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Chapter 225 The First Dark Horse Emerges! (2-word update, Part 25)

"One punch. Just one punch?!"

"Chen Song's Flowing Cloud Sword Technique didn't even splash a drop of water?"

"What kind of power is that?! Pure physical strength? He didn't even use his true intent?!"

"Is he really a newly-broken martial arts grandmaster? He seems more like a third-tier old monster bullying a child!"

"A monster! Absolutely a monster! The rumor that Tongxuan could defeat a Grandmaster is indeed true!"

Countless horrified and incredulous gazes, like tangible searchlights, were fixed on the figure calmly seated among the seats of the Dragon Abyss Pavilion.

Fang Qingyu.

This name, like a brand, carried a heavy, domineering weight, striking the hearts of all the participants present.

No matter how fierce the rumors about him were, they were ultimately just hearsay.

Witnessing this devastating, one-punch kill firsthand was an experience of unparalleled impact.

On the main seat of the high platform.

"This child's physical strength and foundation are astonishing."

Master Xuancheng gently waved his whisk, and his calm voice reached the ears of the two people beside him.

“Pure aesthetics of violence.” The federal general’s voice was deep. “On the battlefield, this kind of power is often the most direct and effective.”

"I just don't know where his limits are."

The beautiful woman spoke softly, her gaze sweeping over the other equally impressive figures in the room.

The atmosphere became even more somber in the contestants' area.

Besides Jing Wuyai, there were also several other top figures, including Liu Hanyan, who were already well-known.

Among the crowd, several figures stood out, each with a distinct aura and a different gleam in their eyes.

A young man dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, with a tall and straight posture like a pine tree, carrying an ancient longsword with pine-patterned design on his back.

With an ethereal air, clear eyes, and a harmonious and natural aura, he seemed to be one with the spiritual essence of Tomorrow Mountain.

He is Li Xuanwei, the last disciple of Master Xuancheng of Mingri Mountain and a second-tier chosen one.

It is one of the few melee fighters in the theistic system.

His "Nine Palaces Step" combined with "Pine Wave Sword" technique is said to be unmatched among his peers.

At this moment, his gaze toward Fang Qingyu was filled with solemnity and a hint of excitement at meeting a worthy opponent.

There was another faceless being, whose figure was elusive, as if shrouded in a thin layer of gray mist, making it impossible to see his face, but only to sense a chilling aura.

And Yin Wujiu, Lei Pojun, Liu Qingyan, etc.
These geniuses, from different factions, with varying beliefs and unconventional methods, were all on high alert because of Fang Qingyu's earth-shattering punch.

However, the battle did not stop because of the shock brought by Fang Qingyu.

The massive Tianyan Platform resembled a chessboard divided into several independent worlds, with battles erupting simultaneously in multiple areas.

Soon, it was Wei Banmeng's turn.

"Station No. 5, Class B: Wei Banmeng of Longyuan Pavilion versus Leng Shuang of Kunlun Academy!"

Wei Banmeng stood up, her pure white figure falling coldly into the designated area like a drifting snowflake.

Her opponent was a woman with an equally aloof demeanor, whose hands were covered in ice-crystal-like armor.

The battle begins!
Cold Frost's hands flew, and icy palm shadows swept like a blizzard, spreading cold air and attempting to freeze everything.

However, Wei Banmeng simply stood quietly.

hum!
A chilling, yet extremely sharp domain instantly unfolded!

An icy blue blade domain!
Within the domain, the temperature plummeted, the air stagnated, and countless tiny ice crystal blades of energy materialized out of thin air, swirling and dancing as if they possessed life.

The speed of Leng Shuang's ferocious ice crystal palm shadow decreased drastically the moment it entered the blade domain. Its surface was quickly covered with a thick layer of ice, and then it was silently cut and shattered by the omnipresent ice crystal blade energy!
It only lasted for ten breaths.

Leng Shuang's face turned deathly pale. Her protective aura was torn apart by the continuous sword energy, and a strand of her hair was cut off.

She decisively admitted defeat.

"Station No. 5, Class B: The winner is Wei Banmeng of Longyuan Pavilion!"

Clean and efficient, though not as shocking as Fang Qingyu's, it still demonstrated the powerful dominance of combining the Grandmaster's domain with true intent.

Next was Chu Kuanglan.

"Station C, No. 2: Chu Kuanglan of Longyuan Pavilion versus Zhigang of Fuhu Temple!"

Chu Kuanglan let out a wild laugh and crashed into the arena like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex.

His opponent was a bald monk who was nearly two meters tall, with muscles as bulging as an iron tower and skin with a metallic sheen.

