Dragon Marrow Prize !

In the grand courtyard of the Seven Profound Martial House, a stately array of twenty stone pillars stood sentinel, each bearing a radiant beacon at its zenith. This emblem would shape the destinies of the candidates. 

These towering sentinels were dispersed before the entrances to the venerable institution, a strategic design to alleviate the anticipated congestion.

Addressing the assembled hopefuls, a woman, bearing the grace of seasoned authority, ascended a raised platform. 

"Greetings to you all. I am one of the overseers tasked with conducting the Strength Trial. It is imperative to comprehend that the examination comprises three distinct phases. Those who prevail through the entire ordeal will undergo a formal evaluation, weighing age, aptitude, and performance. The foremost ten shall be rewarded, yet the pinnacle shall be graced with a treasure most coveted: the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill!"

The audience inhaled sharply at the mention of this marvel. 

Even the scions of the aristocracy could not conceal their astonishment. 

For the less endowed, regret cast a shadow, their faces etched with melancholy realization. 

The more robust among them, however, exuded palpable hope, an eagerness for the challenge ahead. They believed the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill was crafted especially for souls as resolute as theirs.

Sam, with his prior foray into medicinal texts, possessed a rudimentary grasp of the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill's virtues.

 A pill, no larger than a grape, born from the fusion of a Crimson Gold Dragon's marrow and an assortment of precious herbs, its essence distilled into a potent elixir. Its bounty promised to fortify physique and augment cultivation and shatter the shackles of stagnation.

Though not kin to true dragons, the Crimson Gold Dragon bore their bloodline, a lineage that commanded respect. 

Even Houtian adepts would find themselves hard-pressed in its presence.

In the realm of Starlight Haven Kingdom, the scarcity of Houtian adepts was a truism, and none among them possessed the alchemical prowess to craft such a rare gem. 

Without dispute, the fabled Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill hailed from the Seven Profound Valleys. 

Annually, the Valleys scoured the realm for prodigies, and the promise of such a prize acted as a beacon, enticing the gifted youth to participate.

To the Seven Profound Valleys, this pill might bear less import, yet to denizens of Starlight Haven Kingdom, it stood as an irreplaceable treasure beyond the reach of mere currency.

Even the mightiest aristocratic clans would envy any soul who could claim such a prize.

The gracious overseer, her countenance poised, continued, 

"For second, third, and fourth place, the Golden Snake Scarlet Pill shall be bestowed, while the fifth through tenth shall receive ten Soul Gathering Pellets!"

The Golden Snake Scarlet Pill, crafted from the gallbladder of a centennial Golden Scarlet Snake, bore its name from its radiant hue. 

Though eclipsed by the Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill, it remained a rarity, an elixir most would never encounter.

For the contenders in the lower ranks, a modest boom of ten Soul Gathering Pellets awaited their collective worth summing to two thousand gold. 

Yet, the two elevated prizes surpassed ten thousand gold in value, a sum that even multiplied could not secure their purchase.

The revelation of such bountiful rewards elicited a fervor among the adept contenders. 

Eager to exhibit their mettle, they brimmed with anticipation. 

Meanwhile, a coterie of silk-clad scions was observed with a measure of disdain. 

In their midst, a youth bedecked in jade-adorned regalia exuded an air of insouciance.

His retinue fawned and extolled, 

"These folk greatly overestimate themselves. The Crimson Gold Dragon Marrow Pill is already reserved for Young Master; victory is assured. Do they truly fancy themselves as contenders? Alas, they comprehend not their station."

The youth, his mirth ineffable, languidly waved her fan, betraying no hint of engagement. 

Hailing from the esteemed family of Yue Lu City, he was a paragon of promise, a fourth-grade talent with early-stage body Transformation proficiency. 

His triumph in Yue Lu City's elite contest had lent him an aura of distinction.

The overseer resumed her address, "We now embark upon the inaugural round of the entrance exam. Give it your all, for the luminance atop the stone column shall quantify the might of your strike. Each inch denotes one hundred jins of force. Exceed one thousand jins, and you shall secure passage. Each of you enjoys three attempts; a solitary qualification suffices. Let us commence with a demonstration. Jadely, step forth."

