Chapter 478 - 460: Shen Heng’s Elimination

Chapter 478: Chapter 460: Shen Heng’s Elimination

His mind raced as he watched the fight.

He was analyzing which of the two on the stage would ultimately claim victory.

Since both had broken through to the Seventh Realm, their physical conditioning had improved dramatically.

When one person breaks through, it’s a huge advantage. But when both break through, it’s as if neither did; the gap between them remained small.

However, Shen Heng had Awakened the Special Ability, Thunder, which allowed him to control lightning and augment his Combat Power.

His Thunder Fist was close to Perfection, but since it hadn’t reached it, it only provided a 1.8x boost.

Even so, the enhancement it provided was enormous.

As for Ivan, he had Awakened as a Spiritual Mind Master.

This didn’t provide a direct boost to Combat Power, so he was at a great disadvantage against Shen Heng in close-quarters combat.

His advantage, however, was his ability to control Flying Knives. After Awakening, a Spiritual Mind Master needed to learn Spirit Secret Techniques.

This meant learning how to control the Flying Knives, dividing their focus to command the knives with Telekinesis while simultaneously attacking with their own body.

The higher the quality of the Flying Knives’ material, the greater their power. But once besieged in a rapidly changing battle, it became incredibly difficult to manage all three knives at once.

If the enemy seized on an opening, the risk of death was very real.

That was what made this battle so exceptionally thrilling.

No matter how careful Shen Heng was, the Flying Knives still managed to slash through his Combat Suit, leaving wounds on his body.

Ivan wasn’t faring much better. Close-quarters combat wasn’t his strong suit, and each collision sent a massive shock through his body.

It was uncertain if his body could continue to endure it.

The fight lasted a full five minutes.

Then, at a certain point, up in the VIP seats, the King of Mountains and Rivers suddenly spoke.

"It’s about to be decided!"

Liy Qifeng and the North River Sword King nodded. It had been five minutes of high-intensity combat with almost no respite.

This wasn’t like fighting a Calamity Beast.

In a duel between Martial Artists, victory and defeat were decided in a single moment.

CLANG!!

CRACKLE!!

On the stage, Shen Heng seized a momentary opening. With a flurry like a Silver Snake Dance, he dodged the attack of the three Flying Knives.

He brandished his Battle Sword and thrust it toward Ivan.

His timing was impeccable.

"Die!"

Seeing this, the corners of Ivan’s mouth curled up slightly. He brandished his Battle Saber, and an intense Realm Ability erupted from his body.

HUMMM!!

It spread outward from the center of his body.

The Thunder Sword Aura lanced out, but it was deflected. In that instant, Shen Heng felt the power of a Mental Realm.

It caused the tip of his sword to veer off course, sliding past his target like a slippery eel.

’Not good!’

Shen Heng was horrified, but it was too late. He and Ivan brushed past each other.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!!

PFFT!

The Flying Knives shot through the air and pierced Shen Heng’s chest.

Ivan followed up with another strike from his saber, slicing straight through his throat.

"How could this be..."

"Is this... Mental Realm Communication with the Divine?"

With a shocked expression, Shen Heng dissipated into thin air.

"That’s right!" Ivan flashed a confident smile.

[Semifinal Match 1: Ivan Petrov (Mao Bear) Wins!]

An automated voice announced from above the stage.

CLAP! CLAP!

Ivan Petrov listened to the applause and cheers. The championship was within his grasp.

It was practically in the bag.

...

In the VIP seats.

In the Xia Country District, the faces of many turned grim upon seeing Shen Heng’s defeat.

The King of Mountains and Rivers said,

"It’s Mental Realm Communication with the Divine!"

Xu Wenji said with a solemn expression,

"Mental Realm Communication with the Divine... that’s the level of a Tier Four Late-stage. His comprehension of Martial Arts Skills has reached a higher Realm."

"At Tier Four Mid-stage, one can integrate the power of the Mental Realm into every move and stance."

"But at Tier Four Late-stage—Mental Realm Communication with the Divine—it’s no longer limited to the Martial Artist’s own body. Instead, it acts like a magnetic field, affecting the surrounding area."

"Shen Heng was affected by it, causing his Swordsmanship to go awry and leading to his loss."

"For geniuses at their level, the slightest deviation is enough to decide the outcome."

"That Ivan Petrov was hiding his strength too well, only revealing his Tier Four Late-stage Skill now."

Xue Zhou also remarked with a sigh,

"Seventh Realm, Tier Four Late-stage... That’s not considered weak even among Seventh Realm Martial Artists."

"It’s no wonder Shen Heng lost."

"It would be a travesty if someone like that didn’t win the championship."

The others nodded. Ivan’s current strength was too immense; no one else was a match for him.

"Haha!!"

Just then, from their right, in the Bear Country’s seating area, someone laughed.

Everyone looked over. It was a tall, curvaceous woman with black hair.

She was a towering one-point-nine meters tall, with a captivating aura. Her eyes were beautiful and deep, and she wore a white and blue robe. Her entire being radiated powerful Spirit fluctuations.

Her red lips pursed into a smug smile as she spoke.

"King of Mountains and Rivers, your Xia Country has taken the championship for the last two years."

"But this year, the championship of the Global Martial Arts Tournament is my disciple’s for the taking."

The King of Mountains and Rivers remained calm and replied,

"Ice and Snow King, it seems you’ve found yourself an excellent disciple."

"He has a limitless future. He’ll become a powerful Ninth Realm Martial Artist one day."

"Congratulations."

"However, the tournament isn’t over yet."

The Ice and Snow King said dismissively,

"Oh, you’re pinning your hopes on that genius, Lin Qi."

