High Martial Arts: Liver Becomes the Master of the Universe

Chapter 160: Defeat Bayan, win third place in the Rookie Cup, and ascend to the Canaan Hidden Dragon Ranking!

The atmosphere in the Glory Arena reached an unprecedented climax the moment the list of the top 64 was finalized.

The gazes of tens of millions of viewers, like tangible searchlights, were focused on those sixty-four names that had fought their way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Among them, the most dazzling and thought-provoking is undoubtedly the name "Qin Feng".

Like a comet that appeared out of nowhere, he shattered everyone's preconceived notions of "genius" with an utterly unreasonable attitude, barging into this hunting ground that should have belonged to the older students.

Every battle that follows will be the focus of attention, a true clash of titans.

Fortunately, the goddess of fortune seemed to favor this fearless challenger.

In the draws for the round of 32, 16, and 8, Qin Feng perfectly avoided the two "century-old monsters" who occupied the top of the match list.

His winning streak was able to continue.

His opponents, like perfect touchstones, gradually extracted the terrifying strength hidden beneath his icy exterior.

The battle unfolded fiercely and swiftly under the watchful eyes of the masses.

The battle for the top 32.

Qin Feng's opponent was a heavily armored warrior who excelled in defense and counterattacks, wielding a giant shield and a chain hammer.

Its vitality index is as high as 570 points, and its defense is unmatched among its peers.

The moment the battle began, the heavily armored warrior slammed his massive tower shield into the ground, his entire body as solid as a rock, assuming an impenetrable defensive stance.

However, he was facing Qin Feng, who had already integrated the profound meaning of the "Control Realm" into his very bones.

"too slow."

Qin Feng's figure left a faint afterimage in the same spot.

A self-created killing move—【Fierce Shadow Chaser】!
He seemed to transform into a predatory bird, cutting into the blind spot of his opponent's defensive posture in an instant with a bizarre, unpredictable zigzag motion that defied all inertia.

The spear in his hand was no longer a simple thrust, but was integrated with his fist technique, transforming into the razor-sharp claws of a ferocious bird that could tear everything apart!

Tsk-!
The silver spear tip, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, flashed precisely through the gap less than a finger's width between the heavily armored warrior's shield and arm armor, right before his horrified eyes!

The next second, a cloud of blood mist burst from his shield-wielding arm.

The tendons in his entire arm were instantly shattered by that extremely concentrated force!

The massive tower shield crashed to the ground.

"Qin Feng wins!"

"This monster! His understanding of martial arts killing techniques has exceeded our imagination!"

"Mastery Realm Killing Move!"

Exclamations of surprise rose and fell from the audience.

The Round of 16.

This time, Qin Feng encountered an extremely difficult opponent.

She was a female martial artist wielding a slender rapier, whose speed and skill were so great that she left behind afterimages on the arena that were difficult to see with the naked eye.

Each of her attacks was like a gazelle leaping off a cliff, leaving no trace and targeting the weak points in Qin Feng's defense.

Faced with this onslaught that was like a storm, Qin Feng chose to remain still and wait for the right moment to act.

He stood in the center of the ring, neither retreating nor avoiding it.

The spear in his hand moved slowly, seemingly slowly, but actually containing endless follow-up moves.

A self-created killing move—[Dragon's Lair]!
That defensive circle formed by the shadows of gunfire was no longer a simple act of blocking, but rather resembled a swamp with life.

Each thrust from the female martial artist seemed to penetrate a viscous quagmire, its force gradually weakened and neutralized.

And in the instant she launched a preemptive attack, revealing a barely perceptible flaw.

In that "swamp," a lurking "venomous snake" suddenly peeks out!

The spearhead suddenly slashed upwards from an unbelievable angle!
clang!
It struck the spine of the opponent's sword!
The female martial artist felt a spiraling force, combining both strength and gentleness, surging wildly along the sword. She could no longer hold onto her weapon, and the slender rapier shot into the sky.

"Qin Feng wins!"

"A perfect blend of offense and defense! His defensive killing move actually conceals such a sharp counterattack!"

"This is terrifying! I'm so curious about Qin Feng's self-created killing move. He's practically a monster!"

"Is this what a genius at the Control Realm is like?"

People began to tremble with genuine fear at his endless stream of self-created "killer moves."

The battle for the quarterfinals and the semifinal spots!

In this battle, Qin Feng finally encountered a formidable opponent who was worthy of his full strength.

His opponent was named Xiao Beichen, a genius who had been enrolled for thirty years and was famous throughout Canaan for his superb staff skills.

