Minor Examination

Yuan Lingling was quite pleased with the panic among the disciples.

"I told you so! Many of our seniors are out traveling to broaden their horizons. Do you believe me now?"

After saying this, Yuan Lingling even raised an eyebrow at Li He.

Li He smiled. "Senior sister speaks the truth." He raised his eyes and swept his gaze across the entire arena.

Many sharp-witted disciples sensed his aggressive gaze and looked up instantly, their eyes meeting his in the air.

An invisible pressure, following Li He's sweeping gaze, began to permeate the Martial Arts Arena.

The foundation of Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall was likely more than just this. Li He withdrew his gaze, walked to the corner of the field, sank his hips, and assumed the Iron Body Stake.

Hum!

Deep within his muscles and bones, a low hum resonated. His blood flow accelerated quietly, and he felt his whole body burning, his blood boiling. The fruits of his arduous training were fully displayed here.

Half an hour of warm-up passed in oppressive silence and tense muscles. The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena was like a spring compressed to the limit, ready to be released.

On the stone platform, Master Yuan Shan took a sip of tea and slowly stood up.

"Fellow disciples, the minor examination is about to begin."

"This examination is a comprehensive combat drill. The venue covers the Plum Blossom Stakes, the Quicksand Pit, the Bluestone Rain Path, and the Boulder Beach. Victory is judged not only by attack power but also by footwork, environmental adaptation, and on-the-spot reaction."

"Ultimately, we will select the top five to represent our Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall in the Citywide Newcomer Competition."

"The top three will learn our core fist technique, the Ape Arm Mountain Crushing Fist, and enjoy prioritized access to the martial arts hall's resources."

"Now, draw your lots!" Yuan Shan announced in a deep voice.

Lin Feng stepped forward holding the bamboo tube. The eight new disciples, plus Yuan Lingling, and the six new disciples brought by seniors Wang Meng, Zhao Xue, and Chen Lei—fifteen people in total—stepped forward one by one to draw their lots.

Li He drew a lot and unfolded it to see the number five.

"First match, lot number one versus lot number fifteen. Please prepare yourselves!" Lin Feng announced loudly.

Seeing that their opponent was also a newcomer from the hall, both disciples breathed a sigh of relief. They stepped into the center of the field together, and the battle ignited instantly.

In the end, the disciple with lot number one relied on superior adaptability, seizing an opponent's mistake on the Boulder Beach and forcing him into the Quicksand Pit to win.

The two disciples walked out of the field panting. The disciple with lot number one had a trace of relief on his face, while the disciple with lot number fifteen looked somewhat dejected.

On the stone platform, Master Yuan Shan looked calm. He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the steam, and chatted in low tones with his two other distinguished guests, Sun Zhenhai and Jin Wancai.

Below the stage, the watching disciples also reacted indifferently, unable to muster much interest in this internal contest, which lacked highlights and featured evenly matched skill levels.

The three new disciples, however, remained expressionless, constantly scanning the field as if evaluating the terrain to prepare for their upcoming battles.

"Second match, lot number two versus lot number fourteen. Please prepare yourselves!" Lin Feng's voice broke the brief silence.

The two disciples entered the field in response.

One of them was a new disciple brought by senior Wang Meng, named Yuan Ziheng. He was lean and wiry, with a shrewd glint in his eyes.

His opponent was Shi Lei from the hall.

The battle began.

Yuan Ziheng immediately unleashed the Ape Trace Steps with all his might. His mastery was profound, and his footwork was eerie, moving like a ghost among the Plum Blossom Stakes.

Although Shi Lei had average talent, he was recognized as one of the most hardworking disciples in the hall. He arrived earliest and left latest every day, possessed solid stake skills, steady fist techniques, and a vitality of 12 points, placing him in the upper-middle tier within the hall.

Facing Yuan Ziheng's bizarre footwork, Shi Lei set up his best technique, the Ape Standing Stake, deciding to remain unmoved to counter any changes with stability.

Yuan Ziheng moved like lightning, circling Shi Lei rapidly. His palms flew, stirring up fierce gusts of wind as he continuously attacked Shi Lei's joints and weak points with tricky angles and extreme speed.

Shi Lei blocked with all his might, protecting his body until it was airtight.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Dull sounds of impact rang out continuously. Although he was on the defensive, his solid foundation allowed him to successfully block Yuan Ziheng's tidal wave of attacks.

A few low cheers rang out from the sidelines.

"Go, Senior Brother Shi!"

"Hold the line!"

