The young woman opposite snorted coldly, her gaze stubborn, her hand gripping a treasure bow, an arrow nocked and drawn, aimed at Chu Chen.
"I'd rather die than surrender!" she declared.
Her tone was resolute, unwavering.
"Oh? Then I'll have to disappoint you!"
A mocking glint appeared in Chu Chen's eyes.
*Swish!*
He drew the bowstring taut, and a pitch-black arrow whistled through the air, incredibly fast, reaching her in the blink of an eye.
*Clang!*
A crisp collision sounded. The young woman raised her long bow, blocking the arrow.
"Heh, worthy of being the daughter of the Marquis of Ningguo's estate. Your archery skills are quite exquisite, but still lacking."
Chu Chen smiled indifferently.
"Arrogant!"
The young woman's eyebrows shot up, her eyes filled with ferocity.
"Let's see how long you can dodge!"
*Swish!*
As the words fell, her sharp cry echoed throughout the arena.
Her arms bulged with muscle, and holding the long bow, she drew the string, unleashing an astonishing aura in an instant!
*Boom!*
Endless torrents of energy erupted, coalescing into an arrow that pierced the void, hurtling directly towards him!
"What terrifying archery!"
On the spectator stands, many prodigies' expressions shifted slightly, feeling a strong sense of threat.
Even they might not dare to face such an exquisitely sharp arrow head-on!
"A mere trick, not worth mentioning."
Facing such an attack, Chu Chen stood still, allowing the arrow to strike his chest.
*Bang!*
The arrow exploded, and blood splattered. He remained unharmed.
"No, his defense is beyond imagination! This is impossible to break!"
"His body seems to be made of bronze and iron!"
Everyone was shocked, gasping in disbelief!
"Hmm?"
The young woman on the stage was also stunned.
"It seems this person has reached the realm of innate qi externalization. The gap between us is too vast; I can never overcome it!"
A bitter feeling welled up in the young woman. She slowly lowered her arms, turned, and walked towards the edge of the stage, no longer wanting to humiliate herself.
"This newcomer is not simple."
"Indeed. It's said he defeated all his opponents in the previous nine matches with just three moves."
"That's not enough."
On the highest level of the Martial Arts Arena, the Pavilion Master of Tianxing sat at the head seat, looking down at the crowd below.
"Among you, some should have seen yesterday's rankings and know that the fellow named 'Chu Chen' was a good-for-nothing just three months ago."
Hearing the Pavilion Master's words, everyone was taken aback.
Immediately after, they all understood, their expressions becoming somewhat peculiar.
"If that's the case, his rise in just three months... could it be due to some heaven-defying fortune?"
"Highly possible. Otherwise, with his aptitude, how could he have gone from an ordinary person to the peak of Body Tempering in three months?"
The crowd whispered, their gazes filled with greed.
"Rumor has it that Tianxing Pavilion harbors a vast number of Martial Vein Pills. If one could obtain even one, perhaps their cultivation could be boosted."
The higher a martial artist's cultivation, the longer their lifespan, allowing for a more extended existence!
Martial Ancestor experts could even live for over three hundred years, like ancient monsters.
Those present, though outstanding among second-rate martial arts schools, were worlds apart from Martial Ancestor experts!
"No matter what heaven-defying fortune it is, it's still just a mere peak Body Tempering. Anyone of the senior disciples present could crush him. He can't stir up any significant waves!"
"Haha, exactly!"
"Martial Vein Pills cannot be shown lightly. Only the victor will obtain them!"
Tianxing Pavilion had a total of forty-eight arenas.
The number of people participating in the selection today exceeded thirty thousand.
Thirty thousand people competing for forty-eight spots – the difficulty was unimaginable.
"I declare, the Tianxing Pavilion selection assessment begins!"
The Pavilion Master of Tianxing announced loudly.
Instantly, chaos erupted around them, and killing intent permeated the arenas.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The clanging sounds of weapons colliding echoed across the arenas.
"The rule for this selection assessment is arena combat to earn points. Ultimately, the number of spots will be determined by the total points."
The Pavilion Master of Tianxing said calmly.
He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for the battles to conclude.
"Within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, if only one side is defeated, the remaining nine will stand out and enter the next round of combat!"
"Alright, the first match concludes. The victor is Wang Peng!" the Pavilion Master of Tianxing declared decisively.
The two martial disciples on the stage breathed a sigh of relief.
"I passed this round. I thought for sure I would lose to that good-for-nothing."
The young woman muttered, seemingly harboring some resentment that Wang Peng had won.
Chu Chen watched silently.
In the previous two matches, Chu Chen had not personally intervened, instead letting the young woman handle them.
After all, Chu Chen did not wish to reveal his strength yet and attract trouble.
"The second match begins."
The referee waved his hand, and the two martial disciples on the stage immediately engaged.
*Bang!*
Swords and spears clashed, the fight fierce.
Wang Peng wielded a heavy saber, his veins bulging, his muscles swelling as if containing immense explosive power.
His opponent was a burly martial disciple.
Both their sabers and swords were spiritual artifacts.
However, Wang Peng clearly held the absolute advantage.
After a few exchanges, he seized an opening in his opponent's defense. With a flick of his wrist, he swung the heavy saber horizontally.
With a *crack*, he severed the opponent's saber, then swept the heavy saber across.
*Pfft!*
The burly martial disciple took a blow to the chest, flying backward and smashing into a distant rockery.
"This person is so powerful!"
"Indeed, this is a true top expert!"
"I remember him. He seems to be Wang Peng, an outer disciple of Tianxing Pavilion. It's said he apprenticed under an elder of Tianxing Pavilion and is now a congenital martial disciple!"
"Hiss—"
Everyone couldn't help but gasp.
For an outer disciple to cultivate to such a level in just three months was truly enviable and hateful.
"I can't go on."
"Fighting continuously for half an hour, my stamina is too depleted."
"Alas, I concede..."
A moment later, two more people withdrew from below the stage, and six more spots were filled.
"Congratulations on obtaining your advancement qualification."
The Pavilion Master of Tianxing said with a smile. "According to the rules, after each round of combat concludes, you will be teleported out. Now, I will take you into Tianxing Pavilion."
"Let's go."
From below the stage, numerous young martial artists leaped onto the arenas.
Soon, the square of Tianxing Pavilion was densely packed with martial disciples.
Most of them were first or second-tier martial disciples, with one or two third-tier martial disciples.
As for fourth-tier martial disciples, they were few and far between. "Huh?"
Suddenly, a surprised exclamation came from within the crowd.
"What's going on? Isn't that Li Yunfei from the White Swan Mercenary Group?"
"He's actually here?"
The crowd stirred, and many showed looks of fear.
The White Swan Mercenary Group had a notorious reputation in Beiyue Prefecture and was a force not to be underestimated.
Li Yunfei's strength was immense, known as the second-highest expert in the mercenary group.
He was ruthless and decisive in his actions.
"Are you Chu Chen?"