Chapter 40: Taking the Stage

At this moment, the team of martial students to which Zhou Yu belonged stepped forward.

Women were already rare, and with Zhou Yu's beautiful features, she immediately drew many gazes.

Having witnessed the behavior of her fellow disciples earlier, Zhou Yu took a deep breath. She had to prove herself and could not bring shame to Zhou Academy.

"Oh! This girl is actually challenging the eight-stone bow?" someone whispered.

Zhou Yu walked slowly toward the eight-stone bow, focused her concentration, and drew the string.

In an instant, her face turned flushed and large beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.

As the bowstring moved slowly, the expressions of the surrounding crowd shifted accordingly.

"Draw!"

Zhou Yu gave a low shout, and her strength exploded instantly.

The bowstring snapped open!

*Vroom, vroom!*

Finally exhausted, she released her fingers, and the bowstring emitted a crisp, vibrating hum.

"A pity..."

Zhou Yu could not hide her frustration. She had originally wanted to draw it twice, but her arms had already lost all strength.

"Ji-15 (Zhou Yu), Yi-Middle!"

This result could only be described as decent, far from top-tier.

Now, it was Qin Lie's turn to take the stage.

The disciples of Zhou Academy cast their gazes toward him, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhou Yu said earnestly, "Junior Brother Qin Lie, it's all up to you this time!"

Qin Lie said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Senior Sister, I will not let you down."

With that, he strode onto the plaza.

In the distance, Zhou Liang, who was watching the battle, also watched with intense focus.

Beside him, Shen Zhenzhong smiled and said, "Brother Zhou, I see that Qin Lie's blood and qi are vigorous and he is not far from achieving Great Success in Hidden Strength. I believe he will soon be able to attempt the third breakthrough. With such strength, passing the exam should be a certainty."

This was none other than Shen Zhenzhong, a Martial Master from Shen Academy, whose taught "Thirty-Six Routes of the Seven Star Palm" was quite renowned in Gaolin County.

Beside them, Liu Ze, an expert in Mantis Boxing, stroked his beard and interjected, "It seems, Brother Zhou, that you have put a great deal of effort into this closed-door disciple."

Zhou Liang had several close friends among the martial students, and they looked out for one another in daily life.

Aside from Shen Zhenzhong of the Seven Star Palm, Liu Ze of the Mantis Boxing was one of them; both had met Qin Lie several times.

In this world, which Martial Master didn't have a few enemies? Taking on a closed-door disciple was a common practice, serving both as a way to ensure care in one's old age and as a way to have someone to block calamities and strikes.

A look of satisfaction appeared in Zhou Liang's eyes, but he soon shook his head and sighed, "The third breakthrough... is ultimately too difficult. He still needs to settle his blood and qi before he has a chance to try. On the other hand, your prized disciple, Brother Liu, has a greater chance."

"What chance? He failed three times; I see no chance left."

"Chance?"

A bitterness rose at the corner of Liu Ze's mouth. "That wretched disciple of mine has already failed three times... what chance is left!"

He let out a long sigh and lamented, "This third breakthrough... in the end, one must rely on fate."

Ming Strength, Hidden Strength, and Transformation Strength—the three stages were distinct.

While the first two stages were fraught with obstacles, there were still opportunities. However, this third breakthrough was like a massive chasm; those capable of crossing it were few and far between.

One required bone structure, resources, and luck; all three were indispensable.

Many people's attention was drawn to the scene, as Qin Lie was considered a somewhat famous young elite.

Qin Lie walked straight toward the nine-stone bow. He took a deep breath, gripped the bowstring forcefully, and suddenly exerted his power!

*Vroom, vroom!*

The heavy nine-stone bow was actually pulled open by him with ferocity.

Qin Lie's facial features contorted from the exertion. His gaze swept across the crowd below the stage, and a roar erupted from his throat.

*Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!*

He drew it five times in a single breath, only stopping when his strength was completely depleted.

"Ji-19 (Qin Lie), Jia-Low!" the clerk announced loudly.

