Chapter 191: Easily Crushed

Chapter 191: Easily Crushed

Ji Xinghuo instantly assessed Shi Renzhong's situation.

The talisman he wore around his neck had extended thin steel wires that formed a mesh resembling an iron cage. His lightning attacks were mostly negated by this Faraday cage.

"Faraday Talisman," Ji Xinghuo recognized. It was a superpower equipment specifically designed to counter lightning-based attacks, applying the principle of a Faraday cage.

While it couldn't completely nullify lightning, it weakened it to the extent that when the lightning struck Shi Renzhong's skin, it was reflected away.

"Energy Reflection!"

"Man Ying mentioned it before," Ji Xinghuo recalled. "He has fused an ultra-limit superpower, Energy Reflection, which allows him to bounce off energy that comes into contact with his skin. That's how he can fearlessly face so many stringers in the arena without worrying about fire or lightning damage."

With the combination of the Faraday Talisman and Energy Reflection, the Thunder Fist posed little threat to Shi Renzhong.

As Ji Xinghuo's thoughts raced, Shi Renzhong had already closed in.

The tip of his gun was a mere half-meter away.

Whoosh!

The long gun thrust forward.

Without even unsheathing his Thunder Chase Battle Blade, Ji Xinghuo simply took a step to the left. The gun tip grazed past his ear. Shi Renzhong swept sideways, but Ji Xinghuo swiftly lowered the upper half of his body, evading the attack once more, and then took another step back, just escaping the range of the gun that was swinging down towards his head.

In an instant, three consecutive attacks were avoided with just three steps.

Even though Ji Xinghuo hadn't drawn his blade yet, the audience was left in awe.

Especially the coaching staff of the Emperor Star Team, their eyes sharp and ruthless, immediately recognized the gap in martial arts between the two combatants.

Shi Renzhong was a Martial Arts Master.

In the Super League, his martial arts rank was among the very best. The only person in the entire league who could consistently surpass him was his teammate, Zhao Manying.

In fact, over the past few days, Shi Renzhong had sought advice from the coaching staff. Based on the two videos of Ji Xinghuo, they had devised a combat strategy for Shi Renzhong.

The core tactic was to deny Ji Xinghuo any opportunity for long-range attacks and force him into close combat.

No firearms allowed.

They had also urgently purchased the Faraday Talisman.

The tactical goal had been achieved, but...

Before the audience could finish their thoughts, they saw Ji Xinghuo, after dodging the overhead gun, suddenly lift his leg and stomp on the gun tip.

Bang!

The gun tip hit the ground heavily, sending sparks flying, and Shi Renzhong's body tilted forward.

This kick was incredibly clever. It seized the moment when Shi Renzhong's previous thrust had left him unable to retract his move in time, immediately creating an opportunity.

Someone from the Emperor Star Team almost couldn't help but cheer.

Then, they saw Ji Xinghuo stepping on the gun body, stomping twice, bang, bang. Each step he took seemed like a giant trampling the ground, his power overwhelming. His shoes exploded, revealing his feet, covered in a layer of golden, cyan, and silver dragon scales. The soles of his feet rubbed against the gun, emitting electric lights in all directions, as if he were stepping on a pair of wind and fire wheels.

Shi Renzhong tried to pull the gun away, but the force on the gun was far beyond his expectation, and he felt a numbing current in his hands.

Yet, he didn't want to let go of the gun.

He hesitated for just a moment, and Ji Xinghuo was upon him.

Clang!

Ji Xinghuo's right arm was gathered with current, his muscles bulging, and he threw a heavy punch that landed on Shi Renzhong's face. The Golden Bell Cloak appeared, and the fist hitting it emitted a loud, bell-like sound.

Electric Spiral Power!

Shi Renzhong's Golden Bell Cloak violently vibrated, and his body was sent flying like a cannonball.

His hands, like iron clamps, firmly held onto the long gun, refusing to let go, and he heavily collided with the shield. The entire shield trembled, and a piercing pain spread from his cheek throughout his body. Shi Renzhong touched his face and realized that his Golden Bell Cloak had been broken.

Half of his face was bloody and mutilated, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

"One punch!"

Outside the shield, everyone was astonished.

They were well aware of the strength of the Golden Bell Cloak, yet under Ji Xinghuo's fist, it was shattered with just one punch, as if it were easily crushed!

The coaching staff of the Emperor Star Team looked at each other in dismay.

Head Coach Wang Chaogeng stared intently at Ji Xinghuo's fist and suddenly said in a deep voice, "Electric Spiral Power."

