In the darkness, Qin Ming didn't know how long he had followed the main group.

The path under his feet was no longer a straight staircase.

It became winding and crooked, as if entering a huge and complex labyrinth.

The decaying smell in the air grew stronger, mixed with an lingering scent of blood, piercing his nostrils and making him nauseous.

After a long time.

The long line finally stopped.

"We're here."

The cold voice of the bearded man sounded from the front.

"Take off their hoods."

A rough hand grabbed Qin Ming's hood and yanked it upwards.

Blinding light flooded in, and Qin Ming subconsciously squinted his eyes.

After he briefly adjusted to the surrounding light, his pupils suddenly constricted.

They were in a huge natural stone chamber.

On the rock walls, every few meters, a burning torch was stuck, its flame flickering, illuminating the entire stone chamber with dim, fluctuating light.

The stone slab floor was covered with large patches of dark brown marks.

Those were dried bloodstains.

These dozens of newly recruited members were lined up in two loose rows, standing in the center of the stone chamber.

Opposite them was the bearded man.

Behind him stood a row of team members in black special combat suits, all expressionless, their eyes like stagnant water.

The bearded man looked at the undisguised tension and fear on everyone's faces, a cruel smile spreading across his lips.

"Next, is a test of your strength."

He extended a finger and casually wiggled it.

"I will send out a team member to fight against you."

"What you need to do is to last two minutes against him."

"Those who pass, stay."

"Those who fail, are eliminated."

He withdrew his hand, his voice suddenly rising.

"Zhang Hu!"

"Here!"

At his command, a man of medium build and ordinary appearance stepped out from behind him.

The man had no expression on his face, simply standing quietly in the center of the arena.

Two men in black stepped forward, unlocked the handcuffs of the man at the very front of the line, and roughly pushed him out.

The pushed man stumbled a few steps before he managed to stand steady, his face full of bewilderment.

"What... what exactly is going on?"

"Why do we have to fight?"

The bearded man seemed to have no intention of explaining, merely raising his hand indifferently.

"Save time, finish quickly."

"Time, start!"

The moment his voice fell.

The team member named Zhang Hu moved.

He was like a hunting leopard, his feet pushing off forcefully, his figure instantly transforming into an afterimage, pouncing towards the still-dazed man!

The man was greatly alarmed, trying to summon his weapon in a panic, but his movements were half a beat too slow.

Zhang Hu's fist, carrying a gust of wind, had already slammed heavily into his chest.

"Pfft!"

The man spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Before he could get up, Zhang Hu's attack was already hot on his heels.

Fist, elbow, knee, kick.

A storm of attacks rained down on the man.

The 'crack' of bones breaking was clearly audible in the empty stone chamber.

The man couldn't even put up a decent counterattack, only letting out painful wails.

Seeing his health bar about to bottom out, he finally collapsed.

"I surrender! I surrender! Stop hitting me!"

He knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, begging for mercy desperately.

Zhang Hu's movements, however, showed no pause.

He delivered a whip kick, precisely striking the man's temple.

"Bang!"

The man's head, like a ripe watermelon, exploded with a bang.

Red and white splattered everywhere.

In the training ground, a collective gasp of cold air instantly rose.

Everyone's faces turned ashen white.

Qin Ming stood in the queue, his expression solemn.

He now finally knew where those dried bloodstains on the floor came from.

In the queue, someone mustered up courage, their voice trembling as they asked.

"You... didn't you say that failure meant elimination?"

"He... he already surrendered, why did you still kill him?"

The smile on the bearded man's face grew even more cruel.

"I'm sorry."

"Here, elimination means death."

He surveyed the crowd, his eyes cold.

"So, you'd better give it your all."

"Otherwise, go join him."

Soon, the second person had their handcuffs removed and was pushed out.

This person had a fierce glint in his eyes, clearly ready to fight to the death.

"I'll fight you to the death!"

He roared and actively charged towards Zhang Hu.

However, the gap in strength could not be compensated by courage.

In less than half a minute, his corpse also fell into a pool of blood.

Next.

One.

And another.

Screams and wails rose one after another.

Some tried to escape in despair.

But in this stone chamber, surrounded by rock walls on all sides, where could they run?

Before they could run a few steps, they were beheaded by a black-clad guard standing nearby.

Zhang Hu was very efficient.

