Why did you provoke that old man? He's a reincarnation of a deity!

"Did you pass the test?" Xiao Nian asked casually.

Chen Daoming cleared his throat: "The first requirement, those at the Eighth Cauldron level or above, will pass. The second requirement is teaching ability. Each applicant will need to randomly select a student on-site, point out their deficiencies in martial arts, and propose methods for improvement."

He waved his hand, and seven or eight new students walked in. They had just registered today and stood in the center of the examination hall with blank expressions.

"These are newly enrolled students. You can choose any one of them for on-site teaching and guidance."

Zhao Dapeng knew that Xiao Nian used to be a literature and history teacher and knew nothing about martial arts. He really wanted to see Xiao Nian make a fool of himself in this assessment.

He suddenly stepped forward and whispered a few words about the benefits to Chen Daoming.

Chen Daoming frowned, then nodded: "Instructor Zhao suggested that he act as the student, and that Teacher Meng provide on-the-spot guidance on Instructor Zhao's martial arts shortcomings."

Jiang Youwei frowned, thinking: This is too much! Zhao Dapeng is a martial arts master who has opened his meridians. No matter how good Teacher Meng is at fighting, how can he point out the flaws of a martial arts master who has opened his meridians? How is that possible! How could Dean Chen agree to this?

Xiao Nian glanced at Zhao Dapeng.

Zhao Dapeng was looking at him with a smug smile, his eyes full of pride.

"Okay," Xiao Nian said.

The other applicants looked at each other.

The flaws in martial arts are ultimately determined by the individual, aren't they?

Zhao Dapeng walked to the center of the field, assumed a horse stance, and clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Teacher Meng, please give me your guidance."

Teacher Meng's words were exceptionally clear.

He stood very steadily, which showed that he had a good foundation from years of training.

He has strong limbs and a steady breath.

Everyone present knew that a martial artist with open meridians had all twelve main meridians connected, with their blood and qi surging, making them virtually undefended.

Asking an eighty-year-old man to find fault with a martial arts master is simply making things difficult for him.

Xiao Nian, leaning on his cane, slowly circled around Zhao Dapeng, his back hunched.

Zhao Dapeng maintained his horse stance with a smile on his face.

"First, your right shoulder is an inch higher than your left shoulder," Xiao Nian said.

Zhao Dapeng was taken aback and subconsciously wanted to adjust his posture, but he held back.

"You injured your right shoulder three years ago, and the tendons were torn. Although it was reattached, the person who did the reattachment did it very roughly, which is why your right arm is always 30% weaker than your left arm."

Zhao Dapeng's smile froze.

His right shoulder was indeed injured; it was broken three years ago, and only he and his master knew about it.

"Secondly, you have a breathing problem."

"You're practicing the Azure Dragon Breathing Technique, right? This technique emphasizes agility, but you're practicing it incorrectly. Every time you exhale, your center of gravity lowers, actually locking your power in your waist and hips, creating a sense of heaviness instead of transmitting it to your limbs. That's why you're only using 70% of your strength in each punch."

Zhao Dapeng's expression changed completely.

"Third, your boxing style is the 'Eighth Level Fist,' a powerful and aggressive style, but you are impatient and like to attack prematurely. You always throw a punch half a beat too early, causing your punch to be thrown before it's fully charged. After you throw three punches in a row, there will be a pause of less than a breath for the fourth punch to catch your breath."

Zhao Dapeng's eyes widened in disbelief; the old man had laid bare everything about him! And this was just a quick glance.

Bajiquan was his signature move, which he had never told anyone, yet this old man recognized it at a glance.

"If you encounter a master who has practiced listening to the opponent's strength, they will kill you on the spot during the opening of your fourth punch."

After Xiao Nian finished speaking, she slowly walked back to her seat, leaning on her cane, and then added:

"At your current state, forget about becoming a Qi Opening Martial Master; even if you train for another ten years, you won't even reach the threshold of Qi Unblocking. You should change your cultivation method as soon as possible and stop wasting time on this path."

That's like killing someone by breaking their spirit!

The examination hall fell silent instantly.

Zhao Dapeng stood there, cursing loudly.

"You're talking nonsense! You're wrong, completely wrong! Letting you become an instructor would be a disservice to students!"

