CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 74 COPPER-MAN

Zhou Leng looked at the sky, preparing to have dinner, and then return to the Frost Giant Tree to rest.

Deng Zhijue sent a message, asking Zhou Leng to come by.

Zhou Leng entered Deng Zhijue’s office.

Deng Zhijue said, "Two pieces of good news."

"First, the Copper Man Array reservation was successful, you can go tomorrow."

"Second, the Elite New Student Award from the Martial Guard Department has come through. You just need to sign to receive it."

Zhou Leng went over, signed the document, and Deng Zhijue pushed out a large box of medicine.

The Elite New Student Award from the Martial Guard Department rewards one Replenishing Essence Pill plus 50 Great Nourishing Pills, valued at 150,000.

Zhou Leng pushed the Replenishing Essence Pill back to Deng Zhijue and took away the 50 Great Nourishing Pills.

Deng Zhijue said, "Settled. How is the preparation for the joint examination?"

"With actual combat experience in bets, along with taking pills daily, I feel a clear improvement," Zhou Leng said.

"That’s good. By the way, the Hall Master said if you can reach the second level of the Copper Man Array, he will apply for a special scholarship for you, and for each level you advance, the special scholarship increases."

"The Hall Master also said that if you can break through seven levels of Copper Men like Mountain and River Origin in one go, he will directly apply for the highest-level Divine Eagle Plan for you."

"No need, I don’t want to die in there," Zhou Leng said.

Deng Zhijue smiled and said, "In a few days, there will be qualification selections for the ’Joint Examination,’ which should be no problem for you. However, this test affects your ranking on the new student list."

"Is it the same as the entrance test?"

"The school’s internal test items are similar, except for some ’extreme tests.’ Once your super-resolution is sufficient, you can participate in extreme tests, which also offer special scholarships."

"I will give my all."

The next afternoon, Zhou Leng arrived at the easternmost side of Rucheng.

Rucheng Martial Arts Bureau.

In Rucheng, the City Martial Arts Bureau is the critical department, second only to the City Martial Mansion.

The City Martial Mansion governs everything in the city.

The Martial Arts Bureau is a subordinate agency of the Dragon Country’s Martial Arts Department, responsible for all matters related to martial artists in the city, including ranking, evaluation, testing, selection, and training.

The most important testing equipment and projects in Rucheng are all located in the Martial Arts Bureau.

Zhou Leng entered the Martial Arts Bureau and navigated through the map to where the "Eighteen Copper Men Array" was located.

Three grand bronze gates stood in front, each leading to an Eighteen Copper Men Array.

Zhou Leng walked while looking at the illustrations and explanations on both sides of the road.

Although technology related to thermal weapons is blocked, most technology can still be used for non-combat functions.

The Eighteen Copper Men Array combines technology, Demon Spirit Technique, and martial arts skills, becoming the most important trial project for the Qi Blood Realm human race.

"The first level rewards a Replenishing Essence Pill valued at 100,000, the second level a Blood Cleansing Pill valued at 120,000..."

Zhou Leng’s gaze paused briefly on the words "Blood Cleansing Pill."

Blood Cleansing Pills are seldom used, and excessive use can damage the body, so they are not considered core elixirs.

Before the Innate stage, each time the Qi Blood is excessively operated, it causes slight damage to blood vessels or blood.

Blood Cleansing Pills not only repair damage but also help to expel more impurities from the blood.

Blood Cleansing Pills are often out of stock because this pill almost replaces most cardiovascular disease medications.

Diseases like coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, paralysis, and others can all be forcibly treated with Blood Cleansing Pills and Blood Replenishing Pills.

Human Race Pill formulas are either bought from other worlds, obtained in battles of the Ten Realms, or discovered in relics of various realms.

Zhou Leng looked at the reservation message on his phone and walked toward the third Eighteen Copper Men Array.

"Zhou Leng?" Cao Jiajia’s voice called out.

Zhou Leng followed the voice and saw Cao Jiajia and Xu Qingjin approaching, with dozens of classmates standing behind them.

"Are you... oh, participating in the group Copper Man Array?" Zhou Leng remembered that Martial Arts Students and Martial Arts School Students were different in many places.

"Yes, we’re lining up. Are you also participating?"

"Yes, I’m in number three."

"Since your Qi follows body movement, you can definitely pass the first level. The second level is a bit challenging. After all, the standard for the second level is the middle period of Blood Transport."

Zhou Leng chatted and laughed with Cao Jiajia and Xu Qingjin.

Not far away, some Martial Arts Students were quietly discussing Zhou Leng.

Because of the gambling duel, Zhou Leng was quite famous in Rucheng.

Ji Changnian stood in the crowd, wearing white clothes, standing out among the crowd.

He glanced at Zhou Leng indifferently and then continued to look ahead.

"The first level of the Eighteen Copper Men is a must-win."

As time arrived, Zhou Leng bid farewell to Cao Jiajia and Xu Qingjin, walked towards the third Copper Man Array, waited for three minutes, and then the gatekeeper signaled entry.

Zhou Leng stepped through the heavy gates, walked through the corridor, and entered a room about 200 square meters in size.

The room’s floor was lined with dense tracks.

At the end of the room, a humanoid puppet slowly moved along the ground’s tracks.

The puppet was only a humanoid outline, with a round head and square body, its body mounted on a pillar, which was connected to the glide track.

Eight arms on top, four legs below, made of demonized metal, gleaming faintly.

Already yesterday, Zhou Leng had memorized the rules.

Buzz...

Many parts of the Copper Puppet suddenly emitted a faint glow, concentrated mainly on the head and torso.

