Road of Challenges

Biscuit stepped onto the stage.

Her opponent was a middle-aged man in a martial arts uniform. He was also taken aback when he saw Biscuit.

He had seen plenty of ordinary contestants, but female opponents were rare, let alone a girl like Biscuit who looked twelve or thirteen.

A wave of shouts also rose from the audience.

Most people who came to watch challenge matches were there to see others make fools of themselves, or to watch how those from the same school performed.

Of course, there were also independent Martial Artists who took on challenges, but compared to the overall numbers, they were relatively few.

The audience was shouting because of Biscuit's age.

Hopli actually specialized in staff techniques, but against an opponent like this, there was no need for a weapon.

"Miss Biscuit, do you need a weapon?" The referee on the ring asked. He was also a disciple of a martial arts hall.

"No. And don't underestimate me because of my age." Biscuit assumed an opening stance.

The referee and Hopli immediately understood.

The woman before them was likely a Martial Artist with some foundation.

"If that's the case, let's begin." Hopli also took his stance.

A few audience members recognized Biscuit's stance and realized that this fight might actually be worth watching.

At the referee's command—

Biscuit attacked first, her movements precise and methodical.

Hopli, meanwhile, raised his left hand in defense to block Biscuit's attack.

After just one exchange, Hopli was sent flying bodily.

Even though it had looked like such a slow punch.

Hopli immediately adjusted his posture, dropping into a horse stance with the Thousand Catty Drop and shifting into a Shape stance.

"I saw in your profile that you use a staff. Don't hold back—show me all of your strength," Biscuit said.

That punch just now had not been her full strength. Otherwise, he would have been sent flying much farther.

Her deliberately methodical attack had also been meant to make him understand one fact.

"I was presumptuous." Hopli immediately clasped his fists. He knew he had encountered a martial arts master.

And a very powerful one at that.

Since she had appeared here, Hopli guessed that this might be Biscuit's first time at the Heavenly Arena.

Ever since the Road of Challenges had appeared, unknown yet powerful Martial Artists had occasionally shown up.

Disciples from various martial arts halls would also come to challenge others in order to "collect stamps."

That was why it was also called the Road of Dojo-Crashing.

Hopli immediately selected a weapon from the edge of the ring.

"Infinite School's Hopli. Please instruct me." He held his staff in both hands, assumed a stance, and announced his name as a sign of respect for his opponent.

Biscuit responded in kind. "Heart Source School's Biscuit Krueger. Please instruct me."

The moment the words Heart Source School were spoken—

The referee cried out in surprise, "You're from the Heart Source School?!"

Since he was holding a microphone, his voice was broadcast throughout the entire arena.

In the audience—

Some people who did not know any better began asking, "Heart Source School? Is it some powerful Martial Arts School? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"You don't know the Heart Source School?"

"I don't see the Heart Source School in the Road of Challenges booklet." Some people pulled out their booklets and started flipping through them.

"The Heart Source School doesn't have a martial arts hall in Keli City."

"The Heart Source School is the strongest Martial Arts School in the world."

"The chairman of the Hunter Association is the founder of the Heart Source School."

Amid the noisy discussion, many informed people began educating those who were unfamiliar with it. They even explained the state of the martial arts world, leaving some audience members utterly stunned.

Those sharing this information also looked quite pleased with themselves, satisfying a little of their vanity.

"Then be careful!" Once Hopli learned that Biscuit was a disciple of the Heart Source School, he immediately unleashed a staff assault like a gale sweeping away fallen leaves.

The Heart Source School's reputation was simply too great. Every disciple of the Heart Source School who appeared in Keli City had built an enormous reputation.

It seemed that everyone in that Martial Arts School was powerful.

As for Hopli, all he wanted now was to display his full strength.

Facing Hopli's staff techniques, Biscuit directly took the blows with her body.

She did not use Nen, relying solely on her body to endure them.

Her training had focused most heavily on tempering her body. In Biscuit's judgment, Hopli's staff techniques simply lacked the power to harm her.

It was truly hard to imagine a female Martial Artist devoting herself to strengthening her physical body.

Most female Martial Artists followed paths centered on agility and technique.

Fortunately, Biscuit's clothes were made of excellent material. Otherwise, Hopli's fierce assault might have torn them apart.

Biscuit waited until Hopli had exhausted every move before swiftly closing in and knocking him onto the ring with a single palm strike.

"You won. The Heart Source School truly is formidable." Hopli accepted his defeat gracefully.

This was not merely a matter of being less skilled. It had been a complete and utter crushing defeat.

"It's a pity weapons can't be used below the 200th Floor of the Heavenly Arena. Otherwise, with your strength, you should be able to reach the 200th Floor," Biscuit said, thinking of his current floor at the Heavenly Arena.

Hopli got back to his feet and shook his head. "At the current Heavenly Arena, you aren't allowed onto the 200th Floor unless you've mastered Nen."

This was also one of the changes at the Heavenly Arena.

Originally, people who did not understand Nen could still fight their way to the 200th Floor. But things were different now. Unless they had mastered Nen, they were not allowed to register.

There were two ways to learn Nen. One was to join one of Keli City's martial arts halls and become a core disciple, after which they would be taught methods to train in Nen.

The other way was to register for the Hunter Exam.

Through the cooperation between the Heavenly Arena and the Hunter Association, contestants could directly take the first official exam without going through the preliminary exam.

The audience had gotten their money's worth from this match.

After all, Hopli was a contestant above the 100th Floor. Tickets to watch his fights at the Heavenly Arena were not cheap.

The guide in the audience was also excited. He had not expected to run into a disciple of the Heart Source School.

He had already taken out his phone and started making a call.

This was news. It should be worth some money.

Afterward, Hopli took out his stamp and stamped Biscuit's booklet.

He casually asked, "Miss Biscuit, are you going to challenge other martial arts halls as well?"

"Of course. This is pretty interesting. At the very least, I should fill this whole thing up," Biscuit replied with a smile.

"Then Miss Biscuit, you wouldn't mind if I tell the other martial arts halls about you?"

"If they find out, they should send stronger people to appear on the challenger list."

Biscuit nodded. "Of course."