A sudden upheaval lasted for only a heartbeat—like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. And when it ended, the heavens were still cloudless. If not for the blood and flesh staining the ground as evidence, the hundred thousand spectators might have thought it had all been an illusion.
A Martial Saint!
A Martial Saint, of all people!
Even in the entire realm, let alone in Liangzhou, such figures were few and far between.
Yet before this nearly hundred-year-old man, the so-called Martial Saint wasn't even a match for a single exchange. In truth, it couldn't even be called a fight—it was like crushing an ant underfoot.
For over a decade, Sun Xiangzong hadn't lifted his hand in combat. Everyone had seen him as a flickering candle in the wind, waiting to be buried in peace. But at this moment, his thunderous strike was like a massive bronze bell tolling inside every heart, shaking the soul, leaving all breathless and unable to calm down.
"Mighty!"
"Grand Commander mighty—!"
Inside the military city, after half a stick of incense of deathly silence, someone finally shouted out words that had not been heard in ten years.
"Divine might of the Grand Commander!"
"Waaah—"
In that instant, one hundred thousand armored soldiers knelt in unison, their voices roaring like thunder, echoing across all of Liangzhou.
That day—
The elderly Sun Xiangzong, with one Martial Saint's death, reclaimed the prestige he had once deliberately set aside—and took it back effortlessly!
Today's so-called scheme was the court's move to seize power.
But wasn't it also Sun Xiangzong's counterplot all along?
After this day, the gossip in the streets—"Sun Xiangzong is old; can he still eat?"—would surely become "Sun Xiangzong is old; does he plan to rebel?"
"Divine might of the Grand Commander!"
The cries rose higher and higher, echoing without pause for half an hour.
Some of the older soldiers even burst into tears of joy, clutching their heads and sobbing.
Many of them had followed Sun Xiangzong since their youth.
Now in their forties or fifties, they had spent their lives under his command!
Over the past years, as he grew silent and frail, everyone had seen him withdrawing from duties, his presence fading, and they feared the day he would finally leave them.
They weren't wrong to think so—facts had made it clear.
In earlier times, how could Grand Commander Sun ever have allowed a Prefect or Imperial Inspector to meddle beside him? How could he have handed over three of the Eight Northern Garrisons to others?
Doing so was no different from announcing to everyone that he was preparing to hang up his armor and retire to his hometown.
Most had already seen that today's chaos was deliberate—someone was trying to corner the old commander.
If Sun Xiangzong had chosen not to retaliate—if he had chosen leniency—they would have been utterly heartbroken.
But now, the soldiers understood. Their commander was still the same commander!
These past years, he had merely been resting.
Now that he had rested enough—he was back!
Under the feverish tide of emotion, even the officials from the three northwestern provinces and the capital nearly followed the soldiers to their knees. Only at the last second did they remember—they weren't under Sun Xiangzong's command. To kneel would be treason.
…
"Ruined."
Cao Fan's heart sank like a stone.
The elaborate trap they had set had become the pit they fell into.
After all these years of slow decline in Sun Xiangzong's authority, this single event had restored it completely. From now on, any attempt by the court to seize control of the Eight Great Garrisons would be a nightmare.
Even worse—they would have to deal with the old man's mood before doing anything.
"Is that even human…"
Yin Hanwen, Wen Qiushi, and the others were still reeling from the exchange.
A Martial Saint! A Martial Saint!
And yet they hadn't even seen how it happened before he was reduced to a puddle of flesh.
No wonder the world's martial geniuses all flocked to the Elite Selection—who wouldn't want to learn from a man like that? This was what it meant to be a true saint of the martial path!
Cao Fan's eyes burned with even fiercer desire.
He would win first place in the Selection. No matter what.
…
"Azure qi…"
While the others were still overwhelmed, Chen Sanshi, using his Qi Observation Technique, saw something no one else could—the difference between a Martial Saint and something beyond a Martial Saint.
He had seen it clearly.
When the Grand Commander attacked, his body had surged with a pure azure radiance—completely different from any ordinary internal qi. No wonder Ning Changqun couldn't survive even one move.
Their power didn't even come from the same realm. How could he hope to win?
Chen Sanshi also noticed the weapon—the spear.
He had only caught a glimpse, yet that single instant left him awestruck.
That spear was beyond magnificent, far surpassing even the Mountain-Suppressing Sword. He was sure there wasn't a second weapon like it in all the world.
But more than that—where had it come from?
