Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Wrong Bow

The people from the Profound Celestial Temple arrived late, but none of the forces on the stage seemed displeased.

As the Daoist Child ascended the stage, everyone stood up, cupped their hands, and saluted.

Zhiwei secretly tugged at Chen Tang’s sleeve.

Chen Tang leaned in slightly, and Zhiwei tiptoed, leaning toward his ear, whispering, “Brother Atang, perhaps I should go to the Profound Celestial Temple to cultivate.”

Had others heard this, they might have thought that Zhiwei was envious of the Profound Celestial Temple’s power and wanted to join them.

But Chen Tang knew that Zhiwei wasn’t a person driven by profit.

Chen Tang asked, “Are you worried I can’t handle it?”

Zhiwei remained silent.

On the way to Wu’an County, she overheard Li Boxiong introducing the Profound Celestial Temple in the carriage, saying it’s one of the most untouchable forces in Wu’an County.

And now, seeing with her own eyes the status of that fair Daoist Child in Wu’an County, she worried about causing trouble for Chen Tang.

She knew that Chen Tang was about to settle a score with the Young Leader of the Black Water Gang.

Chen Tang didn’t have much help; dealing with just the Black Water Gang made him seem quite weak.

If he also crossed paths with the Profound Celestial Temple, it would be unimaginable.

“No need to think too much.”

Chen Tang gently patted Zhiwei and said, “If you don’t want to, no one can force you. If Wu’an County becomes unlivable, we can just leave it all behind.”

Actually, Chen Tang showed considerable restraint in the Profound Celestial Temple.

Firstly, although that fair Daoist Child was annoying, he hadn’t done anything excessive.

Secondly, Chen Tang wasn’t very knowledgeable about the Profound Sect’s Techniques and was somewhat apprehensive.

His biggest target next was still the Black Water Gang, and unless absolutely necessary, he would try to keep his distance from the Profound Celestial Temple to avoid unnecessary complications.

Of course, Chen Tang was also clear.

The tiger does not intend to harm humans, but humans have harmful intentions toward the tiger; being more cautious is always right.

As he pondered, the grading at the training ground began.

According to the order of numbers, everyone stepped forward in turn.

First, go to the position on the left to open the bow for testing; if you pass, you can take the Bronze Token to the right to participate in the second test.

Looking at the dense crowd around, some full of hope and some parents looking tense, Chen Tang had a moment of illusion, as if participating in a college entrance examination in his previous life.

Most of those who came to the grading were under twenty years old.

If they couldn’t reach the Entry Level by twenty, no matter how much they cultivated in the future, their achievements would be limited.

In hardly any time, more than two hundred people participated in the grading test.

The number of people who passed both stages of the test and successfully graded was more than Chen Tang had imagined, about thirty percent.

Most of them were from Wu’an County.

Especially some talented youths cultivated by noble families, with the aid of various medicinal materials, taught by famous teachers, and superior cultivation techniques, almost all who came for grading could pass.

In the surrounding county towns, however, those who successfully graded were extremely rare.

After waiting for a while, it was finally Changze County’s turn.

A youth from the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall stepped forward, respectfully handing over the Bronze Token, and the official glanced at it, loudly announcing, “Changze County, Deng Naiguang!”

Deng Naiguang swallowed and walked toward the weapon rack on the left where a row of Strong Bows was placed.

Following Mei Nianzhi’s instructions, Deng Naiguang first picked up a One-Stone Bow and slowly drew it open.

There was no obstruction; it looked quite easy.

Mei Yingxue said, “It seems Senior Brother Deng has a good chance.”

Mei Nianzhi said, “Actually, Naiguang has long been able to lift the weight of a Three-Stone, but opening a bow is much more difficult than simply lifting a weight. To draw a Three-Stone Bow, one’s strength must exceed three stones.”

“Moreover, the posture must be correct; Naiguang’s bow-drawing posture isn’t good, making it difficult to exert full strength.”

As they spoke, Deng Naiguang had already picked up a Two-Stone Bow and slowly drew it open.

