The Importance Gao Yu Placed on Him

It was like putting on a performance.

For it to be dazzling, the audience had to be just as good as the performers.

Without Gao Yu, Wu Yuan lifting eight thousand pounds would have been dazzling enough, and even the ten-thousand-pound test stone would have been impressive.

But with an expert like Gao Yu watching, Wu Yuan felt the performance needed something extra.

At that moment.

Inside the testing room, more than a dozen Martial Academy teachers and dozens of disciples stared fixedly at the muscular, slightly boyish-looking youth in the center.

Fourteen years old, lifting an eighteen-thousand-pound test stone?

Could he do it?

"Can he lift it?" Guan Yang and the other Martial Academy disciples held their breath. Instinctively, they thought it was impossible.

They were all disciples of the same Martial Academy. Could the gap between them really be so enormous?

"Master Huan, this disciple of yours..." Huan Xinyan stared at him with wide eyes.

She had trained for years and, with her elders' help, had received abundant resources. Yet after all those years, her pure physical strength was only a little over twenty thousand pounds.

Still, a trace of hope remained in her heart. What if he really could lift it?

"Thump!"

Wu Yuan placed his right hand on the handle at the side of the test stone and closed his five fingers around it. His expression was solemn, and he seemed a little nervous.

He planted his feet apart, standing like a pine, steady as a rooted tree.

Wu Yuan took a deep breath and closed his eyes, as if trying to calm his breathing.

One second! Two seconds! Three seconds!

"Ha!" Wu Yuan abruptly opened his eyes. His legs trembled slightly as his muscles tensed. Strength flowed through his limbs and bones, merging into one. The sinews in his arm bulged like steel cables as he unleashed a fearsome burst of power and strained to lift!

The enormous test stone shuddered slightly, but did not rise.

"Did he fail?"

"He couldn't lift it?" The same thought rose in the minds of everyone watching. They all instinctively assumed Wu Yuan had failed.

But in the next instant!

"Rise!" Wu Yuan's face bulged with veins. His right foot shifted slightly backward, and his spine swayed like a great dragon as another surge of strength burst forth!

Double Extreme Strength! Two surges of force stacked together!

A terrifying power erupted!

"Whoosh!"

Wu Yuan lifted the eighteen-thousand-pound test stone in one smooth motion. Without the slightest pause, he raised it straight above his head!

By then, Wu Yuan's face had flushed red and both arms were trembling. Even his legs quivered faintly. He seemed to have reached the limits of his body.

He held it for only an instant.

Wu Yuan then hurled the test stone forward and took several big steps back, avoiding being crushed by it.

"Boom!" The stone slammed heavily onto the ground. Fine cracks appeared in the specially reinforced floor.

"Ha!"

Wu Yuan gasped for breath. Still forcing himself to look at Huan Xinyan, he said with a trace of regret, "Master Huan, I failed!"

Just now, Wu Yuan had held it for only about a second.

According to Martial Law, a strength test required the test stone to be lifted above the head and held for half a breath—about three seconds—to pass!

But at that moment.

Everyone inside the testing room stared in shock at the panting youth in the center, hardly able to believe what they had seen.

Yes, Wu Yuan had failed!

But everyone knew that he had lifted the test stone above his head. He had only failed to hold it for long enough, which was more than enough to prove that his instantaneous explosive strength had reached eighteen thousand pounds!

And he was only fourteen!

How could anyone not be shaken?

"Fourteen, and already nearly a Proficient Expert?" one of the Martial Academy teachers murmured.

Proficient Experts were qualified to serve as Martial Academy teachers.

"Unbelievable!"

"In the thousand years since Li City was founded, we've never seen a martial prodigy like this." A Martial Academy teacher well versed in history couldn't help exclaiming. He felt as if he were witnessing history.

"He really lifted it?" Guan Yang gaped.

A chill ran through him. I actually dared challenge Senior Brother Wu just now? One punch from him could probably kill me!

