After hearing Lin Hao's explanation, everyone suddenly understood. To ordinary people, two seconds was merely a fleeting instant, but to a martial artist, that instant was long enough to do many things.
"What the hell kind of freakish ability is that?"
"She can manipulate time and space? Doesn't that make her invincible?"
Everyone stared at Lin Hao, dumbfounded. He had only taken two of Liu Qingmeng's attacks, yet he had already deduced so much.
Duan Yue shook his head with a bitter smile. "Honestly, I'm no match for him. He's way too good at analyzing his opponents' strength. If it were me, I'd probably already have been eliminated."
Meanwhile, Fang Wei, the referee, wished he could snatch Lin Hao away right then and there. This kid's no fool.
Liu Qingmeng no longer looked as calm and unruffled as she had at first. "Heh. I really didn't expect you to figure out my ability in such a short time. But so what? You'll still end up losing."
Now it was Lin Hao who looked utterly carefree. He planted the Thunder Prison Sky Splitting Spear in the ground, then beckoned provocatively with a finger. "Why don't you try?"
Liu Qingmeng furrowed her brows. She didn't believe Lin Hao could have seen through her completely. With a flash, she vanished from where she stood.
The fight was no longer one-sided. Lin Hao could predict Liu Qingmeng's attacks almost every time, and he was rarely hit anymore. They fought for dozens more exchanges, during which Liu Qingmeng flashed around more than ten times. Lin Hao managed to block nearly all her attacks.
After dozens of exchanges, Liu Qingmeng retreated beyond fighting range and stared at Lin Hao in astonishment. Lin Hao knew what had surprised her. Without waiting for her to ask, he explained, "You don't need to be surprised. Everyone has habits in the way they fight. Whenever you flash away, I only have to figure out what move you'll make in the next two seconds."
Everyone below the stage watched in shock. Lin Hao had familiarized himself with Liu Qingmeng's fighting style in such a short time.
Liu Qingmeng gave a bitter smile. "I never thought you'd break through the fighting style I prided myself on so easily. Lin Hao, you really are amazing." Before Lin Hao could reply, a brilliant white light flared around her, so dazzling that everyone present squeezed their eyes shut. Lin Hao, however, saw everything clearly. He stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded, as a nosebleed shot out of him.
When the white light faded, Liu Qingmeng stood there in a new, form-fitting outfit. "Ugh, wearing a skirt really gets in the way of fighting." She was talking to herself when she noticed Lin Hao staring blankly at her with blood running from his nose. She instantly realized he seemed to have seen her changing just now. Her face flushed with embarrassment and indignation.
"What did you see?" Liu Qingmeng asked Lin Hao, her little face bright red. Her question brought him back to his senses. "Ahem, nothing. I didn't mean to."
Hearing his explanation, Liu Qingmeng knew perfectly well that this blockhead had seen her naked.
The Shancheng Martial University team members were all confused.
"Why's Brother Lin getting a nosebleed?"
"Probably got hit just now."
Liu Qingmeng had no time to dwell on her embarrassment. "Lin Hao, let's see how you handle this next move." She flashed away again. But contrary to what the spectators expected, this time Lin Hao failed to block her attack. For a dozen or so exchanges, Liu Qingmeng mercilessly beat him down. It looked like maybe, just possibly, she was getting revenge for what had happened earlier.
By now, Lin Hao was covered in bruises, taking Liu Qingmeng's merciless beating with a baffled look on his face.
After a dozen or so exchanges, Lin Hao collapsed once more. Just as everyone thought he'd lost, a shameless voice rang out: "Damn, that hurts like hell! I only took a few peeks. Did you really have to get back at me this badly?"
Lin Hao muttered under his breath, but Liu Qingmeng could hear him perfectly well. What surprised her was how tough Lin Hao was.
Lin Hao struggled to his feet. "Heh, I'd say this was worth it."
Liu Qingmeng's face flushed red with anger at his teasing, and she flashed away again. This time, Lin Hao caught her pale pink fist and shamelessly gave it a squeeze. "Qingmeng, I told you, taking those hits wasn't for nothing. Why won't you believe me?"
Liu Qingmeng was so furious she nearly blew a fuse. "You lecher! Who said you could call me Qingmeng?"
Down below, Su Xiaorui felt like she'd seen this scene before.
Lin Hao didn't bother arguing with him. He let go, then calmly spoke a few words: "Time Acceleration, Time Reversal!"
Liu Qingmeng was horrified when she heard Lin Hao. Suddenly, she felt as if she were standing naked in front of him. (She had, in fact, just been naked.)
Lin Hao smiled faintly. "Looks like I was right. So, is it my turn to attack now?"
Liu Qingmeng suddenly regained her composure. No, I can't let this lecher throw me off. I have to finish the match as quickly as possible.
She sneered. "Lin the pervert, do you think I'll give you the chance?"
Lin Hao's face darkened at that. You're the pervert. Your whole family's full of perverts.
Before Lin Hao could react, a brilliant light suddenly blazed in Liu Qingmeng's hand. Martial Art: Space Lockdown activated. Now it wasn't just Lin Hao—the entire competition stage was sealed off by Liu Qingmeng. Lin Hao stood motionless at the center of the arena.
Jiang Tianhai and Fang Wei wore remarkable expressions. That little girl's Space Lockdown actually contained Law Power. The two of them exchanged bitter smiles. Lin Hao had truly lost this time. Inside Liu Qingmeng's space, Lin Hao was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, awaiting death. And that wasn't all. Liu Qingmeng clenched one hand. A surge of Spiritual Power instantly struck the sealed space. Martial Art: Space Strangling activated.
Now Lin Hao couldn't move at all, and the Space Strangling ability made him feel as if he were being slowly sliced apart. He tried to activate his Thunder Armor to protect himself, but inside Liu Qingmeng's space, it was instantly shredded until not a hair remained. Lin Hao gripped the Thunder Prison Sky Splitting Spear tightly. His triple Spear Intent erupted, barely holding back the restraining force of space.
This can't go on. If I keep dragging this out, I'll probably lose. I've already fought this far—how can I give up now? Lin Hao felt deeply aggrieved. He had thought this Hundred Schools League match would be a sure win. He never expected to face such an absurdly powerful freak in the final and be driven to the brink.
Jiang Weiwei and the others watched Lin Hao anxiously from below. Lin Hao's triple Spear Intent could barely keep him from suffering serious injuries, but he couldn't do anything else.
Both Fang Wei, acting as the referee for this match, and Jiang Tianhai, seated among the judges, shook their heads bitterly. "Lin Hao's luck is just terrible. Looks like this is as far as he'll go."
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