Divine Power!

At the beginning of the Shen hour in the afternoon, Xie An, with his face covered, arrived at the Blood Ridge Black Market.

As he neared the canyon entrance, he saw Zhang Lin anxiously approaching from a distance.

"Old brother, you've finally arrived."

Lately, Xie An had been coming here every time at dusk. After all, the black market only opened around that time. Today, Xie An had deliberately arrived earlier, at the beginning of the Shen hour, only to find Zhang Lin so anxious. His instinct told him something had gone wrong.

"Did something happen?"

Zhang Lin replied, "Not exactly. There were some complications. I wanted to inform you beforehand, but I didn't know where to find you."

Xie An felt a pang of unease. "Complications?"

Xie An was always cautious. He had secretly investigated and observed a steward from the White Feather Hall for several months. After finally settling everything, he worried that problems might arise at the last moment.

The martial world was treacherous, and for someone like Xie An, who had no background and was from the lower strata, a sense of security was particularly lacking.

With Zhang Lin's explanation, Xie An began to understand the situation:

The steward was a low-level manager in the Tiger Wolf Gate. Although the position was minor, the Tiger Wolf Gate placed great importance on it. According to tradition, the Hall of Examination needed to send someone to personally assess the capabilities of the newly appointed steward.

The Hall of Examination established by the Tiger Wolf Gate was similar to the Ministry of Personnel's Hall of Examination in the imperial court. It was specifically responsible for assessing officials' merits and demerits, recording the results, and ultimately using them as a basis for promotion, transfer, retention, dismissal, or punishment.

The Tiger Wolf Gate's emulation of the imperial court in establishing the Hall of Examination indicated their desire to ensure that the promotion of managers within the sect was well-founded and fair. The sect's leader harbored ambitions of expanding the sect's influence.

Originally, the Hall of Examination was supposed to send a steward surnamed Zhang to conduct the assessment. Zhang Lin knew him and had already made arrangements for it to be a mere formality.

However, due to Zhang Biao's death, the Hall of Examination had intensified its scrutiny of personnel advancements for the White Feather Hall and had actually sent a high-ranking elder, surnamed Tang.

Elder Tang was known for his strictness and adherence to principles. He did not have a good relationship with Incense Master Wei and Zhang Lin, and was unyielding.

This situation introduced an element of uncertainty.

After listening carefully, Xie An was not overly panicked.

He had already planned to not rely solely on personal connections for advancement. He had been diligently cultivating his skills during the past period precisely to deal with unfavorable situations.

Although there was a slight unexpected turn of events, Xie An believed the problem was not significant.

"Thank you for informing me, Brother Zhang. I understand."

Zhang Lin felt very guilty. "This is my fault for not handling it properly. I thought it would just be a formality, but I never expected such an important figure as Elder Tang to come personally, forcing you, old brother, to get serious."

"You are too kind, Brother Zhang. If it weren't for your recommendation and vouching, I fear I wouldn't have even had this opportunity. By the way, is this Elder Tang very formidable?"

"Of course. Elder Tang's position in the Hall of Examination is no less than that of the Hall Master. Although he is rigid, he is upright and appreciates talent. If you, old brother, can gain Elder Tang's appreciation, your future will be boundless."

Xie An was slightly taken aback and said no more.

Seeing that Xie An showed no resentment and appeared calm, Zhang Lin's respect for him grew. "Elder Tang is already waiting inside. I'll take you in. The assessment will mainly consist of strength tests and combat. Your strength test should be fine, but the combat..."

As Zhang Lin led Xie An into the canyon, he briefed him on the various details and precautions for the assessment.

Before they knew it, they arrived at the elegant courtyard within the black market.

As soon as Xie An entered, he felt a solemn atmosphere wash over him.

A refined middle-aged man in a black Tang suit sat in a Grand Tutor's chair under the eaves. Behind him stood a nearly two-meter-tall man carrying a saber. Even in the snow, this man wore only a thin jacket on his upper body, revealing patches of bronze-colored muscle. The saber he carried was five feet long, exuding an imposing aura.

From ten meters away, Xie An could feel the powerful aura emanating from the man.

"Elder Tang."

Zhang Lin led Xie An to the center of the courtyard and cupped his fists towards the old man in the Tang suit, his attitude extremely deferential.

Xie An also cupped his fists and greeted, "Elder Tang." As he looked up at Elder Tang, he noticed that the man's demeanor bore a three-tenths resemblance to Tang Qingfeng, whom he had met before, though he appeared younger.

Could they both be from the Tang Family Fort?

