CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 208 JIAN PROVINCE’S TOP 4 POWERHOUSES: YAN QUAN! WANG LI! FU GUI! ZHOU YAN!

The "Jian Province Competition" progresses day by day.

As the tournament unfolds, each top Heavenly Pride shines, standing out like a needle poking through a bag. In front of audiences from the Nine Counties of Jian Province, amidst the glaring spotlight, they leave a dazzling impression.

However, among them, only four attract the most attention—

The first, naturally, is Yan Chuan. From the first day of the "Jian Province Competition," Yan Chuan has been explaining the matches using the "White Horn Trumpet." As the competition unfolds day by day, no less than a hundred thousand spectators have heard Yan Chuan’s commentary, becoming very familiar with Yan Chuan’s voice. It’s not just the commentary or the voice, but Yan Chuan’s strength is equally impressive. In the first round of the main competition, he defeated Wang Zhengyi and five other Limit-breakers, and in the second round, he defeated the top figure of Yingze Academy, Wang Ge. His strength is unquestionable. However, what is even more stunning is Yan Chuan’s "creativity"—

Five Fists and Five Skills!

The first, second, and third sets of vastly different swordsmanship styles!

In the first two rounds of the Jian Province Competition, Yan Chuan’s approach, practical ability, and talent comprehension are all breathtaking.

Truly the "Number One Heavenly Pride in Jian Province"!

Following Yan Chuan, the second is Wang Zhengyi!

...

"Wang Zhengyi!"

"Wang Zhengyi is too strong!"

"He pushes forward straightforwardly, walking and fighting, fighting and walking. Like the Yellow River breaking its banks, yes! This is ’Xingyi’! I once exchanged insights about ’Xingyi Boxing’ with Brother Wang, especially the ’Alligator Form’ from the ’Twelve Forms,’ in which Brother Wang has significant Experience, no less than myself. If friends participating in the competition want to study Wang Zhengyi, they might start from ’Xingyi Boxing,’ from the ’Twelve Forms,’ from the ’Alligator Form,’ and will surely benefit."

"However, compared to his boxing skills, Wang Zhengyi is even more troublesome because of his immense strength!"

"Everyone, watch!"

"Wang Zhengyi engages in short strikes, direct and straightforward, with no fancy tricks, relying solely on raw power!"

"Against the Limit-breaking Team of Liyang Academy, with everyone breaking limits, led by ’Zhu Boxing’ Zhu Chongshi from the ’Ten Masters.’ Speaking of Zhu Chongshi and Wang Zhengyi, the two are somewhat similar. Zhu Chongshi is nominally the top Heavenly Pride and head of the Ten Masters of Liyang Academy. Wang Zhengyi is also the top Heavenly Pride and head of the Ten Masters of Guangling Academy. Zhu Chongshi’s father is ’Zhu Boxing’ Zhu Tong, one of the Liyang Ten Elders. Wang Zhengyi’s father is also one of the Guangling Ten Elders, ’Six Harmonies Fist’ Wang Kuan!"

"All are Heavenly Prides!"

"All have profound family legacies!"

"The grades of Liyang Academy and Guangling Academy are about the same; logically, the gap between the two should not be significant."

"But—"

"One punch!"

"Wang Zhengyi used just one punch to knock Zhu Chongshi flying! Zhu Chongshi! The nominal top Heavenly Pride of Liyang, yet under Wang Zhengyi’s hands, he seems no different from an ordinary Limit-breaker in the academy! Zhu Chongshi fell! Zhu Chongshi cannot believe it! Zhu Chongshi spat blood! Zhu Chongshi pointed to the sky, oh, he’s fainted!"

...

"Impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

In the Observation Seat, Zhu Tong eyes widened, in disbelief.

He knows his most cherished son’s strength well. Whether in basic cultivation or martial arts accomplishment, Zhu Chongshi is no weaker than him, perhaps even slightly superior. Such strength makes him undoubtedly the number one among Liyang Academy’s disciples of his generation.

Whether it is Zhu Tong!

Or Zhu Chongshi!

The father and son were confident in this competition. Even though in the first round, both Yan Chuan and Wang Zhengyi exhibited formidable strength, they still had hopes of winning the championship.

Zhu Chongshi was even preparing for the "Cang Mountain Sword Discussion" phase, studying and researching other state geniuses.

