As the horn’s call faded, the crowd parted like a tide.

Su Yu bowed respectfully to Master Qin, then turned and walked toward the Group A arena. Lin Wanzhu, Jiang Liuchuan, and the Yang Sisters followed close behind, their procession drawing frequent glances from passersby.

Behind them, Chen Fan watched Su Yu’s back, a flicker of barely concealed mockery in his eyes.

’Just you watch, Su Yu. Master clearly favors me more. Once I make it into the top ten, everything will be different!’

Beside him, Ye Lu’s gaze fell upon the Yang Sisters.

Seeing the two of them in their exquisite dresses, sticking so close to Su Yu, a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes.

’Acting so high and mighty?’

’Just you wait. Senior Brother Chen has already promised me. After he gets into the top ten this time, he’s going to marry me.’

’Even though I can’t break through to become a Martial Artist myself, I’ll be the wife of the genius Martial Artist, Senior Brother Chen. We’ll see how you two can still act so superior then!’

...

The Group A Arena Area.

The area was packed with people, and the noise was deafening.

The moment Su Yu stopped, he spotted Jiang Mu in the distant crowd, standing on her tiptoes and craning her neck to look in his direction.

Behind her, Old Man Jiang and Old Man Lu stood sighing with worried expressions.

Su Yu waved to them from afar.

Jiang Mu’s eyes immediately curved into crescents. She waved her hands frantically, trying to push through the crowd toward him. "Brother Su! Brother Su!"

Old Man Jiang, his face etched with worry, quickly reached out a rough hand to place on her shoulder. He leaned down and whispered something that made her stop in her tracks, looking disappointed.

Jiang Liuchuan, standing to the side, took in the entire scene.

"Ho!"

The dashing playboy snapped his fan open with a SWISH, covering half his face and revealing a pair of eyes filled with deep meaning.

’The Yang Sisters throwing themselves at him on the left, his senior sister protecting him on the right, and an innocent young girl waiting devotedly for him in the distance...’

’Impressive! Truly impressive!’

Jiang Liuchuan looked at Su Yu’s upstanding gentlemanly appearance and felt a sense of solemn respect.

’I never would have thought Junior Su was a kindred spirit. I was almost fooled by his usual demeanor!’

’Since that’s the case, I must have a good chat with him in the future.’

...

"First match: Cui Wanhe versus Sun Yi!"

As the referee gave the order, the entire crowd fell silent.

Cui Wanhe, a Nine-Ring Saber on his back, slowly ascended the stage. Each step seemed to land on the hearts of the spectators, creating an oppressive aura that made even Su Yu’s gaze sharpen.

’A Third Acupoint Martial Artist!’

That realm alone was enough to crush any peer in Black Stone City!

One had to understand that for those participating in the Martial Examination within the age limit, reaching the First Acupoint already marked one as a genius among Martial Artists.

Take Dai Xing for example. Although slightly younger, he had broken through to the Second Acupoint, making him a true genius. Among all the contestants this time, he was the only one at the Second Acupoint!

But Cui Wanhe and Sun Yan were in a league of their own. They had completely bypassed the Second Acupoint and entered the Third Acupoint!

’Is an Upper-Middle Root Bone, a grade higher than a Top-Grade Root Bone, really that powerful?’

"Sun Yi, are you here?"

Seeing that no one had come up on the other side of the stage, the referee frowned and shouted.

"Coming, coming..."

Sun Yi walked onto the stage reluctantly, a long spear in hand and a miserable expression on his face.

’My damn luck is the worst. I actually drew Cui Wanhe.’

’It must be because of that shrew at home making a scene last night. So what if I want to take another concubine? I’m a Martial Artist now, and I still have to listen to her nagging about it.’

"Begin!"

Seeing him on the stage, the referee didn’t waste any time and immediately announced the start of the match.

Cui Wanhe’s gaze swept over, making Sun Yi’s heart lurch once more.

