"Twenty-four-hour countdown!"
As that voice rang out, the crowd within the jungle began moving swiftly.
Those holding Banners started hiding.
Those without Banners charged toward the beams of light.
Because they all wanted to secure a ranking and live a little better in the Training Camp.
Outside the jungle, the many instructors watched the pillars of light shooting into the sky from within, smiles appearing on their faces.
"The finals have finally begun!"
"There are quite a few of those light pillars. I wonder who got them!"
"The more there are, the more Banners they hold. Without sufficient strength, it will be hard to keep them!"
"Indeed. Competition is always fierce at this time of year!"
"..."
The people discussed animatedly. As some spoke, their gazes drifted toward where Duan Wenchang stood.
Duan Wenchang still stood at the very front of the crowd, the sign on his chest especially conspicuous.
The people standing behind him did not feel embarrassed in the slightest.
After all, the one before them was the young master of the Duan Family.
Losing to anyone else would have been humiliating.
But losing to the young master of the Duan Family?
What was there to be ashamed of?
Though Duan Wenchang's face remained expressionless, inside, he wished he could die.
When had the dignified young master of the Duan Family ever suffered such humiliation?
"How long do you think he can hold out?"
"Even if he can't, he still has to. If he can endure this trial, he will definitely grow in the future!"
"But if he can't endure it, he might not even keep his life!"
"..."
Several instructors spoke.
They were excellent judges of character. Naturally, they knew that compared to talent and family background, one's temperament was the most important.
If Duan Wenchang remained immersed in this memory forever, he would never be able to walk out of it.
It would turn into his Heart Demon.
And bring about fatal consequences.
Lin Mu and Qian Mu looked toward those light beams, their gazes sharpening slightly.
"It's begun!" Lin Mu said.
Qian Mu nodded faintly. "It's begun!"
Lin Mu stretched his body. "Then let's do it! Earn more points so life will be more comfortable from now on!"
"Mm!" Qian Mu said.
The two of them rushed toward the nearest beam of light.
The beam had four colors, which meant that person held four Banners.
About ten minutes later, the two of them locked onto a figure.
That person held four Banners and was fleeing at high speed.
Some people nearby were also closing in on him.
Lin Mu's War Blade appeared in his hand as he unleashed the Flowing Dragon Steps.
His speed surged sharply.
In almost an instant, he caught up to that person.
Lin Mu had seen this person several times before.
His Blood Qi Value was around 6.4.
"Sorry, but I need these too," Lin Mu said.
That man's expression changed abruptly.
A large amount of black gas poured from his mouth.
Lin Mu's pupils contracted slightly as his body was enveloped by the black gas.
A cold smile appeared at the man's lips.
This was poisonous gas he had specially concocted. Even someone with a Blood Qi Value above 7.0 would have their entire body paralyzed after inhaling it.
However, the smile on his face did not last long before a figure charged out of the poisonous gas.
"You really aren't honest, are you?" Lin Mu demanded.
The War Blade in his hand cleaved toward the man.
Ssh!
The sound of tearing air rang out.
A wound appeared on the man's body, and he fell to the ground, his eyes filled with shock.
He had been hit by the man's poison gas, yet he had not been affected at all. Instead, one slash had left him in such a state.
Lin Mu took the Banners from his hand and swept his gaze around.
Quite a few figures watched him like tigers eyeing their prey.
Lin Mu held his War Blade, a faint smile on his lips as a violent aura surged from his body.
As the long blade swung, bolts of lightning coiled around its surface.
Thunder-Slaying Three Blades!
In an instant, a terrifying blade shadow descended.
With Lin Mu at the center, every tree within a full ten-meter radius was severed, while traces of lightning streaked across the ground.
Holding his War Blade, Lin Mu looked like a god of war.
The people who had been watching Lin Mu now wore terrified expressions.
"What kind of Blade Technique is that? How can it have such terrifying destructive power?"
"One slash covered ten meters around him, and he didn't even use his full strength. His strength is at least above 8.0."
"Lin Mu! First place in the Training Camp entrance assessment. I heard he's a ruthless one!"
"Forget it. Picking a fight with someone like him is no different from courting death!"
"..."
Some people whispered among themselves.
Without the slightest hesitation, they turned and scattered in all directions.
Qian Mu came to Lin Mu's side with a smile on his face.
"Ruthless enough!"
Lin Mu shrugged. "Isn't this more cost-effective than fighting?"
Qian Mu nodded. "It is!"
His gaze turned toward the distance, where another beam of light stood.
"Next time, I'll do it!"
"Up to you!"
As their words fell, the two of them departed.
The man lying on the ground had a bitter expression on his face.
How had he run into these two killing gods for no reason at all?
The two of them headed toward that beam of light, which had a full six colors.
Anyone who could obtain six Banners in such a trial was definitely no ordinary person.
When they arrived behind that person, Qian Mu charged forward with a long staff in hand.
Lin Mu stood at a distance and watched.
But just as Qian Mu reached the person, his expression changed abruptly.
Because he knew the person holding the six Banners.
He was someone as famous as Duan Wenchang and the others.
Lu Hua!
The second son of the Lu Family, with a Blood Qi Value around 8.7. His body-tempering skills were somewhat stronger than Duan Wenchang's.
He looked at Qian Mu, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Qian Mu, you've got some nerve!"
Qian Mu felt awkward and stopped in his tracks. "I didn't know it was you!"
"Since you're here, help me with something!" Lu Hua said.
"What is it?" Qian Mu asked.
"It's simple. I only have six Banners right now, while this stretch of jungle has fifty Banners in total. To take first place, I conservatively need at least twenty-six Banners!"
"But do you see that beam of light? It already has nineteen colors, and it's still increasing!"
"At this rate, my chances of taking first place are very slim!" Lu Hua said.
"That beam belongs to Tan Ci?" Qian Mu thought for a moment before immediately asking.
"That's right, it's him!" A smile appeared at Lu Hua's lips.
Qian Mu understood. If it had been anyone else, Lu Hua and the others would have made their move long ago.
But Tan Ci...
Even two or three Lu Huas might not be his match.
He carried the bloodline of the Barbarian Star Race. Once he went berserk, his combat strength became exceedingly terrifying.
"What do you want me to do?" Qian Mu asked.
"Very simple. I can give you all the Banners in my hands. You go distract him. As long as you keep him from getting them before the competition ends, the deal is complete!" Lu Hua said.
"What are the terms?" Qian Mu asked.
"Five million, plus a Tier 3 Martial Skill," Lu Hua said.
Qian Mu hesitated somewhat.
He might not be able to take first place.
But if he only had to stall for time, there was still some hope.
"You'll give me all the Banners, and I'll go draw Tan Ci away. Are you that confident you can seize more than twenty Banners afterward?" Qian Mu asked.
"That's none of your concern! I have my own arrangements!" Lu Hua said.
Qian Mu's face was filled with contemplation.
It was still difficult to make a decision about something like this.
Before you continue