A-Grade Trial

Yang Hui shifted his fist into a palm and bent his arm, striking the spine of the Qingming Sword with his right hand. The force contained within the blow knocked the sword off course, and he followed through with a left hook aimed at Guan Ning's chest. Guan Ning felt the power radiating from Yang Hui's palm; it was clear that the War God before him was now serious.

He knew that although Yang Hui was constrained by his status as a special envoy and couldn't fully vent his frustration, he was still annoyed that Guan Ning had knocked the battle blade from his hand, and the force behind his movements had naturally increased.

Guan Ning tapped his toes against the ground, his body spinning in a circle along the trajectory of the deflected Qingming Sword. Not only did he dodge the left hook aimed at his chest, but he also carved an arc through the air with the Qingming Sword, slashing horizontally toward Yang Hui's neck.

Even though this was an assessment, Guan Ning did not hold back; besides, he didn't believe for a second that he could actually harm Yang Hui.

Yang Hui was not wearing a combat suit, and the Qingming Sword before him was merely a decorative piece that wouldn't cause him any injury, so he could have easily ignored it. However, since this was an examination, Yang Hui still took a step back to let the sword pass.

The horizontal slash of the Qingming Sword came to an abrupt halt as Guan Ning lunged forward, thrusting the blade directly toward Yang Hui's throat.

Yang Hui was impressed by this sudden thrust and immediately responded.

He leaned his upper body backward to dodge the sword, his feet remaining as firmly planted as iron nails. Maintaining a "bridge" posture, he rotated on the spot. Once he was close enough to Guan Ning, he reached out with both hands to grab the young man's legs.

The moment Yang Hui dodged the sword, Guan Ning regained control of it and brought it down in a vertical chop, intending to split him in two.

He never expected Yang Hui's physical coordination to be so high that he could execute such a maneuver, and he sighed inwardly, As expected of a War God.

Seeing Yang Hui's hands about to seize his legs, Guan Ning leaped into the air. Although he lacked the time to build up momentum, he still managed to jump over a meter away.

Before Guan Ning could catch his breath, Yang Hui's figure sprang forward like a coiled spring, appearing before him in an instant and gripping the wrist of the hand holding the Qingming Sword.

Guan Ning was shocked by Yang Hui's lightning-fast movements and hurriedly exerted force to break free, but the hand clamped around his wrist was like an iron vice, refusing to budge.

Knowing he had lost, Guan Ning stopped his futile struggle and said, "Mr. Yang, I concede."

"You understand the big picture and know when to advance or retreat. Good, good, good!"

Seeing Guan Ning concede, Yang Hui released his grip, the look of admiration in his eyes growing even more intense as he praised him repeatedly.

With the assessment over, Qian Yun, Yu Sen, and Zhou Zhengyong walked over.

Seeing Zhou Zhengyong approach, Yang Hui laughed and said, "Iron Hand, this Jiangnan Base City of yours is truly a land of fortune. In just a few days, a Luo Feng and a Guan Ning have appeared. It makes me want to apply to headquarters to become the branch president myself."

With Zhou Zhengyong's keen eye, he could naturally see that Guan Ning's swordsmanship had not only reached the "Mastery-Level" but was also highly refined, and he was naturally overjoyed.

Discovering two geniuses in such a short time—both of whom were guaranteed spots in the Basic Training Camp and had the potential for the Elite Training Camp—meant that as the branch president, his rewards would be extremely generous, so he was naturally ecstatic.

Hearing Yang Hui's words and knowing he was joking, he replied in kind, "How about I hand this presidency over to you?"

Yang Hui was instantly choked up. He craved freedom and would never allow himself to be bound by the duties of a branch president, so he gave a dry laugh: "You, you haven't changed even after all these years."

After the pleasantries, he looked at Guan Ning and said, "Your swordsmanship has indeed reached the second realm, 'Mastery,' so you have passed the assessment."

He then asked the question that had been puzzling him: "What is going on with your strength? How did it suddenly increase by so much?"

Hearing that he had passed the assessment, Guan Ning was incredibly excited; this meant he was about to enter a new, broader, and greater world.

Just as he was about to answer, he saw Yang Hui point to the Punch Strength Tester in the corner of the martial arts hall and say, "Go and test your physical data."

Guan Ning adjusted his breathing slightly, then moved like a nimble monkey, his fist carving an arc through the air.

"Boom!"

A deep sound, like a strike against a drumhead, echoed through the room. The target vibrated violently, and the screen of the Punch Strength Tester immediately displayed a line of numbers: "4568kg."

Next was speed: "93.4m/s."

Neural reaction speed: "Mid-Level Warlord Rank, Excellent."

"Hiss! Based on general physical data, a punch strength between 4,000 and 8,000 kilograms is the High-Level Warrior Rank! To increase by over a thousand kilograms in half a month—this is truly terrifying."

Yu Sen said excitedly. Watching a junior like Guan Ning rise felt like witnessing the day humanity would reclaim its status as the masters of Earth.

Even Yu Sen had not expected that the rookie martial artist he had invested in half a month ago would reach this stage so quickly.

Setting aside High-Level Warriors, even a Low-Level Warlord would not be held in high regard by War Gods like Zhou Zhengyong or Yang Hui. However, to advance from a Quasi-Warrior to a High-Level Warrior in half a month was terrifying; even with their experience, they had seen very few people achieve such a feat.

