Chapter 395: Innate Divine Strength
Chapter 395: Chapter 395: Innate Divine Strength
"Silence!"
An elderly man in green robes walked onto the plaza. He swept his gaze over the crowd, and a ten-meter-long, cyan Demon Flower covered in sharp serrations materialized behind him. An incredibly terrifying pressure emanated from his body, blanketing everyone present.
Under the crushing weight of that terrifying aura, everyone immediately fell silent.
The green-robed elder pointed to a stone tablet and said coldly, "I am Zhao Tian, the proctor for this test! On that stone tablet is the Basic Skill of our Bi Yao Demon Sect, the Opening Profound Skill! You have the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn to comprehend the Opening Profound Skill. After one hour, you must have condensed Profound Qi. Anyone who fails to do so will be eliminated immediately."
The youths from distinguished families all wore relaxed expressions. They had long since practiced Basic Skills like the Opening Profound Skill; practically all of them had already condensed Profound Qi, making them Martial Disciples.
The youths from poor families swarmed before the stone tablet, staring at the Cultivation Technique recorded upon it with ravenous hunger. Condensing Profound Qi within an hour was their only chance to rise above their station.
A flicker of mockery flashed in Ning Chen’s eyes. ’A bunch of lowly peasants. They think they can comprehend a Profound Skill and condense Profound Qi in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn? It’s not that simple. Only a true genius could possibly comprehend the Opening Profound Skill in such a short time! In the end, this world belongs to us—the Martial Artist Families!’
Every one of the youths from distinguished families had already condensed Profound Qi. Passing the first trial was a foregone conclusion for them.
In the Black Tortoise Realm, Martial Artist Families like the Yuan and Ning Families controlled vast resources. For those from the Lower Class, getting ahead was more than ten times harder than on Blue Star. Only a true genius could break away from the pack, join a sect, become a powerful expert, and then establish a new Martial Artist Family.
’So this is the Opening Profound Skill. It looks simple enough!’
Shu Feng walked up to the stone tablet and examined the inscription. With a mere thought, he circulated his qi and blood, and strands of Profound Qi swiftly began to form inside his body.
’Spiritual Power is an Extraordinary Power created by absorbing Spiritual Power Particles from the world and combining them with one’s own Life Energy. Profound Qi, on the other hand, is an Extraordinary Power created when the body’s Life Energy absorbs Profound Qi Particles.’
’A strong body provides a greater advantage when cultivating Profound Qi!’
The Opening Profound Skill had four layers in total. Shu Feng effortlessly generated a current of Profound Qi within his body and then broke through one layer after another. In less than half an hour, he had completely mastered all four layers of the Opening Profound Skill. A vortex of Profound Qi formed in his Dantian, and he became a Martial Artist.
「An hour later.」
Zhao Tian said flatly, "Time is up. Now, channel your Profound Qi! Anyone unable to do so is eliminated!"
Everyone present began to channel their Profound Qi. The hundred-plus youths from the Martial Arts Families did so with ease. Among those from impoverished backgrounds, only five barely managed to channel any Profound Qi.
Ning Chen smiled faintly as a stream of light cyan Profound Qi appeared behind him, emitting the fluctuations of a Peak Level Martial Artist.
Zhao Tian nodded to himself. ’This kid’s not bad! The Ning Family has produced another genius. He has the potential to become an Inner Sect Disciple in the future.’
Yuan Ling’Er smiled proudly as a stream of pure cyan Profound Qi appeared behind her, emitting the fluctuations of a Peak Level Martial Master.
Zhao Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of admiration in them. ’How formidable. As expected of Yuan Xian’Er’s sister! Her Talent is truly immense!’
Among these teenagers, reaching the cultivation of a Martial Disciple was already quite good, and possessing the cultivation of a Martial Artist was enough to be considered a genius. Yuan Ling’Er, with her Profound Qi Cultivation at the Peak Level of a Martial Master, was leagues beyond Ning Chen.
Shu Feng channeled his Profound Qi, and a stream of light cyan Profound Qi appeared directly behind him, emitting the fluctuations of a Peak Level Martial Artist.
Zhao Tian’s gaze fell upon Shu Feng, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. ’This kid’s Talent isn’t bad either, to actually possess the Profound Qi Cultivation of a Peak Martial Artist. Which family is he from?’
"Those who have been eliminated, leave the mountain at once!"
At Zhao Tian’s command, two-thirds of the youths present departed, leaving just over a hundred remaining.
"The next test is for your Power!"
With a wave of his hand, Zhao Tian had several burly men emerge from the side, carrying over stone locks weighing five hundred, one thousand, three thousand, five thousand, and ten thousand pounds, respectively.
Zhao Tian said flatly, "Anyone who cannot lift the five-hundred-pound stone lock is immediately eliminated! The heavier the lock you lift, the better your score. With a good score, you will receive more attention in the Lower Courtyard and may earn the right to compete for a spot in the tests at the Bi Yao Demon Sect Headquarters."
"I’ll go!"
A youth in green robes stepped before the five-hundred-pound stone lock. He strained to lift it, frantically channeling his Profound Qi until his face was bright red, yet only managed to make the heavy lock wobble slightly.
Zhao Tian said icily, "Eliminated! Next!"
Seven youths quickly stepped forward, but only one of them managed to struggle to lift the five-hundred-pound stone lock. The rest were all eliminated.
"Next!"
Ning Chen stepped forward with a smile, grabbed the five-hundred-pound lock with one hand, and lifted it with ease. He then channeled his Profound Qi, casually hoisted the one-thousand-pound lock, and set it back down.
Zhao Tian nodded in satisfaction. "Pass! Next!"
Yuan Ling’Er smiled proudly and walked directly to the three-thousand-pound stone lock. With a grasp of her fair hand, she channeled her Profound Qi, lifted the heavy lock, and casually tossed it aside.
"Pass! Next!"
A look of satisfaction also flashed in Zhao Tian’s eyes.
Shu Feng silently emerged from the crowd and walked straight toward the ten-thousand-pound stone lock.
A flicker of mockery flashed in Ning Chen’s eyes. ’The ten-thousand-pound lock! This guy is just a show-off.’
A glint of curiosity flashed in Yuan Ling’Er’s eyes. ’What on earth is this guy trying to do?’
Shu Feng reached the ten-thousand-pound stone lock, grabbed it with one hand, and lifted it into the air. He swung it around a few times with ease before tossing it onto the ground.
THUD!!
The ten-thousand-pound stone lock made a heavy sound as it crashed to the ground.
Ning Chen stared, dumbfounded, his eyes filled with disbelief. ’How is that possible? How could a mere Martial Artist possibly lift such a heavy stone lock?’
A strange light flashed in Yuan Ling’Er’s lovely eyes. ’This guy... how is his Power even greater than mine?’
A look of excitement flashed in Zhao Tian’s eyes. ’Innate Divine Strength! It’s Innate Divine Strength! Haha! This is wonderful! As long as we cultivate his talent, our Bikong Mountain will have another genius to send to the Bi Yao Demon Sect Headquarters!’