SWDnovel Chapter 62 Showdown
Chapter 62 Showdown
As time went on, the oppressive aura emanating from the stone and the resulting resonance and vibration of qi and blood continued to slowly increase.
People kept sweating and trembling, eventually unable to hold on and leaving in dejection.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, fewer than fifty people remained seated firmly on their prayer cushions.
Half an hour later, only about twenty people remained.
Jiang Qi remained calm throughout, breathing slowly and deliberately, as he contemplated the situation.
Before long, the "Book of a Hundred Trades" suddenly changed.
【Blood Circulation Strengthening Exercise (Beginner): 1/100】
The flow of qi and blood in the body immediately became smooth, as if a gentle breeze had swept over it.
......
Time passes little by little.
When the gong finally sounded after an hour, only nine people remained sitting calmly in front of the Qi and Blood Stone in the vast square.
Jiang Qi, Qin Hongyu, Yue Qing of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, Xu Zhao of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, Li Tianren, the young master of Qingshui Gang, and three other young martial artists.
Boom!
The gong sounded, marking the end of the first stage of the assessment.
Jiang Qi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear, with a glint of shrewdness in them.
He glanced at the [Book of a Hundred Trades] with some disinterest:
[Resilient Blood Circulation Exercise (Beginner): 32/100]
"This Qi and Blood Stone is indeed profound; it can greatly enhance the speed of comprehension, but unfortunately, the time is too short..."
"If I had more time, I might be able to directly achieve minor success," he thought to himself.
"You nine, come forward."
Looking at the nine people who persevered to the end, Zhou Wenyuan, the head of the Martial Affairs Department, showed an approving expression.
The nine people stood up and stepped forward.
"Not bad. Being able to withstand the Qi and Blood Stone for an hour demonstrates your superior foundation. This is your reward."
Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand, and an official beside him stepped forward carrying a jade tray containing nine small jade bottles.
Blood Clotting Pill!
Jiang Qi and the others were delighted, stepped forward to accept the gift, and bowed in unison, saying, "Thank you, sir!"
Li Tianren took the jade bottle, but his face showed little joy, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Meanwhile, Qin Hongyu glanced at Jiang Qi with some surprise. She hadn't expected that this seemingly ordinary guard from the water workshop would actually be able to persevere to the end.
Xu Zhao's gaze toward Jiang Qi now held a hint of approval.
He had thought that, apart from himself, only a handful of others like Yue Qing and Li Tianren would be able to survive this ordeal.
"Qi-ge'er is amazing!"
"The Protector of the River is amazing!"
Below, Xiaoqi and the others were extremely excited.
The surrounding crowd of onlookers also cast envious and amazed glances.
Being able to persist for an hour proves one's potential.
Zhou Wenyuan nodded slightly and said in a clear voice:
"Break time for half an hour. Afterwards, we will proceed to the second stage of the assessment: arena combat!"
"I hope you will continue your efforts and demonstrate what you have learned!"
......
Martial Arts Examination Grounds, Rest Area.
"Qi-ge'er! That's amazing!" Zhao Xiaoqi, Guo Meng, Zhao Tong and others immediately surrounded him, their faces full of excitement.
Jiang Qi smiled and dealt with everyone, while mentally reviewing his insights from before the Qi and Blood Stone.
His initial understanding of "Resilient Blood Exercise" allowed him to refine his control over his own Qi and blood. Although the improvement was not obvious, it accumulated over time and brought great benefits.
"Brother Jiang!" Pang Zhan from Litong Money Shop also came over, beaming. "Congratulations!"
Pang Wei nodded with a smile and praised, "Young Brother Jiang has amazing comprehension and a calm and composed temperament. He will surely pass the martial arts examination with flying colors."
"According to the rules of my Pang family's sponsorship, those who receive the Qi and Blood Stone within one hour can receive a sponsorship amount of twenty taels of silver, twenty Blood Nourishing Pills, and ten Blood Accumulation Pills per month."
