Chapter 469 - 451: Return

Chapter 469: Chapter 451: Return

Everyone nodded. For a group of SSS-level geniuses like them, fighting someone from a higher Realm was out of the question.

The gap of a single Realm was a world of difference.

Only a Seventh Realm Martial Artist could stand against another.

This was a lesson passed down from the previous 35 Martial Arts Competitions.

With Shen Heng’s breakthrough to the Seventh Realm, the championship was once again in question, and Xia Country still had a chance to win.

Watching their excited expressions, Lin Qi kept his own goal to himself.

’The truth is, neither Shen Heng nor Ivan will win this championship. Not while I’m here.’

...

As the competition progressed, the strong advanced and the weak were eliminated.

An hour and a half later, the sixth round officially ended, and the top 63 contestants were determined.

A break period began, with the seventh round scheduled for the afternoon.

...

「Otherworld, Azure Sky Base, Celestial Vault Institute」

BOOM!!

In the clear, cloudless sky, several Sparrowhawk Fighters cut through the air, descending slowly onto the airfield against fierce gusts of wind.

WHIRRR!!

The cabin door slowly opened, and several figures stepped out.

Xue Zhou, with his dashing and unrestrained air and a face full of stubble, stepped out wearing a battle-damaged suit of Blue Battle Armor.

"We’re finally back!"

"The hard part is over. Now we can finally get some rest."

Xue Zhou said, completely at ease.

Behind him, several more figures emerged, each clad in different-colored Battle Armor.

Their armor was covered in scratches, and the killing intent clinging to the men and women had yet to fade.

"The Ninth Realm Martial Artists who went to hunt the Level 10 Calamity Beasts are all back. Word is, they had a huge haul this time."

"With multiple Ninth Realm Martial Artists guarding the Steel Great Wall, the Level 9 Calamity Beasts have all retreated."

"We’ll be able to rest for a while, too."

A burly man boomed with laughter. Their auras were powerful, and from time to time, they radiated waves of various energies.

Hearing the burly man’s words, smiles spread across their weary faces.

Just then, Xue Zhou spoke up.

"Now I remember, today’s the last day of the Global Martial Arts Competition."

"The champion is about to be decided."

"If we log on in a bit, we might get to see the champion crowned."

A tall, slender woman added,

"Once this Global Martial Arts Competition is over, I bet Xia Country will have a few new High Realm Martial Artists."

RUMBLE!

At the same time, another roar filled the sky. It came from a disc-shaped fighter jet, crimson from end to end.

It was larger and faster than the Sparrowhawk Fighters. Forged from a special alloy, its surface gleamed with a metallic luster in the sunlight.

The fighter slowly descended deep within Star Residence, a special district where numerous top-level, stylistically diverse villas had been built.

And the fighter touched down on the rooftop of the largest, most luxurious villa of them all.

Everyone knew that was the exclusive fighter jet of one of the very top Ninth Realm Martial Artists.

Only a select few possessed such a craft.

"Emperor Red is back!" Xue Zhou breathed out.

"That’s Emperor Red’s personal fighter. He’s probably stopping at our Celestial Vault Institute to rest."

Everyone nodded, growing inexplicably nervous at the news of Emperor Red’s arrival.

...

「2:30 PM」

Red Realm, the site of the Global Martial Arts Competition.

Tens of millions of spectators were already in place. In the real world, many people in various countries who hadn’t entered a Virtual Cabin were also watching the live broadcast.

They were all quietly waiting for the seventh round to begin.

By this round, there were no Fifth Realm contestants left; all of them were in the Sixth Realm, with the majority being late-stage of the Sixth Realm.

Quite a few had also mastered a Little Divine Power.

Each remaining contestant was stronger than the last.

"I think Ivan Petrov from the Bear Country will win the championship."

"He’s undeniably powerful. The others don’t even come close."

"Shen Heng from Xia Country looks strong too, but he doesn’t seem like championship material."

In the audience, many people were discussing who would advance to the next round.

Even more people, however, were discussing the ultimate champion. The Global Martial Arts Competition had reached its seventh round, and the winner would be decided in just a few hours.

In the upper-level seats, Dean Liu was surprised to see that the once-empty section had suddenly filled with people who had just logged on.

"Old Xue, you’re back?"

Among them was Xue Zhou, clad in blue robes, who had just logged on. Hearing Dean Liu, he laughed and replied,

"That’s right. Things have improved a bit, so we’re taking the opportunity to come up and watch the matches."

Dean Liu glanced around and nodded, his gaze returning to the arena stage below.

The King of Mountains and Rivers was seen manipulating the screen in front of him before vanishing from his seat.

Above the arena, a projection of the King of Mountains and Rivers appeared. Behind him, his Mountain and River Realm manifested, simulating an endless vista of magnificent mountains and rivers.

It included scenes from all over the world, captivating the audience.

At his appearance, the crowd gradually fell silent.

The King of Mountains and Rivers spoke slowly,

"Welcome to the Global Martial Arts Competition!"

"Next, we will begin the seventh round of the main tournament. Our 63 contestants will compete fiercely, and only the top 32 will advance to the eighth round."

"The 32 contestants who successfully advance will be awarded one hundred and fifty million Xia Country Coins."

"Additionally, they will receive 5,000 kilograms of Level 7 Calamity Beast flesh and blood, with the option to specify the beast’s species."

"Furthermore, they will receive 100 kilograms of Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood!"

At this declaration, many of the geniuses in the competition erupted with excitement.

What they cared about most was the Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood.

"I want some of that Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood, too," someone said. "I’d willingly trade 1,000 kilograms of the Level 7 stuff for it."

"Even though it’s only one level higher, the flesh and blood of a Level 8 Calamity Beast contains a much richer essence that can significantly aid a Martial Artist’s Refinement and advancement."

"It contains certain components that Level 7 Calamity Beasts just don’t have," someone else explained.

In the Xia Country seating area, Shen Heng’s face lit up with excitement.

"The top 32 get Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood?!"

"In past competitions, only the semifinalists were awarded Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood."

"I can’t believe they’re offering it this early."

He wasn’t interested in a mere 100 kilograms of Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood; his eyes were set on the champion’s grand prize.

’It’s bound to be unbelievably generous.’

Beside him, Lei Frost and Zhang Tianyang looked just as excited.

The rewards were incredibly generous, and they were also deeply tempted.

Not far away, Lin Qi felt the same. He had already experienced the effects of Level 8 Calamity Beast flesh and blood.

’If I can get a few hundred kilograms, I can make a push for the Peak of the Sixth Realm.’

’That’s why I have to win this championship.’

Seeing the audience abuzz with excitement, the King of Mountains and Rivers raised a hand and continued,

"According to the rules, one contestant will receive a bye and automatically advance to the next round."

"The remaining contestants will compete for the other 31 spots."

After he finished speaking, another silvery, bright moon rose from the landscape of mountains and rivers, coalescing into a name.

Bye: Shen Heng (Xia Country)

Once the bye was assigned, the landscape of mountains and rivers coalesced into an Ink-Wash Tai Chi Diagram, where the 62 remaining names formed 31 matchups.

The audience wasn’t particularly surprised to see Shen Heng receive the bye.

All eyes were locked on the new match bracket.

...