“Can’t you just admit defeat if you can’t win? This isn’t a fight to the death—would the master really just sit by and watch you get beaten to death?”

“Yeah! Why didn’t I think of that?”

Samuel Thompson broke free from his mental block, his face lighting up with joy.

As they spoke, James Thompson had already walked out from the inner hall of the martial arts school. The disciples, who had been chattering noisily just moments before, immediately stood at attention in an orderly line.

“Starting today, we’ll begin the practical assessment. You’ll be divided into five groups, and each group will select one final winner.

From now on, I will focus on training these five people. In the end, the most outstanding among them will have the chance to inherit the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist!”

At these words, the eyes of the many disciples present all lit up.

James Thompson’s renowned martial art in Black Stone County was precisely the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist, and all these disciples had joined the school for the sake of learning it.

Iron Elephant Skill could only be considered a mediocre beginner’s internal art. Vajra Fist, though it originated from the great Vajra Prajna Temple, was only a postnatal martial art taught to lay disciples—many people in the martial world knew it.

Only the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist was a true innate martial art, the kind that could really stand out in the martial world.

James Thompson had run his martial arts school in Black Stone County for seventeen years, but fewer than ten disciples had ever qualified to learn the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist.

Some disciples, though the best of their batch, still hadn’t reached the level required to be taught the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist.

So James Thompson would rather keep it hidden than teach it to someone unworthy.

“Silence!”

James Thompson said in a deep voice, “You all know the rules of Zhenwei Martial Arts School. Not just anyone is qualified to learn the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist.

But I know some of you are thinking: everyone paid their silver, so why is only one person allowed to learn the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist?

Don’t think it’s unfair, because the path of martial arts is inherently unfair!

How could things like talent, perseverance, background, and opportunity ever be truly fair?

The White Ape Arm-Extending Fist is an innate martial art—only upon reaching the innate realm can you truly bring out its potential.

So only if I see that one of you has the potential to reach the innate realm in the future will I teach you the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist.

Otherwise, even if you become the top disciple of this batch, if I don’t see the possibility of you advancing to the innate realm, I still won’t teach you the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist.

So don’t slack off—the path of martial arts allows not even a moment’s carelessness!”

“Yes, sir!”

All the disciples below responded in unison, without feeling that James Thompson was being unreasonable.

Zhenwei Martial Arts School had a stellar reputation after so many years in Black Stone County.

Every disciple who had been taught the White Ape Arm-Extending Fist had indeed reached the innate realm.

Some had even left Black Stone County and become notable figures in the provincial capital.

“All right, let’s start dividing into groups and begin the practical assessment.”

James Thompson took out a list and began assigning the disciples to groups.

After teaching these disciples for so long, he had a good sense of everyone’s abilities.

So the five groups were distributed very evenly, making sure not to put the strongest disciples in the same group.

Adam Harper’s first-round opponent was a disciple who looked a bit older than him and seemed slightly nervous.

He was just an ordinary disciple, while Adam Harper, though not flashy, had been personally praised by James Thompson many times.

“Brother, you go first. Just go easy, that’s all.”

Adam Harper didn’t make the first move, instead letting his opponent attack first.

The disciple was momentarily stunned, but then didn’t hold back. His energy surged as he gathered strength for the Vajra Fist, launching a powerful blow at Adam Harper.

His opponent had only opened one meridian so far, and the gap in power between him and Adam Harper was more than just a level.

Adam Harper didn’t even bother to use the Vajra Fist to clash with him. With a single palm, he covered the opponent’s fist, completely dissolving the force of the Vajra Fist.

Then, with a sudden step and a thrust of his hips, a slight movement of his shoulder sent the disciple flying.

“Thank you, Brother Harper, for showing mercy.”

The disciple got up a bit awkwardly and cupped his fists toward Adam Harper.

He could feel that Adam Harper hadn’t used any real force.

Otherwise, at best he’d have torn muscles and broken bones; at worst, he’d have suffered internal injuries.

James Thompson nodded in satisfaction at this scene.

Adam Harper’s performance was outstanding.

His cultivation far surpassed his opponent’s, so he let the other attack first, giving him a chance to show his skills. Sparring between fellow disciples should not be done with malice—this proved Adam Harper’s upright character and broad-mindedness.

His opponent used the Vajra Fist, but Adam Harper was able to dissolve its force with a casual palm as soon as the attack came, showing his mastery of the Vajra Fist and his remarkable talent.

In the next two rounds, Adam Harper’s opponents were no match for him at all.

The gap in strength was too great—Adam Harper barely exerted himself and his opponents were already defeated.

But even those who lost to Adam Harper were completely convinced.

No wonder the master praised Adam Harper so highly.

This disciple, who had always kept a low profile, turned out to be so formidable that he could even compare to those from wealthy families.

Moreover, Adam Harper was considerate of their dignity.

He could have crushed them easily, but still gave them a chance to make a move.

And in the end, he only defeated them—they just landed awkwardly, but weren’t injured.

Looking at the other groups, the fights were fierce—some were already bruised and bloodied, making James Thompson frown.