The pain from his left arm surged like a tide. He had been able to grit his teeth and endure it, but now it was growing numb, and even the power in his right arm had diminished. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

’Now’s my chance!’

A sharp glint flashed in Yang Jing’s eyes as he keenly detected the sluggishness in Zhou Tong’s advance.

He no longer dodged, instead taking the initiative to step forward. The Rock-Splitting Style of his Mountain-Shattering Fist lashed out, his fist whistling through the air as it shot straight for Zhou Tong’s chest!

Zhou Tong’s expression changed drastically. He never expected Yang Jing to suddenly switch from defense to offense. He hastily brought his right arm back to defend while subconsciously trying to raise his left to assist in the block.

But the moment his left arm moved, a piercing pain shot through it, and his movement slowed by half a beat!

This half-beat delay became a fatal opening.

Yang Jing’s fist had already broken through his defense and was inches away!

A vicious glint flashed in Zhou Tong’s eyes. He abandoned his defense entirely. Mustering the last of his strength, he swung his right fist like a heavy hammer toward Yang Jing’s abdomen. He was going to trade injury for injury, trying to force Yang Jing to retreat and defend!

Yang Jing’s heart tightened. It was too late to pull back his fist.

A look of grim determination flashed in his eyes. Instead of slowing down, he pushed his Inner Strength to its absolute limit, his fist smashing heavily into Zhou Tong’s chest!

"THUD!"

"THUD!"

Two muffled impacts sounded almost simultaneously.

As if struck by a massive blow, Zhou Tong was sent flying backward like a kite with a snapped string.

He crashed violently against the ring’s railing with a loud CRACK, and the railing groaned under the strain.

He spat out a large mouthful of blood that stained the front of his shirt. He then slid slowly to the ground, unable to get back up.

Yang Jing was also hit in the abdomen by Zhou Tong’s punch. He felt a colossal force surge through him, as if his organs had been displaced. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

He staggered back several steps, clutching his abdomen. His face was pale, but in the end, he remained standing firmly on the ring.

Zhou Tong lay on the ground, staring up at the scorching sun. His chest heaved violently, and every breath carried the metallic tang of blood.

"I... concede." Zhou Tong’s voice was hoarse and broken, filled with endless exhaustion and resignation.

Hearing this, Yang Jing finally let out a breath of relief. Clutching his abdomen, he slowly straightened his body.

Sunlight shone on his blood-stained shirt, glinting a startling crimson.

He had won, but not without paying a heavy price. Yet, in that moment, his eyes held nothing but determination.

Fourth place was his.

「...」

「In the spectators’ gallery.」

The dignitaries of Yuhe County, normally accustomed to lives of comfort and privilege, were now staring at the scene in astonishment.

No one could have predicted that the situation, in which Zhou Tong was expected to securely take fourth place, would end with Yang Jing as the victor.

That unknown disciple from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had cut through all obstacles. Not only had he defeated He Han and Xu Guangwei, but he had now even bested Zhou Tong, who was famous for his hard-style techniques, firmly securing fourth place in the training ground trials.

Fourth place in the trials was a rank that was guaranteed to make the final list.

Everyone understood that from this day forward, the name "Yang Jing" would be known throughout the Martial Dao circles of Yuhe County.

This young man had emerged as a dark horse with inestimable potential. Many were already looking at Yang Jing with scrutiny and solemnity, even beginning to calculate how they might befriend him in the future.

’To have such combat strength at his age... his future achievements will surely not be limited to this.’

The Silver Armor Captain stepped onto the main ring.

Seeing that Zhou Tong could not get up, he gestured to the area below the stage.

Several soldiers in armor immediately hurried forward. Carefully avoiding the wound on Zhou Tong’s chest, they lifted him up.

Zhou Tong’s eyes were closed, his face as pale as paper, and the corner of his mouth still held traces of undried blood. He was clearly injured quite severely.

The fight had been extremely intense, and Yang Jing couldn’t afford to hold back.

His final victory was the result of trading an injury for an injury.

If he had underestimated his opponent in the slightest, given the ferocity of Zhou Tong’s attacks, he would probably be the one lying on the ring being carried away now.

After the soldiers had carried Zhou Tong off the ring, the Silver Armor Captain turned his gaze to Yang Jing.

Although the young man was also injured, with his hand clutching his abdomen trembling slightly and blood at the corner of his mouth, he still stood perfectly straight. His eyes showed no trace of arrogance, only the calm that comes after a vicious battle.

