Chapter 73: Top 8 Battle
Watching Chu Qiuhé fall to Zhang Yu’s hands, Qian Shen murmured in surprise: “Zhang Yu won.”
Zhao Tianxing, who had been closely observing the match, was utterly baffled. “How did he win so suddenly? It felt like Zhang Yu was completely dominated the whole time.”
Qian Shen pondered, then said: “True, Zhang Yu was on the defensive the entire fight. But if you think about it… he actually blocked nearly every single one of Chu Qiuhé’s attacks.”
“Meanwhile, Chu Qiuhé relied solely on his brute strength—offense without defense.”
Qian Shen hesitated, then added: “And then… somehow, Zhang Yu landed a hit right on the vital spot?”
He let out a quiet sigh. “I heard that in the old days, the entrance exams were purely combat-based in the Arena. But the randomness of battle was too great—just fighting ability wasn’t enough to identify the true top talents. That’s why the system gradually evolved into today’s six-subject 700-point evaluation.”
He Dayou smirked with grim satisfaction. “Now that Chu Qiuhé lost, his days at Bailong High School are over.”
Zhao Tianxing frowned. “It’s just one match. That’s not that serious.”
He Dayou raised an eyebrow. “What if you lost to a regular high school student?”
Zhao Tianxing’s brow instantly knotted. “Regular high school kids know nothing about cultivation. How could I possibly lose to them?”
He Dayou spoke coldly. “What if you did?”
The image flashed in Zhao Tianxing’s mind—collapse of the sky, the shame of Songyang, public humiliation, climbing onto the rooftop… His heart sank into darkness.
Seeing the look on Zhao Tianxing’s face, He Dayou let out a dry chuckle. “So now you get it, right?”
But then he glanced at Zhang Yu walking off the Arena, and his expression darkened again.
Chu Qiuhé’s loss brought him secret joy—but Zhang Yu’s victory stirred a deep ache in his chest.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena.
Chu Qiuhé, still unconscious, was carried back to Bailong High School’s preparation zone.
The competition coach glanced at him, but didn’t rush to wake him for a public humiliation. After all, Chu Qiuhé was the only one back—others were still fighting in the Arena.
He’d wait until everyone returned, then make Chu Qiuhé kneel before all the students and endure a full, merciless disgrace.
“…He actually lost to a Songyang High School student.”
Just the thought made the coach’s blood boil. His bonus, his performance rating—all would be slashed. He might even be mocked by other teachers, punished by school leadership…
As he fumed, another student was suddenly carried in on a stretcher.
The coach scowled. “What happened to you?”
The boy’s face was pale as death. He stammered: “I beat the Ziyun student… Bai Zhenzhen from Songyang High School defeated Hu Yuntao… then she fought me… and I lost.”
He barely finished speaking when the temperature around him dropped by ten degrees. A shiver wracked his body.
The coach’s voice turned icy. “How did you lose?”
The student lowered his head. “She used a stealth-type spiritual root… it made her presence flicker in and out of my senses.”
The coach sneered. “She’s way behind you in stats. Even if she surprised you, it shouldn’t have been enough to beat you.”
The student’s eyes flickered with confusion. “I… I don’t know… I suddenly felt a hit on a vital point… and then I just passed out.”
On the other stretcher, Chu Qiuhé had already woken up—but was still pretending to be unconscious.
He exhaled in relief. Thank goodness I wasn’t the only one who lost.
At that moment, a thought struck him.
Zhang Yu… you damn well better win a few more matches for me!
Better yet—win a few more against Bailong High School students too.
The more Zhang Yu won, the less shameful Chu Qiuhé’s own losses would seem.
As for the rest of his classmates? Their victories wouldn’t appear on his own resume. But their defeats? Those would protect his pride.
…
Meanwhile, the battles across the other Arenas were nearing their end.
In one Arena, Song Hailong roared like a beast, seizing his opponent and hurling him like a ball. The force sent the man crashing into the ceiling—over ten meters high—eliciting a thunderous gasp from the crowd.
The audience from Bailong High School erupted in wild applause, only stopping when Song Hailong raised his hand, clenched his fist—silence fell instantly.
On another Arena stage, Le Mulan flicked her slender fingers. A cascade of icy-blue martial energy shot forth like blades, slashing at her opponent three meters away, carving deep wounds with every strike.
No matter how desperately the opponent fought, the icy light held him at bay—three meters was the limit. Not a single drop of blood managed to reach Le Mulan.
When the opponent finally collapsed from blood loss, Le Mulan turned and walked calmly off the stage.
The crowd from Ziyun High School sat in stunned silence, too afraid to breathe. But just beyond them, the cheers from Bailong High School’s fans rang out loud and proud.
Le Mulan grimaced. So noisy.
In moments, all eight groups had been decided. The Top 8 of this Martial Arts Competition was now set.
Besides Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, Song Hailong, and Le Mulan, the Top 8 also included Lian Tianji, two students from Hongta High School, and one more from Bailong High School.
Zhang Yu glanced at the upcoming schedule.
