142: Another showdown!

The next day, at the beginning of the Chen Hour.

The arena in the center of the Drill Ground had been repaired overnight; its bluestone surface was washed clean and shone like a mirror, reflecting a cold luster under the morning light.

Spectators surrounded the arena, packed shoulder to shoulder in a massive crowd. News of the previous day's spectacular Martial Examination duels had spread throughout the city, and today's Battle of the Top Eight attracted countless commoners, Martial Artists, and representatives from various major powers. The air was thick with a nearly palpable mix of anticipation and tension.

The Viewing Platform was completely full.

The Prefecture Lord, Ling Feng, Deputy Commander Tie Hanshan, Eunuch Cao, and others were already seated. The Patriarchs of the Three Great Clans, the masters of various martial arts halls, and the Headmasters of the Academies were seated on either side, their gazes fixed on the eight outstanding young Geniuses below the stage.

The eight individuals stood lined up on the east side of the arena.

Yan Chen wore dark red tight-fitting attire, standing with his arms crossed. Faint heat waves emanated from him. His gaze was knife-sharp, sweeping over the people beside him with undisguised arrogance and Battle Intent. His eyes finally landed on Chen Linsheng, and a cold curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Mu Qingxue was still wearing her water-blue long dress, cold as ice, standing quietly as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her.

Han Tie was silent as iron, his back straight, his gaze fixed forward. Only the fingers gripping his blade tightened slightly.

Yu Linfeng gently waved his folding fan, smiling, refined and elegant, yet his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.

Lin Yueru was heroic and spirited. Her goose-yellow tight-fitting attire made her look vibrant as she spoke softly with Xu Wangshu beside her.

Xu Wangshu wore a Scholar's Robe, his aura calm. Hearing the words, he nodded slightly, but his gaze was already cast toward the arena.

Nangong Lie was powerfully built, wearing a scarlet Martial Robe, his face covered in a full beard. His eyes were fiery, and he was eager to try his skills.

Liu Suifeng, in contrast, was thin, dressed in ink-black clothes. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and he kept his head down, seemingly resting his spirit.

Chen Linsheng stood in the middle of the line. His dark green tight-fitting attire was spotless, and his expression was calm. He didn't deliberately look at Yan Chen, choosing instead to stand still and regulate his breath, adjusting his vital essence, Qi, and spirit to their peak state. Last night, the Jade Marrow Guiding Technique circulated for several cycles, invigorating his bone marrow. Now, his internal Qi and blood were full and at Perfection, and the gap leading to the Jiaojin Realm was clearly perceptible, awaiting only a catalyst.

"Silence—"

Judge Li ascended the high platform, his voice like a great bell, suppressing the clamor of the entire venue.

"The Martial Examination Top Eight battle is about to begin! This year's Top Eight are all outstanding figures of the young generation in my Jiuqu Prefecture. Regardless of today's outcome, you are all the glory of our prefecture!"

He paused, then his voice suddenly rose: "Now, we will proceed with the drawing for the Top Eight battle! There are eight Bamboo Slips in the Drawing Cylinder, divided into four groups, two slips per group, engraved with the same number. Those who draw the same number will be opponents in the first round!"

Two Clerks carried up the half-human-height bronze Drawing Cylinder.

"According to the order of advancement yesterday, step forward one by one to draw lots!"

Yan Chen, being the first from group a, stepped out first.

He strode forward, reached into the cylinder without hesitation, and drew out a Bamboo Slip. He flipped it over, glanced at it, let out a cold laugh, and held the Bamboo Slip high—

"group a, Number One"!

The large vermilion characters on the slip were dazzling in the morning light.

A chorus of gasps immediately sounded from the side of the field.

Yan Chen had drawn the first slip, meaning he would be the first to enter the stage!

Immediately after, Mu Qingxue slowly stepped forward, her fair hand gently picking out a Bamboo Slip.

"group b, Number Two."

Her expression was tranquil as she stepped back to the side.

Han Tie stepped up and drew "group c, Number Three."

Yu Linfeng drew "Group D, Number Four."

Lin Yueru drew "group e, Number Five."

Xu Wangshu drew "Group F, Number Six."

Nangong Lie drew "Group G, Number Seven."

Liu Suifeng drew "Group H, Number Eight."

Four pairs were now set, and the remaining four would be matched with them.

Chen Linsheng was ranked seventh. He took a few steps forward and reached into the Drawing Cylinder.

His fingertips touched the cold Bamboo Slip. Without hesitation, he casually pulled one out.

