I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

Xie An turned his head at the sound, only to see Tang Qingyun sitting on a grand master's chair under the eaves, surrounded by a dense crowd of people. If Tang Qingyun's voice wasn't so strong, Xie An wouldn't have been able to hear him.

"You've arrived."

Xie An waved at Tang Qingyun, then squeezed through layers of people, taking a good while to reach the eaves at the entrance.

Under the eaves were several long tables, grand master's chairs, and a clerk taking notes.

Clearly, this was equivalent to a stage. Fang Baiyu and Tang Qingyun were both sitting here, responsible for recording the details of each competition to determine the winner.

Many participating stewards lined up to go to the long tables, reaching into a black pottery jar to draw a slip of paper. It was marked with different numbers from 1 to 64, to determine the first round matches, with number 1 against number 64, and so on.

Xie An lined up at the end of the queue, waiting for his turn to draw a lot.

Xie An felt that this method was too crude.

If he drew Hong Lie in the first round... wouldn't that mean the other person would be eliminated in the first round?

Originally, it wouldn't have been a problem for him to be in the top four and easily become a branch leader.

However, Xie An could understand that in troubled times... there weren't so many niceties.

It was already good enough to have this.

Moreover, Xie An couldn't wait to meet Hong Lie sooner.

It would be best to eliminate this guy in the first round, which would also be helping Wei Dian vent his anger.

So Xie An looked around, searching for number 64...

Many stewards who had drawn numbers around him were discussing excitedly, looking for each other.

"Old Zhang, I'm number 18, what number are you?"

"16. What a pity, you're not my opponent. Otherwise, I would have beaten you until you cried for your parents."

"Come on, if your sister hadn't begged me last time, I would have beaten you to the ground long ago."

"You don't accept it? Come, come, let's fight again."

"Let's go."

Just then—

Clang!

The loud sound of a metal rod striking a copper chime rang out, and the lively atmosphere immediately quieted down a lot. People turned to look at the eaves.

Xie An also curiously looked over, only to see Tang Qingyun holding a very delicate iron pestle in his hand, striking the copper chime three times. After the whole place quieted down, he spoke:

"Thank you to the villagers from all around for coming here to watch the ceremony. Today is the day that my Tiger Wolf Gate's Baiyu Hall tests the four branch leaders. The eyes of the villagers are sharp, and we also ask everyone to be a witness. The top four will serve as branch leaders. The one who wins the first place will be the branch leader of the Blood Ridge Black Market."

"The arena competition is a matter of life and death, and no one is allowed to interfere. Either admit defeat, or faint or die."

"Now, the first round begins. Number 1 and number 64, please come to the stage!"

Whoosh!

The moment the words fell, the whole place immediately became a hubbub of voices, and countless eyes were searching for the people with these two numbers.

In full view of the public, a young man wearing black close-fitting attire slowly walked out of the crowd, stepping onto the two-meter-high arena step by step.

When he went on stage, this young man kept waving to the audience below, looking very cocky, as if he was sure to win this game.

Needless to say, this person was number 64.

Xie An, who held number one, wasn't in a hurry to go on stage. Instead, he observed for a while first.

In terms of pure strength, Xie An wasn't lacking.

But this was a branch leader-level competition, with no restrictions on means. Many people didn't care about martial ethics in order to win, using insidious hidden weapons to launch sneak attacks. To be on the safe side, Xie An felt that it was necessary for him to observe his opponent more.

By observing the opponent's temperament, words, and actions, one could roughly know whether the other party belonged to an insidious and cunning nature. Although it couldn't be generalized, it was no problem to make a rough judgment.

"Tch, who is this person? He's acting like he's sure to win," Wang Xiang couldn't help but complain.

Lin Yun said, "This person is a steward from the west suburb branch in the county town, named Liu Qiang. He has reached the Great Completion of Copper Skin Realm and is good at Mantis Blades, so he has some strength. However, he is a heroic person, and I haven't heard of him using any insidious methods. But Brother Xie should still not be careless."

"Thank you, Brother Lin, for the reminder. I know what to do."

Xie An cupped his fist, then slowly walked out of the crowd, step by step towards the arena.

Before he even got on stage, he felt countless pairs of fiery eyes looking at him, as well as harsh shouts that made his eardrums go numb.

He roughly glanced at the surrounding villagers, there were at least eight hundred if not a thousand.

This was already an exaggerated crowd in ancient times.

Although the football stadium in his previous life could accommodate tens of thousands of people, the shouts were very scary. But there wasn't such a big space here, and the crowd was only three to five meters away from the arena, so the shouts were particularly harsh, making Xie An, who had always liked quietness, feel uncomfortable.