He was certain the Grand Commander hadn't been carrying a weapon beforehand, and no one had handed him one during the fight. It had simply… appeared, as if summoned from nothing.
Looking again, Chen Sanshi noticed the patched coarse robe the old man wore—yet on his right thumb gleamed a silver ring of unmistakable value.
Perhaps that, too, was some kind of immortal artifact.
…
"Sun Xiangzong!"
Governor Liu Zhongxian shouted his name directly. "You're bold indeed! General Ning was an imperial first-rank duke of the pillar state! What right do you have to kill him?"
"Grand Commander, that was reckless beyond measure," Eunuch Hou scolded with a trembling voice, still shaken. "Aren't you afraid of the Emperor's wrath when word reaches the court?"
"The memorial pleading guilt has already been written," Sun Xiangzong said calmly, waving a hand. "I gave it to you earlier, Eunuch Hou. Deliver it to His Majesty. Whatever punishment awaits—I will bear it."
In an instant, he was once again that same mild, stooped old man from the village gate.
He turned slightly, speaking over his shoulder. "Old Fourth, you're not hurt, are you?"
"Master worries too much," Fang Qingyun replied, face calm as ever.
Eunuch Hou's expression twitched.
He pulled out the memorial Sun Xiangzong had handed over before the Selection began—it was supposed to be about the expansion of the army.
Could it be… that it already included Ning Changqun's death?
If this scene hadn't happened today, would Ning have still died—before the memorial even reached the capital?
Governor Liu and Eunuch Hou exchanged glances, already composing in their minds the many impeachment memorials they would have to write.
Just what was the old man planning?
For years, he had willingly surrendered his authority, yet today he pulled this sudden stunt—what was his true intention?
Had he… changed his mind?
"Gentlemen."
Sun Xiangzong turned to them once more, his voice as slow and even as before. "I'm helping you two. Ning Changqun brought chaos to the Selection. If I hadn't dealt with him firmly, how would you ever manage to take over after me?"
"..."
Governor Liu and Eunuch Hou fell silent, unsure how to respond.
So he hadn't changed his mind after all?
Killing Ning Changqun—was that merely to reassert his authority and prepare for war against the barbarians?
Even so… wasn't the cost too high?
That was still a Martial Saint!
"Grand Commander Sun!"
Governor Liu mustered his courage and said, "Even if Ning Changqun is dead, the court will still send others from the capital to take over Cloud Central Camp and Sirius Camp. As for the upcoming army expansion, all appointments and personnel should still be arranged by the Imperial Court and the Ministry of War!"
"Of course. I've never said I'd refuse you that," Sun Xiangzong replied calmly, letting out a faint hiss of air through his teeth. Suddenly, his tone shifted, as if something had just occurred to him. "Tell me, Governor Liu, Eunuch Hou—do you think Ning Changqun might have been acting under someone's orders?"
The tense atmosphere that had just begun to ease instantly froze again.
With a light movement, Eunuch Hou darted a hundred zhang away like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface, before quickly shouting, "I—I know nothing! Even if someone was behind him, it has nothing to do with me! Lord Chen's decree was delivered by me personally! How could I ever harm him?"
He truly hadn't taken part.
But he could guess easily enough—it must have been the Crown Prince's faction that arranged it.
"Not bad, Eunuch Hou," Sun Xiangzong said approvingly. "Your lightness skill's impressive."
Then he turned to Governor Liu. "What about you, Lord Liu? Do you think Ning Changqun was acting alone?"
"I… I don't know!"
Liu Zhongxian's voice trembled as he spoke. He instinctively tried to retreat—but as soon as he turned, he found Meng Guangxin and two other generals already blocking his path.
"Grand Commander! I swear I don't know! It must've been Ning Changqun's own doing—ten to one, it was his idea alone! He was a Martial Saint! Why would he need anyone to command him?"
He babbled incoherently, only to see the old man slowly walking toward him.
"Sun Xiangzong! What are you doing? I told you—it has nothing to do with me! Once this is over, I can help you investigate! I'll find out everything! Just… just don't come any closer! Don't do anything rash!"
Panic, fear, guilt—every emotion tangled together until only the instinct for self-preservation remained.
"Boom—"
As Sun Xiangzong's weathered palm swept toward him, Governor Liu felt as if the very word "death" had appeared in the air above him. His gang qi exploded outward, his crimson official robe billowing like a storm. The black gauze cap flew from his head, his hair rose upright, and the marble tiles beneath his feet cracked and shattered as he poured every ounce of strength into facing what came next.