Only by hitting these places could one score points.

On the display screen at the room’s end, the figure 100% appeared.

"The first array of the Eighteen Copper Men Array, test begins, participants please conduct battle according to the rules."

As the electronic voice finished, the Copper Man suddenly accelerated and charged.

Zhou Leng stepped back, his gaze focused.

The speed of the Copper-man was actually faster than the two previous opponents in the ring, similar to Wen Jianyuan from the sophomore year of West Sea Martial Arts Academy, far surpassing ordinary Martial Artists in the Early Period of Blood Transport.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

The eight metal arms whirled chaotically, flailing in all directions.

The body of an ordinary puppet is ultimately less agile than a human. If it only had two arms, it would be easily avoided.

Zhou Leng carefully dodged, while the Copper-man swiftly slid along the tracks.

Zhou Leng was not in a hurry; soon, he became familiar with the sliding pattern of the Copper-man.

Then, Zhou Leng cautiously attacked.

Bang!

Suddenly, four copper fists detached from the arms, carrying chains, flying a foot outward. Zhou Leng dodged three but was hit on the left shoulder by one copper fist.

Zhou Leng gently shook his numbed and aching shoulder.

The force was quite strong, truly a nuisance.

Shortly, Zhou Leng realized the general attack pattern of the Copper-man, so he started targeting the head and torso.

With Zhou Leng’s attacks continuously succeeding, the numbers on the screen constantly changed.

99.61%...98.63%...97.66%...

However, the Copper-man was very sly.

It could always attack from angles and distances that humans simply could not defend against.

When the percentage dropped to 50%, Zhou Leng was already covered in bruises.

Fortunately, Zhou Leng kept dodging with his head, or his face would have been battered and bloodied by now.

When it dropped to 30%, the Copper-man suddenly sped up.

The four legs started flailing wildly, and the eight arms thrashed and smashed chaotically.

Steel Tornado Turtle Fist.

Completely without pattern.

Zhou Leng looked at the time, realizing he couldn’t delay any longer, thus he attacked forcefully.

Due to the Steel Turtle Fist having no blind spots, every successful attack from Zhou Leng resulted in him getting hit.

The injuries on his body kept increasing, even tearing skin.

When the display dropped to 00.00%, the Copper-man stopped.

Zhou Leng breathed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations to the tester, you have successfully challenged the first layer of the Eighteen Copper Men Array."

"Since someone is currently challenging the Yin Yang Copper Man Array on the second layer, please return to challenge in sequence, replenish your True Qi before challenging, or book your challenge for next time."

"I choose to replenish my True Qi before challenging the second layer."

"Alright, please leave and wait."

Zhou Leng glanced back at the bloodstains on the Copper-man and lowered his head to check the injuries on his own body.

After all, he was Qi Follows Body Movement, Stepping Technique Great Success; if it were ordinary Early Period Blood Transport, getting hit multiple times on the head would surely mean lying here.

"If the Mountain and River Origin were here..."

Zhou Leng seemed to picture a little giant, gripping the Copper-man’s neck with one hand and ferociously punching with the other.

Zhou Leng passed through the door and entered the lounge to meditate and restore True Qi.

After replenishing his True Qi, a reminder showed Zhou Leng was number 7, meaning he’d have to wait about twenty more minutes to enter.

Zhou Leng left the lounge, walking slowly while pondering how to deal with two Copper-men wielding Steel Turtle Fist, attacking without pattern.

These were only Elementary Copper-men; later there would be Advanced Copper-men, reportedly as agile as real human beings, manufactured and controlled by true Demon Spirit Masters.

It is said that the Copper-men on the eighteenth layer are very peculiar, though no specific information has leaked until now.

Zhou Leng arrived at the Copper Man Array entrance and saw Xu Qingjin’s class still lining up.

Xu Qingjin saw Zhou Leng all bruised and hurried over to inquire.

"How did it go?"

"Just cleared the first layer, now preparing for the second layer."

"Will you manage? Do you need a rest?"

"It’s nothing, these are just superficial injuries. There is no martial arts practice without getting hurt. The more injuries now, the less chance of dying in battle."

Cao Jiajia came over and said, "Zhou Leng, not bad. Guys from our class either surrendered, or were knocked out and turned into swollen heads. You only have a bruise on your lip."

"How many passed in your class?" Zhou Leng asked.

"None yet. Our teacher mentioned that the first month is purely for familiarizing oneself with the Copper-men; students begin to pass slowly, usually from the third month onwards. Of course, geniuses like Ji Changnian are exceptions."

"Did he pass?"

"He hasn’t had his turn yet, but surely he will pass. The second layer is hard to say though."

Zhou Leng glanced at the class, unable to recognize who Ji Changnian was.

Suddenly, Zhou Leng spotted a group of students walking over, not from Ruda.

Among them was a familiar face looking at him.

Class 01’s former class president, Chang Luan.

Chang Luan hesitated for a moment, then lightly nodded.

Zhou Leng nodded back.

Although curious about his transfer, Zhou Leng couldn’t be bothered to ask due to some past minor conflicts.

Cao Jiajia waved to someone in the other class, and a girl from inside smiled back at Cao Jiajia.

"Which school are they from?" Zhou Leng asked.

"East China Martial Arts Academy."

Zhou Leng thought to himself; Chang Luan’s family is quite influential. East China Martial Arts Academy ranked higher than Ruda, yet he managed to transfer to a better school.

Not far, Chang Luan slightly lowered his head, secretly thinking that you truly can’t judge a person by their appearance. Zhou Leng, after driving people away, could still act as if nothing happened; what a pretender.