Countless contestants launched their attacks on Jian Chen all at once.
The arena was filled with flashing blades and swirling dust, weapons of every kind striking toward him.
Yet whether it was spears, daggers, or warhammers — all were deflected one by one.
Only a single opponent proved troublesome — a man wielding a heavy shield.
His defense managed to block Jian Chen's strikes several times.
It took Jian Chen some effort to find the flaw and, borrowing the man's own momentum, strike him down.
The real problem, however, came from the archers and mages in the distance.
Their attacks came in relentless waves, repeatedly disrupting his movements.
The shallow cuts on Jian Chen's body were their handiwork.
As he clashed with another opponent, a sharp arrow whistled toward his chest!
Jian Chen spun his sword around— clang! —the arrow was knocked aside.
But in that instant of distraction, a massive hammer came crashing in!
He barely managed to block it, yet the impact still sent him staggering backward, his chest tightening with pain.
"Damn… that was close. Those guys in the back are really getting on my nerves."
Jian Chen muttered under his breath, drawing in a deep breath. "Guess I have no choice."
In the next moment, his aura changed completely.
The air itself seemed to be cut apart by his sword intent as magic surged around him.
He pushed off with his foot, his figure blurring like lightning as he dashed straight for the mages and archers in the distance.
Several contestants tried to intercept him, but they had barely raised their weapons before they were cut down in an instant.
Jian Chen reached the enemy line—his blade swept horizontally—
"—Hah!"
He slashed from the left, his strike roaring through the air.
But the mage before him reacted swiftly, stepping back with a smug grin.
"Missed me, did you?"
At that same instant, the archer who had been rallying the others suddenly went pale and shouted,
"Move! Get away—now!!"
Jian Chen's lips curled into a faint smile. He whispered two words—
"Flying Blade Slash."
His right hand flicked—his sword shone with a blinding arc, the blade light shooting forward like a meteor.
Boom!
The flying slash streaked straight through the line of mages and archers.
Where the light passed, a series of elimination markers lit up one after another.
For a brief moment, silence fell over the arena.
The archer-leader's face darkened as he muttered,
"...At least B-class strength."
Jian Chen pointed his sword toward him, speaking calmly,
"So you're the one in charge, huh? Come on then—fortune and glory are waiting for you."
(B-Class: Those who possess stable magic circulation and can freely wield magic.
Most contestants are C-Class or lower, able to cast only through staffs or catalysts.
B-Class fighters can channel magic throughout their entire body, granting faster spellcasting,
and when combined with catalysts, their power multiplies.)
The contestants who had been knocked back earlier finally caught up, only to gasp at the sight before them.
"How did he—wipe them out in an instant?!"
Jian Chen chuckled lightly.
"Come on then. Round Two starts now."
With that, he charged again toward the remaining archers, sword light swirling like a storm.
From the stands, applause and cheers erupted like crashing waves.
Spectator A: "Jian Chen really is incredible! He's got this in the bag—no one else can win now!"
Spectator B: "He's strong, yeah—but don't be so sure. Don't forget... there's Xuan Ye."
Spectator A: "Xuan Ye? That guy hiding behind his barriers? No chance. The champion's still Jian Chen!"
Spectator B: "Heh, I'll bet you Xuan Ye takes the title."
Spectator A: "Oh yeah? You're on! Twenty gold says Jian Chen wins!"
And just like that, the stands erupted into a rowdy storm of betting and laughter.
——Meanwhile, on the northeastern side of the battlefield——
A black-haired youth quietly closed the book in his hands.
Lifting his gaze, he spoke in an even tone:
"...That should be enough."
He waved his right hand—
the air trembled.
Several cubic barriers instantly unfolded in midair.
The next moment, the blocks surged forward with force,
blasting away every contestant who dared to approach him.