The process of drawing the Two-Stone Bow was significantly slower and seemed more strenuous.

Seeing this, Mei Nianzhi made a judgment, shook his head, and said, “Naiguang can’t draw the Three-Stone Bow.”

Sure enough.

Deng Naiguang had hardly drawn the Three-Stone Bow to halfway before his arms began to tremble, his forearms bend, and ultimately he couldn’t sustain it and had to give up.

After a few more rotations, it was Mei Jixian’s turn.

“Brother, seize the moment and succeed in grading!”

Mei Yingxue cheered Mei Jixian on.

Mei Jixian nodded vigorously, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

He tried the One-Stone Bow and Two-Stone Bow in sequence.

Mei Jixian’s posture was significantly better, and the Two-Stone Bow was opened relatively smoothly.

When it came to the Three-Stone Bow, Mei Jixian barely extended it to full moon state, but he was already at his limit, face flushed red, unsteady posture, his arms shaking slightly.

“Pass!”

The official spoke in time, guiding Mei Jixian to the right.

Mei Yingxue and the others seeing this scene all breathed a sigh of relief.

But unfortunately, in the second stage facing the oncoming Feathered Arrows, Mei Jixian couldn’t overcome his fear and moved his steps slightly.

However, a moment later, remembering his family’s expectations, he didn’t move much.

As a result, not only did he fail to grade, but he was also shot in the shoulder.

He bled, though the wound was not serious, it only pierced the skin slightly.

Mei Yingxue comforted, “Brother, it’s okay, a year of cultivation and you’ll be fine.”

Mei Nianzhi felt a bit regretful.

Just practicing in the martial arts hall, without the experience of Jianghu battles, and rarely seeing blood, makes it hard to overcome the fear of the incoming arrows.

If he could train in the Jianghu, he would naturally grow a lot, but the Jianghu is dangerous and he can’t help but be worried.

After a few more lineups, it was finally Chen Tang’s turn.

“Changze County, Chen Tang!”

The official below shouted.

For someone with no reputation, few people cared.

But on the high platform, hearing this name, a few people’s eyes turned toward Chen Tang below.

Cai Yin noticed this detail, found it peculiar, and looked interestedly at the black-clad youth below.

What’s this youth’s background that drew the attention of several parties?

Even the Daoist Child of the Profound Celestial Temple seemed interested in him?

Chen Tang didn’t take the grading test seriously.

He had already cultivated to the Ninth Grade Extreme Realm, and merely grading was too easy for him.

Chen Tang skipped the One-Stone and Two-Stone Bow in front and directly picked up the Three-Stone Bow.

There’s no need to be too high-profile; drawing the Three-Stone Bow is just right to set the grade.

Chen Tang instantly drew the bowstring, the bow and string forming a full moon, his arms steady, his figure not moving an inch!

“Pass!”

The official said.

The people from Changze County had seen Chen Tang’s archery but hadn’t expected his strength to have reached this level and were shocked.

Mei Yingxue initially thought that Chen Tang’s registration was just a formality, a chance to see things.

Only now did she realize she was wrong.

But how could this be?

Originally, Chen Tang was just a boy who knew no martial arts, and in just over three months, he had cultivated to this point?

These people spent all day in the martial arts hall training, year after year, eating meat every day, soaking in medicinal liquor, grinding their bodies, yet hadn’t reached this level.

Chen Tang walked to the right to a sandy area.

Standing up there, if he moved his feet, he would surely leave traces on the sand.

The archers rotated between ten people.

Even with a Half-Stone Bow, one person constantly bending the bow and releasing arrows is a huge drain, the skin on grabbing fingers would peel off one layer.

When it was Chen Tang’s turn, a new archer came up.

This person stood firm a hundred steps away, expressionless, placing a Feathered Arrow on the bowstring.

In an instant, this person bent the bow and drew the string!

Swoosh!

The arrow, like a meteor, pierced through the air, its speed astonishing!

On the platform, the faces of the Li Family Siblings changed drastically!

Something is wrong with this bow!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep