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Chapter 226 An Unexpected Process: The First Special Squad Takes Shape! (2 words, Update 35)

Everyone, whether they were participants, spectators, or even the bigwigs on the platform.

They were all as if they had been petrified.

He stared blankly at Area A, Section 1.

Watching the black figure slowly retract its fist, regaining its calm and serene demeanor, I realized it was a deep, dark mountain.

Watching the figure in black robes slide down from the barrier to the ground, slumped in a pool of blood like a tattered sack, I saw...

One punch.
It's still... one punch!
A leading figure among the younger generation of the Silent Sword Sect.

The first prodigy to break through to the Grandmaster level in martial arts.

Jing Wuyai, the "Peerless Sword" who has mastered the sword intent of annihilation.
Lost!

Such a complete and utter defeat! So utterly devastating!

"Gudong."

"Gudong."

The sounds of struggling to swallow saliva rose and fell in waves.

"That monster is absolutely a humanoid beast!"

"What true meaning did Fang Qingyu comprehend?!"

The deathly silence was broken, followed by an even more frenzied, unbelievable commotion and shock!
On the high platform, Master Xuancheng paused slightly in the whisk in his hand.

For the first time, a clear emotion appeared on the resolute face of the federal general.

The beautiful woman's elegant eyes shone with a dazzling brilliance!
Fang Qingyu slowly exhaled a long breath, as if he had only done a trivial thing.

His molten gold eyes swept over the stunned, horrified, and awe-inspiring faces below the stage, finally settling on the high platform.

Then, he turned around, still with that leisurely stroll, and with one step, he was back in his seat in the Dragon Abyss Pavilion, sitting down comfortably next to Jiang Wei.

Only then did the referee's trembling, incredulous voice ring out, as if in a dream:
"Station No. 1, Class A: The winner is Fang Qingyu!"

The voice fell.

This heralds the birth of a new king.

This also signifies that the landscape of the Hidden Dragon Project has been completely rewritten by this one punch!

A tremendous commotion swept across the entire summit platform like a tsunami.

As Fang Qingyu calmly walked back to his seat, a deathly silence gradually settled in, almost suffocating.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the black figure until he sat down safely, then they dared to carefully look away and gaze at the mess in Area A, Section 1.

In the pool of blood, Jing Wuyai's figure, like a broken black banner, silently testifies to the terror of that punch.

"The complete sword intent of annihilation shattered just like that?"

"What true meaning was imbued in Fang Qingyu's punch?"

Whispers, filled with barely concealed fear and bewilderment, spread wildly through the crowd.

Many prodigies were originally in high spirits because of their breakthroughs.

At that moment, it felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head, and a chill ran from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head.

After a brief rest, the enormous runic sphere lit up again.

The results of the draw for the round of 16 to 8 are out.

When the name "Fang Qingyu" appears to be matched with another opponent.

This time, there was none of the previous uproar and commotion.

Instead, there was an almost stagnant heaviness, and countless sympathetic glances cast towards that unfortunate opponent.

"Station C4, Fang Qingyu versus Jin Shen Zong Tieshan!"

The man named Tieshan is a burly man who is nearly two meters tall, with muscles all over his body like cast steel and skin with a bronze metallic luster. He follows the ultimate path of physical defense and is known as the number one defender of his level.

His face instantly turned extremely ugly, as if he had swallowed a fly.

Jing Wuyai's fate was still vivid in his mind; even that annihilating sword aura shattered, and his own prized physical body...
"Station C4, both sides enter!"

The referee's voice sounded.

Tieshan took a deep breath, a struggle flashing across his face before finally settling into a resolute expression.

He stomped his foot, causing the ground to tremble slightly. His bronze skin instantly shone with a dazzling golden light, and he strode into the arena like a golden Arhat!
His eyes burned with the indomitable fighting spirit of a martial artist!

He couldn't back down before the battle even began! He had to test just how terrifying this legendary power truly was!
Fang Qingyu calmly got up and walked towards the venue.

When an invisible barrier rises.

Tieshan roared, his body radiating golden light. He crossed his arms to protect his chest and his legs were driven deep into the ground like steel nails, assuming his strongest defensive stance!
A layer of condensed, almost tangible golden energy shield covered his entire body, as thick and heavy as a mountain!
"please!"

Fang Qingyu nodded.

It's still the same action.

Sink your waist, step forward, twist your body, and thrust your right fist forward like a drawn bow.

Without dragon scales covering it, without tribulation fire and lightning entwining it, it is still the purest physical strength, wrapped with a terrifying fist intent as heavy as a collapsing mountain and as domineering as a dragon god's decree!
boom!
Punch out!

The air was forcefully squeezed and exploded, producing a muffled, heart-stopping bang!
The golden, thick, and solid aura shield, capable of withstanding the full force of an attack from the same level, was as if it had encountered its natural enemy the moment it came into contact with the air!
Click——!
The clear, piercing cracking sound seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present!

The air shield was like a piece of glass art struck by a heavy hammer, instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks, and then under an irresistible and immense force, it exploded into a sky full of golden light spots!
The momentum of the punch did not stop at all!

Heavy! Overbearing!
It was simply imprinted on Tieshan's crossed arms, which were as if cast in gold!

"Boom——!!!"

A muffled sound, like the beating of a giant drum from the primordial era!

Tieshan's proud golden arms visibly bent downwards and collapsed!
The color drained from his face instantly, and his eyes bulged out!

"puff--!"

A mouthful of scalding hot blood gushed out!

He was like a golden iron statue that had been hit head-on by a battering ram, his feet leaving the ground and flying backward!

"boom!!!"

It slammed hard into the barrier!

The golden light dissipated, and the protective energy completely shattered!
Tieshan's massive body slid slowly down the barrier, his arms hanging limply at his sides, clearly broken. His chest heaved violently, blood kept spilling from his mouth, and his eyes were unfocused; he had completely lost his fighting ability.

silence.

Deathly silence.

This time, even the sound of swallowing saliva disappeared.

Everyone, including the tycoons on the platform, just watched numbly.

He watched as Fang Qingyu calmly withdrew his fist.

As the referee announced in an extremely hoarse voice, "Station C4, the winner is Fang Qingyu."

Watching Fang Qingyu stroll back to his seat with an air of leisure.

crush.

A crushing defeat without any suspense.

power?

Faced with absolute power, even the strongest defense is nothing more than a thin sheet of paper.

Next, the draw for the quarterfinals will take place.

"Station No. 2, Dragon Abyss Pavilion's Fang Qingyu versus Wind and Thunder Temple's Zhou Yan!"

Zhou Yan, a chosen one with dual wind and thunder abilities, possesses a swift and violent mastery of wind and thunder manipulation techniques, and has defeated several powerful enemies with thunderous methods.

When the match information lights up.

Zhou Yan's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He subconsciously glanced at the bloodstains in Area A1 that had not yet completely dried, and then at Tieshan, whose arms had just been carried away.

A chill instantly froze his limbs and bones.

war?
What will we use to fight?

The opponent's pure, unreasonable power could even shatter the Annihilation Sword Qi and the Golden Body with a single punch!
No matter how fast or fierce his own wind and thunder are, can they be faster than his punch?

Could someone surpass his strength?
If you try to take the hit head-on, your fate will be even worse than that of Jing Wuyai and Tieshan!
Either dead or disabled!

His goal is to compete for a spot in the special team!

If you get seriously injured here, you won't even have the chance to compete later!

Overwhelming fear and rationality instantly crushed that pitiful fighting spirit.

Just as the referee was about to announce the entry of both teams.

Zhou Yan suddenly stood up, his voice trembling slightly, yet clearly carrying throughout the room:
"Referee! I concede!"

Wow——!
Although it was expected, Zhou Yan's "I admit defeat" still caused a low murmur of surprise.

The dignified genius of Fenglei Temple, a second-tier chosen one of gods, was intimidated before the battle even began and took the initiative to admit defeat!

In the past, this would have been an absolute disgrace!
But at this moment, no one laughed at him.

Countless gazes turned to Zhou Yan, filled with understanding and even a hint of relief.

"Wise choice"

"If it were me, I'd give up too. Fighting that kind of monster isn't a friendly spar, it's suicide!"

"If we maintain our form, we'll still have a chance to compete for the other two spots!"

"Yes, it's not worth it."

On the high platform, Master Xuancheng nodded slightly, showing no displeasure.

This is not cowardice, but a clear understanding and choice when facing absolute power.

"Station number two, Fenglei Temple's Zhou Yan concedes defeat! The winner is Fang Qingyu!" the referee announced immediately.

Fang Qingyu didn't even bother to get up; he simply nodded calmly.

That surrender was like opening Pandora's box.

The semifinal draw followed. "Stand 1, Class A: Fang Qingyu of Longyuan Pavilion versus Yin Wujiu of Jiuyou Pavilion!"

