In the martial arts arena of the Prefect's Mansion, the preliminary assessment was nearing its end.

The dozens of participants at the peak of the Sea Transformation Realm had already shown their strongest abilities.

Kang Jing and Kang Xuan, the two brothers, stood together.

"Xiao Xuan, well done," Kang Jing said.

Kang Xuan smiled, "Among those participating in the preliminary assessment, only six performed better than me, including you, big brother. Plus, the three who had already passed the first level of the Crimson Dragon Tower and secured their spots, there are only nine. I am just the tenth!"

Even though he was at the bottom, as long as he could pass the preliminary assessment and go to the Imperial Capital Hunt with his brother, he was content.

At this moment, the steward of the Prefect's Mansion began announcing the results.

"Kang Jing, Tang Feng, Guan Yue..." The steward read out six names in succession.

These six names were the ones who performed the best in the preliminary assessment.

"Next, it's my turn," Kang Xuan secretly anticipated.

But after reading the six names, the steward paused and then said, "Congratulations to the six of you for securing a spot in the Imperial Capital Hunt. As for the rest, come back in five years."

"What?" Kang Xuan's expression changed instantly.

The others on the field were fine, as their performances didn't rank in the top ten anyway.

But Kang Xuan, according to his expectations, should have been the tenth, fully capable of securing a spot.

"What's going on? Why only six? Including the three from Dragon Blade, that's only nine. Who got the last spot?"

"Could it be Su Xin?"

Kang Xuan immediately thought of Su Xin.

Previously, Su Xin had been invited into the inner courtyard in front of everyone, just like Dragon Blade.

And during the preliminary assessment, Su Xin hadn't appeared...

"It must be him!!" A trace of anger flashed in Kang Xuan's eyes.

"Sir, this is unfair!"

Kang Xuan stepped forward and said in a low voice.

"What did you say?"

The one presiding over the preliminary assessment was the chief steward of the Prefect's Mansion, the most trusted and closest person to Prefect Wang. In terms of strength, he was a genuine Void Shattering Realm expert. Hearing Kang Xuan's words, his face immediately darkened.

"Sir, if I'm not mistaken, Su Xin, who was previously invited into the inner courtyard, also received a preliminary spot, right?" Kang Xuan asked.

"Yes," the chief steward nodded.

Seeing the chief steward admit it, Kang Xuan's anger flared, "Ridiculous, that Su Xin is merely at the Sea Transformation level. What right does he have to receive a hunting spot?"

His words immediately resonated with the majority present.

Initially, seeing Su Xin being invited into the inner courtyard ahead of time had already caused some dissatisfaction among them.

Who would have thought that Su Xin not only received different treatment but also secured a hunting spot like Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, and Ling Yu.

How could they accept this?

"Are you questioning the fairness of the Prefect's Mansion?" The chief steward's gaze turned cold, staring at Kang Xuan.

Being stared at by the chief steward, Kang Xuan felt a bit intimidated.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort suddenly rang out, and a figure landed beside the chief steward.

"Lord Yuan Qing." The chief steward immediately saluted the newcomer.

"Greetings, Lord Yuan Qing," everyone in the martial arts arena also saluted.

Yuan Qing coldly glanced at Kang Xuan and said, "Every time the Imperial Capital Hunt is held, the preliminary assessments that determine the hunting spots across the states and prefectures are under the supervision of our Crimson Dragon Tower. If you feel it's unfair, you can leave and never participate in future hunts."

"I, I..." Kang Xuan's body trembled slightly, unable to speak clearly.

"Shut up."

Standing beside him, Kang Jing also scolded, "With the supervision of the Crimson Dragon Tower, no one dares to act recklessly. Since Su Xin could secure a hunting spot in advance, there must be a reason. Don't say another word."

Kang Xuan dared not speak further.

At this time, Su Xin and the others, who had learned that the preliminary assessment had ended, also walked out from the inner courtyard.

"Young friend Su Xin."

Seeing Su Xin, Yuan Qing immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Supervisor Yuan Qing," Su Xin also greeted with a smile.

As for Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, and Ling Yu, who stood with Su Xin, they all saluted Yuan Qing first, but Yuan Qing only nodded slightly.

Although the three of them were considered talented for passing the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower before turning forty, in Yuan Qing's eyes, even if the three were combined, they wouldn't be as significant as a single finger of Su Xin.

"Brother Su Xin, let's spar here in the martial arts arena," Dragon Blade suggested.

"Alright," Su Xin nodded.

Soon, the four of them appeared in the martial arts arena.

The Sea Transformation peak participants who had gathered in the arena naturally made space.

"What's happening?"

"It's Dragon Blade and the others. Are they going to spar? Su Xin seems to be among them."

"No, judging by their positions, it seems Dragon Blade and the others are going to face Su Xin."

The Sea Transformation peak participants who came for the preliminary assessment were immediately intrigued.

They were curious about Su Xin's strength, who, despite only being at the Sea Transformation level, had secured a hunting spot in advance.

Initially, they thought Su Xin would face one of Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, or Ling Yu, but as the three drew their weapons, everyone was stunned.

"It's not one-on-one; it's one-on-three!"

"Su Xin alone is going to face Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, and Ling Yu all at once!"

"What a joke?"

Even Kang Jing and Kang Xuan widened their eyes.

Kang Xuan even wondered if Su Xin had lost his mind.

A mere Sea Transformation level, facing three top-tier experts who had passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower?

In reality, the reason for the one-against-three wasn't Su Xin's arrogance but Dragon Blade's suggestion.

Half a month ago, the gap between Su Xin and Dragon Blade was too vast.

Although Dragon Blade had improved over the past half month, he knew he was still far from being Su Xin's match. So when he learned in the east hall that Qiu Ze and Ling Yu also wanted to spar with Su Xin, he immediately suggested they team up.

