Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter Forty-One: The Test (Part One)

While Wang Jue was quietly observing his surroundings, he followed Lan Yiyi to the reception desk. To his astonishment, Lan Yiyi produced a black card and handed it to one of the receptionists. "Prepare a room for me," she said.

At such close range, Wang Jue easily noticed the shock that flashed across the faces of the two receptionists. Their reactions were swift; after a series of operations, one of them respectfully returned the card.

"Miss Lan, everything is arranged. Shall I take you there?"

Lan Yiyi merely nodded, her response brief. "Yes."

As for Wang Jue, he hadn’t uttered a single word throughout, but inwardly he couldn’t help but wonder: Is the life of the wealthy truly so dull and monotonous?

He had no idea what the rates for a private training room at the Martial Artists Association might be, but it was easy enough to guess they were far from cheap. Only a martial arts school with both financial power and strength could afford such facilities. The Extreme Dao Martial Arts School where Wang Jue currently practiced was barely scraping by; on the verge of closure, it relied on flyers to recruit students. Even if they had a training room, keeping up with its expenses would be a major issue.

Of course, this was Wang Jue’s first visit to the Association. If he were alone, he’d have to settle for one of the free public training rooms—those noisy spaces packed with people.

Soon enough, the receptionist leading the way stopped at a certain room and, in a respectful tone, addressed Lan Yiyi, "Miss Lan, we’ve arrived. We’ve arranged for someone to attend to you. If you need anything, please just let us know."

Under her guidance, Wang Jue and his group had traversed several buildings, passing hundreds of training rooms before finally reaching their destination.

Although Wang Jue wasn’t sure what lay inside, he noted that the Association’s training rooms were all individual spaces, and its interior design was clearly well thought out. The materials used were far superior to those at Extreme Dao, prompting Wang Jue to silently remark: Truly worthy of its reputation.

…

Standing before the private training room, Lan Yiyi responded concisely to the receptionist, then turned to Wang Jue and gestured forward. "Let’s go in."

With that, she pushed open the door and entered first.

Wang Jue hesitated.

He instinctively swallowed. Since arriving, he’d had the feeling of a country boy visiting a five-star hotel for the first time.

To be honest, he felt out of place. He was fully aware that he and his surroundings didn’t match, no matter how you looked at it.

He drew a deep breath. Now that he was here, he couldn’t simply flee. Trying to calm himself, he stepped inside.

Upon entering, Wang Jue found that it was less a training room and more a hybrid boxing and fitness space. There was a ring, sandbags, and all sorts of equipment common in gyms, along with machinery he couldn’t even identify.

Was this really a private training room? It looked more like a mid-sized gym.

After some self-hypnosis, Wang Jue began to adjust and turned to Lan Yiyi, ready to confront the reason she’d brought him here. "Captain Lan, I think I need to ask: Why did you seek me out today?"

Judging from the situation, it was unlikely she intended him harm. Still, the uncertainty made him anxious—he lacked confidence.

If Wang Jue had seen more of the world, or was stronger or wealthier, he might not have felt so uneasy.

"Mm? Didn’t I tell you?" Lan Yiyi looked at him, puzzled. "I said before: just some practice."

"Practice?" Wang Jue was stunned. He suddenly recalled that Lan Yiyi had indeed said that. Yet he’d dismissed her words, thinking it was merely an excuse.

After all, the captain of a hunting squad inviting a high school student to spar was hardly believable. Not only was there a vast difference in status, but in terms of strength, ten Wang Jues couldn’t match one Lan Yiyi. This so-called sparring was more like one-sided domination.

"Don’t joke with me, Captain Lan." Wang Jue immediately refused. "With my meager strength, how could I possibly spar with you? If you want a match, you’d better find someone on your own level. I’m no match."

He wasn’t foolish enough to challenge someone so far beyond him. Just thinking about it, he knew he had no chance of winning—and even if he did, she was a member of the hunting squad. Why provoke the authorities and risk being suppressed?

