Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Zhou Heng's pupils suddenly constricted!

Despite his rich combat experience, he could not have expected that Jiang Shu, renowned on the stage for his exceptional knife skills, would suddenly throw his knife. He completely abandoned his greatest strength, instead closing in to display his fierce, one-handed grappling skills!

Below the stage, the eyes of the Danxia Chamber of Commerce's vice-chairman lit up. Others might not see anything special. However, to him, a Blood Exchange Realm expert, it was clear what determined victory or defeat for Martial Artists of the same realm. It wasn't the cultivation technique, martial arts, or weaponry, but rather the resolution to cast aside life and death! The actual combat in the genius assessment was truly about this! Cultivation techniques, martial arts, and weapons were all external things; their chamber of commerce lacked none of them! Take Shang Junming on the stage, for example. In terms of cultivation techniques or martial arts, he was merely average. Only his weapon was commendable, having withstood Zhou Heng's fierce attacks several times. Yet, the more this was so, the more it proved his decisiveness: abandoning his sole advantage for just a sliver of hope for victory. Such resolution! Even if he doesn't make it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List in the future, he would surely carve out a renowned name for himself in the state city. Even if he lost this battle, I would personally decide to let him choose an extra Treasure from the treasury. Consider it fostering a good connection.

On the stage, Jiang Shu naturally didn't know what the vice-chairman was thinking. His eyes narrowed to slits, his expression indifferent. His gaze fixed on Zhou Heng's right arm as his right hand shot out to grapple. Suddenly, his strength erupted, and he executed a powerful throw!

Having already lost one battle knife and now struggling to maintain his balance, Zhou Heng naturally couldn't withstand Jiang Shu's full-powered burst. A tyrannical force, like a tidal wave, surged through Zhou Heng's arm. His right arm felt as if pierced by countless needles, and in an instant, his entire body seemed to lose the ability to resist.

"Up!" Jiang Shu barked, surprisingly lifting Zhou Heng above his head and forcefully hurling him out of the ring!

Jiang Shu's move, in truth, couldn't inflict much damage on Zhou Heng. The Great Tombstone Hand, though comparable to a Middle Grade martial art, was still only at the small success stage, after all. Zhou Heng was no novice in the Refining Internal Realm. His foundational skills were exceptionally solid; in battle, his feet were like roots in the ground. Even with Jiang Shu's unexpected knife throw, Jiang Shu himself could only manage to lift and quickly throw him. With Zhou Heng's rich experience, he could easily adjust his center of gravity in mid-air and land safely.

But now, I've lost my alloy war knife, and that forceful throw has drained most of my strength and qi and blood. How can I possibly continue to battle Zhou Heng, who wields a pair of maces? However, this is a ring tournament! It doesn't decide life or death, only victory or defeat! As long as Zhou Heng is thrown out by me, and as long as I remain standing on the stage, I am the victor!

Sure enough, Zhou Heng twisted in mid-air and landed steadily. The ring was too small, however; that one twist had already placed him outside it. Though unscathed, he did not re-enter the ring, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He hadn't imagined that a seemingly certain victory would end this way due to a moment of carelessness.

On the stage, Jiang Shu panted lightly. He picked up the alloy war knife from the floor, cupped his fist in salute to Zhou Heng, then turned his gaze to the vice-chairman.

"Splendid."

In the backyard, Vice-Chairman Su Mingchun clapped and smiled. This was the first time he had spoken since arriving. Having secured a top-grade genius, how could he not be elated? Moreover, according to Manager Zhang's report, this Shang Junming was likely a lone individual, not from any major clan. This means that once the chamber of commerce invests in him, as long as he isn't an ungrateful type, his loyalty to the chamber will undoubtedly be far greater than that of Zhao Chengxuan from the Zhao Family! Disciples from major clans always prioritize their clan first!

As Su Mingchun finished speaking, Manager Zhang, who had kept his head bowed at the side, couldn't help but look up. Gazing at Jiang Shu on the stage and Zhou Heng below, how could he not guess the outcome! His eyes shone with delighted surprise.

This... This is a top-grade genius?!!! Recommending a common genius versus a top-grade genius—those are entirely different matters! What's more, he and Jiang Shu were in the process of establishing a long-term trade relationship. He used to think of Jiang Shu as his cash cow. Now, it seemed this wasn't just a cash cow—this was clearly a ladder to the clouds! As long as I can successfully latch onto Jiang Shu's coattails, if he has the chance to make it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List in the future, I could even be transferred directly from the county city to the state city headquarters! My own talent in martial arts is insufficient. But are there few Martial Artists with high realms despite lacking talent? With enough resources, even a pig could be forced into the Refining Internal Realm! I'm already almost fifty. Who wouldn't want to live a few extra years?

Then, Su Mingchun turned to Zhou Heng and said, "Protector Zhou, go and rest. You've worked hard in this battle. Manager Zhang, take him to receive a bottle of Internal Strength Pills. Say it's my order."

"Shang Junming, congratulations on passing the assessment and becoming a top-grade genius for our Danxia Chamber of Commerce to invest in. Manager Zhang must have already discussed the specifics with you. Would you like to rest for a while, or accompany me to the treasury now?"

Su Mingchun wore a green robe. Though middle-aged, his features possessed an increasingly striking elegance, a refined charm that younger men lacked. His appearance alone could captivate countless young women.

"It would be my honor. Thank you, Vice-Chairman," Jiang Shu replied, cupping his fist.

Manager Zhang quickly led Zhou Heng away.

Su Mingchun, hands clasped behind his back, walked towards a room in the backyard, with Jiang Shu following closely.

Passing through the building, they emerged into an even more expansive plaza. To the east stood a tall, four-story pavilion, at the base of which an elderly man was resting.