But before that aged palm, his gang qi was as fragile as paper—utterly useless, unable even to slow the blow for an instant.
"I—I really don't know!"
Liu Zhongxian's voice broke into a hoarse cry, bloodshot eyes glistening with tears. In that moment, his entire life flashed before him—how he had learned martial arts, entered the bureaucracy, gained recognition step by step, rising to a second-rank official of the court. He thought of his wife and children, safe and comfortable in the capital.
And then—
The hand came down.
At the final moment, despair filled his heart. He dismissed his gang qi, closed his eyes, and waited for death.
But when the palm landed, nothing happened.
Just two light pats on the shoulder, and a calm, aged voice beside his ear.
"Why so nervous, Lord Liu? I never said this had anything to do with you."
Leaving those words behind, Sun Xiangzong clasped his hands behind his back and walked away, slow and steady, disappearing into the distance.
On the high platform, Governor Liu Zhongxian—second-rank official, Profound Manifestation realm, a man the court had placed great hopes in, expected to govern Liangzhou within two years—stood there disheveled and trembling. His hair hung loose, his face was pale, and he stared blankly ahead, motionless, as if his mind had gone empty.
"Coward."
Meng Guangxin smirked. "All that swagger these past few years, and this is what passes for a hero?"
"Thud!"
Governor Liu collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
"He's finished…"
In the distance, Cao Fan couldn't bear to watch. "Might as well be dead. He'll definitely be replaced. Who's going to obey his orders now?"
…
"Men, quickly—escort Lord Liu away to rest!"
Fang Qingyun stepped forward to stabilize the situation. "Everyone, the incident was sudden. Though the culprit's been dealt with, there's still a great deal to sort out. The Elite Selection will be suspended for one day. Those who haven't yet taken the test, return for now and prepare well. Think about how to break the formations. You may all disperse."
As the armored soldiers cleared the grounds, the crowd finally began to stir, gradually realizing the event was over. One by one, they started to leave.
"Buqi."
Once most people were gone, Fang Qingyun spoke quietly. "Do you understand now?"
"I do!"
Sun Buqi nodded hard. "They wanted to take Father's command, but they lost—and badly! Still, why didn't we keep investigating? Why didn't Father kill that Liu Prefect too?"
"Is there even a need?"
Fang Qingyun smiled faintly. "The ones behind it were obvious from the start. There's no point dragging it further. Sometimes, you need to know when to tighten and when to release. Reaching the goal is victory enough. Go too far, and you only hurt yourself."
Killing Ning Changqun was fine.
But any further—and it would mean declaring war on the court.
After all, the Eight Northern Garrisons weren't yet strong enough to turn against the empire. Recovering their lost prestige was already mission accomplished.
No matter what new officials the court sent after this, they wouldn't dare act recklessly.
"I've never liked that Ning Changqun anyway," Sun Buqi muttered. "Always so full of himself—wherever he went, he strutted like a peacock. I even heard that during the last barbarian campaign, he mobilized troops on his own, ignoring the command structure. Sure, he got results, but that was just him trying to seize power."
He rubbed his chin. "But, Senior Brother, why didn't Father deal with all this sooner? Why wait until now?"
"Nothing in this world stays the same forever," Fang Qingyun said patiently. "Every decision must match the time and situation. Ten days from now, the war against the barbarians can't be delayed any longer. And there's also your Junior Brother Chen to consider."
"Sanshi?"
Sun Buqi blinked in surprise. "This has something to do with him too?"
"Mm."
Fang Qingyun didn't elaborate, only said, "You've seen enough for today. Tell me—what did you learn from this whole play?"
"Father's amazing!"
Sun Buqi thought for a moment before answering with conviction.
"..."
For a moment, Fang Qingyun nearly stood up on his crippled legs just to hit him.
…
"Congratulations, my lord!"
"The first Class-A ranking!"
"..."
As the crowd dispersed, many came forward to offer congratulations.
But Chen Sanshi wasn't particularly happy.
He already had more than ninety percent confidence in clearing the first two rounds. The next stage, however, was actual combat—a far harder trial. He had to break through to tempering organs Minor Achievement as soon as possible.
Luckily, with the chaos earlier, the Elite Selection was postponed for two days—enough time to make progress.
Outside the military city, Qianxun was already waiting for him.
On the way back, Chen Sanshi kept replaying everything that had happened that day.
