Assessment

The assembly horn sounded.

The new batch of soldiers arrived one after another, lining up on the training ground.

Not long after.

Xiang Tingchun, clad in chainmail and with a saber at his waist, appeared first, followed closely by a civil official in official robes.

Xiang Tingchun showed no expression on his face and walked directly to the high platform.

He scanned the crowd and slowly said in a deep voice, "Those who have cultivated Qi and Blood, step forward!"

Out of thirty-eight people, only Chen Sanshi took a step forward.

A hint of surprise appeared on Xiang Tingchun's calm face. He ordered, "Have a Squad Leader come out and spar with him so I can see."

"Xu Bin, step forward!"

Wang Zhi pointed at someone and said, "Follow the rules. You also use the introductory realm of Qi and Blood cultivation, but you can use any technique you want to spar with Chen Sanshi!"

On the side of the training ground, Xu Bin, who was abruptly chosen, was stunned but still stepped out.

He looked at Chen Sanshi with a complicated expression.

These past few days, his fellow villager had been the center of attention.

First, he was fought over by several Hundred Household Commanders in public.

Then, he cultivated Qi and Blood in just six days.

Six days!

He himself had only barely managed to become a Warrior Recruit, and he couldn't remember exactly how long it took him to cultivate Qi and Blood!

In short, after several years in the barracks, he had finally managed to become a Squad Leader.

If this young man in front of him could perform well today, he might be directly promoted to Squad Leader!

Such boundless prospects.

Yet, on the very first day of his enlistment, he hadn't shown him any favor.

Even more unlucky, he didn't know why he was chosen for this assessment.

"What are you standing around for? Begin."

Xiang Tingchun urged, "Use the same realm of Qi and Blood and go all out. This will also give me a chance to see if your martial skills have improved."

"Old Xu."

"I heard this person is your fellow villager. Don't hold back."

"..."

Several Officers and Hundred Household Commanders chimed in from the side.

They had all heard about the genius who had arrived at the Garrison recently and had long wanted to see what he was made of.

Xu Bin, as required, summoned a wisp of Qi and Blood.

The amount of Qi and Blood could be controlled.

Introductory Qi and Blood was one wisp, Proficient was two wisps, and Minor Accomplishment was to have it spread throughout the limbs.

By maintaining only one wisp of Qi and Blood, one could suppress their realm to the introductory level.

However, saber techniques were accumulated over many years and were difficult to restrain.

Theoretically, he held an absolute advantage when the two fought.

Even so, Xu Bin was still a little nervous.

Lord Thousand Households was personally observing, and he had said those words.

This meant that if he lost to a newcomer in public, his future would be essentially ruined.

Conversely, if he could display some decisive moves and attract the attention of Lord Thousand Households...

His lifelong ambition was to achieve great deeds on the battlefield, but being born in Poyang County, he didn't even have the chance to kill enemies.

Without cultivation resources, he had been stuck in the Blood Refining realm for so many years, with almost no hope of advancement.

Today was an opportunity.

For the sake of his own future, he was unwilling to sacrifice himself to help others.

Therefore, it was absolutely impossible for him to hold back.

He hoped the younger brother introduced by his father would not blame him.

"Sanshi, don't blame me if I injure you."

Xu Bin drew his saber. The three-foot-long saber gleamed coldly under the scorching sun.

"Officer Xu, please proceed."

Chen Sanshi raised his spear, ready for battle.

Since he started practicing martial arts, he hadn't had a proper spar with anyone.

Taking this opportunity, I can also test my own level.

"Alright, watch the blade!"

Xu Bin suddenly attacked.

His body slightly hunched, he moved forward with his saber, his eyes sharp, like a wolf that had been starved for days and finally smelled fresh meat. In just two breaths, he was beside the young man, his Wild Goose Feather Saber slashing horizontally.

At the same time, a point of cold light flashed in front.

In an instant, this cold light transformed into a spear tip, rapidly enlarging in Xu Bin's pupils.

The later strikes first;

Short blade, long spear, the way of long weapons!

"What a fast spear!"

Xu Bin no longer dared to attack. If he advanced another step, he wouldn't be able to strike the opponent and would likely be impaled first!

He slammed on the brakes, intending to use his saber to break the spear shaft made of Chinese waxwood.

Chen Sanshi obviously wouldn't give him this chance. He retracted the spear three inches, his stance firm, channeling his vital energy into his right arm. With a "block and grab" motion, he clashed the spear tip against the blade.

"Clang--"

A crisp sound of weapons colliding rang out.

The Wild Goose Feather Saber vibrated continuously.

