Chapter 16: This Is Just the Beginning

Qin Jue’s gaze settled on a man. The man was imposing, standing over nine feet tall, with a face as cold as stone and a bronze complexion that radiated steadfast determination. Among the captives, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

Seeing him, Qin Jue’s eyes brightened immediately and he called him forward.

Xiao Wushan approached Qin Jue, bowing with cupped hands. “Come, let’s have a fight!” Qin Jue declared without hesitation. Since no one else was willing to step forward, he would have to choose his opponent himself.

At these words, many faces shifted slightly. Behind Qin Jue, a man he had defeated stepped forward quietly and whispered, “Captain, this man is a Third Rank warrior.”

A Third Rank warrior—no wonder he carried such an extraordinary presence!

Yet, Qin Jue felt no fear. Instead, he was eager to test the strength of a Third Rank warrior.

However...

Xiao Wushan bowed again and said, “Sir, I am but a prisoner. Besides, I have no interest in the captain’s position. Please do not trouble me.”

Though his words were respectful, his eyes never left Qin Jue, looking at him as if he were a mere child—clearly dismissive.

After all, he was a Third Rank warrior! In Xiao Wushan’s eyes, even if Qin Jue was an invincible Second Rank, he held no interest.

The realm of warriors was divided by vast chasms between ranks. With his own strength, Xiao Wushan was already outstanding in the army. If he could align himself with a high-ranking officer, his status would elevate significantly. After all, who didn’t want to rise above the rest in the military?

Qin Jue saw the ambition burning in Xiao Wushan’s eyes and smiled faintly. “What if I insist on fighting you?”

Xiao Wushan’s gaze flickered, noticing the hint of threat in Qin Jue’s tone. Given Qin Jue’s status, there were countless ways he could target a mere prisoner like him. If he did nothing, trouble would surely arise.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Wushan agreed, “Then let’s begin!”

He was confident he could defeat a Second Rank warrior. If Qin Jue kept his word, serving as captain wouldn’t be too bad. Even if Qin Jue reneged, he himself would lose nothing, and Qin Jue would have no reason to trouble him further.

The gathered crowd watched with mixed expressions.

The newly joined soldiers looked grim, wondering what they would do if Qin Jue lost. The prisoners, some already discontent, were certain Qin Jue would be easily defeated, watching with smug amusement.

In the arena, Xiao Wushan stood tall and proud like an ancient pine, his eyes locked tightly on Qin Jue.

“Begin,” he said casually, showing little interest.

Qin Jue made no move to hold back. He stomped the ground hard, his figure moving forward like a specter. His right fist whipped through the air with a whistling sound, aiming straight at Xiao Wushan’s face.

“So fast!” someone behind breathed in astonishment.

When they had fought before, Qin Jue’s speed had been on a completely different level. Many around shared the same thought, exchanging glances as they realized that Qin Jue had never truly revealed his real strength before.

“Hmph!”

Xiao Wushan snorted coldly and advanced instead of retreating, throwing a powerful punch. His muscular arm flexed violently, veins bulging, exuding an overwhelming force.

“Bang!”

The two fists collided. Qin Jue was knocked back several steps, a sharp pain shooting through his fist. Xiao Wushan stood unmoved, a sneer curling his lips.

A Third Rank warrior was truly terrifying.

Qin Jue’s eyes narrowed as he pressed forward again, launching a series of swift attacks. Yet Xiao Wushan handled them with ease, skillfully blocking every strike and countering relentlessly.

Each counterattack brought Qin Jue great hardship. Without his attribute enhancements, he would have long since been defeated.

Still, the gap between him and the Third Rank warrior was undeniable.

After a dozen or so exchanges...

“That’s enough. Your realm isn’t high enough,” Xiao Wushan said as he once again forced Qin Jue back.

Even he had to admit Qin Jue’s resilience and skill, but the difference in rank was insurmountable. There was no point wasting time.

“This is only the beginning,” Qin Jue said, unwavering as he stared at him.

If the realm was lacking, then he would simply raise it.

