Chapter 387 - 386: Zhong Ming
Ling Zhan’s pupils contracted slightly, and he reined in some of his contempt.
After all, while the power of this move couldn’t compare to the punch he’d used on Luu Kuang earlier, it still wasn’t something a mere Sky-Controlling Perfection Martial Artist should have been able to take, especially not so effortlessly!
"It seems you’re no ordinary Sky-Controlling Martial Artist."
Ling Zhan’s eyes flickered as he spoke slowly. Beside him, Jiang Yun and Bai Li were also rather surprised, reassessing Qin Ya with their gazes.
’His internal True Essence hasn’t yet resonated with the world, and his Celestial Human Aperture is still closed. He’s definitely just a Sky-Controlling Martial Artist, but his combat strength is immense.’
’This man is strange. He can’t be underestimated.’
Not far away, Luu Kuang pursed his lips, thinking to himself, ’The kid’s gotten even stronger. And his use of the Mysterious has become much more flexible.’
The other Martial Artists were inwardly stunned by the scene, but they didn’t pay Qin Ya much mind. So what if his combat power far exceeded his realm? In the end, he was still just a Sky-Controlling Martial Artist. Once a Celestial Human Dharma Aspect appeared, he’d have no choice but to obediently surrender.
At that moment, with a great RUMBLE, the doors to the Golden Summit Hall opened.
Amidst a boundless golden light, a majestic and grand voice resounded.
"Those participating in the law enforcement exam, please enter."
Upon hearing this, the crowd’s figures flickered, transforming into streaks of Flowing Light as they flew into the great hall.
As Qin Ya entered the hall, his expression changed. He felt as if his every move was being watched, and at that moment, the Ting Xiao Sword at his waist trembled slightly.
’Whoa, this great hall is something else.’
’Not only are the building materials rare in this age, but the Arrays covering it are all top-tier. There are several Spirit Level Arrays alone.’
’More importantly, it seems there’s a... a Divine Spirit here!’
Qin Ya stopped in his tracks and asked, "A Divine Spirit? What’s that?"
’Your Realm is too low. I’ll tell you later.’
Qin Ya nodded and didn’t press the issue. A strange light in his eyes, he began to survey his surroundings. He hadn’t even been allowed to enter this great hall during the Kunn Mountain Assembly, so naturally, he was quite curious.
The great hall’s exterior was so brilliant it outshone the sun, and the floor seemed paved with gold and jade, reflecting a constant golden gleam. Inside, there were fully eighty-one support pillars, each so thick it would take three people to encircle it. Some were carved with dragons and tigers, others sculpted with phoenixes and rocs...
Every Exotic Beast was depicted with lifelike detail. When Qin Ya looked into their eyes, the beasts seemed to gaze back, exuding an air of majesty.
The structure of the hall was even stranger. At first glance, you could seemingly see the far end, yet it felt as if you could walk forever and never reach it, as if it existed in another Space.
"The Golden Summit Hall... heh, this is my first time inside."
"Truly one of Kunyun Palace’s most mysterious places. It lives up to its reputation."
"I heard there are over a hundred Grand Arrays carved into this Golden Summit Hall."
"These carvings are so strange... it’s like they’re alive."
"Why do I feel like someone’s constantly staring at me?"
The crowd discussed in low voices. Even a Martial Artist like Zhang Qin, who had experienced the law enforcement exam once before and entered the Golden Summit Hall, couldn’t help but show amazement in his eyes.
At that moment, the majestic voice echoed once more.
"The law enforcement exam begins now!"
The voice seemed to come from all directions, its source and form unknown.
As the words faded, a massive Golden Bell suddenly materialized in the air before the crowd. The Golden Bell was eighteen zhang tall and twelve zhang wide, its surface covered in mystical patterns: suns, moons, and stars; hordes of demons dancing in chaos; and Ten Thousand Beasts in a frenzy.
"Strike this bell with all your might. Those who fail to produce five chimes will be eliminated."
Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances. After a moment, Zhang Qin slowly stepped forward. His entire body’s True Essence began to Condense, and a sharp light glinted in his eyes. With a low shout, a gale erupted around him, and within the wind were traces of irresistibly sharp Sword Qi!
The gale of Sword Qi slammed into the Golden Bell, and a powerful wind swept out!
BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...
The toll of the bell rang out six times in a row...
"Six chimes. Passed!"
The majestic voice echoed through the hall.
Zhang Qin heard the verdict with a calm expression, showing no surprise, and walked to the side. Then, another Martial Artist stepped forward and, with all his might, threw a palm strike.
BOOM... BOOM...
Three chimes rang out, and the Martial Artist’s face fell instantly.
"Three chimes. Eliminated."
As the words fell, the Martial Artist seemed to be enveloped by an immense force and vanished from the spot. He had presumably been teleported outside the great hall.
The expressions of the others changed slightly at the sight.
That Martial Artist had been at the Celestial Human High Rank, yet a strike with his full power had only made the bell chime three times. One could only imagine how difficult the five-chime requirement was.
"Three chimes. Eliminated."
"Five chimes. Passed."
"Five chimes. Passed."
"Four chimes. Eliminated."
...
One by one, the Martial Artists went up. The pass rate was about forty percent, with most managing five chimes. Only a select few were able to reach the level of six chimes.
Qin Ya could tell, however, that a few of the Martial Artists weren’t using their full strength, choosing to hide their true power. Zhang Qin, the first to be tested, was one of them. His strength was definitely not limited to just six chimes; he was capable of at least seven.
Of course, this situation wasn’t unusual.
After all, this was only the first test of the law enforcement exam.
The earlier one revealed their true strength, the more disadvantageous it would be.
But there are always exceptions to every rule. At that moment, a continuous series of chimes rang out.
BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...
"Seven chimes. Passed!"
Luu Kuang walked to the side with a proud expression, grinning at Zhang Qin and the others. "Heh, my apologies," he said. "I’m not one to hide my abilities. Don’t mind me."
"What’s there to be so proud of, kid?"
At that, Ling Zhan, one of the three prodigies of his peak, curled his lip. He stepped forward and let out a deep shout as his True Essence surged wildly, forming gales of wind around him. His fist clenched, seeming to hold the weight of an entire mountain range, and then, he suddenly threw the punch!
The immense Fist Power slammed into the Golden Bell, and a deafening roar echoed out.
BOOM... BOOM...
A total of eight chimes!
Eight chimes. This was the best result since the law enforcement exam had begun.
"Hmph."
Luu Kuang snorted coldly, his expression turning grim.
Just then, Xue Qianlong walked up. She nonchalantly threw a palm strike, and amidst the impact of ice and snow, six consecutive chimes rang out. Seeing this, the crowd’s pupils contracted!
Xue Qianlong’s strength was astounding. That palm strike had looked completely casual, yet it had produced six chimes. It was truly extraordinary.
Following her, Bai Li and Jiang Yun also went up to be tested.
Both achieved the level of six chimes. In the end, only Qin Ya remained untested.
The crowd turned to look at Qin Ya, mocking smiles playing on their lips.
A mere Sky-Controlling Martial Artist probably couldn’t even manage two chimes.
"Hey, kid. It’s your turn."
Ling Zhan looked at Qin Ya, his tone dripping with condescension.
Luu Kuang, Zhang Qin, and a few others also looked at Qin Ya. They were clearly very curious to see how many chimes a Martial Artist like Qin Ya—who only had the cultivation of a Sky-Controlling Perfection but possessed extraordinary combat power—could ultimately produce from the Golden Bell.
Qin Ya smiled faintly and walked up to the Golden Bell.
He raised a palm to the sky, gathering the three energies of Thunder, Fire, and Ice. Then, with a casual wave, he sent the Palm Qi striking the Golden Bell. Strong Qi flew out, and the bell began to chime continuously.
BOOM, BOOM...
A total... of eight chimes!