```
Pasher was not an exceptionally gifted Martial Artist. His current ranking was achieved step by step through his own efforts. Although his opponent's ranking was not high, he did not dare to be complacent and carefully sized up his adversary.
The moment he saw Guding, Pasher realized that this battle might be challenging. Having participated in over five hundred battles in the Arena, although he couldn't instantly determine the strength of an opponent, there were things his experience could still help him judge.
His opponent's momentum was clearly on the rise, suggesting he had encountered a series of victories in previous matches. And from his opponent's eyes, it was clear he was definitely a dangerous character.
"Let's probe him first." In uncertain situations, he decided to test Guding's skills first. After a series of steps, his figure flickered on the stage, launching an attack on Guding from strange angles.
Guding stood motionless in place. His opponent's movement technique was extremely light, and the attack angles were quite peculiar. Clearly, he was a battle-hardened fellow. Responding to changes with constancy was the best strategy.
When the opponent's fist approached his side waist, Guding countered with a Thunder Elbow to dissipate the force, followed by an Absolute Finger aimed straight at the opponent's heart. His move was lightning fast. Pasher barely reacted, using his palm to protect his heart, but he was still sent flying backward.
Pasher retreated several meters before he steadied himself. His right hand was already completely shattered, and cracks appeared at the rib area of his chest. That was the Arena's virtual state of catastrophic injury. If he hadn't blocked with his palm earlier, he would've been thoroughly annihilated. With just one strike, the opponent gravely injured him, leaving him astonished. "How can he be so strong? He looks only fifteen or sixteen. Could he be a genius cultivated by some major power?"
"Looks like I might be able to challenge stronger guys," Guding wasn't entirely sure of his current strength.
"I surrender!" Pasher, having confirmed the difference in strength, decisively chose to concede. He clearly knew there was no need to continue.
"What a disappointment. I couldn't even see the little guy's strength," said the short-haired woman in the monitoring room, slightly squinting her eyes. "Send someone around ranking twenty thousand up there."
"Alright, young lady," the man in the suit nodded expressionlessly.
When another challenger appeared on the stage, the spectators were once again stunned. This time the challenger was ranked 200,167. Rankings of 20,000 and 50,000 were not on the same level. While those ranked around 50,000 had participated in about 500 battles, those around 20,000 usually had around 2000 battles under their belt. In fact, most who entered the top 20,000 had awakened superpowers and were extremely dangerous individuals.
"I thought it was some impressive guy, but it turns out I have to attack." Guding's new opponent was a guy who looked around 20, with a Long Sword at his waist. His tone was extremely arrogant, and his ID was "Who Is More Arrogant Than Me." "Brat, it's not too late to surrender now. Don't wait until I chop you into eighteen pieces and you cry."
"We'll see who cries!" Guding grinned.
"Really?" The arrogant man placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, quickly gathering momentum.
"Be careful, this guy uses Sword Drawing Skill," Sea Emperor cautioned. "Sword Drawing Skill has the effect of an instantaneous burst of attack power. The longer the charging time, the more terrifying the explosion. You must interrupt him quickly."
Guding took a Dark Step, reaching the arrogant man in an instant.
The arrogant man almost simultaneously drew his sword, a deadly light slashing toward Guding's waist. Guding sidestepped, dodging while pointing the Absolute Finger at the side of the sword blade.
The arrogant man felt a tremendous force strike the side of his Long Sword, almost making him lose his grip. Simultaneously, a Thunder Elbow slammed into his chest, followed by Guding leaping high, delivering a Flame Knee to the man's jaw.
As the arrogant man's figure gradually dissipated on the stage, the spectators were all stunned.
"Finally, I see something. It turns out to be a special Body Technique," the short-haired woman in the monitoring room said with satisfaction, licking her lollipop. "Send someone ranked around eight thousand up there."
"Alright, young lady."
Guding's opponent quickly emerged again, ranked 80,958. He was a Gunsmith, slender, with a black long backpack strapped to his back. The most striking feature was his face, chiseled as if carved by a knife, with sharp angles and no expression. Coupled with his ramrod straight posture and determined gaze, it wasn't hard to discern that he should be of military origin. His ID name was "I Am a Gunsmith," demonstrating his uninteresting nature.
Compared to Martial Arts, the profession of Gunsmith was an emerging occupation. Those who chose this profession generally didn't have much talent in Martial Arts and resorted to such a choice. Of course, there were a few who became Gunsmiths out of a love for firearms.
Gunsmiths typically excelled at long-range attacks; once an enemy got close, death was imminent. The weakness was apparent. The most dreaded opponent for this profession was one with strong defensive power, high speed, and formidable close-quarters combat abilities.
That man merely glanced at Guding, saying nothing before removing a rifle from the backpack, adjusting the sight casually, and loading bullets.
Guding had spent several years in a military academy and naturally played with guns. But his talent in this area was average, neither poor nor outstanding. Even so, from the opponent's actions, he could tell the difference. The opponent was a genuine Gunsmith, unlike many of his classmates who viewed guns as tools. The opponent's actions were fluid, and the way he held the gun felt like an extension of his body.
When the opponent raised the gun, Guding moved. He heard the first gunshot, yet his stride did not falter, and another Dark Step followed, accompanying the second gunshot.
Dodging consecutive shots made the Gunsmith's expression grave. Three more shots pinpointed Guding's predicted path.
Guding shifted his steps, easily dodging again, even finding it somewhat unbelievable. "This Dark Step is unique, able to predict bullet trajectories and allow for evasive movements."
"Thud, thud," another two shots fired, and Guding took one step to evade this wave of attacks. He was merely dodging, not countering. The primary reason was that he wanted to use the Gunsmith to hone his Dark Step movement technique.
By the eighth magazine change, Guding's steps were extremely proficient, and there was no longer a need to continue the match. He shifted his form, closing in on the Gunsmith.
The Gunsmith didn't seem flustered, retreating while continuing his attack. He squeezed the trigger more frequently than before. In just about ten seconds, another volley emptied. Expertly, he unloaded the magazine, intending to replace it with a new one, only to have his wrist seized.
"You lost." Guding grasped the opponent's wrist with one hand and extended two fingers to touch the opponent's heart with the other.
An Absolute Finger launched, and the Gunsmith's figure soon faded.
"Looks like I underestimated this guy," in the monitoring room, the short-haired woman bit into her lollipop, breaking it. "Find someone ranked within ten thousand to fight him."
The moment she finished speaking, she saw on the video that a woman appeared on the stage where Guding stood.
Oddly, the woman's ID displayed as question marks, and her ranking and combat information were all marked with question marks.
"Check this woman's information," the short-haired woman frowned slightly.
Moments later, the suited man spoke, "Young lady, her permissions level is very high. My permissions can't access it."
"Let me see!" The short-haired woman abruptly stood, pressing one hand on the inquiry screen.
[Insufficient permissions, unable to view!]
The same dialog box popped up again.
"Who is this woman?" the short-haired woman exclaimed in surprise.
"Young lady, if even your permissions can't access it, it can only mean her permissions are higher than yours," the suited man reminded. "Considering your status across the entire Tianhe Star Domain..."
"I understand, today's events must not be mentioned to anyone," the short-haired woman sat back down. Her expression was no longer as relaxed as before.
(Dear readers, the collection has increased significantly, but there are very few recommendation votes. If you're in good spirits, feel free to toss a vote or two~ By the way, this book updates at 8:30 am and before 4:30 pm.)
```