CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 70 GOING ON STAGE

"In the first round of a duel, normally, you either strive for the first victory to boost morale, or use the ’Tian Ji’s Horse Racing’ strategy, letting the weaker ones exhaust the opponent’s True Qi and stamina first."

"We’re not clear about your strength, so having you take the lead directly is uncertain for us."

Zhou Leng said, "I am confident I can win the first round. The second round is hard to say, but if it gets to the third round, I’ll fully deplete the opponent’s stamina and True Qi to pave an advantage for the two of you. As for my strength... how about a spar?"

"Alright."

The surrounding people slowly retreated, leaving the open space between them for the two.

Zhou Leng clasped his fists and said, "Let’s keep it to the point."

"To the point," Tan Feikuo said, throwing a straight punch, secretly observing.

Zhou Leng slapped away the opponent’s feint punch with his left hand and retreated.

Tan Feikuo immediately advanced and then used his specialty leg technique.

A kick aimed at Zhou Leng’s waist, Zhou Leng raised his leg to block, but Tan Feikuo’s right leg suddenly changed direction, kicking towards Zhou Leng’s head.

A standard ’Flying Fish Leap’, a change-line kick.

Zhou Leng precisely grabbed Tan Feikuo’s calf with his left hand, pushed with a force-diverting technique, and sidestepped.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t a block, nor a direct hit, but a force-diverting push.

This meant that Zhou Leng not only clearly captured the trajectory of the kick but also reacted with the most difficult response with ease.

Tan Feikuo showed a doubtful expression, retracted his leg, and launched a few feint moves, then found an opportunity and did a spinning kick.

In the instant Tan Feikuo turned, Zhou Leng stepped forward, not only dodging the spinning kick but also gently patting Tan Feikuo’s side waist.

Tan Feikuo missed the kick, his waist was tapped, and he stopped in place.

Tan Feikuo looked at Zhou Leng, hesitated, and said, "Did you predict or react?"

"Reacted."

"Once more?"

"Alright."

Tan Feikuo once again used his specialty leg technique but was easily neutralized by Zhou Leng once more.

"You’re... quite impressive. Under your hand, I might not withstand a hundred moves," Tan Feikuo said.

The few mid to late-stage Blood Transport practitioners also fixed their eyes on Zhou Leng.

A late Blood Transport stage person said, "Old Tan, you’re really flattering yourself. If you guys fought to the death, you wouldn’t last thirty real moves."

Tan Feikuo blushed and said, "That’s hard to say."

Zhou Leng looked at another early Blood Transport stage person and said, "Do you want to try too?"

The person shook his head and said, "Forget it, Tan Feikuo and I are about the same, but your reaction, stepping technique, and visual tracking are obviously a cut above us."

Tan Feikuo said, "I feel like you are close to ’Qi Follows Body Movement’."

Zhou Leng shook his head and said, "You’re too kind, I’m far from it."

"Then you must have naturally strong reactions."

Xue Tongming quietly asked Li Linhan, "Does he really not have ’Qi Follows Body Movement’?"

"A bit like that, but he didn’t tell me, so it’s probably still a bit lacking," Li Linhan said.

"It’s a pity. If it were ’Qi Follows Body Movement,’ then we would have secured the early Blood Transport stage match."

"Don’t underestimate Tian Wenhua, the opponent likely has ambushed experts."

"True, as long as he’s willing to spend money, he can surely hire some minor experts."

At this time, a mid Blood Transport stage person looked at Zhou Leng and said, "Want to spar with me?"

Xue Tongming snorted coldly and said, "There’s plenty of time after the competition, behave now."

The person withdrew reluctantly.

Everyone continued with their final deliberations and preparations. After a while, the sound of drums rang out from the Martial Arts Stage.

Dong dong dong...

"Let’s go."

The group walked out of the lounge and headed towards the Martial Arts Stage.

From the opposite end of the Martial Arts Stage, another team walked over.

