Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 717 The Mountain and River Cauldron, the First Martial Arts Examination! (April Monthly Tickets: 34)

On the school field.

"Correct!"

Jiang Ning's voice fell with a resounding force.

It made the already noisy training ground even noisier.

At this moment, countless eyes fell on Jiang Ning.

But for Jiang Ning, it was as light as a feather, and it did not move him in the slightest.

The examiner looked at Jiang Ning, nodded, and then continued to check the people behind him.

After some time, once everything was verified, the examiner stepped forward to face the crowd again.

"Do all you martial arts students understand the rules?"

"Please explain, sir!" one of the martial arts students said, bowing.

Upon hearing this, the examiner nodded.

"Today's martial arts examination will only test two things: weightlifting and archery!"

Upon hearing this, no one objected, because they knew perfectly well what was going on.

The later stages of the martial arts examination became increasingly easier.

"If both evaluations are rated A or above, you can proceed to the next stage and compete for the honors of first, second, and third place!"

the other side.

"Xiao Ba, what do you think about who will be the top scholar this year?"

On the high platform, a woman with the air of a noblewoman softly uttered a sentence.

"Second sister, what do you think?" Ji Minghao took over the conversation, throwing the same question back at her.

"Eighth Prince is still as cunning as ever!" The woman smiled gently, then looked at another prince on the platform: "Fifth Prince, what do you think?"

"Second sister, the top scholar of this year's competition will probably be Wan Jianyi, after all, he is the number one among the younger generation."

"Fifth Brother, there's a saying in this world: there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens!" Another young man who looked not very old chimed in.

"Little Thirteen, who do you think is the best?" Ji Mingyuan asked.

"I think Jiang Ning from Dongling County is more promising!" the young man said calmly, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

Upon hearing these words, Ji Minghao and Ji Mingyue also looked at him.

"Why does Xiao Shisan think highly of him?" the woman with the air of a noblewoman asked.

"Because I saw my second sister's gaze fixed on this person." The young man smiled faintly.

Upon hearing this, the woman with the air of a noblewoman looked embarrassed.

As the eldest daughter of the Great Xia royal family, she knew that it was inappropriate for her to stare at Xiao Shiqi's chosen husband.

Seeing Xiao Shiqi's burning gaze, she smiled faintly.

"Second sister, could it be that you've taken a fancy to the husband I've chosen?" Ji Mingyue asked bluntly.

"Little Seventeen is joking. As the older sister, how could I possibly compete with my younger sister for a man!" The Second Princess shook her head calmly, denying the accusation.

at the same time.

On the school field.

"Zhao Meng!"

The examiner called out the first name.

On the stands where the martial arts performers were watching.

A burly man reached up and grabbed his arm, tearing off his upper garment.

Jiang Ning watched this scene silently from the crowd.

It differs from the preliminary examinations and the provincial examinations.

In the imperial examination, the weightlifting task no longer involved lifting iron chains.

Even the weakest martial arts graduate who made it to the provincial examination was one of the most outstanding individuals among the sixth-rank martial arts graduates.

Most of the martial arts candidates reached the fifth rank.

Among the prodigies, many choose the path of cultivating both internal and external strength before reaching the fifth rank.

This results in true geniuses rarely lingering in the fifth rank for too long.

Firstly, he is exceptionally talented and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and skills from an early age, cultivating both his inner and outer qualities.

Secondly, even without the support of a powerful sect or family, taking this step will attract a constant stream of investors eager to show their interest.

This often resulted in the fourth rank becoming the median of military examination graduates.

Once one reaches the fourth rank, their life level undergoes a transformation, and their power will increase once again.

Back when he was at the fourth rank of martial arts, he already possessed nearly 20,000 jin of strength in one arm.

Even if ordinary martial artists don't have his profound foundation, their accumulated experience is still not as good as his.

However, none of the martial arts students who came here were ordinary martial artists; they were all exceptional talents.

Having received far more resources and training than the average person, their foundation is naturally much deeper.

It's normal for a martial artist at the fourth-grade Marrow Refining Realm to have an arm weighing over ten thousand jin.

Iron locks weigh tens of thousands of kilograms, and even if a sphere were used instead, it would only be one meter in diameter and about one meter high, which is not convenient.

Based on the examiner's explanation, he also understood that the five tripods in the center of the training ground were the Mountain and River Tripods.

It was forged using a special method and possesses the weight of mountains and rivers.

To achieve a score in the weightlifting category, you need to be rated A.

Then the fourth Mountain and River Cauldron must be lifted.

At this moment, Zhao Meng, the first to take the stage, leaped up from the high platform.

Boom——

With a heavy thud, the sound of a body hitting the ground echoed across the training ground.

