Chapter 165: Join My Ranks?

Chapter 165: Join My Ranks?

On the arena.

"Young Master?"

The five people across from them heard their conversation and were slightly startled.

"Alright, let's begin!" The host finished checking and then announced.

Upon hearing this, He Jinyun lazily addressed the five people in front of him.

"Are you ready?"

"Is that you, Young Master?" Someone spoke with a slightly tense expression, and then he said, "Come on! Let me see how strong the Wu Yuan Academy students really are."

As his words fell.

He Jinyun's figure moved, and like a gust of wind, he rushed towards the group.

The next moment.

Bang—

Bang—

Bang—

Several sounds rang out, and the seemingly frail and malnourished He Jinyun was like a heavy truck colliding with the group.

In front of He Jinyun, the group had no ability to resist and was directly knocked off the arena.

"This is too exaggerated!!!" Zhou Xing, seeing this scene on the arena, was shocked.

Jiang Ning was also slightly surprised in his heart.

Although he had just heard Liu Sansheng mention that He Jinyun was a talented youth with innate divine strength, when he saw He Jinyun's pale and thin appearance, Jiang Ning had some doubts in his heart about whether he had judged incorrectly.

But when he saw He Jinyun take action, Jiang Ning knew he was right.

Because the strength He Jinyun displayed was extremely outstanding, his speed was exceptionally fast, and even compared to Jiang Ning, he wasn't at a disadvantage.

And from the fact that these five people were no match for him in a single move, it was clear that his strength was extremely exaggerated.

Only by displaying such overwhelming dominance could he achieve such a crushing victory.

Then.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, "This strength is indeed a bit exaggerated!"

"Fortunately, Jiang Ning stopped me just now!" Zhou Xing regained his senses, and his face immediately showed a relieved expression.

Then he sighed, "I know the five who fell from the stage, and they are not weak among the Ninth Stage. One of them even has a relationship with me and has reached the Ninth Stage Great Success!"

"But this Young Master doesn't seem to show off his strength, with a pale face and thin body like a dried-up stick. This strength is too exaggerated. Facing these five, he swept through them effortlessly!"

"I'm definitely not his match!"

"Fortunately, Jiang Ning stopped me!"

Zhou Xing's face turned into an expression of relief after a narrow escape.

On the other side.

He Jinyun received a dark gray identity token.

"Is this my temporary identity token for the Inspection Bureau?" He played with it as he spoke.

"Young Master, this is just a temporary token. After today's examination, come to the Inspection Bureau tomorrow to exchange it for a formal identity token!"

"I heard that there's also a competition for the position of Deputy Commander later. If Young Master can obtain the position of Deputy Commander, you can come under my command. I have received the old master's grace."

"Received grace? Never mind then!" He Jinyun shrugged and jumped off the arena.

The four Wu Yuan Academy disciples behind him saw this and exchanged glances, and someone spread their hands, "This examination is too easy!"

Then the group jumped off the stage.

The few who had just fallen from the arena heard these words, and their faces turned red with anger.

Being swept away by He Jinyun, they accepted it.

If they couldn't beat him, there was nothing they could do.

But when they were mocked by these people who had just walked on stage and passed the examination, someone among them immediately became unconvinced.

In the pursuit of martial arts, one carries a sense of pride in their heart, and they are straightforward by nature.

Immediately, someone stood up and spoke, "I'm not convinced!"

"What are you not convinced about?" The host on the arena asked indifferently.

"I'm not convinced of the rules of this examination! Why can these weaklings win without even fighting and pass the examination? This is unfair!!!" The person shouted.

"Not convinced? Unfair?" The host on the arena smiled faintly.

"You're right to be unconvinced! You're right that it's unfair! This world is inherently unfair! If you're not strong enough and can't find a powerful backer, then you're eliminated. It's as simple as that!"

After saying this, his eyes were like sharp swords sweeping across the entire arena.

Wherever his gaze fell, silence ensued.

"Continue!!!"

He spoke again, and his figure leaped, soaring through the air like a gliding bird, and arrived at another arena where the examination had already ended.

Below the Arena.

At this moment, after witnessing the previous incident, the spectators below the arena were numerous, but none dared to take the stage lightly.

The rules were clear.

Ten, minus five!

In other words, the pass rate for this final assessment was only fifty percent.

