Clash

Xu Wuyi looked at Wang Shuang, then at Gu Beichen.

The meeting room was quiet. The eyes of more than a dozen Divine Intent Grandmasters all rested on this twenty-six-year-old young man.

Virtual sunlight streamed through the transparent dome outside the windows, falling across the dark brown conference table and casting it with a warm sheen.

Xu Wuyi rose to his feet.

That movement made the seated Grandmasters pause in surprise. Liu Yunshan's hand, which held a teacup, stilled. Shen Jin, reclining against his chair, leaned forward slightly. Yang Shuyan's brows lifted faintly.

"Grandmaster Wang, Grandmaster Gu." Xu Wuyi's voice was not loud, but it rang clearly through the silent meeting room. "Since we're discussing recruitment slots, why not take this opportunity today for the three of us to have a match?"

The air in the meeting room congealed for a moment.

A flicker of surprise passed through Wang Shuang's cool eyes. Gu Beichen's hand froze halfway through lifting his teacup. He turned to Xu Wuyi as if confirming whether he had misheard.

"A match?" Gu Beichen set down his teacup, uncertainty in his voice. "Grandmaster Xu, you mean..."

"I mean exactly what I said." Xu Wuyi's gaze remained calm. "Competition for recruitment slots ultimately comes down to strength. The three of us are all here today, and our seniors are here to bear witness. It's the perfect chance."

He spoke with utter calm, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

But to the other Grandmasters, it was anything but ordinary.

Qin Wu spoke first. The Military Department's Deputy Chief of General Staff frowned, pressing one large hand against the tabletop as he said gravely, "Kid Xu, you only just broke through. Your realm hasn't stabilized yet. Fighting now is too hasty."

Zou Mu nodded as