The soldier inspected the Token and, after confirming it was valid, raised his hand to grant them entry.
"Please."
Sun Yong led the way, with the disciples following close behind.
The moment they passed through the main gate, the clamor from within the training grounds washed over them. They could faintly make out numerous figures already gathered in the field.
Directly opposite the gate was a vast, open field. The ground, made of rammed loess, had been trodden solid, and the air was thick with the smell of dust and sweat.
At the far end of the training grounds stood a wide, elevated platform. Several banners planted around it FLAPPED loudly in the wind. It was clearly the area designated for the examiners.
Facing the platform, over a dozen arenas were scattered about. Each was constructed from alternating layers of hard bluestone slabs and wooden planks, their corners polished smooth yet retaining a sense of solid heft.