As long as one cleared this hurdle, regardless of their identity, they would obtain an official rank.

The gap between the common folk and officials had always been a significant leap.

Passing this assessment not only depended on one's strength but also on the strength of one's teammates.

If they encountered someone as powerful as the young master from earlier, few would have the confidence to pass this test.

Once they stepped onto the stage, there would be no chance to back down.

Regardless of who followed them onto the stage, they would have to determine a victor.

Thus, an awkward situation arose below the arena, as no one was willing to take the lead and step up.

Whoever stepped up first would lose the initiative and become the target of others' choices.

"Should we go up now, Brother Jiang?" Zhou Xing asked.

After witnessing the previous incident, Zhou Xing, lacking confidence, turned to Jiang Ning for an answer.

"Let's go up!" Jiang Ning made the decision.

"Alright!" Zhou Xing nodded.

Immediately, Jiang Ning and Zhou Xing leaped onto the stage, while Zhang Tiesheng's massive figure heavily slammed onto the arena.

Jiang Ning and Zhou Xing, on the other hand, landed lightly, causing no disturbance on the stage.

"Everyone, please don't delay any further. We need a few more people to come up and determine a winner!" Zhou Xing clasped his hands and spoke to the crowd around him.

"Hey!" Someone below the stage laughed, "Who in Luoshui County doesn't know of you, Zhou Xing, the Qilin of the Zhou family? With your Eighth Rank Divine Strength Realm, who dares to challenge you?"

"That's right! And who doesn't know Jiang Ning? Just look at the two of you; who would dare to compete with you?" Another person from below the stage chimed in.

Upon hearing these words, those who were initially eager to take the stage hesitated.

Among the three, probably two were at the Eighth Rank Divine Strength Realm, making it impossible for them to participate.

This directly occupied three of the five slots. If they went up, there would only be two slots left.

Thus, it became seven minus two, making it even more challenging.

Consequently, the noisy area below the arena fell silent, and no one was willing to step up.

After a brief moment, Zhou Xing spoke with a hint of helplessness, "Brother Jiang, what should we do now?" He had not anticipated this situation.

Both of their strengths were now known to the public.

The weak dared not step onto the arena, so those who dared to take the stage must be formidable.

In the younger generation of Luoshui County, Eighth Rank practitioners were scarce, but not everyone here belonged to the younger generation.

Among the thirty to forty-year-olds of the older generation, there were also martial artists.

Some of them had previously been guests or advisors of various powers.

These individuals also had the qualifications to participate in the Inspection Bureau's assessment.

Additionally, there were students from the Wu Yuan Academy in Dongling City, and among them were many powerful practitioners.

Just like the pale and thin youth from earlier, if he stepped onto the stage, Zhou Xing had no confidence in facing him.

Hearing Zhou Xing's words, Jiang Ning spoke softly, "No rush! If the Bureau Head has set these rules, he must have anticipated this situation. There will naturally be corresponding measures later."

At the same time, in the direction of the Wu Yuan Academy students...

He Jinyun glanced at the arena where Jiang Ning was located and then smiled slightly, saying to the person beside him, "Qin Xuan, two Eighth Rank Martial Artists have taken the stage. Why don't you go up and show them a thing or two?"

"Why be the bad guy?" Qin Xuan, dressed in black with gold trim, smiled and casually declined He Jinyun's suggestion.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, clear and loud, "As two Eighth Rank Martial Artists, I'd like to witness your skills."

Hearing this, the crowd turned their heads in unison.

"I didn't want to be the bad guy, but who knew Lu Renyao would take on that role!" Qin Xuan spoke.

The crowd saw a man leap from the crowd, dressed in a white robe, soaring above them.

This man was Lu Renyao, as Qin Xuan had mentioned.

On the arena, Zhou Xing's eyes narrowed, intently watching the white-robed man.

Jiang Ning took a glance and then shook his head slightly.

The next moment, Lu Renyao's Cloud-Treading Silk Shoes gently landed on the arena, stirring up a circle of scattering dust.

Lu Renyao landed in front of Jiang Ning and Zhou Xing, examining them up and down for several rounds.

Then, he spoke, "You two are not bad. To reach the Eighth Rank Martial Artist at your age in this small town is considered a Heaven's Pride. After entering the Inspection Bureau, how about joining my command?"

Zhou Xing opened his mouth, about to speak.