Yes.

Elder Tang picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, then glanced at the masked Xie An and said coldly, "Are you the old man mentioned in Wei Dian's letter?"

His voice was not loud, and his seemingly casual question, coupled with his sharp gaze, created a palpable sense of pressure.

Xie An respectfully replied, "That is I."

Elder Tang did not seem to mind Xie An being masked. After all, it was common for those managing affairs in dangerous places like the black market to conceal their identities. It was not unusual.

However, if the assessment were to pass, Elder Tang, as an elder of the Hall of Examination, would still need to personally verify his appearance. If he failed the assessment, there would be no need for such a formality.

Upon noticing Xie An's head full of white hair, a hint of disappointment flashed in Elder Tang's eyes. "Although our Tiger Wolf Gate has only been established in Qingwu County for thirty years, we are still a renowned sect. Any applicant for a management position must possess the strength of someone who has just entered the Bronze Skin Realm. We do not simply allow people to join based on recommendations."

Speaking of which, Elder Tang glanced at Zhang Lin. "If this person's strength differs significantly from what is stated in the letter, Zhang Lin... I will have to record this as a mistake on your part."

Zhang Lin trembled slightly and quickly cupped his fists. "Elder Tang, please rest assured, the person I recommend is definitely strong. I am wholeheartedly devoted to the sect and have no personal bias."

Elder Tang nodded with satisfaction. "If your recommended person is truly capable, I will record your contribution in recommending talent for the sect. Tong Shan, begin."

"Yes, Elder."

The two-meter-tall strongman immediately moved five stone locks of varying specifications from the corner. "Elder Tang's assessments for new stewards have always been fair. Here are five stone locks, weighing four hundred, five hundred, six hundred, six hundred and fifty, and seven hundred pounds. You may choose one stone lock and lift it overhead with one arm, holding it for three breaths."

Xie An nodded to the strongman and then walked over to the stone locks, examining them one by one. Finally, he settled his gaze on the last two stone locks.

Six hundred and fifty pounds was the lifting strength Xie An had estimated previously.

This was because he did not have precise stone locks at home to test. However, Xie An felt that lifting six hundred and fifty pounds with one arm would not be a problem, and if he struggled a bit, he could try seven hundred pounds.

Normally, Xie An wasn't the type to put himself forward.

But this time was different.

The person who came was Elder Tang, comparable to the head of the Examination Hall. Zhang Lin had already warned him: if he could gain Elder Tang's favor, his future prospects would be limitless.

Therefore, Xie An felt this was a rare opportunity to showcase himself.

He had to seize it firmly.

To be able to advance or retreat, to bend or to straighten, that is what a true man does.

Needless to say, Xie An could sense everyone's thoughts: they simply thought he was an old man, not very useful.

Thinking this, Xie An felt he had to go all out even more.

He walked over to the 700-jin stone lock and first gripped the handle with his hand to get a feel for it.

Huh?

This scene surprised everyone around him.

Zhang Lin had previously seen this old man Xie An shoot Zhang Wei and Lu Wei while masked. Seeing him draw a bow with a single finger and shoot consecutively, he had initially judged Xie An's lifting strength to be around 400 jin. Now he was going to lift 700 jin?

Even Tong Shan, that strong man, was surprised. He instinctively felt this old man was too ambitious; it was impossible.

Even Elder Tang glanced over slightly, holding a tea cup in one hand and lifting the lid of the teacup with the other to gently stir the tea leaves. He reminded him leisurely, "Just do your best, don't force it. If you injure yourself because of it, our Tiger Wolf Gate will not be responsible."

Clearly, Elder Tang also didn't believe the old man in front of him could lift 700 jin. Fearing he might strain himself, he offered this kind reminder.

Even a martial artist who had reached the Great Accomplishment of the Bronze Skin Realm would be at their limit lifting 600 jin. Forcing it could easily lead to a twisted waist or strained arm ligaments. In severe cases, it could even break the spine.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Tang."

Xie An thanked him, then planted his feet and squatted into a horse stance. Gripping the stone lock handle tightly with his right hand, he exerted his strength fiercely. The stone lock paused at his waist for two breaths before Xie An suddenly lifted it over his head.

Xie An stood tall and straight, the stone lock he held high resting steadily above his head.

Tong Shan and Zhang Lin's eyes widened simultaneously.

Whoosh!

Elder Tang could no longer maintain his composure. He immediately sat up straight from his reclined position against the chair back, his deep-set eyes shining with an unusual light. He was greatly shocked: "This old man, past fifty, possesses such divine strength!"