Seizing First Place!

The menial workers below the stage were all dumbfounded.

After coming back to their senses, they looked at one another in disbelief.

They had thought Li Qiming had gone up there to make a fool of himself. Who would have thought he would be this damn incredible?

"Brother... you're amazing!" Wang Liang murmured, his eyes trembling.

The most shocked person present was the white-robed young master, Mo Su.

"A... Perfected-level fist technique?! How is that possible?"

Mo Su had been ready to watch Li Qiming make a joke of himself, but he had never expected the other man's fist technique to be so exquisite that it left him utterly awestruck!

Compared to him, Mo Su's own display just now seemed more like a farce...

Boom!

Just as everyone stood stunned, Li Qiming's Blood Qi abruptly erupted, surging upward from his body layer by layer!

Blood Refining Realm, mid-stage!

At this very moment, Li Qiming had broken through, becoming a mid-stage Blood Refining Realm martial artist!

At the same time, the Tiger Roar Fist had completely entered the Perfected realm!

Mo Su's lips trembled as he struggled for a long while before forcing out one sentence:

"Is there even any justice left in this damn world?!"

What the hell was there left to compete over?!

Li Qiming slowly withdrew his technique, cupped his fists toward the surroundings, then hurried down from the stage.

He had gained many insights, and with his breakthrough into the mid-stage Blood Refining Realm, he needed to stabilize the Blood Qi coursing through his body!

Without time to say much, he hurried back to his chair and began breathing steadily to regulate himself.

The remaining menial workers gritted their teeth and forced themselves to take the stage one after another to display the Tiger Roar Fist, yet there was nothing remotely eye-catching afterward.

Having witnessed Li Qiming's fist technique, they were truly going up there only to embarrass themselves.

They were either at Entry Level or Major Accomplishment; not a single one had reached the Proficient level.

Before long, everyone had finished their demonstrations.

Everyone already knew in their hearts that the one who would take first place in this assessment and claim the sole Registered Disciple slot was ninety-nine percent likely to be Li Qiming!

The two elders and Pavilion Master Long Wuhui gathered together for a brief discussion before reaching a result.

"First place will definitely go to Li Qiming," Chu Weiying said in a deep voice. He then looked toward Jiang Daoming and Long Wuhui.

"What do you think of this boy?"

"He is a decent seed..." Jiang Daoming slowly nodded, though there was a trace of hesitation in his expression.

Long Wuhui stroked the beard beneath his chin. "His Root Bone aptitude is ordinary, but his willpower and comprehension are both quite good. The martial path is difficult, but who can say? He may have a chance to rise. We can try nurturing him..."

Overall, Li Qiming's performance had been commendable, but no one could say for certain what potential he possessed. Though his showing in the latter two of the three assessments had been impressive, no one could predict how far he might go in the future.

The final conclusion was that he had middling talent.

"No matter what, first place belongs to Li Qiming..." Long Wuhui said with a nod.

"However, the others, such as Mo Su and Wang Liang, are also quite outstanding. In previous years, they would absolutely have met the standards for selection as Registered Disciples!"

Jiang Daoming spoke with some regret.

Long Wuhui pondered briefly. "There are indeed several good seeds this year... but there is no need for us to worry about it. I imagine the True Disciples already have their own candidates in mind."

The eight True Disciples stood nearby. At those words, they exchanged glances, competition flickering in their eyes.

The two elders froze before remembering that each year, the eight True Disciples each had one Registered Disciple slot. It was simply that there had not been so many promising seeds in past years, so no True Disciple had exercised that privilege. Gradually, the two elders had forgotten about it.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Long Wuhui stepped onto the center of the high platform, flanked by the two elders and eight True Disciples.

Everyone below stared tensely. Though they had their suspicions, until the result was officially announced, no one dared be certain.

"I hereby announce that the person who has taken first place in this year's assessment and will directly advance to become a Registered Disciple of Dragon Roar Martial Hall is..."

Long Wuhui spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear with crystal clarity.

"Li Qiming!"

Whoosh!

The menial disciples throughout the venue erupted into cheers and uproar.

Li Qiming taking first place was what everyone had hoped for.

"What? Qiming took first place in the assessment and became a Registered Disciple?"

At Laifu Restaurant, Shopkeeper Wang stood up from behind the counter, utterly astonished.

