Chapter 48 War Begins
The training ground of the Demon Suppression Division in Qingzhou.
The training ground covered a vast area, with eight arenas erected in the center. Each arena was made of bluestone and was about several tens of feet wide.
The arena was surrounded by people, creating a lively atmosphere. In addition to the participants, many martial artists from Qingzhou Prefecture had come to watch the battle.
"What a grand display!" Li Hu exclaimed.
The training ground was surrounded by spectator stands, with Wei Tong and other high-ranking officials of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, as well as the generals of various counties, sitting at the very front.
Behind them were ordinary spectators, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
"Look, that's Chu Chunqiu!"
"Xiao Chen is here too!"
"Lin Qing'er looks so beautiful in the martial arts academy's uniform today!"
Exclamations of surprise rang out from the crowd from time to time; every move of those top geniuses was closely watched.
Shen Lian and his four companions followed Zhao Shan to their seats in Qinghe County and sat down to wait.
Wei Tong stood up, his voice echoing throughout the arena: "The first round of the Qingzhou Prefecture Rising Star Competition, the arena battles, is now beginning! First contestant, please step onto the stage!"
Eight arenas opened simultaneously, and sixteen contestants leaped onto the arenas.
Shen Lian's gaze swept across the arena and he spotted Chu Wen from Baiyun County on the third stage, facing a Demon Suppressor from Qingyang County.
The gong sounded, and the eight competitions began simultaneously.
The battles on the arena were extremely fierce. All the participants in the competition were elites from various regions, with the weakest being at least at the second level of the Body Tempering Realm, and most of them at the third level or above.
Amidst the clash of swords, the force of fists and palms, and the surge of blood and qi, the arena trembled continuously.
Shen Lian carefully observed each battle and learned from it.
On the first arena, Xiao Chen from Dongping County faced off against a demon-suppressing envoy from Linjiang County.
Xiao Chen didn't even draw his sword; he simply struck out with his palm, the wind from which surged like a tide, directly sending his opponent flying off the stage.
"So powerful!" Wang Lin gasped.
"Xiao Chen didn't use his full strength at all," Lin Feng said in a deep voice.
On the second arena, Lin Qing'er faced off against a female demon envoy from Luoxia County.
Lin Qing'er didn't draw her sword; she only used the scabbard to unleash three moves, sealing off all of her opponent's attacks. With the final move, she forced her opponent off the stage.
"His swordsmanship has reached a state of perfection." Chen Yun exclaimed in amazement.
On the third arena, Chu Wen fought his opponent for more than twenty moves and finally won with a brilliant sword technique, winning cheers from the crowd.
Shen Lian nodded slightly. Chu Wen's swordsmanship was indeed exquisite, and his control over his strength was at a very high level.
An hour later, all eight matches of the first round were completed, and eight winners were determined.
"The second contestant, please step onto the stage!" the judge announced loudly.
Li Hu stood up and took a deep breath: "It's my turn."
Shen Lian patted him on the shoulder: "Be careful and do your best."
Chen Yun said softly, "Tiger, keep it up."
Wang Lin nodded: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Lin Feng said coldly, "Don't lose too badly."
Li Hu grinned: "Don't worry, I won't bring shame to Qinghe County!"
After saying that, he strode towards the second arena.
Qin Lie was already waiting on the stage. When he saw Li Hu come up, he grinned and said, "From Qinghe County? I heard you didn't perform very well last year. I guess it'll be about the same this year."
Li Hu said in a deep voice, "We'll only know after we fight."
Qin Lie shrugged: "Fine, then I'll let you know the difference between us."
The gong sounded.
Qin Lie moved swiftly, like a tiger unleashed from its cage, his thick-backed broadsword bringing with it a scorching wind as it slashed straight at Li Hu's face.
Li Hu's pupils contracted, and he quickly stepped into the "Tiger-Taming Stance" stance, turning his body sharply to the right to avoid the powerful and heavy slash.
Qin Lie shifted his blade, sweeping it across Li Hu's waist and abdomen. The blade whistled, and the power increased by three points.
Li Hu dared not take the blow head-on. He held his long sword horizontally and used the "Mountain-Splitting Style" to barely block the attack.
clang!
