138: First battle

Liu Sisi was the first to strike!

The Nine-Section Whip shot out like a living snake; the tip pointed at Mu Qingxue's throat but suddenly changed direction mid-way, coiling toward her waist and abdomen!

Unpredictable and elusive, this was the essence of the Spirit Snake Whip Technique.

Mu Qingxue stood still.

Only when the whip's shadow reached three feet before her did she raise her right hand, pressing her index and middle fingers together and lightly tapping.

"Ssh—"

A streak of ice-blue Sword Qi erupted from her fingertips, thin as a hair yet incomparably sharp!

The Sword Qi struck precisely at the joint of the seventh section of the Nine-Section Whip!

"Ding!"

The sound of clashing metal rang out. The Nine-Section Whip was as if struck by lightning, its body vibrating violently. Liu Sisi felt a bone-chilling force travel up the whip, instantly numbing her entire right arm!

Her expression changed in horror, and she hurriedly withdrew her whip and retreated.

But Mu Qingxue's second finger had already arrived.

It was still a slender streak of Sword Qi, but its speed was twice as fast, pointing directly at the Shanzhong Acupoint on Liu Sisi's chest.

Liu Sisi struggled to parry with her whip.

"Ding!"

The Nine-Section Whip was hit by the Sword Qi and flew out of her hand!

With the third finger, Mu Qingxue lightly flicked her fingertips, and the Sword Qi split into three, sealing Liu Sisi's upper, middle, and lower paths.

Liu Sisi had no way to dodge, and the Life Talisman at her waist shattered with a "crack."

"group b, number five, Mu Qingxue wins."

From start to finish, three fingers, three breaths.

Mu Qingxue hadn't even moved a step; her sword remained unsheathed, yet she had easily defeated her enemy.

The area below the stage was silent for a moment, then erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

"Fingertip Sword Qi! This is Sword Qi leaving the body; her sword Dao cultivation has reached the Transcendent level!"

"I heard Miss Mu has already gained initial insights into 'Clear Sword Heart.' It truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Calm, precise, elegant... this is a true swordsman!"

Chen Linsheng nodded slightly. Mu Qingxue's sword Dao did not follow the domineering path of crushing power like Yan Chen's; instead, it was one of extreme control and precision. Such an opponent might be even harder to deal with than Yan Chen.

The competition continued.

group c, number three, Han Tie took the stage.

His opponent was a scion of a noble family using twin sabers, whose blade techniques were dense and well-balanced in offense and defense.

Han Tie remained silent, merely unfastening the seemingly ordinary iron saber from his back and gripping it in his hand.

"Begin!"

The twin-saber noble scion was the first to attack, his blade light splashing out like water, sealing all of Han Tie's paths of advance and retreat.

Han Tie did not retreat but advanced!

With one step forward, the ground trembled slightly. The iron saber slashed horizontally without any flourishes, yet it carried a tragic Killing Intent tempered from bloody battles on the battlefield!

"Clang!"

The twin sabers collided with the iron saber, sparks flying everywhere!

That noble scion felt a tyrannical and domineering force transmit through; the twin sabers almost flew out of his hands! He hurriedly changed his move, the blade light swirling to slash at Han Tie's ribs.

Han Tie neither dodged nor avoided, forming a fist with his left hand and punching out!

The fist wind was like a hammer, smashing into the side of the blade!

"Crack!" One of the sabers snapped upon impact!

The noble scion retreated in horror, his other saber held protectively in front of him.

Han Tie's second strike had already arrived.

It was still a simple horizontal slash, but the speed was twice as fast!

"Clang—Thud!"

The saber broke, and the person was sent flying.

The Life Talisman shattered.

"group c, number three, Han Tie wins."

Three moves decided the victory.

There were no redundant movements, no testing or maneuvering; every strike went straight for the vitals, every move concise and ruthless.

This was the characteristic of military martial arts—only for killing the enemy, not for performance.

Chen Linsheng watched closely. Han Tie's saber technique seemed simple, but it was actually refined through a thousand trials, pushing the three words "fast, precise, and ruthless" to the extreme. Even more rare was that battlefield Killing Intent, which was enough to intimidate those with weak wills.

"Group D, numbers seven and eight, take the stage!"

Yu Linfeng stepped onto the stage gracefully, his moon-white brocade robe spotless, an ivory folding fan lightly swaying in his hand, looking poised and elegant.

His opponent was a Martial Artist using a Chain Spear, whose spear techniques were tricky and extremely difficult to defend against at mid-range.

"Begin!"

The Chain Spear shot out like a venomous snake, its tip pointing at Yu Linfeng's face, but it suddenly dropped mid-way, stabbing toward his abdomen!

Yu Linfeng smiled slightly and snapped his folding fan open. The fan's surface, which looked like jade but wasn't, actually shimmered with a layer of warm white light.

With a light turn of his wrist, the folding fan drew an arc in front of him.

