In the blink of an eye, all five young masters had traded blows with Qin Fen. Their arms and legs ached with tingling numbness, and their chests churned with surging vital energy, feeling as if someone had hammered a great wooden mallet repeatedly against their sternums, making them nauseous enough to vomit blood.

Qin Fen stood tall and proud, maintaining the same demeanor he had when initially announcing his position at the pinnacle, awaiting challengers. His only movement was the ceaseless flexing and relaxing of his ten fingers. The skin on his right arm, previously covered in bulging veins and darkened, now showed clear red streaks beneath the black—not the healthy flush of a human's pale complexion, but the color of flesh dragged from a blazing furnace and seared.

Caesar’s Nine Yang Divine Skill proved even more effective in this coordinated group battle than when he fought Qin Fen alone previously.

Qin Fen’s right hand suddenly spread its five fingers, and a stream of heat, almost visible to the naked eye, erupted from his pores. The feeling that had been like having a pot of boiling water poured into the vessels and meridians of his arm was now beginning to gradually cool down.

Compared to his right arm, Qin Fen’s left arm was the complete opposite. Waves of bone-chilling cold currents spun wildly through the meridians of that limb, the indelible mark left by the Little Dragon King, Yang Lie, during the fight.

Using Ice Condensing True Qi as the internal art, blended with the equally frigid ancient martial art of the Profound Nether Divine Palm, it merged into the Dragon Fist, transforming it into an ice dragon that could appear and vanish at will!

More surprising to Qin Fen than Caesar’s Clan Extermination Art was the Five Dragon Fist of the Little Dragon King, Yang Lie. In the midst of the group fight, it was incredibly difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of his full power exertion, or the precise vector of his attack. Before the strike landed, it seemed as if the dragon truly hid within his palm; no one knew exactly where the palm-hidden dragon would soar to attack once unleashed.

Although it carried the tinge of taking advantage through group combat, for a practitioner at the Seven-Star peak to make an Eight-Star martial artist—one capable of fighting above his level—feel as if liquid nitrogen had been injected into his arm’s vessels and meridians, Yang Lie, the foremost newcomer in the Americas, was truly deserving of his title.

Qin Fen clenched his left fist tightly. With a sharp crack as the air was grasped, the fine hairs on his arm were instantly covered in a layer of white frost, almost visible to the naked eye.

This fast? Yang Lie and Caesar exchanged a look, astonishment flashing in their pupils. Invaded by two completely different types of True Qi during a group battle, and he expelled them instantly?

The complexions of the seven young martial artists darkened considerably. Even after the recent tempestuous battle, their arms and legs still hadn't fully shaken off the numbness. If Qin Fen attacked now, whoever encountered him would surely lose.

General Will. Volahou’s surprise was unmistakable. These seven young martial artists were practically the strongest contenders in this session’s Rookie Tournament; in any previous year, they would have been considered invincible.

Bai Sheng had resumed his posture, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, gently clapping his palms together. Magnificent! Truly magnificent! The solo battle against the crowd not only projected the imposing spirit of a supreme rookie martial artist but, more importantly, showcased those two arms!

【Martial Emperor Dragon Fist: Yang Twin Dragons of Limitless Measure】!

Bai Sheng could clearly feel it: when Qin Fen unleashed that move, his right arm was powerfully vigorous, while his left was as soft as flowing water. As an Eight-Star martial artist, being able to master just one aspect to the peak of the Eight-Star level already placed one under the priority cultivation of the Sacred Martial Hall. If he could raise both aspects to the Eight-Star pinnacle, he would be considered a true prodigy even within the Hall.

For an Eight-Star martial artist to achieve the Eight-Star peak in both aspects and utilize them simultaneously in combat? While such a feat had not been entirely unprecedented in the Sacred Martial Hall, it was a fact that one might not see in a decade.

...

After a long silence, Caesar’s arms finally regained mobility. Among the seven top young rookies, at this moment, the depth of everyone’s foundation was finally revealed.

“Congratulations…” Caesar raised both arms and clasped his fists. There wasn't excessive disappointment on his face; instead, a spark of genuine happiness shone in his eyes. “I concede the championship of this Rookie Martial Arts Tournament to you. I hope that in the future, you will grant me the opportunity for a rematch, allowing me to reclaim the title of the top rookie for this session.”

Qin Fen smiled: “I accept any challenge at any time, but I have no intention of relinquishing the title of number one.”

Caesar let out a great, hearty laugh, full of unrestrained pleasure. A true sovereign not only needs to know how to win but also how to lose gracefully!

Bai Sheng nodded repeatedly. Only with a sound mentality could one advance further on the martial path. This batch of rookies, besides the exceptionally outstanding Qin Fen, saw Caesar as equally remarkable.

Judging a hero by momentary success or failure—this was an ironclad rule always recognized by the [Sacred Martial Hall].

Shortly after regaining movement in his arms, Yang Lie too regained feeling. He stared intently at Qin Fen’s posture, which was only now returning to normal, shaking his head repeatedly. What a terrifying Yin and soft palm strike! Although his True Qi followed a path of rigid dominance, the softness of that Tai Chi move had been displayed to its absolute limit, successfully blocking the majority of the chilling energy from the Palm-Hidden Dragon while simultaneously launching a formidable counterattack.

What if it were reversed? Yang Lie gazed silently at Qin Fen’s right arm. If that rigid, vigorous punch had struck first against the Yin-soft Clan Extermination Art, how long would Qin Fen’s arm have been frozen? Or would it have erupted with even more astonishing power, suffering no dissipation at all?

