Long Ren gritted his teeth in frustration.
He wasn't without other weapons, but the dragon-headed spear he had just used was still the most comfortable in his hand.
With no other choice, he unleashed his full physical strength and charged towards Ke Zi'an.
"Haha, that's more like it." Ke Zi'an, seeing Long Ren charge at him with full force, was not alarmed but delighted.
The two collided, their fists and feet intermingling as they relentlessly attacked each other.
However, an observant eye could readily tell that Long Ren's hand-to-hand combat skills and physical foundation were no match for Ke Zi'an, who had activated his Gangsha Demonic Body.
The longer time went on, the faster Long Ren's defeat would come. He would be increasingly unable to keep up with Ke Zi'an's attack rhythm.
As minutes ticked by, the situation on the stage grew more intense.
"Heh heh, you can't hold on much longer." Ke Zi'an's face was contorted into a ferocious grin.
At this moment, Long Ren's face was covered in sweat, and the speed of his punches was gradually falling behind Ke Zi'an's rhythm.
"It's time to end this!" Ke Zi'an roared.
Blood Fiend Burst!
The blood-red light on his fist flared brightly. Seizing an opening as Long Ren launched an attack, he unleashed a punch.
A torrent of malevolent energy erupted, sending Long Ren's body flying backward.
Long Ren landed heavily on the ground. As he struggled to get up, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He tried desperately to rise again, but the pain in his body made it impossible.
With no other option, he could only lie on the stage and concede defeat.
Medical personnel quickly entered the arena, lifting him onto a stretcher before clearing the battlefield.
Ke Zi'an then replaced Long Ren, becoming the 7th ranked contender.
The spectators erupted into enthusiastic cheers. This was a place where the victor was king and the loser was a bandit. Winners enjoyed honor, while losers had nothing.
Gu Yuan took a deep breath. The matches for the top 10 were incredibly tense. The intensity of these matches was incomparable to any he had faced before.
"Let us congratulate contestant Ke Zi'an for securing the 7th position," the announcer's voice rang out in due time.
"And now, we continue with the next match. Which two contestants will face off next? Let's watch the big screen." As the announcer's voice faded, the projection in the sky began to turn slowly, displaying the names of the remaining eight contestants.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, the names slowly stopped, finally settling on two.
"Whoa!!" A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.
"It's our contestant Gu Yuan against the 6th ranked contestant Miao Zhen! Let's welcome them to the stage!" The announcer's voice also carried a hint of excitement.
Gu Yuan himself was somewhat puzzled by the immense cheers when it was his turn.
Because Gu Yuan had been busy preparing for matches these past few days and hadn't had time to log online, his background had been exposed on the internet. Netizens were shocked to learn he was an orphan and a commoner martial artist, expressing their astonishment.
This had generated enormous buzz, making him a teenage idol for commoner martial artists and garnering him many fans from that demographic. Coupled with his impressive climb from the 300s to ninth place,
all these factors contributed to his immense popularity and large fanbase.
The cheers were so loud that even the high-ranking officials and recruitment teachers in the viewing stands looked surprised, inquiring about whose fans were making such a commotion.
Upon learning about Gu Yuan's circumstances, their gazes towards him were filled with admiration and eagerness.
A martial artist like Gu Yuan, who brought his own fan base, would greatly boost the popularity of any school he joined. Moreover, Gu Yuan's own strength was formidable, making him a student worth recruiting at any cost.
Monk Miao Zhen stood up and softly chanted, "Amitabha."
He looked at Gu Yuan beside him and said, "Benefactor Gu, please proceed!"
"Please," Gu Yuan replied.
The two stepped onto the stage and bowed to each other.
At the referee's command, the match began.
Facing a unique martial artist like Monk Miao Zhen, Gu Yuan dared not be careless and immediately activated his strongest form.
Giant Whale Body!
The three full blood sacs within his body ruptured, unleashing a massive surge of blood and vital energy.
Seven Killings - Tuoshan Style!
