The first round of free hunting has ended.
To be precise, all the monsters, demons, and specters within a hundred li have been cleared out—over a thousand martial prodigies have slain a vast number of monsters and specters. Throughout this process, some were high‑spirited, some were bold and unrestrained, and some were quietly sorrowful; all manner of expressions appeared, reflecting the myriad states of the world.
With no monsters, demons, or specters left—and the time limit reached—the round concludes.
Buzz! Buzz!
Each recording device vibrates softly.
The pendant, worth tens of millions of Sinoveran credits, contains a finely crafted recording device, able to withstand heavy impacts.
Moreover, everyone takes care to protect their pendant; except for a few cases where it was damaged or shattered, most martial prodigies still wear theirs.
......
Within the mountain forest.
Seven or eight Martial Arts Program students, previously hidden behind the thicket, now stand up with relief: "The recorder vibrated—it’s over."
Fragments of shattered stone tumbled down below.
Ethan Chen, expressionless, let out a faint, nameless sigh, then slowly rose to his feet and gazed toward the distant gathering point. "If I can't take first place, what's the point?"
He vaguely understood.
The first round of free hunting offered greater freedom, with few restrictions, allowing one's martial tier to shine fully.
But the second round would be a campaign of siege and assault!
If the advance information was accurate, then the second round of the Peerless Prodigy Battle should be a planned blitz assault, aiming to destroy a Demon lair.
"So be it."
"Let's go back."
Ethan Chen stopped thinking about it and headed for the forest, the other disciples trailing behind. Yet one disciple remained rooted in place, staring blankly at the soft dusk light.
Huh?
Ethan Chen turned and looked over. "Zuo Su?"
"Sorry." The disciple named Zuo Su hurriedly shook his head and climbed down from the rocks. "I was just spacing out—maybe missing the sect a little."
Hmph.
Ethan Chen scrutinized him for a moment and snorted.
Without further delay, they all returned together to the Peerless Prodigy Battle's gathering point, as did the others.
......
On a circular platform about ten meters high, General Meng stood tall.
He wore brown battle armor, his piercing eyes like those of an eagle as he swept his gaze over the many martial prodigies below.
"I hereby announce,"
"The first round of free hunting is officially over!" General Meng pointed to the massive screen beside him. "The leaderboard lists only the top three hundred—observe for yourselves."
His voice boomed, penetrating layer upon layer of air.
The golden dusk sunlight illuminated patches of the area.
In this instant, every gaze converged on the giant LCD screen—even the proudest martial prodigies wore solemn expressions.
Hua!
As the rankings appeared, the entire field fell into dead silence.
It was as if a tsunami was about to overturn the world, crashing down on everyone's hearts, freezing expressions and actions in place.
......
Gulp.
Someone swallowed hard, trembling as they pointed at the top of the screen: "Andrew Han is first? Andrew Han from Southland University's Martial Arts Program is actually first?"
"Terrifying."
"Li Gang is in second place. Look at the score difference—just one point separates them! Andrew Han leads Li Gang by a single point!"
......
"Andrew Han?"
"He actually took first place?"
Leo Liu of Empire Academy stared blankly at the top of the massive screen, seemingly forgetting his own ranking—his vision filled only with the name Andrew Han.
His lips twitched twice.
He narrowed his eyes and said nothing further, simply bowing his head in silence.
Even among the Peerless, there are levels of strength!
It was obvious: among the era's three Peerless, Leo Liu was currently the weakest... But in truth, Leo Liu was far from weak—given three to five more years, he could rival someone like Jason Jiang.
But—
Andrew Han was simply too strong.
Jason Jiang, who deeply felt this fact, ranked sixth even with the full support of Sacred Spring Sect disciples. His gaze was dim, and he felt a rare loneliness.
"I'm only sixth."
"But Andrew Han can be first? There have been few Peerless in history as terrifying as this." Jason Jiang couldn't help but click his tongue, his heart trembling.
It's well known that the more a person's physique, will, and spirit align with the Three Martial Realms, the more talented they are in martial cultivation.
According to the standards of sect disciples: a 'one-in-ten-thousand' martial talent.
Anyone called a 'one-in-ten-thousand' genius possesses remarkable martial aptitude—even among sects, such talents are rare. They are certain to achieve Martial Artist Realm, and reaching Martial General Realm is not difficult.
Above that are the extreme talents.
For example, Ethan Chen of Red Lake Mist Sect, Chloe Ling the Second Coiled Dragon, and Li Gang the strongest Hidden Dragon—all are extreme talents. Their Internal Power is immense; aside from technique and Inspiration, they differ little from Peerless.
But Peerless is the absolute peak.
Nothing more can be added, no further progress can be made—these traits perfectly describe Peerless. Across a thousand years of martial history, Peerless has always stood above all.
There's no way around it.
Whether it's physical constitution, Internal Power foundation, martial insight, or Inspiration deep in the mind, Peerless has reached the utmost summit—it's simply impossible to be stronger.
Because this is the highest peak within the martial arts domain!
"Big brother."
"Are you still Peerless?" Chloe Ling tugged at her pale pink skirt, her innocent eyes wide, tilting her head as she curiously transmitted to Andrew Han: "Why are you so strong?"
Hm?
Still selling cuteness?
Clad in his jet-black windbreaker, Andrew Han's expression was calm: "Aren't you desperate?"
"What?"
Chloe Ling blinked twice.
The surrounding martial prodigies, witnessing the exchange between Andrew Han and Chloe Ling, couldn't help but cast various glances their way.
Some were envious, some jealous; some admired, some dreamed; and some simply remained silent.
But regardless—
All the prodigies involuntarily stepped back a few paces, forming a circle of emptiness, leaving Andrew Han and Chloe Ling standing out like cranes among chickens.
The next moment—
"Why are you still acting cute?" Andrew Han sighed. "Sis, you’re already twenty-three, yet you’re not even one meter fifty tall. Doesn’t that bother you? Aren’t you desperate? How can you not have a single worry?"
"???"
Chloe Ling's expression froze.