He flipped it over.

The vermilion writing came into view—

"group a, Number One."

In an instant, the entire venue seemed to have been muted!

One breath, two breaths... "BOOM—!"

A burst of explosive noise shot up into the sky!

"group a, Number One! It's group a, Number One! Chen Linsheng versus Yan Chen!"

"My heavens! Enemies meet on a narrow road! After the Hidden Dragon Banquet, these two actually ran into each other in the first round of the Battle of the Top Eight!"

"This is a Fated Duel! The biggest highlight of the Martial Examination!"

"Can Chen Linsheng create another miracle? Yan Chen has become more than just a little stronger after his Secluded Cultivation!"

"Now we have a good show to watch! A true Dragon-Tiger Battle!"

The wave of sound was like a tide, almost overturning the air above the Drill Ground.

In the area where the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall was seated, the Disciples were first stunned, then erupted into earth-shaking roars and maniacal laughter!

"Young Hall Master! Crush him!"

"Chen Linsheng, today is the day you fall from grace!"

"Let him witness the true results of the Secluded Cultivation in the Earth Fire Cave!"

Flames burned fiercely in Yan Chen's eyes as he stared at Chen Linsheng. The curve of his mouth grew wider and wider, finally erupting into maniacal laughter: "Hahaha! Good! This is excellent! Chen Linsheng, it seems Heaven is on my side, allowing me to personally crush you underfoot!"

On the Yang Wei Martial Arts Hall Branch side, the atmosphere was completely different.

Shi Poyue, Di Moyu, Liu Ruyan, and the others looked solemn, their eyes filled with worry. Although Martial Arts Hall Master Zhao Xiong remained seated steadily, the hands resting on his knees were slightly clenched.

Lei Hao jumped up immediately, slamming a fist onto a nearby wooden pillar, roaring furiously: "Damn it! What a draw! Brother Chen, beat him! Beat him hard! Let those fire-playing guys know what true hardness is!"

Su Wan stood among the Martial Arts Hall Disciples, her fair hands tightly gripping the corner of her clothes, her knuckles white. Yet, her eyes were exceptionally firm as she silently watched the dark green figure below the arena.

On the Viewing Platform, the expressions of the great figures varied.

The Prefecture Lord stroked his beard and sighed: "To meet in the first round... it's a pity. No matter who loses, it will be a loss for my Jiuqu Prefecture."

Ling Feng's expression was calm, yet a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Deputy Commander of the Po Jun Mansion Tie Hanshan leaned forward slightly, and an interested look appeared on his cold, stern face: "Hunyuan versus Blazing Sun, Foundation versus burst power... This battle will be worth watching."

Eunuch Cao's fingers, which were twirling his Prayer Beads, paused. His narrow eyes narrowed as he looked at the two figures confronting each other below the stage, murmuring to himself: "Oil cooked by fierce fire. We'll see whose fire is fiercer and whose Foundation is more stable."

On the east side of the arena, the other six Top Eight contestants also cast gazes of concern.

Mu Qingxue's cold eyes shifted between Chen Linsheng and Yan Chen, and a ripple, difficult to detect, flashed deep within her eyes.

Han Tie's grip on his blade tightened further, as if simulating how he would deal with these two if he were facing them.

Yu Linfeng gently waved his folding fan, his smile playful.

Lin Yueru and Xu Wangshu exchanged a look, both seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes.

Nangong Lie grinned, full of excitement: "Fight! The harder they fight, the better!"

Liu Suifeng still kept his head down, but the tips of his fingers, hidden in his sleeves, trembled slightly... With the drawing completed, Judge Li announced loudly: "The pairings are set! The first match of the first round of the Battle of the Top Eight—group a, Yan Chen versus Chen Linsheng! Both prepare! You will ascend the stage after One Stick of Incense!"

The time it takes for One Stick of Incense to burn now seemed incredibly long.

In the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall's area, several Elders gathered around Yan Chen, giving quiet instructions, their Killing Intent palpable.

Yan Chen, however, waved his hand to dismiss everyone. He walked alone to the edge of the arena, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to regulate his breath. Scarlet True Energy slowly rose around him. The surrounding air began to distort, and the temperature noticeably increased. He resembled a volcano about to erupt, accumulating destructive power in the silence.

