CHAPTER 162: THE POWER OF SPIRIT QI

Felix Darkwood’s expression tightened into a deep frown as he saw Liang’s defiant look.

What irked him even more was how casual and nonchalant Liang seemed, as if the White Flame Guild wasn’t even worth his time.

"Fine then!" Felix sucked in a deep breath and roared at the top of his voice. "White Flame, attack!"

"Otherworlders, step forward, followed by the frontlines!" Liang shouted as well, his guild charging forward to meet the assault.

It was obvious to the players that the NPCs were using them as cannon fodder, yet the thrill of battle was simply too powerful to ignore.

And so, both sides clashed!

At the viewing centre in Stellar City, the commentators’ booming voices echoed through the air.

"The Martial Palace and White Flame Guild are going all out! The winner takes all points! This could be a monumental moment!"

"White Flame!"

"Martial Palace!"

"Martial Palace!"

The massive stadium-like arena was split into two groups: one side chanting White Flame’s name, the other roaring Martial Palace’s. Both tried to outshout the other, and a few scuffles even broke out among the spectators.

Amid the crowd, Damian gritted his teeth, feeling as though his ears might bleed from the noise.

"Hahaha, it seems you’re not familiar with these events."

Suddenly, someone spoke beside him. Damian turned, only to find a strange man with a terrible but deliberate sense of disguise. His cloak and scarf covered most of his features, making it clear he didn’t want anyone recognizing him.

The merchant found the voice slightly familiar, though nothing came to mind. He could only nod and reply, "Yes, I didn’t pay attention in previous years."

"Oh, that explains it." The mysterious man chuckled, almost as if reminiscing. "These new bloods are actually more tamed compared to the ones in the past."

Although Damian couldn’t see his face properly, he sensed this person was old and well-experienced, someone who had seen countless things in his lifetime.

’A powerhouse in disguise?’ he thought. ’Only someone truly strong could conceal their aura this well.’

"Kid, what do you think about Gabriel Reyes?" the man suddenly asked, clear interest in his voice.

’Should I let him know that I personally know him?’ Damian’s instincts screamed caution. This person could be a hidden bigshot. Revealing his ties to Gabriel might bring benefits... or disaster.

’However, this could be a double-edged sword.’

What if this man was actually an enemy, sent to eliminate Valerian Kingdom’s prodigies?

After a brief silence, Damian raised his head and replied carefully, "He is quite the rising dragon. Just by participating in this event, his name is already spreading across every corner of the kingdom."

The man chuckled knowingly, as if aware Damian was hiding something.

Back on the battlefield, the fight between the two guilds had grown more intense. Players were dying by the second on both sides, while the NPCs fought cautiously, unwilling to throw their lives away so easily.

"I really envy these otherworlders," Liang remarked while watching the chaos from a distance.

His arms were folded across his chest, his expression calm as though the raging battle was nothing more than a passing distraction.

"They can throw away their lives knowing they’ll always respawn," Evelyn added, standing beside him.

"Exactly." Liang nodded. "I wonder if we’d be this powerful if we could go to ’other worlds’ as well—if they even exist."

The existence of other worlds was a hot debate. Many believed in it, while others dismissed it as fantasy.

Evelyn’s sharp eyes narrowed. "Though they can respawn, I think there’s some kind of penalty for it."

Liang frowned slightly. "Penalty? You’re saying the otherworlders aren’t truly immortal?"

"Not exactly," Evelyn shook her head, her jade-like face serious. "I’ve observed carefully. Every time they die, it takes longer for them to reappear. And if they die too often, their strength declines. They don’t come back the same."

"That’s reasonable." Liang nodded, his eyes flashing with thought. "After all, nothing in this world comes without a price."

Before their conversation could continue, a powerful killing intent surged from the front. Liang lifted his head to see Felix Darkwood charging toward him, his aura blazing with rage.

"Well, this is my cue!" Liang smirked, stomping the ground as his body shot forward like a spear.

"It’s not too late, Liang! You can still surrender!" Felix roared, his fist thundering out. His body glowed with the power of a Warrior, the type who excelled in close combat. He didn’t use weapons—his fists were his weapons.

But Liang was no weaker in hand-to-hand combat, making them evenly matched.

He raised his own fists, spirit qi coating them, and crossed them into an X-shape. A translucent qi shield shimmered around his arms, colliding against Felix’s blow.

BANG!

The ground cracked beneath them, the shockwave blasting weaker players and NPCs back like dolls.

Felix’s eyes widened. He had expected Liang to be pushed back, but the Martial Palace prodigy hadn’t even moved a step. Instead, a grin spread across Liang’s lips.

"My turn."

Before Felix could react, Liang twisted his body and unleashed a counterpunch, qi roaring around his fist like a storm.

BANG!

Felix was blown backward hundreds of meters, smashing through a line of White Flame players. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed into the dirt, leaving a deep crater.

The vice leader of White Flame looked up with shock, never expecting to be blasted away so easily.

"Look at that! A single punch! Is this the power of spirit qi?!" the commentators boomed, their voices echoing across the viewing centres. The crowd roared in excitement.

One of the top members, whom Gabriel would have recognized as Liam, rushed over. "Vice Leader, are you okay?"

"I’m fine, help me up!" Felix growled, pushing himself to his feet with Liam’s aid.

Meanwhile, in another part of the wilderness, Alofonso suddenly raised his hand, halting his troop of Holy Knights.

In front of them stood a shadowy entity.

"Your Eminence, what’s the matter?" one of the high-ranking knights asked.

"It seems the summon sensed something interesting to the west," Alofonso replied calmly. "Come, let’s check it out."

Unknown to them, they were heading the same way the Adventurer Group had taken!