A flash of impatience crossed Yuan Ziheng's eyes. He suddenly accelerated, making a bizarre turn as he cut in from the direction of the slippery Bluestone Rain Path, delivering a precise, piercing kick that slammed into the outer side of Shi Lei's knee.

"Ah!" Shi Lei groaned in pain. His defense was instantly broken, and he fell to his knees uncontrollably.

Yuan Ziheng showed no mercy, pressing his advantage and chopping the back of Shi Lei's neck with a hand blade.

Bang!

Shi Lei collapsed heavily to the ground, losing his ability to fight. The entire process took less than three minutes.

"So fast!"

"The gap is just too big."

"Even with Senior Brother Shi's solid stake skills, he actually..."

Shi Lei's defeat turned the faces of the other disciples deathly pale.

On the stone platform.

Sun Zhenhai's gaze lingered on Yuan Ziheng for a moment, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"This disciple is not bad," Sun Zhenhai said. Having managed his own hunting team and fought against exotic beasts for years, he understood the cruelty of real combat and most appreciated Yuan Ziheng's ruthless fighting style.

"The disciple is good, but that is also thanks to his master's credit," Jin Wancai said with a chuckle. "Brother Wang Meng, I happen to be preparing to develop a power generation zone in the Abyss Safe Zone and need an expert to hold the fort... After the minor examination ends, shall we all grab a meal together?"

Wang Meng smiled. "Boss Jin, you flatter me. I'm used to being free; training disciples is one thing, but guarding a place for someone else... hehe, I'm afraid I'm not cut out for that. Besides, I just brought this disciple back to the martial arts hall, and his foundation isn't solid yet. I need to keep an eye on him."

Having been rejected, Boss Jin laughed it off and continued watching the match.

Hall Master Yuan Shan remained calm from beginning to end, as if he hadn't heard the conversation at all.

After a brief interlude.

"Third match, draw number three against draw number thirteen, please prepare yourselves!"

As soon as the words fell, Sun Ao slowly stood up.

His figure was tall and straight, his face cold and stern, and a steady, confident aura radiated from him. Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn toward him.

"It's Senior Brother Sun Ao!"

"Great! Senior Brother Sun is the strongest among us new disciples!"

"With Senior Brother Sun here, he will definitely win glory for our martial arts hall!"

The morale that had just been dampened by Yuan Ziheng's victory was reignited the moment Sun Ao's steady figure appeared. Sun Ao was already the anchor in the hearts of the hall's disciples.

Sun Ao's opponent, Miao Shuwen, also stepped into the arena.

His appearance was not as delicate as his name suggested. He was extremely burly, with knotted muscles like an iron tower. He was half a head taller than Li He, with broad shoulders and arms as thick as an average person's thighs.

At the edge of the arena, the recently victorious Yuan Ziheng crossed his arms and called out, "Big Miao, I just secured a win, don't you dare embarrass us."

Miao Shuwen responded with a muffled grunt: "Mm." His voice sounded like rolling thunder.

Sun Ao showed no trace of fear, his face full of fighting spirit. He instantly assumed his stance, and the pure aura belonging to the White Ape Martial Way emanated from his body.

"Begin!" Lin Feng commanded.

Miao Shuwen let out a low roar and lunged straight at Sun Ao, bringing with him a violent, fierce wind.

Facing this heavy and powerful pounce, Sun Ao utilized the Ape Trace Steps, sliding to the side and back to dodge.

Miao Shuwen's strike missed, so he twisted his waist and swept his arm out like a steel whip, creating a whistling wind with a massive range of coverage!

Sun Ao changed his footwork again, tapping his toes on the ground to launch himself upward, dodging with ease.

Miao Shuwen roared repeatedly, his punches and kicks pouring out like a rainstorm, each strike heavy and powerful.

Yet, Sun Ao dodged every single one with ease, his movements elegant, agile, and full of aesthetic beauty. Bursts of exclamation erupted from the sidelines!

"What great footwork!"

"So agile!"

"Senior Brother Sun's footwork is truly superb!"

The ordinary disciples were dazzled, their worries gradually replaced by amazement. Meanwhile, Miao Shuwen, unable to land a hit after a long assault, grew increasingly irritable. He finally revealed an opening, which Sun Ao seized.

Bang!

Sun Ao's whip kick struck his exposed ribs, causing his blood and qi to stagnate. Following that, Sun Ao struck with both hands, executing a Double Peaks Piercing Ears. While his opponent was dizzy and disoriented, he delivered a straight punch to his chin.

With his brain rattled, Miao Shuwen collapsed heavily to the ground.

"The winner has been decided!" Lin Feng announced loudly.