Chapter 37: Gao Yus Attention

Chapter 37: Gao Yu's Attention

It was just like putting on a performance. How spectacular one found a performance wasn't solely determined by the performers' quality but also the caliber of the audience. Had Gao Yu not been present, Wu Yuan would have only needed to lift the 8000-catty stone to wow the crowd. However, with an expert like Gao Yu watching, Wu Yuan felt the need to make his performance a little more special. The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

Within the strength assessment chamber, more than ten martial academy instructors and dozens of disciples focused their attention on the muscular yet slightly immature-looking teenager in the center.

A fourteen-year-old lifting an 18,000-catty test stone? Could it be done?

Can he lift it? Guan Yang and the other martial academy disciples collectively held their breaths, their instincts telling them it was impossible. As fellow martial academy disciples, could the gap between them really be this huge?

Wu Yuan, this? Huan Xinyan stared wide-eyed. After cultivating for many years, along with the help of her elders and a wealth of resources, her pure physical strength was just over 20,000 catties. But in her heart, she still held a glimmer of hope. What if he succeeded?

Wu Yuan placed his right hand on the handle of the test stone, his fingers gripping it tightly. His expression was serious, and he seemed somewhat nervous. His stance was firm, legs apart, and feet rooted. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath, as though trying to compose himself.

One second, two seconds, three seconds!

Exhaling, Wu Yuan opened his eyes. His legs trembled, his muscles strained, and strength converged through his limbs and bones. His arm muscles bulged like coiling steel wires as a terrifying force erupted forth, and he exerted all his strength upward!

The massive test stone quivered ever so slightly, but it remained still.

"He failed?"

"He didn't manage to lift it?" The thought rose simultaneously in the minds of all the spectators. They subconsciously assumed Wu Yuan had failed.

But in the next moment!

"Get! Up!" The veins on Wu Yuan's face bulged with the strain. As he shifted his right foot subtly backward, his spine undulated like a great dragon and a mighty rush of power burst forth!

Twofold Power Surge! Double the force overlapped!

A torrent of force erupted. The test stone, weighing a staggering 18,000 catties, was suddenly hoisted up. Without any hesitation, Wu Yuan lifted it directly above his head! At this point, Wu Yuan's face turned red, his arms trembled, and even his legs shook subtly, as if he was at his limits.

After holding the position for a moment, Wu Yuan abruptly threw the test stone forward, hastily stepping back to evade the falling stone. A resounding thud filled the air as the massive test stone landed heavily on the floor, causing tiny cracks to mar the custom reinforced surface.

Breathing heavily, Wu Yuan gazed at Huan Xinyan, a hint of disappointment in his voice as he lamented, "Instructor Huan, I've failed."

For just a fleeting second, Wu Yuan had managed to maintain the test stone above his head. But according to martial strength assessment rules, one must lift the test stone above the head and hold it there for half a breath (one breath is approximately six seconds) to pass!

However, in the chamber's stillness, every eye was fixed on the breathless youth at the center, some struggling to believe what they had witnessed. Wu Yuan had failed, that much was clear. However, everyone was well aware that he had held the test stone above his head, even if only for a brief moment. This demonstration showcased an instantaneous force of 18,000 catties.

Just fourteen years old! How ridiculous was that?

"At fourteen, he's almost an Adept expert?" someone subconsciously blurted out.

Adept experts were qualified to become instructors at the martial academy.

"Inconceivable! In the thousand-year history of Li City, we've never witnessed a martial prodigy of this level," an instructor well-versed in history marveled. It felt as though they were not merely witnessing a moment but creating history itself.

He actually lifted it? Guan Yang watched, agog. A chill ran down his spine. Did I just challenge Senior Brother Wu? I would've been killed in a single punch!

"We understand," the crowd of instructors nodded in agreement.

"All instructors may leave, Headmaster Zhang and Instructor Huan are to stay behind," Gao Yu ordered.

The instructors of the martial academy quickly departed, leaving only Gao Yu, Zhang Da, and Huan Xinyan in the hall.

"Headmaster Zhang, what have you discerned from this matter?" Gao Yu turned to look at Zhang Da.

"I feel..." Just as Headmaster Zhang was about to speak his mind, he quickly remembered and stopped himself in time, "No! Wu Yuan merely managed to lift the 10,000 catty test stone. Nothing more, I didn't discern anything else."

"Very good." Only then did Gao Yu give a satisfied nod, "Furthermore, Headmaster Zhang, replace the 18,000-catty test stone with a 13,000-catty one tonight. And destroy the original test stone. Remember, the two stones must not look too different. Do you understand?"

"Your subordinate comprehends. The two test stones will be indistinguishable. I'll personally oversee it to ensure no one catches on," Headmaster Zhang replied, "The strength assessment chamber will be temporarily closed as well."

Gao Yu nodded in satisfaction. This Headmaster Zhang, he was certainly efficient.

"That will do. I have matters to discuss with Wu Yuan. You need not listen in." Gao Yu dismissed him.

After Headmaster Zhang took his leave, Huan Xinyan finally couldn't restrain her curiosity and asked, "Senior Brother, what's going on?” She had rarely seen her Senior Brother adopt such a stern demeanor.

"This mentee of yours is an extraordinary martial prodigy!" Gao Yu slightly shook his head. "I will talk to him directly. Listen in, you will soon understand."

Huan Xinyan was full of questions, but she could only suppress them.

The two approached Wu Yuan.

"Senior, Instructor Huan." Wu Yuan stood up, his face riddled with fear, bewilderment, and uncertainty.

"Don't be nervous, sit down, let's talk comfortably." Gao Yu revealed his smile again, patting Wu Yuan's shoulder.

Gao Yu took the initiative to sit down. Wu Yuan and Huan Xinyan also sat down. Wu Yuan's 'nervousness' seemed to have eased a lot.

"You probably saw what happened earlier." Gao Yu casually said.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded. He couldn't help but say, "Senior, about the 18,000-catty stone... I don't believe there was any mistake with its weight."

"I am aware of the test stone's weight," Gao Yu chuckled. "And I also know that if you remain calm and utilize your full strength, you can undoubtedly lift the 20,000-catty test stone."

Revealing a shocked expression of being ‘exposed’, Wu Yuan looked at Gao Yu.

"I know more than you think," Gao Yu found Wu Yuan’s expression very amusing, "With your physical constitution alone, you should have a raw strength of 10,000 catties. The reason you can lift a boulder of 20,000 catties is because you have mastered a special technique of force exertion, isn't it?"

"Senior, you could tell?" Wu Yuan asked in surprise.

"Mm, I've also mastered this technique, but to a greater degree of proficiency, which allowed me to easily detect it. There are telltale signs that suggest you've achieved a rudimentary grasp of it, such as needing to accumulate power for an extended duration." Gao Yu smiled, "This technique, called Power Surge, goes by different monikers like Hidden Force or Rigid Force..."

"You can exert twice your raw strength simultaneously, which shows that you have just reached the Twofold Power Surge stage." Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan.

"Twofold Power Surge?" Huan Xinyan shot to her feet, looking at Wu Yuan in disbelief. She finally understood why her senior brother placed such importance on Wu Yuan's assessment results.

Mastering Twofold Power Surge at fourteen years old? That was undoubtedly worth his attention.

"Senior, is it difficult to control this force exertion technique?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.