Chapter 118: Trials and Tribulations

Zhao Bochao nodded in agreement after hearing Liu Feng’s words. “It’s said that before the soul force merges, the attack power can only reach three thousand dings. Their current attack should be close to that range.”

Wang Xing’s expression grew serious. “Zhang Liang, it seems we underestimated their strength just now. The energy they unleashed in that strike was an attack that even the young elite contestants found difficult to withstand.”

“Yes, I also feel the power they exploded with has reached the limit that many contestants can achieve,” Zhang Liang said, his usual smirk replaced by a grave expression.

“Looks like the warriors participating in this tournament are much stronger than I imagined! But I will definitely fight all the way to the end,” Liu Feng thought to himself, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

By now, the two on the arena were both utterly exhausted. Though their eyes still shone with astonishing light, their bodies had reached their physical limits.

They exchanged a glance, both gathering their final reserves of strength, preparing for the last strike.

“Thunder Slash!” Zhang Yufeng roared in his heart. He thrust both hands forward, infusing true energy into them. Instantly, faint sparks of electricity wrapped and spun around his hands, as if preparing for a thunderous blow.

Moments later, Zhang Yufeng clasped his palms together, and a dazzling silver electric light condensed. The light twisted and shifted, finally forming a massive silver axe crackling with electric energy. A violent, destructive aura surged forth wildly.

He swung his palm forward swiftly. The silver electric axe sliced through the air like a blade of divine retribution, rushing fiercely toward Lan Yun’s head.

“Light of Destruction!” Lan Yun snarled sharply, his fingers forming a sword shape. All remaining true energy gathered at his fingertips, instantly erupting into a piercing crimson glow.

After a moment, the light began to contract, finally forming a crimson sword beam about a foot long. The sword beam resembled a light of annihilation, chilling to the bone. A furious, destructive power swept outward.

With a movement of his palm, the earth-shaking sword beam pierced forward like a cataclysmic celestial ray, aiming straight at the thunderous electric axe.

“Bang!”

The sword beam collided with the electric axe, producing a dull, heavy sound. The raging electric force clashed with the fiery crimson true energy, sweeping outward in all directions. Wherever the energy passed, massive stones shattered explosively. A ten-meter-deep crater appeared on the arena floor.

At the same time, dull thuds sounded from the platform. Two figures were hurled to opposite sides of the arena, then crashed heavily onto the ground.

Their clothes were torn, blood trickling from their mouths. Both lay sprawled on the platform, unable to move.

“The match is a draw. Both advance to the top sixty-four,” the referee declared.

“Sigh… to end like this, they probably can’t continue in the upcoming rounds,” Zhao Bochao gazed at the heavily wounded two on the arena, letting out a faint sigh.

“This is the true spirit of a warrior—one must have the courage to press forward without hesitation and the will to never admit defeat to reach the peak of martial prowess,” Liu Feng said with feeling.

“A true man should never fear challenges but charge forward bravely,” Zhang Liang said, his expression stirring with excitement.

“Oh? So you have moments of such passionate fervor too? That's rare,” Wang Xing said with some surprise as he watched Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang sneered disdainfully. “Of course. We warriors should embody this spirit of ardent struggle.”

Liu Feng glanced at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“It’s my turn,” Zhao Bochao stood up and strode toward the arena.

“Good luck!”

“Keep charging forward!” Wang Xing and Zhang Liang shouted from behind.

Liu Feng watched Zhao Bochao’s back silently.

“Zhao Bochao!”

“Yang Feng!” The two exchanged names.

Zhao Bochao looked at Yang Feng, a sharp light flickering in his eyes, while Yang Feng’s gaze was calm as still water.

“Brother Liu Feng, I don’t think this Yang Feng is anything special. With Brother Bochao’s peak third stage Yin-Yang Realm strength, he should win easily,” Zhang Liang said casually as he looked at Yang Feng on the arena.

“Hmm, I also think Yang Feng’s strength isn’t very high, probably only at the second stage of the Yin-Yang Realm,” Wang Xing added.

Liu Feng remained silent as he watched Yang Feng, feeling that Yang Feng was not as simple as he appeared.

At the signal, the two on the arena began to move rapidly.

Zhao Bochao struck first. His right hand formed a vertical palm blade, true energy converging upon it. A brilliant blade light took shape, sharp and fierce. His palm swung, sending the razor-sharp blade beam hurtling toward Yang Feng.

Yang Feng watched the incoming blade beam calmly. He pushed both palms forward, releasing a powerful airflow that collided with the blade beam.

“Bang!”

The blade beam struck the airflow, producing a loud explosion. The airflow was instantly scattered. The blade beam’s momentum remained undiminished as it slashed toward Yang Feng’s body.

“Bang!”

Unexpectedly, Yang Feng did not dodge. He was struck and hurled into the air, retreating rapidly backward.

“No way, Yang Feng is this weak? He couldn’t even block a single move.”

“How strange. With this level of strength, how did he make it to the top 128?”

Whispers spread among the spectators, many refusing to believe their eyes.

“See? I told you Yang Feng isn’t impressive. Brother Bochao just pushed him back with one strike,” Zhang Liang said, shaking his head.

“Good! Brother Bochao, put in more effort and try to finish him off in one go,” Wang Xing said excitedly.

Liu Feng’s eyes flashed as he watched Yang Feng on the arena. He finally noticed something different—Zhao Bochao’s blade beam struck Yang Feng’s body, yet he remained completely unharmed, which was incredible.

“Could he have trained some body tempering method to make his body invincible?” Liu Feng pondered silently.

“How can this be? Is my intuition wrong?” Zhao Bochao also felt incredulous. He didn’t expect his opponent to be unable to withstand even one strike.

“Sky-splitting Slash!” Despite his doubts, Zhao Bochao did not pause his attack. He roared and swung his palm blade fiercely. A massive blade light, crackling like lightning with a piercing sound, shot toward Yang Feng not far away.

Yang Feng again pushed both palms forward, releasing a surge of airflow.

“Bang!”

A muffled sound rang out. The airflow was shattered once more. The blade beam continued unabated, striking Yang Feng’s body.

Yang Feng was blasted backward violently, retreating over ten meters before stopping.