In a flash, the ten people in the first row had completed their "assessment."

Only two people, after giving their all and suffering severe injuries, barely managed to last two minutes.

They were dragged aside, lying on the ground like two dead dogs, barely clinging to life.

Finally, it was Qin Ming's turn.

The cold handcuffs were removed.

Qin Ming took a deep breath, without the slightest hesitation, and stepped forward.

He didn't even look at the man named Zhang Hu.

Whoosh!

A pair of epic daggers, 【Night Shadow's Fangs】, shimmering with cold light, suddenly appeared in his hands.

Preemptive strike!

Pushing off with his feet, Qin Ming's figure instantly blurred, actively charging towards Zhang Hu!

A trace of surprise flashed ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) in Zhang Hu's eyes, then turned into a sneer.

"A little interesting."

He did not dodge, a heavy battle-axe appeared in his hand, and he brought it down on Qin Ming's head!

Clang!

The daggers and the battle-axe collided in mid-air, sparking a dazzling shower of sparks.

A huge force came from the dagger, Qin Ming only felt a numbness in his tiger's mouth, and his body slid back several meters uncontrollably.

The difference in Rank was still too obvious.

However, it was still night, and his 'Night Demon' state was still active.

All attributes doubled!

Although he was still slightly suppressed, it was already enough for him to contend with the opponent.

Qin Ming stabilized his body, his eyes growing calmer.

He no longer clashed head-on with the opponent, but instead utilized the assassin's advantage, his figure elusive, constantly circling Zhang Hu, searching for weaknesses.

Zhang Hu's attacks were wide and powerful, heavy and forceful, yet they repeatedly missed their mark.

"Only dodging? Useless!"

He roared, his offensive growing even more frenzied.

Qin Ming remained unmoved, merely calmly dodging and parrying, his daggers occasionally leaving streaks of blood on the opponent's body.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Just as the two minutes were about to end.

Zhang Hu swung his axe again, missing, his old strength spent, new strength not yet born.

Now!

A sharp glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes, seizing this fleeting opportunity!

He suddenly pressed forward, his dagger, at a tricky angle, slammed heavily against the hilt of the opponent's battle-axe!

Crack!

That battle-axe, of no ordinary quality, was actually forced to crack!

Zhang Hu was greatly alarmed.

Qin Ming, however, would not give him any more chances.

He spun around, ghost-like, behind Zhang Hu.

【Backstab】!

【Eviscerate】!

【Shadow Strike】!

A series of fatal combos poured out in an instant.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

The sound of daggers piercing flesh rang out one after another.

Zhang Hu's body suddenly stiffened, he lowered his head in disbelief, looking at the two dagger tips protruding from his chest.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but only a gush of blood came out.

Qin Ming slowly pulled out his daggers and kicked him to the ground.

For a moment, the entire stone chamber was silent.

Everyone's eyes widened, looking at the slender figure slowly straightening up.

They actually saw... someone counter-kill the examiner?

The bearded man looked at this scene, without the slightest hint of anger on his face, but instead, a strong look of appreciation in his eyes.

Clap, clap, clap.

Sudden applause echoed in the stone chamber.

"Not bad, not bad."

"Congratulations, you passed."

He looked at Qin Ming and asked.

"What's your name?"

"Qin Ming."

Qin Ming's voice was calm and hoarse.

The bearded man nodded.

"I'll remember you."

Two men in black stepped forward, made a 'please' gesture to Qin Ming, and led him away from this bloody stone chamber.

Passing through a narrow and oppressive corridor.

The scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.

Qin Ming looked at the scene before him, his eyes widening uncontrollably, filled with undisguised shock.

This was an incredibly huge underground cave.

The dome was so high it was out of sight, embedded with countless glowing crystals, illuminating the entire cave as bright as day.

Within the cave, thousands of people were actually stationed!

They were busy like worker ants in the huge area.

People constantly emerged from deeper Ore mines, carrying or embracing various unidentified Ores and Materials.

Qin Ming even saw someone carrying a complete Magic Crystal the size of a washbasin, walking out from inside!

On both sides of the area, there were also many black-clad individuals in similar uniforms, armed with weapons, patrolling back and forth, monitoring everything.

Qin Ming followed the path of those transporting supplies.

In the deepest part of the cave, he saw it.

A small mountain... piled up with Magic Crystals.