Martial Monk Assessment! Top Choice!

The next day, early in the morning.

The central training ground of the Martial Monk Courtyard was more bustling than ever.

Nearly a hundred martial monks from the temple, along with sweeping monks and even some scripture monks who had heard the news, completely surrounded the enormous training ground.

"What, Martial Uncle Huijue, is the martial examination being reopened again?"

"I heard things have been a bit turbulent down the mountain recently; they probably want to deter troublemakers."

"I heard a sweeping disciple is also participating in the assessment? I wonder what his skill level is, but with everyone watching, if he fails, Zeng Qiu will surely be embarrassed!"

Discussions rose and fell like waves, with most martial monks not paying much attention to Su Haoran.

In their eyes, a sweeper was just a sweeper, and a martial monk was a martial monk; there was an insurmountable chasm between the two.

The matter of cultivation couldn't be achieved overnight.

Amidst the murmuring crowd, the presiding Elder Hui Jue arrived.

He was a withered old monk with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

Ignoring the surrounding clamor, he cast his gaze over the many martial monks and spoke in a deep voice, "Prajna Temple values rules, and even more so, strength. Today, the martial examination is reopened to test the results of everyone's cultivation.

Now, the assessment begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two martial monks immediately brought forward a large bronze cauldron.

"First item, strength! This cauldron weighs 300 jin. Lift it over your head and hold it for ten breaths to pass!"

300 jin!

A low murmur went through the crowd.

This standard was quite difficult even for the formal martial monks of the Martial Monk Courtyard.

Simply lifting 300 jin wasn't hard.

The difficulty lay in lifting it overhead and holding it for ten breaths!

Even martial artists who had undergone Skin Tempering would need ample strength and exert their entire bodies to barely complete it.

Many martial monks gritted their teeth and succeeded, basking in the envious gazes of the spectators.

But more martial monks failed, their faces showing shame.

Elder Hui Jue watched the scene in the courtyard. Although he said nothing, a hint of worry flickered in his eyes.

"If this continues..."

Finally, everyone's gaze automatically shifted to a conspicuous gray-robed sweeper among the martial monks.

"Is this the Su Haoran?"

"This cauldron-lifting challenge is still too difficult for him."

"Even if he lifts it, he'll surely be exhausted within ten breaths, trembling all over and looking pathetic."

Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Su Haoran walked up to the cauldron.

He didn't do any warm-up exercises, just took a deep breath, bent down, and grasped the cauldron's feet with both hands.

"Lift!"

With a soft shout, his waist and back suddenly exerted force!

The straining scene everyone had anticipated, with bulging veins and flushed faces, never materialized.

The heavy bronze cauldron was lifted by him as if it were a wooden toy, easily and steadily held over his head.

His arms were straight as spears, his breathing steady, his complexion normal, not even a tremor in sight.

One breath, two breaths... five breaths... ten breaths!

Time was up, and Su Haoran remained as steady as a mountain.

He shook his arms, tossed the bronze cauldron upwards, then caught it steadily, placing it lightly on the ground. The entire process was fluid and effortless, without a hint of strain.

A dull "thud" sound silenced the entire training ground instantly.

The martial monks who had been ready to watch a spectacle froze.

"This... how is this possible? So easily?"

"His strength must be at least 500 jin! He's probably on par with the elders in the courtyard!"

Zeng Qiu looked at Su Haoran's exertion, a look of shock immediately appearing on his face, which then turned to pleasant surprise as he thought of something:

"Could it be... when my sworn brother asked earlier, he had really broken through?!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Elder Hui Jue's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Second item, movement technique! Pass through the plum blossom stakes before the incense burns out to pass!"

As soon as he spoke, an incense stick was lit on the other side of the training ground.

Numerous martial monks gathered their energy, ascended the stakes, and used their movement techniques to traverse.

Su Haoran was also the last to move. He frowned slightly:

"Lately, I've been focusing on breaking through with Iron Cloth Shirt; I haven't practiced my movement techniques much."

"We'll just have to take it one step at a time."

Su Haoran moved, like a falling leaf, landing silently on the first plum blossom pile.

After a brief moment of planning his route, his figure transformed into a faint gray shadow, darting rapidly across dozens of wooden stakes, precariously balanced at varying heights.

The innate talent and comprehension gifted by his unique bone structure allowed Su Haoran, despite not having practiced specifically, to intuitively grasp the optimal path from his previous observations!

His footwork was light, and each landing caused only a slight wobble in the stake, without a sound.

While he didn't employ any specific movement techniques, his execution was incredibly precise!

Steady! Accurate!

The onlookers, setting aside their previous judgments, watched Su Haoran circle the complex plum blossom stake formation and return to the starting point.

The incense stick had only burned through less than half of its length.

Silence fell over the entire area once more.

If the strength assessment had merely surprised them, this display of movement had left them feeling a sense of disbelief.