"Ding!"

The tip of the Chain Spear struck the fan's surface, actually producing the sound of clashing metal, unable to advance another inch!

Yu Linfeng used the momentum to lead the Chain Spear astray, causing the Martial Artist's figure to stumble.

Before the opponent could steady himself, Yu Linfeng closed his folding fan and thrust it out like a short staff, hitting the opponent's Jianjing Acupoint squarely.

Half of the Chain Spear Martial Artist's body went numb, and the long spear fell from his hand.

Yu Linfeng took another step forward, the handle of the fan lightly tapping the opponent's chest.

The Life Talisman shattered.

"Group D, number seven, Yu Linfeng wins."

Composed, elegant, and making it look easy.

Yu Linfeng's Cultivation Technique seemed to emphasize defense and neutralization, but every move was perfectly timed, clearly showing he had strength to spare.

Chen Linsheng evaluated in his heart: This person's thoughts are deep, and his strength certainly doesn't end here.

"group e, numbers nine and ten, take the stage!"

Lin Yueru, looking heroic and spirited, leaped onto the stage, her goose-yellow martial attire accentuating her vigorous figure.

Her opponent was a burly man using a Giant Axe, which was heavy and powerful, with broad and sweeping movements.

"Begin!"

The Giant Axe-wielding man roared, swinging the axe with both hands in a move called "Cleaving Mount Hua," slashing down at her head! The axe wind whistled, unstoppable!

Lin Yueru did not retreat but advanced, her figure sliding along the ground like willow catkins, actually slipping through the gap beneath the axe! Simultaneously, her palms moved like butterflies through flowers, striking the burly man's ribs!

"Bang! Bang!"

Two muffled sounds rang out. The burly man's whole body shook violently, the Giant Axe missed and smashed into the arena stage, sending stone fragments flying.

Lin Yueru flipped up and delivered a whip kick to the back of the man's neck.

The Life Talisman shattered.

"group e, number nine, Lin Yueru wins."

Flexible, swift, and combining hardness with softness. The Lin Family's Cultivation Technique truly has its unique merits.

Chen Linsheng silently noted the characteristics of these opponents.

"group c, numbers seven and eight—take the stage!"

Finally, it was his turn.

Chen Linsheng took a deep breath, suppressing all distracting thoughts in his mind, leaving only a clear Battle Intent.

He stepped onto the stage with steady strides.

His opponent had also taken the stage—a young man about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, wearing the dark blue martial attire of a martial arts hall, with the words "Wave Breaker" embroidered on his chest. He had a lean and capable build, and his knuckles were thick, clearly a master of palm techniques.

"Wave Breaker Martial Arts Hall, Li Cang." The young man cupped his hands, his expression solemn. Chen Linsheng had become famous after the Hidden Dragon Banquet, so he naturally didn't dare to underestimate him.

"Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Chen Linsheng." Chen Linsheng returned the gesture.

"Begin!"

Li Cang was the first to act! He knew well that Chen Linsheng's Foundation was solid and couldn't give him a chance to build momentum, so his first move was a killing strike from the Wave Breaker Martial Arts Hall's ultimate skill, the "Wave Breaker Palm"—

"Crashing Waves Rending the Shore!"

His palms struck out in succession, the palm wind like a tide, one wave higher than the last, enveloping Chen Linsheng's vitals! This palm technique emphasized continuity, using offense as defense; once it gained momentum, it was like surging waves, making it hard for one to catch their breath.

Chen Linsheng's eyes were calm as he lightly executed the "Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps," his figure like willow catkins in the wind, gracefully dodging through the gaps in the palm wind.

He wasn't in a hurry to counterattack, but instead carefully observed the opponent's palm patterns, force variations, and breathing rhythm.

After three moves, Li Cang's palm momentum had reached its Peak, his palms were crimson, and his blood and Qi were surging, clearly having pushed himself to the limit.

Now was the time!

Chen Linsheng's figure suddenly stilled; he no longer dodged and slowly pushed out his right palm.

There was no scorching True Strength, no dazzling brilliance, only a heavy, condensed, and unified palm force.

The third form of the Hunyuan Palm—Suppressing the Mountain.

This palm strike wasn't fast, but it sealed off all possible variations of Li Cang's palm momentum, as if an invisible mountain stood in the way; no matter how the waves crashed, I remain unmoved.

Li Cang's expression changed, and he gritted his teeth to change his move, bringing his palms together and striking at Chen Linsheng's palm with all his might!

"Boom—!"

The palms collided!

An airwave exploded, and fine sand flew into the air!

Li Cang felt his palm force like a mud cow entering the sea, swallowed and neutralized by an incomparably majestic force! Even more terrifying, that force rebounded, hitting his Meridians in wave after wave like a tide!

He gave a muffled groan and retreated three steps, leaving shallow footprints on the bluestone ground with every step, his face flushed and his blood and Qi churning.