At his behest, a man strode forth, his countenance gaunt and austere, an embodiment of martial might. 

Adorned in somber attire, a formidable blade adorned his back. Though broad daylight prevailed, his presence ushered a chill that permeated the assembly.

"Is that Jadely?"

"A disciple of the Heavenly Abode in the Seven Profound Martial House!"

Sam, unfamiliar with this figure, turned to Alex inquiringly. "Who is Jadely?"

Alex, ever the font of gossip, if not diligence in martial pursuits, supplied, 

"Jadely is a senior apprentice of the Heavenly Abode, the most formidable faction within the Seven Profound Martial House. He is twenty years of age, a fourth-grade talent, and currently stands at the pinnacle of the Fourth Stage of Body Transformation. Just last year, he volunteered for a yearlong front-line deployment, where he left countless adversaries in his wake. Presently, gauging his combat prowess is a futile endeavor, but rumors abound that he shall soon ascend to the Fifth Stage of Body Transformation."

Twenty years old, Fifth Stage of Body Transformation? 

Sam's brows ascended in astonishment. To achieve this echelon by the age of thirty was esteemed as exceptional. 

Jadely, bearing the weight of countless lives vanquished, emanated an aura of mastery, eclipsing peers of equivalent standing.

Unenthused by the spectacle, Jadely stood before the pillar, eschewing ceremony. 

With a casual wave, a resounding 'Boom!' reverberated, the stone column quivering beneath the force. 

The luminance surged, then steadied, settling at four feet and nine inches.

4900 jins!

The assembly erupted in applause and awe. Had Jadely unleashed his full potential, surpassing 5000 jins might have been a certainty!

Sam, wide-eyed, beheld this revelation. Jadely might have approached double his own!

"It is no wonder," Alex interjected, "He ranks among Starlight Haven City's premier talents. It would be surprising if he produced any other result."

"In the younger generation, could Hen Portia contend with him?" Sam queried.

Alex shrugged. "Hen Portia's mettle remains a mystery to me. While Jadely specializes in combat and the art of survival, Hen Portia is a polymath, her expertise spanning diverse disciplines. In a life-or-death struggle, I doubt even she could best him. But let's not forget, she is a mere fifteen, whereas Jadely boasts twenty years."

Sam, pondering these words, nodded in understanding.

The path of Body Transformation comprised six stages, with each tier exponentially distancing itself from the former. 

At present, the Bone Forging stage, the Fifth Stage, signified the zenith, commanding reverence. 

Sam, however, languished far from this pinnacle.

"Commence the exam!" the graceful overseer proclaimed, galvanizing the initiation of the Strength Trial.

The youthful aspirants, brimming with anticipation, eagerly sought to assay their mettle. 

Alas, many faltered in their attempts.

"900 jins, 850 jins, 850 jins; three failures. Next!"

"950 jins, 900 jins, 900 jins; three failures. Next!"

A plethora of contenders mustered only modest strength, having just attained the Second Stage of Body Transformation. 

Even at peak capacity, they could scarcely breach 1000 jins. 

Moreover, nerves compromised their prowess, thwarting their full potential. A sad departure befell the disqualified.

"1000 jins; qualified!" exclaimed a triumphant soul, dancing with the thrill of success. 

Privy to the likelihood of imminent elimination, he nonetheless reveled in his distinction—a testament to his accomplishment.

"1300 jins; qualified!"

"950 jins; failed!"

With each verdict, the victors rejoiced, while the vanquished departed, crestfallen.

Amidst this tableau, a commotion burgeoned at the fore. 

Sam's gaze veered ahead, unveiling a youth garbed in azure vestments, his sinews coiled like steel springs.

Intrigued, Sam inquired, "Who is he?"

Whispers enveloped him. "That is Jonny Lee from East Water City, a Third Stage Body Transformation adept. His strength is prodigious!"

Jonny Lee, facing the stone pillar, summoned his might. 

In an explosive burst, he struck the column, resonating with a resonant 'peng.' 

The luminous beam quivered, ascending steadily to rest at two feet and three inches.

"2300 jins!"

The assembly erupted in astonishment, for Jonny Lee had breached the formidable 2000-jin threshold—a feat previously unseen.