Ranking

The assessment began.

One Outer Court apprentice after another stepped forward to demonstrate their fist techniques before Zheng Hongfeng.

Some struck with fierce momentum, their punches powerful and forceful, earning waves of praise.

Others were timid and hesitant, their moves unfamiliar, retreating in disgrace.

Fang Han stood among the crowd, watching every person who stepped up without blinking.

He silently committed their strength, techniques, and punching force to memory.

By the time it was his turn, half an hour had passed.

Fang Han stepped out from the crowd and stopped three paces before Zheng Hongfeng.

He cupped his fists in salute, his expression as calm as still water, without the slightest hint of nervousness.

Zheng Hongfeng lowered his head to glance at the roster and called out, "Fang Han."

Fang Han responded, assumed his stance, and began demonstrating the Gale-Breaking Fist.

His movements were neither fast nor slow. Every move was executed properly, his fist wind whistling as his robes fluttered.

But he deliberately held back some of his strength, revealing none of his true ability.

When he reached the middle portion of the routine,

he intentionally inserted slight pauses between several moves that should have flowed together.

It made the entire fist technique look orderly, yet lacking the smoothness of an unbroken flow.

After throwing the final punch, he withdrew his stance and stood still, his breathing slightly uneven and fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Zheng Hongfeng nodded faintly and wrote an evaluation on the roster. "Fist technique, Grade B Superior."

During the subsequent test of punching force, Fang Han similarly held back, leaving only a fist mark two inches and nine-tenths deep in the Soft Sand bag.

Punching force: two inches and nine-tenths.

This result was not poor in the Outer Court, but it was certainly not outstanding either.

Proper and unremarkable.

Fang Han's expression did not change. He cupped his fists again, then turned and stepped down.

The final rankings came out quickly.

Fang Han plummeted from fourth place in the previous Minor Exam to twenty-seventh.

When the result was announced, low murmurs rose across the training ground.

Yet most Outer Court apprentices were not surprised by this result. They even felt it was only natural.

After all, in everyone's eyes,

Fang Han had only managed to take fourth place in the last Minor Exam because Senior Brother Huo had deliberately gone easy on him.

No matter what, in the eyes of the vast majority, Fang Han's true strength did not deserve a place in the top ten.

His fall to twenty-seventh this time merely exposed his true colors.

"Fang Han, don't lose heart." A rough voice came from behind him.

Fang Han turned around and saw Li Daniu.

Li Daniu patted Fang Han on the shoulder and grinned.

"Do well on the next exam, and you'll definitely improve. I was ranked in the forties last time, but I made it into the top thirty-five this time."

Fang Han gave an "Mm" and said nothing more, only nodding slightly.

Huo Zheng's gaze crossed the layers of people and settled on Fang Han.

His brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of confusion flashed through his eyes.

During the previous Minor Exam, he had personally watched Fang Han demonstrate the Gale-Breaking Fist.

That fist technique had flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, with heavy, powerful punching force. It had been nothing like today's utterly unremarkable performance.

He always felt Fang Han's strength should not have been so lacking that he could not even enter the top ten.

But since Fang Han had chosen to hide his abilities, he must have had his reasons.

Senior Brother Huo gave Fang Han a thoughtful look, but ultimately said nothing and withdrew his gaze.

The assessment continued.

Half an hour later, all the Outer Court apprentices had completed their assessments.

As expected, the first-ranked apprentice was still the genius Zhao Jing.

Su Yuheng ranked second.

Cao Xuan ranked third.

Fourth, fifth, and sixth belonged to three other powerful Outer Court apprentices.

The rankings had been decided.

Zheng Hongfeng stood before the crowd, swept his gaze across the field, and announced in a voice like a great bell.

"The top six Outer Court apprentices will travel with Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy to the outskirts of the Transverse Mountains in three days for the Demon-Hunting Trial!"

"At that time, three true disciples from the Inner Court will accompany you to protect your safety."

After saying that, he spoke no further and turned to leave in long strides.

The several true disciples of the Inner Court also dispersed one after another, each going about their own business.

On the training ground,

quite a few Outer Court apprentices gathered around Zhao Jing and began showering him with praise.