"He is indeed a Top Level genius, but if he wants the championship, he’ll have to wait for the next tournament."

Liy Qifeng slowly added,

"Perhaps this year will be enough."

...

With Shen Heng’s defeat, the mood among the Xia Country spectators plummeted.

"It’s over. Shen Heng lost."

"There goes the championship!"

"We still have Lin Qi! He won’t necessarily lose!"

"It’s no use even if Lin Qi fights. Ivan is just too strong."

Shen Heng, now in the audience, heard the discussions around him, and his expression soured.

’I can’t believe Ivan already broke through to Tier Four Late-stage.’

’If I’d had just a few more days, I could have achieved a breakthrough in my Swordsmanship too.’

But there were no ’if onlys’ now.

He had lost.

...

Not far away, Lin Qi shook his head. ’Shen Heng lost. Looks like it’s up to me now,’ he thought.

The others beside him were still reeling from the shock of Shen Heng’s defeat.

Wan Ming let out a sigh.

"What a shame. Shen Heng’s been eliminated. All our hopes are riding on Brother Qi now."

Jiangtao nodded in agreement.

"Brother Qi, Xia Country is counting on you."

Lin Qi slowly rose to his feet.

"The championship is my goal too. But before that, I need to make it to the finals."

As he finished speaking, a beam of crimson light enveloped him, teleporting him onto the stage.

Simultaneously, another pillar of light shot down from the distant Tianzhu Country seating area, landing on the stage as well.

BOOM!!

On the stage, the crimson pillar of light faded.

Lin Qi slowly emerged, holding a spear in one hand, and looked at his opponent: Niting Reddy.

Niting was bald and dressed in a gray Combat Suit. His features were Ordinary, and his expression was perpetually calm.

But his physique was lean and powerful. Standing at one-point-eight-five meters, his muscles looked as if they were highly condensed, giving him a solid and profound presence.

He wielded a blue Long Spear in one hand, his aura steadily growing in intensity.

Lin Qi looked at Niting with curiosity as his opponent’s profile surfaced in his mind.

His opponent was an Ascetic Monk from Tianzhu Country and had been a monk his entire life.

After the Calamity Beast invasion, the monasteries had not only survived but had thrived.

This was because the monasteries frequently produced geniuses with exceptionally strong Comprehension and Talent. In fact, the strongest expert in all of Tianzhu Country was an Ascetic Monk.

Niting was one such genius, and possibly the strongest to emerge from Tianzhu Country in recent years.

Compared to the likes of Shen Heng, Ivan, and Jenos, he was extremely low-key.

But his strength was not to be underestimated, especially since, like Lin Qi himself, he also practiced a Spear Technique.

’Perhaps this fight will help me improve my own Spear Technique.’

Niting watched his opponent, Lin Qi, whose aura was steadily intensifying.

His expression grew grave. Lin Qi was like a ferocious beast lurking in the darkness; he could only catch faint glimpses of its claws and fangs.

When it finally emerged from the shadows, it would devour everything in its path.

Niting held his Middle Level Spear in a ready stance and said earnestly, "Lin Qi of Xia Country, I ask for your guidance!"

Lin Qi nodded and raised his Long Spear as well. He could sense that his opponent was a pure martial artist.

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

[Semifinal Match 2 Now Commencing!]

As the emotionless female AI voice finished its announcement, the battle erupted instantly.

WHOOSH!!

In an instant, the temperature on the stage plummeted. White and blue patterns surfaced beneath Niting’s skin.

Frost visibly spread across the concrete floor, originating from where he stood.

SWISH~

Niting struck first, his Long Spear carving a graceful arc through the air.

Wherever the tip passed, moisture in the air instantly condensed into ice needles that shot forward like a volley of arrows.

BOOM!!

At the same time, Lin Qi’s body erupted in a golden light as a Golden Sharpness emanated from him.

The Golden Sharpness in the air morphed into countless Sharp Blades. He activated his golden eyes, and every single ice needle instantly came into view.

He unleashed the Golden Sharpness under his control.

The ice needles and Golden Blades collided in mid-air, creating a shockwave of Energy.

As their Special Abilities clashed in the sky, Niting charged forward with an agile leap.

His speed was extraordinary. He moved like a piercingly cold gale.

His Long Spear thrust out. A blue spear aura condensed Cold Ice, and as his Mental Realm emerged and fused with it, it formed an Ice Dragon.

Ice Dragon Spear Technique—Dragon’s Roar!

Seeing this, Lin Qi unleashed his Mountain and River Spear Technique. A golden spear aura pulsed as he condensed the Golden Sharpness and swept out with his Big Gun.

Mountain and River Collapse!

BANG!!

The golden light and the Ice Dragon collided, erupting in a dazzling flash. The air crackled as ice shards scattered in every direction.

Lin Qi felt a bone-chilling cold wash over him, and a thin layer of ice instantly coated the shaft of his spear.

He could feel the ambient temperature steadily dropping. If this kept up, the colder it got, the more it would affect him.

Niting, too, felt a powerful force slam into his body, making his arms go numb and his Qi Blood churn.

’So strong!’

He frowned. ’As expected of the man who defeated "Iron Tower" Jenos.’

’The impact from that power is too ferocious. An Ordinary person would be courting death to meet it head-on.’

CLANG! CLANG!

Lin Qi exhaled. Activating his golden eyes, he peered through Niting’s Combat Suit, past his skin and flesh, and deep into his body, observing his opponent’s control over his Power.

He also saw the operational path of the Special Ability, Cold Ice.

It was all laid bare before his eyes. He found what he saw very interesting.

’A fight with Niting will surely yield a good harvest.’

...