Chapter 301 - 172: Pressure
"The test is over," the goatee-bearded elder said to Chu Lingguang. "From this day forward, you will receive the same cultivation resources as those three and enjoy the highest level of benefits."
"Yes. Thank you, teachers," Chu Lingguang said, momentarily stunned before quickly bowing.
’A, B, C, and D-grade talent... So A-grade isn’t the limit after all.’
"Chu Lingguang, we’ll be waiting for you," Xia Tianzhong declared, his voice ringing with conviction.
Long Xin and Xu Kanghui both snorted coldly, and the three of them walked away together.
Chu Lingguang watched their retreating backs in silence. ’That feeling just now wasn’t an illusion... No, that genuine sense of overwhelming power felt incredible.
’Perhaps my guiding principle in cultivation, my life’s motto, is to stay true to myself and surpass my own limits. But growing stronger by facing the strong, competing against powerful rivals—that’s also an excellent way to cultivate.
’I might have been too low-key on this journey.
’Long Xin, Xia Tianzhong, and Xu Kanghui are outstanding, but they aren’t invincible.
’Even if I can’t actually beat them, I can still compete. Guo Wei said that in the Trial Ground, I shouldn’t worry about offending anyone and just fight for my own achievements.
’Failure isn’t frightening. So what if I get knocked down?
’On the path of cultivation, I must stay true to myself and conquer my own weaknesses. But more importantly, when facing any hardship or opponent, I must hold on to my original courage. So what if I lose to them? I shouldn’t be afraid to challenge them, and I certainly shouldn’t feel inferior.
’A Martial Artist should never lack courage.
’And they must never lose their pride!’
From that moment on, Chu Lingguang no longer felt that his status as a Lower-class Youth made him inferior, or that the scions of noble families were invincible.
Man can triumph over the heavens.
’Others can defy the heavens and change their fate, and so can I, Chu Lingguang.’
And so, Chu Lingguang called out to their retreating backs, "Alright. I’ll be waiting for you, too!"
Hearing this, countless people in the crowd were incredulous.
Yun Hong and the goatee-bearded elder were also astonished, but they both greatly admired Chu Lingguang’s fearless, indomitable attitude.
In Martial Arts Cultivation, you either advance or you fall behind.
If Chu Lingguang lost the courage to challenge Long Xin’s group, even in a place like the Trial Ground, what could he possibly achieve in the future?
A Martial Artist cannot lack courage.
And they must never lose their pride.
Fortunately, they saw this rare quality in Chu Lingguang.
Long Xin, Xia Tianzhong, and Xu Kanghui stopped in their tracks. They turned in unison to face Chu Lingguang, their eyes blazing with potent anger and a fierce will to fight.
Chu Lingguang met their gazes directly, his own growing increasingly firm.
Seeing his determination and fighting spirit, the trio finally, in that moment, regarded Chu Lingguang as a true opponent—someone who could actually challenge their authority.
After giving Chu Lingguang one last, deep look, they slowly departed the Martial Arts Arena.
The final assessment results were in.
Chu Lingguang had unequivocally taken first place.
Although his compatibility and Qi Blood growth were inferior to Long Xin’s trio, his ability to merge his Dragon Elephants into a single entity, which carried the natural might of a Dragon Elephant, had thrown their own into chaos. Based on this feat alone, Chu Lingguang was the true number one.
After all, the ultimate goal of compatibility and Qi Power growth was to defeat opponents and crush the competition.
And today, Chu Lingguang had done just that.
"Take this."
Yun Hong handed a golden Celestial Rank Waist Token to Chu Lingguang.
Chu Lingguang’s A-Class Talent Waist Token was taken back and replaced with the Celestial Rank Waist Token.
"May I ask, what’s the difference in resources between Heavenly Talent and A-grade Talent?" Chu Lingguang asked.
"Aside from receiving double the Demon Beast Flesh and Blood, you can also speak with us privately at any time to receive personal guidance," the goatee-bearded elder replied.
"What?"
Chu Lingguang was stunned.
Doubling the Demon Beast Flesh and Blood was one thing, but being able to receive private instruction from the Trial Ground’s teachers whenever he wanted? That was an incredibly generous reward.
He had many questions he wanted to ask Yun Hong and the goatee-bearded elder, and he intended to make full use of this opportunity.
"If you have any questions, come find us tonight," Yun Hong said, seeming to read his mind.
"Yes! I will be sure to seek your guidance, teachers," Chu Lingguang said with a deep bow.
"You received A-grade Talent as soon as you arrived, and now you’ve achieved Heavenly Talent. Don’t forget to share the good news with your sect or family," the goatee-bearded elder said with a smile.
"Share the news? You mean we can send letters home from the Trial Ground?" Chu Lingguang asked.
"Of course. However, the contents of the letter must be inspected to ensure you haven’t recorded any of the Trial Ground’s classified information. As long as it’s normal correspondence with your family, the Trial Ground won’t interfere," the goatee-bearded elder explained.
"You all fought hard to earn your place here in the Trial Ground. If you couldn’t communicate with your families and sects for long periods, it could affect your cultivation. The competition here may be cruel, but we aren’t without compassion," Poisonous Snake added.
"I see. Thank you for the reminder, teachers."
Chu Lingguang was overjoyed. He really did want to share the good news with Guo Wei and tell him about the situation in the Trial Ground, to keep the old man from worrying.
With that, Yun Hong and the other teachers left.
"Chu!"
At that moment, Sima Army, Jin Huang, Zhao Rushuang, and the others all gathered around him.
"Chu, you’ve really hit the big time! I, Fatty Qin, knew I picked a winner!" Fatty Qin said with a shameless grin.
(Had to take a long trip today for some personal matters. I’ve updated 8,000 characters. That leaves me 6,000 characters short for the month. I’ll see if I can make it up by writing 18,000 tomorrow! Ha!)