Its vitality index is as high as 570 points. It holds a black staff made of "ten-thousand-year-old heavy iron" that weighs ten thousand jin, but when it is wielded, it is as light as a feather, combining the ultimate in strength and speed.

The moment the battle began, Xiao Beichen launched a fierce attack like a raging torrent.

His staff techniques were wide and sweeping, each strike accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, as if to split the entire arena in two.

Faced with such a ferocious opponent, Qin Feng put away his spear.

Om-!
In his hand, a standard alloy long rod also appeared.

Stick against stick!

This is the most primal and purest pride among stick users!
"Well done!"

Qin Feng's fighting spirit was completely ignited!
During his three years of seclusion, aside from opening up his acupoints, he spent the rest of his time frantically honing the [Wind and Thunder Staff] he obtained from the "Fearless Battle Group" in the Imperial Arena!
Now is the perfect time to test the results!
clang! clang! clang! clang!
Two figures, on the huge arena, transformed into two intertwined whirlwinds.

Long sticks clashed wildly with each other in the most intense and direct way.

Each impact unleashed a deafening roar, sending up visible ripples of energy!
In terms of the level of staff skills, Xiao Beichen has already cultivated a level two staff technique to the peak of "perfection", and is only one step away from the "mastery" level.

Qin Feng's [Wind and Thunder Staff] has also reached "perfection" after being honed in tens of thousands of battles in the Imperial Arena!
For a time, the two were evenly matched, unable to gain the upper hand!
In the audience, everyone held their breath, completely captivated by this incredibly exciting stick fighting duel.

"This Qin Feng... he's actually proficient in staff techniques! And his skill level is frighteningly high!"

"Spears and staffs share the same origin; those who know how to use a spear are generally also quite good at staff techniques."

"The Wind and Thunder Staff is a rather difficult staff technique."

On the fighting stage, Xiao Beichen became increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

He could sense that although the opponent's staff technique was slightly inferior to his own level two staff technique in terms of the sophistication of the moves, his staff technique incorporated a lot of understanding of the mastery realm of spear and fist techniques.

"We can't delay it any longer!"

A resolute glint flashed in Xiao Beichen's eyes.

He abruptly pulled back, creating distance between himself and Qin Feng. Then, he raised the black staff in his hands high, and a destructive aura began to frantically gather at the tip of the staff!
[Broken Military Staff - Stabilize the Vast Ocean]!
Om-! ! !
The black staff in his hand seemed to instantly drain all the light and sound from the surroundings, transforming into a pitch-black pillar that seemed capable of suppressing everything, and smashed down on Qin Feng's head!
This strike locked away all of Qin Feng's escape routes, and the terrifying power it contained was enough to level a small mountain!
Faced with this devastating blow, a flash of understanding appeared in Qin Feng's eyes.

Xiao Beichen's earth-shattering blow brought unprecedented and extreme pressure!
This pressure, like the last straw, completely crushed the invisible barrier in his mind that separated "perfection" from "control"!

In that instant, he fully grasped all the experience and insights he gained from a month of honing his skills in the arena and battling countless masters of staff techniques!
The fierce power of 【Wind and Thunder Piercing Force】!

The speed of [Light Chaser]!

Two completely different "ideas" collided violently in his mind, and finally, perfectly merged into one!
"It turns out...that's it."

A smile appeared on Qin Feng's lips.

Before anyone could react, the alloy rod in his hand thrust forward with a speed that exceeded the limits of vision!
There was no earth-shattering momentum.

There was only a faint "ripping" sound, like cloth being torn.

A highly condensed energy, wrapped in pale golden arcs of electricity and almost invisible to the naked eye, flashed past from the tip of his staff!
My own signature move—[Wind and Thunder Chasing Shadow]!
That burst of energy, though launched later, arrived first, striking with unparalleled precision against the black staff carrying the power to destroy the world.

Time seemed to have been paused at that moment.

next second.

Boom——! ! !
The black staff in Xiao Beichen's hand shattered inch by inch from the point where it was struck by the force of the energy! It exploded into countless fragments!
He himself was struck as if by a heavy hammer; the armor on his chest caved in instantly, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Like a cannonball, he was sent flying backward and crashed hard into the protective shield in the distance, completely losing consciousness.

[Ding! Congratulations! In the ultimate battle, your 'Wind and Thunder Staff' killing technique has successfully broken through to the 'Control Realm'!]

The system notification sounded in Qin Feng's mind.

The referee's voice, so powerful it even trembled, echoed throughout the stadium.

Qin Feng... wins!

"Advanced...to the semi-finals!"

The entire Glory Arena fell into a deathly silence that lasted for several seconds.

Immediately following was a frenzied roar, powerful enough to overturn the entire dome!