In the end, no matter how much scheming or maneuvering went on, one rule remained constant—only true strength decided victory.
Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong had clearly used the death of a Martial Saint to reestablish his authority.
And to do that, he first had to truly possess the power to crush a Martial Saint.
That one spear strike—utterly breathtaking.
No wonder so many across the world were fighting to earn his direct instruction.
But there was something else Chen Sanshi couldn't stop thinking about.
The old Emperor was also a cultivator—surely one of great attainment, perhaps even Sun Xiangzong's equal. That alone could explain why the balance of power between the throne and the Grand Commander had lasted so many years without breaking.
Otherwise, if either side held a clear advantage, things wouldn't have remained this delicate for so long.
But if the Emperor truly possessed a method to surpass the Martial Saint realm, then why not teach it directly to his sons and grandsons? Why send them to study under Sun Xiangzong instead?
Unless—
The Emperor's method only worked for himself.
While Sun Xiangzong's path, even if limited, could still be learned by others—at least a chosen few.
"The third test—battlefield assessment, actual combat."
Chen Sanshi recalled what he'd heard on the road to Liangzhou when passing through Dongyi City. No one had said exactly how the combat test would be conducted, but one thing was certain—raising his cultivation quickly was never the wrong choice.
When he returned home, he found a visitor—his goddaughter, Xu Yuhuan.
Madam Tong had taken her daughter to a Daoist temple outside the south gate of Liangzhou to offer prayers.
Since the soldiers' quarters were all in the north of the city, going back and forth would've been too much trouble. Afterward, she'd decided to stay at the Chen residence—an empty three-courtyard compound—and given their close family ties, no one objected to her staying for a while.
"Yuhuan, come let your godfather hold you."
Chen Sanshi reached out and scooped up the little girl, who could only babble a few soft "yiyiyaya" sounds.
"Shi ge'er, don't scare the child!"
Gu Xinlan reached to take her back. "Go wash up first."
Chen Sanshi paused. Right—he had just killed quite a few people earlier, and his face and clothes were still splattered with blood.
Yet the little girl wasn't frightened at all. She giggled happily and reached up with her tiny hands to pat his face.
Only then did Gu Xinlan finally relax.
"Lan jie'er," Chen Sanshi said, "in a few days, take some gold and find a craftsman to make Yuhuan a gold lock. I haven't given my goddaughter a proper gift yet."
By now, he was quite wealthy—gold and silver weren't a problem at all.
"My lord's willingness to be her godfather is already our great honor," Madam Tong said sincerely. "You shouldn't trouble yourself any further. I just wish my husband could achieve more—to be of use to you one day."
"Brother Bin's doing fine," Chen Sanshi replied. "He was steady during today's assessment—helped me a lot too."
Talent determined one's potential ceiling.
But for ordinary soldiers, that wasn't what mattered most.
Here in the Eight Northern Garrisons, the supply of medicinal tonics was abundant and generous, enough for everyone. Under his command, his men's cultivation was rising rapidly. Xu Bin wouldn't take long before reaching the tempering bone stage.
The pity was that few among them showed signs of exceptional growth potential.
Unless…
He used spiritual grain—or equipment that worked in tandem with it.
[Blood Oath of the Battlefield]...
If Chen Sanshi truly needed to nurture elite officers, he would naturally start with those loyal brothers who had followed him faithfully from Poyang County.
But the spiritual grain couldn't be revealed yet.
Especially after witnessing the Grand Commander's overwhelming strength today—
Better to wait.
At least until he reached the point where he no longer needed to fear anyone knocking on his door.
He continued playing with the little girl, while the two women chatted in the courtyard.
"Xinlan, the priests at Ciyun Temple are amazing—their blessings are truly effective!"
"Really?"
"Yes! Ever since I had Yuhuan, I've been exhausted every day. But after praying at Ciyun Temple today, I felt refreshed and full of energy."
"That powerful, huh?"
"Ciyun Temple's the most popular place in all of Liangzhou," Madam Tong said proudly. "Not just common folk—even high officials and martial masters from major sects go there to pray. I even ran into someone today—they said he was the Lord of Splitting Moon Manor, a Martial Saint! Impressive, right?"
She glanced toward Chen Sanshi in the distance, then lowered her voice so only Gu Xinlan could hear. "Xinlan, weren't you planning to have one with the General soon?"
"Mhm…"
Gu Xinlan's cheeks flushed. "But nothing's happened yet."
She sighed inwardly. They'd been married half a year now. Though they certainly hadn't lacked for intimacy, there were still no signs of pregnancy. Sometimes she worried—what if something was wrong with her? What if she couldn't have children?
"Next time, come to Ciyun Temple with me."
Madam Tong took her hand warmly. "Plenty of people pray for children there—it's said to be very effective! When you and General Chen have a baby, Yuhuan will have a little playmate. Oh, and you should bring the General along too—it supposedly works even better that way."
"All right."
Chen Sanshi answered from across the courtyard.
He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but his hearing was far too sharp. With all three of them in the same courtyard, he could hear every word.
"But let's wait a few days," he added. "I'm busy with the Elite Selection right now. Once that's done, I'll go with Lan jie'er—and Sister Tong too. We'll visit together."
He was genuinely curious.
If even the whole city of Liangzhou went to that temple—and even Martial Saints paid visits—there had to be something more to it.
Just because one Martial Saint had been slain today didn't mean Martial Saints were weak.
It only meant that Sun Xiangzong was too monstrous.
"By the way, Sister Tong," Chen Sanshi asked, "you said you went to pray for peace. What do the martial masters go there for?"
"I think…"
Madam Tong tilted her head, trying to remember. "They also pray for peace."
"They also pray for peace?"
That only made Chen Sanshi more curious.
For martial cultivators, peace came from their own two hands—why would they need to beg the heavens for it?
If Ciyun Temple had a Martial Saint master, that would make sense.
But from what Chen Sanshi had seen when he first arrived in Liangzhou, he'd memorized the major sects. Not only was Ciyun Temple not among the top sects—it didn't even make the second tier. Probably a third-rate temple at best.
So what was there to worship?
Either it housed a true spirit… or something not so divine.
Thinking of that, Chen Sanshi felt even less comfortable letting Lan jie'er go alone.
…
The backyard of the three-courtyard residence was Chen Sanshi's private training ground. Even with guests at home, no one dared to disturb him there.
After eating his fill, he began cultivating immediately.
Spiritual grain, precious medicine, and beast meat—three powerful sources combined, boosting his cultivation progress at an astonishing rate.
In just two days, he reached the brink of another breakthrough.
The Unified Spear Technique, born from merging three distinct spear arts, had now reached perfection in his hands. Swift, fierce, and enduring—each of these traits alone could grant a martial artist a foothold on the path of strength. But he possessed all three.
When those qualities fused, they created something extraordinary—an emerging aura of "frenzy." This was spear momentum.
Every weapon carried its own momentum. Only when one mastered it could one become a true grandmaster. Without it, all techniques remained lifeless routines—useless against opponents of equal realm and physique.
Against stronger foes, mastering momentum was often the key to victory.
The long spear in Chen Sanshi's hands howled through the air, almost transforming into a rampaging python. His movements stirred such force that even birds flying overhead were startled and tumbled down. The newly planted osmanthus tree in the yard swayed violently, as though it might snap in the raging wind.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, his heartbeat surged, pounding wildly beyond normal limits.
But it wasn't a sign of harm—it was the sign of a breakthrough!
The heart was the mightiest of the five viscera and six organs—the source of a human's true power. Every drop of blood was driven by it, nourishing every limb and bone. The stronger the heart, the greater the power one could unleash.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
With each pulse, the Blood of the Dragon and Elephant within him intensified, nearly doubling his speed, reflexes, and strength.
He had reached tempering organs Minor Achievement—Igniting the Heart!
[Technique: Unified Spear Technique (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 0 / 2000]
[Effect: … … Mysterious Five-Organs Body, Heart of the Qilin]
[Heart of the Qilin: One of the Mysterious Five Organs. Combined with Seven Orifices of Wisdom, your combat intuition surpasses all peers. Within thirty rounds, you will inevitably discern and dismantle your opponent's fighting pattern.]
Heart of the Qilin!
Chen Sanshi had been studying diligently these days, learning much about martial physiques. He was no longer as ignorant as before.
The Qilin Body—a physique belonging to Martial Saints.
It was the only known constitution that heightened martial comprehension itself, not just physical might.
Grand Secretary Yan Liang's grandson, Yan Changqing, the Qilin Heir, possessed precisely this physique.
Now, the most crucial part—the Heart of the Qilin—had been extracted and manifested through his Grinding System. Combined with his Reading technique's gift, Seven Orifices of Wisdom, it formed a resonance.
Within thirty rounds, he could certainly unravel any opponent's combat rhythm!
What did that mean?
No matter the realm—as long as he could last thirty exchanges, he would discover his enemy's flaws and defeat them decisively.
And endurance? That was never a problem for Chen Sanshi.
Of course, that assumed the gap between realms wasn't enormous.
If he fought someone like Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong, then naturally, it would be useless.
But against those at tempering organs Major Achievement or Perfection…
Everyone knew the difference between Minor Achievement and Perfection was like heaven and earth.
After all, Igniting the Heart was merely the embryonic stage of Exploding Blood, the peak form of tempering organs Perfection. To face a perfected form with an incomplete one—no need to imagine the outcome.
Before this, Chen Sanshi had little confidence.
Now, with the Heart of the Qilin, he at least had a sliver of hope. But he dared not underestimate his coming foes. They were all genuine prodigies, gifted with rare physiques, supreme techniques, and top-grade elixirs—nothing like the opponents he had faced before.
In short—whatever his odds, time was running out.
In a few days, the third test would begin—battle formation combat—followed immediately by the fourth test of live warfare, and then the fifth test of bone assessment. All five rounds would be completed in one continuous sequence.
All he could do now was give his all—and leave the rest to fate.
Meanwhile—
The Elite Selection had resumed the previous afternoon, and by now, the results of the formation-breaking trials were out.
Only a handful—Lu Shuhua, Cao Fan, Yan Changqing, and a few others—had earned Class A rankings. Even so, they had barely made it before the incense stick burned out completely.
Those few… would be his true rivals next.
"Master, are you done training?"
Siqin had been waiting quietly by the door. When she heard no more movement inside, she peeked in cautiously. After getting permission, she entered, holding a bowl of steaming tonic soup. "The Madam brewed this herself—it's nourishing and warming. She told me to make sure you drink it."
Ever since the talk about having a child, Gu Xinlan had been buying tonic herbs daily. They both drank them at every meal.
The decoction mainly restored vitality, without side effects.
"You tell Madam, if she keeps feeding me like this, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it. Forget it—I'll tell her myself."
Chen Sanshi poured the soup out, then walked straight toward the main bedroom in the front courtyard.
…
At the military city—
Within a few days, every trace of the recent scandal had been wiped clean. The martial arena looked the same as ever—only, one examiner was missing.
Governor Liu had fallen ill and refused to appear, submitting a memorial of resignation instead. Rumor said the court was temporarily dispatching another Martial Saint from the neighboring prefecture to take his place.
As for General Ning Changqun's death, no one mentioned it again.
The court showed no intention of punishing Sun Xiangzong at all—it was as if the matter had simply vanished.
When everyone assembled, Thousand-Household Li stepped forward and announced the third round's contents in a loud, steady voice.
"Commanders! I'm sure many of you noticed Dongyi City when you arrived."
"Yes, that's your third challenge!
"Battle formation—kill the enemy!
"The rules are simple. Tonight, the traitors within Dongyi City will attempt to break out. Whoever kills the most enemies will earn the highest scores!
"Kill four hundred or more enemies for Class A, three hundred for Class B…
"One tempering bone enemy counts as forty, one tempering organs enemy counts as one hundred. Anything beyond that, you won't have to deal with."
"Understood?"
"Good. You have one hour to prepare. After that—move out!"
"…"
Kill the enemy.
Chen Sanshi had originally thought the test would be about commanding troops to seize a city. He hadn't expected the assessment to be so blunt—it was simply about who could take the most heads.
But thinking it through, it made sense.
There were too many candidates in the Elite Selection. If they really had to assign troops, decide who attacked first, and deal with issues like high casualties during siege warfare—it would become a logistical nightmare. A straightforward contest like this was the only fair way.
He picked up his Fifty-Stone Bow.
An hour later, all participants had assembled. Under the guidance of several deputy commanders, the army marched out of the city.
At that moment, Dongyi City was surrounded by fifty thousand troops, forming an iron fortress. Ten thousand of them belonged to the Xuanwu Garrison, and the remaining forty thousand were soldiers of the Liangzhou Guard.
Commanding the Xuanwu and Feixiong Garrisons was General Lü Ji, the only Martial Saint among Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong's disciples—a man once considered his rightful successor.
"Sun Xiangzong, you son of a bitch!"
On top of the city wall, a middle-aged man holding a long blade was shouting with rage. "I'll tear the flesh from your bones, peel your skin, curse your bloodline for generations! You damned coward! Come out and face me in battle if you've got any guts! Hiding behind your army like a turtle—what kind of hero are you?!"
"So much hatred toward the Grand Commander?"
Even from afar, Chen Sanshi could feel the overwhelming fury in the man's voice.
"That's Zhang Huaimin, Sect Master of the Seven Absolutes Sect, realm of Meridian-Connecting," explained Thousand-Household Li. "Five years ago, when the Eight Northern Garrisons were first transferred to Liangzhou, the entire northwest border was rotten beyond repair. Corrupt officials everywhere, human lives worthless. Back then, those sect disciples strutted through the streets—if they saw a pretty woman, they'd take her on the spot. They even broke into homes at night and forced themselves on married women while their husbands watched."
"When the Grand Commander finished reorganizing the army, he sent thousands of soldiers out and spent three full years cleansing the northern territories—every prefecture, every county, from top to bottom. Whoever they found guilty, they executed on the spot. Only then did order return."
"This Zhang Huaimin might not have committed crimes himself, but his sons did—arrogant, vicious, and guilty of everything imaginable. They were eventually executed. Since then, Zhang Huaimin has held a grudge. During the last war against the barbarians, he took the chance to betray the Great Sheng Dynasty and colluded with the enemy—all to avenge his sons."
Chen Sanshi remembered hearing about that. Before the Grand Commander's arrival, the northern border had been pure chaos. Killings in broad daylight were common.
As long as you had connections, the county yamen wouldn't even investigate. And if you had enough silver, they'd twist the law to frame the victims instead.
"General Lü, we can begin!"
Once all the Elite Selection candidates were in position, Lü Ji nodded toward his subordinate.
The deputy understood immediately and started relaying orders.
Soon after, all soldiers stationed outside Dongyi City's west gate withdrew, leaving only three thousand men from the Feixiong Garrison. It looked as if this would be the only escape route left open for the traitors inside.
Leave a gap when besieging an enemy.
Storming the city directly would mean unnecessary losses. Forcing the rebels to break out was the most efficient test.
And they would definitely come out.
The city had been cut off for half a month, and even the mud for Guanyin statues had likely been eaten clean. Stay any longer, and they'd be reduced to cannibalism. Better to risk one desperate charge—if even one or two managed to escape, that was hope enough.
"I am Guan Jizeng, Deputy General of the Xuanwu Garrison," a deep, booming voice rang out, "and I'll be your chief examiner for this battle!"
He continued, loud enough for everyone to hear clearly:
"When the traitors charge out later, my men will engage first—but you'll be fighting alongside us. No one will hold back or make way for you. Use your full strength—whoever you kill, that's your merit. There will be recorders keeping count of every kill. Understood?"
Two li behind them, ten wooden towers, each eight zhang tall, had been erected. On each tower stood an official responsible for tallying the kills.
"We still have to fight for kills?"
The Elite Selection candidates looked at one another in surprise.
There were only 1,500 rebels inside the city, while 3,000 soldiers of the Feixiong Garrison waited outside—every one of them eager to draw blood. None of them would deliberately leave opportunities for others.
To earn Class A, one needed 400 kills.
Sure, higher-ranked enemies were worth more—one tempering bone enemy equaled forty, one tempering organs enemy equaled one hundred—but the Feixiong Garrison also had plenty of officers at those realms.
It was like stealing meat from a tiger's jaws—an incredibly difficult task.
Following Guan Jizeng's orders, everyone positioned themselves roughly three hundred steps from the west gate, leaving a narrow escape route for the rebels.
The Elite Selection commanders stood at the very front, eyes locked on the massive wooden gates, ready to rush forward the moment they opened—terrified they wouldn't get enough kills.
And so they waited.
Three full hours passed.
From late afternoon until the sky turned dark.
The rebels inside weren't fools. They could tell perfectly well this was a trap meant to slaughter them. Naturally, they hesitated. Even by hai hour (9–11 PM), there was still no movement.
Many of the candidates had already lowered their weapons, sitting cross-legged to rest with eyes closed.
"Could they all have starved to death already?"
Bai Tingzhi muttered impatiently, itching to storm the walls himself.
"Buzz—"
Just when everyone thought they'd have to wait another two or three days, the city gates finally creaked open at midnight.
The west gate was a small one, wide enough for only four people to pass through shoulder to shoulder.
"Break out! Brothers, break out!"
The cry echoed from within the walls.
At first came the shuffling of boots and the rising clamor of desperate voices. Then, the first group of Seven Absolutes Sect disciples burst through the narrow gate.
