Chapter 1 The Magnificent Team

Xu Jingming clicked to enter the battle space and saw his other four teammates. In the distance were five opponents.

"Little Xu." A middle-aged man with short hair looked at Xu Jingming with a smile.

"Senior Brother Dong." Xu Jingming said politely. The middle-aged man before him was the master of the Dual Blades of Deceit, Dong Xu, also a disciple of Master Liu Hai, but much older than him.

"This team of ours is really gorgeous. Old Brother Dong Xu and Jingming are both veterans of the martial arts arena." The chubby Zhang Qian, the number one internet celebrity in the fighting field, had extensive connections. "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion two levels over. And Wang Yi, needless to say, is the goddess of our archery world."

"Hello everyone." Wang Yi smiled, economical with words.

"I haven't played martial arts fighting much, so please forgive me." Boxing champion Wu Sai was very strong, and he laughed, "My weapon is a pair of shields! It's easier for us boxers to get started with double shields. I'll hold them in front to block the opponent's attacks."

"I'm using the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade. This is what I'm most confident in," said Zhang Qian. "I'll also bring some hidden weapons."

"Dual blades and hidden weapons," said Master Dong Xu.

"Spear and dual shields," said Xu Jingming.

"Bow and arrow," said Wang Yi.

Zhang Qian was overjoyed to hear this. "Very good, Jingming and Wu Sai both use shields, so our team's defense will be much stronger. After all, there's Hercules Gao Chong on the other side."

"Gao Chong!" Xu Jingming, Dong Xu, Wang Yi, and Wu Sai all became serious.

They could now see the five opponents, and the one they cared about most was Hercules Gao Chong, because he had won first place in the World Martial Arts Competition! The Martial Arts Alliance had given him the title 'Hercules'.

"Please, one team member, choose a weapon and equipment first." The virtual game voice sounded.

"Choosing weapons is done in sequence," Zhang Qian explained. "One of us chooses, then two of them choose. Then two of us choose, and two of them choose. Finally, the last two of us choose, and only one of them is left to choose… Because both sides can see each other's weapons and equipment, you can choose weapons and equipment that can counter them."

"I'll choose first. I only know how to use dual shields." Boxing champion Wu Sai quickly put on a suit of armor and held a pair of shields.

…

In the Xia country's official live broadcast room, the number of viewers soared as the match began.

"It's already 380 million and still rising. There are really a lot of people," Xu Hong exclaimed.

"Both sides are choosing weapons and equipment." On the commentary stage, the host Liu Xin said, "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion two levels over. His footwork and dodging, his heavy punches, are all famous. He chose dual shields first! On the other side, 'Hercules' Gao Chong and 'Blood Axe' Wang Qiao have chosen their weapons and equipment respectively."

"Gao Chong chose heavy armor. The estimated weight should be at least 300 kilograms." Head coach Huang Yong exclaimed, "Even in the virtual world, where everyone's bodies have evolved, wearing 300 kilograms of heavy armor is still a considerable burden."

"Gao Chong won the world number one in the 22nd World Martial Arts Competition! He is famous for his great strength. Looking at his physique, which is now stronger and more robust than in reality, he should be practicing the *Giant Bear Evolution Method*, which is famous for its strength. His power should reach an even more terrifying level." Qin Yiwen exclaimed, "Combined with his spearmanship skills, he poses a very high threat."

"Blood Axe Wang Qiao, first appeared in the 12th World Martial Arts Competition. In the 15th World Martial Arts Competition, he won second place." Huang Yong continued.

"The last player, the 97-year-old senior 'Liu Jianfeng,' chose a sword? He is the only one among the ten who only chose a sword. Even the goddess of war, Sun Yuting, uses a shield and sword combination. In cold weapon combat, a one-handed sword is still very disadvantageous." Liu Xin was surprised, then said, "Okay, now the weapons and equipment of all five players on both sides have been selected. Which side do you two coaches favor?"

"The team on the left." Huang Yong said, "The goddess of war Sun Yuting and Blood Axe Wang Qiao both use a shield in one hand and an attacking weapon in the other, making them suitable for frontal attacks. And Hercules Huang Chong is charging forward! Senior Liu Jianfeng and Miao Blade female warrior Lian Shuang are both good at movement speed and can carry out sneak attacks and assassinations. But most importantly… I am very optimistic about Huang Chong!"

"I am optimistic about the team on the right because the team on the right has our sharpshooter. This is the only sharpshooter among the ten people." Qin Yiwen said, "Boxing champion Wu Sai and Spear Demon Xu Jingming both have double shields. Xu Jingming also used double shields in the World Martial Arts Competition."

