Strong People

Hearing his name and Shi Shisi's name being called, Shi Li couldn't help but smile as he gazed at the direction of where Shi Shisi was, only for him to see that Shi Shisi was looking by his direction as well.

Shi Shisi gave a thumbs up with his right hand as he mouthed out "Let's talk later" before heading towards the raised platform where Shi Xingtai stood.

Shi Li didn't waste his time on heading towards the raised platform as he was deep in thought, pondering about the other people called by Shi Xingtai.

"I didn't expect that some of the people I regarded as strong would receive preferential treatment."

The people he regarded as strong were Shi Shisi, Shi Dengtie, Shi Huaqiang, and Shi Daoliang.

Of course, with his overwhelming strength and multiple years of exerting effort into cultivation, it wasn't unusual for Shi Li to consider Shi Shisi as a strong person.

As for Shi Dengtie, the skill he showed a while ago in the first test made Shi Li feel that he was going to be attacked by a lightning bolt. The mastery and fluidity of the spear under Shi Dengtie's hands made Shi Li feel like he was fun person to fight against and spar with.

Shi Huaqiang, although only practicing palm techniques for months, instantly reached a mastery that didn't lose to the others, showing that with enough time, she might become a superb master of palm arts.

Shi Daoliang was like the others, being masterful with the sword as he exuded a feeling that he was one with the sword. With his own mastery of the sword in comparison, Shi Li knew that he would lose in terms of skill mastery.

Step. Step. Step.

As Shi Li walked up the raised platform, the other nine people Shi Xingtai called sat on the raised platform as they looked towards Shi Li's direction.

While feeling the stares of six people at him, Shi Li calmed his emotions and lightly smiled as he said, "Nice to meet you, my name is Shi Li. If you don't mind, can I ask for your names?"

The eight clan members except for Shi Shisi were surprised that someone high up in their clan would actually take notice of them. One of the clan members couldn't keep his curiosity to himself and asked, "Y-you're the Young Master of the clan. Shouldn't the Young Master not care about us?"

Shi Li thought about the statement the clan member gave and felt that it had sense. If the other clan members were commoners, then him being the son of the clan patriarch would be akin to nobility. Their status are indeed starkly opposite.

With him still smiling, he replied, "What do you mean? I'm not like the other Young Masters you've seen. Also, with all of you having great strength, it won't be a long time before we rely on each other in the future."

The clan member who asked felt enlightened from Shi Li's answer and said with gusto, "Then...let me be the first to introduce myself! I'm Shi Bazhong!" Shi Bazhong looked like your usual person that acted mischievous but knew when to become serious. He was 13 years old as of the tournament.

"I'm Shi Qilian, nice to meet you Shi Li." Shi Qilian had eyes that exuded a feeling that it could peer through everything and know everything. He was older than Bazhong by 2 years, being 15 years old.

"I'm Shi Quanzhou, if you need help in lifting or anything, just go ahead and ask." Shi Quanzhou had muscles that were incomparably streamlined. These muscles were bulging to the point it almost made his robe burst. Although he had massive muscles, he was only 14 years of age.

"Hehe. Shi Huaqiang at your service. You're quite handsome." Shi Huaqiang was one of the people Shi Li regarded as strong. Other than that, her easy-going and carefree personality made her feel like someone easy to approach. She was only 13 years old this year.

"Pleased to be your acquaintance, Young Master Shi Li. My name is Shi Qincheng." Shi Qincheng was already a beauty for her age, being around 14 years of age. It was unknown how destructive her beauty would become in the future.

"Shi Chunxi, nice to meet you! I like to sleep a lot." Shi Chunxi had a carefree personality, just like Shi Huaqiang. He was only 13 years old this year, being one of the youngest members on this raised platform, joined by Shi Bazhong and Shi Huaqiang.

"Shi Dengtie. Do you mind if we spar sometime?" Shi Dengtie was another person Shi Li regarded as strong. He was around 15 years old this year.

"Shi Daoliang." Shi Daoliang was straightforward in his answers and cut to the chase, just like how a sword moved. He was 16 years old this year, being the same age as Shi Li.

As for Shi Shisi, he just nodded at Shi Li, which Shi Li reciprocated by nodding back. He then sat beside the other clan members as they talked about multiple topics ranging from cultivation, to techniques, to even their lives.

As they were talking with one another, the second test had already started, with the clan members that showed the lowest strength starting the run around the edge of the center stage.

...

As the first clan member that started running had finally finished their 5th lap, around 10 minutes have passed since then.

Within these ten minutes, the ten clan members that were on the raised platform were now gradually familiar with one another. Not familiar enough to be calling each other with nicknames, but familiar enough to recognize one another when walking by the paths of the clan.

At these moments, Shi Xingtai went closer to the ten clan members and let out a soft yet quick burst of qi around their bodies, letting them know that he was beside them.

Of course, the burst of qi was effective, prompting them to stand up and look at Shi Xingtai with vigilance.

"Alright, the first five laps are now done. I'll now call your names one by one. The first person I call must move towards the starting line and start running."

"Shi Qilian!"

"Yes!"

Whoosh!

"Shi Quanzhou!"

"Alright!"

Whoosh!

"Shi Huaqiang!"

"I'll see you guys later!"

Whoosh!

"Shi Qincheng!"

"Let us meet after this."

Whoosh!

"Shi Chunxi!"

"Hehe! Let's go!"

Whoosh!

"Shi Daoliang!"

Whoosh!

"Shi Li!"

Hearing his name being called, he looked at the other clan member that was left and let out a smile as he said, "Let's meet up later."

The remaining clan member looked back at Shi Li and nodded. "Sure!"

Whoosh!

Channeling all of the strength within his body and soul towards the soles of his feet, Shi Li darted towards the starting line and started to run.

"Shi Shisi!"

As for Shi Shisi, he nodded at Shi Xingtai's words and started to gradually head towards the starting line as his feet started to glow a faint black. This black glow grew more and more intense and covered his feet in dark spheres before channeling all of his strength towards the soles of his feet.

Whoosh!

And with that, the true Test of Endurance has finally begun!