Frank Fang's expression was calm, showing no surprise. It was a high-probability event that his seat number would be called. Originally number 26, he was promoted to 25 after number 10, Sean Xia, died. Wearing protective gear and holding a long whip, he stepped into the arena.
Han Yiming's face darkened upon seeing this — his weapon was a spear, and whip beats spear! He thought to himself, this is bad luck; few use a whip as a weapon.
"Begin!" Ryan Ling gave a sharp command.
Clang! Their weapons clashed instantly. Due to built-in sensors, their life strengths immediately displayed on the large screen in the room.
Frank Fang (Level 6.1) VS Han Yiming (Level 6.1)
Though both had the same life strength level, there was a subtle difference. Han's strength was slightly higher, though this wasn't an error; the second decimal place wasn't shown.
Ethan Chen narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the fight. Although still a senior high student, Ethan's battle experience was extremely rich — even surpassing Ryan Ling. "Han Yiming is going to lose," Ethan thought.
Level 6.1 life strength corresponds to a punching force of 1560 jin; although Han's was a bit higher, it made little difference. Both had similar martial skill levels. Normally, Han should have the advantage due to his greater strength, but his spear was countered by Fang's whip. With weapons at a disadvantage, the whip user had a better chance.
Moreover, Frank Fang appeared to have specially trained a set of moves against spear users. With the natural weapon counter plus skill advantage, as Ethan predicted, after seven minutes, Han Yiming admitted defeat and stopped challenging.
Ryan Ling nodded and assigned Han seat number 26 based on performance.
Ethan, wearing protective gear and gripping his sword with one hand, walked steadily into the center of the arena, eyes fixed ahead. "I challenge number 20!" he declared.
The room erupted.
"What!""That Ethan Chen looks so mild-mannered — he's really that confident?"Whispers and surprised faces spread everywhere. Even Ryan Ling, who was optimistic about Ethan, was taken aback.
In the brief introduction earlier, Ryan mentioned Ethan had 89% mastery of Level 1 martial skill — a fact everyone knew. But that strength alone wasn't enough to challenge the number 20 seat. The difference in life strength was enormous.
Despite Ethan's outstanding martial skill, the life strength gap was too big.
Calm amid the uproar, Ethan's expression remained unchanged. His decision was far from reckless — it was well thought out.
He learned that the resource subsidies for seat numbers 21 to 31 were nearly the same, but number 20 received 50% more. This was crucial.
Though these subsidies might be meaningless to rich kids, for Ethan it was vital.
Even if he lost, he still had two more challenge attempts. More importantly, no one yet knew that his martial skill had already reached 91% at Level 1 — beyond advanced, nearing mastery.
This information asymmetry was his trump card.
So his first battle aimed straight at breaking into the top 20!
"Ben Harris, suit up and enter!" Ryan Ling said calmly, his eyes flicking over Ethan with a hint of admiration.
He thought Ethan seemed steady, but was eager to prove himself — which would be a good lesson.
Ben Harris, already wearing protective gear and gripping a sharp large blade, looked calm and determined. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail that swung freely with her movements, giving her a carefree vibe.
"Brave of you, challenging a top 20 seat!" Ben Harris smiled — whether in praise or sarcasm was unclear.
Ethan said nothing, fully focused. Since sword and blade had no natural counter relation, and his life strength was clearly lower, he had to rely on martial skill alone.
In his mind, only two words: Win.
"Begin!" Ryan Ling's command rang out.
Sword and blade clashed with a sharp clang.
Ben Harris (Level 6.2) VS Ethan Chen (Level 5.2)
"Life strength difference of one full level!""They're doomed! Next!"Many students who doubted Ethan felt even more certain now.
This wasn't being pessimistic, just factual — even a 0.1 level difference in life strength can tip the balance; one full level was huge.
"5.2..." Ryan Ling muttered, recalling Ethan was just 5.1 before. How did he jump to 5.2 so fast? Not even full family support could do that in one day.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
They fought fiercely, trading blows evenly.
Ben Harris's charged horizontal slash was effortlessly parried by Ethan's "Breeze Beneath the Trees" move, causing her to smile.
"Not bad, 89% mastery at Level 1 seems real.""But..."Her expression suddenly turned cold. "It's still not enough to let you confidently overcome a one-level life strength gap!"
Ben lowered her stance, legs compressing like springs, then launched forward.
Swish swish swish swish swish!
Countless blade shadows rushed from the front, accelerating with each strike.
Ethan realized she was showing her true skill — Moonlit Fury Blade Technique, Second Form: Meteor Chasing the Moon.
This fast, high-frequency, ever-changing flurry was a challenge for "Breeze Beneath the Trees," which worked best against slow, heavy, low-frequency attacks.
Ethan was rapidly suppressed, his movement shrinking. Unless something unexpected happened, he would lose within ten seconds.
"Damn it!" Ethan's face twisted with unwillingness and anger. He roared to the sky and fought desperately to break free.
Ryan Ling saw this, knowing Ethan was at his limit and ready to intervene.
Many top students noticed as well — a full one-level life strength gap was not easy to cross.
"Finished!" Ben Harris declared victory after knocking Ethan's sword aside with one slash.
Just as she raised her blade to press against Ethan's neck, everyone thought it was over.
Suddenly, Ethan vanished from in front of her!
At that moment of surprise, a cold chill ran down her back.
"Indeed, it's over!" she said instinctively, turning her head — only to see Ethan had somehow circled behind her, sword in hand, ready to strike!
"What!"
Ben's heart raced as if seeing a ghost in the mirror.
She understood now: Ethan's earlier roar was a ruse — part of this final move!
Swish!
Ethan's sword aimed to pierce her armor.
Ryan Ling appeared like a phantom, effortlessly catching the sword and stopping it just inches from penetrating.
Turning to Ethan with astonished eyes, he said, "Azure Dragon's Sting? Your martial skill has reached Level 1 Mastery?"
The shock in his voice was unmistakable.