"His double shields were taught by his master Liu Hai after he entered the national team. He has a high talent for shield techniques. In the World Martial Arts Competition, he also used double shields to defeat his opponents, so he is still very skilled." Huang Yong also said.

"Two people using double shields to protect the sharpshooter. The sharpshooter can give full play to his abilities." Qin Yiwen said, "I'm optimistic about the team on the right in this battle."

…

"Grandson, go for it." Grandpa Xu shouted, most enthusiastically.

"They always praise that Gao Chong and don't talk more about Jingming," Xu's mother said.

"Among these ten people, Gao Chong's strength should be the strongest." Xu's father, also an insider, commented, "His performance in the competition was really beautiful. Other people need all sorts of competition wisdom, but he just charged straight ahead without dodging! He ultimately forced his way to world number one. When Gao Chong retired, Master Liu Hai once commented that in Xia country's martial arts circle, in terms of the dominance of the spear… Gao Chong is number one!"

"Don't boost the morale of others!" Grandpa Xu glared. "Haven't even started yet, and you're already chickening out? In a competition, the most important thing is one word: fight!"

Xu Hong immediately smiled apologetically, "Dad, you're right. Jingming's leg injury has healed, and he also has the strength to challenge for world number one. At the very least, he can go toe-to-toe with Gao Chong."

"Mm." Grandpa Xu looked at the battle space. "What I'm most curious about is that old brother named Liu Jianfeng, who's 97 years old and was Divine-level on his first day."

"Uncle, do you know this Senior Liu Jianfeng?" Li Miaomiao asked.

"I've traveled all over the world, and I've also visited various schools in the country, but I really don't know him," Xu Hong said. "But with the surname Liu… Many members of the Liu family in Jibei Cang County, the hometown of Jingming's master 'Liu Hai,' practice martial arts. There are many people with the surname Liu."

"The battle has begun!" Li Miaomiao looked at the battle space.

"Virtual world, our Xia country's first Divine-level battle, has now begun," host Liu Xin said in a high-pitched voice. "The map for this battle is a small town map."

*******

Ancient town, drizzling rain.

The ten people were scattered throughout the town.

Xu Jingming was wearing dark red light body armor, holding a long spear, and carrying double shields. He appeared on the second floor of a tavern.

"The Miao Blade female warrior Lian Shuang and Senior Liu Jianfeng should both be good at assassination. We must first gather and protect our sharpshooter," Zhang Qian said through internal voice communication. "Of course, Old Brother Dong Xu can act alone."

"Okay."

The five people in the team had no objection.

Through the internal map, they could clearly know the locations of their teammates.

"Whoosh." Xu Jingming walked down the stairs of the tavern and exited through the back door. The fine rain fell on his face, very refreshing. Xu Jingming carefully moved forward, sticking to the wall, carefully listening to all the sounds.

On the other side.

'Deceitful Dual Blades' Master Dong Xu, was thin and wiry, and practiced the *Shadow Leopard Evolution Method*. Wearing leather armor, his figure was like a ghost, holding dual blades as he traveled through the alleys, looking for prey.

…

The five people on the other team had also unified their opinions long ago.

"Senior Brother Wang Qiao, Sun Yuting, you two gather with me first. Lian Shuang and Grandpa Liu Jianfeng, you are free to act. It would be best if you could kill the sharpshooter before the battle starts," Hercules Gao Chong said through the team's voice.

"At the start of the battle, when everyone is scattered throughout the town, is the best opportunity to assassinate the sharpshooter." Miao Blade female warrior Lian Shuang's figure was blurred. She whooshed onto the roof, carefully walking as she searched for her target from above.

Old Master Liu Jianfeng, as thin as a monkey, with his sword at his waist, twisted and turned a few times before disappearing into the town.

"So fast!"

In the live broadcast room, host Liu Xin, commentators Huang Yong, and Qin Yiwen all noticed Old Master Liu Jianfeng. Huang Yong even said, "The teams on both sides, Dong Xu, Lian Shuang, and Old Master Liu Jianfeng, should all be good at movement speed, but it can be clearly seen that… Old Master Liu Jianfeng is the fastest and most agile."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Old Master Liu Jianfeng traveled through the town, sometimes stopping to look around. Once he acted, he darted far away, disappearing into an alleyway in a few steps.

Liu Jianfeng suddenly stopped, his ears twitching. He carefully walked to the inn on the side, went into a room in the inn, and secretly looked out the window, seeing a figure moving carefully not far away. It was Xu Jingming.

"Old Master Liu Jianfeng has discovered Spear Demon Xu Jingming!" Huang Yong shouted, "Xu Jingming doesn't have any awareness yet. He's in danger!"