https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-340-You-Were-This-Close-to-Victory-/13507487/
Chapter 341: Marching into the Semifinals
Chapter 341: Marching into the Semifinals (Requesting Monthly Vote)
“The results are in!”
“Let’s congratulate Lin Qi from Xia Kingdom, who has defeated Miyamoto Kyonichiro from Sakura Kingdom!”
“Congratulations to him for becoming the second competitor to advance to the semifinals!”
Xu Wenji’s voice echoed across the arena.
Looking at Lin Qi standing in the arena, he couldn’t help but marvel—no one had ever defeated Miyamoto so effortlessly before.
“Clap clap clap!!”
The Audience Stand erupted into thunderous applause, while the screen flooded with Xia Kingdom’s bullet comments.
“He’s unstoppable!”
“Victory, victory, absolute victory! Lin Qi wins again!”
“Just as expected, Lin Qi takes the win. He’s aiming straight for the championship!”
“Why are the Sakura Kingdom spectators so silent? Don’t they know how to laugh?”
Contrary to Xia Kingdom’s exuberance, the Sakura Kingdom section of the Audience Stand—home to tens of thousands of spectators—was deathly quiet, their expressions hollow as if mourning a funeral.
“How could it end like this?”
“Miyamoto Kyonichiro actually lost?!”
Miyamoto Kyonichiro had been transported back to the Audience Stand. Facing the stunned silence around him, he remained silent too, his face pale. Scenes of Lin Qi dodging his killing strike replayed endlessly in his mind.
Where did everything go wrong…?
That last killing move had been his peak—his speed pushed to the absolute limit, even executed as a surprise attack.
No opponent should’ve been able to block it. He’d aimed to seize that split second, killing Lin Qi before the latter could activate his Minor Divine Ability.
But reality crushed him—Lin Qi had deflected that decisive strike.
His opponent was absurdly strong.
——
On the White Eagle Federation’s Audience Stand, the blond, handsome Havel furrowed his brow.
“Lin Qi from Xia Kingdom is incredible. Miyamoto’s final strike was lightning-fast—probably faster than I could react to.”
“But Lin Qi not only dodged it, he counterattacked instantly.”
“The speed of his reflexes and control over his body are extraordinary.”
“He might be my strongest rival for the championship.”
Beside him, Levin Madison nodded. Only those who’d faced Lin Qi firsthand could truly grasp his might.
——
On the High-tier Audience Stand, Fujiwara Tetsu—Sakura Kingdom’s Deputy Principal of the Neon Martial Arts University, an 8th-stage martial artist nicknamed the “Qingfeng Sword Hero”—felt furious.
“Foolish!”
Dressed in traditional black-and-white kimono, he spat out the curse.
“He actually lost!”
Though he’d known Miyamoto’s chances of winning were slim, the reality still left a bitter taste.
Staring at Lin Qi in the arena, he sighed inwardly: Why isn’t such a genius from our Sakura Kingdom?
——
On Xia Kingdom’s Audience Stand, Li Qing and Wang Zhi Xuan, who’d just logged in, sat stunned after watching the match.
They exchanged glances, speechless.
“Hiss~”
“He’s already made it to the semifinals?!”
Li Qing inhaled sharply.
“Too strong! These SS-rank geniuses are terrifying?”
“Last year’s Global Freshman Competition had 13 SS-rank geniuses, but they didn’t seem this powerful.”
“That Miyamoto’s speed was ridiculous. I probably couldn’t even block a single strike from him.”
He chuckled bitterly. “Looks like Lin Qi held back during our match. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even survive a single move. He’s a monster!”
Wang Zhi Xuan nodded. These monsters had Minor Divine Abilities too—making them even stronger. Even she might not have a stable advantage against them.
“Right, we need to notify Master immediately!”
“The semifinals are starting soon!”
Suddenly recalling this, Li Qing logged out to inform his teacher, Mu Hong.
——
At the Azure Firmament Six Colleges’ section, Lin Qi returned calmly, bumping fists with Jiang Tao as the group remained composed.
“The semifinals next. The real challenge begins,” Jiang Tao said.
They all nodded. In the semifinals, all four competitors had mastered Minor Divine Abilities—top-tier experts.
Victory wouldn’t come easily.
Lin Qi nodded, his gaze fixed on the arena.
The third match began—Havel from White Eagle Federation versus Erika from Germania, one of the only two female competitors in the Top 8.
Though formidable, Erika’s strength paled compared to Havel’s.
Every move she made lagged slightly behind his—no advantage at all.
Without activating her Minor Divine Ability, she was effortlessly defeated.
Third match concluded: Havel Wright from White Eagle Federation advanced to the semifinals!
The final match—Viktor from Bear Republic versus Kong Ruoxuan, the SS-rank genius from Minghai Martial Institute. A clash of power and speed.
Kong Ruoxuan, confident in his speed advantage, attempted a bold offense.
But Viktor saw through his strategy, revealing his trump card—his innate combat talent.
From Lin Qi’s observation, Viktor’s martial arts surpassed Kong Ruoxuan’s, allowing him to precisely counter every strike.
I can afford countless mistakes, but you only need to make one.
Kong Ruoxuan made that mistake. One axe strike from Viktor ended his match.
Fourth match concluded: Viktor Christopher from Bear Republic advanced to the semifinals!
Thus, the Top 8 matches concluded.
The four semifinalists stood ready.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s congratulate Yu Zhuoran, Lin Qi, Havel Wright, and Viktor Christopher!”
“Congratulations to them for entering the semifinals!”
Xu Wenji announced triumphantly.
——
In Bei Jiang Province’s Long-Tou Base—Xia Kingdom’s fiercest warfront—battle raged on.
In the war-torn ruins of the frontlines:
“Roar~”
“Boom!!”
The war continued amidst the roars of Disaster Beasts and the thunder of gunfire.
But the sounds gradually weakened. Many martial artists seated on the ground knew today’s battle was ending.
“The situation is worsening. Disaster Beasts are endless.”
“The more we kill, the more they multiply. Martial artists keep sacrificing themselves. No end in sight,” someone muttered gloomily.
Near a supply station, blood-stained martial artists radiated killing intent as they rested.
“Blood Shadow Spear Mu Hong!”
“Ever since Blood Shadow Spear broke into the 8th stage, he’s grown even stronger. Rumor has it he’s slain five eighth-grade Disaster Beasts in a row!”
Suddenly, someone shouted. Many turned to a distant figure, eyes filled with reverence.
A silhouette emerged from the ruins, his black combat suit soaked in blood, hair dyed crimson.
It was Mu Hong. He gazed at the sky.
Gripping his rifle, he sprinted forward, vanishing into the base, rushing straight into the Virtual Hall without changing clothes.
He couldn’t wait—logging into the Scarlet Realm to watch the Global Freshman Competition.
In his mind replayed his student Li Qing’s message:
“Master, hurry online!”
“Lin Qi has already reached the semifinals!”
——
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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