Both were physical martial artists who followed a fierce and powerful style. As soon as they made contact, their punches landed hard and their energy exploded!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Like two moving mountains colliding, the ground of the Tianyantai (Heavenly Election Platform) trembled slightly.

Chu Kuanglan revealed his madness, his blood and qi burning like a furnace, his fists wrapped in crimson lava energy, each strike carrying a violent momentum that could incinerate the eight wastelands.

"Open it for me!"

After fighting for dozens of moves, Chu Kuanglan seized a tiny opening in Zhi Gang's defenses, roared, and slammed his right fist into Zhi Gang's crossed arms like a meteor falling to earth, wreathed in boiling lava energy!
"Boom-!!"

A dull, thunderous roar!
Zhi Gang's arms trembled violently, the metallic luster covering them instantly dimmed, and he staggered back seven or eight steps, each step leaving deep footprints on the hard white jade ground. His face turned red, his blood churned, and finally he knelt on one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Station No. 2, Class C: The winner is Chu Kuanglan of Longyuan Pavilion!"

Lu Jiuyuan's battle was equally intense.

"Station number seven, Dragon Abyss Pavilion's Lu Jiuyuan versus Heavenly Craft Pavilion's 'Thousand Machine Hand' Mo Fei!"

His opponent was a cultist skilled in the art of mechanical puppetry.

At the very beginning, three puppets, gleaming with a cold metallic light and moving swiftly and cunningly, were summoned to attack Lu Jiuyuan from different directions.

Lu Jiuyuan moved with the speed of the wind, his long sword transforming into a streak of cold light, its blade energy crisscrossing, precisely parrying and slicing through the puppet's attacks.

The swordsmanship was swift and ruthless, carrying a sharp edge that seemed capable of tearing everything apart.

"break!"

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, Lu Jiuyuan's eyes sharpened. Seizing a tiny gap in the coordination of the three puppets, his longsword suddenly erupted with a dazzling cold light, and a blade aura of extreme refinement swept out like a crescent moon!

scoff!

The joints of the three puppets were severed simultaneously, causing them to collapse to the ground and turn into a pile of scrap metal.

Mo Fei's face turned ugly, and he had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Station number seven, the winner is Lu Jiuyuan of Longyuan Pavilion!"

The three newly promoted Grandmasters of Longyuan Pavilion all won their first battle!

Although the process was not as overwhelming as Fang Qingyu's, it still demonstrated strong strength and profound knowledge, drawing gasps of amazement from the spectators.

The first round of the competition is in full swing.

Even someone as powerful as Jing Wuyai, without drawing his sword, could force his opponent into a sorry state and force him to admit defeat within ten moves simply by using his nimble movements and the annihilating sword energy bursting from his fingertips.

The other strong competitors also won easily.

Everything seemed to confirm the arrangement of the lottery.

The distribution of strength is relatively even, and the truly powerful individuals were not encountered in the early stages.

until
"Station number one, Geng: Lan vs. Zhao Tuo!"

This matchup didn't attract much attention.

After all, there are no rumors about the name Lan.

Zhao Tuo, on the other hand, is known for his swift and fierce Wind-Splitting Spear Technique, which has made him quite famous among the younger generation.

Most people thought Zhao Tuo could easily crush them.

After all, similar matches before had developed in the same way.

The battle begins.

Lan appeared on the stage.

This was a girl with an ordinary-looking face, wearing a white combat uniform, and even a somewhat thin figure.

However, she held a weapon in her hand that was in stark contrast to her size.

A massive, exaggeratedly large, black iron heavy sword, as big as a door panel!

The sword was dark and dull, with thick, blunt edges, as if it were just a rough piece of iron.

"Pfft, can this girl even lift it?"

"This giant sword is more suitable as a shield, isn't it?"

"Zhao Tuo's Wind-Splitting Spear is fast-paced, and her speed is questionable."

A soft chuckle and murmur arose from the audience.

Zhao Tuo's eyes were sharp, and he did not underestimate his opponent's weapon. With a flick of his spear, he created several sharp spear flowers, and the force tore through the air with a hissing sound.

"Be careful!"

He let out a low shout, his figure moving like the wind, his spear transforming into a silver streak, carrying a sharp, all-tearing force, aimed straight for Lan's throat! The speed was so fast that it left a trail of afterimages in the air!
That shot was fast, accurate, and ruthless!

It fully demonstrates the practical combat style of a master!
Just when everyone thought that Lan would either have to parry in a sorry state or be forced back by a single shot,

The storm stirred.

She simply raised the massive black iron sword with apparent slowness.

