"The Abyssal passage!?"
Jiang Wuyue and Jiang Qiyue's expressions changed dramatically.
It wasn't just the two siblings—officers and soldiers who were watching nearby all looked on in shock.
Jiang Wuyue turned to Long Yuxue.
"Yuxue, what's gotten into you today? You've always been very conservative when it comes to allowing new recruits to enter the passage. What's going on today?"
Clearly, from Long Yuxue's earlier statement, Jiang Wuyue had already keenly sensed that something was off.
Could this guy Xu Yuan really be that extraordinary?
However, even though he sensed something amiss, Jiang Wuyue wasn't about to back down in front of Long Yuxue like a coward.
"Kid, as Yuxue suggested, once you complete all the procedures to enter the passage, I'll accompany you to the Abyssal passage—but within our limits, not too deep," Jiang Wuyue said. "But if I win, I won't make you do anything extravagant. Just wash my clothes for three months."
Jiang Wuyue knew that this challenge was essentially something he had forced upon Xu Yuan, so his demands were relatively lenient.
"Fine."
Jiang Qiyue added from the side, "Xu Yuan, even if you lose, it's no big deal. Washing my brother's clothes isn't a bad thing—in fact, you might even learn something from him."
Long Yuxue watched the scene unfold, silently laughing inside.
"So, how do we compete?" Xu Yuan asked calmly.
"We'll arm wrestle. Whoever wins has the greater strength. Of course, entering the Abyssal passage is no joke. If you win, we'll still need to have an actual sparring match afterward. I need to confirm your abilities and skills," Jiang Wuyue explained.
The Abyssal passage was fraught with danger, and his words were entirely reasonable.
It wasn't just teammates—even people who didn't get along would need to understand each other's abilities before entering such a dangerous place together, minimizing potential conflict.
To Jiang Wuyue, Xu Yuan was a complete stranger. He didn't know Xu Yuan's martial soul or soul skills, so a real sparring session was necessary to gauge his strength.
Xu Yuan nodded directly.
"No problem."
Long Yuxue wore an odd expression.
She gave Jiang Wuyue a pitying glance.
However, she didn't intervene.
This process was essential. If they entered the Abyssal passage without understanding each other and made a critical mistake due to poor coordination, it could cost them their lives.
If they were unlucky enough to encounter an Abyssal tide or an Abyssal Emperor breaking through its seal, then so be it. But if they died at the hands of weaker Abyssal creatures because of poor teamwork, it would be a tragic waste.
Jiang Wuyue stepped forward, and the crowd parted, clearing a path.
Pointing to the table in front of him, Jiang Wuyue gestured for Xu Yuan to come over.
"I'll count down from three, two, one, and then we start exerting force."
Jiang Wuyue waited for Xu Yuan to get ready, extended his hand, and clasped Xu Yuan's hand firmly.
His expression was serious.
He wouldn't underestimate Xu Yuan. Carefully sensing Xu Yuan's condition, he felt the profound, abyss-like aura emanating from him.
This was definitely a power-type soul master with exceptionally superior physical attributes.
"Just to clarify, no soul skills are allowed. At most, you can use the strength granted by your martial soul's embodiment," Long Yuxue added from the side.
Jiang Wuyue frowned.
"No way. This is the cafeteria. The table won't hold up."
"Agreed. No martial souls—just pure physical strength," Xu Yuan nodded.
Seeing this, Long Yuxue didn't insist.
She wasn't sure about Xu Yuan's physical capabilities but knew that when Xu Yuan utilized his blood essence, his strength was absolutely monstrous.
Since Xu Yuan had already agreed, there was no need to emphasize the use of martial soul embodiment.
"Then I'll act as the referee," Jiang Qiyue said eagerly, raising her hand.
Neither Xu Yuan nor Jiang Wuyue objected.
"Alright, if that's settled, both of you prepare."
"Three, two, one, begin!"
As Jiang Qiyue's words fell, Xu Yuan and Jiang Wuyue simultaneously exerted force.
Neither of them unleashed their full strength immediately.
If the goal were simply to win the competition, they could have burst forth with overwhelming power, instantly crushing the other. However, this was a test of strength, not a simple arm-wrestling match to determine a winner.
Since it was a test of strength, they naturally began by gradually increasing their power.
Both men tacitly started with a weak force, slowly ramping it up.
Of course, what they considered a "weak force" might be enough to severely injure other soul masters.
The table beneath their elbows began to slightly deform.
Though the table wasn't made of rare metals, it was crafted from an alloy reinforced with soul-guided technology, making it quite durable. Yet under their pure strength contest, it began to deform shortly after the start.
"This Xu Yuan really has some skill."
Jiang Qiyue, who had great confidence in her brother, was surprised.
Jiang Wuyue's martial soul was the Tyrant Dragon—a genuinely powerful dragon-type martial soul.
Though not a true dragon, the Tyrant Dragon surpassed most true dragons in various attributes, completely outclassing them.
Because of his Tyrant Dragon martial soul, Jiang Wuyue's strength was extraordinary. He was undefeated in the camp when it came to pure physical power.
Even among the camp's Title Douluo, few could match him in raw physical strength.
However, as the arm-wrestling contest progressed and time passed, Xu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, leaving Jiang Qiyue increasingly astonished.
The surface of the table beneath their elbows had already been pressed into a small depression.
"You'll have to pay for any damage to the table," a cafeteria staff member reminded them.
Neither responded, continuing to increase their force.
Jiang Wuyue's expression grew increasingly intense as he stared hard at Xu Yuan, his heart filled with indescribable shock.
In his perception, Xu Yuan's hand felt as hard as steel. His arm seemed fixed in place, and despite using considerable strength, Jiang Wuyue felt he couldn't budge Xu Yuan at all.
With a loud shout, Jiang Wuyue began to exert his full strength.
His right arm muscles rapidly bulged. Without using any extraordinary powers or martial soul embodiment, his sheer physical presence exuded an overwhelming sense of strength and oppression.
However, on the other side, Xu Yuan also continued to apply force. His arm remained firmly embedded in place, unmoving.
Not only that, but as Jiang Wuyue pushed himself to his limits—his face beginning to flush red—Xu Yuan's hand began to move, slowly pressing Jiang Wuyue's arm downward.
Jiang Wuyue's face quickly reddened. Naturally, he was unwilling to lose to this rookie.
With a low growl, he exerted every ounce of strength, trying to turn the tide.
But when strength reached its limit, that was it. No matter how much he pushed, there was ultimately a ceiling.
Xu Yuan's arm steadily advanced, pressing Jiang Wuyue's arm toward the table.
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