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Chapter 433: Mountain & River King
Chapter 433: Mountain & River King (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Jiang Tao surveyed the crowd and sighed in awe:
"Truly, there are so many people here!"
Wan Ming replied, "Naturally. According to the data I've gathered, over 2.96 million prodigies, nearly three million, from our Xia Kingdom alone are participating in this Global Martial Arts Championship."
"Only a tiny fraction will advance to the second round."
"And this doesn’t even include the twenty million talents from the other eighty nations worldwide!"
The group shuddered. They’d thought the previous National Freshman Competition, with its millions of participants, was overwhelming. Now, twenty million competitors? It was staggering! If they all fought at once, it would be a bloodbath.
Lin Qi nodded, gazing into the distance where the scenery had shifted. Countless buildings and crowds materialized before his eyes—the Statue of Liberty of the White Eagle Federation, the Kremlin of the Bear Republic, Mount Fuji of the Sakura Kingdom, Cologne Cathedral of Germania, the Eiffel Tower of Gaul…
Each structure bore its nation’s flag and teemed with competitors, all radiating formidable auras. No one here was weak.
The participants seemed to exist in different dimensions, projected like mirages. Stronger nations occupied vast territories, while smaller ones were confined to cramped spaces with fewer contestants. The Global Martial Arts Championship was, in essence, a display of national power.
Time passed swiftly. At 8:30, countless crimson particles gathered within the Xia Kingdom’s contestant area.
"Competitors, attention!"
A towering figure coalesced from the light. A silver-robed middle-aged man emerged, his robe adorned with faint green patterns resembling mountains and rivers. Broad-shouldered and muscular, he exuded the steadfastness of a mountain. His face was stern, his gaze piercing, as if he could see through souls. Even his silver-streaked hair carried an aura of quiet authority.
"It's Mountain & River King!" someone gasped.
"Unbelievable! This year's championship is hosted by Nine Realms Martial Artist Mountain & River King!"
"Every Global Martial Arts Championship is presided over by a Nine Realms Martial Artist", another explained. "Mountain & River King has hosted it more times than anyone else."
"To witness him this closely is inspiring. His story is legendary."
"He started martial arts at twenty-five, with no prior foundation. Yet he became an Innate Prodigy, mastering techniques at lightning speed."
"He survived countless life-and-death trials battling Disaster Beasts, refining the Nine Realms of martial arts alongside Red Emperor."
"At fifty, he breakthrough to the Nine Realms, earning the title Mountain & River King—the oldest to achieve this rank."
"He even created the acclaimed River and Mountain Spear Techniques, adapting them from the Sky-Shaking Spear Techniques."
"Seventy-four years old now, yet more terrifying than ever."
Chatter erupted across other nations' projected zones.
"It's Xia Kingdom's Mountain & River King! His spear techniques are bold and unstoppable—my idol!"
"I'm practicing his River and Mountain Spear Techniques. He's a genius!"
"Xia Kingdom truly reigns supreme, entrusting such a vital event to Mountain & River King."
Other nations' Nine Realms Martial Artists were scarce, guarding War Bases. Only the Xia Kingdom, Blue Planet's strongest, could spare one for the tournament.
Lin Qi listened intently, his expression sharpening. His own River and Mountain Spear Techniques were simplified versions of Mountain & River King’s signature style. He could sense the latter’s fearless, grand vision.
Mountain & River King scanned the crowd, his voice booming:
"Competitors, welcome to the Global Martial Arts Championship!"
"I am Mountain & River King of the Xia Kingdom!"
His presence was overwhelming.
"This tournament is Blue Planet’s grandest martial arts event", he declared. "It fosters growth through clashes of talent, strengthening our defenses against Disaster Beasts."
"Many of you have competed before, but this year’s principle remains unchanged—fairness and justice."
"Today marks the start of the 35th Global Martial Arts Championship!"
"The first preliminary round begins now."
"This year’s participation has reached a record high: 23,120,000 competitors."
Gasps echoed. Mountain & River King continued:
"Participants will be divided into twenty groups of over 200,000 each. You’ll be deployed into a virtual battlefront, facing Disaster Beast assaults."
"Eliminate rivals if you wish. When only ten thousand remain per group, the round ends. Survivors advance."
"Prizes await: 20 million Xia Kingdom Currency for each qualifier."
The crowd swallowed hard. Eliminating 99% in the first round? Brutal. Yet 20 million was a fortune—especially for those from smaller nations, where Xia Kingdom Currency held immense value. For them, this prize could transform their martial cultivation paths.
Mountain & River King raised his hand. A vast, spectral landscape emerged—mountains and rivers intertwining into a new world. Before all stood a colossal plain, its blood-red earth stained by ancient battles. A steel-reinforced Great Wall loomed in the distance.
"The Steel Great Wall!" someone shouted.
"A simulation of Xia Kingdom’s Otherworld Azure Firmament Base boundary—the frontlines against Disaster Beasts!"
A crimson pillar of light enveloped Lin Qi.
"Brother Qi’s in the first group!" his companions exclaimed.
"Let’s see how strong he’s become", Guo Heng mused.
The group watched as 200,000 light pillars descended outside the Steel Great Wall.
[Competitor Lin Qi, you have 30 seconds to select combat equipment.]
Inside his light beam, Lin Qi chose a black battle suit from the status panel. The light faded. He stepped out, wielding a long spear etched with black patterns.
[Competitor: Lin Qi (Xia Kingdom)]
A red national flag blazed on his battle suit’s chest. He surveyed the barren wasteland, littered with broken tanks and artillery.
The ground split with a roar. In the far distance, dark shadows surged forward—mountain-sized Disaster Beasts leading a tidal swarm.
Familiar creatures raced toward him: Ironthorn Boars, Obsidian Horn Boars, Grayspine Wolves, Ironscale Hawks, Ironblood Scaled Boars, Bronze Wild Oxen, Silver Rank Direwolves, Steelwing Hawks… And among them, towering Sixth Realm beasts—Clawrend Apes, Bloodrage Wargs, Ironspine Warbears, Ironclad Rhinoceroses…
No High Ranks yet, but their numbers were endless.
[The first preliminary round begins now!]
The AI’s voice rang out.
"Kill!"
Competitors from every nation charged the beasts. With no escape, survival meant slaughtering until only ten thousand remained.
Before the Disaster Beasts struck, a blade sliced a rival’s throat.
"Fool! The rules permit killing competitors!" roared a Fourth Realm martial artist, his aura dominant.
Others followed suit. Lin Qi felt his power surging—here, in this unrestricted arena, he’d fight at peak strength.
Suddenly, a presence darted toward him—a Sakura Kingdom competitor, lean and swift, radiating Fourth Realm Bone Tempering prowess.
"Xia Kingdom scum, die!" he snarled, lunging.
(End of Chapter)
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