Secret Sects! Martial Arts Practice

The continuous wind and snow finally ceased. The morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting its rays upon the Wang Clan's training grounds, dispelling the chill of winter.

Though usually bustling and orderly, the training grounds were exceptionally lively today. Everyone had received the news: the clan's Martial Academy assessment was happening today.

Some clenched their fists, repeatedly practicing basic stances; one person nervously rubbed their hands; and many others gathered around Xu Li, their eyes burning with eagerness.

"Brother Xu Li, you've stabilized your Blood Condensation Realm, you're sure to get into the Martial Academy!"

"Brother Xu, once you get into the Martial Academy, don't forget us old brothers. If you have a chance in the future, look out for us!"

Xu Li stood behind Wang Yue, a hint of shyness on his face. He responded to their chatter sporadically, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the entrance of the training grounds, where several disciples in Martial Academy attire were standing.

Wang Yue followed his gaze, his brow slightly furrowed. These Martial Academy disciples weren't in the Blood Condensation Realm. Although their aura was stable, it wasn't particularly robust, clearly indicating they were lagging in their progress within the Martial Academy. It seemed this assessment wasn't just an opportunity for the disciples of the outer court; even the disciples of the Martial Academy would undergo screening, truly living up to Wang Hu's words, "The capable advance, the weak retreat."

As the last few outer court disciples hurried over, a commotion suddenly arose at the edge of the training grounds.

Wang Yue followed the sound and saw several young martial artists dressed in fine brocade robes walking in. Their fabrics were exquisite, and they wore jade pendants at their waists, a stark contrast to the coarse cloth of the outer court disciples.

"Who is that? Why have I never seen them before?"

"The one leading! I recognize him! It's Wang Qishan, Elder Wang Shanhai's son! He's actually participating in the assessment?"

"His father controls more than half of the clan's mines and fertile land; his influence 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 town! I heard his family is incredibly wealthy, why would he come to the Wang Clan? Who knows how much money he's given the clan..."

The murmuring started again. Wang Yue stood his ground, his eyes darkening. These individuals who had joined last minute had subtly grouped together upon entering, clearly indicating prior arrangements.

Wang Yue pondered in silence. These people had the backing of their families or financial resources. Even if their strength was slightly inferior, the clan might not truly eliminate them. Ultimately, he would still have to rely on his own strength.

Just then, Xu Li gently tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Wang, Uncle Hu is calling us."

Wang Yue came back to his senses and followed Xu Li to the shade of a tree beside the training grounds. Wang Hu was standing there, his gaze sweeping across the entire area. Seeing the two approach, he first looked at Xu Li and said sternly, "Your root bone talent isn't good. You need to perform well. If you hide your true abilities, you might regret it for the rest of your life."

Xu Li quickly nodded, "This disciple understands!"

Wang Hu's gaze then fell upon Wang Yue, his eyes holding a hint of depth. "Do you know why people like Wang Qishan and the Zhang Manor's son are here to participate in the assessment today?"

Wang Yue was stunned. He had assumed it was just clan rules, never imagining there was a reason behind it. He quickly cupped his hands, "Please, Uncle Wang, explain in detail."

Wang Hu looked up towards the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall in the distance, a trace of longing in his eyes. He lowered his voice, but every word was clear, "Because, next spring, people from the sects will come to the prefectural city to select disciples with excellent aptitude and take them under their wing."

"Sect recruitment?!" Wang Yue's expression changed drastically, his heart leaping.

He had personally cultivated the Eighteen Forging Golden Body Technique and understood the terrifying power of sectarian martial arts, which far surpassed family techniques.

He suspected that sects were the pinnacle of martial power and authority in this world. Entering a sect would undoubtedly set him on a completely different path of martial arts, a hundred or even a thousand times better than cultivating in the Wang Clan's Martial Academy!

Wang Yue's eyes instantly lit up. His heart, already filled with a desire for high-level martial arts, now blazed with a fervent flame. He not only wanted to enter the Martial Academy but also seize the opportunity of sect recruitment!

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Wang!" Wang Yue bowed deeply, his voice full of gratitude. If Wang Hu hadn't pointed it out, he might not have known that such crucial information was hidden behind this assessment.

Wang Hu looked at the fervor in his eyes and nodded with satisfaction. "Perform well. The sects value aptitude, but they value practical combat and character even more. Your chances are greater than you think."

As soon as he finished speaking, a loud shout echoed from the center of the training grounds, "All participants in the assessment, line up according to your numbers! The assessment is about to begin!"

In the center of the bluestone-paved training grounds, Wang Yue and the others lined up according to their numbers, their backs held straight.

The scene today was far more grand than usual. The stewards of the Wang Clan's five branches, several white-haired elders of the clan, and the leaders managing the mines, fertile land, and businesses had all arrived. They stood or sat, their gazes sweeping over the young martial artists present with scrutiny.

Wang Yue looked up. A temporary platform had been erected on the north side of the training grounds, with ten pear blossom wood chairs placed upon it. To the left of one of the chairs sat a middle-aged man in a black robe, his appearance seven parts similar to Wang Qishan. It was Wang Qishan's father, Wang Shanhai.

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe the name has changed!

Wang Hu stood at the edge of the platform, his posture upright, yet he kept stealing glances at Wang Shanhai's expression, clearly showing apprehension towards this elder who controlled most of the clan's resources.

The chair in the center of the platform was still empty. After a moment, a man in a plain long gown slowly walked over. Xu Li beside Wang Yue quietly tugged his sleeve and whispered, "That's the Clan Leader, Wang Hezheng."

This was the first time Wang Yue had seen the Clan Leader of the Wang Clan.

