Chapter 134: The Black Bear
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Chapter 134: Black Bear
Black Bear fixed his gaze on Shen An, a threatening light gleaming in his eyes. It seemed that the slightest reckless movement from Shen An would earn him a crushing punch.
Black Bear suddenly slapped his chest, his eyes filled with provocation. “Kid, I hear you performed rather valiantly at Silver City Martial Hall. I never would have guessed that someone as scrawny as you could win the approval of several elders from our council. Today, I, Black Bear, will stand in your way. If you want to pass, then knock me down first.”
Shen An paid little heed to Black Bear’s words. At least in his estimation, defeating Black Bear would be no difficult task.
“Your strength should be at the mid-third rank, correct? You are roughly on par with me. I do not wish to waste time on you, so you should withdraw,” Shen An said.
“Listen to you, telling me to withdraw. Do you really think you are qualified to order me around? I would very much like to see what you are capable of.”
Black Bear naturally had no intention of yielding. His energy erupted, carrying within it the immense power of a brown bear. The sight was terrifying.
Shen An’s brows furrowed slightly. Black Bear truly was formidable.
“It seems a battle is unavoidable. In that case, I will let you see what I can do.” Shen An sneered. If Black Bear wanted to stop him, it would not be so easy.
At that moment, the several black-robed elders nearby turned their gazes toward them.
“Black Bear’s strength has reached such a level already? It seems he has improved considerably during this period,” said the First Elder of the council.
A trace of disdain appeared in the Second Elder’s eyes. He did not believe Shen An was particularly powerful. At the very least, when facing Black Bear, it would be nearly impossible for the young man to display his true strength.
“Black Bear is the berserker of our Grandmaster Council. There are few people capable of standing against him. This young man may have gained some renown, but he cannot possibly defeat Black Bear. First Elder, I think you hold that young man in far too high regard,” said the Second Elder.
“Second Elder, you should not speak with such certainty. That man is no ordinary person. He and Black Bear are both at the mid-third rank, and he may not be any weaker.”
Black Bear hurled a fist at Shen An. The terrifying blow seemed capable of punching straight through a steel wall. Yet even such an attack proved utterly useless.
At least, it had little effect against Shen An.
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Shen An easily blocked Black Bear’s attack with his black iron sword. The punch was deflected, and Black Bear was sent staggering backward.
Shen An smiled. “Is that all the strength you possess? Heh. It seems you are not particularly powerful after all.”
“You… You dare look down on me? I am the council’s berserker! My strength is not something you can afford to underestimate,” Black Bear said coldly.
“Is that so? Then I would like to see your true strength. I only hope you will not disappoint me too badly,” Shen An replied indifferently.
“Hmph. My next punch will snap that black iron sword in your hand. I will show you just how powerful my fists are.”
Black Bear was astonished as well. Within the Grandmaster Council, he held only the elders in his regard. Aside from them, he looked down on everyone else.
Could it be that he truly could not defeat Shen An today?
“I am drawing my sword. I hope you can withstand this strike!”
Shen An suddenly shook the black iron sword. Its tip trembled, carrying a terrifying force as it shot forward like a bolt of lightning, reaching Black Bear in an instant.
Black Bear’s heart jolted. Such swordsmanship was beyond anything he had ever witnessed. His naked eyes could not even discern the sword’s trajectory. In other words, his opponent’s strength might far surpass his own.
“This man truly is powerful. But I, Black Bear, did not earn the title of the Grandmaster Council’s berserker through empty boasts.”
With a furious roar in his heart, Black Bear unleashed his full combat strength.
His punch carried the enormous power of a bear, as though it could kill a bull with a single blow. It was terrifying beyond measure.
Black Bear was certain that this punch would easily shatter his opponent’s weapon. There could be no doubt about it.
“Prepare to die beneath this strike of mine. To force me, Black Bear, to this extent, you have every right to be proud of yourself.”
The black iron sword thrust forward like a swift spirit-serpent. Just as Black Bear’s fist was about to strike Shen An, Shen An’s sword moved a step faster.
In an instant, the black iron sword came to rest against Black Bear’s throat. It swayed gently in the air as Shen An said, “You have already lost.”
Black Bear withdrew his fist and abruptly retreated several steps. He could scarcely believe his own eyes.
How could this be? How had he been defeated so easily by the man standing before him?
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“You… You are not a mid-third-rank awakened one. Power of this level has completely suppressed me. You must be at least in the late third rank,” Black Bear said in astonishment.
“Excellent! Excellent! What a splendid duel. I never imagined you could defeat Black Bear, the berserker of my Grandmaster Council. Indeed, the younger generation surpasses the old. Young man, you have truly exceeded all expectations,” said the First Elder as he approached.
The Second Elder’s gaze settled on Shen An. “It was nothing special. Black Bear lost only because he underestimated his opponent. There is nothing praiseworthy about this young man.”
“Second Elder, you are simply refusing to accept the result. He has clearly defeated Black Bear, so how can you still believe Black Bear would have won?” said the Third Elder.
“What is your name, young man?” the First Elder asked.
“Shen An.”
“Good. Come with me. I will take you to have your aptitude tested. This is a necessary procedure before joining the Grandmaster Council,” said the First Elder.
“An aptitude test?”
Shen An’s interest was piqued. He, too, wanted to see what this so-called aptitude test at the Grandmaster Council was like.
Before long, Shen An followed the elders to the chamber where aptitude testing was conducted.
The chamber was a place specially established by the Grandmaster Council for testing the aptitudes of its members. Testing there could reveal an awakened one’s precise aptitude rating.
It could be said that no genius who came to the Grandmaster Council for testing would ever be overlooked, because the aptitude revealed by the test was always the most accurate.
The First Elder pointed toward the aptitude tester beside them. “Do you see that circular platform? You only need to stand on it, and it will measure your aptitude. It should take a little while, but there is no need to worry.”
A circular platform stood inside the chamber, beside an extremely precise instrument. The device could easily display an exact numerical value—the aptitude rating, as it was called.
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