Chapter 73: The Quarterfinals

Chapter 73: The Quarterfinals

Watching Chu Qiuhai fall to Zhang Yu, Qian Shen exclaimed, “Zhang Yu actually won.”

Zhao Tianxing, who had been closely observing the match, frowned in confusion. “How did he suddenly win? It felt like Zhang Yu was getting dominated the entire time.”

Qian Shen mused, “While Zhang Yu was indeed on the defensive, think about it—he blocked nearly every single attack Chu Qiuhai threw.”

“Chu Qiuhai relied on his brute strength, attacking recklessly without bothering to defend.” Qian Shen hesitated slightly before adding, “Then it seemed like Zhang Yu landed a critical hit at just the right moment.”

He sighed, “Back in the day, the Imperial Entrance Exam was purely about open combat, but with so many unpredictable factors in battle, relying solely on fighting couldn’t identify the most talented individuals. That’s why they gradually shifted to the current six-subject 700-point system.”

He Dayou smirked, “With this loss, Chu Qiuhai’s reputation at Bailong High is ruined.”

Zhao Tianxing shrugged, “It’s just one match. You’re exaggerating.”

He Dayou countered, “What if you lost to a student from a regular high school?”

Zhao Tianxing’s brow furrowed instantly. “How could I lose to someone who doesn’t even understand cultivation?”

He Dayou pressed, “But what if you did?”

Zhao Tianxing’s mind reeled at the thought—disgrace for Songyang City, humiliation from the entire school, even thoughts of jumping off the rooftop. The mere imagination left him feeling bleak.

Seeing his reaction, He Dayou chuckled, “Now you get it.”

But his amusement faded as he spotted Zhang Yu stepping off the arena. While Chu Qiuhai’s loss secretly pleased him, Zhang Yu’s victory stung.

——

Meanwhile, Chu Qiuhai was carried back to Bailong High’s preparation area, unconscious.

The competition coach glanced at him but didn’t rush to wake him. Other contestants were still fighting, and there’d be time later to make Chu Qiuhai kneel before the entire school for public humiliation.

“Actually losing to someone from Songyang High…” The coach’s mind burned with rage. His bonus and performance evaluations would be slashed, and he’d face ridicule from colleagues and the principal…

As he stewed, another Bailong student was brought in on a stretcher.

The coach frowned. “What happened to you?”

The pale student stammered, “I beat someone from Ziyun, but then Bai Zhenzhen from Songyang High defeated Huyuntao, and when I fought her… I lost.”

The moment he finished, the air around the coach seemed to drop ten degrees. The student shivered uncontrollably.

“How did you lose?” the coach demanded.

“She used a stealth-type Spirit Root—it let her vanish from my senses.”

“That’s impossible,” the coach snapped. “Even with surprise, her stats are far below yours. She shouldn’t have won.”

The student’s eyes clouded with confusion. “I… I don’t know. She suddenly hit my vital points, and I blacked out.”

Nearby, Chu Qiuhai, who’d been pretending to be unconscious on another stretcher, exhaled in relief. At least I’m not the only one who lost.

A sudden thought struck him: Zhang Yu… damn you, win a few more matches for me! Take down a few more Bailong students!

The more Zhang Yu won, the less shameful his own defeat would seem. As for his classmates’ results? Their victories wouldn’t boost his reputation, but their losses would certainly spare him embarrassment.

——

Meanwhile, the other matches were nearing their conclusions.

On one arena, Song Hailong let out a thunderous roar, grabbed his opponent, and hurled him like a ball into the ceiling ten meters above. The crowd erupted in awe.

The spectators from Bailong High clapped wildly until Song Hailong raised his fist, silencing them instantly.

On another stage, Le Muran flicked her slender fingers. Ice-blue Spiritual Power lashed out like swords, carving deep gashes into her opponent three meters away. No matter how desperately he fought, he couldn’t close the distance—his blood spattered the floor, but not a single drop reached within three meters of Le Muran.

As her opponent collapsed from blood loss, Le Muran turned and calmly exited the arena.

The Ziyun High spectators sat in stunned silence, while the cheers from Bailong High’s crowd nearby made Le Muran frown.

“How noisy.”

Soon, all eight groups had decided their winners. The Martial Arts Competition’s quarterfinals were complete.

Besides Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, Song Hailong, and Le Muran, the final eight included Lian Tianji, two students from Red Pagoda High, and another from Bailong High.

Zhang Yu reviewed the upcoming bracket.

“My first match is against Lian Tianji, then I’ll face whoever wins between Song Hailong and the other Red Pagoda student.”

