Chapter 74: Blood-Soaked Struggle

Chapter 74: Blood-Soaked Struggle

Lian Tianji wasn’t in a rush to end the fight.

Though Zhang Yu had bridged much of the gap in physical strength levels through superior technique, Lian Tianji remained confident in his ability to win.

He welcomed the chance to prolong the battle—to learn from Zhang Yu’s skills through direct combat.

After all, the Martial Arts Competition wasn’t a true life-or-death fight. Absorbing lessons from battle and growing stronger—that was equally important in Lian Tianji’s eyes.

But the advertiser had demanded a swift victory to showcase the potency of Combat Potions. He couldn’t afford to delay any longer.

While learning through combat and earning money through ads both strengthened him, money mattered more in the end.

“Sorry, Zhang Yu.”

“I wanted to spar longer, but I can’t ignore the sponsor’s request.”

Lian Tianji activated his rented battle Spirit Root, Surging. The air trembled as spiritual essence gathered around his hands.

The Spirit Root would continuously channel spiritual essence into his body, amplifying his martial arts power by fueling his spiritual energy during combat.

Combined with his Explosive Wave Fist, the effect was extraordinary.

He threw another punch. A surge of energy erupted, igniting the surrounding spiritual essence into a shockwave that slammed into Zhang Yu.

The technique didn’t just boost his punch—it expanded its range by several folds.

Now, Lian Tianji’s fists didn’t need to touch Zhang Yu or his Formless Cloud Qi. The explosion’s shockwave could strike from a distance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Punch after punch transformed him into a human cannon, battering Zhang Yu with relentless force.

The airwaves swallowed Zhang Yu’s figure—

But as Lian Tianji assumed victory, Zhang Yu burst through the explosion, bloodied but undeterred, charging forward with swirling white mist in his palms.

“You’re still fighting despite these injuries? Don’t you care about bankruptcy?”

Though baffled, Lian Tianji’s resolve soared under the advertiser’s gaze. He held nothing back.

The two collided head-on.

Fists and palms clashed, devouring each other. Explosions roared as Lian Tianji’s punches hammered Zhang Yu’s body, while Zhang Yu’s Formless Cloud Qi struck back with equal force.

Lian Tianji frowned.

“You’ve lost control of your technique—why trade injuries with me?”

Crack! Crack!

Zhang Yu’s body split open under the Explosive Wave Fist, blood gushing from wounds. Lian Tianji expected him to collapse soon.

Ten seconds passed—he was still standing.

Twenty seconds—he showed no sign of stopping.

“How?!”

Lian Tianji stared at Zhang Yu’s bloodied but unyielding form. His own injuries multiplied, his movements growing sloppy.

Zhang Yu’s body surged with Vitality Qi, flowing like an endless river.

After advancing Infinite Cloud Hands to level 10, he could channel Formless Cloud Qi from any part of his body. He’d hidden it beneath his skin, creating an armor-like shield that absorbed damage.

The wounds were superficial—no bones broken, no vital organs harmed.

Meanwhile, Lian Tianji’s strikes rebounded violently, each punch met with counterforce amplified by his own aggression. The Analgesic Injection numbed the pain, letting him fight recklessly.

But the toll mounted—

Ugh!

Lian Tianji spat blood, his body trembling.

“My strength, speed, stamina—all superior. Why am I losing this brawl?”

He glared at Zhang Yu, blood-soaked yet unbroken.

“This victory’s meaningless. Can you even afford the medical bills?”

A voice from the crowd cut in: “Lian Tianji, the sponsor is furious! If you don’t win in thirty seconds, they’ll pull the ad—and all future deals!”

Pull the ad? Cancel partnerships?

Lian Tianji’s eyes blazed. His body surged with new energy, like a cornered beast.

“Now. This. Instant. Defeat. Zhang Yu!”

Explosive Wave Fist—Self-Destruction Mode!

He detonated his spiritual essence and power to maximize the technique, sacrificing his arm for ultimate force.

His right arm swelled with energy—

Crash!

The arena shook as he stomped, his arm erupting in a crimson storm toward Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu responded with Vitality Qi, activating Infinite Cloud Hands and the Indestructible Seal Art. The crimson Formless Cloud Qi met Lian Tianji’s strike head-on.

The explosion thundered across the stadium, drawing all eyes.

Zhang Yu’s body erupted in blood again, pushed toward the arena’s edge—

But after four staggering steps, he stood firm.

“You absorbed even this? Your martial arts…!”

Zhang Yu smiled faintly. “Thank you for pushing me. Your pressure helped me break through to level 4 in Infinite Cloud Hands.”

Lian Tianji chuckled bitterly, collapsing. His right arm was shattered, his body broken.

“You’ve improved more than just Infinite Cloud Hands. No single martial art could’ve held me off this long.”

Zhang Yu nodded. “I’ve also trained the Indestructible Seal Art and a body-hardening technique.”

A lie. The “body-hardening” masked his Subcutaneous Vitality Qi.

Lian Tianji nodded slowly, his gaze complex.

“Under Songyang’s conditions, mastering three martial arts in half a year—and closing the gap with my physical strength… Your talent is enviable.”

Medics rushed in, carrying Lian Tianji away. Zhang Yu followed, halting the doctor.

“Wait! How much will this cost? How much covers insurance?”

The doctor frowned. “You’re worried about costs now?”

To him, Zhang Yu wasn’t bleeding—he was hemorrhaging money.

“This severe? Won’t you need eight to a million credits?”

The doctor checked. “Surprisingly minor… 5,000 for check-up, 15,000 treatment, 10,000 medicine. Covered by insurance. Ready?”

Zhang Yu gasped. “That much?!”

“Insurance covers it. Worry about fighting later.”

“Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

Zhang Yu sighed. Insurance premiums will skyrocket.

——

At Bailong High School’s rest area:

“Lian Tianji’s formidable. Physical strength level must’ve reached 2.3.”

“That martial art, combined with his Spirit Root, makes him second only to Le Muran at Ziyun.”

“Songyang’s student was overwhelmed. Should’ve lost—”

They froze as Lian Tianji lay defeated, Zhang Yu standing tall.

“He lost? Zhang Yu bridged the gap with technique—and combat potions.”

“Losing to him isn’t shameful. But losing to Song Hailong? That’d be unforgivable.”

Chu Qiuhai, feigning unconsciousness on his stretcher, twitched his eyelids.

Come on, Zhang Yu. Knock Song Hailong off the stage and win this thing.

He’d never rooted harder for someone. A championship win would salvage his reputation at Bailong—losing to a city school was unacceptable, but falling to a champion? An honorable defeat.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end