Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Strength to Uproot Mountains! Stunning the Senior Sister

The carriage stopped and its curtain was drawn open. The first to emerge was a man with handsome, jade-like features, though his skin was pale and cool.

The man had a pair of phoenix eyes, their outer corners tilted slightly upward, leaving a deep impression on anyone who saw him.

This man was Zhao Longge, the young master of the Zhao Family—one of the three great families. He was here on their behalf to preside over the Martial Examination.

"Lord Pang, after you."

Following close behind him, a middle-aged man in the uniform of the Black Stone Army alighted from the carriage. He was powerfully built, with hard, severe features that looked as if they were chiseled from stone, exuding a grim, deadly aura.

The Commander of the Black Stone Army, Pang Xuan!

"Master Zhao, let’s proceed together."

After politely deferring to one another, the two walked together onto the high platform that had been erected on the grounds.

Seeing the two approach, representatives from the great families of the Outer City and the various chambers of commerce hurried forward, flocking around them as they were shown to their seats.

Su Yu glanced from a distance and saw that the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, the Thousand Mechanism Tower, the Liu Family of the Outer City, and other major powers were all present.

Over at the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s area, Qin Fangqiong said, "I’m heading up to the second floor. Just focus on the Martial Examination."

With that, Master Qin left with the other disciples from the martial hall, leaving behind only Su Yu, Chen Fan, and the two responsible for them: their Eldest Senior Brother, Qi Linfeng, and Second Senior Sister, Lin Wanzhu.

Their Eldest Senior Brother glanced at Su Yu and offered a gentle reminder. "Junior Su, just do your best in the Martial Examination. Don’t worry too much. By the way, Junior Brother Xu Feng has been out of town dealing with some family matters. Before he left, he specifically told me to tell you not to worry, regardless of how you place in the examination. If you need anything, you can go to him for help!"

Su Yu immediately cupped his fist in a salute. "Thank you, Senior Brother Qi and Senior Brother Xu. I’ll remember that!"

After waiting a few more moments, the appointed hour for the Martial Examination arrived. On the high platform, Pang Xuan rose and announced loudly, "The time for the Martial Examination has come. Let it begin!"

His voice rang out like clashing metal—sharp, decisive, and without a single wasted word.

In previous years, there would have been a speech about Black Stone City’s development, how every aspect was thriving... But this year, perhaps because everyone was aware of the current situation, he tacitly skipped the pleasantries.

Soon, the drawing of lots concluded. Su Yu was assigned to Group C, and Chen Fan to Group D.

"Let’s go, Junior Brother Chen. Junior Sister, you stay here with Junior Su." With these instructions, their Eldest Senior Brother, Qi Linfeng, led Chen Fan toward the distant Group D arena.

"Senior Sister, shouldn’t you go check on Lin Dong and the others?" Su Yu asked.

Lin Wanzhu shook her head. "It’s fine. I know exactly how those two siblings will fare. You, on the other hand, always seem to be holding back."

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Su Yu and whispered, "Did your Demon-subduing Saber break through to the Skillful Realm?"

Although she often gave him pointers, she always felt that Su Yu never used his full strength. Their sparring matches were always close, but he never seemed to be in any real danger.

So she had always been curious just how strong he was when he went all out, especially since she’d also noticed he was practicing some kind of movement technique.

"It has," Su Yu replied calmly.

Lin Wanzhu’s heart skipped a beat, and her chest heaved.

’The Demon-subduing Saber at the Skillful Realm!’

’This kid... he was hiding his strength well. He really has a shot at the top twenty this time! I have to get him into my Law Enforcement Team!’

"And you kept this from your Senior Sister! I’ll deal with you when this is all over!" Though she spoke of punishing him, the delight in Lin Wanzhu’s eyes was plain to see.

Su Yu just smiled. ’You never asked, Senior Sister. Besides, I have an even bigger surprise for you coming up.’

...

Across the various competition grounds, the first stage of the Martial Examination was underway.

Names were called one after another, and participants stepped forward to demonstrate their physical strength.

Su Yu’s gaze swept across the bluestone weights. There were five in total. The largest stood taller than a man, while even the smallest was the size of a millstone.

According to the rules, the first stone weighed 3,000 jin, the basic requirement for becoming a Martial Artist.

The second stone was 5,000 jin, requiring one’s Qi and Blood to be at the peak of the First Acupoint level to lift.

The third stone jumped to 8,000 jin. This weight could only be lifted by those at the First Acupoint level, though some with special constitutions and exceptionally strong Qi and Blood could seemingly surpass their limits.

The fourth was 12,000 jin, impossible to lift for anyone below the Second Acupoint level.

As for the final stone, it weighed a full 20,000 jin. It stood there like a small mountain, a challenge only those at the Third Acupoint level would dare to attempt.

In this year’s Martial Examination, only Cui Wanhe and Sun Yan were at the Third Acupoint level. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this final stone was designed specifically for them.

"Zhao Tiezhu! Zhao Tiezhu!"

