CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 158: NO NEED TO WAIT, I’M HERE_2

This was the Blood Sun Sword Technique, a strike he had painstakingly cultivated. It drained eighty percent of his qi and blood, all concentrated into this single sword strike. With this attack, even Middle Stage Blood Exchange Realm experts had their heads blown apart!

Zhao Chengxuan is indeed very strong, but he’s only at the Middle Stage of the Blood Exchange Realm. No matter how strong he is, facing this strike of mine, he should be shocked! He should feel fear!

"This swordsmanship could be one of the best, even among Middle Grade Martial Arts!"

"This must be an opportunity Wang Liancheng found in the State Capital! Against this strike, even I would have to defend with all my might."

"To unleash the combat power of a Middle Stage Blood Exchange Realm expert while only at the Early Stage... shouldn’t this level of strength be enough to vie for a place on the Little Dragon Tiger List in the State Capital?"

The Clan Leaders of the Ten Great Clans, and the guests below, were all astonished beyond words. Even with a thick protective barrier, the spectators in the front rows still instinctively moved back. Anyone could tell that the power erupting from this strike was extraordinary.

However, facing Wang Liancheng’s peak strike, Zhao Chengxuan simply raised one hand, slowly clenching it into a fist. Within his body, droplets of Essence Blood ignited and burned. Surging qi and blood, like a tidal wave, erupted fiercely from his fist.

"Wang Liancheng, have you ever heard of Forbidden Techniques?" Zhao Chengxuan declared as he stepped forward and threw a punch.

With his Essence Blood burning, this seemingly ordinary punch was no longer any common fist technique. Fusing form and intent, it was as if an Immortal were plucking the sun from the sky. Robust True Qi transformed into a brilliant column of light, rushing towards the blood-red sun at the tip of Wang Liancheng’s sword.

"BOOM!"

The entire land trembled violently under the colossal impact. The tremors were so intense that even the Zhang Family servants outside the main square could feel them distinctly. Some, unsteady on their feet, staggered, dropping their fruit platters in terror and falling to their knees to beg for mercy. The Zhang Family attendants stationed at the outer perimeter of the square looked as if their eyes were about to pop out. Most of them were just Gold or Silver ranked attendants; their greatest ambition was merely to step into the Refining Internal Realm and become part of the core strength of a major clan. They had never witnessed such terrifying might.

No wonder! No wonder both Wang Liancheng and Zhao Chengxuan had been so nonchalant on the platform. They hadn’t been using their full strength at all!

"This is too strong! Senior Brother Li, did you hear what Young Master Zhao said just now? Shang Junming... do you think it could be that Shang kid?" Zhao Zhen’s voice was tinged with a dawning fear.

Initially, he hadn’t made the connection. After all, compared to Zhang Ruo, who still occasionally kept in touch with Jiang Shu, his and Li’s encounter with that Shang youth had been truly fleeting. He didn’t even remember the name Shang Juncheng very clearly; it took him quite a while before the possibility dawned on him. But neither of them had made much of it at the time.

First-rate geniuses, the Blood Exchange Realm—these were concepts too far removed from them. They didn’t dare to imagine they could have interacted with such a figure. But now, Zhao Zhen suddenly considered the terrifying possibility. What if? What if this Shang fellow was indeed the first-rate genius Young Master Zhao had mentioned? If they had spoken ill of him... with the acute hearing of Blood Exchange Realm experts, he would surely have overheard. What then? Would there be any good outcome for them?

"Impossible!" Li countered, trying to reassure himself as much as Zhao Zhen. "That Shang fellow couldn’t be that strong. Besides, if it were true, he’d probably be in deep trouble himself by now. Didn’t you hear Young Master Zhao challenging him? He clearly has a sword but isn’t drawing it, opting for a direct fist fight instead. That confidence, that power! How could that Shang compare? Moreover, he’s just like us, hailing from a mere county town. Reaching the Refining Internal Realm would already be a miracle, enough to make his family’s ancestors’ graves smoke with pride!"

"You’re right, you’re right," Zhao Zhen quickly agreed, his voice still shaky. "Young Master Zhao is far stronger! His punches carry peerless might. When he finally draws his Longsword, imagine how formidable he’ll be! It’s just... I wonder what this Forbidden Technique is all about?"

The two men continued to offer each other what little comfort they could find.

In the stands, the guests held their breath, their eyes fixed on the dazzling light on the platform. The powerful burst of qi and True Qi shook the entire structure. Even the True Qi shields maintained by the Clan Leaders of the Ten Great Clans showed signs of cracking.

"A Forbidden Technique! That genius Zhao Chengxuan has actually mastered a Forbidden Technique!"

"Having mastered a Forbidden Technique, he has the potential to ascend the Little Dragon Tiger List!"