"Go Zhou Leng!"

The supporters shouted in chorus for Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng and six other early Blood Transport stage participants walked onto the Martial Arts Stage, wearing only shorts, exposing their well-built bodies, and stood on either side of the referee.

The referee first introduced the other five people and announced their records.

After each introduction, the audience cheered.

Among these people, the most had fought 59 matches, and the least had fought 21 matches.

Zhou Leng glanced at the three people across from him.

Two of them were experienced middle-aged men, and the last one was a person similar in age to Zhou Leng, a second-year martial arts student at West Sea Martial Arts Academy, named Wen Jianyuan.

That person wasn’t tall, but very stout, having participated in 33 recorded battles, winning 25, with a win rate reaching 75%.

The other four had the highest win rate, but only 61%.

When it was Zhou Leng’s turn, the referee smiled and said, "The last person to be introduced is called Zhou Leng. He’s not only the eye of the storm in this duel but also a new student at the Martial Arts Hall. Do not underestimate him; he is currently ranked 503rd on the Rucheng Freshman Chart. After these days of cultivation, he can advance at least a hundred places..."

Tian Wenhua and Yan Fenggang sat together.

Hearing that Zhou Leng had zero battle records, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

"This kid might be really good at school, but he doesn’t know what real combat is."

"Many geniuses stumble in their first matches and only gradually improve later."

"Wen Jianyuan is considered a cautious young man, yet he lost his first two matches and was bewildered. He only dared to compete again after three months of intensive training."

"Let’s let Zhou Leng win the first match and surprise him in the second!"

Tian Wenhua said coldly, "Watch more, talk less!"

Everyone quickly fell silent.

"Nine Blood Transport Battles, first round, early Blood Transport stage match, first round, Zhou Leng versus Zhou Bohua, the battle of the two Zhous. Begin!"

Dong...

A drum beat sounded, and the two walked onto the Martial Arts Stage a second time.

Both clasped their hands and stepped back a pace.

Zhou Leng stood still, staring at Zhou Bohua without moving.

Zhou Bohua also stared at Zhou Leng.

After a while, Zhou Bohua smiled and said, "Little clansman, you have quite the composure. Let your older brother take the first move then."

After speaking, Zhou Bohua used his favorite White Ape Fist to begin probing.

Zhou Leng raised both arms in defense and kept dodging while observing Zhou Bohua’s mastery of the White Ape Fist.

After exchanging three moves, Zhou Leng had a preliminary understanding of Zhou Bohua’s strength.

Since mastering Qi Follows Body Movement, not only did he have a stronger perception of his own True Qi and body, but he could also sense his opponent’s control over True Qi based on their movements.

This Zhou Bohua was experienced and solidly skilled, but his transitions between moves were evidently stiff.

Zhou Leng began to strike, both sides attacking and countering, appearing evenly matched.

At the seventeenth move, Zhou Bohua executed the common "White Ape Raising a Glass," punching towards Zhou Leng’s chin.

Zhou Leng seemed prepared, sidestepping, pushing off the ground, charging forward, twisting his body, and thrusting his palm.

His right palm targeted Zhou Bohua’s torso between the chest and abdomen.

Overlapping Waves Palm, Great River Entering the Sea.

The eyes of many experts lit up.

This palm seemed simple and direct, yet it captured the essence of the move, mighty and unstoppable.

Zhou Leng charged forward, his face unguarded.

Zhou Bohua’s right fist swept horizontally towards Zhou Leng’s head, but before it could connect, Zhou Leng’s right palm arrived first.

Purple patterns emerged.

Bam!

Zhou Bohua’s entire body flew backward, crashing into the iron cage.

Zhou Leng stepped forward, his right leg infused with Qi Blood, kicking towards Zhou Bohua.

Zhou Bohua, unable to leverage himself against the cage, instinctively crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Zhou Leng’s kick landed on his arms.

