After Qin Yu left, silence returned to the room.

The flame of the lamp was no bigger than a bean, casting a dim, yellow halo across the desk. Su Yu unrolled the intelligence scroll covered in names, his expression grave.

The battle for the top ten was a contest between the strongest members of the younger generation in Black Stone City’s Outer City.

’To think I’ve actually made it this far!’

But the situation was as clear as it was cruel.

Cui Wanhe, Sun Yan, Dai Xing.

These three were like great mountains barring the path of every other contestant. Their strength was on a completely different level, and by established convention, the drawing wouldn’t pit them against each other in the first round.

’The top three spots are already decided,’ Su Yu knew. ’If I’m unlucky enough to draw one of them, I’ll have to bide my time and avoid a direct confrontation.’

That meant there were only two remaining spots.

Su Yu’s gaze shifted downward, landing on two names as a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Sun Shi, Liu Li.

’According to the Thousand Mechanism Tower’s predictions, they are the strongest contenders for fourth and fifth place, and the ones with the best chance!’

An image of Sun Shi’s deceptively simple-looking face surfaced in Su Yu’s mind.

He was at the First Acupoint and cultivated the Nine-Turn Iron Armor Skill. During the second stage, the Iron Chain Cross River competition, he had displayed exceptional strength.

As for Liu Li, he was the Young Master of the prominent Liu Family of the Outer City. He had never lacked for resources, and his cultivation had long been polished to the peak of the First Acupoint.

In terms of resources and background alone, he was a cut above even Sun Shi!

’As for me...’

Su Yu looked at the short evaluation of himself at the end of the intelligence report and couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Su Yu, the dark horse of the Martial Examination. His projectile technique is extremely strong and poses a great threat. However, arena battles restrict the use of such weapons, and his foundation is still shallow. Without his projectiles, his strength likely cannot compete with Sun Yan or Liu Li."

...

「The final day of the Martial Examination.」

A fierce wind whipped across the high platform.

Clad in Heavy Armor, Pang Xuan stood like an iron tower. His gaze swept over the dense crowd below before finally landing on the white-robed young man beside him.

"Master Zhao."

Pang Xuan’s voice was deep, laced with the grim austerity of the battlefield. "Once the Martial Examination is over, it’s time to clean up the mess outside the city. Black Stone City has over a million mouths to feed, the trade routes are cut off, and the people are restless. Your three great families... you’re ready, I assume?"

Zhao Long Ge, seated on a brocade-covered chair, slightly lifted his eyelids. A hint of a smile flashed in his narrow, elegant eyes. "Commander Pang, rest assured. Since I have come this time, I will certainly lend my support."

"Good!"

A sharp glint flashed in Pang Xuan’s eyes. "Since Master Zhao is so forthright, then on behalf of all the citizens of this city, I thank you!"

With that, Pang Xuan abruptly rose and strode to the front of the stage.

BOOM!

He made no grand gesture, but the battle-hardened killing intent from his body instantly billowed out. The Martial Arts Arena, once as rowdy as a marketplace, fell deathly silent in an instant.

Thousands of gazes snapped to him in unison.

"Everyone!"

Pang Xuan’s Qi sank into his Dantian, and his voice boomed like a great bell. Empowered by his Qi and Blood, every word exploded like thunder in the ears of the crowd:

"Before the Martial Examination begins, I have an announcement to make. Outside the city, strange forces are causing chaos and bandits run rampant! Black Stone City’s trade routes have been severed, and the cost of living has skyrocketed!"

"I have already forged an alliance with the three great families. The moment the Martial Examination concludes today, we will begin to sweep the lands outside the city and quell this disaster!"

The crowd erupted into discussion at his words.

"The Black Stone Army and the three great families are finally taking action! The lands outside the city have become far too dangerous. If they don’t deal with it soon, Black Stone City itself might be next."

"It’s about time! These days, caravans and Escort Agencies constantly run into danger when they venture out, to say nothing of ordinary folk. How is anyone supposed to survive?"

"Exactly! My family’s martial arts hall can barely recruit anyone. People can’t even make a living outside the city anymore, so who has the money to enroll in martial arts training?"

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Pang Xuan knew their resentment had been festering for a long time. Fortunately, with the three great families taking action together this time, resources would not be an issue.

The Black Lotus Sect had grown powerful, and the Black Stone Army had suffered one defeat after another. Black Stone City could not be allowed to fall!

"Enough! Now, I declare the final day of the Martial Examination... officially open!"

...

"First match, Cui Wanhe versus Chen Fan!"

"Second match, Sun Yan versus Wei An!"

"Third match, Dai Xing versus Yi Xiangwan!"

"Fourth match, Su Yu versus Sun Shi!"

"..."

As the referee announced the matchups, the hearts of everyone from the White Ape Martial Arts Hall sank.

The orange peel in Qin Fangqiong’s hand was crushed to a pulp, splattering juice all over his hand. His expression was grim as he tossed the peel to the ground. "Damned luck!"

Chen Fan had a broken arm, so even though he’d made the top ten, he would have to forfeit anyway. Drawing Cui Wanhe was of no consequence.

But Su Yu... he actually had a shot at the top five!

And now he was up against Sun Shi, a man he’d already made an enemy of. If he really got on that stage, his chances of coming out unscathed were slim.

