Chapter 17: Combat Power Assessment

After the cultivation assessment concluded, whether they were satisfied or disappointed, the younger disciples of the Zhao Family quickly gathered their spirits and waited expectantly for the second evaluation.

At the same time, having come to cast blame, Liu Siye (Fourth Master Liu) and Sun Erye (Second Master Sun) also had differing moods after seeing the final cultivation ranking of the Zhao Family's younger disciples.

Liu Siye appeared nonchalant and unconcerned, even slightly gloating. Originally, when Zhao Letian was the Zhao Family's pride, the overall cultivation level of the younger disciples from the Liu Family was not much different from that of the Zhao Family, at most just a bit weaker. But now, with Zhao Letian absent, the overall cultivation level of the younger disciples of the Liu Family had immediately surpassed the Zhao Family's. This implied that the future prospects of the Liu Family were looking better than the Zhao Family's, and of course, it remained uncertain whether the Zhao Family even had a future.

"Hehe, Zhao Family, and Sun Family, once the Liu Family and the City Lord Mansion finalize our collaboration terms, you will be removed from Qingzhou City. Before that, let's just enjoy the game," Liu Siye, with a mischievous smile lingering at the corner of his eyes, stealthily glanced at Zhao Wuji and Sun Erye.

As for Sun Erye, his brows were furrowed with worry. Even before his arrival, he had heard that the younger generation of the Sun Family might rank last among the four great families of Qingzhou City. He was initially incredulous, but now, after seeing the overall cultivation of the Zhao Family's younger disciples, he had no choice but to believe it. The truth lay before his eyes; compared to the Zhao Family's younger disciples, the Sun Family was indeed lacking, and this was even after the Zhao Family had lost their prodigy, Zhao Letian. Otherwise, the gap between the two families would be even greater.

"If that kid Zhao Letian never recovers his standing, although my Sun Family's younger disciples are not as good as the Zhao Family's, they could still barely compete with them. But if this kid truly manages to recover in the future, then this generation of my Sun Family's younger disciples will probably have to live forever under his shadow, never having a day to shine. With this in mind, this kid must not be allowed to stay!" Sun Erye's gaze darkened as he stared at Zhao Letian, his eyes filled with even heavier murderous intent.

"The second part of the mid-year assessment is to measure combat power, which is to test your true strength. Someone, please bring out the Combat Power Ranking Stele!" Under the watchful eyes of many, the presiding Elder spoke out again.

As soon as the words of the presiding Elder fell, two robust men who had been prepared in advance came out, carrying a black stele over one zhang high, and placed it in front of the Zhao Family's younger disciples.

Like the cultivation ranking stele, the Combat Power Ranking Stele also displayed the rankings from the previous assessment of the Zhao Family's younger disciples, using different colored fonts. The first place, needless to say, was still Zhao Letian, displayed with three large, glittering golden characters.

The second place was the son of Zhao Family's Second Elder, Zhao Shijie, displayed with slightly smaller silver characters.

The third place was Zhao Lingshan, displayed with even smaller blue characters.

After that, the names of all other individuals were displayed with white luminescent characters.

"The method to test combat power is simple, as always, through the method of arena challenges to verify. Next, according to the results of the previous cultivation assessment, I will update the combat power rankings, and then you will be able to choose to challenge those ranked higher than you in sequence, starting from the last place. If the challenge is successful, you can replace their ranking; if you fail, you will directly fall to the last place," continued the presiding Elder. "Furthermore, I need to stress that after the deliberation of the Family Elder Council, it has been decided that the rewards for this combat power assessment will be increased tenfold. That is to say, the rewards for the top ten ranked in combat power, will be one to ten Mid-Grade Essence Stones respectively!"

"Sss!"

Hearing this, the crowd collectively drew in a sharp breath of cold air, astonished by the magnitude of the gesture. Just for a regular mid-year assessment, the Zhao Family could afford to award dozens of Mid-Grade Essence Stones to the juniors of the Primordial Martial Realm. This was the foundation of one of the four big clans in Qingzhou City, far beyond what ordinary Martial Artists could compare with.

Even the likes of Second Master Sun and Fourth Master Liu displayed a subtle change in their demeanor. Although the amount of Essence Stones mentioned wasn't enough to shock them, being from the other two prominent families, they wouldn't easily give away so many Mid-Grade Essence Stones as rewards to juniors of merely the Primordial Martial Realm either.

At this moment, the most excited were undoubtedly the younger generation of the Zhao Family. Before the assessment began, they were unaware that the rewards for the combat power test had been increased tenfold. Otherwise, they would have prepared even more earnestly and diligently for the assessment. After all, ten, no, even just one Mid-Grade Essence Stone was a considerable fortune for any Martial Artist of the Primordial Martial Realm.

"Heh, by doing this, is the family targeting me?" Zhao Letian could not help but smile bitterly to himself upon hearing this. Although he didn't know whether the family had an ulterior motive with this sudden arrangement, the fact that they increased the reward for the combat power rankings just after his cultivation level dropped seemed too coincidental.

If the Zhao Family's arrangement wasn't targeting him, there wouldn't be much to say. However, if they did it to take advantage of his reduced cultivation level and poor condition, to believe that he wouldn't be able to achieve a good ranking, then these people would soon deeply regret their actions.

"Buzz!"

Just then, the presiding Elder suddenly waved his hand, sending a palm strike infused with Primordial Energy into the Combat Power Ranking Stele. Instantly, the stele emitted a blinding brilliance, and once the flash disappeared, the new combat power rankings were revealed—Zhao Letian ranked last.

"Alright, I won't say much more. The combat power test begins now, and the first challenger will be the last in rank, Zhao Letian!" the presiding Elder announced loudly, his gaze resting on Zhao Letian.

Immediately, the eyes of the audience converged on him, filled with eager anticipation as they watched Zhao Letian, clad in a white robe with his hands clasped behind his back. The majority of them had come today to watch the spectacle of the once glorious and proud talent of the Zhao Family make a fool of himself after his fall from grace.

"Zhao Letian, according to the assessment rules, each person has one opportunity to challenge in the first round. You may choose to challenge anyone ranked ahead of you. If you succeed, you can take their place. If you fail, you'll fall to the last rank. Of course, you're already the last, so even if you fail, your rank won't change for the time being," the presiding Elder told Zhao Letian, then frowned slightly in contemplation before continuing, "Zhao Letian, you can choose to challenge or to forfeit. Given your current condition... this old man advises you to forfeit. It's better for everyone."

Upon hearing the presiding Elder's meaningful reminder, the crowd shared knowing smirks. The Elder's intention was clear—he was advising Zhao Letian to be self-aware and to not embarrass himself. Otherwise, if he insisted on challenging and failed to achieve a good rank, it would not only be his own face that he lost but would also bring shame to the entire Zhao Family.

However, was the once dazzling and boundlessly proud Zhao Family prodigy really going to choose to forfeit? By forfeiting and avoiding the challenge, his reputation would still be ruined, and he would be confirmed as a good-for-nothing, ridiculed and mocked for the rest of his life!

From this perspective, it seemed that Zhao Letian's only choice was how he wanted to be ridiculed.

"You, come up to the platform with me." Just at this moment, Zhao Letian completely disregarded the presiding Elder's advice and the schadenfreude from the crowd, briskly waving his hand and sending a burst of Primordial Energy directly striking a name on the Combat Power Ranking Stele.