Wang Hezheng appeared to be only in his early thirties, with a calm and handsome face. He exuded no deliberate aura of pressure from his Qi and Blood, looking no different from an ordinary scholar. However, Wang Yue dared not show the slightest disrespect. To hold the position of Clan Leader and overshadow powerful elders like Wang Shanhai was by no means as simple as it appeared.

As if sensing his gaze, Wang Hezheng's eyes suddenly shifted, fixing directly on Wang Yue.

The next second, Wang Yue felt an icy chill pour down from the top of his head, his hair standing on end as if he were being stared at by some terrifying beast. The surrounding discussions, the wind, the sounds of breathing – all vanished. The world became vast and empty, leaving only him and Wang Hezheng's gaze locked in confrontation.

That gaze was too sharp, as if it could pierce through flesh and reach the very soul. Wang Yue even had the illusion that he had no secrets in front of this person.

"Is this what a martial artist with profound cultivation looks like? This gaze... is he still human?" Wang Yue was inwardly horrified, instinctively lowering his head to avoid Wang Hezheng's gaze. A drop of cold sweat trickled down his temple, hitting the bluestone slab.

On the platform, Wang Hezheng withdrew his gaze, a faint smile curving his lips. He turned his head and asked Wang Hu beside him, "Is that the Wang Yue you often mention?"

Wang Hu quickly stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied respectfully, "Yes, Clan Leader, that young fellow is Wang Yue."

"Humph." Wang Shanhai beside him suddenly snorted, his eyes dismissively sweeping over Wang Yue. "I don't see him having three heads or six arms. He's just an ordinary collateral disciple. Is he worth you praising him repeatedly?"

Cold sweat broke out on Wang Hu's forehead. His hands hung by his sides, and he dared not reply. Wang Shanhai held the resources and had the support of several elders; he simply couldn't afford to offend him.

Wang Hezheng ignored their silent conflict and said plainly, "Let the assessment begin. Don't delay the time."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slightly stout middle-aged man behind him immediately stepped forward. He was Wang Bin, the steward in charge of the Martial Academy assessment.

Wang Bin took a deep breath, suddenly surging his Qi and Blood. His voice, as resonant as a bell, spread throughout the entire training grounds, "Our Wang Clan was founded in Black Fort, and it has been over three hundred years! Our ancestors toiled arduously. To ensure the clan's continued prosperity, we established the Martial Academy to cultivate the younger generation! Today's assessment, for those with extraordinary talent and outstanding strength, all can enter the Martial Academy for advanced studies!"

He spoke eloquently about the Wang Clan's history and the Martial Academy's rules, from the original intention of establishing the clan to the inheritance of martial arts. It took the time of an incense stick before he changed his tone and looked at the outer clan disciples present. "I know there are outer clan disciples below the stage. The Wang Clan has always been open to talent, regardless of origin. If you can pass the assessment and enter the Martial Academy, you will be considered part of the Wang Clan, and the clan will not mistreat you in the future. But please remember, the opportunity the Wang Clan gives you today, this kindness, you must keep in your hearts."

Afterward, Wang Bin finally announced the benefits of the Martial Academy, his tone full of temptation. "Those who enter the Martial Academy will receive a monthly stipend of three taels of silver and a bowl of Blood Nourishing Soup. If you rank among the top in the Martial Academy assessment, there will be additional rewards!"

But before the disciples in the back courtyard could finish their excitement, his tone suddenly turned cold: "However, the Martial Academy does not support idlers! If anyone fails the martial arts assessment three consecutive times, they will be immediately expelled and sent to work in the clan's industries to contribute to the prosperity of the Wang Clan. No one is an exception!"

"Now, the martial arts assessment officially begins!" Wang Bin's voice suddenly rose, "Those who have reached the introductory level of Harmonious Flow Fist, step forward!"

As his voice fell, a low sigh came from the edge of the training grounds. Most of the disciples in the back courtyard had not even reached the "introductory level of Harmonious Flow Fist" and didn't even qualify to participate in the assessment. The passion that Wang Bin had just ignited in them was instantly extinguished by cold water.

Wang Yue stood in place, his expression calm. He had long known that the path of martial arts was inherently cruel. Many of these people possessed middle-grade root bone talent, but their failure to train diligently enough every day, leading to this outcome, was within his expectations.

Xu Li took a deep breath and walked out of the ranks with Wang Yue. There were also a few diligent outer disciples, as well as several well-dressed young men like Wang Qishan. In total, there were a little over ten people.

But just then, Wang Bin suddenly raised his hand and pointed at two teenagers in the crowd: "You two, come out as well."

They were two disciples from outside the main family, wearing washed-out coarse cloth clothes. They were usually unremarkable on the training grounds. Upon being called out, both of them froze in place, their faces blank with confusion.

Wang Yue was also a bit surprised. These two had only just managed to grasp the threshold of Harmonious Flow Fist, not even qualifying as "introductory." Why would Wang Bin specifically call them out? Could it be that their root bone talent was exceptional, and they were secretly being watched by the clan?

Before he could ponder further, Wang Bin's voice rang out again, carrying an irrefutable authority: "Those proficient in Harmonious Flow Fist, step forward again!"

This time, only two people moved in the ranks. Wang Yue walked out steadily, and from the other side, Wang Qishan also stepped forward, looking at Wang Yue with surprise.

The training grounds fell silent instantly, all eyes focusing on the two of them. Proficiency in Harmonious Flow Fist was already a top-tier level among the younger generation.

Wang Qishan looked down at his own fists, then glanced at Wang Yue, a clear look of surprise on his face. He had been practicing with a martial arts master since childhood, and it had taken him a full two years to reach the proficient level in Harmonious Flow Fist. How could Wang Yue, just an outer disciple, have reached the proficient level like himself?