After Xu Guangwei conceded, the Silver Armor Captain ascended the platform with steady steps. The crisp clang of his armor plates cut through the silence of the arena.

His gaze swept over Xu Guangwei, who was still on the ground, then turned to Yang Jing standing in the center of the platform. In a deep voice, he declared, "By judgment, Yang Jing is the victor!"

The moment his voice fell, a roar of excitement erupted from the spectator stands.

Many people had never expected this unknown disciple from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall to cut right through the competition, with even He Han and Xu Guangwei becoming his fallen foes. Xu Guangwei, in particular, was quite famous among the younger generation of Yuhe County. Who would have thought he would fall to Yang Jing’s fists?

"This Yang Jing was hiding his strength too well!"

"He even beat Xu Guangwei! Sun’s Martial Arts Hall is really going to make a name for itself this time!"

"Fifth place! That’s a rank with a great chance of making it onto the list!"

A tide of discussion rose, mixed with gasps of astonishment and praise. Countless eyes focused on Yang Jing, filled with respect, curiosity, and a degree of contemplation.

Inside the light purple curtain on the west side of the stands.

Miss Jinlian lifted her teacup, her fingertips gently brushing its warm side.

Watching the figure on the platform—weary, yet standing tall and straight—a faint smile touched her lips, her eyes filled with understanding.

She knew the effects of the Hundred Herbs Spirit Pill better than anyone. Not only could it restore one to their peak state in a short time, but it also nourished the meridians and aided in comprehending the Martial Dao. Given Yang Jing’s resilience, it was only logical that he could use it to defeat Xu Guangwei.

’If he couldn’t even accomplish this, he would have sorely disappointed me. He wouldn’t be worth any further effort on my part.’

She set down her teacup and murmured to the maid beside her, "It seems I didn’t misjudge him."

By the railing.

Liu Maolin was already flushed with excitement, his hands gripping the wooden barrier so tightly his knuckles turned white.

His eyes grew warm as he watched Yang Jing’s figure descend from the platform.

’Fifth place!’

’This is the best result Sun’s Martial Arts Hall has had in nearly a decade!’

According to the rules of previous years, fifth place had at least an eighty percent chance of making the final ranking. Yang Jing had really done it. He had truly brought honor to the Martial Arts Hall!

Liu Maolin had been worried sick that Yang Jing would follow in Lin Yue’s footsteps, failing to concede in time and suffering a grievous injury on the platform.

That was why he had repeatedly warned Yang Jing to concede without hesitation the moment he saw no hope of winning. He absolutely could not afford to push himself too hard!

But now, Yang Jing had fought his way to fifth place in the ranking matches!

He had a great chance of making it onto this year’s tournament ranking list and attaining a semi-official status. Even the patriarchs of the great families would have to treat him with respect.

The junior disciples from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall next to him were so excited they were practically dancing, chattering all at once:

"Senior Brother Yang is incredible! He even beat Xu Guangwei!"

"Now our Martial Arts Hall might finally have someone’s name on the tournament list!"

"Let’s tell Master when we get back so he can be happy too!"

Liu Maolin smiled and clapped the shoulders of a few of the junior disciples, but his gaze remained fixed on Yang Jing’s departing back, his heart surging with an indescribable mix of excitement and relief.

He could almost see the reputation of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, because of this young man named Yang Jing, shining brighter and standing taller in the Martial Arts Realm of Yuhe County.

...

Inside the enclosure.

As Yang Jing stepped down from the main platform, his steps felt a little heavy. The continuous exertion of the Mountain-Shattering Fist and the prolonged, high-intensity fight had left his muscles faintly aching.

He glanced at Xu Guangwei beside him. The other man was clutching his chest, every step aggravating his injuries. He staggered, his face ashen, and even the usual sharpness in his eyes had dimmed.

’This guy is hurt even worse.’

Xu Guangwei kept his head down, his jaw clenched tight.

His heart felt as if it were being crushed by a giant stone.

’Sixth place.’ The result felt like a thorn in his heart.

He had thought he could ride the momentum of defeating Yang Jing to secure fifth place, perhaps even advance further. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

But in the end, he had fallen to an opponent he had never truly taken seriously.

The spots on the tournament ranking list were extremely limited. While sixth place wasn’t terrible, it was far less secure than fifth. The disparity left him without even the strength to lift his head.

The two walked off the platform in silence and found separate places to sit down.

Just as Yang Jing was about to circulate his energy to recover, the Silver Armor Captain’s voice rang out from the main platform: "Group One, second match: Li Mengchao versus Zhou Zhiqiang! Both combatants, to the stage!"

The crowd instantly went wild.

The viciousness of Li Mengchao’s palm strike that had severely injured Lin Yue was still fresh in everyone’s minds, and the sheer power Zhou Zhiqiang displayed when defeating He Han was also impressive. This showdown was undoubtedly the main event of the round.

