The Fool Who Shook the Heavens

Chapter 9

Lin Yue clenched her fists. A powerful aura rolled out from her body, and several low-level disciples backed away in fear. But before she could punish Tang Hao, an Elder of the sect descended into the arena and stopped beside her.

"Saintess, the annual selection is about to begin. Please hold back your anger until it's over."

Lin Yue drew a long breath. She glanced at Tang Hao, who was still standing there with an innocent face, then turned her attention to the disciples. That boy truly knew no fear!

Elder Shen strode to the center of the arena and flicked his sleeve. A flash of white light streaked out, and a five-foot-tall jade monument appeared. Its surface was smooth, divided into nine levels by clear lines.

"The annual selection begins now!" he announced. "Each disciple must place a hand on the jade monument and channel Qi into it. The higher the light climbs, the stronger your spiritual energy. Don't try to cheat this device!"

The disciples quickly lined up. The Inner Disciples went first, while the Outer Disciples waited behind the boundary line. One by one, they stepped forward and pressed their palms to the monument. Light appeared at different intensities, showing each person's result.

"Four levels! Not bad."

"He reached five levels this year. No wonder he's so confident."

Elder Shen announced every result. Disciples who qualified earned a chance to enter the competition, while those who failed could only return to the ranks with disappointed faces.

When Yuan Cheng's turn came, he strode forward with his chin raised. He pressed his palm to the monument and channeled his Qi. Light quickly climbed to the level of his cultivation, drawing admiring nods from several disciples.

"Yuan Cheng qualifies for the competition!" Elder Shen declared.

Yuan Cheng withdrew his hand with satisfaction. Before returning to his place, he deliberately glanced at Tang Hao and smirked.

"Watch closely, you idiot. This is how a true cultivator shows his strength!"

Tang Hao was busy picking leftover bits of chicken out from between his fingers. He didn't even look at Yuan Cheng.

Beside him, Ouyang Jun grumbled inwardly. 'This kid truly doesn't care about anything except food.'

Tang Hao finally lifted his head and pointed at the jade monument. "Grandpa, does everyone have to touch that rock?"

"Of course," Ouyang Jun replied.

"What for?"

Ouyang Jun stroked his beard. He couldn't possibly explain that the inner sect had far richer spiritual energy than the Outer Disciples' quarters. With Tang Hao's current understanding, a long explanation would only confuse him.

"If you make that monument shine brightly, you can move to a nicer place. The food might be better, too."

Tang Hao's eyes lit up at once. "Really, Grandpa?"

"Of course!" Ouyang Jun nodded firmly. Then he leaned in and whispered, "If you try just a little, you might even win first place in the competition!"

Tang Hao immediately clapped his hands. "I'm going to win first place! I'm going to win first place!"

His shouting drew the attention of every disciple nearby. Some burst into loud laughter, while others shook their heads at his antics.

"He hasn't even touched the monument, and he's already dreaming of being champion!"

"He probably thinks the competition is a children's game."

"In that case, I can win first place too!"

Laughter broke out again.

"Enough!"

Lin Yue stepped forward. Her gaze swept over the disciples, and they shut their mouths at once. No one dared continue mocking him in front of her.

She then looked at Tang Hao. The boy was still clapping happily, as if he had no idea he'd just become a laughingstock.

'Strange. My wounds healed completely after our last encounter. I still can't figure out why.'

Lin Yue hadn't forgotten the incident. Although Tang Hao seemed foolish and acted like a child, she didn't want to underestimate him. There was something about this boy she still hadn't figured out.

The selection continued until Elder Shen finally called Tang Hao's name.

"Tang Hao, step forward!"

Tang Hao turned to Ouyang Jun. "Grandpa, is it my turn to eat?"

Ouyang Jun nearly choked on his own spit. "Not eat! Hurry up and touch the jade monument!"

"Oh!"

Tang Hao trotted to the center of the arena. Standing before the monument, he lifted his head and gazed up at the surface towering over him.

Ouyang Jun quickly gave instructions from the sidelines. "Put your hand right in the middle of the formation carving, then channel a little Qi into it. Just a little, understand?"

Tang Hao nodded. He pressed his palm to the spot Ouyang Jun had pointed out and channeled his Qi.

A few moments passed, but the jade monument stayed white, without the slightest change.

Tang Hao tilted his head. "Grandpa, is the rock broken?"

Laughter exploded from the rows of disciples.

"Even the jade monument won't acknowledge him!"

"He really has no ability at all!"

Ouyang Jun slapped his forehead. 'Idiot! I told you to channel Qi, not just stick your hand on it!'

"Add a little more!" he shouted.

Tang Hao nodded and cheerfully repeated after him. "Add a little more!"

This time, he channeled much more Qi into the monument. Instantly, a blinding white light burst from its surface. All nine levels lit up almost at once, and the spiritual energy kept surging until it hit the maximum the monument could display.

The entire arena erupted in an uproar.

"What?! How is this possible?!"

"His spiritual energy hit the limit!"

"The jade monument can't be wrong, can it?"

Elder Shen stood rooted beside the measuring device. Even some Inner Disciples who had trained for years couldn't reach a result like this.

But the awe soon mixed with doubt.

"Having a lot of spiritual energy doesn't mean it's useful in a fight," a disciple said.

"Right. Without proper martial skills, he won't be able to control his power. That much energy will just go to waste."

Tang Hao didn't care about their argument at all. He pulled his hand off the monument, dug into the food he'd brought, and took out a fried drumstick.

Biting into the meat, he walked back to his spot and sat down to wait for the selection to end.

Ouyang Jun watched his disciple with shining eyes. Tang Hao might not have mastered any martial technique yet, but that much spiritual energy was an incredible foundation.

'If this kid really becomes strong, I'll finally have hope of getting my revenge and rising again!'

He clenched his fist, struggling to contain the excitement that was nearly overflowing. For the first time in a very long while, his future held a glimmer of hope.