At My Mercy

After everyone had entered Baishiyu.

"Can't they make these uniforms a little bigger?"

The man, as huge as a bear, impatiently unbuttoned half of his uniform, finally feeling his breathing become much smoother.

Back in the monitoring room.

In the spacious room, five or six people were present. The entire south-facing wall displayed a 3D virtual sandbox.

Within the sandbox, everything within the perimeter of Baishiyu was displayed with exquisite detail. The mountains, rocks, forests, and various terrains were all incredibly complete, as if they had undergone extremely meticulous scanning.

And within it.

Red light spots flickered, accompanied by numbers from 1 to 180. Many of these light spots were even moving rapidly.

Besides the red light spots, there were a large number of green light spots.

All the green light spots were moving quickly, also displaying numbers. These represented each examinee.

At this moment, several people were gathered around, chatting and watching the virtual display.

For every Martial Artist Assessment, various factions would send representatives, forming a lineup of five chief examiners. Li Xionshan was the military representative this time.

He glanced at the virtual display. Around the nearest sensor, number 180, a large number of green light spots had gathered, clearly indicating a fierce battle.

He just didn't know who would emerge victorious. Li Xionshan wasn't interested. He simply asked someone beside him, "Are there any promising talents this time?"

"There are a few promising talents."

Fu Hongtao, the representative from the Martial Artist Association, said with a smile, "Zhai Feng from Shancheng is a veteran of the martial arts assessments, participating for the second time. His strength is 2500KG, and his blade technique is at the minor accomplishment stage."

"Sun Zicheng from Wuji Martial Hall, 2400KG strength."

"Zhang Feiyu from Wuji Martial Hall, 2200KG strength."

"And Zhao Cheng from Tianhu Association, his physical body is almost at its limit, with a strength of 2600KG. He's just a bit older."

"The siblings Wei Ting and Wei Qing both have strengths exceeding 2000KG. The brother wields a saber, and the sister a sword. Both have reached the minor accomplishment stage in their martial arts. Wei Ting's talent is even greater; she uses the mid-grade martial skill Fine Rain Sword Technique, and she's only one step away from the great accomplishment stage."

"..."

Fu Hongtao listed seven or eight names in one breath, all considered seeded contestants in this assessment. They all possessed strengths or martial arts attainments worth noting.

"Oh, and there's also someone named Su Bei. His casually struck Qi Force has a strength of 1900kg, so his actual strength should be over 2300KG. He's still young, and with time, he'll be a capable individual."

Upon hearing this, Li Xionshan sighed softly, "This is still not enough."

"Are there no examinees who have reached their physical limit?"

"Reaching the physical limit isn't that easy. Every bit of increase in strength becomes ten times harder," someone from the military department interjected. "Having one every one or two years is already good."

"Then Zhao Cheng's 2600KG, although not reaching the theoretical 2800KG, is very close to the physical limit."

"I estimate he'll be the first place this time."

Physical limit is a specific term in gene martial arts. After extensive testing and research, the theoretical physical limit for a Quasi-Martial Artist is around 2800KG.

This record was set by the legendary martial artist "Unblemished Venerable," and subsequent practitioners could only approach it, but none could surpass it.

Generally, reaching 2700KG could be considered the physical limit, but even those who could truly approach this standard were extremely rare.

To them, 2600KG was already infinitely close to the limit.

Li Xionshan irritably tugged at his collar, "You all know the reason for the sudden change in this assessment. A Void Battlefield has suddenly opened, and the entry requirement is Quasi-Martial Artist."

"This has never happened in previous years. It caught us completely off guard."

"Currently, our military has sent one person, the military department has sent one, the association has sent one, and a top-tier force has sent one. These are all Quasi-Martial Artists who have reached their physical limit."

"We are still short one person. If no one obtains the number 1 token this time, we'll have to select another person from each department, but their strength might be slightly inferior."

"We must select the best of the best. Once inside the Void Battlefield, they must immediately break through the Secret Treasury Gate!"

"The details of this matter are still under strict secrecy. I hope everyone keeps it confidential."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression turned solemn.

The Void Battlefield was both a paradise and a hell for martial artists. However, overall, its benefits outweighed its drawbacks. For these Quasi-Martial Artists, surviving it would be a tremendous fortune!

"Then, do you think there's any chance of someone obtaining the number 1 token this time?"

"I've placed the number 1 token in the lair of a high-grade Rank 1 exotic beast. If someone is clever enough, they might have a chance," Li Xionshan said. "This tests the examinees' overall capabilities."

Everyone present sighed softly.

The strength of a high-grade Rank 1 exotic beast was comparable to a Rank 1 martial artist who had cultivated a high-grade gene method. For these Quasi-Martial Artists to kill one would be no different from a fool's dream.

