Ten Meters One Slash

"Twenty-four hours countdown!"

With that announcement, the crowd within the jungle began to scatter rapidly.

Those holding banners started to hide.

Those without banners charged toward the beams of light.

Because they all wanted to secure a ranking and make their stay in the Training Camp a little more comfortable.

Outside the jungle, many Instructors watched the light pillars shooting up from within the forest, faint smiles on their faces.

"Finally, the finals are here!"

"Those light pillars have quite a few banners—wonder who got them?"

"The more pillars, the more banners in hand. Without enough strength, it's hard to hold onto them!"

"True, competition is always fierce at this time every year!"

"..."

They chattered among themselves. Some, as they spoke, cast glances toward Duan Wenchang's direction.

Duan Wenchang still stood at the very front of the crowd, the badge on his chest especially conspicuous.

Those standing behind him felt no shame at all.

After all, the person ahead of them was the young master of the Duan Family.

Losing to others—that would be embarrassing.

Losing to the Duan Family's young master?

What's there to be ashamed of?

Though Duan Wenchang's face remained expressionless, inside he wished he could die.

The dignified young master of the Duan Family—when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

"What do you think—how long can he last?"

"He has to last, whether he can or not. If he gets through this trial, he's bound to grow in the future!"

"But if he can't get through it, he might not even keep his life!"

"..."

Several Instructors remarked.

They were sharp judges of character and naturally knew that, compared to talent and family background, personal temperament was what truly mattered.

If Duan Wenchang remained trapped in this memory, he would never break free.

It would turn into his inner demon.

And have fatal consequences.

Lin Mu and Qian Mu's gazes locked onto those beams of light, their eyes sharpening slightly.

"It's starting," Lin Mu said.

Qian Mu nodded faintly. "It's starting."

Lin Mu stretched his body. "Then let's get to work. Earn more Points, and life will be a lot more comfortable later!"

"Mm," Qian Mu replied.

The two of them dashed toward the nearest beam of light.

That beam had four distinct colors, meaning the person holding it had four Banners in hand.

About ten minutes later, they locked onto a figure.

This person clutched four Banners and fled swiftly.

Others nearby were also closing in on him.

Lin Mu's War Blade appeared in his hand as he activated Flowing Dragon Steps.

His speed surged abruptly.

In almost an instant, he caught up to the man.

Lin Mu had seen this person a few times before.

His Blood Qi Value was around 6.4.

"Sorry, but I need these too," Lin Mu said.

The man's expression shifted sharply.

A large amount of black gas spewed from his mouth.

Lin Mu's pupils contracted slightly as his body was enveloped by the black gas.

A cold smirk curled at the corner of the man's mouth.

This was a poison gas he had specially concocted; even those with a Blood Qi Value above 7.0 would be completely paralyzed upon smelling it.

However, the smile on his face did not last long before a figure charged out from within the poisonous haze.

"You there, why can't you play fair?" Lin Mu demanded.

The War Blade in his hand swung toward the man.

Shiiing!

A sound of air being torn came.

A wound appeared on the man's body, and his figure crashed to the ground, his eyes filled with utter shock.

He had been hit by his poison gas, yet it hadn't affected him in the slightest—instead, a single slash had reduced him to this state.

Lin Mu grabbed the Banner from his hand and swept his gaze around.

Numerous figures watched him with predatory intent.

Lin Mu held his War Blade, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth, a wild aura surging from his body.

The long blade swept through the air, streaks of lightning coiling around its surface.

Thunder-Slaying Three Blades!

In an instant, a terrifying blade shadow descended.

With Lin Mu at the center, for a full ten meters in every direction, all the trees were severed, and the ground was scarred with trails of lightning.

Lin Mu stood with his War Blade, like a war god.

Those who had been eyeing Lin Mu now wore expressions of terror.

"What kind of blade technique is this? Such terrifying destructive power?"

"One slash covers ten meters around, and he wasn't even going all out—his strength is at least 8.0 or higher."

"Lin Mu! Top of the camp training, I've heard he's a ruthless one!"

"Forget it, looking for trouble with someone like him—isn't that just asking to die?"

"..."

A few people murmured among themselves.

Without a moment's hesitation, they turned and scattered in all directions.

Qian Mu came to his side, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Ruthless enough!"

Lin Mu shrugged. "Isn't this more efficient than fighting?"

Qian Mu nodded. "True."

His gaze turned toward the distance, where another beam of light shone.

"Next time, I'll take it."

"Up to you."

With those words, their figures vanished.

The man lying on the ground wore a bitter expression.

Why did he have to run into these two killing gods?

The two figures moved toward that beam of light, which shimmered with six colors.

Anyone who could obtain six Banners in this trial was definitely no ordinary person.

When they reached the person behind it, Qian Mu charged forward with his Long Staff.

Lin Mu stood at a distance, observing.

But just as Qian Mu's figure arrived before that person, his expression suddenly changed.

Because the one holding six Banners was someone he recognized.

A figure on par with Duan Wenchang and the others.

Lu Hua!

The second son of the Lu Family, with a Blood Qi Value around 8.7, and his full-body tempering skills were even more formidable than Duan Wenchang's.

His eyes fixed on Qian Mu, a faint smile on his lips.

"Qian Mu, you've got some nerve."

Qian Mu broke out in a cold sweat, stopping in his tracks. "I didn't know it was you."

"Since you're here, do me a favor," Lu Hua said.

"What?" Qian Mu asked.

"I only have six Banners in my hand right now, and this entire forest has fifty Banners. To secure first place, I'll conservatively need to get twenty-six Banners."

"But did you see that beam of light? It had a full nineteen colors, and it's still rising!"

"At this rate, my chances of taking first place are slim," Lu Hua said.

"That beam of light—is it Tan Ci?" Qian Mu pondered for a moment, then asked directly.

"That's right, it's him." A hint of a smile tugged at Lu Hua's lips.

Qian Mu understood. If it had been anyone else, Lu Hua and his group would have made a move long ago.

But Tan Ci.

Even two or three of Lu Hua might not be a match for him.

He carried the bloodline of the Barbarian Star Race. Once he went berserk, his combat power was terrifying.

"What do you want me to do?" Qian Mu asked.

"Simple. I can give you all the Banners in my hand. You go distract him. As long as you can keep him from succeeding before the competition ends, the deal is done," Lu Hua said.

"What are the terms?" Qian Mu asked.

"Five million plus one Tier 3 Martial Skill," Lu Hua said.

Qian Mu hesitated.

He wasn't guaranteed to take first place.

But if it was just about stalling for time, there was still some hope.

"You give me all the Banners, and I go distract Tan Ci. Are you that confident you can grab over twenty Banners from here on out?" Qian Mu asked.

"That's not your concern. I have my own plans," Lu Hua said.

Qian Mu's face was full of deliberation.

This kind of decision was still hard to make.