Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1396 - 240: Mountain and River Tripod, the First Martial Examination!
"Please continue!" The examiner’s voice rang out.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Meng stepped forward and walked up to the second tripod.
"Heh—" He suddenly let out a shout, his muscles instantly swelling up, becoming extremely exaggerated, with each muscle like an iron tower covering his entire body, his body expanding by a circle out of thin air.
"Rise!" He lifted the second tripod, rising up in an instant, and then lifted it high above his head.
After one breath, his body slightly swayed, and his steps instantly became unsteady, appearing staggered.
Then his right foot stepped forward forcefully.
Boom!
Accompanied by a rumbling sound, the ground instantly cracked open, and the soil exploded.
The examiner glanced indifferently without saying a word.
Because Zhao Meng was still within the rules.
At this moment, with Zhao Meng’s step forward, his body formed a brace, making his stance stable.
After three breaths.
Zhao Meng slowly exhaled a breath, then took a deep breath.
Immediately, his expression turned grim, and he slowly lowered the large tripod with both hands.
This step was the most difficult in the entire weightlifting examination.
It required placing the tripod steadily on the ground, which was much more challenging than lifting it high above one’s head.
Not to mention that holding it high for three breaths already consumed a significant amount of strength.
As soon as the strength weakened, the hands would lose power.
Boom!
Midway down, the tripod suddenly lost support and fell heavily to the ground.
In an instant, debris splattered, and the ground was dented by the tripod’s legs.
Seeing this scene, a deep regret flashed in Zhao Meng’s eyes.
He was just a breath away from letting the second tripod settle steadily.
If he had achieved this, his evaluation would have been significantly higher.
"Next, Shen Mengyun!" The examiner called out the next martial student based on the list.
As for the evaluation, that’s something the chief examiner on the north platform had to do.
The final evaluation would also take into account age and the completed tasks.
Unlike the Imperial Examination, the Martial Arts Examination was held in full view of everyone, under the eyes of princes and princesses, court ministers, and the Holy Emperor.
It was extremely transparent.
Meanwhile.
Zhao Meng stepped down, and a girl with a tall figure, long legs, and a high ponytail leapt down from the martial students’ stand.
Her movement was light and agile, like a jumping deer.
"This must be General Shen’s daughter!" The man on the throne suddenly spoke.
"Your Majesty’s keen eyes, she is indeed my little girl!" The bearded man on the seat beside replied respectfully.
"I didn’t expect that Brother Shen, who looks so rugged, could have such a fair and delicate jewel. I wonder if Brother Shen intends to marry this jewel to my little eighth!"
Hearing these words, Ji Minghao’s body trembled, and he looked incredulously at the man on the throne.
The gazes from the stands also instantly focused on Ji Minghao.
They were all well aware of the meaning behind this statement.
Among all the princes, the most weak and insignificant was now the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao.
His mother came from an ordinary background without powerful forces.
Many years ago, she passed away, leaving only the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao and the Seventeenth Princess Ji Mingyue.
This also made Ji Minghao one of the least favored princes among them.
But now, the Holy Emperor intended to grant marriage to Ji Minghao in front of all the ministers, and the chosen person was Shen Mengyun.
In the Royal Capital, everyone knew that Shen Mengyun was General Shen’s most beloved youngest daughter.
In order to reshape Shen Mengyun’s foundation, to make her constitution revert to innate, General Shen went alone deep into the Southern Ridge, traveling eighty thousand miles, just to find the Sun God Vine.
The Southern Ridge was a place where ancient Great Demons slumbered, and despite the drastic changes in the ancient heavenly environment, the Immortal Dao had not completely perished, nor had those ancient Great Demons been entirely taken away.
Traveling eighty thousand miles deep into the Southern Ridge was risking one’s life.
From this point, one could see Shen Mengyun’s status in General Shen’s heart.
They knew that if Shen Mengyun were truly to marry the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, General Shen would become the strongest force behind Ji Minghao.
At that time, no one would dare overlook Ji Minghao’s influence.
