Liang Bo Takes the Field

Wang Wei's face went deathly pale, his forehead drenched in sweat. As if scared witless, he stood rooted to the spot, unable to move his feet.

The examiner beside him said coldly, "If you don't think you can do it, then forfeit now. Once the fighting truly begins, this is no child's play—even I may not be able to save you in time. Make your own choice. Don't waste time."

"I, I, I..." After a moment, he shook his head in utter dejection. "I forfeit!"

"Next, Number 2, Liu Shan of Ziyang City, enter the arena!" the chief examiner called expressionlessly.

Although the very first challenger had ended in forfeiture, no one present found it strange. After all, most of those who had come to challenge were young martial artists with little real combat experience and insufficiently resolute minds and wills. When faced with savage demonic beasts, only a few could remain calm. Most would have their legs turn to jelly, unable to display even a tenth of their strength.

Forfeiting before the fight began was not necessarily a bad choice. At least it guaranteed one's safety. If they overestimated themselves and forced their way into battle, they might instead suffer grievous injuries.

Sure enough, among the challengers who followed, quite a few chose not to forfeit and instead fought the demonic beasts. The result was that they suffered severe injuries. Fortunately, the examiners at the side intervened in time and saved their lives.

Time passed, and soon more than a hundred martial artists had completed their tests. Of them, only seven had successfully defeated sixth-grade demonic beasts. Not a single one had successfully defeated a fifth-grade demonic beast, while no one even dared to challenge a fourth-grade demonic beast.

Such results left the representatives of the major forces at the chief examiners' seats drowsy with boredom. Quite a few began discussing matters in low voices.

"It seems the early arrival of this year's competition has had quite an impact on these youngsters. Over a hundred candidates have gone already, yet not one martial artist has managed to defeat a fifth-grade demonic beast," said Purple Sun Temple's representative, shaking his head.

The representative of the Limitless Sword Sect nodded. "Isn't that so? In previous years, among the first hundred candidates, there would usually be at least ten who defeated sixth-grade demonic beasts, and two or three who successfully defeated fifth-grade demonic beasts. This year's results are far worse than usual. If this continues, our Limitless Sword Sect may have to lower our assessment standards."

"There is no need to lower the standards just yet. Didn't they say there's a fifteen-year-old youngster this year whose strength has already reached the fourth grade of martial cultivation? As long as his martial skills aren't too poor, defeating a fifth-grade demonic beast should not be difficult. He may even have a chance of defeating a fourth-grade demonic beast. With such strength, he already qualifies to join one of our three major forces," said the representative of the True Martial Sect with a smile.

"There is such a youngster. His name seems to be Wang Dong. I went to take a look just now. His number plate is 137, so he should be taking the field shortly," said the Limitless Sword Sect's representative.

"Is that so? Then we should have a good look at his abilities later."

After a while, the chief examiner called loudly, "Number 137, Wang Dong of Shunyang City, enter the arena!"

A tall youth dressed in a short green robe stepped forward.

"Whoa!" At once, everyone's eyes turned toward him. In this year's competition, Wang Dong was clearly the most renowned participant. Not only was he strong, having already reached fourth-grade cultivation, but he was also young, merely fifteen years old. That fact alone was enough to draw the attention of the major sects.

"Choose the grade of demonic beast you wish to challenge!" the chief examiner said gravely.

Wang Dong bowed. "I choose to challenge a fourth-grade demonic beast!"

"Whoa! Just as expected!" The crowd cried out again. This was the first candidate today to challenge a fourth-grade demonic beast. If he succeeded, he would essentially be guaranteed entry into one of the three major forces, such as Purple Sun Temple. A seed talent like this naturally drew attention, and even the representatives seated among the examiners perked up.

Perhaps because he thought highly of the youth, the chief examiner unusually offered a warning. "Are you sure you wish to challenge a fourth-grade demonic beast? You must understand that a fourth-grade demonic beast is no trifling opponent. If you fail this challenge, you can only wait until next year to join a sect force. Of course, if you succeed, every sect present will likely let you choose as you please. So think this through carefully. Act within your means, and do not force yourself!"

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Senior. This junior has already made up his mind. I will challenge a fourth-grade demonic beast. If I fail, then at worst I'll return next year!" Wang Dong said solemnly.

The chief examiner nodded noncommittally.

An examiner immediately led him toward the center of the arena. Then the passage in the central wall opened, and a monster over one and a half meters tall emerged from within. Its fur stood up like countless sharp spikes, while two enormous fangs protruded from its gaping maw, reflecting a chilling glint beneath the sunlight.

This was the fourth-grade demonic beast Wang Dong was about to challenge—the Swift Leopard. It was extraordinarily fast and immensely powerful as well. If its claws or fangs struck him, he would certainly suffer serious injuries.

Yet Wang Dong did not hesitate. He drew the longsword at his waist, slowly crossed the safety line, and walked toward the Swift Leopard.

"Roar!" The Swift Leopard let out a thunderous bellow. Its entire body became a blur as it pounced at Wang Dong, its sharp claws whipping up fierce gusts in the air.

"Whoosh!" Wang Dong's movement technique surged as well, leaving an afterimage in the air as he dodged the Swift Leopard's attack. At the same time, the longsword in his hand shot toward the beast's throat.

The Swift Leopard immediately sensed the threat. Its body twisted in midair, evading the sword.

Man and leopard became entangled in a high-speed battle across the arena, exchanging more than a hundred moves in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, as Wang Dong dodged, a tiny flaw appeared in his movement technique. The Swift Leopard decisively swept out a claw. Unable to evade in time, Wang Dong could only raise his longsword to block.

"Bang!" In the next instant, Wang Dong was sent flying. While still in midair, he spat out a large mouthful of blood.

By the time he landed, his body was already beyond the safety line.

According to the rules of the Martial Academy Competition, once battle had begun, retreating beyond the safety line counted as a failed challenge.

"Did I fail?" Wang Dong climbed up from the ground, a trace of unwillingness on his face. Then, lost and dejected, he walked away, leaving the examination grounds without even looking back.

Everyone present, including the representatives of the various factions at the examiners' seats, felt regret on his behalf.

"Alas, such fine talent, yet he failed the challenge. What a pity!" said Purple Sun Temple's representative, shaking his head.

"It is indeed a pity. But his cultivation had only just reached the fourth grade, and he was still at the initial stage, whereas the Swift Leopard's strength was equivalent to the late stage of the fourth grade. It is only natural that he failed," said the Limitless Sword Sect's representative in a deep voice.

The representative of the True Martial Sect, however, said, "Actually, if he had chosen to challenge a fifth-grade demonic beast, he would certainly have succeeded. With his strength, he would definitely rank among the best in the upcoming arena battles, and joining one of our three major forces would not have been difficult then. But he was too confident and insisted on challenging a fourth-grade demonic beast! Perhaps this failure may be a good thing for him as well."

According to the rules, once a challenger failed, no matter how gifted Wang Dong was, he could only wait until next year to participate in the Martial Academy Competition again. That meant delaying another year before he could enter a top-tier sect.

The chief examiner shook his head and stopped thinking about Wang Dong. He glanced at the roster before him and announced in a clear voice, "Next, Number 138, Liang Bo of Wan City, enter the arena!"

"Is it my turn?" Liang Bo's spirits rose.

"Good luck, Liang Bo!"

"Good luck!"

Zhao Wu and Zhao Zhao shouted their encouragement.

Liang Bo smiled and nodded. He rose to his feet and walked toward the front platform.

"Choose the grade of demonic beast you wish to challenge!" the chief examiner asked indifferently.

"I choose... a fourth-grade demonic beast!"