Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

Chapter 82 Strength and Courage (Please continue reading)

The first round of the martial arts competition – Strength and Courage.

It tests both physical strength and fundamental knowledge.

As the examiner gave a loud call, the long table that had been prepared on one side of the training ground was unveiled with a red cloth.

Beneath the red cloth, a row of powerful bows were neatly arranged.

From the ten-stone bow to the fifty-stone bow, each bow body is thicker and heavier than the last, and each bowstring is thicker and stiffer than the last. Especially the last fifty-stone bow, which is completely black and has arms like iron, gives people a heavy sense of oppression just by sitting there quietly.

Many test takers could only glance at it from afar before swallowing hard.

"Good heavens, a fifty-stone bow—"

,

"That would require five thousand catties of force."

""

"Even a master of Blood Transfusion might not be able to pull them apart, right?"

"Let alone drawing the bow fully, just being able to draw the bowstring is a skill in itself."

Inside the training ground, murmurs of discussion rose and fell.

The military officer in charge of the first assessment walked into the arena and announced in a loud voice: "Martial Arts Examination, First Round: Strength and Courage."

""

"A contest of strength."

"From ten-stone bows to fifty-stone bows, candidates will step forward in turn and choose their own bows."

"Only when the bow is fully drawn is it considered complete."

"Ten stone bows are grade D, twenty stone bows are grade C, thirty stone bows are grade B, forty stone bows are grade A, and fifty stone bows are grade A+."

""

"Each grade is further divided into ten levels. Ding 1 to Ding 10 correspond to 10 to 19 stone bows. Bing 1 to Bing 10 correspond to 20 to 29 stone bows. And so on."

"If one's strength is insufficient, and the bow cannot be drawn to its fullest extent, then the achievement is not worth considering."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hundreds of candidates showed a variety of expressions.

Some people's eyes lit up, eager to try.

Some people were pale and their palms were sweating.

In the two martial arts exams, strength and courage are the most direct methods, leaving no room for shortcuts.

A bow that can draw a certain number of stones is a bow that can draw a certain number of stones.

Whether someone is strong or not, whether they have good blood and energy, you'll know the answer as soon as you start fighting.

Soon, groups of martial arts performers stepped forward to be tested.

The clerk beside him quickly recorded the results.

"Ge Zhuang, twenty-one stone bow full moon, Bing two!"

'

"Liu Xiaoxiao, twenty stone bow full moon, Bingyi!"

"Sun Ping, twenty-three stone bow full moon, Bing four!"

'

Shouts and chants rang out across the training ground.

One by one, the candidates stepped forward, and one by one, they stepped back.

Most people's grades were in the C range.

C1, C3, C5.

Being able to draw a 25-stone bow was enough to elicit cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Occasionally, someone would draw the 29-stone bow, immediately eliciting a gasp of surprise.

"Twenty-nine bushels!"

"I was so close to getting a Grade B!"

The crowd was buzzing with discussion.

At this point, everyone could see that although there was only a one-stone difference between Grade C and Grade B, it was as if there was a threshold between them.

Ordinary martial artists who have achieved minor mastery of blood-moving techniques can only struggle around twenty stones.

If one can reach 25 shi or more, it is already considered that one has a solid foundation.

However, to draw the thirty-stone bow, one must be a person with mastery of blood circulation and strong muscles and bones.

At this moment, a young man wearing a gray training uniform stepped out from the line.

He wasn't particularly tall, but he had broad shoulders and a steady gait. His grey training uniform had a dark blue-green rock pattern embroidered on the chest.

Someone recognized him immediately.

"Han Qing, the true disciple of the Rock Martial Arts School!"

Han Qing walked to the bow rack, not looking at the twenty-odd stone bows in front of him, but his gaze fell directly on the thirty-stone bow.

"Thirty shi?"

"This is grade B!"

""

"He's aiming for Grade B right from the start?"

"It seems like I'm confident."

""

Han Qing ignored the surrounding chatter.

He stood before the thirty-stone bow, took a deep breath, and then reached out to grasp the bow.

The thirty-stone bow was a size larger than an ordinary bow, with thick, heavy arms and an extremely taut bowstring. Han Qing held the bow horizontally in front of his chest, his feet slightly apart, his soles planted firmly in the ground like nails.

