C4 One Move!!

At the Gong family's training ground.

"Number 48!" The call echoed loudly.

The man holding ticket number 48 walked toward the testing zone with a mix of emotions.

The testing, conducted lottery-style, was capable of evaluating dozens of individuals simultaneously.

"I'm up soon," Lu Yi murmured, clutching ticket number 52.

He had little interest in the testing process.

Yet, opting out was not an option.

Gong family disciples awaiting their turn clustered together, a stark contrast to Lu Yi, who stood in solitude.

But Lu Yi preferred the solitude.

The saying goes, "The tree desires quiet, yet the wind keeps blowing."

Liu Shao'an approached with a sneer:

"Trash will always be trash!"

"After the test, you'll still be kicked out, won't you?"

"Once you're out of the Gong family's gates, you'd better watch your back or you might not survive out there!"

Lu Yi had no patience for such people. "Idiot."

"Just wait until after the test; I'll show you what's coming to you!"

Just then, number 52 was called. Lu Yi shot Liu Shao'an a contemptuous glance and made his way inside.

Engaging with such people was a waste of words.

Liu Shao'an was fuming, left with no outlet for his anger.

Elsewhere.

"How's it going?"

"Relax, Brother Tian, it's all set up. We'll definitely give that Lu a nasty shock."

"There's no chance anyone will trace it back to us, right?" Gong Tian asked, uneasy.

"Not a chance!"

"Good!" A grin spread across Gong Tian's face.

"Lu Yi, you dared to cross me! I'll make sure you pay with your life!" Hatred seethed in Gong Tian's eyes.

In the testing area, Lu Yi commenced the intricate assessment.

On the Holy Spirit Continent, each person's awakened abilities were unique, creating a diverse tapestry of talents.

Over eons, these abilities had evolved into two main schools: the Elemental and the Soul Force.

One drew upon the forces of nature, the other on inner strength.

The testing methods, however, remained the same.

This was a relief for Lu Yi.

Had the tests been faction-specific, which would he have belonged to?

"Place your hand here."

As Lu Yi's mind wandered, it was his turn to test his Holy Spirit Power.

Without hesitation, he placed his hand on the Spirit Treasure, a device used to measure the Holy Spirit Power.

A faint glow emanated from the device.

"Huh, we've got ourselves a low-level nobody," the elder conducting the test remarked, somewhat surprised. But realizing it was Lu Yi, his surprise turned to understanding.

Lu Yi's notoriety as a 'nobody' was well-known.

Yet, Lu Yi's expression remained unchanged, showing no concern for the test.

To him, this test meant nothing.

The Gong family disciples, however, saw it differently, casting disdainful glances at Lu Yi.

Little did they know,

Lu Yi couldn't care less about the test.

Awakening skills were categorized into five levels, from the lowest to the highest.

For an average person, awakening a third-level skill was already a rare feat.

But Lu Yi? His skills were all top-tier, fifth level.

Should he choose to unleash his full potential,

Even with modest Holy Spirit Power, Lu Yi would be considered a prodigy among prodigies.

Yet, he chose to keep his skills under wraps.

Regarding the system mission, Lu Yi intended to complete it during the practical combat test.

This test involved battling a spiritual puppet in an arena.

By the time Lu Yi arrived, the onlookers had already begun ruthlessly discussing his test results.

"Look, that's the guy with five low-level marks."

"How did such a loser even get into our Gong family?"

"The City Lord is watching the arena; this is going to be a total embarrassment for our Gong family!"

"How many moves do you think this loser can last against the puppet?"

"The puppet is immensely strong, impervious to fire and water. I bet this loser won't last a single move."

Lu Yi frowned, taking a mental note of the crowd's sneering faces.

He had no intention of letting any of them off the hook.

Thinking they could badmouth someone without consequences?

They were sorely mistaken; Lu Yi was not one to delay his retribution.

Meanwhile, on the elders' bench, a hushed conversation was taking place.

"That low-level nobody, perhaps we should spare him the combat test altogether?"

"This proposal isn't bad, but he's too weak. What if the puppet beats him to death?"

"Well, he's not a true disciple of our Gong family anyway. Let's settle this—exclude him from participating and expel him from the Gong family."

Lord Xiahou could not possibly miss the fervent chatter among the group.

"Cough, cough." Lord Xiahou commanded with authority, "Since this is a test, it must be conducted with fairness and justice. Regardless of how weak one's talent may be, they still deserve the chance to be tested!"

...

"Contestant number 52, begin your test!"

At that command, the menacing puppet on the stage sprang to life.

The soul beast's eyes embedded within it blazed with a crimson light.

"Click, clack."

A chorus of mechanical noises echoed as the puppet strode toward Lu Yi.

Each step it took made the stage quiver.

The spectacle was immense.

Beneath the stage, some astute Gong family disciples had opened a betting pool.

Those who had placed their bets engaged in lively discussions.

"Who are you betting on, brother?"

"One move, dead. You?"

"Same here. Just a small bet of a hundred."

"Brother, that's not much. I borrowed money to bet five hundred."

"Impressive, impressive."

"No choice, the odds are too low. Had to bet more."

"Haha, if you're complaining about low odds, why not bet on Lu Yi winning?"

"That's reserved for fools, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Binghan, who had discreetly placed her bet, no longer cared to conceal her identity. Her face chilled as she rebuked,

"Is this examination just a pretext for your gambling? Get back to work."

"Right away."

Having dispersed the backbiting crowd, Gong Binghan squeezed the betting slip in her hand.

The slip read: "Lu Yi, victory, odds 1:100, five hundred stakes."

She tucked the slip away and turned her gaze back to the arena, a flicker of concern in her eyes.

Gong Binghan had no interest in gambling, of course.

She simply wanted to show her support for Lu Yi in her own way.

Meanwhile, back on the stage.

Lu Yi made his move.

Standing tall, he didn't flinch or dodge as he confronted the testing puppet head-on.

Standing before the towering five-meter puppet, Lu Yi's impressive nine-foot stature suddenly seemed insignificant, even diminutive.

The gap between them closed steadily.

Five meters, four meters...

With just three meters remaining, Lu Yi retrieved the Cold Winter Sword from his inventory.

"Green Lotus Sword Song."

As his lips barely moved, the Cold Winter Sword erupted with intense sword intent.

Sharp, piercing, the very air seemed on the verge of being cleaved in two.

Simultaneously, a soft, enchanting melody filled the air.

Radiant and unrestrained.

Indeed, Lu Yi had selected the Green Lotus Sword Song as his ultimate skill.

Despite its initial shortcomings, with the system's assistance, the Green Lotus Sword Song had been refined into perfection.

In that instant, Lu Yi transformed into a true swordsman.

"Perish!"

With a light tap of his toes, Lu Yi left a trail of phantoms in his wake.

The Cold Winter Sword in his hand danced through the air.

Sword qi surged, enveloping the heavens.