“My first match is against Lian Tianji. Then I face the winner between Song Hailong and the other Hongta student.”
Based on his assessment, the Hongta student wouldn’t stand a chance against Song Hailong.
That meant if Zhang Yu wanted a shot at the title, he’d have to beat Lian Tianji first—then Song Hailong.
“But… the real challenge is on the other side,” Zhang Yu thought, looking toward the lower bracket. “Bai Zhenzhen has to beat Hongta’s 300-point top scorer first, then defeat Le Mulan—before we can meet in the final.”
There was no time for reflection.
The Top 8 match began instantly.
The eight Arenas shrank to four.
Zhang Yu stepped onto the Arena. Lian Tianji was already waiting.
Upon seeing him, Lian Tianji’s eyes lit up. “Zhang Yu. I watched your fight replay—it was incredible.”
“To suppress an opponent stronger in power, speed, and endurance with pure technique… your understanding of martial arts has surpassed mine.”
“But in real combat, it’s never just about one dimension.”
With that, he pulled his backpack forward. “Out of respect for you, I’ll fight with full strength.”
As he spoke, he reached into the bag and pulled out a bottle—ready to drink.
Zhang Yu watched, unfazed. This is how it is in Songyang City. This is how high school students fight at full power.
But then—a referee stepped forward and stopped him.
Zhang Yu froze. Wait… is drug use banned in this match? Is this still Kunxu?
The referee inspected the backpack, then nodded. “All items are compliant. You may proceed.”
Lian Tianji drank the bottle, then swallowed a few capsules. Next, he pulled out a syringe and injected himself.
As the drugs took effect, Lian Tianji’s body changed visibly—muscles swelling slightly, veins rising like cords beneath his skin. His breath grew heavier, deeper.
Zhang Yu stared, dumbfounded.
Seriously… can’t you just disrespect me outright? Why go through all this respect crap?
Then he noticed something odd.
As Lian Tianji injected himself, he was also muttering under his breath.
“This Combat Excitement Agent has been in my system for three months. The results are amazing—releases muscle potential instantly, suppresses pain…”
Zhang Yu glanced at a Ziyun student filming him with a phone and asked bluntly: “Are you guys doing an ad?”
Lian Tianji smiled. “I often share my study and cultivation routines online. This time, I’m just recommending some solid, reliable combat supplements to my fans.”
He added, “Zhang Yu, don’t dismiss this.”
“On the long path of cultivation, learning to make money—developing the ability to earn—is crucial.”
“After all, ‘There’s no path up the mountain of knowledge without money; the sea of learning has no boat without wealth.’”
Zhang Yu turned to the referee. “Can we start?”
The referee glanced at him sideways. “You want to begin before he finishes his dosage? That’s not exactly fair, is it?”
Zhang Yu sighed. Fine. Whatever. Let’s just fight.
Moments later.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Lian Tianji bowed slightly. “Then… let’s begin.”
The referee counted down: “Three… two… one… go!”
Both men shot forward like lightning—colliding with a thunderous boom.
Lian Tianji’s fist met Zhang Yu’s Wuxiang Yun'gang, each impact echoing like a cannon blast.
Zhang Yu felt the explosive force in the punch—immediately detonating upon contact with his aura, tearing apart his Wuxiang Yun'gang and forcing him to constantly replenish his martial energy.
This was Lian Tianji’s expert-level technique—Boliet Bo Dong Quan, Level 3 Propulsion!
A martial art born from the study of explosive shockwaves and detonations. The specialized martial energy it produces, known as Baolie Quanjin, could detonate the moment it was released—doubling the damage, and making it nearly impossible to anticipate or deflect.
Inside Lian Tianji’s mind: Wuji Yunshou specializes in redirecting force. But my Boliet Bo Dong Quan is explosive—Wuxiang Yun'gang can’t redirect it. It just gets shattered.
Zhang Yu is weaker than me, his martial energy thinner. He won’t last long.
Logic said so.
But Lian Tianji was stunned.
Zhang Yu wasn’t just dodging at the last second—he was redirecting the explosive force.
He was using Lian Tianji’s own Baolie Quanjin against him.
This was Zhang Yu’s Bumu Yinfa—drawing in and manipulating Lian Tianji’s martial energy.
He can redirect my force? That means he’s not only skilled in Wuji Yunshou… he’s also mastered another high-level martial art that manipulates energy through redirection.
Lian Tianji burst into laughter. “Zhang Yu! You truly don’t disappoint!”
At that moment, a voice from the Ziyun stands called out: “Lian Tianji, the sponsor says if you don’t finish within a minute, they’ll deduct payment.”
Lian Tianji’s face darkened. “I know.”
Zhang Yu felt the shift instantly—Lian Tianji’s smile vanished. His eyes hardened, a flicker of murderous intent now visible.
At the same time, the air began to stir with rising spirit energy.
Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes. So he brought a Combat Spirit Root into the match too?
—
“There’s no path up the mountain of knowledge without money; the sea of learning has no boat without wealth.”
—
This quote was taken from a novel titled My Wife Is a White Bone Demon. Highly recommended.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