Breakthrough in the face of battle!

With a level one staff technique that had just broken through to the "Control Realm", he directly defeated a powerful level two perfect killing move!
Qin Feng once again proved to everyone what a "monster" really is!
……

With the announcement of the final four, the atmosphere of the Rookie Cup reached its peak.

Besides Qin Feng, the other three who advanced were Zheng Dong and Zhou Run, who were undoubtedly the "monsters of the century" in this competition. Their vitality index was above 3000, and they cultivated the top-grade enlightenment method.

The other is Bayan, who has been practicing the superior method of enlightenment for forty-five years.

The semi-final matchups were quickly generated.

Qin Feng's opponent was none other than the elite disciple he had met once before—Bayan!
This match instantly ignited all the betting odds and forums.

"A clash of titans! Dark horse legend Qin Feng vs. veteran prodigy Bayan! Who will advance to the final?"

"Data Analysis: Qin Feng, Vitality Index 532 points, suspected of mastering four 'Control Realm' Level 1 killing techniques. Bayan, Vitality Index 570 points, mastering two 'Perfect Realm' Level 2 killing techniques and ten 'Perfect Realm' Level 1 killing techniques, and has already touched the threshold of the 'Control Realm'!"

"Qin Feng's advantage lies in his killing technique level and his higher efficiency in utilizing spiritual energy. Bayan, on the other hand, has a comprehensive advantage in terms of vitality index and killing technique reserves! The power of a level two perfected killing technique is far superior to that of a level one killing technique!"

"A 40-point difference in vitality index is not a small gap."

"The odds are in! Bayan wins, odds 1:1.5! Qin Feng wins, odds 1:2.2!"

In an instant, the entire arena was divided into two distinct factions among all the spectators.

One faction consists of loyal supporters of Bayan.

They believe that in the face of an absolute gap in hard power, any tricks are futile.

With 570 points against 532 points, plus two level-two perfect killing techniques, this battle was a foregone conclusion.

"Senior Bayan will win! He is the pride of our 'Tianwu Association'!"

"Although Qin Feng is strong, he is still too young. Facing a veteran like Senior Bayan who has been through countless battles, his dark horse journey has come to an end."

The other group consists of fervent fans who were completely captivated by Qin Feng's incredible comebacks and miraculous feats.

They firmly believe that this man was born to break the mold.

"Bullshit! Qin Feng, the 'Control Realm' expert, will surely win!"

Xiong Yanfu led a group of supporters in a heated argument in the audience.

The betting volume on all major betting platforms has skyrocketed at an unprecedented rate.

Interestingly, although Qin Feng was more popular, when it came to betting real money, most people rationally chose Bayan, who seemed to have the advantage in terms of strength.

In the audience, Xiong Yanfu watched the constantly changing odds data and smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Alright, alright, go bet on Bayan! The more the better! You'll be crying later!"

Lei Meng and Tie Mu stared nervously at the arena that was about to begin, their palms already sweating profusely.

They knew that this would be the toughest battle Qin Feng had faced since the start of the competition!
If Qin Feng wins, he will be in the top three and receive a reward of 3000 contribution points!
If you lose, I'm sorry, but fourth place only gets you 1000 contribution points!
Under the spotlight.

In Zone A-01, on the central main arena that symbolizes the highest honor.

Two figures slowly emerged in the light of the teleportation.

On one side was Qin Feng.

He was still wearing that black light armor, and in his hand he had switched back to the level four alloy spear that he was most familiar with.

His expression remained calm as always, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

On the other side was his opponent, Bayan.

He was tall and had a resolute face. He wore a set of heavy armor and carried a surprisingly long horse-slaying sword and an extremely heavy broadsword crossed on his back.

He stood there like an unshakeable mountain, exuding a sense of power.

Unlike the hustle and bustle outside, the atmosphere on the arena was unusually calm.

Bayan looked at Qin Feng opposite him, and a gentle, slightly sentimental smile appeared on his resolute face.

"Junior."

He spoke slowly, his voice loud and magnetic: "We meet again."

Bayan's gentle yet heartfelt greeting was like a refreshing breeze, dispelling the tense and solemn atmosphere on the central main arena.

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng's face also showed a genuine sense of respect.

He still clearly remembers that three years ago, during the promotion of the mentor-disciple group, it was this senior in front of him who pointed out the path to "enriching the killing method material library".

“Senior Bayan.”

Qin Feng nodded slightly, clenched his right fist, held it horizontally in front of his chest, and gave Bayan a standard imperial military salute.

This is the highest form of etiquette among martial artists to express respect and resolve before a formal duel.

Upon seeing this, Bayan's eyes flashed with approval, and he also raised his arm in response with an impeccable military salute.

