CHAPTER 743: CHAPTER 748: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN (4)

Ling Chen had always thought that he had disappeared, or encountered some unforeseen accident, his fate between life and death unknown. But to his surprise, that guy was actually still alive. Not only was he alive, but he also showed up in the Yangxin Pavilion, making a blatant appearance among the crowd.

He had grown bolder after not seeing him for a while.

Zhu Hong!

After searching for so long, you finally show yourself.

Ling Chen thought to himself. Yes, the silhouette he just saw in the crowd belonged to Zhu Hong. Having known Zhu Hong for so long, he trusted that he couldn’t have been mistaken. Especially that occasional glance thrown by Zhu Hong, from which he sensed a trace of resentment and a chilling murderous intent.

It was him!

If it weren’t for Zhu Hong catching his attention just now, how could he have exposed a flaw and given Wang Hao an opportunity.

Gritting his teeth, Ling Chen endured the pain in his body and took a deep breath. Unconsciously, Ling Chen cast his peripheral vision towards the crowd, hoping to spot Zhu Hong again.

However, Zhu Hong might have realized that he had been spotted, and now concealed himself, leaving no trace to be found.

It seems I can only wait until the competition ends to find a way to locate Zhu Hong.

In the midst of his contemplation, a series of footsteps approached from the distance, swiftly closing in.

That’s not good!

Ling Chen turned his head, only to catch a glimpse of a figure flashing by. Immediately after, a strong momentum bore down on him, and a pair of palms had already reached in front of him.

Without time to think, Ling Chen quickly arched his back backwards, and a pair of hands charged with Hua Realm energy just passed over him. Not waiting for Wang Hao to strike again, Ling Chen propped his hands on the ground and swiftly lifted his legs, kicking Wang Hao’s arms and neutralizing his attack.

Seizing this chance, Ling Chen stepped back repeatedly until he reached the edge of the platform before finally stopping.

It’s no good... Realizing his own condition, Ling Chen thought to himself that this was bad. Even though he had finished all the strong liquor from his flask, the effects were gradually diminishing at this moment and he didn’t know how much longer he could hold on.

Continuing like this, defeat was just a matter of time.

What to do?

Ling Chen thought to himself. Whether it was the Nine Yang Qiankun Step or other techniques he had mastered, he had nearly exhausted them all by this moment and he didn’t know what else could be used to defeat his opponent.

Could it be... that he really had to take that step?

Remembering what Su He had told him before, Ling Chen’s expression turned solemn, his eyes flickering with hesitation.

As Ling Chen was lost in indecision, Wang Hao from the opposite side of the platform began to walk towards him.

Seeing the opponent drawing closer, step by step, Ling Chen bit down on his teeth, his flickering gaze became resolute in an instant.

All in!

Having come this far, there was nothing he wasn’t prepared to part with. Whether it was life or death, getting his hands on the Nine Elements Pill was his top priority.

His mind raced, and Ling Chen had already made a decision.

Coming face to face with Ling Chen’s determined eyes, for some reason, Wang Hao felt his steps hesitate slightly, and a strange feeling arose in his heart, as if the Ling Chen before him had transformed into a completely different person.

And most importantly, the Ling Chen in front of him actually gave him a sense of danger. Even though Ling Chen had used quite a few tricks since the start of their fight, he had never felt this way before.

Danger?

Wang Hao squinted his eyes slightly and frowned, looking at Ling Chen with a face full of wonder and suspicion, trying to identify where that dangerous aura was emanating from.

However, from head to toe, Wang Hao didn’t discover anything amiss.

At this moment, the distance between Ling Chen and Wang Hao was no more than four meters, and as they drew closer, Wang Hao’s sense of crisis intensified.

One step... Two steps... As Wang Hao moved, Ling Chen remained motionless in his original spot, his sharp gaze locked onto Wang Hao’s figure as if frozen in place.

Approaching closer, Wang Hao glanced at the Tianling Blade that lay on the ground and felt slightly relieved. Without the Tianling Blade in hand, what could Ling Chen possibly do, even if he had great skills? Could he really defeat him with bare hands?

Hmph! Daydreamers.

Let alone the absence of the Tianling Blade, even if Ling Chen were a bit stronger, Wang Hao would not fear him in the least. The disparity in their strengths was clear, and considering the severe injury Ling Chen had just suffered, what techniques could he possibly have left?

With this thought, Wang Hao completely relaxed his tense mood. He had certainly worried too much; at this point, Ling Chen had reached an impasse and couldn’t possibly have any ways to counter him. If he had any formidable techniques, he would have used them by now.

As this idea surfaced in his mind, Wang Hao no longer hesitated. In an instant, he lightly tapped the tip of his foot, executing the Shattered Leaf Step as swift as a breeze, closing in on Ling Chen in the blink of an eye. At such a close distance, Wang Hao could even hear Ling Chen’s breathing.

However, the very moment Wang Hao made his move, Ling Chen suddenly acted.

Under everyone’s gaze, Ling Chen neither dodged nor defended against Wang Hao’s attack but instead met Wang Hao’s palms with his body.

Seeing this, all the onlookers were stunned.

What is this kid trying to do?

Using his body to resist Wang Hao’s attack, how was this different from seeking death?

At that moment, Porridge Girl, Yang Tao, Yang Zhe, and Qiu Yong, among others, all stood up with looks of astonishment, completely clueless as to what Ling Chen intended.

On the platform, faced with Ling Chen’s seemingly self-destructive action, Wang Hao was slightly taken aback; among all the possibilities he had considered in the split second he attacked, he never expected Ling Chen to choose this method.

Wang Hao didn’t understand; even if Ling Chen wanted to give up, there was no need for this—he could have just admitted defeat directly.

During these thoughts, Wang Hao’s palms had already struck Ling Chen’s chest.

Spurt!

A mouthful of fresh blood was spat out, and Ling Chen’s face instantly turned pale. Under the powerful force of Wang Hao’s palms, Ling Chen’s body was sent flying.

It’s over!

Wang Hao withdrew his gaze from Ling Chen and exhaled lightly.

Ling Chen had taken the full force of his two palms; even if he were stronger, there was no chance for him to stand up again.

At this thought, Wang Hao turned his head to look at the crowd below the stage, standing straight and tall, ready to accept the adoring and admiring gazes of the crowd.

However, just at that moment, a burst of surprised exclamations erupted from the crowd, all turning their gazes toward something beside Wang Hao.

What’s happening?

Wang Hao was puzzled, not understanding the crowd’s reaction, and quickly turned his head. Suddenly, he saw something flying through the air towards his head.

The object was moving quickly, and Wang Hao realized it too late to react in time.

In an instant, the swirling object from the air landed sharply, perfectly covering Wang Hao’s entire head.

Feeling his vision being obstructed, Wang Hao was taken aback and hastily removed the object from his head, throwing it far away below the platform.

At the same time, a ’bang’ was heard as Ling Chen’s body finally hit the ground, spitting out another mouthful of fresh blood.