Chapter 6

The old man half-closed his eyes, leaning back on a reclining chair, his legs crossed leisurely, as if he were resting with his eyes closed.

Upon hearing Rong Yiyang’s words, his brows slightly furrowed, and he opened his eyes, his face showing impatience as he said, "It’s Yiyang, what brings you here?"

Although he recognized Rong Yiyang, the problem was that this young man had long been exiled to a remote estate of the family. One could say he had been out of the main family’s sight for over a decade.

Even though Rong Yiyang’s biological father was also a formidable warrior in the family, and even he would show respect when meeting him,

Rong Yiyang was not favored by his father because he had not yet condensed true qi.

Such a minor character naturally would not be in Rong Jieming’s eyes.

Rong Yiyang bent his waist and said respectfully, "Uncle Ming, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, so..."

"Stop rambling," Rong Jieming’s brows slightly furrowed, and he waved his hand to cut him off, saying, "You wouldn’t remember the old man for no reason. Humph, if you have something to say, just say it. For your father’s sake, if I can help, I will."

Although he spoke with a generous tone, the meaning of his words was very clear.

If he could help, he would, but if he couldn’t, there was nothing to be said.

Rong Yiyang nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes..." He turned around, gestured to Rong Kaihuan, and pulled him to the old man’s front, speaking humbly, "Uncle Ming, this is my son, Kaihuan. Kaihuan, quickly call Uncle Ming."

Rong Kaihuan responded, and said loudly, "Uncle Ming."

Rong Jieming looked Rong Kaihuan up and down, and smiled, "A fine young man, hehe. You two came here, perhaps to take a test?"

After all, he was advanced in years and had been working in the Testing Hall for decades. At this moment, he naturally guessed their intentions.

Rong Yiyang hurriedly said, "Exactly, Uncle Ming, your eyes are like lightning." A flattering smile appeared on his face, "Uncle Ming, this child has been practicing martial arts since childhood and finally succeeded in condensing true qi a few days ago, so I brought him here to take a look."

"Oh, you’ve already succeeded in condensing true qi," Rong Jieming’s expression changed slightly, and the look in his eyes finally showed a bit of interest. "Kaihuan, right? How old are you this year?"

Rong Kaihuan replied without hesitation, "In three months, it will be my fifteenth birthday."

"Three more months, huh?" Rong Jieming’s face twitched slightly, and the enthusiasm in his eyes immediately faded.

Being able to condense true qi before the age of fifteen was a significant achievement for Rong Yiyang and his son. However, for Rong Jieming, who had been in the Testing Hall for decades and had seen countless outstanding members of the Rong family, condensing true qi at this age was not something to boast about.

Such a disciple, although able to enter the inner hall, had limited prospects for the future and was not worth him going out of his way to curry favor.

Of course, with Rong Jieming’s maturity, he would not offend a future inner hall disciple without reason.

He cleared his throat and said, "Since you’ve condensed true qi, according to the rules, you are eligible for a free aptitude test." He stood up, raised his voice, and shouted, "Go, bring me the testing stone."

Although he was not a significant figure in the entire Rong family, he was a seasoned warrior here.

Following his shout, someone hurriedly ran out and returned a moment later, holding two differently colored stones in his hands.

These two stones were roughly the same size, each about the size of a fist. However, one was slightly yellow, while the other was pure white, even with a faint, shimmering light within it.

Rong Jieming’s face darkened, and he angrily hummed, "Idiot, why did you bring the Spirit Testing Stone? Humph, don’t you know how precious this thing is? If you accidentally drop it, can you afford to pay for it?"

The young man who brought the stones was in his twenties, his face flushed red, and he cursed in his heart, "Old bastard, if you didn’t explain clearly, how would I know?"

However, even though he was furious, he did not dare to argue with Rong Jieming here. He could only lower his head and meekly say, "Old Uncle Ming, shall I put it back first?"

"Humph, forget it," Rong Jieming hesitated for a moment and said, "Your carelessness is worrying. Put it back later."

He reached out, took the slightly yellow stone, and handed it to Rong Kaihuan, softening his tone, "Kaihuan, this is the Warrior Testing Stone. If you haven’t yet condensed true qi, you can grip it tightly, and after a while, the stone will emit light. The strength of the light can determine your aptitude in martial arts." He paused and continued, "However, since you’ve already condensed true qi, there’s no need for such trouble. Hehe, you can use your true qi to input it into the testing stone, and it will immediately reflect your aptitude."

The Testing Hall was large, but since it was not the time for a large number of disciples to take tests, there were not many people here. However, at least a dozen people were stationed here year-round. At this moment, these dozen people all turned their gazes towards this place.

It was common for Rong family disciples to come to the Testing Hall for tests, and they had seen it countless times throughout the year. The reason they paid attention now was purely out of boredom, taking a casual glance.

