Seven-Hundred-Catty Stone Lock, Under the Armor!

Chen Mo walked up to the 700-jin stone lock and stopped, noting that it was indeed a good bit larger than the 650-jin one, looking quite intimidating.

He had not stepped out of the inn for the past two days, focusing his efforts on attempting to break through his realm.

He had attempted it six times in total, each time lasting longer than the last.

Every attempt had expanded the width of the meridians and vessels within his body, and the internal energy flowing through them felt like a newly unearthed mountain spring; with every strike of the hoe, more sweet, clear water gushed forth.

After his final attempt, he felt that he was only a hair's breadth away from Dark Jin, as thin as a cicada's wing.

The closer he got, the more cautious he became.

My strength has also increased significantly; I wonder to what extent it will grow once I truly break through.

He pondered this to himself.

A moment later, he gathered his thoughts.

Chen Mo tightened his belt, his expression solemn, and began to slowly sink his waist and squat.

The 700-jin stone lock was different from the 650-jin one; its center of gravity was higher, and his arms had to be spread wider, making it harder to exert force.

He understood this, and he also understood how to exert force more effectively.

To be precise, given his comprehension of the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique, no one present understood how to exert force better than he did.

"A Ming Jin practitioner lifting a 700-jin stone lock? Good heavens, he's starting!"

At this moment, the entire field fell silent.

Those standing further away simply stood up to watch, hoping to see if this ordinary youth could truly bring a surprise.

Chen Mo pressed his hands against the rough stone surface, and the energy within his body surged suddenly, rushing through his widened meridians and vessels.

In just an instant, all his energy had gathered in his waist and arms.

Chen Mo exerted force from his waist, transmitting the power to his arms and then to his palms; the stone lock slowly left the stone floor, rising inch by inch.

"It moved, it actually moved!"

Someone shouted from the edge of the training ground.

Following that, cheers erupted from the sidelines.

When something has never happened before, people yearn for it to occur.

That was exactly the case right now!

Everyone wanted to see if a Ming Jin practitioner could truly lift a 700-jin stone lock.

Chen Mo's arm muscles were like the thick branches of an ancient locust tree, a shocking sight, and the veins on his neck bulged slightly, radiating a sense of robust power.

Several young women seeing this scene could not help but rest their chins in their hands, feeling a stir of affection.

Over at the Tianqing Martial Hall, no one dared to make a single sound, fearing they might disturb him.

Zhou Pi, who had once been defeated by Chen Mo, stood rooted to the spot, his mouth agape.

As Chen Mo continued to channel his strength, the stone lock was raised to his chest, where he paused for two breaths before slowly lifting it above his head.

At this moment, the sound of a mountain-toppling, sea-draining roar erupted all around.

"One breath!"

"Two breaths!"

"Three breaths!"

Some Ming Jin students joined in the shouting; they were deeply moved, as several among them had failed to break through twice, meaning they would never have a chance at Dark Jin in this lifetime.

Yet, who said Ming Jin must be trampled underfoot by Dark Jin!

Chen Mo was a living example right now: if he could do it, so could they!

Of course, most of the Ming Jin students felt quite bitter, a sense of jealousy rising in their hearts.

If I cannot do it, why can he?

As time passed, the ten-breath mark was nearly reached.

"Nine breaths!"

"Ten breaths!"

"My mother! He actually did it!"

"Ming Jin really can lift a 700-jin stone lock!"

Chen Mo set the stone lock down, his chest heaving rapidly.

The 700-jin stone lock was indeed at his limit; if he wanted to go any further, he had to break through to Dark Jin.

The strength test shouldn't hold me back now; it all depends on tomorrow's technique test...

He pondered to himself, No matter what, I must succeed in breaking through tonight!

"700-jin stone lock, Grade A-minus!"

As the clerk announced the result, Chen Mo calmly walked back to his original position.

Various gazes from the surroundings shot toward him, lingering on his person for a long time.

Chen Mo walked to the side of Xie Jinnian, who twitched his mouth, wanting to say something but finding no place to start, so he could only cup his hands in congratulations, "Brother Chen, you truly hide your light under a bushel. Many martial students with Dark Jin cannot achieve this step, yet you did it!"

As he said this, his earlier words of encouragement to Chen Mo seemed to still be drifting in the wind, and he could not help but feel his ears turn slightly red.

Chen Mo also cupped his hands, "Brother Xie, you flatter me."

While the two were conversing, a man with a slightly graying beard walked over and bowed to them, "Young Master Xie, little brother Chen Mo, I am Liang Wen, head of the Liang Family. Having just witnessed little brother Chen Mo's performance, I found it astonishing and am full of admiration. I would like to invite you both to my humble abode the day after tomorrow for a few drinks."

Chen Mo was slightly taken aback.

He had not expected that just after stepping off the field, recruitment would come so quickly.

He had heard a little about the Liang Family; they were a small family in the county, with strength between that of the Wu Family and the Zhao Family.

Chen Mo was as clear as a mirror; inviting him was because they valued his talent, and inviting Xie Jinnian was to climb the social ladder of the Xie Family.

The other party did not explicitly state what status they would offer him, but instead invited him for a drink at their home first. Once he was treated to good food and wine, he would be indebted, making it difficult to refuse.

Therefore, after pondering for a few breaths, Chen Mo replied, "After the Martial Examination concludes, if I have the time, this junior will come to pay a visit."

He did not explicitly say whether he would definitely go, but instead made it conditional on having time; even if he did not go later, he would not be breaking his word.

Liang Wen did not insist, responding, "Then I shall await you both at my humble abode."

After speaking, he retreated ten feet away from the two before turning to leave, his etiquette executed without a single flaw.

Following Liang Wen, several other people of varying builds and extraordinary bearing walked up to Chen Mo, extending warm invitations.

Chen Mo replied to all of them that he would go if he had time, neither refusing nor committing.

It was quite a sigh-worthy realization; before he had made his move, no one sought him out, but now that his name had spread across the training ground, the people looking for him were like the croaking of frogs in a pond after rain—an endless chorus.

Xie Jinnian whispered a reminder, "Brother Chen, these are all small families with limited resources to offer you. With the talent you have displayed today, a few major families might be interested in you. I can recommend you to the Xie Family."

Hearing this, Chen Mo thought for a moment and replied, "In that case, many thanks, Brother Xie!"

The Xie Family was a major clan; if he could gain their favor, it would be the best possible outcome for Chen Mo right now, and he had no reason to refuse.

Among the martial students who appeared next, two more with Dark Jin lifted the seven-hundred-jin stone lock, causing a momentary stir, but the rest were unremarkable.

After all the martial students had finished their trials, the chief examiner led the other examiners to verify everyone's results and register them in the records; the strength trial for today had concluded.

The crowds on both sides of the training ground began to disperse.

As a few young women were leaving, they turned their heads to look at Chen Mo several times, covering their mouths to whisper to one another before leaving with lingering reluctance.

At this moment, Yin Tianqing led his disciples to Chen Mo. Chen Mo bowed and called out, "Master."

Yin Tianqing beamed with joy, his expression bright and clear, "Good lad, you actually kept this trick hidden, even fooling your master!"

Yin Shanshan and Ji Chang, who were nearby, both cast looks of admiration, and although Li Xuan felt a bit bitter inside, he managed a forced smile.

On the other side of the training ground.

Zhao Huayuan and Zhang Chong walked to the edge of the field. The former turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the entire training ground, "Today's strength trial was just a minor skirmish. Tomorrow's skill trial is your true stage. What are your chances of success?"

Zhang Chong replied without hesitation, "Top three, eighty percent chance."