C11 Half a Step away Was like a Natural Moat!!

In fact, Chen Xing could easily hide for an entire year without any issues.

The ring seemed small, yet to Chen Xing, the gap between him and Lee Qing was as vast as an entire planet.

The Water God Illusion Technique was enigmatic and full of endless illusions. When paired with a body possessing a Water Root, the synergy not only allowed for evasion but also healing, wearing down Lee Qing wouldn't be a problem.

A rogue?

Indeed, that's what the citizens from other territories had called him when they were worn down by the Water God Illusion Technique.

He recalled that his own citizens, who used the Water God Illusion Technique, had attack capabilities that were twice as strong!

If such formidable opponents couldn't manage it, then Lee Qing, who hadn't even mastered Desolate Rank martial arts, stood even less of a chance.

"Lowering the power and increasing the frequency is a clever strategy, but don't you get it yet?" Chen Xing said, effortlessly dodging as he spoke.

"You're too slow. Whether it's your intention to strike or your reaction time, it's all too slow."

"Apart from the speed of your techniques, everything else is practically worthless!"

At that moment, a hush fell over the crowd. Everyone watched, eyes wide, as the scene unfolded before them.

No one dared to underestimate Chen Xing any longer.

On such a confined stage, effortlessly evading Lee Qing's Back Connecting Tiger Punches, they admitted to themselves that they couldn't do what Chen Xing was doing.

"He's not wrong," said Cai Dongyun, his face grave. "Lee Qing is indeed too slow. Every time, after Lee Qing makes a move, Chen Xing counters with that illusionary technique. The illusion shields his true form. Lee Qing is so close, yet because he's too slow, he can't lay a finger on Chen Xing's actual body."

A half-step away might as well be a chasm!

"But this approach is theoretically sound. The question is, how much faster does he need to be?"

"Enough with the boasts! What are you, just a dodger? What happened to the promise of a single move? If you're so capable, make your move now instead of just dodging!" Lee Qing's eyes were bloodshot with frustration, yet he couldn't land a single blow.

"One move?" Chen Xing came to a sudden halt, a sharp gleam in his eyes, "Fine! I'll give you one move!"

He let out a shout, and a warm yet fierce aura emanated, startling everyone present.

"This, this is the aura of the sixth level of Body Tempering!"

"No, it's more than just the sixth level. Only someone at the peak of the sixth level could possess such intensity!"

"When did Chen Xing reach the sixth level of Body Tempering?"

"Exactly! At the last assessment, he was just a second-level nobody! How much time has passed since then?"

While it was normal for someone his age to reach the sixth level of Body Tempering, the rapid progression from the second to the sixth level in such a short time was nothing short of miraculous!

Luo Shuining's gaze flickered, her brows furrowing even more.

"Sixth level of Body Tempering? Haha, excellent! You've been concealing your true power!" Lee Qing's laughter was laced with malice, as if he had finally understood why he couldn't defeat his opponent. The second level had been incomprehensible, but the sixth level? That he could understand.

"But what of it? I am a formidable seventh-level Body Tempering warrior!"

Lee Qing bellowed, his aura surging once more. His movements transformed, unleashing an aura even more ferocious than the Back Connecting Tiger Fist – utterly domineering!

This technique was the ultimate variation of the Back Connecting Tiger Fist, which he had not yet fully mastered.

"Back Connecting Dragon Fist!"

Chen Xing scoffed, "You dare to dishonor the dragon. Now, witness the true might of a dragon!"

He pointed his fingers like a knife, sweeping his hand downward.

"Heavenly River Dragon Sword Technique!"

A mist formed behind him, coalescing into a massive longsword that radiated a wild, ancient aura. With a single slash, it roared forward like a mighty dragon!

Lee Qing's Back Connecting Dragon Fist met the watery blade, initially holding out for three seconds with the strength of the seventh level of Body Tempering. But soon, the blade's countless water currents absorbed and dissipated all his force. With a mere touch, he was sent flying out of the ring, landing sprawled on the ground.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Chen Xing was holding back. His long blade hadn't been wielded with its true strength. Had he chosen to, he could have claimed Lee Qing's life in an instant!

"I've told you before, you're not worth my full effort. That move was merely a token gesture. Defeating you doesn't require me to break a sweat."

With a light snort, Chen Xing flicked his white robe, captivating the entire crowd with his presence. Amidst the sea of uniformed students, he shone like a dazzling star.

"Wow!"

"Absolutely stunning!"

"Nobody touch it! That's my Chen Xing's robe! It's mine!"

"Pfft! As if! My Chen Xing is the real deal! Yang Xiaotong, wasn't Lee Qing your dream lover?"

"Who are you calling out? Your dream lover is Lee Qing!"

"This kid," Luo Shuining muttered with a smirk.

He sure knew how to play it cool.

But that move earlier...

Luo Shuining's brow furrowed; she had an unsettling feeling that she couldn't quite fathom his abilities.

"Defeating someone beyond his level."

"Exactly, defeating someone beyond his level," Wang Weifeng agreed, nodding. "And did you catch that martial skill he used? To defeat Lee Qing with such ease, it has to be at least an intermediate Vastitas martial skill! Maybe even higher!"

The reason it might be higher was that Lee Qing couldn't fully draw out the blade's inherent power, leaving them unable to gauge its true extent.

