The moment the words "Third Trial" were spoken, everyone present felt their hearts tighten. The first two trials had already been so difficult; what could the third trial possibly be?
Some speculated it would be a gauntlet match, others guessed it was some sort of special trial, and some even thought they might have to Face experts from the Huben Legion.
In short, most people felt that the upcoming trial would likely be even harder.
After all, it was only logical that each trial would be more difficult than the last.
The murmurs had barely died down when Commander He Guanshan's next words left everyone stunned in their tracks.
"The Third Trial..."
Commander He Guanshan paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on Han Xuanji, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight arc:
"You do not need to take it."
As soon as these words were spoken, the area around the martial arts arena erupted in chaos.
The soldiers of the Huben Legion reacted in various ways. Some were unwilling to accept it, some were impressed, and others were lost in thought.
"Centurion Zhou Lie actually lost..." a young soldier muttered, his tone filled with disbelief.
"A loss is a loss, there is nothing to say." The veteran beside him shook his head. "That Han Xuanji is truly strong; Centurion Zhou Lie does not have grounds for complaint."
"But, is the Commander just letting him pass like this? Not even testing him with the third trial?"
"What do you think they could even test in the third trial? Centurion Zhou Lie is already the youngest centurion in our legion. If even he lost, anyone else going up there would just be cannon fodder."
"The Commander is saving Face for Centurion Zhou Lie, and also giving himself a way out."
The young soldier opened his mouth but refrained from revealing what the original third trial had been intended to be.
In truth, he still felt a sense of regret for himself. The discussions rose and fell, filled with surprise, confusion, and the sentiment from many that it was perfectly reasonable.
"What? No need to take the trial?"
"This... what is this supposed to mean? Is the Commander going easy on him?"
"Going easy? Didn't you see that battle just now? With that kind of strength, does he even need to be tested?"
"That may be true, but rules are rules..."
"Rules are set by people, and the Commander has the final say. Besides, do you think the third trial could even stump him?"
After all, the strength Han Xuanji had just displayed was clear for all to see.
Although many could not figure out how Han Xuanji had won, one had to remember that Centurion Zhou Lie was no simple figure. He had been an unquestionable top-tier Genius, only keeping a low profile after hitting a wall in Jiuxuan City.
To be honest, although Han Xuanji had a great reputation before, many were still unconvinced. But now, these people were all impressed. With such strength, not to mention Qianhun City, even if he were placed in Jiuxuan City, he would still be among the very best. In the front row of the stands, an old man with gray hair nodded slightly. He was an Eternal True God from Qianhun City who cultivated the Way of Laws. He rarely appeared in public, but today he had come specifically to witness the demeanor of the outstanding young people of Qianhun City.
Stroking his beard, he said softly to the person beside him:
"This youth is indeed qualified to enter the Creation Platform. The Commander is just going with the flow; he is giving the Hun Family Face while remaining fair."
He did not speak of the profound mystery behind the move Han Xuanji had just used.
Another Elder from a major Family who was on good terms with him also nodded in agreement:
"Han Xuanji's performance is sufficiently stunning. If the Huben Legion were to continue making things difficult, it would only make them appear petty."
In the crowd, a young Cultivator had a complex expression on his Face.
He was a scion of a noble Family from Jiuxuan City, visiting Qianhun City for travel. He had originally just wanted to watch the excitement, but he had not expected to witness such a duel in person.
He turned to his companion and said:
"This Han Xuanji... I must report him to the Family when I return. Qianhun City has produced such a figure; they cannot be underestimated in the future."
His companion nodded:
"Someone like this... I haven't seen many in Jiuxuan City. If he were to comprehend the Dao of Creation as well, who could stop him?"
On the other side of the stands, Han Xuanji's supporters could no longer contain themselves. Wang Ping was the first to jump up, waving his fists, his Face flushed red as he shouted to the people beside him:
"Did you hear that? No need to take the third trial! Brother Han won! I knew Brother Han could do it!"
Although Hun Jiuge was not as excited as Wang Ping, he could not suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth. He turned to look at Li Tiantong beside him and discovered that this usually composed person was also showing great excitement.
This was rare indeed.
One had to know that since Li Tiantong came to the Hun Family, he had received much attention. After all, he was a talent brought back by Han Xuanji, and he had displayed great composure, being praised for having an excellent Heart-Nature, remaining calm regardless of favor or humiliation.
Clan Chief Hun Qianxue's expression was calm. He knew Han Xuanji's prowess, so naturally, he was not worried that Han Xuanji would lose.
There were too many things about this kid that even he could not see through; he definitely had a major background.
He did not even harbor any delusions of keeping Han Xuanji in the Hun Family forever. Just as his sister, Hun Qianling, had advised him, the tiny Hun Family could not keep this peerless Hidden Dragon.
Rather than overthinking, it was better to provide as much as possible.
Perhaps in a few years, the Hun Family might receive some feedback from him and rise to the clouds.
In the center of the martial arts arena, Han Xuanji was also slightly stunned when he heard Commander He Guanshan's words.
He had originally thought the other party would have some other little tricks to make things difficult for him, but he had not expected this "villain" to stop following the script.
"It seems this Commander has no intention of making things difficult for me."
Han Xuanji thought to himself, but his Face remained impassive. He simply cupped his hands toward Commander He Guanshan:
"Many thanks, Commander."
Commander He Guanshan waved his hand and walked down from the high platform.
His pace was not fast, but every step landed firmly. The aura around his body was completely retracted, making him look just like an ordinary middle-aged scholar.
But no one dared to underestimate him, because everyone present knew that once this Commander made a move, it would be earth-shattering.
When the other party first arrived, he was alone. To reach this position, he naturally did not rely solely on an superior background.
"No need to thank me."
Commander He Guanshan walked up to Han Xuanji and looked him up and down:
"Your strength has already convinced me and everyone in the Huben Legion. I, Commander He Guanshan, have always been fair in my dealings."
"If you can do it, you can do it."
"If you can't, then even if the sky falls, you can't."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Centurion Zhou Lie not far away, and said indifferently:
"Centurion Zhou Lie, it is just one loss; the sky will not fall."
"I hope you can learn a lesson from this failure."
Centurion Zhou Lie's body trembled, and he slowly stood up. His Face was still pale, but the unwillingness in his eyes had mostly dissipated, replaced by a complex expression.
He had not expected that having failed once in Jiuxuan City, he would fail again here in Qianhun City. He glanced at Han Xuanji, then at Commander He Guanshan, and said in a deep voice:
"Yes, Commander. Next time, I will not fail."
Clearly, Centurion Zhou Lie had already marked Han Xuanji as his target. He planned to challenge him again once he had perfectly mastered the Destruction Law and the Creation Law.
"Go back, tend to your injuries, and polish your skills. What you lack is not talent, but patience."
Commander He Guanshan finished speaking, stopped looking at Centurion Zhou Lie, turned around, and walked toward the outside of the martial arts arena:
"Han Xuanji, come with me. I will personally take you to the Creation Platform."
Han Xuanji glanced at Clan Chief Hun Qianxue not far away, who nodded at him.
He withdrew his gaze and stepped forward to follow Commander He Guanshan.
He had already used the System to scan Commander He Guanshan, and he had a general idea of the other party's intentions.
The Commander harbored no hostility toward him, nor did he possess that mindset of destroying what he could not obtain.