Chapter 1 The Battle Begins

Xu Jingming clicked to enter the combat space and saw his four teammates; across from them were five opponents.

"Little Xu." A middle-aged man with short hair looked at Xu Jingming with a smile.

"Senior Brother Dong," Xu Jingming said politely. The middle-aged man before him was none other than the master of the Twin Deceitful Blades, Dong Xu, also a disciple under Master Liu Hai, but much older than him.

"Our team is truly dazzling. Old Brother Dong Xu, and Jingming, you two are veterans of the martial arts arena." The chubby Panda Zhang Qian, as the number one internet celebrity in the fighting domain, had extensive connections. "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion in two weight classes. Not to mention Wang Yi, the goddess of our archery world."

"Hello everyone." Wang Yi smiled, economical with words.

"I haven't played much martial arts fighting, so please forgive me," said boxing champion Wu Sai, a burly man, smiling. "My weapons are twin shields! It's easier for us boxers to get started with twin shields. I'll be at the front to withstand the opponent's attacks."

"I'll use the Three-Point Double-Edged Blade, that's what I'm most confident with," said Panda Zhang Qian. "And I'll bring some hidden weapons."

"Twin blades and hidden weapons," said Master Dong Xu.

"Spear and twin shields," said Xu Jingming.

"Bow and arrow," said Wang Yi.

Panda Zhang Qian was overjoyed. "Great, Jingming and Wu Sai both use shields, so our team's defense will be much stronger, especially since the other side has Hercules Gao Chong."

"Gao Chong!" Xu Jingming, Dong Xu, Wang Yi, and Wu Sai all became serious.

They could now see the five opponents, and the one they were most concerned about was Hercules Gao Chong, because he was a former champion of the World Martial Arts Competition! The Martial Arts Alliance had bestowed upon him the title of 'Hercules'.

"Please have one member select their weapon and equipment first," a virtual game voice announced.

"The selection of weapons is sequential," Panda Zhang Qian explained. "One of us chooses, then two from the other side. Then two more of us choose, and two more from the other side. Finally, the last two of us choose, and the other side has only one left... because both sides can see each other's weapons and equipment, you can choose weapons and equipment that counter them."

"I'll go first, I only know how to use twin shields." Boxing champion Wu Sai quickly donned a suit of armor and held twin shields.

...

In the Xia country's official livestream, the number of viewers soared as the match began.

"Already three hundred and eighty million, and still rising. There are so many people watching," Xu Hong exclaimed.

"Both sides are selecting weapons and equipment," said the host Liu Xin on the commentary platform. "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion in two weight classes. His footwork, dodging, and heavy punches are all famous. He chose twin shields first! On the other side, 'Hercules' Gao Chong and 'Blood Axe' Wang Qiao have also chosen their weapons and equipment respectively."

"Gao Chong has chosen heavy armor, estimated to weigh at least 300 kilograms," head coach Huang Yong exclaimed. "Even in the virtual world, where everyone's bodies have evolved, wearing 300 kilograms of heavy armor is still a considerable burden."

"Gao Chong won first place in the 22nd World Martial Arts Competition! Famous for his immense strength. Looking at his physique, which is even more robust and powerful than in reality, he must have trained in the *Giant Bear Evolution Method*, which is famous for its strength. His power should reach an even more terrifying level," Qin Yiwen exclaimed. "Combined with his spear skills, he poses a very high threat."

"Blood Axe Wang Qiao, first appeared in the 12th World Martial Arts Competition, and in the 15th World Martial Arts Competition, he won second place," Huang Yong continued.

"The last contestant, the ninety-seven-year-old senior 'Liu Jianfeng' has chosen a sword? He's the only one among the ten who has only chosen a sword. Even the Goddess of War Sun Yuting uses a shield and sword combination. In cold weapon combat, a single-handed sword is still at a disadvantage," Liu Xin said in surprise, then added, "Alright, now all five members on both sides have finished choosing their weapons and equipment. Coaches, which side do you favor?"

"The team on the left," Huang Yong said. "Goddess of War Sun Yuting and Blood Axe Wang Qiao both use a shield in one hand and an offensive weapon in the other, suitable for frontal attacks. And there's Hercules Huang Chong charging forward! Senior Liu Jianfeng and Miao Blade Woman Lian Shuang are both good at agility and speed and can carry out sneak attacks and assassinations. Of course, most importantly... I'm very optimistic about Huang Chong!"

"I favor the team on the right because the team on the right has our god archer, the only god archer among these ten," Qin Yiwen said. "Boxing champion Wu Sai and Spear Demon Xu Jingming are both equipped with twin shields. Xu Jingming has also used twin shields in the World Martial Arts arena."