"Then there's basically no hope. It's a shame this happened so suddenly. Otherwise, if we had expanded the scope, I believe the talents from some martial arts families wouldn't be inferior. It's just bad luck that they missed this opportunity."

"It's not entirely impossible."

The representative from the faction, who had been silent, interjected teasingly, "If there was a contestant who surpassed the currently known physical limit, and possessed at least one or two martial skills that reached the perfect stage, or even the intent level, then there would be a good chance."

"...Humorous."

Even the usually serious Li Xiongshan couldn't help but laugh, "The Martial Artist Assessment doesn't allow for someone this amazing to exist."

For a moment, the inside and outside of the room were filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Su Bei, who had been practically called out by his ID number, looked at Zhang Feiyu, who was determined to leave, with some helplessness.

"Feiyu, you're really not coming with me? Don't worry, those petty thieves won't affect me."

He assumed Zhang Feiyu was afraid of the thugs arranged by Sun Zicheng and tried to persuade him.

Zhang Feiyu had helped him a lot during the past month, and if they went together, they might achieve even better results. He wanted to help if he could.

"I really don't need to, Brother Bei."

Zhang Feiyu said somewhat flippantly, "Uncle Chen is clueless, but am I clueless too?"

"Besides, my strength isn't bad. Advancing shouldn't be a problem, and there's no need for me to follow you."

Su Bei: "...Alright, then."

Zhang Feiyu looked at the receiver in his hand and said, "Then I'll be going first. There's a number 46 nearby, so the competition shouldn't be as intense."

Sometimes, Zhang Feiyu was remarkably clear-headed and had a very defined understanding of his own position. With his strength, he could even contend for a top ten spot, but since his only goal was to advance, it didn't seem to matter what number he drew.

The two soon parted ways.

Su Bei looked at the receiver in his hand. Its range was likely within three kilometers. Besides number 46, there was also number 18. However, number 18 was moving rapidly within the receiver's range, disappearing beyond the detection area in just a few blinks.

"This must be on a strange beast. Judging by its speed, it's not far from being a Level 1 strange beast."

"Then I'll use this strange beast to break the ice."

Su Bei thought to himself, not slowing his pace at all. He stomped his foot hard, leaving a small pit with a bang, and his body vanished from the spot like an arrow released from a bow.

The surge in his strength also made his speed incredibly fast. He had long since broken through the 40m/s barrier, and in this forest, he was almost a blur.

Occasionally, low-level strange beasts would rush out to attack, but Su Bei would flick them away with his spear tip. Under the impact of his strength, their bodies would explode, and they would fall dead on the spot, without him even significantly reducing his speed.

Soon.

On the receiver, Su Bei saw the light spot for number 18, but it was no longer moving.

Su Bei charged through everything, quickly approaching within a hundred meters. Only then did he slow down, walking towards the light spot.

Pushing through the layers of leaves, Su Bei saw the full appearance of the strange beast on the dense, damp branches.

"Ghost-faced kitsune?"

More than ninety percent of its fur was black, with white fur growing like fine threads. A plump tail hung behind it, and sharp claws were hidden within its fleshy paws. The entire body was crouched in the shadows of the branches, and if one didn't look closely, it would be difficult to notice.

Its body was about 1.7 to 1.8 meters long, almost the size of a leopard in his previous life.

Not far from it, a low-level Steel-toothed Rabbit was lying down.

No wonder it suddenly stopped; it was hunting.

The Ghost-faced Phantom Fox was considered a high-grade strange beast. Once it grew, it could reach the level of a Level 1 strange beast, excelling in speed and stealth.

It was called "ghost-faced" because its face was terrifying, not resembling a fox at all, but rather a hideous, ugly demon from a painting.

This also meant that the Ghost-faced 幽狐's fur was top-quality material, but its performance in the luxury market was quite mediocre. Sometimes, it was even passed off as a Shadow Fox strange beast to enter the market.

Su Bei glanced at it and indeed, it was quite ugly.

He moved forward another thirty to forty meters and stopped. If he went any further, he might startle the Ghost-faced Phantom Fox.

The Qi and blood within his body surged wildly, his surface temperature suddenly rose, and his legs felt like they were surging with endless power.

Bang!

Holding the spear with both hands, he stomped his foot down hard. His Qi and blood surged into the ground, and the earth seemed to explode with immense force. In an instant, the damp ground shattered!

Amidst the flying sand and soil, a gust of wind blew. Su Bei was like the top predator in the forest, covering dozens of meters in less than a second!

"Hiss!"

The Ghost-faced Youhu's ears twitched, and it saw Su Bei behind it. A trace of human-like shock appeared on its ugly face, followed by a sharp, piercing roar. Its body twisted, its sharp fangs bared, and its claws, each about twenty centimeters long, extended. It twisted its body like a phantom and counter-attacked Su Bei.