The Plum Blossom Spear trembled non-stop.

Both men retreated several steps simultaneously.

But for long weapons, distance equals advantage!

As soon as Xu Bin stabilized himself, the Plum Blossom Iron Spear thrust towards him again. He had no choice but to block with his saber. Fortunately, he had practiced martial arts for many years, and this level of intensity was manageable; he could parry it.

However, everyone had practiced the Basic Soldier Spear Technique.

Why was Chen Sanshi's spear technique so fast and fierce, unlike ordinary people?

And his vital energy.

Although it was only a wisp of vital energy, he had condensed it for many years, so it should have been stronger.

But in that direct clash, he didn't gain any advantage in terms of strength, only managing a slight edge through his saber technique experience.

Strange!

Xu Bin felt his face lose its luster, worried about the impression he was making in the eyes of Lord Thousand Households.

His saber techniques became increasingly fierce and ruthless, each strike aimed at a vital point, intending to exhaust the opponent's vital energy this way.

"Clang clang clang clang!"

The sound of metal colliding continued, and yellow dust filled the training ground.

Chen Sanshi retreated continuously, maintaining the distance advantage of his long weapon.

"Damn it."

Wang Zhi couldn't help but curse.

He had been thinking that Xu Bin was the one who introduced Chen Sanshi to the barracks, and he had deliberately called him out. Did this guy mean business?

He'd deal with this blind fool later.

On the other hand, Xiang Tingchun's eyes narrowed slightly, watching with great interest.

"Well fought!"

The surrounding soldiers also cheered.

"Clang--"

Another clash of metal.

Chen Sanshi narrowly avoided a hit. At the critical moment, he held his breath and twirled the spear, narrowly escaping the danger and forcing the wolf that was almost against his body back seven paces.

Xu Bin was indeed a veteran of the army.

After a few rounds, his arms felt numb, his shoulders ached, and his body and face were covered in sweat.

Only his vital energy was still sufficient.

He could hold on longer.

It was rare to have a sparring partner, and his spear technique proficiency was rapidly improving. He had to cherish this opportunity.

"Again!"

Xu Bin swung his saber again and again, his eyes turning slightly red.

This was already the eighth round, and he still couldn't take him down!

Since he had already offended him, he might as well go all the way.

No matter what, he couldn't be seen as a useless person by the Thousand Households!

He didn't hold back at all. The Wild Goose Feather Saber continuously tore through the air, truly like a rampaging wolf, trying every possible way to bite its prey.

He intended to use a head-on collision to wear down the opponent faster and find an opening.

However, as time went on...

Xu Bin gradually sensed something was wrong.

On the surface, the young man with the spear was constantly defending.

But his vital energy and blood had not diminished!

On the contrary, his own vital energy and blood were being consumed, nearing depletion.

"How can this be?!"

Astonishment showed on Xu Bin's face.

Impossible!

This kid just recently cultivated vital energy and blood; he'll definitely be exhausted in ten more rounds!

Thinking this, his saber techniques became even more ferocious.

But the reality was completely different from what he imagined.

After another ten rounds, his vital energy and blood were mostly depleted, yet Chen Sanshi still hadn't lost!

The kid looked panting and on the verge of collapse, but he always managed to hold on during critical moments. His endurance was terrifying.

"Clang!"

Xu Bin's speed and strength slowed and weakened due to his depleted vital energy and blood.

It was at this moment that the tide of battle turned. The Plum Blossom Spear completely shifted from defense to offense!

A block, a grab, a thrust—every spear technique was executed by Chen Sanshi with steadiness, accuracy, and ferocity. Combined with his vital energy and blood, it was like a storm relentlessly crashing down. One careless moment, and your head would split open.

It was Xu Bin's turn to be drenched in sweat.

His vital energy and blood gradually dried up in the fierce battle. The hand holding the saber began to cramp. He forgot about attacking, or rather, he no longer had the opportunity to attack. His eyes were filled only with the constantly flashing cold glint and the dancing red tassel.

This is impossible.

Chen Sanshi had only recently cultivated vital energy and blood; how could his endurance be so astonishing?

For a few moments, Xu Bin almost managed to mobilize his remaining vital energy and blood to unleash the strength of his Proficient Blood Refining, but he knew he had already lost.

Five years!

Five years of martial arts training, and he couldn't beat someone who had only been training for half a month in a pure display of skill!

"Clang—"

Lost in a daze, the Wild Goose Feather Saber was knocked from his hand. The sharp, triangular spear tip followed closely, pressing against his throat.

"Officer Xu, I concede!"