Chapter 1232: Trap

This was likely the most traditional military competition.

"We will compete in these three events. It's a best-of-three series, meaning whichever side's elite participant wins two of the three events will be declared the victor.

If your City Guard wins this challenge, I will immediately persuade the Prince to lead his team back home.

We will not set foot within Xuanyuan Imperial City without an imperial summons!

However, if we win, please clear a path and allow us to enter Xuanyuan Imperial City. Should His Majesty the Emperor or the First Prince truly hold you accountable afterward, we have ways to help you bear that responsibility.”

This certainly sounded like a perfect outcome.

The Centurion agreed without hesitation: "No problem. Competing against us in endurance, strength, and combat skills feels quite fair."

As soon as the Centurion finished speaking, he called out three names from the ranks, and three large men quickly stepped to the front of the formation. "For the first round, we will compete in combat skills.

The warrior I've chosen is the most formidable fighter in the entire City Guard. As you just stated, though you are cultivators, you cannot use any powers from the cultivation world. This will be a test of pure physical strength. Whichever combatant falls first within the designated area loses, and the other wins! There is only one match, and I hope both sides will give their best.”

As the Centurion finished, Xu Yang turned to Arno, the leader of the Eight Gates team, and gave him a look.

Originally, Blood Blade, the female assassin, wanted to step forward, as she possessed a strong desire to fight. However, Xu Yang decisively refused her. After all, their opponent was a large man, and sending a young woman into the fray would seem somewhat inappropriate.

As expected, the hulking Arno did not hesitate, immediately casting aside his twin battle-axes.

While he wasn't particularly outstanding in close-quarters combat, he primarily relied on his cultivation foundation and the weapons in his hands to demonstrate his power.

Yet, since Xu Yang needed him to participate, he naturally didn't hesitate further.

"Boss," Arno said, "my close-combat ability is strong, but it's more focused on defense. I'm not particularly skilled in these types of military-style fighting techniques. Still, I will give my all. If I lose, I hope we can turn the tide in the next two rounds."

Arno made his point clear, and Xu Yang simply nodded with a slight smile.

"Don't feel any pressure," Xu Yang replied. "After all, we still have two more chances!"

In reality, Xu Yang was using this method, sending in someone who wasn't particularly skilled in close combat.

If Xu Yang truly wanted to win this fight, he only needed to step in himself, and there would be no chance of failure.

However, he still sent Arno, intending to give the opposing side a taste of victory.

As expected, the two sides engaged in an intense physical struggle within the designated ten-meter circular area. The opponent displayed a continuous array of techniques, leaving Arno unable to counter effectively.

Although he kept his arms up in a defensive posture, forcing his opponent to exert considerable effort, Arno was almost completely outmatched in terms of technique because he couldn't use his cultivation base.

Predictably, he was eventually knocked down by a sweeping leg kick from his opponent. Arno shook his head helplessly and returned to his side. In contrast, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the City Guard's formation. From their perspective, they only needed to win one more of the next two rounds to secure an easy victory.

Little did they know, they had just fallen into a trap set by Xu Yang.

"For the second round, we'll compete in speed. You'd best send your fastest runner, otherwise, you won't stand a chance in this fight!

Because the warrior I'm sending is known throughout the Central Region for his incredible speed."

Xu Yang laughed heartily. "Just a mere five hundred meters. As long as my warrior reaches the finish line first without using any cultivation power, he wins."

The Centurion laughed loudly, "I'll give you an advantage. As long as any of your people can reach the five-hundred-meter finish line before my warrior, you win, regardless of what tools you use to help you. It'll still count as your victory."

Hearing the Centurion's arrogant words, Little White immediately volunteered, stepping before Xu Yang and his group.

"Haha, Boss, if you let me carry one of you, we're sure to win, right?"

Xu Yang gently shook his head. "Don't worry. While you are strong enough, purely on foot speed, you definitely wouldn't be able to outrun that guy over a mere five hundred meters."

Little did they know, Xu Yang had already seen through the true secret of this so-called fastest runner.

The bones inside his feet had been modified. In other words, this individual's physical body had undergone a transformation. While an ordinary person running 500 meters, no matter how fast, would still have a limit, this guy could practically cover vast distances in an instant!

Competing against him in a conventional manner would offer no chance of victory.

However, none of this deviated from Xu Yang's plan. He fixed his gaze on the Little Scout.

As expected, with just a glance from Xu Yang, Little Hua, who knew him best, immediately understood his intention.

He wanted to try the method they had used before!

The Little Scout also looked bewildered. "Boss, you know best how slow I am. How can my short legs possibly compete with them?"

Xu Yang burst into laughter. "You may be slow at running, but you're fast at flying! Have you forgotten how you cleared the dungeon formation in Falling City before?"

Indeed, upon hearing this, the entire Eight Gates team burst into laughter.

"In that case, we are 100% guaranteed to win this fight!"

Soon, the Little Scout and the fastest military warrior stood at the same starting line.

The Centurion personally gave the command, and with a shout, the warrior shot out from the starting line like an arrow.

However, the Little Scout remained motionless. Five hundred meters was not a long distance, and judging by the opponent's demonstrated speed, he should be able to cover the entire 500 meters in less than ten seconds.

Yet, ten seconds felt incredibly long for Xu Yang's team.

As expected, Little Hua suddenly launched herself forward and kicked the Little Scout.

The small figure let out a cry and then shot toward the five-hundred-meter finish line like a streak of light. In essence, he was a human cannonball at that moment. But who among the City Guard could have imagined that this youngster would win in such a manner?

For an ordinary person, a kick of such force would have at least crippled them, if not killed them.

However, when the Little Scout tumbled to the finish line, he dusted himself off and returned to normal, utterly astounding the thousand City Guard warriors.

"My heavens, what is that kid's body made of? He can withstand such immense force completely unharmed!

More importantly, he didn't use any cultivation-world power or techniques to protect himself, so he didn't break any rules. It seems we've truly been outmaneuvered this time. We concede!"