I have a martial arts panel.

Soon, it was Xu Ning's turn.

Just like before, the black-armored guard's deputy dipped a feather into the metal can and then swept it across Xu Ning's eyes.

When the unknown liquid entered Xu Ning's eyes, Xu Ning felt a slight coolness.

The chill quickly dissipated, and when Xu Ning opened his eyes again, he looked around, but his vision remained unchanged.

Finally, the unknown liquid dripped into everyone's eyes.

At this moment, the assistant put away the metal can and walked to the shelf where the round objects were placed.

"In a moment, everyone just needs to keep their eyes on this round stone tablet, and try their best to stay seated and not get up."

The deputy's voice echoed throughout the area: "During this period, no one is allowed to close their eyes except for blinking. Anyone found closing their eyes will be disqualified."

"The last twenty people who manage to stay here will become members of the Black Armor Guard."

At this moment, everyone's expression turned serious.

Although they didn't know what they were about to face, everyone focused all their attention.

Some of them were nervous, like Tao Qingping, who was still taking deep breaths.

"Alright, let's begin the final assessment."

After saying that, the deputy turned around and removed the black cloth from the round stone tablet.

Then, the appearance of the round stone tablet was fully revealed to everyone.

Xu Ning stared intently at it.

It was a round stone tablet with a somewhat rough surface, and in some places, it even had gaps.

Along the center of the circular stone tablet, outwards, are rows of twisted black lines.

"Did the examiner mean to keep staring at these black patterns?"

Xu Ning was pondering the words of the assistant examiner.

According to the rules of this assessment, Xu Ning stared intently at the round stone tablet.

At first, Xu Ning did not notice anything unusual.

After about a dozen breaths, suddenly, changes began to occur on the disc.

The previously still black, twisted patterns began to move slowly.

They move in a clockwise direction, but at different speeds; some patterns rotate very quickly, while others move slowly.

The moment the black, twisted patterns began to rotate, Xu Ning felt as if all the light around him had vanished.

All that remained in his eyes were those strange, dark patterns.

At this moment, around the venue.

When the black cloth was lifted, all the elders of Taojiazhuang Village turned their gazes toward it.

What they saw was exactly the same as what Xu Ning and the others had seen at the beginning.

An ancient, round stone tablet with twisted, unchanging black veins.

"This is……"

None of the elders in Taojiazhuang had ever seen this thing before.

"Use this to test qualifications?"

The clan elders stared at it for a long time but couldn't see anything unusual.

"Commander Xia, what exactly is going on...?"

Tao Jingxing frowned and asked Xia Yuanxing again.

Xia Yuanxing remained as composed as ever, appearing as if he had kept his true abilities hidden.

He smiled faintly: "Clan Chief Tao, don't rush, keep watching."

"It's just sitting there staring at a stone tablet; it'll probably be dark by then..."

Tao Jinglu muttered something under his breath.

Xia Yuanxing glanced at him but didn't say anything.

At that moment, one of the examinees in the arena suddenly moved.

"Um?"

Xia Yuanxing raised an eyebrow: "Someone gave up so quickly? How did someone with such poor aptitude pass the first two tests?"

Not only Xia Yuanxing, but also the elders of Taojiazhuang noticed the unusual situation in the area.

"Can't sit still anymore?"

All eyes turned to them.

And the focus of everyone's attention was on Xu Ning.

"What exactly does this feeling feel like...?"

At this moment, Xu Ning had no idea what was happening around him.

He only felt that the black patterns were spinning faster and faster, and as they spun, his breathing was also being pulled uncontrollably.

It's as if someone is standing to the side, sometimes blocking your mouth and nose, sometimes letting you breathe.

The frequency is very inconsistent, and the rhythm makes me feel very uncomfortable.

"As expected, my talent is inherited from my predecessor..."

At this point, Xu Ning had no choice but to accept reality.

In just a short while, he started to lose control of his body, which means he must have very poor martial arts talent.

"It seems that aptitude is related to the physical body..."

Xu Ning felt that her breathing was being deliberately controlled by the black patterns, operating in a certain way.