Then, Zhao Meng came to the first Mountain and River Cauldron.

He stretched his muscles, revealing a grotesque, gnarled physique.

next moment.

He gripped the tripod legs with one hand and the tripod body with the other.

"Lift—" he shouted, and the cauldron was slowly lifted up by him.

Jiang Ning instantly noticed that Zhao Meng's face had turned bright red.

Then, he lifted the cauldron high above his head, and Zhao Meng's body began to sway slightly under the weight of the cauldron.

After three breaths.

Zhao Meng slowly lowered the cauldron.

This is also a rule in weightlifting.

Raise the cauldron above your head, hold it for three breaths, and then gently lower it down to complete one round of movements; only then is it considered effective.

Any mistake at any point, such as failing to maintain the three-breath duration, or smashing the cauldron heavily to the ground and causing the ground to crack, constitutes a failure.

call--

call--

Zhao Meng placed the cauldron steadily on the ground without causing any cracks in the earth. Only then did he begin to breathe heavily, and the flush on his face quickly faded.

"Zhao Meng, shall we continue?" the examiner asked from a distance.

The powerful voice instantly resounded throughout the entire training ground.

This is a martial artist who has achieved mastery of internal training.

“Continue!” Zhao Meng responded.

The voice was equally deep and resonant, instantly spreading throughout the entire training ground.

"Please continue!" the examiner's voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Meng stepped forward and walked to the second cauldron.

"Drink—" he suddenly shouted, and his muscles swelled up dramatically, becoming extremely exaggerated. His muscles spread all over his body like iron towers, and his body expanded out of thin air.

"Rise!" He grabbed the second cauldron, which instantly rose from the ground and was then raised high above his head.

A moment later, his body swayed slightly, his steps became unsteady, and he appeared to stagger.

Then he took a big step outward with his right foot.

Boom!

With a deafening roar, the earth cracked open and the soil exploded.

The examiner glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.

Because Zhao Meng is still within the rules.

At this moment, as Zhao Meng took this step, his body formed a support, making his figure stable.

After three breaths.

Zhao Meng slowly exhaled, then took a deep breath.

His face contorted in a ferocious expression, and he slowly lowered the cauldron with both hands.

This step is the most difficult in the entire weightlifting exam. It requires landing the cauldron smoothly, which takes much more effort than lifting it overhead.

Not to mention raising it high above the head for three breaths, which would consume a lot of energy.

When your strength is weak, your hands will become powerless.

Boom!

The cauldron was halfway across when it suddenly lost its support and crashed heavily to the ground.

In an instant, fragments of earth flew everywhere, and the tripod legs smashed a deep crater into the ground.

Seeing this scene before him, a deep sense of regret flashed in Zhao Meng's eyes.

With just one breath left, he managed to place the second cauldron smoothly.

If he can achieve this, his evaluation will be much higher.

"Next, Shen Mengyun!" The examiner called out the next martial arts student directly from the list.

As for giving an evaluation, that's the job of the examiner on the high platform to the north.

The final evaluation will also take into account age and completed projects.

Compared to the civil service examinations, the military examinations were both held in full view of the public, in the eyes of the princes and princesses, court officials, and the emperor.

It can be described as extremely transparent.

at the same time.

As Zhao Meng left the stage, a tall, slender girl with a high ponytail jumped down from the martial arts performance stands.

Its body is light and agile, leaping like a Suzuka deer.

"This must be General Shen's daughter!" The man on the throne on the high platform suddenly spoke up.

"Your Majesty has discerning eyes; it is indeed my daughter!" A bearded man sitting nearby spoke respectfully.

"I never expected that Brother Shen, with his rugged appearance, could have such a beautiful daughter. I wonder if Brother Shen would be interested in marrying this daughter to my Xiao Ba!"

Upon hearing these words, Ji Minghao was shocked and looked at the man on the throne in disbelief.

In the stands, all eyes immediately fell on Ji Minghao.

They all understood the meaning of that sentence perfectly.

Among all the princes, the one who is currently the most vulnerable and isolated is the Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao.

His mother came from an ordinary background and had no powerful connections.

In earlier years, he passed away first, leaving only the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao and the Seventeenth Princess Ji Mingyue.

This also led to Ji Minghao being one of the least favored princes among all the princes.

But now, in front of all the ministers, the Emperor intends to bestow a marriage upon Ji Minghao, and the chosen person is Shen Mengyun.

In the capital, everyone knows that Shen Mengyun is General Shen's most beloved youngest daughter.

In order to reshape Shen Mengyun's bones and restore her innate constitution, General Shen went alone to the Nanling Mountains, venturing 80,000 miles deep, just to find the Sun God Vine.