The ceremony is over.

The atmosphere between the two became sharp again.

"Junior Brother Qin Feng,"

Bayan's gaze, like a tangible scanner, slowly swept over Qin Feng. His tone was filled with undisguised amazement, "To be honest, you are the fastest improving martial artist I have ever seen, without exception."

“I still remember that three years ago, in the private battle with mentor Yu Han, you couldn’t even withstand a casual strike from me.”

He paused, a bitter smile appearing on his face—a complex mix of relief and helplessness at being overtaken by the younger generation.

"And now, only three years later, you not only stand before me, but you have even gained the qualifications to stand on equal footing with me. This talent, this speed of growth, is truly unheard of."

"You flatter me, senior."

Qin Feng's voice remained calm, "If it weren't for your guidance back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Haha, that was just a small favor."

Bayan laughed heartily, and then his gentle eyes instantly turned incredibly sharp, like a peerless sword drawn from its sheath!

A heavy, mountain-like aura suddenly erupted from his body!
He slowly reached out and grasped the hilt of the huge horse-slaying sword behind him.

"However, Junior Brother Qin Feng, let me make this clear beforehand."

"This time, just like last time."

He spoke each word clearly and deliberately, his voice resounding throughout the entire arena.

"I will not hold back either!"

Clang——! ! !
A deafening metallic scraping sound echoed through the sky!

He drew out the enormous horse-slaying sword, which was over three meters long and had a blade as wide as a door panel!
Silver light flowed across the blade, and a terrifying sword intent, domineering and seemingly capable of splitting heaven and earth in two, soared into the sky!

"bring it on!"

Bayan held his knife in one hand, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, and issued a challenge to Qin Feng.

"Let me see for myself just how amazingly you've grown in these three years!"

Faced with Bayan's overwhelming fighting spirit, Qin Feng said nothing more.

He simply and slowly held the spear in his hand across his chest.

Om-!
The gun emitted a deep, dragon-like hum.

A powerful yet more restrained and profound aura quietly emanated from his body.

If Bayan is a towering, majestic, and sharp snow-capped mountain, then...

At this moment, Qin Feng was like a boundless starry sky, unfathomable and turbulent.

The battle is about to break out!
In the audience, tens of millions of eyes were fixed on the two figures on the stage at this moment.

Everyone knows that this will be the most exciting, intense, and suspenseful showdown since the start of this year's Rookie Cup!
The referee's voice rang out at the opportune moment.

"Game start!"

The moment the words fell!
boom! ! !
The black alloy ground beneath Bayan's feet suddenly shattered!

His body, as heavy as a mountain, transformed into a silver-white afterimage with a terrifying speed completely disproportionate to his size, instantly traversing a distance of hundreds of meters!
His saber, without any fancy techniques, was simply and directly raised from bottom to top towards Qin Feng!
[Level Two Killing Technique: Mountain-Opening Style]!
This strike, returning to simplicity, perfectly embodies the essence of "power"!

Wherever the blade passed, the air was forcibly pushed aside, producing a piercing sonic boom. A huge, crescent-shaped silver blade aura detached from the blade and swept towards Qin Feng like a monstrous wave!

Faced with this earth-shattering strike, Qin Feng's pupils suddenly contracted.

Wow, so fast! Wow, so heavy!
Bayan's vitality index is nearly forty points higher than his.

However, Qin Feng's physical aptitude is monstrous, comparable to an "embryonic star beast"!

In terms of endurance, recovery ability, and burst of speed, he is even stronger than Bayan!
"Well done!"

Instead of retreating, Qin Feng advanced, stomping his foot and charging forward to meet the overwhelming sword energy!
In an instant, the spear in his hand seemed to transform into a dragon emerging from the sea!

【Dragon and Snake Spear - Dragon and Snake Combo】!
The spear moves like a dragon, its power like a snake!
A spear beam, condensed to its fullest extent and wreathed in the phantom of dragons and snakes, collided violently with the crescent-shaped silver blade energy!

clang--! ! ! !

A deafening clang of metal, seemingly capable of shattering the entire Glory Arena, exploded out!

A terrifying energy shockwave, centered on the point of impact between the two, transformed into a visible white wave that swept wildly in all directions!

The entire massive arena hummed under the strain of the impact!
pedal!pedal!pedal!
Under the violent impact, Qin Feng's figure was uncontrollably forced to take three steps backward!
Each step left a footprint several inches deep on the hard alloy floor!

He felt an overwhelming force surge through the gun, making his entire arm go numb.

"What a powerful force!"

Qin Feng felt a chill run down his spine.

