Chapter 4: Tri-Fold Body Forging Arts and Pure Yang Essence Art?

The atmosphere within the Power Might Sect buzzed with anticipation as Hu Lin and Yao Lei prepared themselves for the entrance exam. Standing in line with other hopeful disciples, they awaited their turn to prove their worth.

The first trial, known as the Bone Test, Where the doctors of the sect check the bone structure of those taking the test and see if they are qualified to practice martial arts.

The youths were called one by one to be checked. There was no need for me to be checked because my master already did, and since I'm a 2nd-rated martial artist at the age of 14, that shows my competence.

Looking at the expression of the youths, it's filled with nervousness as well as excitement.

This is the defining moment of their life if they could be a dragon or remain as a carp.

Time passed and the majority of the youths were tested, and as I expected it was very difficult to enter a sect.

The majority of them were disqualified for having weak bones or body structures.

Unsurprisingly enough, Yao Lei passed as well as Qin Zhu.

Yao Lei because of his robust body, and Qin Zhu because he hails from a noble household.

Out of 113 youths that have taken the test including me, only 49 are qualified to take the second test, which is the Test of Tenacity.

Next came the Tenacity Test, a trial designed to push the disciples to their limits. Yao Lei and the others found themselves pitted against each other in a series of grueling challenges, testing their endurance, agility, and mental fortitude.

We were tasked with climbing this steep mountain with no tools.

This is scary for some of the teens here because we were told we will not be caught when fall. Since this mountain is pretty much completely vertical, it will certainly cause death if an accident occurs.

This part of the second trial tested our wills.

We are also required to climb this mountain with nothing but our bodies, testing our strength, endurance, and agility.

What's worse is that we only have until the sun sets to pass this exam, and it's already around 1 pm. making it very difficult to pass.

Well not for me, this is too easy.

"Alright, that's the breakdown of the second trial, if any of you wants to give up now, you may do so." Master Hong announced as he looked at the youths standing before him with a sharp gaze.

The trialed teens, look at each other.

While most of them are trembling, no one decides to quit leading to Master Hong's approval.

This here is their only chance to lead a good life, for themselves and their family.

"No one? Then I announced the start of the second trial!" Master Hong shouted.

Hearing this, I gathered the true qi in my body and erupted with strength, quickly climbing the mountain.

Mimicking the movement of my Master.

The other was shocked with mouths agape, but they did not bother with it anymore and continued.

Time passed, and the sun was about to set.

Despite the intense physical exertion, they pushed themselves to the brink and emerged victorious, earning the respect of their fellow disciples and the admiration of the elders.

Out of the 49 youths, only 23 remained.

Most of them fell, while others did not make it on time. Fortunately for those who fell, they were caught by the senior disciple watching over us.

However, in turn, they will have to be an outer disciple to complete mandatory service for a year. After that year it is up to them if they want to be an official disciple or leave the sect.

"Not bad, congrats on passing this exam," I said while looking at the setting sun on the horizon.

Below me is Yao Lei, sprawled on the ground gasping for breath while looking at the orange sky.

"Y-Yeah" He weakly answered.

…

Time passed, and Yao Lei and the rest who passed were accepted as an internal disciple while those that are lucky enough to get saved became outer disciples.

Currently, I was sitting on a mat with a table in between me and Master Feng.

"I do not doubt that you will pass, that is why I told you back then to not take the exam anymore." He said as he took a sip of the alcohol I poured for him.

After the test, I was guided by a disciple to Master Feng's residence.

Here he invites me for a drink.

I'm really lucky to get an eccentric but laid-back master. He is not too stringent with formality and acts more like a senior uncle.

"It's because I want to let them know I'm worthy to be your student master."

Master Feng is a Master Level martial artist. This means he has a high status in the sect, he is the 3rd elder.

That means I have to prove myself to Master's rivals in this sect that he obtained a genius student. I am after all his very first student.

"Good! That's my disciple, here, drink this bottle of Hundred Herb Wine I made!" He excitedly said as he took the bottle to the table and gave it all to me.

"This wine is made with a hundred precious herbs that are good for your body and true qi."

Master Feng stated as he gulped down his whole cup.

"Master! I don't dare to take this!" I said knowing full well the worth this bottle has.

Master Feng glanced at me and then snorted.

"Are you looking down on me? This is my gift to you! I remember that I didn't give you anything when we first met."

He then looked over the brightly hanging moon in the sky, before shaking his head.

"Take this as well." He pulled out a booklet out of his inner robe and gave it to me.

Glancing at it, I realize what it is.

"Tri-Fold Body Forging Arts?" I read the title and looked over Master Feng.

"That is right, it's a martial art I've personally created." Master Feng said with a voice laced with pride.

"This Body Art allows your body to be extremely strong and durable, making you suitable to use Broken Fist."

Confused, I asked "Broken Fist?"

"You will understand it soon, here also take this." Master once again took another booklet from his inner robes and gave it to me.

'Can't he just give it to me at the same time?'

Musing about it, I blurted out the title of the book.

"Pure Yang Essence Art?" I ask once again.

"That is the Internal Art that you will be practicing starting tomorrow."

"When you master these 3 arts I've mentioned, only a few people can be your opponent in Jianghu," Master said with a serious expression

"Master, Have you mastered all these 3?" I can't help but be curious, after all this sounds unreal.

"Only time will tell! Now go and rest in your room your official training will start tomorrow."

Getting up from my mat, I bowed and left the courtyard of the master.

Master Feng looked at the disappearing back of Hu Lin, then glanced back once again at the moon, and sighed.

…

Heading to my room which is just adjacent to Master Feng, I decided to skim over the 2 techniques.

"Making yang pure and strengthening the body...Forging the body to be iron..."

Reading through it I have a general idea of what the 2 arts contain.

Indeed both of these techniques are first-class, it's extremely detailed and contains insights from Master Feng.

Glancing at the jade bottle I'm holding which contains the Hundred Herb Wine, I could not help but say, "This will be very beneficial for me."

After all, I have the 2x boost effect from any positive effect on me. With that and this bottle reaching 1st rate within a year or two is not impossible.

…

Somewhere, in a dim room. A man sat in front of a desk, with a man kneeling in front of him.

After a long time of silence, the man who carries authority in his demeanor spoke, "So you are telling me, you failed in removing the third elder's only disciple."

Hearing this, Dong Fa, the one kneeling seemingly atoning for his sin spoke with tremble in his voice.

"M-Master, he is stronger than I thought he would be!"

*Bam*

The sound of a hand crushing a table could be heard.

"If you're not my disciple I would have killed you by now. Leave!" The man roared in anger as he waved his hand.

As if pardoned from death, Dong Fa bowed and thanked the man, and quickly left.

Now all alone, the man pondered before uttering these cold words.

"This is not the end."