Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Hostility

Chu Lingguang was taken aback, not expecting to be in the same group as Yan Chengdu.

He glanced at the other four.

Whether it was Ji Hu, Yan Chengdu, Shi Guangzhong, or Chai Yaolong, they were all Noble Family Disciples from the Governor’s Mansion.

Their Qi Blood was full, their Breathing Techniques profound. They were dazzling among the crowd of examinees. Standing among the four of them, he felt so ordinary and weak.

Fortunately, despite his humble origins and dull aptitude, he had a steady temperament and didn’t panic easily. He calmly walked onto the sand-covered field.

“Proceed!”

Yan Chengdu clasped his hands in a salute to the others. After stepping onto the sand field, he smiled and nodded at Chu Lingguang again. Chu Lingguang hurriedly nodded back in return.

Ji Hu snorted coldly and deliberately stood next to Yan Chengdu, avoiding having to be near Chu Lingguang.

Chai Yaolong and Shi Guangzhong also frowned slightly upon seeing Chu Lingguang. As Noble Family Disciples, they felt a certain disdain for Civilian Martial Artists like him who were trying to change their fate through the Martial Arts Examination.

Chu Lingguang was aware of their different statuses. ’Not everyone can be like Yan Chengdu, so willing to associate with Civilian Disciples.’ Even with Yan Chengdu, however, Chu Lingguang always felt that his approachable demeanor wasn’t genuine. It seemed more like a calculated exercise to build his own reputation.

But whether these people scorned him, pitied him, or treated him as an equal, Chu Lingguang didn’t care right now. Standing on this sand field, he only wanted to complete the Qiao Pass event.

So he stepped back and to the side, voluntarily taking the outermost position among the five of them.

Off to the side, Guo Wei’s expression was grave. The pressure on Chu Lingguang from being grouped with Noble Family Disciples was easy to imagine. Fortunately, Chu Lingguang’s Heart Guarding Skill was impressive, so Guo Wei wasn’t too worried about him making a mistake.

A smirk played on Liu Quan’s lips. He thought Chu Lingguang’s luck was just rotten. No matter how famous he was in Baiyang County, he would be marginalized by the Noble Family Disciples in South City. He wouldn’t be able to make any waves at all.

Da Wang and Xiao Wang, however, watched Chu Lingguang with anticipation. Having spent two and a half months with him, they both knew how diligent and hardworking he was. It hadn’t been easy for him to get this far.

“Young masters, are you ready?”

The examiner didn’t rush to call for the start, asking them first instead.

The difference in treatment for the Noble Family Disciples was plain to see.

“Let’s begin.”

Yan Chengdu said nonchalantly.

Ji Hu, meanwhile, rolled his arms, looking impatient.

“Begin!”

Seeing this, the examiner hurriedly shouted.

At once, all five men walked toward the Stone Locks in front of them.

Guo Wei saw Chu Lingguang walk straight to the 350-jin Stone Lock. Lifting this weight would earn him a Grade B+ Upper Grade score, which was already outstanding among the civilian examinees.

But compared to Yan Chengdu and the others, the gap was quite obvious, as the other four all chose to lift the 400-jin Stone Locks.

Yan Chengdu’s Qi Power was rumored to be as high as 450 jin. For him to start by lifting a 400-jin Stone Lock seemed perfectly reasonable to everyone. As for Ji Hu and the other two, although their exact Qi Power hadn’t been revealed, they were Noble Family Disciples and a cut above the rest. Starting with 400-jin Stone Locks didn’t seem to be a problem for them either.

Liu Quan sneered.

’Chu Lingguang is starting with a fifty-jin difference in Qi Power compared to the Noble Family Disciples. He’s completely lost face for Guo Wei.’

“Isn’t Junior Brother being a bit too conservative?”

Hei Hu grumbled, dissatisfied, but quickly received a warning glare from Guo Wei.

The men gripped the Stone Locks.

Chu Lingguang’s gaze was firm as he ignored all the surrounding sounds and stares.