"The soul that transmigrates, along with the memories carried over from the previous life, does not add any advantage to one's aptitude in this life..." Xu Ning smiled bitterly to himself. "That's true. The academic geniuses of the previous life, the talents they displayed when facing certain subjects were all related to the angle and depth of their brain development. High IQ itself means that the brain, as a physical organ, is very powerful. It is difficult for a person to break through the limits of IQ and become a master in certain fields by relying solely on acquired thinking and consciousness."

"Martial arts talent should be the same. My mindset, honed by the systematic education I received in my previous life, hasn't improved my sensitivity to martial arts at all. Whether it's internal or external martial arts, it's all about physical perception."

"What a pity... I might be the first one eliminated..."

Xu Ning felt a little regretful.

This strange breathing pattern, deliberately guided by the black patterns, is something that cannot be sustained by willpower alone.

The more you resist with willpower, the harder your body can bear the discomfort, and your attention is rapidly diminishing.

"Never mind..."

However, just as Xu Ning was about to lose his patience and give up.

Suddenly, a white light flashed before his eyes.

The martial arts panel has appeared!

-

Consume 1 unit of energy to upgrade the Source Breath Body Tempering Technique?

whether

-

What's going on here?!

Xu Ning was immediately stunned.

Why did a martial arts panel suddenly appear in front of me?

But what exactly is this Source Breath Body Tempering Technique? I've never even heard of this technique before!

Xu Ning did not confirm immediately. He suppressed his discomfort and brought up the martial arts panel.

-

Name: Xu Ning

Martial arts:

Spring Breeze Technique (Mortal Realm Level 2: Bone and Muscle Realm) +

Gale Blade Technique (Mastery) +

Light Feather Bow Technique (Minor Mastery) +

Source Breath Body Tempering Technique (Beginner) +

Available energy: 7 units

-

Sure enough, a new martial art that he had never seen before was engraved on his martial arts panel, and it was an external martial art.

"I see!"

Suddenly, Xu Ning realized the crux of the problem.

"The breathing pattern deliberately guided by these black lines is actually the cultivation method of this Source Breath Body Tempering Technique!"

Xu Ning was already quite certain: "The Origin Breath Body Tempering Technique is a sophisticated external martial art that is practiced through a specific breathing method. The so-called aptitude test is actually a way of teaching this external martial art to the examinee through the black patterns on this round stone tablet, using an unconventional method of instruction."

"Those with high aptitude can quickly adapt to this breathing method and then follow the path to practice the Source Breath Body Tempering Technique. But those with poor aptitude, like me, cannot even attempt to get started and then suffer from this deliberate manipulation and torment."

"Essentially, this is a test of the examinee's comprehension through their progress in learning an external martial art!"

Thinking of this, Xu Ning felt relieved.

It seems I won't be eliminated.

Next, Xu Ning selected "Yes" from the yes/no options.

The panel has been refreshed.

-

Name: Xu Ning

Martial arts:

Spring Breeze Technique (Mortal Realm Level 2: Bone and Muscle Realm) +

Gale Blade Technique (Mastery) +

Light Feather Bow Technique (Minor Mastery) +

Source Breath Body Tempering Technique (Beginner) +

Available energy: 6 units

-

The moment the Origin Breath Body Tempering Technique was mastered, the previously strange and uncomfortable breathing method instantly became easy.

Xu Ning was no longer being dragged forward, but instead began to breathe normally again on her own.

At the same time, Xu Ning felt that his body had also received a certain degree of powerful enhancement.

His body, which was already at the level of strong bones and muscles, now seems to have improved by another 20%.

"This Source Breath Body Tempering Technique is definitely a very advanced external martial art!"

Sensing the changes in his body, Xu Ning realized: "Even at the beginner level, I can feel a significant improvement in my physical body. If I reach the minor, major, or even perfect levels, then I will be able to withstand opponents of the same level simply by relying on my physical body."

"As expected of the Black Armor Guards, backed by the Origin Sect. Even before I've officially joined them, I've already sensed the abundance of their resources and the terrifying nature of their methods."

Xu Ning finally gained some direct understanding of the legendary Origin Sect.

Leaving aside the Origin Breath Body Tempering Technique itself, the strange way this technique is taught is unfathomable and simply unheard of.

"Black-armored Guards, Source Sect..."

Xu Ning suppressed his burning desire for top-level martial arts and got back into the zone.

This time, he held his ground.