Such a Huge Killing Intent

Zhao Cheng did not shy away from the spotlight. He stepped forward and addressed the crowd with ease, "Hello everyone, my name is Zhao Cheng. Zhao as in the Zhao of Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li, and Cheng as in 'career success'."

After speaking, Zhao Cheng gave a slight bow and returned to his original position.

"Haha!"

"A fine 'career success' indeed!"

Director Shi chuckled, seemingly speaking to the crowd, yet perhaps also to himself.

"Since we have a newcomer, I will repeat the old rules for everyone's benefit: the Qingyuan Sword Trial."

"The Qingyuan Sword Trial is held every half month. It is a sparring session used to evaluate the students' mastery of swordsmanship."

"The rules of the Qingyuan Sword Class dictate that, aside from basic resources, all other materials used for sword training must be exchanged with study points. Your ranking in the sword class determines how many study points you receive."

"Newcomers might feel this system is unfair and favors the veterans, but reality is exactly this: resources always tilt toward the strong. This is an unbreakable law!"

"However, the charm of the sword path lies in the fact that everything is won by the blade. With a sword in hand, all things are possible. The weak can defeat the strong, and the strong can become the weak. It all depends on your own ability!"

"Resources are limited. If you want them, you must fight and compete for them. The path of the sword is long and arduous. If you lack the fighting spirit to seize everything through your blade, you might as well give up now!"

"If you lack the heart to compete even in a small place like Qingyuan, how can you hope to contend with others in the world outside?!"

"Enough idle talk. Let us discuss the rules of the trial."

"As a newcomer, your rank is naturally at the very bottom. However, newcomers have a hidden benefit: during your first trial, if you are confident in your strength, you may continue to challenge others as long as you remain undefeated—even if you fight your way to the top."

"As for the veterans, you may choose any opponent ranked up to five places above you. Regardless of whether you win or lose, you only get one chance to challenge."

"Additionally, as a newcomer perk, you have the opportunity to be the last one to start your challenges."

"Now, starting from the lowest-ranked student from the previous term, the trial begins."

As his voice fell, Shi Tianyi stepped aside, leaving the center of the room to the students about to spar.

On the other side, Wu Nian said to Zhao Cheng, "This is your first time participating in the trial, just do your best."

"Let me explain some details. Since this is merely a trial and not a real battle, you will be wearing protective gear during the process."

"You should already be aware of this, but the gear covers six parts: the torso, the four limbs, and the neck. When sparring, you only score points by hitting the protective gear. If you strike other areas, the referee will make a judgment. If it was intentional, you will be disqualified immediately; if it was accidental, no points are awarded. Do not try to act or cheat here; never underestimate the discernment of a group of Swordsman."

"Striking the limbs or torso earns one point. Five points result in an immediate victory. Striking the neck results in an instant win."

"The logic is simple: you can continue to fight with injuries to your limbs or torso, but if your neck is struck, a normal person would be dead."

"The trial proceeds from the lowest rank upward. Because there is a five-rank range for choosing opponents, everyone except the top-ranked student only needs to accept two challenges before they are exempt from further fighting. Of course, if you feel you can still fight, you may continue to accept challenges."

"However, the newcomer is an exception; as long as you wish to challenge, no one can refuse."

"By the way, you can only choose opponents within five ranks above you; you cannot challenge the top-ranked student directly."

"One more tip: watch the others closely when they spar. You will gradually understand the tricks of the trade. Watching the trial, combined with actual sparring, may not compare to life-or-death combat, but it will still lead to improvement."

"In this peaceful era, there aren't many opportunities for real combat, unlike the sword heroes of ancient times who forged their skills in constant battle—though, of course, more of them died along the way."

"Furthermore, before you step onto the stage, you must adjust your state through breathing and visualization. Look at those veterans; some who are about to fight, or might be called, have already begun adjusting their breathing while Director Shi was speaking."

"Before ancient practitioners sparred, they didn't just breathe and visualize; they even burned incense and bathed to adjust their mental state. Of course, it doesn't need to be that complicated now."

"Also, I see that Director Shi seems to think highly of you. I'll go probe his thoughts later; Director Shi is a formidable figure."

When mentioning Shi Tianyi, Wu Nian wore a strange smile.

"Alright, enough said. Observe carefully; I'm going to go chat with Director Shi."

Wu Nian's voice was very low, but Zhao Cheng heard it clearly, evidently using some special technique—the last sentence sounded quite like a secret voice transmission.

Before the words had even faded, Wu Nian had already hurried over to Shi Tianyi, eager to make his presence known.

Zhao Cheng did not pay much attention to this and turned his gaze to the arena.

In the time it took to speak, two boys had already stepped onto the stage. One of them was the lowest-ranked student from the previous term, a freshman.

He was challenging the thirty-first-ranked student. Before Zhao Cheng arrived, there were thirty-two people in the Qingyuan Sword Class.

Both were now wearing their protective gear, focused and composed.

As the referee shouted the start, two wooden swords clashed instantly.

Both students had steady sword paths and decent explosive power, but to Zhao Cheng, they were full of openings. After all, his mental level of swordsmanship was far too high.

Beyond that, he had experienced several real battles—true life-and-death struggles—and had gained enlightenment through them. His sword path already carried his own unique emotions.

He was already in a different dimension compared to these two students.

Having experienced life-and-death combat versus having never experienced it are two completely different concepts.

The former's sword is far more decisive, resolute, and filled with killing intent. Once the sword is swung, life and death are cast aside, seeking life through death. Only in this way can the lethality of the sword be pushed to the limit.

The swords of the two before him reminded Zhao Cheng of himself when he first fought a martial arts expert. Although steady, they were conservative and protective of themselves, afraid to take risks. It didn't look like they were wielding swords; it looked more like they were wielding shields.

Their sword paths were not for killing or for the weak to overcome the strong, but for self-preservation.

There was absolutely no edge to their swords!

Of course, Zhao Cheng did not look down on them. Not everyone had his conditions; before he began his simulations, he was not much stronger than them.

While Zhao Cheng was watching the match, Wu Nian had finished probing. When he felt the time was right, he asked seemingly offhandedly, "Director, why did you laugh while you were speaking earlier?"

Director Shi smiled and said, "I just felt that this student of yours is interesting. At such a young age, he already understands the principle of a gentleman hiding his weapon and waiting for the right moment. He doesn't show his edge unnecessarily."

"At his age, I wasn't nearly as mature."

"His 'Cheng' is not the 'career success' Cheng. He is such a seed of a killing machine; I don't believe he is seeking career success. This 'Cheng' is likely the 'Cheng' of 'formation, existence, decay, and emptiness'—using formation to achieve emptiness, killing to seek the Dao!"

Once these words were spoken, although the voice was not loud, every Swordsman present had keen hearing. Immediately, the attention of many teachers shifted, completely ignoring the "chickens pecking at each other" on the stage.