Rong Kaihuan responded, extended his hands, and reverently took the Warrior Testing Stone from Rong Jieming. Then, he took a deep breath, and his true qi began to circulate within his body.

The peculiar force in his dantian, like a soldier receiving orders, immediately rushed upwards and reached his palm in an instant, entering the testing stone.

Rong Kaihuan was well aware of the power of true qi. Despite the tiny amount, when this force erupted, it could even knock a huge tiger flying.

Therefore, when he released his true qi, he was somewhat hesitant, fearing that he might accidentally break the testing stone, which would not bode well for him.

However, the hardness of the testing stone far exceeded his expectations.

The true qi from his dantian rushed into the testing stone, but it was like a stone thrown into the sea, having no effect whatsoever.

However, after being stimulated by the true qi, the surface of the testing stone immediately emitted a faint, hazy light. This light was not intense or dazzling; rather, it was faint and almost imperceptible.

"Ah..."

Several sighs slowly echoed, and the few people who had been idly watching here all withdrew their gazes. Some shook their heads, while others smiled and said, "I knew it. Condensing true qi just before the age of fifteen, this aptitude won’t be much better."

Rong Kaihuan looked around, seeing the indifferent expressions of the crowd, and his heart began to race.

He saw a hint of disdain in their eyes, and even Rong Jieming, who had smiled at him, now had a look of disapproval.

He immediately understood that his aptitude was not good. At least, the warriors in the Testing Hall did not have high hopes for his future.

Rong Yiyang’s face turned slightly red, but he still said, "Uncle Ming, what do you think?"

Rong Jieming casually responded, "Kaihuan has indeed condensed true qi, but his aptitude..." He shook his head and said, "Being able to condense true qi is already quite good. Hehe, according to the family rules, as long as one condenses true qi before the age of fifteen, they can become an inner hall disciple."

Rong Yiyang was overjoyed upon hearing this. As long as he could become an inner hall disciple, even if it was just barely, it would have an immeasurable positive impact on his son’s life. He would not let this opportunity slip away.

He bowed deeply to Rong Jieming and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ming."

Rong Jieming waved his hand and said, "You don’t need to thank me; I’m just following the family rules." He glanced at Rong Kaihuan and said slowly, "However, don’t have too high hopes. It’s already quite difficult for Kaihuan to condense true qi, and to make further progress will be even more challenging."

He had seen too many people who were overjoyed upon entering the inner hall but ultimately ended up disappointed, so he wanted to pour a bucket of cold water on them at this moment as a reminder.

Rong Yiyang was taken aback, and he laughed bitterly, saying, "Yes, Yiyang understands."

His son had only succeeded in condensing true qi just before turning fifteen. Although he had the qualifications to enter the inner hall, he had long been prepared for his aptitude and did not have high hopes.

Rong Kaihuan lowered his head, his fists clenching involuntarily.

The excitement and joy he had felt on the way here had completely dissipated, and a sense of powerlessness and humiliation welled up in his heart.

He was not satisfied, he was not satisfied at all.

Yes, after years of relentless effort, and the potential he had unleashed when facing the king of the mountains with his peculiar body, the true qi he had painstakingly condensed was treated so lightly.

Although no one said anything to him, their intentions were clearly expressed through their expressions and conversations.

However, although this feeling was extremely humiliating, he had no power to change it.

Perhaps, only when he entered the inner hall and worked hard to reach a level far surpassing others, would these people treat him differently.

Rong Jieming gestured to the young man from earlier and said, "Go get an inner hall disciple’s badge, and return the testing stone."

Just as the young man was about to leave, someone suddenly said, "Wait, Uncle Ming, according to family rules, since he has condensed true qi, he can also take a free spirit test."

Rong Jieming was taken aback and laughed, "I was negligent."

Although he still had a smile on his face, he was quite dissatisfied in his heart. Rong Kaihuan’s aptitude was so poor; testing his spirit would be a waste of time and materials.

However, the person who spoke was a rising star in the family, with a status similar to Rong Jieming. He did not want to offend him over such a trivial matter.

Taking the pure white stone from the young man’s hand, Rong Jieming handed it to Rong Kaihuan, saying, "Kaihuan, give it a try."

Rong Kaihuan looked doubtful and asked, "What should I do?"

"Very simple, focus your mind, don’t be distracted, and just stare at the stone."

Rong Kaihuan nodded and, following the instructions, focused his mind and directed his consciousness into the stone.

The dozen people in the Testing Hall still laughed and paid no attention, even the middle-aged man who had reminded them did not expect the stone to change.

However, in the next moment, as if in the blink of an eye, the stone in Rong Kaihuan’s hand suddenly lit up.

A brilliant, dazzling light burst forth from the stone.

This light illuminated everyone’s faces, blinding their eyes.

Instantly, the entire Testing Hall fell silent, and a pin could be heard dropping.

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