Chapter 32: The Test
Chapter 32: The Test
“What?”
“Heavens!”
“Is he insane?”
“He’s actually tossing away such a golden opportunity?”
“Does he still think he’s the prodigy from before?”
Upon hearing Tang Jinbiao’s words, exclamations of shock erupted among the crowd.
No one could fathom why Tang Jinbiao would choose to give up such an excellent chance.
Though these people weren’t clear about Tang Jinbiao’s exact strength, he was, after all, once regarded as a genius; tales about him had never been scarce, especially becoming even more frequent over the past year. It was just that Tang Jinbiao, avoiding all social interactions, remained unaware.
Tang Jinbiao was now dismissed as a lowly Body Refiner among the Tang Family disciples, something everyone undoubtedly knew. While his exact prowess remained unclear, common sense dictated he couldn’t have achieved anything significant in less than a year. Placing him in the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer group was deliberately designed to grant him more victories; yesterday’s match was fixed in his favor. These unusual rules were secretly agreed upon by the Third Elder and other Elders behind the scenes. This clearly indicated the Third Elder was likely truly poisoned by whatever Huang Biaozi had said.
“Boy, stop spacing out. Get up here quickly! No one dares speak against you. Win three matches today, combined with yesterday’s victory, and tomorrow this old man will arrange easy opponents for you. Acquiring ten wins will pose no issue. Then you’ll be eligible for Divine Wind Academy’s entrance exams! I’ll even arrange connections over there. Within ten years, you’ll reach heights you can’t even imagine!”
The Third Elder was momentarily stunned upon hearing this but swiftly recovered, a slight change crossing his face. He mentally transmitted his words once more.
If not for Huang Biaozi’s influence, not only would the current Tang Jinbiao mean nothing to him, even the prodigy Tang Jinbiao from the past wouldn’t warrant his attention. Who knew what exactly Huang Biaozi had told him to make him so fervently supportive? Beyond regular training, every request for Elixirs or medicinal herbs was granted—always the best quality, no less. Consequently, in less than a year, Tang Jinbiao, without enduring any exceptionally brutal or painful training—merely going through routine sessions—achieved his current level. Of course, who but a ghost would believe Huang Biaozi’s claims that this was the true path of Body Refining?
“Heh, Third Elder, I appreciate your intentions. But since my brother is assigned to the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer matches, I’ll join the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer division too!”
Tang Jinbiao chuckled but spoke with unwavering resolve.
Having recognized Tang Hu and the others as brothers, he could never back down at such a moment. What defined a brother? Those who would stand with you, advance and retreat as one!
“I…”
The Third Elder struggled for words, but ceased persuading Tang Jinbiao. Instead, he shifted his gaze toward the seated Great Elder and the others, initiating a silent conversation.
Moments later, frowns creased the brows of the previously calm Elders, clearly expressing their dissent. The Third Elder began showing visible frustration, even anger flashing across his face.
A brief silence fell over the arena. Many spectators started murmuring, weaving various speculations about what was happening.
“Oh? Didn’t expect this kid to have some spine! Pity he turned out to be such a little pervert… no, scoundrel!”
Standing beside the Elders, the Goddess Tang Yilin seemed to grasp something. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixing on Tang Jinbiao. Her eyes shifted again, revealing a hint of surprise, perhaps not having foreseen this. Then, as if recalling something, her face flushed crimson. She gave a soft, disdainful “Pfft.”
“Huh? What’s going on?”
“Has he been kicked by a donkey?”
Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi both frowned. They’d anticipated Tang Jinbiao would readily accept the offer; his refusal caught them off guard.
“Hmph! Trash will always be trash. Playing the high and mighty act won’t change that. I planned to let you scrape by with the other trash today and personally humble you tomorrow. Seems harder now!”
Tang Shan remained utterly contemptuous. He firmly believed Tang Jinbiao was putting on a show.
“Brother!”
A glimmer of light sparked in Little Tang Song’s eyes.
“Brother Biao!”
“Brother Biao!”
Tang Hu and the other young boys watched Tang Jinbiao with sparkling, starstruck eyes. In their view, Tang Jinbiao’s image suddenly grew immense and towering, filling them with excitement. Tang Jinbiao appeared to sense their gaze. He lowered his head to look at them, meeting each pair of eyes steadily. Then, with firm conviction, he gave a definitive nod.
Whew!
A full quarter-hour later, Third Elder finally seemed to finish consulting with the other elders and let out a sigh of relief. Turning around, he looked towards Tang Jinbiao.
