The Sword Art Assessment had ended, and the most thrilling part—the Combat Competition—finally began.
The open space at the center of the square had been divided into dozens of arenas. A Deacon Elder stood on each arena, responsible for judging victory and defeat and maintaining order. The Chief Deacon Elder rose to his feet and announced in a clear voice, "Disciples, proceed to the drawing area and draw your opponents' number plaques. This Combat Competition will be a one-on-one elimination tournament. Winners advance, losers are eliminated! Your final scores will be based on the number of rounds you advance and your performance in battle, which will count toward your overall results!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples impatiently surged toward the drawing area. Before long, it was packed with people, each praying that they would draw a weaker opponent.
Shen Hao had good luck, drawing number thirty-seven. His opponent was a disciple named Li Qiang, who was at the Early Qi Refining Third Layer. Zhang Shan's luck was not bad either. He drew number fifteen, and his opponent was Wang Fang, who was at the Late Stage Qi Refining Layer One—one minor realm below him.
Before long, the first round officially began. Disciples on every arena paired off and fought, and the Training Ground was immediately filled with the clang of weapons colliding and the shouts of the competitors. It was tremendously lively.
Shen Hao and Li Qiang stepped onto arena number thirty-seven together and faced one another, their gazes meeting. Li Qiang looked at Shen Hao, a bitter smile appearing on his face as he clasped his fists. "Senior Brother Shen, I never expected my opponent to be you. Both your cultivation and sword arts far surpass mine. I should not overestimate myself, but with the assessment at hand, I still want to give it a try. Please show mercy, Senior Brother Shen."
"Please enlighten me." Shen Hao returned the salute, his expression calm.
Before his words had even faded, Li Qiang gripped his Flying Sword and lunged forward. He slashed at Shen Hao's chest, his sword move fierce and carrying an unstoppable momentum. He was clearly giving it everything he had.
Shen Hao lightly shifted his steps, his body sliding three feet to the side like a ghost. He easily evaded the strike. At the same time, he turned his wrist, and his Flying Sword shot toward Li Qiang's shoulder like lightning, leaving his opponent no chance to react.
Li Qiang's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly twisted aside to dodge, but he was still a step too slow. The Flying Sword sliced through the corner of his robe, leaving a shallow bloody mark. The sting made his entire body tremble.
He knew full well how vast the gap between himself and Shen Hao was. Continuing would only bring humiliation upon himself. Li Qiang sighed, sheathed his Flying Sword, and clasped his fists. "I concede! Senior Brother Shen's skill is superior. I am completely convinced."
"Arena number thirty-seven, Shen Hao wins!" the elder on the arena announced loudly.
Shen Hao sheathed his sword, saluted, and stepped down from the arena. His gaze immediately shifted toward arena number fifteen. Zhang Shan and Wang Fang were locked in a fierce struggle. Zhang Shan held the advantage in cultivation, and his footwork was quite nimble as well. He continuously dodged Wang Fang's attacks while searching for an opportunity to counterattack. At last, he caught an opening. As Wang Fang's sword move had run its course, his Flying Sword shot out and cut across her shoulder.
"I concede!" Wang Fang said helplessly, clutching her wound.
"Arena number fifteen, Zhang Shan wins!"
Zhang Shan excitedly pumped his fist and jogged over to Shen Hao, his face brimming with joy. "Senior Brother Shen, I won! I advanced!"
"Well done!" Shen Hao said with a smile and a nod, happy for him.
The first round soon ended. Both Shen Hao and Zhang Shan advanced. They exchanged smiles, their eyes carrying a trace of excitement. After a brief rest, the list of opponents for the second round was announced. Shen Hao's opponent was Zhao Qiang, at the Mid Stage Qi Refining Third Layer.
Zhao Qiang was a long-established outer sect disciple. He had cultivated for many years, possessed exquisite sword arts, and was quite formidable. When he looked at Shen Hao, there was a trace of gravity in his eyes, along with a measure of fighting spirit. The two slowly stepped onto the arena and met each other's gazes. An invisible force collided between them, and even the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
"Shen Hao, I know you're very strong. You received a perfect score in the Sword Art Assessment." Zhao Qiang tightened his grip on his Flying Sword, a determined look appearing on his face. "But I won't concede so easily. Today, I'll have a taste of your brilliant techniques!"
Shen Hao smiled and clasped his fists. "Please enlighten me."
The moment his words fell, both of them moved at once. Gripping their Flying Swords, they lunged at each other like two streaks of flowing light. Sword Light flashed, and the instant they clashed, a fierce crash erupted.
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