Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Time was being swallowed, second by relentless second. The monitoring room descended into absolute silence.

A satisfied smile played on Ferrero's lips. The true fighting prowess of these young recruits was far more striking than their ability to strike the Bell of Inquiry.

Shi Tian Ajia frowned deeply. This young man displayed on the screen, named Yang Lie, had reached the Ten-Star level of martial artist in a mere thirty minutes after completing the Blood Exchange Rebirth and True Innate transformation? Such a speed, even within the Sacred Martial Hall, was enough to elicit gasps of astonishment.

Of course, the most astonishing aspect wasn't the Ten-Star strength itself, nor the completion of the transformation steps, but rather his actual combat capability.

The cultivation of the Martial Way wasn't entirely unlike schooling. Some people excelled in every subject, scoring top marks, yet when asked to apply that knowledge practically, they faltered.

The Martial Way was the same. Some learned quickly, but when forced to manifest the true essence of their knowledge in battle, they too would fall short.

Shi Tian Ajia had to admit, this young man named Yang Lie possessed battle intent saturated within every blood cell. Compared to his raw strength, this combat aptitude was far more shocking.

If a martial artist from the Sacred Martial Hall with the exact same power level as Yang Lie were pitted against him, Shi Tian Ajia believed Yang Lie would likely emerge victorious from the fight. This young man's talent for combat could only be described as genius.

Ferrero watched Yang Lie on the screen, growing increasingly delighted. This kid’s performance far exceeded expectations. Appearing as a newcomer, even those elite martial artists who had trained in the Sacred Martial Hall for a year? No, even the inner sanctum martial artists would likely be defeated in front of Yang Lie.

The heads of the other departments exchanged glances, seeing mutual admiration reflected in their eyes. Few, if any, newcomers in the entire history of the Sacred Martial Hall could surpass Yang Lie in this manner.

Especially those three peculiar combat moves. Any discerning eye could see they were a unique synthesis of several Dragon Fist styles combined with other techniques, forged into an original combat style.

Shi Tian Ajia nodded slightly. These three moves, he presumed, must have been created by some Master of Fist Arts. Mastering and perfecting even one of these forms would take many martial artists a year, perhaps two, or even three to five years.

To master all three? Shi Tian Ajia shook his head again. This Yang Lie was not yet nineteen years old, yet he could deploy all three forms in combat. Although his team-fighting technique still lacked some cohesion in certain areas, it was undeniably brilliant.

"In this world, which Martial Arts Master of the Dragon Fist lineage could have created such techniques?" Di Shi Tian’s mind flashed through several figures, but he quickly dismissed them all. While their martial foundations were strong, none possessed that overwhelming, world-dominating aura, nor could they have created such fists.

"It was Qin Fen."

Bai Sheng, standing beside Ferrero, answered Di Shi Tian Ajia’s unspoken musing in a low voice.

What? The bodies of all the department heads stiffened instantly. They spun around to look at Bai Sheng, their eyes filled with shock, disbelief, and suspicion.

This news was a hundred, no, a thousand times more astonishing than the striking of the Bell of Inquiry.

The striking of the Bell indicated a person’s current comprehensive strength, particularly showing a marked level of control. Such a person might possess an intuitive path to martial arts, advancing rapidly like a genius, and likely possessing formidable military power in the future.

Naturally, this indicated merely formidable power. It was one of the key metrics for selection as a core trainee of the Sacred Martial Hall.

Those three fist techniques, however, represented an entirely different concept.

Learning a fist technique quickly was a world apart from creating one.

The department heads were all masters of the Martial Way, possessing an understanding far beyond the ordinary. They knew the immense hardship involved in forging one's own martial art. An eighteen-year-old martial artist should be solely focused on studying the inherited fist styles and diligently cultivating their own foundation. They shouldn't have time for anything else, let alone the creation of their own martial arts.

For an eighteen-year-old martial artist to vaguely grasp the direction of their own martial path was already praiseworthy. As for creating martial arts?

This wasn't simply a matter of lacking time; it involved deeper issues. Creating martial arts required a truly profound martial foundation and a unique comprehension of the Martial Way.

Where could a mere eighteen-year-old find such a martial foundation? Unless they had spent their childhood observing countless battles, analyzing every single one with true diligence, without guidance from elders—relying purely on innate understanding—followed by instruction from a master, and coupled with peerless talent, integrating everything they had seen and fought.

Creating martial arts? That was an incomparably vast and systematic undertaking. Even martial artists from esteemed martial families primarily received tutelage from elders, diligently cultivating and comprehending the essence of their ancestral techniques.

