https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-124-Yesterday-s-Foe-Today-s-Pushover/13506997/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-126-Counterattack-in-Desperation/13507020/
Chapter 125: Suffocating Blade Techniques
Chapter 125: Suffocating Blade Techniques (Requesting Monthly Votes)
128 geniuses. 64 arenas.
Each competitor was among the most elite prodigies from the entire Xia Kingdom.
Many high-ranking officials from the Martial Arts Pavilion were closely watching the fifth round matches.
Most of the senior staff who had time chose to observe from backstage.
In the Scarlet Realm—
Guo Heng, who barely survived his revival match, and Jiang Tao each saw their assigned opponents materialize.
[Nickname: Bloodaxe (Bei Jiang Province)]
[Scarlet List Ranking: 35]
...
[Nickname: Phantom (Imperial Capital)]
[Scarlet List Ranking: 20]
...
"Crap!" Guo Heng inwardly groaned. Though his opponent was a cute and beautiful woman, her Scarlet List ranking was absolutely terrifying.
...
On an empty arena,
A familiar crimson light pillar descended from the sky as Lin Qi's opponent emerged from the glowing column.
[Nickname: Lone Wolf]
[Scarlet List Ranking: 58]
...
Seeing his opponent's ranking, Lin Qi frowned. Ranked at 58—this was already extremely high.
More importantly, this opponent hailed from Bei Jiang Province.
This was a war-torn province where martial cultivation thrived. Every warrior from there was formidable.
This opponent was ranked over thirty places above Li Ke from his previous match.
A young man standing roughly 1.85 meters tall, his lean frame radiated sharp intensity. His eyes gleamed like a predator's. He held a slender, elongated saber that felt completely different from Lin Qi's Black Long Spear.
This feeling was familiar—it was the aura of someone who'd slain Disaster Beasts.
"Yang Jian? Ranked only 108th?" The man smirked, gripping his blade in a ready stance. "Seems you have some skill, but your luck just ran out."
"Hmph!"
Lin Qi felt pressure beneath his mask as he exhaled sharply. This time, he'd encountered a true expert.
"Genius Battle Tournament fifth round—begin preparation!"
"Countdown: 3...2...1..."
"Battle commence!"
The automated arena announcer devoid of emotion signaled the start.
"Whoosh!"
Lin Qi charged first. Facing such a powerful opponent, he had no intention of holding back. He swung his Black Long Spear with full force—his spear technique overwhelming and awe-inspiring, his footsteps thundering like a tiger springing from the mountains.
Mountain-Shattering Spear Method—Collapse Thrust!
"Not bad!" The opponent praised, but his lips curled into disdain.
In the next instant, he moved.
His body became a residual shadow in the wind. The saber flashed, its light barely visible.
He closed in at blinding speed, the blade sweeping horizontally like cold wind across a lake.
Wind Shadow Slash!
The moment the blade moved, Lin Qi sensed deadly danger.
"Boom!"
Their weapons clashed for the first time in the arena.
At impact, Lin Qi immediately felt something wrong—a strange force coursed through his body, numbing his arms.
Then came another flash of cold light. Instinctively, Lin Qi tilted his head sideways.
"Slash!"
The saber skimmed across his mask, the sharp edge slicing the air audibly.
Back!
Lin Qi's heart pounded. He pushed off the ground, retreating rapidly.
So fast!
Staring at Lone Wolf, he realized the truth.
Too fast. The opponent's blade speed was staggering—he'd barely reacted in time.
Two consecutive attacks in an instant?
What sword technique was that?
Certainly not Whirlwind Blade. He'd seen Wang Qiufeng's Whirlwind Blade.
This was far more terrifying.
Could it be a Bronze-level martial arts manual?
"Whoosh!"
Lone Wolf struck again, the saber flashing murderously.
...
Watching from backstage, Yue Feng saw Lone Wolf's blade technique and smirked, sipping his tea.
"Lin Qi's in trouble."
"Lone Wolf is from Bei Jiang Province. He practices the Bronze-level martial arts manual—Frostwind Blade Techniques."
"The Frostwind Blade Techniques are piercingly cold and blisteringly fast, like northern winter gales. All that remains after they strike is icy desolation."
Sun Manager added, "This technique maximizes speed. Each slash shines like cold lightning tearing through night skies."
"Compared to Black Iron manuals, it's far more refined, requiring advanced mastery of internal force."
"Lone Wolf himself has survived life-and-death battles with Disaster Beasts."
"From any perspective, he's clearly superior to Lin Qi—completely dominating him."
"The chances of victory are extremely slim."
Yue Feng nodded, watching the screen where Lin Qi struggled in pure defense.
"Winning might be hard, but I hope Lin Qi can show me something impressive."
...
Back on the arena,
Lin Qi's expression hardened. He swung his Black Long Spear defensively, his feet rooted like an immovable monument. His spear technique formed an ironclad barrier.
He dared not attack—the danger came from all directions. He knew that any offensive move would invite the saber slicing across his throat.
Though unfamiliar with his opponent's technique, he confirmed it was definitely a Bronze-level manual.
Its refinement far surpassed even the similarly styled Whirlwind Blade.
Lone Wolf had also advanced beyond the Second Stage of blade cultivation. Truly formidable.
Ranked 58th—deservedly so.
Lin Qi needed to find a single opportunity to counter. Just one chance.
Lone Wolf remained expressionless, his calm demeanor unbroken.
"This opponent only knows Black Iron-level spear techniques", he judged. "He hasn't learned anything more advanced."
"His spear skills can't match mine."
"He's finished."
He'd defeated countless opponents like this before.
Still, he admitted Lin Qi's defense was decent—though ultimately, just "decent".
Suddenly, he erupted. Muscles and sinews surged with power as he channeled energy into his arms. Changing stances rapidly, he slashed repeatedly in quick succession.
The saber flashed coldly, creating chaotic illusions that dazzled Lin Qi's vision.
"Die!"
Frostwind Blade Techniques—Frostglint Frenzy!
Watching from the sidelines, Yue Feng shook his head.
"This battle is over."
"Dang! Dang!"
Weapons clashed repeatedly. Lin Qi felt countless killing auras enveloping him—no way to defend.
But he refused to give up, maintaining his calm while waiting patiently.
Then, in a heartbeat, his instincts screamed. Among the myriad blade flashes, he sensed the real threat.
There!
He shifted his body one centimeter to the left—the blade just grazing past. One centimeter from death.
"What!" Lone Wolf froze!
In that instant, Lin Qi's eyes sharpened. The opportunity had come!
Boom!!
He erupted with volcanic intensity.
Vital energy surged like the Yellow River bursting forth. His sinews and spine arched, channeling terrifying power through his arms.
Veins bulging, he twisted his wrist—the very wrist honed through relentless training—propelling the Black Long Spear with monstrous force.
...
(End of Chapter)
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