Finally, a clear ding echoed in Xiangzi’s mind. A profound aura enveloped him, masking all his presence.

[Profession: Martial Artist]

[Age: 18]

[Realm: Ninth Grade (Entry)]

[Martial Techniques: Four-Square Horse Stance (Perfected), Thunder-Rushing Fist (Major Success), Wind-Chasing Kick (Major Success), Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Spear (Major Success), Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist (Entry)]

[Body-Tempering Techniques: Iron Shirt Thirteen Tensions (Minor Success), Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art (Minor Success)]

[Active Skill: Blood-Burning Art]

[Skill Note: Rapidly burns blood energy for a short time, greatly enhancing skin, muscles, and bones, followed by extreme exhaustion. Use with caution.]

Martial Artist profession, achieved! Suppressing a tidal wave of excitement, Xiangzi slowly retracted his stance, clasped his fists toward the platform, and said softly, “This disciple has reached the ninth grade!”

His words stunned the hall.

Achieved? Just like that? Where was the torment, the medicinal struggle? No one endures a ninth-grade trial so calmly.

Even Wan Yuxuan, a human-shaped demon beast, had grunted during his trial.

The crowd had only glimpsed Xiangzi’s skin writhing and heard the crackling of his joints. That’s it? Where was the ninth-grade Bone-Strengthening Realm’s signature bone resonance? More baffling, why was there no trace of surging blood energy? Could the Five Ores Powder have caused a failure, wasting the Bone-Strengthening Broth?

Master Zhang leapt up, frantic. “You, don’t spout nonsense! Ninth grade isn’t a game! No blood energy fluctuations—you clearly failed!”

His Spirit Essence Fruit, half a year in the making, was at stake—how could he not panic? The other purple-robed masters said nothing, but doubt flickered in their eyes. Even the usually composed Master Liu looked skeptical.

—

Then, an anomaly erupted.

“Big guy, take this!”

A thunderous shout shattered the silence. Wan Yuxuan, lounging lazily moments before, flashed forward, his burly form leaving afterimages in the air.

His fist struck without warning, needing no wind-up. One moment his eyes were half-closed, the next he was in the arena, his towering frame arcing like a taut bow. Body as bow, fist as arrow.

The ferocious fist wind swept the hall, carrying an overwhelming pressure that shook even the outer disciples. Unrestrained, it barreled toward the apprentice.

The strike was like rolling thunder.

The arena fell deathly still. Even fellow inner disciples gaped, clueless as to why Wan Yuxuan attacked. Master Liu’s step faltered, then stopped, a playful glint in his drowsy eyes. The other masters remained unmoved, as if deaf to the chaos.

—

Xiangzi, just out of his stance, was startled. The moment Wan Yuxuan moved, his skin prickled—a new sensitivity from his ninth-grade evolution. He could sense a moth’s wingbeat within ten feet.

His feet shifted instantly. The explosive force in Wan Yuxuan’s fist—Bright Force!—made his eyes narrow. His soles rooted to the ground, bones crackling with a pop-pop-pop.

“Bone resonance! That’s the ninth-grade bone resonance!

” Gasps mingled with the cracks. Xiangzi felt every muscle and bone taut like a drawn bow. The red bead in his dantian flared, blood energy flooding his limbs.

The moment he acted, realization hit. If his ninth-grade breakthrough hadn’t fully revealed his transformation, this moment did—a rebirth granting unmatched control. He’d never felt such effortless command over his body. Qi flows with intent, every bone, skin, and ounce of strength at my beck and call.

Without hesitation, his right foot slid back, knee bent, left toes forward, heel raised. The dark-skinned giant stood rooted like an ancient pine, his form perfectly extended. His ninth-grade skin, muscles, and bones achieved flawless balance.

To onlookers, Xiangzi was a spear poised to strike—body as spear, fist as spearhead.Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist—Collapsing Fist.

He met the arrow-like fist with a ferocious strike of his own, unleashing his deadliest move. The piercing whistle of his fist tearing the air shocked even him—he could see the micro-vortices in its wake. Lin Junqing’s words flashed in his mind: “Strength rises from the root, unified through the body, delivered with precision and force.”

His blood energy surged through his spear-like frame, condensing into his fist. An explosive crack rang out as an unstoppable force rippled from his knuckles, visible to the eye.

Even the purple-robed masters started at the strange energy.

Bang!

Fists collided, sending invisible ripples outward like water, so powerful they nearly knocked outer disciples off their feet.

—

The two parted instantly. Xiangzi staggered back several steps, his face pale, clutching his aching arm. He stared at the nonchalant figure before him but showed no resentment, instead clasping his fists solemnly. “Thank you, Senior Brother Wan, for your guidance!”

Wan Yuxuan, still languid, betrayed deep surprise in his eyes. “Good. Good kid. That strength’s got some flavor!” He retracted his fist, hands behind his head, ambling back to his seat. “Not bad—you took half my force.”

The hall erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew Wan Yuxuan’s prowess. Since Lin Junqing’s defeat years ago, Baolin Martial Hall had lagged behind the other two great halls. Wan Yuxuan’s rise single-handedly restored their standing, crushing his peers. Though eighth-grade peak, even seventh-grade Membrane Condensation Realm martial artists weren’t his match.

And this newly minted ninth-grader withstood half his fist? The eccentric Wan heir leaned back, chuckling. “Everyone, there’s your bone resonance. This kid’s ninth grade. And he’s grasped Bright Force.”

His words struck like thunder, plunging the hall into deeper silence. Time seemed to freeze.

Ninth grade and Bright Force in one go? His speed rivaled Lin Junqing, who’d once stunned Forty-Nine City with his brilliance. A peerless talent!