Seven days flashed by and the final assessment of the Youth Training Camp had arrived. The assessment was divided into two parts. The first half was the Actual Combat Ranking, just like usual. The latter half was the assessment given by the teaching assistants.
As the name suggests, it involved the camp trainees and formal disciples fighting each other.
The weather was clear today, the sky appearing as pure as if it had been wiped clean by a cloth. The sunlight, unobstructed, fell directly on the spire of the Youth Training Camp's dome-shaped building, bringing with it a vibrant reflection.
The martial arts field.
Two silhouettes entangled, one of them was repelled and defeated.
It took several steps backward before coming to a halt.
"The winner, Li Wei."
Upon hearing the announcement, Casio made his way down.
Ten minutes later, he came to the center of the field again. He defeated his opponent in five seconds and then returned to his previous position amidst the announcement.
His crisp and efficient performance attracted the attention of many onlookers. Naturally, the people from the Youth Training Camp knew him. However, among the five trainers, a thin old man with snow-white beard glanced over a few times, his face expressing keen interest.
A moment later, Casio reentered the ring and defeated his opponent.
"Very good." The old man nodded in approval and then asked the trainers, "What is the name of that youngster over there? His Basic Fighting Technique training is impressive. His moves are crisp and decisive."
He paused in his speech and made a conclusion.
"His boxing style is ruthless, he must have reached the second level."
"His name is Li Wei, and he's under my supervision. It's true that his Basic Fighting Technique has reached the second level. I plan to accept him as my disciple once the training camp ends." Lixia said nervously.
"What's the rush? Rest easy, I already have four disciples. I won't snatch him away from you." The old man shook his head with a faint smile.
"I'll believe you when hell freezes over." Lixia muttered in her heart. Samer, the deputy gate master of Wind Elephant Gate and a fourteenth-generation disciple, was their senior. His favorite pastime was choosing top-quality disciples.
Li Wei's core bone was above average, so theoretically, he should be safe. But given his outstanding performance, there was a chance that Samer might take an interest in him.
Despite her confidence that even if Samer competed, Li Wei would choose her as his teacher, it was best to avoid complications.
Eventually, Samer did not compete with Lixia for disciples.
In fact, he had a candidate in mind from the moment he arrived. It was an extraordinary talent with a high-quality core bone.
He's always able to rank in the top five in the Actual Combat Ranking.
From morning till afternoon, the final assessment of the Youth Training Camp came to an end. Casio had his ranking set precisely at twenty-five. His performance in the second round against the assistant was also standard.
Based on his previous results, his final ranking should be around the twenties.
Li Chu ranked thirty-nine in Actual Combat, and displayed consistent performance in the second stage. His final ranking is likely to be in the thirties.
Despite Casio's assistance, Jojo was still unable to pass the assessment. In all probability, she would rank between seventies and eighties.
Two days later, in the spacious white hall of the Wind Elephant Gate.
Fifty young boys and girls who had passed the assessment were standing quietly in the middle; they were bathed in warm golden sunshine.
Before them, an old man with a goatee was reading an oath aloud. The content involved loyalty to the Wind Elephant Gate, not to reveal the core secret martial arts, and the consequences of betrayal.
He spoke one line, and the students echoed one line.
"To you, we are the sixteenth generation of the Wind Elephant Gate. The continuation of our sect depends on a steady stream of fresh blood. You are the future of the Wind Elephant Gate!"
The old man finished with an emotional exhortation, and then announced dismissal. Casio followed his Teaching Assistant, Lixia, to a quiet room.
The room was somewhat narrow, but very bright. The sunlight filtered through the window at the back, casting a square patch of golden light on the floor.
Next to the golden square, Lixia and Casio were sitting cross-legged, facing each other. They were both dressed in light-yellow martial arts uniforms.
Their sleeves were adorned with blue wind and cloud patterns.
"Now, you are the sixteenth official disciple of my Wind Elephant Gate. Next, I will impart to you the core secret martial arts..."
Lixia spoke calmly, taking a book out from her bosom.
Casio's steady breathing unconsciously thickened a bit.
"I must make it clear in advance, the secret martial arts of our gate are absolutely not allowed to be disseminated! If discovered, the traitor will be sanctioned by the Wind Elephant Gate. This includes their parents, as well as their friends..."
Lixia's tone was remarkably cold and serious when she said this.
"I understand."
"Good, take this." Lixia placed the book in her hand on Casio's lap and then stood up, left the quiet room and closed the door.
Casio took a deep breath and opened the unmarked book.
The aged pages came into view, full of drawn figures in various postures, with lengthy annotations on the side. When he quickly flipped to the end, he found that the rest of it was introducing a set of boxing methods.
Each move was illustrated, even with accompanying human meridian charts. Looking at them gave a sense of oddity and a mystical aura.
Casio sank into meditation, beginning to read each page from the start.
This was the core secret martial arts of the Wind Elephant Gate, Wind Elephant Secret Martial Art.
The Wind Elephant Secret Martial art is divided into practice methods and attack methods.
The practice method is called Elephant Soul Secret Art, a secret technique specifically designed to stimulate human physical activity and push the limits of the human body. It incorporates special movements, a breathing method, and plaster potions, all of which must be practiced simultaneously. Depending on the level of training, your skin will produce three different sensations: spikes, insect bites, and scorching winds.
These are the three stages of the Elephant Soul Secret Art. Each time you reach a new stage, the practitioner's physical quality will leap forward. There will be tremendous improvement in strength, speed, and defense.
Beyond the practice method, there are also attack methods.
The attacking method in Wind Elephant Secret Martial Art is the Wind Elephant Fist, which is also divided into three stages. Depending on the characteristics of each stage, they are named: Gale, Elephant Herd, and Wind Elephant. For example, the palm airflow demonstrated by Lixia to Casio is a characteristic of the Gale stage in Wind Elephant Fist.
"I wonder what level of Wind Elephant Secret Martial Art is required for the accelerated blood realm that Lixia the instructor mentioned?" Closing the book, a hint of emotion appeared in Casio's eyes. More than a hundred and sixty days of diligence finally paid off with the opportunity to touch the supernatural.
The door to another world has finally opened a crack.
It was difficult, but worth it.
The sunlight outside the window became stronger, shining on Casio's back, giving his skin a warm feeling. He took a deep breath, and exhaled.
The next day, at the entrance of the Wind Elephant Gate Youth Training Camp.
Li Chu stood in the shade of a tree, watching Casio and Jojo in the distance. Casio was patting Jojo on the shoulder, seemingly saying something, while Jojo had a large bundle of homecoming luggage on his back.
After a while, Jojo left, laughing and waving his hand.
Casio stood where he was until Jojo disappeared from his field of view.
"Little Wei, what did you two talk about?" Li Chu asked curiously as she came over. She had noticed Casio giving something to Jojo.
Casio shook his head: "I gave him the pocket watch that Instructor Lixia gave me. I told him he could do what he wanted with it, even sell it for money. His family of eight, his father recently contracted a lung disease from the factory, he says he needs to go home and take up the burden of the family."
"Difficulties cannot stop a brave person..."
"And they certainly can't stop a real man... wish him luck."