Crack...

His arm bones fractured.

Several people familiar with Zhou Bohua from Tian Wenhua’s side suddenly stood up.

This Zhou Leng’s leg power, so strong?

Zhou Bohua collapsed in the corner of the cage, curling up defensively, attempting to use the cage to stand.

The referee did not blow the whistle, and no one from Tian Wenhua’s side called a halt.

Zhou Leng gave him no chance, kicking relentlessly like a storm, maintaining the distance.

Neither giving Zhou Bohua an opportunity to stand up nor allowing him to find an opening.

Initially, Zhou Bohua could defend, but as each of Zhou Leng’s kicks grew stronger and more accurate, starting from the head being hit, he found it difficult to maintain his guard.

One kick, two kicks, three kicks...

After his head was struck for the third time, Zhou Bohua spat out a mouthful of blood and lay sideways on the ground, his arms limply falling.

Zhou Leng withdrew his foot, and the referee’s whistle sounded.

Zhou Bohua, covered in blood, lost consciousness.

The referee directed others to carry Zhou Bohua away.

"Zhou Leng wins!"

The crowd barely had time to lament the brutality of the duel when the referee announced, "Second match, Zhou Leng versus Wen Jianyuan."

The arena fell quiet for a moment before the sides erupted in cheers.

"Jianyuan will crush him!"

"Zhou Leng for the win!"

Those with seasoned experience watching smiled; this was the main event of the battle.

Tian Wenhua had actually arranged for the strongest contender to appear second.

That added intrigue.

Xue Tongming glanced at the Demonized Watch, quickly looked around, then left his seat and walked to a higher spot in the audience stands.

A handsome young man sat in a secluded area, Xue Tongming stood beside, slightly bowing.

"Apologies, I didn’t know you were coming."

"I originally wanted to discuss searching for a Secret Treasure with you, so I came here along the way to take a look."

"Is there anything you’d like me to do?"

"No need, you can return. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Qi Blood Realm duel. It brings back memories."

"Understood."

"Tian Wenhua’s group also has eyes on the Secret Treasure?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, go ahead."

Xue Tongming bid farewell to the man, returned to his seat, then told the participants, "Today, win one match, and earn thirty thousand. If you win overall, each gets another thirty thousand. If you need anything in the future, you can find me."

The remaining eight participants glanced at each other, their eyes slowly igniting with fighting spirit.

Xue Chengsong discreetly glanced at the young man sitting alone, thought for a moment, but dared not disturb him.

In the octagonal cage, Zhou Leng and Wen Jianyuan clasped their fists in greeting.

Wen Jianyuan stood arrogantly with arms folded behind.

"It’s unfair for me, a sophomore, to bully you, a freshman; for an experienced fighter like me to face a newbie is not honorable. Yet, on this Martial Arts Stage, it’s the second battlefield for the Human Race."

"I, too, was once defeated unfairly. Thus, I won’t give you any chance."

"For a mere Martial Arts School Student from Ruda to reach here and face a Top Ten Martial Arts Academy Student, even if you lose, you’ll learn and gain much."

"Next, I will..."

Zhou Leng interrupted, "Enough with the nonsense."

With that, Zhou Leng stepped with Eight Trigrams Step, charging at Wen Jianyuan, thrusting his right palm forward.

With grandeur and dignity, Great River Entering the Sea.

Wen Jianyuan lightly shook his head, throwing a straight punch to meet Zhou Leng.

People on Zhou Leng’s side slightly frowned.

Given Zhou Leng’s strong stepping technique and quick reactions, he should employ a more flexible fighting style, not attack directly.

People on Tian Wenhua’s side, like Wen Jianyuan, also shook their heads lightly.

Zhou Leng was inferior to Wen Jianyuan in every aspect, yet this upright fighting style relied on fundamental skills, which Zhou Leng could not surpass.

Their fist and palm clashed.

Bam.