Chapter 473 - 455: The Last Spot

Chapter 473: Chapter 455: The Last Spot

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

[Main Tournament, Round 8, Match 8, officially begins!]

Above the arena, the intelligent voice’s announcement echoed throughout the spectator stands.

Lin Qi and Winnie simultaneously unleashed their Special Abilities. A powerful aura erupted from both as the battle was about to begin.

「Two minutes later.」

"BOOM!"

Winnie, tall and slender in her green Combat Suit, was sent flying uncontrollably, the Battle Sword slipping from her grasp.

The green plant-like armor covering her body was instantly pierced and shattered.

This was the armor manifested by her Special Ability, [Ten Thousand Woods].

Lin Qi observed her armor. The Special Ability [Ten Thousand Woods] was quite peculiar, granting its Awakened user immense stamina and Healing Ability.

Minor wounds would heal at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Even severe injuries could heal in a short amount of time.

However, in terms of sheer Combat Power, it didn’t provide as great a boost as other Special Abilities.

But if the user possessed the special plant life-form [Ren Vine], their Special Ability could make plants grow instantly, forming a tough Vine Armor.

It could even condense Vine Thorns with extreme Penetration Power, rivaling any Weapon.

The Ren Vine was useful for both offense and defense, providing a tremendous boost to one’s Combat Power.

But now, Winnie’s own Vine Armor had been pierced by the golden Big Gun, sending fragments scattering everywhere.

"PFFT—"

The tip of the spear pierced her heart, and fresh blood splattered out.

Winnie dissipated into the Void, instantly teleported back to her seat in the stands.

’He’s too strong. I was no match for him at all.’

’Is he really still a Sixth Realm Martial Artist?’

Winnie shook her head and sighed. She had fought a Seventh Realm Martial Artist before, and now she felt that same, insurmountable power from Lin Qi. That was what prompted her question.

She was completely outmatched.

...

[Match 8: Lin Qi (Xia Country) wins!]

Above the arena, the intelligent voice announced the final result.

"CLAP! CLAP!"

The stands immediately erupted with thunderous applause and a clamor of voices as the countless spectators went wild.

"He broke the record! Lin Qi really broke the record!"

"In all thirty-five years of the Global Martial Arts Tournament, this is the first time a sophomore has ever made it into the top eight!"

"The top eight might not even be Lin Qi’s limit. He might even make a run for the semifinals!"

The crowd, having witnessed history, began to discuss excitedly.

...

「In the upper-level spectator stands.」

In the Sunset Country’s section, a burly, blond man slapped his forehead and shook his head in regret.

"What a shame. Winnie still lost in the end."

"I never thought Xia Country would produce another, even more terrifying genius."

"Why can’t a genius like that be from our Sunset Country?"

"Sigh..."

...

「Meanwhile, in the Xia Country’s upper-level spectator stands.」

The empty seats were filling up as more and more high-level Martial Artists came online.

"Xu Qin, your record has been broken!"

The voice came from beside a girl with a cool temperament, who was dressed in a green robe and sitting in one of the seats.

Xu Qin smiled happily.

"It’s good that it was broken. It means our Xia Country has produced an even stronger genius."

Not far away, a handsome, muscular young man with a buzz cut spoke up with a smile.

"That’s because of the Celestial Vault Institute."

"Xu Qin, if the Celestial Vault Institute had been established back when you were a sophomore, you would have definitely made it to the semifinals when you competed as a junior."

"Junior Brother Lin Qi is just reaping the benefits of the Celestial Vault Institute’s reforms."

Xu Qin shook her head, not quite agreeing with his point of view.

They all exuded powerful fluctuations; they were all Martial Artists who had graduated not long ago and had already broken through to the Seventh Realm.

"BZZZT!"

Two figures materialized out of thin air, releasing tyrannical auras. The faces of those nearby changed slightly as they turned to look at the two newcomers.

"The North River Sword King!"

"Celestial Blade!"

Someone called out the newcomers’ titles.

One of them was a tall man in a golden robe with sharp, defined features. He exuded a powerful Sharpness, as if countless blades of energy could slash out from him at any moment.