Su Xin didn't refuse.

Thus, this scene unfolded.

"Brother Su Xin, be careful."

After all, with the three of them joining forces, Dragon Blade's confidence was noticeably higher.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

In an instant, the three attacked simultaneously.

Three powerful spiritual auras erupted. Judging by the aura alone, any one of them was far stronger than a typical Sea Transformation peak. Even more formidable were the techniques they employed...

Among them, Dragon Blade wielded a battle blade in each hand. His figure leaped out like a shooting arrow, the blades slicing through the void with a hint of intent, silently. As one blade struck, the other immediately followed.

Qiu Ze, with a burly figure like a small mountain, wielded a massive axe weighing hundreds of pounds. As the axe swung, it seemed to cleave mountains and seas, with an intent slicing through as it moved.

As for Ling Yu, she moved like a phantom, her sword thin as a cicada's wing, fluttering in the wind. Under the enhancement of intent, it darted towards Su Xin's waist like lightning.

"So strong!"

"Each of these three is stronger than me!"

At this moment, Kang Jing was shocked.

In the just-concluded preliminary assessment, although he performed the best and indeed had the strength to pass the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower, the three now attacking had passed the first level long ago. He hadn't realized their strength until now, but with their current display, Kang Jing understood that any one of them was stronger than him.

Especially Dragon Blade's two battle blades, which, when swung in succession, made him feel that if he were to face them, he might only last a moment before being defeated.

Yet, Su Xin, who was simultaneously facing the combined assault of Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, and Ling Yu, appeared as calm as a gentle breeze.

He wielded his sword with one hand, casually swinging it to create sword flowers, effortlessly dismantling and neutralizing their attacks.

No matter how frantically the three attacked, even when they unleashed their trump cards, Su Xin easily fended them off.

"Is he really this strong?"

Qiu Ze and Ling Yu, having exerted their full strength, were equally astonished.

When Dragon Blade mentioned that even if the three joined forces, they might not be a match for Su Xin, they were skeptical.

But now...

Suddenly, Su Xin took a step forward, swinging his sword in a fluid motion.

Phantom Volume, First Style, Dark Light!

It seemed as if only Su Xin's sword remained in the world, a single streak of light.

Guided by sword intent, this streak of 'light' moved at an unimaginable speed.

Dragon Blade and the others had no time to defend.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Their weapons fell to the ground under the force of the impact.

"Thank you for the match," Su Xin smiled slightly.

"Defeated!"

"We three joined forces and were defeated so easily?"

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Dragon Blade and the others were dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Yuan Qing, who had been watching, couldn't help but light up, "The second level, Su Xin definitely has the strength to pass the second level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. Even among those who have passed the second level, he would be considered extremely strong!"

"Not only has his cultivation advanced, but his swordsmanship and understanding of sword intent have also improved significantly!"

"In just two months, such astonishing progress?"

Yuan Qing was internally shaken.

He even thought that Heavenflame Palace was blind for putting Su Xin's special recruitment quota on hold.

After the battle, Dragon Blade and the others slowly came to their senses.

Yuan Qing announced loudly, "Those who have secured a hunting spot, please step forward. I will explain some details about this hunt."

Those who received spots stepped forward.

"Xiao Xuan, wait for me here," Kang Jing instructed before stepping forward.

At this moment, Kang Xuan's eyes were vacant, his mind blank.

He was utterly shocked.

"One against three, and he won so effortlessly. Su Xin is actually this strong?"

"I previously questioned him, thinking he wasn't qualified for a hunting spot?"

"I, I really..."

Kang Xuan didn't know what to say.

He could only be thankful that Su Xin hadn't heard his earlier words. Otherwise... judging by Su Xin's displayed strength, even ten of him combined wouldn't be enough for Su Xin to kill with one hand.

After Yuan Qing finished his explanation, everyone dispersed.

Su Xin returned to the Su Family.

As the leading family in Yongning Prefecture, the Su Family was well-informed and already knew that Su Xin had secured a spot in the Imperial Capital Hunt.

The entire Su Family was elated.

"The young master is incredible; he's only nineteen."

"At nineteen, he can participate in the Imperial Capital Hunt and has a chance to enter the legendary Heavenflame Palace..."

"I heard that in today's preliminary assessment, the young master shone brightly, defeating several who had passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower."

The Su Family was abuzz with discussions.

The young disciples of the Su Family were especially excited, idolizing Su Xin immensely.

Upon returning to the family, Su Xin immediately went to see his father.

In the study, Su Baichen hadn't changed much in the past two months, still appearing old, withered, and haggard.

"Do you intend to enter Heavenflame Palace through the Imperial Capital Hunt?" Su Baichen asked, staring at Su Xin.

"Yes," Su Xin nodded.

"Are you confident?" Su Baichen inquired.

"Yes," Su Xin nodded again.

In the past two months of training, not only had his cultivation advanced, but his swordsmanship and understanding of intent had also improved greatly. Now, he could easily pass the second level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. If he gave it his all, breaking into the top ten of the Imperial Capital Hunt was not a mere dream.

"If you truly enter Heavenflame Palace, you'll spend a long time there training. Don't worry about the family; with the status of a Heavenflame Palace disciple, no one will dare to act against us lightly. As long as I live, no one can harm the family," Su Baichen's voice was hoarse.

"Go and strive."

"How far you can go, what heights you can reach, depends on you."

"Remember what I told you before: when you can single-handedly crush the entire Situ Family, you'll be qualified to learn the true secrets of the Su Family!"

"Also, when you reach the Void Shattering Realm, remember to return to the family."

After speaking, Su Baichen waved his hand and turned back to his painting.

"Your son takes his leave!"

Su Xin bowed and then turned to leave.

...