Chapter 188: Martial Arts Examination
Chapter 188: Martial Arts Examination
That night, Xiao Xia took three Spring Rain Pills and began to practice the three Taoist techniques together according to Yuan Shoucheng's instructions. A huge amount of pill energy gushed out from his dantian, unstoppable and slowly engulfed him.
He was as if he were sitting on a beach at high tide, the sea gradually rising, submerging his chest, his neck, his mouth and nose, and finally his head.
After practicing it twelve times, Xiao Xia completely lost consciousness. He gradually entered a state of trance, as if he was in a chaos and everything around him no longer existed.
At this time, Yuan Shoucheng was sitting on the city wall opposite him, eating roast chicken and drinking. Yuan Shoucheng knew very well that Xiao Xia was in danger now. It was not because he was possessed, but because Xiao Xia knew nothing about the outside world. A child could easily kill him with a knife.
This is why many Taoists choose to practice in caves on cliffs. At the final moment of building the foundation, they cannot be disturbed by any external things. Although for Taoists, building the foundation successfully is only the first step, for warriors, building the foundation successfully is their destination.
Yuan Shoucheng sighed in his heart. It was a pity that Xiao Xia refused to become a monk, otherwise he would definitely be able to inherit his mantle.
There is also his nephew Yuan Tiangang, who refuses to practice Taoism, but is obsessed with numerology and the universe and celestial phenomena. In order to have the conditions to better explore the universe and celestial phenomena, he is willing to devote himself to the court, which is really difficult for him.
Yuan Shoucheng was lost in thought on the top of the city wall. Xiao Xia had completely merged into the dense chaotic world, which was becoming heavier and heavier, almost suffocating him. However, the large amount of elixir energy brought by the three Spring Rain Pills was supporting him, preventing him from being crushed and swallowed by the chaotic world.
When the thick chaos became thinner little by little, completely disappeared from his body and turned into nothingness, his foundation was completed.
This is the great destruction and great construction. Without destruction, there is no construction, just like how he completed the consolidation of the Yuan at the bottom of the Yangtze River.
The sky gradually brightened, the Dan Qi in the body suddenly disappeared, and the chaos disappeared without a trace. Xiao Xia slowly opened his eyes, and the first day of training was over.
Xiao Xia studied during the day and practiced martial arts at night. Three days passed in a flash. On this morning, Xiao Xia came to the Bashang military camp, which was the East Camp of the Imperial Guards and where the martial arts examination was held.
More than 3,000 warriors from the army and civilians will be divided into 12 groups for preliminary selection. Twelve giant tents will be built on an open space covering hundreds of acres, with nearly 300 warriors in each tent.
Every warrior must bring an attendant, at least one, otherwise his horse and weapons will be left unattended, and this is also the requirement on the examination ticket.
Xiao Xia brought Xu Min as his follower, mainly to look after his horse, and he did not bring his weapons or bow and arrows.
Today's first test is heavy lifting and long stacking. Heavy lifting is weightlifting, and long stacking is bow walking. There will be a re-examination in three days, which will still be bow walking, but the difficulty will be increased.
"Qilang, Xiao Xia!"
Xiao Xia suddenly heard someone calling him from behind. He turned around and was overjoyed. It turned out to be Xiao Zhurong.
He walked up and bumped his fist with Xiao Zhurong's. Xiao Xia asked with a smile, "Balang, why did you sign up too?"
Xiao Zhurong smiled and said, "My father told me to study hard, but I think this opportunity of taking the martial arts exam is rare, so I want to give it a try."
"Is your horse guarded?"
"Have!"
Xiao Zhurong looked back, and Xiao Xia followed his gaze and was stunned. He saw a woman in men's clothing, it was Sister Yang Feiyan! She was leading two horses.
"Your sister wanted to see what the martial arts exam was like, so she asked me to bring her here to see it."
Xiao Xia blinked. Interesting. He didn't let his brother bring her, but let his cousin bring her. There must be a story behind this!
Yang Feiyan is the same age as Xiao Zhurong, but one month younger than Xiao Zhurong.
Yang Feiyan couldn't hide, so she had to walk forward with a red face and said, "Third brother, I thought you looked down on the martial arts exam! If I had known you were coming, I would have sneaked in with you."
