"It's you?"
Commander Li stared at the boy before him in astonishment.
He clearly remembered him: the boy whose physique he had judged weak and insubstantial during the aptitude test.
What was his name again?
Mo Something Fish?
He couldn't quite remember...
Commander Li focused, steadied himself, then considered his words before asking, "What's your name?"
Mo Yun fought to keep the corners of his mouth from rising, scratched his head, and gave an honest, simple smile. "My name's Mo Yun. What's wrong, Commander Li?"
He's finally noticed me. Unless something unexpected happens, I'm in!
Commander Li rolled his eyes at the boy, feeling a slight urge to punch him.
What's wrong?
You're asking me what's wrong?!
Commander Li nearly laughed out of sheer exasperation.
I've been slaving away over this selection, agonizing just a moment ago over who should get the last spot, and you've quietly mastered the basics of the fist art!
And you're asking me what's wrong?
If you had this kind of ability, you should've said so sooner! You've had me wrestling with this decision forever!
After two light coughs, Commander Li said gravely, "Very good, Mo Yun. Perform the test fist art again for me!"
"All right." Mo Yun focused and nodded.
He stepped back twice, adjusted the rhythm of his breathing, then settled into his stance.
The next instant, he moved.
First form: Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain!
Mo Yun planted his feet firmly in the center, lowered his shoulders and elbows, and drove power from his waist and abdomen, abruptly blasting his right fist forward!
The punch was heavy and powerful, carrying an unstoppable momentum like a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey. It even stirred a faint rush of wind!
Commander Li's eyes lit up.
That power delivery, that momentum, that breathing rhythm-everything is right!
Second form: Black Bear Shakes the Tree!
Mo Yun pivoted, his arms curving as though embracing a log, and slammed sideways. He seemed to have truly become a black bear, heavy as a mountain, moving like thunder!
Third form: Spirit Monkey Extends Its Claws!
Fourth form: Flying Bird Enters the Forest!
Every move flowed like drifting clouds and running water, completed in one unbroken sweep!
As Mo Yun reached the end, he seemed to merge with the fist art itself. Every movement was natural, fluid, and strikingly graceful, as though he had practiced this art hundreds or thousands of times!
Bang!
His final punch blasted out, and a faint explosive crack actually sounded in the air!
Mo Yun withdrew his fist and stood upright. His breathing was somewhat hurried, sweat covered his forehead, but his eyes remained bright.
Fortunately, spending points to instill the fist art earlier had strengthened his constitution slightly. Otherwise, this routine would have left him dizzy and exhausted, perhaps even flat on the ground.
After all, he had already performed it four times before this, but Commander Li simply hadn't looked his way.
There was little he could do about that. He had forced his own way into the preliminary selection group and ended up squeezed onto its edge. Moreover, Commander Li had kept his attention on Han Tang, Luo Shan, and the others, unconsciously overlooking Mo Yun's side until now.
Left with no choice, Mo Yun had just been about to step up and volunteer himself.
Meanwhile, silence fell over the entire gathering. All the menial workers were dumbstruck.
"Is-is he even human?"
"He got the fist art to that level in just two hours?"
"I still haven't figured out the first form..."
"How heaven-defying must his comprehension be?"
"We're all menial workers. How can the gap be this huge?"
The menial workers murmured among themselves, looking at Mo Yun with astonishment and envy, and even a trace of unconscious awe.
Beside him, Wang Xuan was utterly stunned, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.
"Mo Yun said he'd had a sudden enlightenment. I thought he was bragging, but he actually meant it?"
At that moment, he felt his cheeks burning.
Who could've imagined that little Dormitory Three, besides having me as its acknowledged Sleeping Dragon, also had Mo Yun hiding there as its Young Phoenix!
Yet the most astonished person at that moment was actually Commander Li.
Others might not understand the significance of bringing the test fist art to this level in two hours, but he understood it perfectly.
A prodigy-an absolute martial prodigy!
Only after a long spell of excitement did he let out a deep, stale breath.
"Good! Good! Excellent! Hahaha!"
He voiced his approval three times in succession, unable to contain the smile on his face any longer.
After laughing for quite some time, he finally took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"Mo Yun, was it? I said earlier that your physique was weak and insubstantial, and unsuitable for martial training..."
Commander Li paused, his tone becoming solemn.
"But now, I take that back!"
"With your comprehension, that little problem with your physique can easily be remedied!"
"You deserve one of the manor's martial training spots!"
Mo Yun already had lower-middle aptitude. Combined with such outstanding comprehension, his future mastery of his blood and qi and advancement to martial warrior were as certain as a nail driven into a board!
As for his weak physique?
Just nourish him with potent medicinal herbs! Crouching Tiger Manor can spare that much!
At that thought, he hastily pulled out his booklet and solemnly wrote down Mo Yun's name. Afterward, he deliberately retraced a couple of strokes, afraid the ink might have dried and left the writing unclear.
Once he finished, Commander Li looked at the five names in the booklet with a satisfied smile.
Han Tang, Luo Shan, Zhang Qiang, Wang Xuan, Mo Yun.
These five were the outstanding talents among this batch of menial workers!
Mo Yun, Han Tang, and Luo Shan in particular were the cream of the crop, worthy of special attention and cultivation!
"All right!"
Commander Li put away the booklet, turned to the crowd, and announced in a ringing voice:
"The assessment for martial training eligibility is now concluded!"
"The final selections are as follows: Han Tang, Luo Shan, Zhang Qiang, Wang Xuan, and Mo Yun!"
"Those whose names were called must report to the training grounds punctually tomorrow at the hour of the Rabbit. Your formal martial training will begin, and I will teach you personally!"
"Those whose names weren't called, don't lose heart. Work hard, and those who perform well will have more chances in the future!"
With that, Commander Li turned and left.
As they watched his figure gradually disappear into the morning light, some rejoiced while others despaired.
All five selected boys, Mo Yun included, wore excited expressions.
Zhang Qiang and Xiao Liu in particular trembled all over with excitement, their eyes even reddening.
"I-I got selected! Boohoo, I'm going back to tell my dad that I, Zhang Qiang, am no good-for-nothing!"
Xiao Liu was even more full of swagger. With a haughty look, he gazed at Mo Yun and said with utmost seriousness:
"Mo Yun, we brothers both got selected! From now on, we'll train together, become grandmasters of our generation, and stride unchallenged across the world!"
Mo Yun nearly fainted from the cringe of his adolescent bravado. Rubbing his brow, he stared wordlessly at the sky.
"Haha, I'm so happy!" Xiao Liu suddenly wiped the corners of his eyes and likewise tilted his head toward the sky, grinning like an idiot.
"Come on. Stop standing there grinning like an idiot. We haven't done today's work yet." Mo Yun shook his head and let out a heavy, stale breath.
As menial workers, they still had to work even after earning the right to train, unless they eventually achieved something tangible in their martial practice.
Yet just then-
Buzzz-
With a hum, a faint tremor suddenly rippled through his mind.
Mo Yun froze. Sensing something, he hurriedly focused his attention on his wrist.
The area of the White Mark, which had always been completely empty, was now trembling faintly. An extremely weak glimmer of white light seemed to be slowly flowing within it!
Mo Yun: "?"
The White Mark had actually reacted?
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