The wind and snow that had raged for days finally ceased. Morning sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled over the Wang Clan's martial training ground, driving away winter's chill.
The training ground, usually lively yet orderly, was exceptionally heated today. Everyone had received the news: the clan's Martial Academy assessment would be held today.
Some clenched their fists and repeatedly practiced the basic boxing stances. Others rubbed their hands nervously. Quite a few gathered around Xu Li, their eyes blazing.
"Brother Xu Li, your Blood Condensation Realm is secure. You'll definitely get into the Martial Academy!"
"Brother Xu, once you get into the Martial Academy, don't forget us old brothers. If you get the chance later, look after us a little!"
Xu Li stood behind Wang Yue, a touch of shyness on his face. He answered their attempts at conversation only halfheartedly, but his gaze drifted unconsciously toward the entrance of the training ground, where several disciples dressed in Martial Academy attire stood.
Following his gaze, Wang Yue raised an eyebrow slightly. These Martial Academy disciples had not achieved Blood Condensation. Their auras were steady but not particularly robust; they were clearly among those lagging behind in the academy. It seemed this assessment was not merely an opportunity for backyard disciples—even Martial Academy disciples had to undergo selection. It truly matched Wang Hu's words: "The capable rise, and the weak fall."
As the last few backyard disciples hurried over, a commotion suddenly broke out at the edge of the training ground.
Wang Yue looked toward the sound and saw several young martial artists in splendid brocade robes walk in. Their exquisite fabrics and jade pendants at their waists stood in stark contrast to the coarse clothes of the backyard disciples.
"Who are they? Why have I never seen them before?"
"The one in front! I know him! He's Wang Qishan, Elder Wang Shanhai's son! He's participating in the assessment too?"
"His father controls more than half the clan's mines and fertile fields. His power within the clan is second to none!"
"I've seen the one behind him too. He's the youngest son of the Zhang Manor in the county city's inner district! They say his family possesses riches beyond measure. Why would he come to the Wang Clan? Who knows how much silver they gave the clan..."
The discussions rose again. Wang Yue stood where he was, his eyes darkening. These people who had joined at the last minute vaguely stood together as soon as they entered. Clearly, arrangements had been made beforehand.
Wang Yue pondered in secret. These people had families or wealth backing them. Even if their strength was slightly lacking, the clan might not truly eliminate them. In the end, he still had to rely on hard strength to speak for itself.
Just then, Xu Li gently tugged at his sleeve and lowered his voice. "Brother Wang, Uncle-Master Hu is calling us."
Wang Yue came back to himself and followed Xu Li beneath the shade of a tree beside the training ground. Wang Hu stood there, his eyes sweeping across the entire field. Seeing the two approach, he looked at Xu Li first and spoke sternly. "Your Root Bone is not good, so you must perform well. If you hide your abilities, you may regret it for the rest of your life."
Xu Li hurriedly nodded. "This disciple understands!"
Wang Hu's gaze then fell upon Wang Yue, carrying a hint of deeper meaning. "Do you know why people such as Wang Qishan and the Zhang Manor's son have come to take the assessment today?"
Wang Yue froze. He had only assumed it was a clan rule and had never considered there might be a reason behind it. He immediately cupped his hands. "Please explain, Uncle-Master Wang."
Wang Hu lifted his head toward the Wang Clan ancestral hall in the distance. A trace of longing appeared in his eyes, and he lowered his voice further, though every word remained clear. "Because next spring, people from a sect will come to the prefectural city to select disciples of outstanding aptitude and accept them into the sect."
"A sect recruiting disciples?!" Wang Yue's expression changed dramatically, and his heart gave a violent leap.
He had personally cultivated the Eighteen Forging Golden Body Technique and knew full well how terrifying sect martial arts were. They stood far above clan cultivation methods.
A sect was likely the pinnacle of military power and authority in this world. Entering one would undoubtedly mean stepping onto an entirely different path of martial cultivation, a hundred or even a thousand times greater than cultivating in the Wang Clan's Martial Academy!