For a moment, waves surged in everyone’s hearts, and various speculations emerged in their minds.
They had to reconsider whether the person on the dragon seat was preparing to pave the way for the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, whether that person on the dragon seat intended to make Ji Minghao the heir to the great throne.
"Your Majesty, my little daughter already has someone she admires!" Facing the countless gazes on him, General Shen spoke with an unchanged demeanor.
"Is that so?" The man on the dragon seat spoke calmly, his tone so even that no one could discern any emotion.
"If that’s the case, then never mind!" The man on the dragon seat spoke again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding!" General Shen replied respectfully.
At this moment, among the crowd on the high platform, many people sighed in relief.
They were not surprised that General Shen dared to refuse the marriage granted by the man on the dragon seat.
Having already stepped into the Peak of First Grade Martial Arts, General Shen had also been honored with the title of king and land grants in his early years.
Such a figure, even without military power, would be treated with respect by the man on the dragon seat simply because of his strength.
Not to mention, General Shen held a first-grade martial position, commanding a hundred thousand soldiers.
He was already a pivotal figure in the court. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
On the other side.
Shen Mengyun arrived at the practice field.
She leapt straight past the first Mountain and River Tripod, then paused in front of the second one.
After a slight pause, she grabbed the tripod’s foot with one hand and the trunk with the other, exerting force with her body.
In an instant, the second Mountain and River Tripod, which Zhao Meng failed to lift, rose up from the ground.
She then lifted it over her head and, after three breaths, steadily placed the tripod on the ground without making any sound.
On the northern platform.
"General Shen truly raised a remarkable daughter!" The Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan suddenly exclaimed.
His words immediately broke the silence.
"Fifth Prince, you’re too kind!" The bearded man replied calmly, in a manner that seemed to keep strangers at bay.
Seeing this, Ji Mingyuan gave an awkward smile, rubbing his nose.
In the practice field.
Shen Mengyun then lifted the third tripod and placed it steadily on the ground.
Until she attempted the fourth tripod, Shen Mengyun finally decided.
"Next, Wu Yong."
"..."
"Next, Bai Muyu."
"..."
A moment later.
A familiar name was called.
"Yan Youjiao."
Upon hearing this name, Yan Youjiao beside Jiang Ning immediately stood up.
"Lord Jiang, I’m up!"
"Good luck!" Jiang Ning encouraged.
"Having Lord Jiang’s word is enough!" Yan Youjiao clenched a fist and then walked to the edge of the stand, leaping off.
A moment later.
Boom!
The first large tripod was lifted halfway by Yan Youjiao before it fell heavily to the ground.
"So heavy!!" Looking at the fallen tripod in front of him, Yan Youjiao was somewhat incredulous.
Compared to the county examination, he had made more progress now.
He had already entered the ranks of the Inner Strength Realm of the Fifth Grade.
He thought he could at least lift the first large tripod like Zhao Meng and leave with dignity.
Unexpectedly, he failed even at the first tripod, unable to continue beyond halfway.
And he was one of the most outstanding talents of the younger generation in Dongling County.
At this moment, he realized the gap between himself and those talents from big places and powerful forces.
Just then.
The examiner’s voice echoed in his ear again.
"Next, Mingxin."
Hearing this name, he steadied his Heart Spirit, adjusted his mindset, and then walked toward the stands.
On the other side.
Many gazes turned to Mingxin, who had twelve ordination scars on his head.
Even the princes and princesses who were resting their eyes on the stands opened their eyes to look at Mingxin.
Mingxin was one of the strongest contenders for the Martial Champion among all the martial students and was the focus in everyone’s eyes.
Even though they knew that with Mingxin’s strength, he could easily lift the fifth Mountain and River Tripod, they still wanted to witness this scene.
Then, with twelve ordination scars on his head, Mingxin descended step by step from the high platform toward the center of the practice field.
Looking at the twelve ordination scars on Mingxin’s head, Jiang Ning’s mind suddenly recalled another presence in the Buddhist sect, the Buddha’s son Jin Chan, who also had twelve ordination scars.