Guan Yang no longer had the slightest thought of challenging Wu Yuan, nor did he feel any jealousy toward him.

When the difference in strength was small, people became jealous.

When the gap was so vast that it could never be crossed, all that remained was usually awe, fear, and admiration!

...The people watching in the testing room were stunned. As they gradually came back to their senses, many realized just how terrifying Wu Yuan's talent was.

He was only fourteen, yet already this powerful.

What heights would he reach in another ten or twenty years?

"Too bad. He still came up short and failed to lift the eighteen-thousand-pound test stone." Gao Yu's voice rang through the testing room. "Still, being able to lift a ten-thousand-pound boulder means he's reached the Martial Master baseline. Not bad."

The Martial Academy teachers and disciples were taken aback. Some even wondered if they had misheard.

That level of strength was only the Martial Master baseline?

"Good. The viewing is over. All Martial Academy disciples, leave the Martial Dao Grand Hall." Gao Yu spoke again, his voice still calm.

"Yes." Guan Yang and the other Martial Academy disciples were puzzled, but didn't dare question him. They streamed out of the testing room like a tide.

Soon.

The testing room was empty. Apart from Wu Yuan, not a single Martial Academy disciple remained.

"Wu Yuan, there's no need for a combat assessment. Go rest over there for now." Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan and smiled.

"Senior, I haven't exhausted myself. I can still do the combat assessment." Wu Yuan looked anxious, as if worried that he hadn't made a good impression on Gao Yu.

"Don't worry."

"I'm not dismissing you. Your performance was excellent. But whether you're exhausted—you should know that better than I do." Gao Yu spoke with certainty.

Wu Yuan wore an expression of surprise, as if Gao Yu had seen right through him.

"Listen to Senior Gao Yu," Huan Xinyan said.

"Yes." Wu Yuan finally became "obedient" and walked over to the chairs on the side.

Seeing Wu Yuan follow instructions.

Only then did Gao Yu step forward and turn around.

His gaze turned cold as it swept over Dean Zhang Da and the Martial Academy teachers present. His voice was no longer gentle as it had been with Wu Yuan. "Everyone here should be a core disciple of the sect. Dean Zhang, in particular, holds the rank of 'deacon' within the sect, correct?"

Within the Hengyun Sect, apart from the relatively small Civil Official System,

those in the martial branch had to be at least Third-class Experts to receive the Sect Title of "core disciple." Only Second-class Experts qualified for the Sect Title of "deacon."

A Sect Title indicated rank. It was connected to one's specific position, but the two were not exactly the same.

"That's right," Dean Zhang Da replied cautiously.

The other teachers were confused. Why had this Protector Gao Yu suddenly become so stern?

"You're all Martial Academy teachers, so I assume you came from the Sect Headquarters. You're trusted by the sect and have also received training from the Teaching Hall. You should understand the sect's laws." Gao Yu's voice turned cold. "So I'll speak plainly."

"What happened with Wu Yuan today is to be classified as a 'Level Two Secret' of the sect. No one may reveal it!" Gao Yu declared solemnly.

A Level Two Secret of the sect?

Now, not only Dean Zhang Da and the dozen or so teachers, but even Huan Xinyan looked shocked.

She had grown up in the sect and knew very well what a Level Two Secret meant.

"Don't ask why," Gao Yu said coldly. "Just remember: once you leave this door, what you saw today was Wu Yuan struggling to lift a ten-thousand-pound test stone. He has only just reached the Martial Master baseline!"

"As for the eighteen-thousand-pound test stone? It had been neglected for years and its weight was off. It actually weighed only thirteen thousand pounds, and Wu Yuan completely failed when he tried to lift it."

"You must remember this yourselves."

"You must also spread what I've said. Tell all the disciples, so they know Wu Yuan has only just reached Martial Master strength."

"Especially those disciples who just left. Make sure they believe what you tell them." Gao Yu's voice was low.

All the teachers listened seriously. They realized something unusual was going on.

