Chapter 205: Against Huo Wanyang
In the Azure Sky Third Institute’s section, Ruan Qian smiled.
"Haha, even Ao Feng lost."
"Then I have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s no disgrace to lose to a finalist."
The intellectual-looking Ruan Language also spoke with a smile, "Lin Qi really is a dark horse. He was tenth in the nation during the college entrance exams, but he actually defeated Ao Feng, who was fourth."
"Hidden Tiger... he really lives up to his nickname!"
...
In the section for the Azure Sky Fourth Institute, Li Lei, whose burly frame was like a wild bear’s, was also sighing with emotion.
"He’s truly incredible. I was matched against Ao Feng during the Genius Showdown, and I was no match for him at all back then."
"And yet, he was decisively defeated by this Lin Qi. It looks like I wouldn’t be a match for him either."
"I’m thoroughly convinced now!"
...
「In the stands of the Azure Sky First Institute」
Huo Wanyang, who had watched the entire fight, crossed his arms, an excited smile spreading across his rugged face.
’Interesting. So this Lin Qi is my final opponent.’
’Only with this level of strength is he worthy of being my opponent.’
’After I defeat Lin Qi and take the championship, my next targets will be that group of geniuses who have Awakened Special Abilities.’
...
In the leadership viewing area, the moment the vice-dean of the Azure Sky Ninth Institute—a beautiful, middle-aged woman in purple—saw Ao Feng get defeated, her expression instantly turned grim.
’I never thought that Ao Feng, ranked fourth in the country, would actually lose to Lin Qi, who’s ranked tenth.’
The words of the other institute leaders beside her were like Flying Knives stabbing her in the heart.
"It seems Old Liu has a good eye after all. He spotted Lin Qi’s Talent early on and scouted him when he was only ranked tenth," praised a leader from the First Institute.
Dean Liu chuckled and said, "I just got lucky, that’s all."
Nearby, the leader of the Second Institute looked rather grim.
He had previously mocked Dean Liu for his lack of vision, and now his words had come back to bite him, and it stung.
Meanwhile, Vice-Principal Xu Wenji, seated not far away, looked at Lin Qi from the Azure Sky Sixth Institute with a gratified smile.
...
「In the Azure Sky Sixth Institute’s area」
"Brother Qi is awesome!"
The moment Lin Qi returned to the stands, the crowd erupted.
"I knew it! Who does Ao Feng think he is, trying to beat Brother Qi? No way!" Jiangtao shouted.
Everyone who heard him laughed.
"Now all that’s left is Huo Wanyang. As long as he beats him, Brother Qi will be the champion of the Freshman Grand Competition, the strongest of all the new students," Zhou Xiyin said with a smile.
"That’s right, become the champion today!" Guan Mountain chimed in.
"Today’s the day!"
"Fellow students!"
At the same time, Vice-Principal Xu Wenji’s projection appeared again.
"The individual competition of the Freshman Grand Competition has, before we knew it, reached its end."
"Let us congratulate Huo Wanyang of the Azure Sky First Institute and Lin Qi of the Azure Sky Sixth Institute for successfully reaching the final match."
"We will now leave the arena to these two contestants to determine the ultimate champion."
"The winner will become the strongest among the new students of our Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy and will also receive a reward of 6,000,000 Xia Country Coins!!"
"I now declare the final match of the individual competition officially begins!"
"Will the two contestants please enter the arena!!"
After the loud announcement, Xu Wenji dissolved into fragments and vanished into the air.
In the Azure Sky Sixth Institute’s stands, Lin Qi slowly rose to his feet.
"Brother Qi, today’s the day you become number one among the freshmen!" Jiangtao shouted from beside him.
"BOOM!!"
Lin Qi transformed into a crimson pillar of light and vanished into the air.
「In the stands of the Azure Sky First Institute.」
"Once the boss beats Lin Qi, he’ll be the champion. Then the other institutes will know that our First Institute is the strongest," someone sneered.
At the same time, Li Zehao also came online. He wanted to watch Huo Wanyang defeat Lin Qi.
Huo Wanyang also clenched his fists, eager for a fight, and likewise transformed into a crimson pillar of light and vanished into the air.
「In the arena.」
"BOOM!!"
Two crimson pillars of light descended upon the arena, and two figures emerged from within.
The 2.06-meter-tall Huo Wanyang, clad in a crimson Combat Suit, stepped forward. He had a head of thick black hair and carried a heavy Red Halberd on his shoulder.
It was covered in dragon patterns, and its sharp blade reflected a metallic sheen.
His body was powerfully muscled, as if forged from steel. With a powerful back and a narrow waist, the majestic aura of a Level 8 Calamity Beast, the Earth-Split Dragon, erupted from him.
It was an aura that seemed capable of devouring any living creature.
"CLACK! CLACK!"
Lin Qi, wearing a black Combat Suit, stepped onto the hard ground. He held a Black Great Spear, which was covered in golden Thunder Patterns, in one hand.
He was only 1.92 meters tall, 14 centimeters shorter than Huo Wanyang, and his frame was a size smaller.
However, his body’s proportions were absolutely perfect. His muscles were like a sculpted work of art, with streamlined contours that brimmed with explosive power.
It was as if endless strength had been compressed into his frame.
He was like steel from which all impurities had been removed.
As Huo Wanyang’s aura surged and pressed down on him fiercely, a terrifying aura of his own erupted from his body. His eyes seemed to glow with a Golden Light.
The Vajra Tiger seemed to awaken and roared at the heavens.
The formless clash of auras had already begun.
A clash between the Level 8 Calamity Beast Earth-Split Dragon and the Vajra Tiger.
Lin Qi looked at Huo Wanyang. The man cultivated the "Earth-Split Dragon Evolution Technique." Those who practiced this Source Energy Skill would possess extreme strength and constitution.
