Chapter 126 - 125: The Test Stone Actually Shattered?

CRACK—

The unyielding spear plunged into the center of the Test Stone. Canyon-like cracks instantly spread from the point of impact, accompanied by the sound of a shattering mirror.

BANG!

In that instant, the massive Test Stone shattered. Prismatic light burst from the cracks, washing over Jiang Qiu’s face. The Dragon Spirit peeking from the spear’s tip opened its maw and brazenly devoured the multicolored Spirit Charm leaking out, its vertical pupils gleaming.

CLATTER...

As fragments of the stone clattered to the floor, the students, whose jaws had yet to be picked up, looked as if their eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

An Ling, who had remained in his original spot, finally opened his eyes, utterly stupefied. "It can be shattered?!"

Liang Taiyue, who had already withdrawn to the sidelines, stared wide-eyed. His arms, which had been crossed over his chest, slowly fell to his sides, and a muscle in his cheek twitched. "This is Ninth Rank Jade Sinews?"

From his seat on the left side of the judges’ panel, Wu Daoqing’s smile froze, his expression shifting dramatically. ’Above the Ninth Rank?’

This Test Stone had stood in the Soldier Cultivation Academy for seventy or eighty years. Every year, countless students were tested on it, including many who would go on to become renowned Martial Arts Grandmasters.

Never before had anyone managed to leave a truly deep mark on it. Leaving even a faint groove, like the one from Liang Taiyue’s axe earlier, was considered an astounding feat.

’And now, the Test Stone that had survived unscathed for so many years had been shattered by a single spear thrust from Jiang Qiu?!’

Wu Daoqing’s brow furrowed, a scar on his right cheek twitching as his breathing grew heavy. ’So the Dean has taken on a monstrous prodigy.’

"Ninth Rank Jade Sinews, perfect Spirit Fusion!"

Zhai Song puffed out his chest, rose, and bellowed. His thunderous voice snapped the dazed crowd out of their stupor, and in an instant, a tsunami of discussion erupted!

"Holy shit! Is this the power of a perfect Spirit Fusion? He fucking shattered the Test Stone with one spear strike!"

"Has Jiang Divine always been this much of a beast?"

"No wonder he set the record for being the first to kill a Transformed Great Demon during the entrance exams! With a Jade Sinew Rank that high, his spear is incredibly sharp!"

Amid the roaring cheers, a chill ran down Jiang Qiu’s spine. He watched helplessly as the fragments of the Test Stone lay scattered on the floor. After gulping down all the Spirit Charm stored within them, the Dragon Spirit slipped back into the spear.

’Am I fucking screwed? Did I just destroy the academy’s only Test Stone?’

’I just wanted to put all my strength into one thrust to confirm if I’d reached Ninth Rank Jade Sinews, to see the power of a perfect Spirit Fusion, and to call upon the Dragon Spirit’s unique energy.’

’And I ended up shattering it!’

Jiang Qiu took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Everyone, quiet down—" Suddenly, a thunderous roar silenced the entire hall. Everyone turned to see Wu Daoqing striding forward, his eyes gleaming like a tiger’s. "Based on the performance we’ve seen, I declare Jiang Qiu of the Spear System the winner of this Spirit Fusion Test! Are there any objections!"

The question was a direct challenge aimed at Liang Taiyue.

His heart leaped. His fists clenched, and he glanced at Wu Daoshun, who was still seated among the judges. But when their eyes met, it was like dropping a needle into the ocean—he found no support there.

’One year to Cast Jade Sinews. I completed Weapon Forging and Spirit Fusion, and even Weapon Skill Fusion. I was preparing for the final step of Soldier Body Integration, to deeply cultivate my Spirit Body.’

’As a genius Axe Cultivator with Eighth Rank Jade Sinews, I should have had no rivals in this Spirit Fusion Test. First place should have been mine.’

’Even though my master warned me that the Dean’s personal disciple would be among the competitors, so what? Was I supposed to shy away from the challenge just because of his background?’

’Impossible.’

’On the path of a Soldier Cultivator, the strong always vie for the top.’

’But...’

Liang Taiyue glanced at Jiang Qiu from a distance. He pursed his lips and lowered his head. ’He shattered the Test Stone with a single spear thrust, while I only left a shallow, insignificant scratch.’

