Ever since witnessing the battle between Chen Xiao and Liu Wuji last time, Chen Xiao had become a god-like figure in the eyes of Duan San and Xiao Li.
However, Gongsun Yi and others felt that Duan San had overestimated his nephew.
Even martial spirits like Shi Qi couldn't withstand a single finger from Chen Xiao. How could a mere nephew of Duan San possibly contend?
Upon hearing his uncle's words, Duan Haoze let out a dismissive scoff.
"Heh, Uncle, I understand you want to teach me a lesson, but using someone like this to scare me is pointless. How about this, I'll exchange a couple of moves with this guy and see if he's truly as formidable as you say!"
Duan Haoze provocatively looked at Chen Xiao. "Hey, kid, do you dare to spar with me for a couple of moves and show me what you're really capable of?"
*Slap!*
As soon as Duan Haoze finished speaking, Duan San delivered a resounding slap to his face.
"You scoundrel, daring to provoke Mr. Chen, are you seeking death?"
As Duan San spoke, he desperately signaled to his nephew.
Although Duan San appeared to slap Duan Haoze, he was actually saving his nephew's life!
However, Duan Haoze completely failed to grasp his uncle's good intentions. He clutched his face, looking at his uncle with utter disbelief.
"Uncle, you hit me? I've never been hit by anyone, not even my own father, since I was born. How dare you hit me?"
Duan San was almost driven mad by his foolish nephew. He glared and berated him, "You ungrateful brat, my elder brother might be reluctant to hit you, but I'm not! If you dare to act out of line again, I'll have you thrown off the mountain immediately!"
Duan Haoze gasped for breath, angered. He dared not retaliate against his uncle, but he shot a hateful glare at Chen Xiao.
*Dong—*
Just then, a massive gong sound suddenly echoed from the front of the plaza. The sound was so profound, as if it originated from beyond the heavens, reverberating in the air and lingering for a long time.
The martial artists in the plaza instantly converged towards the direction of the sound.
Looking ahead, they saw a colossal bronze gong hanging in front of the Hall of Gods.
The gong was taller than a person. Four envoys from the Hall of Gods stood beside it. One of them held a gong hammer and struck the bronze gong heavily once more.
*Dong—*
The gong's sound seemed to strike directly at everyone's heart.
"Let's go take a look too."
Chen Xiao said, then took a step forward. The others immediately followed.
Duan San deliberately lagged behind, grabbed his nephew's arm, and whispered a warning, "Duan Haoze, I'm telling you, even if you punch a hole in the sky, I can help you mend it. But you must absolutely not offend Mr. Chen. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died!"
"I understand."
Duan Haoze replied, but he continued to hold his face, his eyes filled with defiance.
Duan San shook his head helplessly. He had said all he could. If Duan Haoze was still blind and offended Chen Xiao, he could only wish him good luck.
*Dong—*
After the third resounding gong, the envoy striking the gong raised their voice and declared, "Silence!"
The voice was deafening, and the plaza instantly fell into a profound silence.
Seeing that the crowd had ceased their clamor, the gong-striking envoy announced loudly, "Fellow martial artists, welcome to the Hall of Gods. The Hall of Gods is convening this Martial Arts Convention to discover and nurture promising martial artists."
"This gong is called the Heaven-Shaking Gong, and it can discern a martial artist's potential. Now, please prepare yourselves, form a queue, and take turns to strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong. Martial artists whose potential is deemed qualified may proceed to the Hall of Gods!"
"Furthermore, martial artists ranked within the top fifty on the Heavenly Rankings may proceed directly to the Hall of Gods without undergoing testing. Time is of the essence, and the testing officially begins now!"
As the envoy finished speaking, the martial artists promptly formed queues, awaiting their turn for testing.
With the envoys of the Hall of Gods maintaining order, no martial artist dared to cut in line.
Moreover, everyone had an opportunity to be tested, so there was no need to rush.
Chen Xiao and the others arrived late and could only take their place at the end of the queue.
Gongsun Yi, Duan San, and Lu Datou were all among the top fifty on the Heavenly Rankings, allowing them direct entry into the Hall of Gods.
However, they chose not to leave early, in order to accompany Chen Xiao and the others.
"Master, what exactly is this Heaven-Shaking Gong?"
Lin Zicong asked, scratching his head.
"Didn't the envoy just explain it? This Heaven-Shaking Gong is a tool to test a martial artist's potential. It discerns potential based on the loudness, pitch, and timbre of the gong's sound."
Gongsun Yi explained.
"Is it really that magical? Is this thing accurate?"
Lin Zicong questioned.
"This is a treasure of the Hall of Gods, do you think it's inaccurate?"
Gongsun Yi directly smacked his disciple on the head.
He then further explained that according to the gong's sound, a martial artist's potential could be divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, with each grade further subdivided into four levels: 甲 (Jia), 乙 (Yi), 丙 (Bing), and 丁 (Ding).
Every martial artist who had ever appeared on the Heavenly Rankings had struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong to test their potential. Gongsun Yi's potential was Heaven-grade, Ding-level, which was considered quite good.
This was because some martial artists ranked within the top ten on the Heavenly Rankings might not even possess Heaven-grade potential.
Duan San added that one of the Four Heavenly Lords had a potential value of Heaven-grade, Jia-level, and asked everyone to guess who it was.
Without hesitation, everyone guessed Xiao Tian Ce.
But Duan San shook his head, "Xiao Tian Ce, like myself and Yang Potian, only has Heaven-grade, Yi-level potential."
Lin Zicong immediately asked, "Then who is it that has Heaven-grade, Jia-level?"
Everyone looked at him with the expression of someone looking at an idiot. Only then did he realize, "Oh... I know, it's Senior Lu Datou!"
Even Chen Xiao was surprised that among the Four Heavenly Lords, the one with the highest potential value was the most nonchalant Lu Datou.
Lu Datou chuckled sheepishly, "If you ask me, this Heaven-Shaking Gong isn't very accurate. If my potential value is truly the highest, then why is my strength ranked last?"
Among the current Four Heavenly Lords, apart from Lu Datou, the other three were already Divine Realm martial artists.
Looking at it this way, the Heaven-Shaking Gong indeed seemed not very accurate.
As soon as Lu Datou finished speaking, Duan San rolled his eyes at him, "If you spent less time at brothels, your strength would have long surpassed Xiao Tian Ce!"
"..."
Lu Datou puffed out his beard and glared, but he had no retort.
He could only grumble inwardly: Don't you understand the principle of not kicking someone when they're down? You've lived so long, but your wisdom is as valuable as a dog's!
Duan Haoze, standing nearby, was eager to try. He felt his opportunity had arrived. He believed in his talent and his potential value, which he was confident could easily surpass everyone else.
He couldn't wait to strike that damned gong!
At this moment, the first martial artist to be tested took his position. The envoy handed him the gong hammer. He received it tremblingly, licking his lips, appearing extremely nervous.
The envoy gestured for him to begin. He closed his eyes, swung his arm with all his might, and struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong.
The gong hammer landed heavily on the Heaven-Shaking Gong, but the gong remained silent, showing no reaction...