Chapter 489 - 488: One of the Gods?

"Next, I invite contestant No. 15, Fenric, to face contestant No. 16, Rengei!"

As the host’s voice echoed, thunderous applause swept through the stadium.

Though the following matches hadn’t carried the same brilliance as the earlier seeded battles, this level of martial arts was still rare to witness. Even if not extraordinary, it was far better than nothing.

Backstage Entrance

"Fenric, good luck!"

Xiao Ling’er’s voice trembled slightly as she cheered, her nervousness plain.

Fenric gave her a small smile and made an "OK" gesture before striding confidently toward the ring.

At the same time, Rengei emerged from the opposite side, his heavy steps carrying him to the stage.

The moment both men appeared, countless cameras swiveled toward them, broadcasting the scene live.

—---

A Small Three-Room Home

In the cramped living room, Caila lounged half-reclined on the sofa, phone in hand as she flicked through martial arts broadcasts. She had originally been watching a different city’s match—her idol had appeared there. Once that ended, she casually switched to her own city’s livestream.

The sight that greeted her made her sit upright in shock.

"Fenric...!?"

No one knew better than her the reckless speed at which her childhood friend had trained. Didn’t his damaged meridians make competition impossible? When had he even registered for the martial arts conference?

"Dad! Dad, come here quickly!" she shouted.

From the other room, Father Gon—who had been preparing his fishing gear—hurried over, startled. "What is it? Why are you yelling?"

"Look at the TV!"

She snatched the remote, switching to the live broadcast on the local channel.

The moment the screen lit up, Father Gon’s eyes bulged.

"Isn’t that kid?!"

"It’s Fenric," Caila confirmed.

Her father’s jaw dropped, then his voice exploded: "That stinky boy! Joining the martial arts conference? Is he trying to get himself killed? With his ability?!"

"Call him! Tell him to quit immediately!"

Caila rolled her eyes. "Dad, he’s already standing in the ring. How am I supposed to stop him now?"

"Smelly brat... don’t you dare get yourself hurt!" Father Gon muttered, nerves twisting his face as he stared at the screen.

—---

On the Ring

"The contestants are ready—begin!"

The host announced and leapt lightly off the stage, leaving the two young men to face each other.

Fenric made no move. His stance was relaxed, as though patiently waiting for Rengei to strike first.

On the viewing platform, Xiao Ling’er bit her lip. Though outwardly calm, her heart pounded. As Fenric’s assistant, if he lost in the very first knockout round, she wouldn’t be able to show her face again.

Rengei broke the silence.

"Boy, if you can take a single punch from me, I’ll admit defeat on the spot," he declared proudly.

Gasps rippled through the audience.

"One punch? He thinks he can end it in one?"

"Contestant No. 16 is a bit arrogant, isn’t he?"

"Don’t underestimate him! Remember the kicking event in Ontario’s provincial capital? Every martial arts hall there was challenged and beaten—by this very Rengei!"

"What?! That was him? No wonder he’s so confident."

"Then who’s his opponent?"

"The host said his name was Fenric."

"Never heard of him."

"Probably just some nobody."

On the VIP Table

A city leader leaned forward curiously. "This Fenric—wasn’t he recommended by Elder Xiao?"

"Yes," someone confirmed.

"Oh? If Elder Xiao recommended him, he shouldn’t be ordinary." The leader chuckled, his interest piqued.

Back to the Ring

Fenric’s lips curved slightly. "All right."

Rengei grinned wide. "Then prepare yourself. My fist isn’t so easily stopped!"

He lunged forward, each step crooked yet deliberate, his movements seeming almost comical. But with every step, his aura grew stronger, heavier.

On the VIP table, Elder Zhang’s eyes narrowed. "So, he really is the heir of that lineage."

"Oh?" asked the city leader beside him. "Elder Zhang, do you recognize Rengei’s technique?"

Elder Zhang spoke gravely: "If I’m not mistaken, those are the Wu Family’s Eight Steps. Each step he takes stirs his qi and blood, stacking power. By the time he reaches his opponent, he can unleash a strike of terrifying force. The young man Elder Xiao recommended... is in danger."

"The Wu family? As in Master Wu?"

"Yes."

Recognition dawned on the officials’ faces. The descendant of a famed congenital grandmaster—here in their city? A true seed-level talent.

They had just lost one seeded contestant in Cao Wujin, yet here was another to take his place. Their excitement grew as they turned back to the match.

By the time Rengei reached Fenric, his entire frame had swelled, his skin flushed red as though soaked in blood.

Among the crowd, only seasoned warriors recognized the truth—Rengei had mobilized every ounce of qi and blood in his body. Once unleashed, the strike would be catastrophic.

Facing Fenric at arm’s length, Rengei laughed.

"My apologies—my master wants me to make a grand entrance in this tournament, so I’ll use this move. If I cripple you, don’t worry—I’ll cover your medical expenses for life!"

With that, his expression hardened. His fist shot out, skin blackening as blood surged into his knuckles.

Whoosh—!

The air split under the force of his punch.

But Fenric did not dodge. He simply raised a finger, calm and unhurried, and pointed forward.

That was all.

Facing Rengei’s most powerful blow, Fenric used nothing but a single finger.

The crowd held its breath, convinced his hand would shatter instantly, his arm ruined beyond repair.

But the result stunned them all.

Crack—!

The air itself seemed to explode.

Rengei’s sleeve burst apart, the bones in his arm shattering like brittle twigs. The force traveled down his body, snapping half his frame in an instant.

"AAAAHHH!!"

A blood-curdling scream ripped through the stadium.