Morning sunlight pierced the thin mist outside Chang'an City, bathing the newly built Martial Arts Training Ground in pale gold. This semifinal would be held at the new grounds outside the city, which Chen Yu had reinforced with Arceus's Power. From then on, this would also be the venue for future Military Examination semifinals and finals.
The dew that had condensed on the obsidian ground overnight had yet to dry completely. It reflected the rising sun, glittering like shattered stars. Tens of thousands of spectators had already packed the Martial Arts Training Ground, their deafening clamor rising into the clouds. Every gaze was fixed on the largest main arena at the center, where a clash of titans would soon decide a place in the Military Examination finals.
Zhang Fei stood on the Command Platform, planted his Eight-Foot Serpent Spear on the ground, and thundered, "First match of the semifinals! Lü Bu versus the Guandao Swordsman!" He drew out the final syllable, its metallic resonance instantly drowning out the uproar.
The bronze demon mask gleamed coldly in the morning light. The burly figure dragged his plain, ancient-looking guandao as he stepped into the arena. Its edge scraped softly over the ground, every step as steady as a mountain. He stopped at the center, rested the guandao against the ground, and looked toward the opposite side, his gaze calm behind the bronze mask.
Red Hare gave a long neigh and swept into the arena like a blaze. Lü Bu sat high on his back, his scarlet cloak snapping in the wind, Sky Piercer angled toward the heavens, a cold gleam flickering at its tip. He looked down on his silent opponent, his lips curling arrogantly. "A skulking nobody thinks he deserves to challenge me? Give me your name!"
The Guandao Swordsman did