Many players are very skilled in private, but they fail to perform when they go on stage. This is because they are not used to the stage and the audience, and they also think too much, always afraid of losing face in front of the audience.

Xie An had a steady mentality. After walking a few steps, he adapted, cleared his distracting thoughts, and stopped paying attention to the surrounding crowd.

He walked onto the arena and stared at the young man opposite him.

Although the young man looked cocky, he still had manners, "I am Liu Qiang, a steward from the West Suburbs."

"Xie An, a steward from Blood Ridge."

"Hmm."

Liu Qiang nodded, then looked at the many white hairs on Xie An's head, "I see that you're not young, are you forty-five yet?"

Xie An felt that this guy was alright, although a bit cocky. He didn't expect him to ask about his age as soon as he came up... what was he doing?

Xie An still maintained his politeness, "I'm fifty-one."

Cough cough cough.

Liu Qiang couldn't help coughing, "Brother, I think you've had a hard life. You're already this old, why do you have to compete with us young people for opportunities? You're making it difficult for me. I can't bear to use harsh methods. Why don't you just admit defeat?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place followed suit.

Xie An felt very speechless.

He didn't know if this guy Liu Qiang was deliberately trying to mess with people's minds, or if he was just this kind of person.

If he was trying to mess with his mind, then Xie An felt that he was overthinking it.

If he was thirty years younger, he might really get angry because of this, leading to excessive bravery and rashness.

But now... Xie An had already seen it through.

Xie An smiled softly: "I was originally a steward of the Blood Ridge Black Market, and I'm used to the people and things around me, and I don't want to change a branch leader. So... since little brother feels embarrassed, why not fulfill this old man's wish? Why don't you admit defeat?"

"Damn! I've been waiting for a chance to stand out for five whole years, how can I give it to you? You can't just rely on your age like that!" Liu Qiang got angry. As the sound of the copper chime rang out again, Liu Qiang didn't hesitate any longer, directly drawing his sword and rushing towards Xie An in a few strides, suddenly chopping down with all his might.

The sword was fast, and the momentum was great.

Fully demonstrating the strength and bravery that a Copper Skin Realm Great Completion martial artist should have.

Cheers immediately rang out from outside the arena.

Soon, the sound seemed to be covered by something.

Xie An only suddenly raised his sword, which had not yet been unsheathed, and blocked it with great force. Suddenly, there was a loud "clang", and an unimaginable force burst out instantly. Liu Qiang's arms went numb, his tiger's mouth cracked, and his head seemed to be buzzing and about to crack open. His whole body seemed to have been hit by a boulder, and he flew backwards for five or six meters. After landing, he still couldn't stop the momentum of retreating, retreating more than ten meters, and finally crashing through the railing and falling off the stage, spitting out blood with a "wow" sound.

Immediately, he showed a very unwilling to lose appearance, trying to get up as soon as possible. Just as he was about to say "I haven't lost yet", another mouthful of blood spurted out. Coupled with the strain on his internal organs due to eagerness, his body stiffened and then fell down, fainting and not waking up.

All of this happened too suddenly, exceeding everyone's expectations. The crowd that was cheering and shouting was so shocked that they were silent for a moment before erupting into a tidal wave of discussion.

"This... he lost just like that?"

"Ah? Can someone tell me what just happened?"

"Is this freaking acting?"

"I thought the opening battle would be good, but this is it? It's really boring..."

Xie An won.

However, when he went off the stage, he was met with boos from the crowd...

Xie An didn't care.

He wasn't here to perform, he didn't need to care whether the audience liked it or not, and he didn't need to care whether the audience cheered. He just wanted to win.

Xie An had held back just now.

Otherwise, Liu Qiang would have been gone.

Liu Qiang had reached the Great Completion of Copper Skin Realm, and his strength was no more than six hundred pounds.

Xie An's strength was three times his, and with his extraordinary senses and blade pressing technique, it was impossible for the other party to be a match for him. Xie An only cared about one thing from beginning to end—whether the other party would play tricks and use hidden weapons.

In order to avoid any complications and not to expose too many of his trump cards, he had to send him off the stage in one go.

However, Xie An always felt that although his strength was great, it shouldn't be this exaggerated... something seemed wrong.

Back in the crowd, Wang Xiang, Zhang Lin, and Liang Zhi naturally showered him with praise. However, they were inwardly shocked, feeling that Xie An before them was becoming increasingly unfathomable.

