Chapter 299: Fighting Xiang Long

Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Fighting Xiang Long

At the same time, a terrifying pressure surged from Cheng Lei, sweeping toward Mu Hong.

Mu Hong didn’t hold back, meeting him head-on. An equally terrifying pressure burst from him, like that of a giant wolf.

WHOOSH~

The eruption of their combined auras kicked up gusts of fierce wind.

The intense pressure washed over everyone present, making them feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Stop it, both of you! What do you think you’re doing?!"

Just then, Dean Liu bellowed, his voice booming like a great bell as a terrifying wave of Spiritual Power emanated from him.

It made everyone feel dizzy.

Lin Qi looked at Dean Liu in astonishment. ’Such powerful Spiritual Power!’

Mu Hong and Cheng Lei had no choice but to retract their auras.

Dean Liu demanded in a loud voice, "This is Azure Sky Base. What do you think you’re doing, Cheng Lei?"

Cheng Lei felt a stinging sensation in his mind, as if pricked by a needle. He looked at Dean Liu, still shaken by the display.

The man’s Spiritual Power was terrifyingly strong!

Having personally experienced the terrifying pressure of an Eighth Realm Martial Artist, the others were left with a lingering fear.

Teacher Yi Wei then spoke up:

"Please, both of you, calm down. There’s a way to resolve this!"

Only then did Cheng Lei and Mu Hong sit back down.

Seeing this, Yi Wei began to explain:

"It’s not unheard of for students to be suited for the same Evolution Technique. The academy has established regulations for this exact situation."

"A duel!" Wan Ming chimed in.

"That’s right. A duel. Whoever wins gets to go in and observe the corpse first. It’s that simple."

After speaking, Yi Wei pointed to two Virtual Cabins nearby.

"The Virtual Cabins are ready. You two can head straight into the Red Realm and start the duel."

Hearing the rules, Cheng Lei broke into a wide grin.

Mu Hong suddenly cut in, "I believe one point was omitted. Lin Qi hasn’t Awakened; he has no Special Ability."

"Xiang Long should be forbidden from using his Special Ability."

After hearing this, Yi Wei consulted his personal AI, then nodded.

"According to the regulations, in a duel between an Ordinary person and an Awakened prodigy, the use of Special Abilities can be prohibited."

Xiang Long looked at Lin Qi and said in a low voice, "If I don’t use my Special Ability, then you can’t use your Little Divine Power!"

Dean Liu and Mu Hong frowned. Without the use of his Little Divine Power, the situation would become extremely disadvantageous for Lin Qi.

"Fine. I won’t use my Little Divine Power!"

Lin Qi finally spoke, his expression calm and his gaze fixed sharply on Xiang Long.

"Lin Qi...?" Mu Hong said, puzzled.

Lin Qi said earnestly, "Teacher, trust me!"

The powerful confidence radiating from Lin Qi took Mu Hong by surprise.

Dean Liu added from the side, "Let’s trust Lin Qi."

Hearing that Lin Qi wouldn’t use his Little Divine Power, the bald Cheng Lei burst out laughing.

"Trust him? Without his Little Divine Power, he’s basically tying one arm behind his back. How is he supposed to beat my disciple?"

Xiang Long confidently strode toward a Virtual Cabin, and Lin Qi entered the one beside it.

The two logged into the Red Realm and selected the duel mode. Xiang Long took the initiative and sent the invitation.

Lin Qi accepted, and a moment later, he vanished from his personal space.

In the living room, Yi Wei projected a massive screen, displaying a wide, brightly lit arena.

Two crimson pillars of light descended upon the arena.

"This is really bad for Lin Qi. Why would he agree not to use his Little Divine Power?"

Wan Ming said, unable to understand.

"Bad for him? He’s guaranteed to lose! Does he really think he’s on our level without his Little Divine Power?"

Shen Zhenzhen said with a scoff.

"That’s right. He’s definitely going to lose!"

The bald Cheng Lei roared with laughter, pointedly looking over at the black-clad Mu Hong.

Mu Hong’s expression darkened as he said:

"If Lin Qi loses, it would be understandable. After all, he hasn’t Awakened."

"But what if Xiang Long loses?"

"What then?"

At these words, Cheng Lei’s expression sank, but he quickly recovered with a confident laugh. "My disciple, Xiang Long, cannot possibly lose."

...

「Red Realm Arena」

BOOM!!

On the vast floor of the arena, two crimson pillars of light descended, and two figures slowly emerged from within them.

Xiang Long was tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders. He wore a golden Combat Suit and held a golden Big Gun.

He exuded the ferocious aura of a mighty tiger.

He swung his golden Big Gun, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at Lin Qi opposite him, who was clad in a black Combat Suit and held a black Big Gun.

"You’re nothing without your Little Divine Power!"

"I’m not trash like Han Zhen!"

Lin Qi replied calmly, "Right back at you. Without your Special Ability, you’re nothing!"

[The duel is about to begin!]

[Countdown: 3, 2, 1...]

[The match has officially begun!]

An automated voice rang out from above the arena.

BOOM!

"Die!"

With a great roar, a Golden Light seemed to flash in Xiang Long’s eyes. He stomped the ground, his legs exploding with power as he charged forward.

A ferocious aura erupted from him, like a tiger descending from the mountains.

It was as if a Vajra Tiger had awakened within him.

His golden Big Gun began to glow, the light enveloping its shaft and tip. A terrifying sharpness radiated from the weapon.

