22: Chapter 22 Invulnerable to Swords and Spears!

"I don't know. This thing has to be drawn on the spot."

Principal Liu Zhifeng shook his head, while Xueni very sensibly began massaging Chen Mo's shoulders.

Although Xueni's small amount of strength couldn't budge Chen Mo's rubber-like muscles, it was the thought that counted.

"Fine. It can't be me in the first match…"

As Chen Mo spoke, the lottery interface on the big screen began to flash rapidly.

Ding!

Two numbers froze on the big screen: 7 and 26.

"Number 7, who is number 7?"

Chen Mo looked at the two numbers on the big screen, examining his surroundings with great interest.

"Number 7 seems to be you?"

Principal Liu Zhifeng poked the admission ticket in Chen Mo's hand and pointed to the exam number on it.

"…"

Chen Mo's face darkened; having only 1 point in Luck was just like this.

"Number 26, an Ascetic Martial Artist from No. 1 High School. His strength is considered relatively strong among the Ascetic Martial Artists participating in this Joint Exam."

"You must remember not to…"

Principal Liu Zhifeng was interrupted halfway through by Chen Mo; he could have guessed what Principal Liu Zhifeng was going to say with his heels.

"I know. I definitely won't be careless. I'll go all out and try to decide the victory in one blow."

"No, that's not what I mean."

Principal Liu Zhifeng shook his head vigorously; he didn't want this kid to wrong him.

"I mean you should hold back. Injuries are one thing, but if you beat someone to death, it's a huge hassle to deal with afterwards."

"…"

Chen Mo stared at Principal Liu Zhifeng for a long while, and after confirming he wasn't joking, he turned and walked toward the ring.

"Sigh, I don't know if this kid listened or not…"

Principal Liu Zhifeng sighed. Others might not be clear about Chen Mo's strength, but he and Wang Jun were very clear about it.

A Rank 2 Abyssal Armored Dragon—a monster that even Rank 3 Martial Artists would have to think twice about—was actually beaten to death by this kid with his bare fists.

If anyone thinks their life is tougher than an Abyssal Armored Dragon's, they are welcome to try Chen Mo's full-power punch.

But when Principal Liu Zhifeng saw Zhou Sanlang, who had also stepped onto the ring, his heart, which had been in his throat, immediately settled.

With Zhou Sanlang, the head of the Luo City Martial Education Bureau, personally serving as the referee, there was nothing to worry about.

"It's here, it's here!"

The official commentator's voice rang out again, and everyone's attention was drawn to him.

"The first match! The first match of this Luo City City-level Joint Exam is a clash between an Ascetic Martial Artist and a Talent-based Martial Artist!"

"I'm sure many of you are very interested in Student Chen Mo's talent, 'Great Strength', right?"

"You all want to know just how great that 'Great Strength' can be!"

"Now, this mystery will be completely revealed!"

"Let's look forward to the spectacular battle brought to us by Student Chen Mo and Student Han Qing!"

Cheers erupted once again, and Chen Mo walked onto the ring empty-handed.

In contrast, Han Qing on the other side was fully armored and carrying a broadsword at least two meters long.

"Student Chen Mo, are you sure you don't need any protective gear?"

Zhou Sanlang examined Chen Mo. The full-body armor on Han Qing was provided by the officials to protect the examinees from suffering fatal injuries.

"I want to use it too."

Chen Mo spread his hands helplessly.

"It's mainly because they don't have my size, so I have to go like this."

"So you're not even using a weapon?"

Han Qing frowned. He felt that the Talent-based Martial Artist opposite him was looking down on him.

Admittedly, the overall strength of Ascetic Martial Artists is indeed inferior to Talent-based Martial Artists, but that's only after reaching higher ranks!

Right now, everyone is a First-Grade Martial Artist, and talent development isn't fully realized yet. They, the Ascetic Martial Artists, still have a chance to defeat Talent-based Martial Artists!

"Are you looking down on me a bit too much?"

"I will teach you a profound lesson!"

Han Qing seemed to have misunderstood something, and he turned red with rage.

"Since that's the case, are both candidates ready?"

Seeing that Chen Mo had made up his mind, Zhou Sanlang stopped trying to persuade him.

He wanted to see what kind of body Chen Mo had that allowed him to ignore even protective gear.

"Ready!"

"Ready!"

Chen Mo took a deep breath and clenched his right fist.

"Take your positions!"

"Get ready!"

"Start!"

As Zhou Sanlang announced the start of the Joint Exam, Han Qing made the first move!

He stomped his feet, and the Qi and blood throughout his body began to flow rapidly, significantly boosting his strength and speed.

His broadsword whirled in his hand, slashing toward Chen Mo's waist with unstoppable momentum.

This slash was heavy and powerful; even the dust on the ground was kicked up by the force of it!

Chen Mo's pupils constricted. He hadn't expected a battle between martial artists to be like this.

Is this what a true genius Ascetic Martial Artist is like?

It was too late to dodge or block this slash, or rather, even if Chen Mo could react, he couldn't dodge it at all.

His agility was simply too low; if he used Compressed Dash, he would fly right out of the ring.

So…

The only choice was to block it head-on!

Block the cold-glinting broadsword with his bare flesh!

Zhou Sanlang was observing the situation on the field at all times; if anything went wrong for either side, he would immediately terminate the exam.

"Waist Slash!"

Accompanied by Han Qing's roar, the surrounding audience gasped.

Just as everyone thought Chen Mo's waist was about to be severed by this slash, a crisp sound rang out in the arena.

The blade sliced through Chen Mo's top, only to stop right against his skin.

"Doesn't hurt?"

Chen Mo blinked. He had just compressed his waist muscles to 2.6 times their original density and was prepared to bleed and then counterattack.

But… the situation didn't seem to be what he had imagined?

Why didn't this slash hurt or itch at all?

"Did you… use your strength?"

Chen Mo's words were broadcast directly through the arena's speakers, and everyone was stunned.

Han Qing's eyes widened. He didn't understand why the body of a First-Grade Martial Artist could be as hard as a lump of iron!?

"If that's how it is, then I won't hold back."

Chen Mo raised his right arm high, and a visible vortex of Qi condensed on his fist.

Han Qing didn't hesitate at all and immediately raised his broadsword, intending to block this punch.

If this punch really landed, with his blade facing outward, Chen Mo probably wouldn't have a good time either!!

If he survived this punch and then counterattacked with his sword, he would still have the upper hand!!

Han Qing looked ferocious, having prepared himself to take this punch head-on!

"Smashing Hammer!"