This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Hey everyone! We are launching a new challenge: this time, we ask for 20 votes on Novelupdates. The prize is a bonus chapter. Have fun reading!
Link: Novelupdates
The third day of the martial arts exam.
Ling Qingxue had already sparred with many martial artists, but each one was defeated by Wu Liang with a single slap.
Having broken through to the Fourth Rank early-stage, Wu Liang's combat power was already on a completely different level from the others.
That morning, Ling Qingxue also fought Mu Bing.
The battle lasted less than ten minutes before Mu Bing was defeated.
Even the powerful Ice Heaven Sword Phoenix Slash, capable of shattering Xuan Tianwen's sword with a single strike, was swallowed whole by the Taotie phantom.
The Devouring Domain left Mu Bing completely defenseless.
"What a freak! No wonder Xuan Tianwen was so frustrated. Good thing I held back before the exam and didn't challenge you," Mu Bing said with a wry smile.
Originally, after Xuan Tianwen lost to Ling Qingxue, Mu Bing had considered challenging her.
She could have used her opponent to comprehend the Sword Intent, but she held back. It wasn't wrong to say she was afraid of losing, but she feared even more that her confidence would be shattered and she would lose faith in comprehending Sword Intent.
Driven by this desire to prove herself, she managed to comprehend the Frost Sword Intent before the martial arts exam!
"Your victory over Xuan Tianwen is also a breakthrough for you," Ling Qingxue said with a smile.
After a brief exchange, the two vanished from the virtual space at the same time.
Ling Qingxue maintained her perfect record, as did Liu Fufeng.
According to the matching rules of the Martial Arts Exam's Virtual Mirror, her next opponent was almost certain to be Liu Fufeng.
"The pace is indeed very fast. Each person has fought less than thirty matches. Three days should be enough to finish."
Once Wu Liang defeated Liu Fufeng, he would obtain the True Dragon Blood, reserved for the winner of the martial arts exam.
This True Dragon Blood was no ordinary blood; it came from a True Dragon-class: the Celestial Horned Ink Dragon with a Royal Bloodline!
Longshen University had originally intended to give the True Dragon Blood to Liu Fufeng, since Liu Fufeng was practically the undisputed number one before Ling Qingxue emerged.
However, with Wu Liang breaking through to the Third Rank peak and then the Fourth Rank early-stage, Liu Fufeng's number one position was already precarious.
"I wonder what abilities I'll gain from absorbing the True Dragon Blood," Wu Liang asked curiously.
"The Celestial Horned Ink Dragon's greatest strength lies in its pair of dragon horns, which are virtually indestructible and extremely powerful. If you can absorb that ability from that True Dragon Blood, that would be truly useful!
But I remember that when the Taotie devours the bloodline of a divine beast, what it gains isn't something it chooses. It's entirely a matter of luck. It's something that can't be forced."
Ling Qingxue smiled, not insisting on it.
Who could predict luck?
"Sounds great, I'll take this ability."
Ling Qingxue snorted. "Luck is part of strength, but it's also the most unreliable thing."
"Heh, but my greatest strength is luck!"
Sensing the spiritual power emanating from the Virtual Heavenly Mirror, Ling Qingxue knew her final battle had arrived.
"The final battle is starting! Let's go see Liu Fufeng!"
Wu Liang's face lit up with excitement.
"Finally! I've wanted to fight that Golden Dragon for so long!"
...
Major television stations had already hyped up the final battle between Ling Qingxue and Liu Fufeng.
This battle will determine who was the champion of the martial arts examination!
"To be honest, I originally thought Liu Fufeng would definitely win. The Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline is too powerful. Few magical beasts could withstand it in a direct battle. But unfortunately, Ling Qingxue's Taotie is already at the Fourth Rank early-stage!"
"If the Taotie were still at the Third Rank peak, this match would be full of suspense, but the level difference is too great. Liu Fufeng lost before the fight even began."
"I heard Liu Fufeng also prepared a trump card. Don't assume he'll lose so easily. To be honest, Liu Fufeng has a 0.5% chance of winning."
"...Uh, bro, you're the real hater!!"
People on the internet didn't hold much hope for Liu Fufeng.
Almost everyone thought the Taotie would win; a Fourth Rank beast against a Third Rank should be a crushing defeat.
Both were high-level divine beasts, but such a vast disparity in level made the battle virtually impossible to win.
Inside the virtual space.
Liu Fufeng stood calmly before Ling Qingxue. Beside him, a golden dragon exuded a terrifying aura, its bloodline incredibly pure, likely already at the fifth stage of the King Rank.
One more step, and it would reach the Imperial Rank!
Moreover, Wu Liang could sense an extremely dangerous aura emanating from him; the Golden Dragon's oppressive presence was far stronger than that of the Thunder Flood Dragon and the Ice Phoenix.
"Ling Qingxue, everyone thinks you'll win. What do you think?" Liu Fufeng asked with a smile.
"I don't care what others think, but I... have confidence in my Taotie. I will definitely win this match!"
Ling Qingxue was incredibly confident, unexpectedly so.
She knew how much Wu Liang wanted to win, and how much effort he had put in to achieve it.
Regardless of the outcome, Wu Liang had already won in her heart!
Liu Fufeng shook his head silently, a sense of helplessness in his heart.
"You're certainly confident, but I'm still capable of putting up a fight!"
He raised his eyes, gazing ahead with a deep look.
"This time I will give it my all, and I hope you will too!"
"It would be my honor!" Ling Qingxue replied calmly.
A halberd appeared in Liu Fufeng's hand, its domineering aura filling the air.
The halberd was a weapon used less frequently than spears, knives, or swords, yet its power surpassed all these weapons.
It was a symbol of heroism and bravery, a weapon of war!
Ling Qingxue gripped her longsword as her body radiating a cold sword aura. A sword energy-made dragon soared upwards.
This time, she was at the same level as Liu Fufeng. Even though she was two minor levels lower, with her Third Rank early-stage spiritual power, she could make up for some of the gap!
The two attacked with all their might from the very beginning, holding nothing back.
This battle was to be fought with full force.
This battle was to leave no room for retreat!
Clang!
The sword energy dragon clashed with the halberd, the howling wind resounding throughout the heavens and earth like the roar of dragons and tigers.
A terrifying force sent Ling Qingxue flying, but it was exactly what she had expected.
"You've indeed grasped the true meaning of martial arts. No wonder you're a genius!"
Battle Intent!!
Liu Fufeng had grasped the Battle Intent similar to the Killing Intent, a martial arts ability that could only be comprehended in life-or-death battles, under dire circumstances.
It was more difficult to comprehend than weapon intents like sword, saber, or spear intent.
Moreover, Battle Intent could make one ignore pain in excitement and unleash their full strength—a remarkable martial arts intent.
Liu Fufeng showed no mercy, his halberd crashing down like a storm.
"I was born to fight, battle is my life! Come... fight!!"
The surging Battle Intent consumed Liu Fufeng's body, completely immersing him in the battle.
His reaction time, attack power, and attack speed all surged to a new level. Liu Fufeng transformed into a fighting machine, his eyes fixed solely on Ling Qingxue as his opponent.
Defeating his opponent was his only creed!