The Southern Ridge is the slumbering place of ancient demons. The dramatic changes in the ancient world environment did not completely annihilate the immortal path, nor did they completely take away those ancient demons who were all-powerful.

Venturing 80,000 li into the Nanling Mountains was a perilous undertaking, risking death.

This shows Shen Mengyun's position in General Shen's heart.

They knew that if Shen Mengyun were to marry the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, then General Shen would become the most powerful force behind Ji Minghao.

By then, everyone will have to take Ji Minghao's power seriously.

In an instant, everyone's hearts were filled with turmoil, and all sorts of speculations surfaced in their minds.

They now had to reconsider whether the person on the dragon throne was paving the way for the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, and whether the person on the dragon throne intended to establish the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao as the heir to the throne.

"Your Majesty, my daughter has already found someone she loves!" General Shen said calmly, despite the countless gazes directed at him.

"Is that so?" The man on the dragon throne spoke calmly, his tone so composed that no one could discern any emotion in his voice.

"If that's the case, then forget it!" the man on the dragon throne spoke again.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!" General Shen said respectfully.

At this moment, many people in the crowd on the platform breathed a sigh of relief.

They were not surprised that General Shen dared to refuse the marriage decree from the man on the dragon throne.

General Shen, who had already reached the peak of the first-rank martial arts, was even granted the honor of being granted a kingship and land in his early years.

Such a person, even without military power, is enough to command respect from the man on the throne simply because of his own strength.

Not to mention, this General Shen holds a first-rank military position and commands 100,000 troops.

He was already a very important figure in the court.

the other side.

Shen Mengyun also arrived at the training ground.

She passed directly past the first Mountain and River Cauldron, and then stopped in front of the second Mountain and River Cauldron.

After a brief pause, he gripped the tripod legs with one hand and the tripod body with the other, exerting force with his body.

In an instant, the second Mountain and River Cauldron that had defeated Zhao Meng rose from the ground.

He then raised it high above his head, held it for three breaths, and then the cauldron landed smoothly on the ground without making a sound.

Gaotai Mountain to the north.

"General Shen is indeed like father, like daughter!" Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan suddenly exclaimed in admiration.

His words instantly shattered the silence.

"Fifth Prince, you flatter me!" the bearded man said calmly, with an air of unapproachability.

Seeing this, Ji Mingyuan smiled awkwardly and touched his nose.

In the training ground.

Shen Mengyun then lifted the third cauldron and placed it steadily on the ground.

After trying the fourth cauldron, Shen Mengyun finally made her choice.

"Next up, Wu Yong."

"."

"Next, Bai Muyu."

"."

After a while.

A familiar name rang out.

"Yan Youjiao".

Upon hearing this name, Yan Youjiao, who was standing next to Jiang Ning, immediately stood up.

"Inspector Jiang, I'm off!"

"Keep it up!" Jiang Ning encouraged him.

"Jiang Xunshi's words are enough!" Yan Youjiao clenched his fist, then walked to the edge of the stands and jumped.

After a while.

Boom!

The first large cauldron was lifted halfway by Yan Youjiao before it crashed heavily to the ground.

"So heavy!!" Yan Youjiao was incredulous as he looked at the large cauldron that had fallen in front of him.

Compared to his performance in the provincial examination, he has now taken another step forward.

He has already entered the ranks of the fifth-grade inner strength realm.

He originally thought he could lift the first cauldron and leave gracefully, just like Zhao Meng.

Unexpectedly, they failed even with the first cauldron, only managing to lift it halfway before giving up.

He is already one of the most outstanding young talents in Dongling County.

Only at this moment did he realize how vast the gap was between himself and the prodigies of those great places and powerful forces.

at this time.

The examiner's voice rang in his ears again.

"Next, Mingxin."

Upon hearing this title, he roused himself, adjusted his mindset, and then walked towards the stands.

the other side.

All eyes turned to Mingxin, who had twelve ordination scars on his head.

Even the princes and princesses who had been resting with their eyes closed in the stands opened their eyes and looked at Mingxin at this moment.

Mingxin was one of the strongest contenders for the title of Martial Arts Champion among all the martial arts students, and the focus of everyone's attention.

Even though they knew that with Mingxin's strength, he could easily lift the fifth Mountain and River Cauldron, they still wanted to witness this scene.

Then, Mingxin, with the twelve precepts scars on his head, walked step by step down the steps from the high platform to the center of the training ground.

Looking at the twelve precept scars on Mingxin's head, Jiang Ning immediately thought of another Buddhist figure, Jin Chan, who also had twelve precept scars.

　This update is to make up for the missed monthly pass chapters from April; one more chapter remains.

　
(End of this chapter)