Contest for the Strongest

And so, neither Han Qingyu nor Shen Yixiu took part in the combat trial, nor did they pay much attention to what was happening there. It was not until that evening, after packing up their belongings and preparing for bed, that the others in the dorm brought back word. On the live-combat field, a whole stream of recruits had stepped up against Bai Ji throughout the afternoon and evening, but so far not a single one had lasted more than ten exchanges. "And that's with him visibly holding back, according to what they say. People outside are talking, spreading rumors that he might be stronger than you." "He's been deliberately bringing you up too, saying what a shame it is that he can't fight you, how deeply he regrets it." "..." Was this guy who had suddenly popped out of nowhere really that strong? Hadn't he just recovered from severe injuries? Han Qingyu was growing slightly curious. Yet looking back at the man's actions and words throughout the day, something felt odd. Thinking carefully, it seemed as if Bai Ji was targeting him specifically. What was his objective? Could he be an assassin from the City of Iniquity in disguise? If so, how many source energy blocks was he carrying on him? Lying in bed, Han Qingyu let his imagination run wild for a second. Still, the night had grown late, and tomorrow would be the mutual selection for recruits leaving camp. Although his roommates in Dorm 22 were furious over this sudden "battle for the strongest," Han Qingyu didn't say much. He tidied up and went to sleep. Early the next morning, before he even got out of bed, Qin Guowen slipped into the dorm, pulled him onto the balcony, and told him, "Hold back. Don't fight Bai Ji." "Why?" Wen Jifei naturally wouldn't miss out on something like this; he leaned in stealthily and asked with indignant disbelief. "Because right now, he really is stronger than Han Qingyu." Aware of Wen Jifei and Han Qingyu's relationship, Qin Guowen didn't mind having an extra listener. He explained: "He was deliberately transferred over from the White Eraser to win back the face they lost yesterday, and to trample on Han Qingyu and our Golden Eraser in the process... The end goal is to create the impression that the strongest recruit of this class isn't Han Qingyu, and that the top recruit's choice is the White Eraser... Get it now?" It wasn't hard for the Golden Eraser to look into someone's background. Just as Bai Ji had claimed, his fusion degree was indeed A+. He had joined Azure the previous year and put on a stunning performance early on. "Last year, after being equipped with armor for only twenty-odd days, he was indeed severely injured. So he never took part in the recruit camp departure, nor was he formally inducted into a roster," Qin Guowen continued. "So he really can be considered a recruit from our class?" Wen Jifei asked. "Yes, technically by the rules," Qin Guowen said. "In reality, though, he's a veteran. After his severe injury, he was bedridden in the medical station for five months, and during those five months, the White Eraser continuously supplied him with source energy blocks to nurse him. For more than half a year after that, he stayed with the White Eraser receiving nourishment and training, and he even took part in actual combat twice." Wen Jifei: "Isn't that completely shameless?" Han Qingyu: "The White Eraser treats their people that well?" "..." Qin Guowen whipped around to stare at Han Qingyu, blowing his stack on the spot. "Could you show a shred of moral sense?! Stop staring only at source energy blocks!" "Oh, okay." "That guy came here specifically to stomp you into the dirt. Using the identity of a recruit from your class who just recovered from severe injuries, he wants to snatch the crown off your head and grind it into the dirt." Han Qingyu nodded grudgingly. "Oh. Then what should I do?" Qin Guowen: "Don't fight. If you don't fight, you'll never lose." Han Qingyu: "..." Wen Jifei: "Great plan! But even if they did fight, he wouldn't necessarily lose, would he? So what if he's A+, a rank higher than Qingzi? So what if he's a veteran with an extra year of nourishment and experience? Our Qingzi isn't normal." Qin Guowen: "..." "Besides, it's not like our Qingzi hasn't fought Great Spikes and the Cleansing Faction. With Qingzi's moves, those wild wildcards..." Wen Jifei didn't even know who he was calling erratic; if Han Qingyu counted as erratic, what did that make him? "It won't work," Qin Guowen said, shaking his head. "They already know Han Qingyu's combat style. They definitely won't engage in prolonged maneuvers. Bai Ji will rely purely on the advantage of his denser, deeper source energy surge right from the start to overpower him. The moment Qingzi blocks his blade, he'll take the brunt of the disadvantage." "I see. Then it sounds like your Captain Shao is to blame, isn't he?! Still, with no other options, we'll listen to you and skip the fight." Wen Jifei sighed dejectedly. "Sigh. The rivalry between the two titans of the Eraser Class of 1990 was supposed to be between me and Qingzi." Do Dice rolls affect personality? Having learned of Plague Chicken's real background, Qin Guowen felt rather helpless. Turning back to Han Qingyu, he said, "In any case, remember: we simply won't fight. Let everyone outside argue and debate all they want." Han Qingyu nodded noncommittally. Afterward, when they went downstairs for breakfast, Han Qingyu pulled Qin Guowen behind the cafeteria in private. "Could you try slashing at me once, using what you estimate to be the density of Bai Ji's source energy surge?" "Still not willing to let it go, are you?" Qin Guowen thought it over, nodded, and began putting on his apparatus. Although his source energy fusion degree was lower than Bai Ji's, his years in the military were far greater, so in terms of pure surge density, he certainly wouldn't lose to Bai Ji for now. "Here it comes." Whoosh. Charging in a straight line with what he estimated to be the upper limit of Bai Ji's surge density, Qin Guowen brought his blade down in a slash against Han Qingyu. Clang! Han Qingyu took the blow head-on, only to be sent flying backward, slamming into the wall behind him. Blood surged in his chest, which he forced himself to hold down. "How about that? See why we rushed over early this morning to warn you? Don't worry, though. We'll leak his background on the sly too. Damn shameless bastards." After telling Han Qingyu to take a breather and recover, Qin Guowen headed off to manage "public opinion." Naturally, Bai Ji wouldn't admit to any of it. As one could imagine, the debate wasn't about to end. Han Qingyu sat on the ground to catch his breath. Suddenly, he muttered to himself, "Forget it. Fleecing source energy blocks is more important." He had a good sense of things now. Bai Ji really was strong; if they truly fought and he wanted to win, he would have to unleash a simultaneous surge from both his internal liquid source energy and his three-dimensional apparatus. That was his current trump card in combat. He had only ever used it when battling Great Spikes; even when facing the human-monkey at the Cleansing Faction stronghold, he hadn't brought out his full power because he was holding back for a final desperate strike. And precisely for that reason, the Golden Eraser had reached such a clear conclusion: Han Qingyu was currently no match for Bai Ji. There was still some time left after breakfast, and the simulated combat arena remained open. Meanwhile, just as expected, the rumors began spreading like wildfire. On one hand, more and more people came to realize Bai Ji's sheer power. A Grade A recruit from one of the regiments had just been struck with a fragile iron blade three times by Bai Ji, sending him flying straight into the spectator stands; fortunately, thanks to his apparatus, his injuries were not severe. Yet Han Qingyu, whom everyone was eagerly anticipating, never set foot onto the live-combat field.