To peruse the world's various martial arts and battles? If done improperly, one could easily become completely lost, unable to even understand their own martial arts, leading to a permanent blockage on the martial path.

Young people naturally possess restless hearts. Exploring the world’s various martial arts clashes carried immense risk of getting lost. Unless one possessed a will as unyielding as a boulder.

Shi Tian Ajia wasn't surprised that young people created martial arts. Many, upon finding the initial direction of their martial path, would foolishly create their own techniques. But in the eyes of true experts, these were invariably half-finished products, or not even that.

Creating martial arts worthy of a master level before reaching nineteen years old? Di Shi Tian Ajia had always believed that unless a mythical figure appeared, such an absurd thing was impossible.

The conditions required for creating martial arts were too complex. For someone under nineteen, the probability was vastly smaller than striking the Bell of Inquiry.

Bai Sheng, under the gazes of all the department heads, allowed a faint, pleased smile to touch his lips. Creating martial arts was indeed like climbing to heaven. Even he, currently, couldn't genuinely create his own style. But it wasn't entirely impossible for someone else to achieve it.

Qin Fen’s file flashed through Bai Sheng’s mind. His background was undeniably legendary. He grew up so poor he was constantly on the brink of starvation, forcing him into various survival jobs. One such job involved observing battles on the Sky Combat Network, then summarizing, editing, and analyzing them for sale to newspapers.

It wasn't something just anyone could accomplish—having his youthful writings valued by a newspaper enough to grant him a dedicated column.

Although this was partly due to the low rank of the fighters—One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star—meaning the newspapers didn't focus too heavily on the analyses, retaining a paper's consistent commission required the author to analyze with genuine care and diligence.

Bai Sheng had seen some of Qin Fen's past analyses of the Sky Combat Network. The ID "Thirty-Six Hours" was a secret to many, but to the vast intelligence network of the Sacred Martial Hall's Invitation Department, it was hardly difficult to uncover.

The strength of an organization invariably surpasses that of an individual. Thus, even Divine Beast level martial artists maintained their own informal civilian networks, which could instantly transform into true combat organizations.

Bai Sheng had praised the series of combat analysis reports written by "Thirty-Six Hours." Every report was meticulously analyzed and thoughtfully composed. The author wasn't dazzled or confused by the combat techniques of various schools. Instead, he consistently maintained an objective stance from which to observe everything.

Possessing the heart of a Boulder Martial Artist, Bai Sheng sighed again while recalling the files. Was this what they called fate? Qin Fen's steady temperament, coupled with the extremely difficult living conditions he endured, forged a character that was not frivolous—a martial heart as firm as a boulder. Furthermore, unlike descendants of martial families who focused solely on comprehending their ancestral arts, Qin Fen had the opportunity to observe thousands of martial styles across the world, a series of coincidences. Bai Sheng could only describe Qin Fen's experiences as sheer providence. Perhaps even fate had chosen this young man for the Martial Way.

"I witnessed Qin Fen fighting during the New Recruit Tournament," Bai Sheng stated very seriously. "Back then, he used the Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud and the Yin-Yang Dual Dragon Infinite Measure; he did not employ the aggressive combat techniques Yang Lie just used."

Swish, swish, swish.

Streaks of light flashed one after another in the room. Bai Sheng was momentarily blinded by the gazes of the department heads, which shone brighter than camera flashes, almost like lightning. He quickly closed his eyes.

"New Recruit Tournament?" Ferrero frowned slightly. "I recall you went out three months ago on an invitation mission. It seemed to be the Federal Department's New Recruit Tournament, correct?"

Shi Tian Ajia's brows knitted together, his expression showing clear disapproval as he spoke coldly, "Three months ago? How old was he then? This suggests even less likelihood that he is the founder of the martial arts; perhaps he learned the techniques from others?" The heads of the Sacred Martial Hall departments nodded in agreement, their gazes reflecting affirmation of Di Shi Tian Ajia’s statement.

Three months ago? Forget three months ago; considering the age of the current batch of recruits, it would be mind-boggling if they could create martial arts today. Let alone three months prior?

These young people were in the explosive phase of martial development. Theoretically, the martial artist level of this batch three months ago was far inferior to their current state. They likely hadn't even completed the Blood Exchange Rebirth and True Innate transformation. Their comprehension of the Martial Way would be much shallower. In that state of weak foundation, how could they possibly create martial arts with such an overwhelming aura?

Doubt lingered in Ferrero’s eyes too, though it wasn't as overtly displayed as by the other department heads. Bai Sheng was his subordinate, and if the head didn't offer encouragement now, what face would he have later?

