Chapter 19

Xu Jingming clicked to enter the battle space and saw the other four companions. On the opposite side, there were five opponents.

"Xiao Xu." A short-haired middle-aged man looked at Xu Jingming with a smile.

"Senior Brother Dong." Xu Jingming politely replied. The middle-aged man in front of him was none other than Master Dong Xu, the wielder of the Deceptive Dual Blades, and a disciple of Master Liu Hai, though much older than himself.

"Our team is truly impressive. Master Dong Xu and Jingming, you two are veterans of the martial arts arena." The chubby panda Zhang Qian, the top influencer in the combat field, had a wide network of connections. "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion in two weight classes. As for Wang Yi, she is the goddess of archery."

"Hello everyone." Wang Yi smiled, sparing her words.

"I haven't played much martial arts combat, please bear with me." The muscular boxing champion Wu Sai smiled. "My weapon is the dual shields! For us boxers, using dual shields is easier to handle. I'll be at the front, blocking the opponents' attacks."

"I use the trident double-edged sword; this is what I'm most confident with." Zhang Qian said. "I'll also bring some hidden weapons."

"Deceptive dual blades and hidden weapons." Master Dong Xu said.

"Rifle and dual shields." Xu Jingming said.

"Longbow." Wang Yi said.

Zhang Qian was delighted: "Great, both Jingming and Wu Sai are using shields, which will greatly strengthen our team's defense, especially since we have Gao Chong, the Mighty God, on the other side."

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

They could now see the five opponents on the other side, and the one they were most concerned about was Gao Chong, the Mighty God, who had won the World Martial Arts Championship! The Martial Arts Alliance had bestowed the title of "Mighty God" upon him.

"Please have one team member choose their weapon and equipment first." The virtual game voice announced.

"The selection of weapons is sequential." Zhang Qian explained. "One person from our side chooses, then two from the other side. Then two from our side, and two from the other side. Finally, two from our side, and one from the other side... Since both sides can see each other's weapons and equipment, they can choose countermeasures."

"I'll choose first; I only know how to use dual shields." The boxing champion Wu Sai quickly donned a suit of armor and held dual shields.

...

In the official live stream room of the Xia Kingdom, the number of viewers rapidly increased as the match began.

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

"The two sides are choosing their weapons and equipment." On the commentary stage, the host Liu Xin said, "Wu Sai is a world-class boxing champion in two weight classes. His footwork and heavy punches are famous. He has chosen dual shields! On the other side, 'Mighty God' Gao Chong and 'Blood Axe' Wang Qiao have also chosen their weapons and equipment."

"Gao Chong has chosen heavy armor, which should weigh at least 300 kilograms." The 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 significant burden."

"Gao Chong, the winner of the 22nd World Martial Arts Championship, is famous for his immense strength. Looking at his more muscular and robust physique now, he must have practiced the 'Giant Bear Evolution Technique,' which focuses on strength. His strength should be even more terrifying." Qin Yiwén exclaimed. "Combined with his rifle skills, he is a highly threatening opponent."

"Blood Axe Wang Qiao made his debut in the 12th World Martial Arts Championship and placed second in the 15th World Martial Arts Championship." Huang Yong continued.

"The last player, the 97-year-old veteran 'Liu Jianfeng,' has chosen a sword? This is the only one among the ten who has chosen just a single sword. Even the female warrior Sun Yuting uses a shield and sword combination. In cold weapon combat, a single-handed sword is at a disadvantage." Liu Xin was surprised, then said, "Alright, now both sides have chosen their weapons and equipment. Coaches, which side do you favor?"

"The left team." Huang Yong said. "The female warrior Sun Yuting and Blood Axe Wang Qiao both use a shield and an offensive weapon, suitable for frontal attacks. There's also Mighty God Gao Chong, who can charge forward! Liu Jianfeng and the saber-wielding female warrior Lian Shuang are skilled in speed and can perform ambushes and assassinations. Of course, most importantly... I have high hopes for Gao Chong!"

"I favor the right team because they have our marksman, the only marksman among the ten." Qin Yiwén said. "The boxing champion Wu Sai and the gun mage Xu Jingming both have dual shields. Xu Jingming has used dual shields in the World Martial Arts Championship."