“Lift!”

The examiner’s voice rang out.

“HUP!”

All five let out a sharp cry, sank their stances, and immediately hoisted the Stone Locks over their heads.

BANG!

A breath later.

Five Stone Locks hit the ground at the same time.

“Not bad.”

Yan Chengdu said, looking at Chu Lingguang.

He was closest to Chu Lingguang. Chu Lingguang had lifted the 350-jin Stone Lock without breaking a sweat. He estimated that Chu Lingguang’s Qi Power was around 400-odd jin, enough to achieve a Grade A Middle Grade score.

For a Civilian Disciple to possess this much Qi Power, it must have taken more than just talent; it required day after day of relentless cultivation. Yan Chengdu knew it couldn’t have been easy for Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang nodded slightly.

’Yan Chengdu is observing me, and I’m observing him as well.’

Among the four lifting the 400-jin Stone Locks, only Yan Chengdu did it with the most ease, giving the impression of Lifting Heavy as Light. The rumors that his Qi Power had reached 450 jin were apparently not an exaggeration; if anything, he was even stronger.

As for Ji Hu and the other two, although their Qi Power wasn’t weak, it was clear that obtaining a Grade A+ Upper Grade score wouldn’t be so easy for them.

The five men took a short break to regulate their breathing before immediately starting the second round.

Yan Chengdu set his sights on the 430-jin Stone Lock.

Ji Hu sighed softly and only increased the weight by twenty jin, choosing to lift the 420-jin Stone Lock.

As for Chai Yaolong and Shi Guangzhong, they only chose the 410-jin Stone Locks. Clearly, their goal was simply to obtain a Grade A Middle Grade score for the Qiao Pass event.

After the four had chosen their Stone Locks, they all looked at Chu Lingguang with curiosity.

After all, they were opponents in the same group. Even if Chu Lingguang was just a Civilian Disciple, they couldn’t completely ignore him.

Chu Lingguang rubbed his palms together and finally walked up to the 400-jin Stone Lock. This action stunned the other three; only Yan Chengdu remained calm.

A Qi Power of 380 jin was the requirement for Grade A Lower Grade.

Chu Lingguang started at 350 jin and was now jumping up by fifty jin in the second round. Even Yan Chengdu had only increased his weight by thirty jin of Qi Power.

’Was he hiding his strength, or was he just making a desperate, final attempt?’

The three were all skeptical.

They didn’t really believe Chu Lingguang could lift it.

“Lift!”

The examiner’s voice came again.

“HUP!”

Chu Lingguang sank his Qi into his Dantian and used the Heavenward Force to surge his Qi Blood. With a thunderous shout, the 400-jin Stone Lock successfully left the ground and was easily hoisted over his head.

A breath later.

BANG!

The five Stone Locks landed on the ground.

Chu Lingguang’s expression was calm as he used his Breathing Technique to regulate the changes in his Qi Blood.

Ji Hu and the other two were panting, having clearly consumed a great deal of Qi Blood. When they saw Chu Lingguang standing in the corner with his eyes closed, recuperating, his chest rising and falling as if nothing had happened, their expressions turned sour.

Yan Chengdu, however, began to study Chu Lingguang seriously.

Chu Lingguang seemed to feel a powerful gaze upon him. He opened his eyes and met Yan Chengdu’s. This time, he saw acknowledgment—and hostility—in Yan Chengdu’s eyes.

Clearly, the other man had realized that his Qi Power was extraordinary and now saw him as a powerful competitor.

’If you want respect, you have to rely on your own strength.’

’Somehow, Yan Chengdu’s grave expression feels much better than the smiling face he showed to everyone before.’

“Young masters, the third round will now begin.”

The examiner’s voice called out after a moment.

Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu simultaneously looked toward the Stone Locks before them.

Chu Lingguang didn’t dare to dream of taking the top spot. But now that he was on the sand field and competing in this Qiao Pass trial, a stubborn thought took hold of him: he wanted to know just how high a score he could achieve.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep