Chapter 474 - 456: Fighting Jenos

Chapter 474: Chapter 456: Fighting Jenos

As soon as the King of Mountains and Rivers finished speaking, the crowd was once again filled with envy.

A full 10 tons of Disaster Beast Flesh and Blood could feed an Ordinary Martial Artist for several months.

It was enough to grant them a massive boost in their Qi and Blood Value.

Shen Heng and Ivan, in particular, broke into smiles.

Although they had already broken through to the Seventh Realm, and the effects of Seventh-Level Calamity Beast flesh and blood would be diminished, the sheer quantity was more than enough to compensate.

Besides, there was also the flesh and blood of Eighth-Level Calamity Beasts.

The Seventh Realm was already considered a High Realm. Advancing to the Eighth Realm would take years.

This was true even for SSS-level geniuses like them; it might still take several years to break through.

BOOM!

After the King of Mountains and Rivers spoke, a vast expanse of land was simulated behind him.

All the spectators felt as if they were standing on an endless, solid earth.

RUMBLE!

On this boundless land, eight colossal mountains suddenly rose up.

Atop each mountain was a virtual figure, displaying a corresponding Special Ability.

[Red Flame] [Jin Feng] [Spiritual Mind Master]

[Cold Ice] [Earth Wall]...

The eight mountains stood in opposition, forming a new tournament bracket.

Lin Qi spotted his opponent at a glance. Among the top eight, he was the only one who had Awakened a Metal Attribute Special Ability.

[Match 4: Lin Qi (Xia Country) VS Jenos Feratu (White Eagle Federation)]

...

Lin Qi let out a breath after seeing his opponent.

’It’s finally time to face one of the four strongest.’

’If I want to advance to the semifinals, I have to take one of their spots.’

’And it seems that’s exactly how it’s playing out.’

Four SSS-level geniuses, four spots in the semifinals—it was as if this was tailor-made for him.

Looking at the other three matchups, it was just as he’d expected; none of the top four had been pitted against each other.

[Match 1: Shen Heng (Xia Country) VS Araki Yuku (Japan)]

[Match 2: Ivan Petrov (Bear Country) VS Zhang Tianyang (Xia Country)]

[Match 3: Niting Reddy (Tianzhu) VS Lena (Germany)]

...

Once the bracket was revealed, the King of Mountains and Rivers’ body began to dissipate.

His voice reached everyone’s ears.

"The ninth round now officially begins. Next up, we have contestant Shen Heng from Xia Country and contestant Araki Yuku from Japan."

CLAP! CLAP!

"Shen Heng!!"

The stands instantly erupted with thunderous applause and cheers. The spectators from Xia Country, in particular, were all chanting Shen Heng’s name.

Lin Qi had plenty of supporters too, but their numbers still couldn’t compare to Shen Heng’s. He was a candidate for the championship, after all.

Lin Qi, by comparison, fell a little short.

On the stage, the simulation was once again a dilapidated ruin. On the concrete road, as the AI’s voice made the announcement, the battle was set to begin at any moment.

BANG!

The clash between frenzied Thunder and swift Gale lasted only a minute before coming to an abrupt halt.

THUD!

SQUELCH!

The contestant from Japan, Araki, was sent flying. An instant later, a sharp Battle Sword wreathed in lightning pierced through his chest.

Blood sprayed through the air as he looked at Shen Heng in astonishment.

"Is this the power of a Seventh Realm Martial Artist?"

Shen Heng replied calmly, "It has nothing to do with the Seventh Realm. Even if I hadn’t broken through, you still wouldn’t have been able to beat me."

"You..." Araki’s expression changed.

Before he could finish his sentence, he dissolved into the Void and vanished into thin air.

Listening to the applause from the stands, Shen Heng knew he was now just two matches away from the championship.

First match: Shen Heng successfully advanced.

...

「Three minutes later.」

On the stage, Ivan Petrov controlled three sharp, silver Flying Knives that shuttled through Space, letting out whistling sounds as they tore through the air.

CLANG! CLANG!

The Flying Knives were made of a special material. Even the pillars of water that Zhang Tianyang condensed using his Flowing Water ability were instantly pierced.

He could only use his Spear Technique, struggling to parry with the long spear in his hands.

BANG!

Ivan suddenly charged forward, swinging his Battle Saber. A brilliant Saber Aura, coordinated with his Flying Knives, forced Zhang Tianyang back again and again.

SQUELCH!

He stumbled, his reaction a step too slow, and a Flying Knife pierced his chest, killing him.

"So fast...!"

Leaving behind those words, Zhang Tianyang also dissolved into the Void and reappeared in the stands.

Ivan glanced at the Xia Country spectator section. The semifinals would be a match between him and Shen Heng, and he was confident the final championship would be his alone.

Second match: Ivan Petrov of Bear Country advanced.

...

「Four minutes later.」

On the stage, the bald Niting Reddy was calm as he deftly brandished a blue long spear.

In an instant, he thrust it forward, an endless Mental Realm of icebergs manifesting around him.

At the same time, the air temperature plummeted, and countless ice needles instantly materialized and shot out.

CLANG! CLANG!

The contestant from Germany, Lena, swung her Battle Saber as scorching flames erupted from her body.

Just as she was blocking the ice needles, a long spear pierced through the air, punching through the ice and into her chest.

Lena unwillingly dissolved into the Void. Her [Red Flame] countered [Cold Ice]...

...but she was still no match for him. The gap was simply too wide.

There was a disparity in everything, from physical fitness to Martial Arts Skills.

