Chapter 19: Come, Hit Me

“Ah!”

With a full-throated wail echoing through the courtyard, a certain Master San Niu of the Hong Family Hammer was sent flying along with his hammer, drawing a graceful arc before landing unceremoniously on the ground.

“Thank you for the lesson.”

A middle-aged man dressed in a white robe with gray hair and loose black trousers supported himself with his hand and calmly turned to return to his position among the ten people dressed diversely around him.

At that moment, the Chief Assistant’s loud proclamation rang out.

“Disqualified!”

Two stick-wielding guards moved forward to help the struggling strong man still lying on the ground. Realizing his fate, he could only limp away, head hanging low, filled with despair.

Not surprising at all…

I looked sympathetically at the strong man passing by, but the Priestess knew well that San Niu didn’t lose unjustly—there was a clear disparity in strength between him and the middle-aged man in the white robe and black pants.

First, I must admit, this guy is not weak.

Though he likely self-declared himself Master of the Hong Family Hammer, with probably only himself and maybe a couple of kittens in the sect, San Niu’s strength, along with that iron hammer he wielded, was undeniably real.

By the standards of another continent, this guy must be at least equivalent to fine gold, like an excellent warrior above level 20, yet he faced a man whose speed and strength surpassed San Niu by more than ten levels. He probably reached the celestial level, even nearing the legendary grade.

But the key point doesn’t stop there.

From their brief exchange that ended in a single round, it became clear that not only did the opponent possess an overwhelming advantage in physical fitness, but he also utilized some peculiar techniques similar to martial arts on Blue Star—like using leverage to counter force.

The hammer swung with all of San Niu’s might was reversed and pushed back by the bare-handed man, resulting in San Niu being sent flying from the combined force, thus determining the victor in an instant.

Considering this aspect as well, he could potentially be viewed as a legitimate force stronger than a legend.

Based on Miss Vilyric’s observations of this world’s inhabitants in recent days, alongside benchmarks like the Soul, this certainly qualifies him as a rather rare top-tier powerhouse.

“…Looks a bit interesting.”

I hope I can have a go at him.

Though dozens entered at once, the ten examiners fought in turns, without any need for breaks, so that just as one finished, the next would step into the fray.

As a result, the pace of the evaluation had progressed faster than Vilyric anticipated.

In less than half an hour, most of the applicants had been eliminated, leaving only a man and a woman who seemed like a couple among the remaining young individuals.

To be honest, since this was merely an assessment of applicants’ strength, they didn’t actually need to defeat those obviously formidable examiners. Just like that couple, as long as they could last a few exchanges without showing signs of defeat, they would generally be recognized.

But clearly, most here were merely flashy on the outside, lacking the ability to meet even such minimal criteria.

Getting eliminated early is actually a good thing, as that Tidal Abyss doesn’t sound like a pleasant place. Without some solid skills, it would likely just be a death sentence.

Finally, it was time for Vilyric and the two girls to be assessed.

Since they were the last, totaling five including the three of them, they stepped forward at the Chief Assistant’s gesture, spreading apart while another five well-rested examiners approached.

Seems like they want to wrap up the assessment all at once.

Funny enough, the examiner who walked up to Vilyric was none other than the white-robed man who had once defeated the Master of the Hong Family Hammer with a single move. He stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, his sleeves dancing elegantly in the breeze, giving off quite a martial arts master vibe.

“Please, show me guidance.”

While the others had already begun fighting, here the Priestess seemed to draw special attention because she was just a slight young girl, and the man even cupped his hands politely, appearing gentle and courteous.

Vilyric took out the [Eternal Staff · Heart of the World] from her backpack, thought for a moment, then reluctantly put it away, looking curious.

“Are you also a master of some sort? I see others introduce themselves before fighting, yet you seem unwilling to do so. Are you from some secret sect?”

“Clearly… you are the strongest of these people, right?”

Despite being flattered, the man merely smiled casually, shaking his head gently.

“Just a wandering soul, without sect or school, merely self-taught in martial arts. You can call me Murong Yun.”

What a rare compound surname.

After nodding in acknowledgment, Vilyric imitated him, placing her hands behind her back and puffing up her not-so-ample little chest.

“Come on then.”

“Huh?”

This bold act clearly caught Murong Yun off guard.

After all, throughout the assessment, all the opponents he’d faced had been aggressive, taking the initiative to attack, making it feel closer to an attitude of mentoring rather than anything else. This was the first time he had encountered someone who just stood there waiting.

But in a duel, it was all about skill; there was no etiquette in letting hand. Since the battle wasn’t starting, the Prefect Wen Fu and many others’ gazes had turned toward them. Murong Yun hesitated no more, assumed a stance, and slightly bent his knees.

“Whoosh!”

A perfect straight punch!

Perhaps considering that Miss Vilyric is a woman, he thoughtfully aimed for her shoulder instead of where it might hurt, as this was merely a spar.

After all, no matter how strong one is, if both arms become immobile, a good portion of their ability fades, and the outcome is virtually a foregone conclusion.

He thought that this little girl, despite looking fragile, had dared to respond to the Prefect’s recruitment call, and with her peculiar attire and otherworldly skills should have some fighting experience…

But what caught Murong Yun off guard was that she stood there like a fool, neither dodging nor blocking, just pretending to be stoic as he rushed closer, throwing a punch towards her shoulder!

Could it be that she was just a silly girl who wandered into the wrong place?

With that thought, Murong Yun hurriedly reduced his strength—it would only leave her arm sore and numb without injuring her bones or muscles—lightly tapping her shoulder’s white robe.

This strike, known as inch power, was Murong Yun’s true specialty.

If this girl really were as he thought, lacking combat capability and just accidentally in this place, such light force would never harm this delicate beauty, seeming so fragile that she would shatter if touched…

But if she held secret abilities, the power within that gentle punch could be instantly released to turn the tide once the situation felt wrong.

However, contrary to Murong Yun’s expectations, neither did she crumple to the ground nor feign weakness to counterattack; his expertly calculated punch merely landed directly on the slender shoulder of the black-haired girl, making a soft “puff” sound.

Then, they just stood there, staring at each other wide-eyed.

After an awkward silence lingered for a moment, the black-haired girl tilted her head as if deeply puzzled and blurted out,

“What’s going on… Did you skip lunch?”

   

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