Zhao Mu frowned at the yellow liquid pooling beneath Liu Hu's body.
He wasn't squeamish, but the pungent reek would definitely draw other Trial Participants.
Only three of them were nearby for now, yet the stench would soon bring more.
"Hand over your number tag, take off your coat, and forfeit."
Zhao Mu didn't waste a single second.
Liu Hu hesitated, then gritted his teeth. "I'll give you the tag, but can I stay in? I want another shot."
Zhao Mu gave a half-smile. "Leaving you in means one more rival—do you think I'd do that?"
He twirled the halberd; the glint in his eyes was dangerous.
Knowing he had no leverage, Liu Hu surrendered the tag, shouted "I forfeit!" in frustration, and let the giant eagle carry him off the mountain.
Zhao Mu now held three number tags.
He scanned the surroundings, then wrapped a pile of dry leaves in Liu Hu's coat and set the bundle on the spot Liu Hu had soiled.
Activating Light and Agile Steps, he sped away, climbing higher toward Xiuyun Mountain.
Wind at his heels, his footfalls on the leaves were almost inaudible.
He didn't go far—just to an old tree half a century tall.
Sliding the heavenly halberd onto his back, he hooked his fingers into the bark and scurried up like a cat.
Midsummer foliage was thick enough to hide him completely.
A few gnats buzzed, but they didn't bother him; even if one crawled across his face he remained motionless.
He pulled some wild grasses from a pocket, crushed them, and rubbed the sap over his skin.
The sap of these insect-repelling plants kept mosquitoes at bay.
In jungle combat, Mother Nature is often the deadliest foe.
"Smart kid—setting a trap and waiting for someone to walk into it."
Zhang Biao laughed heartily.
Instructor Xie Yingxue nodded in approval. "He fights like a seasoned veteran."
Prey wasn't biting yet, but Zhao Mu wasn't impatient.
He ran the Turtle Breathing Technique, slowing breath and heartbeat, sharpening his awareness of every rustle around him.
Not far away, yells, screams, and the clang of weapons rose without pause.
More than two thousand would clash across Xiuyun Mountain.
To pass the trial, you had to take the initiative and gather thirteen number tags.
The fiercest fighting raged at the summit.
Almost everyone thought it clever to seize the high ground first.
Occupying the vantage point early would let them watch others wear themselves down—or so they believed.
Their cleverness backfired; the peak became the bloodiest killing field right after the trial began.
Zhao Mu, meanwhile, had secured a commanding spot halfway up.
First, any losers fleeing downhill would likely pass right by him.
Exhausted prey made easy targets for an ambush.
Second, with an eight-hour shrinking zone looming, those still below would soon be forced uphill—straight into his sights.
He could simply wait and reap the rewards.
So from now on, only one thing remained—waiting.
Eight hours later night would fall, leaving the mountain pitch-black.
snakes, rats, bugs—especially swarming summer insects—would torment the contestants.
Before anyone could fight, they'd have to endure that misery… At the foot, Golden Elephant City's Large Corps assembled—fifty-three strong, the largest faction in the trial.
Weapons drawn, they split into five-man squads.
Two Shield and Sword Wielders, two spearmen, one Archer per squad.
"We outnumber them—steady and straight ahead!"
"Advance in square formation. Keep intervals under a hundred meters; every squad must have two neighbors within reach."
Golden Elephant City raised a finger, smiling. "No matter how tough a foe, we can mass fifteen fighters within two minutes."
"Victory is ours!"
The instant he learned the second trial's rules, Golden Elephant City devised this Large Corps tactic.
Liu Weiguo stroked his beard, impressed by the swift command decisions.
"Commander material, truly worthy of the Jin family."
Golden Elephant City wore light alloy-composite armor and carried a sword—clearly valuing his own skin.
He obviously feared death.
"All right, everyone!"
He clapped cheerfully. "Let's sweep the entire Trial Ground!"
His legionnaires grinned, brimming with confidence.
Alone, most were nobodies; together, they felt invincible.
"Crush them all!!"
The force spread out and began a carpet search from the base, hunting lone Participants.
Fifty-plus warriors covered a vast swath of the mountain.
Soon, a would-be ambusher was spotted.
Seeing the horde, the poor soul's face drained of color.
No lone fighter could beat a coordinated five-man squad.
"Run!"
Some spun to flee—only to be shot in the back by Archers.
Shield and Sword Wielders rushed in, pinned the victim with twin shields, and stripped the number tag.
"Hey, should we just kill him?"
A spearman sauntered up, grinning at the helpless captive, savoring the power of life and death.
The Shield and Sword Wielder glanced at him. "No need—we're not psychopaths. Make him forfeit and be done."
The captive, pale as paper, sobbed, "Don't kill me, please!"
The spearman laughed at the pitiful display.
"Pathetic—scared witless and wetting yourself. Hand over anything valuable—and strip so we know you're not hiding anything."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)