Fang Yan had broken through two rounds in a row. In particular, defeating Lin Hao, whose strength had skyrocketed after taking a banned drug, had made him famous in a single battle and turned him into the biggest dark horse of this year's School Martial Arts Competition. In the rest area, quite a few students took the initiative to come over and greet him, their eyes filled with awe.
After Lin Hao was carried away, the school doctor discovered that he had taken a banned drug called the "Blood Burst Pill." This pill could forcibly increase one's strength for a short period, but it inflicted tremendous damage on the body. With the slightest carelessness, it could leave behind permanent aftereffects. When the school leaders learned of this, they were furious. They immediately announced that Lin Hao's competition qualifications were revoked and expelled him from the school.
Fang Yan did not care in the slightest. He seized every moment to recover his vital energy and blood while replaying his battle with Lin Hao in his mind. That final move, "Straight Punch · Sword Shadow," had been improvised on a whim. He had infused the fierce intent of the Basic Sword Technique into his straight punch, never expecting the effect to be so remarkable. This made him realize that different skills might be fused with one another to create even more powerful techniques.
"Next match, Fang Yan versus Zhao Yu!"
The referee's voice rang out once more, and the entire arena instantly fell silent. This was a showdown that had drawn everyone's attention—the newly risen dark horse Fang Yan against Zhao Yu, an established powerhouse from the Elite Class. Everyone wanted to know whether Fang Yan could work another miracle this time.
Zhao Yu had already been waiting on the platform. When he saw Fang Yan walk up, the contempt on his face from before was gone, replaced by a solemn expression. "Fang Yan, you're strong—stronger than I imagined," Zhao Yu said gravely. "We drew last time, but this time, I won't hold back anymore."
"Neither will I." Fang Yan nodded, his gaze resolute. There had been a large reason he had managed to draw with Zhao Yu last time: Zhao Yu had not used his full strength. This time, Fang Yan would have to bring out one hundred and twenty percent of his power if he wanted a chance at victory.
"Begin!"
At the referee's command, the two moved at the same time.
Zhao Yu once again unleashed his fierce palm technique. The wind from his palms roared like mountains collapsing and seas overturning as it pressed toward Fang Yan. But this time, his palm technique was even more refined, with more variations as well. Clearly, he had prepared for this carefully.
Fang Yan did not dare be careless. He pushed the Wind-Treading Steps to the limit, weaving nimbly through the shadows of the palms. At the same time, his fists did not remain idle. Every so often, he threw out a straight punch, forcing back Zhao Yu's attacks.
The two went back and forth, locked in a fierce deadlock. The air currents above the martial arts platform were battered into chaos, while shattered stones flew everywhere, leaving the spectators below trembling with fear.
This won't do. I have to end this quickly. Fang Yan could feel that Zhao Yu's vital energy and blood were deeper than his own. If the fight dragged on, it would work against him.
He drew a deep breath and suddenly changed tactics. He no longer focused solely on dodging, but instead charged forward to meet Zhao Yu head-on. At the instant their palms were about to collide, he abruptly shifted sideways. At the same time, his right hand clenched into a fist, and the vital energy and blood within him surged wildly. His fist not only gathered the power of the "Straight Punch," but also carried the fierce intent of the Basic Sword Technique—and even faintly contained a trace of the agility of the Wind-Treading Steps.
"Straight Punch · Sword Shadow · Wind!"
This was a new technique Fang Yan had created in a flash of inspiration during the previous battle. As his punch shot out, the airflow around his fist transformed into a hazy sword shadow, accompanied by the howling of wind. Its speed was astonishingly fast.
Zhao Yu's expression changed drastically. He had never imagined that Fang Yan could create a new technique in the middle of a battle. He had no time to think. He immediately concentrated all his vital energy and blood, crossed both arms, and raised them before his body.
"Bang!"
A tremendous boom rang out. Zhao Yu felt an enormous force surge from his arms. The force was not only fierce and cutting, but also carried a strange spiraling power that sent his vital energy and blood roiling and left both arms numb. His body flew backward uncontrollably and crashed heavily onto the ground.
"Pfft!" Zhao Yu spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to get up, only to discover that his entire body was weak and powerless.
The referee immediately ran over and announced, "Zhao Yu has lost the ability to fight. Fang Yan wins!"
The entire arena erupted in an uproar, followed by thunderous applause and cheers. Fang Yan had actually defeated Zhao Yu, which meant that he had become the biggest favorite of this year's School Martial Arts Competition!
Fang Yan stood on the platform and looked at Zhao Yu lying on the ground. There was not the slightest trace of joy in his heart, only a feeling of exhilarating release. He knew that this victory was the result of his hard work.
Someone helped Zhao Yu down. Before leaving, he looked at Fang Yan and revealed a complicated smile. "I lost. I'm completely convinced."
Su Qing stepped onto the platform and looked at Fang Yan, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "Well done! You've already exceeded my expectations. Next, only the finals remain. Your opponent is..."
Before Su Qing could finish, a cold voice suddenly came from the crowd. "Me."
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a tall male student walking over. He wore a golden training uniform and possessed an extraordinary bearing. His eyes held an imposing air that seemed to look down on all under heaven.
"It's him!" someone cried out. "He's an upperclassman—Wang Chen!"
Wang Chen was a student in the third-year Elite Class, at the Body Tempering Ninth Layer Peak, with vital energy and blood reaching as high as 0.99. He was publicly recognized as the number-one genius of the entire martial arts school. He had originally already obtained guaranteed admission to a top martial arts university, and he had entered this School Martial Arts Competition merely to stretch his muscles and bones.
Wang Chen looked at Fang Yan, the corner of his mouth curling into a disdainful smile. "Fang Yan, is it? I heard you're quite impressive, but in my eyes, you're nothing more than a clown jumping around. In the finals, I'll let you know what true disparity is."
Fang Yan looked at Wang Chen without speaking, merely tightening his fists. He knew that this would be the strongest opponent he had encountered so far—and the final obstacle on his path to the Martial Dao Secret Realm.
No matter how difficult the road ahead was, he would never retreat.
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