Everyone exclaimed.

The fame of the Spiral Power was well-known, but not many people knew about the Electric Spiral Power. However, just hearing the name, they knew it must be more powerful than the ordinary Spiral Power.

Inside the shield, Shi Renzhong's facial injuries healed rapidly.

Enduring the pain, he looked at Ji Xinghuo.

Up until now, Ji Xinghuo still hadn't drawn his Thunder Chase Battle Blade. He only wore a pair of boxing gloves and didn't rush to attack, slowly walking towards Shi Renzhong.

Leisurely and relaxed, completely at ease!

Shi Renzhong also heard Head Coach Wang Chaogeng's words. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile and said, "So, it's the Electric Spiral Power! I've heard of this powerful star power for a long time, and today I finally got to experience it. Indeed, its might lives up to its reputation."

"You will experience it thoroughly."

Ji Xinghuo replied in a flat tone, his voice devoid of emotion, as he continued walking towards him.

Despite his seemingly slow speed, Shi Renzhong felt immense pressure. He dared not rush forward recklessly anymore but held the long gun horizontally in front of him. His legs were in a front-back horse stance, presenting a defensive posture.

Soon, Ji Xinghuo arrived.

He suddenly opened his mouth and let out a loud shout.

"Heyah!"

A violent stream of air rushed towards Shi Renzhong's face, containing a terrifying mental shock, like a thunderclap exploding in his ears.

Shi Renzhong possessed "Iron Will," which allowed him to resist the mental shock.

But the Dragon Roar wasn't just a mental attack; it also carried an extremely powerful sonic shock, causing his body to sway involuntarily.

"Not good!"

Shi Renzhong, with his rich combat experience, instantly decided to abandon defense and switch to a proactive attack.

The Heaven's Wrath Azure Blood Gun thrust forward violently.

The strength of a Horizontal Martial Artist was originally exceptional. With the addition of "Heaven's Wrath" and "Giant Elephant Power," Shi Renzhong's strength surged severalfold, and his gun was also infused with Diamond Power. With a casual thrust, he could easily pierce through a cement wall over one meter thick.

However, no matter how strong the power was, it was useless if it didn't land.

The long gun thrust missed.

Ji Xinghuo's figure disappeared from sight, and Shi Renzhong's heart trembled as he realized, "Instant Step"! He immediately sensed that Ji Xinghuo's instant step landing point was right next to him, just one step away.

Shi Renzhong decisively turned around, facing Ji Xinghuo, and lowered his head to ram forward with his head.

He wanted to seize the initiative and use his head as a hammer.

"Good!"

The coaching staff outside the shield slapped their thighs, praising Shi Renzhong's reaction and decision. With the Golden Bell Cloak, his entire body could be used as a weapon, and his head was harder than steel.

As if anticipating this move, Ji Xinghuo appeared with his right leg raised, his left leg stomping forcefully on the ground, propelling his body upward, and his right knee aimed at Shi Renzhong's head.

Clang!

A metallic clang rang out as Ji Xinghuo's right leg, now covered in dragon scales, collided with Shi Renzhong's head. In that instant, the Electric Spiral Power burst forth, and lightning crackled and exploded.

Shi Renzhong was sent flying into the air, crashing into the top of the shield before falling back down.

Dazed and confused, he momentarily lost consciousness, his vision filled with stars.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, he finally came to his senses, only to realize that he had nothing to grab onto, and the Heaven's Wrath Azure Blood Gun had somehow slipped from his grasp.

Without his gun, his strength diminished.

Bang!

Ji Xinghuo unleashed another burst of Electric Spiral Power, slamming it into Shi Renzhong's chest and sending him flying sideways. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the martial arts stage.

Shi Renzhong's willpower was exceptionally strong, and even now, he refused to give up. As he saw Ji Xinghuo flashing steps in pursuit, he activated the blue medal he wore, causing two identical images of himself to appear, one on his left and the other on his right, blocking Ji Xinghuo's path.

Mirror Image Medal!

These mirror images possessed half the strength of the original and were indistinguishable from the real Shi Renzhong.

However, at this moment, Shi Renzhong had no intention of confusing his true self with the mirror images. All he wanted was for them to stop Ji Xinghuo, giving him a chance to catch his breath.

Ji Xinghuo flashed stepped twice, his figure swaying left and right.

Thunder Chase, unsheathed!

Incredibly sharp lightning arcs cut through the air. Those outside the shield could only see the lightning and feel the sting on their skin before they witnessed the two mirror images being sliced apart, turning into fragments.

