prynovel Chapter 13: Group Stage Concludes, All Players Advance with a Perfect Record
Chapter 13: Group Stage Concludes, All Players Advance with a Perfect Record
The next day, Lin Chen faced his second opponent in the group stage, Zhang Meng, a recommended disciple of the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School.
Zhang Meng was tall and muscular, cultivating the mid-grade high-level martial art "Fierce Tiger Horizontal Training Technique." He had mastered the technique to the proficient level; when he used it, his skin would gleam with a metallic sheen, and his defense was astonishing, capable of withstanding attacks from ordinary weapons. Furthermore, his martial art "Fierce Tiger Fist" had reached a high level of proficiency; its powerful punches could kill a first-tier ferocious beast with a single blow.
"You scoundrel! Last time you beat that trash from Fourth Middle School, it was just luck. In a moment, I'll show you what true external martial arts are!" Zhang Meng roared, unleashing the Fierce Tiger External Martial Arts Technique to its fullest potential. He transformed into a steel tiger, "Tiger Descends the Mountain!"
The proficient Tiger Fist, accompanied by a whistling sound, hurtled straight at Lin Chen's face. Even before the fist arrived, the powerful wind pressure made Lin Chen's martial arts uniform flutter loudly.
Lin Chen used the martial art "Chasing Star Step" with his feet, his figure weaving through the shadows of fists like a ghost. Although Zhang Meng's punches were powerful, his movement speed was still slower than Lin Chen's, and he couldn't even touch Lin Chen, not even the hem of his clothes.
"Coward! If you're so capable, stop dodging and start fighting me head-on!" Zhang Meng roared, his attacks becoming increasingly fierce, his fists flashing everywhere on the stage.
Lin Chen ignored him, still not engaging in a direct confrontation. He simply dodged continuously while carefully observing Zhang Meng, looking for openings in his techniques. Gradually, he discovered that although mid-grade external martial arts techniques were powerful, the armpits, lower back, and knees were relatively weak areas for blood and qi circulation, making them fatal blind spots that couldn't be covered by external martial arts. These openings were his chances of victory.
The three-minute time limit was fast approaching, and Zhang Meng's breathing became increasingly rapid, while his attacks gradually slowed down.
"The opportunity is here, and now is the time!"
Lin Chen seized an opening, his figure flashed, and he suddenly appeared behind Zhang Meng.
"All-Encompassing Fist - Starburst!"
The fully-powered Myriad Manifestations Fist, at its peak, erupted, condensing silver starlight into a needle-sized point that precisely pierced Zhang Meng's armpit ribs.
"puff--!"
The power of the stars exploded within Zhang Meng's body, instantly shattering his internal energy and blood. Zhang Meng screamed in agony, clutching his armpit as he collapsed onto the arena, his muscles convulsing, unable to circulate his internal energy cultivation any longer.
"Group 12, Lin Chensheng! 6 points!"
The entire audience erupted in thunderous applause.
"It's broken! Lin Chen actually broke Zhang Meng's Fierce Tiger Horizontal Training Technique!"
"This is incredible! To be able to accurately find the flaws in a technique and strike its blind spot while fighting—this kind of combat awareness is simply heaven-defying!"
In the stands, the teachers and students of No. 3 Middle School jumped up excitedly and cheered.
Lei Meng stood there dumbfounded, his face filled with disbelief. His proud mid-grade external martial arts technique had actually been broken through by a single punch from a boy from an ordinary high school!
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!" Lei Meng muttered to himself, his eyes filled with resentment.
Shen Qingzhou smiled slightly: "Master Lei, do you still think he's practicing unorthodox methods?"
Zhou Cang frowned, his apprehension towards Lin Chen growing even stronger. He hadn't expected Lin Chen to be able to so easily and accurately find the flaws in this external martial arts technique; it seemed this young man's strength was far greater than he had previously imagined.
On the third day, Lin Chen faced his last opponent in the group stage, Liu Hao, a player from Qingyang No. 1 Middle School who was at the peak of the eighth level of Body Tempering.
Liu Hao is Chu Tiankuo's junior brother. He has only reached the entry level in cultivating the superior-grade "Blazing Sun Technique," and his martial arts "Blazing Sun Fist" is only at the proficient level. Although the cultivation technique is of a high grade, his cultivation level is too low, and he cannot unleash the power that a superior-grade technique should have.
"Lin Chen, don't get too cocky." Liu Hao stood on the arena and said coldly, "My senior brother said you're nothing but a clown, and he'll trample you underfoot sooner or later. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of my senior brother!"
As he spoke, he activated the Blazing Sun Technique, a faint red aura emanating from his body, and threw a punch at Lin Chen. "Martial Technique, Blazing Sun Fist!"
The proficient-level Blazing Sun Fist, accompanied by a faint flame, was far less powerful than the one Chu Tiankuo used.
Lin Chen quickly used his Star Chasing Step, and with a flash, easily dodged the attack.
Seeing this, Liu Hao intensified his attack, unleashing a barrage of Blazing Sun Fists at Lin Chen like a storm. However, there were noticeable pauses between his moves, a typical characteristic of someone whose cultivation level was too low.
After dozens of rounds, Liu Hao's breathing became increasingly rapid, his energy and blood were greatly depleted, and his moves gradually became scattered.
"it's over."
Lin Chen spoke softly, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared to Liu Hao's left. Before Liu Hao could react, he lightly struck Liu Hao's ribs with a punch.
There was no explosion, no loud noise, only a gentle yet irresistible force that surged into Liu Hao's body, instantly shattering his fiery Yang Qi.
Liu Hao grunted and flew backward, crashing heavily onto the ring.
"Group 12, Lin Chensheng! 21 points!"
The referee announced loudly, and the entire stadium erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.
With this, Lin Chen achieved a perfect record of 7 wins in the group stage, defeating his opponents with a single move in each match, and successfully advanced to the round of 32 as the top seed in his group.
The other 14 players from Qingyang No. 3 Middle School, despite their best efforts, were ultimately eliminated in the group stage due to the significant gap in skill, with none of them scoring more than 3 points.
When the final group stage rankings were announced, the entire faculty and students of No. 3 Middle School were in an uproar—a record had been broken! This was the first time since the school's founding that a student had advanced to the top 32 in the city-wide competition!
"Lin Chen! Lin Chen!"
On the stands, the teachers and students of No. 3 Middle School excitedly shouted his name, their voices echoing throughout the entire martial arts hall.
Lin Chen nodded slightly toward the stands, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes.
He was fighting not only for himself, but also for all the lower-level martial artists like himself, for these hard-won 15 spots.
The group stage has concluded, and the list of 32 teams has been officially released.
Chu Tiankuo, Su Qingyue, and Zhao Xuan, the three most popular contestants, all advanced with perfect records. Lin Chen, Zhou Lei, Zhang Hu, Li Yao, and other contestants from martial arts schools and ordinary high schools also successfully advanced.
The real test will unfold in the next round, in the hidden realm attached to Qingmang Mountain.