Gasps of amazement rose from all around, and the disciples of Zhou Academy were filled with excitement.

Only Zheng Ziqiao's expression changed slightly before quickly returning to normal.

As for Luo Qian, looking at the high-spirited Qin Lie, her heart was filled with complex emotions.

Sun Shun also nodded and said, "Junior Brother Qin is steady now."

In the distance, Zhou Liang showed a look of relief, as if a massive stone had finally been lifted from his heart.

"Team Ji, withdraw! Team Geng, step forward!"

The clerk's command rang out.

In Team Geng, one person looked so nervous that he nearly collided with the martial student in front of him, hurriedly apologizing, "Sorry! Sorry!"

This person was Chen Heng.

At this moment, his palms were soaked with sweat and his heart was uneasy. He repeatedly muttered to himself, "Man proposes, God disposes... Man proposes, God disposes..."

The next team was Chen Qing. Seeing Chen Heng's lips moving as he muttered, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: *Is he still trying to use metaphysics? That won't work!*

The martial students of Team Ding-Jia began their strength testing.

Chen Heng took a deep breath, grabbed a four-stone bow, and used all his strength. His arms trembled violently as he struggled to pull the bowstring inch by inch.

*Vroom!*

The bowstring made a light sound, and Chen Heng felt a surge of wild joy.

During regular training at the martial arts hall, he could pull at most a three-stone bow; this was an extraordinary performance.

"Ding-Jia 15, Bing-Middle!"

The clerk's cold announcement fell like a bucket of cold water over his head.

"Bing-Middle?"

Chen Heng opened his mouth to argue, but remembering his senior brother's words, he swallowed his speech and silently followed his team off the stage, passing right by Chen Qing, who was preparing to ascend.

Chen Heng puffed out his chest and said in the tone of an experienced veteran, "Don't be nervous. Just do your best. There's always next year."

Chen Qing acted as if he hadn't heard, walking straight toward the center of the training grounds.

In the field, the various stone bows were lined up in formation

Three-stone bow. Four-stone bow. Five-stone bow. Six-stone bow.

The martial students of Teams Ding and Yi stepped forward one after another to select long bows to test their strength.

However, Chen Qing did not stop; he walked straight to the ten-stone bow.

Once one's strength is consumed, it becomes very difficult to pull the bowstring again. Therefore, to be safe, most martial students would not attempt their absolute limit.

Seeing Chen Qing step up, Zheng Ziqiao whispered, "What is Junior Brother Chen trying to do?"

"The ten-stone bow!?"

Luo Qian sneered, "Is this kid trying to show off for attention?"

"Junior Brother Chen is being too reckless."

Zhou Yu was worried, "If he exhausts his strength at the very beginning, how will he perform later?"

Seeing Chen Qing walk toward the ten-stone bow—something even he had not attempted—Qin Lie's gaze involuntarily locked onto that figure, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes.

He had tried the ten-stone bow before; out of ten attempts, he had only managed to pull it open once.

Although it was only one stone different from the nine-stone bow, that slight difference was extremely difficult to overcome.

That was why, to be safe, Qin Lie had chosen the nine-stone bow.

No one believed Chen Qing could pull this ten-stone bow. Even the veteran disciples didn't dare attempt it. How long had he been practicing Hidden Strength!?

It wasn't just the people from Zhou Academy; most of the people present looked over.

After all, someone who dared to challenge the ten-stone bow was not a simple character.

Judging by his clothes, the man was nothing more than a peasant!

Whether he was seeking attention or truly possessed strength would be known with one attempt.

Under the gaze of everyone, Chen Qing grabbed the ten-stone bow. The blood and qi within his body boiled, and then his arms began to exert force.

*Crack! Crack!*

As his strength exploded, crisp sounds rang out. His entire arm's veins bulged, looking as fierce as coiled dragons.

*Vroom, vroom! Vroom, vroom!*

The bowstring, which required a pull of over a thousand catties, began to tremble, making sounds against the bow's body.

*Thump!*

The sound became almost tangible, spreading out in all directions.

Instantly, everyone's expression changed.