54: Chapter 54 Two Thousand Jin!

"The assessment begins!"

As the voice of Centurion Shen Lian fell, it was like cold water hitting boiling oil; the vast martial arts arena of Qianlong Villa was instantly ignited!

The long-suppressed excitement, nervousness, and anticipation erupted completely, transforming into a buzzing wave of sound.

Everyone's gaze focused on the several massive "Strength Testing Stones" of varying sizes and dull colors in the center of the arena.

These stones were not ordinary mountain rocks, but "Black Iron Rocks" originating from the deep north. They were extremely dense and exceptionally hard, with surfaces polished relatively flat, and their weights clearly marked on the sides in vermilion paint:

Two thousand Jin, two thousand and fifty Jin, two thousand one hundred Jin, two thousand one hundred and fifty Jin, two thousand two hundred Jin, two thousand two hundred and fifty Jin.

The stone in the very center, which was noticeably larger in volume, weighed two thousand three hundred Jin.

"Strength must reach two thousand Jin to be considered qualified," Centurion Shen Lian's voice sounded again, cold and devoid of any emotion. "Lift the stone three feet off the ground and hold it steadily for three breaths without dropping it to pass.

The higher the weight, the higher the evaluation, naturally. In this round, there is no room for tricks."

Below the stage, many young Martial Artists gazed at the stones with fiery eyes, whispering to one another, estimating their own limits, and sizing up potential opponents.

At the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall seating area, Hall Master Chen Qingfeng withdrew his gaze from the Strength Testing Stones, turned to the three people beside him, and instructed them with a stern expression:

"The assessment consists of two rounds. This first round, strength testing, is a hard threshold and also the basis for initial ranking. It concerns subsequent resource allocation and the impression you make on your superiors.

The second round is the actual combat arena, determined by drawing lots, which inevitably involves an element of luck.

Therefore, in this first round, you three must exhaust your full strength, bring out your best skills, and strive for the best evaluation. You must absolutely not hide your true ability!"

"Yes, Revered Master!" Senior Sister Chen Yu and Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang replied in low voices, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Lin Tian also nodded in agreement, though he had already made his calculations in his heart.

He secretly evaluated himself: having recently achieved a Breakthrough to Second Grade, although his Five Elements Stance had reached Perfection and his blood and Qi were vigorous, the growth of his pure Physical Body strength still required time to polish.

His current limit was around two thousand and fifty Jin. With an all-out effort, he might be able to touch the two thousand one hundred Jin threshold, but it would certainly be a struggle, and it would expose his secrets and deplete his condition.

His advantage had never been in pure strength contests.

The extreme speed and agility brought by his Perfection-level Wind-Chasing Footwork, the power superposition and bizarre changes of the Metal-Wood combined attack technique, and even his precise grasp of timing were the foundations of his ability to defeat enemies and fight above his rank.

These would be fully utilized in the actual combat arena of the second round.

"For the first round, I just need to pass safely. I will lift the two thousand and fifty Jin stone, conserve my energy, and hide some of my strength. The real stage is in the second round."

Once Lin Tian had made up his mind, his gaze became calm once again.

The assessment proceeded according to the order of the lists submitted by each faction, starting with some of the smaller Families and merchant guilds.

Young Martial Artists took turns stepping onto the stage. Most had grave expressions as they walked toward the Black Iron Rock marked "two thousand Jin."

Those who were lucky, amidst a loud roar, faces flushed red and veins bulging, managed to barely lift the stone off the ground, wobbling as they held it for three breaths, before setting it down with a sense of relief.

Stirring up a cloud of dust, they would often stagger a few steps themselves, panting like an ox.

Such a performance could only be considered barely qualified.

Some also set their target at two thousand and fifty Jin. While the successful ones won a few cheers, the failures departed in dejection, losing even the qualification to participate in the second round.

There were even a few individuals who couldn't even lift the two thousand Jin stone. They strained until their faces were red, but the stone remained motionless. In the end, under the indifferent gaze of the examiner and the sympathetic or mocking whispers of their peers, they left the stage with ashen faces.

These were mostly individuals from Families that really couldn't find a suitable-aged Second Grade Martial Artist, so they had to send a Peak First Grade to try their luck; the result was naturally cruel.

About half an hour later, it was the turn of the three major martial arts halls. According to custom, Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall went first.

"Go on, do not tarnish the prestige of my Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng nodded slightly to the three of them.

Senior Sister Chen Yu stood up first. She wore a goose-yellow martial outfit and had a tall figure, especially with her straight, slender legs. As soon as she appeared on stage, she attracted countless gazes from the entire audience.