Li Mengchao walked out slowly, still wearing that same calm and nonchalant expression. His hands were clasped behind his back, his pace unhurried, yet an intangible, oppressive aura radiated from him.

Zhou Zhiqiang, on the other hand, had a grave expression. His fists were clenched as he strode onto the platform, each step making the wooden planks THUMP as if he were accumulating power.

"Begin!"

Before the Captain’s voice had even faded, Zhou Zhiqiang made the first move.

He poured all his Inner Strength into his fists. The wind from his punches shrieked as it tore through the air, his fists descending like two heavy hammers straight for Li Mengchao’s face.

His fighting style was simple and direct, but its strength lay in its unparalleled ferocity. Every punch contained the full power of a martial artist at the Peak of Dark Energy. He was clearly trying to overwhelm skill with brute force.

Li Mengchao’s eyes lifted slightly. Instead of retreating, he advanced, slowly pushing out his right palm.

A faint golden glow appeared on his palm. The aura of the Vajra Hand Seal instantly unfurled, and a Qi Force as heavy as a mountain pressed forward.

BANG!

The instant the fist and palm met, Zhou Zhiqiang felt an immense force surge from his opponent’s palm. The power behind his own fist was forcibly dispersed, and a domineering, concussive force traveled up his arm, making his meridians go numb. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and he stumbled back three steps involuntarily.

’Such powerful Palm Force. The Li Family’s Vajra Hand Seal is truly something else!’

Zhou Zhiqiang’s heart shuddered. He took a deep breath, then unleashed his fists like a furious storm. The afterimages of his punches were a dense blur as he tried to use speed against speed, hoping to force an error from Li Mengchao.

But Li Mengchao’s figure remained as steady as a rock. No matter how frantic Zhou Zhiqiang’s storm of fists became, he responded only with his palm techniques.

At times, the Vajra Hand Seal was like Mount Tai crashing down, his Palm Force heavy and fierce. At others, it was like a spirit serpent coiling around a wrist, skillfully deflecting the force.

His palm, faintly shimmering with golden light, collided with Zhou Zhiqiang’s Iron Fists, producing a series of deep, muffled thuds. Shockwaves spread in all directions, sending splinters of wood from the platform flying into the air.

THUD THUD THUD!

After dozens of exchanges.

As fist and palm met once again, Zhou Zhiqiang felt as if his chest had been crushed by a boulder. The concussive force penetrated straight to his organs, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth uncontrollably.

He could clearly feel that his opponent’s Inner Strength was not only denser than his own, but the tyrannical concussive force within the palm technique was continuously battering his meridians. ’If this goes on,’ he thought, ’my foundation will be damaged.’

As Li Mengchao’s right palm, once again glowing with golden light, pushed forward, Zhou Zhiqiang’s pupils shrank. He decisively pulled back his fist, wiped the blood from his mouth, and declared loudly, "I concede!"

The moment the words were out, he wasted no more time, turning and striding quickly off the platform.

Though his face was pale, his breathing ragged, and fresh blood still clung to the corner of his mouth, he had ultimately cut his losses in time and prevented his injuries from worsening.

He still had some fight left in him for the matches to come!

Li Mengchao retracted his palm, the golden glow fading. His expression remained unchanged, as if he had merely crushed an ant.

He turned and walked off the platform, leaving the entire arena in silence.

Anyone could see that the power of the Vajra Hand Seal was unfathomable. Zhou Zhiqiang’s concession was undoubtedly the wisest choice.

Yang Jing sat cross-legged below the platform, regulating his condition.

He watched Li Mengchao walk down from the platform, his heart tightening.

’This man’s strength is far beyond my imagination. If I have to face him, I’m afraid...’

Yang Jing quickly shook his head.

Li Mengchao’s personal strength was terrifying, and behind him stood the Li Family, one of the six great families of Yuhe County. ’It’s best not to make an enemy of someone so frightening.’

Yang Jing stopped himself from thinking further. He could only turn his gaze back to the platform and wait for the final ranking matches to begin.

...

PS:

DING DING DING! The tournament arc is ending in the next Chapter.

First, this author needs to think about where the plot goes from here.

Second, I’ve genuinely run out of time to write. It’s 11:50 PM right now, so I can’t get the third Chapter out tonight. It should be posted around noon tomorrow.

Third, my arms and legs are numb, my stomach is growling, and I’m mentally exhausted. I’m still one update short, so you’ll have to wait until noon. My apologies, everyone.

A huge thanks to the big shot [Book Friend 20191229102042556] for the 100 Qidian Coin donation!

Lastly, this humble author is online begging for monthly tickets. We’re currently tenth on the new book monthly ticket rankings. Let’s not set our sights too high, just take it one step at a time. Our current goal is to move up two spots. Let’s make a push! The gap is only about thirty-odd tickets. I believe in you, my brothers and sisters!

I bow in thanks to all you big shots!