Third Elder looked at Tang Jinbiao and transmitted his voice, “Hey, kid, you should thank this old man. If I hadn’t haggled with those old ghosts, you’d be stuck in this small Tang Family for life!”
“Hmm!”
Tang Jinbiao nodded.
“Alright,” Third Elder cleared his throat and announced loudly, “After deliberation with several elders, we decided that though Body Refiners are few among our Tang Family, they are still Cultivators who have cultivated diligently through their own hard work. Therefore, to ensure fairness in the competition, it is necessary to test several Body Refiners first, then decide the groupings.”
“Whew!”
“Oh!”
“What’s going on?”
“Unprecedentedly! They’re testing Body Refiners? This is the first time ever in our Tang Family’s history!”
Those below the stage let out cries of surprise upon hearing this newly added rule. In previous tournament years, Body Refiners were few, only three to five individuals. Moreover, after learning some of the tournament’s realities on the first day, most would willingly choose to forfeit. Hence, over all these years, there had never been testing or separate groupings for Body Refiners; they all just participated according to the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer rule. This year’s Qi Condensation Ninth Layer rule likely stemmed from some whim that struck them, deliberately meant to humiliate the Body Refiners.
“This?”
“Am I dreaming?”
Tang Jinbiao, Tang Hu, and the others were slightly stunned, finding it somewhat unbelievable.
“What are you standing around for? Aren’t you coming up?” Seeing Tang Jinbiao and company still unresponsive, Third Elder urged impatiently.
“Haha, good! Ah Hu, let’s go!”
“Okay, Brother Biao!”
“Alright!”
Reacting instantly, their faces lit up with ecstatic joy as each one charged onto the stage.
“Good. Now strike this barrier with all your might, full force. After you hit it, your Body Refining rank will appear!”
Once they were up, Third Elder swept his gaze over them, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his look when it landed on Tang Jinbiao.
As he spoke, Third Elder gestured with his right hand in the air. Immediately, a green, shield-like barrier materialized before him. It appeared remarkably solid, not merely formed of energy.
“Ah, what is this?”
“So strange!”
Not just the audience below, even Tang Jinbiao and the others had never seen such a thing, their faces registering shock.
“Stop gawking! This is a Body Refining evaluation shield, something I learned in my youth. You just need to punch it, and it will show exactly which stage you’re at. As long as it’s not exceeding Fourth Tier, my shield can measure it! Boy, you first!” Seeing their dazed expressions, Third Elder explained irritably, pointing at Tang Hu to go first.
“Me?”
Tang Hu was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered, replying nervously, “Alright, grandson obeys Third Elder’s command!”
“Brother Biao!”
Tang Hu took a step forward. Before beginning the trial, he turned back to glance at Tang Jinbiao.
“Yes, you can do it!”
Tang Jinbiao nodded to reassure him.
“Brother Hu, you’ll definitely succeed!”
“Brother Hu, go for it!”
Several other youths also cheered loudly for him.
“Hmph, a bunch of little brats!”
The Third Elder snorted contemptuously at their antics, muttering under his breath.
As for the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivators divided into two lines atop the Platform Stage awaiting their turns to draw lots, impatience was written all over their faces.
“Yes! I can do this!”
Tang Hu nodded firmly, turning around to slowly approach the green shield. He drew several deep breaths.
“Okay, I’ll definitely succeed!”
Standing before the shield, Tang Hu felt a hint of nervousness but shut his eyes, murmuring encouragement to himself.
“Ready!”
After about ten breaths, Tang Hu felt prepared. He opened his eyes, determination flashing within them. A nod confirmed his resolve as he clenched his right fist.
Crack! Crack!
The sheer pressure from his clenched fist caused the air itself to erupt in sharp snapping sounds.
“So strong!”
Even before Tang Hu struck the shield, the nearby Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivators paled slightly at his swelling aura, clearly unprepared for such formidable power.
“Go for it!”
Tang Jinbiao and the others sensed something within Tang Hu awakening, akin to a soul stirring. They tightened their own fists, silently willing him onward.
“Ah!”
Battle intent exploded in Tang Hu’s eyes. His right fist rose then shot forward like a cannonball straight at the green shield.
Whish!
The fist traced a perfect arc through the air, accelerating violently toward its target.
“Hmm?”
The Third Elder, who’d kept his eyes shut until now, seemed to perceive the fist’s power. His eyelids lifted slightly, focusing on the hurtling fist.
Shoo-shoo-shoo!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Tang Hu’s speed reached extreme levels, tearing through the air in a furious cacophony of snaps and whistles…