Wang Yue's eyes instantly lit up. His heart, already filled with longing for higher martial paths, now erupted into blazing flames. Not only would he enter the Martial Academy, he would seize this chance for sect recruitment!
"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle-Master Wang!" Wang Yue deeply cupped his hands, his voice filled with gratitude. Had Wang Hu not revealed it, he might never have known that such vital information lay hidden behind this assessment.
Seeing the fire in his eyes, Wang Hu nodded in satisfaction. "Perform well. When sects choose people, they value Root Bone, but they value actual combat and temperament even more. Your chances are greater than you think."
The moment he finished speaking, a thunderous shout rang out from the center of the training ground. "All assessment participants, stand according to your numbers! The assessment is about to begin!"
In the center of the training ground paved with bluestone slabs, Wang Yue and the others stood in sequence according to their numbers, their backs straight as ramrods.
Today's gathering was far more grand than usual. The stewards of the Wang Clan's Fifth Branch, several white-haired clan elders, and the heads of the mines, fertile fields, and shops under the clan's control had all arrived. Some stood while others sat, their gazes sweeping over the young martial artists with scrutiny.
Wang Yue looked up and saw a temporary high platform erected on the north side of the training ground. Ten pearwood chairs stood atop it. Seated to the left of one chair was a middle-aged man in black robes, whose face bore a seventy-percent resemblance to Wang Qishan's. He was Wang Qishan's father, Wang Shanhai.
If you can't find it by searching the book title, try searching for the author instead—it may have simply been renamed!
Wang Hu stood at the edge of the platform, upright and straight, yet he occasionally stole glances at Wang Shanhai's expression. He was clearly wary of this elder who held most of the clan's resources in his hands.
The chair in the center of the platform was still empty. Only after a short while did a man in a plain-colored long robe slowly approach. Xu Li, beside Wang Yue, quietly tugged his sleeve and whispered, "That is the clan head, Wang Hezhi."
This was Wang Yue's first time seeing the head of the Wang Clan.
Wang Hezhi looked no more than thirty-something. His face was calm and handsome, and he did not deliberately release any Blood Qi pressure. He looked no different from an ordinary scholar. Yet Wang Yue did not dare underestimate him in the slightest. A man who could sit firmly as clan head and suppress powerful elders like Wang Shanhai was absolutely not as simple as he appeared.
As if sensing his gaze, Wang Hezhi's eyes suddenly shifted, his gaze landing directly on Wang Yue.
The next second, Wang Yue felt an icy chill pour down from the crown of his head. Every hair on his body stood upright, as though some terrifying beast had fixed its eyes on him. The surrounding discussions, the wind, even the sounds of breathing vanished in an instant. The world became incomparably empty, leaving only his gaze locked against Wang Hezhi's.
That gaze was too sharp, as though it could pierce through flesh and reach directly into the mind. Wang Yue even had the illusion that he possessed no secrets at all before the other man.
Is this a martial artist with profound cultivation? Those eyes... can they still be called human? Wang Yue was horrified. He instinctively lowered his head and avoided Wang Hezhi's gaze. A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple and struck the bluestone slab.
On the platform, Wang Hezhi withdrew his gaze, a faint smile curling at his lips. Turning his head, he asked Wang Hu beside him, "That is the Wang Yue you often mention?"
Wang Hu hurriedly stepped forward, bowed his head, and answered respectfully, "Yes, Clan Head. That boy is Wang Yue."
"Hmph." Wang Shanhai suddenly snorted beside them, his eyes sweeping over Wang Yue with disdain. "He hasn't grown three heads and six arms. He is nothing but an ordinary collateral disciple. Is he worth your repeated praise?"
Cold sweat instantly appeared on Wang Hu's forehead. His hands hung at his sides as he dared not respond. Wang Shanhai controlled the resources and enjoyed the support of several elders. Wang Hu simply could not afford to offend him.
