"This level of combat tests not only your strength and luck but, most importantly, your mettle. Just like that kid Qi Yunyi, if you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't win the gamble."
As Ren Yuanhao finished speaking, the final battle finally commenced.
Peng Lin, who carried everyone's hopes, was set to duel the unfathomable absolute force, Xiao Chong. The anticipation was immense, with spectators even excusing themselves to relieve themselves beforehand, preparing to watch this final showdown without blinking, eager to see what would unfold.
"Alright, the much-anticipated final battle is about to begin. First, allow me to once again represent Donglü City in thanking our sponsors."
Yue Ran's gaze was fixed on Wang Xin, but Wang Xin's attention wasn't on him at all; she was gracefully looking towards another figure.
"Hey, Ren Yuanhao, I notice the young lady from Wang Group keeps glancing your way. Could it be…"
Yang Lingxue coughed lightly, mischievously looking up at Wang Xin, who was seated in the guest section.
"She's only 18, can you not jump to conclusions?"
Ren Yuanhao felt like thorns were pricking his back, not daring to look up at Wang Xin. "Just watch the match properly, Miss Yang."
As soon as he spoke, Yue Ran finally raised his hand to acknowledge his fans, but upon making eye contact with Ren Yuanhao's sharp gaze, he quickly retracted it.
"On the lower platform, please welcome Peng Lin from the Aishén City representative team, and Xiao Chong from the Zǐguī City representative team!"
Peng Lin high-fived his fellow disciples one by one, as if this action would concentrate all good fortune upon him. He certainly needed some luck, at least enough to prove Ren Yuanhao's gamble on Xiao Chong's abilities correct.
On the Zǐguī City side, Chu Tianxiong looked at Xiao Chong with immense pride. "Now is the time to let them know the difference in strength. Go, a bigger stage awaits you."
Xiao Chong nodded, his face etched with arrogance.
The two took to the stage from left and right, the tense atmosphere instantly freezing the entire martial arts hall. Even the wind at the entrance seemed to halt, leaving everyone to only hear the sound of their own heartbeats, apart from the approaching thunder.
The live streaming platform's cameras were in position, and even through the screen, one could feel the oppressive stillness and the killing intent emanating from the martial arena.
"Kid, lend me your ear. Even the thunder drums for us. To be defeated by me in this fight is your honor."
Xiao Chong spoke with an air of absolute certainty, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Oh? Hasn't your coach ever told you not to talk too much, lest you end up with an embarrassing slap in the face later?"
Peng Lin refused to lose this verbal sparring match, shrugging his shoulders casually.
"Oh? In that case, don't be defeated too quickly later. At least give me something to enjoy."
Xiao Chong finished speaking. The referee, who had effortlessly taken down Zhou Jun in the previous match, slowly walked to the center. With a command, both sides exchanged greetings, and the decisive battle finally began!
And then, Xiao Chong, who had been the more aggressive fighter in the previous two bouts, adopted a similarly aggressive offensive stance. He lunged forward like a diving eagle, utilizing his momentum to leap into the air, his right leg descending like a powerful axe or cleaver!
Peng Lin had seen this move before on a treasured DVD from his coach. It was rumored to be a powerful leg technique called 'Splitting the Mountain,' exceeding the difficulty of a fourth-degree black belt!
—Holy crap, brother, this isn't how the script was supposed to go! Wasn't it agreed that you wouldn't copy from elsewhere?
Although Peng Lin had seen the move, the opponent's speed was simply too great, and he couldn't find any way to counter it. While he was still astonished, the wind from the leg strike was already sweeping towards his face!
*Slap!*
A collective gasp erupted from the audience!
Peng Lin clasped his hands around Xiao Chong's descending leg. He was hit with such force that his feet instantly parted, and only by doing so could he barely mitigate the power of the strike.
"That's terrifying. He's going this hard right from the start, isn't he afraid of scaring that Peng kid?"
"I know, right? I almost thought this final battle was over before it began."
The spectators on the platform stood up, and soon, the hall fell into a deathly silence again.
Peng Lin's face turned red; the move had clearly caused his internal energy to become somewhat chaotic. He gritted his teeth, trying to move the leg that was pressing on his shoulder. As he exerted force and slightly pushed up, he was immediately pinned down again by the opponent!
"Trash, you belong on the dirty ground. Don't get up. You'll be crippled."
Peng Lin's brow furrowed. He slowly attempted to dislodge the force his opponent was exerting. Just as he managed to rise a little, he was pushed down again by his opponent!
"The difference in strength is too obvious. It seems this match is already decided."
"Yeah, we probably had too high expectations for Peng Lin."
"After all, he's a competitor who hasn't reached black belt. His experience, resilience, and combat effectiveness will naturally be much weaker than a true black belt."
"Don't be so sure. After all, that miraculous kid managed to defeat Pang Qiang, and isn't Pang Qiang a black belt?"
The audience's murmurs were kept low, yet they dared not cheer for Peng Lin. However, some of Xiao Chong's fans were wildly gesticulating, creating two starkly different reactions among the crowd.
Seeing Peng Lin still struggling, Xiao Chong increased the pressure on his leg severalfold. Peng Lin's shoulders and forearms felt as though they were bearing immense weight, enough to force him to his knees.
"Trash, this is the gap between us. And this gap cannot be compensated for by your luck, skills, or petty tricks. Do you understand now?"
Xiao Chong's leg pressure increased bit by bit, giving Peng Lin the feeling that it would never end!
"Kneel down. You're just a prop," Xiao Chong's eyes were filled with mockery, his leg feeling as though it was about to crush the opponent's shoulder blade.
However, Peng Lin remained silent, his legs still attempting to stand.
"Stand up."
"Stand up!"
From the spectator stands, someone started the chant, and then more than half the audience began to roar.
The spotlight once again descended from the ceiling, its warmth feeling almost unreal. At the same time, thunder slowly moved closer, and a series of dull rumbles echoed through the martial hall intermittently, with a little dust falling like scattered snowflakes.
Like flying catkins.
Peng Lin's lips began to bleed. His gums were pressed firmly by his teeth, and his shoulder blade and forearm bones emitted faint creaking sounds, like poorly assembled building blocks, on the verge of disintegration.
Below the stage, not only Ren Yuanhao and Shen Lan Ni, but also his junior and senior disciples, wore grave expressions.
Peng Lin's peripheral vision caught sight of Shen Lan Ni, and the scene of their first meeting inexplicably flashed through his mind.