However, three months ago? As a Martial Arts Master, Ferrero was well aware that the young martial artists then possessed even weaker foundations. Accepting that someone could create such martial arts then was genuinely hard to swallow.

"Respected Di Shi Tian," Bai Sheng took a deep breath, straightening his chest under the scrutiny of the department heads. "Regarding this matter, I once asked Qin Fen, and he personally admitted that the incomplete style, the Martial Emperor Dragon Fist, was created by him." Martial Emperor Dragon Fist? The eyes of the department heads gleamed. What a domineering name, perfectly matching the three previously displayed martial moves. It seemed the creator of this style indeed had some depth.

The more concrete the confirmation, the harder it was for the department heads to accept Bai Sheng's answer. Even though his assertion was as firm as iron, it became even harder to believe.

What a joke! A martial artist under nineteen creating martial arts? Even an incomplete style—it was simply too exaggerated.

Bai Sheng sighed, speaking slowly and unhurriedly, "I know this news is shocking. That's why I urgently reported to you earlier regarding his striking of the Bell of Inquiry."

Too shocking? Di Shi Tian Ajia sneered. Under nineteen, creating profoundly powerful martial arts that even masters struggle years to forge—this couldn't be explained away as merely 'too shocking.'

Bai Sheng said no more. He retrieved his badge from his robe, tapped it a few times with his fingertip, and all the collected data on Qin Fen materialized as projections before the department heads.

Line by line, scene by scene, each projection struck the mental worlds of the department heads like silent, colossal thunder.

Shi Tian Ajia clicked his tongue repeatedly. How could someone possess such singular fortune? Temperament, experience, and luck—all indispensable conditions—had converged onto a single person.

Ferrero tutted continuously. A young martial artist who had witnessed myriad fist styles without being misled by the dazzling array of world martial arts into developing envy or dissatisfaction. His heart, like stone, was the most precious quality.

The room fell into silence once more. Ferrero’s expression shifted from initial admiration to growing happiness, even bordering on wild ecstasy. His eyes occasionally drifted toward Di Shi Tian Ajia.

Based on his assessment, Qin Fen's current strength might not rank him among the absolute top experts in the Sacred Martial Hall. Even someone like Bai Sheng could defeat Qin Fen in a fight.

However, Ferrero clearly perceived an obvious omen in everything Qin Fen had displayed so far: his martial arts strength was likely to undergo explosive progress during his tenure at the Sacred Martial Hall.

Striking the Bell of Inquiry granted even a basic Outer Sacred Martial Hall practitioner the right to spend half a day in the Hall’s Pavilion of Ultimate Arts.

Qin Fen was now in a state of latent power accumulation. If he were to enter the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts—even for just half a day—the benefit to him would be immeasurable.

For a young man with such a deep foundation to enter the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts was far more terrifying than sending in a genius among geniuses.

A genius might learn one or several ultimate arts from the Pavilion. But this monster, Qin Fen, might use a trip to the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts to synthesize and create something new.

Genius. Yes, this was true genius. Ferrero laughed heartily.

Martial artists who can learn instantly, called geniuses, or perhaps more cynically, learning machines.

True martial arts geniuses should be able to deduce the general principle from the specific instance and integrate it to create something uniquely their own.

This gamble? Ferrero genuinely felt his chances of winning were rapidly increasing. Because the next batch the Sacred Martial Hall would send to humble Qin Fen and Yang Lie were likely to be the elite Outer Sacred Martial Hall martial artists—warriors of that caliber would only serve to provide combat experience to Qin Fen and Yang Lie, nothing more.

If anyone in the Hall could defeat Qin Fen, it would have to be the Martial Maniac.

Shi Tian's face grew sterner. The probability of losing this gamble now seemed to be increasing. If Qin Fen were given enough time, not only might the Martial Maniac be surpassed by Qin Fen, but even martial artists at Bai Sheng's level might end up being defeated.

Even if Bai Sheng won, Shi Tian felt deflated. If someone like Bai Sheng had to be deployed to defeat a newcomer, it already lost any sense of glorious tradition.

Win or lose? Di Shi Tian Ajia's eyes flickered with brilliant starlight. Success or failure now seemed to depend entirely on the Martial Maniac. Perhaps it was necessary to find a way to let the Martial Maniac know sooner.

The Martial Maniac? Di Shi Tian Ajia sighed again thinking of him. Theoretically, the Martial Maniac belonged to the Martial Discussion Department, overseen by Asura Fenghua Danyun. Approaching others under a department head was manageable. But approaching the Martial Maniac, Fenghua Danyun's favorite toy? Even for the head of the Penal Law Department, it wasn't easy.

