Ten-Day Minor Examination

"Daniu, what exactly does the Minor Exam test?"

Fang Han glanced at Li Daniu beside him and asked in a low voice.

"Just two things."

Li Daniu counted on his fingers as he continued, "First, the Inner-Court senior brothers assess our progress in the Gale-Breaking Fist—how many forms we've learned, and whether our punches have any power.

"The second test is strength.

"See those sandbags hanging over there? They're filled with Soft Sand. You throw a punch with all your strength, and they see how deep the fist mark is."

Fang Han looked toward the front of the crowd, where several sandbags hung from a wooden frame.

"Soft Sand?"

Seeing that Fang Han still did not know what Soft Sand was, Li Daniu patiently explained.

"Soft Sand has a fine texture, but it clumps together especially easily. Many martial arts schools use it to make sandbags, so disciples can practice their punches.

"With ten jin of punching force, you can leave a one-fen-deep fist mark on a Soft Sand Bag.

"With a hundred jin of punching force, you can leave a one-inch-deep fist mark on a Soft Sand Bag.

"This Soft Sand absorbs punching force and provides cushioning. A full-force punch won't injure apprentices like us who haven't condensed Blood Qi yet."

Fang Han's heart stirred.

There was a test like this?

He lowered his gaze and swept it over his hands.

He had already condensed two strands of Blood Qi, and his Gale-Breaking Fist had reached Minor Accomplishment.

If he struck with all his strength, how deep a fist mark could he leave on that Soft Sand Bag?

"Quiet."

A calm voice came from the front of the crowd. Everyone present immediately closed their mouths and stopped whispering.

Fang Han looked up and saw Senior Brother Huo, tall and composed, walking steadily to the front of the crowd. His gaze swept indifferently across everyone.

Behind Senior Brother Huo were three other Inner-Court Direct Disciples, as well as Senior Sister Lin from the Outer Court.

Senior Brother Huo's aura seemed even more profound than the last time I saw him, Fang Han thought silently.

The three Inner-Court Direct Disciples behind Senior Brother Huo had distinct temperaments, but every one of them had piercing eyes and slightly raised temples. Clearly, their martial cultivation was far from ordinary.

Lin Rou walked at the rear, holding a booklet and a brush, responsible for recording this Minor Exam.

Huo Zheng came to a stop and spoke slowly in an even tone.

"The rules for this Ten-Day Minor Examination remain the same. The first test assesses your progress in the Gale-Breaking Fist. The three junior brothers and I will judge it."

According to the martial arts school's rules, Outer Court apprentices did not yet count as the master's disciples. Thus, Huo Zheng addressed them all as "everyone" rather than "junior brothers."

"The second test assesses your strength. Each person will strike the sandbag with full force, and your strength will be measured by the depth of the fist mark."

"After the assessment, the top ten in the overall rankings will receive shares of the martial arts school's Blood-Qi Soup.

"First place receives five bowls of Blood-Qi Soup, second place four bowls, and third place three bowls. Fourth and fifth place receive two bowls each, while sixth through tenth place receive one bowl each."

"Begin."

As Huo Zheng's words fell, the training ground fell silent once more.

According to the usual rules of the Minor Exam, the assessment order followed the previous rankings from lowest to highest. Those ranked lower went first, while those ranked higher took the finale.

This was Fang Han's first assessment, so he had no ranking and was naturally placed last.

"The most exciting part of every Minor Exam is watching those powerful people make their moves."

Li Daniu lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.

Fang Han nodded slightly and fixed his eyes on the field.

Most of the first batch of apprentices being assessed had joined the martial arts school only recently, just ten days or half a month before Fang Han.

Thus, their Gale-Breaking Fist had only just reached Entry, and their forms were stiff and unpracticed.

Huo Zheng and the others merely took a glance before giving their scores. Most received middle or lower C grades.

The occasional one or two who managed to display a bit of momentum received no more than an upper C grade.

"Next, Sun Ping," Lin Rou's voice rang out again.

A lean youth with sharp eyes stepped out from the crowd.

