Reaction Speed Test

The group followed He Yanjun into a hall even larger than the previous one. As Chen Lin looked at the four-meter-deep square pit in the center of the hall, a flicker of curiosity crossed his eyes.

"First tester, Chen Yu, please descend into the center of the pit. Remember, do not jump out of the pit until the test is over. If you leave, your test score will be void, and your qualification for this selection will be canceled," He Yanjun instructed expressionlessly.

"Go, Brother Yu!" Chen Lin gently patted Chen Yu's shoulder.

"Mm, you haven't participated before, so you don't know the specifics of the test. Pay attention to my movements during the test; it might offer you some inspiration and help," Chen Yu advised Chen Lin before jumping into the pit.

Seeing Chen Yu in position, He Yanjun immediately stepped hard on a bronze plate beneath his feet.

"Kacha kacha kacha!"

A heavy mechanical sound echoed in the ears of all the participants. Then, to Chen Lin's astonished gaze, numerous round holes, several inches in diameter, appeared on the bronze walls surrounding the pit. Following this, countless small red balls were ejected from these holes.

Chen Yu's eyes rapidly scanned his surroundings, his mind working at lightning speed. His body, guided by his brain's judgment, continuously dodged left, right, up, and down, evading many of the red balls being shot from the holes in the bronze walls.

"Hmm?" Chen Lin watched Chen Yu's evasive movement technique, inwardly surprised.

Chen Yu's movement technique appeared slightly stiff, yet its efficiency in dodging the red balls was remarkably high.

Each dodge was small, confined to within a single step, but he managed to evade most of the red balls.

While Chen Lin nodded inwardly, he also felt a sense of regret. Although Chen Yu's displayed movement technique was good, he couldn't learn it in a short time.

He realized that this technique placed extremely high demands on the user.

It required not only fast reaction times and strong judgment but also a very precise level of control over one's physical body.

Otherwise, forget about dodging the red balls; it would be a feat not to trip over oneself.

At the same time, Chen Lin mused that if this movement technique were used against Demonic Beasts, it would be like dancing on the tip of a knife. When executed smoothly, one would be invincible, but any slightest mistake during the process, given the sharpness of a Demonic Beast's claws, could instantly tear a Martial Artist's body to shreds.

There were pros and cons; it all depended on an individual's mastery of this movement technique.

"Dong!" A loud mechanical sound erupted from the ground, and the round holes in the bronze walls of Chen Yu's pit stopped ejecting small red balls.

"15 breaths, hit 25 times. Test result: Qualified!" He Yanjun announced Chen Yu's score with an appreciative expression.

Looking at the dense scattering of small red dots on Chen Yu's body, Chen Lin understood.

Hearing the announcement, Chen Yu, still in the pit, clenched his fists in excitement, tears welling up in his eyes.

He didn't know how long he had worked for this day. After twenty years of unwavering perseverance through wind and snow, he had finally officially entered the ranks of elite Martial Artists, becoming one of the top tier among them. His next step was to break through to Martial Ancestor, then become a Martial King, and live for a hundred and fifty years.

After Chen Yu jumped out of the pit, He Yanjun, out of admiration, couldn't help but offer some extra guidance.

"Chen Yu, your mastery of movement techniques has touched the edge of 'Entering the Hall.' I offer you this piece of advice: before your movement technique enters the 'Hall,' do not easily use it in combat against Demonic Beasts!"

"Why is that? Please enlighten me, Senior He!" Chen Yu asked, not entirely understanding, cupping his fists in inquiry.

"Your current reaction speed and control over your physical body have not yet reached the 'Subtle' realm. In combat against Demonic Beasts, errors are very likely to occur."

"The attack speed and direction of Demonic Beasts are not like the fixed-position red balls shot in this test. Once your judgment has even a slight error, or your physical control doesn't reach your imagined precision, the result awaiting you will be death. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He Yanjun pointed out the biggest hidden flaw in Chen Yu's current movement technique.