The movements were slow, even carrying a sense of hesitant sluggishness.

however!
The moment that massive sword was raised!

hum!
An indescribable sense of "speed" spread out without warning.

The huge, heavy black iron sword seemed to lose its weight in her hands!
The trajectory of the sword left a blurry, distorted afterimage in the air!
We'll start later!

But it arrived first!
"clang--!!!"

A deafening explosion!

The massive black iron sword, as if teleported, precisely positioned itself before Zhao Tuo's lightning-fast spear tip!

Sparks fly!

Zhao Tuo felt an unimaginable force coming from the tip of the spear, his hand instantly split open, and the spear almost slipped from his grasp!
What shocked him even more was that the opponent's seemingly slow blocking action contained a speed that actually suppressed the speed of his proud Wind Slash Spear!
"what?!"

"So fast!"

"This is impossible!"

The laughter from the audience stopped abruptly, replaced by gasps of surprise!

Zhao Tuo's expression changed drastically. He forcibly steadied himself, and his spear technique shifted. He no longer pursued extreme speed, but instead transformed into a sky full of spear shadows, enveloping Xiang Lan like a storm, attempting to break through her single point with complex and varied attacks.

However, Arashi's movements remained "slow".

She simply gripped the heavy sword with both hands, seemingly clumsily swinging it left and right to parry.

Every movement of that massive sword was precisely timed to occur at the point when Zhao Tuo's spear strikes were at their strongest and when he was least able to change his moves!
Each collision produced a dull thud and blinding sparks!
quick! Extremely fast!

A kind of "speed" that transcends visual perception, as if it predicts the trajectory of space!
"boom!"

Finally, after parrying dozens of shots, Lan's "slow" swinging of the greatsword suddenly accelerated!
No, it's not acceleration!
It was the "true meaning of speed" that was instantly condensed to its extreme!
The massive sword tore through the air, emitting a shrill, ghostly cry, carrying an overwhelming weight and unimaginable speed, slamming into Zhao Tuo's hastily retreating spear shaft like a collapsing mountain!
Click!

The steel barrel snapped in two!

Zhao Tuo was struck as if by a speeding truck, spitting out blood. His body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the barrier before falling into a deep coma.

The whole place was dead silent!

You can hear the needle drop!

All eyes were fixed on the thin girl on the stage who slowly lowered the giant sword, her face still calm.

"You've completely grasped the true meaning!?"

"The true meaning of speed! She actually comprehended the true meaning of speed?! And she's even mastered it?!"

"To comprehend the true meaning of speed while wielding such a massive sword? That's outrageous!"

"A dark horse! Absolutely the biggest dark horse!"

After a brief silence, a tremendous uproar completely ignited the Tianyan Stage!

"Station number one, Geng, winner: Lan!"

The referee's voice carried an undisguised shock.

The first dark horse emerged in such a shocking and contrasting way!
Fang Qingyu's gaze also fell on the girl named Lan.

The combination of that massive greatsword and the ultimate exhilaration certainly creates a strong sense of dissonance, but it is precisely this contradiction that highlights the terrifying talent and control behind it.

"interesting."

Fang Qingyu muttered to himself.

In the next two rounds, Fang Qingyu's opponents were slightly stronger than Chen Song, but the outcome was never in doubt. Facing a master of the "Mysterious Turtle Battle Body" renowned for his defense, Fang Qingyu still only managed one punch.

The fist slammed into the thick Xuan Turtle Qi Shield that the opponent had condensed. There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a dull "thud".

The air shield was like glass struck by a heavy hammer, instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks, and then shattered with a crash!

The grandmaster turned pale, staggered back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and immediately admitted defeat.

In the other round, his opponent was a master with unpredictable movements.

Fang Qingyu didn't even move a step, just stood there, his eyes sharp as lightning, accurately capturing the trajectory of the other party's every move.

When the opponent thinks they have seized an opportunity.

Fang Qingyu simply threw a straight punch from a distance!
The violent fist wind was like an invisible, raging dragon, instantly jolting the opponent, whose movements were strange, out of stealth mode. The opponent rolled around in a sorry state, losing his fighting ability.

It's still a crushing defeat! It's still an instant kill!

It's still that pure, despair-inducing power!

"Fang Shen, what level has he reached?"

"It feels like he wasn't even using his full strength!"

"How can we fight like this? Anyone who runs into him is doomed!"

The discussions were filled with awe and helplessness.

Fang Qingyu's presence was like a mountain looming over all the contestants.

Wei Banmeng also easily advanced to the next two rounds.