"Finally!"
The Elite Selection officers immediately perked up. They had been waiting for this—ready to charge forward the moment the sect disciples reached the lines, to clash in close combat and compete for kills.
"Swish—"
But before the first man even made it out of the gate, an armor-piercing arrow streaked through the air, plunging straight through his forehead. He dropped dead on the spot.
"Swish, swish, swish, swish—"
Another arrow. Then another. And another.
The gate was narrow, and the sect disciples fell one after another before they could even step out. In moments, corpses piled high like a grisly barricade—none of them had managed to escape.
It looked as though a whole line of crossbowmen were blocking the gate!
What the hell? Weren't they supposed to fight the rebels? Why were the bowmen stealing all the kills?
Everyone turned to look.
But there were no crossbowmen.
Only one man—wearing a dark blue commander's robe—stood before the gate, drawing a massive longbow as tall as a man. In one hand he gripped a fistful of arrows; his other hand moved in a blur as he drew and loosed in rapid succession. Every shot took a life.
"Chen Sanshi?"
Cao Fan shouted furiously, raising his own bow to shoot.
Archery was, after all, something anyone could use.
In fact, many others had brought bows too, already planning to score quick kills from afar.
But…
They were all standing over three hundred steps away to leave the rebels a path to flee—otherwise, no one would come out.
Among soldiers, it was impossible to find someone who couldn't shoot a bow. There were even some quite skilled. But even the best could only hit targets accurately within seventy or eighty steps.
And yet this man—was hitting every shot from over three hundred steps away?!
Each arrow flew like lightning, loosed so fast that in the blink of an eye, two or three were already in flight. Every one found its mark, sealing the west gate completely. Not a single rebel got through, and no one else even had the chance to strike.
"General Chen, magnificent!"
Bai Tingzhi cheered loudly. "A divine archer! Truly divine!"
"You idiot, he's your competition too!" someone scolded.
Bai Tingzhi just laughed. "Sooner or later, I'll be serving under General Chen anyway. What's the problem?"
"…"
"Damn it!"
Cao Fan and Lu Shuhua were both decent archers themselves. They drew their Twenty-Stone Bows and fired—but none of their arrows landed true.
At this distance, even hitting one in five or six shots was considered remarkable.
Meanwhile, Chen Sanshi had already slain dozens.
The two could no longer worry about pride. They rushed out of formation, moving up to within a hundred steps—but even then, they couldn't compare.
Every archer knew: nocking, drawing, aiming—all took time.
But Chen Sanshi needed none of it.
"One hundred fifty-seven, one hundred fifty-eight…"
He silently counted each kill, his hands never stopping.
Most of the rebels were at tempering bone or tempering blood, with a few at early tempering organs. The narrow space left them no room to dodge or block. Even those wearing armor couldn't withstand more than three arrows before collapsing. None escaped.
Before the true melee even began, Chen Sanshi had already completed nearly one-third of the kills needed for a Class A score.
But it was obvious the enemy wouldn't keep charging to their deaths.
Sure enough—
The gate suddenly fell silent. When movement resumed, the figures emerging were carrying black iron shields.
A wall of metal advanced steadily outward, shields locked together like a mountain of iron.
"Clang, clang, clang—"
Even a bow of great strength couldn't pierce such thick plates of steel.
Once the shields took position at the gate, more sect disciples surged out behind them, scattering in all directions. The Feixiong Garrison soldiers rushed forward to intercept.
The real battle had begun.
Yet it didn't slow Chen Sanshi down at all.
From a high vantage point, he continued to shoot with cold precision—every arrow a kill.
The others had plunged into the chaotic melee, struggling not just against the rebels but also competing with Feixiong Garrison soldiers for every head. It was exhausting, dangerous—especially when facing higher-realm foes—and horribly inefficient.
"Three hundred ninety-nine!"
"Four hundred!"
Chen Sanshi deliberately targeted those at tempering bone or tempering organs realms—high-value targets that counted more per kill. In no time, he became the first to meet the Class A requirement.
He was about to continue when a flicker of unease pricked his senses.
Using his Qi Observation Technique, he scanned the battlefield. Countless auras flickered before him—each warrior's energy distinct in strength and color.
But one stood out.
Not for its power, but for its peculiarity.
A deep black-red hue—dark and sinister.
The same color as a poison beast's qi.
No—darker than that.
A poison beast's aura, here among men?
How could that be?