DHMB - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Generally, the live broadcast cameras for the competition would focus on teams attempting to break through the trial grounds. Firstly, these teams had a high proportion of top-tier competitors, and the examinees brought their own fan support, ensuring viewership. Secondly, the diverse martial arts skills displayed could serve as reference material for ordinary students to study, observe, and learn from.

Although the difficulty of the stages was set very high, quite a few people were attempting the challenge. After all, everyone hoped they could somehow 'burst a seed' and create a miracle, and brave attempts were a necessary foundation for that.

Therefore, Jiang Tu's initially poor and hesitant performance was buried in the vast crowd. Because it was so unremarkable, the video administrator pushed it to the very bottom.

It wasn't until the administrator's gaze circled back that he realized the person had already passed.

Did he fly over?!

He hadn't expected someone in the arena to actually evolve so suddenly, and he hadn't broadcast such a magnificent scene!

The administrator's neck straightened, his eyes glued to the screen, afraid he wasn't seeing clearly enough.

Fortunately, their team still had two people.

He switched the camera over, just as Kai Yun was going through the stage.

Kai Yun entered the arena very casually, just charging forward brazenly. Facing the approaching threats, her feet didn't stop, and she raised her hand to strike with her saber.

Everyone was watching her at this moment, studying what moves she would use to break through. But she didn't show off, truly didn't show off. She only used the most basic, simplest attack method, responding casually and lightly.

Yet, the seemingly clumsy saber blade seemed to merge with her hand, becoming incredibly agile. The naked eye could barely keep up with the changes in her saber tip's trajectory.

The administrator let out a strange "Hmm."

This was definitely a rigorous training, with difficulty levels specifically designed based on the standards of outstanding students from previous years. Although hitting the robot's weak point could easily defeat it, the rest of its body parts were set up to be very sturdy.

Being able to pass so easily indicated that every strike Kai Yun landed was just right.

Remarkable.

Subsequently, Lei Kaiding also made his move.

This young man's performance was even more reckless. He charged out like a bullet, fearlessly colliding head-on with the training machine. He used his internal energy and fist wind to make the machine body tremble, causing a momentary pause, and then plunged his hand-saber into the machine's neck.

Using the same method, he charged towards the finish line with a series of "bang bang bang" and flashes of sparks.

The administrator couldn't help but check the time again.

It was less than two minutes!

He casually glanced at the comments section and, as expected, a row of viewers kneeling properly had appeared.

"Quick, record this! First floor clear professional tutorial. Technical flow + brute force flow, easily clearing the trial without taking damage! Everyone should have this!"

"Not applicable, just watch. The technical flow can't reach this precision and agility, and the brute force flow doesn't have his strength and control. It's essentially just raw power."

"Why do I feel like everyone is playing on a completely different difficulty level?"

"Haven't seen these two before, are they new students? This year's batch is too strong! They might even be able to fight Lu Que! Exciting."

"Was the one in front a swordsman? I want to see how the swordsman cleared the stage, why isn't it being shown?"

"Showing off! Reported. The teams next door are all clearing it cooperatively, but they insist on going one by one. Seriously causing psychological discomfort."

"Is it easier to solo? The more people there are, the more robots there are. Looking at them, it seems quite simple."

"Solo? The lights are dim and the speed is fast. Without anyone to help distract, there's no chance to counterattack. Once you make a mistake and get hit head-on, you'll be sent flying. The opponent's staff will hit you directly on the head, are you scared?"

"Of course it's easy for top experts to clear the trial, but can that be a reference standard? Quickly look at other examinees to calm down."

"..."

Jiang Tu at the finish line was also stunned. He had guessed that Kai Yun's skills were more seasoned than he had imagined, but such effortless strength still exceeded his expectations.

Including that awkward, peering, seemingly not-so-smart big guy, he was also much more formidable than he had anticipated.

These two teammates of his might not be ordinary people.