Lu Renyao interrupted again, "Hey! There's no need to rush your answer. Think it through carefully. If you two agree, I'll let all three of you pass this examination. If you don't agree..."

At this point, Lu Renyao paused, his face filled with confidence, "Then I'll have to send you two off the arena."

These words caused Zhou Xing's mouth, which had just opened, to close again.

His gaze shifted to Jiang Ning.

In Zhou Xing's eyes, among all the disciples of Canglang Martial Academy, only Jiang Ning, who had stepped into the Eighth Rank Divine Strength Realm, was his comrade, and only Jiang Ning was qualified to discuss such decisions with him.

As for Zhang Tiesheng behind him, although he was a junior apprentice, he was also a guest Lu Renyao had invited.

Whether it was strength or status, he naturally couldn't compare with Lu Renyao.

"Take your time discussing, I'm not in a hurry!" Lu Renyao smiled slightly, then continued, "Later, I'll definitely win the position of Squad Leader. If you two join me, you'll be members of my squad, and in the future, the benefits will naturally not lack for you two."

Below the arena, not far away, Qin Xuan heard Lu Renyao's words and was momentarily stunned, then smiled and shook his head.

"This Lu Renyao is quite the schemer! Using the entry quota to force these two Heaven's Pride of Luoshui County to join his future squad and follow his commands!"

"If they don't obey, with Lu Renyao's strength, he can easily force them to agree later!"

"After all, for people from a small town like this, joining the Inspection Bureau is like ascending to heaven, reversing fate. Even if they gain official titles, it's hard to compare with this opportunity."

"Not bad!" He Jinyun nodded slightly, "For these two to reach the Eighth Rank Martial Artist at this age in a small town like this, such talent is actually considered top-notch even in Dongling City."

"If they were born in Dongling City and enjoyed the resources of Wu Yuan Academy, they might not be much weaker than us!"

"They are indeed excellent seedlings!"

At this point, He Jinyun became more and more excited as he spoke.

"Damn it!" He slapped his thigh hard, "These two are real talents! I didn't even think of this just now."

Qin Xuan, standing beside him, heard He Jinyun's words and couldn't help but smile, "Brother Jin Yun, if you want, with your strength, it's not too late to go up on the arena now!"

Upon hearing this, He Jinyun shook his head, "Forget it, I'm used to being lazy, it's too much trouble!"

"Indeed!" Qin Xuan smiled slightly, "Brother Jin Yun, with your Young Master's identity, you don't need to compete with the mudskippers in the mud."

He Jinyun's eyes widened, "Hey, why are you talking so harshly? You're good at provoking people!"

On the other side.

On the arena.

Zhou Xing asked in a low voice, "What do you think, Junior Apprentice Jiang Ning?"

"There's nothing to say. I have a bit of a stubborn bone, I've always been soft on the soft and hard on the hard!" Jiang Ning replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing smiled.

"Junior Apprentice Jiang Ning suits my taste!"

"I'm the same! Always soft on the soft and hard on the hard!"

Soft on the soft and hard on the hard?

On the arena, Lu Renyao looked at the two with a smile on his lips.

"It seems you two have already made your choice!"

Zhou Xing said, "I'm just thinking of learning the methods of Wu Yuan Academy students."

"What about you?" Lu Renyao looked at Jiang Ning.

In Lu Renyao's heart, he favored Jiang Ning over Zhou Xing.

And the reason was simple, not because of anything else, but solely because Jiang Ning was younger.

At the same rank, younger.

Younger meant higher talent and greater potential for the future.

Naturally, he was more worthy of cultivation.

Jiang Ning replied indifferently, "Me too!"

"Good!" Lu Renyao nodded.

"Very good!" He emphasized again, "Later, I'll let you two see the difference in strength between two Eighth Rank Martial Artists!"

Just as the tense atmosphere filled the air.

Suddenly, a faint voice came from the side.

"Alright, all four of you have passed the test, come and receive your identity tokens!"

"Wh-what???" Lu Renyao turned his head to look at the host on the arena, his eyes wide in disbelief.

What a joke! They hadn't even started fighting, and they had passed the test? At this moment, Lu Renyao suspected he was hallucinating.

Just as Lu Renyao was filled with doubt, the host, seeing Lu Renyao's expression, smiled.

"Come and receive your identity tokens!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end