A tremendous force struck, causing Li Hu's arm to tremble violently. He staggered back three steps before regaining his balance.
"The difference in strength is too great," Shen Lian said, frowning.
Wang Lin said, "As expected of the pride of Qingzhou Prefecture, his strength is indeed strong. I'm afraid happy Huzi is no match for him."
On the arena, Qin Lie pressed his advantage relentlessly, unleashing a series of powerful and heavy slashes with his broadsword, each strike accompanied by a scorching wind.
Li Hu could only dodge and parry, completely suppressed and at a disadvantage.
After more than ten moves, Li Hu was already panting heavily, and the web of his right hand was split open, with blood dripping down the hilt of his knife.
"Is that all you've got?" Qin Lie sneered, raising his broadsword high, his blood surging, the blade glowing crimson. "It's time to end this!"
With a single slash, it spread like wildfire!
Li Hu gritted his teeth, pushed the "Tiger Subduing Stance" to its limit, concentrated all his blood and energy in his arms, and slashed upwards with his long sword.
clang!
A deafening clang of metal rang out.
Li Hu was struck hard and flew backward, crashing heavily onto the edge of the arena. His long sword flew out of his hand and landed several feet away.
"Thank you for your concession." Qin Lie sheathed his sword, turned around, and stepped off the stage.
Li Hu struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, silently picked up his long knife, and walked off the stage.
"Tiger!" Chen Yun rushed forward.
Li Hu shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I tried my best, but the gap is too big..."
Shen Lian patted him on the shoulder: "Qin Lie is at the peak of the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm. You've done a great job of holding him off for a while."
Li Hu took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "I will continue to work hard, and one day I will become stronger!"
The competition continued.
Chen Yun faced off against Liu Ming from Beichuan County. The two fought fiercely for over forty moves, but Chen Yun narrowly defeated her opponent with her exquisite footwork and swordsmanship, advancing to the second round.
"Congratulations!" Shen Lian said with a smile.
Chen Yun said softly, "It was a lucky win."
Wang Lin faced off against Sun Hao from Baiyun County. The two were evenly matched and fought to a standstill. After fifty moves, Wang Lin lost by half a move, ending his run in the first round.
"What a pity." Wang Lin shook his head, but his eyes were firm. "I lost this time, but I will win next time."
Lin Feng faced off against Zhao Hu from Heishan County. He was ruthless and defeated Zhao Hu within ten moves, even breaking one of Zhao Hu's ribs, which drew angry stares from the people of Heishan County.
"Lin Feng, you went too far!" Zhou Yang said angrily.
Lin Feng glanced at him coldly: "In a ring competition, injuries are inevitable."
Zhou Yang wanted to say something more, but was stopped by the commander of Heishan County: "That's enough, a loss is a loss."
In the afternoon, it was Shen Lian's turn to perform.
"Shen Lian, number 47, versus Zhang Kui, number 48, please come to the stage!"
Shen Lian slowly rose, his long sword hanging at his waist, and walked steadily toward the arena.
Zhang Kui was already waiting on the stage. He was as strong as an iron tower and carried a broadsword with a thick blade. It was clear that the sword was heavy.
[Combat Strength]: 31~38
"Shen Lian? I heard your swordsmanship is highly refined?" Zhang Kui grinned. "Today I'll come and see just how exquisite your swordsmanship is!"
Shen Lian clasped his hands in greeting: "Brother Zhang, please give me your guidance."
The gong sounded.
Zhang Kui roared and charged forward, raising his broadsword high and unleashing a powerful strike, slashing down at Shen Lian's head!
The wind howled as the blades whistled, their force fierce and powerful!
Shen Lian's eyes narrowed, and he unleashed the "Tiger-Taming Stance" footwork. His figure moved like a willow catkin in the wind, drifting three feet to the left to avoid the powerful and heavy slash.
Zhang Kui shifted his stance and swept his blade horizontally, the air whistling mournfully wherever the blade passed.
Instead of retreating, Shen Lian advanced, taking a series of steps and moving like a dragon to close in on Zhang Kui. He slashed his long sword diagonally, aiming straight for Zhang Kui's ribs.