Gale Without Shadow

The commotion caused by the strength test continued to simmer in the square for nearly the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

After Lin Fan returned to the waiting area, he could clearly feel the gazes around him grow complicated—awe, curiosity, jealousy, suspicion... all kinds of emotions wove into an invisible net, isolating him from the other examinees.

No one actively approached except Chen Dahu, who squeezed over and slapped his shoulder hard, stammering excitedly.

Even the noble scions who had been chatting and laughing in small groups now restrained their smiles, occasionally sweeping their scrutinizing gazes toward Lin Fan's corner.

"Brother, you were amazing just now!" Lin Xiaoyu waved frantically from the spectator area, her small face flushed with excitement.

Lin Fan nodded at his sister, signaling her to sit down quietly.

He didn't enjoy being the center of attention, but since he had chosen this path, staying low-key was impossible.

"Silence!"

On the high platform, Liu Batian's voice rang out again, suppressing the noise in the field.

"The first round of testing is complete. Of the 3,271 examinees who participated, 1,043 passed, and 2,228 were eliminated."

This number made many people gasp.

Just the first round, and the elimination rate was nearly seventy percent! In previous years, it had usually been around fifty percent.

"Those who passed, rest on the spot for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and prepare for the second round: speed testing." Liu Batian paused, his gaze sweeping over the qualified area. "A reminder: the Gale Formation in the speed test will automatically adjust wind resistance based on the intruder's strength. The stronger you are, the greater the resistance. So don't think you can hide your strength and get through easily—the formation knows you better than you know yourself."

These words made some examinees who had planned to hold back for the combat round change expressions slightly.

Lin Fan, however, brightened.

Adjust wind resistance based on strength? That suited him perfectly!

He had been worried about not being able to test his speed limit at full power.

The time it takes an incense stick to burn passed quickly.

Staff began guiding the qualified examinees to the speed testing area on the west side of the square.

Ten identical formations had already been set up there—each covering about a hundred meters in length and five meters in width, bounded by white stone pillars on both sides, the pillars engraved with complex cyan formation patterns. At the entrance of each formation stood a Timing Stele, and at the exit hung a Bronze Gong.

"The rules for the second round are simple," said the examiner in charge of speed testing, a lean middle-aged woman with a crisp, clear voice. "Enter the Gale Formation from the entrance, rush to the finish line at top speed, and strike the gong. The formation will automatically record your time."

She pointed inside the formation: "The Gale Formation is divided into three sections. The first thirty meters are the Light Wind Zone, with wind resistance about twice that of normal air; the middle forty meters are the Strong Wind Zone, with resistance about five times; the last thirty meters are the Hurricane Zone, with resistance up to ten times."

"Note: No auxiliary methods other than movement techniques are allowed inside the formation. Violators will be disqualified. Now, first group, numbers 1 to 10, enter the formation!"

Ten examinees walked toward their respective formation entrances, their faces grim.

"Begin!"

At the command, all ten charged into the formation at once.

The moment they entered, their speed visibly slowed—as if they had suddenly jumped into water, every movement met with invisible resistance.

The first thirty meters were manageable; most could still maintain a running posture. But once they entered the middle Strong Wind Zone, the gap began to widen.

Some stumbled from the wind, others bent low to lower their center of gravity, and a few even resorted to crawling on all fours.

By the time they reached the last thirty meters of the Hurricane Zone, the scene was even more chaotic—howling winds, visible cyan air currents churning inside the formation, and several examinees were blown backward, unable to push through no matter how hard they tried.

Time ticked by.

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"

One by one, people struck the Bronze Gong.

The Timing Stele displayed their results:

No. 7: 18.7 seconds (disqualified)

No. 3: 16.2 seconds (disqualified)

No. 9: 14.8 seconds (qualified)

Of the first group of ten, only three passed! And the best result was just 14.1 seconds, barely scraping by.

Sighs rose from the spectator stands.

"This difficulty... is too ridiculous."

"Last year, the pass rate for the second round was still sixty percent. This year, it looks like even thirty percent is a stretch."

"I heard it's because the Demonic Beasts are getting stronger, so the academy has to raise the bar..."

The examinees' faces grew heavier.

Second group, third group... the testing continued.

The pass rate was indeed pitifully low, with an average of only two or three per group making it through. Results generally hovered between 14 and 13 seconds, with very few breaking into the 13-second range.

Until the 21st group.

"No. 203, Wang Hao, enter Formation 3!"

Wang Hao straightened his collar and strode toward the formation entrance. As he passed Lin Fan, he sneered, "Watch closely, trash. Let me show you what real speed looks like."

Lin Fan ignored him.

Wang Hao stopped at the entrance, took a deep breath, and a faint cyan light began to glow beneath his feet.