Many young Martial Artists' eyes lit up, and they whispered:

"What a beautiful young lady! Is that Senior Sister Chen Yu of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall?"

"I heard her talent is extremely high and her ice-attribute Cultivation Technique is superb. I didn't expect her to dare to be the first to take the stage for the strength assessment."

"I wonder how much she can lift? Two thousand one hundred Jin?"

Amidst the gazes and whispers of the crowd, Senior Sister Chen Yu wore a cold expression. She walked straight past the two thousand Jin and two thousand and fifty Jin stones and stopped in front of the Black Iron Rock marked "two thousand one hundred Jin."

"She wants to challenge two thousand one hundred Jin?!"

"No one has challenged this weight yet, right? Can she do it?"

"Isn't she being too arrogant?"

Low exclamations sounded in the arena. Senior Sister Chen Yu seemed not to hear them, focusing her mind and calming her Qi. She slowly crouched down and hooked her hands into the grooves specially left at the bottom of the stone.

She took a deep breath, and a flush of red instantly climbed onto her originally cold face. The aura around her suddenly became icy and dense, with white mist faintly spilling from her mouth and nose.

"Rise!"

A clear shout, not loud, yet clear and powerful. She exerted force from her waist and back, her arm muscles tightened instantly, and that two thousand one hundred Jin Black Iron Rock rose in response, steadily lifting more than three feet off the ground!

The stone was as steady as a rock in her hands, without the slightest wobble. She maintained this posture and counted three breaths silently.

"Down."

"Boom!"

The stone hit the ground with a dull, loud thud, the ground shook slightly, and no dust rose—clearly showing excellent control of her strength.

The Imperial Guard official responsible for recording glanced at the hourglass nearby and announced loudly: "Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, Senior Sister Chen Yu, two thousand one hundred Jin, qualified. Evaluation: Superior."

"Whoa—!"

A wave of admiration immediately erupted in the arena. To be able to lift two thousand one hundred Jin so cleanly and neatly as a woman, while keeping her breathing steady—this strength and control had already surpassed the vast majority of male Martial Artists present.

Senior Sister Chen Yu did not change her expression, slightly evening her breathing, bowed slightly to the examiner, and turned back to the seating area, a barely perceptible curve of satisfaction crossing the corner of her lips.

Performed normally, not bad.

Next was Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang.

This senior Disciple of the martial arts hall walked with steps as steady as a mountain, striding like a dragon and walking like a tiger to the center of the arena. He didn't even stop in front of the two thousand one hundred Jin stone, walking directly to the next one—two thousand one hundred and fifty Jin!

"He wants to challenge two thousand one hundred and fifty Jin?!"

"Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang is truly as famous as rumored!"

"With this strength, he might be able to compete for the top spot, right?"

Amidst even louder exclamations, Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang lowered his waist into a horse stance, let out a low roar, his arm muscles bulging like iron. That two thousand one hundred and fifty Jin giant stone was forcibly lifted by him with even more overbearing strength. He also held it for three breaths before it landed with a crash, the momentum even more shocking.

"Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang, two thousand one hundred and fifty Jin, qualified. Evaluation: Grade A!"

The voice of the Imperial Guard official carried a hint of imperceptible fluctuation. Grade A!

This was the highest evaluation that had appeared so far!

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall seating area, and the Disciples felt honored. Hall Master Chen Qingfeng stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Even Centurion Shen Lian on the main seat let his gaze linger on Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang for a moment longer.

In the direction of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, the atmosphere was somewhat grave. The red face of the Liehuo Hall Master showed no joy or anger, but a fierce look flashed in his eyes as he whispered to the three Disciples behind him: "This Senior Apprentice Zhao Tiegang is a tough nut to crack.

Be careful if you encounter him. Senior Sister Chen Yu should not be underestimated either.

However, their weakest one should be that Du Fei who just had a Breakthrough; he is not worth worrying about."

Several Liehuo Disciples nodded one after another, their gazes involuntarily cast toward the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall seating area, searching for Du Fei's figure, calculating how to "entertain" him if they met in the arena.

However, the next moment, they were stunned.

They saw that on the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall side, the one who stood up was not Du Fei, but Lin Tian!

Lin Tian had a calm expression as he walked unhurriedly toward the Strength Testing Stone area in the center of the arena.

"Hmm?" Liehuo Hall Master frowned.

"This kid... what is he going up there for?" The Elder beside him also looked bewildered.