But now.

The "Jian Province Competition" had just reached the second round, and Zhu Chongshi was already defeated, moreover, defeated so decisively and humiliatingly!

Such a thing troublingly cannot be accepted by Zhu Tong!

...

On the stage, Wang Zhengyi dominates his opponents.

Off the stage, Yan Chuan delivers passionate commentary.

Meanwhile, in the audience seating, there was an uproar—

"Wang Zhengyi!"

"So strong?!"

"That was Zhu Chongshi! The top figure of Liyang Academy and a favorite to win the ’Jian Province Competition,’ having even more support than Yan Chuan before the start!"

"Wang Zhengyi defeating Zhu Chongshi in seconds?"

"In the last round, didn’t he lose to Yan Chuan, ultimately forcing Yan Chuan to admit defeat to win?"

"No, no, no!"

"Wang Zhengyi was not a match for Yan Chuan, not because Wang Zhengyi was weak, but because Yan Chuan was strong!"

...

Wang Zhengyi defeating Zhu Chongshi with one punch changed his reputation entirely, no longer retaining the image of a "defeated subordinate."

Simultaneously.

This battle.

Through the comparison with Zhu Chongshi, it made more people begin to recall Yan Chuan’s strength—

"Wang Zhengyi crushes Zhu Chongshi!"

"Yan Chuan crushes Wang Zhengyi!"

To verify: How strong is Yan Chuan?

Hiss!

Thinking deeply shivers one immensely!

Thus, in this battle, Wang Zhengyi proves himself, while simultaneously elevating Yan Chuan in the eyes of the Jian Province populace to yet another high level.

Yan Chuan!

Famed!

...

Jian Province Competition—

First, Yan Chuan, remarkably talented!

Second, Wang Zhengyi, mighty as a giant!

And this third—

...

"First, Taikang Academy’s Yan Chuan, unchallenged. Boxing and Swordsmanship, master of all, embodies ’completeness.’"

"Second, Guangling Academy’s Wang Zhengyi, capable of lifting great weights, embodies ’strength.’"

"Third, Qiancheng Academy’s Fu Yunzhan, skilled in swordsmanship, embodies ’ingenuity.’"

In the stands, Sima Feng, after witnessing Wang Zhengyi’s one-punch victory over Zhu Chongshi, observed Fu Yunzhan’s sword techniques. His movements were elusive, ghost-like, making astonishingly strange moves, bewildering amidst the mixed battle. Facing Liyang Academy’s Limit-breaking team, albeit mysteriously slicing their wrists and unarming them.

Fu Yunzhan!

Truly fast!

"His swordsmanship is mysterious and unpredictable."

Sima Feng turned to Jiang Bianliu beside him: "Elder Jiang, do you think this Fu Yunzhan could defeat Wang Zhengyi, or even Yan Chuan?"

"Hard!"

"Hard to say!"

Jiang Bianliu shook his head, "Although Fu Yunzhan’s swordsmanship appears not as extensive as Yan Chuan’s, his specialization is in a single path, such ’Deceit Sword’ against Wang Zhengyi’s ’strength’ or Yan Chuan’s ’completeness’ might be superior or inferior, who can say!"

Only in the same field is it easier to compare—

For example, Yan Chuan and Wang Zhengyi, with Wang Zhengyi’s strength being his forte, Yan Chuan just happens to surpass Wang Zhengyi in strength, a direct and natural comparison, evidently making Yan Chuan stronger, undoubtedly.

But Fu Yunzhan, taking a different route with fast and deceitful swordsmanship, makes comparison difficult.

Being stronger or weaker, one only knows through a genuine battle!

"The outcome is undecided!"

"That’s what makes it interesting."

Ni Mengtong, standing by, laughed: "Yan Chuan, Wang Zhengyi, and Fu Yunzhan, in terms of individuals, these three are currently the strongest. But as I see it, they must also be matched with the Limit-breaking team of Wendeng Academy, Zhou Yan, Zhou Jiao, Zhou Wen, Zhou Hui, and Zhou Hao, the five sisters with synchronized minds. All have broken limits, forming a Plum Blossom Sword Formation that excels in density and precision. When facing the likes of Yan Chuan and the other three, they might not be inferior."

Zhou Family Sisters!

Plum Blossom Sword Formation!

