Chapter 214: Fengtian True Dragon, Yong'an Steel Spear! (3k)
Although the number of participants in the second phase of the competition was halved, they were all experts who had passed nine trials.
In the case of an evenly matched opponent, a fight lasting two or three hours is quite normal.
Considering the factors of recuperation and injury treatment, each competitor only needs to participate in one match per day, except for the revival matches.
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the competition.
The 16-to-8 round, which is a crucial qualifying match for the competitors, was about to begin.
If they fail to win this round, they will have no chance of being among the top three seed competitors.
Moreover, they would have to participate in the subsequent revival matches to compete for the last two finals slots.
The intense nature of the second phase shows that the seed positions are very beneficial as they save a lot of energy and reduce the chance of injury.
Not everyone has top-notch hard skills like Meng Chuan and the Monk Jueming to protect themselves.
Meng Chuan also had to fight for a seed position to win the twenty million from Hanhai Company.
In the past few days, the tournament has raised high hopes for ten contestants, including Meng Chuan, by the prediction blogger.
Except for two who were eliminated in internal battles, the remaining eight all advanced to this round.
At this moment, everyone was waiting for the host to warm up the atmosphere before starting the draw for today's matches.
In the backstage area, Meng Chuan was hanging out with Grandmaster Zhao's disciple.
The two did not meet earlier, but thanks to five days of competition, their relationship gradually became familiar.
Although Wang Ye appeared cool on the outside, he turned out to be quite the opposite inside.
Now he was standing next to Meng Chuan, pointing at other contestants.
"Tsk tsk tsk... There's even someone wearing black silk to compete, the Daoist here is quite fond of it."
"..."
Meng Chuan followed his gaze to see a spicy girl with a three-section staff strapped to her back.
He secretly nodded.
Just as I thought, that Grandmaster Zhao didn't seem like a proper Daoist, so it's no surprise that his direct disciple is the same.
Meng Chuan only has a slight feeling for yoga pants; black silk is just so-so, after a glance or two, it's no big deal.
The female martial artist turned her head, saw someone staring at her, and sashayed away, her three-section staff clinking at her back.
Wang Ye, bored, said:
"Tsk tsk, doesn't even let people look. By the way, Xiaomeng, did you watch that prediction blogger's video? It's got over ten million likes now."
Meng Chuan nodded in response, a bit curious about how the host would introduce him outside.
But this guy in front of him buzzed around like a fly, incessantly...
"Based on your matches in the past few days, I feel our rankings are a bit off.
Not to mention those three freaks, but I should be fourth, and you should be fifth."
Meng Chuan was puzzled:
"Why am I fifth and you're fourth? Daoist Wang, you're getting ahead of yourself."
Wang Ye laughed it off and said:
"No worries, fourth and fifth are just the same, we can't beat those predicted top three anyway, us fighting over it is meaningless."
Meng Chuan gave him a sidelong glance and then walked off to the side to close his eyes and rest.
He was aiming to secure the number one seed position, never considering fourth or fifth.
"Zheng Chengcheng, Jueming, Xu Nuo..."
These three are no pushovers, their full strength has yet to be revealed, it's hard to gauge their depths.
Strategically despising the enemy while tactically respecting them. With previous tips from Master Luo, Meng Chuan would not underestimate anyone.
"The intelligence I have on Zheng Chengcheng is the most, her fist skill and swordsmanship are top-notch, and that [Cloud from the Dragon] trait has yet to be displayed."
Cloud from the Dragon is one of the top traits suitable for cultivating Dragon Form Boxing.
It's second only to the [Nine-finger Dragon Strike] of the previous headmaster of Southern United University.
Both in terms of Martial Arts talent bonuses and combat performance, it's much better than Meng Jiaolong's [Jingzhe] trait.
Regarding the threat of Zheng Chengcheng, Meng Chuan shares the same thought as that blogger.
Jueming and Xu Nuo, Meng Chuan did spot some weaknesses.
"This little monk's strength is decent, but among the strongest contestants, he's the weakest.
He relies solely on that perfection-level horizontal body training to remain undefeated. But if he faces me, he'll be in trouble..."
He felt that he's the bane of the Buddhist Sect, he wouldn't lose to them in terms of physique.
Moreover, penetration, stacking damage, breaking defenses and other combat traits, he could switch tactics to challenge him, Meng Chuan wanted to see if Jueming could withstand it...
After some breathing exercises, Meng Chuan reached his optimal state.
He looked at the big screen as the matchup results appeared.
[Meng Chuan (San Qin) vs Xu Nuo (Fengtian)]
"Fengtian headquarters... Senior Xu."
Unexpectedly it was him, but Meng Chuan stretched his neck, his fighting spirit surged!
...
Wang Ye matched with that girl in black silk and was beyond pleased at the moment.
Seeing Meng Chuan's matchup result, he chuckled and walked forward, encouraging:
"Xiaomeng, aim to penetrate through the revival matches, the Daoist here will go ahead first."
Meng Chuan said calmly:
"Better pray that you win this match, make sure not to face me in the next round."
With that, Meng Chuan got up and headed for the entrance to the arena.
He and Xu Nuo were both star contestants in this competition, placed in the first game to warm up the stage.
Wang Ye raised his eyebrows, looking puzzled.
"This kid, could he really think he can win?"
He possessed the Daoist secret technique [Qi Observation Skill], each time he observed that black-handled Tang Blade in Xu Nuo's hand, he felt a pang of unease.
In terms of danger level, Xu Nuo should be number one in this competition!
...
Meanwhile, in Jiyuan, Yu land.
