A week flew by like an arrow.
The number of requests had been reduced to half.
The first preliminary round of the Sacheon Outcast review index selection tournament had narrowed the streets of Sacheon City and its sects.
Did Sacheon City folks ever have a chance to join the sects? Not only did they step in, but they also enjoyed themselves, laughing and chatting while taking all sorts of tests within the sects.
Instead of uncertain requests that might never be resolved, merchants and residents asking for help from the neighboring sects increased.
You could say it was like losing business, but once there are more outcasts, requests will begin to be handled quickly, and some of that will come back.
At night, I roamed around breaking the dantiens of the Evil Faction folks who were testing the waters, and during the day, I busily prepared for the tournament. Before I knew it, it was time for the second preliminary round to start.
Woooooah!!
“Nice to see everyone from Sacheon City. And congratulations to the 461 successful candidates.”
“First, let’s discuss the grouping for this competition. 41 people will form one group to create an array formation and fight against other groups. There will be 11 groups due to the number of participants, and the remaining members will be distributed among the groups, making for a total of 42 members.”
“Each of the 11 groups will compete against every other group once to earn points, and the top 5 groups with the highest points will survive.”
“Participants, please draw lots for your assigned groups from the last person who made it to the preliminaries. Each match will be based on the ranking of the finalists, and mock battle opportunities will also be provided based on the order.”
Contestant No. 7, the last successful candidate, drew lots and revealed the number.
“Team 7!”
As I watched the sequential drawing of lots, I thought about this selection test.
Group projects.
Oh no, I meant the array formation test.
So far, the tests had evaluated the participants’ skills and ingenuity, but this array formation test would certainly examine their character and mental strength.
“Contestant No. 558, Group 1!”
The one who passed the test first, Contestant No. 558, was selected as Group 1, completing the group assignments.
There was much speculation about which group was advantageous or disadvantageous, but with one group holding a whopping 40 members, the skills of an individual didn’t matter that much.
It was time to reveal the array formation.
“The array formation that participants will be refining is called Changjin.”
The audience began murmuring.
“Changjin…? Is there a sect in Sacheon City that specializes in spears?”
While spears weren’t the main weapon in the Martial World, they were indeed familiar to martial artists.
Yet, in Sacheon City, while there were numerous sects, none specialized in spear techniques.
The reason likely lay in the fact that Sacheon City was a city among cities. A martial artist roaming the streets wielding a long spear would surely look out of place.
Given that Sacheon City had strong bureaucratic influence, it may have also been cumbersome for a sect to establish itself using this weapon.
So, among the 461 participants, it was highly probable that none had trained specifically in this weapon, and the chance of anyone mastering spear techniques in the future was dim.
Learning that martial skill alone was deemed useless would certainly rot the mood for participants who now had to learn the exclusive array formation associated with it.
It was akin to a college student tasked with a group project, clicking around the Internet to gather knowledge, which can be found in just a few scrolls, but now having to communicate with group members to gather materials, create a PowerPoint presentation, and ultimately present it in a lecture where no one cared.
Looking at the vacant stares directed at me from the candidates, I struck a decisive note.
“Best of luck to you all.”
Contestant No. 7 surveyed the members of Team 7. The sight of everyone awkwardly holding their provided staffs truly looked strange.
‘There sure are a lot of us.’
“First off, we need to elect a group leader… Any volunteers?”
Including the top seed from the additional preliminaries, Contestant No. 501, five volunteers stepped forward. Though there was pressure in leading a team unfamiliar with spear techniques, considering the public attention the group leader would receive, it was worth the shot.
“I’ve had some experience in spear techniques.”
“I’ve led an array formation before.”
“I’ll lead our group with courage and direction.”
It was clear that deciding on a group leader wouldn’t be easy. There had been no tests regarding leadership or spear skills so far.
After a long discussion, the consensus was to appoint Contestant No. 651, who claimed to have experience commanding an array formation, as the temporary group leader.
Contestant No. 651 received a banner proving their leadership of Team 7 and also the Changjin manual.
“Hmmm… it appears to be the Eight Gates Formation.”
“There are a whopping 16 shapes to the array formation, aren’t there?”
“Because each has its own synergy, knowing just one or two wouldn’t cut it.”
The atmosphere of Team 7 grew heavy.
Contestant No. 7 also felt a sense of despair while looking at the manual. The deadline for the second preliminary round was a total of 20 days. They would practice for 3 days and then face two duels on the 4th day. This cycle would repeat five times, taking on each of the 10 groups once.
‘Will we be able to properly execute the array formation by the next duel?’
“Alright, let’s start practicing the array formation.”
Thus, under the guidance of Contestant No. 651, Team 7 began their practice.
