In the ring, Kaiser’s towering figure surveyed the crowd, silencing the entire arena.

Yansong Mountain, the Hall Master of Golden Blade Martial Arts Hall, wore a grim expression. Zhu Renliang, the disciple he had the highest hopes for this year, had already been defeated without inflicting any real damage. Of the two fighters left, who could possibly beat this white Ghost Elder?

’My own remaining disciple? Or the fighter from Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall?’

It seemed he could no longer see any hope of victory. If their opponent really managed a fourth consecutive win, the blow to the reputation of the three major martial arts halls would be immense.

’Just some random young Fighter is already this strong... Is there any future left for the traditional Martial Dao of the Divine Land?’

"What’s the deal with this guy? Why do attacks landing on him have no effect?"

"Could he have achieved Cross-Training? But it doesn’t seem like it. When one uses Cross-Training, their Qi and Blood circulate, creating visible phenomena on the body’s surface. He doesn’t have that."

"Is the power gap really this wide at the Sound Force stage? Two top disciples from the martial arts halls were defeated so easily." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"So this is a Western Fighter. The West isn’t just ahead of us in technology; their individual strength is superior too. Back then, the Daqian Dynasty held sway over the Divine Land, its Seven-Colored Army brimming with talent, but weren’t they utterly crushed by the firearms and Fighter units of the Six Nations? Weren’t they forced to make one humiliating compromise after another?"

After a long moment’s silence, a murmur of discussion rose from the crowd. However, their words were inevitably tinged with a sense of dejection.

It was a despair for the Martial Dao and culture of the Divine Land.

In a century of chaos, the Divine Land lost more than just battles. Most importantly, the people lost faith in their own nation and culture. This deep-seated inferiority complex might not be easily erased even in another hundred years.

That was the most terrifying thing of all.

Fear not the loss of land, but the loss of soul!

"We can’t win. They’re Western Secret Medicine Fighters. While their techniques are a far cry from the Divine Land’s Martial Dao, which has been passed down for thousands of years, the physical enhancement from the Secret Medicine is just too immense. It exceeds the limits of what skill can overcome. Besides, this man’s enhancement is both rare and powerful. He’d be considered a top contender even among all the Sound Force stage practitioners in the entire Divine Land. There’s no one in a small place like Celestial Sea Prefecture who could possibly be his match."

Chu Jiaxuan took a deep breath. As she watched Kaiser stand in the ring, looking down on everyone, she was filled with an indescribable sense of helplessness.

"After tonight, the situation in Celestial Sea Prefecture will likely undergo some major changes..."

Ma Maocheng muttered.

At this moment, Zhao Xuanqi and Shen Shuqiang, the other fighter from Golden Blade Martial Arts Hall, were standing in the waiting area. Shen Shuqiang’s expression turned grim when he saw Zhu Renliang get knocked from the stage with a single blow, his arm twisted grotesquely.

’If even Zhu Renliang couldn’t handle him... things would probably be even worse for me if I went up.’

Without him realizing it, the first two matches had allowed the terror of Kaiser to cast a shadow over his heart.

If the Blood Qi is lost, how can one slay the enemy?

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanqi narrowed his eyes slightly, replaying the last two fights in his mind.

’Overwhelming strength and explosive power, a body with almost no weaknesses, and incredible physical ability and stamina.’

’This man’s Secret Medicine enhancement is likely related to his muscles.’

’An opponent like this is truly tough to deal with. The tricks I used against Zhou Ze would probably have little effect on him.’

The murmurs of the crowd reached his ears. The sighs, the despair for the Divine Land’s Martial Dao, the growing, suppressed, helpless rage...

Zhao Xuanqi’s Spirit was perfectly calm, yet for some reason, the blood in this body began to slowly boil. It was as if something branded deep within his bloodline was awakening, burning, and demanding to resist and roar.

’Is this Zhao Qi’s influence again?’

Zhao Xuanqi frowned slightly, but he didn’t fight the feeling of his blood boiling. Instead, he relaxed his Spirit and embraced the impulse.

A Martial Artist nurtures the mettle in their heart.

The will to pursue the ultimate limit, the pride to stand alone, the courage to face ten thousand foes, the backbone to die rather than submit, the righteousness to challenge injustice, the daring to be the first to act...

Only when the blood surges can one’s spirit shake mountains and rivers!

In his past life on Blue Star, his only pursuit had been to reach the legendary realms of the Martial Dao. But in this life, Zhao Qi’s body and experiences, the unique history of this land—they made him feel something different.

He savored the thrill of his blood burning in his veins. Only in that thrill could he feel the meaning of his existence more clearly.

Just then, Kaiser’s gaze swept across the crowd from his position on the stage and landed on Zhao Xuanqi and Shen Shuqiang. An expression of disdain and contempt crossed his face.

At that moment, something suppressed within Zhao Qi’s blood seemed to have been thoroughly provoked. It erupted like a volcano, causing even Zhao Xuanqi’s Spirit to tremble.

It was a feeling like an adrenaline rush, a craving as primal as the desire for food.

’This feeling is interesting. It seems this body is getting impatient, is it?’

Zhao Xuanqi muttered to himself.

"Gentlemen, let’s continue with the draw."

Meanwhile, Yansong Mountain took a deep breath to compose himself and spoke to Weng Xiaolin and Dong Wenhui.

’No matter what, the competition has to continue. Perhaps if we drag out the fight, Kaiser’s physical ability will drop, and we’ll have a chance?’

However, just as the three men were about to draw lots again, a figure suddenly appeared before them.

Weng Xiaolin took a closer look and saw it was Zhao Xuanqi.

Zhao Xuanqi clasped his fist and bowed slightly to Weng Xiaolin and the other two hall masters. "Master, Hall Masters," he said, "I request to fight."

Not only did the three hall masters hear him, but Director Pete and the other guests nearby heard him as well.

The arena fell silent once more.

After the crushing defeats of Yuan Mingfeng and Zhu Renliang, no one had much faith left in the outcome of this competition. Yet now, the seemingly most unremarkable representative from Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was voluntarily stepping forward to ask to fight.

Yansong Mountain and Dong Wenhui looked stunned. Weng Xiaolin, however, who sat beside them, had a sharp glint flash in his eyes.

’I have some understanding of Zhao Xuanqi’s strength. But based solely on his fight with Zhou Ze, he definitely doesn’t have what it takes to defeat Kaiser.’

’However, from what I know of Zhao Xuanqi, this young man is no simpleton. On the contrary, he’s an expert at hiding his true abilities. Who knows if he was holding something back during that fight with Zhou Ze.’

’Since he’s stepping up on his own accord, perhaps he really does have a plan.’

"What are your odds of winning?"

Weng Xiaolin asked Zhao Xuanqi, his voice low and serious.

"Less than seventy percent."

Zhao Xuanqi said after a moment’s thought.