Her Ice Blue Blade Domain became increasingly refined, and combined with the exquisite Xuan Chi Twin Blades, she completely suppressed her opponent.

Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan faced more challenges, encountering strong opponents and engaging in fierce battles. Ultimately, they made it into the top 32 with their unwavering will and improved strength.
Jiang Wei, on the other hand, chose to withdraw from the competition from the very first round.

When the referee called her name, she simply shook her head calmly.

This decision surprised many people, but considering her relationship with Fang Qingyu and her own unfathomable aura, everyone felt it was only natural.

Wei Banmeng and the other two were only slightly surprised, but then they understood.

Thus, four of the five members of Longyuan Pavilion—Fang Qingyu, Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan—have made it into the top thirty-two!

Jiang Wei withdrew from the competition.

The draw for the round of 32 to 16 has begun!
The enormous sphere of light shone again, runes flowing, projecting information about the battle onto the sky.

When one of the names appeared, the clamor around the entire Tianyan Stage was instantly replaced by an even more fervent and expectant atmosphere!

"Station No. 1, Class A—"

The referee's voice, tinged with barely suppressed excitement, resounded throughout the stadium:

"Longyuan Pavilion, Fang Qingyu!"

"A showdown!"

"The Silent Sword Sect, 'Peerless Sword' Jing Wuyai!"

boom--! ! !
It's like pouring a ladle of cold water into boiling oil!
The entire summit platform erupted in cheers!
"Here it comes! It's finally here!"

"Fang Qingyu! Against Jing Wuyai!"

"A monster who can slay a Grandmaster, and the first genius to break through to the Grandmaster level and master the Sword Intent of Annihilation!"

"A clash of titans! This is a true clash of titans!"

"Finally, we can see Fang Qingyu's true strength!"

"Can Jing Wuyai's sword cut through Fang Qingyu's brute force?"

Countless eyes, like spotlights, instantly focused on the seats of the Dragon Abyss Pavilion and the Silent Sword Sect!
Jing Wuyai slowly stood up.

Dressed in dark, close-fitting clothes, carrying an ancient sword.

The coldness on his face seemed to melt away slightly, replaced by a focused and fervent determination to find a worthy opponent!

He looked towards the direction of Longyuan Pavilion, his gaze piercing through the crowd and locking onto Fang Qingyu.

An invisible, soul-freezing sword intent, like a sleeping beast, slowly awakened and spread out.

The air temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

Fang Qingyu also stood up.

She was still wearing that simple black outfit.

His eyes, as black as molten gold, calmly met Jing Wuyai's gaze, which was full of fighting spirit and sharpness.

A faint smile slowly curved the corners of his lips.

"gone."

He said something to Jiang Wei beside him, then strode forward, still with that leisurely and composed demeanor, step by step, steadily walking towards the much-anticipated Area A-1.

An invisible barrier rises, isolating the inside from the outside.

In the central area of ​​the massive Tianyantai, only two figures remained.

On one side, a man in black robes, holding a sword, exuded a solitary and cold aura. His sword intent was as deep and impenetrable as a hell, as if it wanted to devour and freeze all life around him.

On one side, a man dressed in black with bare hands exuded a deep and imposing aura, his bronze skin seemingly concealing a ferocious beast capable of tearing the earth apart. Beneath his calm gaze lay a molten, fiery intensity.

"Jing Wuyai of the Silent Sword Sect." Jing Wuyai's voice was icy, like a cold wind blowing across an ice surface.

"Fang Qingyu".

Fang Qingyu's voice was flat.

No unnecessary nonsense.

The battle began the instant their eyes met!
"Qiang——!!!"

A sword cry, piercing through metal and splitting stone, seemingly capable of tearing apart the soul, resounded through the sky without warning!

The ancient sword in Jing Wuyai's arms was finally drawn!
The sword was ancient and dull, as if it were just a piece of ordinary iron.

However, just as the sword left its sheath!
An aura of annihilation that sent shivers down one's spine suddenly erupted!
The air in the entire Jiazi No. 1 area seemed to have been sucked out instantly!
The light became dim and distorted!

Only that seemingly ordinary ancient sword became the center of annihilation!

"Nirvana, No Return!"

Jing Wuyai's eyes were icy cold, and his figure instantly turned into a blurry afterimage!

The speed was so fast that it exceeded the limits of what the naked eye could perceive!
It seemed as if it had merged into the silent sword intent.

A gray sword aura, condensed to its extreme and seemingly capable of severing all things, appeared silently yet with a destructive intent, instantly traversing a distance of a hundred meters and appearing in front of Fang Qingyu!

Wherever the sword energy passed, the air seemed to emit a faint groan.

