In the bustling atmosphere of the Seven Profound Martial House's entrance exam, where young martial talents gathered in droves, Oliver couldn't help but express his thoughts on the candidates around him.
He remarked with an air of nonchalance, "This Jonny Lee has already been at the Third Stage of Body Transformation for some time, but still only managed to strike out with 2300 jins. He's also only seventeen years old; he isn't a threat to me."
As he spoke, Oliver waved his intricately designed fan with practiced grace, narrowing his eyes as he assessed Jonny Lee.
He knew that the final evaluation of the entrance exam would be based on more than just the Trial's results. Age and talent grade played a pivotal role, and in the realm of young martial artists, seventeen was considered somewhat on the older side.
Turning to his loyal attendant, Oliver signaled that it was his turn.
With a graceful nod, he passed the fan to his aide and stepped forward to face the formidable stone column. As he did so, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
"It's Oliver of Yuelu City!"
The news of his appearance quickly spread among the candidates, and many turned their gaze towards him.
Oliver stood out as a top contender in this assembly of youthful talents. Not only did he possess formidable strength, but he was also a mere fifteen years old.
Yet, it wasn't just his youth that set him apart; it was his exceptional talent.
Oliver was a grade-four talent, a distinction that, in reality, was further divided into low, medium, and high quality. He was among the rare high grade-four talents.
Standing before the stone column, Oliver took a deep breath. The exhalation was like twin snakes coiling in the air, a telltale sign of the Third Stage of Body Transformation, Viscera Training.
A collective gasp swept through the surrounding crowd.
"It's astonishing. He's only just entered the Third Stage of Body Transformation, and he's already manifesting the twin snakes in his breath. And at just fifteen years of age! Such talent defies the heavens."
"Indeed," someone concurred. "At Viscera Training, martial artists fortify their heart and lungs and other vital organs with true essence, protecting them from harm. Moreover, their heart and lungs grow robust, bestowing them with abnormal vitality and the ability to extend their breath. This strengthens their muscles naturally. Oliver already breathes out snakes at the Third Stage; it's enough to make anyone envious."
While the crowd continued to discuss Oliver's astounding display, he struck out at the stone column.
-BANG!
A resounding "bang" filled the air, and the stone column quaked. The beam of light soared and settled at two feet four inches.
"2400 jins!"
TypicAn average martial artist at the Third Stage of Body Transformation typically achieves around 2000 jins.
But Oliver, who had just entered this stage and was only fifteen, exhibited a strength of 2400 jins. It was a spectacle that left all onlookers in awe.
However, before the crowd fully recovered from their amazement, a wave of astonishment erupted from another part of the square.
A tall, burly youth had approached a stone column and delivered a powerful punch. The light beam rose and came to rest at the same height—2400 jins.
Oliver's record, which had just been set moments ago, was suddenly equalled by another youth.
Sam observed the towering young man and realized that he was also at the Second Stage of cultivation.
It was not unheard of for someone in the Third Stage of Body Transformation to achieve around 2000 jins, but it was extraordinary to reach 2000 jins in the Second Stage.
Despite the youth's seemingly innocent appearance, Sam noticed that he towered over his peers and possessed a muscle-bound body more akin to an adult's.
Could this be what they called inborn divine strength?
Those with such strength were significantly more robust than others their age, even if rare.
Oliver, however, didn't pay the youth too much attention.
In his eyes, martial artists fought not solely with their physical strength but also their martial arts and skills.
Furthermore, as one's cultivation advanced, the importance of true essence increased.
Being born with divine strength did not guarantee martial success.
As the trials continued, several youths demonstrated their prowess by reaching a strength of 1000 jins, marking the peak of the Second Stage.
The Seven Profound Martial House had specified that candidates must be between fifteen and eighteen years old.
Consequently, it was common for candidates in this age range to have reached the peak of the Second Stage of Body Transformation.
Occasionally, a few youths in the Third Stage of Body Transformation would exhibit their might, surpassing 2000 jins, with some reaching 2500 jins.
Finally, it was Sam's turn.
As he approached the stone column, he couldn't help but acknowledge the gravity of the situation.
Despite his confidence in surpassing Oliver, his natural talent was significantly inferior.
While the odds were stacked against him with a grade-three talent and no prestigious background, Sam was stubborn. He knew he needed to give his all in every exam round.
Sam took a deep breath, his entire body relaxing as he cleared his mind of distractions.
