Today's final batch of contestants was without a doubt the most exciting. The top scorer, Evan Chu, and the runner-up, Aiden Ying, had yet to take the stage. By the time Evan arrived at the trial site, a crowd was already waiting for him.
Everyone was buzzing about who would take first place this round. Some said Evan Chu, since he’d already claimed first in the previous trial.
Others argued Aiden Ying was the real favorite, since Evan was only at the Earth Martial Realm while Aiden had already reached the Heaven Martial Realm—a gap you couldn’t just ignore.
Evan’s arrival sent a jolt through the crowd—some were jealous, some hostile, and a few even looked up to him.
"Kid, after today, let’s see how you die. If you manage to land in the top three, maybe you’ll have a shot at surviving." sneered the youth who’d been with Aiden Ying on the first day, striding over.
Aiden Ying was right beside him. Evan glanced at the youth and replied, "If you want my life, come and take it—just make sure you’re qualified."
"You’ve got guts, kid. Remember what you said! Anyone who offends me, Aiden Ying, ends up with only one fate!" Aiden declared.
"Oh, I’m so scared!" Evan put on an exaggerated look of terror.
Then he added, "Let’s go. No idea what’s wrong lately, but wherever I go there’s always some mad dog barking away!"
Evan strode off without a backward glance, completely ignoring Aiden and his lackey. Aiden’s face turned so dark it looked like he could wring water from it, his killing intent boiling with nowhere to vent.
"Logan Zhao’s in trouble now. He actually dared to cross the number one troublemaker in the Royal Capital. He’s bound to get payback after this trial ends," someone whispered.
"Not necessarily. If he manages to place in the top three this time, he’ll become a Royal Capital Guard. Even Aiden Ying wouldn’t be able to touch him then," another replied.
"Top three? With his Earth Martial Realm cultivation, not a chance. If he even makes the top hundred, he’s a genius already."
......
Rowena Luo didn’t leave. She glared at Aiden Ying and said, "If you dare lay a finger on him, I won’t let you off."
Aiden hadn’t paid much attention to the youth with Evan before, but as soon as she spoke, he caught sight of a face that was both unfamiliar and strangely familiar—and suddenly realized who she was.
"Rowena Luo, what are you doing here? You actually came to sign up for the Royal Capital Guard? You’ve got guts! Want me to tell your father and get you dragged out of here?" Aiden grinned.
"Go ahead and try. You think my dad doesn’t know I’m here? Don’t make me angry—you know my temper. There’s no one in the Royal Capital I’m afraid of," Rowena shot back.
Aiden’s face darkened and he swallowed his words. When it came to this girl, there was nothing he could do—and the real reason was her father, General Roland Lowell, the Heavenly Dragon Kingdom’s Great General and a Divine Martial Realm powerhouse.
"Lin-mei, why do you have to go against Brother Ying? What good does it do to hang around with that guy? You’re just hurting your relationship with us," said the youth beside Aiden.
"Ryan Luo, quit talking crap. Mind your own business—was last time’s lesson too gentle? I don’t mind leaving you with an even deeper impression," Rowena snapped.
"Let’s go, Ryan," Aiden Ying said, turning and walking away.
"Brother Ying, you really plan to let that guy go?" Ryan asked.
"Let him go? If Rowena weren’t here, maybe I’d consider it. But now, no way. How could I let my woman be touched by another guy? Just for that, he has to die.
And that stubborn brat Rowena—I’ll make sure she learns her lesson. If I don’t make her beg for mercy, I’m not Aiden Ying." His eyes blazed with fury.
"My cousin’s been spoiled since childhood, but she’s got real talent. I can’t do a thing with her—maybe it’s time she suffered a bit," Ryan grumbled.
"The trial’s about to start. Today, I’ll show everyone what a real genius looks like. Getting injured by a bit of rebound force and coughing up blood—what a disgrace!"
"No doubt about it. If Brother Ying can’t take first, then nobody can," Ryan laughed.
Ryan’s bootlicking was shameless, but Aiden was clearly enjoying it.
By now, almost everyone had arrived at the training field. General Roland Lowell appeared alongside dozens of Royal Capital Guards, drawing everyone’s attention.
"Today, it’s the final group for the Second Trial. This group includes the first and second place winners from the First Trial—everyone’s dying to see how they’ll perform. Who will take first this time? Let’s wait and see.
One more thing—if the top three finishers in this trial were also top three in the First Trial, they’ll be promoted straight to Royal Capital Guard and skip the Third Trial. Whether these two can go straight through is what everyone’s waiting for. Now, let the trial begin!" General Roland Lowell announced, his voice clear and carrying to every ear.
"Brother Long, when’s your turn?" Gavin Wei whispered.
"I’m in the middle. What’s your rush?" Logan Zhao shot him a look.
"No rush—I just want to see if you can win a direct promotion. The General’s words fired everyone up," Gavin grinned.
"Promotion? Not for me. But that guy’s got a shot—he’s a Heaven Martial Realm expert, way stronger than me. Don’t expect too much from me," Logan laughed. Gavin really did see him as some kind of top contender.
The first contestant stepped up. With everyone now experienced, they unleashed their strongest attack right away. Even though the rebound force left them injured, it earned the best results.
As the bell kept ringing, most people attacked once and left the field—much faster than the previous two days.
One person lasted over fifty seconds; most others clocked in between thirty-eight and forty-two seconds.
Time flew, and the contestants cycled quickly. Before long, it was Logan Zhao’s turn, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Go, Brother Long! You’ve got this!" Gavin shouted encouragement.
Logan nodded and slowly walked to a spot about ten meters from the bell. The crowd fell silent, puzzled by his choice of distance, watching the reigning champion’s every move.
Logan had a plan. He wanted to test the power of merging Heart-Sword and attack. If he could maintain the bell’s sound for over forty-five seconds, he’d use Heart-Sword for the strike—he wasn’t concerned about being first.
Logan closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and rapidly circulated Chaos Qi through his body. After about half a minute, his eyes snapped open and both hands flicked out at once—two invisible sword-qi streams shot toward the bell...