"Yang Jing is victorious."

The Silver Armor Captain’s voice rang out across the training ground, clear and powerful.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing endured the sharp pain in his abdomen and gave the Silver Armor Captain a cupped-fist salute. His movements were somewhat slow, but they were meticulous.

Then, he took a deep breath, straightened his back, and walked down from the ring step by step.

With every step, the pain in his abdomen felt like a needle’s prick, and his organs seemed to still be trembling, but his footing was exceptionally steady.

The Silver Armor Captain stood on the ring watching his retreating back, a hint of admiration unconsciously appearing in his gaze.

He had presided over the martial examinations for many years and had seen countless gifted young people. However, few were like Yang Jing, who could perform so exceptionally in his very first training ground trial. He could erupt with power in a desperate situation, yet remain composed through a winning streak.

From his initial obscurity to defeating He Han and Xu Guangwei in succession, and now triumphing over Zhou Tong, this young man’s every step had been solid and stunning. Every battle had been fought with both bravery and resourcefulness.

’The path of the martial examinations is long, and the training ground trial is but the first hurdle...’

The Captain muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the Token at his waist. ’This kid... I’m afraid he’ll go much further. Perhaps we’ll meet again at the examination grounds in Jintai Prefecture City.’

「Outside the enclosure.」

Liu Maolin could no longer contain his excitement, and his eyes were even a little red.

The few junior disciples from the Martial Arts Hall behind him were gesticulating wildly, wishing they could rush up and lift Yang Jing into the air.

During their meal at noon, they had been marveling that fifth place was already a huge surprise. None of them had dared to hope for more.

When they saw Yang Jing facing off against Zhou Tong in the afternoon, they had all been sweating with anxiety.

Zhou Tong was a tough combatant at the Peak of Dark Energy. Even with an injured left arm, he was by no means an easy opponent.

But Yang Jing had actually won, and he’d done it in a genuine, hard-fought battle!

Fourth place! This rank was as good as having a spot on the trial’s final list clenched in his fist!

Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had been in a slump for over a decade, without a single disciple making the list in all that time. Now, they were finally about to break that embarrassing stalemate.

Liu Maolin looked in Yang Jing’s direction and began to plan. The first thing he would do when he got back was report the news to their master.

At this thought, Liu Maolin suddenly found himself eager to see his master’s expression and reaction upon learning that Yang Jing had fought his way to fourth place in the training ground trials.

Just as Yang Jing reached the area below the ring, the Silver Armor Captain turned and descended from the main stage, walking with steady steps toward the high platform at the front.

There, the chief examiner from Jintai Prefecture City and several other officials were gathered around a scroll of names spread out before them.

The Captain stepped forward, bowed, and then joined their discussion. Their voices were low, and occasionally one could be seen pointing to a name on the scroll and nodding. They were clearly finalizing the rankings.

The atmosphere around the high platform was solemn. Every decision concerned the futures of these Martial Artists and could not be taken lightly.

Yang Jing glanced at the high platform before withdrawing his gaze.

He found a cool, shaded spot on the bluestone ground below the ring and sat down cross-legged.

The dull ache in his abdomen persisted, and the shock to his internal organs made his breathing feel constricted.

He took a small porcelain vial from his robes, tipped out a Rejuvenation Pill, and put it in his mouth.

A warm current from the dissolving Elixir slowly flowed through his meridians, soothing his damaged organs like warm water, and his Inner Strength began to slowly recover.

’The effect is good, but...’

As Yang Jing felt the changes in his body, he couldn’t help but recall the domineering power of that mysterious elixir.

When that elixir’s medicinal power had erupted back then, it was like a surging river, instantly healing his hidden injuries and causing his Inner Strength to skyrocket.

In comparison, the Rejuvenation Pill’s effects seemed much milder, one might even say "feeble."

He let out a self-deprecating laugh, sighing to himself that the Divine Pill had spoiled him. He then composed himself, cleared his mind of distracting thoughts, and focused on guiding the flow of the medicinal energy, concentrating on alleviating his injuries and recovering his Inner Strength.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast mottled patterns of light and shadow on him through the railings surrounding the ring.

The surrounding clamor seemed to be shut out, leaving only the faint sound of his Inner Strength circulating.

Yang Jing closed his eyes and waited quietly—waited for the final rankings to be announced, and for his own new beginning.