Yang Lie shook his head again. Seven men against one already felt shameless. Now that they had lost, how could they dare to press for another fight? Altering the combat strategy—the outcome remained a suspense that currently resided only in the hearts of those young martial artists.

“Qin Fen,” Yang Lie said softly, bowing his hands, “As you are now, you truly possess the qualifications to contend for the position of the foremost figure among the younger generation on Earth.”

Contend for the foremost young generation figure on Earth? Qin Fen was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. Many young martial artists from various Earth sects had not even participated in this rookie tournament…

“Perhaps…” Bai Sheng’s voice captured everyone’s attention. Anything said by a member of the Sacred Martial Hall immediately commanded attention: “Perhaps…”

Bai Sheng nodded, his expression slightly serious. “Perhaps Qin Fen not only has the qualification to contend but might already be the foremost young figure on Earth. You are all still young. Although you have entered the initial explosive period of stellar-level growth, Eight-Star is likely almost your limit.”

Though not a top-tier figure speaking from the Sacred Martial Hall, their status commanded respect. The rookies immediately offered Qin Fen further congratulations.

This reaction was not unexpected by Bai Sheng. The martial path is filled with all manner of strange encounters. Being temporarily number one among the young generation says little; many who were once the best of the youth ultimately developed less than those ranked second, third, or even tenth or thirtieth.

Earth Martial God boomed: “Kid, keep up the effort and seize every competition you enter. Afterward, I’ll figure out a way to get you a Captain rank.”

Captain? Qin Fen’s eyes immediately lit up. Rookies usually transitioned to veterans after the rookie phase, and the successful ones might even become squad leaders, but rarely received a military rank.

Qin Fen had truly never heard of someone being promoted directly from a pure grassroots rookie status to Captain. Instantly, he began calculating how much reward he would receive upon honorable discharge as a Captain. Previously, he had only looked up the discharge bonuses for squad leaders, never bothering to check those for the Captain level.

The generals from other continents turned slightly green. What was that old man Zhao Hu Zi planning? Asking Qin Fen to keep striving? Did he intend to sweep up every single championship in the Rookie Tournament before being satisfied?

“General, I will do my best,” Qin Fen nodded, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit under the moonlight.

A chill ran down the spines of several generals. This East Asian rookie seemed brimming with fighting spirit—not good news at all.

In the subsequent days of competition, Qin Fen finally proved his affirmation through action. Although group cooperation events forbade the use of completely BUG-like weapons such as the Thunder Cloud Storm, the rookies trained by those monstrous instructors were far from being mere brutes swinging the Thunder Cloud Storm wildly.

In the following few team cooperation matches, Qin Fen used his outstanding tactical command, fully leveraging Xue Tian’s terrifying Black Net, Lin Ling’s precise sniping, and Xing Wuyi’s astonishing overall strategic sense. Every match was not only won but concluded with a decisive, absolute victory.

Under Qin Fen’s crushing wave of victories, the morale of the rookies from other continents plummeted to an unprecedented low. Even in contests Qin Fen did not participate in, the East Asian rookies, buoyed by soaring morale, delivered exceptionally brilliant performances.

In the end, while they did not achieve the rumored "Grand Slam," the total number of championships won in this single Rookie Tournament smashed the record held by the American Military Region and continued to push it higher.

The leading generals of each continent could only sigh powerlessly every time they saw this record. In the short term—perhaps even the long term—it seemed highly unlikely that the record for total championships in a single Rookie Tournament, or certain individual event records, would be broken anytime soon.

In the latter half of the competition, Zhao Hu Zi no longer walked with his head held high; his head was nearly tilted back past his neck.

Face! He had gained so much prestige! Zhao Hu Zi’s initial plan was merely to achieve slightly better results than previous sessions; that would have been enough satisfaction.

Now, these results made him feel as if he were flying rather than walking.

Compared to the military merits he would receive upon returning, Zhao Hu Zi valued the honor gained even more.

Who dares say our East Asian rookies are inadequate now? Who dares say our East Asian rookies participating in the tournament were just making up the numbers? In the past, we simply didn't bother arguing with them! Zhao Hu Zi almost wished the Rookie Tournament would never end.

However, all tournaments must conclude. After the final event of the Rookie Tournament ended, all generals from the various continents, Zhao Hu Zi excepted, breathed a collective sigh of relief. They finally wouldn't have to pretend to be humbled spectators anymore.

After the awards ceremony, the generals from all continents led their rookies away from Switzerland at the fastest possible speed.

“Boys~~~ you did wonderfully,” Zhao Hu Zi called out cheerfully at the airport. “When we get back, I’ll put in the commendations for you! Qin Fen~~~ time to board, stop being so reluctant to leave your little sweetie. You’ll have plenty of chances later on~”

His rough voice boomed louder than the roar of the helicopter propellers, drawing everyone’s gaze toward this most outstanding rookie of the tournament.

Qin Fen smiled sheepishly, about to say goodbye to Song Jia until next time, when he suddenly noticed that the usually cheerful little princess’s face had turned suddenly grim, her eyes fixed warily on the sky.

The sky? Qin Fen followed Song Jia’s gaze. A civilian, super-luxury private helicopter was slowly descending from the heavens. The huge character “Song” emblazoned on the aircraft’s cabin door announced the owner as belonging to a family that even the President dared not offend.