“Whoops.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
However, the practice quickly fell apart. Even those with prior experience executing an array formation were only accustomed to small-scale formations. The understanding of such a large-scale array was practically nonexistent.
Moreover, the lengthy staffs being used would often hinder the flow of the array formation. While trying to grasp the flow of the formation with the staff acting as a spear, the obstruction of the vision caused by the lengthy pole added to the complexity.
“This staff is so cumbersome!”
“I didn’t think this pole would be such a hassle!”
In the end, Team 7 had to part ways while watching the setting sun, having barely managed to showcase any of the 16 variations.
“Alright, it’s only the first day! Other teams will be struggling just like us! Tomorrow, let’s observe the mock battles of others and analyze the real combat stage, then we can discuss our practice methods again.”
“That makes sense.”
“It’s too early to give up yet.”
Team 7 put their disarrayed practice of the array formation behind them, looking forward to the next day.
The next day.
In the park, mock battles between Group 1 and Group 4, as well as between Group 6 and Group 10, unfolded.
It meant that the four groups with strong rankings from the first preliminary round were granted the authority to conduct mock battles.
Participants donned armor and face-covering helmets instead of the usual poles and robes.
“Armor and helmets, is it?”
“Looks to be quite sturdy, so even if you stab or thrust with the staff, it shouldn’t easily result in injury.”
“So, they’re marking deaths with paint on the staff tips, huh?”
Participants, who had worried about sustaining significant injuries and thus being eliminated from the tournament, let out sighs of relief.
“Now commence the mock battle! If the formation disrupts, a warning will be given, and if three warnings are accrued, it results in disqualification. However, since this is a mock battle, even if warnings accumulate, we will continue.”
“Unfold the Qian Kun formation!”
“Unfold the Gan Tai formation!”
The competitions of Group 1 and Group 4 took shape, their formations aligning as they clashed together.
Ding ding ding!!
And then, the judge’s bell rang.
“Group 1 and Group 4 each receive one warning.”
Group 1 and Group 4, along with the other groups watching the mock battle, were taken aback.
“Isn’t this too harsh? The formation crumbling upon collision is expected!”
“The moment the two groups collided, members deviated from the array. How can you say that’s expected?”
The judge remained firm, and Group 1 and Group 4 had no choice but to re-establish their formations.
Ding ding ding!
The bell rang incessantly as the winner and loser were barely determined. The subsequent battles between Group 6 and Group 10 were no different.
The challengers were casting gloomy faces due to the unexpectedly stringent judgments on their formations.
Contestant No. 651 rallied Team 7.
“Alright, as you’ve seen, practice is our only way out. First, let’s focus on mastering just two formations. Trying to learn all of them in two days isn’t feasible.”
Without exception, the team members nodded and dove into their practice.
After two days, Team 7 was finally set to face their first match.
Woooooah!!
Aside from the fact that they would be battling in front of thousands of crowds and that the one carrying the group banner wore golden armor, it was nearly the same as the preliminary rounds.
“It’s Team 7 led by Contestant No. 651 versus Team 1 led by Contestant No. 11!”
“Unfold the Jin Son formation!”
“Unfold the Gam Yi formation!”
Ding ding ding!!
Team 7 achieved a record of 1 win and 1 loss. Although they had gained a victory through a forfeit from Group 1, they were completely overwhelmed by Group 2, which had prepared their matching formation.
Contestant No. 7 was satisfied with Team 7’s performance. Though it seemed like a mere 1 win and 1 loss, they knew that with the possibility of draws, this record could keep them within the passing range.
‘At this pace, we’ll definitely reach the next exam.’
If they could maintain their current performance, passing the second preliminary round would be quite achievable!
With their chests puffed with hope after their two matches, Team 7 returned, only to face a disaster the next day.
“I think we need to change our group representative!”
They had to face the chaotic state of Team 7 right away.
Team 7’s leader, Contestant No. 651, frowned.
“What do you mean? Didn’t we fare reasonably well in yesterday’s match?”
Contestant No. 532, who voiced the change, shook their head.
“True, we won against Team 1, but did we genuinely earn that victory based on Team 7’s capabilities? Honestly, we ought to say Team 1 self-destructed.”
“Hmmm…”
Contestant No. 7 also thought Contestant No. 532 had a point. Truthfully, Team 1 was so disorganization-prone that any group could defeat them easily.
“But how about the battle against Group 2? I believe our loss there was due to the leader’s lack of strategic acumen!”
“What do you mean?”
“Contestant No. 651, have you checked which formations Team 2 has been practicing? You can’t just practice two formations aimlessly without understanding your opponent; it’s a recipe for loss!”
