Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Semi-finals
The subsequent matches progressed at a dazzlingly fast pace.
Relying on the steady foundation of his Mixed Element Stance and the immense power of his Great Success Fierce Bull Force, Liang Cheng won match after match. Whether facing overwhelmingly strong opponents or nimble and tricky speed-based Martial Artists, Liang Cheng remained steadfast, countering every move.
He would defend steadily with his Pile Skill, and upon finding an opening, would unleash an unstoppable strike with his Great Success Fierce Bull Force. His victories were stable, almost "boring," but the experts watching were terrified.
’This grasp of timing and precise control of his Power is far more valuable than flashy moves. That old fox Yang Wei has been hiding his hand.’
He had put Zhao Yuan in the spotlight, but it turned out Liang Cheng was his real trump card.
By the time night fell, the final four had been decided: Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng from Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Zheng Biao from Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall, and Liu Suifeng from Cyan Blade Martial Arts Hall.
As soon as the day’s matches ended, several waves of merchants sent representatives to make contact. Each carried a list of gifts more lavish than the last, with increasingly generous offers. But without exception, Yang Wei personally stopped them all outside the guest courtyard.
"Everyone, the tournament is still ongoing. Liang Cheng needs to focus his mind and prepare for his next match. All worldly matters can be discussed after the competition ends."
Yang Wei’s words were polite, but his attitude was resolute. Contacting them now was too early. It would not only distract Liang Cheng but also needlessly drive down the offers. Once the dust settled, Liang Cheng’s value would only be higher, and he would have more options.
That evening, after settling Zhao Yuan, who had taken some medicine and fallen into a deep sleep, Yang Wei left and summoned both Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng to his room.
He stared at Liang Cheng for a long time before finally saying two words, "Very good."
He then went over some key points for the upcoming matches, instructing them that if they were outmatched tomorrow, they should prioritize their own safety and not fight to the point of serious injury.
Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng accepted his orders. After they left, Zhou Hu pulled Liang Cheng aside. "Junior Brother Liang, don’t blame Master for only paying attention to Junior Brother Zhao before."
"He had his reasons. The medicinal baths for us Disciples all cost money. Over the past two years, Junior Brother Zhao’s father has given over a thousand taels of silver. That, combined with Junior Brother Zhao’s Root Bone, is why Master valued him so highly."
"From today onward, your treatment will also be upgraded. I hope you won’t hold any resentment and can understand Master’s position."
"Rest assured, Senior Brother. I feel only gratitude toward Master, never resentment."
Yang Wei ran his Martial Arts Hall and taught his Disciples with the utmost fairness, never holding anything back. Compared to other Martial Arts Halls, he was extraordinarily conscientious.
"That’s good to hear." Zhou Hu looked relieved.
「...」
Meanwhile, in the guest courtyard of the Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall.
In the lamplight, Wu Tianxiong pushed a Jade Box in front of Zheng Biao. When the lid was opened, a longan-sized, crimson Elixir Pill lay quietly on the satin lining, emitting a searing, slightly sweet and metallic medicinal scent.
"The Red Blood Bursting Qi Pill," Wu Tianxiong said in a low voice. "After taking it, you can temporarily stimulate your Qi Blood, causing your Power to surge by thirty percent for one hour."
"Afterward, your Meridians will ache for three days, and your Qi Blood will be depleted. You’ll need half a month of quiet recuperation to recover. Biao, in tomorrow’s semifinals, your opponent is Zhou Hu. You must win this fight; failure is not an option."
Zheng Biao stared intently at the red pill, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "Master, this Elixir..."
"Don’t worry, it’s not poisonous, just fiercely potent," Wu Tianxiong said, his gaze burning. "I want you to defeat Zhou Hu tomorrow, no matter the cost. As long as you win this match, the others are no threat. My Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall will become number one in the Three Towns! As for your recovery, I will personally provide top-grade Herbs to nurse you back to health."
Hearing this, Zheng Biao took a deep breath. He lifted the Jade Box with both hands, a look of grim determination flashing in his eyes. "This Disciple will not fail to meet Master’s expectations!"
「...」
「The next day. The semifinals.」
The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena was several times more solemn than the day before. Every person who had made it this far was a champion of the younger generation. The outcome was not just a matter of personal honor but would also directly determine the allocation of resources and the prestige of their Martial Arts Halls for the next year.
The first match: Liang Cheng versus Liu Suifeng of the Cyan Blade Martial Arts Hall. Liu Suifeng wielded a Soft Sword, his Swordsmanship dense and swift. He had already mastered the three essences of "speed, precision, and entanglement," and was also a Dark Force expert.
In this battle, Liang Cheng stuck to his original style, using defense as his offense. On the stage, he combined the "stability" of his Mixed Element Stance and the "explosiveness" of his Fierce Bull Force to perfection.
Although Liu Suifeng’s Soft Sword was like a viper striking, whenever it came within a foot of Liang Cheng’s body, it was hindered by an intangible aura of stability, and its speed would involuntarily slow by thirty percent.
