I have a martial arts panel.

Xu Ning arrived at the waiting area.

A makeshift shed has been set up here, with tables and chairs inside.

There was water and food on the table, clearly indicating that the village had also considered the issue of replenishing the physical strength of the selected candidates.

When Xu Ning arrived at the waiting area, there were already more than ten people there.

Among them is Tao Jingxing's eldest granddaughter, Tao Ye's older sister, Tao Jin.

Xu Ning knew Tao Jin because of her reputation as a genius; she was second only to Tao Qingyuan in Tao Family Village and was a formidable figure.

Xu Ning greeted some acquaintances and nodded to Tao Jin.

After that, Xu Ning found a place to sit down and stopped talking.

Although they have passed two assessments, the final result is still uncertain, and everyone is still on tenterhooks.

"Xu Ning, you got here even before me?"

At this moment, Tao Qingping, who had just passed the assessment, also arrived. He was quite surprised to see Xu Ning, who had appeared here ahead of time.

However, Tao Qingping seemed to remember something soon, and he slapped his forehead: "That's right, your Gale Blade Technique has been perfected, so you will definitely pass the test faster than me."

"You're not bad either, managing to pass two rounds in a row. Among the younger generation in Taojiazhuang, you're one of the best."

Xu Ning said some polite words.

Tao Qingping was indeed somewhat beyond Xu Ning's expectations. When Xu Ning first met Tao Qingping, he seemed even less remarkable than Xu Ning himself at the time.

"It's really not easy..."

Tao Qingping saw that there was water, poured himself a cup, drank some, and then sat down next to Xu Ning.

He glanced subconsciously at the information sheet in Xu Ning's hand.

In the internal strength realm section, Xu Ning is at the muscle and bone realm.

Tao Qingping's eyes widened, thinking he had misread it, so he took another closer look.

"The Bone and Muscle Realm?"

Tao Qingping looked at Xu Ning and tried his best to lower his voice: "You've only been cultivating the Spring Breeze Technique for less than two months, and you've already reached the Bone and Tendon Realm?"

"By sheer luck."

Xu Ning smiled, offering no further explanation.

Seeing Xu Ning like this, Tao Qingping felt very uncomfortable.

He had advanced to the Qi Refining Realm, but his family had spent a large sum of money to buy him an expensive spiritual herb, all in order to join the Black Armor Guard.

Despite his tireless cultivation day and night, coupled with the aid of precious spiritual medicines, he had only reached the Strength Refinement Realm.

Xu Ning, however, had already reached the Bone and Tendon Realm.

"Mastery of the Gale Blade Technique, Spring Breeze Technique at the Bone and Tendon Realm..."

Tao Qingping has realized that Xu Ning is now catching up with the two top geniuses of Tao Family Village, Tao Qingyuan and Tao Jin.

"That's terrifying..."

Tao Qingping kept muttering to himself.

Not only Tao Qingping, but Tao Jin, who was sitting very close to them, also overheard their conversation.

Tao Jin's expression changed slightly, and she glanced at Xu Ning without making a sound.

To cultivate the Spring Breeze Technique to the Bone and Tendon Realm in less than two months—this speed of cultivation seems to be something even Tao Qingyuan couldn't achieve.

Tao Jin knew Xu Ning's name before because her grandfather, Tao Jingxing, praised Xu Ning for his courage in risking his life to save others. At that time, Xu Ning was only known for his "loyalty" in Tao Jin's mind.

And now, there's one more label.

genius.

A genius comparable to Tao Qingyuan.

Tao Jin's heart began to feel uneasy.

When it comes to crucial moments, those seemingly insignificant figures suddenly emerge.

"In any case, I am only eighteen years old this year, and I have already mastered external martial arts. Moreover, my internal martial arts have reached the third level of the mortal realm, the inner fullness realm. In Tao Family Village, apart from Tao Qingyuan, no one can compare to me."

When a genius discovers that someone is gradually catching up with them, their inner self-identity mechanism unconsciously begins to kick in.

"With each advancement in internal energy cultivation, the difficulty of advancing further increases. I've now reached the peak of the Inner Abundance Realm, only one step away from the fourth level of the Mortal Realm, the Qi Sensing Realm. Once I break through, Xu Ning and the others will be no match for me, and Tao Qingyuan will be left behind..."

