Chapter 8: Practical Exam(2)

Time slipped away, the relentless march of seconds and minutes consuming the hours as the examinees one by one completed their grueling test. Tang Jian, however, remained the sole individual left to face the trial. Out of the original 400 students who had arrived to take the entrance exam, a staggering 85% had met their defeat, succumbing to the merciless blows of the practice doll.

Now, the spotlight shifted to Tang Jian, the anticipation hanging thick in the air as he prepared to showcase the skills he had diligently honed over the years. On the surface, Tang Jian appeared frail, a seemingly ordinary and intelligent young boy. Yet, hidden beneath that unassuming facade lay a wellspring of martial arts prowess. With a burning desire to learn the ways of combat, he had secretly observed his father's training sessions, silently absorbing the techniques and movements like a sponge.

While it was true that cultivators possessed extraordinary senses, those at the Body Forging stage lacked such heightened abilities. Unbeknownst to Tang Jian, his father, Tang Ren, held a position of importance as the vice captain of the renowned 3rd Division troupe. Specializing in scouting and gathering crucial information, Tang Ren possessed remarkable stealth and sensory arts, even if his cultivation level remained relatively low.

Despite Tang Jian's consistent hours of diligent mimicry, his father never discouraged him from observing his training. Little did Tang Jian know about his father's clandestine profession, and the mysteries that shrouded his skills. Their bond allowed Tang Jian to learn from his father without ever questioning the nature of his father's work.

Returning to the present, Tang Jian, the youngest participant, finally stood poised to undertake his test. While previous examinees engaged the practice doll in unarmed combat, Tang Jian boldly reached for a bow that lay within the practice hall. His decision to employ a ranged weapon didn't raise objections from the onlookers, perhaps due to the fact that the designated combat area, demarcated by a circle, was merely three meters in diameter. Tang Jian's tender age of three further diminished any skepticism, leaving the spectators eagerly anticipating a spectacle that would unfold before them—an entertaining display to amuse after the doll's relentless pummeling.

Only Li Bai and the beggar, Liang Meng, harbored belief in Tang Jian's potential. Unwavering in their faith, they stood as the sole individuals who saw beyond the rumors and stereotypes that surrounded him.

Inside the practice hall, Tang Jian faced a sturdy wooden practice doll, a silent testament to his dreams of becoming a cultivator. His gaze brimmed with unwavering determination as he gripped the bow tightly, ready to test his skills. The wooden limbs of the doll swung with calculated precision, but Tang Jian's agile movements allowed him to effortlessly evade each strike. His body moved with a grace that mirrored the ebb and flow of a tranquil river, showcasing the discipline and control he had cultivated through countless hours of practice.

Time seemed to stretch, an eternity encapsulated in fleeting moments. Suddenly, inspiration surged within Tang Jian, guiding his every move. He sensed an opening in the doll's defenses, a brief window of opportunity that beckoned him closer to victory. Without a hint of hesitation, he reached for an arrow and seamlessly notched it onto the bowstring. As he drew the bow back, a surge of energy coursed through him, resonating with the very essence of the practice hall itself.

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In a single breath, Tang Jian released the tension in the bowstring, and the arrow shot forth with unparalleled speed. It struck its target with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the doll's head to a shower of splintered fragments. The resounding crack reverberated through the practice hall, mingling with Tang Jian's exhilarated gasp. In that pivotal moment, a flicker of realization danced in his eyes—this victory offered a mere glimpse into the vast reservoir of power he could harness. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, where his potential as a cultivator would truly blossom.

Unlike Tang Jian, the other participants, as well as instructor Jian Wen, stood dumbfounded by the breathtaking display that had just unfolded before their eyes. A three-year-old child, who had barely taken his first steps into the realm of martial arts, had effortlessly vanquished the formidable wooden practice doll armed with nothing but a practice bow. It appeared as if a miracle had transpired.

In truth, Tang Jian's exceptional performance owed much to his sharp intellect. Diligently observing the practice doll's movements and patterns, he had discerned their subtle differences compared to the ones he had witnessed during his visits to the Imperial army's practice grounds. According to a manual he had studied about practice dolls, such variations were only possible if controlled by another individual. Among the present company, only instructor Jiang Wen possessed the skill and precision required for such intricate manipulation.

Armed with this deduction, Tang Jian had devised a strategy. He chose to wield a bow, aiming to present himself as an inconsequential opponent in order to lower instructor Jiang Wen's guard. Tang Jian's gambit had paid off splendidly, exploiting the opening provided by the unsuspecting instructor.

As the echoes of Tang Jian's remarkable achievement reverberated through the practice hall, whispers of awe and admiration filled the air. The participants and instructors exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what they had just witnessed. Tang Jian, the young prodigy, had shattered expectations and rewritten the rules of possibility.

Instructor Jian Wen, who had initially underestimated Tang Jian's abilities, now regarded him with a newfound respect. The veiled expressions of doubt had transformed into a profound admiration for the young cultivator's potential. It was a testament to the academy's mission of nurturing and developing extraordinary talent, regardless of age or background.

Yet, amidst the astonishment that engulfed the room, no one voiced any objections to the verdict. Instructor Jiang Wen, acknowledging the exceptional performance, declared Tang Jian's score as perfect. Silence prevailed as the realization sank in that today, inside the practice hall, two miracles had taken place—one involving Liang Meng, the humble beggar who achieved a flawless score, and the other, Tang Jian's record-breaking triumph over the wooden practice doll at the tender age of three.

With the Practical Skills Examination concluded, Tang Jian and his fellow examinees had already secured admission to the esteemed Azure Dragon Academy. However, their journey was far from over. A physical exam awaited them, a test that would determine their individual capabilities and allocate them into one of the academy's three esteemed batches. Furthermore, this examination would shape their destiny, determining which hall they were qualified to join—a critical step in their pursuit of knowledge, power, and self-discovery.