219: Squadron leader competition

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen's eyebrows slightly rose.

He had originally thought that as a newly joined recruit, he would at most become an ordinary soldier.

But he didn't expect Li Hongxue to directly appoint him as a squadron leader!

What did she mean by this?

Was she testing him?

As soon as Li Hongxue spoke, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

"Since when could a Nine-Star Martial Emperor serve as a squadron leader? Is this Lu Xingchen here to make a joke?"

"Perhaps he has connections? But the Division Commander is a Chosen One; who could make her owe a favor? Could Lu Xingchen's backer be Her Excellency Xin Huo?"

"Absolutely not! Our Crimson Tassel Division is meant to confront Demon Pillar Twilight head-on. If a mere Martial Emperor is made a squadron leader, he'll be a huge burden once the fighting starts!"

"Didn't they say the Division Commander always appointed people based on merit and treated the wise with respect? How did she get involved with cronyism?"

Li Hongxue had anticipated the reactions of the soldiers and didn't get angry. Instead, she loudly declared, "Quiet! I chose Lu Xingchen to be squadron leader because he has the strength. If any of you are unconvinced, you are welcome to come up and challenge him. Whoever can defeat Lu Xingchen will become the squadron leader of the Ninth Squadron!"

That's right, Li Hongxue was deliberately testing Lu Xingchen.

When Lin Wanqing chatted with her, she always told her how incredibly powerful Lu Xingchen was, and that his future achievements would surely surpass Kindling.

Li Hongxue also grew curious about Lu Xingchen. She wanted to see if this young man truly possessed such strength.

The position of squadron leader was just a small test. If he couldn't even pass this hurdle, then he was utterly unqualified to be Lin Wanqing's Dao Companion.

Li Hongxue would also no longer associate with him.

But if he proved capable, then it would indicate he was a person worth befriending.

Hearing Li Hongxue's words, the soldiers were even more astonished.

On the path of Martial Dao, the higher one climbs, the harder Cultivation becomes, and the greater the disparity in strength.

How could Lu Xingchen, a mere Nine-Star Martial Emperor, possibly possess the strength to be a squadron leader?

Indeed, there were people who could fight above their Realm, but this was limited to the many Chosen One and Prodigies who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.

The probability was simply too low.

Without seeing Lu Xingchen make a move with their own eyes, the crowd would absolutely not believe it!

After a brief commotion, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Reporting, Division Commander! I'd like to try! I know that with my strength, I'm not qualified to be a squadron leader, but I also cannot accept this young fellow taking the position. Therefore, I can only ask for some guidance!"

Li Hongxue chuckled, "More talk is useless. You two should settle it with your hands!"

Lu Xingchen looked at the top of the man's head; he was merely a One-Star Martial Ancestor, still within his acceptable range.

Lu Xingchen cupped his hands and said, "Lu Xingchen of Cangxuan Sect, please enlighten me!"

The middle-aged man unhappily cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Your manners are quite good, but I wonder if you have the strength?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "You'll see."

With that, both men unfurled their Dou Qi Wings and flew into the sky.

"I say, Divine Descent!"

"I say, Heavenly Spirit!"

Lu Xingchen didn't hesitate, immediately using his Word Spirit Power.

Merely defeating a One-Star Martial Ancestor wasn't enough to gain prestige. He not only had to win, but he also had to win spectacularly.

Otherwise, if everyone wanted to challenge him in the future, wouldn't he be annoyed to death?

Lu Xingchen's Realm immediately rose, Breaking through from Nine-Star Martial Emperor to One-Star Martial Ancestor.

This change instantly caused a commotion among the Crimson Tassel Division soldiers on the ground.

"A secret art that can temporarily boost strength? So this is Lu Xingchen's confidence!"

"This is getting interesting now. With both sides at the same Realm, it's truly uncertain who will win or lose."

"I think Wang Yu has a slightly better chance. These secret arts all have time limits, and after use, one falls into a weakened state. As long as Wang Yu can hold out until Lu Xingchen's secret art duration expires, he's bound to be the winner."

"I think so too."

In the sky, Wang Yu was also greatly surprised and said in a deep voice, "Lu Xingchen, you actually have such a method! But even so, I won't let you win!"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "Enough with the nonsense. Let's decide the victor in one move! Mountain Splitting Seal!"

An earthy-yellow Dou Qi Hand Seal condensed above Lu Xingchen's head.

Seeing this, Wang Yu's face also showed a trace of solemnity.

Going all out directly was undoubtedly the most correct choice for Lu Xingchen, because Lu Xingchen couldn't afford to drag it out.

But even so, he wasn't afraid!

Wang Yu likewise raised both hands, and a massive earthen spike appeared above his head.

After five seconds, Lu Xingchen completed his charge.

But he didn't rush to attack, instead waiting for Wang Yu to finish his preparations.

Another five seconds passed before Wang Yu pushed his Dou Qi to the extreme, then pushed his hands towards Lu Xingchen.

Lu Xingchen also struck out with a palm.

The Dou Qi Hand Seal and the earthen spike collided in mid-air. In just an instant, Lu Xingchen's Dou Qi Hand Seal shattered Wang Yu's earthen spike, then continued flying towards him with undiminished power.

Wang Yu was greatly alarmed, hastily activating a Dou Qi Shield for defense, then crossed his hands in front of his chest.

His Dou Qi Shield also only lasted for an instant before shattering with a roar.

Wang Yu was directly blasted backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood in mid-air, then slammed heavily against the wall of the parade ground.

His body quickly slid to the ground, emitting a dull thud.

As this result emerged, the entire venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a huge clamor.

"Holy crap, no way? He was defeated in one move?"

"Although this Wang Yu is only a One-Star Martial Ancestor, he's considered high-ranking in the Crimson Tassel Division. He actually couldn't even withstand one move from Lu Xingchen!"

"Lu Xingchen's strength is definitely above One-Star Martial Ancestor! I guess he's at least reached Three-Star!"

"Amazing! Although it's only two minor Realms, it still counts as fighting above one's Realm! This Lu Xingchen has some skills."

Lu Xingchen ignored the discussions of others, instead flying to Wang Yu's side, helping him up, and handing him a sixth-grade rejuvenation pill.

"Brother Wang Yu, I yield to your generosity!"

Wang Yu took the Medicinal Pill and said with a wry smile, "Lu Xingchen, you really do have some tricks up your sleeve! I'm convinced! But you must be careful; merely defeating me isn't enough to secure your position as squadron leader."

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "Thanks for the reminder."

Lu Xingchen felt no fear in his heart.

He hadn't even revealed any of his trump cards yet.

Let alone defeating a Five-Star Martial Ancestor, he was confident even against stronger opponents.

Li Hongxue merely nodded slightly, not saying much else.

Defeating a One-Star Martial Ancestor was not a big deal in her eyes.

"Does anyone else want to challenge him?" Li Hongxue said loudly.

The parade ground fell into a brief silence, and for a moment, no one dared to respond.