Wang Hezhi ignored the undercurrents between the two and merely said indifferently, "Begin the assessment. Do not delay the hour."
The moment he spoke, a slightly plump middle-aged man behind him immediately stepped forward. He was Wang Bin, the clan steward in charge of Martial Academy assessments.
Wang Bin took a deep breath and abruptly stirred his Blood Qi. His voice rang out like a great bell, spreading throughout the training ground. "My Wang Clan has established itself in Black Fort for more than three hundred years! Our forebears struggled bitterly to build this foundation. To ensure that the Lineage flourishes without decline, the Martial Academy was specially established to cultivate the younger generation! In today's assessment, all those with extraordinary talent and outstanding strength may enter the Martial Academy for further study!"
He spoke at great length of the Wang Clan's history and the Martial Academy's rules, from the original purpose of founding the clan to the inheritance of martial cultivation. Only after the time it took an incense stick to burn did he change the subject and look toward the disciples with other surnames. "I know there are disciples of other surnames below. The Wang Clan has always sought talent without sticking to one pattern. If you pass the assessment and enter the Martial Academy, you become members of the Wang Clan. The clan will certainly not treat you poorly in the future. But remember this as well: the opportunity the Wang Clan gives you today, this bond of goodwill, must be remembered in your hearts."
Afterward, Wang Bin finally announced the Martial Academy's benefits, his tone full of temptation. "Those who enter the Martial Academy will receive three taels of silver each month and one bowl of Blood Nourishing Soup.
Those who rank among the best in Martial Academy assessments will receive additional rewards!"
Before the backyard disciples could finish rejoicing, his tone abruptly turned cold. "But the Martial Academy does not raise idlers! If anyone fails three martial assessments in a row, they will be expelled at once and sent to report to the clan's businesses, where they will contribute to the Wang Clan's prosperity. No one will be exempt!"
"Now, the martial assessment officially begins!" Wang Bin's voice suddenly rose. "Those who have entered the Harmonious Flow Fist, step forward!"
As soon as his words fell, low sighs sounded around the edge of the training ground. More than half the backyard disciples had not reached the level of entering the Harmonious Flow Fist. They did not even qualify to participate in the assessment. The hot blood Wang Bin had just stirred within them was instantly extinguished by a bucket of cold water.
Wang Yue stood in place, his expression calm. He had long known that the road of martial cultivation was cruel by nature. There were quite a few among these people with Middle-Grade Root Bones, but they had not worked hard enough at boxing each day. Ending up like this was only to be expected.
Xu Li took a deep breath and stepped out of the line with Wang Yue. Several collateral disciples who trained diligently every day followed, along with Wang Qishan and several other men in brocade. There were more than ten people in all.
But just then, Wang Bin suddenly raised a hand and pointed at two youths in the crowd. "You two, come out as well."
They were two disciples with other surnames, dressed in coarse clothes washed white with wear. They were ordinarily inconspicuous at the training ground. Called out now, both froze where they stood, their faces full of confusion.
Wang Yue was also somewhat surprised. These two had only just touched the threshold of the Harmonious Flow Fist. They could not even be considered to have entered it. Why had Wang Bin specifically called them out? Could it be that their Root Bones were exceptionally good and the clan had been watching them in secret?
Before he could think further, Wang Bin's voice rang out again, carrying unquestionable authority. "Those proficient in the Harmonious Flow Fist, step forward once more!"
This time, only two people moved from the line. Wang Yue walked out steadily, while on the other side, Wang Qishan also stepped forward, staring at Wang Yue in surprise.
The training ground instantly fell silent. Everyone's eyes focused on the two of them. The Proficient Realm of the Harmonious Flow Fist was already a top-tier level among the younger generation.
Wang Qishan lowered his head to look at his fist, then glanced at Wang Yue. Obvious astonishment appeared on his face. He had studied under martial instructors since childhood and spent a full two years training the Harmonious Flow Fist to the Proficient Realm. Wang Yue was merely a collateral disciple—how could he possibly have reached the Proficient Realm like him?
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