Ferrero lifted his chin slightly, looking at the Sacred Martial Six Stars floating in the air. The stakes of this bet were too high; even the Sacred Martial Six Stars were drawn in to watch.

"Sacred Martial Six Stars, can you reconsider now?" Ferrero raised a hand and pointed at the screen: "The comprehensive strength displayed by that young man named Qin Fen far surpasses that of the Martial Maniac when he was a newcomer. He can be called the true top-ranked monster in terms of newcomer strength in the history of our Sacred Martial Hall. I believe this monster's record will stand unbroken for a very long time."

The Sacred Martial Six Stars collectively fell silent, as did the other department heads.

"In my personal opinion," Ferrero raised his hand to adjust his collar, realizing his martial uniform had no collar, "for this monster, shouldn't we bend our rules? Should we extend another invitation to him, hoping he will modify his contract and join the Inner Sacred Martial Hall?"

The Sacred Martial Six Stars exchanged quick glances. The speaker was Mo Xing (Demon Star), one of the Six Stars. "The rules of the Sacred Martial Hall do not need modification. If this man named Qin Fen is truly devoted to the Martial Way, then just half a day in the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts will show him the depth of our Sacred Martial Hall's power."

The department heads unanimously nodded. Ferrero couldn't help but sigh, accepting this reality.

The Sacred Martial Hall’s title as the Saint of Martial Arts was not an empty boast. Not only were its martial arts classics abundant, but many master-level martial artists had written down parts of their comprehension notes and stored them there. These were often far more valuable than a single Ultimate Art.

Furthermore, many master-level martial artists had simply copied portions of the techniques they created and placed them in the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts.

In terms of the sheer volume of collected texts, even martial arts families as established as those of Divine-level martial artists looked like beggars in comparison to the Sacred Martial Hall.

Half a day visiting the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts? Even half a year? No, even seeing all the texts and notes in the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts would likely require several years or decades.

With such a massive volume of high-value material, Mo Xing’s eyes held a confident smile. Not only would a martial artist dedicated to the Dao be completely captivated and subdued, but even someone indifferent to the Dao would likely become obsessed upon encountering these martial texts and notes.

The more devoted one is to the Martial Way, the easier it is to become lost in the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts.

Di Shi Tian Ajia maintained his smile. Once Qin Fen entered the Pavilion of Ultimate Arts once, he would certainly be weeping and begging the Sacred Martial Hall to amend the contract and allow him to join the Inner Sacred Martial Hall.

At that point, Di Shi Tian’s smile grew happier. Just based on this insistence on upholding the rules, the Sacred Martial Hall would likely issue a substantial reward for having upheld regulations.

Bai Sheng let out a faint sigh. The rules of the Sacred Martial Hall were its authority. If the rules were changed this time, that authority would diminish. It seemed changing the rules for Qin Fen would be extremely difficult.

Bai Sheng shook his head repeatedly. The people of the Sacred Martial Hall understood Qin Fen too little. The stability of the boulder heart was instrumental in bringing this young man to his current level on the Martial Path.

If the Sacred Martial Hall would not yield to Qin Fen, why would Qin Fen yield to the Sacred Martial Hall?

"This is so boring. Don't you find this tedious, you bunch of egotists?"

A crisp voice, like that of a yellow oriole, suddenly chimed from everyone's badges in the room. The department heads, addressed as egotists, could only smile helplessly. The speaker was Asura Fenghua Danyun, the head of the Martial Discussion Department.

High atop the celestial platform, Fenghua Danyun rested her chin in her hands, her two legs swinging like a child's, rhythmically tapping against the steps with a crisp clack-clack sound.

"What an amazing young man. It's just a shame I didn't get to see Bell Boy fight," Fenghua Danyun supported her chin with her palm. "Given the current situation, I wonder what rank of martial artist will be needed to force Bell Boy out? How boring. Maybe I should have a little fun first?"

As the words fell, Bai Sheng suddenly noticed on another monitoring screen that Fenghua Danyun’s figure had vanished. Asura Fenghua Danyun, the head of the Martial Discussion Department, had made her move.

Foundation. Qin Fen's martial foundation appeared to be incredibly robust now. Based on the data, his physical foundation might have been slightly deficient congenitally, but that could be compensated for by the Sacred Martial Hall’s elixirs and medicines.

That's right. Ferrero resolved himself secretly. If necessary, he would draw from his own supply of elixirs to use on Qin Fen, helping him grow rapidly, lest the Martial Maniac discover the situation and challenge him before Qin Fen's full potential was realized.

Martial Maniac. Ferrero, brow tightly furrowed. Among the martial artists whose cultivation levels were relatively close within the grade structure. Currently, Saint Martial...