Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

The following day, the Yunqi Martial Arts Examination officially commenced.

As a major military event held every five years, the examination not only tests overall combat capabilities but is also a direct key to selecting new elite guards.

Only those who perform exceptionally well are eligible for promotion to the rank of Valiant Guard. Those who excel in the martial arts examination are promoted directly.

Countless Cloud Cavalrymen were eager to participate, and the viewing platform was packed with people. General Shafeng and the active-duty Guards were both present.

Not long after the examination began, exceptionally powerful individuals emerged one after another on the arenas of each division.

The most eye-catching of them all was a woman dressed in light armor, with long, icy-colored hair tied in a high ponytail with blue satin.

She possesses a cool and aloof demeanor, reminiscent of a celestial being untouched by worldly concerns.

Of course, her outstanding appearance and temperament are not the main reasons why she attracts so much attention.

In martial arts competitions and assessments, martial prowess is ultimately the most respected.

Jingliu has demonstrated astonishing dominance since the very first match of the preliminary rounds.

There was no probing, no fighting.

Before her opponent could even see when her sword was drawn, she was knocked off the ring by the spine of the blade.

"It's too fast... I can't react at all!"

"Whose subordinate is that? I've never heard of him before?"

"You're obviously a new recruit. That's a personal disciple of Lord Zhi Mu of the Cloud Cavalry Guard. It's said that he fell into a deep sleep after that relief battle and only recently awoke..."

"I see."

In a few decades, many faces will have come and gone within the Cloud Cavalry Army.

Amidst the discussions, Jingliu continued its rapid advance.

Whether they are veterans skilled in close combat or elite soldiers proficient in weaponry, they cannot withstand more than a few moves from her.

After leaving the battlefield to spar with her comrades, those few who remembered her were all impressed.

It turns out that she has always exuded such a sharp and intimidating aura.

This grand martial arts competition lasted for many days, until the finals, and no one was able to push the limits of the Mirror Style.

The longest fight lasted only a few dozen rounds, less than a minute.

"As expected of a descendant of the Qi family, he is truly skilled at training his disciples."

At the highest point of the viewing platform, Sha Feng's eyes flashed with approval as he smiled at Qi Zhimu beside him.

"It's hard to imagine what kind of strength Jingliu would have now if he hadn't been asleep for those decades."

Qi Zhimu shook his head slightly, his expression unchanged.

The final is about to begin, and Jingliu and his opponent take the stage together.

Standing opposite Jingliu was Qin Huaimin, another favorite to win the championship.

This person not only has outstanding military achievements, but is also rumored to have cultivated true qi through the dantian, making him extremely powerful.

Similar to Jingliu, he also fought his way to the finals.

Please enlighten me.

Qin Huaimin held a long sword in his hand, his expression solemn.

He had watched all of Jingliu's previous matches and knew all too well the formidable strength of his comrade before him.

"please."

Jingliu casually drew the Cloud Cavalry's standard heavy sword and held it with one hand.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Qin Huaimin was enveloped in sword intent, his heavy sword wielded with impenetrable precision, accurately blocking Jing Liu's lightning-fast thrust.

The two figures intertwined, and the clanging of metal against metal was as dense as a sudden rainstorm.

Before anyone knew it, the bluestone slabs on the arena shattered inch by inch, and sword energy overflowed everywhere.

Qin Huaimin grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. His once-proud and invincible swordsmanship was now completely overwhelmed by Jing Liu's ferocious attacks.

After dozens of rounds, he narrowed his eyes, decisively withdrew, and took to the air on his sword, his true energy surging violently.

Before Jingliu could pursue, an ancient sword intent with an astonishing sense of oppression rapidly spread out.

"Use your heart as a sheath to nurture your sharp sword!"

The heavy sword in Qin Huaimin's hand seemed to come alive, its sword intent and true energy perfectly fused together, and the Heavenly Gate opened, with a huge ancient sword covering the entire arena crashing down.

On the viewing platform, several guards suddenly stood up.