"The Zhao Family will have two geniuses on the Little Dragon Tiger List!"

The Zhao Family Clan Leader was ecstatic; even he hadn’t known that Zhao Chengxuan was hiding such an ace up his sleeve.

The Zhang Family Clan Leader’s eyes glinted with a sharp light. Initially, I thought Wang Liancheng was a decent candidate. Then, I believed Shang Junming was the perfect choice. But now, it seems neither of them, even combined, can measure up to Zhao Chengxuan! This mysterious grand gift... I must increase the stakes! It’s essential to make Zhao Chengxuan deeply interested! If the Zhang Family can form ties with a genius who can make it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List, not only will we avoid decline in the coming years, but we might even ascend to a new level! We’ll no longer be at the bottom of the hierarchy!

"A Forbidden Technique?!!!"

"Zhao Chengxuan!"

Atop the arena, dust blasted out in all directions, obscuring the view. But Wang Liancheng’s enraged roar rose above the din. Faintly, the Clan Leaders could hear the sound of a Longsword shattering, ribs cracking, and someone spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The Wang Family Clan Leader sighed. Wang Liancheng had been the most talented disciple of the Wang Family in recent years. It was a pity, however, that he had still lost. Before a Forbidden Technique, the Blood Sun Sword Technique was utterly insignificant. The Blood Sun Sword Technique was merely a strike that concentrated qi and blood. Although its power was immense, it lacked refinement. In contrast, every Forbidden Technique reigned supreme, far surpassing Middle Grade Martial Arts. The ultimate strike unleashed by a Forbidden Technique could devastatingly destroy a Martial Artist’s qi, blood, and physical body. To possess a Forbidden Technique was to declare oneself invincible within one’s realm!

Fortunately, this is an arena match. Even someone as arrogant as Zhao Chengxuan wouldn’t deliver a fatal blow. Consoling himself thus, the Wang Family Clan Leader took a deep breath and continued to reinforce the True Qi barrier.

The dust settled.

Two silhouettes were revealed once more on the arena. Only this time, Zhao Chengxuan still stood tall and proud, as before. On his fist was an inconspicuous smudge of fresh blood, which he slowly wiped away.

On the other side, Wang Liancheng—who had defeated all the Blood Exchange Realm geniuses throughout the Prefecture City—lay at the edge of the arena, felled by that single punch. His qi and Spirit had diminished to an extreme low. His handsome face was ashen. The Wang Family Clan Leader hurriedly ascended the stage, stuffed a Great Restoration Pill into Wang Liancheng’s mouth, and carried him off the arena.

All around, silence reigned. The moment Zhao Chengxuan made his move, almost everyone knew he was undoubtedly going to win. But no one had anticipated that the victory would be so effortless, so dominant! Even an exceedingly sharp treasured sword had shattered beneath a mere fist of flesh and blood! The once-undefeated Wang Liancheng now lay with tattered clothes and a caved-in chest.

This level of power, this display of combat strength, completely surpassed everyone’s understanding.

This was the power of a Forbidden Technique! A Forbidden Technique that burned one’s Essence Blood! The combustion of a single drop of Essence Blood was comparable to a full-force blow from a Blood Exchange Realm expert. The more Essence Blood burned, the higher the cumulative damage! And what was more terrifying was that now, no one knew to what extent Zhao Chengxuan had mastered this Forbidden Technique, nor how much Essence Blood he could burn in a single instance. What fraction of his true power had that one strike just now represented?

The Zhao Family is truly poised to become invincible throughout Yongning County!

Atop the arena, Zhao Chengxuan watched Wang Liancheng being carried away, the latter’s face still etched with disbelief. Zhao Chengxuan’s expression remained as calm as the still surface of a lake. From the very beginning, his target had never been Wang Liancheng. Naturally, he wouldn’t be elated over such a simple victory.

Amidst the various gazes of admiration, respect, shock, and fear, he spoke indifferently. His voice, amplified by True Qi, exploded through the air, booming in all directions.

"Shang Junming! I will await you on the Zhang Family’s arena for three days! Do you dare to come and fight?!"

In the square, there was utter silence; you could hear a pin drop. Zhao Chengxuan’s voice spread from the square to the areas beyond the Zhang Family’s domain. His challenge was issued in full public view, impossible to hide. If Shang Junming was anywhere in the Prefecture City, he must have heard the commotion. The only question was whether he dared to come.

Several breaths passed in an instant. There was no response.

Just as everyone was privately shaking their heads, thinking Shang Junming had likely lost his nerve and would allow Zhao Chengxuan to win without a fight...

...from the stands, an extremely unfamiliar yet distinctly youthful voice suddenly rang out.

"No need to wait. I am here."