Chapter Forty-Three: The Might of a Single Fist

Alliance of the Azure Heavens!

Though that banner bore only a single character, Wang Ran instantly understood that this must be Ye Cang’s domain.

From afar, he could see a massive palace rising between sheer rock faces, its red bricks and ancient tiles exuding grandeur. Numerous disciples moved in and out—members of the Hall of Enforcement.

Ye Cang’s territory, among the four major powers here, was visibly the most formidable.

Wang Ran swept his gaze quickly over the scene, paid it no heed, and flew straight to the main hall of the Fifth Mountain’s Hall of Enforcement.

In front of the main hall, a crowd had already gathered. Elder Liu presided, maintaining order, though the atmosphere was still chaotic.

“Senior Brother, we’re over here!”

Amidst the crowd, his youngest junior sister waved her arms vigorously, shouting to Wang Ran.

Following the sound, Wang Ran saw Yan Wanrou and Zhao Xiaobai had arrived ahead of him and were queuing to register.

Indeed, many disciples had come for today’s selection. Recruitment by the Hall of Enforcement was rare; regardless of their confidence, all wanted to try their luck.

Zhao Xiaobai’s calculations proved accurate. When registration ended, including Wang Ran and his two companions, there were a total of one hundred seventy-two candidates.

Choosing four out of one hundred seventy-two was a daunting challenge for ordinary disciples.

Yet for prodigies such as Wang Ran, the difficulty was lessened. Among these one hundred seventy-two, only about twenty could be considered prodigies.

Wang Ran was unquestionably the most conspicuous among them. His ten-star Foundation Establishment had already become legendary within the sect, though the sect’s sealed management meant the outside world remained unaware.

Next was Zhao Xiaobai, whose eight-star Foundation Establishment was similarly outstanding. Then came the youngest junior sister, Tony Mu, and others with six or seven stars.

However, the others were not without hope. Wang Ran’s Foundation Establishment was recent; despite his highest talent, he was only at the second layer. Many senior inner disciples, though perhaps only five or six stars, had reached the third layer, or higher. Their cultivation advantage might well secure a place.

Soon, the first test began. Elder Liu stood before the main hall, clapped his hands, and the aura of a Golden Core cultivator spread, silencing the crowd.

He cleared his throat and said, “As you all know, the Hall of Enforcement represents honor, affirmation, and is the sect’s blade!”

“All of you are among the sect’s most outstanding disciples. In this selection, I hope you will perform well and earn a good ranking. Even if you fail to enter the Hall, you may still attract the sect’s attention and gain more resources for cultivation.”

“No more words; you understand the stakes. Now, the first test—martial trial!”

At that moment, a massive stone appeared behind Elder Liu, etched with strange and obscure patterns, flickering with blue light.

The crowd watched in amazement. Elder Liu explained, “This is the Spirit Martial Stone. It measures the strength of a cultivator’s attack. Whether you favor sword, fist, or palm, it makes no difference. Simply use your full strength against the stone, and it will evaluate your level.”

The Spirit Martial Stone was a device for measuring attack power. Wang Ran did not know its forging method, but he understood it came in three grades: lower, middle, and upper.

The lower-grade stone measured Foundation Establishment cultivators and could withstand the full force of a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. The middle grade suited Golden Core cultivators. The upper grade was for Nascent Soul.

Each grade corresponded to a realm. Using the stone across realms led to unpredictable results. For instance, a Golden Core cultivator striking the lower-grade stone would shatter it, failing to produce an accurate rating.

Conversely, a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacking the upper-grade stone would barely leave a mark, yielding no useful result.

The one before them was, of course, lower grade.

Many disciples were seeing it for the first time and were curious. Elder Liu, noticing their interest, said, “Since you’re all eager, let’s begin. Line up for the test.”

The disciples immediately formed an orderly queue.

The first was a horse-faced disciple, excitement brightening his features. Carrying a longbow, he bowed to the crowd and said, “I’m no expert, but I’ll go first and blaze a trail for everyone!”

Nearby disciples cheered.

“I know him. Not a prodigy, but very diligent. He’s at the third layer of Foundation Establishment.”

“Third layer is decent. Let’s see how he scores.”

“Indeed, with him going first, it’s easier for us to observe.”

As they discussed, the horse-faced disciple, confirmed by Elder Liu, gripped his bow and stepped solemnly before the Spirit Martial Stone. He focused his energy in his dantian, drew the string, and spiritual energy surged.

“This is my strongest martial art—Three-Star Dao, Piercing Cloud Arrow!”

With that, he released the string. The arrow shot forth, powerful, transforming into a streak of light toward the stone.

A crisp clang rang out as the arrow fell to the ground, white smoke rising from the spot where it struck.

Elder Liu examined it, nodded, and said, “Not bad. You achieved a Lower-B grade!”

Upon hearing this, the horse-faced disciple was elated, his eyes shining with excitement.