Meanwhile, Bayan on the other side was also having a tough time.

Although he had the advantage in strength, Qin Feng's "Control Realm" spear technique injected a sinister and strange spiraling force into his blade.

This force constantly dissipated his strength, giving him a frustrating feeling of punching cotton.

His body also slid backward for several meters before he regained his balance.

"Come again!"

Bayan's fighting spirit intensified!

His first attack failed, so he launched another!
The sword in his hand transformed into a silver storm of death, one strike after another, relentless and unstoppable, like mercury spilling onto the ground, penetrating every crevice, and frantically enveloping Qin Feng!

[Level Two Perfected Killing Technique - Seven Forms of Raging Waves]!
Faced with this fierce attack, which was like a storm, Qin Feng's eyes became extremely focused.

His footsteps began to move and dodge with an elusive rhythm.

The spear in his hand transformed into an impenetrable shield, sometimes parrying, sometimes deflecting, and sometimes striking at Bayan's weaknesses from unpredictable angles, like a serpent striking its tongue.

[A thousand spears, a thousand guards]!
【Fierce Bird Fist Technique - Fierce Owl Style】!
In an instant, the entire central main arena was completely transformed into a deathly inferno where metal clashed and clanged!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The saber and spear clashed wildly at a terrifying frequency of dozens, even hundreds, of times per second. Sparks flew, like dazzling fireworks, continuously blooming on the arena!
The two fought from the east side of the ring to the west side, and then from the south side to the north side!
Wherever they passed, the hard alloy ground was cut into a mess by the crisscrossing blade energy and spear light!
In the audience, tens of millions of viewers were already stunned and their blood was boiling!

"This is...this is amazing! This is a true showdown of the best!"

"Senior Bayan's swordsmanship is domineering and unparalleled; every strike seems to split the heavens and the earth! Is this the power of a level two perfected killing technique?"

"Qin Feng is no less impressive! His marksmanship is practically an art! It's an impenetrable combination of offense and defense, and he can even find opportunities to counterattack amidst Senior Bayan's storm of attacks!"

"Evenly matched! They actually fought to a standstill!"

Everyone saw it.

This battle has gone far beyond a simple comparison of data.

Although Bayan has an advantage in vitality index and killing technique level, Qin Feng's four level one killing techniques of "control realm" are not much worse.

Qin Feng's counterattacks were all cunning and ruthless, hitting the nail on the head and forcing Bayan to retreat and unable to fully launch his offensive.

This battle is no longer just a contest of strength and skill.

It also requires endurance, willpower, and the ability to detect enemy aircraft!
Time flew by during this intense and exhilarating battle.

Ten minutes...twenty minutes...

Half an hour passed.

The two on the stage continued their frantic attack, as if their stamina was inexhaustible!
Both of them had some minor cuts and bruises.

Several deep marks were scratched on Bayan's heavy armor by the spear tip, and one of them even cut his cheek, leaving a shallow bloodstain.

Qin Feng's light armor was also damaged in several places by the blade energy.

However, their eyes were brighter and more fervent than at the beginning of the war!
Hearty!

This is the ultimate thrill of meeting a worthy opponent and a worthy general!
However, a sense of anxiety gradually arose in Bayan's heart.

He realized he was wrong.

He had assumed that Qin Feng's stamina would be exhausted first as time went on.

But the truth is, the other person's breathing remained steady and long, and each shot was still precise and full of power.

On the contrary, he himself had nearly half of his spiritual energy depleted due to maintaining a high-intensity level-two killing technique for a long time!
His proud advantage in vitality index was completely wiped out in the face of Qin Feng's monstrous endurance!
Bayan suddenly forced Qin Feng back with a slash, creating a distance of dozens of meters between them.

In my mind, the battle that lasted for more than half an hour replayed rapidly, like a movie.

Every time Qin Feng fired a shot, every time he dodged, every time he counterattacked…

In particular, the opponent's four completely different killing techniques had all reached the "control level"!
"Control...control..."

Bayan kept pondering these two words in his heart.

He had reached that threshold a very, very long time ago.

But it always lacked that one little bit of "enlightenment".

He didn't know where he was lacking, like looking through a thin layer of paper—he could see the scenery outside, but he couldn't break through it no matter what.

But today, after a thrilling battle with Qin Feng, and after personally experiencing the pressure of four different "Control Realms,"

The thin veil of paper that had been covering the window was finally beginning to crack.

"So...that's it..."

A slow, gentle smile crept onto Bayan's lips.

It was a relieved, enlightened laugh.

"I understand."

"I've been wrong all along."

"What I pursue is the domineering nature of the blade, the ultimate power, the unending flow of the Seven Styles of Raging Waves, and the unstoppable advance of the Mountain-Opening Style..."