’I’m not the only proud prodigy among Soldier Cultivators. In this generation, Jiang Qiu stands above me. I have to accept that.’

As this thought settled in his mind, hundreds of gazes flew past his shoulders, converging like a tidal wave on Jiang Qiu in the center of the arena.

The young man stood there, holding a long spear with a Double Arc Blade. He stood as straight as a dragon, his eyes as deep as an abyss, his calm expression unwavering.

"Instructor Wu Daoqing, if you have no objections, I’ll announce the results?" Zhai Song said with a smile, glancing at the middle-aged man in the judge’s seat who now looked crestfallen. He placed his right hand on Jiang Qiu’s left shoulder and announced loudly, "The winner of this year’s Soldier Cultivation Academy Spirit Fusion Test is Jiang Qiu of the Spear System! I will be applying for the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance as his reward!"

The Spirit Fusion Test concluded amidst a roaring climax. The new students were still screaming "Jiang Divine" at the top of their lungs, while older students like Xue Zhang had already whipped out their phones, the sound of shutters clicking filling the air.

"A legend! The legend of Ninth Rank Jade Sinews and a perfect Spirit Fusion!"

"I have to record this."

...

After the Spirit Fusion Test ended, Jiang Qiu followed Zhai Song out of the testing building and headed for the Resource Vault.

"Incredible, Junior Brother! A genius with Ninth Rank Jade Sinews! You’re truly favored by the heavens!" Zhai Song’s voice was much louder than usual. He kept his arm slung around Jiang Qiu’s shoulder as they walked, his tiger-like eyes twinkling. "I just got off the phone applying for the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance for you. You’ll be able to go register and claim it shortly."

"With talent like this, you can participate in the newcomer’s tournament right away. There’s no need to wait a year to prepare."

Jiang Qiu’s chest felt warm with excitement. He let out a few puffs of warm air. "So... do I have to pay for the Test Stone?"

"Pay for what? It was damaged under normal use. You don’t have to pay," Zhai Song said with a laugh. "Besides, it’s not that valuable. Not many places use them, and the output from the Secret Realms far exceeds our consumption. We’ll just buy another one."

Jiang Qiu breathed a sigh of relief, then a thought struck him. "Senior Brother, I heard An Ling say that Liang Taiyue has gone to hunt demons many times. Do you have to join a Martial Arts Team to do that?"

’Back in Qingmu Town, I improved my Ancient Martial Spear Technique through Slaughter Drills. Following that logic, I should be able to advance my Weapon Skill Fusion by hunting demons.’

’Killing several, or even dozens, with a single technique would be much faster than practicing one move at a time.’

’If I break through to the Bright Soul Realm sooner, I can form my own Martial Arts Team, get more resources and privileges, and naturally advance toward the Dharma Realm faster.’

’It would be best to join the offensive against the demons and deal them a heavy blow before Demon King [Chen] leads the Demon Race in their uprising!’

"Normally, students aren’t allowed to leave campus freely. But if you don’t want to join a Martial Arts Team and still want to temper yourself by hunting demons, the newcomer’s tournament is your best option." Zhai Song’s tone grew serious. "I highly recommend you participate. The tournament cycle is very long, which will give you plenty of time to grow."

"Plus, the rewards are incredibly generous. If you achieve an outstanding result, you’ll gain access to some unbelievable Secret Technique cultivation methods after you reach the Bright Soul Realm..."

Jiang Qiu’s eyes lit up, and he subconsciously licked his lips.

’Secret Technique cultivation methods.’

’They were briefly mentioned in my middle school general studies class. Some Secret Realms contain ancient ruins and palaces, and the texts recovered from them record Secret Techniques, like [Artifact], [Bright Eyes], and [Burning Blood] that you always see in the news...’

"Senior Brother, when does the newcomer’s tournament start? And what’s the format?"

Zhai Song laughed heartily. "No need to rush. Everyone gathers in thirty days. The competition is a point-based system based on completing missions, but the main focus will be hunting demons in the Northern Wilderness. The goal is to temper students through combat in a harsh environment."

"Alright, we’re at the Resource Vault. I’ll go get you the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance..."