Qin Fangqiong made his decision instantly. "Su Yu," he said in a grave tone, "forfeit."

"You’ve already secured a position as a squad leader in the Law Enforcement Team and received the reward for making the top ten. There’s no need to risk your life against Sun Shi for a fleeting chance at the top five. If your foundation is damaged, it’s not worth the price."

All eyes turned to Su Yu, waiting for him to nod. It was the most logical choice.

But Su Yu’s expression was calm as he shook his head. "Master, please let me try. I am confident I can take on Sun Shi."

Everyone’s expression changed in surprise at his words.

Qin Yu, standing nearby, grew anxious. In a flash of red, she moved to block Su Yu’s path, her slender eyebrows arching in anger. "Junior Su, don’t be reckless! You have limitless potential. If you force a confrontation with Sun Shi now and he plays dirty, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Lin Wanzhu also stepped forward, persuading him in a soft voice, "Junior Su, listen to Master. You’ve already gained fame and fortune. That’s more than enough."

His eldest senior brother, Qi Linfeng, as well as Jiang Liuchuan and the others, all chimed in, urging him not to go.

Yang Zhen bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry. Yang Ai looked so anxious she was on the verge of tears.

Su Yu sighed helplessly. He knew Chen Fan’s injury made everyone especially worried he would suffer the same fate.

’However, I still have my Skillful Realm Thunder Collapse Step up my sleeve, and I’ve already gotten a complete read on Sun Shi’s strength.’

’If we really face off, my odds of winning are actually pretty high.’

’Besides, if worse comes to worst, I can just use the heavy water tungsten coins. Everyone thinks I’m not using my projectile technique because it’s forbidden in the arena.’

’In reality, with my Perfection Realm Coin Tossing Technique, I can use it flexibly even at close range. Paired with the heavy water tungsten coins, the power is just as terrifying!’

’It’s just that the heavy water tungsten coins are too vicious. I’m saving them as a trump card.’

’If Sun Shi really wants to play rough, then he can’t blame me for what happens next!’

...

In the time it took them to speak, the first three matches had already concluded.

There was no suspense.

Faced with the three titans—Cui Wanhe, Sun Yan, and Dai Xing—their opponents all forfeited immediately.

The audience booed, their faces etched with disappointment.

"That’s it? How lame!"

Just then, the referee bellowed, "Fourth match, Su Yu versus Sun Shi!"

The moment the referee finished speaking, a savage grin spread across Sun Shi’s face, startling those who knew him.

’This guy always puts on a goofy smile when he’s up to no good. Why has he dropped the act?’

RIIIP—!

The crisp sound of tearing fabric cut through the air.

Over in the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall’s area, Sun Shi ripped his shirt to shreds, revealing muscles as hard as granite. His Qi and Blood roared within him, and white steam billowed from his body, making him look like a ferocious beast just awakened.

THUD!

He stomped on the edge of the arena, using the force to launch himself into the air. He landed like a meteorite in the center of the stage, making the entire platform tremble.

"Su Yu!"

Sun Shi’s eyes were bloodshot. He bared his teeth in a hideous grin and pointed at Su Yu below, roaring:

"Stop hiding like a coward! Get your ass up here! I’m going to snap every single one of your bones!!!"

The crowd went wild.

"Here we go! Finally, a real fight!"

"That Sun Shi is insane! He looks like he wants to eat someone alive!"

"Heh heh, Su Yu won before thanks to his projectiles. This time, in a proper arena fight, he’s probably going to get pounded into a pulp by Sun Shi!"

In the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s section, the atmosphere was incredibly tense.

Everyone was furious at Sun Shi’s arrogance. But they also knew it was a deliberate provocation, which only made them more worried that Su Yu would be goaded into a reckless decision.

Before they could try to stop him again, Su Yu was already walking calmly onto the stage.

"Junior Su, don’t go!" Qin Yu was truly frantic now, stepping forward to pull him back.

Su Yu turned to look at his senior sister—usually so proud and overbearing, but now her eyes were filled with nothing but panic.

In a voice both gentle and steady, he said, "Senior Sister, don’t worry. I know my limits."

His calm, gentle words and deep, tranquil gaze instantly quieted Qin Yu. Remembering everything Su Yu had accomplished so far, she found herself, as if guided by an unseen hand, stepping back.

"Hm?"

Nearby, Qin Fangqiong’s eyes widened, and he forgot all about the freshly peeled orange in his hand.

He knew his daughter’s temper better than anyone. She was typically hot-headed and more than a little bossy.

She never listened to anyone except for him and the few senior disciples who were stronger than her—and even then, only occasionally.

With her usual temper, she should have already dragged Su Yu back by force. If he had refused, she would have pulled rank as his senior sister and gotten physical.

But today, Su Yu had managed to placate her with just a few words?

’How strange. How very strange!’

Qin Fangqiong narrowed his eyes, re-examining the figure now walking step by step toward the arena.

His gait was unhurried, his breathing long and even. In the face of the overbearing Sun Shi, he was as unruffled as if he were feeling a gentle breeze.

’Xu Feng said Su Yu’s mental fortitude was second to none. I originally thought he was exaggerating, but it seems he wasn’t wrong.’

A sudden thought struck him, making his heart jump.

’If Su Yu isn’t being reckless... does that mean he actually has what it takes to defeat Sun Shi?’