Gao Yu's Emphasis

It was like a performance.

For a performance to be truly spectacular, the audience's standards are as crucial as the performers'.

Without Gao Yu, Wu Yuan lifting eight thousand jin, or even ten thousand jin, with the test stone would have been dazzling enough.

But with Gao Yu, a Proficient Expert, present, Wu Yuan felt this performance needed to be special.

At this moment.

Inside the testing room, over a dozen Teacher from the Martial Arts Academy and dozens of disciples were all staring intently at the muscular, slightly young-looking teenager in the center.

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

Could he succeed?

"Can he lift it?" Guan Yang and the group of Martial Arts Academy disciples held their breath completely. Instinctively, they felt it was impossible.

As disciples of the same Martial Arts Academy, could the gap between them be this vast?

"Wu Yuan, my disciple?" Huan Xinyan stared with wide eyes.

She had cultivated for many years, with her elders' help and abundant resources. After so many years of cultivation, her pure physical strength was only a little over twenty thousand jin.

However, a sliver of hope still lingered in her heart. What if he could truly lift it?

"Bang!"

Wu Yuan placed his right hand on the handle of the test stone, his five fingers gripping tightly. His expression was serious, and he seemed a little nervous.

His legs were spread, standing tall and firm like a rooted pine.

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

One second! Two seconds! Three seconds!

"Hoo!" Wu Yuan's eyes snapped open. His legs trembled slightly, his muscles tensed, and his internal energy unified throughout his body. The muscles in his arms bulged, like steel cables intertwined. A terrifying power erupted as he strained to lift it upwards!

The massive test stone vibrated slightly but did not budge.

"He failed?"

"He couldn't lift it?" This was the thought that simultaneously surged in everyone's minds. They subconsciously felt Wu Yuan had failed.

But the next instant!

"Lift for me!" Veins bulged on Wu Yuan's face. His right foot moved back slightly, his spine undulated like a great dragon, and a surge of internal energy erupted immediately after!

Double Extreme Strength! Two layers of force superimposed!

A terrifying power exploded!

"Hoo!"

The eighteen-thousand jin test stone was lifted by Wu Yuan in one go, without any pause, directly over his head!

At this moment, Wu Yuan's face was flushed red, his arms trembled, and even his legs vibrated faintly, as if he had reached his physical limit.

He only held it for a moment.

Wu Yuan suddenly threw the test stone forward and took a large step back himself, avoiding being crushed by it.

"Bang!" With a dull thud, the test stone landed heavily on the ground. Even the reinforced special floor showed faint cracks.

"Hoo!"

Wu Yuan gasped for air, still forcing himself to look at Huan Xinyan, and said with a hint of regret, "Teacher Huan, I failed!"

Just now, Wu Yuan only managed to hold it for about one second.

According to Martial Law: For the strength test, one must lift the test stone over their head and hold it for half a breath (one breath is about six seconds) to pass!

But at this moment.

Everyone in the testing room was staring at the panting teenager in the center with immense shock, finding it hard to believe.

Yes, Wu Yuan had failed!

But everyone knew that Wu Yuan had lifted the test stone over his head, just not for long enough. This was enough to prove that his instantaneous explosive power had reached eighteen thousand jin!

He was only fourteen years old!

How incredibly shocking was that?

"At fourteen years old, he's almost a Proficient Expert?" someone from the Martial Arts Academy murmured.

Proficient Experts were qualified to be teachers at the Martial Arts Academy.

"Unbelievable!"

"In the thousand years since Li City was founded, such a Martial Dao genius has never been born." A Teacher familiar with history couldn't help but say, feeling as if he were witnessing history.

"He actually lifted it?" Guan Yang watched, dumbfounded.

A chill ran down his spine: "I dared to challenge Senior Brother Wu just now? I probably would have been smashed to death with one punch!"

Guan Yang no longer had any thought of challenging Wu Yuan, nor any trace of jealousy.

