Chapter 637 - 637: Zhang Ying

Xu Zhengchu, from battle ring number nine, was also one of the so-called Quasi-Core Disciples whom Xu Shijie had warned Chu Qingyun about.

Unfortunately, he ran into the even stronger Shen Hao. It wasn't just the other contestants—even he himself felt he had no chance of winning.

Seeing that Shen Hao was matched against someone else, the others quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, they didn't relax completely, because aside from Shen Hao, there was still Zhou Yongyang, who was by no means weaker.

Facing Zhou Yongyang wouldn't be much better than facing Shen Hao.

Meanwhile, on the Observation Platform, Zhou Jianxiong was staring intently at the drawing box in the referee's hands, praying over and over again, 'Let Chu Qingyun draw number four, Zhou Yongyang.'

Unfortunately, after two more names were drawn, Zhou Yongyang was assigned to a battle stage with a lesser-known ninth-level Martial Spirit.

"Damn it!"

Zhou Jianxiong's expression soured, and he cursed inwardly.

'The competition only has three rounds. If they don't meet in the semifinals, the only remaining hope is the finals, which makes the chances of success much slimmer.'

'And judging by the power Chu Qingyun displayed when he casually defeated Meng Hongliang, no one else besides Shen Hao and Zhou Yongyang is likely a match for him!'

Shen Hao and Zhou Yongyang had both been matched.

Among the remaining contestants, the expressions of some of the stronger ones relaxed considerably.

But there was one exception: Xu Shijie of battle ring number twenty-two. His expression remained grim as he stared at the referee's drawing box, muttering to himself as if in prayer.

"Xu Shijie, we can't get matched with Shen Hao or Zhou Yongyang anymore. What are you still muttering about? Don't tell me you're praying you don't have to face me?"

Liu Ying of battle ring number twenty-one called out to him from nearby.

This Liu Ying was another of the powerful Quasi-Core Disciples Xu Shijie had told Chu Qingyun about.

"Hmph. Shen Hao and Zhou Yongyang are off the table, but there might be someone even more terrifying!" Xu Shijie said.

"More terrifying? How is that possible? After Shen Hao and Zhou Yongyang, it's just us. Who are you talking about?" Zhang Ying asked skeptically.

Xu Shijie looked toward Chu Qingyun and said, "Battle ring number seventeen. Chu Qingyun!"

Just then, the referee on the central stage drew two more lots. "Number seventeen versus... number twenty-one!"

Instantly, the expressions of both Zhang Ying and Xu Shijie changed.

Then, a smile spread across Xu Shijie's face. "Zhang Ying," he said, "you'll soon be able to find out for yourself whether I was lying."

Chu Qingyun had been matched against someone, and most others of comparable strength also had opponents.

Xu Shijie's heart instantly lightened. 'At least advancing to the finals won't be a problem now.'

As for Zhang Ying, his face fell. "Hmph, I refuse to believe anyone is stronger than Shen Hao and Zhou Yongyang!"

But despite his words, he felt a flicker of doubt. Xu Shijie's earlier grave concern hadn't seemed like an act.

"Heh heh, you don't believe me? Have you forgotten who else was in battle ring seventeen?" Xu Shijie said with a smirk.

Instantly, Zhang Ying's expression turned even fouler.

'Battle ring seventeen also had Meng Hongliang, who was on par with the two of them. But now...'

Soon, all forty-eight lots were drawn, and the matchups for the forty-eight contestants were decided.

And as for the results, it was naturally a mix of joy and sorrow.

But there was nothing to be done. After all, the results were from a random draw conducted in front of everyone; they all had to be accepted unconditionally.

"All contestants, proceed to the battle stages according to the order that was drawn!"

The referee scanned the area and announced in a clear voice.

Chu Qingyun and the forty-seven other contestants proceeded in order to the twenty-four battle stages situated closer to the center of the field. This time, there were only two people on each stage.

"So you're Chu Qingyun? The one who just joined a month ago?"

After stepping onto the battle stage, Zhang Ying couldn't help but size up Chu Qingyun, asking curiously.

Chu Qingyun nodded. "I am."

"And you defeated Meng Hongliang?" Zhang Ying continued.

"That's right."

Hearing Chu Qingyun's admission, Zhang Ying's heart sank a little further.

He glanced at his own condition, then at Chu Qingyun's, and couldn't help but shake his head.

As a long-renowned Quasi-Core Disciple in the Outer Sect, the Elders had arranged things so that Zhang Ying's battle ring, number twenty-one, had no other experts of his caliber.

But even so, his clothes were torn in several places, and he had even sustained some minor injuries.

After all, in a free-for-all with over a hundred ninth-level Martial Spirits, even a Quasi-Core Disciple could hardly avoid getting caught in the fray.

In contrast, Chu Qingyun was completely pristine, looking nothing like someone who had just been through a major battle.

'In other words, he had defeated Meng Hongliang with barely any effort!'

Combined with Xu Shijie's assessment of Chu Qingyun, Zhang Ying easily reached a conclusion.

'He probably had no hope of winning this fight!'

Zhang Ying looked at Chu Qingyun with a complex expression. Suddenly, as if he had made up his mind, he said, "Chu Qingyun, I know I'm no match for you, but I hope you'll defeat me with your strongest attack!"

'My strongest attack?'

Chu Qingyun was taken aback, not expecting Zhang Ying to say something like that.

But after a moment's thought, he shook his head. "You wouldn't be able to withstand my strongest attack."

This wasn't Chu Qingyun being arrogant. When Zhang Ying mentioned his strongest attack, he had immediately thought of his true Thunder Sword Intent.

In terms of pure offense, the Thunder Sword Intent was absolutely his strongest technique at present.

But that was a technique that completely surpassed the Martial Spirit Realm. If he were to use it, Zhang Ying would definitely be unable to withstand it, and the result would be death!

This was because Chu Qingyun was still far from being able to control the Thunder Sword Intent with perfect ease.

"You..."

A flash of anger appeared in Zhang Ying's eyes.

'This is just too insulting! After all, I'm a widely recognized Quasi-Core Disciple of the Outer Sect! We're both ninth-level Martial Spirits, yet Chu Qingyun actually said I couldn't even take a single one of his attacks!'

Chu Qingyun felt a bit helpless in response.

'We're on the battle stage, after all. I can't just stand here and waste time explaining things to Zhang Ying.'

After a moment of deliberation, Chu Qingyun said to him, "While I can't use my strongest attack, I can use my greatest strength. How does that sound?"

The "greatest strength" he was referring to was, of course, his physical strength, which was comparable to the Human King Realm.

"Hmph, then I'll be waiting to see it!"

Zhang Ying said with a sullen grunt.

Once everyone was on their respective battle stages, the referee made a final check and then announced the official start of the competition's semifinals.

Instantly, intense fluctuations of Primordial Power erupted from all twenty-four battle stages simultaneously.