Testing Cultivation, Joining the Black Armored Army

Testing Cultivation, Joining the Black Armored Army

"Come, I'll take you to the Commandant to test your cultivation," Wang Ping said. "Here, only the Commandant has a Cultivation Power Stone. As long as you circulate your Cultivation Technique and inject Internal Force into it, it can roughly determine how many years of cultivation you possess. And if you want to join the Black Armored Army, you'll need the Commandant's approval as well."

Before long, Zhou Shan followed Wang Ping to meet the Black Armored Army Commandant, Chen Tianhu.

"Innate Divine Strength?"

Upon hearing Wang Ping's report, Chen Tianhu's eyes revealed a trace of surprise.

Those with special constitutions could all be called cultivation geniuses. An ordinary person could only gain one year of cultivation from one year of training, but these geniuses with special constitutions could gain ten, or even twenty years of cultivation from a single year of training.

Innate Divine Strength was merely one such type. There were also Innate Sword Bones, Pure Yang Bodies, Pure Yin Bodies, Myriad Poison Bodies, and all manner of other constitutions. Even within the Guiyuan Sect, the number of geniuses with special constitutions would not exceed the fingers on one hand.

Chen Tianhu immediately had someone bring over the Cultivation Power Stone.

It was a pure white round stone.

"Zhou Shan, circulate your Cultivation Technique and continuously pour Internal Force into the Cultivation Power Stone," Chen Tianhu said. "After the Internal Force is infused, if your cultivation reaches ten years, the Cultivation Power Stone will emit one ring. Twenty years will produce two rings, thirty years three rings, and so on. At most, it can test a total of Hundred Years of Cultivation."

"I understand."

Zhou Shan nodded, placed his hand on the Cultivation Power Stone, and began pouring in Internal Force.

At once, surging Internal Force flowed into the Cultivation Power Stone.

The Cultivation Power Stone gradually lit up. As Zhou Shan poured in more Internal Force, the light grew brighter and brighter. After more than ten breaths, it formed a single ring.

"Not bad. You have indeed reached ten years of cultivation." Chen Tianhu nodded. "Continue pouring in Internal Force. Don't stop. The greater the cultivation you possess, the higher your status will be after joining the Black Armored Army."

Hearing this, Zhou Shan thought it made sense and continued pouring in Internal Force.

Since he had already fashioned himself into someone with Innate Divine Strength, merely showing ten years of cultivation clearly would not satisfy Chen Tianhu. But displaying sixty years of cultivation would be far too shocking.

"Thirty years should be about right."

After considering it, Zhou Shan decided to reveal thirty years of cultivation.

More than ten breaths passed.

A second ring condensed above the Cultivation Power Stone.

"Twenty years of cultivation!" Chen Tianhu's eyes showed an expression of just as expected. But when he saw Zhou Shan still pouring in Internal Force, he was somewhat astonished. "Could it be that he hasn't reached his limit yet?"

But when he remembered that Zhou Shan possessed Innate Divine Strength, anticipation immediately appeared in his eyes.

Different constitutions each possessed their own wonders.

For example, those with Innate Sword Bones were born Sword Dao Grandmasters. Training in sword arts came to them as easily as plucking something from their pocket, and cultivating sword Dao techniques allowed them to advance a thousand miles in a day, leaving others choking on their dust.

So long as they did not die young, they could become Sword Dao Grandmasters, or even Supreme Sword Dao Grandmasters.

As for those with Innate Divine Strength, even without cultivation, their strength would grow day by day. By adulthood, they could rival First-class Martial Artists. If they practiced martial arts, their cultivation would advance a thousand miles in a day, allowing them to become First-class Martial Artists, or even Superclass Martial Artists, in an extremely short time. Only after reaching the level of a Superclass Martial Artist would their progress slow somewhat.

According to the Guiyuan Sect's records, someone with Innate Divine Strength could rival a Superclass Martial Artist after cultivating for just one year.

"Thirty years of cultivation!"

When the third ring condensed on the Cultivation Power Stone, Zhou Shan deliberately acted as though he could not continue. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he withdrew his palm from the Cultivation Power Stone.

"Lord Commandant, I've reached my limit."

Zhou Shan gave a bitter smile.

"Hahaha, thirty years of cultivation is already very impressive." Chen Tianhu laughed loudly. "According to the Black Armored Army's rules, a ranked martial artist with more than ten years of cultivation may become a Black Armored Guard. Those with more than twenty years of cultivation may serve as squad leaders, commanding nine Black Armored Guards. Those with more than thirty years of cultivation may become Centurions.

If it were another martial artist seeking to join the Black Armored Army, even a second-class martial artist would need to establish sufficient merit before becoming a Centurion. However, the Guiyuan Sect grants preferential treatment to geniuses, and they may be promoted exceptionally.

From today onward, you are a Centurion of the Black Armored Army."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Zhou Shan immediately clasped his fists in thanks.

"Zhou Shan, if you have any other requests, speak freely."

Chen Tianhu said.

"My lord, Eagle Claw Iron Shirt is only an ordinary first-class martial art and can at most grant sixty years of cultivation. Could you bestow upon me a higher-level martial art to cultivate?"

Since Chen Tianhu had told him to make requests, Zhou Shan naturally would not stand on ceremony.

He had joined the Black Armored Army precisely to obtain higher-level martial arts to cultivate.

"With your Innate Divine Strength, it is indeed only a matter of time before you cultivate Eagle Claw Iron Shirt to perfection." Chen Tianhu pondered for a moment. "The sect does have quite a few martial arts that lead directly to the Martial Dao Grandmaster realm, but such martial arts can only be exchanged by those who have rendered great merit, and I cannot make that decision.

How about this? I have a mission here. A batch of military supplies needs to be escorted to the prefectural city. Come along. I'll write you a letter; once you arrive at the prefectural city, deliver it to the Commander-in-Chief.

Whether you can obtain higher-level martial arts will depend on whether you can earn the Commander-in-Chief's approval.

Zhou Shan, will you accept this mission?"

"I accept."

Zhou Shan nodded without refusing.

"Good. Then go back and prepare. We depart tomorrow."

Chen Tianhu said in a deep voice.

"Zhou Shan, congratulations!"

After leaving Chen Tianhu's courtyard, Wang Ping offered his congratulations, envy showing in his eyes.

This was the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.

He had cultivated for more than ten years, with the Guiyuan Sect's resources supporting him, before gaining more than thirty years of cultivation and becoming a Centurion of the Black Armored Army. Yet Zhou Shan was only fifteen years old and had already become a Centurion.

Comparing people truly could make one die of rage.

"Centurion Zhou, we are colleagues from now on. When we have time, we should interact more and look after one another."

Wang Ping said.

Naturally, Wang Ping wanted to befriend a genius like Zhou Shan.

Although Zhou Shan was currently a Centurion like him, he believed it would not be long before Zhou Shan became his direct superior, a Lieutenant. Becoming a Commandant would only be a matter of time.

"Of course."

Zhou Shan said with a smile.

"It's just a pity that I have to go on the mission with you tomorrow, escorting military supplies to the prefectural city. Otherwise, we could have a proper drink today and celebrate you well."

Wang Ping said regretfully.

"There's no need to rush. There will be plenty of time in the future."

Zhou Shan smiled.

"Now that you're a Centurion, you can't stay in your old quarters anymore. I'll take you to your new residence," Wang Ping said. "And your Centurion's armor, token, and the like—I'll take you to collect them."

"Much obliged!"

Zhou Shan thanked him.

(End of Chapter)