Was this level of physical control something a Sweeping Monk could possess?

Zeng Qiu's fists clenched in excitement, his face beaming with pride.

Elder Hui Jue's usually impassive face finally showed a flicker of emotion.

He could tell that Su Haoran had not practiced any movement techniques!

Furthermore, Elder Hui Jue believed this was Su Haoran's first time seeing these plum blossom stakes, making prior practice impossible.

If that were the case, it could only mean one thing: this young man's talent and comprehension were terrifyingly high!

He gave Su Haoran a deep look and said, "The third trial, martial arts! You will spar thirty moves with the supervising Martial Monk Wujing. If you are not defeated, you pass!"

Seeing Wujing step forward, many of the Martial Monks who had recently sparred with him immediately cast sideways glances, some showing emotion.

"It's really Senior Brother Wujing who's going to fight? I thought they'd bring a newly initiated Martial Monk for the sparring."

"Senior Brother Wujing is really going to fight? Quite a few Formal Disciples were defeated just now, and many couldn't even last twenty moves."

"This Junior Brother Su is probably in for some trouble."

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, A supervising Martial Monk, holding a Monk's Knife, stepped forward and offered a palm-to-palm salute to Su Haoran: "Junior Brother Su, please."

"Senior Brother, please."

Su Haoran adopted the stance for Arhat Fist.

"Receive this!"

Wujing let out a low shout, his Monk's Knife flashing, weaving a sharp blade flower that aimed directly for Su Haoran's face.

This strike was both fast and fierce, embodying the essence of the Martial Monk courtyard's practical knife techniques.

However, Su Haoran neither dodged nor evaded. Just as the blade was about to hit him, he subtly shifted his body. His right fist shot out like a cannonball, arriving later but striking first, directly at Wujing's wrist!

The timing, angle, and speed of this punch were all exquisitely perfect!

Wujing's face showed surprise. If he insisted on continuing his slash, his wrist would surely be crippled.

He had no choice but to hastily retract his knife to defend.

But Su Haoran's offensive onslaught unfolded like a storm.

Arhat Fist!

Each move was grand and powerful, with immense ferocity!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of fists and feet colliding echoed incessantly.

Wujing was forced to retreat repeatedly. His Monk's Knife could not be fully utilized, and he was constantly on the defensive. Eventually, he discarded the knife and met Su Haoran's blows bare-handed.

Where they collided, sparks seemed to fly, leaving the observing monks utterly astonished.

"Am I seeing things!"

"Senior Brother Wujing is actually on par with this Su Haoran?"

Many disagreed: "How is that possible? Senior Brother Wujing is at the Second Skin Tempering realm, he must be holding back, giving the newcomer a three-point advantage!"

"Don't dream. This kid is just barely holding on. What if you let Senior Brother Wujing go all out?"

Amidst the varied opinions and discussions, neither party was disturbed.

Su Haoran, however, found the fight increasingly exhilarating.

He felt as though he could unleash his full capabilities, facing an equal and finding a worthy opponent!

Moreover, as the exchange continued, Su Haoran felt the pressure from Wujing shift from that of facing a formidable enemy to one of comfortable control!

"Fifteen points of comprehension... could it be that it's even allowing me to see through the fight itself?"

While sparring, Su Haoran even managed to allocate some mental energy to think about other things!

If others knew what he was thinking at this moment, they would surely be utterly shocked!

"Thirty moves are up!"

"Stop!"

A thunderous shout rang out, like a lion's roar, instantly making Su Haoran and Wujing's ears buzz as they separated.

Elder Hui Jue first glanced at Wujing and said, "Wujing, if you don't change your temperament, you'll suffer sooner or later!"

Hearing this, Wujing immediately forced a smile, picked up the Monk's Knife from the ground, and felt a bitterness he couldn't express.

He knew Elder Hui Jue must think he had gone easy on Su Haoran.

But the problem was, he truly hadn't held back. In fact, by the end, he had used every ounce of his strength, yet he still felt suppressed by Su Haoran's surging offensive!

His fist techniques were like a tide, each wave higher than the last, leaving him astonished!

Elder Hui Jue's gaze then turned to Su Haoran, his eyes already filled with admiration.

"No need to test further. Strength, movement, and fist techniques are all top-tier!"

He announced loudly, "This old monk declares the assessment passed! From today onwards, Su Haoran, you are a Formal Disciple of the Prajna Temple's Martial Monk division!"

With these words, the matter was settled.

The gazes of the many monks around them towards Su Haoran had completely changed.

From surprise to outright approval.

In the world of martial arts, strength is paramount.

Su Haoran had won everyone's recognition with his flawless strength.

Elder Hui Jue looked at Su Haoran, nodded with satisfaction, and added, "Cao Yi indeed has a discerning eye, finding such a good talent! Go with him to the meditation room and the Armory to receive a Monk's Knife and a Token!"