The Tuoshan power contained within his muscles and flesh also erupted, augmenting Gu Yuan's already formidable physique.
His body, which had already swelled, expanded further, becoming even more robust, his muscles as hardened as cast iron.
"I await your guidance!"
Gu Yuan let out a low roar, suddenly stepping forward. His body instantly unleashed immense power, leaving a deep footprint on the ground as he vanished from his original position.
"Amitabha!"
Miao Zhen chanted a Buddhist name. His previously slender physique began to slowly expand, his skin becoming as if forged from gold, radiating an aura of immortality and indestructibility.
"What is this? The ultimate technique of the Diamond Temple, the Great Sun Tathagata Golden Body! I didn't expect Miao Zhen to have mastered it. I wonder how Gu Yuan will cope." A discerning high-ranking official immediately recognized that the golden light emanating from Miao Zhen was the Diamond Temple's most formidable body-refining technique, the Great Sun Tathagata Golden Body.
Upon hearing this, the high-ranking officials understood that Gu Yuan was likely in grave danger.
It wasn't a matter of looking down on Gu Yuan, but the fearsome reputation that the Great Sun Tathagata Golden Body had built over thousands of years was deeply ingrained. It could be considered the foremost body-refining technique of the Zen school.
Gu Yuan felt the brilliant golden light erupt from Monk Miao Zhen and knew that this match would be difficult.
Monk Miao Zhen's body radiated a scorching aura, his skin pure gold. From afar, he truly resembled the legendary Tathagata Golden Body.
"Benefactor Gu, please receive this palm strike carefully," Miao Zhen said with a benevolent smile, reminding Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan knew that his current physical toughness would likely not be a match for Monk Miao Zhen. He quickly communicated with the Qianxiang.
Qianxiang - Tian Xing Jian!
Seven Fiends - Lie Tian Style!
His palm rapidly darkened, his bones creaking as they elongated, transforming into menacing black claws.
The Qianxiang power at his brow covered his entire body, enhancing Gu Yuan's defensive capabilities.
With these layers of buffs stacked, Gu Yuan gained the confidence to clash with Monk Miao Zhen.
The Director of the Zhongzhou Prefecture Education Bureau, Yan Hongyi, frowned and turned to look at the recruitment teacher from the First Martial Arts University, Tian Qing.
Tian Qing nodded at him, and Yan Hongyi instantly understood his meaning, turning back to watch the match.
However, his gaze fell upon his hands, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes.
He had used this very technique to slay demonic beasts and vanquish demons in the past.
Now, this martial art had faded into obscurity, with very few people practicing it, and the risks involved remained as high as ever.
To see the martial art he once primarily cultivated again on the tournament stage truly evoked a sense of nostalgia!
Gu Yuan and Miao Zhen collided with a sudden impact.
A sound like a mighty bronze bell reverberated through the venue.
*Dong~*
"Damn it, how is this monk's golden body so hard!"
Gu Yuan thought his defense was already top-tier, but he never expected there to be others better. This Monk Miao Zhen's golden body was likely the true epitome of defense in this competition.
His iron fist struck it, not only causing no damage but also reflecting a portion of the force back at him.
"Benefactor Gu, how do you find my Great Sun Tathagata Golden Body?" Miao Zhen asked with a smiling face, looking at Gu Yuan.
"Master's golden body is indeed formidable. I am impressed," Gu Yuan replied truthfully.
"However, I, Gu Yuan, do not only possess these abilities. Miao Zhen, you should be ready!" Gu Yuan roared.
The vital energy within him surged like a great river. His ribs and muscles bulged to their full extent, and this superior martial bone began to reveal its true power.
Endless strength erupted from it, supporting Gu Yuan in his exchange of blows with Miao Zhen.
Miao Zhen was caught somewhat off guard by Gu Yuan's sudden burst of power.
"Hahaha, Benefactor Gu, I was right about you. You are indeed very strong!" Miao Zhen extended both palms, his skin turning a dark gold, carrying immense power as he aimed to strike Gu Yuan's chest.