Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Qi Zhimu withdrew his gaze and calmly announced the start of the challenge.

The girl whose name was called took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform.

The sunlight wasn't too harsh.

She squinted, saw the dense crowd around her, and her heart rate rose rapidly.

In the packed audience seats, countless eyes were fixed on her.

The girl's palms, gripping the wooden sword, were sweating profusely.

"come on."

A hand gently patted her shoulder.

Qi Zhimu's voice was not loud, but it had a certain magic that made people feel calm.

The girl took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

That hand seemed to have a calming power, and she quickly adjusted her mindset and became less nervous.

"I...I want to challenge Mo Tingquan's Valiant Guard!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the man in silver armor rose into the air from the viewing area.

He stepped over a surveillance bird in mid-air, used its momentum to flip himself, and landed steadily three meters in front of the girl.

Sunlight fell on his shoulder armor, reflecting a momentary, dazzling light.

Mo Tingquan smiled and nodded at the girl, then clenched his fist and produced a training wooden sword.

"Please advise me...!"

The girl clasped her hands in a salute, gripped her training wooden sword tightly, and focused her gaze quickly, revealing a hint of youthful sharpness.

Deafening cheers erupted from the stands.

She knew that once Xiao Wei made his move, she definitely wouldn't be able to withstand even one strike.

But at the very least, we need to let everyone see the progress she's made these past few days.

She held her breath for a moment, lowered her body and stepped forward, slashing upwards with her wooden sword.

It's a very basic move, but the speed isn't slow.

Mo Tingquan dodged to the side, without swinging the wooden sword in his hand.

The girl twisted her waist and changed her move, slashing horizontally with her sword. This time, he took half a step back, and the sword grazed past his breastplate.

Upon seeing this, a gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.

Undeterred by her initial failure, the girl continued her relentless attacks.

She used all the sword techniques she had learned in training, and although she did them meticulously, the transitions were smooth.

Before I knew it, sweat was trickling down my forehead.

On the fifth move, seeing the wooden sword slashing down towards his helmet, Mo Tingquan finally moved.

The girl's sword swept out from the right, and he raised his left hand, tapping the blade lightly with the back of his hand.

The wooden sword made a crisp sound, and the girl's sword path instantly deviated.

Mo Tingquan's force wasn't strong, but it was enough to make her lose her balance and stagger back two steps. After finally regaining her footing, her breathing became rapid.

"Almost there."

The girl gritted her teeth and charged forward again.

This time she changed her rhythm, feinting with her sword before suddenly crouching down and sweeping it horizontally.

Mo Tingquan leaped up to dodge, but the moment he landed, the girl had already used the momentum to get up, and the tip of her sword was aimed straight at his face.

This is the move she has mastered the best.

Unfortunately, Mo Tingquan only tilted his head slightly, the wooden sword grazing his ear, while the wooden sword in his hand was already pressed against the girl's throat.

The girl stood there, stunned, panting heavily, realizing she had lost.

The rule is that hitting the Cloud Cavalry's helmet within three minutes counts as a victory, but it doesn't say that the Cloud Cavalry can't retaliate.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mo Tingquan Xiaowei."

The young woman didn't hesitate and respectfully clasped her hands in greeting.

Her strongest move was ineffective, and continuing to fight would be futile.

It is likely that Xiao Wei realized this, which is why he chose to end the battle.

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in applause.

"Child, you are very good. If you join the army after you come of age, you will surely achieve great things in the future," Mo Tingquan encouraged him.

"Yes! I will!"

The girl bowed her head, turned and left the stage. Although she had lost, her back was very straight.

After all, she is not shameful at all.

Qi Zhimu nodded slightly and read out the name of the second challenger.

The pace of the following challenge matches was much faster.

The second contestant was a tall boy who chose another valiant guard.

The fight lasted only ten moves before the boy was defeated after his weapon was knocked out.

The third girl is short-haired.

The fight was spectacular. The girl had clearly studied the swordsmanship habits of the chosen guards, making three successful predictions in a row, narrowly missing the target's helmet.

Unfortunately, they were unable to break through that tiny margin even after three minutes.

This shows just how difficult it is to defeat the Cloud Cavalry.

As the sun gradually sets in the west, clouds begin to gather, and a cool breeze carries its scent.

Challengers came one after another, coming on stage and then leaving; anyone who could last a full three minutes would win a standing ovation.

Some people, after failing to land their strongest three moves, choose to concede defeat.

To date, all challengers have been defeated.

This is normal.

The Cloud Cavalry and Valiant Guards are all battle-hardened warriors, while the challengers are merely students who have just finished their practical training.

The gap in strength cannot be bridged by courage alone.

However, many people could see that many of the guards were actually guiding the challengers in a sparring manner, and would occasionally offer verbal advice.

The sky had unknowingly turned half overcast.

The wind whipped up dust on the drill ground, and distant rumbles of thunder could be heard.

As another battle ended, a hint of interest flashed in Qi Zhimu's eyes.

"Next challenger, Mirror Stream."

Jingliu stood up from the players' rest area and walked onto the platform.

She was short and slender, with her long blue and white hair tied in a high ponytail swaying gently in the wind.

Upon reaching the center of the challenge platform, Jingliu neither looked at Xiaowei's viewing area nor at the audience.

Her gaze fell directly on Qi Zhimu, her voice trembling slightly, yet carrying a hint of determination.

"I choose to challenge Qi Xiaowei."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Although the chief instructor is also a Cloud Cavalry Warrior, everyone knows that the Cloud Cavalry Warriors are different from strategists. Martial arts are paramount, and the chief instructor signifies the strongest warrior.

remarkably brave!

Qi Zhimu's expression remained unchanged as he casually leaped into the air.

With a thought, the wooden sword was unsheathed and suspended beneath his feet, flying towards the center of the platform.

From afar, this display of swordsmanship as he ascended the stage inspired countless young people to yearn for it.

Stylish and handsome!

The rest of the Cloud Cavalry and Valiant Guards looked almost entirely astonished.

That was truly just a wooden sword, not a renowned weapon crafted by the Imperial Workshop and controllable by divine sense.

There are many Cloud Cavalry and Valiant Guards who can control flying swords, but what about ordinary wooden swords?

No one can do it.

However, almost all students are currently unaware of this.

Looking closely at Qi Zhimu's calm face behind his helmet, Jingliu took a deep breath, gripped his wooden sword, and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Please enlighten me, Qi Xiaowei!"

Qi Zhimu had just nodded when the Mirror Flow Sword struck in the blink of an eye, without any fancy moves.

He shifted slightly to the side, and the sword grazed past his shoulder armor.

Jing Liu twisted his wrist and slashed at Qi Zhimu's neck with his sword, but Qi Zhimu leaned back and dodged it by pressing his face against the blade.

She took a few steps back, readjusted her posture, and looked wary.

Qi Zhimu did not launch an attack, nor did he even move his feet.

No one thought it was inappropriate.

Challengers who could last three minutes before almost all had opponents who did the same thing.

Qi Zhimu calmly dealt with the mirror-like attack, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

That was unexpected.

Unexpectedly, this rich girl, who has been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, has become quite capable after a few days of practical training.

It seems she has been practicing diligently during her private rest time.