Sweeping Through

The moment Xiao Longcheng spoke, the many new recruits fell silent.

Everyone turned to look at Zhuo Feifan ahead of them, their expressions strange, as if asking: Were you going to challenge all of them at once too, just like those two?

Zhuo Feifan's face twitched slightly, and he groaned inwardly.

What strength did he have? Could he compare to those two freaks? Six thousand new recruits piled together could bury him alive.

His strength was indeed decent, but compared to those two, he was still far behind.

At the same time, he developed a trace of resentment toward Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng.

You two can show off all you want, but don't drag me into it!

Now he was caught between a rock and a hard place. He wanted to refuse, yet could not bring himself to lose face as a genius.

The old man in charge of the competition was also somewhat at a loss.

In all his decades, he had never encountered such a scene. Talents emerged one after another, but this was the first time he had seen someone capable of taking on everyone at once.

What was more, two top-tier geniuses had appeared at the same time. It was a sight rarely seen even once in a hundred years.

At that moment, Thousand Commander Qin Jue on the platform rose with a smile. "Since the two of you are so outstanding, you may advance directly. The remaining new recruits will compete for the remaining slots..."

As he spoke, he looked toward Mu Zijun and the other Thousand Commanders.

"We have no objections. Xiao Longcheng and Lu Yun are clearly in a class of their own. There is truly no point in having them take part in the points matches."

A burly Thousand Commander declared loudly.

"I have no objections either."

Mu Zijun and the others nodded in agreement as well.

Thus, after deliberation among the Thousand Commanders, Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng were directly advanced to the finals.

All the new recruits present secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just thinking about fighting Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng made their hearts pound with unease.

"Lu Yun, I'll be waiting for you to challenge me!"

Dressed in snow-white robes and holding a long saber, Xiao Longcheng raised his head toward Lu Yun. Fire seemed to burst from his eyes, and a powerful aura radiated from his entire body.

"Xiao Longcheng's pressure is so terrifying. That aura alone makes us lose the courage to strike..."

The new recruits looked horrified, as though a massive boulder had been pressed against their chests, leaving them struggling to breathe.

"The title of First Centurion is mine."

Lu Yun's tone was calm as water, as though he were merely stating the most ordinary matter.

With his spear resting on his shoulder, he remained immovable beneath the pressure of Xiao Longcheng's aura. Not even the corner of his clothes fluttered.

"Good, good... What a Lu Yun. I underestimated you back then. It is my honor to have you in this batch. Otherwise, would the path of martial arts not be far too dull?"

Xiao Longcheng laughed boldly, and boundless pride surged within him.

He recalled how he had risen from humble beginnings. Among those of his generation, he had never met anyone capable of matching him. In his eyes, the halo of being a genius was worth less than a battle fought to one's heart's content.

Only today did he realize that what he needed was an evenly matched opponent, and Lu Yun happened to fill that void.

At that moment, a feeling of mutual appreciation suddenly arose within him toward Lu Yun. It was the resonance shared between top-tier geniuses.

Feeling Lu Yun's mountain-like aura, the many new recruits present felt their hearts leap into their throats.

They too eagerly anticipated which of these two top-tier geniuses was stronger.

Even the Thousand Commanders on the high platform wore interested expressions.

After all, the strength of these two was not far from that of the Thousand Commanders themselves.

Soon afterward, Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng stepped down from the arena and headed toward the new recruit camp.

Wherever they passed, the new recruits made way for them, their faces filled with awe.

"When will I ever be as imposing as Brother Lu?"

Ye Quan watched this scene of everyone's attention focused on Lu Yun, his heart full of envy.

The departure of Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng did not affect the points matches that followed.

Nearly six thousand new recruits took turns entering the arena. After fierce battles lasting three days, the remaining eighteen slots were finally decided.

As expected, Zhuo Feifan ranked third, behind only Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng.

Fourth place: Yan Changge.

Fifth place: Wan Yichen.

Among these people, including Zhuo Feifan, all were merely at the perfected Inner Strength realm. None possessed overwhelming superiority in strength.