This is recognized as the fourth strongest team after Yan Chuan, Wang Zhengyi, and Fu Yunzhan, as of the end of the second round of the Jian Province Competition!

Yan Chuan, completeness!

Wang Zhengyi, strength!

Fu Yunzhan, ingenuity!

Zhou Family Sisters, precision!

...

"Fu Yunzhan."

"Zhou Family Sisters."

"What does Brother Yan think?"

On the evening of the 11th day of the "Jian Province Competition," after the second round had ended, Wang Zhengyi found Yan Chuan for a chat, discussing Fu Yunzhan and the "Zhou Family Sisters" who had stood out in the second round.

"They—"

Yan Chuan, having to provide commentary, naturally knew more about both’s backgrounds.

Among them.

Fu Yunzhan, nominally, is a disciple of Qiancheng Academy, but in truth, like Yan Chuan, he is merely an "external aid." Moreover, Fu Yunzhan is neither officially related nor a local of Qiancheng County or Jian Province. He is an out-of-town swordsman, arriving at Jian Province and, upon hearing about the generous rewards of the "Jian Province Competition," was recruited by Qiancheng Academy to represent them in the competition.

It is said that Qiancheng Academy paid a hefty price.

But Fu Yunzhan has indeed proven to be worth it.

After two rounds of the main battle, Fu Yunzhan single-handedly led a team to an easy victory, the first round notwithstanding, as the opposing team had no Limit-breakers. But the opponent in the second round was Liyang Academy’s full Limit-breaking team, yet Fu Yunzhan was still able to break through alone, becoming the only confirmed team from Qiancheng Academy to advance to the third round of the main battle after the second round. Possibly, he is the lone seedling sprout of Qiancheng Academy, no matter what price Qiancheng Academy paid, it paid off big!

Not only did Qiancheng Academy have a sharp eye and good luck.

Wendeng Academy was not at all inferior in this either.

The shining "Zhou Family Sisters" in the second round, they too are not native academy disciples, nor originally part of Wendeng Academy. The five sisters come from the neighboring Peng State’s "Zhou Family’s Castle," having trained in family-inherited swordsmanship since childhood, yet never getting the true teachings due to their gender. By chance, they acquired a "Plum Blossom Sword Formation," significantly boosting their strength. After defeating various familial elders in the "Zhou Family’s Castle," the five took full control of the Zhou Family’s sword techniques. Thus, they severed ties with Zhou Family, journeyed throughout Great Yan, and their first stop was Jian Province, where they were recruited by Wendeng Academy to form the academy’s strongest team!

After two rounds!

Indeed invincible!

Granted easy progression into the third round.

"Whether it be Fu Yunzhan or the Zhou Family Sisters, in the first two rounds, they haven’t met opponents who can match them. Fu Yunzhan’s ’Deceit Sword’ and the Zhou Family Sisters’ ’Plum Blossom Sword Formation’ have only been fleeting moments, revealing little."

Yan Chuan shook his head lightly.

His martial arts accomplishment is deep, with extraordinary eye power, yet just from Fu Yunzhan’s and the Zhou Family Sisters’ performance in the first two rounds, it is hard to discern much detail.

Wang Zhengyi pondered, "Leaving the Zhou Family Sisters aside for the moment, Fu Yunzhan could be worth more observation. If he indeed proves strong, perhaps we could recruit him to journey beyond Jian Province together and head for Cang Mountain!"

He glanced at Yan Chuan: "With Brother Yan’s strength, advancing beyond the ’Jian Province Competition’ is not difficult. The Nine Counties of Jian Province are just a pond. The real challenge lies at Cang Mountain, together with all the Heavenly Prides of the Fifteen States of Great Yan!"

Wang Zhengyi spoke with earnest intent: "I intend, after the ’Jian Province Competition,’ to break free from the constraints of a single academy, in the nine academies, across the Nine Counties of Jian Province, to unite the strongest and best-matched five to seven individuals to form a Peak Team!"

Wang Zhengyi’s eyes shone brightly: "Joining forces with the strong offers the hope of showcasing brilliance at Cang Mountain!"

Wang Zhengyi boldly expresses his ambition.

Simultaneously.

He is also confident: "Given Brother Yan’s nature, having come to participate in the ’Jian Province Competition,’ you certainly won’t be content stopping at just the Jian Province Competition."

Cang Mountain!

That’s the true stage!

...