Meanwhile, Liu Qiang was being carried to the dispensary by two disciples of White Feather Hall to be treated. As they reached a deserted corner, the two disciples suddenly felt a pain in the back of their heads and fainted.

It turned out that Liu Qiang had climbed off the stretcher. He looked around, and upon discovering that no one was around, he took out two pieces of broken silver and stuffed them into the hands of the two disciples carrying the stretcher.

"I'm sorry, you two, I didn't mean to do that. After all, I was only pretending to be unconscious. If the manager of the dispensary finds out... I'll have no face left. Take these bits of silver as my treat for you to find a girl at Emerald Flower Tower. Farewell."

Liu Qiang ran off, looking back every three steps and glancing around every four.

In fact, he was overthinking things. Because of the examination, almost everyone in White Feather Hall had been drawn outside, leaving very few people inside.

But Liu Qiang was feeling guilty. He rushed out of the hall through the back door and disappeared into the crowd, finally feeling completely relaxed.

"I actually lost to an old man in his fifties, what a disgrace! Too embarrassing, I need to go home quickly... and not be seen for the next few days."

During his first exchange with Xie An, it was true that he was shaken back and injured. At that time, he realized that he couldn't possibly beat Xie An, but he couldn't accept it for a while, and he couldn't face the criticism and sighs of so many spectators. So, when he retreated to the side of the railing, he simply pretended to fall off the stage and feigned unconsciousness.

Admitting defeat was too embarrassing, and fighting to the death was too risky. Feigning unconsciousness was a more "dignified" way out.

However, feigning unconsciousness also required skill. First of all, you couldn't pretend to be unconscious near your opponent, otherwise, if you encountered a desperate and ruthless character, you might really get killed. Falling off the stage... was much safer.

These were all experienced tricks of the trade...

The newest novels can be found first at 69shu.com!

...

The White Feather Hall's examination began with Liu Qiang's "feigned unconsciousness."

The first round was divided into thirty-two matches. Because there was only one arena, the progress was relatively slow. However, this also had its advantages, allowing each participant to carefully observe the other opponents.

Xie An was confident in his own strength, but he had to guard against hidden weapons and dirty tricks.

After observing for a while, the first few matches were relatively normal, with victories determined by pure strength.

But in the sixth match, Xie An suddenly felt a chill in his heart, and his pupils dilated: a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked deacon, about to be defeated, suddenly pulled out a dagger from his sleeve and directly pierced the opponent's throat.

A concealed blade for a counter-kill.

And for such a thing, apart from a few young spectators who expressed indignation, it did not cause any disturbance. It seemed that people had accepted such things.

This also served as a reminder to Xie An: it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. The incense master-level examination could really result in death.

Because it was a life-and-death examination, most people went all out as soon as they entered the arena, without any fancy stuff. So the progress was very fast. By early Wei time (1-3 PM), the first round was over.

Thirty-two contestants were selected to advance.

There was a one-hour lunch break at noon.

Lin Yun was in a good mood and took the initiative to treat everyone. He treated Xie An, Zhang Lin, Liang Zhi, Wang Xiang, and a few others to a big meal, and then they didn't dare to linger, hurrying back to prepare for the afternoon's examination.

The afternoon's examination was obviously much more exciting, and there were many more onlookers.

Moreover, as the rounds progressed, the number of matches in each round also decreased.

Xie An, without exception, entered the top sixteen. His method was also very simple, directly using the scabbard to knock his opponent off the stage.

The second round ended early, so the third round began.

Xie An, without exception, entered the top eight.

After the third round ended, it was already dark. Tang Qingyun announced the end of the day and that it would continue the next day.

After a day of examination, some were happy and some were sad.

Those deacons who were eliminated left in disappointment. And the deacons who entered the top eight were naturally triumphant and left surrounded by people.

Xie An was naturally escorted away by Lin Yun and others, but he didn't feel too excited. After returning to the Blood Ridge Black Market, he managed the market's opening as usual, and also took advantage of the night to go to the Blood Ridge mountain north of the city to bring some offerings to A'Bao. He sat on the grave and talked to A'Bao for a while.

Then, Xie An looked in the direction where Wei Dian had ridden away on horseback, lost in thought.

"Big Brother Wei, I don't know if you have found the antidote... I really hope that good people are rewarded."

"I will guard this Blood Ridge Black Market."

...

The next day, Xie An got up early.

Opening the door, he saw the familiar Wang Xiang, Liang Zhi, and also Zhou Xing and Zhang Lin.

Zhou Xing didn't go yesterday, staying behind to manage the black market.

