He didn’t underperform today due to nerves; instead, he performed steadily and showed his true strength. Unfortunately, he still couldn’t control the seventh sword, which dragged down his score.

However, with a total martial arts score of 267, it was enough for him to get into the martial arts department of Luyang Prefecture Academy.

“William Harris, it’s your turn to take the test!”

Eric Johnson looked smug, turning to glance mockingly at William Harris, then lowered his voice and sneered, “Don’t forget our bet—if your score isn’t as high as mine, you’ll have to bark like a dog in front of everyone!”

“Eric, this kid William Harris is only at the first level of martial artist, so his cultivation score is already a hundred points lower than yours. Even if he maxes out his martial arts technique score, it won’t reach sixty. What’s the point of even competing? He should just start barking now!”

Eric Johnson’s lackeys all burst out laughing, each one starting to mock him.

Of course, William Harris knew he was only at the first level of martial artist, and his total score started out a full hundred points lower than Eric Johnson’s, so his expression wasn’t great.

He had to face this joint entrance exam for the ten major martial academies.

If he succeeded, he would soar and continue to stride toward the higher peaks of martial arts.

If he failed, he would sink into obscurity, becoming just another ordinary citizen of Luyang Prefecture.

William Harris straightened his clothes, walked empty-handed into the testing area, looked toward the five academy examiners, and prepared to face the moment his fate would be decided.

The five middle-aged examiners from the academies sat in a row, having withdrawn the warm smiles reserved for big family scions like Eric Johnson.

Each of them wore a blank expression, stern and imposing.

Holding their evaluation pens, their harsh and critical gazes fixed on William Harris, trying to find every tiny flaw in him to mercilessly deduct points—from thousands of candidates, only five hundred of the best would be selected, so the standards were naturally extremely strict.

They were like five towering mountains standing in front of him, blocking William Harris’s path forward in martial arts.

At this moment, William Harris felt an unprecedented, immense pressure, making it almost hard to breathe.

Only now did he understand why so many young martial students would tremble before the examiners, their expressions dazed, and end up underperforming.

Countless young martial students charged at these mountains, trying to conquer the five peaks, but all fell before them.

Only by conquering the harsh and critical gazes of these five examiners could one enter Luyang Prefecture Academy and step into a broader world.

William Harris had never dared to hope he’d have a chance to cross this huge barrier.

But today, he was going to try.

William Harris took a deep breath, calmed himself, cupped his hands to the examiners, and said, “Student, William Harris from Nancheng Martial Academy, first level martial artist…”

To enter any of the ten junior martial academies of Luyang Prefecture, one had to at least reach the first level of martial artist.

“All right! Since you’re only at the first level, there’s no need to split wood stakes. Just start your martial arts technique demonstration.”

One examiner wasn’t interested in hearing more about William Harris and interrupted directly, asking, “Which martial arts technique will you demonstrate?”

“‘Basic Three Forms’!”

William Harris answered immediately.

The Basic Three Forms referred to Basic Fist Technique, Basic Leg Technique, and Basic Footwork—a total of three foundational martial arts techniques.

Because these three were required entry-level techniques for all martial students, they were often practiced together and collectively called the Basic Three Forms.

“Basic Three Forms? Can’t you perform a set of elementary martial arts techniques?”

That examiner immediately frowned.

In theory, candidates could use any martial arts technique, but the Basic Three Forms were entry-level techniques that martial students would practice for a year or two at most before moving on.

Using such techniques to apply for the ten junior martial academies of Luyang Prefecture was fine. But now, this was the entrance exam for Luyang Prefecture Academy, a higher-level institution, so using such entry-level techniques was clearly inappropriate and lacked value for assessing martial arts proficiency.

“But, I only know the basic techniques!”

William Harris’s face flushed slightly, feeling somewhat ashamed.

In his three years at Nancheng Martial Academy, he had only practiced the basic techniques. With a weak foundation, forcing himself to learn more difficult elementary techniques would only backfire. He understood this principle.

“What? You only know the basic techniques, so why are you even applying to the academy?”

“A martial student from Nancheng Martial Academy, one of the ten major academies of Luyang Prefecture, who only knows entry-level techniques—what a disgrace.”

Immediately, the surrounding young martial students burst into laughter, looking at William Harris as if he were an idiot.

Eric Johnson, Wayne Miller, and their group all looked at William Harris with faces full of ridicule.

The five examiners were also visibly disappointed.

“Then go ahead and start!”

“No wonder Nancheng Martial Academy has gotten weaker over the years. With such lousy students, they still have the nerve to apply to the academy? What a waste of time!”

“Examiner Johnson, my nephew Wayne Miller will be up soon. Please take good care of him.”

“No problem! I’ve always been fair and impartial. I’d never miss out on a good seedling.”

They each relaxed, sipped their tea to moisten their throats, and chatted quietly among themselves, no longer giving William Harris a second glance.

William Harris was furious, his fists clenched tightly, his whole body trembling slightly.

Even if he was weak, did they have to look down on him like this?

The other young martial students were like this, and so were these examiners.

“What’s wrong, are you going to take the test or not?”