"Teacher Chen, eliminate him quickly!"

Teacher Chen? Everyone turned to look. When did Zhao Dapeng become Dean Chen's apprentice? How come they didn't know?

Jiang Youwei glanced at Chen Daoming, whose lips twitched slightly.

"Shut up! Get out! Who gave you permission to come in here?" Chen Daoming yelled.

Everyone was embarrassed: Didn't you let him in?

Chen Daoming stood up, straightened his robes, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Nian:

"Shut up! I've witnessed Teacher Meng's teaching abilities firsthand and I'm completely convinced. Item two passed."

Zhao Dapeng retreated to the corner with a livid face, and Chen Daoming didn't say anything more.

Six more people subsequently passed the test.

Chen Daoming cleared his throat: "The third item, practical combat skills."

He looked around the assessment hall: "According to the rules, the practical assessment requires you to fight against opponents of the same level."

There are six people advancing to the third round. We will arrange opponents by drawing lots, and according to the rules, one person will receive a bye. The person who receives a bye will advance directly!

"After all, luck is also a part of ability!"

Zhao Dapeng suddenly stood up again, forcing a smile:

"Dean Chen, one person is on a vacancy. How about I have a chance to spar with Professor Meng? Professor Meng just pointed out my weaknesses, and I'd like to ask him for advice in person."

To exchange ideas? Or to ask for advice?

Everyone present understood that he was unconvinced and wanted to get revenge, so he wanted to beat the old man up on the spot.

Everyone present looked at Zhao Dapeng with disdain. Shameless! So young, yet bullying an old man.

Chen Daoming glanced at Zhao Dapeng, then asked Xiao Nian:

"Teacher Xiao, what do you think? You could actually refuse, after all, this Teacher Zhao is a well-established and renowned teacher."

Zhao Dapeng strode into the center of the field, took off his jacket, revealing his well-built muscles, and spread his arms.

The body's blood and qi surged, and the twelve main meridians were faintly visible under the skin. This was the manifestation of a martial artist who had opened their meridians and was fully circulating their cultivation.

"Please enlighten me, Teacher Meng!" he shouted.

"Your posture reminds me of a creature: a bullfrog. Are you courting?"

"Shut the fuck up and do you dare?" Zhao Dapeng provoked again.

"You're so young, yet you bully an old man like me. Aren't you ashamed? Fine, but I have a condition."

Xiao Nian, leaning on his cane, slowly walked into the center of the field.

"What are the conditions?"

"The bet is five years' salary."

At the Military Academy, a directly affiliated college of the Great Xia Dynasty, even a low-ranking teacher like Zhao Dapeng earns a salary of one thousand taels a year, which amounts to five thousand taels over five years—equivalent to working for free for five years.

Zhao Dapeng didn't care about any of that; all he wanted to do now was take down that old bastard Meng Chenhai.

"No problem! Come on."

"You go first," Xiao Nian said.

Zhao Dapeng didn't hold back. With a roar, he pounced forward like a tiger descending a mountain.

The wind howled from the punch.

Everyone present held their breath.

With that kind of punching style, let alone an eighty-year-old man, even a young man would be close to death after taking one punch.

Xiao Nian only moved slightly.

He simply nudged the cane forward slightly, the tip of which landed precisely on Zhao Dapeng's old injury on his right shoulder.

Zhao Dapeng felt a numbness in his right arm, and his whole body felt like it had been drained of its strength. The strength he had just gathered seemed to deflate instantly, and he stumbled, tripping over Xiao Nian's outstretched crutch. With a thud, he fell face down on the ground.

"Hey, it's not even New Year's yet, no need to wish your Grandpa Meng a Happy New Year so early." Xiao Nian put away her cane and looked down at him.

The entire room fell silent.

Zhao Dapeng lay on the ground, his right shoulder aching so badly that he grimaced and struggled to get up but couldn't.

"Five thousand taels, give it to me tomorrow."

Zhao Dapeng's face turned bright red, filled with shame and indignation, and he wished he could faint on the spot.

"The third item is approved." Chen Daoming stood up. "Mr. Meng Chenhai, from this moment forward, you are officially a martial arts instructor at the Mizhou Martial Arts Academy."