When the gap in strength is small, jealousy arises.

When the gap in strength is so vast that it's insurmountable, there is usually only awe, fear, and worship!

...Inside the testing chamber, the onlookers were stunned. After a moment, many realized what terrifying talent Wu Yuan possessed.

He was only fourteen years old and already had such strength.

What about ten years from now? Twenty years? What level would he reach?

"A pity, he was still a bit short, failing to lift the eighteen-thousand-pound test stone," Gao Yu's voice echoed through the testing chamber. "However, being able to lift a ten-thousand-pound boulder means he's reached the Martial Master baseline. Not bad."

Many teachers and disciples from the Martial Arts Academy were slightly taken aback, even doubting their own ears.

This level of strength was merely the Martial Master baseline?

"Alright, the viewing ends here. All Martial Arts Academy disciples, withdraw from the Martial Dao Grand Hall," Gao Yu spoke again, his voice still calm.

"Yes." Guan Yang and the many other Martial Arts Academy disciples, though confused, dared not question him. They rapidly retreated from the testing chamber like a receding tide.

Soon.

The testing chamber became empty, with no Martial Arts Academy disciples left except for Wu Yuan.

"Wu Yuan, there's no need for a practical combat assessment. Go rest over there for now," Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan, a smile appearing on his face.

"Senior, I'm not exhausted yet, I can still fight," Wu Yuan said with a hint of urgency, seemingly worried he wouldn't impress Gao Yu.

"Relax."

"I'm not denying your performance, it was excellent. But whether you're exhausted or not, you should know better than I do," Gao Yu affirmed.

Wu Yuan showed a look of feigned 'surprise' at being seen through.

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

"Yes." Wu Yuan finally became 'obedient' and walked towards a nearby resting chair.

Seeing Wu Yuan comply.

Gao Yu took a step forward and turned.

His gaze turned cold, sweeping over Dean Zhang Da and the various Martial Arts Academy teachers present. His voice lost the kindness it had shown Wu Yuan, becoming indifferent. "Everyone here should be core disciples of the Sect. Dean Zhang, you are even affiliated with the 'Steward' position within the Sect, correct?"

Within the Hengyun Sect, apart from the small 'Civil Official System'.

In terms of Martial Positions, only Third-class Experts were granted the 'core disciple' Sect Title, while Second-class Experts were qualified to receive the 'Steward' Sect Title.

Sect Titles were ranks, related to the specific positions held but not entirely the same.

"Yes," Dean Zhang Da said cautiously.

The other teachers were somewhat confused as to why this 'Protector Gao Yu' had suddenly become so serious.

"To be a teacher at the Martial Arts Academy, you must all be from the Sect's headquarters, trusted by the Sect, and trained by the 'Teaching Hall'. You should understand the Sect's laws," Gao Yu's voice was icy. "Therefore, I will be blunt about some matters."

"Today's matter concerning Wu Yuan is classified as a 'Level Two Secret' of the Sect. No one is to spread it!" Gao Yu stated solemnly.

A Sect Level Two Secret?

This time, not only Dean Zhang Da and the dozen or so teachers, but even Huan Xinyan showed surprise.

Having grown up in the Sect since childhood, she knew very well what Level Two Secrets entailed.

"Don't ask why," Gao Yu said coldly. "You just need to remember that from the moment you leave this room, what you saw today was Wu Yuan struggling to lift the ten-thousand-pound test stone. He has only just reached the Martial Master baseline strength!"

"As for the eighteen-thousand-pound test stone? It's been poorly maintained for years, its weight is unbalanced, and its actual weight is only thirteen thousand pounds. Wu Yuan completely failed to lift it."

"You must not only remember it yourselves."

"You must also spread what I've said, tell all the disciples, let them all know that Wu Yuan has only just attained Martial Master strength."

"Especially those disciples who just left, make them believe what you say," Gao Yu said in a low voice.

All the teachers listened intently, realizing that something seemed unusual.

"This matter."

