Chapter 87 - 73: The Underdog’s Redemption (Part 2)

Chapter 87: Chapter 73: The Underdog’s Redemption (Part 2)

Zhao Ci made a welcoming gesture. "Tonight is not about judging heroes by wins and losses. This Prince is more interested in promising talent, so I ask you all to please do your best. We are here to make friends through martial arts, so know when to stop. If you run low on stamina, you may leave the stage. You are welcome to return after you have recovered. Now, which two friends dare to be the first?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Soon, two people leaped onto the platform.

"I’ll go!"

"I’ll go!"

Regardless of whether they wanted to enter the Tenth Prince’s Mansion or the Ninth Prince’s Mansion, they first had to prove their worth.

Zhao Ci took his seat and leisurely sipped his tea. He showed no intention of engaging with Zhao Yong any further, his eyes fixed intently on the two fighters clashing on the Martial Arts Arena.

’Commoners can be divided into several types. Some come from families that struggle just to eat, draining all their savings to desperately pursue Body Refining. They barely manage to break through to the Martial Scholar realm, possibly without ever having taken a single Qi Cultivation Pill.’

’Others, however, are from well-off families and have some natural martial talent, allowing them to start Body Refining early.’

’When it comes to a real fight, the former are often no match for the latter. After all, their resources are completely different.’

Therefore, Zhao Ci didn’t plan to judge them based on wins and losses.

Fundamentals, aptitude, and mentality were his criteria for judgment.

His Xiang’s Spear Technique and Imperial Extreme Scattering Hand had both reached a proficient level. The Martial Dao was such that mastery in one area led to understanding in all. Thus, even without formally studying other techniques or weapons, he could easily gauge a person’s potential.

Seeing his serious expression, Zhao Yong couldn’t help but sneer, "I never expected that you, Lao Shi, are not only proficient in the art of Alchemy, but also so skilled in the Martial Dao. With your sharp eye, I’m afraid all the talents from this Prefecture Examination will fall right into your Tenth Prince’s Mansion’s grasp."

"Tch..."

Zhao Ci curled his lip, not bothering to dignify him with a response.

Zhao Yong, however, exchanged a look with Bao Longtao below the Martial Arts Arena and nodded meaningfully.

The two on the platform had already crossed blows.

They were both using their personal blades.

The two unleashed their signature techniques the moment they began. Their movements were absurdly fast, and for a time, the entire Tenth Prince’s Mansion echoed with the clang of clashing blades, dazzling all who watched.

You had to admit, anyone who could earn the title of Martial Scholar at such a young age was bound to have some real skill.

’That kind of speed with a saber and sword would easily give them an edge against opponents of the same level.’

’But...’ Zhao Ci frowned as he watched. ’This feels like a solo queue match. It isn’t the Bronze-tier clown fiesta where players make one ridiculous mistake after another. Nor is it the Challenger-tier match of high-level micro and strategic gambits.’

’These two are more like hot-headed Platinum players. They just pick their comfort picks and go all in.’

’Their mechanics aren’t bad, but their fundamentals aren’t solid, and they’re far too impatient.’

’It looks exciting, but they show no signs of having what it takes to become true experts.’

’Not good enough!’

In less than ten minutes, the outcome was clear. The Swordsman rested his blade against the saber user’s neck and said with a smile, "You let me win."

Instead of stepping down, he remained on the platform, waiting for the next challenger from the crowd.

Afterwards, an axe wielder leaped onto the platform.

After a fierce battle lasting a quarter of an hour, the axe wielder’s clumsy techniques proved his undoing, and the Swordsman kicked him off the platform.

Then another person leaped up.

Zhao Ci shook his head. ’These people really aren’t on the same level as the talent cultivated by the great clans. The flaws in their fundamentals alone are innumerable. That dog Zhao Yong is probably laughing his balls off watching this.’

Round after round.

Just as Zhao Ci was about to lose all interest, a spear user took the platform. The previous Swordsman had been eliminated several rounds ago from exhaustion. This new spear user was facing a Dual Blade Master.

’I remember this Dual Blade Master quite well,’ Zhao Ci thought. ’He’s ambidextrous and often uses his twin blades to overwhelm his opponents, leaving them unable to parry. But his weaknesses are just as obvious. His style is incredibly rigid. Anyone at his level could beat him after a few exchanges. His unstable footwork is another huge problem.’

For that reason, after some deliberation, Zhao Ci had decided against adding him to his shortlist of candidates.

Zhao Ci followed procedure, asking the Dual Blade Master if he was ready to continue and asking the Spear User for his name. He then struck a bronze gong, signaling the start of the match.

The Dual Blade Master struck first, rushing toward the Spear User to quickly negate the advantage of a long weapon. He had a special blocking technique that had proven foolproof in defeating several opponents who used polearms.

This time, however, the Spear User seemed to have anticipated his move. With a slight shake of the spear’s shaft, he deflected both blades and tapped the butt of his weapon against the Dual Blade Master’s right shoulder.

The Dual Blade Master stumbled back several steps. The blow wasn’t heavy, but his eyes betrayed his shock.

Fortunately, he recovered quickly. Without a moment’s hesitation, he charged forward again.

When fighting with a short weapon against a long one, the only option is to close the distance. Failure to get in close means being toyed with until you’re defeated.

But once again, he failed.

The Spear User had completely figured out his offensive strategy. He not only blocked the assault, but the tail of his spear nearly struck the man’s back. Though the Dual Blade Master dodged it, the next attack followed without pause.

He was a perfect demonstration of the saying, "An inch longer is an inch stronger."

In contrast, the Dual Blade Master’s weakness—his rigid style—was completely exposed. He could still barely parry with his twin blades, but he was quickly reduced to just hanging on by a thread.

After managing to parry about twenty more attacks, he conceded defeat. As he did, he made a point to mention that his True Qi was depleted. Only then did he give Zhao Ci a fist-and-palm salute before leaping off the platform.

For a moment, whispers broke out among the crowd below the platform.