The next moment, his blood and qi surged within him.

A calm and profound aura emanated from him.

Unlike some martial arts performers who unleash explosive power when drawing a bow, Han Qing's movements are not rushed. He lowers his shoulders, uses his waist and back to generate power, and slowly pulls his arms outward, allowing his qi and blood to gradually flow into his arms.

The creaking of the thirty-stone bow produced a low, bending sound.

Everyone watched as the bowstring was gradually drawn back, from a semi-circle to a large arc, and finally to a full moon.

Han Qing's face only turned slightly red.

The clerk next to him immediately looked up and loudly announced: "Han Qing, thirty stone bow full moon, Yi Yi!"

As soon as the sound rang out, an even louder cheer erupted outside the training ground.

Grade B!

This clearly puts them ahead of the other candidates.

However, Han Qing did not step down.

He put the thirty-stone bow back in its place, his gaze fell on the thirty-five-stone bow, and walked over.

A commotion immediately broke out in the arena.

"Does he want to continue?"

'

"A thirty-five stone bow would require three thousand five hundred catties of strength!"

""

Han Qing stood in front of the thirty-five stone bows, his expression much more serious than before.

The 35-stone bow is noticeably thicker than the 30-stone bow, with black animal sinew wrapped around both ends of the bow arm. The bowstring is as thick as a little finger and, when taut, is almost like an iron wire.

Han Qing slowly exhaled.

If he doesn't strive for a good result in the first round, the second round will be too uncertain, and he can't guarantee that he can defeat his opponent 100%.

He reached out and grasped the bow.

It feels heavy in your hand.

Han Qing lowered his feet again, gripping the ground with his toes and slightly arching his back. His internal energy and blood began to circulate, gathering in strands to his shoulders, back, and arms, and his aura became as solid as a rock.

"rise!

""

He gave a low shout and suddenly exerted his strength.

With a creak, the thirty-five-stone bow was pulled open a bit.

But when it reached about 30%, the bowstring seemed to get stuck and wouldn't move at all.

Han Qing's face darkened, his arm muscles bulged instantly, and a vein appeared on his forehead.

The surrounding examinees involuntarily held their breath.

Han Qing gritted his teeth, and the bluestone beneath his feet seemed to tremble slightly under his weight. His blood and qi surged within him, and his arms expanded outward inch by inch, finally causing the bowstring to move again.

50%, 60%, 70% —

When he reached 70%, Han Qing's movements slowed down noticeably.

His face was flushed, his shoulders and back trembled slightly, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and fell to the ground along his chin.

"Thirty-five stones is not easy to pull."

,

"So close, so close!"

""

"Senior Brother Han Qing, hang in there!"

Among the examinees, several disciples from the Rock Martial Arts School couldn't help but clench their fists.

Han Qing's internal energy and blood circulated slowly like a heavy millstone, squeezing out every bit of strength and sending it into his arms.

One inch short.

Just one inch off!

A ruthless glint flashed in Han Qing's eyes, and he let out a low growl.

"open!

'

The last surge of energy rushed into his arms.

With a squeak, the bowstring was finally fully drawn.

The bow is drawn to its fullest extent!

Boom!

The bowstring vibrated the moment Han Qing released his grip.

He couldn't help but take a half step back, his arms trembling and his chest heaving violently.

As the clerk beside him picked up his pen, he loudly proclaimed: "Han Qing, thirty-five stone bow full moon, Yi Liu!"

'

B6!

A burst of enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted outside the drill ground.

"Thirty-five stones!

,"sharp!"

"Han Qing from the Rock Martial Arts School is no ordinary person!"

'

Han Qing had just returned to the team, his chest still heaving.

Thirty-five stone bows, Yi-six.

This score is enough to make him stand out among the other candidates.

Several disciples from the Rock Martial Arts School immediately surrounded him, their faces beaming with joy.

"Senior Brother Han, you're amazing!"

'

"The thirty-five stones have all been pulled apart. This time, with Li Yong's challenge, our Rock Martial Arts School has finally made a name for itself."

"Level B6! Out of so many people ahead of us, how many will actually make it to Level B?"