"Senior Brother Zhao is mighty! In this Demon-Hunting Trial, Senior Brother Zhao will definitely take first place!"

"Of course! Senior Brother Zhao is the number one figure in the Outer Court. Who at Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy can compare with him?"

"Senior Brother Zhao, when the time comes, please look after your little brother!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Zhao Jing's lips curled upward slightly, his expression arrogant.

He accepted all their flattery without hesitation, nodding faintly from time to time as though it were only right.

Seeing that the academy master had already left, Fang Han did not linger.

He turned and walked toward a corner of the training ground, found a secluded spot with no one around, and began practicing his fists.

The Gale-Breaking Fist.

Punch after punch, each carrying fierce momentum.

He did not need empty fame, nor did he need pointless flattery.

What he needed was strength—real strength that would allow him to survive in this dog-eat-dog world.

With every punch, he focused completely, free of distractions.

He practiced every move of the Gale-Breaking Fist to the limit, again and again, without knowing fatigue.

However, while he did not seek trouble, trouble came looking for him.

Someone around Zhao Jing noticed Fang Han practicing in the corner.

A sharp-faced youth rolled his eyes and spoke in a mocking tone.

"Oh, look over there. Fang Han is practicing again. How diligent. What a pity, what a pity. With inferior bones, he could practice for a lifetime and still not compare to a single finger of Senior Brother Zhao."

"Exactly. I thought he was impressive after placing fourth last time, but it turned out Senior Brother Huo had gone easy on him. Now his true colors are showing, aren't they? Twenty-seventh place. Tsk, tsk, what a disgrace."

"Exactly, exactly."

"The most infuriating thing is that Senior Brother Huo actually values someone like him. Senior Brother Zhao has extraordinary talent and exceptional strength, yet Senior Brother Huo does not focus his attention on Senior Brother Zhao. Instead, he looks after some mud-legged nobody. Isn't that a waste of heaven's gifts?"

As Zhao Jing listened, a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He tilted his head slightly and cast an arrogant glance at Fang Han.

That look was like the one he would give an ant, filled with utter contempt.

What tricks could some mud-legged nobody from Mud Bay Alley, with inferior bones, possibly pull?

No matter how hard he practiced, it would all be in vain.

Before absolute talent, effort was worthless.

Zhao Jing withdrew his gaze, spared Fang Han no further look, and led his group of followers away.

Fang Han turned a deaf ear to them, as though those mocking words had nothing to do with him.

Every punch he threw was steady and solid. Without his noticing, his proficiency in the Gale-Breaking Fist slowly but firmly increased.

The sun slanted westward, and dusk closed in.

Fang Han finished a day of training, packed his things, left the academy, and set out for home.

As usual, he chose secluded, dimly lit alleys.

He wound through turn after turn, making sure no one followed behind him before pushing open the gate to his home.

The courtyard was quiet, and the fragrance of food drifted out from the kitchen.

His younger sister Fang Rui was squatting in the courtyard playing with pebbles. When she saw Fang Han return, she happily rushed over and called, "Second Brother!"

Fang Han rubbed her head, then went into the kitchen to help his mother carry out the dishes and rice.

After the family finished dinner, Fang Han returned to his room and lay on the bed without changing clothes.

The night was deep and all was silent.

Occasional insect chirps came from outside the window, intermittent, as though telling some story.

Fang Han rested both hands beneath his head and stared at the mottled beams overhead as he silently calculated.

The Demon-Hunting Trial would begin in three days.

For these three days, he had decided to stay home and not go out.

He would make full use of the Nourishing Essence Pill's effects, have the Martial Soul Avatar train the Nine Flood Dragon Palms at full speed, and break through to the perfected level!

He would strive to cultivate the Nine Flood Dragon Palms to perfection before the Demon-Hunting Trial began and condense five strands of Blood Qi!

Added to the five strands he had already condensed, that would make ten strands of Blood Qi in total!

He would then make a single push for the Body Tempering First Layer, raising his strength to another level.

That way,

during the two academies' Demon-Hunting Trial three days later, he would be more confident in hiding in the shadows and dealing with Chen You.