He immediately invested points into his cultivation technique.

Suddenly, a scorching energy surged forth, like molten lava rushing through his meridians. His blood boiled as a ferocious power coursed through every limb and bone.

The Third Rank transformation widened his meridians, allowing more energy to flow within.

With this advancement, Qin Jue’s realm rose accordingly.

What had been a mere trickle of energy now swelled into a powerful stream, a formidable force surging to his core.

Across from him, Xiao Wushan frowned as he watched Qin Jue suddenly still. He did not know what had changed within him, but in that instant, he sensed Qin Jue’s aura shift dramatically.

Such was the intuition of a warrior.

Suddenly, Qin Jue moved.

His figure flashed like a black lightning bolt, charging at Xiao Wushan with astonishing speed.

The realm upgrade, combined with his attribute bonuses, had propelled his speed to a new level.

Xiao Wushan’s pupils contracted sharply.

So fast!

In the blink of an eye, Qin Jue was before him, delivering a punch directly to his chest.

Xiao Wushan instinctively crossed his arms to block.

“Bang!”

The blow landed with tremendous force. Xiao Wushan’s expression changed as the tough skin on his arms dented slightly. Pain surged through him, and he staggered back several steps.

“How is this possible?” Xiao Wushan’s heart raced in shock, unable to believe it.

How could his opponent’s strength have changed so suddenly?

This was not the power of a mere Second Rank warrior!

Qin Jue pressed the attack, unleashing a relentless flurry of punches. Each strike landed with precision on Xiao Wushan’s body.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The muffled sounds echoed like rapid drumbeats, shaking everyone’s hearts.

Attack and defense shifted seamlessly.

The prisoners watched in stunned silence, witnessing what should have been impossible and feeling their understanding overturned.

Facing Qin Jue’s unyielding onslaught, Xiao Wushan was forced to retreat step by step.

With each exchange, his shock grew.

“What is this guy really?” he wondered in disbelief.

Was he hiding his true strength all along?

Qin Jue gave him no time to ponder. His enhanced physique allowed his stamina to recover swiftly, making him seem tireless.

Under the torrent of chaotic, relentless punches, Xiao Wushan could not hold his ground.

After twenty or thirty rounds, Qin Jue found an opening and landed a decisive blow that sent Xiao Wushan crashing to the ground, unable to resist.

[Congratulations, host has successfully defeated an opponent and gained 1 victory point!]

The captives stood frozen, staring at the fallen Xiao Wushan in disbelief.

They could not imagine that the slight figure before them was the one who had defeated a Third Rank warrior.

Some parted their lips, but no sound emerged, as if their throats were blocked.

Others took a long moment to recover, whispering in disbelief, “How... is this possible?”

Xiao Wushan’s face was pale as he struggled to his feet, glancing at Qin Jue with a complex expression before turning to leave without a word.

Today, he had lost face badly.

“I said, if you can last two rounds with me, I’ll make you an officer. Join my team, and I’ll appoint you as squad leader!” Qin Jue suddenly said.

Xiao Wushan was a Third Rank warrior. Without his realm upgrade and attribute boost, Qin Jue could never have won.

Such a talent was not one to be missed.

Xiao Wushan hesitated. The post of squad leader was far below his expectations.

But if Qin Jue was the captain, perhaps it was acceptable.

He could see the other’s potential clearly.

A martial prodigy like this was destined to rise swiftly and achieve great deeds.

If he followed him, his own promotion was assured.

With this realization, Xiao Wushan turned back, nodding seriously. “Alright!”

The crowd exchanged astonished glances.

A Third Rank warrior was truly willing to serve as a squad leader?

But soon, excitement swept through the ranks.

With two such powerful warriors in one team, and the rest being Second Rank, this was an elite unit!

Could they refuse to contribute?

Many Second Rank warriors immediately changed their attitude, stepping forward to express their desire to join.

The captives’ attitudes had shifted entirely, leaving Qin Jue with a relaxed smile.

Now it was his turn to choose.

He must select the best, and from the best, choose the finest.