"Not bad. I originally thought your comprehension was just exaggerated, which is why you were able to master the second level of movement and sword techniques at such a young age without a teacher. Now it seems your physical fitness is even more exaggerated."

"Without a Guiding Technique, relying solely on the 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven' cultivation method, you increased your strength by over a thousand kilograms in just half a month—an average of over a hundred kilograms per day. Even in the Elite Training Camp, there are few who can match that."

"The most exaggerated part is your neural reaction speed. Your physical fitness is at the High-Level Warrior rank, yet your neural reaction speed has reached the 'Excellent' level of a Mid-Level Warlord—several tiers higher."

"Your strength has indeed met the requirements to enter the Elite Training Camp."

Yang Hui looked at Guan Ning as if he were examining a rare, priceless treasure.

Hearing Yang Hui's praise, Guan Ning appeared excited on the surface, but his heart remained as still as water. This was partly due to the influence of Taoist classics and partly because he knew exactly why his progress was so rapid.

If not for the extra cultivation time gained from his soul's metamorphosis, how could he have attained the physical fitness of a High-Level Warrior?

As for his neural reaction speed, that was also a result of the soul's metamorphosis. Although he hadn't awakened spiritual telekinesis, the benefits brought by the transformation were obvious; not only had his neural reaction speed increased significantly, but his comprehension had also improved. Otherwise, even with his solid foundation, he might not have been able to grasp the second level of his sword technique.

"However—I must apply to the higher-ups. I need to contact Inspector Wang."

Having to contact the Inspector twice in just three days, Yang Hui couldn't help but offer a wry smile.

Under normal circumstances, within the Jiangnan Base City, the Limit Martial Hall would select two or three geniuses every year to be sent to the 'Basic Training Camp.'

But the 'Elite Training Camp' was different!

In the entire Jiangnan Base City, with its population of two hundred million, only one person was typically selected for the 'Elite Training Camp' every five years! And with the Huaxia Nation having only six base cities, it could be said that out of a population of over a billion, only one such talent was chosen each year!

Therefore, the "Elite Training Camp" could only be decided by the higher-ups.

"Beep, beep..."

"Hello!"

A low, hoarse voice echoed throughout the entire audiovisual room.

"Inspector!" Yang Hui, Zhou Zhengyong, and the others immediately stood up, looking extremely respectful.

Inspector!

Within the Limit Martial Hall, their status was second only to the founder, Hong. According to the rules of the Limit Martial Hall, any warrior who could become an "existence surpassing the War God" would directly be granted the position of Inspector. In other words, an Inspector was an existence that surpassed the War God level!

"Oh, Yang Hui, wasn't the matter regarding Luo Feng already resolved? What is the issue now?" the Inspector's voice came through.

"Inspector, this time it is not about Luo Feng, but another genius in Jiangnan Base City named Guan Ning," Yang Hui said.

"Guan Ning? Tell me the details." The Inspector knew Yang Hui was a steady person, so he prompted him to continue.

"Guan Ning, seventeen years old. He passed the Quasi-Warrior assessment on February 16th and the actual combat assessment on March 1st. Relying solely on the Five Hearts Toward Heaven cultivation method, his physical fitness reached the 'High-level Warrior' tier in just half a month, and his nerve reaction speed has even reached the 'Intermediate Warlord level excellent' standard."

"After my own practical combat testing, his movement techniques and sword skills have both reached the second level, and he is extremely proficient."

"I believe he is fully qualified to enter the Elite Training Camp, which is why I am reporting this to you."

Although Yang Hui's tone was calm, his expression grew increasingly excited.

"Oh?"

There was a slight silence from the Inspector's side. The audiovisual room was also completely quiet; Yang Hui and Zhou Zhengyong both remained silent, not daring to interrupt.

Guan Ning also waited quietly, though his palms were slightly sweaty, revealing his inner anxiety.

"You! You really are causing me trouble. You just finished with the Luo Feng matter the day before yesterday, and now you're bringing me a Guan Ning. Really..."

Although the Inspector did not finish his sentence, everyone present understood what he meant.

Did I fail... It's fine, even the Basic Training Camp can accelerate my growth.

Guan Ning's heart was filled with frustration, and he lowered his head. However, he immediately lifted it again, a strange brilliance flashing in his eyes. His temperament changed; where he had previously seemed to blend into the crowd, he now stood like a sharp sword, unyielding and unbreakable.

Yang Hui and the others were startled by Guan Ning's change and looked at him in succession.

"Inspector..."

As an instructor for the Elite Training Camp, Yang Hui cherished geniuses deeply and wanted to discuss it further with the Inspector.

"Yang Hui, just bring him directly to the Elite Training Camp when the time comes," the Inspector's steady voice came through.

"Does he need to undergo an assessment?" Yang Hui asked responsibly.

"Assessment..." The Inspector was silent for a moment before saying, "The A-Grade Trial. If he passes, let him enter the Elite Training Camp." The Inspector's hoarse voice echoed in the audiovisual room.

"Yes."

Yang Hui responded respectfully.

"Beep." The call had already been disconnected.

Only then did Yang Hui and Zhou Zhengyong breathe a sigh of relief. A War God powerhouse and an "existence surpassing the War God" might seem only a step apart, but in terms of strength and status, the difference was immense! An existence surpassing the War God could single-handedly raze a city of ten million people and negotiate on equal terms with a superpower nation.