Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

As noon approached, the first round of competition concluded, and fifteen winners were determined.

"We'll take a one-hour break at noon, and the second round will begin at 1-3 PM," Zhao Shan announced.

Shen Lian and the others gathered under the shade of a tree by the training ground.

Li Hu munched on a steamed bun and mumbled, "There are only fifteen people left in the second round. I estimate that one person will get a bye and advance directly."

Chen Yun said, "According to the rules of previous years, it should be decided by drawing lots, with one person receiving a bye and advancing to the top eight."

Wang Lin looked at Shen Lian: "Brother Shen, who do you think will ultimately make it into the top five?"

Shen Lian pondered for a moment and said, "As long as we go all out, we all have a chance. Zhang Meng and the others are all quite strong. In addition, I noticed a guy named Lin Feng. His swordsmanship is ruthless and his attacks are decisive. He's probably a formidable opponent."

Li Hu frowned: "Lin Feng? Is that the guy who always cultivates alone and rarely interacts with others?"

Shen Lian nodded: "He just defeated Zhao Tiezhu in three moves. Zhao Tiezhu's defense is among the top five in our class, yet Lin Feng easily broke through it, which shows that this person is not simple. We need to be careful."

Chen Yun said softly, "I heard that before Lin Feng joined the Demon Suppression Division, he had roamed the martial arts world and had rich practical experience."

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance.

The group looked up and saw two demon-suppressing envoys arguing on the west side of the training ground.

"Lin Feng, you went too far!" A demon-suppressing envoy, supporting his injured companion, glared angrily at the young man opposite him.

The young man was Lin Feng. He glanced at the other man and said coldly, "In martial arts sparring, injuries are inevitable. If you're afraid of getting hurt, why even step onto the stage?"

"You!" The demon-suppressing envoy was speechless with anger.

Qin Feng strode over and examined the injured man: "Two ribs are broken; he needs a month of rest. Lin Feng, the competition should have ended there; why did you use such force?"

Lin Feng said expressionlessly, "His moves had flaws, so I just went with the flow. In a life-or-death battle, he would already be dead."

"That's enough." Qin Feng waved his hand, indicating, "Take the injured to the clinic. Lin Feng, be careful next time you act."

Lin Feng clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Shen Lian frowned slightly as he watched Lin Feng's retreating figure.

This person is cold-hearted and ruthless; he is probably not someone to be trifled with.

The hour of Wei (1-3 PM) will arrive soon.

The second round of drawing lots begins.

Shen Lian drew number thirteen, and his opponent was Lü Lang.

Li Hu drew number three, and his opponent was Zhang Meng.

Chen Yun drew number six, and her opponent was Jiang Feng.

Wang Lin drew number nine, and his opponent was Fang Shan.

Lin Feng received a bye and advanced directly to the quarterfinals.

"I'm so lucky," Li Hu muttered.

Shen Lian shook his head: "It may not be luck. This person is very strong. Even if he didn't get a bye, advancing would have been just a matter of time."

The competition resumed.

Li Hu faced off against Zhang Meng. Both were known for their fierce and aggressive style, and their swords clashed relentlessly, causing sparks to fly across the arena.

In the end, Li Hu, relying on his more solid foundation of qi and blood, managed to defeat Zhang Meng's longsword with a "Mountain Splitting" move after fifty moves, narrowly winning the battle.

"Tiger is great!" Wang Lin laughed.

Li Hu stepped off the stage, stretched his arms, and grinned, saying, "Zhang Meng is really strong; my arm is still numb from the impact."

Next, Chen Yun faced off against Jiang Feng, both of whom were known for their agile swordsmanship.

The two fought for more than forty moves. Chen Yun, relying on her exquisite footwork, seized the opportunity when Jiang Feng revealed a weakness and defeated him.

Wang Lin faced Fang Shan, and the two were evenly matched, resulting in a close and evenly contested battle. In the end, Wang Lin narrowly won by half a move and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Next up is Shen Lian, who will face off against Lü Lang.

