Episode 16

"Chen Rao!" Wang Nian called out.

A sturdy young man with blonde hair stepped onto the platform and walked towards the testing stone. He placed his hand onto the hole-shaped crevice, closed his eyes, and poured his Qi energy into the stone.

The stone quickly vibrated and emitted a humming sound. After a while, the vibrations ceased, and at the top of the stone, something emitted a light.

Red!

"Seventh Stage of Body Tempering Realm, High Grade: Pass!" Wang Nian announced in a loud voice with a nod.

Chen Rao exhaled, and the pressure on his shoulders instantly disappeared. He smiled happily and descended from the platform with a bright face.

"Next, Chen Ao." Wang Nian called.

A skinny young man with a pale face ascended the platform, his body trembling slightly. He hesitantly inserted his hand into the hole in the stone. Afterward, the testing stone vibrated, and a light emerged from its peak.

Yellow!

"Sixth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, Low Grade: Fail!" Wang Nian declared with an indifferent expression.

The young man named Chen Ao paled. He stared at the testing stone in disappointment, then turned and left the platform regretfully.

No one paid him any attention; everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Expressions of nervousness and excitement flickered across the faces of the people in the square.

Wang Nian continued calling out names from the list, and so it went until half of the people in the square had been tested.

Out of 350 people, only a hundred had passed. The other 250 failed. This result was indeed very unbalanced, which caused Chen Wang, seated on his throne, to furrow his brows. Everyone knew that every six months, resources would be distributed among all the princes and nobles under the age of 20. This was done so that the Chen Royal Palace could cultivate many geniuses and talented young practitioners, allowing the Chen Royal Palace in the eastern district to compete in the regional competition held every six years.

But what Chen Wang saw today greatly disappointed him. Even those who passed had only reached the Seventh Stage of Body Tempering Realm, and none had achieved the Eighth Stage. This outcome was deeply concerning.

Now, 250 people remained in the square who had yet to be tested. Wang Nian glanced at the list of names and then called out, "His Highness, the Eighth Prince!"

"Haha, it's my turn!" Chen Oyu smiled confidently and didn't forget to glance at Chen Xuan with a sneer at the corner of his mouth.

Chen Oyu jumped onto the platform coolly and placed his hand into the hole in the stone. Immediately, the testing stone vibrated and shot a red light into the sky.

"Seventh Stage of Body Tempering Realm, High Grade: Pass!" Wang Nian announced and then nodded respectfully towards Chen Oyu.

Where the concubines were seated, Jia Li smiled proudly and remarked, "My son is amazing! He's made his mother proud. Unlike some other's son!"

Jia Li's eyes secretly darted towards Lin Sua, attempting to discern any expression on her face. However, she was disappointed as the other party seemed very calm.

"Hmph, pretending to be calm. Let's see if you can still remain composed when your son fails the test," Jia Li snorted with annoyance.

"Congratulations, Concubine Jia!"

"Your son is truly outstanding. Concubine Jia must be proud!"

The other concubines took turns praising Jia Li, further inflating her arrogance.

Meanwhile, in the square, Wang Nian called out the next name on the list.

"His Highness, the Fourth Prince!" Wang Nian's tone was more respectful than his previous indifferent tone. It was clear that the news of Chen Chunsang being highly regarded by King Chen Wang was already known to everyone in the Chen Royal Palace.

Whoosh!

Chen Chunsang, who was in the square, suddenly shot forward. His movements were incredibly fast, and he arrived in front of the stone monument in an instant. This made Chen Wang, seated on the platform, nod in approval.

Chen Chunsang's elegant movements naturally attracted a lot of attention. The nobles and princes stared at him in admiration.

Chen Chunsang nonchalantly inserted his hand into the hole in the stone. The testing stone vibrated and emitted a faint hum. This lasted for five minutes before it stopped, and then the stone monument shot a beam of light into the air.

Silver!!!

"Ninth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, High Grade: Pass!" Wang Nian announced respectfully.

"The Fourth Prince is indeed very talented, worthy of being the future heir to the throne."

"Among all the princes, the Fourth Prince shines the brightest. His future is limitless."

"In the future, the Fourth Prince will become a true expert, a pillar of the empire."

The sound of discussion among the spectators filled the square, and their gazes towards Chen Chunsang were filled with admiration.

"Chen Chunsang is quite remarkable!" Chen Wang smiled and praised Chen Chunsang.

"It's because Sang'er inherited Your Majesty's talent!" The Queen smiled happily, her eyes filled with pride. That was her son!

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The concubines took turns congratulating the Queen, one after another. Among them, only Lin Sua remained silent.

"Concubine Lin, why haven't you offered your congratulations to Her Majesty? Could it be that you're unhappy with the Fourth Prince's success?" Seeing Lin Sua's lack of response, the cunning Jia Li wouldn't miss the opportunity to fan the flames.

As expected, the Queen's face immediately turned cold. This pleased Jia Li immensely. If the Queen were to develop a bad impression of Lin Sua, then Lin Sua's life in the harem would become incredibly difficult.

"So what if I am?" Lin Sua glanced at Jia Li indifferently.

Lin Sua's words angered the other concubines, and even the Queen's face turned frosty. However, King Chen Wang waved his hand.

"Silence!"

The concubines immediately closed their mouths, but their hateful gazes were fixed upon Lin Sua.

Meanwhile, at the stone platform, Wang Nian looked at the list of names. Upon seeing the name that was next to be tested, he couldn't help but sigh, his lips slightly parted.

"Ninth Prince!"

This call was very ordinary, unlike the other princes, whose names were preceded by the two words "Your Highness." Wang Nian's tone was also indifferent, devoid of any respect.

"Hehe, this moment has finally come!" Chen Oyu smiled, a sneer playing at the corner of his lips.

"Come on! Let me see how you'll embarrass yourself and become a laughingstock in front of everyone!" Chen Chunsang muttered.

Everyone's gaze fell upon the black-clad youth who was currently ascending the stone steps one by one with calm and steady steps.

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