As Han Qing listened to the compliments from the crowd, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

His arms were still numb and his tiger's mouth was throbbing, but he felt an overwhelming sense of pleasure.

He has trained hard for many years to prepare for his current martial arts exam.

Thirty-five stone bows was the limit he could draw.

No matter how difficult the process was, the result was ultimately good.

But before he could be happy for more than a few seconds, he heard a minor official shouting: "Fang Henian, forty-five stone bow full moon, Jia six!"

""

The sound wasn't harsh, but it was like a thunderclap.

Han Qing's smile froze instantly.

What?!

'

"Forty-five shi? Did I hear that right? Forty-five shi?"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The disciples of the Rock Martial Arts School who were originally praising Han Qing also subconsciously turned their heads to look, and the joy on their faces was replaced by shock.

Han Qing stood there, feeling a buzzing in his head.

He had just exerted all his strength to barely draw the thirty-five-stone bow.

But now, Fang Henian has actually drawn a 45-stone bow.

It was a full ten shi higher, a difference of a thousand jin in strength.

In that instant, Han Qing felt as if his initial sense of pride had been doused with cold water.

In the center of the training ground, Fang Henian slowly lowered the powerful bow in his hand.

He was tall and slender, with a calm expression, his sleeves fluttering gently in the wind. Unlike Han Qing, whose face was flushed and arms were trembling, Fang Henian, though he had also given his all, was far from being disheveled.

"Who is it? Fang Henian?"

"Fang Henian, the true disciple of Qianhe Martial Arts School!"

"It seems the news is indeed true; Fang Henian has indeed broken through to the peak of the Blood Transformation Realm! Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to pull the 45-stone bow!"

"Who remembers his results from last year? I remember Fang Henian also participated in the martial arts exam last year!"

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder and louder.

Many candidates looked at Fang Henian in the center of the training ground, their eyes revealing obvious fear.

Someone whispered, "If we draw Fang Henian in the next skill-based competition, we'll be in trouble."

The other examinee smiled wryly: "It's more than just troublesome. He's at the peak of Blood Regeneration. We, who have only reached the Great Perfection of Blood Regeneration, are a whole level below him. If we actually go to the arena, we'll be lucky to last ten moves."

"I just hope I don't run into him in the first round."

No one wants to encounter a peak-level expert with the strength of 4,500 jin in the next skill and courage test!

As the leader of the Canglong Martial Arts Academy participating in the martial arts exam, Shi Hao's gaze towards Fang Henian was more of a contest than the usual apprehension of the other candidates.

"My master said that Fang Henian will be a formidable enemy on my path of martial arts."

"However, I will never let my master down!"

Soon, it was Shi Hao's turn to go on stage.

He is the most promising genius of this generation at Canglong Martial Arts School.

He became famous in Chixia County at the Gathering of Talents, gaining immense popularity among the younger generation. Everyone was waiting to see who would come out on top, him or Fang Henian.

Shi Hao stepped out of the group.

The son of a hunter in the mountains has undergone a great transformation in his temperament and physique after a long period of martial arts training.

With strong arms and an upright posture, the wildness between his brows had transformed into a soaring, sharp spirit.

He walked step by step toward the bow rack and stopped directly in front of the forty-five stone bow.

The crowd immediately stirred.

"Forty-five stones!"

"He chose the 45-stone bow right away?"

'

"This is going to directly pursue Fang Henian!"

'

"The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School and the Thousand Crane Martial Arts School are now facing off."

""

In the audience, Qin Wuhe leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Shi Hao.

He remained silent.

But the expectation in his eyes said it all.

Shi Hao is the leader of this martial arts competition at Canglong Martial Arts Academy, and also a genius disciple he personally trained. Today's fierce battle is not only about winning results for himself, but also about winning honor for Canglong Martial Arts Academy.

Beside him, Zhao Xuanfeng narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Shen Congjun, the master of Qianhe Martial Arts School, put down his teacup and looked over with a calm expression.

Everyone was waiting to see how Shi Hao would perform.

Shi Hao stood in front of the forty-five stone bow and reached out to grasp the bow.