"Eh? Is that... the Mortal-Grade Upper-Class movement technique Azure Shadow Steps?" a discerning examinee murmured.

"The Wang Family sure knows how to invest!"

"With a movement technique backing him, clearing this stage shouldn't be hard..."

The referee glanced at Wang Hao but said nothing—movement techniques were within the allowed scope.

"Begin!"

Wang Hao moved.

His figure transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting into the formation!

The first thirty meters, he moved as if on flat ground, barely affected by the wind resistance.

The middle forty meters, his speed dipped slightly, but he still far surpassed all previous examinees.

In the final thirty-meter Hurricane Zone, azure light blazed from Wang Hao's body as he forcibly tore a path through the gale!

"Clang—!"

The Bronze Gong rang out.

The Timing Stele flickered and finally settled:

"11.3 seconds!"

The entire venue erupted!

"11.3 seconds! Nearly 4 seconds faster than the passing mark!"

"That speed... is it close to the limit of a 1st Grade Martial Trainee?"

"As expected of Wang Hao—he lost to that Lin Fan in strength on the first stage, but he's reclaimed his ground on the second."

Wang Hao stumbled out of the formation, panting heavily, his face somewhat pale—clearly the sprint had taken a toll. But his gaze at Lin Fan was brimming with smugness.

Lin Fan remained expressionless.

11.3 seconds? Not bad, indeed.

But he was more curious about how the formation adjusted wind resistance based on strength. The stronger the power Wang Hao displayed, the greater the resistance the formation should have given him...

Just as he was thinking, in the next group test, an examinee named Liu Feng caught his attention.

He didn't use any obvious movement technique, but his steps were exceptionally steady. In the Hurricane Zone, he actually endured the wind pressure step by step, ultimately scoring 11.8 seconds.

Right after, that girl named Li Yue was even more stunning—her figure drifted like a willow catkin in the wind, seemingly barely affected by the wind resistance, achieving an astonishing 10.9 seconds! The fastest record so far.

"The Li Family's Willow Catkin Movement Technique truly lives up to its reputation," an examiner murmured in admiration.

The test continued.

The pass rate remained low. Breaking 12 seconds was already considered excellent, and breaking 11 seconds was as rare as phoenix feathers.

Lin Fan silently observed each person's performance, calculating his own strategy in his mind.

Basic Footwork had already reached Mastery Level, granting a 20% speed boost. Combined with the results of these days' weighted training and the application of Spiral Force in his movement techniques...

He estimated his speed should be around 10 seconds.

But the exact number depended on how much wind resistance the formation gave him.

"Group 49, numbers 481 to 490, enter the formation!"

Finally, it was Lin Fan's group's turn.

He walked toward the entrance of Formation No. 7.

In an instant, almost everyone's gaze focused on him—how would the monster who struck with two thousand jin of force in the first stage fare in speed?

On the viewing platform, Lin Xiaoyu clenched her small hands nervously.

In the crowd, Old Man Li narrowed his eyes.

On the side of the high platform, a young instructor with gold-rimmed glasses (Teacher Zhang) appeared at some point, quietly watching the direction of Formation No. 7.

Wang Hao stared fixedly at Lin Fan, muttering under his breath, "Keep pretending, keep pretending... Let's see how you get through this stage!"

Lin Fan stood still at the entrance. Unlike Wang Hao, who struck a flashy pose, he simply bent his knees slightly, leaned forward, and assumed the most ordinary starting stance.

Can't find the book title? Try searching by the author's name—maybe it's just been renamed!

"Begin!"

The command fell.

Lin Fan pushed off with his right foot, shooting forward like an arrow from a bowstring!

No light, no special effects—just the simplest sprint.

But the next moment—

"Whoosh—!!!"

The wind within Gale Formation No. 7 suddenly intensified! Azure currents surged from all directions, instantly filling the formation and forming a visible whirlwind vortex!

"What's going on? Why is the formation reacting so violently?!"

"This is only the beginning!"

Even the referee was stunned—the formation adjusts wind resistance based on the entrant's strength, true, but it usually only ramps up in the middle section. For it to go full power from the very start was extremely rare!

There was only one explanation: the formation had judged that the entrant's strength required full suppression from beginning to end!

Inside the formation, Lin Fan felt unprecedented resistance.

In the first thirty meters of the Light Wind Zone, the wind resistance had already reached the intensity of the Hurricane Zone for previous examinees! Every step forward felt like trudging through a swamp.

But he didn't slow down.

[Basic Footwork] operated at full power, each step landing precisely on the most efficient spot. His leg muscles tensed, relaxed, then tensed again, weaving the technique of Spiral Force into his running rhythm.

Thirty meters passed in an instant.

Entering the middle section's Strong Wind Zone, the wind resistance skyrocketed again!

