Chapter 254: The Four Students of Solomon [Bonus - GT]

Chapter 254: The Four Students of Solomon [Bonus Chapter GT]

The central pavilion of the Sword Pavilion was incredibly crowded. Hundreds of gray-uniformed novices, seasoned senior disciples, blue-robed instructors, and respected elders packed the massive stone courtyard.

Pavilion Master Wu was also present, seated on his elevated stone balcony overlooking the gathering, while Pavilion Leader Jin managed the proceedings down on the ground level.

Solomon slipped through the outer gates entirely unnoticed. He quickly ducked into his assigned VIP dormitory, unbuckling Eden’s Penance and tossing it onto his mattress. He emptied his pockets, leaving the two glowing winter serpent rubies, the divine gemstone, and the Heavenly Demon’s leather diary hidden beneath his pillow.

Without the heavy gear weighing him down, he rushed back toward the central pavilion, blending seamlessly into the massive crowd of novices standing near the back of the courtyard.

An official assembly and martial evaluation appeared to be underway. Various instructors stepped forward to deliver short lectures on qi circulation and basic combat ethics.

About half an hour passed before the assembly officially concluded. The instructors dismissed the general student body, and the vast majority of the second-year and third-year disciples filed out through the stone archways.

Once the main crowd had thinned out, leaving mostly first-years and the core faculty, Pavilion Leader Jin finally addressed the outstanding mission.

"We will now conclude today’s evaluations with the specific task assigned by Master Wu," Jin announced, projecting his voice across the courtyard. "Will the four students selected to demonstrate their mastery of the Azure Crane Blade step forward?"

Jin scanned the remaining disciples. "Has Solomon returned from his diplomatic escort mission yet?"

The crowd murmured, exchanging confused whispers.

Maximus stepped out from the ranks and offered a rigid salute. "Instructor Solomon has not returned to the sect yet, Pavilion Leader Jin. However, we are fully prepared to demonstrate our forms as instructed."

Up on the balcony, Master Wu simply stroked his white beard. He gestured with his hand, signaling the four students to come forward one by one to perform the technique.

Marco stepped into the center ring first. He bowed respectfully toward the pavilion master on the balcony, and then offered a deeper, more personal bow toward Pavilion Leader Jin, his father.

Marco raised a wooden practice sword. He did the traditional opening rites, centering his breathing before launching directly into the thirteen steps of the Azure Crane Blade.

The remaining crowd watched eagerly. Solomon stood hidden among the novices near the back, analyzing his student’s form.

Marco performed the technique with exceptional grace. He seamlessly transitioned from the aggressive downward chops into the fluid, evasive sweeping cuts, executing the final aerial maneuvers flawlessly.

Master Wu nodded in clear approval from his balcony, verbally passing the second-year student. Jin maintained his strict instructor persona, but a faint, undeniable glint of pride touched his eyes. He said nothing to Marco.

Next, Maximus stepped forward. The towering Vanguard student gripped a wooden sword, looking entirely out of place without his massive bronze shield. He performed the opening rites with stiff, military precision.

Several first-year novices standing near Solomon began whispering and snickering.

"Look at the size of that guy," a boy muttered mockingly. "How is a brute like him supposed to perform a technique that requires fluid grace and elegance? He is going to trip over his own boots."

Solomon frowned. His knuckles cracked as he glared at the whispering novices. He fully intended to drag them out of the crowd and beat the absolute shit out of them right then and there. However, he forced himself to hold back, unwilling to break his cover and interrupt the official evaluation.

’I will remember your faces,’ Solomon promised inwardly. ’I will deal with you later.’

Maximus began performing the Azure Crane Blade. While his movements lacked the weightless grace of a traditional crane practitioner, he compensated perfectly with rotational momentum.

He focused entirely on the physics Solomon had taught him. The transitions between the thirteen steps were incredibly smooth, converting his physical power into fluid speed. He completed the final piercing strike and bowed.

Master Wu pondered the unorthodox execution for a few seconds before nodding his approval, officially passing the Vanguard student.

Jin stepped forward and openly praised Maximus for adapting the technique to suit his physical build, a comment that caused Marco to scowl slightly in the background.

Elizabeth stepped into the ring next.

She looked visibly nervous but fiercely determined. She performed the opening rites and launched into the sequence.

Her movements were breathtakingly smooth. Her royal fencing background allowed her to glide across the dirt, blurring the transitions between the individual steps until the entire thirteen-form technique looked like a single, continuous, elegant dance.

She finished her strike and offered a perfect royal bow.

The crowd erupted into genuine cheers. Master Wu smiled broadly, passing her immediately and offering high praise for her flawless execution.

Finally, it was time for the fourth student.

Arthur remained standing near the weapon racks. He adjusted his thick spectacles, looking down at his boots, but he did not step forward to take the test.

Marco and Maximus stared at Arthur, wanting him to step forward and demonstrate the Azure Crane Blade.

Elizabeth simply kept her gaze straight and didn’t show any emotions on her face.

The four of them had trained hard after returning to the sect from the Azure Moon Kingdom. And they had successfully mastered it. However, Arthur’s condition made it impossible for him to perform no more than five steps at once.

The crowd began murmuring again, wondering who the final student was and why they were delaying the evaluation.

A few seconds later, the fourth student finally stepped into the center ring holding a wooden sword. However, it was not Arthur.

The newcomer wore a standard gray academy uniform, but he had wrapped a dark cloth tightly around the lower half of his face, leaving only a pair of sharp, focused eyes visible.

The crowd stared at the masked boy in utter confusion.

Pavilion Leader Jin frowned and stepped forward. "Who are you?"

The masked student offered a crisp bow and deepened his voice. "I am Feng Bo."