"Thank you, Seventh Master. Thank you, Master Pang." Jiang Qi cupped his hands in thanks.
Resources, of course, are always better the more they are.
......
Not far away is the rest area of Zhenyue Martial Arts School.
Xuan Le's face was gloomy as he stared at Jiang Qi. Seeing how much the two Pang family masters valued Jiang Qi made him even angrier, his face filled with resentment and jealousy.
Just then, Yue Qing, the young master of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, walked over. Following Xuan Le's gaze, he naturally saw Jiang Qi chatting and laughing with the Pang family.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, his voice low: "That kid, is he the one who caused you to suffer a loss in the last little contest with the Pang family?"
Xuan Le's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Yes, Senior Brother, it's him! Last time it was all my fault for being careless and underestimating him, and he managed to ambush me! If we're really talking about strength, how could he be a match for me!"
Yue Qing's gaze fell on Jiang Qi, and he scrutinized him for a moment, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
Being able to persevere to the end in front of the Qi and Blood Stone is by no means just a matter of luck.
However, considering that this person came from humble beginnings and was just a foreman at a water mill, the pride that belonged to the young master of Zhenyue Martial Arts School rose up in his heart again.
In the first round of assessment, Xu Zhao, Li Tianren, and others persevered to the end alongside Yue Qing, leaving him speechless.
But does a mere water carrier deserve to be ranked alongside them?
"In the next round of the arena, I can let you draw him," Yue Qing said to Xuan Le with a smile.
Xuan Le was overjoyed upon hearing this, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He immediately clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your generosity, Senior Brother Yue! Rest assured, Senior Brother, I will definitely defeat him on the stage! I will let everyone know the power of Zhenyue Martial Arts School!"
"Hmm." Yue Qing nodded lightly, seemingly not caring much, and then winked at a Zhenyue Martial Arts School disciple following behind him.
The disciple understood and quietly withdrew from the crowd, arriving at a relatively secluded corner of the assessment area.
Here, a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a military officer is leaning against the wall, his gaze wandering.
A disciple from Zhenyue Martial Arts School quickly stepped forward, discreetly slipped the silver into the other person's hand, and whispered:
"My lord, this is a small token of my appreciation. When you are arranging the match numbers later, could you please pair Xuan Le from our Zhenyue Martial Arts School with Jiang Qi from the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School on the same stage?"
The clerk weighed the silver in his hand, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "A small matter, leave it to me. We must give face to Zhenyue Martial Arts School."
"Thank you for your trouble, sir." The disciple bowed and left.
The clerk then pocketed the silver and turned to proceed with the lottery.
"Xuan Le... Jiang Qi..."
Once you've taken the money, you have to get things done.
The clerk was just about to draw the two names together...
Just then, footsteps were heard.
Zhou Wenyuan, the chief clerk of the Martial Affairs Department, strode closer, glanced around, and said in a deep voice:
"I will personally oversee the drawing of lots for this match. You can wait outside; this is none of your business."
what?
The clerk's expression changed slightly, but he dared not say anything more, repeatedly agreeing before leaving.
Zhou Wenyuan watched the official's departing figure, then glanced at the noisy examination site in the distance, his brows furrowing slightly.
Every year during performance reviews, some people try to take shortcuts or cheat.
He would never allow the fairness of the military to be tainted in his hands.
......
The break time passed quickly.
All the examinees received a number.
Boom!
The gong rang again.
"The second stage of the assessment, the arena battle, is now beginning! All participants, proceed to the corresponding arena according to the number you hold!"
Jiang Qi glanced at the wooden plaque in his hand: Arena No. 3, Class C.
He put away the wooden sign and walked towards the area marked "丙".
When passing by the No. 2 arena of the Bing class.
Upon seeing Jiang Qi approach, Xuan Le shouted to the audience:
"This time, I'll beat you to a pulp! I'll show you what real strength is!"