Chapter 3 : Zhou Ling! Martial talent test!
However, not everyone was fooled. Some keen-eyed candidates noticed that the robotic voice had remained silent, failing to declare that Chen Zian had broken the record.
Something was amiss, and they couldn't ignore it.
Without waiting for anyone to voice out their concerns. An immense, cold pressure descended onto Chen Zian.
The atmosphere grew tense, and the sudden presence of an astonishingly beautiful but cold figure arrested everyone's attention.
The pressure on Chen Zian kept on increasing, to the point where his bones started to creak.
Although She was astonishingly stunning, none dared to meet her gaze for more than a fleeting breath, worried they would be subject to torment.
"Do you know your mistake candidate Chen Zian?" The breathtaking beauty finally broke the silence.
Chen Zian broke into a cold sweat and started to think furiously about how he could get out of this. Feigning ignorance he spoke, "I don't understand miss, why are you suppressing me?" He stammered while hoping for a miracle.
The beauty's patience waned as she increased the invisible force bearing down on Chen Zian. "Hmph, still not admitting your wrongdoings?" harrumphed the cold beauty.
The sounds of bones breaking pierced the air, sending shivers down the spines of the onlookers.
"Since you don't know how to admit your mistakes, get on your knees and apologise." She declared.
Only then did Chen Zian realise the horrifying truth; both his legs had been broken. In agony, he fell to the floor, his cries echoing through the hall.
Chen Zian who was unconvinced spoke, "You harlot! How dare you break my legs! Do you know how I am? Tell me your name. I'll get my father to deal with you right this instant."
"Ha, you'll get your father to deal with me?" The beauty scoffed."How laughable.Tell that sissy Chen Fan that I, Zhou Ling, will be waiting for him anytime."
Tian Shen, who often found himself aloof from worldly matters, observed the scene quietly, anticipating someone else to shed light on the mysterious Zhou Ling.
The crowd erupted into a larger stupor when her identity was revealed. " Oh my god! Is she that ZHOU LING?!" Someone exclaimed.
"The one that completed body tempering at the mere age of 18 and then went on to become an elder in one of the four great martial sects!"
Tian Shen in his usual manner couldn't help but be sceptical.
"What a waste." He mused.
"She took 2 years to complete tempering her body and she's called a genius. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. It seems like the bar for geniuses here is very low." Tian Shen thought.
Chen Zian on the other hand fell into complete despair. An elder of one of the four great sects could easily wipe out his branch family without repercussions.
Although Chen Zian was spoiled by his family, he knew his limits. He knew he had to act immediately.
He kowtowed to Zhou Ling, "Miss Zhou Ling please forgive me. I know my mistakes, I was too rash and ended up cheating."
He kept on kowtowing until his forehead was all bloody. "Enough, since you admit your mistakes I'll spare you this time." Zhou Ling declared.
She waved her hand and a mysterious force picked Chen Zian up and threw him out of the hall.
Long Aotian, who had intended to confront him about their bet, remained motionless, too intimidated to utter a word.
Seeing that this matter was settled Zhou Ling remained in the air to oversee the rest of the test.
And as expected no one else dared to play any tricks anymore and the tests went smoothly.
Tian Shen blended well into the crowd again this time with a very normal time of 7.77 seconds.
However, Tian Shen felt a cold glare on him for a moment but it soon went away. He dismissed without thinking about it further. No one could judge a woman's mind.
He knew that it was Zhou Ling but he didn't know why she would pay attention to a no name fellow like him.
Finally, after a few ups and downs it was time for the last and the most important test, the test of talent.
"The final test is quite simple, you just have to place your hand on a stone which is called the measuring stone and your level of talent will be displayed" Zhou Ling announced.
Seeing the stone Tian Shen felt that it was quite interesting. It seemed to be a stone which could quantify how good your affinity was with Qi.
Tian Shen couldn't help but feel a cold sweat. Could he hide his talent from the stone?
Bah. He couldn't be too bothered with it as of now. He would figure it out when the time comes. That's the type of guy Tian Shen is.
Zhou Ling seemed very impatient, so she ordered everyone to get in line and measure their talent quickly. It seemed as if she lost money every second she spent here.
Seeing her glare the students didn't dare to delay and began lining up in order and started to place their hands on the stone.
As the first person placed his hand on the stone two stars lit up. The mechanical voice which everyone missed announced, " Low grade martial talent, Fail. Please exit the hall."
Confusion swept through the crowd. No one understood the significance of the stars, the concept of "low-grade martial talent," or the criteria for success.
A spectacled candidate stepped forward and offered an explanation, his voice almost drowned out by the discussion. "One star represents 10% affinity with Qi, which relates to the speed at which you can absorb Qi. Talent is classified into three levels: low, mid, and high, each represented by three stars."
The crowd was numb to most things at this point after everything they had been through but still discussed in soft voices.
On the other hand our hero waited patiently with an air of indifference around him.
The line progressed with most candidates displaying at least mid-grade talent, as expected of those sent by their prestigious families.
However, there was not even a single person with a high grade talent as of yet. Everyone was looking forward to Long Aotian. Who speak of the devil was next in line.
He approached the stone and placed his hand on it. Then suddenly a blinding light shot out, catching everyone's attention.