Free Web NovelChapter 173: Chapter 173: Combat Demonstration
The first combat demonstration began at dawn.
Candidates gathered in the Eastern Sky Arena, but unlike academy ranking battles, the assembly’s combat demonstration was not built around simple duels. Elder Su Tianheng explained the rules clearly.
"Each candidate will face a scenario selected according to class type, floor history, and observed combat pattern. The purpose is not only victory. It is control, adaptability, and judgment."
Qin Mo whispered, "Scenario selected according to observed pattern means they studied us."
Yu Qingmei, seated behind them, said, "Of course."
"I dislike accuracy."
The first candidates went quickly.
A flame-type candidate from Meng Ancient Flame Clan faced fire-resistant stone beasts and had to show technique beyond raw flame output.
A speed-type candidate from Black Martial Academy faced mirror traps that punished reckless movement.
A defensive candidate from Central Academy had to protect three unstable targets while fighting.
The assembly was not testing what people were good at.
It was testing whether they could survive when their strengths were restrained.
Then Duan Xirong entered.
His scenario was direct combat against three weapon puppets with different styles. He fought fiercely, using black martial aura to suppress each puppet in turn. His attacks were heavy, sharp, and confident. He won quickly, though he took one unnecessary strike due to over-aggression.
Black Martial Academy still cheered.
Bai Yunshen’s scenario was more subtle. He faced a puzzle-combat arena where each defeated puppet changed the battlefield rules. He solved it elegantly, using minimal movement and precise timing.
Jiang Yuexuan’s demonstration came later.
Her arena transformed into a flowing river of starlight. She faced water-shadow beasts that split whenever struck incorrectly. She did not rush. She redirected their bodies with blue-white river force, merged the split shadows back into unstable cores, and destroyed them cleanly.
Qin Mo watched with rare seriousness.
"She is very strong."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
Jiang Yuexuan had not shown her full talent. Not even close.
Then his name was called.
"Candidate Qin Yuheng. Enter."
The arena changed when he stepped inside.
A battlefield formed—but not a large one.
At the center stood a broken command post. Around it were six illusory allied units, each represented by small groups of Tower soldiers. Three enemy groups approached from different directions. Above the arena, a banner pole stood empty.
A panel appeared.
[Combat Demonstration Scenario]
[Commander-Type Pressure Test]
Objective:
Protect command post and preserve at least four allied units while defeating enemy captains.
Restriction:
Command aura effectiveness reduced until units accept command.
Warning:
Two allied units distrust candidate.]
Qin Mo muttered from the side, "They recreated Fourth Gate flavor."
Duan Xirong smiled from the candidate section.
Bai Yunshen leaned forward.
Jiang Yuexuan watched silently.
Qin Yuheng scanned the battlefield.
Six allied units.
Two distrustful.
Three enemy captains.
No time for long speeches.
He moved first to the central unit.
"Hold the post. Shield left. Spears behind."
The first unit obeyed.
The second hesitated.
Qin Yuheng did not waste time convincing them.
"You distrust me. Then hold position and defend yourselves. Do not block my command line."
That surprised the unit.
But it obeyed.
He assigned tasks by capability, not loyalty.
Trust rose slowly.
The first enemy captain attacked the left flank. Qin Yuheng reinforced with two loyal units and personally struck the captain’s weapon joint, forcing it back.
The second enemy captain targeted the distrustful unit.
Qin Yuheng had predicted it.
He sent Qin-style hand signals to the central unit and redirected support before the distrustful soldiers collapsed.
They saw it.
Trust rose.
[Unit Trust: 34% → 51%]
Only then did Qin Yuheng activate a limited Gate Thunder Command Field.
Not full power.
Enough to improve coordination.
He did not use Chosen Road Banner Field yet.
That was too revealing.
The enemy captains adapted. One released false orders. Another created panic smoke. The third launched a direct strike toward the command post.
Qin Yuheng handled them in layers.
False orders were countered through hand signals.
Panic smoke was dispersed by thunder pulses and formation markers provided in the arena.
Direct assault was met by Qin Yuheng himself.
He fought the captain with controlled sword strikes, then used War Thunder Advance to break its guard. He did not overpower it instantly. He used enough strength to show capability without revealing hidden depth.
The final captain attempted to force a sacrifice situation: one allied unit trapped, command post exposed.
The obvious solution was to abandon the trapped unit and defend the post.
The scenario likely expected commanders to choose.
Qin Yuheng chose a third path.
He ordered the distrustful unit—now partially trusting—to delay the captain for ten breaths while he used Thunder Shadow Flash to break the trap mechanism. The central unit protected the post.
Risky.
But timed.
The trapped unit survived.
The command post held.
The final captain fell.
Scenario complete.
[Result]
Command Post: Preserved
Allied Units Preserved: 6 / 6
Enemy Captains Defeated: 3 / 3
Command Aura Control: Stable
Forced Sacrifice Avoided
Evaluation: Excellent
The arena remained silent for a breath.
Then murmurs spread.
"He preserved all six."
"He did not use full banner skill."
"Commander-type, but not domineering."
"His timing is too clean."
Han Zhaolie smiled openly.
Yu Qingmei’s expression remained calm, but her eyes carried pride.
Qin Yuheng stepped out.
Duan Xirong looked slightly dissatisfied.
"That was not a real fight."
Qin Yuheng replied, "It was a combat demonstration."
"Commanders always hide behind units?"
Qin Mo’s face darkened.
But Qin Yuheng only looked at Duan Xirong.
"A commander who cannot fight is fragile. A fighter who cannot command is limited. The arena tested one part."
Duan Xirong smiled sharply.
"Then perhaps free challenge ranking will test the other."
"Perhaps."
The first day continued.
Zhao Tianyu’s demonstration came near the end.
His scenario tested blood control under provocation. It was clearly selected due to his recent contamination history.
Some candidates whispered.
Zhao Tianyu entered with a hard expression.
The arena created beast enemies that grew stronger when struck with excessive blood aura. It also created illusions of Qin Yuheng defeating him.
Cruel.
But effective.
Zhao Tianyu nearly lost control twice.
Then he stopped.
He forcibly suppressed his Crimson Beast Champion aura and fought with physical technique instead of raw blood power. It was less impressive than his peak strength, but cleaner.
He cleared the scenario with a "Good" evaluation.
Not excellent.
But for him, it was progress.
When he returned, Zhao Lan’s eyes were faintly red in the observer seats.
Zhao Tianyu avoided looking at her.
Qin Yuheng gave him a slight nod.
Zhao Tianyu looked away.
But he did not lash out.
That too was progress.
That night, the assembly released the first-day highlights.
Qin Yuheng’s name rose sharply in private rankings.
But so did the danger around him.
Mo Cangyan read the report from his hidden residence.
"Control under tailored scenario. Forced sacrifice avoided. Command aura restrained."
He smiled.
"Good. Very good."
Xue Rong asked, "Should we prepare interference during the Team Strategy Trial?"
"No," Mo Cangyan said. "Let the assembly test him. We learn more when others believe they are the ones applying pressure."
He placed Qin Yuheng’s report beside Jiang Yuexuan’s.
"Also watch the Jiang girl."
Xue Rong looked surprised.
"Her?"
"She sees too much." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Mo Cangyan’s fingers tapped the table.
"Keys are dangerous. So are those who recognize locks."