An intermediate Vastitas martial skill wasn't something just anyone could have. Even within the Charstand, such a skill would be considered elite. Particularly impressive was Chen Xing's ability to wield a Vastitas martial skill at his current level of Body Tempering.

A skill that allows one to wield great power from a lower level of strength is highly adaptable and would be considered superior among skills of the same tier. Take Lee Qing's Back Connecting Tiger Fist, for example. Although it's a Vastitas martial skill, it's only in its final form. Probably only at the Guide Spirit Realm could he truly unleash its Vastitas-level power, which doesn't compare to Chen Xing's.

Such martial skills are typically the preserve of the very wealthy.

"When did Chen Xing come into possession of such a treasure?"

"What's more, he's reached the sixth level of Body Tempering? How much time has passed since the last assessment? Less than a year? To advance four levels in less than a year, who else could achieve such a feat?"

"Could it be that this kid was holding back his strength last time?" Lee Dabong and Wang Weifeng were in a quandary. Either way, they had been blatantly humiliated. Just moments before, they had ridiculed him for only having one move, but now... it stung.

"What's the matter? Aren't the judges going to announce the scores?" Chen Xing swept his gaze over the three judges, feeling rejuvenated. He was well aware of the bad blood between him and these teachers, having noted their demeanors earlier.

There was no issue with logic.

But that was the old Chen Xing. The Chen Xing of now was a dragon!

The judges exchanged glances. Despite their frustration, they had to concede, "Chen Xing has defeated Lee Qing! He advances to the group of students above the fourth level!"

"Lee Qing will join the losers' group above the fourth level!"

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. At Starfall Academy, even the losers' group was a part of the strength hierarchy.

This losers' group, however, was quite unique.

Only students who had been defeated so thoroughly that they couldn't be properly scored were relegated to this group, competing for a consolation prize. Naturally, no matter the outcome, they were fated to be the lowest scorers at this tier.

Typically, only a handful of students from a class would end up in the Losers Group.

It wouldn't be too far off to call it a group of disgrace.

The assessment proceeded.

Yet, after the spectacle of the first match, the rest of the students had largely lost interest.

That is until class president Luo Shuining stepped forward, reigniting the crowd's enthusiasm.

"Luo Shuining! Luo Shuining!"

It wasn't just their class; students from other classes who had finished their assessments also gathered around.

"Tsk tsk, does being attractive really draw such a crowd?" Chen Xing was somewhat bemused. Was it all just an exaggeration? Or had my sense of beauty somehow become outdated? While Luo Shuining, the class president, was indeed somewhat attractive, with a prettier face, a better figure, and fairer skin... she still seemed a tad less adorable than Yan Yuwen.

As he pondered, a stranger popped out from the crowd, apparently a spectator from another class. He had a bookish air about him and the looks of a pretty boy, but his gaze and gestures were somewhat sleazy.

"Is Yuwen here? When is Yuwen's match? Did I arrive too late?"

Chen Xing remained silent.

My head feels like it's been hit by a Heavenly Dragon!

A blue apparition transformed into a large hand and gave him a hard smack on the head before vanishing.

Another issue and it's down to the dragon's taste. Surely, we shouldn't sully the dragon's name with such vulgarity.

"My name is Hua Wenjun. I kindly ask for some leniency from Class Monitor Luo Shuining," the other man on stage said as he respectfully cupped his fists.

He, too, was at the sixth level of Body Tempering and was among the most gifted students in our class. His luck just hadn't been great this time, having to face Luo Shuining.

"Please."

Luo Shuining gently lifted her hand, her hair fluttering at her temples, drawing all eyes to her.

The match was a give and take. Hua Wenjun's offense and defense were solid, aiming for a steady victory. Luo Shuining was agile, her defense graceful, and her attacks even more fierce. Each bend, each kick, was a display of beauty in its own unique style, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Finally, Luo Shuining leapt into the air, seizing an opening when Hua Wenjun faltered. A swift high kick ended the fight, securing her victory. She stepped off the stage to the sound of applause and sat back down next to Chen Xing.

Maybe it was from the exertion, but there were beads of sweat on Luo Shuining's forehead. As she sat down, a pleasant scent wafted through the air, making Chen Xing blink.

"What are you staring at?" Luo Shuining frowned at him. Was he reverting to his old ways?

"Nothing." Chen Xing quickly shook his head and gave her a thumbs up. "Class Monitor, you were incredible. Congratulations on your first victory! Hua Wenjun may have been steady, but I didn't expect you to outshine him with such ease and poise!"

"Tch!" Luo Shuining spat out lightly. The first part of his comment was somewhat pleasing, but what was he trying to say with the rest?

"He's nothing compared to someone who can pull off a surprise move and overpower the enemy in one strike."

"You're too kind." Chen Xing bowed with his fists together. Mutual flattery, mutual flattery—Class Monitor Luo Shuining really knows how to play the game!

Luo Shuining shot him a glare. This guy, he can't even listen properly!

"Oh right." Something suddenly came to her mind. Reluctantly, she reached into her school uniform pocket and pulled out a red ticket.

"Weren't you interested in pills? As it happens, I have a red VIP ticket to the Golden Ruyi Auction House. After school, let's go to the auction together to check out the pills. We might even get the chance to meet some of Traessey's esteemed alchemists and ask them questions directly!"