4: Assessment
“Did you hear? The guard team is recruiting new members from our Mining Team tomorrow.”
In the mess hall, the Disciples returning from mining were discussing this matter.
“The guard team? Really?”
“The notice has already been posted in front of the camp.”
Han Yi had heard of the guard team before.
Guard Team Disciples, like Mining Disciples, were both Outer Sect Disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect, but Guard Team Disciples did not have the grueling mining tasks, nor the rule of withholding food for not completing tasks. Most importantly, Guard Team Disciples would receive tonics to strengthen their qi and blood every month!
It could be said that the difference in treatment between Mining Disciples and Guard Team Disciples was like heaven and earth. All the Disciples yearned to someday escape their status as Mining Disciples and join the guard team!
I must seize this opportunity, Han Yi thought to himself. The daily mining tasks of Mining Disciples were like boiling a frog in warm water; they would make people lose their fighting spirit and gradually consume them.
After dinner, Han Yi hurried to the camp notice board.
Around the notice board, Disciples were gathered in twos and threes, whispering to each other, discussing something unknown.
“Guard team recruitment, no need to go mining tomorrow morning, gather at the training ground?”
This doesn't seem to specify the assessment content or standards. Can I pass with my Stamina Refining strength? Han Yi thought with a frown.
At this moment, Han Yi's gaze swept over and he saw a familiar figure.
The value '2~3' was floating beside him.
“Wang Shan, is your leg injury still not healed?”
“Yeah, Yi-ge'er,” Wang Shan said with a bitter, helpless smile, “It’s barely recovered, but I still can’t use any force.”
“Furthermore, my Mountain Shattering Fist hasn't even entered thegetting Started stage yet. I'm afraid there's not much hope for tomorrow's assessment. Let's not talk about it, I'm going back to the training ground to practice for a while.”
Han Yi watched Wang Shan's limping gait as he left, feeling a sense of silence in his heart. One step behind, everywhere behind. Perhaps this was the sorrow of martial artists.
The next day, Han Yi arrived at the training ground early.
Inside the training ground, Disciples gathered in twos and threes, whispering to each other. After greeting a few familiar Disciples, Han Yi found an empty corner for himself, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
By the time the sun was high, everyone had grown impatient and restless, and the training ground was a bit noisy.
“Silence!” A stern shout came.
Everyone looked over and saw four or five people walking towards the training ground.
Leading the way were two people. One was Manager Liu, and next to him was a tall, burly man wearing a dark leather jacket. The characters '65~85' were floating above his head.
“So strong!” Han Yi sighed inwardly, “Just looking at the value, he could beat over a dozen of me...”
“All Disciples, listen up. This is Instructor Lin of the guard team. Today's assessment will follow all of Instructor Lin's arrangements. Everyone is clear about the guard team's treatment. Today, you must strive forward bravely and not disgrace our Mining Camp!” Manager Liu shouted loudly.
Instructor Lin gave a look, and the two people behind him neatly arranged the stone locks in the center of the field.
“The assessment content is very simple. Do you see this set of stone locks?”
“As long as you lift each stone lock in this set for 3 breaths, you pass!” Instructor Lin said indifferently, without any change in expression.
As soon as Instructor Lin finished speaking, the crowd immediately erupted.
“The lightest stone lock is over 200 jin, and we have to lift it for 3 breaths. How is that possible!”
“Yeah, this assessment is a bit too difficult...”
“Quiet!” Instructor Lin shouted sternly, the scar on his cheek twitching, making him look particularly fierce. “Those who don't want to be assessed can get lost. Now, who will be the first to come forward!”
The Disciples looked at each other, no one willing to be the first.
“Hmph, you come!” Instructor Lin pointed randomly, his finger landing exactly on Wang Shan.
“Ah? Me, I’m afraid I...” Wang Shan waved his hands tremblingly, his voice slightly shaking.
“Why aren't you stepping forward quickly? What are you afraid of? This is your great opportunity!” Manager Liu shouted loudly from the side.
Under the gaze of the crowd and the manager's urging, Wang Shan came to the stone lock with a mournful face, feeling helpless.
Wang Shan's face turned red, but he couldn't even hold up the lightest stone lock for three breaths. He retreated with a flushed face.
“Wang Shan, failed!” A Disciple who was keeping records wrote it down. “Next.”
“Failed! Next.”
“Failed...”
Instructor Lin stood by with a cold, stern expression. On the other side, Manager Liu looked down, not daring to breathe a sound.
Han Yi watched as more than half of the Disciples were tested, thinking to himself, I've observed enough, it's time for me to go up. With my strength, it should be no problem.
“Next, Han Yi.”
Han Yi came to the stone lock, loosened his shoulders, and slightly exerted force with his arms. The stone lock weighing over 200 jin was lifted effortlessly as if it weighed nothing.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths!
200 jin stone lock, 300 jin stone lock, 400 jin stone lock!
Han Yi easily lifted the first three stone locks.
“This, what is this Han Yi's background? When did the Mining Camp get such a strong person?”
“Looking at Han Yi's usual work and training, there's nothing outstanding, but judging by this posture, he's probably already in the Stamina Refining!”
The Disciples around whispered and discussed amongst themselves.
“This kid is a bit interesting.” A glint of light flashed in Instructor Lin's eyes.
Han Yi came to the last stone lock, which was also the heaviest, weighing a full 500 jin!
Han Yi took a deep breath, silently circulated his qi and blood, tucked in his chest and straightened his back, gripping the stone lock with both fists. Qi and blood gathered in his arms.
“Hup!”
Han Yi let out a loud shout, his waist suddenly straightened, force surged through his body, and the stone lock was lifted with a spin!
Instantly, the large training ground became so quiet that it seemed even the drop of a needle could be heard.
It felt like a long time had passed, and yet it also felt like only a few breaths had gone by.
“Han Yi, passed!”
In an instant, the training ground erupted like water splashing on hot oil.
“Quiet!”
Instructor Lin came to Han Yi's side and grabbed his arm.
Han Yi was startled, instinctively wanting to circulate his qi and blood to resist, but sensing that Instructor Lin wasn't using force, he dispersed his qi and blood.
“Arms like bronze, tough as cowhide.” A faint, almost imperceptible smile flashed across Instructor Lin's lips. “Not bad, to be able to break through to the Stamina Refining in such a difficult environment as the Mining Camp. This qi and blood powder is your reward.”
qi and blood powder!
The two Disciples behind Instructor Lin showed envious expressions. qi and blood powder could increase qi and blood and strengthen the Physique. What was even more valuable was that taking qi and blood powder had no side effects.
And one portion of qi and blood powder was a Guard Team Disciple's monthly allowance!
Han Yi quickly thanked Instructor Lin. Although he didn't know what effect the qi and blood powder had, he could tell from the looks in other people's eyes that it was definitely a good thing.
The assessment continued.
Since Han Yi passed, the Mining Disciples became more proactive. If someone could pass, maybe I can too!