Chapter 114: Colonel Li

Second Update!

The tension is mounting—recommend me more!

——

“What’s the use of playing tricks? If you’ve got the guts, come face me fairly and squarely.”

A sharp command rang out!

A lithe, upright figure leapt high from the audience, soaring to a height of six meters as all eyes followed. With effortless grace, he landed atop the stage. In his hand gleamed a bow of mercurial silver, instantly drawing the gaze of every spectator below.

“Silver Bowman, He Min!”

“He actually showed up…”

“Hah, this fire mage’s in trouble. I heard He Min’s armor-piercing chain arrows have reached seventy percent of his master’s skill. Even a six-star mage wouldn’t dare face him alone!”

Frowning slightly, Xu Wen glanced at the young water mage who had stopped at the registration booth. Then he turned to the young and handsome He Min, who had stepped directly onto the stage to issue a challenge.

“My opponent isn’t you.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

He Min lifted his chin arrogantly and took two steps forward.

“Since you represent Qingyun Academy and I represent the Blood Sect, it’s only proper that we confirm whether you’re truly qualified to represent Qingyun Academy.”

If he had known Xu Wen’s original meaning was “you’re no match for me,” he might not have held such pride.

“You mean the last challenger wasn’t good enough?”

Xu Wen cast a glance at Xiu Lan, who had been knocked off the stage by him earlier. The defeated youth hadn’t left but stood sulking among the crowd.

He Min naturally wouldn’t offend the young talent of the Blood Sect who clearly surpassed him in power.

“Hmph! Trying to use cheap tricks to make us recognize your strength? Is that all Qingyun Academy can offer? Can’t you fight honorably?” His tone dripped with impatience.

“Enough nonsense. You just want to size me up, right? Fine! I accept,” Xu Wen said, folding his legs to sit cross-legged on the spot. His robe spread gently in an unseen breeze.

“Say what you will.”

He Min, unmoved, pulled out his quiver. Amidst gasps from the audience, he drew out several arrows, black as ink with a dark metallic sheen.

As he selected his arrows, he glanced at Xu Wen’s reaction from the corner of his eye, only to find the latter’s gaze indifferent—no more than a casual flicker of his eyelids.

“Showing off your black iron arrows, huh?”

Xu Wen’s heart brimmed with disdain. Such arrows merely enhance physical damage and armor penetration, useful against defense magic, but as long as the opponent didn’t pull out enchanted arrows, they posed no true threat.

Enchanted arrows ranked among the highest-level projectiles, imbued with various attributes—deadly weapons for master archers to defeat foes. But no one would dare use them in a contest against someone of Xu Wen’s caliber; otherwise, he’d have surrendered outright.

While the stage accepted this, several below were outraged by He Min’s behavior.

“How can he just take the stage without registering?”

“He Min’s a familiar face—a five-star, fourth-rank archer, 26 years old. There’s no rule barring his participation. We can record him directly. This doesn’t violate any regulations.”

The Iron Arm Mercenary Group’s response silenced Eileen and her companions.

At that moment, a languid voice came from nearby.

“Have a little faith in him. This guy’s even tougher than I imagined.”

“Tough?”

Eileen and the others turned to look at the seven-star swordsman drinking nearby, uncertain if he meant Xu Wen.

Two minutes passed. Xu Wen stood up from the stage, his previously spent spirit energy fully restored.

“Begin!”

With this signal, the official below announced the start of Xu Wen’s second defense match.

As usual, the first spell Xu Wen summoned was the “Blazing Fire Ring.”

The “Flaming Divine Shield,” an Earth Emperor-level spell, lay hidden within him, ready to appear at will when danger threatened. Most mages possessed such a life-saving spell, but Xu Wen’s was unique.

In the previous match, Xiu Lan hadn’t even managed to attack before being blasted off the stage, so the shield hadn’t been showcased. But this time…

Facing a physically ranged attacker, the Flaming Divine Shield would be hard to conceal.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

He Min had already entered full combat mode. As soon as Xu Wen’s first spell ended, he charged from a distance with astonishing speed. Within less than a second, three black iron arrows streaked out in rapid succession.

The first move: a chain of explosive shots—swift and decisive. Quite a worthy opponent indeed, Xu Wen thought silently.

