[Silent Fang Body Strengthening Art]
Despite remaining in his original seated position, Ze Qifa's body suddenly turned a shade darker.
This was Ze Qifa's signature body strengthening technique – one that could be used both offensively and defensively.
It was said that the creator of the Silent Fang Body Strengthening Art came up with it after witnessing an apex predator's powerful fangs pierce straight through its prey's tough hide, thereby realising just how amazing it would be to possess a body as strong as the predator's.
On the surface of the skin, the Silent Fang Body Strengthening Art created a layer of what resembled an exoskeleton – one that was hard enough to resist any weapon and crush any armour!
Seeing that Ze Qifa had activated this technique, it would be safe to assume that he no longer found it possible to resist the pressure with just his physique and pure essence energy.
And beside the now-darkened Ze Qifa, Applicant B continued to emit golden light from all his orifices due to the effect of the Seven Stars Holy Scripture.
This pairing of light and dark painted a contrasting picture, but it was not an uncommon sight in the world of cultivation.
A sect naturally had its own set of signature and secret techniques that it would pass down to its trusted disciples.
However, every cultivator was different – be it in the form of physique, affiliation, or preference.
One technique might be suitable for a certain group of people, but it might not necessarily suit another.
Sometimes, even the most trusted and talented disciples would not be well versed in their sect's most valuable techniques, simply because these techniques did not suit them well.
In that case, focusing on another technique that was slightly less advanced but more suitable might actually allow them to reach greater heights.
Therefore, it was not strange even for fellow sect members to take completely different paths when it came to cultivation.
Bo Fei nervously swallowed a mouthful of saliva as he watched on.
Now that he and Applicant A had given up, there were only three applicants left in the test.
Both Ze Qifa and Applicant B had already activated their defensive techniques to aid them in resisting the pressure.
It was only Zhao Yunxiao who did not waver, stubbornly relying only on his physique and essence energy alone to defend himself.
Or at least, that was how it looked on the surface.
However, Bo Fei knew the truth.
It was not that Zhao Yunxiao did not want to activate a defensive technique.
It was that Zhao Yunxiao had not mastered any defensive techniques that could aid him here!
As someone who frequently browsed through basic techniques in the Sect Library, Zhao Yunxiao probably knew of more techniques than most of his peers.
Unfortunately, simply knowing about a technique was different from actually mastering it.
While he could probably try to execute many of these techniques, the best he could do would still be something at the elementary level, barely scratching the surface of the technique.
That might be enough to show off a little in front of others. But to use these techniques effectively in times of need would be extremely challenging.
If he were to slip up in any way, he might even receive a backlash from the technique, making the situation even worse for himself!
All things considered, Bo Fei could only hope that Zhao Yunxiao would somehow be able to keep up with the other two despite lacking in that aspect...
What Bo Fei did not know was that Zhao Yunxiao was not even thinking about any of that.
Bo Fei was seeing this as a test that they had to ace, which was not the wrong mentality to have at all.
In fact, the other applicants probably all had the same thought in mind.
That had been Zhao Yunxiao's initial mentality as well.
But at some point, Zhao Yunxiao's approach to the test had started to change.
Yes, this was a test that he had to pass.
But apart from that, this was also an extremely rare opportunity to hone his body, evenly strengthening it at the fundamental level to resolve any potential weaknesses.
Compared to the benefits of being a helper at the opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, it might be difficult to say which one was better!
And who knew he would ever get to access a training like this again?
For an outer disciple like him, the answer might just be never.
Therefore, even if he had a defensive technique at his disposal, Zhao Yunxiao would not think of activating it.
Only by resisting this pressure purely with his physique and essence energy would he be able to get the most out of this training session!
Of course, this was not entirely without merits as well.
While Zhao Yunxiao had to withstand heavier pressure due to the absence of any defensive techniques, Ze Qifa and Applicant B were expending their energy at a much faster rate since they had to fuel the activation of their defensive techniques.
Now, it was just a matter of whether Zhao Yunxiao would be able to withstand the pressure until the other two finally ran out of stamina!
As time passed, it became obvious that, as compared to the two applicants who had dropped out of the race, the remaining three were at a completely different level.
The time they spent within the circles had doubled that of the other two by now.
Considering that the pressure would continue increasing with each passing moment, this was already enough to show that their abilities in this aspect was more than double that of the other two.
That was an extremely significant difference!
But it was also at this point that one of the three finally started to falter.
The rays of golden light coming from Applicant B suddenly started to dim at an alarming rate, quickly reduced to a level of intensity that was barely as bright as the light of a firefly.
Even then, it refused to be extinguished.
Applicant B's frown started to deepen, and his face turned extremely pale. It was obvious that he was pushing himself to the limit just to last as long as he could.
The administrative deacon furrowed his brows upon seeing this, but he did not intervene.
He did not approve of the disciples pushing their limits just for the sake of a recruitment test, but this was eventually the disciples' choice.
If he were to step in now, he could easily be accused of showing favouritism.