"If any of you dare leak this information, and it's confirmed, the consequences will be death for you at best, and at worst—" Gao Yu's gaze swept across the teachers. He uttered two words: "Clan Annihilation!"

Clan Annihilation!

Every Martial Academy teacher shuddered. They finally understood that Protector Gao Yu wasn't joking.

This was serious!

Some teachers even regretted coming to watch.

"Is that clear?" Gao Yu asked coldly.

"Understood." The teachers nodded repeatedly.

"All teachers may leave. Dean Zhang and Teacher Huan, stay behind," Gao Yu ordered.

The Martial Academy teachers left as if granted a pardon. Only Gao Yu, Zhang Da, and Huan Xinyan remained in the hall.

"Dean Zhang, how much did you figure out?" Gao Yu asked, looking at Zhang Da.

"I think..."

Dean Zhang was about to speak, but suddenly realized his mistake. "No! Wu Yuan only barely lifted a ten-thousand-pound test stone. I didn't see anything else."

"Very good."

Only then did Gao Yu nod in satisfaction. "Also, Dean Zhang, replace that eighteen-thousand-pound test stone tonight with one weighing 'thirteen thousand pounds.' Then destroy the original. Remember, the two stones must not look too different. Understood?"

"Understood, sir. I'll make sure the two stones are identical. I'll handle it personally, and no one will find out," Dean Zhang said quickly. "The testing room will also be closed temporarily."

Gao Yu nodded appreciatively.

Dean Zhang knew how to get things done.

"All right. I have something I need to discuss with Wu Yuan privately, so there's no need for you to listen in." Gao Yu dismissed him.

...After Dean Zhang left.

Huan Xinyan finally couldn't hold back. "Senior Brother, just now...?"

She had rarely seen her senior brother this serious in all the years she had known him.

"This disciple of yours is no ordinary martial prodigy!" Gao Yu shook his head slightly. "I'll speak with him directly. If you listen in, you'll understand."

Huan Xinyan was bursting with questions, but could only hold them back.

The two walked over to Wu Yuan.

"Senior, Master Huan." Wu Yuan quickly stood up, his face showing a mix of apprehension, confusion, and uncertainty.

"Don't be nervous. Sit down. We'll talk slowly." Gao Yu smiled again and patted Wu Yuan on the shoulder.

Gao Yu sat down first.

Wu Yuan and Huan Xinyan sat down as well. The "nervousness" on Wu Yuan's face seemed to ease a little.

"You saw what just happened," Gao Yu said casually.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded. He couldn't help saying, "Senior, that eighteen-thousand-pound boulder really did weigh that much."

"I know the test stone was that heavy," Gao Yu said with a smile. "And I know that if you weren't nervous and gave it your all, you could have lifted a twenty-thousand-pound boulder."

Wu Yuan looked at Gao Yu in shock, as if he'd been seen through.

"I know more than you think." Gao Yu clearly enjoyed Wu Yuan's shocked expression. He said thoughtfully, "Your pure physical strength should be around ten thousand pounds. You could lift a twenty-thousand-pound boulder because you've mastered a special technique for exerting force, right?"

"Senior, you can tell?" Wu Yuan asked in shock.

"Mm. I've mastered it too, and far more thoroughly than you, so of course I can tell. You've only recently mastered it, and you need to build up your strength for a long time. The signs are obvious." Gao Yu smiled. "This technique is called Force Extreme, though it's also known by other names, such as Hidden Strength and Rigid Strength."

"You managed to unleash two surges of force in succession. That means you've barely reached 'Double Extreme Strength.'" Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan.

"Double Extreme Strength?" Huan Xinyan abruptly stood up, staring at Wu Yuan in shock.

She finally understood why her senior brother took him so seriously.

Fourteen years old, and he had mastered Double Extreme Strength?

There was no such thing as taking that lightly.

"Senior, is this force technique difficult to master?" Wu Yuan couldn't help asking.

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