’Damn it all. With so many factions watching, even if I lose, I have to lose with some style. Otherwise, I won’t be able to get a post anywhere in the future, and then I’ll be truly finished!’

Sun Yi’s expression turned grim. He flourished his long spear, and with a roar from the Qi and Blood in his body, he shouted, "Cui Wanhe, eat my spear!"

"Long Dragon Emerges from the Water!"

With a great shout, he stomped his foot and his body shot forward in an instant.

The tip of his spear vibrated, transforming into a glint of cold light as it thrust toward Cui Wanhe’s throat with unstoppable resolve.

"Nice!" someone in the crowd couldn’t help but exclaim.

The power of that spear thrust was astonishing. No one expected Sun Yi to be a First Acupoint Martial Artist! Empowered by his Qi and Blood, an ordinary Martial Artist would have no chance of blocking that strike!

However, Cui Wanhe didn’t even lift an eyelid.

BUZZ!

The rings on the Nine-Ring Saber on his back chimed as he struck in an instant.

BOOM!

The Nine-Ring Saber came down in a simple, unadorned downward chop, but the power of the strike was terrifying!

The blade slammed against the spear’s tip, producing a grating explosion of sound.

Sun Yi felt his hands go light; the spear, forged from refined iron, was bent with such force that it snapped and flew from his grip! A massive rebound force surged up the shaft, tearing open the webbing between his thumb and index finger and sending him flying backward like a kite with a snapped string.

PTOO!

He spat out a mouthful of blood in mid-air and crashed heavily onto the edge of the stage, his eyes wide with horror.

One strike!

With just one strike, the spear broke and the man was sent flying!

"So strong!"

"How terrifying! Is he even human?"

"To think he defeated Sun Yi in a single move!"

"And Sun Yi is no weakling—he’s a First Acupoint master!"

’Such domineering power!’ Su Yu’s pupils constricted.

’So this is Cui Wanhe?’

’That effortless ease... he probably hasn’t even used his full strength.’

’It seems I underestimated the experts of Black Stone City. I used to think Chen Fan was a genius, but compared to Cui Wanhe, he’s leagues behind.’

But unlike the others, he didn’t feel pressure or despair. Instead, he grew more and more excited.

’I’ve already caught up to and surpassed Chen Fan, step by step. Cui Wanhe will be no different in the future. As long as I keep grinding and Breaking Limits, my Martial Arts cultivation will only get faster and faster!’

...

A few rounds later.

"Fifth match: Su Yu versus Liu Yansong!"

Su Yu’s expression was calm as he stepped onto the stage.

Across from him, a man in blue robes was already standing with a sword in hand. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and he had a refined, scholarly air.

The top disciple of the Songhe Martial Arts Hall, Liu Yansong.

Below the stage, a charming young woman in a pale yellow dress cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Senior Brother, beat that Su Yu! Show him the power of our Songhe Swordsmanship!"

’Her Senior Brother is the strongest genius Martial Artist in the Songhe Martial Arts Hall. He broke through to become a Martial Artist at a young age and is even approaching the First Acupoint.’

’Father even took him as his only Direct Disciple, teaching him the Songhe Swordsmanship personally. He definitely won’t lose!’

Liu Yansong glanced indulgently at his junior sister, then at the expectant gazes of his master and the others.

When Yang Ai heard the young woman’s shouts, she pouted, opened her cherry-like mouth, and yelled, "Brother Su is the strongest! Beat that Liu Yansong guy!"

The girl in the yellow dress heard Yang Ai and, not to be outdone, immediately yelled back, "Go, Senior Brother! Show your opponent what you’re made of!"

"Brother Su will win for sure! Brother Su is the best!"

The two girls went back and forth, their shouts growing fiercer with each cry. The two men on the stage hadn’t even started fighting yet, but it looked like a battle was about to break out below.

On the stage.

Liu Yansong cupped his fist in a salute. "From the Songhe Martial Arts Hall, Liu Yansong. Please, show me what you’ve got!"

"From the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Su Yu. Please!"

"Let the match begin!"