The surroundings were deathly silent. The envoy from the Hall of Gods gently shook his head at the martial artist who had struck the gong.
Immediately after, a wave of frenzied laughter erupted from the crowd.
The gong-striking martial artist collapsed on the spot, covering his face and running away.
"Hahaha, what a loser! All that effort, and he couldn't even make the gong ring!"
Duan Haoze joined in with a mocking laugh, his face contorted with sarcasm.
Duan San's face turned ashen, and he coldly said, "It's a joke to compare yourself to others. Shut your mouth!"
Duan Haoze curled his lips, feeling that his uncle was targeting him again.
Meanwhile, Gongsun Yi reminded them, "This Heaven-Shaking Gong tests a martial artist's potential, not their strength. So, more force doesn't necessarily mean it's more effective. When it's your turn to strike, you only need to calm your mind and tap it gently."
At this point, the second martial artist stepped up to the Heaven-Shaking Gong. He took the gong hammer and struck it heavily. The Heaven-Shaking Gong remained motionless, still emitting no sound.
Laughter erupted from the crowd once more, though it was slightly less intense than before. Some people were beginning to realize that striking the Heaven-Shaking Gong was not an easy feat.
Perhaps they themselves wouldn't be able to strike it when their turn came.
The envoy shook his head, signaling for the next person.
The third, fourth, fifth... Time ticked by, and dozens of martial artists had already taken their turns striking the gong.
Yet, the Heaven-Shaking Gong had not been struck even once.
By now, the martial artists who failed to strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong were no longer met with mockery. Everyone had grown accustomed to it, even feeling that the Hall of Gods was toying with them. They suspected the gong might be broken and incapable of ringing at all.
They had forgotten that before the test began, the special envoy of the Hall of Gods had struck it three consecutive times.
The testing proceeded faster and faster, with participants moving like automatons, walking up, striking once, the Heaven-Shaking Gong remaining still, then the next person...
Until, on the turn of perhaps the several hundredth person, a dull thud echoed: Dong. The Heaven-Shaking Gong emitted a muffled sound.
The martial artist who had struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong rejoiced as if he had won the lottery, raising his arms in triumph. A wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd.
However, the special envoy standing nearby spoke with an expressionless face, "Yellow-grade, low-tier potential value. Does not meet the selection criteria. Next!"
The cheers abruptly ceased. The martial artist who had struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong looked as dejected as a frost-bitten eggplant.
Even striking it wasn't enough? What did it take then? The standards for entering the Hall of Gods were simply too high!
But upon remembering that only the top fifty experts on the Heavenly Rankings were qualified to enter directly, everyone felt a sense of understanding. After all, among the tens of thousands of martial artists present, very few could reach the Heavenly Rankings in their lifetime, let alone the top fifty.
Moreover, only a few hundred people had been tested so far, which was merely one percent of the total number of participants.
The testing continued, and not long after, the Heaven-Shaking Gong rang out again.
"Earth-grade, high-tier potential value. Congratulations, you meet the selection criteria. Please wait in front of the Hall of Gods."
After more than half an hour had passed, the first martial artist who met the selection criteria finally appeared. He was a very young man, looking no older than twenty, and his strength had only just reached the initial stage of Qi Realm.
It seemed the Hall of Gods had not lied; this Heaven-Shaking Gong truly only tested potential.
Time continued to pass. Nearly three hours later, it was finally the turn of Chen Xiao and his companions. They were among the last few remaining.
All the tens of thousands of martial artists who had gone before them had completed the test. In the end, only a mere five people met the selection criteria of the Hall of Gods.
Among these five, the one with the highest potential value was a woman with a bright and beautiful appearance. She possessed Heaven-grade, low-tier potential value and was the only one among the five whose potential reached the Heaven-grade.
Among Chen Xiao's group, Xiao Li stepped forward first, took the gong hammer, and struck it lightly.
Dang—
The Heaven-Shaking Gong emitted a clear yet resonant sound, its echo lingering for a long time, refusing to dissipate.
A gasp of astonishment erupted from the crowd. Based on this sound alone, it had to be at least Heaven-grade potential, right?
Although the selection was nearing its end, and all these people had been eliminated, it didn't stop them from staying to watch the spectacle.
As expected, the envoy from the Hall of Gods' eyes showed a look of admiration. He looked at Xiao Li and said with a smile, "Heaven-grade, low-tier potential value. Congratulations, you meet the selection criteria. Please wait in front of the hall."
Another wave of gasps swept through the crowd. Heaven-grade, low-tier! It seemed he was the martial artist with the highest potential value in this selection!
However, in stark contrast to the crowd's excitement, Xiao Li's face, though hidden by a mask, revealed a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Heaven-grade, low-tier. It was one level lower than his father and Uncle Duan. Naturally, he couldn't be happy.
Duan San, seeing his disappointment, patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "Xiao Li, don't be discouraged. This test doesn't represent everything. Look at your Uncle Lu. He has Heaven-grade, high-tier potential value, yet he still can't beat your father? He can't even beat me!"
Lu Datou was innocently implicated, having become a negative example.
Xiao Li smiled faintly, "Uncle Duan, I'm fine."
As he spoke, Xiao Li's gaze fell upon Chen Xiao. He was now eager to see what grade Chen Xiao's potential value would reach.
After Xiao Li, it was Lin Zicong's turn. He stepped forward and struck the gong. Dang. The Heaven-Shaking Gong rang out.
"Mysterious-grade, high-tier. I regret to inform you that you have not met the selection criteria."
The special envoy shook his head at Lin Zicong. Lin Zicong, however, seemed indifferent. Being able to strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong was already enough for him.
Moreover, his potential value was Mysterious-grade, high-tier. If all the martial artists who met the selection criteria could eventually ascend to the Heavenly Rankings, then he was only one step away from the Heavenly Rankings!
After Lin Zicong, Qi Qingfei stepped forward. She tremblingly took the gong hammer and struck it forcefully.
The Heaven-Shaking Gong remained motionless, emitting no sound.
Everyone had grown accustomed to this and showed no reaction. However, Qi Qingfei pouted her lips and burst into tears.
"Master, I've embarrassed you..."
Qi Qingfei said with a crying voice.
Chen Xiao smiled slightly and comforted her, "It's alright. This Heaven-Shaking Gong is just a prop; it doesn't prove anything. Master assures you that one day, your achievements will surpass everyone here."
Chen Xiao said these words casually because he knew he could achieve it, and easily so. Even Lin Zicong's potential value wasn't something that could be defined by a Mysterious-grade, high-tier.
The resources Chen Xiao possessed were simply incomparable to these martial artists.
The special envoy from the Hall of Gods glanced at Chen Xiao. Although he said nothing, the disgust in his eyes spoke volumes.
After all, this selection test was organized by the Hall of Gods, and Chen Xiao's words were tantamount to disrupting the event.
"Heh, what a braggart. Aren't you afraid your tongue will get twisted by the wind!"
Duan Haoze sneered and stepped forward, picking up the gong hammer and casually striking it.
Dang—
The gong rang out, and in an instant, everyone's expression changed...