"Thank you for your reminder, Senior He." Chen Yu was startled and immediately bowed respectfully, nodding his thanks.

Seeing Chen Yu's reaction, He Yanjun knew his advice had been taken to heart. He smiled and offered further suggestions, "Your mastery of movement techniques has touched the edge of 'Entering the Hall.' My advice to you is to spend more time on movement technique cultivation in the future. This will greatly help in improving your combat power, and fighting beyond your level might even become possible."

"Alright, I will definitely train according to your reminder, Senior He!" Chen Yu cupped his fists again in thanks.

Listening to their conversation, Chen Lin found He Yanjun's words aligned closely with his own deductions, and a strange emotion arose within him.

After advising Chen Yu, He Yanjun checked his list and called out, "Next tester, Chen Lin, please descend into the center of the pit." Hearing his name, Chen Lin took a deep breath, his figure flashed, and he appeared in the pit.

Standing in the pit, facing the dense array of holes on the surrounding bronze walls, his expression was extremely serious.

"Dong~ Dong~~"

Instantly, all the holes fired red balls like a machine gun.

"Hmm?"

Chen Lin's eyes rapidly scanned his surroundings, his mind constantly calculating. Simultaneously, his body executed agile movements according to his brain's commands, like a nimble black panther, leaping left, right, up, and down.

When some were unavoidable, he could only take a hit.

The crowd watching Chen Lin's evasive maneuvers from above the pit were full of surprise.

"Chen Lin's speed and reaction time are also quite good! He dodged more than half of these balls; it's truly astonishing!"

"Indeed, look how agile he is, like a cat! He's exceptionally good!"

"This shows he not only has great strength but is also well-balanced in all aspects of his physical fitness. His basic movement technique cultivation is also very solid."

"While Chen Lin's comprehension of the basic movement technique might not match Chen Yu's, it's at least close to the late stage of 'Initial Glimpse.' Has the Chen clan struck it lucky with this one!"

Seeing Chen Yu's performance, everyone present exclaimed in admiration.

After fifteen breaths, a loud mechanical sound, "Dong!", rang out, and the holes around Chen Lin's pit stopped ejecting red balls.

"15 breaths, hit 32 times. Test result: Qualified!" He Yanjun announced with a surprised gleam in his eyes.

When Chen Lin leaped out of the pit, He Yanjun looked at the young-faced Chen Lin and smiled kindly. "Chen Lin, you are very good. Congratulations on becoming a member of the War God Temple. I hope you continue to work hard. I hope to see you among the Demon Purifier candidates next year!"

"Mm!" Chen Lin nodded excitedly, a smile spreading across his face, and the gloom in his heart dissipated by more than half.

"Next tester, Duan Xiang, please descend into the center of the pit." After a brief conversation with Chen Lin, He Yanjun continued to preside over the test.

Chen Yu looked at Chen Lin, who was walking back with a smile, and said in a hushed voice with joy, "A Lin, you passed the assessment too! This is truly cause for celebration! Once we pass the Martial Artist assessment in a few days, our Chen family will finally gain some recognition in the city!"

"Mm! We really will gain recognition!" Chen Lin replied with a polite smile, though he wasn't particularly excited about the Chen family gaining recognition.

In the pit, Duan Xiang desperately dodged the red balls shot from the four bronze walls, but red balls continuously struck him.

As the red balls hit him more and more, his heart gradually sank. His spirit faltered, leading to even more red balls hitting him.

After fifteen breaths, He Yanjun looked at Duan Xiang, whose body was covered in red ball marks, and announced coldly, "15 breaths, hit 68 times. Failed the test, eliminated!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Xiang's face turned incredibly grim. He leaped out of the pit with a dark expression and walked back to where the people undergoing assessment were gathered.

As he passed Chen Lin and Chen Yu, he shot them a venomous glance, causing Chen Lin to frown involuntarily.