"Hehe. Sir, do you think getting a ten-win streak is easy?"
"Actually, a ten-win streak is very difficult. That's because every opponent you face will have the same record as you."
"In other words, when you have a three-win streak, your opponent will also have a three-win streak. And for your tenth match, your opponent will have a nine-win streak."
Now that Mo had explained it, Chu Qingyun understood.
As one's win streak grew, the opponents became stronger and stronger.
If you lost even one of these consecutive battles, you'd have to start all over.
Without truly formidable strength, achieving a ten-win streak would be incredibly difficult.
When Chu Qingyun and Mo reached the backstage area, they saw a burly Martial Artist on the fighting stage, relentlessly attacking another.
The hall containing the stage was nearly full of spectators watching the day's fights.
Chu Qingyun had just learned from Mo that the Great Xia Martial Palace opened its doors every five days, always attracting a large crowd of spectators.
Some were Martial Artists looking to gain combat experience, while others were common people just there for the spectacle.
Even more numerous were the scouts from Qingshan City's various factions, big and small, all hoping to recruit exceptional talent.
"The big guy is about to lose."
Chu Qingyun remarked after watching for a moment.
Mo was confused. "I don't think so," she said. "The big guy is completely overwhelming the smaller one. He has the total advantage."
"If you look closely, you'll see it. The big guy's attacks look fierce, but they're getting more and more chaotic."
"Meanwhile, the smaller Martial Artist's defense has been flawless."
"The moment he counterattacks will be the moment the big guy loses."
Chu Qingyun explained with a smile.
Sure enough, moments later, the defending Martial Artist seized an opportunity. He instantly counterattacked, kicking the big man's saber out of his hand and plunging his longsword deep into his opponent's shoulder.
With the outcome decided, the referee quickly stepped in to separate them.
"Sir, you're amazing! You saw the outcome right away!"
Mo said, her cheeks flushing slightly.
A fifteen-year-old, level-seven Martial Artist who patiently explained things to her without a hint of a prodigy's arrogance... Mo's favorable impression of Chu Qingyun instantly went off the charts.
"Kid, you've got a good eye."
"Chu Qingyun… a level-seven Martial Artist. You're up next. You'll be fighting Chen Chao."
A middle-aged man behind them spoke with a smile.
"Gao, isn't this a bit much? Lord Qingyun is here for the very first time!"
Hearing this, Mo pouted, clearly displeased.
The middle-aged man chuckled. "Well, look at you, little lady, already lodging a complaint."
"Chu Qingyun, that Chen Chao is one of the stronger level-seven Martial Artists around. Are you confident?"
Chu Qingyun smiled. "It's no problem. I'll fight him. I was hoping to get started soon anyway."
"Lord Qingyun, that Chen Chao has achieved a three-win streak twice before! He's really strong. Why don't you challenge a newcomer to start?"
Mo tried to persuade him.
Just then, the two combatants on the stage departed.
"Next match, Chu Qingyun versus Chen Chao!"
Gao Feng shouted.
Behind them, a short man with a grim expression stood up. He shot Chu Qingyun a look and said, "Kid, I'm about to teach you how a country bumpkin should behave in the city—with his tail between his legs."
Clearly, he was looking down on Chu Qingyun because of his plain, worn-out clothes.
'Teach *me* how to behave?'
Chu Qingyun couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
With his level of strength, he couldn't be certain about a level-nine Martial Artist, but he was confident that even a level-eight wouldn't be his match, to say nothing of a mere level-seven like Chen Chao.
"Next up, a duel between two Zero-win Martial Artists!"
"From Lanfeng Martial Arts Hall, the level-seven Martial Artist, Chen Chao!"
"And from Chu Family Village, the level-seven Martial Artist, Chu Qingyun!"
On the stage, the referee gave a brief introduction before stepping down, leaving the platform to Chu Qingyun and Chen Chao.
"Chu Family Village? Where's that? Never heard of it."
"Tch. You can tell just from the name. It must be one of those dirt-poor villages outside the city."
"Chen Chao has two three-win streaks under his belt. Beating a country bumpkin like this will be a piece of cake."
The stands were abuzz with discussion, and no one favored Chu Qingyun.
The people of Qingshan City held a natural sense of superiority over those from the outlying towns and villages.
Then again, that was to be expected. The overall strength of Qingshan City was indeed far greater than that of the outlying settlements.
Backstage, Mo and Gao Feng were also watching the stage intently.
"Lord Qingyun… he won't get hurt, will he?" Mo muttered worriedly, clenching her small fists.
Gao Feng smiled. "Mo, don't underestimate that kid. In my opinion, Chen Chao might not be his match at all."
"Kid, jump off the stage and surrender. Otherwise, I'll kick you off myself!"
Chen Chao sneered, his face full of contempt.
"Cut the crap. Fight or get lost!"
Chen Chao's repeated provocations were starting to get on Chu Qingyun's nerves.
"Fine! Since you're courting death, don't blame me for what happens next."
"Black Bear Roar!"
With a great roar, Chen Chao summoned a Black Bear Martial Soul about a dozen centimeters tall in front of him.
The Black Bear Martial Soul let out a ferocious roar to the heavens as a black ray of light shot out from it and into Chen Chao's body.
Empowered by this energy, Chen Chao's frame seemed to swell, and he began to radiate a berserk, powerful aura.
'A Tier Two Martial Soul, and a Support Type that enhances strength, no less!'
Chu Qingyun's eyes lit up. He had never seen this type of Martial Soul before.
'Qingshan City really is something else.'
"Five-Star Vine!"
With a soft chuckle, Chu Qingyun unleashed his power. Five dark green vines shot from his palm, twisting as they flew, and streaked toward Chen Chao from five different directions like lightning.
With vines coming from five directions, Chen Chao had no room to dodge. He was instantly bound tight, trussed up completely.
"Such incredible Control Power!"
"He's so strong!"
The expert Martial Artists in the crowd, like Gao Feng, all had their eyes light up.
They were astounded by Chu Qingyun's perfect control over his Martial Soul.
Meanwhile, the novices like Mo simply saw Chen Chao get subdued in an instant and thought it was amazing.
"You bastard! Break!"
Trapped, Chen Chao was naturally unwilling to admit defeat. He struggled with all his might, his body even emitting tangible streams of black Power.
However, this Tier Two Five-Star Vine Martial Soul had inherited the Tough Soul Techniques of the Three-Star Vine.
But even with his greatly increased strength, Chen Chao couldn't snap the five vines. His face turned red with exertion as the vines only bound him tighter.
"Chen Chao, is this how you were going to teach me how to behave?"
"Now get the hell down!"
Tired of dealing with him, Chu Qingyun sneered. With a single thought, he used his Martial Soul to fling Chen Chao off the stage.
"I-It's over?"
"It's over just like that? So fast!"
In the stands, everyone stared with wide eyes.
A match between two level-seven Martial Artists… over just like that!?
"Yes! I knew Lord Qingyun wouldn't lose!"
Backstage, Mo jumped for joy.
Beside her, Gao Feng was also stunned. "This kid… I can't believe I still underestimated him. It looks like you'd need a level-eight Martial Artist at minimum to even be considered his opponent."