A cold glint flashed through Fang Han's eyes.

If he did not eliminate this threat soon, it would eventually bring about disaster.

The Demon-Hunting Trial was his best opportunity.

Fang Han took out a Nourishing Essence Pill from his robes, placed it in his mouth, and closed his eyes.

The medicinal power spread through him, clearing his mind as his consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness.

With a thought from Fang Han, the Martial Soul Avatar responded and began practicing the Nine Flood Dragon Palms.

Palm after palm, round after round.

It moved with incredible speed, as swift as wind and lightning.

For the next three days, Fang Han never stepped outside, remaining at home the entire time.

During the day,

he shut himself in his room and sat cross-legged, sinking his consciousness into his sea of consciousness and having the Martial Soul Avatar frantically practice the Nine Flood Dragon Palms.

At night,

he continued taking Nourishing Essence Pills, training through the night without tiring.

When hungry, he ate a few coarse grain cakes his mother left on the table. When thirsty, he drank a bowl of cold water.

His entire body and mind were immersed in cultivation, deaf to everything outside.

Outside Mud Bay Alley...

Skinny Monkey and two underlings squatted at the entrance of Mud Bay Alley for three days straight.

They stared unblinkingly into the depths of the alley, waiting for Fang Han to appear.

On the first day, Fang Han did not appear.

On the second day, Fang Han still did not appear.

On the third day...

the final day they had agreed upon, Fang Han still did not appear.

Skinny Monkey squatted beneath an old locust tree at the alley entrance, a dry blade of grass between his teeth, his brows furrowed tightly enough to crush a fly.

He had originally planned to barge directly into Fang Han's home, drag the boy out, and deal with him.

But on second thought, the Dragon King Gang's reputation in Mud Bay Alley would be utterly ruined.

If they openly broke into a private home to commit murder, they would likely provoke public outrage and invite unnecessary trouble.

Besides, such blatant behavior would inevitably draw the authorities' attention.

Although the authorities in the Outer City existed in name only and turned a blind eye to gang conflicts,

a murder case would still be difficult to explain away.

After roaming the underworld for so many years, Skinny Monkey knew well that some things could be done and some could not. Even things that could be done had to be done discreetly, without leaving evidence behind.

That was why he had chosen to wait at the alley entrance, using the most covert method to eliminate Fang Han without anyone knowing.

Once Fang Han left Mud Bay Alley, they could find an empty corner, bring down a blade, clean and swift, then toss the corpse into the Dragon King River without anyone the wiser.

But he had never imagined that Fang Han would not leave home for three consecutive days.

One of his underlings could not help asking quietly, "Brother Monkey, do you think that kid got wind of it and already ran away?"

Skinny Monkey shook his head, spat out the dry grass, and lowered his voice.

"No. I already asked around. That kid has not come out since returning home.

"Besides, his family is still there. His mother goes in and out of the courtyard every day, and his little sister still plays by the door. It is unlikely that he ran away."

Another underling scratched his head, looking troubled. "Then what do we do? Just keep waiting?"

Skinny Monkey narrowed his eyes and looked at the sky.

The sun was slanting westward, dusk was approaching, and the third day was nearly over.

He gritted his teeth, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"Wait until tonight."

Skinny Monkey spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable ruthlessness.

"Wait until dark. If he still doesn't come out, then we'll..."

He raised his right hand, pressed his fingers together, and slowly drew them across his throat in a slashing gesture.

Skinny Monkey withdrew his hand and stared into the depths of the alley with a sinister gaze, a cold curve lifting at the corner of his mouth.

He planned to burn Fang Han's home to the ground.

That way, although it would cause a bigger commotion, no one could be sure who had done it.

In the dead of night, one fire would burn everything clean.

By dawn, nothing would remain but ruins.

As for whether Fang Han would burn to death or escape amid the chaos, he would adapt as the situation demanded.

In short.

Having taken the hall master's silver, he had to get the job done.

As dusk deepened, cooking smoke curled up from Mud Bay Alley.

Skinny Monkey and his two subordinates concealed themselves in the shadows like three venomous snakes lurking in the grass, patiently awaiting the fall of night.