Chapter Nineteen: The Martial Artist’s Practical Assessment

“Future warriors,” the man on the carriage’s hanging screen changed to another stern-looking individual. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Liu, Deputy Director of the Jiangnan Base City Security Bureau. In our Xia Nation, the government and military possess the most formidable power! If you join the government or the military, wherever you are in the Xia Nation, you will receive the best support.”

…

“Everyone,” the screen soon displayed yet another figure. “I am Wang, the director of the Thunder Martial Hall in Jiangnan Base City. Our Thunder Martial Hall was established by the world’s fastest and most invincible powerhouse, ‘Thunder God.’ We have branches all over the world…”

…

“Future warriors, the previous three have already introduced themselves. There’s no need to say much—you all know I’m from the Limit Martial Hall!” The screen shifted again, revealing a new speaker. “My surname is Zhuge! The Limit Martial Hall… is the largest martial hall in the world, founded by the strongest man on earth! Our hall possesses the most formidable power in existence…”

…

The promotions from the four major factions spurred lively discussion among the aspiring warriors inside the carriage.

Luo Yuan and Luo Feng remained calm; they had already signed contracts with the Limit Martial Hall in advance. As for Yang Wu and the others, they were all nurtured by the Limit Martial Hall, so naturally, they would join it.

“Brother Yang, looking at this train, how many aspiring warriors do you think there are?” Luo Feng glanced around and suddenly asked.

“Quite a lot,” Yang Wu replied, smirking. “I overheard others say there are two real-combat assessments for warriors each year, and every time, over a thousand aspiring warriors participate from all over Jiangnan Base City.”

“Over a thousand?” Luo Feng was astonished.

“Haha, though there are many people, how many will walk out alive? And how many will pass the combat assessment? I fear quite a few will become food for monsters, or worse,” Luo Yuan interjected. He remembered hearing that so many failed the last assessment that trucks were needed to transport the dead.

“Ah? Brother Luo Yuan, don’t scare me!” Luo Feng was clearly uneasy at Luo Yuan’s words.

“Hahaha, Luo Feng, your skills are among the best here. What’s there to be afraid of?” Luo Yuan teased with a laugh.

“Hey, Luo Yuan’s right. Those who should be worried are ordinary aspiring warriors like me,” Yang Wu added, a bit gloomily.

“Brother Yang, you train so hard all the time. You’ll be fine during the assessment,” Luo Feng encouraged him.

“I hope so.” Yang Wu forced a bitter smile.

Moments later—

“Aspiring warriors, the train will soon arrive. Please prepare to disembark,” came an announcement over the carriage’s speakers as the train gradually slowed to a stop.

With a hiss, the doors opened, and the aspiring warriors filed out from each carriage. Soon, the great crowd of would-be warriors surged into a vast military camp. The camp sprawled over a huge area, with a great array of heavy weaponry clearly visible at the perimeter, each cannon aimed outward. Soldiers patrolled everywhere, armed with advanced weapons.

Beyond the camp’s defensive line, half-starved monsters howled, their bellies shrunken, but not a single one dared approach the military compound.

Suddenly, a piercing screech rent the air, and all heads lifted in unison. Hundreds of avian monsters streaked across the blue sky in a dense, roaring formation.

Seeing so many monsters, Luo Yuan couldn’t help but think that, dangerous as it was, this war zone was a prime place to gather attributes.

“Attention, everyone—” a commanding voice rang out to every candidate. “Welcome to the Northern Military District of Jiangnan City. This time, the warrior combat assessment for all 1,680 of you will be held here. I hope most of you pass the test—and I hope all of you survive!”

That afternoon, the 1,680 aspiring warriors stood assembled on a broad, open plaza. Onstage were high-ranking officers from the Northern Military District, as well as prominent figures from the Thunder Martial Hall and the Limit Martial Hall.

“Now, those whose names are called, come forward to receive your combat uniforms and weapons…” Ten officers stood on stage, calling out names. Each aspiring warrior summoned stepped forward to collect their gear.

“Luo Yuan.”

“Luo Feng.”

“Yang Wu.”

…

“This is your combat uniform, your boots, and your Bloodshadow Saber.” An officer handed Luo Yuan a set of items. “This is a communicator watch, with tracking and communication functions. And this is your hexagonal shield.”

Luo Yuan found a spot to gear up. He thought the outfit looked a bit ugly but didn’t dwell on it. As for the shield, he tossed it aside—he didn’t need it and it would only get in his way.

“Luo Yuan, Luo Feng!” a voice called from the distance. It was Wu Tong, chief instructor of the Yangzhou Limit Hall.

Luo Yuan and Luo Feng hurried over.

“Follow me,” Wu Tong said, leading the way.

They soon reached the second floor of a quiet building. In the lounge sat several people, among them Zhuge Tao, one of the four giants of the Jiangnan City Limit Hall.

“Director,” Luo Yuan and Luo Feng greeted in unison.

Zhuge Tao nodded and motioned for them to sit.

“So, these are the two geniuses you mentioned, Zhuge? I doubt they’re much better than our recruits at the Thunder Martial Hall,” said a burly man in a dark purple combat suit who sat opposite Zhuge Tao, his voice echoing from his chest.

“This time, our Thunder Martial Hall recruited two early: one with exceptional physical prowess, and another who’s a firearms prodigy.” The burly man gestured to the two young men beside him, who immediately stood.

“I’m Wan Dong,” said the first, a somber youth with a purple birthmark on his face.

“I’m Ma Xiao.” The other smiled—a young man so strikingly handsome that Luo Yuan initially mistook him for a woman. The voice dispelled that illusion, and Luo Yuan felt a chill, nearly doubting himself.

“Do you dare to compete? Let’s see in tonight’s combat assessment who scores the highest!” Wan Dong’s eyes flashed, as if he were eyeing the most appetizing prey.

“Not interested,” Luo Feng replied, shaking his head.

Luo Yuan said nothing, merely surveying the room with a casual air. Wan Dong’s eyes burned with anger at their indifference, but he only sneered, waiting for the real contest.

Zhuge Tao watched the scene, taking a leisurely sip of tea, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

“All right, the combat assessment is about to begin. Off you go, young ones,” Zhuge Tao said calmly.

Luo Yuan and Luo Feng left, puzzled. Luo Yuan couldn’t help but think: there’s clearly friction between the Limit Martial Hall and the Thunder Martial Hall—the competition is pretty fierce.

PS: Esteemed readers, your tips, monthly votes, and bookmarks are humbly requested. Luo Yuan bows in gratitude.