Xiao Xia chuckled, "I also decided to take part in the military examination at the last minute. Unfortunately, the imperial court does not allow women to take part, otherwise, my sister would have passed the examination and become a military scholar."
Yang Feiyan smiled awkwardly, "That's right, but it doesn't matter. It's quite interesting to watch the excitement. Third brother, which tent are you in?"
"I'm in tent number 12, where's Hachiro?"
"I'm in tent number three, so I signed up early."
At this time, a horn sounded from the big tent, notifying the contestants to enter.
Xiao Xia patted Xiao Zhurong's arm and winked at Yang Feiyan. Yang Feiyan blushed and kicked him, "What are you doing? Go!"
Xiao Xia laughed and left. Yang Feiyan kept complaining to Xiao Zhurong, "It's all your fault. I asked you to ask Lao San, but you refused. Now that he has met me, he will laugh at me every day in the future!" "Why is Xiao Qilang so kind? He won't laugh at you."
"Stop talking and go! It's about to start."
Xiao Zhurong found that almost everyone had left, so he ran hurriedly towards tent No. 3.
The first item of the preliminary test is weightlifting. Many people have lifted more than 250 kilograms when they registered before, but today the weightlifting is 300 kilograms, and they have to lift it above their heads and walk two steps.
Only when the weightlifting standard is met, will you be qualified to proceed to the next step, the lunge.
The weightlifting test was very quick, with ten people in each tent taking the test at the same time.
"Number 3765, move to position eight!"
Number 3765 is Xiao Xia, and he is one of the last applicants.
Xiao Xia quickly walked to weightlifting position number eight. There were only three people in front of him, and two of them succeeded. Unfortunately, the person in front of him who was slightly shorter could not lift the weight and failed.
The official looked at the list and shouted, "Next, Xiao Xia!"
Xiao Xia had already entered the obstacle-breaking state. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, grabbed the stone lock, and gently lifted it above his head. Xiao Xia was a little surprised. When he signed up, he had to lift 250 kilograms, and it was actually a little more difficult than it was now. He took two steps easily.
The official also looked at him in surprise and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Not bad! Not bad! There's another one weighing 400 kilograms over there. Are you willing to try and lift it?"
"Will there be extra points for lifting 400 kilograms?"
The official shook his head and said, "Qingzhong only passed, no extra points. You have to wait until the retest in Changduo to get extra points!"
"Then I won't raise it!"
Xiao Xia estimated that he could lift 500 kilograms, but he chose to keep a low profile.
Soon, the weightlifting was over and about five hundred people were eliminated, most of whom were low-ranking generals in the army. The officials were busy rearranging the venue, and the warriors were resting on the side. Everyone was talking about something, and it was very lively.
Xiao Xia found Xiao Zhurong and saw that he looked relaxed, so he smiled and said, "It looks like you are about to break through the barrier!"
Xiao Zhurong whispered to Xiao Xia: "In fact, I have already broken through the barrier!"
Xiao Xia's eyes lit up, "When did it happen?"
"In late August, I felt that my vision and hearing suddenly improved, my reflexes became noticeably sharper, and my strength increased, but it only lasted for two hours and was gone by noon. Taking more medicine didn't help."
Xiao Xia nodded, "Will it affect the following step bows?"
"Fortunately, I took the first test in the morning. If it was in the afternoon, it would definitely have affected me."
At this time, Yang Feiyan came forward and said with a smile: "Did you hear that someone in tent number five lifted 600 kilograms!"
Xiao Zhurong quickly shook his head, he had not heard of it.
Xiao Xia was also shocked. He estimated that he could lift 500 kilograms, but 600 kilograms would probably not be possible. Yet, there was someone who could lift 600 kilograms.
"What's your name?" Xiao Zhurong asked.
Yang Feiyan scratched her head and said, "It seems his last name is Pei, but I forgot what Pei is."
Xiao Xia blurted out, "Pei Xingyan!"
"Yes! That's the name, Pei Xingyan."
Xiao Xia nodded secretly. Pei Xingyan actually appeared. He is the third hero in the Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties!
I wonder if Crown Prince Yang Yong will take the opportunity to win him over?
(End of this chapter)