"Comin’, I’m comin’!" In Su Yu’s group, the sixth person had just been called. The five before him had all easily lifted the first stone weight.

However, none of them had managed to lift the second.

This relaxed Su Yu considerably. It seemed many of the Martial Artists were just average. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Zhao Tiezhu stepped forward and stripped off his outer shirt, revealing a powerful, muscular physique. He then warmed up, stretching his limbs.

Then, he started with the first stone weight.

Generally, unless a participant was absolutely confident, they would start with the first stone to secure a baseline score.

Although the first day’s results were only a small part of the total, they still factored into the final evaluation.

"LIFT!"

With a great roar, the Qi and Blood in Zhao Tiezhu’s arms surged. He lifted the millstone-sized weight and raised it steadily above his head.

The surrounding crowd immediately broke into cheers. "Nice! Another expert with a solid foundation of Qi and Blood."

Having passed, Zhao Tiezhu set the stone down, dusted off his hands, and approached the second weight with a solemn expression.

"LIFT!"

Again he roared, his Qi and Blood thrumming throughout his body. The muscles on his arms trembled as he shakily hoisted the heavy stone.

"He’s lifting it! Look, another Martial Arts expert!"

Zhao Tiezhu swayed, managing to lift the enormous stone to his shoulders. His muscles were pulled taut, and a single bead of sweat trickled down his back.

"LIFT!"

He roared again as his Qi and Blood flared, and the stone rose another inch. But just as he was about to raise it over his head, his breath hitched.

BOOM!

The massive stone crashed to the ground, sending dust flying.

"Failure!" the examiner announced, his face impassive.

"Agh, he failed!"

"So close! He almost had it!"

"Just as I thought. That 5,000-jin stone is a real barrier. Only the best of the best can lift it."

Zhao Tiezhu’s face was ashen as he took his shirt from a female companion. In the end, his Qi and Blood were still a little lacking; his cultivation wasn’t quite there yet.

The young woman comforted him, "Don’t worry, Brother Tiezhu. You were still the strongest one so far."

"Next, Su Yu!"

"Go on, Junior Su!" Senior Sister Lin gently helped him remove his outer robe, holding it in her arms.

A warmth spread through Su Yu’s heart. He strode forward and began to warm up.

Once he was done, he walked toward the line of stone weights. He passed the first one without even a pause.

The onlookers’ eyes lit up at once, and they all craned their necks for a better look.

"Interesting. Is he going straight for the second stone?"

"I don’t recognize him. I wonder which family’s young talent he is."

A flash of approval appeared in Lin Wanzhu’s eyes. ’As expected, Junior Su’s progress in his Martial Arts Realm isn’t slow at all. He might not be on Chen Fan’s level, but he’s definitely one of the top contenders!’

However, Su Yu didn’t stop.

He walked past the second stone, the 5,000-jin one, and kept going!

"What!"

"Hey! Kid! You went too far!"

"The next one is 8,000 jin! Only a First Acupoint expert can lift that!"

"Is he crazy? He doesn’t look like a First Acupoint expert at all!"

Lin Wanzhu, still holding Su Yu’s robes, felt her jaw drop. Her mind went into a flurry, her palms grew sweaty, and her heart leaped into her throat.

"Junior Su! You..."

’This is the Martial Examination! He can’t act on impulse.’

’Failing the first lift will be a huge drain on his strength and affect his later performance!’

’Junior Su isn’t usually like this!’

It’s true what they say: the more you care, the more you worry. Having spent the last month constantly by Su Yu’s side, Lin Wanzhu had come to completely approve of her junior brother.

She had invested in him early on, even before he became a Martial Artist. Now that he had broken through, if he joined the Law Enforcement Team, he would become one of her core subordinates.

This had led her to develop a special concern for him.

Now, seeing him stop before the 8,000-jin behemoth and prepare to lift it, she couldn’t help but bite her lip.

At the same time, a thought struck her like a bolt of lightning.

’Could it be?’

As if to confirm her suspicion, Su Yu took a deep breath. He planted his feet slightly apart, firm as an old tree’s gnarled roots, spread his fingers, and took a solid grip on the grooves on either side of the stone.

BANG!

With a sudden bang of Qi and Blood, Su Yu ripped the man-high stone from the ground. His feet seemed to claw at the earth as he steadily lifted the weight, bit by bit, to his waist, then to his shoulders, and finally, held it stable above his head.

"First Acupoint!"

"An expert! Another expert!"

"Wow, such a young First Acupoint expert!"

"Quick! Go find out which family he belongs to! What are the betting odds?!"

A flash of appreciation appeared in the examiner’s eyes as well. He announced, "Su Yu, 8,000 jin. Pass!"

BOOM!

Su Yu tossed the stone aside. It crashed to the ground, making the entire platform tremble.

He dusted off his hands, turned, and walked back, his expression as placid as still water.

Lin Wanzhu stared blankly at the approaching Su Yu, her cherry-red lips parted in a perfect O.

’Ju... Junior Su... he’s broken through to the First Acupoint level!!!’