"It is I who am using the knife, not the knife that is using me!"

"My will is the will of the sword!"

"I can use whatever killer move I want, and I can leverage whatever strengths I want!"

boom--! ! !
After he understood this.

A completely new aura, stronger, more refined, and more harmonious than ever before, erupted from his body!
The surrounding air began to converge and compress uncontrollably toward the sword in his hand, emitting a mournful "buzzing" sound!

The threshold of "Mastery Realm" that he had been trying to reach for years was crossed by him in an unstoppable manner at this moment!

"Junior Brother Qin Feng!"

Bayan's eyes gleamed with unprecedented confidence and pride.

"Thank you for helping me find my way!"

"To express my gratitude, please come and receive this newly comprehended, my own first move... the 'Control' sword technique!"

The moment the words fell!
He slammed the domineering horse-slaying sword in his hand into the ground!

Immediately, he turned his hand and gripped the heavy, mountain-like broadsword behind him that he had never used before!

[Level Two Killing Technique: Guarding the Heart Style]!
He held his broadsword across his chest, adopting a purely defensive stance.

Immediately afterwards, the horse-slaying sword that he had previously stuck in the ground moved on its own without any wind, slowly floating to his front!
[Level Two Killing Technique: Blade Control Style]!
Defend as the best form of offense!

Use defense as a means of killing!

Two fully mastered level-two killing techniques, along with a large number of level-one killing techniques, were perfectly integrated into one under his "control"!
"My control—[Willful Slash]!"

Om-! !

The horse-slaying sword that hovered in front of him suddenly burst forth with an extremely dazzling silver light, like the sun!
It transformed into a deadly meteor that judged everything in the world, carrying an incomparably terrifying will that severed cause and effect, and crashed down towards Qin Feng!
This strike has completely transcended the realm of technique.

This is Bayan's ultimate strike, a fusion of all his life's martial arts insights, a strike he has risked everything for!
Faced with this earth-shattering strike, truly belonging to the "Mastery Realm," Qin Feng finally revealed an extremely solemn expression.

But he did not dodge.

Because he knew he couldn't avoid that blow.

Moreover, because...

This is the moment he's been waiting for!
From the start of the battle, he seemed to be evenly matched with Bayan, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

But in reality, he had been "hiding" all along.

He was using the impenetrable defense of a thousand troops to conceal his true killing intent.

He was using seemingly passive defenses to lure Bayan into focusing all his attention on how to break through his defenses.

He was patiently waiting for an opportunity.

One chance for Bayan to give his all and expose his biggest weakness!

And now, that opportunity has arrived!
"Well done!"

A dazzling fighting spirit also erupted in Qin Feng's eyes!

Just as that sun-like "Slash of Will" was about to strike his body!

His [Thousand Army Spears - Thousand Army Guard], which had been maintaining a defensive stance, was instantly withdrawn!

Instead, a terrifying killing intent that had been lurking for more than half an hour, seemingly capable of devouring the heavens and the earth, suddenly erupted!

[Self-created Killer Move - Dragon's Lair]!
After hiding for more than half an hour, the "dragon" finally revealed its ferocious and deadly fangs!

Roar--! ! !
A dragon's roar, seemingly from the primordial chaos and capable of shaking the very soul, resounded powerfully in everyone's hearts!

In an instant, the spear in Qin Feng's hand seemed to come alive!
It transformed into a black dragon roaring out of the abyss, its shaft covered with jet-black dragon scales formed from psychic energy, shimmering with an eerie light!
That cold spear tip is like the dragon horn of a divine dragon, capable of piercing through the stars!
The roaring black dragon did not try to stop the "Willful Slash" that descended from the sky.

Instead, with a resolute attitude of mutual destruction, it ignored the attack from above and launched a death charge towards Bayan's main body, which was in a defensive posture!

"What!?"

Bayan's pupils instantly shrank to the size of pinpoints!
The confidence and pride on his face were replaced by endless horror at this moment!

He never dreamed that Qin Feng's impenetrable defense was just a disguise!
A long-planned trap designed to lure him into making a move!

He poured all his energy, his will and strength, into that single, deadly strike.

This is the moment when his attack is at its strongest, and also the moment when his defense is at its weakest!
Qin Feng had been waiting for this moment!
Is the choice to continue the attack, sacrificing Qin Feng's life for one's own?

Or should they choose to abandon the attack, focus all their efforts on defense, and save their own lives?

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Bayan's mind.

Ultimately, his battle-hardened fighting instincts prevailed over everything else.

