The second candidate’s strength was clearly not on par with Xiahong Baiye, barely managing to maintain an undefeated stance against the Heavenly Soldier Puppet. Even with an explosive killing move unleashed, it only inflicted minor damage on the puppet.
After resisting for a while, he had to admit defeat.
The third, fourth, fifth...
One by one, the candidates took to the stage, most possessing considerable strength, yet few were able to defeat the Heavenly Soldier Puppet.
"The eighteenth, Sha Jiu."
As the voice of the Hall Master of Heavenly Light echoed once more,
While the crowd was pondering the peculiar name "Sha Jiu," they realized that the person taking the stage was none other than the formidable nameless black-robed swordsman from last month’s Outer Hall examination!
This individual had clearly only demonstrated a fraction of their capabilities during the Outer Hall examination and had easily shown such astonishing prowess.
The black-robed swordsman ’Sha Jiu,’ wearing a wooden mask, stepped onto the field, facing the Heavenly Soldier Puppet controlled by Grandmaster An.
"Begin."
The Heavenly Soldier Puppet transformed into a blur of light and shadow, charging straight at Sha Jiu.
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Underneath Sha Jiu’s mask, the eyes were lifeless and unfluttering; the hand simply rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Then, he gripped the hilt tightly.
Silently, a flicker of golden light passed over the chest of the Heavenly Soldier Puppet, and immediately its entire body began to dissipate into particles of golden light.
"You..." Grandmaster An was stunned.
Sha Jiu, without a second glance, merely lowered his sword-wielding hand and turned away from the battlefield.
The venue fell silent and then erupted in astonishment.
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"How... What in the world happened?"
"How did he suddenly win?"
"Did he draw his sword?"
Most of the audience had not seen what transpired and were bewildered to find the battle had already ended.
Up on the long terrace bleachers,
"How intriguing."
The Twelfth Prince spoke with interest, "So fast, such a secretive sword technique, seems to be an ultimate killing skill perfected to its pinnacle. I wonder which side cultivated such a person."
The Hall Master of Heavenly Light spoke softly, "Judging by those three slashes, it should be a set of killing skills that perfectly resonate, revolving around an ultimate core killing skill."
"Not bad swordsmanship," Commandery Prince An Qing said in a subdued tone, "It seems to be a sword technique created purely for slaughter."
Duke Heng also nodded slightly and said, "The realm of Martial Arts True Self paired with a compatible ultimate killing skill, such strength is considered quite good among the ranks of those in previous Inner Hall examinations."
Among the crowd of candidates below, they were all shocked as they watched Sha Jiu silently return.
"Your Highness, that person is really formidable, eh? I only managed to catch a glimpse of that one move he made just now."
Xiahong Baiye walked up to Lin Yue and couldn’t help saying, "Does your Baili trusted aide have the confidence to overcome him?"
"A sword?"
Lin Yue glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "He struck three times."
Xiahong Baiye was startled, "Three times? How can that be?"
He hadn’t even seen that one move clearly; how could this prince with such cultivation know?
Others in the presence of the candidates could not help but look towards Lin Yue.
Especially Qi Tianxing, who judged that probably only a very few people on the scene could discern those three moves. Could it be that this prince saw them too?
How could that be possible?
Baili Fengzhi also glanced at Lin Yue and then said, "Xiahong, you’re correct; there were indeed three moves."
"Really three moves?"
Xiahong Baiye was astonished and then looked at Baili Fengzhi and back at Lin Yue before he had an epiphany.
Seeing this, the other candidates also came to some understanding.
So it was Baili Fengzhi who informed the prince through Divine Thought Transmission.
However, they naturally wouldn’t say anything.
They were unaware that at that moment, Baili Fengzhi himself was also puzzled: "The prince actually saw it clearly?"
Before long—
"The thirty-fifth, Qi Tianxing."
The Third Young Master of the Qi Family, Qi Tianxing, took the stage.
"That Sha Jiu won with just three moves, I too must win within three moves!"
With a resolute look in his eyes, Qi Tianxing gripped his long sword and thought to himself, "I must show everyone my strength and prove I am the true successor to Duke Heng!"
"Begin."
Just as the announcement sounded, three brilliant sword lights shot into the sky, bursting with Sword Intent!
Qi Tianxing sheathed his sword.
The Heavenly Soldier Puppet dissipated, turning into golden light.
After a short silence, uproar followed.
"Such a terrifying sword!"
"This power might not be inferior to Sha Jiu’s!"
"The Third Young Master of the Qi Family? I haven’t heard much about him before, and yet he’s so strong?"
"Including Baili Fengzhi and Sha Jiu, do these three people occupy all the spots?"
"What... How can we compete?"
For a time, many candidates felt disconcerted, as they were originally aiming for the third spot but didn’t expect another exceptionally strong individual to emerge.
Qi Tianxing forcefully suppressed the joy in his heart and pretended to be calm as he stood in the crowd, focusing and listening carefully.
The position of Duke Heng seemed to be secured this time.
On the long terrace above,
"Lord Qi, congratulations."
The Hall Master of Heavenly Light showed a smile to Duke Heng.
"Haha, I didn’t expect Tianxing to have improved so much," Duke Heng was also somewhat surprised, "but his performance was indeed commendable."
The Twelfth Prince smiled without saying a word.
However, he was very pleased in his heart.
After all, once Qi Tianxing became the next Duke Heng, the Duke Heng estate would inevitably become his vassal.
"Such sudden progress, it seems to be a fortuitous encounter, probably guided by a Martial Saint."
Commandery Prince An Qing, however, threw in a remark out of the blue, "His swordsmanship is skillful, and the mood is profound, yet it seems a bit hollow, more like it was learned by imitation. It’s likely that he was meticulously taught and guided by a Martial Saint."
Duke Heng was slightly taken aback.
He wasn’t too versed in martial arts himself, but Commandery Prince An Qing often received pointers from the Crown Prince and had high standards, so his words were naturally credible.
"A Martial Saint’s guidance?" Duke Heng was somewhat puzzled, "Could it be that a Martial Saint has personally instructed Tianxing?"
...
Time passed, and one after another, the candidates engaged in the first round of life-and-death battles.
However, only less than thirty percent could pass.
"The fiftieth, Mu Yue."
Everyone quieted down, their gazes turning towards Lin Yue.
Was the Seventeenth Prince about to take the stage?