And worse still, that accusation could come from either side as well!
Pu-!
Applicant B spat out a mouthful of blood, and the faint golden light coming from him started to flicker.
"Damn..." Bo Fei muttered to himself in shock.
"Know your limits and stop before it is too late," the administrative deacon advised. "The Four Symbols Mystic Realm opens every year. It might not be worth harming yourself over something like this."
Applicant B seemed to have made up his mind upon hearing that.
After a mere moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and leapt straight out of the circle. At the same time, all the rays of golden light coming from him were extinguished simultaneously.
As his body hit the ground, Applicant B's challenge effectively came to an end.
Huu-! Huu-!
He popped a recovery pill before closing his eyes and lying flat on the ground. If not for the heavy panting, one might even mistake him for dead.
Seeing that his condition had somewhat stabilised, all eyes turned back to Zhao Yunxiao and Ze Qifa.
Now, only the two of them remained.
Both Zhao Yunxiao and Ze Qifa no longer look as relaxed as before, either.
Their robes were soaked through, and their expressions were solemn.
From the looks of it, it was only a matter of time before they succumbed to the pressure.
The question was... who would be the first to falter?
It did not take long for them to find out.
Ze Qifa's body started to tremble. Bit by bit, the dark layer on his skin started to rescind.
But just like Applicant B, Ze Qifa did not intend to let things end just like that.
He continued to push himself to the limit, struggling to maintain the Silent Fang Body Strengthening Art for as long as he could.
As long as the Silent Fang Body Strengthening Art was in effect, he would have no problem remaining in the circle!
But at the same time, Ze Qifa knew his limits better than Applicant B did.
When he realised that it was no longer possible to maintain the technique without causing himself harm, Ze Qifa decisively ended the technique.
The experienced applicant quickly stepped out of his circle, and the dark layer on his skin disappeared all at once.
His challenge had similarly come to an end, but he remained in a far better state than Applicant B.
While the latter had ended up on the ground and gasping for air, Ze Qifa was able to stand proud and tall, albeit also slightly breathless.
Even then, he popped a recovery pill just like Applicant B did.
Next, he looked around him and could not help but narrow his eyes.
At this point, his focus fell upon Zhao Yunxiao – the only applicant whose challenge had yet to come to an end.
Ze Qifa was not the only one, either.
After seeing that Ze Qifa was all right, everyone else similarly turned their attention towards Zhao Yunxiao.
He was wearing the same solemn expression, no different from before. If they really had to point out a difference, it would probably be that sweat was dripping down from his chin at a much faster rate than before.
Apart from that, his breathing was calm and steady, proof that he still had the situation well under control.
"With that, Zhao Yunxiao is the final applicant remaining in the test," the administrative deacon announced.
Even though this was supposed to be an individual assessment, being the last one standing meant a lot – both in terms of individual pride and in the determination of results.
At the same time, he could not help but nod in approval.
As the administrative deacon, it always felt good to see disciples show their worth through tests like this!
However, the administrative deacon quickly noticed something amiss.
This Zhao Yunxiao... is he not intending to step out of the circle?
The administrative deacon could not help but narrow his eyes and observe Zhao Yunxiao with greater scrutiny.
Upon doing so, he immediately realised what Zhao Yunxiao was trying to do.
This Zhao Yunxiao is taking this as a form of training...?
Not bad...!
Or at least, the intention itself is admirable.
However, isn't this a little inconsiderate?
After all, he is making everyone wait here for him to finish!
The administrative deacon had already mentioned earlier that this time, he would not be ending the test until everyone was done.
Zhao Yunxiao was technically not done yet, so telling him to stop would be going against his earlier words.
Huu-!
The administrative deacon let out a sigh while looking up at the sky in resignation, though it was currently blurred out behind the concealing array.
This was why one had to be mindful of their words.
Now, he could only stand by and wait for Zhao Yunxiao to stop...
The question was... just how much longer would he take?
He had still been excited when Ze Qifa finally surrendered to the pressure, thinking that they could finally wrap things up here. Who would have known that the last applicant would refuse to leave things at that?
No, wait a minute.
Come to think of it, how long more could he take?
After all, this was a test for a reason.
Even a regular like Ze Qifa had already dropped out, so there was no way that Zhao Yunxiao could last that much longer!
Thinking up to this point, the administrative deacon suddenly felt much better.
He straightened his robes and clasped his hands behind his back, watching Zhao Yunxiao with the calm poise of a senior.
His thoughts were mirrored by Ze Qifa and the rest, who watched on just like he did.
And under everyone's watchful gazes, one minute passed...
Ten minutes passed...
Thirty minutes passed...
An hour passed...
By the two-hour mark, the administrative deacon could feel the corner of his lips twitching in disbelief.
He looked at Zhao Yunxiao in despair, countless unspeakable words resounding in his mind.
Being able to last this much longer than the second best, you are great! You are the best!
So, this little brother here, can you please stop already...?
Everyone here is just waiting for you to end so that we can all pack up and go home!