Chapter 6

The blood drawing process was finally completed amidst the cries of a group of children. Then, after a series of orderly tests, the soldiers announced the results.

There were no surprises.

None of the more than forty participants from Nanshan Village turned out to be the so-called demon race. As for the Xuantian Dao Body? Not a single one was spared; they all failed.

He remembered that someone had said earlier that there was no second Xuantian Dao Body in the entire Northern Desert.

Wait, a second one? Fang Zhengzhi suddenly felt something was off. Who was the first one? Just as he was about to ask, he noticed that everyone's attention was completely drawn to the second round of testing that had already begun.

The neatly lined-up soldiers quickly carried a row of three-legged black cauldrons made of black iron to below the platform.

Under the supervision of the soldiers, all the participants began to lift the cauldrons one by one.

It seems they are comparing who has the most strength, or there might be a passing standard? Fang Zhengzhi refocused and speculated to himself.

Then, he heard a cry...

Looking over, he saw it was Li Huer again. Fang Zhengzhi was puzzled; he hadn't done anything to him, so what was wrong?

Upon closer inspection, he finally understood. The highly anticipated Li Huer had failed to lift the fifty-pound three-legged black cauldron.

Was it because of the slap he received earlier? Or was it just a poor performance?

Fang Zhengzhi vaguely remembered that Li Huer was once a "fierce child" who could lift a large blue stone. Fifty pounds shouldn't be a problem, right? Could he really have performed poorly?

Li Zhuangshi answered Fang Zhengzhi's question with a slap.

"Get out! Useless brat!"

After being slapped, Li Huer was kicked hard in the buttocks and rolled into the crowd like a ball.

Then, Li Zhuangshi's gaze instantly became sharp. Seemingly to regain the face he had lost today, he roared and walked straight towards the five-hundred-pound black cauldron.

"Ha! Lift it for me!"

The veins on his strong arms bulged, and the muscles on his back swelled. The five-hundred-pound black cauldron didn't struggle much and was soon lifted.

"Great job!"

"Deputy Captain Li has really brought honor to Nanshan Village!"

"Five hundred pounds, what incredible strength!"

The villagers quickly burst into cheers.

The village chief Meng Bai, who was on the platform, finally smiled, the wrinkles on his old face seeming to reflect the sunlight.

"What's his name?" Even General Li, sitting in the wooden chair, spoke up at the sight.

"General Li, this is our Nanshan Village hunting team's deputy captain, Li Zhuangshi!" Village Chief Meng Bai immediately replied respectfully.

"Good, he has strength. Being able to lift five hundred pounds before entering the Dao shows great potential. He passes this round!" General Li nodded. Being able to lift a five-hundred-pound black cauldron was indeed sufficient for the physical strength test.

"He passes?!" Village Chief Meng Bai's joy was evident on his face.

Someone from Nanshan Village passed? That was a huge piece of good news, especially from the Shenhou Mansion. If someone was chosen by the Shenhou Mansion, they would definitely be given special attention and training, and the entire Nanshan Village would benefit.

"This round he passes, but the next round will still be important to see his performance!" General Li, seeing that Village Chief Meng Bai seemed to have misunderstood, patiently explained.

"Yes, yes, General Li is right. We'll see his performance, his next performance, hehe..." Village Chief Meng Bai nodded repeatedly, but his smile couldn't be hidden.

The Shenhou Mansion, just thinking about it was exciting!

Some of the villagers below also became extremely excited upon hearing this news, feeling as if they had passed the test themselves.

The crowd became lively at this moment.

"Li's wife, your husband is really great!"

"The Li family is really something this time. Being chosen by the Shenhou Mansion, they're bound to rise to prominence!"

"That's for sure, it's the Shenhou Mansion!"

A group of women surrounding Li's wife chattered excitedly, congratulating her, and some even suggested marrying their daughters to Li Huer.

This made Li's wife smile like a flower, and the anger she had felt due to her son Li Huer's poor performance vanished instantly.

"Li Huer is still young, still young..." Li's wife said with a smile, her mouth unable to close from joy.

Next, a few more people from Nanshan Village passed, all lifting black cauldrons weighing over four hundred pounds, which barely met the standard.

In the end, three adults and five children passed this round. The children, several seven- and eight-year-olds, strained to lift the smaller black cauldrons over their heads, which surprised General Li sitting in the chair.

"Your children from Nanshan Village are quite impressive!"

"Where, where, General Li is too kind. Our Nanshan Village has lived in these mountains for generations, relying on hunting. We may not have much else, but we have strength!" Village Chief Meng Bai was very happy today because his eight-year-old grandson had also passed, making his heart as sweet as honey.

As more people passed, the square became even livelier, with villagers expressing their congratulations to the families of those who had passed.

Fang Zhengzhi, holding a chicken leg he had taken a few bites of, stood leisurely in the crowd. He didn't see his mother Qin Xuelian in the square, clearly she was still sulking.

But he couldn't do anything about it now.

There was a problem with the plot. The legendary incantation didn't seem to work. After reciting the "Dao Canon," the Dao of All Things did not successfully descend upon him, meaning he was still an ordinary and plain little boy.

The second round of physical tests didn't take too long, and the more than forty people were quickly tested. Three adults and five children passed.

Seeing the eight people who had passed lined up, General Li, who had been sitting in the wooden chair, finally stood up.

Village Chief Meng Bai immediately waved his pipe, signaling the crowd to quiet down.

"Cough, today's visit to Nanshan Village has been a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see so many outstanding talents here. The next round of testing is the final and most important one. Regardless of whether anyone succeeds, I hope you all continue to persist on this path."

As General Li spoke, the crowd fell completely silent, everyone holding their breath, excitedly waiting for the final round to begin.

"Before this round of testing begins, I have one more thing to say. I believe everyone knows that our Great Xia Dynasty venerates the Dao of All Things. Today, I will demonstrate the power of the Dao of All Things!"

(Thank you: Ku Xuan for becoming the first steward of this book, and also to Chen Jiama, Shao Nian Shi Ta He Ta, Long Ao Qiantan, for their donations. As usual, I'm asking for recommendations! Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop...)

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