Students in the martial hall rubbed their eyes, staring fixedly at the huge stone, followed by continuous gasps of astonishment.
Everyone was stunned, unable to believe that this good-for-nothing had left a five-inch fist mark on the stone!
Was it an illusion?
Dao Ling glanced at the stone and withdrew his gaze. That had been a casual strike—if he unleashed his full power, he could shatter the stone!
The vice-principal's dour face also froze in shock, staring at Dao Ling as if seeing a ghost. *How is this possible? The Sleep God has risen!*
Ye Yun covered her lips with a jade-like hand, equally astonished. *He actually has 10,000 catties of punching strength? How can this be?*
"A miracle has occurred," Ye Yun sighed, her delicate brows relaxing. Her charming lips curled into a妩媚动人 (enchanting) smile, radiating uncontrollable joy.
"It's fake! Fake!" Qian Lin was the first to leap out, pointing at the stone and roaring with a flushed face. "It must be fake! This good-for-nothing must have used some sorcery to deceive us! It's definitely fake!"
Qian Lin couldn't believe it was real. He knew the terror of 10,000 catties—how could this waste cultivate such a powerful physique?
The entire hall nodded frantically. *It must be fake! If this waste can pass, how can we accept our failure?*
"It must be fake! Retest him! He must be retested!"
"Yes, Vice-Principal! He's the Sleep God! He can't possibly have passed the test. He must have used sorcery! We demand a retest!"
Dao Ling felt speechless. *Is passing the test really worth such a drastic reaction?* But he wasn't surprised—after all, his sudden rise was hard to accept.
As the hall roared, Ye Yun's bright eyes scanned the失态 (undignified) faces. Her delicate brows furrowed as she snapped, "Quiet! Look at yourselves. Dao Ling passed through his own ability. Why envy him!"
The hall fell silent instantly, everyone blushing, still convinced it was fake.
The vice-principal also frowned. *How could it be fake? Could he have deceived my eyes? And that strike just now seemed casual!*
"Genius! A genius!" The vice-principal took a deep breath inwardly, overjoyed. *Geniuses often have rebellious streaks. He must have slept all day, waiting to rise abruptly.*
*I knew it—Ye Yun is still too inexperienced to spot a genius,* the vice-principal thought, shooting a disdainful glance at Ye Yun.
Sensing his gaze, Ye Yun blushed, then glared at Dao Ling. *Just wait till later!*
"Report, Instructor! I challenge Dao Ling," Qian Lin stood up resentfully. *He wants to rise? Impossible. I must remain the center of attention in this martial hall.*
Ye Yun and the vice-principal exchanged odd looks. The vice-principal almost laughed—*You challenge him? He'll probably swat you away with one palm.*
"I approve the challenge," Ye Yun nodded slightly, thinking Qian Lin was too petty. She mentally blacklisted him—such a student would never amount to much.
Qian Lin rejoiced inwardly. *The instructor must dislike him too. If I defeat Dao Ling in the martial hall, maybe I can get closer to her. I'm so clever!*
"Dao Ling, do you dare accept my challenge?" Qian Lin looked at him with阴冷 (sinister) eyes, fearing refusal. "Don't say you're afraid. Man up and accept!"
"I'm right here. Come if you dare," Dao Ling replied calmly, meeting his gaze.
"Qian Lin, defeat him! Shatter his sorcery! The Sleep God can't have succeeded!" The crowd cheered. They couldn't accept a Sleep God rising.
Emboldened by the cheers, Qian Lin swaggered onto the stage, radiating arrogance. He clenched his fists, eager to kill Dao Ling with one blow.
"Dao Ling, you have 10,000 catties of strength—our powers are nearly equal. I'll go all out!" Qian Lin shouted coldly. "Don't accidentally get killed by me."
"Come on. Let me see just how 'all out' you can go," Dao Ling挑眉 (raised an eyebrow), smiling faintly.
Qian Lin extended his hand, his palm radiating强悍 (powerful) force. Light flashed, and his hand became like a sword, twisting the air with a daunting aura.
"Mountain-Splitting Palm! It's Qian Lin's Mountain-Splitting Palm! A very powerful martial art!"
"I've heard of this technique. It's said that at mastery, it can split mountains! If it hits the Sleep God, he'll probably lie in bed for months."
"Kill him!" Qian Yi roared inwardly—this waste must not rise.
"Sleep God, here I come!" Qian Lin's eyes turned cold. Seeing Dao Ling remain motionless, he rejoiced—*This waste really doesn't know martial arts. This palm will重创(Devastate) or even kill him.*
With a hum, he charged, his entire arm swinging as the energy around his palm surged, aiming for Dao Ling's head.
Watching the approaching palm, Dao Ling's eyes chilled—*He intends to kill me.*
The vice-principal and Ye Yun frowned, their faces darkening. *This is a duel, not a murder.* Though Qian Lin hid his killing intent perfectly, it was impossible to conceal from two masters.
"Die, you waste! Die!" Qian Lin laughed inwardly as his palm neared Dao Ling's head.
"Scram!" Dao Ling shot out his hand, his dormant blood qi surging. His entire arm radiated invincible power, tearing through the air.
To the shock of all, Dao Ling grabbed Qian Lin's palm, then swung his arm, slamming him to the ground with a loud thud.
One move!
Hearts pounded in the hall as everyone gaped at Qian Lin, who lay trembling on the ground.
Stunned silence—with one move, he had defeated Qian Lin, the tyrant of the martial hall!
Throats bobbed in terror. *In one move? The Sleep God did this? How is it possible?*
"Hahaha! Excellent! Excellent!" The vice-principal beamed, his eyes burning with excitement. *How old is he? Fourteen or fifteen? Such terrifying strength—his future is limitless.*
Ye Yun was also delighted. She deduced Dao Ling should have 20,000 catties of strength—equivalent to Wang Ling at this realm. Though unremarkable in the wider world, it was remarkable for Qingshan Academy.
"Good. With such a physique, he can break through to Rhyme Spirit Realm. He's still young—joining Star Academy is feasible," Ye Yun thought, smiling as she admired Dao Ling's clean, handsome face.
Feeling the awed silence and Ye Yun's delighted gaze, Dao Ling took a deep breath. He no longer cared about the crowd, but he did care about Ye Yun's transformed opinion.
The vice-principal approved Dao Ling's test with a flourish, noting only 10,000 catties—hiding his strength was his right.
Suddenly, a bone-chilling杀意 (killing intent) erupted. Qian Lin staggered up, his eyes bloodshot, staring madly at Dao Ling. "You die!"
Qian Lin had lost his mind. He'd drunk a potential-stimulating potion to kill Dao Ling!
The sudden turn shocked everyone—*Qian Lin is mad! He took medicine! If he kills Dao Ling, the instructor will never forgive him.*
"What?!" Ye Yun and the vice-principal paled. Qian Lin's palm was inches from Dao Ling's chest—too late to stop.
Panic gripped them—*If this palm lands, Dao Ling is finished. Even if he survives, he'll be severely injured, his future ruined.*
The potion Qian Lin drank was extremely powerful, surging through him like an enraged bull.
"Hmph. You asked for this," Dao Ling冷哼 (snorted). His blood qi surged, concentrating on his chest before bursting out.
Boom! Qian Lin's palm struck Dao Ling's chest, but a massive wave of force rebounded, shaking him violently. He spat blood, flew out of the martial hall, and collapsed, twitching wildly.