Battle with Shen

Just then, the opponent, Shen, suddenly tripped and fell to the ground, only to spring back up immediately.

Thwack!

Wang Yang smiled slightly, pressing his right hand down to pin the other man's head. Had he been an unprepared target, the force transmitted through his arm would have surely knocked him unconscious.

In this fight, he was suppressing his own ki, displaying power equivalent to his opponent. If he didn't suppress his strength, every battle would end in a crushing victory, leaving him with no room to improve his combat experience. Only a battle between equals would allow him to learn lessons and enrich his repertoire.

Otherwise, should he ever encounter a truly evenly matched opponent, his lack of combat experience would easily lead to a disadvantage.

Wang Yang was determined to become the strongest in the universe; not just in raw power, but he had to be invincible among his peers as well.

"Sorry, sorry, my foot slipped just now." Shen retreated a few steps, bowing and apologizing to Wang Yang with a laugh.

His gaze darkened as he watched the other man.

Next, Shen performed his act to the fullest, tripping, complaining of stomach aches, and suffering leg cramps for no reason, yet he would always 'accidentally' strike at Wang Yang, while 'subconsciously' blocking Wang Yang's attacks every time.

"This guy is really just here to clown around," Yamcha remarked.

Son Goku's expression was grave; he sensed a familiar aura emanating from Shen.

"No need to play the fool anymore," Wang Yang said, looking at him with a half-smile.

Having wandered the universe for many years and fought countless life forms, his combat experience was vast and his eyes were incredibly sharp. Although Shen's movements were comical, the subtle details revealed an extraordinary nature that did not escape his observation.

Shen's face stiffened, and he dropped his playful demeanor. The previous failed attempts told him that he wouldn't be able to defeat his opponent without using his true skills.

"In that case, let's fight for real!" No sooner had Shen spoken than he transformed into a streak of light, his elbow striking toward Wang Yang at high speed.

"What?"

"So fast!"

The crowd was shocked. They had assumed this sleazy middle-aged man was all bark and no bite, never expecting him to be so ferocious.

I knew this old gentleman wasn't simple, Goku thought, watching the battle on the ring.

Swish!

Just then, the Wang Yang being attacked by Shen slowly vanished—it was merely an afterimage.

Bang!

Wang Yang appeared behind Shen and struck his back with a punch, sending him flying toward the edge of the ring.

Shen let out a cry, tumbling through the air as he plummeted toward the ground.

Just as everyone thought the outcome was decided, Shen suddenly hovered in mid-air, just one meter above the ground.

"Flying?"

Goku and the others were instantly stunned.

Tien Shinhan stared at Shen in shock; flight was the signature technique of his Crane School, so how could this middle-aged man know it?

"You are an excellent warrior. It seems I cannot defeat you without using my trump cards." Shen flipped and landed on the ring, staring unblinkingly at Wang Yang.

Shen raised both hands, and a powerful surge of ki erupted, pushing Wang Yang directly into the sky. Shen then kicked off the ground, using the force to propel himself upward.

In mid-air, Wang Yang spun his body to stabilize himself. Seeing Shen flying toward him from below, he immediately clenched his fist and struck out.

Bang!

With a dull thud, the two figures locked in a stalemate for a moment before engaging in a flurry of blows. They fought from the airspace above Ring Eight to Ring Seven, and then from Ring Seven to Ring Five.

The sound of intense collisions rang out incessantly, leaving the spectators below dumbfounded.

Wang Yang could actually fly, too?

"So... so amazing! To think such an intense battle would break out in the preliminaries." Yamcha was stunned below; he couldn't track the movements of the two men above at all.

The only ones who could see clearly were Goku and Demon Junior. Both men wore grave expressions, their eyes darting back and forth as they followed the battle.

Damn it! Not only is there Son Goku, but these two guys are also this powerful? How am I supposed to rule the Earth if I don't eliminate them? Demon Junior was furious, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

Just then, one figure smashed through the roof of the building, flying out into the open, followed closely by another agile figure.

The two figures continued their fierce battle in the sky.

The spectators below immediately swarmed out to watch.

Those outside who had been clamoring to get in stopped their shouting the moment they saw the two figures in the sky and looked up.

"So intense, they actually fought their way out from inside," Master Roshi said, taking off his sunglasses and staring upward without blinking.

"That looks like Wang Yang!" Bulma rested her fair hand against her forehead. Even from a distance, she recognized that unique silhouette and sturdy frame; she knew it was Wang Yang, even if she couldn't see his face clearly.

"The battle is truly intense! The two contestants have actually fought their way out of the preliminary ring!" The blonde announcer stood below, microphone in hand, narrating with great enthusiasm.

Since neither man's feet had touched the ground, they were not considered out of bounds.

Shen looked at Wang Yang, panting heavily.

"Truly formidable. There isn't a single opening."

It had been many years since Shen had experienced such a fierce battle, and for a moment, he struggled to keep up with Wang Yang's rhythm.

Wang Yang suddenly let out a loud shout, charging toward his opponent with two blue orbs of light gathering in his hands.

"What?" Shen was greatly shocked. He pressed his index and middle fingers together on both hands, waving them toward the two energy spheres in an attempt to manipulate them with magic.

Wang Yang felt the energy spheres in his hands trying to break free from his control, so he gripped them tightly, repelling the opponent's pulling force, and slammed the two energy spheres hard against the opponent's chest and back.

BOOM!

With a deafening roar, smoke filled the air, and a figure in white robes was seen screaming as he fell from the sky, smashing a large crater into the ground.

"Uh? Contestant Shen has fallen onto the outer ring." The blonde announcer looked somewhat bewildered. Falling from the inner ring to the outer ring—did that count as being out of bounds?

"I concede!" Shen stood up shakily, his face covered in dirt and grime.

"Contestant Shen concedes! The winner of this match is Contestant Wang Yang! The final eight contestants of this tournament have finally been decided. They are: Contestant Goku, Contestant Tien Shinhan, Contestant Mercenary Tao, Contestant Nameless, Contestant Demon Junior, Contestant Krillin, Contestant Yamcha, and Contestant Wang Yang!" the blonde announcer shouted at the top of his lungs.

"You are truly remarkable. Your combat experience is incredibly rich, and you never let your guard down for a single moment. You are an exceptionally fine warrior. Even if I weren't possessing this body and fought you with my true self, I still wouldn't be able to defeat you." Shen took out a cloth to wipe his glasses and smiled at Wang Yang.

"Although I really wanted to win and face that guy, losing to you is no injustice at all."

Shen glanced at Piccolo, who stood with his arms crossed, before turning back to smile at Wang Yang.

"You are also remarkable. If there is time, I would like to ask you for guidance on magic." Wang Yang smiled slightly.

The two walked side by side toward the interior, chatting and laughing as they went.