Shi Lang was standing in the queue to register with a modest behavior. He did not want to attract attention before facing any strong people. The terran soon registered and was allowed to enter the arena ring registered for the sword practitioners.
The arena was enough to house at least a thousand people. However, a few hundred disciples from the outer court were still present. Many of the inner court disciples were absent due to various reasons. Shi Lang heard that all the core disciples were present at this place.
A bell sounded, and a deacon walked over to the center of the arena. He said, "This is the outer court ascension examination. However, many of you are still new and have not spent much time in the sect.
It is commendable that you wish to join this contest. However, beware that weapons are blind, and if the struggle becomes desperate, dying might be the best outcome. Please practice caution."
The people replied, "Yes, Elder!"
The Deacon nodded and said, "Since you all agree, let us begin. You will be partnered in pairs. Look at the sect identity token to find your number."
Shi Lang looked at his number and found it to be one hundred seven. His match will be paired with the one next to him, meaning one hundred eight. He was not worried and closed his eyes to cultivate.
Yes, he did not intend to watch any person fighting. He was sure of his skill. The Deacon began to call people from the stands, and the contest began. Among the three hundred, the outer court disciples who had been waiting for this chance for a few years to advance to the inner court were doing their best and beating all the newbies they met on the way.
The Deacon said loudly, "Candidate number one hundred seven and one hundred eight."
Shi Lang opened his eyes and stood up slowly from his spot. He walked over to the arena in a casual manner. The disciples began to whisper to each other. The terran heard them saying, "He is going to fight Hu Jian?"
"I feel sorry for him. To meet the top ten of the outer court in the first match. Guess the heavens hate him."
Shi Lang found his opponent standing in the arena's center. The Deacon said, "No maiming, no crippling, and if the opponent concedes, you must stop immediately."
The terran nodded, and the Deacon retired to the side. He gazed at the young man before him. This person was like a muscle mountain and had a long epee beside him.
Hu Jian did not wear anything to cover his top but stood in pants with his arms crossed in front of his chest and said, "You should concede."
The deep voice carried a trace of arrogance that made Shi Lang recall the early Jenkins. He shook his head and said, "Come."
The simple word of defiance and inviting the challenge made Hu Jian indignant. He grasped the five feet tall epee and rushed at Shi Lang. The blade seemed heavy as it was being dragged behind. However, that was just a facade. The blade was leaving a clear mark on the floor.
Shi Lang knew that this blade was sharp, and even more, Hu Jian was strong enough to run so fast, which meant he could control this blade well enough.
When everyone was thinking about how the fight would turn out, they found Shi Lang standing in his spot, frozen like a statue. Someone said, "He will not commit suicide, will he?"
The people loved to spew shit when they had nothing to do.
Hu Jian was six feet away from Shi Lang when his muscles contracted as he yanked the blade. Shi Lang smiled, and instead of dodging the attack, he quickly stepped forward. His fist flicked and landed on Hu Jian's bicep.
At the same time, his kick landed on the inside of Hu Jian's knee. The impact was aimed at the weakest link of the body, the ligaments. These things are stubborn. Even if they are tempered, they do not become stronger after a limit.
Hu Jian lost balance, and Shi Lang moved behind him and grasped the neck in a choke. The grappling method would have failed if it was someone else, but Hu Jian was too big, and his muscles lacked flexibility. He had great explosive strength, but he could not break out of this lock without flexibility.
Shi Lang said, "Concede."
Hu Jian squirmed and tried to break free, but Shi Lang stepped on his bent knee from behind, immobilizing it. The crowd was shocked, and Hu Jian was restricted in a blink. The latter tried, but when he could not find a breaking point, he tapped on Shi Lang's elbow thrice, and the Terran let him go.
The deacon appeared quickly and said, "Shi Lang won."
Shi Lang bowed to the Deacon and Hu Jian before he walked off the stage. The crowd did not make fun of him anymore.
...
Wen Lengxue was sitting in a separate box above the arena. She could not help but lean forward. Beside her stood Elder Ji, who asked, "What do you think?"
The young lady snorted and said, "He is not yet qualified to make me think about him. However, this Hu Jian, is he not your brother, Senior Brother Hu Shan?"
Hu Shan was a muscular man watching the contest with his fellows. Hearing the remark, he nodded and said, "This young man has skills. He dealt with Hu Jian without letting him show his skills."
Wen Lengxue said, "Yeah, but that cost Hu Jian the chance to advance."
Hu Shan turned his head to look at Wen Lengxue and said, "The advancement will come when he has the skill. He has yet to learn a lot. You should not mess with me, Junior Sister Wen. Even with the peak master at your back, I would break you if you tried to trick me."
Wen Lengxue smiled and said, "Senior Brother, why are you so bad at handling teasing."
Hu Shan did not answer her and focused on the contest. Elder Ji frowned. Since Wen Lengxue formed a knot in her heart, she has become dishonest and cold. This was not a good thing. Negative thoughts would give birth to demonic nature and could corrupt the spirit energy.
The contest continued, and when the sun fell, Shi Lang had yet to lose a battle. He had a streak of twenty wins. This caused a sensation in the arena. Even the elders were surprised to see such a situation. The baffling fact was that the young man did not use his spirit sword.
While the people thought this was not very kind, they were sure the young man had the skills to deal with them without bringing out his best. The fact that he did not even use any spirit arts made the elders wonder what sort of genius they got.
The sun had fallen, and the arena was lit up with moonstones. The deacon said, "The final match of the Outer Court Contest, participant Zhou Leiyang."
The disciples were excited, and they all cheered. Zhou Leiyang was a genius and the strongest among the outer court disciples. He walked on the platform with a sword tied to his waist. His eyes were sharp, and his steps were calm. He seemed to be the perfect sword, calm yet sharp.
The Deacon nodded to the young man and said, "The unexpected Dark Horse, participant, Shi Lang."
Shi Lang walked over like he always has, uncaring toward the world. He stood facing Zhou Leiyang with a calm gaze. The deacon said, "The rules are the same. Begin."
Zhou Leiyang did not move and asked calmly, "Will you take out your sword if I qualify as your opponent?"
Shi Lang nodded, and Zhou Leiyang emitted a strong pressure from his body. The people were surprised, and Shi Lang constricted his pupils slightly as he mumbled, "Immortal Soldier."
Zhou Leiyang nodded as his body was covered in a crimson glaze. He asked, "Do you want me to lower my cultivation?"
The people were shocked, apparently, Zhou Leiyang was also hiding his cards and did not show everything to the opponents earlier. Shi Lang shook his head and said, "Enemy on the battlefield will not show me mercy so that you can go all out."
Zhou Leiyang nodded and asked, "Is this still not enough to make you bring out your sword?"
Shi Lang shook his head and raised his two fists. Then he parted his legs and assumed the hero's stance. However, this time, his joints and body were flickering with sparks.
Zhou Leiyang was surprised and asked, "Lightning attribute spirit?"
Shi Lang nodded, and the Deacon said, "Move!"
The two people smiled, and then they moved from their spots. One fire and one lightning. Two destructive elements fought with each other and their attacks were simply scary. The spectators could not help but cast spiritual shield.
BOOM!
The first blow of the last match, and the enter sect felt the impact.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