Chapter 113: A Reluctant Departure

Liu Feng watched the two combatants on the stage, silently deliberating: "Judging by their cultivation levels, Zhao Jun seems a notch behind his opponent, but he wields the 'Golden Scale Spear,' a weapon of the Fusion Realm. That should be enough to bridge the gap."

"I have a feeling Zhao Jun’s opponent is too strong this time; it will be very difficult for him to win," Zhao Bochao said, looking at the pair on the stage with a hint of concern.

Liu Feng replied with a calm expression, "Victory or defeat depends entirely on Zhao Jun’s willpower. The gap in their strength is not insurmountable. As long as he possesses the courage to be fearless and press forward, there is still hope for a win."

"Perhaps so," Zhao Bochao nodded, hearing Liu Feng’s words.

*Boom!* A thunderous blast erupted on the stage. Zhao Jun’s fist collided with Song Yu’s palms, and both were jolted a step backward by the force of the impact.

"Good! Your strength is truly formidable; it warrants my ultimate technique," Song Yu declared. Seeing that he could not secure a victory after a long struggle, he decided to unleash his final trump card.

"Sky-Rending Slash!" Song Yu roared. A silver-white long blade appeared in his palms, and his True Qi surged forth, condensing entirely into the blade’s edge.

Suddenly, a white blade aura five zhang long took shape, emitting a violent and piercing edge. He gripped the blade with both hands and slashed downward at Zhao Jun.

"Radiant Strike!" Zhao Jun roared internally. A golden spear appeared in his hands, and a biting, icy glare surged outward. Gripping the spear with both hands, he poured his raging True Qi into the weapon. A dragon’s roar erupted from the spear as it began to vibrate violently. A massive, golden, dragon-shaped manifestation of True Qi surged from the shaft, crashing into Song Yu’s blade aura like a bolt of lightning.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The colossal dragon-shaped True Qi and the five-zhang-long white blade aura collided fiercely, erupting in a deafening crash. The violent shockwaves swept outward, blasting a ten-meter-wide crater into the bluestone stage.

Both Zhao Jun and Song Yu were sent reeling back by the violent True Qi, and both spat out blood. Despite being severely wounded, their eyes burned with sharp, lingering intensity.

"It seems both of them are heavily injured. I wonder who will be the last one standing," Zhao Bochao said uncertainly.

"Neither of them will admit defeat so easily," Liu Feng said, his expression solemn as he observed the light in the eyes of the two on the stage. "The remainder of this match will be a battle of sheer willpower."

"I never expected you to wound me this severely. I truly admire your willpower," Song Yu said, looking at Zhao Jun with a hint of genuine respect.

"Your strength also exceeded my expectations," Zhao Jun replied, looking back with equal surprise. "I thought I could defeat you with the advantage of my weapon, but I didn't expect you to endure through sheer grit."

"Very well! Let us see who can hold on until the end." With that, Song Yu’s body shuddered as a powerful aura radiated from him. He gripped his blade and charged at Zhao Jun like a lightning bolt.

Zhao Jun’s expression was grim. He could feel his True Qi nearing exhaustion, but he refused to yield at this final stage. Seeing the incoming blade, he held his spear horizontally to block. The blade struck the shaft with a heavy clang.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew as the spear shaft clashed with the blade, forcing Zhao Jun to retreat a step.

Song Yu did not relent. He whirled his blade with blinding speed, sending down a barrage of white streaks that fell like silver lightning, battering the shaft of Zhao Jun’s spear.

*Clang! Clang! Clang...* A rapid series of collisions rang out. Zhao Jun held his spear with both hands, forced back step by step, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Let’s see how long you can last," Song Yu thought, sensing Zhao Jun’s retreat and the blood flowing from his lips. He poured more force into his hands, his attacks becoming increasingly ferocious.

*Clang! Clang...* The sounds of impact continued. Zhao Jun remained on the defensive, blood flowing steadily, yet the light in his eyes grew ever brighter.

"It looks like the outcome is about to be decided," Liu Feng noted, his expression grave.

No sooner had Liu Feng spoken than Zhao Jun launched a counterattack. With a shout, he slammed his feet into the ground, halting his retreat.

Channeling the last of his remaining True Qi, Zhao Jun’s spear let out a dragon’s roar. With a violent tremor of his hands, he deflected Song Yu’s blade.

Zhao Jun thrust forward with all his might. The spear struck out like a dragon emerging from a cave, aiming for Song Yu’s chest. At the same moment, Song Yu’s blade slashed toward Zhao Jun’s abdomen.

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

Both impacts sounded as blades met flesh. Zhao Jun and Song Yu had hit each other simultaneously. They let out muffled groans, collapsed backward, and lost consciousness on the spot.

"Quickly, bring them down and treat their wounds immediately," the Lord of Litian City commanded his subordinates.

Several young men jumped onto the stage and carried Zhao Jun and Song Yu away. Liu Feng and Zhao Bochao rushed to where Zhao Jun had been taken. Upon entering the room and seeing that specialists were already tending to his wounds, they finally let out a sigh of relief.

About half an hour later, Zhao Jun’s eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes.

"How are you feeling? Are your injuries severe?" Zhao Bochao asked with immediate concern. Liu Feng also wore a look of worry.

Zhao Jun looked at them and smiled. "I feel alright, though the wound on my abdomen is still quite painful."

"By the way, what was the referee’s decision on our match?" Zhao Jun asked.

"It was declared a draw," Liu Feng replied with a touch of regret. "But given your injuries, you won't be able to participate in the next round."

"Oh? Is that so? In that case, I might still make it onto the 'Potential Heroes List'," Zhao Jun said, a flicker of joy on his face.

"You kid, even at a time like this, that's all you can think about," Zhao Bochao said, half-laughing, half-sighing.

After chatting a while longer, Liu Feng and Zhao Bochao left the room and returned to the contestants' area. Two more matches had passed, and Liu Feng checked his number tag, preparing himself.

Sure enough, it was soon his turn.

"Be careful, Liu Feng. The opponents from here on out are all formidable figures," Zhao Bochao said, patting Liu Feng on the shoulder with a serious expression.

"Don't worry!" Liu Feng gave a calm smile and stepped onto the stage.

He looked at his opponent: a plain-looking youth in white robes, appearing to be about seventeen or eighteen. Though his appearance was ordinary, Liu Feng could sense a unique fluctuation of power emanating from him.

"Liu Feng!"

"Sun Zhen!"

The two exchanged names.