Inside the room, Qin Fangqiong looked at Chen Fan and asked, "Have you felt the pressure from Su Yu?"

"Not at all!"

Chen Fan answered resolutely, his chin raised slightly, still exuding the arrogance of a chosen one. "I possess a Top-Grade Root Bone; my Martial Arts path is on an entirely different level. Although Junior Su had a lucky breakthrough, his potential is already spent. Why should I concern myself with him?"

Qin Fangqiong looked at Chen Fan and sighed to himself.

He had completely seen through this disciple of his; Chen Fan’s character was flawed.

’If he truly didn’t care about Su Yu, he wouldn’t have said such a thing.’

’Initially, I had higher hopes for Chen Fan. After all, with his Top-Grade Root Bone, his potential is ultimately greater than Su Yu’s. I took Su Yu on in the hopes of sparking Chen Fan’s competitive nature. Having them compete against each other might even be a good thing.’

’But looking at Chen Fan’s current attitude, something isn’t right. In the future, as Su Yu continues to catch up and improve, the pressure on Chen Fan will only grow stronger.’

"Chen Fan."

Qin Fangqiong set down his teacup, his voice turning grave.

"For this Martial Examination, I will be weighing both you and Su Yu on my own scale. Whoever achieves a higher rank proves they have greater potential. In the future, the resources I have to offer will also favor the victor!"

"I hope you won’t disappoint me!"

Chen Fan’s pupils contracted sharply.

’Favored resources?’

’Something that should have been a sure thing... and now I have to fight that waste of space for it?’

"Yes, Master!"

He lowered his head, concealing the panic and venom in his eyes. He clenched his fists so tightly within his sleeves that his nails dug into his palms.

’Su Yu... you damned roadblock!’

Watching Chen Fan leave, Qin Fangqiong sighed again.

’Hopefully, the pressure I’ve put on this disciple will force him to mature.’

...

「The next morning at Black River Crossing.」

Three massive iron chain bridges spanned the river, connecting to a huge floating arena at its center. The arena was constructed from a hundred iron pontoons, floating dozens of feet above the water and as stable as solid ground.

"The second stage: Iron Chain Cross River!"

An examiner announced the rules in a loud voice: "A three-group battle royale! After one incense stick has burned, the group with the most members remaining on the platform will be declared the winner, and their top twenty will advance! The second-place group will advance fifteen members, and the last-place group will advance five!"

"Anyone who falls into the water is eliminated!"

"So that’s the Iron Chain Cross River stage. Go on and draw your lots! Remember, this is a team battle. The situation will be chaotic, so don’t let your guard down for a second!" Lin Wanzhu cautioned.

"Don’t worry, Sister Lin! This arena is perfect for my whip style. I’ll definitely advance this time!" Lin Jing said, full of confidence. She then glanced at Su Yu. "Su Yu, if you end up in the same group as me, I’ll have your back!"

Su Yu smiled. ’This Lin Jing girl is feisty, but she’s not a bad person. She didn’t even hold a grudge after I spanked her.’

’We’ve actually been getting along quite well. If we really do end up in the same group, I can help her out where I can.’

"Let’s go draw lots!"

The three of them went to the registration desk. Soon, everyone had arrived, the drawing began, and the results were announced one by one.

"Lin Dong, Group A!"

"..."

"Chen Fan, Group B."

"..."

"Su Yu, Group C!"

"..."

"Lin Jing, Group C!"

Lin Wanzhu frowned when she heard the results. This wasn’t a good draw. Although Su Yu and Lin Jing were in the same group and could support each other, they had been assigned to Group C, the weakest of the three.

As for Lin Dong, he was placed in Group A, which was an excellent outcome. With Cui Wanhe in their group, they had a strong chance of taking first place.

The strongest in Group B was Sun Yan, who also had his brother, Sun Shi, with him, so their chances were also good.

As for Group C, their only notable expert was Dai Xing, a Martial Artist at the Second Acupoint realm. Though powerful, he was still a considerable step down from the leaders of the other two groups.

