As the one thousand contestants gathered, the nine judges, including Ye Chen, appeared in the hunting grounds.
"I'll explain the rules of the competition," one of the judges declared from a high platform, looking down at the thousand individuals below. "The rules for the second round of assessment are very simple. You will each choose a fine horse. Once the whistle blows, you will all set off simultaneously and run one lap around the hunting grounds. The first one hundred to reach the finish line will advance to the next round."
"Of course, along the way, you will encounter attacks from wild beasts, attacks from your peers, and obstruction from the experts we have dispatched."
"Alright, you may now choose your horses."
"The competition will officially begin in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
The rules were simple.
But everyone knew.
Reaching the finish line safely would be far from easy.
Everyone quickly hurried towards the stables, eager to select a strong and swift steed, as a powerful horse could save them a great deal of time.
"Get out of the way, let this young master pick first!" Wen Ningyang, a typical bully, shouted at many people upon arriving at the stables, then turned to Chen Nan and asked, "Brother Chen, would you like me to help you pick a fine horse?"
"No, thank you."
Although Chen Nan had not ridden a horse many times, he knew which kinds of horses had good stamina and explosive power. He eventually chose a black steed that was robust in build and elegant in form.
Its entire musculature seemed to contain terrifying explosive power.
"Brother Chen has unique discernment; I am impressed. The horse you picked can definitely travel a thousand li a day," Wen Ningyang said, his admiration for Chen Nan's judgment growing after he had chosen his own horse.
However, when he saw the horse Wu Di had chosen, he froze.
Not only him.
Even Chen Nan stared at Wu Di with a dumbfounded expression. Wu Di was currently leading an old horse that was thin and weak. The horse looked so frail that it seemed like a gust of wind could blow it over, let alone carry someone.
"Fatty, are you sure you're not joking?" Chen Nan couldn't help but ask. "With your build, if you were to ride it, I guarantee you'd crush it within ten meters."
Wu Di chuckled, "I might not be able to advance if I picked other horses, but with this old horse, I'm sure to win."
The old horse couldn't understand human speech.
But its eyes conveyed a mournful gaze.
I'm already this old, please be humane and spare my life!
Wen Ningyang exclaimed, "Fatty, if you can advance, from now on, I, Wen Ningyang, will recognize you as my elder brother. Listen to my advice and switch to a robust horse!"
He somewhat regretted letting the fatty join his team.
This was not a competition.
It was simply a farce!
"Don't worry, I have my plans. I guarantee I'll surprise you all. Just cover for me later!" the fatty said with a confident smile.
"Time is up," a loud voice from the distance announced, "Everyone prepare yourselves, the competition is about to begin!"
Upon hearing this.
Everyone gathered at the starting line, then mounted their horses, waiting for the whistle to signal the start.
"Why aren't you getting on your horse?" Chen Nan asked Wu Di, who was leading the old horse.
Wu Di chuckled, "Who says you have to ride a horse? You don't need to worry about me."
???
Chen Nan looked utterly bewildered, wondering what scheme this fellow was up to.
Just then.
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
"Giddy up!"
"Giddy up!"
As everyone spurred their horses and urged them onward, the steeds galloped out rapidly, their hooves pounding the ground with a rapid rhythm.
It sounded like war drums being struck.
Just as Chen Nan rode out and glanced at Wu Di from the corner of his eye, his eyeballs nearly popped out.
"Holy cow, what are you doing?"
Wen Ningyang's scalp tingled, and he let out a piercing shriek.
He stared at the fatty with the old horse slung over his shoulders as if he had seen a ghost.
Even though the fatty was carrying the old horse, his speed was incredible, faster than a normal person riding a horse. He shot off like a comet, astonishing everyone.
Even the nine judges, including Ye Chen, were stunned into silence.
They had seen people riding horses countless times.
But...
This bizarre act of a horse being ridden by a person was unheard of, let alone witnessing it with their own eyes.
"Commander Ye, has this fellow committed a foul?" one of the judges asked Ye Chen.
Ye Chen snapped back to attention from his astonishment, a wry smile on his face. "The assessment for the second round is equestrian skill, requiring contestants to choose a horse and ride it to the finish line."
"However... the rules don't seem to specify whether it's the person riding the horse, or the horse riding the person, do they?"
"Although I also feel this fatty has fouled, I must admit that everything he's done adheres to the rules of the second round."
"If anyone is to blame, it's us for not formulating more comprehensive rules!"
One judge remarked, "This guy is truly a pervert. He's already as fat as a ball, and who would have thought he'd be this fast? Even carrying a horse, he can outpace others. He's simply a monster."
Everyone nodded in agreement, considering the fatty a monster.
The old horse on the fatty's back displayed a look of bliss.
I've lived for so many years.
I've been ridden by people my entire life.
Today, I finally get to ride a person.
This feeling is truly wonderful!
Horses possess sentience.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have become mounts for humans.
In ancient times, there were even many tales of noble steeds saving their masters, which became celebrated anecdotes passed down through generations.
Therefore,
As the fatty, carrying the old horse, blazed ahead,
The other nine hundred and ninety-nine contestants' steeds were stunned.
Why is it that some horses can be carried by humans,
While we are forced to carry people?
Is this fair?
Neigh!
The steeds collectively protested, rearing up and halting their advance, wishing to be carried like the old horse and cross the finish line.
In an instant.
The scene descended into chaos. No matter how much the contestants whipped their horses, they refused to run further.
"Brother Chen, Brother Wen, hurry up and run!" the fatty shouted back casually as he sprinted forward.
"Run!"
Chen Nan grunted, injecting his soul force into the command, startling his horse into a whinny and a swift gallop, as did Wen Ningyang's.
Although their speed was fast, it was still no match for the fatty carrying the old horse.
"This guy is truly amazing!"
Chen Nan rarely admired anyone, but at this moment, he was completely convinced by this fatty.
Roar!
As the three individuals and their three horses covered about one-fifth of the distance, a ferocious tiger suddenly appeared, blocking their path. This was a pre-arranged obstacle to increase the difficulty of the competition.
However.
When the blocking tiger saw a ball of flesh carrying an old horse with a gleeful look in its eyes, its pupils suddenly contracted.
Oh dear!
What is going on here?
Wasn't I supposed to intimidate people riding horses?
Why is the horse riding the person now?
How can this guy be so abnormal?
Without further thought.
The blocking tiger instantly retreated into the grass, trembling as it watched the fatty carry the old horse speed past.
On the high platform, a middle-aged man looked at Ye Chen and asked, "Commander Ye, this fellow's presence is disrupting the order of the competition. Should we disqualify him?"