaded a legendary immortal on land a few days ago?"

Immediately, the attention of everyone in the palace was drawn.

Even Wen Yuchong, sitting at the head, smiled and said, "This battle has caused a sensation throughout the world, and everyone has heard about it, right?"

Someone exclaimed, "Speaking of Su Yi, he is truly a terrifying and unimaginable existence. It is said that... he is only seventeen years old this year..."

The emotions of the crowd surged.

When it came to Su Yi, Gu Caining, Fu Qingyuan, and Yan Wenfu, the three of them all showed different expressions.

Only Su Yi sat there, calm as ever.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wei Xian, you are from Gunzhou, have you perhaps seen this Su Yi before?"

Wei Xian, who had previously mocked Su Yi's ignorance, now sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said, "I won't hide it from everyone. I did have the honor of witnessing the demeanor of that young Master Su."

There was a hint of admiration in his expression.

This statement immediately caught the attention of everyone present.

"Oh, please do tell us."

Wen Yuchong, sitting at the head, showed great interest.

Even Gu Caining couldn't help but listen attentively.

Even Su Yi was taken aback. This guy had seen him before?

Seeing that everyone's gaze was on him, Wei Xian felt a great sense of satisfaction in his heart and continued:

"I remember, it was at the Tea Gathering on the Western Mountain in Gunzhou. My father and I were standing at the foot of the Western Mountain and saw Su Yi and the Sixth Prince together, ascending to the peak of the Western Mountain..."

He spoke confidently, describing the battle at the Tea Gathering on the Western Mountain, causing the hearts of those present to surge with excitement and astonishment.

Only Su Yi's eyes looked strange.

If this guy was at the foot of the Western Mountain, how could he have witnessed the battle at the Tea Gathering?

Undoubtedly, this kid was bragging.

"Alas, it's a pity that it was too far away at the time, and I only got a rough idea. I didn't have the chance to personally participate, which is truly regrettable."

At the end, Wei Xian let out a long sigh.

Gu Caining couldn't help but ask, "Wei Xian, could you describe what Su Yi looks like, is he as terrifying as the rumors say?"

"Shallow, why are you women always concerned about a man's appearance?"

Wei Xian glanced at Gu Caining and said with a righteous air, "As warriors, shouldn't we be more concerned about how Su Yi became so powerful?"

Gu Caining couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed and ashamed by the rebuke.