Looking at Zhou Xing's appearance today, he was determined to go.

Xie An naturally agreed, and as usual, they went early to Water Lantern Town, had breakfast at Granny Wang's shop, and then arrived at the arena outside the hall to conduct the fourth round... the examination to enter the top four.

This was an extremely important examination.

Once passed, one could enter the top four.

At the very least, one could become an Incense Master of White Feather Hall.

For countless deacons, such an opportunity was something they couldn't wait for even ten years.

The crowd that came to watch was thirty percent larger than yesterday.

Xie An's opponent in this round was a forty-year-old burly man with a beard, who used a large spear. A copper-skinned martial artist at the peak stage, his strength was not bad, but he couldn't withstand Xie An's attacks after three moves. Moreover, Xie An hadn't even drawn his saber yet.

By the fifth move, the burly man had already retreated. He even tried to force Xie An to draw his saber, but obviously didn't have the ability, and finally bowed his head in defeat.

Xie An entered the top four.

The position of Incense Master was secure.

But obviously, Xie An's goal was far more than that.

The next round, four into two.

Xie An was looking forward to meeting Chen Qing or Hong Lie. But unfortunately... his luck wasn't good.

His opponent was still a copper-skinned martial artist at the peak stage, but he was very close to the Refined Flesh realm, and was considered the strongest opponent Xie An had encountered since participating in the examination. But even so, he was defeated in eight moves without Xie An drawing his saber.

Xie An entered the finals.

When he stepped down from the stage, thunderous applause rang out, along with a lot of discussion.

"At first, I wasn't optimistic about this old man, I didn't expect him to be so vigorous in his old age, actually entering the finals. I have to admit, he is still very strong."

"He hasn't even drawn his saber yet."

"There's nothing to brag about, right? It's just good luck. Not meeting Hong Lie and Chen Qing, these two Refined Flesh realm experts. His limit is reaching this point."

"He's fifty-one, it's still not bad. Why be so demanding?"

"That's true."

"..."

Xie An ignored the crowd's discussion. After returning to Lin Yun and the others, and accepting their congratulations, Xie An suppressed the emotions in his heart and turned to look at the other four-into-two match.

He knew very well that this match was the focus he should be paying attention to.

Chen Qing versus Hong Lie.

A duel between two Refined Flesh realm experts.

Clang!

As the sound of the bronze chime rang out, it announced the start of the examination.

Only two sounds of "clang" were heard as the sabers were drawn, it turned out that the two had simultaneously drawn their sabers and rushed towards each other, exchanging blows with their sabers, their qi and blood surging, their powerful collisions causing the arena to tremble.

In Xie An's calm eyes, a bright light finally bloomed.

Compared to the duel between copper-skinned martial artists, the duel between these two was obviously on a much higher level, finally having a bit of meaning.

Hong Lie was skilled in the Fuyang Saber Technique, with excellent skill, powerful and heavy, swift and agile, truly not to be underestimated. However, Chen Qing's saber technique was obviously more profound, and his strength and aura were on a higher level, constantly suppressing Hong Lie.

After dozens of moves, Hong Lie retreated step by step, already showing signs of defeat.

Lin Yun breathed a sigh of relief, "Hong Lie is still very strong, but unfortunately, he only has the strength of an early Refined Flesh realm, while Chen Qing's strength has reached the minor success stage of the Refined Flesh realm. Realm suppression, a victory is about to be decided."

Xie An's expression was solemn, "I see that although Hong Lie has been at a disadvantage, his expression is calm, not like he is truly about to be defeated. I'm afraid he has a dirty trick..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scream of "Ah!" came from the stage.

It turned out that Chen Qing, who had been dominating the fight, suddenly went crazy, violently dropping the saber in his hand and clutching his head, screaming miserably. Before long, he curled up on the ground, rolling and shouting, wailing miserably.

"I'm poisoned... I admit defeat, I admit defeat!!"

Hong Lie won.

Entering the finals with Xie An.

Hiss!

Lin Yun couldn't help but gasp, turning his head to look at Xie An, "It really is... I didn't even notice when Chen Qing was poisoned, Old Brother Xie, you have to be very careful. If you find anything wrong, admit defeat directly!"

Xie An's expression was solemn: "I know what to do."

Not long after—

Clang!

The sound of the bronze chime rang out again, announcing the start of the finals.

Tang Qingyun's voice also rang out, "Please Xie An and Hong Lie step onto the stage, the winner will take the lead and become the Incense Master of the Blood Ridge Black Market!"