It left behind a lingering, dark trail!

Quick! Deceptive! Brilliant!
This sword strike embodies his ultimate understanding of the true meaning of wind!

A perfect combination of speed and annihilation!

It's a truly deadly sword!

Countless people in the audience held their breath, their hearts pounding as if they were about to leap out of their chests!

Everyone wanted to know how Fang Qingyu, who was known for his strength, would deal with this devastating sword strike.

To dodge or to meet the attack head-on?

Fang Qingyu made a move.

He did not dodge.

He didn't even use the extreme speed of Thunderclap Shadow.

He simply made a gesture.

Raise your arm and block!
Arms covered in bronze skin bravely met the gray sword energy that annihilated all things and froze souls!

"You're asking for it!" someone couldn't help but whisper.

"He's going to use his physical body to withstand Jing Wuyai's Annihilation Sword Qi?!"

"crazy!"

Just as the gray sword energy was about to strike his arm!

Om-! ! !
An indescribable aura of ancient majesty and domineering power suddenly erupted from Fang Qingyu's body!

On Fang Qingyu's raised right arm.

Beneath the skin, countless fine golden dragon scale patterns instantly lit up.

Deep within his molten gold eyes, two points of pure golden light opened and closed like a dragon's eyes.

The true meaning of the dragon, bestow your blessings!
"break!"

Fang Qingyu let out a low, deep shout that seemed to contain the decree of the ancient dragon god!
Driven by the true meaning of the dragon, he swung his right fist fiercely!
Breaking through the Nine Hells!

Punch out!

boom--! ! !
A terrifying fist intent, heavy enough to crush the eternal sky and domineering enough to shatter all obstacles, suddenly erupted!
Wherever the fist passed, the air was instantly crushed.

That bronze fist covered with dragon scale patterns.

It crashed violently into that gray sword aura that annihilated all things!

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the point of impact.

Click——! ! !
A faint yet incredibly clear sound, like the crisp crack of some rule being shattered!

Under the gaze of countless horrified eyes!

That gray sword aura contained the extreme speed of the wind and the true meaning of annihilation!
That fatal sword strike was enough to make even a grandmaster of the same level feel despair!
The instant the fist made contact with Fang Qingyu's!

Like ice and snow thrown into a furnace!

Like glass struck by a heavy hammer!

It's crumbling, inch by inch!
Absolute crushing! Absolute annihilation!
For the first time, a violent fluctuation appeared on Jing Wuyai's usually cold and aloof face!
Shock! Unbelievable!
His proudest essence of annihilation was actually shattered by a single punch?!
"impossible!!!"

A silent roar erupted in his heart.

However, reality is crueler than any scream!

The fist strike that shattered the sword energy continued its momentum without stopping in the slightest!

It carried a terrifying fist intent that was as heavy as a collapsing mountain and as domineering as a dragon god's decree!
Like a world-destroying dragon breaking free of its shackles!
It ruthlessly pierced Jing Wuyai's chest!

Faster! Faster than his sword!

Heavy! Heavier than a mountain!
Jing Wuyai's soul was terrified!
He frantically activated the true meaning of wind, his figure like a willow catkin in the wind, trying to drift backward and dodge.

At the same time, the ancient sword in his hand burst out with an unprecedented dark light, slashing rapidly in front of him, drawing out the sword intent of annihilation, and attempting to construct the last defensive sword curtain!
"Stop them!!!"

however.

boom--! ! !
Fang Qingyu's fist ignored the hastily set up sword curtain!

Like a red-hot dagger piercing butter!

It slammed hard into Jing Wuyai's arms, which were crossed in front of his chest to block!

"Crack!"

A clear sound of bone cracking!

"puff--!"

Jing Wuyai felt as if he had been struck by a mountain hurled by an ancient giant god!

The protective sword intent shattered like paper!
His arms twisted and deformed instantly, and blood gushed from his mouth as if it were free!

His body flew backward like a cannonball, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound!

"boom!!!"

It slammed hard into the invisible runic barrier at the edge of the Heavenly Evolution Platform, hundreds of meters away!

Om-! ! !
The runic barrier erupted with an unprecedentedly dazzling light and fluctuated violently, like boiling water!

Jing Wuyai's body slid slowly down the barrier, leaving a shocking trail of blood on the smooth white jade floor.

He struggled to lift his head, his cold eyes filled with extreme pain, bewilderment, and a utterly shattered disbelief.

Finally, his head lolled to the side, and he completely lost consciousness.

The entire Tianyan Stage.

The wind stopped.

Breathing stopped.

My heartbeat seemed to stop.

(End of this chapter)