Chen Linsheng remained motionless, merely withdrawing his right palm slightly before pushing it out again.

The second palm was still "Suppressing the Mountain," but the force was even more condensed.

Li Cang gritted his teeth and took it head-on.

"Bang!"

He retreated another five steps, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

Chen Linsheng No more chance for him to catch his breath， The third step is to step out， His figure was as close as a ghost.， The left palm lightly patted Li Cang's right shoulder。

This palm strike seemed weak, but it was as fast as lightning.

Li Cang had no time to parry and could only barely turn his body.

"Pa."

The palm force reached his body; it wasn't heavy but precisely hit his Jianjing Acupoint.

Li Cang's entire right arm went numb, and his palm force dissipated.

Chen Linsheng withdrew his palm and stood, taking a step back and cupping his hands, saying, "I yield."

Li Cang stood frozen for a long moment, then smiled bitterly and cupped his fists: "Brother Chen's palm force is majestic; I am impressed."

The Life Talisman at his waist had quietly shattered during the collision of the second palm.

"group c, number seven, Chen Linsheng wins!"

The examiner announced loudly.

A round of cheers erupted from below the stage.

"Ten moves! Chen Linsheng only used ten moves!"

"It seems simple and unadorned, but it actually has a deep Foundation; his palm technique is as steady as a mountain, and his Movement Technique is as agile as the wind... this is true martial Dao!"

"He hasn't even used his spear! I heard his spear technique is his true trump card!"

Chen Linsheng looked calm as he stepped off the stage and returned to his team.

In this battle, he hadn't used his spear technique, hadn't exposed his "Annihilation Spear Intent," and hadn't even used the spiral penetrating power of "Python Dragon Strength," winning steadily using only the Hunyuan Palm combined with the "Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps."

His goal had been achieved—to demonstrate a solid Foundation and precise control while keeping his trump cards hidden.

Lei Hao slapped his shoulder hard: "Good! Clean and efficient!"

Chen Linsheng smiled and nodded, but his gaze was already turned toward the arena.

He needed to observe the subsequent matches more carefully.

Yan Chen, Mu Qingxue, Han Tie, Yu Linfeng, Lin Yueru... he had already seen the first battles of these seeded players. But among a hundred people, there might be hidden dark horses.

Sure enough, in the subsequent matches, several more people caught his attention.

A gray-clothed youth using a Soft Sword had a bizarre and unpredictable sword technique and a Movement Technique like smoke; he defeated a Flesh Refining Realm Perfection opponent within ten moves.

A woman carrying a Guqin actually used the sound of the zither as an attack, the sound waves vibrating and causing her opponent to lose focus, winning easily.

There was also a taciturn black-clothed saber user whose blade technique was ruthless and sinister, causing his opponent to leave the stage with heavy injuries in just three moves; although he didn't break the rules, it caused a stir of criticism.

Chen Linsheng noted the characteristics of these people one by one.

The sun rose higher, and the fifty matches of the first round finally all ended before noon.

Half of the hundred people were eliminated, leaving only fifty to advance.

Judge Li took the stage to announce: "The first round is over! At the Wei Hour, the second round of drawing lots and matches will begin! Those who advanced, hurry and regulate your breathing to recover!"

The crowd dispersed, and the qualifiers each found a place to rest.

Chen Linsheng sat cross-legged under the shade of a tree, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. The Jade Marrow Guiding Technique quietly operated, his bone marrow bursting with vitality, quickly restoring the blood and Qi consumed just now.

Although he only used ten moves, the full activation of the Hunyuan Palm was not a small drain. Every opponent in the following rounds would be stronger, so he had to maintain his best state.

While he was regulating his breathing, a cold voice suddenly sounded beside him:

"Young Hero Chen's Hunyuan Palm has already attained the 'heavy' true meaning."

Chen Linsheng opened his eyes to see Mu Qingxue had arrived nearby at some point, her water-blue long dress swaying lightly in the wind, her expression still cold, but there was a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

"Miss Mu overpraises me." Chen Linsheng stood up and cupped his hands, "Miss's Sword Qi fingers are the ones truly subtle."

Mu Qingxue shook her head slightly: "The Dao of the sword seeks refinement, while palm techniques seek weight; there is no inherent superiority. It's just..."

She paused and looked at Chen Linsheng with clear eyes: "Young Hero Chen seems not to have used his full strength yet."

Chen Linsheng said frankly: "The Martial Examination has just begun; it's always good to keep some trump cards."

"A wise move." Mu Qingxue nodded, "Yan Chen's brilliance is exposed, Han Tie is decisive in killing, Yu Linfeng is deeply hidden... the upcoming matches will not be easy."

Having said that, she spoke no more, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

Chen Linsheng watched her back, lost in thought.

This Mu Qingxue was cold and aloof, but not arrogant. Her words just now seemed like a reminder, an exchange, and also a form of invisible recognition.

He sat back down cross-legged, his mind becoming calm.