This was none other than the principal of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy—Liy Qifeng.

The other man also emanated a powerful Sharpness. He had a lean, powerful build, a cold and stern face, and a head of silver hair that was particularly striking.

There was a distinct claw mark over his left eye, and his gaze was as sharp as a sword.

He was the recently promoted Ninth Realm Martial Artist—the North River Sword King, Yu Zhenhai.

The arrival of two Top Level Ninth Realm powerhouses made the air fall silent, as everyone else’s auras were suppressed by theirs.

Only the King of Mountains and Rivers remained unfazed, greeting them with a smile.

"You’re back?"

Liy Qifeng nodded and smiled.

"We’re back."

"The Global Martial Arts Tournament just started, so Zhenhai and I came up to watch."

After he spoke, everyone greeted them. The North River Sword King simply nodded, appearing quite reserved.

After exchanging greetings, Liy Qifeng looked toward the arena and asked curiously:

"What round is it now? How is Lin Qi still in?"

"Did he make it to the top 32?"

Vice-Principal Xu Wenji, who was next to them, explained with a smile:

"We’re on the eighth round, the round of 16, and it’s already over."

"Student Lin Qi has successfully made history by advancing to the top eight."

Liy Qifeng’s expression was one of surprise as he heard this.

"A few months ago, I saw that he was still a Fifth Realm Martial Artist. Has he gotten this strong just a few months after the Celestial Vault Institute was founded?"

"He’s only a sophomore, and he only Awakened his Special Ability a few months ago. Isn’t he just an SS-level genius?"

This caught the attention of the North River Sword King sitting beside him, who also looked surprised.

He was thirty-five years old and had also participated in the Global Martial Arts Tournament before, so he knew exactly how significant it was for a sophomore to reach the top eight.

’It seems this genius named Lin Qi is truly extraordinary.’

Xu Wenji explained the current situation, and Liy Qifeng and the North River Sword King, Yu Zhenhai, nodded from time to time as they listened.

Liy Qifeng remarked with a sigh:

"It seems the quality of contestants is very high this year. Two Seventh Realm Martial Artists have appeared one after another."

"And then there’s Lin Qi, a genius who’s already showing the makings of an SSS-level talent, has broken the record by reaching the top eight."

"I’m a little curious to see who will win the championship in the end."

While they were chatting, the King of Mountains and Rivers had already vanished from his seat and was projected onto the arena stage.

...

「In the Xia Country’s spectator section.」

"Brother Qi, you aren’t really going to compete for the championship, are you?"

Jiangtao asked curiously. The others also looked on with curiosity, and even Chu Yu glanced over.

By now, no one doubted Lin Qi’s strength.

Lin Qi laughed and replied:

"And why not?"

’It’s over!’

Jiangtao and Guo Heng exchanged a look. Brother Qi had the exact same air about him as he did last year.

Back then, few people thought he could take the championship, but he ended up decisively defeating Havier to claim the title.

Now, he had already demonstrated immense strength. His only rivals were Ivan Petrov and Shen Heng, who had both broken through to the Seventh Realm.

They felt a prickle of excitement, incredibly curious to see if Lin Qi could actually win the championship.

"Contestants!"

A resonant voice drew the attention of the tens of millions of spectators.

The King of Mountains and Rivers’ projection appeared, and he raised his hand, projecting eight names.

These were the eight strongest competitors. Each was at least an SS-level genius at the Peak of the Sixth Realm who had mastered a Little Divine Power.

They were even capable of Crossing Realms to fight an Ordinary Seventh Realm Martial Artist.

"After the intense competition of the previous round, our Global Martial Arts Tournament is about to enter its three most exciting rounds."

"In the next round, only four contestants will be able to advance to the semifinals to compete for a spot in the finals."

"Contestants who reach the semifinals will receive a prize of 180 million, 8,000 kilograms of Level 7 Calamity Beast Flesh and Blood, and 2,000 kilograms of Level 8 Calamity Beast Flesh and Blood."

...