Here at the western side of the southern end of Taihang Mountain, an uninvited guest arrived at the foot of the mountain.
A figure paused here; moments later, a person with a thin, long sword sheath at their waist slowly approached.
"A bit late, Grandmaster Li is not very punctual, huh."
The person teased.
The one holding the sword slowly approached and lifted the brim of the conical hat, revealing none other than Li Xiao, who committed a massive bloodshed inside the Jiao Demon Nest!
"Sorry, Grandmaster Chen, I was a bit delayed on the road.
Lately, your Outer Heaven seems quiet, why? Intimidated by Great Chu?"
"Hahaha, now your Demon Summoning Hall and Black Water, are suppressed by Great Chu, trying to deflect troubles eastward?"
Outer Heaven is indeed one of the infamous trio alongside these two demon path organizations under Great Chu's control.
Its existence is mysterious, and when it comes to its members, few know the origins and background.
According to Li Xiao's words, they are all like those who hide heads and show tails.
However, the person before him is one of Outer Heaven's leaders, and is a fellow demon path grandmaster; respectful appearances must be maintained.
"Grandmaster Chen jokes, our Divine Summoning Hall hasn't really suffered heavily; we just lost a priest in Yong'an City, that's all."
"Grandmaster Li stands short, losing a priest just to kill the captain of the police force, I'm tempted to join your group."
Li Xiao said calmly:
"If Grandmaster Chen is willing to change allegiance, our Divine Summoning Hall would welcome you. But before that, shouldn't we talk business?"
He certainly wasn't so free; going to Yong'an was for other reasons, just happened to deal with that captain.
"Tsk tsk, Grandmaster Li is still in such a hurry; any plans thought out for the next step? We, at Outer Heaven, don't do things half-heartedly."
When talking business, the person withdrew the playful expression.
"Don't worry, it's the old trade of our Divine Summoning Hall; there won't be mistakes.
In recent years, conflicts between Divine Realm and our region have been increasing; we've already contacted several protectors under the gods, therefore we can awaken them."
You at Outer Heaven just need to handle node connections and cooperate well; when gods descend, benefits will surely come your way."
Li Xiao, as one entrenched in the demon path, calls the Celestial Demon Realm the so-called Divine Realm, regards its strongest as masters, willing to serve them.
Talking about "gods," the person's expression became solemn.
Then nodding, they said:
"Understood, we have a node connection ready at Ermen Gorge in the Yu region, closest to Yong'an City, Grandmaster Li can go take a look first."
Li Xiao laughed heartily, the scar on his forehead seeming like a writhing centipede:
"Haha, not in vain is Outer Heaven, things are efficiently done. No time to waste, I'll set off immediately."
The Outer Heaven person rummaged in their clothes, took out a small cloth bag, and handed it to Li Xiao.
"Preparations on that side are complete; bring this item to Ermen Gorge, and someone will contact you at the appointed time."
"Alright."
Li Xiao received the bag, tapped his toe on the ground, and rode the wind away.
In the midst of clouds and mist, Li Xiao opened the package to find a round copper mirror inside.
Flipping it over, the mirror surface was clean and clear, reflecting his fierce, vicious face.
"Interesting..."
...
Taihang True Dragon Martial Arts Competition Center.
Outside the arena, the final testing work was underway, Meng Chuan and his master waited in the contestant channel.
Luo Guanyun gave his final admonition:
"Xuno is tough to deal with, especially that blade he holds brimming with murderous aura, likely not a common demon-subduing weapon.
Focus mainly on seeking opportunities for a burst on the stage, don't just rely on your physique mindlessly, alright?"
Meng Chuan nodded; he understood the reasoning.
According to the pre-match collected intel, his senior Xuno primarily cultivates the Elephant Form Sect's Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Skill, nearing perfection.
Not to mention the lethal weapon in his hand, just his four hundred-and-something Qi Blood could crush most opponents on stage.
"Adjust yourself for a while longer, pay attention to your breathing rhythm when absorbing energy, do not panic."
Meng Chuan nodded, then crossed his arms at the channel entrance waiting.
Meanwhile, in the left channel, Xuno was also adjusting his breath.
His hands hugged the Tang Blade, resting against the wall, meditating with closed eyes.
"A genius at eighteen, it's a pity to run into me..."
Before long, all the on-stage adjustments were complete; the first finals ticket fight was about to commence.
The central screen outside playing commercials suddenly went silent.
In the next moment, with exciting music, the screen lighted up again.
Meng Chuan and Xuno's photos strikingly appeared in front of the audience.
"Xuno!"
"Here we go! Hurry, hurry!"
He was among the top three according to pre-match predictions, attracting quite many fans.
A multitude of Xuno fans shouted simultaneously:
"Fengtian True Dragon demonstrates power, Howling Moon Blade slices Vajra!"
Meng Chuan also had quite a number of fans, having followed the matches since Yong'an City.
Upon hearing the rival chant, his fans were unwilling to fall behind, responding:
"Meng Chuan invincible!"
"Fist power overwhelming the Northern Lands, Yong'an Steel Spear King!"
Meng Chuan was entering the arena; hearing "Steel Spear King" made his steps stumble, eyes blackening for a moment.
This unlucky title was like a soul-lock, surprisingly chasing him all the way to Taihang...
As the crowd's commotion settled, Meng Chuan and Xuno stood on stage facing each other.
To ensure the fairness of the match, both were waiting on stage for inspection by the local Martial Arts Association's third rank strongman.
Listening to the cheers from the other side's fans in his ears, Xuno wondered with confusion:
"Is it that you look down on me, where's your spear?"
"..."