On the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall side, Martial Arts Hall Master Zhao Xiong personally came to Chen Linsheng's side and said solemnly: "Linsheng, after Yan Chen's Secluded Cultivation, his Blazing Sun True Energy is more refined and violent, and he may have mastered a new Killing Move. Remember not to clash head-on with him regarding the True Energy's temperature. You must use the profound weight of Hunyuan to neutralize his intensity; use the agility of your Movement Technique to avoid his edge and seek his openings."

Chen Linsheng nodded: "This Disciple understands."

Lei Hao squeezed over and slapped his shoulder hard: "Brother Chen, don't listen to all that nonsense! Just one word: Fight! That kid is arrogant. The tougher you are, the more excited he gets, but as long as you're tougher than him, he'll have to submit!"

Chen Linsheng smiled, a warm current flowing through his heart.

He turned his head and looked towards Su Wan in the distant crowd.

Their eyes met.

Su Wan didn't speak, she just nodded gently, her eyes showing unconditional trust and support.

Chen Linsheng returned a determined gaze, then turned and walked toward the other side of the arena.

He didn't sit down to regulate his breath, but simply stood still, watching Yan Chen across from him with a calm gaze.

Inside his body, the Hunyuan True Body Cultivation Technique circulated naturally. His Qi and blood surged like a great river, yet were as solid as a mountain. The Foundation forged by the Perfection of over 240 muscles was silently displayed at this moment. The gap leading to the Jiaojin Realm trembled slightly under the scouring of his Qi and blood, as if it could be pushed open at any moment.

But he was not in a hurry.

The time was not yet right.

The time of One Stick of Incense finally burned out amid the anxious waiting of countless people.

"Dong—!"

The War Drum sounded, its roar shaking the Nine Heavens!

The entire venue instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Judge Li ascended the high platform, his voice reaching every corner: "The first match of the first round of the Battle of the Top Eight—Yan Chen of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, versus Chen Linsheng of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall! Both ascend the stage!"

"Boom!"

Yan Chen suddenly opened his eyes, scarlet flames practically bursting forth! He rose to his full height, taking one step, and the bluestone ground actually bore a shallow scorched footprint!

With his second step, he was already like a burning meteor, crashing heavily onto the center of the arena!

His fiery red tight-fitting attire fluttered without wind, creating a whipping sound. Scarlet True Energy shot up around him, turning into visible, distorted heat waves that made him look like a Fire War God! The temperature on the arena floor rose sharply; spectators in the front rows felt waves of heat assaulting their faces, making breathing difficult.

"Chen Linsheng! Get up here and die!" Yan Chen roared, his voice like thunder, carrying long-suppressed rage and arrogance.

All eyes simultaneously turned to the other side of the arena.

Chen Linsheng's expression remained calm.

He took a step and ascended the stage.

His steps were steady, one step, two steps, three steps... neither fast nor slow, yet possessing a demeanor as solid as a mountain.

He stepped onto the center of the arena, stopping ten Zhang away from Yan Chen.

He did not look at Yan Chen, but first cupped his hands toward the Invigilator by the arena: "Chen Linsheng of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall is in position."

The Invigilator nodded and announced loudly: "Both parties state your names!"

Yan Chen stared intensely at Chen Linsheng, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth yet audible throughout the venue: "Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, Yan Chen! Chen Linsheng, the humiliation of the Ten-Move Agreement at the Hidden Dragon Banquet—today, I will make you repay it a hundredfold!"

He raised his right hand. Scarlet True Energy condensed in his palm, transforming into a constantly rolling and compressed ball of flame. The scorching heat caused the air to sizzle.

"I will break every one of your bones, crush your Dantian, and make you crawl off this stage like a dead dog! I will let you know how ridiculous it is for an ant to shake a tree!"

Killing Intent spread out, substantial and tangible, chilling to the bone, yet carrying the scorching heat that could burn everything to ashes.

The entire venue was silent. Everyone held their breath, watching Chen Linsheng.

Chen Linsheng finally lifted his eyes and looked at Yan Chen.

His eyes were calm and waveless—no anger, no fear, not even provocation—only the tranquility as clear as a deep pool.

"Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Chen Linsheng."

He only spoke these six words.

Then he turned to the Invigilator and nodded slightly:

"May we begin?"

His flat tone seemed to carry more power than Yan Chen's roar.

That disregard, that composure, caused the rage in Yan Chen's chest to completely explode!

"Good! Good! Good!" Yan Chen spoke the word "good" three times, each word carrying sky-burning fury. "Since you're so eager to die, I shall grant your wish!"

The Invigilator took a deep breath, raised his right hand high, glanced over both men, and sharply swung it down:

"group a, Match One—Begin!"