In terms of strength, especially, it was on par with the Vajra Tiger. Both were existences capable of possessing over 3,000 kilograms of Fist Power in the Third Realm.
Therefore, he believed in the existence of Huo Wanyang’s Innate Divine Strength; his power right now definitely exceeded 3,000 kilograms.
He was the strongest opponent Lin Qi had faced so far, ranked second in the nation.
’Everyone said Huo Wanyang was Lv Bu reborn,’ Lin Qi thought to himself. ’I wonder if his strength lives up to the name.’
Huo Wanyang flexed one arm, casually swinging his Red Halberd and stirring up a fierce gust of wind.
He grinned at Lin Qi. "I didn’t expect you to be the one to make it to the end."
"Your strength isn’t bad. Seeing as you also walk the path of overwhelming force, I wonder if you’ll be able to give me a satisfying fight?"
A smile tugged at the corner of Lin Qi’s mouth. "I could say the same to you."
"Just don’t lose too quickly!"
The thick smell of gunpowder hung in the air.
[Match preparation starting!]
[Countdown: 3, 2, 1...]
[Match start!]
Above the arena, an AI’s emotionless voice made the announcement.
The final match of the Freshman Grand Competition’s individual tournament officially begins!
"Hah~"
"Lin Qi, let me show you the true meaning of power!"
As the battle began, Huo Wanyang made the first move. He let out a great shout that was as loud as thunder.
He charged forward, the ground trembling slightly beneath his feet, swinging his 100-kilogram Red Halberd with a whoosh of wind as he advanced.
With the force of Mount Tai crashing down, he brought the Red Halberd in his hands down in a ferocious chop, a blow that seemed powerful enough to split the sky.
The very air seemed to be torn apart, letting out a sharp whistle.
"Good!"
Lin Qi felt the terrifying aura rushing toward him, and his blood instantly began to boil with excitement. This was the opponent he had been waiting for.
He put his strength into motion, stepping forward to charge, and violently swung the equally heavy 100-kilogram Black Great Spear in his hands.
Although his frame was a size smaller than Huo Wanyang’s, the might that erupted from him was not the least bit weaker.
"BOOM!!"
He exploded forward with a burst of speed, clearly faster than Huo Wanyang. The distance of less than twenty meters was closed in less than a breath.
Riding his forward momentum, Lin Qi gripped his Long Spear with both hands and thrust it upwards in a sharp parry.
Both fighters had an aggressive and domineering style. Neither was intimidated by the other, and both had extreme confidence in their own strength, choosing to clash head-on from the very start.
"BANG!!"
The Black Great Spear and the Red Halberd, two heavy weapons, collided. Metal clashed, Power slammed against power, the air cracked, and an invisible shockwave spread outwards.
Lin Qi felt a formidable Power, like a wild beast, slam into his arms.
His arms went slightly numb, and the impact almost sent his entire body flying, but he suppressed the force and took two steps back.
Huo Wanyang’s expression changed slightly. He too felt a terrifying impact travel up his Great Halberd and into his body, rushing into his chest and making his Qi Blood churn.
He also retreated three steps before steadying himself.
Their eyes met, and a sharp, combative aura began to build between them.
Huo Wanyang suddenly became serious. He realized that this opponent, Lin Qi, was far from simple; his strength was barely weaker than his own.
"Again!"
Huo Wanyang roared, and a ferocious aura erupted from him. His Qi Blood surged, and he extended his arms, swinging his Red Halberd like an ancient general leading a charge.
One man standing guard at the pass, holding back ten thousand.
"Come!!"
Lin Qi’s aura was no weaker. If Huo Wanyang was Lv Bu reborn, then he was the Overlord incarnate, boundless power surging from his body.
"WHOOSH~"
He swung his Black Great Spear and charged forward again, unleashing his Mountain Splitting Spear Technique with all his might. His movements were wide and sweeping, utterly ferocious.
Huo Wanyang did the same, swinging his Red Halberd and charging straight ahead, its sharp blade cutting through the air.
Both sides, by unspoken agreement, chose to clash head-on without any evasion, wanting to crush their opponent with absolute power.
"BANG!!"
The Great Spear and the Great Halberd collided once more, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
The ferocious force and Power sent both fighters staggering back several steps, only for them to gather their strength and launch another fierce attack.
The two engaged in a frenzied exchange of blows. Their Halberd Technique and Spear Technique, both wide and sweeping, crashed against each other with domineering force.
There was no speed, no dodging, no defense—only pure power.
...
The crowd in the stands was also watching with boiling blood. For Martial Artists, this was the kind of ultimate contest they wanted to see.
"They’re too strong! Just how much power do they have?"
"Now this is a Martial Artist’s battle! It’s insane!"
"It’s a battle between Immortals!"
"Even a clash between legendary generals of old wouldn’t be this epic!"
The crowd watched the spectacular battle without blinking.
In the leadership viewing area, Wu Yueze, the refined and scholarly vice-dean of the First Institute, frowned.
"Huo Wanyang has possessed Innate Divine Strength since he was a child, his power far surpassing his peers. He was born a genius for Martial Arts."
"His Martial Arts Root Bone is of the highest caliber!"
"If it weren’t for the existence of geniuses who have Awakened Special Abilities, he would be at the very pinnacle of ordinary geniuses."
"He also practices the incredibly ferocious ’Furious Wave Halberd Technique.’ As a Peak of the Second Realm Martial Artist, his Fist Power has reached a terrifying 3,200 kilograms!"
"And he uses a heavy weapon, a Great Halberd. When his power is channeled into a strike, an ordinary person couldn’t possibly withstand a single blow."
"To think that this Lin Qi can actually match Huo Wanyang blow for blow..."
...