"If any of you dare to leak this information, once verified, the lightest penalty is your own death, and the heaviest—" Gao Yu's gaze swept over all the teachers, and he uttered two words: "Clan Annihilation!"

Clan Annihilation!

All the Martial Arts Academy teachers were shocked and finally understood that Protector Gao Yu was not joking.

This was a major event!

In fact, some teachers regretted coming to watch the excitement.

"Do you all understand?" Gao Yu's voice was cold.

"Understood," the many teachers nodded in unison.

"All teachers may leave. Dean Zhang and Teacher Huan, please stay," Gao Yu said.

The many Martial Arts Academy teachers felt as if they had received a great pardon and left one after another. Only Gao Yu, Zhang Da, and Huan Xinyan remained in the hall.

"Dean Zhang, how much did you notice?" Gao Yu looked at Zhang Da.

"I think..."

Just as Dean Zhang was about to speak, he suddenly realized, "No! Wu Yuan barely managed to lift the ten-thousand-pound test stone. I didn't notice anything else."

"Very good."

Gao Yu nodded in satisfaction. "Also, Dean Zhang, replace that 18,000-jin test stone tonight with one weighing '13,000 jin.' Then destroy the original. Remember, the appearance of the two must not differ too much. Do you understand?"

"Your subordinate understands. The two test stones will be guaranteed to look identical. I will handle it personally, and absolutely no one will know," Dean Zhang said repeatedly. "The testing room will also be temporarily closed."

Gao Yu nodded with considerable appreciation.

This Dean Zhang knew how to handle things.

"Alright, I have something specific to discuss with Wu Yuan, so you don't need to stay and listen." Gao Yu issued the order for Dean Zhang to leave.

… After Dean Zhang left.

Huan Xinyan finally couldn't help but speak, "Senior Brother, just now?"

Growing up, she had rarely seen her Senior Brother so serious.

"This disciple of yours is no ordinary Martial Dao genius!" Gao Yu shook his head slightly. "I'll talk to him directly. You can listen in, and you'll naturally understand."

Huan Xinyan was full of questions but could only suppress them.

The two walked towards Wu Yuan.

"Senior, Master Huan." Wu Yuan quickly stood up, his face showing fear, confusion, and bewilderment.

"Don't be nervous, sit down, and let's chat slowly." Gao Yu smiled again and patted Wu Yuan's shoulder.

Gao Yu took the initiative to sit down.

Wu Yuan and Huan Xinyan also sat down. Wu Yuan's 'nervousness' seemed to have eased considerably.

"You saw what happened just now, didn't you?" Gao Yu said casually.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded, unable to help but say, "Senior, that 18,000-jin giant stone, it should be real."

"I know that test stone was that heavy," Gao Yu chuckled. "And I also know that if you weren't nervous and gave it your all, you could have lifted a 20,000-jin giant stone."

Wu Yuan looked at Gao Yu with shock, feeling completely seen through.

"I understand more than you think," Gao Yu said, enjoying Wu Yuan's shocked expression. "Your pure physical quality should only be around 10,000 jin of strength. Being able to lift 20,000 jin is because you've mastered a special technique for generating force, right?"

"Senior, you can see that?" Wu Yuan was shocked.

"Mm, I also control it, and much more proficiently than you. Naturally, I can see it. You must have only recently gained control, requiring a long time to build up power, the signs are very obvious," Gao Yu said with a smile. "This technique is called Extreme Strength, and it also has different names like Hidden Strength and Rigid Strength."

"You can exert force twice consecutively, which means you've barely reached 'Double Extreme Strength'," Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan.

"Double Extreme Strength?" Huan Xinyan, standing beside them, suddenly stood up, looking at Wu Yuan in astonishment.

She finally understood why her Senior Brother was taking this so seriously.

Fourteen years old, and he's mastered Double Extreme Strength?

No amount of seriousness would be too much.

"Senior, is it difficult to master this kind of force-generating technique?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.

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