A clear and melodious gong sound, piercing the heavens!
This gong sound, both in quality and tone, far surpassed the one Xiao Li had just struck.
Duan San’s eyes widened, and he looked at his nephew in disbelief, an incredibly excited expression on his face.
Although he didn’t know how the special envoy from the Hall of Gods classified potential value grades, the sound his nephew produced had definitely surpassed his own from years ago!
The special envoy also showed a look of surprise, for even he rarely heard such an excellent gong sound.
Duan Haoze stood with his hands behind his back, smug and arrogant, his expression becoming even more haughty, as if he wanted to snort at the sky!
This gong sound lasted for a full five minutes before the special envoy solemnly announced, “Heavenly Grade A, peak potential value. Congratulations! Please wait by the hall entrance for a moment!”
“Hoo—”
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd. Although everyone had anticipated this result, hearing it directly from the special envoy of the Hall of Gods ignited their emotions.
Duan Haoze waved to the crowd as if he had already ascended to the first rank on the Heavenly Rankings.
Seeing this, a wry smile flickered across Duan San’s lips. He was unsure if this was truly a good thing for Duan Haoze.
After all, his nephew’s true strength was merely at the peak of the Qi Realm. Receiving a rating of peak potential value was tantamount to setting him up for failure!
In stark contrast to his nephew, Xiao Li, though his potential value was slightly inferior, had already broken through to the Hua Realm.
High potential value was indeed good, but it had to be realized to become true strength!
As for Chen Xiao… he hadn’t even considered comparing his nephew to Chen Xiao; the difference was too vast for any comparison.
Xiao Li, standing nearby, also didn’t show much reaction. Having seen the grandest sights, other things paled in comparison.
With Chen Xiao standing as a towering mountain in his heart, no one else could surpass him… Moreover, Duan Haoze’s potential had yet to be realized, and his future achievements were uncertain, especially with Uncle Lu as a cautionary tale.
Without reason, Lu Da Tou was once again caught in the crossfire.
“Hey, you’re the only one left, why aren’t you coming for your test yet?”
Duan Haoze provocatively looked at Chen Xiao, disdainfully saying, “Aren’t you afraid? What’s wrong, afraid you can’t surpass me? Oh, right, my potential value is Heavenly Grade A, you don’t need to be scared, you simply can’t surpass me…”
“Haoze, you mustn’t be rude to Mr. Chen!”
Seeing Duan Haoze getting carried away, Duan San quickly rebuked him.
“Third Uncle, how am I being rude? Everything I’m saying is the truth!”
After his potential value was measured as peak, Duan Haoze no longer held Duan San in high regard, as Duan San himself only had Heavenly Grade B potential.
Sooner or later, he would surpass him!
“You brat!”
Duan San’s teeth itched with anger, wishing he could slap Duan Haoze twice right then and there.
At this moment, Chen Xiao waved his hand, stopping him: “Mr. Duan, there’s no need to be angry. Since I’m the only one left, I’ll try.”
With that, Chen Xiao stepped forward and picked up the gong hammer.
All eyes converged on Chen Xiao, not only because he was the last martial artist to be tested, but also because of what he had just said.
They wanted to see how much potential this person, who didn’t seem to take the Heaven-Shaking Gong seriously, truly possessed!
Chen Xiao picked up the gong hammer and lightly tapped the Heaven-Shaking Gong, and then… nothing happened.
The Heaven-Shaking Gong remained motionless, emitting no sound.
Everyone waited for over ten seconds, and upon confirming that Chen Xiao had not struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong, a roar of laughter erupted.
“Hahahaha, I thought this kid had some skills, turns out his skills are all in his mouth!”
“Isn’t that right? He made me get excited for nothing. If it were me, I wouldn’t have struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong either!”
“That’s even worse than me. Although I’m only Yellow Grade D, at least I struck the Heaven-Shaking Gong!”
…
Mocking laughter echoed through the crowd. The people around Chen Xiao were also stunned. They never expected that with Chen Xiao’s strength, he wouldn’t be able to strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong.
Everyone was hesitant to look at Chen Xiao, fearing they might provoke him.
Duan San tried to smooth things over: “Mr. Chen, it’s likely that you have already fully realized your potential, which is why you couldn’t strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong. However, even if your strength stops growing here, there are few in the world who can be your opponent!”
“Hahahahaha…”
Duan Haoze laughed heartily, “Third Uncle, you really know how to talk nonsense. Someone like him, a good-for-nothing who can’t even strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong, and you’re trying to puff him up as invincible in the world. I truly admire you!”
“You scoundrel!”
Duan San kicked him, sending Duan Haoze flying, “You, with your mere Qi Realm strength, dare to mock Mr. Chen? Are you tired of living?”
“Third Uncle, you…”
Duan Haoze got up from the ground, clutching his chest, his teeth gritted in anger.
He glared hatefully at Duan San and Chen Xiao, vowing inwardly, “Just you wait, I have Heavenly Grade A potential, and one day I will trample all of you under my feet.”
Little did he know that Duan San had just saved his life again, because his incessant chatter had already made Chen Xiao somewhat impatient.
At this moment, the special envoy from the Hall of Gods announced, “The selection test has concluded. Those who are qualified, please follow me to the Hall of Gods. The rest, please rest for a while, and special envoys will be here to receive you later.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiao suddenly said, “Wait, my test isn’t over yet…”
“What do you mean? Your test is clearly over. You failed to strike the Heaven-Shaking Gong. Sir, please accept reality and stop causing trouble.”
The special envoy said coldly.
“Hey, Chen, are you being unreasonable? What, you don’t want to admit you’re a good-for-nothing?”
Duan Haoze jeered loudly.
“Noisy!”
Chen Xiao finally lost his temper. He looked at Duan San and asked calmly, “Mr. Duan, once, twice, but not a third time. I’ve given you face twice, but unfortunately, your nephew is truly ungrateful. Will you handle it, or should I do it myself?”
Duan San’s heart sank, and he gritted his teeth in the end: “I will!”
With that, Duan San walked towards Duan Haoze angrily, “Haoze, don’t blame Third Uncle… This is all your own doing!”
If he acted, Duan Haoze might at least keep his life!
But if Chen Xiao acted, the outcome was truly unpredictable!
“Third Uncle, you, you, what are you doing…”
A look of terror finally appeared on Duan Haoze’s face.
“Haoze, your temper is truly unsuitable for the path of martial arts. It’s better to endure a short pain than a long one. Third Uncle is only going to cripple your martial arts. You’ll be an ordinary person from now on!”
Duan San said with a helpless, wry smile.
“Third Uncle, are you crazy? I have Heavenly Grade A potential, I’m going to surpass you… You, you, you can’t stand the thought of me surpassing you, can you?”
Duan Haoze retreated repeatedly, his eyes filled with fear and hatred.
“Alas, Haoze, you have no idea who you’ve offended! Third Uncle is doing this to save you!”
Duan San hardened his heart completely, preparing to act against Duan Haoze.
However, at this moment, the special envoy from the Hall of Gods suddenly blocked his path.
“Mr. Duan, your nephew has been chosen by our Hall of Gods. You must not be disrespectful!”