Judging by his assessment, the Red Pagoda student would likely lose to Song Hailong. To reach the finals, Zhang Yu would need to defeat Lian Tianji first, then Song Hailong.

“But A Zhen’s path is even tougher,” he mused.

In the lower half of the bracket, Bai Zhenzhen would have to beat Red Pagoda High’s 300-point top scorer, then Le Muran from Ziyun High, before facing him for the championship.

Before Zhang Yu could dwell, the quarterfinals began. The eight arenas merged into four.

As Zhang Yu stepped onto his stage, Lian Tianji was already waiting.

Seeing Zhang Yu, Lian Tianji’s eyes lit up. “Zhang Yu, I watched your last match. Truly impressive.”

“You used technique to overcome superior strength, speed, and stamina. Your understanding of martial arts surpasses mine.”

“But combat isn’t a one-dimensional contest.”

He pulled his backpack forward. “Out of respect, I’ll fight you with my full strength.”

With that, he pulled out a vial of medicine and raised it to his lips.

Zhang Yu, already accustomed to Songyang High’s drug-heavy culture, thought nothing of it—this is just how we do things here.

But the referee suddenly stepped in, halting Lian Tianji.

Zhang Yu blinked in surprise. Are drugs banned now? This is Kunxu Realm!

The referee inspected the backpack, then nodded. “All compliant. Proceed.”

Lian Tianji downed the vial, swallowed several capsules, then grabbed a syringe and plunged it into his arm.

As the drugs took effect, his body transformed—muscles swelled, veins bulged, and his breathing deepened.

Watching him inject himself repeatedly, Zhang Yu muttered, Are you kidding me? Can’t you just underestimate me for once?

Then he noticed something odd.

Lian Tianji was muttering as he injected himself. “This Euphoria Serum I’ve been taking for three months—amazing stuff. Boosts muscle potential, suppresses pain…”

Zhang Yu glanced at a Ziyun student filming Lian Tianji with a phone and asked, “Are you shooting an ad?”

Lian Tianji replied, “I stream my cultivation and study routines online. Today, I’m recommending some reliable combat potions to my fans.”

He added, “Zhang Yu, don’t dismiss this.”

“On the long path of cultivation, learning to earn money is crucial. As the saying goes, ‘In the mountains of books, money is the path; in the boundless sea of learning, wealth is the boat.’ Those who only spend, but never earn, won’t last long in cultivation.”

Zhang Yu turned to the referee. “Can we start?”

The referee shot him a look. “You can’t rush him before he finishes his drugs. That’d be unsportsmanlike.”

Zhang Yu groaned. Fine, inject all you want.

Moments later, Lian Tianji bowed. “Shall we begin?”

At the referee’s countdown—“3… 2… 1!”—both shot forward, colliding in a thunderous clash.

Each strike of Lian Tianji’s fists against Zhang Yu’s Formless Cloud Qi reverberated like thunder.

Zhang Yu felt explosive force in every punch—contact with his Vitality Qi triggered detonations, scattering his Formless Cloud Qi, forcing him to constantly replenish it with Spiritual Power.

Explosive Wave Fist—Level 3!

A martial art inspired by explosives and shockwaves, its specialized mana—Explosive Fist Qi—could detonate on impact, amplifying damage and resisting redirection.

Lian Tianji thought, Infinite Cloud Hands uses Formless Cloud Qi to redirect force…

“But my Explosive Wave Fist uses explosive energy, which can’t be redirected—only shattered.”

“Zhang Yu’s strength and Spiritual Power are inferior. He’ll collapse soon.”

Theoretically.

But to his shock, Zhang Yu not only blocked each attack with pinpoint precision but began turning the explosive force against him—using Lian Tianji’s own power to counter itself.

Zhang Yu’s Indestructible Seal Art was redirecting the Spiritual Power.

He can redirect my Explosive Fist Qi? That means he’s mastered another advanced technique for redirecting Spiritual Power besides Infinite Cloud Hands.

Lian Tianji laughed aloud. “Zhang Yu, you never disappoint!”

Suddenly, a Ziyun student shouted from below, “Lian Tianji, the sponsor says if you don’t finish him in a minute, they’ll deduct payment!”

Lian Tianji’s face darkened. “Understood.”

Zhang Yu felt the shift instantly—Lian Tianji’s expression hardened, his smile vanished, and killing intent flickered in his eyes.

Spiritual Essence in the air began to churn.

He brought a combat Spirit Root too?

Translator’s Note: The phrase “In the mountains of books, diligence is the path; in the boundless sea of learning, wealth is the boat” is adapted from a classical saying. The original text humorously recommends a book titled “My Wife, the White Bone Spirit,” which I’ve included here for context.(End of Chapter)

Chapter end