When everyone entered the Martial Arts Dojo, they saw the vast space inside marked with a red route extending across the floor.
The beginning of the red route was labeled "Nine Bends Flowing Water," and further along were marked "First Bend," "Second Bend," all the way to "Ninth Bend."
Before each bend, there were different test hurdles set up.
Behind the starting position, there were basins of water placed on a table.
"First, each of you take two flat bowls of water for a pre-test warm-up," the examiner said.
Everyone knew that this was to ensure fairness by allowing Zhou Leng, the newcomer, to get accustomed.
The instructor continued, "This Nine Bends Flowing Water is the hardest among the seven exams. The process sounds simple: each person carries water in their hands, one bowl in each, and walks through the Nine Bends route. If you retain 90% of the water, you pass. If, for any reason, you spill too much water during the process, you fail..."
As Zhou Leng listened to the instructor explain the Nine Bends Flowing Water, he scooped a bowl of water with his right hand and poured it into his left hand.
His left hand’s True Qi surged gently, rotating slightly, creating a bowl shape with his hand to catch the water.
He picked up another flat bowl of water with his right hand and tossed it into the air.
A stream of water arced into the air.
He set down the bowl with his right hand, then drew circles in the air, manipulating True Qi to gather all the water back into his right palm.
Some people watching nodded slightly.
Zhou Leng carefully controlled the True Qi, his hands moving lightly to circulate the Qi, ensuring the two water masses didn’t spill.
Under the influence of True Qi, the two masses of water wobbled gently like irregular transparent jelly.
Mere control at this level wouldn’t pass the Nine Bends Flowing Water.
Zhou Leng tried moving quickly, zigzagging left and right, forward and backward, even jumping, but soon some water spilled.
It was far more difficult than imagined.
As Zhou Leng walked and practiced, it wasn’t long before he grasped the key.
"Shi Lai, simulate the challenges of the Nine Bends Flowing Water and tap or even bump into me," he said.
"Okay," Shi Lai replied.
Shi Lai approached, circling Zhou Leng, tapping all over his body, shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs; he even bumped him with his shoulder.
While enduring these painless attacks, Zhou Leng felt the changes brought by external forces.
Soon, he discovered that as long as his upper arms weren’t hit hard, the water masses wouldn’t be affected.
But if his forearms or fingers were attacked, it would cause water to spill.
Following this, Zhou Leng tried each obstacle according to the changes of the Nine Bends Flowing Water.
The instructors only glanced at Zhou Leng a few times before nodding slightly.
Not far away, by Elder Song, two Innate majors were also observing Zhou Leng.
"Elder Song, this Zhou Leng’s True Qi Manipulation is extraordinary. At his age, neither of us could compare," one major said.
"I was also not as good at his age," Elder Song replied.
"If he weren’t poisoned, even if we had to fall out with the Martial Guard Department, we’d have to recruit him, but sadly..."
The examiner said, "The usual rule, fifth place goes first." With that, he glanced at Zhou Leng.
Zhou Leng understood, controlling the water masses with both hands, earnestly watching the first person, ready to observe and learn.
That person carried water in both hands, trembling as they moved forward.
They looked ahead, then at the water, their body distorted, moving far differently from normal walking.
Many instructors shook their heads lightly.
Thus, that candidate stumbled through the Nine Bends Flowing Water.
Covered in bruises and bleeding from the scalp, they spread their hands helplessly.
Only a trace of water was left in their hands, less than ten percent.
The difficulty of this Nine Bends Flowing Water far exceeded before.
"Not passing," the examiner declared. Content orıginally comes from 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Zhou Leng estimated in his mind, based on a percentage system, this fifth-place person likely wouldn’t even score 60% previously, but at least 40%.
But in this round, not even 10%.
Then, one after another, candidates stepped up, with Zhou Leng observing closely.
The second person, not passing.
The third person, not passing.
For the first three, the water left in their hands was similarly less than 10%.
Finally, it was Wei Xiangqian’s turn.
Everyone looked at him.
"Senior, West Sea Martial Arts Academy, it’s up to you."
"We can’t succeed, but as long as you pass, we’ll win this round!"
"Yes, as long as you don’t face the inevitable defeat of the Ninth Bend, you’ll be fine!"
"We can lose, but we can’t all lose..."
Some students from West Sea Martial Arts Academy spoke with dejection.
Wei Xiangqian recalled past efforts, school honors, consequences of failure...
He took a deep breath, his eyes clear, his expression determined.
"I’ll give it my all!"
Saying so, he carried the water masses forward.
Once a veteran steps in, the difference is immediately evident.
He walked very steadily, never deliberately glancing at the water masses, navigating the Nine Bends Flowing Water with experience.
"Senior Wei is amazing!"
Everyone softly encouraged Wei Xiangqian.
Even some older students from outside West Sea Martial Arts Academy offered encouragement.
In the end, he emerged from the Ninth Bend, with the water masses in his hands scarcely diminished.
"Pour them into the large beaker," the examiner ordered.
Wei Xiangqian carefully poured the two water masses into the beaker.
The examiner glanced at the scale and nodded, "Passed!"
"Great!" several students cheered softly.
"Zhou Leng, it’s your turn."
"Yes." Zhou Leng replied.
Shi Lai refilled two flat bowls of water for Zhou Leng.
Zhou Leng circulated Qi with both hands, each holding a mass of water, and walked forward steadily.
Everyone observed Zhou Leng’s steps, which weren’t as shaky as the previous ones, nor as fast as Wei Xiangqian’s.
Slower than normal walking, but very steady.
Zhou Leng passed the line labeled "First Bend: Rugged," reaching a rubber ground full of bulging and sinking surfaces.
Under the influence of Demonized Equipment, the ground’s bulges and depressions were constantly changing.
Since running or accelerating was prohibited, Zhou Leng could only step forward normally.