The Battle Against Liu Kuang

Clang!

There was no suspense. The Iron Sword flew from Qin Xiongfeng's hand, and Qin Hao pressed the tip of his own blade against Qin Xiongfeng's chest.

Qin Xiongfeng drew a deep breath, a storm surging through his heart. What kind of presence was that? What kind of swordsmanship?

"I lost!"

Qin Xiongfeng suddenly looked up, excitement shining in his eyes. "Thank you for showing mercy, Young Master! Thank you for your guidance!"

"Go on down." With a clang, Qin Hao sheathed the Iron Sword.

"Yes!"

Qin Xiongfeng leaped off the platform, his manner deeply respectful.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

In the Qin section, the Grand Supreme Elder's face darkened as he watched Qin Hao stand proudly on the platform.

"Grand Supreme Elder, Hao'er will make the top three!" Qin Yuntian could not help saying.

"Qin Yuntian, you fool! I must have been blind to support you becoming head of the Qin! How could Qin Hao, with only a first-grade Martial Soul, possibly stand against Chen Yuntian and Liu Kuang? After the tournament, I'll make you and that worthless son of yours pay!"

"The Qin will not fall!"

Qin Hao had reached the spectator seats. His gaze was calm as he faced the Grand Supreme Elder. "As long as I, Qin Hao, live, the Qin will not decline. We will stand firm in Tianshui City!"

"Arrogant! Ignorant!" The Grand Supreme Elder flew into a rage, wishing he could slap Qin Hao to death.

Qin Hao shook his head and paid the Grand Supreme Elder no further attention.

With Qin Hao's victory, the contenders for the top three were decided.

Chen Yuntian, Liu Kuang, Liu Xiao, and Qin Hao!

And without a doubt, Qin Hao and Liu Xiao were the greatest dark horses of this year's Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament!

No one had expected Liu Xiao, a martial artist from a minor faction outside the city, to earn a chance at the top three.

Still fewer had expected Qin Hao, a supposed good-for-nothing who had awakened only a first-grade Martial Soul, to win match after match without a defeat.

"In my opinion, that good-for-nothing Qin Hao has gone as far as he can! Still, for someone with a first-grade Martial Soul, getting this far is impressive enough."

"True, but Liu Xiao is the one who really deserves admiration. He's had precious few resources since childhood, yet he's cultivated to the early seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm."

"No question about it. This year's top three are settled: Chen Yuntian first, Liu Kuang second, and Liu Xiao third!"

Everyone discussed it excitedly.

Though the crowd had already decided who would take the top three places, they still eagerly anticipated the fights ahead.

A duel between geniuses was nothing like a bout between ordinary martial artists. It was sure to be spectacular.

Amid the excited chatter, the middle-aged man announced the next match.

"This round: Liu Kuang versus... Qin Hao!"

Every match was decided by drawing lots, with absolute fairness.

Everyone had expected Chen Yuntian to face Liu Kuang or Liu Xiao. Never had they imagined Qin Hao would be matched against Liu Kuang.

Disbelief spread across every face.

What sort of man was Liu Kuang?

In the previous match, he had shattered Qin Fang's dantian and left him a cripple.

And Qin Fang had merely been caught in the crossfire. The one Liu Kuang truly hated was Qin Hao.

"Over two months ago, Qin Hao crippled Liu Kuang's younger brother Liu Feng right in front of him. Liu Kuang hates him to the bone and has been dying to meet him in the tournament. Now he's finally got his wish. Qin Hao is dead!"

"Liu Kuang shattered Qin Fang's dantian without a moment's hesitation! Now it's Qin Hao's turn, and his fate will be even worse!"

Mocking laughter rose from below the platform.

"Fools! Fools! Fools!" In the Qin section, the Grand Supreme Elder's face was cold as he growled, "Qin Yuntian, I told you long ago to have that worthless son of yours concede. Now he's facing Liu Kuang. Forget winning—he'll be lucky to keep his life!"

At that, the Grand Supreme Elder sneered. "Just as well. Keeping that worthless son of yours alive is a waste of food. The sooner he dies, the sooner he can be reborn!"

"Grand Supreme Elder, you—!" Fury surged within Qin Yuntian.

"Father!" Qin Hao's calm voice rang out. He shook his head. "Liu Kuang is no match for me."

"Death is at your door, and you still don't know it. Fool!" The Grand Supreme Elder made no effort to hide his malice.

Qin Yuntian took a deep breath and suppressed his anger. Turning to Qin Hao, he said solemnly, "Hao'er, be careful. Your father believes in you!"

"Grand Supreme Elder, your judgment is poor. Under your leadership, the Qin has no future!"

Qin Hao walked slowly toward the platform.

"If I take first place, I hope the Grand Supreme Elder will enter seclusion, devote himself to cultivation, and stop interfering in Lineage affairs."

"You..." The Grand Supreme Elder was so furious he nearly spat blood, but this was no time to argue with Qin Hao.

"Hahaha! Heaven is helping me! Qin Hao, even the heavens are on my side this time. You're dead!"

In the Liu section, Liu Kuang laughed like a madman. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes; his face was twisted, and excitement filled his expression.

He had waited far too long for this day!

Not far away, a faint sneer touched Liu Ruoxue's lips. "If only you'd known how this would end. You might have scraped by as an ordinary man, but you just had to invite humiliation and throw your life away."

"As expected, fools only make foolish choices."

With that, Liu Ruoxue lowered her eyes and said no more.

The match's outcome was already decided. Another word would be pointless.

Beside Liu Ruoxue, Yang Benhong gave a cold laugh and swept an icy gaze over Qin Hao as he made his way toward the platform.

Yue Yilin said nothing throughout. She merely glanced toward the platform.

Apart from the Azure Origin Fruit awarded for first place, nothing about the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament interested her.

"Qin Hao, get up here and die!!!"

Before Qin Hao could step onto the platform, a burly figure flashed past. Liu Kuang sprang into the air and landed at its center in a few bounds.

"Liu Kuang, you couldn't do anything to me three months ago. You're even less of a match for me now." Qin Hao pushed lightly off the ground and soared onto the platform in an instant.

"If you hadn't run so fast, you'd have died without a place to bury your bones!" Liu Kuang roared. Three months earlier, he had chased Qin Hao into the Ink Forest Mountains. Not only had he failed to find him, but he had run into numerous demon beasts and barely escaped with his dignity intact.

Liu Kuang's face twisted. "Qin Hao, I'll show you what it means to wish you were dead! I'll flay you and tear out your sinews, then have my brother slice the flesh from your bones and feed it to the dogs, one cut at a time!"

"Qin Hao, hand over your worthless life!"

"Frenzied Blade Art!"

Without another word, Liu Kuang brought his blade down hard toward Qin Hao.

He had decided to grievously wound Qin Hao first, then trample him beneath his feet before everyone, destroy his dantian, and sever his meridians!

After the tournament, he would take his time tormenting and humiliating Qin Hao!

He had no intention of killing Qin Hao immediately. He had promised Liu Feng that his brother could take revenge himself and end Qin Hao's life with his own hands!

"That good-for-nothing Qin Hao actually wants to fight Liu Kuang? He really has no idea when he's courting death!"

"One strike from that blade, and Qin Hao will be half-crippled even if he survives."

"Tsk, how miserable. I can hardly bear to watch."

At the sight, mocking smiles appeared on many faces.

To them, Liu Kuang and Qin Hao were opponents of entirely different caliber.

With Liu Kuang's strength, he could crush Qin Hao outright.