Chapter 42: Martial Skill Assessment

"Deprived of qualifications for assessment?"

Dustin Li was stunned. He never imagined that this Zhang family ancestor would stoop so low, seizing every opportunity to make trouble for him.

"Pablo Zhang, you've gone too far!" The Master of Novaridge Palace's expression darkened, and he shouted with anger.

As he spoke, a powerful aura emanated from him, a half-step Spirit Refining powerhouse. The pressure he exerted made the air feel thick and suffocating to those around, causing the participants in the assessment to tense up.

Though Pablo Zhang's strength didn't match the Novaridge Palace Master's, as the deacon of the outer sect, he held an authority on par with that of the Novaridge Master. As the chief examiner of the outer sect's assessment, he had little fear of any consequences from the Novaridge Palace Master.

"I am the chief examiner of the assessment. Is the Novaridge Palace Master questioning my decision?" Pablo Zhang sneered, his tone dismissive.

"Why are you depriving Dustin Li of his qualifications for the assessment?" Novaridge Palace Master demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.

"I've already explained. He is clearly at the second level of Energy Gathering, but he's using special methods to stimulate the third level, essentially cheating. A person like him shouldn't be allowed to proceed in such an assessment!" Pablo Zhang sneered.

"You're talking nonsense!" Novaridge Palace Master's face turned pale with fury. "Dustin Li practices Pure Yang Skills. His true energy is purer and stronger than others in the same realm. It's completely normal for such a situation to occur."

"Pure Yang Skills?" Many of the warriors attending the assessment were surprised and began to murmur, their eyes shifting to Dustin Li with envy.

Pure Yang Skills were notoriously difficult to cultivate. In all of Xandoria County, only a few could master it within several years. To see someone so young already practicing it was indeed impressive.

"Pure Yang Skills?" Pablo Zhang scoffed, his gaze cold. "You claim he practices Pure Yang Skills, but that's just your word. The old man will personally verify whether he truly practices it!"

At this, the crowd erupted into a flurry of murmurs. For a martial artist, allowing someone to investigate the meridians, acupoints, and Dantian of their Energy Gathering was to expose their deepest secrets—essentially laying bare the very core of their being. It was akin to handing over control of their life and death, and it was a grave taboo among martial artists.

Dustin Li's expression changed instantly. He had never expected Pablo Zhang to go this far.

He couldn't allow Pablo to investigate. If his Life and Death Acupoints were exposed, it would spell disaster. Moreover, with Pablo Zhang's strength at the ninth level of Martial Master, he could easily do something malicious during the investigation—perhaps even take his life.

Who would willingly allow someone with a grudge against them to delve into their most private secrets without restraint?

Before Dustin Li could react, Pablo Zhang appeared before him in the blink of an eye, his hand reaching out toward him. "Let me see if you truly practice Pure Yang Skills."

Dustin Li's first instinct was to retreat, but Pablo's overwhelming aura locked him in place. The surrounding air seemed to contract, leaving him motionless, like a tree nailed to the ground.

"Old man, this is nothing but personal revenge!" Dustin Li roared, his eyes pleading with the Novaridge Palace Master for help.

"Stop!" A sudden, melodic voice cut through the tension, commanding the attention of the crowd. All eyes turned to see a woman walking towards them from the outer gates.

At the sight of her, Dustin Li's heart skipped a beat, and the surrounding warriors couldn't help but stare, awestruck.

The woman was clad in a white dress, her long hair cascading down her back. Her skin was pale as jade, and her demeanor was otherworldly, radiating an ethereal, holy aura that made those who gazed upon her feel at ease.

Accompanied by two maids, she approached with grace, and with a soft parting of her lips, she spoke, "I can testify that Dustin Li has indeed practiced Pure Yang Skills."

Dustin Li's mind reeled at the sight of her. The woman was none other than Maeve—the daughter of the sect master of the Novaridge Palace, and the original teacher of Novaridge Martial Hall!

At the sight of Maeve, Pablo Zhang's hand faltered, and he bowed his head respectfully. "Miss."

The masters of the Eighteen Cities Martial Hall stood up in unison, bowing their heads in greeting to her.

Confusion spread across Dustin Li's face as he tried to process the revelation. Who was this Maeve, and what was her connection to the Novaridge Palace?

