Seeking Martial Dao in All Reborn Lives

Chapter 182: Chapter 178: Round 2

「Inside a conference room at the Neon Concession Consulate.」

Wakatsuki Kei, vice-chairman of the Profound Ocean Society, sat at the head of the table. Seated below him were the various Neon Martial Artists participating in this tournament.

The three men sitting beside Wakatsuki Kei, however, possessed the most striking auras.

One of them had his entire head wrapped in white bandages. The bandages sealed his features tightly, leaving only his nostrils exposed. He sat there like a corpse, utterly motionless, his breathing so faint it was nearly inaudible.

The second man was tall and burly, with a brutish face. His body was almost oval-shaped. All the hair on his head—including his eyebrows—was shaved off, yet he sported a bushy beard, giving him a frightening appearance.

The last man had the most normal appearance. His features were androgynous, and his long hair was tied back. His eyes were half-open, but a closer look revealed they weren’t the black typical of Far East people, but a strange, dark green, like those of some cold-blooded serpent.

These three were the Three Celestial Assassins, the strongest trio the Profound Ocean Society had brought to the Divine Land.

"I have an announcement. According to our intelligence, the martial artist named Zhao Xuanqi, who appeared so suddenly in the tournament, is highly likely practicing the Divine Land’s legendary Holy Beast Fist. His existence could be an obstacle to our plans. We must find a way to sound out his true abilities. Know your enemy, know yourself."

"In the next round, nearly half of the hundred or so remaining contestants are our Neon Martial Artists. It’s highly likely one of the Ten Sha will face him. When that time comes, I want you to use your full abilities. I need to see his true strength and confirm whether he is, in fact, practicing that legendary Fist Technique."

Wakatsuki Kei said coolly.

’The Holy Beast Fist?’

The Neon Martial Artists in the room all narrowed their eyes upon hearing the name.

The situation changed overnight.

However, the major powers, having obtained this intelligence, all reached a tacit understanding not to publicize it. Instead, they waited quietly.

Information on Zhao Xuanqi was too scarce, and speculation was, after all, just speculation. Moreover, he now had ties to the Martial Arts Association’s Three Elders and hadn’t left the Martial Arts Association Headquarters all night. Without concrete evidence, they would not act rashly.

「The next morning, Longwu Square.」

Business in the surrounding teahouses had been booming since before dawn. After yesterday’s first round of matches, the fervor for the martial arts tournament hadn’t died down at all. In fact, through word of mouth, it had reached new heights. Anyone arriving even a little late would struggle to find even standing room.

Nearly a hundred Martial Artists were gathered in Longwu Square for the second-round matchmaking draw.

In the second round, the numbers of Divine Land and Neon Martial Artists were nearly equal, making it much more likely for top-tier fighters to clash. This cast a graver atmosphere over the teahouses.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

As the draw progressed, nameplates were hung on the tournament bracket one by one, capturing the full attention of every spectator.

"Haha! Two Neon Martial Artists are facing each other, and it looks like they’re both Ten Streams and Nine Paths Inheritors! This is wonderful news! This calls for a celebration!"

"One of the Seven General Stars, Pang Xian of the Spiritual Treasure Seal, is up against a Ten Streams and Nine Paths Inheritor. That looks like a sure win! Another piece of good news!"

"Damn it! One of the Seven General Stars, Jiang Yiheng of the No Thought Sword, is actually up against one of the Three Celestial Assassins?!! I have a bad feeling about this; his chances of winning are slim!"

"..."

As the tournament bracket filled up, waves of discussion and cries of surprise erupted from the teahouse spectators—some of delight, others of regret.

In the second round, the number of contestants had been sharply reduced. With the Divine Land and Neon Martial Artists now nearly equal in number, the stakes were infinitely higher than in the first round. However, only a few matches could truly be called the center of attention.

"Wait, Zhao Xuanqi—the guy who beat a Ten Streams and Nine Paths Inheritor in a single move yesterday—is up against one of the Ten Sha?!"

"Oh?! Let me see, which of the Ten Sha is it? *Gasp*... Cangtian Yishi?! Isn’t that the guy who defeated the White Tiger Sect’s inheritor in one blow yesterday?"

"Now this is going to be a good show! Both of them took down powerful opponents in a single strike. When these two clash, who will come out on top?!"

"..."

One particular matchup on the list drew everyone’s eye, sparking immense interest.

’Cangtian Yishi, huh?’

A faint smile touched Zhao Xuanqi’s lips when he learned the name of his opponent.

He clearly remembered the provocative gaze the man had thrown his way.

’That arrogant bastard?’

Shi Huai’an also narrowed his eyes, recalling the scene of his friend’s arms being severed by a single slash from that man, almost costing him his life.

That battle had dealt a heavy blow to the reputations of both the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Sects.

He had been hoping to face the man in a later match to avenge his friend, but he never expected him to be matched against Zhao Xuanqi first.

’Looks like I won’t get the chance.’

"Cangtian Yishi is one of the Ten Sha. As much as we hate to admit it, most of the Ten Sha are on par with us Seven General Stars in terms of strength. According to the Martial Arts Association’s files, this Cangtian Yishi and his One Heart Style are unique. His school almost never uses a second sword strike; they always settle things in a single move. It’s said that when he’s going all-out, the power of that one attack can rival a full-force blow from one of the Three Celestial Assassins. You can’t let your guard down, or you’ll be taken out by an unexpected upset."

The voice came from Lu Yuanxiang, the man who had fought Zhao Xuanqi the day before. By arrangement of the Three Elders, Zhao Xuanqi would not only be staying at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters for the time being, but Lu Yuanxiang would also be accompanying him whenever he went out.

"Don’t worry about that," Zhao Xuanqi said calmly. "A skilled hunter is never careless with his prey."

Meanwhile, among the crowd of Neon Martial Artists.

"Mr. Cangtian, it seems Chairman Kei’s task falls to you," said the man from the Three Celestial Assassins—the one with the most normal appearance but eerie, dark green eyes—to Cangtian Yishi. "Don’t disappoint the Chairman, and don’t bring shame to your One Heart Style."

"You don’t need to worry about that," Cangtian Yishi said coolly. "You should be more worried that I’ll kill him with a single slash. Then we won’t get any information on the Holy Beast Fist at all."

The various major powers, however, were even more focused on this match than the spectators.

’Cangtian Yishi, one of the Ten Sha? According to our intelligence, we might finally get to see Zhao Xuanqi’s true abilities today.’

In a private teahouse room, Hong Luan sipped fine black tea, gazing quietly at Longwu Square.

Soon, the second round of the tournament officially began. Just like yesterday, Zhao Xuanqi’s match was the second of the morning session. To improve the viewing experience, half of the ten fighting rings in Longwu Square had been removed, leaving only five.

The five matches of the morning’s first block had few highlights. Soon, it was time for the second block of matches.