The gale cut like blades against his skin; the airflow coiled like chains around his limbs. For an ordinary examinee, they would likely be unable to move another inch by now.

Lin Fan's speed did slow down.

But he didn't stop.

In his mind, the proficiency of [Basic Footwork] on the panel was jumping rapidly:

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]...

Every time he fought against the wind resistance, every time he adjusted his steps, it increased his proficiency!

This feeling... it was like sparring with an invisible opponent!

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

He no longer pursued pure speed; instead, he began experimenting with different ways of exerting force, different breathing rhythms, different body postures.

Outside the formation, everyone was stunned.

"What's he doing? Why is he fast one moment and slow the next?"

"Looks like... he's adapting to the wind resistance?"

"Are you kidding me! The Gale Formation's wind resistance changes constantly—how can you adapt to that?"

But Lin Fan was indeed adapting.

Using the proficiency growth efficiency reflected on the panel, he continuously fine-tuned his movements, searching for the optimal solution to counter this special resistance.

The middle forty meters took him longer than expected.

But by the time he stepped into the final thirty meters of the Hurricane Zone, his movements had become fluid and coordinated.

The wind howled, the cyan airflow nearly solidifying into substance.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, pushing [Basic Breathing Technique] to its limit. Origin Energy surged within him, flooding into his legs.

Then, he did something that made everyone's eyes widen—

He closed his eyes.

"Is he crazy?! Closing his eyes in the Hurricane Zone?"

"Has he given up?"

But the next moment, Lin Fan moved.

His figure suddenly blurred, his pace becoming erratic and unpredictable—sometimes charging forward, sometimes sidestepping, sometimes even briefly retreating.

But every movement precisely avoided the areas of strongest wind pressure, stepping into the relatively calm gaps in the airflow.

"This is..." Liu Batian's pupils contracted on the high platform.

Teacher Zhang from the side pushed up his glasses and muttered to himself, "It's not a movement technique... it's pure combat instinct and body control. This kid..."

Inside the formation, Lin Fan felt like he had entered a strange state.

Though his eyes were closed, through his skin's perception of the airflow, through the feedback from his feet against the ground, through his ears' discernment of the wind's sound, the entire formation's wind pressure distribution formed a three-dimensional image in his mind.

Where the wind was strong, where it was weak, where the vortex center was, where the airflow gaps were...

He understood it all.

His speed grew faster and faster.

By the last ten meters, he was almost weaving through the gale, his figure leaving a trail of afterimages!

"Dong—!!!"

The Bronze Gong was struck heavily!

The sound echoed across the entire venue.

Everyone's gaze instantly locked onto the No. 7 Timing Stele.

Light flickered, numbers jumped:

9.2 seconds, 9.3 seconds, 9.4 seconds...

It finally stopped—

"9.7 seconds!!!"

Dead silence.

A silence even more absolute than the first trial.

9.7 seconds.

5.3 seconds faster than the passing mark.

1.6 seconds faster than Wang Hao.

1.2 seconds faster than Li Yue.

And this was achieved under the full suppression of the formation!

If the formation had been operating at normal intensity, what would the time have been? 8 seconds? 7 seconds?

No one dared to imagine.

Lin Fan slowly walked out of the formation, his breathing slightly ragged, fine sweat beading on his forehead.

He opened his eyes, looked at the number on the Timing Stele, and nodded in satisfaction.

This result basically reflected his current true speed level. Moreover, on that run just now, the proficiency of [Basic Footwork] had increased by nearly two hundred points—a substantial gain.

"C-candidate Lin Fan, result valid." The referee's voice was a little hoarse.

The viewing stands erupted in thunderous cheers!

"Brother—!!" Lin Xiaoyu jumped up and waved, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.

Among the crowd, Old Man Li stroked his beard, grinning so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. "Good kid, I didn't misjudge him."

Teacher Zhang gave Lin Fan a long, deep look, then turned and left the side of the high platform, as if to go report something.

Wang Hao's face had already turned from ashen to deathly pale.

9.7 seconds... that number was like a heavy hammer, shattering all his pride.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh until blood seeped out.

"Lin Fan..." he ground his teeth. "Third trial... I'll make you die!"

In the qualification zone, the other candidates' gazes toward Lin Fan were no longer just awe, but tinged with a hint of fear.

Was this really a 1st Grade Martial Trainee? Could it be some old monster disguised as one for fun?

Lin Fan ignored all the stares, returned to the rest area, closed his eyes, and regulated his breath.

The second trial was over.

But his mind had already flown to the third trial.

The combat test... a 2nd Grade Low-tier puppet.

And, Wang Hao would definitely pull some tricks.

He opened his eyes, looking toward the black huts behind the testing area, his gaze gradually sharpening.

Come on.

Let me see what tricks you can pull.