Yin Wujiu, skilled in assassination and speed, is a dangerous individual with a mysterious whereabouts. He narrowly advanced to the quarterfinals.

The moment I saw my opponent's name.

Yin Wujiu's expression was ten times worse than Zhou Yan's.

His strongest escape technique was like child's play to Fang Qingyu.

He didn't even have a sliver of hope!

"Referee! I concede!"

Yin Wujiu shouted out almost before the referee could speak, his voice fast and urgent, as if he was afraid that if he was too slow, he would be dragged onto the stage.

"Station No. 1, Class A: Yin Wujiu concedes defeat! The winner is Fang Qingyu!"

The referee's voice had become somewhat numb.

The atmosphere at the entire Tianyantai became extremely strange.

The reverence remains, but there's also a growing sense of indifference and a sense of entitlement.

Fang Qingyu, this name seems to have become synonymous with "invincible".

If you draw his number, admitting defeat becomes the most reasonable, wisest, and even the most "dignified" choice.

When the draw results for the finals were revealed, nobody cared who their opponents were anymore.

Because the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

"Station No. 1, Class B: Fang Qingyu of Longyuan Pavilion versus Shi Kong!"

Shi Kong, this burly, bald-headed martial monk with an aura as heavy as a mountain, had previously overcome numerous obstacles, demonstrating extremely formidable close-combat skills.

He was the only one who didn't immediately concede defeat after the draw results were announced.

Shi Kong slowly stood up, standing like an iron tower, with golden light flowing beneath his bulging muscles.

His gaze was extremely serious, yet it still burned with the fierce fighting spirit of a martial artist!

He stared intently at Fang Qingyu in the Longyuan Pavilion seat, his fists clenched, his aura heavy and profound, like a volcano about to erupt.

Shi Kong is struggling!
We're weighing the options!
As a descendant of the Vajra lineage of Buddhist protectors, his pride would not allow him to surrender without a fight!

He longs to fight a true powerhouse and prove his unyielding invincibility!
However, reason was screaming madly at me.

It's unstoppable! That punch...it's impossible to block!
If you try to take the hit head-on, the consequences will be even worse than if you were standing on Tieshan Mountain!
It was in this extreme struggle and silence that...

All eyes on the entire Tianyan Stage were focused on him, and the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

The veins on Shi Kong's forehead throbbed, and sweat slid down his bronze-colored bald head.

In the end, that overwhelming fighting spirit, as heavy as a mountain, dissipated rapidly like a punctured balloon.

The flame in his eyes died down, leaving only deep weariness and a trace of relief.

He slowly loosened his clenched fist, lowered his head with difficulty towards the referee, and spoke in a hoarse and low voice, yet it clearly resonated throughout the entire stadium:

"Referee, this humble monk concedes defeat!"

boom--!
Although it was expected, the surrender of this last strongman was still like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves before quickly settling into a numb sense of calm.

ended.

Fang Qingyu reached the top without bloodshed by crushing his opponents and even forcing them to admit defeat.

At the center of the enormous Tianyan Platform, the Bagua runes slowly stopped rotating.

Master Xuancheng of Tomorrow Mountain slowly stood up. His gentle and peaceful voice, imbued with supreme majesty, resounded clearly in everyone's ears:

"After this battle, there is no dispute over first place."

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on the calm, black-clad figure among the seats of the Dragon Abyss Pavilion.

"I announce!"

"The first captain of the special team under Project Hidden Dragon has been chosen."

"Fang Qingyu!"

The sound fell like a thunderclap, yet carried a sense of natural calm.

After a brief moment of dead silence.

boom--! ! !
A tremendous uproar erupted once again!
This time, it wasn't shock anymore, but a kind of fervor that followed the settling of the dust!
"Fang Shen! Captain!!"

"Well deserved! Absolutely well deserved!"

Countless gazes instantly focused on Fang Qingyu, filled with extreme awe, worship, and undisguised fervor!
The team captain position has been decided!
But there are still team spots available!
Joining Fang Qingyu's special team means receiving top-tier resources and the strongest support from teammates from the Federation.

And the glory of fighting alongside this monster captain!

That's someone who could blow Jing Wuyai to pieces with a single punch!

Following him offers immeasurable safety and potential benefits!
At this moment, all pride of noble families and the distinction between blessed lands and grottoes were forgotten.

Joining Fang Qingyu's team would be the greatest victory!

Fang Qingyu remained calm despite the countless scorching gazes, as if it were all within his expectations.