"His twin shields were taught by his master Liu Hai after he joined the national team. He has a high talent for shield techniques. He has also used twin shields to defeat opponents in the World Martial Arts Competition, so he is quite skilled," Huang Yong also said.

"Two people using twin shields to protect the god archer. The god archer can unleash his full potential," Qin Yiwen said. "I favor the team on the right in this battle."

...

"Grandson, go for it," shouted Old Man Xu, full of enthusiasm.

"They always praise that Gao Chong, but they don't say much about Jingming," Xu's mother said.

"Among these ten people, Gao Chong's strength should be the strongest," Xu's father, also an insider, commented. "His matches were really beautiful. Other people need all sorts of competitive intelligence to fight, but he just charges head-on without dodging at all! In the end, he forced his way to become number one in the world. When Gao Chong retired, Master Liu Hai once commented that in the Xia country's martial arts circle, in terms of the spear's domineering power... Gao Chong is number one!"

"Don't boost others' morale!" Old Man Xu glared. "Giving up before it even starts? In competitions, the most important thing is one word: fight!"

Xu Hong immediately smiled and said, "Dad, you're right. Jingming's leg injury has healed, and he also has the strength to challenge for the world number one spot. At least he can go toe-to-toe with Gao Chong."

"Hmm." Old Man Xu looked at the combat space. "What I'm most curious about is that old man named Liu Jianfeng, ninety-seven years old, and a god-level on his first day."

"Uncle, do you know this senior Liu Jianfeng?" Li Miaomiao asked.

"I've traveled all over the world, and I've also visited various schools in the country, but I really don't recognize him," Xu Hong said. "But with the surname Liu... the Liu family of Jibei Cang County, the hometown of Jingming's master 'Liu Hai', all practice martial arts. There are many with the surname Liu."

"The battle has begun!" Li Miaomiao looked at the combat space.

"Virtual world, our Xia country's first god-level battle, now begins," host Liu Xin said in a high-pitched voice. "The map for this battle is a small town map."

*******

Ancient town, drizzling rain.

Ten people, scattered and descended in various parts of the town.

Xu Jingming, wearing dark red light body armor, holding a long spear and carrying twin shields on his back, appeared on the second floor of a tavern.

"The Miao Blade Woman Lian Shuang and senior Liu Jianfeng on the other side should be good at assassination. We must gather first to protect our god archer," Panda Zhang Qian said through the internal voice communication. "Of course, Old Brother Dong Xu can act alone."

"Okay."

The five members of the team had no objections.

Through the internal map, they could clearly know the location of their teammates.

"Whoosh." Xu Jingming walked down the tavern stairs, exited from the back door. Outside, fine rain fell on his face, very refreshing. Xu Jingming carefully walked along the wall, listening carefully to all movements.

On the other side.

'Deceitful Twin Blades' Master Dong Xu, lean and wiry, practiced the *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method*. Wearing leather armor, his figure was ghostly as he moved through the alleyways, searching for prey.

...

The five members of the other team had also reached a consensus long ago.

"Senior Brother Wang Qiao, Sun Yuting, you two gather with me first. Lian Shuang and Old Man Liu Jianfeng, you act freely, it's best if you can kill the god archer at the start of the battle," Hercules Gao Chong said through the team's voice communication.

"At the start of the battle, everyone is scattered in various parts of the town, it's the best opportunity to assassinate the god archer." Miao Blade Woman Lian Shuang's figure was blurred, and she whooshed onto the roof, walking cautiously, searching for her target from above.

Old Man Liu Jianfeng, small and thin as a monkey, with his sword at his waist, turned around a few times and disappeared into the town.

"So fast!"

In the livestream, host Liu Xin, commentators Huang Yong, and Qin Yiwen all noticed Old Man Liu Jianfeng. Huang Yong even said, "The teams on both sides, Dong Xu, Lian Shuang, and Old Man Liu Jianfeng, all three of them should be good at agility and speed, but it's clear that... Old Man Liu Jianfeng is the fastest and most agile."

Whoosh whoosh whoosh.

Old Man Liu Jianfeng moved through the town, sometimes stopping to look around. Once he acted, he would dart a long distance, disappearing into an alleyway in a few steps.

Liu Jianfeng suddenly stopped, his ears twitching. He cautiously walked into the inn beside him, entered a room in the inn, and secretly watched by the window. He saw a figure not far away carefully moving forward, it was Xu Jingming.

"Old Man Liu Jianfeng has discovered Spear Demon Xu Jingming!" Huang Yong shouted. "Xu Jingming is still unaware, he's in danger!"