Something’s Wrong with This Game — I Became a God by Mining!

After a brief silence, another disciple stepped out from the Arhat Temple's side to challenge Yang Ling.

This battle was utterly one-sided. Within thirty moves, Yang Ling sent him flying with a single kick.

With that, Yang Ling successfully defended his position and advanced to the next round.

Only two people from the Ironclad Department managed to hold their ground: Yang Ling and Yun Ruo.

In contrast, the Divine Sect, Arhat Temple, Nine Immortals Dao Palace, and Extreme Flame Sword Manor each had seven or eight successful defenders.

Comparing the two sides, everyone in attendance understood—the Ironclad Department was far weaker than the four top-tier sects in terms of elite strength!

"The Ironclad Department has never been able to stand alongside the four top-tier sects. At best, the former counts as a second-rate sect, and that's just one of many government offices in Zhao State. What can truly contend with, or even slightly surpass, the four top-tier sects, is Zhao State itself."

Yang Ling mused inwardly.

"This round will decide who gets the rewards."

Master Jie Hai chuckled. "Rest assured, Fourth Prince. Our Arhat Temple disciples will certainly demonstrate their true abilities!"

"'Young talents of Zhao State,' the Fourth Prince says. 'Arhat Temple disciples,' Master Jie Hai says."

"These four top-tier sects are practically like vassal kings. To a certain extent, they don't necessarily answer to Zhao State's commands."

Yang Ling glanced at Li Ruhai and the others. From their expressions, they clearly shared Master Jie Hai's sentiment.

"How will the order for this round be decided?"

Lu Yunchen suddenly spoke up.

Master Jie Hai replied, "That's simple. Our Arhat Temple has its eye on the Seven-Inch Sword technique. So we'll challenge your Ironclad Department first."

"Don't think we have the advantage just because we're going first. In fact, it's not necessarily beneficial. This means that when the other three sects come to challenge us, we might be exhausted. So going first has its pros and cons, and going later has its own. There's no need for everyone to argue over this."

Li Ruhai gave a slight nod. "That works."

Seeing this, Nine Immortals Dao Palace and Pei Ran raised no objections either.

Lu Yunchen frowned slightly, but the Fourth Prince said flatly, "Then let it be."

Lu Yunchen said nothing more.

At this moment, everyone's gaze fell on Yun Ruo and Yang Ling.

It was obvious—the Arhat Temple intended to take these two out first, trying to snatch the Seven-Inch Sword early. The other three sects seemed to tacitly agree.

"Huikong, go spar with the two young talents from the Ironclad Department."

Master Jie Hai smiled.

"Yes."

Huikong strode into the training grounds, his eyes landing on Yun Ruo. "Benefactor Yun Ruo, please!"

Lu Yunchen's expression grew somewhat grave.

The Sixth-Rank experts from each faction exchanged glances, each knowing what the others were thinking.

Huikong was the top expert among this batch of Seventh-Rank cultivators.

They had already noticed this long ago.

As long as he defeated Yun Ruo, the remaining Yang Ling would be nothing to fear. The Arhat Temple could easily claim the Seven-Inch Sword!

But they weren't worried about the Arhat Temple gaining too much of an advantage either. If these two could tire Huikong out just a little, then the Arhat Temple's Vajra Bodhi would likely fall into their hands next!

Even if that item was a defective product with only a tenth of its original potency, it was still a rare and precious medicine!

Yang Ling's mind stirred, and he opened Huikong's Status Panel:

Character: Huikong

Class: Martial Artist

Strength: 83

Agility: 54

Spirit: 30

Martial Arts: Arhat Salvation Sutra (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Mighty Vajra Palm (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Gecko Climbing Wall Technique (Second-Rate, Skilled)

Faction: Arhat Temple

One second-rate internal technique, two second-rate martial arts techniques.

Combined with his terrifyingly high attributes.

Yang Ling figured this was likely the pinnacle performance among Seventh-Rank experts.

The absolute top tier of upper Seventh-Rank.

