Chapter 37: Chapter 37
"My body can't take any more of this," I muttered, each word laced with strain as my breath came in ragged gasps. Yet even as my body screamed in protest, my spirit burned brighter than ever. "One more blow to finish everything!" I cried, my voice echoing across the arena like a thunderclap.
The air around me shifted, growing heavy with an overwhelming presence. Slowly, the illusion of galaxies began to swirl into existence, their vast expanse stretching infinitely around me. Each star pulsed with raw energy, forming a cosmic dance that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality.
My right fist trembled slightly, not from weakness, but from the sheer weight of the Haki enveloping it. The dark energy crackled and surged, black lightning dancing across its surface, ready to unleash untold devastation.
I took a single step forward, the ground beneath my feet fracturing under the pressure. A grin broke across my face, feral and unrestrained, as my gaze locked onto Shi Bin. The crowd held their breath, the tension palpable, as the universe itself seemed to hold still in anticipation of the impending clash.
"One final clash! Then I shall give you everything!" Shi Bin roared, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve. His right fist ignited with an intense white light, crackling with hints of white lightning, illuminating the arena like a divine beacon.
In the crowd, murmurs broke out as spectators tried to process what they were witnessing. "So it's true... Shi Bin made a mistake in his youth, and now he can only rely on the Tiger Fist Martial Art," someone whispered in disbelief, their tone a mix of pity and astonishment.
"What? That can't be right! Look at that energy, it's clearly not some trash-tier spirit-grade technique," another voice argued, their shock evident. "This is no ordinary martial art!"
An elder, his expression somber yet tinged with admiration, interjected, his voice cutting through the noise. "No, you're right. This isn't the basic Tiger Fist of his past. What you see is its evolved form, the Heavenly Tiger Fist. Shi Bin, despite the error that stunted his martial path, has taken that flawed foundation and transformed it into something extraordinary. Even now, in the face of overwhelming odds, he shines."
The elder's words filled the air with reverence, and the crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on Shi Bin as he prepared to unleash everything he had. In that moment, respect for his indomitable spirit eclipsed the shadow of his past mistakes.
All eyes were locked on our stage, the other battles fading into irrelevance as the ferocity of our clash demanded undivided attention. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the sheer intensity of the fight, which had painted a bloody spectacle unmatched by the other stages.
"White Tiger Fist!" Shi Bin roared his voice a primal cry that echoed across the arena. He launched himself forward with the full force of his will, his fist glowing with the terrifying aura of the Heavenly Tiger.
"Galactic Impact!" I bellowed in response, my own body surging with power as I propelled myself to meet him head-on. The clash of our war cries shook the air, and the entire arena seemed to hold its breath as we charged toward each other, our fists blazing with the culmination of our might and determination.
Our fists collided, and for a fleeting moment, the world fell silent. A blinding white light consumed everything, erasing sound and color, as if the universe itself had paused to witness the impact. It was a moment of stillness, fragile yet immeasurably powerful.
Then it broke. The stillness gave way to a deafening explosion, like a bomb capable of obliterating an entire city block. The shockwave rippled outward, shaking the arena to its core. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring everything in a swirling cloud of chaos. The stage, unable to withstand the overwhelming force, cracked and groaned under the pressure. Only the intervention of the elders, reinforcing the stage with their power, kept it from crumbling entirely.
The clash was nothing short of heaven-shaking for the younger generation. Even the battles on the other stages came to an abrupt halt, fighters turning their attention toward the epicenter of the destruction. All eyes were drawn to the stage, curiosity, and awe etched into every face.
Among them, the loli who had lucked her way into the next round trembled slightly. Her sharp senses had caught the scent of my blood, a fragrance so intoxicating that she had to restrain herself from leaping onto the stage in a frenzy. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, forcing her predatory instincts back under control.
Chu Feng, having already secured his victory, stood rigid, his serious expression betraying his unease. His eyes were fixed on the swirling dust cloud, trying to pierce through it and uncover the result of the clash. Beside him, Qing Ying and the crowd shared the same breathless anticipation. It was as if the entire arena had come to a silent agreement: they would wait, unmoving until the victor emerged from the storm.
Slowly, the dust began to settle, revealing the silhouettes of two figures still standing on the battered stage. The onlookers held their breath, anticipation thick in the air. And when the haze fully cleared, they were stunned into silence.
Shi Bin stood there, his right arm obliterated, his breathing ragged but resolute. Opposite him, I remained upright, my own right arm erased in the brutal clash. We were both bloodied, battered, and barely holding on.
"This prince..." I began, my voice low and tinged with exhaustion. I let the words hang in the air for a moment, savoring the gravity of this battle. "No, I, Zhou Lianchen, shall remember you." My gaze dropped to the massive scar etched across my chest, a permanent mark from this incredible duel. "These scales shall never heal a symbol of this great battle."
Shi Bin smiled faintly, his strength waning. His body trembled under the weight of his injuries, but his spirit remained unbroken. Words seemed beyond him now, his eyes carrying the unspoken acknowledgment of our shared struggle.
Whoever fell first would lose.
But Shi Bin didn't know one thing, I didn't need my body to obey me to strike the final blow.
Summoning the last remnants of my will, I conjured a phantom fist in my eyes. It was weak, almost pitiful in comparison to the power I had unleashed earlier, but it didn't matter.
The fist formed slowly, taking shape through sheer determination, before shooting toward Shi Bin. It hit him squarely in the chest, not with the intent to harm, but to push. The impact sent him stumbling back, his body teetering on the edge of the stage before gravity claimed him.
Shi Bin fell.
The moment his body hit the ground below, the arena erupted in a cacophony of cheers and gasps. My victory was sealed.
"This battle..." I muttered weakly, a flicker of pride in my voice as my vision blurred. My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed onto the stage. The world spun, my body too ravaged to move. Above me, Lan Mei stood, her gaze cold and disapproving. Her presence brought me back to the moment, grounding me in the here and now.