Fang Han looked toward Sun Ping and noticed that not only was he thin, but his arms were unusually long and slender, while his steps were extremely light. At a glance, it was clear that he specialized in movement techniques.

"Sun Ping ranked fifth last time. He's pretty impressive," Li Daniu said quietly.

Fifth among the Outer Court apprentices?

That truly was impressive.

Fang Han remained silent as he watched Sun Ping throw his punches. He found that Sun Ping's punching angles were extremely tricky, and combined with his agile footwork, he moved forward and back with natural ease.

After watching Sun Ping demonstrate his punches, Huo Zheng gave his evaluation in an indifferent tone. "Your movement techniques are passable, but your punching force is lacking. Lower B."

Sun Ping's expression did not change. He cupped his fists, then walked to the Soft Sand Bag, gathered his strength, and punched.

Bang!

The sandbag gave a dull thud.

Lin Rou stepped forward to inspect it. "The fist mark is two inches and nine fen deep."

"Two hundred ninety jin. Only ten jin more punching force than the last Minor Exam?"

Sun Ping's face darkened slightly. Clearly, he was dissatisfied with the result.

He stepped aside with a grim expression, his fists clenched tightly as he said nothing.

Li Daniu muttered quietly, "Sun Ping doesn't seem too happy. Nearly three hundred jin of punching force is still far stronger than mine..."

"Next, Cao Xuan."

The moment Lin Rou's voice fell, a wave of low discussion rose across the training ground.

"It's finally Cao Xuan's turn!"

"His fist mark was three inches and seven fen last time. I wonder how much it's improved this time?"

"I heard his Gale-Breaking Fist is about to reach Major Accomplishment!"

"Tsk, tsk. Natural brute strength really is different. After three months of training, I'd be happy with over two hundred fifty jin of punching force. He's already charging straight toward four hundred!"

Fang Han looked over and saw Cao Xuan, tall and powerfully built, walking out of the crowd.

"This guy's physique... he was practically born for martial arts!"

Cao Xuan had a rugged face, thick brows, large eyes, and tightly pressed lips. His entire body exuded a fierce, overbearing aura.

He walked into the field without saying much. He lowered his stance slightly, threw both fists, and then followed with punch after punch, each one incomparably fierce as the wind from his fists surged.

A flash of surprise crossed Huo Zheng's eyes, and he gave rare praise.

"Your fist forms are fierce, your power flows through them smoothly, and you're only one step away from Major Accomplishment. Upper B."

Upper B!

This was the highest score Huo Zheng had given so far in today's Minor Exam.

The three Inner-Court Direct Disciples standing beside him also began discussing and commenting.

"Cao Xuan is indeed not bad. He has trained at the school for three months, yet his Gale-Breaking Fist is already close to Major Accomplishment. His comprehension is good."

"Indeed. He possesses both natural brute strength and considerable talent for martial arts."

"Once his fist technique reaches Major Accomplishment, condensing Blood Qi will come naturally. Entering the Inner Court then will be no problem."

Their words made it clear that they thought highly of Cao Xuan.

When Cao Xuan heard the upper B evaluation, a trace of pride appeared on his rugged face. However, he quickly restrained it and walked directly to the Soft Sand Bag.

The discussions on the training ground grew louder.

"His fist mark was three inches and seven fen last time—that was a full three hundred seventy jin of punching force!"

"...That's terrifying..."

"I feel like Cao Xuan could punch me to death with one hit..."

"Nearly four hundred jin of punching force! My heavens, when will I ever become that fierce?"

"You? Train for another two and a half years."

Cao Xuan stood before the Soft Sand Bag, took a deep breath, then suddenly gathered his strength and threw a punch.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath.

Fang Han watched with intense focus as well, his gaze locked onto Cao Xuan's right fist, as large as a sandbag.

Bang!!

His right fist erupted with force. The three-hundred-jin Soft Sand Bag shook back and forth, creaking loudly.

Some people on the training ground quietly guessed at the depth of the fist mark. Lin Rou stepped forward and carefully measured it with a bamboo ruler before announcing in a cool voice.

"Cao Xuan, fist mark: four inches and two fen."