Chapter 41 of 100
Chapter 41
14 min read3,399 words
"Ah, it's already this late? I feel like it was just a moment ago."
"Terrible, terrible, I've only just begun to grasp the surface of it."
...
The martial artists all spoke with worried expressions. An hour was not enough time to gain any profound insights. Most of them had only grasped a superficial understanding. If they could touch upon the essence, it would be considered a good comprehension.
Although they were reluctant, under Elder Sun's urging, they had to leave the stone room with great reluctance.
Lu Xuan also left the stone room with the others, his expression calm, showing no signs of joy or anger. Xia Ye, however, frowned slightly, clearly feeling that the time was too short and he hadn't gained much insight.
His gaze swept over Lu Xuan and Xia Ye, Long Tai's face showed a hint of smugness. He then lifted his head, chest out, and strode out confidently, thinking, "Let's see what you have to compete with me in this round!"
Soon, everyone returned to the Sword Testing Platform. Elder Sun said, "Now, each of you will demonstrate the martial techniques you have comprehended. Based on your performance, I and the other elders will evaluate your comprehension, which will be rated as supreme, remarkable, excellent, good, average, or不合格 (unqualified). Those with unqualified comprehension will be eliminated!"
Hearing the word "eliminated," the martial artists all shrank back, hesitant to step forward. Clearly, they had no confidence in themselves and were unsure of the standards required to pass.
Noticing the martial artists' expressions, Long Tai smiled disdainfully and stepped forward, saying loudly, "Since no one is stepping up, I'll go first. Please give me your guidance, Elders!"
"Hmm, very good. As martial artists, we should have the spirit to lead the way. Don't be nervous, just demonstrate the martial technique you have comprehended," Elder Sun said with a smile, not sparing any praise.
Seeing Long Tai step forward confidently, Lu Xuan's eyes flickered, as if he was thinking about something, but he didn't speak, only watching quietly.
Xia Ye, however, snorted, "This guy is stealing the spotlight again. I want to see how much you've comprehended."
Feeling everyone's gaze on him, Long Tai relished the attention. Without hesitation, he began his demonstration, determined to make a stunning impression this time!
The martial technique Long Tai had comprehended was called the Mystic Ice Claw. When used, it exuded a chilling aura. If practiced to its peak, it could even condense ice using yuan force, striking the enemy and directly disrupting their bodily functions.
Long Tai, of course, was not at that level yet, but as he executed his first move, the martial artists felt the temperature around them drop slightly!
The two elders on the judging panel couldn't help but stand up.
One of the elders praised, "He actually caused a change in temperature. This shows he has grasped the essence of the technique!"
"Very good. In just an hour, to achieve this effect, his comprehension is truly remarkable!"
Hearing the elders' praise, Elder Sun couldn't help but laugh. He looked at Uncle Jiu beside him and said, "Uncle Jiu, I remember you know this Mystic Ice Claw. How do you think Long Tai's comprehension is?"
Watching Long Tai's demonstration carefully, Uncle Jiu slowly nodded, "Indeed, it's quite good. He's already close to one-tenth of my level. If he really achieved this in just an hour, his comprehension can be described as remarkable."
Uncle Jiu's words clearly had a hint of doubt, but Elder Sun didn't mention it, only smiling and saying, "It seems the first place in this round will definitely go to Long Tai."
"That's not necessarily true. Lu Xuan hasn't demonstrated yet," Xia Chenxi said.
Elder Sun laughed, "Do you really think Lu Xuan can surpass Long Tai, Niece Chenxi? In all the years I've been in charge of the assessment, only Long Tai has been able to comprehend to this level in just an hour."
While they were talking, Long Tai finally finished his demonstration of the Mystic Ice Claw.
After three days of continuous comprehension, he not only remembered the moves clearly but had also grasped a bit of the essence of the Mystic Ice Claw. The hardest part of practicing a martial technique is comprehending its essence. Once that is understood, it's just a matter of hard practice. In other words, as long as he continued to practice, he would eventually master it.
"Elder, I have completed my demonstration," Long Tai said with a bow.
"Hmm, your comprehension is quite good. After a unanimous decision, your comprehension is rated as 'remarkable'!" Elder Sun announced to the crowd.
As soon as Long Tai's score was announced, the martial artists below burst into a flurry of discussion.
"Long Tai is truly not to be underestimated!"
"Yes, in just an hour, he was able to comprehend a martial technique to this level. He's really too strong!"
"I think the first place in this round will definitely go to him."
...
Hearing Elder Sun's words, a look of joy flashed across Long Tai's face. A 'remarkable' comprehension was already an outstanding achievement, second only to 'supreme.' In fact, in the entire Wind Sword Sect, how many people could be called 'supreme' in comprehension?
The first place in this round would definitely be his!
Under the envious gazes of the martial artists, Long Tai walked back to the crowd with a sense of satisfaction. Turning his head, he met Xia Ye's resentful gaze and laughed, "Xia Ye, you wanted to compete with me for the title of genius. Why don't you also come up and be assessed for your comprehension?"
Faced with Long Tai's challenge, Xia Ye clenched his fists tightly. Although he had no confidence in defeating Long Tai, he was unwilling to show any weakness. He said angrily, "I'll go, what's there to be afraid of?"
As he spoke, Xia Ye stepped forward and stood before the judging panel. After asking what weapon Xia Ye would use, an attendant handed him a low-grade iron sword to help him demonstrate the sword technique smoothly.
Xia Ye had comprehended the Lightning Sword Technique, but his execution was far from the stone statue's demonstration. He managed to perform all eight moves, but they lacked the essence, let alone affecting the surrounding temperature. It wasn't until the last move that Xia Ye barely managed to trigger a faint thunderclap.
Hearing the thunderclap, Elder Sun looked at Uncle Jiu and the other two elders and said, "Xia Ye is not bad. Although he is far from Long Tai, being able to trigger a thunderclap shows he has grasped a bit of the essence. How about rating his comprehension as 'good'?"
Hearing this, the three elders, including Uncle Jiu, nodded slightly, agreeing with Elder Sun's assessment.
Learning that his comprehension was rated as 'good,' two levels below Long Tai, Xia Ye was naturally reluctant. However, he knew his performance was indeed far inferior to Long Tai's. Although he was angry, he had nothing to say.
"Xia Ye, you want to compete with me for the title of genius? It's a huge joke. Your comprehension is two levels below mine. Are you convinced now?" Long Tai said arrogantly, having lost to Xia Ye in the previous character assessment, he now felt he had completely turned the tables.
"Hmph, so what if you beat me? Even if you beat me, the first place isn't necessarily yours. Lu Xuan has already won two rounds. How do you know he won't win this round too?" Faced with Long Tai's ridicule, Xia Ye stood on the same side as Lu Xuan, pushing him to the forefront.
"Lu Xuan?" Long Tai glanced at Lu Xuan disdainfully and said, "He won the first two rounds by luck. The last two rounds are the real test of strength. Lu Xuan, do you dare come up and be assessed for your comprehension? If you can surpass me, I'll promise not to cause trouble for your Lu family. How about that?"
Lu Xuan's eyes flashed with determination, and he said solemnly, "Do you really mean it?"
"Of course! The four elders of the Wind Sword Sect and all these martial artists are witnesses. Do you think I'll go back on my word?" Long Tai sneered, not believing Lu Xuan could be that strong. Even if his comprehension was better, could he really surpass him after just an hour of practice?
"Since that's the case, I'll fulfill your wish." As he spoke, Lu Xuan parted the crowd and slowly walked to the front. Instantly, all the martial artists' gazes focused on him.
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