Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog

Feng Buping said: "This stele is a piece of 'Mystic Gold Stone' extracted by my master Qin Yuxian from the inner treasury of the Qiu Dragon Martial Association. Its hardness far exceeds that of ordinary metal. This year's first exam concerning 'skills' requires you, after signing up, to leave your name on this stele with any technique or weapon you wish to use. Only those who leave their names can move on to the second round of exams."

Having said that, Feng Buping turned and cleared the path.

"Alright, registration can start now."

However, after Feng Buping finished speaking, Chen Ku heard a round of wailing:

"Weren't the martial exams in the previous years all about testing the proficiency in martial arts, strength training with stone locks, and archery? How has it changed this year? To leave a mark on this Mystic Gold Stone is already difficult, let alone inscribing one's name."

"What are you talking about? Was there ever a grandmaster presiding over the provincial examination in previous years?"

"Aren't you an outsider as well? All of us from different parts of Qiu Dragon Mansion have flocked to Baojiao County, competing with the local martial arts students for spots. It's already unfair to them, so what's wrong with the grandmaster raising the difficulty of the martial exam a bit?"

Amidst the chatter of the crowd, young people who met the age and cultivation requirements began approaching to register.

This under-twenty age limit was enough to eliminate ninety percent of the people present today.

As one young individual after another had their bone age checked and their inner Qi verified, they began applying their techniques on the Blue Gold Stone Stele.

Chen Ku did not hurry but planned to observe others' methods first.

"This is simply impossible! This Huanggang Treasure Sword in my hand is just one step away from being a famous weapon. How can it not leave a trace on the Blue Gold Stone!?"

"If famous weapons can't leave a trace, who can leave a trace?"

At that moment.

"I left a mark!"

One person exclaimed excitedly:

"It turns out this stele tests a martial artist's experience in mobilizing Qi Power. Sharpness alone is useless—it's hard against hard. Only by cultivating a superior martial art to at least the 'great achievement' stage can one skillfully attach Qi Power to an external object. This test examines 'martial skill'; the higher the level of martial skill, the easier it is to inscribe a name."

Others heard and suddenly understood.

Chen Ku also seemed to be deep in thought.

Then, Chen Ku saw Di Jianqing step forward and say:

"Make way, I'm coming."

Many recognized this young prodigy from the Qiu Dragon Di Mansion, only sixteen years old, with cultivation at the Third Realm and possessing the Arrogant Dragon Mace at the Refining Fire Level.

Di Jianqing took the Arrogant Dragon Mace off his back, held it single-handedly, and used it as a pen, expertly leaving his name on the stele in broad strokes like silver hooks and iron drawings.

Di Jianqing!

Three large characters, noticeable for their depth and strength on the stele.

Seeing this, Chen Ku's eyes subtly shifted: "This guy's martial skills have advanced again!"

Just a month ago, he had sparred with Di Jianqing and felt his cultivation—not only did Di Jianqing possess innate divine strength, but also extraordinary martial aptitude. After just a month, his martial skills not only did not regress but advanced.

It must be said, he is truly an outstanding prodigy.

With Di Jianqing as an example, next, other prodigies and geniuses from the Qiu Dragon Mansion eagerly attempted in succession. After registering, some failed and left dejectedly, while others moved proudly into the Martial Temple to face the second test.

After watching for a while, Chen Ku was preparing to step forward.

Suddenly, a figure brushed past him, unhurriedly, exuding an aura that sent shivers down one's spine, causing surrounding people to step back.

"Dugu Wuer!"

"Dugu Wuer has arrived!"

Chen Ku stepped aside and looked towards the young man with a sword box on his back, his long hair draped over his shoulders, radiating a rigid demeanor like a human-shaped treasure sword.

Just as Chen Ku was curious about what method this famed young Sword Demon would use to inscribe his name on the stele.

Suddenly, the sword box on the young Sword Demon's back trembled, and three swords flew out, vibrating incessantly around him, with their tips pointing to three different positions.

One of the positions was because of Chen Ku's location.

At this moment, everyone was in an uproar.

Ever since coming to Baojiao County, Dugu Wuer's Sword Box had never autonomously unleashed its swords no matter what kind of opponent he faced, so what was the situation now?

Even Feng Buping in front of the stele frowned and shouted at the young man with the sword box:

"Dugu Wuer, this is the martial exam registration site, what are you doing?"

Being pointed at by one of the swords, Chen Ku frowned too and subconsciously heightened his focus, scrutinizing the black-haired youth with his back to him.

Then he heard the black-haired youth with the sword box, first looking at the three flying swords from his box with a slight astonishment, then calmly speaking to Feng Buping:

"I am doing nothing. It's just that my three treasured swords sensed three strong auras of youthful prodigies here at this site, triggering them to respond autonomously."

As soon as Dugu Wuer finished speaking.

Everyone was shocked.

Youthful prodigies who could make someone as powerful as Dugu Wuer feel threatened?

And there were three of them?

They all looked towards where the three swords pointed, subconsciously backing away, knowing it wasn't referring to themselves.

Soon after, a laugh came from within the crowd, and a young man with yellow hair, looking like a rachitic ghost with narrow shoulders and a large width across his back, carrying two large hammers on his shoulder, slowly approached Dugu Wuer.