Unconsciously, Tao Jin clenched her fists.

Xu Ning sat to the side, and he vaguely sensed that Tao Jin next to him was acting strangely.

He clearly noticed that Tao Jin had glanced at him.

Turning to look at Tao Jin, Xu Ning noticed that her expression was constantly changing, as if she was suppressing an emotion.

After lowering his head, he clenched his fists again.

"They must have overheard my conversation with Tao Qingping..."

Xu Ning had guessed the reason, but he was puzzled by Tao Jin's unusual reaction.

The two were not familiar with each other; although they knew of each other's existence, they had never spoken to each other.

Tao Jin acted somewhat arrogantly simply because she knew she was progressing relatively quickly...

Something's not right?

Xu Ning suddenly realized that she had been overthinking things.

Perhaps Tao Jin really wanted to think about the third assessment.

After that, Xu Ning stopped thinking about it and waited with Tao Qingping for the next examinees.

Another half hour passed.

There were already nearly forty people in the waiting area at this time.

More than 200 people participated in the assessment today. About 20% passed the first two assessments, so the elimination rate is relatively high.

"The previous notice stated that twenty people would be selected for the Black Armor Guards this time, which means that nearly half of them will be eliminated in the final qualification assessment..."

Xu Ning was making plans in his mind.

Just then, more Black Armor Guards arrived.

Congratulations everyone.

The black-armored guard said, "Next, the final qualification test. Please follow me."

Led by the black-armored guard, the forty men lined up and walked toward the center of the training ground.

There, a wooden frame had already been erected, and the elders of the Tao clan and Xia Yuanxing and others were already seated around it.

Here, they all witnessed the final assessment and award ceremony.

"Tao Jin, you look a little nervous."

The speaker was Tao Qingyuan, who, with his qualifications, naturally passed the assessment with ease.

"I'm not nervous, just a little curious about what form the aptitude test will take."

Tao Jin was in front of Tao Qingyuan.

Tao Qingyuan listened but didn't say much.

Although he knew that Tao Jin always regarded him as her biggest imaginary enemy, in Tao Qingyuan's own heart, Tao Jin was just a somewhat sensitive cousin.

"Xu Ning, I'm a little nervous."

Tao Qingping said to Xu Ning.

He had passed the first two rounds, both of which were very difficult; a slight misstep could have resulted in his elimination.

Deep down, Tao Qingping felt that his talent was only average, so he was very nervous when facing the third test.

"Relax."

That was the only way Xu Ning could comfort her.

In fact, Xu Ning also had this idea.

His predecessor had even worse martial arts talent than Tao Qingping, and had not made any progress in practicing the Gale Blade Technique for two or three years.

Whether I can pass the third assessment is still unknown.

However, Xu Ning has a better mindset than Tao Qingping.

Even if I don't pass the assessment, at most I'll have fewer resources, slower progress, and less support.

With a martial arts panel, my future path remains bright.

"Sit cross-legged on the spot."

The organization's black-armored guards gave everyone the next instructions.

Xu Ning sat down with the others.

They were surrounded by clan elders and black-armored guards. In front of them was a shelf for storing things, but at the moment it was empty.

Soon, several black-armored guards carried an object covered by a cloth.

The object was large, with a round outline, and it looked very heavy. Even several black-armored guards struggled to lift it together.

Clang.

The item was placed on the shelf.

"Captain Xia, what exactly is this?"

The one asking the question was Tao Jingxing, who was sitting to the side.

Yesterday, the Black Armor Guards delivered the instrument for testing a person's aptitude to Tao Family Village.

But this prop had been covered up before, and none of the elders of Taojiazhuang could guess what it was.

Xia Yuanxing chuckled upon hearing this, without giving a direct answer: "You'll find out soon enough, Chief Tao."

"Let's begin."

Xia Yuanxing gave the order.

The deputy beside him received the order and took out a metal can and a feather.

He walked up to the first person being tested: "Look up, open your eyes."

The person being assessed was also unaware of the reasoning, but still did as instructed.

The assistant dipped a feather into the metal can and lightly touched it to the eye of the person being tested.

Then he moved on to the next person.

"What exactly is going on?"

Xu Ning was puzzled.

Not only Xu Ning, but also Tao Qingyuan, Tao Jin and others looked equally puzzled.