BRAAAAAW—

As the long, drawn-out sound of a horn echoed, the Martial Artists tied on their respective group armbands. Then, each displaying their unique skills, they leaped onto the three iron chain bridges.

Lin Jing looked at Su Yu and called out, "Let’s go!"

With a single leap, the two of them also landed on an iron chain bridge.

Su Yu immediately felt the bridge lurch beneath him. There were already dozens of people on the chains, and even the slightest exertion of force from their feet caused the bridge to shake violently.

’They hadn’t even reached the arena to fight, and their own people were already about to start falling off.’

At a time like this, they needed someone to take the lead!

All eyes turned to the handsome man carrying a long spear on his back. It was Dai Xing, the strongest in their group.

However, Dai Xing’s expression remained impassive. Without a word, he pushed off with the tips of his toes and shot across the bridge with the grace of a soaring bird, charging onto the platform alone, completely disregarding the fate of his teammates.

One of the other Martial Artists immediately cursed in a low voice, "Damn it. The rumors are true. That guy is arrogant and looks down on everyone."

"He has no intention of working with us. Even if our group comes in last, five of us still get to advance. He’s guaranteed a spot!"

"Then screw it, let’s just charge!"

"Charge!"

The chains swayed even more violently. Someone lost their footing and was immediately shoved off.

"Damn it! Who sucker-punched me!"

They hadn’t even reached the arena, and their own group members were already turning on each other.

In that moment, the ugliness of human nature was on full display.

Meanwhile, the other two groups were a different story.

In Group A, Cui Wanhe held his saber in one hand, his voice booming like a great bell, "Everyone who wants to advance, listen to me! First, we clear out the other two groups, especially that disorganized rabble from Group C!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Cui!"

The members of Group A instantly had a leader to rally behind. They charged toward the floating arena in an orderly, unstoppable wave.

In Group B, Sun Yan was even more savage. He stomped his foot, shattering a huge section of the bridge’s walkway, and laughed maniacally. "Charge, you bastards! Wreck ’em all!"

With the walkway collapsing and the bridge shaking violently, the members of Group B had it even worse, cursing as they all scrambled toward the central platform.

Because they were fighting and competing amongst themselves, even more people fell off before they even made it to the arena.

Chen Fan was among them. With a single punch, he crippled the arm of a Martial Artist who tried to ambush him, his expression grim.

’I’m a First Acupoint Martial Artist. As long as I make it to the platform, I have a great chance of staying on it!’

’I have to win this Martial Examination!’

’I can’t lose everything I’ve just gained. Anyone who stands in my way will die!’

...

On the platform, a chaotic battle erupted.

The elites of Group A cut through the crowd like a sharp knife. In their wake, the disorganized stragglers from Groups B and C were sent tumbling into the water.

"Lin Jing, hold the left!"

Su Yu shouted, drawing Mo Yuan from its sheath.

"Spiritual Ape Emerges from the Cave!"

His blade flashed like lightning, instantly sending two would-be ambushers flying.

Lin Jing was just as decisive. Her Spirit Snake Whip became a whirlwind, creating an almost impenetrable defense that lashed back at anyone who got too close.

The two coordinated perfectly, managing to secure a corner amidst the chaos.

However, the others had also come prepared. Though the group assignments were new, it was impossible that no prior arrangements had been made.

Soon, members of Group B and Group C formed seven or eight small cliques of their own to fight back against Group A.

The entire floating platform descended into utter chaos, and every so often, another person would fall into the water, eliminated.

With Mo Yuan in hand, Su Yu easily defended one corner of the platform. Whenever Lin Jing was in trouble, he would casually flick a Flying Locust Stone to support her.

With his help, Lin Jing successfully held their flank.

As the incense stick burned down, the pressure on the two of them lessened.

Soon, the initial free-for-all wound down. The weak and those fighting alone had been almost completely cleared from the platform.

Just as everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the situation shifted again!