While he was lost in thought, Lei Kaiding stepped forward, raised his hand to grip the tightly shut door ahead, and urged, "Come on, lend a hand!"

Kai Yun jumped to his other side, joining forces with him to pull open the door.

Before Jiang Tu could step forward to help, there was a sizzling electrical sound above the door crack, followed by a dull grinding noise, and the metal door was forcibly pried open by them, revealing a narrow corridor inside.

Kai Yun said, "Going upstairs? I thought that was it."

"If that were really it, then Sanyao would be useless," Lei Kaiding said. "How could it be that simple? Given Sanyao's nature, since they gave half an hour, it means a normal clear might take 25 minutes. That's why his teammates were so anxious just now..."

As Lei Kaiding spoke, he suddenly remembered Jiang Tu was beside him and sheepishly shut up.

Jiang Tu, however, didn't seem to mind, perhaps genuinely used to it: "I really do drag them down. With your strength, you should be able to tell..."

"I can tell your foundation is very solid," Kai Yun interjected. "You must know quite a few sword moves, right? I saw your hand gestures when you attacked were very practiced."

Jiang Tu fell silent, then after a moment, quietly replied, "Yes."

Lei Kaiding wanted to ask him right then and there why he performed like that; it was a world he simply couldn't understand.

He learned the moves, so why couldn't he use them?

But considering there might be cameras around that could negatively affect Jiang Tu, he painstakingly held back.

The three walked slowly forward along the corridor, their overlapping footsteps echoing in their ears.

Jiang Tu suddenly turned his head and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

Kai Yun answered loudly, "Of course, please ask!"

"Why are your moves so simple, yet so difficult to block?" Jiang Tu asked. "Is it because of experience? How much combat experience does it take to do that?"

Kai Yun showed a hint of surprise, then began to ponder, seemingly having never considered this question before.

To her, she just fought, and the result was what it was. It was just simple, direct attacks, something many people could do, not really that impressive. It was just that her timing was slightly more accurate.

"Hmm..." Kai Yun said seriously, "I think people who practice martial arts need talent. One kind is physical talent, and another is consciousness."

Jiang Tu: "What consciousness?"

"Killing intent."

Lei Kaiding echoed, "Killing intent?"

Kai Yun asked him, "What would you do if someone wanted to slap your face for no reason and spit at you?"

Lei Kaiding replied without hesitation, "Kill him!"

Kai Yun: "Exactly!"

Lei Kaiding thought for a moment, then said loudly, "...But I wouldn't actually kill him. I'm a law-abiding citizen!"

"'Scholars disrupt the law with literature, knights violate prohibitions with martial arts.' Not restraining one's nature is barbarism. Education and continuous practice teach how to be just right," Kai Yun said. "Killing intent is the instinct to attack, restraint is the refinement of human nature. Lacking either makes one unsuitable to be a knight-errant."

Kai Yun nodded, feeling that this was it: "I believe in my own justice, so I will draw my saber without hesitation. This is my martial path."

Jiang Tu felt she was subtly hinting that he wasn't suitable. In fact, he felt the same way. Although he had made many excuses, telling himself that experience could compensate, the truth was he hadn't made any progress.

"However, lacking a counterattack consciousness isn't necessarily a flaw, it's just not as suitable for martial arts. This unsuitability isn't incurable; it depends on who is around you," Kai Yun smiled, promising Jiang Tu, "If you need my encouragement, I can give it to you anytime!"

Jiang Tu: "..."

Even thinking about it now made him break out in a cold sweat. Would anyone hold a saber to someone's back and coldly threaten them as encouragement?

Just then, Kai Yun suddenly raised a hand to point, her tone carrying a hint of almost imperceptible cheerfulness, and said, "Look, aren't those your old friends up ahead?"

Jiang Tu looked ahead and saw it was indeed his original team. The few of them seemed to have encountered a difficult stage and were stuck there. Seeing him appear, their eyes showed unspeakable surprise.

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