’The fourth Dharma Aspect, is this the full extent of his power?’

Xia Tianzhong’s gaze filled with fighting spirit. Although he hadn’t yet opened his fourth Dharma Aspect, he had already felt a response from his root bones and was just one step away. He had thought he would be the first among this batch of students to open the fourth Dharma Aspect, but he never expected Chu Lingguang to steal his thunder again.

However, Zhao Rushuang’s words also brought him to a realization. Confidence and Guarding the Heart were indispensable qualities in cultivation. Even if Chu Lingguang had opened his fourth Dharma Aspect first, he couldn’t let himself be the least bit discouraged.

"The Bone Aspect!"

"Excellent."

The goat-bearded elder and the others nodded in praise.

Although they all knew Chu Lingguang had already opened his fourth Dharma Aspect, they had only read about it in his letters and had not seen it with their own eyes. Now that they had witnessed it for themselves, they felt gratified and also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Add Chu Lingguang to the shortlist for the best candidate."

Yun Hong said seriously after carefully sensing the fluctuations of Chu Lingguang’s Dharma Aspect’s power for a moment.

"Understood."

Poisonous Snake hurriedly nodded.

The other instructors had no objections either.

In the end, Chu Lingguang passed the fifth round of assessment without any dispute, once again earning the treatment of one with Heavenly Talent.

News about the shortlist for the best candidate also began to spread after this assessment, causing a great commotion among the students.

"Chu Lingguang, congratulations on being added to the shortlist for the best candidate."

Sima Army came over to congratulate him.

"Chu, if you can become the best candidate, then a spot in the top ten of the Provincial Examination will be in the bag."

Jin Huang said, lightly punching Chu Lingguang on the chest.

"You two, what is this ’best candidate’?"

Chu Lingguang asked, confused. The matter was causing a huge stir, so he had naturally heard about it, but he didn’t quite understand. He knew Sima Army and the others had extraordinary backgrounds, so they would surely know more.

"The ’best candidate’ is the sole person who will receive the Washing Marrow."

Suddenly, a voice came from a distance.

It was Xia Tianzhong.

He walked over with his hands behind his back, accompanied by Long Xin and Xu Kanghui.

The three of them were Yun Hong’s junior disciples. In addition to their immense backgrounds and intricate connections with the Great Yuan Dynasty, their words carried a great deal of authority.

"Washing Marrow is second only to Rebirth, a world apart from simply clearing the meridians throughout the body. The three of us were originally supposed to train at the Imperial City Trial Ground. We only came to the Northern Territory Trial Ground because our senior brother arranged it. We thought no one here could compete with us, but we never expected a dark horse like you to appear."

Xia Tianzhong strode forward, speaking as if no one else was there.

"There are still forty days until the trials end. Don’t think that just because you’ve awakened the True Dragon Power and opened the fourth Dharma Aspect, you can beat us and become the best candidate,"

Long Xin snorted coldly.

"You’re qualified to compete with us, but there’s no way you’ll get the ’best candidate’ spot."

Xu Kanghui declared with absolute certainty.

’Washing Marrow, Rebirth?’

As a martial artist, Chu Lingguang had heard of both terms before; he just never imagined they were attainable to this degree. He looked the three of them straight in the eye and said, "Since I’ve been placed on the shortlist, that means Instructor Yun Hong also supports me competing with you for this spot. I don’t care whether I get it or not. I will do my absolute best and fight you for it to the very end."

"Good. I’ll be waiting."

Xia Tianzhong nodded.

ROAR!

The next moment, his Dharma Aspects opened—the Skin Aspect, the Flesh Aspect, the Tendon Aspect... followed by the Bone Aspect, all erupting at once. The True Dragon Power within him galloped without restraint, like a wild horse on the plains. A powerful pressure of Potential Energy emanated from his body, and the nearby students, including Sima Army and Jin Huang, retreated hastily in terror.

Chu Lingguang felt an invisible force pressing against his chest. He snorted coldly and also activated his Bone Aspect, channeling the True Dragon Power throughout his body. He unleashed a similarly oppressive aura to confront Xia Tianzhong.

’I didn’t expect Xia Tianzhong to have opened his fourth Dharma Aspect as well. But it looks like he only just did it after the assessment ended. No wonder he came looking for me so aggressively. He found out I was on the shortlist and wanted to put me in my place.’

It had to be admitted that Xia Tianzhong was exceptionally talented. Combined with his powerful bloodline, the release of True Dragon Power after activating his Bone Aspect meant that even though he had awakened it later than Chu Lingguang, his momentum now seemed to be overpowering Chu Lingguang’s.

The two auras clashed. Although Chu Lingguang stood as unmoving as a mountain, the invisible tempest was clearly overwhelming his side.

"Private duels are forbidden within the Trial Ground!"

A Black Armored Warrior who had Opened his Dantian and Qi Sea led two of his subordinates over and shouted angrily.

Hearing this, both Chu Lingguang and Xia Tianzhong slowly weakened their auras, retracting the True Dragon Power within their bodies. Their four Dharma Aspects dissipated one by one.

"The Washing Marrow can only belong to one of the three of us. Remember that."

Long Xin said, clenching his fists. A low sound, like a Dragon’s Roar and Elephant’s Wail, emanated from all over his body. Chu Lingguang’s expression changed slightly; Long Xin had also awakened the True Dragon Power.

"The early assessments in the Trial Ground are too boring. I’m especially looking forward to the final assessment. Let’s have a real fight then."

Xu Kanghui took a step forward and smiled at Chu Lingguang. As he spoke, an out-and-out surge of True Dragon Power also erupted from his physical body.

Chu Lingguang’s expression grew uglier.

’I’ve long known that the backgrounds of these three were extraordinary, and that they would awaken the True Dragon Power and open their fourth Dharma Aspect sooner or later. I just never thought that day would come so soon. It’s as if they were hiding their strength all along.’