The waiter who had come to deliver the good news nodded heavily. "Shopkeeper, it's true. How would I dare make up something this important?"

"Good, good, good!"

Shopkeeper Wang's aged face broke into a smile, and the old man beamed with delight.

He had not held even the slightest hope for Li Qiming before, yet Li Qiming had turned out to be the most promising one!

He had made the right bet!

"Quick, prepare a grand feast! Today is a good day! I must celebrate properly for Qiming!"

"Right, where is he?"

"He should be here soon."

Li Qiming returned to Laifu Restaurant with a group of menial-worker underlings.

Tomorrow, he would officially move into Dragon Roar Martial Hall to live and train.

Today was likely the last time he would eat with everyone in this restaurant as the head of the menial workers.

"Boss, when you soar to great heights, don't forget to come back and see us!"

After several rounds of wine, one of the menial workers spoke with tears in his eyes.

The others were somewhat saddened as well. Li Qiming was unlike other bosses—he had never beaten or cursed at them, nor had he ever demanded a single coin in "protection fees" from anyone. In times like these, a person like him was practically a living Bodhisattva.

Li Qiming looked at the worker and realized it was the one Qi Weiwei had injured some time ago. He nodded. "Don't worry. I won't forget you."

"Qiming, we agreed before that after you enter the Martial Hall, you'd help look after my useless little grandson a bit!" Shopkeeper Wang reminded him amid the clinking of cups.

Li Qiming naturally agreed.

After several rounds of wine, Li Qiming was a little tipsy. Just as he was chatting merrily with Zhang Mingshun—

A group of people walked in.

"Brother Li, congratulations, congratulations!" The leader was built like a Tiger Back Bear Waist man, and he spoke in a deep, muffled voice.

Li Qiming frowned. He did not know this man at all.

"Haha, I was presumptuous. My name is Yuan Biao, and I'm a Black Gang branch leader. After becoming a Registered Disciple of the Martial Hall, you can choose to lend your name to a gang. You won't need to do anything—just stand up for us at critical moments..."

"Two taels of silver a month!"

Yuan Biao said in a deep voice.

The surrounding menial workers all turned to look. For two taels of silver, they would have to work without food or drink for two years!

"So it's Brother Yuan Biao. I've long heard of your great name, and now that I see you today, your reputation truly precedes you!" Li Qiming rose to his feet and cupped his fists, the words flowing straight from his mouth.

"Oh? Am I really that famous?" Yuan Biao scratched his head, looking rather confused.

"However... for now, my heart is wholly focused on martial arts, and I have no plans to join a gang. I'm truly sorry. Since you're here, I'll treat you all to drinks. Quickly, have your brothers take their seats!"

Li Qiming said.

"So that's how it is... I understand. If Brother Li ever decides to join a gang in the future, our Black Gang will welcome you at any time!" Yuan Biao nodded.

"You all drink. I won't disturb you any longer!"

He then turned and left with several underlings.

Soon after, small-time leaders from various minor factions came calling. More than ten groups arrived in succession, and Li Qiming politely declined every one of them.

"Brother Qiming, do you still remember me?" Two figures suddenly walked in.

Li Qiming focused his gaze and saw that it was Ah Kun of the Black Snake Gang and his underling.

Because of Zhang Mingshun's matter, Li Qiming had met them once before.

"Brother Kun, please have a seat." Li Qiming stood and cupped his fists.

"No need. I won't waste words. Congratulations on becoming a Registered Disciple. I misjudged you before!" Ah Kun said in a deep voice.

He then took a money pouch from his robes. It contained five taels of silver. "I know you won't join any gang, but I don't want to offend you either. These five taels are said to be what Zhang Mingshun borrowed from you. I'm returning them to you intact."

Zhang Mingshun froze upon hearing this.

A faint trace of panic rose in him.

"Don't worry. Zhang Mingshun and I have completely settled the interest on those five taels. There are no longer any ties between us. Take this money, and only then will I be at ease."

As he spoke, Ah Kun placed the money pouch on the table, cupped his fists toward Li Qiming, then turned and departed with his underling.

Only a fool would offend a mid-stage Blood Refining Realm disciple of Dragon Roar Martial Hall over a mere five taels of silver.

Even if there was the slightest possibility of causing offense, it had to be thoroughly snuffed out!