Without hesitation, he relinquished control of the "Free Will Slash" and drew all his mind and power back to the broadsword in front of him for defense!

however……

late.

The terrifying aspect of "Dragon's Lair" lies in its perfect fusion of the "concealment" of "A Thousand Armies Guarding" and the "killing" of "Dragon and Snake Combo".

The longer they hide, the stronger their murderous intent becomes!
The roaring black dragon crashed into the hastily erected defenses of Bayan with an unparalleled force!
Click——! ! !
A crisp, bone-crackling sound echoed throughout the entire venue!

The heavy broadsword in front of Bayan was cleaved in two by the terrifying impact, breaking apart with a crash!

The black dragon, its momentum undiminished, slammed into his chest!

puff--!!!!

Bayan's heavy armor on his chest dented and shattered instantly!
He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, tracing a tragic arc in the air before crashing heavily onto the edge of the arena a hundred meters away.

The entire Glory Arena fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone was so shocked by the dramatic and breathtaking final scene that they lost the ability to think.

For a long time.

The referee's voice, trembling slightly with excitement, slowly rang out.

"Semi-finals, first match..."

Qin Feng... wins!

On the central main arena, the dust and smoke that had been kicked up by the extreme collision slowly dissipated.

Qin Feng stood holding his gun, his chest rising and falling slightly, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

【Dragon's Lair】This killing move is the one that takes the longest to build up and is the most powerful and domineering of all his trump cards.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, suppressing the surging spiritual energy within his body, and then strode towards the silver figure lying beside the shattered broadsword a hundred meters away.

Bayan had regained a sliver of consciousness and was struggling to sit up, but the excruciating pain in his chest prevented him from succeeding each time.

A steady, strong hand gently rested on his shoulder and slowly helped him up.

"Senior, are you okay?"

Qin Feng's voice was calm yet full of concern.

Bayan looked up and saw Qin Feng's clear yet deep eyes. He couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head.

"He won't die... but his sternum might be broken in a few places."

With Qin Feng's help, he managed to stand up with difficulty.

He glanced down at his silver armor, which was now completely dented and covered with spiderweb-like cracks. A hint of lingering fear flashed in his eyes, but more than that, he felt an unprecedented sense of relief and understanding.

He didn't look at the scattered fragments of weapons, nor did he care about the outcome of this highly anticipated battle.

He simply turned around, faced Qin Feng, and solemnly and deeply clasped his hands in a bow.

"Junior Brother Qin Feng,"

His voice carried a hint of weakness from his injuries, but more so a heartfelt sincerity and gratitude: "I lost this battle, and I accept it wholeheartedly."

"No, I should say I thank you more."

Bayan raised his head, his resolute eyes gleaming with a bright light. "If it weren't for you, who used this perfect pressure to push me to the brink, I probably wouldn't know how many years I would have lingered at the threshold of the 'Control Realm'."

"It was you who helped me find my own path."

He was full of emotions.

For him, the value of this exhilarating battle far exceeded the outcome itself.

He finally broke through the barrier that had troubled him for years and truly stepped into the realm he was in control of.

"However, it's a pity."

A bitter smile of regret appeared on Bayan's face again. "After all, this is the first time I've stepped into this realm. My application of 'control' is still too rudimentary and too raw. If I could have comprehended this strike half a year earlier, the outcome of today's battle... would still be uncertain."

His "Free Will Slash" appears incredibly powerful, but in reality, it is merely a preliminary attempt to forcibly combine several killing techniques together; the will and power within it have not yet truly become one.

If given enough time to hone and familiarize himself with it, the power of this move could be increased by at least 30%.

By then, Qin Feng's [Dragon's Lair] might not be able to defeat him so easily with a single blow.

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng simply nodded calmly.

"I see."

Of course he understands.

Because he has had this experience far too many times.

He recalled the time when he combined the [Fierce Owl Style] with [Flowing Light and Shadow] to create the [Fierce Owl and Shadow].

The power, efficiency, and timing of a use on its first, tenth, or hundredth time are worlds apart.

Even the [Wind and Thunder Chasing Shadow] technique, which he mastered during the quarterfinals, still has significant flaws and room for improvement.

The path of martial arts is one of endless learning.

Understanding is just the beginning.

True strength comes from rigorous training and refinement, from the exquisite control over every bit of power.

Seeing the knowing look in Qin Feng's eyes, Bayan knew that the other party had completely understood his meaning.

He couldn't help but sigh again, and reached out to pat Qin Feng's shoulder forcefully.

"Go."

His eyes held only the purest blessings and hopes.

"Congratulations, junior, on securing a top-three spot."

"You...you're a complete monster."

