Chapter 150: Mob Tactic
The ancestor's eyes widened when he saw the punch of Lu Yuan, shocked to the core.
Bang!
The pillar started to shake as it went back and forth for a moment before it stabilised again, astonishing everyone as no light shone from the pillar.
"Eh, maybe the pillar is broken…" someone tentatively whispered in the crowd as he was stunned.
However, his words were stuck in his throat, as a golden light shone in the pillar.
"Perfect third-stage martial artist," Ancestor Lu announced, convincing everyone that it was true.
Lu Yuan had a smug expression on his face as he returned; everybody made way for him. While the guy who had previously mocked Lu Yuan started to sweat.
The whole crowd around was shocked to the core as the venue became eerily silent.
Perfect third-stage martial artist was a term used when someone truly reaches the realm, and their body is strengthened equal to their qi. That meant a harmony of qi and body, which was rare in most cases.
However, it didn't mean they were special or any stronger than a normal third-stage martial artist; it just meant that they have fully reached the potential of their current Qi level, strengthening their body, and could only strengthen their body when they advance more.
Lu Zhen looked at Lu Yuan with a frown, as he felt that something was wrong with this guy. However, since Ancestor Lu hadn't made a move, he also didn't move.
"Not bad, another talented direct descendant emerged. Next," he said, as another descendant and disciple took the test while being eerily silent with no previous atmosphere.
Finally, at last, Ancestor Lu looked at the fifty or so descendants and disciples who had passed, with a satisfied expression, nodding his head.
"You might all be unconvinced why you didn't pass because this pillar shows the amount of strength your body and Qi possess currently, and you needed to have the strength of at least a mid martial trainee while your body strength should be equally powerful or higher," he looked at the unwilling faces as their heads hung low, patiently explaining to them.
"Remember to practise well while staying," Ancestor Lu said in a harsh tone, "or you will eventually be surpassed, and no matter your position, you will eventually become servants of these guys," his tone grew harsher and harsher.
The descendants and disciples had a fire growing in their eyes, glinting with a hint of determination.
"Yes, Ancestor," all of them said loudly, as if they were in the military. Even those who didn't want to have the determination said it, as they too were motivated by the higher number who were motivated.
After all, it was human nature to follow the crowd!
Lu Zhen couldn't help but marvel at the tactics of the ancestor; in just simple words, he had awakened the fighting spirit of the crowd. If he were in Lu Zhen's previous world, he would undoubtedly be a great politician.
"How about you try now, Lu Zhen?" Ancestor Lu smiled mysteriously as he beckoned Lu Zhen to try it.
"Alright, Ancestor." Lu Zhen bowed as he went towards the pillar. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the mocking expression of Lu Yuan.
"Hmm, what did I do to him?" Lu Zhen frowned internally. "I guess he is a petty person," he muttered to himself as he remembered the conversation the others had.
However, he didn't care much unless Lu Yuan comes in his path; he wouldn't care whether he held a grudge against him or was indifferent. Lu Zhen couldn't care less.
Lu Zhen lightly punched the pillar.
Boom!
The moment his fist connected to the pillar, like an ordinary metal, it bent as his fist's momentum continued its path.
However, before it could fully bend and even break, Lu Zhen swiftly took back his fist's momentum.
Ancestor Lu's eyes widened for the first time.
"Strength of a second-stage martial artist."
The entire venue fell silent as they couldn't comprehend the words that Ancestor Lu uttered.
Lu Yuan clenched his fist when he heard this.
"If it wasn't for hiding my strength, I would have been as strong as a second-stage Martial artist as well," he roared in his head, his smug expression turning dark.
"As expected of Young Master Lu; he truly is the monster of the Lu family." Finally, somebody managed to speak.
And the praises for Lu Zhen started again. Although they were initially afraid of Lu Yuan overshadowing Lu Zhen and gaining the ancestor's attention, after all, a 20-year-old third-stage martial artist was already a terrifying genius. But now that Lu Zhen was revealed to have the strength of a second-stage martial artist, they fully praised him.
Most of them wanted to suck up to Lu Zhen, and the rest also followed the crowd.
"This kid is truly terrifying; he might surpass me soon…" Ancestor Lu was a little envious; however, he didn't harbor any malicious intent toward Lu Zhen. Simply because he was his descendant, and he had never been treated poorly. Having Lu Zhen become a first-stage martial artist or higher was more beneficial for him, as he would also enjoy the benefits of Lu Zhen's strength.
"Lu Zhen and Lu Yuan, come here." Ancestor Lu beckoned to them.
Although they wore confused expressions, they went towards the ancestor.
"Here." Suddenly, an armour and a boot materialised in his hands out of thin air.
He gave the boots to Lu Zhen and the armour to Lu Yuan.
"These are your gifts for becoming first and second. If you two can secure the first and second positions in the tournament, almost 38% of the resources will be ours, the Lu family."
Lu Zhen's eyes turned golden as he examined the two items.
[DragonStride Velocity Boots]
[Grade: Qi Item] (High Quality)
[Remarks: Allows the martial artist of the second-stage martial realm or below to increase their speed by at least six times. Crafted by a master using meteorite ore as the main ingredients.]
Lu Zhen's eyes widened when he saw this.
"The ancestor sure is generous," Lu Zhen thought as he wore the boots. Instantly, his body felt much lighter as he casually sprinted without putting much strength into it, crossing almost two hundred metres effortlessly.
Curiously, he also looked at the armour given to Lu Yuan.
[CelestialGuard Aegis Plate]
[Grade: Qi Item]
[Remark: A very strong armour handcrafted by an expert, which can provide protection against someone below the third-stage martial realm and can withstand three blows from a third-stage martial artist.]
"Sigh, if I had the opportunity, I could have given you even first-stage martial realm equipment; however, it isn't allowed in the tournament." Ancestor Lu shook his head regretfully as his eyes gleamed.
He also distributed various equipment to the other descendants and disciples who performed well in the test.
"Let's go now," Ancestor Lu beckoned while walking outside. However, he first went towards Lu Huang and Lu Ying.
"You two take care of the lu estate while I am gone." ancestor lu took out two jades which he handed to lu qian and lu huang.
"Yes ancestor." The two bowed as they took the jade.
After all, while he was gone, although trouble was unlikely to come, he still needed insurance for the safety of the estate as it was their home so some of the elders and grand elders were also left behind.
With that said a line of carriage was prepared almost immediately however it wasn't like previously where the horses pulled the cart instead it was huge golden tigers with their fangs sticking emitting a terrifying aura out who were tied to the carriage.
"We will be going on there." ancestor lu said as he pointed to the most luxurious carriage in the front who had the strongest and the biggest lion emitting the most terrifying aura.
Lu Yuan's eyes widened when he sensed the aura of the tiger.
"Third-stage martial realm beast." he was shocked to the core.
Slowly, he followed the ancestor with Lu Zhen as they entered the carriage, and it started moving forward.
The descendants and disciples were arranged in carriages based on the strength they displayed, regardless of their lineage. The strongest individuals were placed in carriages with a more fearsome aura emanating from the leading tiger, while the weaker ones occupied less impressive carriages with less powerful beasts.
This arrangement sparked a sense of rivalry among them. Inevitably creating a competition among the younger generation promoting each others growth.