"It’s not a fight. Your strength isn’t enough for me to use even one hand," Lan Yiyi replied bluntly. Perhaps noticing Wang Jue’s misunderstanding, she offered a rare explanation. "It’s just simple practice. I want to see your strength."

Her tone was so calm, it didn’t seem as if she had any ulterior motive.

Realizing her words might be misunderstood again, she added, "I told you before, I’ll give you a martial arts technique. How good it is will depend on your performance. If you want it, show me your strength now."

"Are you planning to recruit me?" Wang Jue hesitated, but voiced his suspicion.

Had it been someone else, he wouldn’t have asked directly, but with Lan Yiyi, there was no need for pretense.

Moreover, he genuinely wanted to know her purpose. If he didn’t ask, the chances of figuring it out were slim.

"I do have that idea, but nothing is decided yet," Lan Yiyi nodded. "Rest assured, it’s not mandatory. I dislike forcing people."

"Alright, what do I need to do?" Wang Jue shrugged, relieved now that he had the information he wanted. Life is like exercise: if you can’t resist, you might as well enjoy it.

Since Lan Yiyi had spoken so frankly, Wang Jue had no intention of doing anything foolish. He’d proceed one step at a time.

Seeing he had no objections, Lan Yiyi said without hesitation, "Come, let me see your strength first."

For martial artists at the Body Refining stage, verifying strength is the norm. Here, it meant physical power, unaided by external forces.

After all, upon learning martial arts techniques, a martial artist’s explosive force and control would differ greatly; punching power and bodily strength could vary widely.

"Alright, it’s up to you." Under Lan Yiyi’s guidance, Wang Jue moved to the left side of the ring, where a strength-testing machine stood—a familiar sight to him, though this one was far superior to the school’s in every way.

"Well… alright." Seeing she truly intended to test his strength, Wang Jue didn’t hesitate. He had nothing to hide in this area.

At his age, his talent and strength were generally at the bottom. Yet in raw power, he excelled, outshining most peers.

He could be considered among the top tier for his age group.

Last time at school, even when hiding most of his strength, his punch registered over three hundred, nearly four hundred pounds.

Since then, he hadn’t had a chance to test his full power.

Now, with such an opportunity, he wouldn’t waste it.

Besides, if Lan Yiyi truly wished to recruit him, he couldn’t afford to hide his strength as he had at school.

Although he didn’t know much about the hunting squad, his experience reading novels in his previous life told him that to receive better treatment, one had to prove their ability.

Wang Jue warmed up, stretching his limbs as he approached the machine. This time, he would go all out.

Exhaling slowly, he relaxed his body.

The next moment, power surged through his legs, waist, and arms. His body tensed, and he delivered a full-force punch to the machine.

Bang!

A deep thud echoed, as if a heavy object had fallen from a height.

Numbers flashed and climbed rapidly on the screen atop the machine.

Three hundred kilograms!

Four hundred kilograms!

Four hundred and fifty kilograms!

…

Wang Jue watched the numbers rise, slowing but not stopping, anticipation on his face.

That punch had been nearly without reservation.

Even so, he sensed he hadn’t reached his limit—though it was close. If he learned techniques to boost his explosive force, perhaps the number would climb higher.

Six hundred kilograms!

Seven hundred kilograms!

Eight hundred and ninety kilograms…

Finally.

Nine hundred and one kilograms!

Wang Jue’s punch ended at a terrifying number.

"Captain Lan, is the test finished?" Wang Jue turned to Lan Yiyi, his face inquisitive.

He hadn’t forgotten the reason for being here—it was this big shot who had summoned him. If he failed to impress her, he might not leave the room today.

"Impressive strength. I didn’t expect you, at sixteen, to have the power of someone at the ninth level of Body Refining." Lan Yiyi’s expression remained neutral, though a fleeting shock flashed in her eyes—so quickly that Wang Jue, who had been watching her, almost missed it.

Wang Jue’s test could only be described as stunning!

If someone at the ninth level of Body Refining produced such power, she’d consider them useless.

But Wang Jue’s current stage was only the third level.

To unleash the strength of the ninth level from the third—that’s not just talent; that’s monstrous…