Principal Luke was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected these two teams to run into each other at the very start. Although he had proposed the race challenge, it wasn't because he was sure Ethan Chen would win. In fact, Luke's motivation came more from his ongoing rivalry with Ian Cao.
Ever since their university days, they had been competitors, never ceasing to challenge one another. During school, victories and defeats were evenly exchanged, but in the more than ten years since graduation, they hadn't met. Now, reunited, the old competitive flame reignited, as if time had changed nothing.
A Marrow Cleansing Pill costing two hundred thousand each was not expensive for them; it was merely a small stake to add excitement.
...
"Trying to eliminate us?"
"Just you?" Ethan Chen held his longsword and spoke in a deep voice.
A gentle breeze swept between the two teams, almost acting like kindling for a fire.
"Hmph, quite arrogant!"
"I advise you to hand over the badge; it will save both sides energy."
"The match just started—you still have time to find other badges," the crew-cut man said proudly.
"You don't actually think a big city is always stronger than a small one, do you?" Ethan Chen replied with a confident smile.
"Interesting. So you won't hand it over."
"Then you'll be the first team eliminated in this Hundred Cities Championship!" The crew-cut man crouched slightly, holding his spear horizontally in front of him, ready to fight. "Also…"
"The strong one isn't the city—it's me!"
"My name is Leon Li!"
"The man destined to be Canton City's Spear King!"
After Leon Li spoke, the other two mirrored his stance. They clearly intended to take the badge by force.
All three wielded spears and, judging by their posture, were using the same basic martial skill:
Comet Spear Technique!
A highly destructive spear style that Ethan Chen had once read about online. Though he didn't use spears, knowing more martial skills could help him later, even by analogy.
Leon Li swung his spear and charged forward, and the other two quickly followed.
Moret and Liu Bo also assumed battle stances, ready to meet them.
At that moment,
Ethan Chen's figure cut through the middle like the wind, leaving faint words in the air: "Leave it to me!"
Leon Li and his companions, seeing Ethan daring to face three opponents at once, scowled in anger and mocked, "You don't know your place!"
Almost simultaneously, all three leapt high.
Three spears descended from the sky like war hammers, their momentum shaking the heavens and the earth.
Comet Spear Technique, Third Form: Burning Zither, Boiling Crane!
Ethan immediately recognized the move: powerful but slow. He could avoid it, but…
Clang!
"What!"
"He actually blocked our strike with a sword!"
"And didn't lose any ground!" Leon Li shouted in disbelief.
Even at Tier 1 Mastery, no one could simultaneously block all three spears motionlessly. The Burning Zither, Boiling Crane move carried the weight of a mountain, comparable to a war hammer, yet Ethan withstood it with his sword.
Currently, everyone's life intensity was set at Level 5, so Ethan had no extraordinary strength. He cleverly applied Breeze Beneath the Trees, redirecting most of the spear's force the instant it struck. His prior knowledge of Comet Spear Technique helped; the style's defining trait was weight, and Breeze Beneath the Trees was perfect for countering such attacks. This created the illusion of a direct block.
By now, Ethan had mastered all four forms of Flowing Light Sword Technique. To anyone else of similar level, it was impossible to detect his technique.
Ethan's combat experience was extensive; by feeling the force on weapon contact, he could estimate the opponent's strength. Leon Li's spear skill was roughly Tier 1 Advanced Limit—around 89% mastery, just 1% shy of Tier 1 Mastery. In many large cities, this level would be enough to dominate. No wonder he was so arrogant. The other two were slightly above 70%, stronger than Moret but weaker than Liu Bo.
As the trio leapt and attacked, still in mid-air,
Ethan's eyes sharpened, seizing the moment when their movements were limited.
Terrifying Level 9 spiritual power instantly surged into his right arm.
Flowing Light Sword Technique, First Form: Drawing the Prison!
One sword.
A flash of incomprehensible speed sliced through the air like a drawn blade.
Clang!
Thunk!
Thunk!
In the blink of an eye, except for Leon Li who barely parried with his spear, the other two were struck in the chest by Ethan's sword.
The sword's immense power sent all three flying.
Ethan didn't worry about killing them; he aimed for their uniforms, which not only suppressed life intensity but also offered strong protection. Moreover, both teams' leaders were nearby, though Ethan didn't notice. Any life-threatening situation would trigger instant intervention.
"Damn…"
"How is his sword heavier than my spear?" Leon Li muttered.
After striking all three, Ethan didn't pause. He surged forward like the wind, ready to press his advantage.
He quickly caught up to Leon Li, who hadn't fully recovered his stance, aiming to take down the strongest first.
Flowing Light Sword Technique, Second Form: Thunderous Drums!
Whoosh!
A man wearing sunglasses suddenly appeared between Leon Li and Ethan, as if teleporting.
He grabbed Ethan's sword bare-handed.
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. "A very strong strike."
"Nathan Lin!" Leon Li shouted angrily, naming his teacher.
Once a team leader intervened, it meant elimination—something Leon Li couldn't accept.
"I can still fight!"
"No, you've lost," Nathan Lin said calmly.
He pointed to the other two's chest areas: "Their uniforms are already damaged."
Pausing, he continued, "Do you know why your life intensity is limited to Level 5?"
"It's related to our tech level. The protective suits below Martial Artist can withstand up to Level 7 attacks without limiting mobility."
"If he can pierce your uniforms, it means his attack carries Level 7 destructive power!"
"So, have you admitted you lost?"
Leon Li fell silent. Level 5 life intensity producing Level 7 destructive power was beyond his capability. Among everyone he knew, no one could manage it—a full 2-level difference!
Could it be… Leon Li considered a possibility.
This guy was not an ordinary Tier 1 Mastery—he was over 95% Mastery!
Nathan had explained that at 95% Tier 1, martial skills reach a bottleneck; each remaining 1% is a barrier. Many achieve 95% young but never reach 99%, let alone 100%. The bottleneck was brutal!
"Even if you blocked that first strike, you couldn't stop the second," Nathan said, casting a long glance at Ethan, astonished.
His martial skill was definitely over 95%, augmented by spiritual power, and his rank wasn't low. Interesting! His talent surpassed Leon Li's. Turning to an empty space behind, Nathan smirked, "I'll leave now, Ryan Ling. Looking forward to your performance in the third round."
The only response was the rustling wind in the trees.
Before leaving, Leon Li turned back, begrudgingly asking, "Hey!"
"Your name! Tell me your name!"
"I, Leon Li, rarely obey anyone—you count!"
Ethan Chen glanced at him. This guy was pure chuunibyou with a touch of tsundere—used to being pampered and giving orders. Ethan found it annoying.
He then grinned slyly. "The first place in two days will be under my name!"
No way he was telling him!
...
In the VIP front row,
Principal Luke patted Ian Cao on the shoulder. "Just send the Marrow Cleansing Pill to my school office; the account number is the same as back in school."
He then made a half-smile. "What time is your flight tonight? I'll book it now."
Ian Cao: "..."