This was the insurmountable gulf between an SSS-level and an SS-level talent.

Third match: Niting Reddy of Tianzhu Country advanced.

CLAP! CLAP!

The Tianzhu Country spectators went wild. They didn’t know how many years it had been since one of their own geniuses had made it to the semifinals.

This time, they might even have a chance at the championship.

"Shen Heng, Ivan, Niting—all three SSS-level geniuses have advanced."

"The only one left is the SSS-level genius from the White Eagle Federation, Jenos Feratu."

"Those four are in a league of their own."

"Lin Qi from Xia Country has extraordinary Talent, but he’s too young."

"He’ll undoubtedly be the strongest in next year’s Global Martial Arts Tournament, but the quarterfinals are his limit for this year."

Many people analyzed the situation and came to this conclusion, though others argued against it.

The match hadn’t even started, but the stands were already buzzing with heated discussion.

In the White Eagle Federation’s spectator section, the black man, Jenos Feratu, stood up. His thick lips curled into a grin, revealing pearly white teeth.

He said with a confident smile:

"My turn to go up. Time to teach Lin Qi from Xia Country a proper lesson."

"I won’t even charge him tuition."

"Jenos, beat Lin Qi from Xia Country, get into the semifinals, and after just two more matches, the championship will be yours," his beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girlfriend said with a smile.

BOOM!

The next moment, Jenos was enveloped in a pillar of crimson light and shot into the sky.

...

「In the Xia Country spectator section.」

Lin Qi also slowly rose to his feet.

Jiangtao chuckled beside him. "Everyone’s saying that of the four SSS-levels, only Jenos Feratu from the White Eagle Federation is left to advance."

"Nobody thinks you have a chance."

"But I believe you’ll bring the most honor to our Xia Country. Go and eliminate this Jenos."

"Show everyone how powerful you are."

Jiang Miaoyin also nodded. "Brother Lin Qi, we believe there’s no way you can lose."

Lin Qi glanced around. He could sense that they weren’t actually that confident.

His past achievements were the only things giving them a sliver of hope.

So, he smiled confidently and said:

"One of the four spots in the semifinals is guaranteed to be mine."

After saying this, he was enveloped in crimson light and shot into the sky, descending onto the stage under the watchful eyes of the entire world.

BOOM!

"Lin Qi!!!"

"Jenos!!"

At the same time, fierce cheers erupted from the stands.

The spectators from both Xia Country and the White Eagle Federation were supporting their respective contestants on the stage.

"Jenos, use your War Axe to smash that Lin Qi from Xia Country! I’ve been wanting to see him get taken down for a long time."

Wims, Levin, Havier, and Trish—opponents Lin Qi had previously defeated—couldn’t help but feel nervous.

If even Jenos lost, it would be a massive blow to their White Eagle Federation.

The White Eagle Federation had never once missed having a contestant in the semifinals of any tournament.

Xia Country’s crowd was not to be outdone.

"Go, Lin Qi! He’s just a Black Ghost! Wreck him!"

"I want to see Xia Country take two spots in the semifinals!"

...

In the VIP stands, a group of High Realm Martial Artists, and even three Ninth Realm Martial Artists, were watching with keen interest.

The King of Mountains and Rivers, Celestial Blade Liy Qifeng, and the North River Sword King all had their eyes fixed on Lin Qi.

They were watching to see if he could set a new record.

...

「On the stage.」

BOOM!

The pillars of light exploded. Two figures, standing 20 meters apart, slowly emerged from within.

Lin Qi walked out dressed in a black Combat Suit, holding a long spear in one hand. He was tall and sturdy, with excellent proportions.

Every muscle on his body was like refined steel, forged a thousand times over, radiating an intense Sharpness.

Across from him, a towering, burly figure emerged. It was the SSS-level genius from the White Eagle Federation, Jenos Feratu.

In the White Eagle Federation, Jenos was known by the nickname "Iron Tower."

He stood a full 2.3 meters tall, about the same height as Victor from Bear Country.

His dark skin accentuated his massive frame, and his knotted muscles were thicker than an Ordinary Martial Artist’s thigh.

Under the sunlight, his jet-black skin had a metallic sheen.

Jenos wore a silver Combat Suit. His imposing physique gave off an intense, oppressive aura, like a lion on the savanna.

This was the unique aura produced by his cultivation of the Desert Lion King Evolution Technique.

He looked down at Lin Qi, swung a Silver Battleaxe, and revealed a ferocious smile.

"Lin Qi of Xia Country!"

"You are an incredible genius. Your strength is extraordinary."

"I’m well aware that all your previous opponents actually lost to your absolute power."

"But soon, you will learn what true absolute power is."

Lin Qi said calmly, "Then let me see this power of yours."

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

[Ninth Round, Match 4, officially begins!]

Above the stage, the mechanical female voice of the AI made the announcement.

BOOM!

A frenzied aura burst forth from both of them.

ROAR!

The violent auras were like two massive Calamity Beasts roaring—from Lin Qi came the Ninth-Level Calamity Beast, the Platinum Evil Tiger.

Golden Sharpness erupted from his entire body. Golden patterns appeared on his skin as he unleashed his Special Ability, [Jin Feng].

Golden Light shone from his pupils as he fully activated his [golden eyes] as well.

His opponent this time was Jenos. He had to get serious.

ROAR!

Not to be outdone, the burly Jenos on the other side seemed to manifest the phantom of a massive Ninth-Level Calamity Beast behind him—the Desert Lion King.

A brown light radiated from his body, brown patterns appearing on his skin as the concrete ground began to tremble uncontrollably.

...