"After advancing to the elite disciple level in the group competition, you can find a mentor to help you select a few killing techniques. The mentor's selection is better than the assistant's, because the assistant only selects based on your physical data, while the mentor personally analyzes your meridians to find the most suitable ones for you."

After saying that, he dragged his injured body step by step down from the ring, guided by the referee.

Although his back looked slightly disheveled, the harmonious aura of his newly broken through to the "Control Realm" made him exude a sense of rebirth.

Qin Feng watched Bayan leave, then turned his gaze to the audience, to his friends who were cheering for him, and smiled slightly.

……

Below the main central arena, the tens of millions of spectators had already transformed into a boiling ocean!

"He won! Qin Feng! He actually defeated Bayan!"

"My God! That last move, 'Dragon's Lair,' was absolutely amazing! The spear was like a black dragon; the moment it appeared, I felt my soul tremble!"

"Monster! This is no longer a dark horse! This is an absolute monster! Ten years into his studies, he directly defeated a veteran prodigy whose vitality index was nearly forty points higher than his own and who had mastered two level-two perfect killing techniques! What does that even mean!"

"You're kidding me! I bet a million Imperial Coins on Senior Bayan! My heart is breaking!"

"Hahaha! I've made a killing! I've been betting on Qin Feng since the round of 16! Tonight at Taotieju, it's my treat!"

The sounds of discussion, cheers, wails, and the frantic turnover of funds across various betting platforms merged into a symphony of fervor.

At this moment, Qin Feng's name was repeatedly mentioned by countless people in an almost frenzied tone.

He is no longer just a remarkable genius.

Rather, it was a truly remarkable victory that cemented his legendary status in this year's Rookie Cup!

"Look! Look at the forum! The 'Canaan Hidden Dragon Ranking' has been updated!"

Just then, a sharp-eyed spectator let out a surprised scream.

These words immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Countless people eagerly opened their personal terminals.

"The Canaan Hidden Dragon List".

This is not an official ranking list from Canaan Starry Sky Martial Arts University, but a big data model jointly established by several of the most authoritative information agencies of Canaan Starry Sky Martial Arts University and several intelligence departments.

This ranking does not consider the student's current real-time combat power, nor does it use wins and losses as the sole criterion for evaluation.

What it counts is "potential".

It comprehensively analyzes complex data from dozens of dimensions, including a student's enrollment time, cultivation speed, physical aptitude, comprehension of killing techniques, combat performance, and even mental strength, and finally arrives at a relatively objective "potential ranking".

This list is highly prestigious and widely recognized by students at Canaan University.

Those who make it onto this list are all geniuses among geniuses.

At this moment, when people clicked on the newly refreshed list that still had the "HOT" label, a familiar name, with an extremely domineering attitude, directly parachuted into a position that made everyone feel suffocated!

[Canaan Hidden Dragon Ranking]

[1000th: Qin Feng]

"The thousandth place!? I'm not seeing things, am I?! He just jumped straight to the thousandth place?"

"This is insane! This is absolutely insane! The Hidden Dragon Ranking only includes 100,000 students in total. How can a newcomer who has just shown his talent be ranked so high?"

"That's right! You know, those ranked ahead of him are all the top geniuses of their respective grades, and many of them have already advanced to the sixth level of the 'Soaring Realm'!"

Name: Qin Feng

Student ID: GX7382901

[Analysis of Reasons for Entry into the List]

[1. Cultivation Speed: Ten years after enrollment, his vitality index reached 532.0 points.]

[2. Comprehension of Killing Techniques: This student has publicly demonstrated at least four level-one killing techniques (spear technique x2, fist technique x1, staff technique x1) that have reached the 'Mastery' stage in this Rookie Cup.]

[3. Physical Potential: Based on the data records from the student's entrance examination ten years ago, in the third item, 'Physical Potential Test,' the data overflowed in the Level B testing chamber, making it impossible to estimate. The system's similarity model determines the potential level as: 'Juvenile Starry Sky Beast.']

【In summary:】

This student possesses unprecedented comprehension of killing techniques, the highest physical potential in history, and a cultivation speed that ranks among the top 100 in history.

Based on a comprehensive assessment of his cultivation speed, physical potential, and aptitude for killing techniques, and using a data model, he is ranked 1000th on the 'Canaan Hidden Dragon List'.

When this cold, objective, yet impactful data analysis was presented to everyone...

The entire Glory Arena fell completely silent.

"The machine's physical potential is unleashed; no wonder its strength and endurance are no less than Bayan's."

"Four Gates Control Realm".

At that moment, no one questioned the rationality of the ranking anymore.

They even felt that... 1,000th place was... a bit low for such a complete prodigy?

(End of this chapter)