The Spirit Martial Stone was rated by A, B, and C grades, with A the highest, C the lowest.

Each major grade was divided into upper, middle, and lower subgrades.

A Lower-B result was impressive for a third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Over the years, cultivators had summarized standards: ordinary Foundation Establishment—first to third layer—could only achieve C grade; fourth to sixth, B grade; seventh to Great Perfection, A grade.

So this result showed the horse-faced disciple’s effort had surpassed the norm.

Among the hundred-plus disciples, many could not reach this, and they voiced their envy and cheers.

After he withdrew, others stepped forward for their tests. The place became lively, Dao arts flying, spiritual energy surging.

Most scored between B and C. Occasionally, a prodigy would earn Upper-B, leaving amid admiring gazes.

Tony Mu stepped up as well. He had found some opportunity and advanced rapidly, now at the third layer. Using a long spear, he struck with full force—the stone trembled, yielding a Lower-A result.

Elder Liu’s eyes brightened, and the crowd marvelled, certain Tony Mu would take a top-three spot in this round.

Next, the youngest junior sister and Zhao Xiaobai took the stage. Junior sister wielded her long sword, executing the Six-Star Dao “Rainfall Pear Blossom,” causing a sensation with a Middle-A result, drawing all eyes.

Many disciples were astonished and then ashamed, realizing they were less capable than her. Their impression of her deepened.

But Zhao Xiaobai soon shattered their expectations again. Though only at the second layer of Foundation Establishment, as an eight-star prodigy, he transformed when serious. His aura was bloodthirsty, murderous, a stark contrast to his usual genteel demeanor.

His gaze brimmed with slaughter, murderous intent soared, enveloping the hall. Many disciples’ hearts quaked, their fighting spirit vanished, fear consuming them.

Though the Spirit Martial Stone was not a living target, Zhao Xiaobai made it seem ready to be slain.

Slay the heavens, slay the earth, slay all—nothing left unscathed!

When his aura peaked, Zhao Xiaobai swung his folding fan. Its white-paper surface became as tough as steel, slicing across the stone.

As the spiritual energy dissipated, Zhao Xiaobai reverted to his cheerful self, but the stone bore a visible scratch.

Everyone watched with anticipation. Elder Liu, too, looked immediately—and drew a sharp breath. “Zhao Xiaobai, Upper-A!”

At his words, a wave of exclamations swept the hall. With only the second layer of Foundation Establishment, he had produced the power expected of a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. This was the mark of a prodigy!

Everyone was awed, convinced Zhao Xiaobai would claim first in the martial trial, having reached the highest rating.

“Looks like the results are clear—Zhao Xiaobai first, Yan Wanrou second, Tony Mu third.”

“Wait, aren’t we forgetting Wang Ran?”

“Yes, Wang Ran is a prodigy too. If he makes his move, Tony Mu might drop a rank.”

“If Wang Ran tries, at most he’ll tie with Zhao Xiaobai. Can he get higher than Upper-A?”

“That’s true. Has he gone yet?”

As the disciples discussed Wang Ran, their eyes searched for him. Soon, they found him sprawled on a stone table at the main hall’s entrance, fast asleep.

Everyone was dumbstruck, then broke into a sweat.

How casual could one be!

The youngest junior sister hurried over, shook Wang Ran’s shoulder, and woke him.

He had grown bored waiting for the slow, turn-by-turn trials—at least two hours—so he’d napped.

Upon waking, he glanced around, asked no questions, and walked forward.

All eyes turned to him. As an inner sect prodigy, one of the best, his performance would affect many rankings.

Despite the attention, Wang Ran’s expression did not change. He looked nonchalantly at the Spirit Martial Stone, planted his feet in a horse stance.

Even Elder Liu was surprised.

Was he going to attack with bare hands, not using a spiritual weapon?

Such a move would affect his score, since others had the boost of spiritual tools. Wang Ran’s choice seemed disadvantageous.

But Wang Ran did not dwell on it. He clenched his fist—no Dao arts, simply swung and struck the stone slowly.

No wind from his fist, no surging spiritual energy—compared to the others, his momentum was pitifully weak.

Many were puzzled, thinking perhaps he was still sleepy. Elder Liu grew annoyed. “Wang Ran, though you are the Grand Elder’s disciple, you ought to be serious. This is the Hall of Enforcement selection—can you not punch properly? Are you batting cotton?”

Wang Ran looked up, innocent. “I am being serious.”

Elder Liu grew angrier, stepped to the stone, and said, “Still arguing? Look for yourself—not even a score!”

He patted the stone and continued lecturing, but as his hand touched it, a loud crack rang out. At the point of Wang Ran’s punch, a fissure appeared!

The crack widened, spreading to both sides, and in the blink of an eye ran through the stone. With a thunderous sound, it broke in half!

The hall fell silent.

Elder Liu’s jaw dropped, unable to finish his words. The disciples were collectively dumbfounded.