"See for yourself," Ke Minglang said, his voice laced with the usual friction he had with Ying Feng.

  Knowing his rival as well as he knew himself, Ke Minglang could tell exactly what Ying Feng was thinking just by his tone.

  "Hah, it seems he’s finally learned his lesson. He actually knows to limit the match to pure martial technique this time," Ying Feng remarked after scanning the challenge letter. He couldn't help but offer a word of begrudging praise.

  In a contest of pure martial skill, individual power levels played a much smaller role. On the Martial Arts Arena, everyone’s level would be suppressed to the same tier, making the advantage of a "war of attrition" through staggered challenges—the gauntlet style—painfully obvious.

  If the freshmen didn't have enough people with high-level martial techniques, they would eventually be worn down and defeated by the more experienced sophomores.

  "This is going to be difficult," Ke Minglang muttered, his expression darkening.

  News of Ghost Face’s second challenge spread like wildfire among the freshmen. The students, who had been cheering only moments ago, suddenly looked as if they were mourning a loss. The once-rowdy dormitory fell as silent as a graveyard.

  "What's so difficult about it?" Ying Feng asked, noticing the plummeting morale around him.

  "Ying Feng, I know you’ve spent years refining your martial arts, even suppressing your level for it. But even you can't take on that many people alone," Ke Minglang said. He knew Ying Feng’s background, but even a genius would falter against a relentless wave of opponents.

  "Ke Minglang," Ying Feng suddenly reached out and patted Ke Minglang’s shoulder, his voice turning deep and serious. "You’ve been to the Manager’s shop too, haven't you? Though I take it you haven't been back lately."

  Actually, the moment he saw Ke Minglang, Ying Feng had noticed the Flame Zhanmadao hanging at his waist. There were only so many types of weapons in Kael’s shop; Ying Feng could practically recite the inventory by heart now.

  "It has been a while," Ke Minglang admitted, confused by the sudden change in topic.

  "That's all I need to know. Three days from now, just sit back and watch the show," Ying Feng said with absolute confidence.

  After finalizing the head count, Qin Ming led the members of the City Guard who needed to enter the Trial Space to obtain their Heroic Seals toward Kael’s shop.

  There weren't many of them—about fifty in total. These men were all at the peak of Level 20, their experience bars nearly full. Once they obtained the Heroic Seal, they would effectively level up on the spot. Furthermore, passing the Trial and receiving the Seal would trigger a baptism of world energy, providing a comprehensive stat boost. The extent of that boost depended entirely on an individual's innate talent.

  As they reached the street where the shop was located, Qin Ming suddenly skidded to a halt.

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  Thanks to the "kindness" of the Blood Wolf Squad, the two frozen Wolf Hunters had been moved to a spot where they were clearly visible from the mouth of the street.

  "Class-rank Wolf Hunters... frozen solid here without a sound?" Qin Ming’s eyes widened, his heart hammering against his ribs as he studied the sculptures.

  Others might only guess at the power trapped in that ice, but as one of the few Class-rank experts in Cloud Mist City, Qin Ming could easily sense their strength. Both of them were significantly more powerful than he was.

  This Manager is truly extraordinary. No wonder even the Third Prince didn't dare put on airs around him, Qin Ming thought, his reverence for Kael reaching a new high.

  He found it staggering that such a powerhouse could run a shop with zero arrogance, living in seclusion among ordinary people. If he hadn't happened upon these frozen Beastmen today, Qin Ming might never have guessed that Kael possessed such terrifying mastery over magic.

  "Straighten up! This opportunity to enter the Trial Space is hard-won. Once we enter the shop, I don't want a single one of you stepping out of line!"

  Qin Ming halted his troops at the street corner to re-align the ranks, emphasizing discipline once more. Even if Kael was easy-going, Qin Ming felt he had to show the proper respect to such a master.

  When he led his men inside, Qin Ming glanced around but didn't see Kael.

  "Hello! How can I help you today?" Shier asked immediately.

  "Hello. Might I ask where Manager Kael is?" Qin Ming asked politely, curious about the girl’s identity.

  "I am the newly hired shop assistant. If you need anything, you can talk to me," Shier explained.

  Qin Ming blinked, giving her another look before saying, "No, I’m afraid this isn't something you can handle."

  He didn't know why Kael had suddenly hired an assistant, but he doubted Kael would have taught a new clerk the method to activate the Trial Space using the magic array plates.

  "Why don't you tell me first—" Shier persisted.

  "Ah, City Lord Qin. Is the gear not working out?" Kael’s voice drifted in as he emerged from the back room, stifling a yawn as if he had just woken up.

  Qin Ming immediately greeted him. "The Manager is joking. The shop’s equipment has doubled the combat effectiveness of the City Guard. How could it not be working out?"

  "Good. What do you need this time?" After his yawn, Kael’s face returned to its usual expressionless mask.

  "Manager, everyone who needs to use the Trial Space is gathered here," Qin Ming stated his purpose.

  "All of them? Alright then," Kael nodded. "Shier, head over to the other shop for a bit. I’ll take over here."

  "Yes, Manager." Shier was actually quite curious about what went on in the neighboring shop; she just hadn't had the time to check it out while she was stationed here.

  Kael glanced outside. Since the shop was cramped, Qin Ming had left the guards waiting in the street.

  System, can the Trial Room only take one person at a time? Kael asked internally.

  [System: Multiple people can enter simultaneously. The current limit is 100 people. For every additional person, the required Spirit Crystals for opening the space will increase accordingly.]

  Good, Kael thought, relieved. If he had to send them in one by one, fifty people would take a week. He didn't have that kind of time to waste.

  "City Lord Qin, have them ready. Line them up. Once the Trial Space opens, they can enter together," Kael instructed.

  He then walked to the spot where the Trial Room was activated. Without any visible movement or effort on Kael's part, a void-like doorway abruptly manifested in the center of the shop.

  Qin Ming was stunned. He hadn't felt even a ripple of spatial energy before the door appeared right next to him. His shock deepened—Kael hadn't even pulled out a magic array plate to open the entrance.

  The Manager is truly a man of hidden depths, he thought. Fortunately, he has no ill will toward Cloud Mist City. Otherwise, I doubt the entire city could stand against him.

  "Everyone! Form up! Enter the Trial Space in order!" Qin Ming shouted to the guards outside, knowing better than to waste a master's time.

  Being regular soldiers, their movements were swift and disciplined. Kael glanced at the collection box on the counter; with every guard that stepped through the portal, one Spirit Crystal vanished from the box.