Swish!

But in the very next moment, the tip of a spear emerged from the back of its head. Su Bei's hand trembled, and the spear shaft vibrated, causing the Ghost-faced Phantom Fox's head to instantly explode, leaving only a headless corpse.

In just one exchange, Su Bei instantly killed it.

Before strange beasts reach a certain level, their minds are not very good.

Su Bei hadn't expected it to not run and even dare to counter-attack him.

A strange beast like the Ghost-faced Youhu, even before reaching a certain level, its strength is definitely comparable to a top Quasi-Martial Artist. For anyone else, it would probably take some effort.

He rummaged through the Ghost-faced Phantom Fox, finding a small sensor attached to its thick fur.

"It's a shame it ran into me," Su Bei murmured lightly. "I really am too strong."

He put the sensor away.

"Let's continue."

"If Zhang Feiyu's ranking is still lower than number 18 by the end, I'll just give this to him," Su Bei said to himself.

While rank 18 was indeed a good position, it wasn't his goal.

His objective was the top ten.

Only the top ten would attract the attention of major powers, and only the top ten would receive an Ascension Secret Treasure as a reward.

He had no background, nor did he just need registered martial artist status like Zhang Feiyu. Someone had already prepared an Ascension Secret Treasure for him.

Therefore, he had to win.

Shine brightly when you have the chance!

Missing this opportunity wouldn't mean never getting another, but it would certainly cause a significant delay. In the path of a martial artist, being a step ahead meant being steps ahead in everything.

Su Bei opened his receiver and began searching for his next target.

There were indeed many sensor signals nearby, but their numbers weren't particularly high, with the highest being only in the thirties.

With preparations made, Su Bei ventured deeper.

The further he went, the greater the danger, but correspondingly, the higher the numbers.

Whoosh!

The next moment.

An arrow pierced the air, trailing a gust of wind, and shot directly towards the back of Su Bei's head!

But Su Bei, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, swept his spear.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing erupted instantly, sparks flying. The arrow was deflected aside, falling to the ground, already broken into several pieces.

Su Bei frowned. The arrow's force was not insignificant, carrying a spiraling Qi Force. From an unknown distance, it still possessed nearly three thousand jin of power by the time it reached him.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The attacker didn't expect to succeed with a single blow. Leaves rustled as a barrage of arrows shot out, their force fierce and relentless.

Su Bei's spear danced, creating an impenetrable defense. The sounds of clang, clang, clang filled the air, and in the dense forest, sparks flew, creating a spectacular sight.

In this exchange, dozens of arrows had been fired!

This bow was definitely a good bow!

Only a good bow could continuously fire so many arrows; otherwise, the user would surely be exhausted!

The opponent was also constantly moving, making it impossible for Su Bei to pinpoint their location. He could only defend passively.

This feeling of the enemy being hidden while he was exposed was truly unpleasant.

Su Bei: "I'll have to console myself with that good bow later."

Suddenly.

Several more arrows shot from the side. The technique used for these arrows was clearly inferior to the previous attacker's, lacking even the spiraling force.

Su Bei simply swept his spear, shattering the arrows directly.

Two people?

Su Bei's mind raced. Three spiraling Qi Force attacks were heading his way. He feigned exhaustion, and after the impact, his spear flew several meters away.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Three more arrows!

This time, Su Bei had no choice but to dodge using his footwork. The arrows, carrying the spiraling force, struck the ground like small bombs, creating small craters.

"He's exhausted!"

"His spear is on the ground, and he's unarmed. Even with the best spear techniques, he can't use them!"

"Let's go together and kill him!"

In the dense forest.

Wen Xiangwei, being naturally cautious, nocked another arrow. Even he was starting to feel the strain.

However, seeing Su Bei's desperate dodging, he felt a bit more at ease.

This bow was something he had obtained by chance. He didn't know what material it was made of, but it consumed very little strength, yet the arrows it fired were comparable to a full-power shot. It was with this longbow that he and his brothers had been thriving.

They had even killed a martial artist.

He usually disguised it as an ordinary longbow, not daring to reveal it easily.

"This kid is truly a monster. Fortunately, I have this longbow, or I might have really flipped my boat in a ditch!"

He had taken nearly a hundred of his arrows!

The vitality he possessed was the most he had ever seen in his life.

Wen Xiangwei and his group had obtained a lot of information about Su Bei from their employer, with his exceptional spear skills being prominently listed.

"Now his vitality is depleted, and he's unarmed. His spear skills are useless."

"Isn't he just meat on a chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered?"

"It would be best if I could find out what Gene Method he cultivates. If I could possess such robust vitality, even a martial artist might not be untouchable!"

He thought joyfully.