The numerous arena matches over several days had been highly beneficial for the new recruits. Unsurprisingly, Han Lang and his three companions, along with Zhao Wu, all advanced to the top 32 finals.
This development delighted their squad leader, Huang Yuhua, immensely.
With only 30 men in a squad, having one-sixth of them qualify for the finals was an unprecedented achievement in the history of the new recruit arena competitions.
After all, there were a total of 200 such squads in the recruit camp.
Such a result was enough to make him feel proud among all the veteran soldiers.
However, even more exciting news was yet to come.
As the 32-to-16 matches of the new recruit arena finals commenced, new results quickly reached his ears.
Han Lang and the other four once again displayed their formidable power, directly entering the top 16.
This outcome surprised not only him but also the entire veteran camp.
By this stage of the competition, many had a basic understanding of Han Lang and his companions' strength.
Zhao Wu was a given; his cultivation was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Advancing to the top 10, let alone the top 16, would have been no surprise to anyone.
Han Lang and Tang Geng were slightly weaker, outwardly appearing to be only at the middle Foundation Establishment stage. However, their advancement through unique techniques was understandable.
But Ma Long and Tang Qin were different. Despite their cultivation being only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, they had also carved their way through the competition, forcefully securing spots in the top 16.
This left many somewhat bewildered.
Considering the 6,000 new recruits, even if the majority were at the early Foundation Establishment stage, there were still hundreds, if not thousands, at the middle Foundation Establishment stage.
Even the coveted late Foundation Establishment stage boasted twenty to thirty individuals.
Therefore, Tang Qin and Ma Long's advancement sparked much discussion among the onlookers.
"It's unbelievable! How could these two early Foundation Establishment cultivators reach the top sixteen? Is their luck just that good?"
"Indeed! From what I know, several late Foundation Establishment cultivators have been eliminated. What's their secret? Is it just luck, not encountering strong opponents?"
"You've hit the nail on the head! I've carefully reviewed the combat data, and these two truly haven't faced any formidable enemies throughout the competition!"
"My friend, I must disagree! While it's true they had some luck in not facing late Foundation Establishment cultivators, I suspect you haven't watched their fights closely enough."
"What do you mean? Are you suggesting they are inherently strong?"
"Precisely! From what I've gathered, their martial skills are at least Earth-grade. Coupled with the enhancement from spiritual artifacts, I doubt even a typical late Foundation Establishment cultivator would have a guaranteed victory!"
"Is that so? Then I must pay close attention to these two!"
The new recruit camp was filled with curiosity about Tang Qin and Ma Long, the only two early Foundation Establishment cultivators. Their anticipated performance in upcoming matches even surpassed that of many stronger late Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Consequently, during the 16-to-8 finals, the audience for other matches was sparse, while the number of spectators for Ma Long and Tang Qin's fights was surprisingly high.
"It's starting, it's starting! Are the snacks ready?"
"Heh heh, been ready for a while! Not only that, but I've even prepared tissues by my dorm bed!"
"What are the tissues for?"
"You wouldn't know! I heard that although the beauty on stage uses claws, her fighting style is exceptionally graceful! It's not an exaggeration to describe it as exquisite! With such a beautiful and powerful woman, what else can I do but fantasize about her late at night?"
Upon hearing this explanation, everyone couldn't help but scoff at him.
"Tch! What little ambition!"
Yet, in private, each of them silently prepared their tissues.
The battle began.
Tang Qin stood on the stage, as spirited as ever, her eyes calmly fixed on an opponent who appeared somewhat ethereal.
Fortunately, her opponent this time was not like the scumbag she had encountered before, who spewed vulgarities from the start. Instead, he seemed exceptionally upright.
He bowed slightly and first offered Tang Qin a faint salute, politely saying,
"This humble one is Yuwen Xiang. I ask for your guidance, fellow comrade!"
Facing such a distinctive and polite young man, Tang Qin also altered her usual demeanor. Although her tone remained indifferent, she returned the salute, a rare gesture, and said,
"Tang Qin! I await your guidance!"
As the referee gave the signal, Yuwen Xiang immediately shed his casual expression, his face becoming very serious, indicating he was a competitor who respected the match.
"Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit! This person is at least a respectable opponent!"
Just as Tang Qin mused this in her heart, Yuwen Xiang's offensive strike was already upon her.
He advanced with a short sword, its tip aimed directly at Tang Qin's heart.
Tang Qin remained unfazed. Instantly, she activated her "Xuan Meng Huan Ying Claw" (Mysterious Dream Phantom Claw), her body flashing as she dodged the attack with lightning speed.
However, before she could feel any satisfaction, as she stabilized her stance, she saw a flash of cold light. Yuwen Xiang's sharp blade was once again thrusting towards her back.
"So fast!"
Tang Qin was shocked. In all her previous fights, she had never encountered an opponent whose speed surpassed the Xuan Meng Huan Ying Claw.
At the same time, she immediately realized that her current opponent's strength was at least very close to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
She dared not be careless and subtly shifted her feet.
At that very moment, Yuwen Xiang's blade instantly pierced her body.
"Afterimage?"
Yuwen Xiang, in the midst of the battle, quickly sensed something amiss. He immediately unleashed his divine sense, searching the entire arena for Tang Qin's whereabouts.
"Found her!"
Yuwen Xiang rejoiced internally. His body moved without the slightest hesitation, pursuing Tang Qin.
His reaction speed was so swift that even the spectators below only then realized that the figure pierced by the blade was not Tang Qin's true body.
"Damn! She can actually create an afterimage! Her speed is incredible!"
"Hmph! I told you so, this early Foundation Establishment female cultivator isn't weak!"
"Tch! What's there to be proud of? Didn't you see that Yuwen Xiang has already located her hiding spot?"
"Exactly! In my opinion, Yuwen Xiang's strength is far superior to Tang Qin's!"
As the crowd debated, Yuwen Xiang's attack once again closed in on Tang Qin.
However, despite his extremely quick reactions, his speed still lagged slightly behind Tang Qin's.
Before he could get close, Tang Qin unleashed several flying claw attacks from mid-air, instantly sending out multiple claw-shaped spiritual energies directly at Yuwen Xiang.
Yuwen Xiang was somewhat surprised.
He had not expected Tang Qin's reaction and combat capabilities to be so swift.
At this point, he had no choice but to halt his pursuit, holding his sword in a reverse grip, parrying Tang Qin's incoming attacks with clanging sounds.
"Hmph! Do you think attacks of this level can stop me?"
Yuwen Xiang thought disdainfully. But before his words had even finished, a stunningly beautiful and exquisite face appeared before him.
Moreover, the owner of this beautiful face showed no mercy, her sharp claws directly aimed at Yuwen Xiang's throat.
Although Yuwen Xiang was shocked, he did not panic. As he slightly retreated, a vast amount of spiritual energy erupted from his body.
With a "boom!"
The air current stirred by the spiritual energy directly blew Tang Qin backward.
Tang Qin was stunned!
With such abundant spiritual energy, had the opponent's strength already reached...
"Late Foundation Establishment?"