Colosseum

Today is the day of the duel between Chen Daolin and Candice.

One of them is a newcomer who broke into the top 100 within just one month of entering the Training Camp, was highly valued by the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, and is currently the most talked-about rising star.

The other is a veteran who has been studying in the Training Camp for three years, holds a ranking of 75, possesses top-tier strength among his peers, and has received praise from many instructors for his footwork and swordsmanship.

The decisive battle is set for 10:30 AM. Before the time has even arrived, some students and instructors are already waiting in the ninth-floor hall of the Nine-Layered Tower, chatting and discussing the event incessantly.

The European Union students from Candice's faction and the Huaxia Country faction supporting Chen Daolin stand on opposite sides, creating a clear divide.

"In this battle, Candice will definitely win."

"Candice has been in the Training Camp for three years, while Chen Daolin has been here for less than two months. I also think Candice has a better chance of winning."

"Chen Daolin broke into the top 100 last month and has improved significantly this month. I think he has a chance to win."

Among the crowd, there are supporters for both Candice and Chen Daolin, though there are more who favor Candice. After all, newcomers have historically struggled to surpass veterans, and the vast difference in their time spent at the Training Camp makes many people lack confidence in Chen Daolin.

Around 10:20 AM, Chen Daolin and Candice appear at almost the same time.

Their gazes meet, and it is as if sparks are flying between them.

Candice grins, "Chen Daolin, you will definitely lose today, and you will lose miserably. I will let you know that the Training Camp is not as simple as you think."

Chen Daolin strikes back without showing any weakness: "I hope you won't be questioning your life later."

"Candice Polenas, Chen Daolin, enter the Challenge Room!" An electronic voice echoes through the ninth-floor hall.

"Junior Brother Chen, good luck!" Zhao Ruo clenches her fists and waves them toward Chen Daolin from within the crowd.

"Good luck!" Chu Qiang, Shi Jiang, and other Huaxia Country students also stand together to cheer Chen Daolin on.

"Candice, don't lose!"

"Go! Candice!"

Amidst the cheers of their respective supporters, Chen Daolin and Candice walk into the Challenge Room, sit on the sofas, and put on their helmets. A moment later, both appear in the Virtual Space.

Chen Daolin and Candice quickly put on their combat uniforms and select their weapons. Afterward, Chen Daolin, having a lower rank on the Black Dragon Ranking, chooses the combat scenario—the Ancient Roman Colosseum.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

In the spacious and magnificent circular arena, surrounded by layers of white stone steps, thousands upon thousands of spectators dressed in ancient Roman attire fill the stands. Chen Daolin and Candice, wearing combat uniforms and holding weapons, are the protagonists whose life and death will be decided today. Deafening cheers resound across the sky.

Candice stretches out his arms like a prince, intoxicated, and makes a hugging gesture. "Ah, what a wonderful place. I'm already looking forward to seeing how you die."

Chen Daolin turns his head to look at him, his expression calm. "You will die miserably."

"Battle, begin!" The electronic voice echoes over the giant arena.

Candice, wearing a black combat uniform, raises his long sword and walks toward Chen Daolin step by step, a mocking expression on his face. "You are just a clown. I will show you what it means to have someone better than you."

Whoosh!

Candice moves, rushing toward Chen Daolin as swiftly as an arrow released from a bow.

Whoosh!

Chen Daolin also quickly raises his spear and meets him without hesitation.

The spear tears through the air, its tip glinting with a cold light as it strikes toward Candice like a venomous snake.

Candice's figure moves like a ghost, swaying left and right, eerily slipping out of the range of Chen Daolin's spear attack. Then, the long sword in his hand stabs toward Chen Daolin's arm like lightning.

Chen Daolin drops his wrist, and the spear falls in time, crashing against Candice's sword.

A massive force travels from Candice's sword, and he is shocked; Chen Daolin's strength is actually greater than his own.

"I don't believe your spear technique and footwork are better than mine after I've spent three years in the Training Camp!" Candice's gaze turns cold, his figure becoming even more elusive. At the same time, his swordsmanship becomes more bizarre and unpredictable, thrusting a dozen times in a row, each strike aimed at Chen Daolin's vitals.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Crisp and intense sounds of metal clashing ring out in a chaotic flurry; the two have already collided more than a dozen times in an instant.

Relying on his powerful strength, speed, and reaction ability, Chen Daolin blocks Candice's attacks, but his expression is already somewhat disheveled.

His footwork is definitely approaching the Perfect Level, and his swordsmanship has likely reached the Great Perfection of the Specialized Level. He is far superior to me in terms of realm. Chen Daolin realizes this in an instant.

Despite having identical physical fitness, the massive gap in their realms means that even though Chen Daolin has activated the four-fold King Kai Fist—increasing his strength, speed, and reaction to four times their original levels—he is still being suppressed by Candice.

"Hahaha, did you think you were the only genius, the only one who works hard? I have practiced swordsmanship since I was a child, eight hours a day, until my arms ached. I've practiced for over a decade to achieve what I have today. The gap between us is too large; just accept your fate!"

Candice's expression is manic as he launches a fierce assault around Chen Daolin.

Chen Daolin watches him coldly. His body moves, and his speed suddenly surges to an unfathomable level.

"What?" Candice is shocked. "How is he so fast?"

Before he can think, Candice instinctively tries to dodge.

However, his body cannot keep up with his reaction speed. Just as he moves, the long sword in his hand is knocked out of his grip by an immensely powerful force. Then, a sharp pain hits his chest. He looks down to see the shaft of the spear embedded in his chest, an expression of disbelief on his face.

A piece of the spearhead emerges from Candice's back.

"You..."

Candice wants to say something but cannot; his eyes dim.

"Challenge, Chen Daolin wins!" The electronic voice echoes throughout the arena, and the entire colosseum becomes blurry before vanishing completely.

"I actually lost?" Candice was still immersed in the shock of his recent defeat, filled with disbelief.

"His strength, his speed..." Candice realized one thing: Chen Daolin had been hiding his true strength all along.

A lingering fear gripped his heart.

"He just entered the Training Camp and is already this terrifying. What will he be like in the future... Forget it, he's not someone I can afford to provoke." As a scion of a prominent family, Candice knew when to endure and when to let go.

"Chen Daolin." After taking off his helmet, Candice bowed to Chen Daolin, who was about to leave, and said, "I was in the wrong before. Please forgive me. I hope we have the chance to spar together again in the future."

Chen Daolin glanced at Candice. Seeing the sincerity on his face, he nodded with a calm expression. Candice's sudden change in attitude was unexpected, but it didn't matter much. His goal had never been the elite students of the Training Camp, but the peerless powerhouses standing at the very pinnacle of the world, like Hong and Thunder God.

"Challenge, Chen Daolin wins!" The electronic voice echoed through the hall on the ninth floor, causing an uproar among the people waiting outside.

When Chen Daolin walked out, the way they looked at him had completely changed.

"Junior Brother Chen, congratulations! You won. You're treating us today!" Zhao Ruo leaned in excitedly.

Chen Daolin laughed and said, "Alright, I'll treat. No problem."

Some students from Huaxia Country also crowded around to congratulate him, and Chen Daolin was surrounded in the center like a star among the moon.

After today's battle, Chen Daolin had thoroughly proven his strength, becoming a dazzling, rising star in the Training Camp. Everyone knew that Chen Daolin's future achievements would likely surpass theirs, and he even had the potential to become an existence that transcended the God of War.