The "True Primal Chaos Formula" silently circulated within him, infusing his muscles with a true essence far denser than that of martial artists at the same level.
His body moved gracefully and precisely, embodying the principles of hardness and softness from Strength Training's "flow like silk."
Sam meditated on these principles while focusing his gaze on the stone column. His body, now taut like a drawn bow, released its energy with a powerful thrust, akin to a mighty leopard in action.
A resonant "bang" echoed through the square as Sam's strike hit the stone column.
The light beam surged upward before finally stabilizing at 2700 jins.
"2700 jins!"
While his strength was 2600 jins, he had pushed himself to achieve this remarkable result of 2700 jins. The crowd was left stunned.
"My God, 2700 jins!"
"This boy is like a beast in human form! Just a few hundred more jins, and he could compete with someone at the Fourth Stage of Body Transformation!"
"No, this can't be right. He's only at the Second Stage of Body Transformation. Could he also possess inborn divine strength?"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy of discussions, and some individuals quickly recognized Sam.
"I know that guy! Just half an hour ago, on the main road, he used his arm strength to effortlessly throw off someone on horseback, like a windmill. The other person was also at the Second Stage of Body Transformation, holding a lance while on horseback. The man was sent flying, but this boy didn't budge an inch. I thought he was a freak, but it turns out he's one of those with inborn divine strength. No wonder he could do that!"
"Wasn't he apprehended by the authorities? How did he make it back here?"
As the buzz continued, the tall and burly youth who had matched Oliver with 2400 jins also turned his attention to Sam.
A friendly smile played on his face as he regarded Sam.
During the exam, he hadn't expected to encounter another individual with inborn divine strength and felt a certain camaraderie with Sam.
Meanwhile, Oliver, whom Sam had momentarily outshined, observed him with a furrowed brow.
Did this boy also possess inborn divine strength? It was becoming increasingly irritating; these extraordinary youths seemed to appear out of nowhere, much like pesky pests.
"Brother Oliver, this kid came out of nowhere and dared to steal your spotlight. You've truly been overshadowed," one of Oliver's companions remarked.
Oliver replied, somewhat exasperated, "It's nothing remarkable. Achieving such results at the Second Stage of Body Transformation is commendable, but martial prowess isn't solely determined by physical strength. Although those with inborn divine strength are rare, not many of them will achieve great accomplishments in the future."
He spoke confidently, believing he would secure first place in the entrance exam. However, the continuous emergence of exceptional young talents was beginning to gnaw at him.
"What Brother Oliver says is absolutely correct. In the end, true essence is what matters. The superiority of physical strength only holds at the beginning. This kid will find joy only for a few years,"
Echoed Oliver's entourage.
Following Sam, it was Alex's turn to face the stone column. As he approached, he began an odd ritual, twisting his neck and wiggling his waist. He persisted with these bizarre movements for several minutes, much to the irritation of the examination officials, who seemed increasingly impatient.
Then, with a sudden cry, Alex punched the stone column.
"Thud." A muffled sound reverberated as the light beam shook briefly before settling.
The examination supervisor frowned and addressed Alex, "750 jins... and you have two more attempts left."
For most, a result below 900 jins would be considered a humiliation, and nobody wanted to endure the embarrassment of such a low score.
However, Alex, with his characteristic shamelessness, viewed his performance differently. Undeterred, he repeated his peculiar routine, wiggling his waist and stretching his neck before punching again.
"Peng!"
"700 jins."
Another punch followed.
"750 jins."
It was evident that Alex had met a miserable defeat, but this was a decent outcome for him.
At just fifteen years old, he hadn't aimed to break through the Pulse Condensation Stage from the start. His sole aspiration was to secure his position within the family.
Sam couldn't help but ask, "I gave you the Golden Deer Pills; did you take them?"
Alex innocently shrugged, "I took them all. Otherwise, there's no way I could have reached 600 jins."
Sam was momentarily at a loss for words, but he also understood that this was typical behavior for Alex.
After all, before Sam practised the 'Infinite Chaos Battle Forms,' his best was 850 jins. Alex's diligent training and tireless effort surpassed his own, even though he had only reached 600 jins.
Entering the Seven Profound Martial House at fifteen was challenging for someone with a grade-three talent and no influential backing.
The entrance exam's first round was incredibly daunting to pass.
After the Strength Trial concluded around noon, candidates were granted a brief respite before the next exam stage—the Dream Trial.
This segment would test the martial artists' hearts, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of martial prowess.