Chapter 114 - 87: Dragon Eagle Iron Claw

However, his build was unremarkable, even a bit leaner than the average Great Success Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm, which suggested he wasn’t necessarily suited for Horizontal Cultivation Techniques.

Most importantly, with Mr. Zheng’s Martial Arts Power, his Perception was incredibly sharp—almost to the point where he could feel the autumn wind before it blew. From the moment the three of them had walked in, he’d noticed that Chen Cheng’s steps were light and nimble, a stark contrast to the heavy, steady footsteps of Luo Chenghu and Zhao Kui.

Upon learning that Chen Cheng practiced the Wind Chasing Saber Technique, Mr. Zheng had simply assumed that his steps were lighter than normal because he cultivated a Saber Technique that prioritized speed.

But he never would have guessed that the real reason Chen Cheng’s steps were so light was that he normally wore seventy-seven pounds of weights while practicing his Iron Armor Skill. Once those weights were off, his Body Technique, speed, and footwork became akin to someone who had practiced a Light Body Technique.

’This boy’s aura is deep and sustained. His Qi Blood Power should be on par with Luo Chenghu’s and Zhao Kui’s. But does he really possess Innate Divine Power?’ After scrutinizing Chen Cheng once more, Mr. Zheng wondered.

With all eyes on him, Chen Cheng didn’t dare to be conceited. He walked to the center of the training ground holding the Wild Bull Bow, stretched his limbs to warm up, and then planted his feet firmly on the ground.

He held the bow in his left hand, gripped the string with his right, and channeled the Qi Blood Power throughout his body. With a sudden burst of strength, he pulled. The bowstring only bent into a barely noticeable arc.

’I used thirty percent of my strength and only pulled it this far. This Wild Bull Bow is truly no simple matter.’

Having gauged the Wild Bull Bow’s resistance, Chen Cheng thought to himself and began to gradually increase the force he was applying.

The Wild Bull Bow was drawn back bit by bit, first to a half-moon, then nearing a full-moon shape.

By now, Chen Cheng was using sixty percent of his strength.

’If I use seventy percent of my power, I should be able to draw this Wild Bull Bow to its limit. It seems I’ve underestimated my own strength.’

’Still, it’s best not to be too ostentatious during this assessment. No need to use my full strength.’

As the thought flashed through his mind, Chen Cheng’s Qi Blood Power suddenly surged. His fair, handsome face flushed red with exertion, but his arms remained perfectly steady as they moved slowly and deliberately.

The Wild Bull Bow was drawn into a perfect full-moon arc and held steady.

After a long moment, Chen Cheng finally began to pant, feigning that he could no longer bear the strain, and released the bowstring.

THWUM! A deep, reverberating sound echoed as the vibrating bowstring unleashed a wave of air. It shot forward several meters, blowing away the dust and stone fragments from the top of a large boulder directly in its path.

The entire Double Courtyard fell silent in an instant. The air seemed to freeze; you could have heard a pin drop.

After a long moment, Min Wei and the disciples who practiced Horizontal Cultivation Techniques suddenly erupted into a wave of cheers.

"Haha! See? I told you! Brother Cheng, you really do have Innate Divine Power! You’re ridiculously strong!"

Luo Chenghu roared with laughter, seeming even more excited than if he had been the one to draw the Wild Bull Bow to a full moon.

Black-faced Zhao Kui stood ramrod straight, his eyes wide as saucers. He seemed completely unaware that his own fists were clenched tight and his breathing had become ragged and heavy.

On the sidelines, the First Madam and the others also stared wide-eyed, their faces etched with utter disbelief.

Only Mu Xiaowan was smiling, her face like a blossoming flower. Her beautiful eyes, as clear as autumn pools, were brimming with pride and joy.

’I knew it all along! Brother Cheng is a one-in-ten-thousand Martial Dao genius!’

A peculiar light glinted in Shen Qingshuang’s beautiful eyes. She had known that Chen Cheng possessed Innate Divine Power, but she had never anticipated his strength would be so immense.

Even the Direct Descendants of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans would be hard-pressed to have such exceptional Martial Dao aptitude.

’I still underestimated his Martial Dao talent,’ Shen Qingshuang thought to herself.

The armored Qin Ruiyang’s eyes glinted, a hint of excitement in them. He had been silent until now, but he suddenly spoke in a clear voice, "Master, Junior Brother Chen’s aptitude is truly remarkable."

"Heh, you see it too?" Mr. Zheng chuckled and then beckoned to Chen Cheng. "Chen, my boy, come over here. Let your master examine your Root Bone."

Hearing this, Min Wei and the disciples who practiced Horizontal Cultivation Techniques were all secretly shocked.

They had been with the Zheng Martial Arts Hall for some time and knew full well that Mr. Zheng didn’t examine a disciple’s Root Bone lightly.

Only the two True Disciples, Qin Ruiyang and Shen Qingshuang, had ever been personally examined by him.

In the eyes of the disciples, a person with such talent as Junior Brother Chen was very likely to become the next True Disciple.

"Yes, sir," Chen Cheng replied, cupping his fists in a salute.

He had already anticipated his Root Bone might be examined, which was why he hadn’t worn his Iron Armor. Thus, he wasn’t flustered. He placed the Wild Bull Bow back on the weapon rack and walked calmly over to Mr. Zheng.

The so-called Martial Dao Root Bone wasn’t as esoteric as it sounded. An ordinary, healthy person with well-developed limbs was considered to have a mid-grade Root Bone. Someone with a more robust build would be considered to have a Top-Grade Root Bone.

Only a very small minority—those born with Innate Divine Power or Innate Copper Skin and Iron Bone—were considered to have an extraordinary Root Bone, marking them as one-in-ten-thousand Martial Dao geniuses.

Mr. Zheng reached out and quickly ran his hands over the bones in Chen Cheng’s arms, shoulder blades, and along his spine, but a puzzled expression crept onto his face.

’High-mid grade?’

He muttered to himself, then suddenly reached out again. This time, he meticulously examined Chen Cheng’s entire body. If there weren’t so many people watching, he probably would have checked his "great root" as well.

Chen Cheng could clearly feel the old master’s brow furrow deeply when his hands reached his Dantian area.

"How strange!" Mr. Zheng sank into thought. After his thorough examination, he was certain Chen Cheng’s Root Bone was merely Top-Grade, not the kind possessed by someone with Innate Divine Power.

Seeing his expression, the First Madam, Gongsun Rou, grew curious as well. She suddenly stepped forward and gave Chen Cheng a quick examination herself, running her hands all over his body.