If he hadn't cultivated a first-rate internal technique—the Vajra Bright King Technique—standing here today, he'd only be qualified to spar with Eighth-Rank fighters, not contend with an upper Seventh-Rank expert like this.

"Director Yun Ruo's Strength is 7 points lower than his, and her Agility is 6 points lower."

"Chances are, even the boosts from her internal technique and martial arts won't surpass his."

"In such a disadvantaged position, she can only rely on combat experience to win."

At this moment, the two had already begun to fight.

Both sides started cautiously, but within a dozen moves, Yun Ruo launched a fierce assault first.

She pushed her internal technique to its limit, combining the Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique with the Azure Dragon Movement Technique, her offensive incredibly domineering.

Huikong responded with his full power, the Mighty Vajra Palm paired with the Gecko Climbing Wall Technique. His movements were erratic—sometimes crouching low to skim the ground, sometimes twisting his body in bizarre ways, abruptly stopping mid-charge only to change direction.

The clash was dazzling, sending chills down the spines of even the Seventh-Rank experts present.

Most of them knew that if they faced such an opponent, they'd probably last only a hundred or so moves before having to concede defeat.

"The Ironclad Department's upper Seventh-Rank isn't weak either. Looks like she can at least go a hundred to two hundred moves against our Senior Brother Huikong."

"She's taking advantage of her weapon. If Senior Brother Huikong had trained in weapon-based martial arts, she'd last at most a hundred moves before she was done."

Right now, Dongfang Haojie, as well as the top Seventh-Rank experts from Nine Immortals Dao Palace and Extreme Flame Sword Manor, were watching intently, trying to find Huikong's weaknesses.

Hopefully, they could exploit them in the upcoming fights.

"Whether it's Dongfang Haojie, Huikong, or Yun Ruo, they all have more than one second-rate martial art, but they've tacitly prioritized movement-based techniques, all reaching Skilled proficiency."

Yang Ling pondered. Through this experience, he knew his choice was correct.

Ethereal Steps was his top priority among all his martial arts.

If his Ethereal Steps were now at Skilled level...

Counting his 23 free attribute points and the advantage of the Vajra Bright King Technique...

Then facing these guys, he'd absolutely crush them.

His strength would likely be infinitely close to lower Sixth-Rank level.

This match was intense.

Both sides traded blows back and forth for a full tea time. It was clear that Huikong and Yun Ruo were both running out of steam.

Their Vital Qi was no longer sufficient.

But just then, Huikong suddenly began chanting a Buddhist sutra.

His Vital Qi, on the verge of depletion, instantly surged and recovered to its peak!

"An exclusive skill from the Arhat Salvation Sutra?"

Yang Ling's expression shifted.

Taking advantage of his restored Vital Qi, Huikong launched a ferocious onslaught for another dozen moves. Yun Ruo finally collapsed from exhaustion, retreating outside the training grounds.

Her expression was grim, a flicker of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Li Huaiyi and the other Seventh-Rank talents from the Ironclad Department also had extremely dark looks on their faces.

It seemed likely that the prize the Fourth Prince had put up for the Ironclad Department today would be taken by the Arhat Temple.

That would be a huge embarrassment!

"As expected of the Arhat Salvation Sutra. Among second-rate internal techniques, this one belongs to the superior grade."

Lu Yunchen gave a slight nod, then smiled at Yun Ruo. "Yun Ruo, don't be discouraged. You lost this time because your internal technique wasn't as good as his."

Yun Ruo said nothing. A loss was a loss—there was no point in making excuses.

Huikong let out a faint laugh. "You yield."

With that, he glanced at Yang Ling but didn't challenge him further, instead walking back into the crowd.

"Junior brothers, it's your turn now."

After speaking, Huikong closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground, beginning to regulate his breath.

Clearly, that miraculous recovery of Vital Qi had its side effects!

As Huikong's words fell, an Arhat Temple disciple who had advanced to the second round stepped into the training grounds and stared emotionlessly at Yang Ling.

"Benefactor Yang, it's your turn."

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