The bow arm was entirely dark and heavy, and the bowstring was as thick and hard as iron wire. Ordinary martial artists would feel their wrists become heavy just holding it, let alone pulling it.

Shi Hao took a deep breath.

The next moment, his blood and qi surged violently within him.

The aura of a peak-level Bloodthirst cultivator was revealed without reservation.

A fiery heat emanated from his body, as if a furnace had been ignited in his chest and abdomen.

He planted his feet firmly on the ground, used his waist and back muscles to pull his arms outward little by little.

The 45-stone bow began to bend.

Shi Hao's expression darkened slightly, and the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter. The Azure Dragon Force circulated within his body, and his blood and qi flowed along his shoulders and back into his arms, like a great dragon slowly raising its head from his spine.

50%, 70%, 90%.

At the last inch, he let out a low growl.

"open!

'

The bow is drawn to its fullest extent!

The clerk immediately picked up his pen and loudly proclaimed: "Shi Hao, forty-five stone bow full moon, Jia six!"

'

A burst of cheers erupted from all around the training ground.

"good!

'

"Forty-five shi! The same as Fang Henian!"

'

"As expected of a genius from the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School!"

At the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, Qin Wuhe's tense expression finally relaxed a little.

Shi Hao did not disappoint him.

At this moment, Shi Hao still hadn't stopped.

He stood still and slowly exhaled.

The previous forty-five stone bows were indeed strenuous.

But he hasn't reached his limit yet.

Shi Hao raised his head, his gaze falling on another strong bow beside him.

Forty-six stone bows.

Someone in the crowd saw through his intention and their eyes widened immediately.

"Wait, is he going to continue?"

"Haven't we already reached forty-five shi?"

"He's going to challenge the Forty-Six Stone Bow!"

""

"This is an attempt to surpass Fang Henian!"

,

Fang Henian stood in the Qianhe Martial Arts School team, and his expression finally changed slightly.

He looked at Shi Hao, his gaze slightly narrowed, as if he were scrutinizing this potential opponent.

Shi Hao didn't look at him.

But everyone knows that Shi Hao is after Fang Henian; he wants to surpass this true disciple of Qianhe Martial Arts School!

After recovering, Shi Hao reached out and grasped the forty-six stone bow.

This bow is only one stone short of forty-five stones, but at this level, every extra stone is a hurdle.

Shi Hao gripped the bow with both hands, his feet sinking slightly.

This time, he didn't exert himself immediately, but instead adjusted his breathing first.

Qin Wuhe's eyes narrowed slightly, and a strong sense of anticipation ignited within them.

Shi Hao's chest and abdomen heaved, and his internal energy surged once more.

boom!

The Qi and blood flowed from the spine into the arms along the route of the Azure Dragon's Strength.

He exerted force with both arms, and the forty-six stone bow slowly opened.

The creaking of the bowstring was deeper than before.

When he pulled it to 70%, Shi Hao's face was already noticeably flushed.

When he pulled to 90%, veins bulged on his forehead, his arm muscles tensed, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged like dragons.

The drill ground was quiet.

Everyone stared at the bow.

Shi Hao gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes, his blood and qi boiling over.

"Open it!"

'

The last inch was forcibly pulled apart.

The bow is drawn to its fullest extent!

The clerk's voice also rose noticeably: "Shi Hao, forty-six stone bows, full moon, Jia seven!"

'

The drill ground erupted in cheers.

"Jia Qi!"

'

"Shi Hao has surpassed Fang Henian!"

"Forty-six shi (石), a full four thousand six hundred jin (斤) of force!"

"Shi Hao from Canglong Martial Arts School is amazing!"

The members of Canglong Martial Arts School immediately showed signs of excitement.

Qin Wuhe's face also revealed an undisguised smile.

Forty-six shi (a unit of dry measure).

This single bow strike was enough to amaze everyone in the Li Yong match.

At least compared to Qianhe Martial Arts School, Canglong Martial Arts School regained some momentum.

Zhao Xuanfeng glanced at Qin Wuhe and laughed, "Master Qin, your disciple is quite something."

Qin Wuhe, however, feigned humility and said, "Young people are competitive, I hope Master Zhao will forgive me."

Even so, his tone was more composed and confident than before.