He swung his Big Gun, pouring Power into the weapon, and brought it crashing down with the force of a collapsing mountain.

The force of the blow was like countless blades fused with a gale, spreading outward.

SWISH~

In that same instant, Lin Qi’s form blurred. His muscles exploded with power as he shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

He swung his own black Big Gun, unleashing a majestic aura remarkably similar to Xiang Long’s.

He could feel the powerful wind from the attack, sharp as blades, lashing against his face.

Ordinary skin would be instantly shredded by such a force, especially on exposed areas.

In his eyes, Xiang Long radiated an intense sharpness, as if he himself were a finely honed Weapon.

This was his opponent’s Special Ability at work.

But he wasn’t flustered. A terrifying force erupted from his body, pouring into the Long Spear. Gripping it with both hands, he instantly thrust it forward.

WHOOSH~

The shaft of the spear hummed as it tore through the air.

In the span of a breath, they closed the distance, their Big Guns colliding in an instant.

BANG!!

The moment their spear tips collided, the air cracked. Power blasted out, creating a shockwave that spread in all directions.

The instant they clashed, Lin Qi frowned. He felt a torrential wave of Power shoot through the shaft of his weapon, trying to shred his arms.

He was very familiar with this type of Power—it was Mountain Shaking Power!

Like him, Xiang Long also cultivated the Mountain Shaking Spear Technique.

Not only were their Evolution Techniques identical, but they had also cultivated the exact same Spear Technique Secret Manual.

Moreover, thanks to his Special Ability, his opponent’s Power possessed a unique property.

It was an extremely sharp property that greatly amplified its destructive force.

Lin Qi’s arms stung, as if blades were slicing through his muscles.

It was a numb, aching pain. He felt his muscles tear instantly. The destructive force of the Power was magnified many times over.

The immense force sent him stumbling backward uncontrollably.

The combination of tyrannical physical force and the sharp property of his special Power could unleash an astonishing amount of damage.

Lin Qi could tell in an instant that Xiang Long was a great deal stronger than Han Zhen.

Just as the rankings suggested, Han Zhen truly deserved last place; he was simply too weak.

Meanwhile, the confident Xiang Long’s expression flickered. He, too, felt a terrifying strength travel up his arms.

His special Power had dispersed Lin Qi’s Mountain Shaking Power.

However, it couldn’t negate the raw strength behind the blow, which made his own arms go numb and sent him staggering backward.

THUD! THUD!

He stumbled back four or five steps before coming to a halt. Lin Qi did the same, though he was pushed back two steps further.

In the first exchange, the two seemed to be evenly matched.

They locked eyes, then swung their Big Guns and attacked once more.

The spectators in front of the screen were stunned into silence.

"They’re evenly matched? Lin Qi’s physical fitness is incredible!" Wan Ming exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"I’ve witnessed Xiang Long’s strength before. It’s absolutely immense. Plus, he cultivates the Vajra Tiger Evolution Technique, so strength is supposed to be his specialty."

"And yet Lin Qi, who hasn’t even Awakened, is matching him in raw power."

The others fell silent.

The physical Talent Lin Qi was displaying was simply astonishing.

Aside from his lack of an Awakened Special Ability, they no longer held any advantage over him.

Pei Jiu and Yu Zhuoran frowned as well.

Xiang Long had always been the perennial third-strongest in the Tenth Institute. While not on their level, he was by no means weak.

"Xiang Long and Lin Qi are remarkably similar. They both cultivate the Vajra Tiger Evolution Technique and practice the Mountain Shaking Spear Technique,"

Xia Lian suddenly remarked.

Hearing this, the others realized that it was indeed the case.

"But even if their physical abilities are close, Xiang Long should still have a massive advantage!"

"He Awakened the Special Ability, [Jin Feng]."

"Unlike a defensive Special Ability like [Vajra], [Jin Feng]’s amplification of physical strength is ridiculous. It’s the ultimate expression of power!"

"Even with its use restricted, his Source Energy Strength transforms into a special Power, as if imbued with a property of extreme sharpness."

"The damage his Power inflicts is drastically increased. It provides one of the most ridiculous damage boosts of any Power."

"It’s also the most damaging to the physical body, making him a god of close-quarters combat. If Lin Qi continues to clash head-on, his body will be the first to break down."

Wan Ming suddenly analyzed.

"Haha, of course! Just you all watch how Xiang Long wins," Cheng Lei boomed with laughter.

Although the others were silently rooting for Lin Qi, they couldn’t refute Wan Ming’s words.

Dean Liu’s expression remained calm as he said to Mu Hong, "Let’s just watch."

"The battle has only just begun."

"Celebrating too early often leads to an upset. I’ve seen it happen far too many times."

Mu Hong nodded. "I understand."

And so, the two of them returned their attention to the battle on the screen.

...

「Red Realm Arena」

WHOOSH~

Gusts of wind and powerful shockwaves swept out as Xiang Long and Lin Qi swung their Big Guns again, every muscle, bone, and Great Tendon in their bodies exerting force in unison.

A torrential Power was condensed, poured into their Long Spears, and unleashed in a ferocious swing.

Their fighting styles were extremely similar, as they both cultivated the same Evolution Technique and Spear Technique Secret Manual.

Without a word, both chose to clash head-on!

Both were supremely confident in their own strength, wanting to crush their opponent in a direct confrontation.

BANG!!

They collided once more, making the air tremble and kicking up waves of invisible energy.

...