"Deacon Zhang, I will testify on Dustin Li's behalf. Do you have any objections?" Maeve's tone was firm, carrying an air of authority.

"This..." Pablo Zhang hesitated, his face darkening. "Miss, your presence complicates things, but as the chief examiner, I must remain impartial. If I fail in my duties, I will disappoint the Lord's trust."

"So, you're saying my involvement is an issue?" Maeve's gaze turned icy.

"subordinate dare not!" Pablo Zhang quickly bowed his head.

"In that case, I'll see how you handle this fairly. It is a fact that Dustin Li has practiced Pure Yang Skills," Maeve declared calmly.

With that, the crowd parted to make room for a chair and table for Maeve. She sat, observing the ongoing assessment.

Pablo Zhang, though begrudging, had no choice but to comply. He gave a forced nod, his face filled with resentment. "Since the eldest lady has intervened, Dustin Li may be considered to have passed this part of the test."

With that, he announced the result. "Dustin Li, fourteen years old, second-level of Energy Gathering, 8 points."

Though 8 points wasn't the highest, it was satisfactory, and no one could dispute it.

As the martial skills assessment began later that day, Dustin Li took his place in the crowd, noticing Maeve's subtle smile directed his way.

"Who is this beauty? She has the examiner so flustered."

"I heard she's the daughter of the sect master from the outer sect!"

"My God, how does Dustin Li know someone with such a prestigious background?"

Dustin Li overheard bits of conversation, and it became clear that Maeve held an important position in the Novaridge Palace. But what was her relationship to him?

The assessment continued, and in the martial skill evaluations, only one participant scored a perfect 9. A young man named Morry Mo.

The second place was a tie between Rocco Xu from Water Rhythm City and DenCan from Yushan City, both scoring 9 points.

As for Dustin Li, he was placed in the second group, with 18 other participants who scored 8 points for reaching the second level of Energy Gathering by age 14.

The martial skill assessment was just as important as the cultivation assessment, for it measured a martial artist's talent and potential in martial arts.

Dustin Li felt confident. His Sword Technique, fourth rank, was complete, and he was certain he could do well. His Quick Sword Art, while not technically a martial art, was a power-generating technique, which would further improve his performance.

The martial arts arena buzzed with anticipation as participants stepped onto the competition platform. Each performed their best martial art, demonstrating the depth of their abilities.

"Three-Rank Martial Arts, Residual Wind Shadowless Palm, Mindful Realm, 6 points!"

The first contestant, a fifteen-year-old martial artist at the second level of Energy Gathering, was average in both cultivation and martial skills.

One by one, participants showcased their skills. Most performed third-rank martial arts, and a few who excelled in third-rank martial arts reached mastery, earning scores around 7 points.

When Rocco Xu took the stage, the audience went quiet.

"Fourth-grade body technique, complete! 9 points!"

The crowd erupted in applause. "Rocco Xu from Shuiyun City scores a 9 in both cultivation and martial skills! He's a strong contender for a spot in the outer sect!"

As Rocco Xu stepped down, Dencan from Yushan City took the stage.

"Fourth-grade swordsmanship, complete! 9 points!"

The crowd murmured in surprise, noting that Dencan had matched Rocco's performance.

Finally, it was Dustin Li's turn. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Many remembered his earlier difficulties with the assessment and wondered whether he could perform as expected.

"Chong!"

Dustin Li's sword flashed with lightning speed, the air crackling around him.

"Fourth-grade swordsmanship... perfect!?"

The audience gasped, stunned by the brilliance of his performance.

Even the masters of the Eighteen Cities Martial Hall straightened up in shock, unable to hide their surprise.

The Novaridge Palace Master himself was awestruck. He had expected Dustin Li to be a promising student, but he had never anticipated him achieving such perfection in his martial skills at his age.

Maeve, watching from her seat, smiled slightly.

Pablo Zhang's expression darkened, his face twisted in anger. With every display of Dustin Li's brilliance, his own future seemed to grow more uncertain.

"Hehe, a fourteen-year-old with second-level Energy Gathering, practicing Pure Yang Skills, and now mastering fourth-grade martial arts. This one's a real gem."

A hearty voice rang through the air, drawing everyone's gaze upward.

A middle-aged man in a blue gown hovered in the sky, his eyes fixed on Dustin Li. "Impressive, very impressive," he said with a smile, his voice carrying authority.