Chapter 43: Mind Impact

"Sect Master!", "See Sect Master!"

Upon the sudden appearance of the blue-shirted middle-aged man, Pablo Zhang and the master of the Eighteen City Martial Hall immediately rose and saluted respectfully in midair. Many of the warriors present for the entry examination were stunned. To them, the Outer Sect Master was a legendary figure.

At this moment, all eyes shifted to Dustin Li on the competition stage, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. It was clear the sect leader had a very high opinion of him. While a fourteen-year-old at the second level of Energy Gathering might not seem extraordinary, his mastery of Pure Yang Skills and the Fourth Grade Martial Arts Great Perfection made him stand out as truly remarkable.

"Father." Maeve also stood, offering a respectful salute.

"You don't need to be polite, get up," Sect Master Lu replied, his voice warm, as he descended from the air.

"This year's introductory assessment, I will personally preside over it." His words carried an aura of authority.

In the past, the entrance exams had been overseen by the outer sect deacon, and there had never been a precedent for the sect master to take charge himself. This news sent waves of excitement through the warriors, who were now eager to perform their best in front of the Sect Master.

"Is this Dustin Li the one you mentioned?" Maeve's father's voice came through her mind, transmitted secretly via voice transmission so no one else could hear.

Maeve nodded, understanding her father's purpose in appearing personally.

"Father knows his grudge with Pablo Zhang. Since he is your savior, I will ensure his safety in the outer sect," Sect Master Lu assured her.

At that moment, Pablo Zhang felt a tightness in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he spoke loudly, "Dustin Li, the Fourth Grade Martial Arts Great Perfection, 10 points!"

Though he still doubted the possibility, Pablo Zhang's instincts told him the Sect Master had come specifically for Dustin Li. How could a little nobody like Dustin Li, with such luck, attract the attention of the Outer Sect Master?

On the competition stage, Dustin Li gave a slight smile. To Pablo Zhang, that smile only made his teeth grind harder.

...

The second martial skill assessment progressed quickly compared to the cultivation test. By sunset, the martial arts assessment was concluded.

Dustin Li was the only one to achieve a perfect score of 10, while most others scored 6 or 7. A few received 8 points, and only Rocco Xu and DenCan earned 9.

As for Morry Mo, who had received full marks in the first test, his performance was lackluster in the martial arts test. Having focused mostly on improving his cultivation, he only reached the minor achievement stage of the Fifth Grade Martial Arts.

This outcome was expected. Morry Mo had concentrated more on cultivation and less on martial arts, which led to his relatively poor performance here.

The remaining two assessments would take place tomorrow. Only the top 50 would be eligible to continue, and those ranked lower would be eliminated. The final three spots to enter the outer sect would be revealed the next day.

Back at the residence in Xandoria County, Dustin Li and Alayna were among the only 17 geniuses still eligible for the next round. The rest of the 20 participants had already been eliminated.

Although both Dustin Li and Alayna were at the second level of Energy Gathering, age played a role in this test. Some competitors were older, and their low scores in the first test, coupled with the martial arts assessment's higher demands, made it impossible for them to break into the top 50.

In the courtyard, many were despondent.

"Troy has also broken through to the Energy Gathering realm, but unfortunately, he missed the entry test this time," Novaridge Palace Master said with a sigh.

Troy had exceptional martial arts comprehension and had perfected his marksmanship at the pinnacle of the Ninth Level of Body Refinement. Unfortunately, his cultivation talent was less impressive.

Dustin Li shared his regret. Being able to join the Outer Sect before the age of eighteen was an opportunity that could change a warrior's fate. If missed, success would be difficult to attain without sufficient resources and inheritance. Without the Outer Sect, Troy would likely become part of the Blue Armored faction in Novaridge City, where he would still hold a position of power.

That night, Dustin Li sat cross-legged in his room, taking out a martial arts manual from his storage ring. These were all obtained from the treasure house of King Franklin Bu, but he had never found time to study them before now.

He first picked up the only seventh-grade martial arts book he had.

"King Kong Hegemony Body Art," he read aloud. "A seventh-grade body training method, condensing energy and tempering the body like a soldier. At its peak, the body can be tempered to be comparable to a low-grade weapon!"

Dustin Li was surprised by the rarity of this body training technique. While he had heard of such arts before, he had never come across one. He knew that body training exercises were much more valuable than other martial arts of the same level.

"If you can practice this King Kong Hegemony Body Art, your physical body will be comparable to a low-grade weapon, which would provide a significant advantage in both offense and defense."

Dustin Li shook his head, "Unfortunately, this martial art requires a cultivation level above the Innate Third Realm to even begin training."

He put the manual aside and flipped through other sixth-grade martial arts.

"Afterimage flying Fist: A boxing technique that creates afterimages, fluttering and elusive, containing three layers of dark energy that instantly destroy an opponent's meridians and internal organs."

This was a vicious martial art, resembling the third-rank Afterimage Fist, but with lethal consequences. If someone underestimated it and was hit, they would be killed in an instant.

However, Dustin Li quickly realized that this martial art also had cultivation requirements: it could only be practiced by those at the Ninth Level of Energy Gathering.

Martial arts came in grades: first to third-grade were suitable for body refiners, fourth to sixth-grade were for Energy Gathering warriors, and seventh to ninth-grade required the cultivation of Innate Martial Masters.

The higher the grade of martial arts, the more powerful they were, but they also required more from the practitioner.

"Even the King Kong Hegemony Body Art only requires cultivation at the First Level of Innate, but the minimum for this art is the Third Level," Dustin Li mused.

Dustin Li, at the Second Level of Energy Gathering, could practice Fourth Grade martial arts, but he needed to reach the Third Level of Energy Gathering to start on Fifth Grade martial arts.

"There are so many advanced martial arts, but I can only look at them," he muttered with a bitter laugh, reluctantly putting the manuals away.

The next morning, the assessment resumed at the outer gate. The atmosphere was still buzzing with excitement, even with the eliminated warriors returning to watch the ongoing tests.

Dustin Li, Rocco Xu, and DenCan were all tied for first place after the two previous rounds. The third test, however, was different—it would test their willpower. Willpower theory was elusive and tied to the warrior's soul and state of mind. This test was said to play a crucial role in whether a martial artist could overcome their inner demons as they advanced in their cultivation.

This test was conducted in a massive open field, with numerous complicated patterns carved into the ground. The value of these formations was astronomical.

As the formation was activated, dazzling light filled the air. The 50 participants inside the formation felt a tremendous mental impact.

Dustin Li, although not entirely versed in willpower theory, had experienced subtle transformations since obtaining the Pearl of Life and Death. His cultivation goal was clear: to reach the peak of martial arts. His experiences had helped him temper his mind, making it unwavering in the face of challenges.

As the mental assault began, Dustin Li found himself surrounded by illusions. Swords and flames seemed to engulf him, but he remained calm, unaffected by the burning or the blows.

Around him, several warriors collapsed in panic, unable to handle the mental assault.

Dustin Li's demeanor was steady as ever, facing each illusion with composure. His strength of mind set him apart, drawing the attention of the Sect Master.

"Impressive," Sect Master Lu remarked from the stands, watching as Dustin Li continued to endure.

Half of the 50 participants had already fallen, and the rest were visibly struggling, shaking or grimacing under the pressure.

"I wonder how much further he can go?" Sect Master Lu mused. "At just the Second Level of Energy Gathering, his willpower rivals that of an Innate Realm martial artist. When he matures, he will be a formidable force."

The pressure of the mental assault only increased, and Dustin Li's endurance was about to be tested even further.