The next person to step into the martial arena for the strength test was Zhang Ruochen.
"Ninth Brother, be careful not to strain your back trying to lift those stones," the Eighth Prince said with a sinister smile.
In the crowd surrounding the royal martial arena, a warrior sneered, "The Ninth Prince participating in the year-end exam is a complete joke. Three months is too short for him to even complete the Washing Marrow and Unblocking Meridians stage, let alone lift a 100-pound stone disk. It's almost impossible."
"Even the six-year-old princess managed to lift a 100-pound disk. The Ninth Prince is already sixteen, but I doubt he'll be able to lift it. What a disgrace!"
"He shouldn't have participated at all if he didn't want to embarrass himself."
Ignoring the mocking comments, Zhang Ruochen remained calm and composed, stepping steadily into the arena.
As Zhang Ruochen approached the center, he crossed paths with Lin Ningshan, who had just finished her test. They stopped a few steps apart, locking eyes.
Lin Ningshan gave Zhang Ruochen a deep look, shaking her head in disappointment. "Cousin, you shouldn't have participated in the year-end exam. With your talent, even if you've completed Washing Marrow and Unblocking Meridians, there's no way you can lift a 100-pound stone disk. You'll only humiliate yourself and bring shame to both Aunt Lin Concubine and the royal family. Why bother?"
Frowning, Zhang Ruochen replied, "Cousin Ningshan, you are indeed talented, but does that give you the right to dismiss others so easily?"
Lin Ningshan's eyes filled with even more disappointment. "Why can't you listen to reason? For you, living an ordinary life is the best choice. Why insist on becoming a martial artist? You're not suited for this path."
Out of the memories of their childhood friendship, Lin Ningshan had tried to advise Zhang Ruochen against embarrassing himself.
However, Zhang Ruochen was too stubborn, not recognizing his own limitations.
To her, someone so ignorant and unwilling to accept advice was simply foolish.
"Take care of yourself," Lin Ningshan said coldly as she walked out of the arena with her head held high.
They passed by each other, without looking back.
As Lin Ningshan exited, she was greeted by numerous young martial artists, showering her with admiration and praise. She was like the moon surrounded by stars, at the center of everyone's attention.
At just fifteen years old, she had lifted a 1,000-pound stone disk and thrown it fifteen meters. Her strength surpassed that of many older martial artists present.
Moreover, she was not only talented but also one of the Four Great Beauties of Yunwu Commandery, destined to become a much-admired figure.
"Congratulations, Lord Lin! Your family has produced another exceptional talent. With Miss Lin's aptitude, there are few in the capital's younger generation who can compare," praised a martial arts master from the capital.
The head of the Wang family laughed, "I've heard that Miss Lin is about to get engaged to the Seventh Prince. They are truly a perfect match!"
Hearing the flattering words, Lin Fengxian felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Many people also turned their gaze toward Zhang Ruochen, who was standing in the arena. Most had mocking smiles on their faces.
Anyone with ties to the royal family knew about the sickly Ninth Prince. The contrast between the supremely talented Seventh Prince and the seemingly worthless Ninth Prince was so stark that it was hard to believe they were both sons of the Yunwu Commandery Prince. They were like a dragon and a worm, worlds apart.
To most people, the Ninth Prince participating in the year-end examination was nothing short of a joke.
However, Qin Ya, who sat in the audience, did not share this view. Seeing Zhang Ruochen step into the arena, she finally opened her beautiful eyes, as if she had just woken from a pleasant nap.
"I've been looking forward to this," she said with a seductive smile.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhang Ruochen stopped in front of the first stone disk.
At that moment, laughter erupted from the spectators.
Sixteen years old and starting with the lightest stone disk? Could anything be more ridiculous?
Aside from the Eighth Prince, who was sneering, the other princes and princesses wore grim expressions. They believed Zhang Ruochen was shaming the royal family, making them all look bad.
Zhang Ruochen stood before the first stone disk for only a moment before moving on to the second, then the third, and so on...
"What is he doing?" People were puzzled.
Zhang Ruochen finally stopped in front of the tenth stone disk.
"What? Does he plan to lift the tenth stone disk? How arrogant! If I'm not mistaken, he only unlocked his Martial Soul three months ago," someone exclaimed.
The Eighth Prince scoffed, "With his talent, even thirty years of training wouldn't allow him to lift a 1,000-pound stone disk. What a fool."
Lin Ningshan also watched as Zhang Ruochen stood beside the tenth stone disk, shaking her head.
All eyes were on Zhang Ruochen.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen stamped his foot on the ground. A surge of powerful true energy flowed from his foot into the ground, and a shockwave rippled out from where he stood.
Under the force of his true energy, the 1,000-pound stone disk lifted a meter off the ground.
Zhang Ruochen extended one hand, catching the three-meter-wide stone disk with a smooth, flowing motion. Using only five fingers, he easily held it overhead as if balancing a plate.
The entire martial field fell silent, and many people forgot to breathe.
Standing tall and straight like a spear, Zhang Ruochen held the 1,000-pound stone disk effortlessly over his head, as if it weighed nothing.
"This... how is this possible?" The Eighth Prince's face turned pale, and his lips trembled.
The other princes and princesses were also in shock, their minds blank. None of them could believe that the boy standing in the arena was the same Ninth Prince they knew.
While everyone was still stunned, Zhang Ruochen punched the bottom of the stone disk.
"Boom!"
The 1,000-pound stone disk shot five meters into the air.
Then, as it descended with even greater speed and force, Zhang Ruochen caught it again with ease. Using one hand, he gently and steadily lowered the disk back to the ground.
"Boom!"
The entire martial field erupted in excitement!
No one could believe what they had just witnessed. Zhang Ruochen's display of strength was far more shocking than Lin Ningshan's earlier performance.
He was only sixteen years old and had unlocked his Martial Soul just three months ago.
What had seemed impossible had happened right before their eyes.