Meanwhile, from his defensive posture, Liang Cheng would throw punches in the gaps. They didn’t seem fast, but he always managed to strike at the precise moment Liu Suifeng’s Soft Sword was shifting its Power, in the very nick of time.
After thirty moves, Liu Suifeng’s Sword Momentum had fallen into disarray.
Liang Cheng seized an opening and, without hesitation, stepped forward and closed the distance. A straightforward Shattering Fist landed squarely on Liu Suifeng’s chest.
Liu Suifeng let out a muffled grunt and retreated seven steps to disperse the force. He finally steadied himself by leaning on his sword, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, his face pale.
’But I’m utterly convinced of my defeat. If Liang Cheng had pressed his advantage just now, I would have been seriously injured. This is the best possible outcome.’
"Thank you for the match," Liang Cheng said, retracting his fist.
"Brother Liang, your Fist Force is heavy and powerful, and your foundation is profound. I am utterly convinced of my defeat." Liu Suifeng gave a wry smile, cupped his fist, and decisively conceded.
With that, Liang Cheng advanced to the finals, and the crowd below erupted in cheers.
Liang Cheng stepped off the stage and walked over to Yang Wei. "Master, your Disciple has not failed you!"
Yang Wei nodded, his attention already on the second match: Zhou Hu versus Zheng Biao.
This was the truly critical fight.
The two leaped directly onto the stage. As they stared each other down, sparks seemed to fly in the air between them. The moment the gong sounded, Zheng Biao let out an inhuman roar. His skin suddenly flushed an unnatural crimson as his Qi Blood surged like wolf smoke.
He took a single step, and the bluestone stage cracked in a spiderweb pattern beneath his foot. His entire body shot toward Zhou Hu like a cannonball.
"The Red Blood Bursting Qi Pill?!"
On the high platform, a knowledgeable Patriarch cried out in shock. Yang Wei’s face was grim as he glared at Wu Tianxiong and couldn’t help but curse, "Despicable!"
Zhou Hu’s pupils contracted. Not daring to be careless, he shifted his palms, and a Soft Force that was on the threshold of Transformation Force spread throughout his body, forming a defensive seal.
BOOM!!!
The two collided directly with no frills. A wave of Qi Force exploded from their point of impact, buffeting the clothes of the nearest spectators.
Zheng Biao was like a mad tiger. His fists, palms, elbows, and knees had all become weapons. His assault was incomparably ferocious, each blow containing the power to shatter stone tablets. It was a completely life-or-death fighting style!
Zhou Hu’s expression was grave. He pushed the "softness" and "deflection" of the Fierce Bull Force to their limits. His body swayed like a willow catkin, weaving and dodging amidst the torrential storm of attacks. His palms would either press or guide, constantly redirecting the immense incoming force down into his feet. The stage beneath him continuously cracked and shattered, sending stone fragments flying.
Zheng Biao’s offense was suffocatingly fierce, while Zhou Hu’s defense was so exquisite that the surrounding audience watched in awe.
Fifty moves... a hundred moves...
Zheng Biao’s ferocious aura began to fluctuate unstably. Beneath his crimson skin, his veins bulged and throbbed grotesquely. The side effects of the Elixir were clearly starting to show.
But his eyes remained vicious. Risking a direct hit from one of Zhou Hu’s body-penetrating Soft Force Yin Hands, he suddenly lunged forward, locking his arms around Zhou Hu like iron pincers!
"BREAK FOR ME!!!"
The veins on his forehead bulged as he attempted to use sheer brute force to tear Zhou Hu’s defensive stance apart!
Zhou Hu’s stance was broken by this raw power, leaving a wide opening on his chest. A bloody glint flashed in Zheng Biao’s eyes. He formed his fingers into a blade and, channeling his remaining frenzied Power, stabbed straight for Zhou Hu’s heart!
In this moment of crisis, Zhou Hu took a sharp breath, his chest actually caving inward a few inches in the nick of time. At the same time, his left palm, like a knife, viciously chopped down on Zheng Biao’s wrist.
But the searing Qi Force had already penetrated his body and blasted into his organs. Using the momentum from his own chop, Zhou Hu staggered backward violently. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and with a GACK, he spat out a mouthful of dark blood. Dropping to one knee, he gasped for breath, unable to stand up for a moment.
A vicious look appeared in Zheng Biao’s eyes. Just as he was about to deliver a killing blow, Yang Wei shouted from below the stage, "We forfeit!"
Seeing this, the referee hurriedly stepped forward to block Zheng Biao. After a quick check, he loudly announced, "Zheng Biao of Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall wins!"
However, it was a pyrrhic victory. Although Zheng Biao had won, his Meridians were damaged and his Qi Blood was depleted. Without several months of careful recuperation, his very foundation might be injured.
Up in the stands, Wu Tianxiong’s face was calm, but he hadn’t expected that even after taking the Red Blood Pill, Zheng Biao’s victory would be so difficult and come at such a high price.
’Still,’ he thought, ’after the finals this afternoon, Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall will take first place, suppressing Yangwei Martial Arts Hall. Any price is worth it!’