The mirror images only possessed half the strength of the original and had a delay in their movements, so they couldn't withstand even a single blow from Ji Xinghuo's blade.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shi Renzhong landed and turned to face Ji Xinghuo.

With nowhere to escape inside the shield, he had no choice but to confront his opponent head-on and create an opportunity to turn the tide.

Ji Xinghuo had destroyed the two mirror images, and now he sheathed his blade again. The audience outside could guess his intention as he turned to face Shi Renzhong empty-handed.

Defeating his opponent without a weapon would be a greater humiliation.

The two quickly closed in.

They threw simultaneous punches, their fists colliding.

Lightning and golden light erupted, instantly revealing the victor. Shi Renzhong's Golden Bell Cloak vibrated violently and then shattered, sending him flying backward.

Meanwhile, Ji Xinghuo simply swayed where he stood, easily regaining his balance.

Currents of electricity danced across his skin, and the spinning magnetic field erupted with speed. Clap!

With a long-distance flash step, Ji Xinghuo appeared behind Shi Renzhong. He grabbed Shi Renzhong's ankle and slammed him onto the ground.

Bang!

Shi Renzhong's body hit the alloy floor with a loud crash, creating a shallow human-shaped dent.

Bang, bang, bang!

Ji Xinghuo grabbed Shi Renzhong's ankle and repeatedly slammed him onto the ground. Each impact echoed throughout the martial arts stage, resonating in the hearts of the club members, filling them with unbearable discomfort as if they were being slapped in the face, yet they couldn't utter a word.

Shi Renzhong's Golden Bell Cloak flickered erratically, glowing and dimming repeatedly.

After five consecutive slams, the Golden Bell Cloak finally collapsed.

Even his steel-like body couldn't withstand such relentless and ferocious attacks. His flesh and blood were mangled, and currents of electricity ravaged his body, causing excruciating pain and blurring his consciousness.

This was no longer a battle; it was a brutal trampling!

"Stop!"

Shouted Shi Daoyuan from outside the shield, his face grim.

"Please stop. You've won." Without waiting for Ji Xinghuo's response, he turned to the club employees and ordered, "Deactivate the superconductor shield!"

"He's utterly defeated." Ji Xinghuo shook his head, letting go of Shi Renzhong and leaving him in the dented floor.

The superconductor shield immediately deactivated.

The club members rushed forward, and several competition mutants with healing abilities from the team tended to Shi Renzhong.

Ji Xinghuo stood by and watched.

In fact, he had been very measured in his attacks and hadn't tried to kill Shi Renzhong. Given Shi Renzhong's physical condition, he would recover soon.

Indeed, a few minutes later, Shi Renzhong stood up, his face pale and his body weak.

He took a deep breath, his expression complex as he looked at Ji Xinghuo with a mix of reluctance, shock, and fear. No one understood that feeling of despair better than he did, facing Ji Xinghuo with no chance of victory, the gap in their strengths was just too vast.

This feeling was even more intense than when he had faced Zhao Manying.

Suddenly, Shi Renzhong understood why Zhao Manying had taken an interest in Ji Xinghuo; they were cut from the same cloth.

"I lost."

Shi Renzhong forced a bitter smile. "I admit defeat. Your strength has truly left a deep impression on me, one that I won't forget for the rest of my life."

Ji Xinghuo, on the other hand, looked at him with newfound respect. Whether it was an act or not, maintaining it consistently would be an impressive feat in itself.

He nodded and said, "Thank you for the match."

With that, he picked up the Heaven's Wrath Azure Blood Gun, turned, and walked toward the exit of the martial arts stage.

The club members watched as Ji Xinghuo took the long gun with him, each of them wanting to say something but holding back. It was only then that Shi Renzhong remembered the bet they had made before the match, and he felt deep regret. His eyes darted around, but he couldn't bring himself to stop Ji Xinghuo.

"Wait."

Finally, someone spoke up—it was Shi Daoyuan.

Ji Xinghuo paused and turned to face the "crown prince" of the Shi Ying Group. "What instructions does President Shi have for me?"

"The Heaven's Wrath Azure Blood Gun was a birthday gift from my father to Renzhong, and it holds great significance," Shi Daoyuan said in a deep voice. "Of course, we Shis never go back on our word. Since Renzhong lost, this gun now belongs to you."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "However, I hope you can return the gun to us in a different way so that I can explain the situation to my father. What do you think?"

With the mention of a king and their boss, the atmosphere turned solemn.

"What way?" Ji Xinghuo asked.

Shi Daoyuan's smile was sinister. "It's simple. Sell it to me."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end