The moment the words "third challenge" were uttered, everyone in the room held their breath.
The first two levels were already so difficult, what will the third level be like?
Some speculated it would be a series of battles, others guessed it was some kind of special test, and still others guessed it might involve facing top fighters from the Tiger and Panther Legion.
In conclusion, most people still feel that the challenges ahead will be even more difficult.
After all, it's reasonable for each level to be progressively more difficult.
Before the murmurs had subsided, He Guanshan's next words stunned everyone.
"The third level..."
He Guanshan paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room before finally settling on Han Xuanji, a slow smile curving his lips:
You don't need to try anymore.
These words immediately caused an uproar around the training ground.
The soldiers of the Tiger and Panther Legion reacted in various ways.
Some were resentful, some admired, and some seemed thoughtful.
Zhou Lie actually lost...
"A young soldier murmured, his voice filled with disbelief."
"A loss is a loss, there's nothing more to say."
The veteran next to him shook his head. "That Han Xuanji is indeed strong; Zhou Lie deserves the blame."
"But the legion commander just let him pass like that? He didn't even test him in the third round?"
"What do you think the third test can still test? Zhou Lie is already the youngest centurion in our legion. If even he lost, the others would just be easy prey."
The legion commander was giving Zhou Lie face, and also leaving himself a way out.
The young soldier opened his mouth, but still didn't reveal what the planned third challenge was.
He actually felt sorry for himself.
Discussions arose one after another, some with surprise, some with confusion, and many others with a sense of reason and logic.
"What? We don't have to go through the ordeal anymore?"
"What... what does this mean? Is the legion commander letting us win?"
"What are you talking about? Didn't you see the battle just now? Does your strength still need to be tested?"
That's true, but rules are rules...
"Rules are made by people, and the legion commander has the final say. Besides, do you really think the third level can stump him?"
After all, Han Xuanji's strength, which he had just displayed, was undeniable.
Many people couldn't see why Han Xuanji was able to win, but they should know that Zhou Lie was no ordinary person. He was once an undisputed top genius, but he became much more low-key after being rebuffed in Nine Mysteries City.
To be honest, although Han Xuanji was very famous before, many people were still unconvinced.
But now these people admire them.
With such strength, not to mention in Thousand Souls City, even in Nine Mysteries City, they would be among the top tier.
In the front row of the stands, an elderly man with gray hair nodded slightly. He was an Eternal True God of the Dao of Principle in Thousand Souls City, and he rarely showed his face. Today, he came here specifically to see the demeanor of the outstanding young people of Thousand Souls City.
He stroked his beard and said softly to the person beside him:
"This young man is indeed qualified to enter the Creation Platform. The Legion Commander is simply going with the flow, giving face to the Soul Household without compromising fairness."
He did not explain the mystery behind Han Xuanji's move just now.
Another elder from a prominent Lineage, who was on good terms with him, nodded in agreement:
" Han Xuanji's performance was stunning enough. If the Tiger and Panther Legion continues to make things difficult for her, it would only make them seem petty."
Among the crowd, a young cultivator had a complicated expression.
He was a scion of the Aristocratic Clan in Nine Mysteries City, who came to Thousand Souls City to travel and watch the excitement, but he never expected to witness such a duel.
He turned to his companion and said:
"We need to have a serious talk with the clan about Han Xuanji when we get back. Thousand Souls City has produced such a figure; he shouldn't be underestimated in the future."
His companion nodded:
"I've seen very few people like this in Nine Mysteries City. If he were to comprehend the Dao of Creation, what would become of him?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stands, Han Xuanji's supporters were already bursting with excitement.
Wang Ping was the first to jump up, waving his fists, his face flushed, and shouting at the people next to him:
"Did you hear that? We don't need to go through the third level anymore! Brother Han won! I knew Brother Han could do it!"
Although Hun Jiuge wasn't as excited as Wang Ping, she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.
He turned to look at Li Tiantong beside him and found that this usually calm man was also extremely excited.
That's quite rare.
It is worth noting that Li Tiantong has received much attention since he came to the Soul Household. After all, he was a talent brought back by Han Xuanji, and he has shown great composure, earning praise for his excellent character and calm demeanor.
Hun Qianxue remained calm. He knew how powerful Han Xuanji was, so he wasn't worried about Han Xuanji's defeat.
There are too many things about this kid that even he can't understand; he must have a very important background.
He didn't even expect Han Xuanji to stay in the Soul Household forever.
Just as his sister, Hun Qianling, had advised him, the small Soul Household could not keep this peerless hidden dragon.
Instead of overthinking, give as much as you can.
Perhaps years from now, the Soul Household will receive some feedback and rise to the top.
In the center of the training ground, Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback upon hearing He Guanshan's words.
He had initially thought the other party might have some clever tricks up their sleeve to make things difficult for him, but he didn't expect this "villain" to play by his own rules.
"It seems this legion commander doesn't intend to make things difficult for me."
Han Xuanji thought to himself, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards He Guanshan.
"Thank you, Commander."
He Guanshan waved his hand and stepped down from the platform.
His steps were not fast, but each step was firm and solid. His aura was completely concealed, making him look like an ordinary middle-aged scholar.
But no one dared to underestimate him, because everyone present knew that once this legion commander made a move, it would be Potian.
When the other party first came, he was all alone. His ability to reach this position was certainly not solely due to his privileged background.
You're welcome.
He Guanshan walked up to Han Xuanji and looked him up and down:
"Your strength has already impressed me and everyone in the Tiger and Panther Legion. I He Guanshan, have always acted fairly."
If you can do it, then you can.
No, it won't work no matter how much you Potian.
He paused, then shifted his gaze to Zhou Lie not far away, and said calmly:
" Zhou Lie, losing one game isn't the end of the world."
"I hope you can learn from this failure."
Zhou Lie's body trembled, and he slowly stood up. His face was still pale, but most of the resentment in his eyes had dissipated, replaced by a complex expression.
Unexpectedly, after failing once in Nine Mysteries City, they failed again in Thousand Souls City.
He glanced at Han Xuanji, then at He Guanshan, and said in a deep voice:
"Yes, Commander, I won't fail next time."
Clearly, Zhou Lie had already set his sights on Han Xuanji, and he planned to challenge him only after he had perfectly mastered the Dao Principle of Destruction and the Dao Principle of Creation.
"Go back and recover well. Keep honing your skills. What you lack isn't talent, it's patience."
After He Guanshan finished speaking, he stopped looking at Zhou Lie and turned to walk out of the training ground.
" Han Xuanji, come with me. I will personally take you to the Creation Platform."
Han Xuanji glanced at Hun Qianxue not far away, and the other nodded to him.
He withdrew his gaze and followed He Guanshan.
He had already used the system to investigate He Guanshan, and he roughly knew the other party's intentions.
There was no hostility towards him, nor was there any "if I can't have him, I'll destroy him" mentality.