On the morning of the fourth day.

By the time Lu Yun and the others arrived at the center of the plaza, the place was already packed with people. Several Thousand Commanders and the leaders of the various factions had also arrived, and the atmosphere was exceedingly lively.

Countless people craned their necks in anticipation of the final battle between Xiao Longcheng and Lu Yun.

At that moment, the elderly clerk stepped forward. "The Centurion Selection Tournament finals now officially begin. The twenty candidates will take turns fighting one another, and the one with the highest accumulated score shall emerge victorious..."

The old man reached into a wooden box, drew out a wooden lot, and shouted:

"First match: Zhuo Feifan versus Lu Yun."

The instant his words fell.

Zhuo Feifan was struck dumb as if by lightning, freezing on the spot.

What kind of cursed luck is this? Why do I have to fight Lu Yun in the very first match?

His heart was bitter, and he could not help frantically complaining to himself.

Starting off against this freak? Isn't that the end of me? Am I supposed to surrender right away? How am I supposed to survive in the military camp afterward? Surrendering before the fight would be far too humiliating. I can only hope he goes easy on me.

If I'm unlucky enough to get injured, I might not even be able to beat Yan Changge in fourth place.

Yan Changge, Wan Yichen, and the others beside him began to snicker.

Zhuo Feifan's luck was truly incredible. Fortunately, it was not them who had drawn Lu Yun.

Whoosh...

Lu Yun leaped into the air, his figure like an elegant wild goose soaring high overhead before landing in the center of the arena.

Zhuo Feifan also gritted his teeth and jumped onto the arena, gripping his longsword and ready to attack at any moment.

He likely had only one chance to strike. This much was crystal clear to him, yet he also wanted to know just how great the gap between them was.

So what if he faced a peerless genius? He still had the courage to draw his sword.

This was the last thing he could hold onto as a genius.

"Kill!"

Zhuo Feifan roared, circulating his aura through his entire body as he thrust his sword toward Lu Yun.

Whoosh...

A sharp, icy gleam flashed through the air, as though it would slice through everything in its path. Its momentum was ferocious beyond measure.

This sword strike was the greatest attack Zhuo Feifan had ever unleashed.

With a mid-grade, mastery-level sword technique combined with the amplification of his own strength, its attacking power had reached a terrifying level.

Even against a Bone Forging martial artist, he would have the strength to fight.

"This sword strike is no simple matter."

The many new recruits below the arena looked grave. Among them, not one could withstand such a terrifying blow.

Even Yan Changge and the others were alarmed, secretly sighing that Zhuo Feifan truly deserved to be called the genius second only to Lu Yun and Xiao Longcheng.

Faced with this attack, Lu Yun merely smiled faintly.

He gently raised his right hand and struck the side of the sword with his palm.

The palm strike appeared light and weightless, devoid of any visible strength, carrying the air of lifting heavy weights as though they were light. Yet it was as swift as lightning.

His palm moved after the sword, yet arrived before it, swiftly striking the blade.

Bang...

Zhuo Feifan's sword momentum instantly scattered. Then Lu Yun's palm, carrying a gentle force, lightly pressed against Zhuo Feifan's chest.

Whoosh...

Zhuo Feifan's entire body flew rapidly backward before landing steadily on the open ground.

His eyes were full of shock as he carefully relived Lu Yun's palm strike in his mind.

He had not felt even the slightest pain in his chest, yet that gentle force had undeniably been real.

Zhuo Feifan touched his chest, his face filled with admiration. "Thank you, Brother Lu, for showing mercy."

At that moment, he was completely convinced—convinced in both heart and mind.

This was not merely a gap in strength. The martial virtue Lu Yun had displayed also made him willingly concede defeat.

"You let me win."

Lu Yun smiled and cupped his hands.

Meeting friends through martial arts was likewise part of his martial path. There was no enmity between them, and both were geniuses of the human race, so naturally he would not deal a killing blow.

The more he cultivated, the more deeply he felt it: martial arts were far more than slaughter. Mutually testing and confirming one another's martial learning was also one of the greatest joys of the martial path.