“You have to think ahead. Rather than strategizing to strike at the opponents’ weaknesses, we must fill our own weaknesses and, in the end, master all sixteen formations.”
“I think the approach taken by the leader is inefficient! How can you aim to master all sixteen formations? Shouldn’t we select optimally depending on our opponents in order to advance?”
A heated debate ensued.
Contestant No. 651 stressed the necessity of a solid foundation, while Contestant No. 532 argued for the need for flexibility based on the opposition.
“I agree with Contestant No. 532.”
Team 7 had initially claimed neutrality, but many team members sided with Contestant No. 532. While Contestant No. 651’s notion was solid, their current training in Changjin was solely aimed at winning matches—not becoming a master of it.
In the end, Contestant No. 651 had no choice but to withdraw.
“From what I saw in the matches, Team 3 strategized the Gam Yi formation, while Team 5 focused on the Gan Tai formation. Thus, we shall concentrate on honing the formations that synergize with ours: Jin Gon Jin and Son Yi Jin!”
Contestant No. 532 became the new leader, and they were all set to direct with a satisfied smile while waving the leader’s banner.
“We will also adjust the positions to deploy the best at spear techniques to quickly annihilate the enemy!”
“But won’t changing the positions of the array formations now create issues with the two formations we have practiced until now?”
Contestant No. 651 expressed concerns, but Contestant No. 532 dismissed them with the authority of a leader.
“Choices and focus are key! Since we won’t be able to master all formations before the next match, we must sharpen one and deliver a sharp blow!”
Thus, Team 7 spent three vigorous days honing their array formations.
At the following match, they experienced two setbacks.
As anticipated, Teams 3 and 5 were formidable with their Gam Yi and Gan Tai formations, and Contestant No. 532’s tactics allowed Team 7 to land strikes against both.
However, Teams 3 and 5 were not idly sitting by. Both had prepared formations to counter the weaknesses of Jin Gon Jin and Son Yi Jin.
In a short three-day practice, Team 7 expected success with quick strikes, but they found it impossible to generate enough power to finish the fight swiftly.
Overwhelmed by the counter formed by Teams 3 and 5 against their Jin Gon Jin and Son Yi Jin strategies, Team 7 fell apart.
After the match concluded, accusations immediately rained down upon Contestant No. 532.
“That was a complete disaster!”
“What are you going to do about this?!”
Yet, far from feeling the weight of criticism, Contestant No. 532 exploded in frustration at the team members.
“My plan was flawless! If the execution failed, it was because of your incompetence!”
“…What?!”
“Isn’t that right? When you had the formations of Jin Gon Jin and Son Yi Jin in place, I repeatedly told you to finish swiftly! You all failed to execute!”
Members of the group were met with disbelief.
“That’s absurd! We’re still novices with spear techniques! Do you think we can perform such seamless moves in a real match?”
“Hmph! So you intend to ignore your shortcomings and solely blame me!”
“Take away that banner from him right now!”
“You’re getting impeached!”
Team 7, now embroiled in controversy due to the loose-tongued Contestant No. 532, found themselves in an awkward position.
“You’ll see just how much better my replacement will lead!”
With resentment boiling, Contestant No. 532 declared.
“I’m sorry, but the ones who voted me out were you! Let others have a shot at it.”
At this point, even Contestant No. 651 had lost interest in the role.
Three candidates were keen to take the lead on the first day, yet in the current situation, who would wish to become the leader?
Having suffered two successive losses, Team 7’s chances of elimination had spiked markedly. Though two losses were already detrimental, Team 7 faced many other significant issues. Contestant No. 532’s unpredictable nature posed one problem, but the mess he had created was a major concern as well.
What little groundwork Contestant No. 651 had achieved with two formations was now being compromised due to Contestant No. 532’s alteration of the arrangements for Jin Gon Jin and Son Yi Jin’s offensive strategies, creating even more ambiguity. Whether they reverted to the original allocation or moved forward with current deficiencies, Team 7 could only anticipate further detriment to their practice time.
With mounting pressure to achieve victory for a turnaround, who would be willing to lead?
“Sigh, it seems I have no choice.”
In the end, Contestant No. 501 stepped forward.
“I’ll preface by saying I lack experience in array formations or expertise in spear techniques, but seeing no one step up, I intend to lead at least once and coordinate with all of you.”
A discussion determining Team 7’s direction commenced, but very few participants had substantial input.
The mood had turned bleak already, and any comment might provoke retorts from Contestant No. 532, who was always ready to scoff. As discussions dragged on, it inevitably became a battleground of arguments.
Contestant No. 501 could only rub their forehead in frustration for a while, needing a breather before bringing things back to order.
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