Martial artists in this world always gave him the feeling of starring in a blockbuster movie—a thrilling, invigorating experience.

“Go!”

Simultaneously preparing an ordinary spell, Xu Wen launched three “Blazing Fire Rings” to intercept the incoming black iron arrows, each charged with the power to shatter stone.

Intercept? Using magic to stop black iron arrows?

This kid’s crazy!

Everyone knew archers’ attacks were as fast as lightning. At such close range, even seven-star warriors found it difficult to sense and dodge arrows, let alone block them.

Especially in such a noisy, chaotic environment…

Yet!

The audience only saw three blazing fire rings flare brightly, then—thud, thud, thud—three black iron arrows struck and deflected from the rings, embedding deeply into the ground beside Xu Wen.

The attack missed?!

He Min’s face changed.

The “Chain Armor-Piercing Arrows” were his specialty. Though they drained his strength for a second or two after firing, they usually yielded great results. This was the first time all had been deflected.

The crowd was equally stunned.

How did that kid manage it?

Xu Wen gave He Min no time to ponder, retracting the now-dim fire rings. Five fireballs shot out simultaneously, and he rapidly channeled magic to restore the rings.

Damn!

Seeing Xu Wen counter with a mere two-star spell, He Min twitched and accelerated, dashing through the center of the fireballs.

Though an archer, how could such magic harm him? His external battle qi defenses remained unbroken.

“Go!”

The restored blazing fire rings fired again, combining with the five returning fireballs to form a coordinated assault!

Only now did He Min realize he had been outplayed.

Too late to regret!

The Blazing Fire Rings were fast and threatening, suffocating the opponent. Normally, He Min could have dodged, but the fireballs had subtly formed an encircling trap, blocking most of his rear and sides. Any evasion meant interference.

The fireballs’ damage was modest but enough to slow him down.

In an instant, many below gasped.

He Min couldn’t evade this strike!

He knew he couldn’t reverse his impending defeat. Gritting his teeth, he raised his bow and fired a rapid shot just before the fire rings landed on him.

The arrow flew, shattering his external battle qi defense instantly. Blood sprayed midair as he was flung from the stage, his injuries severe enough to take at least half a month to heal.

But He Min had achieved his goal.

Though the final shot missed Xu Wen, it successfully triggered the Flaming Divine Shield within him. The dazzling, exquisite fiery shield appeared, causing the stage’s temperature to rise noticeably.

Three layers of faint, scorching ripples radiated endlessly from the shield. Without close observation, one might mistake them for heat waves from the flames.

The shield only appeared for a second as the arrow struck.

It effortlessly blocked the black iron arrow before swiftly dissolving into a red glow that merged into Xu Wen’s body.

At that brief moment, the usually lazy seven-star swordsman’s eyes flashed with shock and wild joy before calming again.

This wasn’t an ordinary flaming shield.

That defensive ripple was the Flaming Divine Shield!

An Earth Emperor-level defensive spell!

The seven-star swordsman stared at Xu Wen, now sitting cross-legged again on stage. He took a hearty swig of strong liquor, a relieved smile tugging at his lips.

That magic… was equivalent to a five-star advanced defensive combat skill. No wonder He Min’s armor-piercing black iron arrows caused little damage. He Min had chosen the wrong opponent from the start… or perhaps he shouldn’t have been on stage at all.

Now, the former champion Xiu Lan was defeated, and the so-called mage killer He Min was decisively taken down. Even if no one wanted to admit Xu Wen’s qualifications, anyone stepping up next would have to consider the feelings of these two defeated challengers.

After two consecutive victories, Eileen and the others glared at the young water mage who had just provoked Xu Wen, fearing anyone else might step forward demanding to test his strength.

Xu Wen quietly fixed his gaze on him from the stage.

Both battles had arisen because of him—sweeping away Xiu Lan and silencing the boastful archer. The young water mage had no choice but to act now, or risk losing face.

Sure enough!

Invisible pressure was more powerful than scolding. After meeting Xu Wen’s gaze, the youth tossed down his pen and, steeling himself, climbed onto the stage.

“Young brother, you possess both Earth Emperor-level offensive and defensive magic. YourI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.