"The Void Sword Form?!"

"Qin Huaimin actually mastered it. You should know that his father practiced this move for a full two hundred years."

"It seems the battle is over; I'm afraid Mirror Stream can't hold them off."

"Not necessarily," she said, her expression remaining calm.

"...Actually, she always had this expression..."

Discussions rose and fell, and whether or not they recognized the move, the Cloud Cavalry present were all shocked.

Qi Zhimu sat next to Sha Feng, his expression calm, but his eyes were fixed on his disciple's back.

Above the arena, Qin Huaimin changed the sword techniques in his hands.

"Three feet of water can cut through the clouds!"

The giant sword crashed down, compressing the air and creating a piercing whistling sound.

Jingliu raised his head, his eyes showing no fear, only his usual coldness. With a flick of his wrist, he raised his ordinary standard-issue longsword to meet the attack.

click-

Ultimately, even the finest iron could not withstand the power of the Void Sword Qi; the longsword shattered inch by inch the moment it touched the giant sword.

Boom!!!

The greatsword, its momentum undiminished, slammed heavily onto the arena.

The entire arena was instantly reduced to ruins, as if it had been struck head-on by a falling meteorite.

A terrifying shockwave erupted, filling the sky with smoke and dust, and sending shards of rock flying in all directions like bullets.

"I didn't expect the final to end so quickly..."

Some people sighed, believing that Jingliu had been defeated and even seriously injured.

However, when the smoke cleared, countless spectators were left speechless, as if their throats were being choked.

In the center of the ruins, countless flying swords formed a huge spherical sword array, firmly blocking the seemingly invincible Tai Xu sword energy on the outside.

The sword formation slowly dispersed, revealing Mirror Flow standing alone and unharmed within.

One, two... a hundred...

Many people became increasingly alarmed as they counted the numbers.

"Six hundred?!"

A veteran Yunqi cried out in surprise.

"Good heavens! She can actually control six hundred flying swords, and her divine sense didn't collapse from the immense strain?!"

"...You're blind. Can't you see that Jingliu is one of the very few lucky ones who have cultivated true qi?"

"You can't envy it. It really depends on talent. Some people can't achieve it even in their entire lives. What can you do?"

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Jingliu remained calm, his gaze unwavering.

Qin Huaimin, however, had a solemn expression on his face.

He also cultivated true qi, but now controlling two hundred flying swords is his limit.

Even with the enhancement of the Void Sword Form, it's impossible to achieve the Mirror Flow style right now.

The outcome was still undecided, but Qin Huaimin showed no fear. He shrugged and summoned two hundred flying swords.

With a thought, Jing Liu sent six hundred flying swords that transformed into streams of light, pouring towards Qin Huaimin.

Qin Huaimin tried to resist, but the numbers were too overwhelming, and his flying sword was quickly smashed to pieces.

Just three rounds later.

When a sword light stopped three inches in front of Qin Huaimin's brow, a helpless bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I lost."

After a brief silence, the explosive cheers nearly lifted the dome of the training ground.

"Six hundred flying swords, that's terrifying. I'm afraid many veteran guards don't have that kind of strength."

"If your disciple is this powerful, how strong must Master Zhimu be now?"

"In that war decades ago, Lord Zhimu was the one who annihilated the most evil beings, don't you think?"

"..."

Amidst the murmurs of the spectators, General Shafeng rose from the viewing platform with a loud laugh, his voice echoing throughout the entire arena.

"I hereby announce that Jing Liu, the winner of the 427th Yunqi Martial Arts Examination, is hereby promoted to Yunqi Valiant Guard, effective immediately."

Under the spotlight, he was showered with glory.

Amidst the deafening cheers, Jingliu seemed detached from the situation.

She didn't look at the cheering crowd, but only bowed her head to the general before immediately turning her head to look at the figure beside her.

When their eyes met, a glint flashed in her own.

There is anticipation, longing, and the yearning of a child waiting for praise from their parents after getting a perfect score.

But Qi Zhimu's face remained expressionless.