The three Trial Participants already knew they couldn't beat Zhuo Yun, let alone that Meng Qiuqiu still had several other bodyguards beside him.
Although being eliminated was a pity, they weren't stupid, so they accepted Meng Qiuqiu's bank card and handed over their number tags.
None of the three chose to forfeit, and Meng Qiuqiu didn't make things difficult for them; with their strength, it would be hard to collect thirteen number tags anyway.
Zhuo Yun asked in puzzlement, "I could beat them and take their number tags—why did you give them money?"
Meng Qiuqiu chuckled, "Grandpa says any problem money can solve isn't a problem. When money can fix it, don't use force."
He jabbed Zhuo Yun in the ribs with his chubby elbow.
"Heh-heh, you're my vital safety net! If you drive a dog into a dead-end alley and they bite back, hurting you, it wouldn't be worth it."
Zhuo Yun saw the light and laughed.
"A businessman's mindset—still beyond me!"
...Both Golden Elephant City and Meng Qiuqiu were priority focuses of Qingfeng Camp, and their performance left Liu Weiguo Liu Weiguo very satisfied.
"Strength and brains—worthy of a great Family upbringing."
Xu Zhixiong said coldly, "Kids born to powerful Families understand the world's rules earlier than common folk. Kids from ordinary homes can only rely on themselves."
As he spoke, his gaze swept to a battle on the monitor.
In the woods, pink-haired Lin Meier stood with folded arms among a circle of followers, as regal as a queen.
Every boy there adored her, conquered by her beauty, volunteering to be her flower guardians.
At their feet, three Trial Participants were already down; only a long staff-wielding youth remained, gasping as he glared.
"One left—let me handle it personally!"
Lin Meier giggled, swaying her long legs as she stepped forward.
The lone Trial Participant glanced at her; though she was the enemy, he couldn't help blushing.
She wore a skimpy combat suit covering only the essentials, exposing large swathes of snowy skin; her abundant curves jiggled like pudding with every step.
The youth had to look away, an eighteen-year-old heart all aflutter.
"Little brother," Lin Meier gave him a bewitching look, hand on hip, "does Older Sister look good?"
He didn't want to answer, yet swallowed hard; the motion reddened his face further.
"L-less talk—take this!"
His staff whirled into a stance both offense and defense.
Lin Meier only laughed; the next instant she shot at him like a cheetah.
A long leg whipped straight for his chest.
As she raised her thigh, an enticing glimpse flashed; the boy's mind had been full of combat moves.
But at that stunning sight, his brain went blank.
Bang!
Lin Meier's small leather shoe slammed into his chest, a Qi-charged kick that sent him flying four meters, blood spurting from his mouth.
Covering a smile, she asked again, "Does Older Sister look good?"
The youth lay sprawled; someone immediately stepped up to search for his number tag.
A follower protested, "Miss Lin, you didn't need to fight in person. After all, that outfit of yours… it's really inconvenient for combat."
Looking at her, his own face burned red.
Lin Meier's perfect face and figure set any teenager's imagination racing; he didn't know where to look.
"It's fine."
She winked at him. "Older Sister's wearing safety shorts."
Her sultry gaze and honeyed tone set every follower's heart galloping; they'd gladly die for her.
Yet deep in Lin Meier's eyes lay a meaning that never reached her smile.
Common-born Ability Users must seize every means to climb upward.
Lin Meier knew well: beauty was her strongest weapon.
As long as she could grow stronger and stand above all, she didn't care if the whole world saw her body!
...Zhang Biao, the instructors, and Liu Weiguo watched the entire battlefield. Besides Zhao Mu, they were scanning for other promising talents.
Talent shows itself in a single battle.
The people Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu had mentioned all performed well in the trial; Instructor Xie Yingxue recorded them one by one.
Later, barring accidents, they could all join Qingfeng Camp and have their strengths cultivated accordingly.
Of the two thousand-plus Trial Participants, more than 1,300 were eliminated within the first three hours!
Such is the brutality of the competition!
Zhao Mu hid in the crown of a tree, quietly waiting for prey to take the bait.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps reached his ears.
He lifted his eye-shade, turning to peer through the leaves.
A Trial Participant with a saber was rushing downhill in haste.
Zhao Mu's lips curved in a smile.
Just as he'd expected: the hilltop was too small, everyone wanted the high ground, so the fighting there was fierce.
Losers fleeing for their lives had to dash downhill in panic like homeless dogs, combat power slumped, concentration shattered.
Zhao Mu didn't strike yet; instead he raised his head to survey the surroundings.
Sure enough, two pursuers with murderous intent followed behind the escapee.
A long-haired youth stopped, nocking an arrow and aiming from the high ground.
Another boy with a staff shouted, "Stop! Run again and I'll kill you!"
The sudden roar rattled the fleeing Trial Participant, his steps faltering.
The long-haired youth smirked and smoothly released his bowstring.
Whoosh!
An arrow shot straight for the escapee's back!
The shaft struck his lower back, slamming him to the ground.
Aaaah!!
The Trial Participant screamed in agony; tumbling downhill at speed, he rolled dozens of meters before crashing into a tree.
Zhao Mu was only twenty meters away.
He narrowed his eyes, making no hasty move.
The two pursuers approached cautiously, scanning the surroundings before arriving beside the fallen youth.
Though protected by Qi, the crash from tens of meters and the impact with the tree had nearly broken his back; he couldn't even stand.
The staff-wielder's eyes lit up as he pressed the tip to the fallen boy's throat.
"Hand over your number tag and everything valuable! Or I'll cripple you! Killing costs points, but the rules don't say I can't maim you!"
Cruelty gleamed in his eyes; the life-and-death struggle on the battlefield had awakened the savagery in his Bloodline.
"D-don't..."
The fallen youth could barely speak, waving his hand in frantic surrender.
Just then, terror flashed in his eyes.
Looking ahead, he saw a heroic youth in the crown of the great tree drawing his bow like a full moon, an arrow flying like a shooting star!
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)