Zhengyang Martial Arts School's Senior Disciple

In the martial arts school, there has always been a rule: disciples who do not break through to the Late Body Tempering Realm within seven years will be expelled.

This disciple, Tian Huarong, had been admitted to the martial arts school for eight years, yet he was still only at the Mid Body Tempering Realm. This was enough to prove that his potential was very limited.

If Tian Huarong didn't show any particularly outstanding performance in this disciple assessment, he would most likely have to pack his bags and leave.

Tian Huarong was under immense pressure. He was already over thirty years old, and his opponent was also a disciple at the Mid Inner Force Realm. However, his opponent was much younger than him, and his strength was even subtly superior.

Tian Huarong had to win this match, and he had to win cleanly and impressively to have even a slight chance of staying in the martial arts school. Otherwise, he would truly be kicked out.

After the two stood in position, Li Yuan said faintly, "You may begin."

As soon as the words fell, Tian Huarong's eyes turned blood red. He drew his wooden sword and attacked his opponent. His moves were fierce, giving the impression that he would not stop until he won.

Witnessing this, Li Yuan frowned slightly. The most crucial thing in a martial artist's fight was to avoid anger and madness; one needed to remain calm to grasp the situation and fully exert their strength.

Tian Huarong and his opponent engaged in a fierce battle. His opponent was named Zhou Yan and used the less common spear as his weapon.

The spear is the king of weapons, and Zhou Yan wielded it with practiced skill. Blocks, parries, and thrusts came naturally. The spearhead stabbed out, emitting faint, cold stars. Heavy spear shadows relentlessly forced Tian Huarong back to a distance of ten feet, making it difficult for him to approach.

Tian Huarong swung his wooden sword, constantly attacking Zhou Yan, but he could not break through. He grew more anxious, even recklessly taking the brunt of Zhou Yan's spear attacks, letting out a muffled groan as he tried to close the distance.

Zhou Yan was surprised. He skillfully maneuvered his spear while retreating, always maintaining a safe distance from Tian Huarong.

As the saying goes, an inch longer is an inch stronger. The ten-foot reach of the spear was a distance Tian Huarong found difficult to overcome!

Zhou Yan seized an opening in his opponent's sword defense. He thrust his spear, easily breaking through the sword technique's guard. The spearhead hovered an inch from Tian Huarong's throat.

"The match is over. Zhou Yan wins and passes the assessment."

Li Yuan announced the result of the round and then looked at Tian Huarong, "Do you have any objections?"

Tian Huarong's face gradually turned pale. He said dryly, "Senior Brother Li, although I lost the match, I still implore you to let me pass the assessment. I wish to continue staying in the martial arts school."

Li Yuan slowly shook his head, "Your fate is not mine to decide. Let the Hall Master decide."

"You may withdraw. There are still others who need to compete."

Tian Huarong stiffly turned his head to look in Qi Zhengyang's direction. Qi Zhengyang was also looking at him. Qi Zhengyang had witnessed the entire match, and his current expression was calmly unfamiliar.

Qi Zhengyang said nothing, yet it felt as if he had said everything. Qi Zhengyang's current demeanor clearly indicated his attitude... you are out.

Tian Huarong's heart gradually grew cold. He bitterly walked to the side, yielding the stage to the other disciples.

The matches between the martial arts school disciples continued. Some were overjoyed after passing the assessment, while others were dejected after being eliminated. The assessment would not stop because of one disciple's elimination.

Half an hour later, the assessment for the Body Tempering Realm disciples concluded. Seven elite disciples from the Inner Force Realm reported their respective assessment results to Qi Zhengyang. These Body Tempering Realm disciples were divided into two groups.

One group consisted of the disciples who passed the assessment, their faces filled with joy. The other group comprised twelve disciples who failed to pass. They stood aside, their faces filled with disappointment and bitterness, forming a stark contrast with the successful disciples.

Qi Zhengyang stood before the disciples. "This assessment has concluded. Some will remain, and some will leave. Those who remain must not become complacent; you must cultivate diligently. Otherwise, next year, it will be you who leaves."

After saying this, Qi Zhengyang's gaze finally fell upon the twelve disciples who had failed the assessment.

"Pack your belongings today and you may leave."

As soon as these words were spoken, one of the eliminated disciples cried out, "Hall Master, please give me another chance!"

"Give me a little more time, and I will definitely break through to the Late Body Tempering Realm! I don't want to leave!"

Qi Zhengyang calmly looked at the disciple who spoke. "I have given you seven years. As long as you had a little talent, it would have been enough to break through to the Late Body Tempering Realm, but you did not succeed."

"This proves that your potential is insufficient to carry you far on the path of martial arts. The way of martial arts is not a stage for the mediocre. I have seen your usual performance and your performance just now. Depart now. In this chaotic and harsh era, existences like Evil Creatures and Evil Warriors are not something you can handle."

"Staying here forcefully will do you more harm than good. It is better to live the lives of ordinary people."

Although these selected disciples lacked strength, Qi Zhengyang had trained them and invested his effort in them. He did not want these disciples to meet an untimely end in the future, so he patiently persuaded them to leave the martial arts school.

Despite their unwillingness, these twelve disciples knew that Qi Zhengyang meant well and had no ill intentions. They could only comply with the Hall Master's advice.

"Hall Master, I have disappointed you."

"Thank you for your cultivation over the years, Hall Master. We are incapable of achieving greatness and shall depart."

"Even if I am no longer in the martial arts school, I am still a part of it. If the martial arts school ever needs me in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Hall Master, take care!"

As these disciples were about to leave, they spoke these words, which were filled with genuine emotion.

The Hall Master looked at these disciples, sighed deeply, and slowly nodded. Then, he turned his gaze to the seven elite disciples of the Inner Force Realm.

"Next up are you all."

The position of Senior Disciple at Zhengyang Martial Arts School had been vacant for a month. The previous Senior Disciple had met with an accident along with the Deputy Hall Master, Feng Xiang. Now, a new Senior Disciple needed to be chosen.

The seven Inner Force Realm disciples of the martial arts school were gathered here. Each of them had aspirations for the position of Senior Disciple. By becoming the Senior Disciple, they would receive the full cultivation support of the martial arts school!

Zhengyang Martial Arts School naturally could not compare to behemoths like the Special Capture Division. It was impossible to fully support several core disciples; the school did not have enough resources. However, it could support one core disciple.

The Senior Disciple was the core disciple whom the martial arts school would fully cultivate.

The seven Inner Force Realm disciples' eyes burned with fervor, and each exuded a surging fighting spirit.

Seeing the disciples' unyielding gazes and their fearless aura, Qi Zhengyang slowly nodded.

"This is how it should be for us martial artists. The victor among you... will be the Senior Disciple of the martial arts school."

"Now, let the competition begin."