Lu Lang leaped onto the arena, holding a standard longsword, and looked at Shen Lian opposite him.

"Senior Brother Shen, please enlighten me," Lü Lang said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Shen Lian also clasped his hands in greeting: "Junior Brother Lü, please."

The opening gong sounded.

Shen Lian and Lü Lang moved almost simultaneously.

Lü Lang made the first move, slashing diagonally with his longsword, creating a sharp gust of wind.

Shen Lian shifted his feet slightly, dodging to the side, and with a swift motion, swung his long sword straight at his opponent's ribs.

Lu Lang parried with his sword, but was jolted by a force that made his arm slightly numb.

He was startled, knowing that Shen Lian's sword force was powerful and could not be met head-on. He immediately changed his move, moving his body around, trying to use speed to find Shen Lian's weakness.

Shen Lian's steps were steady, like the roots of an old tree, and his sword movements were as fluid as clouds and water.

After more than ten moves, Lu Lang's forehead was covered in a fine sweat. He felt that every time he exerted force, his opponent skillfully neutralized it.

"Junior Brother Lü, be careful."

Shen Lian suddenly spoke, and at the same time, his sword stance changed. He suddenly rushed forward, and his long sword transformed into a streak of lightning as he attacked Lü Lang.

This change of move was as fast as lightning; it was a variation that Shen Lian developed based on the needs of actual combat after mastering his swordsmanship.

clang!

With a sharp crack, Lü Lang's tiger's mouth trembled violently, and he staggered backward. Before he could regain his footing, Shen Lian's longsword was already three inches in front of his throat.

Lu Lang froze, then smiled wryly and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Senior Brother Shen's swordsmanship is divine; I concede defeat wholeheartedly."

Shen Lian nodded slightly, then sheathed his sword.

"Shen Liansheng!" Qin Feng's announcement rang out.

"Too fast! I didn't even see how Shen Lian made his final strike."

"Lu Lang's swordsmanship is not weak either, but he seems to be restrained at every turn in front of Shen Lian."

"Is this the sword technique at its peak?!"

The newly appointed Demon Suppressors present were shocked and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Brother Lian is awesome!"

Li Hu excitedly pumped his fist.

Chen Yun and Wang Lin looked on with admiration. They knew Shen Lianqiang, but they were still very shocked to see him defeat the formidable Lü Lang so easily.

Shen Lian stepped off the arena and looked at Lin Feng not far away.

Lin Feng crossed his arms and coldly stared at the arena. When his eyes met Shen Lian's, a strong fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

The further you go in the selection process, the stronger your opponents will become.

Lin Feng is undoubtedly a major rival for him in the race to the top five.

The battles to come will be anything but easy.

At this moment, the top eight were determined: Shen Lian, Li Hu, Chen Yun, Wang Lin, Lin Feng, and three other newly appointed Demon Suppressors with considerable strength.

Zhao Shan announced: "Today's competition ends here. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the third round will be held to determine the top five."

Upon hearing this, the crowd dispersed.

"Who do you think will make it into the top five tomorrow?"

"Shen Lian will definitely get in, and so will Lin Feng. Li Hu, Chen Yun, and Wang Lin are all quite strong, but the other three are not bad either."

"I have high hopes for Shen Lian; his swordsmanship is exquisite."

"Lin Feng is no weakling either; he's ruthless and has a wealth of combat experience."

Many newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys couldn't help but discuss who could squeeze into the top five, with many people having high hopes for Shen Lian and Lin Feng.

Night was falling.

Inside the government office.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the "Tiger Subduing Stance" mental technique.

He did not go all out in the two battles today, but he could sense that there were indeed many skilled fighters among the newly promoted Demon Suppressors, especially Lin Feng, who made him feel a slight threat.

"We must go all out in tomorrow's battle."