He stood up and nodded slightly in greeting towards the high platform.

Master Xuancheng nodded slightly in response and continued, "Next, we will hold a ring challenge to determine the second and third place winners, who will then receive the remaining two captain positions! All those who have entered the top 32 are eligible to participate in the challenge!"

The rules of the ring match are simple: defend your title.

The two who stand on the ring for the longest time to accept challenges, or the two who no one dares to challenge again, are the winners.

The first champion will be determined by drawing lots.

Soon, a martial artist with a sharp aura stepped onto the stage first, and the defense of the arena began!
A fierce battle erupted once again on the Tianyan Stage.

For the coveted captaincy, the remaining prodigies held nothing back, unleashing a clash of powerful martial arts, divine techniques, and true intents, creating a dazzling spectacle of energy.

Fang Qingyu and Jiang Wei sat in their seats in the Longyuan Pavilion, calmly watching the fierce battle below.

Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan had encountered formidable opponents in the previous round of 32 to 16, and after a hard-fought battle, they were unfortunately defeated. Now, they were watching the battle from their seats, their blood boiling with excitement, and they occasionally made comments in low voices.

However, Fang Qingyu's gaze fell on Wei Banmeng, who was sitting quietly beside him.

She also made it to the top 8, but unlike the others, she wasn't eager to participate in the next round of challenges.

She sat there quietly, her cool eyes watching the fierce battle on stage, her gaze calm and unwavering, as if the competition wasn't for a precious captain's spot, but a performance that had nothing to do with her.

Fang Qingyu's heart stirred slightly, and he asked in a low voice with some curiosity, "Aren't you going to try and compete for it?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Banmeng slowly turned her head.

On that usually expressionless, aloof face, the corners of his mouth curved upwards in an almost imperceptible arc, like a snow lotus quietly blooming on an iceberg.

She didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he first glanced at Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan, who were also looking over.

Chu Kuanglan grinned and winked at Fang Qingyu. Lu Jiuyuan also nodded slightly, a knowing smile in his eyes.

Wei Banmeng then looked at Fang Qingyu again, her clear, cool voice carrying a rare, almost playful tone, clearly reaching Fang Qingyu's ears:

"I wonder if your team is short-handed?"

Fang Qingyu was slightly taken aback.

This turn of events was somewhat unexpected for him.

He had indeed considered inviting them, but seeing that they all seemed eager to compete for the captain's position, he didn't bring it up.

did not expect.
Looking into Wei Banmeng's clear, cool eyes, which held a hint of seriousness and expectation, and at the knowing smiles between Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan, he saw...

Fang Qingyu understood instantly.

It turns out that their goal from the very beginning was not to compete for that elusive and fiercely contested captaincy.

Their goal, from beginning to end, was to join his team!
A warm feeling quietly welled up in Fang Qingyu's heart.

A genuine smile slowly spread across his face, and he nodded vigorously, his voice steady and clear:
"lack!"

"Of course we need them!"

The coldness in Wei Banmeng's eyes seemed to melt away instantly, transforming into a warm spring.

She stood up and extended her fair, jade-like hand, the one that had once wielded a knife to slay enemies, towards Fang Qingyu.

The movements carried an unusual solemnity, yet also revealed a subtle ease.

"So."

Her voice remained clear and crisp, yet it carried a rare, youthful liveliness.

"From now on, please let the captain handle this."

"Please take good care of me."

Fang Qingyu looked at the hand that was being extended in front of him.

She looked up again at the rare playfulness and warmth in Wei Banmeng's eyes.

Without hesitation, I reached out and firmly grasped that slightly cool but strong hand.

"Please take good care of me."

The two clenched their hands tightly in mid-air.

Chu Kuanglan watched from the side and burst into laughter, slapping his thigh loudly: "Hahaha! Good! Excellent! Following God Fang, we'll live the high life!"

Lu Jiuyuan smiled and shook his head, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Jiang Wei tilted her head back, her clear eyes lingering for a moment on Fang Qingyu and Wei Banmeng's clasped hands before she lowered her head again, sucking on her lollipop and puffing out her cheeks slightly.

The wind blowing across the mountaintop made the rustling sound of the bamboo forest seem like background noise.

On the massive celestial stage, the fierce battle continued, with dazzling lights and booming energy.

And the seats in Longyuan Pavilion.

Fang Qingyu, Jiang Wei, Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, Lu Jiuyuan.

Five figures sat together.

The first special team of the year has now been formed.

(End of this chapter)