"His dual shields were taught to him by his master Liu Hai after he joined the national team. He has a high talent for shield techniques and has defeated opponents with dual shields in the World Martial Arts Championship, showing great skill." Huang Yong added.

"The two using dual shields can protect the marksman, allowing the marksman to fully utilize his abilities." Qin Yiwén said. "I favor the right team in this battle."

...

"Grandson, go for it!" Grandpa Xu shouted, the most enthusiastic.

"They always praise Gao Chong and don't say much about Jingming." Xu's mother said.

"Among these ten, Gao Chong is likely the strongest." Xu's father, who was also in the industry, commented. "His performance in the competition was truly impressive. Others need various strategies to win, but he just charges forward without dodging! He eventually forced his way to the top of the world. When Gao Chong retired, Master Liu Hai once commented that in the Xia Kingdom's martial arts circle, when it comes to the dominance of the rifle... Gao Chong is the best!"

"Don't boost their morale!" Grandpa Xu glared. "The match hasn't even started, and you're already scared? In a competition, the most important thing is one word: fight!"

Xu Hong immediately smiled: "Dad, you're right. Jingming, with his leg injury healed, has the potential to challenge for the world's top spot, at least to match Gao Chong."

"Right." Grandpa Xu looked at the battle space. "I'm most curious about this Liu Jianfeng, who is 97 years old and reached the god level on the first day."

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

"I've traveled the world and visited various schools in the country, but I don't know him." Xu Hong said. "However, the surname Liu... Master Liu Hai, Jingming's master, is from Jibei Cang County, where the Liu family practices martial arts, and there are many people with the surname Liu."

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

"In the virtual world, the first god-level battle in our Xia Kingdom is now underway." Host Liu Xin said with enthusiasm. "The battle map is a small town."

******

An ancient small town, with a drizzle of rain.

Ten people appeared in various locations around the town.

Xu Jingming, wearing dark red light armor, holding a long spear and carrying dual shields on his back, appeared on the second floor of a tavern.

"The saber-wielding female warrior Lian Shuang and the veteran Liu Jianfeng are likely skilled in assassination. We must gather first and protect our marksman." Zhang Qian said through the internal voice chat. "Of course, Master Dong Xu can act independently."

"Alright."

The five team members had no objections.

Through the internal map, they could clearly see the positions of their teammates.

"Whoosh." Xu Jingming walked down the tavern stairs and exited through the back door. The fine rain felt refreshing on his face. Xu Jingming moved carefully along the wall, listening intently to any sounds.

On the other side,

Master Dong Xu, the wielder of the Deceptive Dual Blades, with a lean body, practiced the "Shadow Leopard Evolution Technique," wearing leather armor and moving like a ghost, held dual blades and searched the alleys for prey.

...

The five members of the other team had also reached a consensus.

"Senior Brother Wang Qiao and Sun Yuting, you two gather with me first. Lian Shuang and veteran Liu Jianfeng, you can act freely, and it's best to kill the marksman at the start of the battle." Mighty God Gao Chong said through the internal voice chat.

"At the start of the battle, everyone is scattered throughout the town, making it the best opportunity to assassinate the marksman." The silhouette of the saber-wielding female warrior Lian Shuang blurred as she swiftly climbed onto a rooftop, carefully searching for targets from above.

Veteran Liu Jianfeng, small and agile like a monkey, with a sword at his waist, moved swiftly and disappeared into the town.

"What incredible speed!"

In the live stream room, the host Liu Xin, commentator Huang Yong, and Qin Yiwén all noticed veteran Liu Jianfeng. Huang Yong commented, "On both sides, Dong Xu, Lian Shuang, and veteran Liu Jianfeng are all skilled in speed and agility, but it's clear that veteran Liu Jianfeng is the fastest and most agile."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Veteran Liu Jianfeng moved through the town, sometimes stopping to observe, and when he moved, he covered great distances in a few steps, disappearing into an alley.

Liu Jianfeng suddenly stopped, his ears twitching. He cautiously entered a nearby inn, entered a room, and quietly watched from the window. He saw a figure moving cautiously not far away, which was Xu Jingming.

"Veteran Liu Jianfeng has discovered the gun mage Xu Jingming!" Huang Yong exclaimed. "Xu Jingming hasn't noticed anything yet; he's in danger!"