CHAPTER 265: CHAPTER 249: NATIONAL TALENT, THE DECISIVE CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE!

Time passed in the blink of an eye, reaching the ninth day.

Night.

Meng Chuan did not disappoint and defeated United University a few days ago in the battle at Emei.

This morning, together with Zheng Chengcheng, he advanced from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals, ultimately capturing the lead again and stepping onto the stage of the final match.

His opponent tomorrow, as expected, is none other than Luo Qin from the Celestial Master Mansion!

While practicing Dragon Meditation, he opened the official live broadcast room for the Martial Arts Supernova Competition.

The title was straightforward and forceful: "Xingyi vs. Elephant Form, Warrior vs. Mage, Who Will Ascend to the Peak in Shanghai?"

Meng Chuan couldn’t help but marvel at how well the event organizers whipped up hype.

After all, in Great Chu, ordinary people and lower-level martial artists make up the majority.

Their favorite pastime isn’t practicing punching but debating the superiority of factions and discussing the strength of martial arts forms...

He and Luo Qin clearly became catalysts for the event’s hype.

From this afternoon, the broadcast room has been continuously in finals preheat mode.

The screen kept playing iconic fight scenes of both men from the preliminary stages onwards.

Meng Chuan, descending like the Demon Lord from heaven, transformed his body into a fiery mountain-like form.

Luo Qin, like an exiled immortal under the moon, with fingertips conveying frost and energy akin to a cold river.

Watching his ferocious appearance on screen, Meng Chuan was puzzled.

"Why do I feel like a villain..."

He realized this was due to their combat styles.

His own style involved toughening practices, with wide-open aggressive moves full of violent beauty.

Meanwhile, during matches, Luo Qin’s moves were graceful and nimble, embodying the Daoist concept of "borrowing the force of nature," greatly satisfying the audience’s romanticized expectations for "immortal-like combat."

"It doesn’t matter, as long as I win."

He aimed to carry the flag for "tough martial artists," believing close combat was the true romance for men!

Returning to his senses, Meng Chuan saw dense comments down below.

Excluding a few baiting remarks, most debated between the two.

"The noble mage beating the dumb warrior, not a one-sided match?"

"Have you played too many games? Elementary schooler upstairs, judgment complete."

"I’m just a passerby, no criticism. But honestly, won’t God Meng’s punch cause this guy to develop cold uterus?"

...

These were clearly his hardcore fans, albeit somewhat extreme...

After browsing a bit more, he found quite a few supporters, many cheering for him.

Following Dragon Meditation, Meng Chuan picked up his phone to switch to his Douyin personal page.

He found his follower count had breached 25 million.

Across the platform, there were only a hundred or so users with higher follower counts than him.

Meng Chuan sighed, acknowledging he had become a "top-tier internet celebrity."

In the Martial Arts Era, looks and traffic were obsolete; the cream-faced "pretty boys" had no future.

The real path lay in strength and achievements, only someone like him, with hardy martial skills and actual battle results, could win popular recognition and become top-tier.

As Meng Chuan edged closer to the national championship, his follower count naturally soared.

Meanwhile, advertisers in the background were almost going mad.

Currently, each advertisement offer started at over a million, with the possibility of negotiation.

But Meng Chuan declined them all, understanding that focusing on martial arts was fundamental.

The martial arts teaching videos he occasionally uploaded, although less profitable than ads, earning only fifty to sixty thousand each, were money he accepted with a clear conscience.

With the finals looming, any distraction might affect his state.

He decisively closed Douyin and continued training with a calm mind.

He awaited the day he became a Martial Arts family member, gaining certification as the founder of the latest edition of National Yi Boxing, then he’d truly enjoy himself.

...

Early the next day, Meng Chuan was drenched in sweat while training in his Martial Arts Chamber.

After practice, he noticed a missed call, labeled from "Secretary to Secretary Wang of Yong’an."

Returning the call, a steady voice came on:

"Hello Meng Chuan, I’m Secretary Li Fu, Secretary Wang’s assistant. Secretary Wang is quite interested in your performance. Next year, the national martial arts talent pool will open nomination channels at the start of the year.

If you win this time, you’ll secure the nomination qualification and later qualify to compete for national support and resource allocation."

Meng Chuan’s heart stirred, then he replied calmly:

"Understood, the secretary’s work is hard, I wouldn’t dare disturb. Please thank Grandmaster Wang for his concern on my behalf."

He is now on the "Yong’an City Key Talent Development List," enjoying an annual martial arts fund subsidy of 800,000.

The national talent pool’s value far surpasses the support from such local cities.

Not only does it offer tens of millions in martial arts development funds, but it also gives priority access to some strategic resources, which even money can’t buy.

When these resources appear in the Martial Arts Association mall, they are often auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Even the juniors of Celestial Kings have difficulty procuring a share.

On the other end, Secretary Li noted Meng Chuan’s polite and graceful speech.

After a moment’s thought, he added:

"Xiaomeng, if not for the exposure this national competition provides, no matter how high your talent is... you understand, right? So the opportunity is crucial, be sure to seize it!"

Meng Chuan got it; with only a few nomination slots in the entire San Qin region, without some "maneuvering" involved, even he couldn’t believe it.

Take the Huo family at Chen Cang, led by Patriarch Huo Ting, the esteemed Demon Slayer.

Nobody could oppose him ensuring a nomination slot for his family’s juniors.

Though he had Master Luo as support, he faced this competition on a national scale.

Just as Secretary Li pointed out, you need to be strong to forge iron!

There are over a million martial artists under thirty in Great Chu, and each year only five are selected for the "National Talent Pool."

Even if your application is successful, subsequent selection is like an army crossing a narrow bridge.

Over the years, many outstanding figures from various schools have been rejected, with some failing to make it after five consecutive attempts.

"First, secure the application qualification, take it step by step, don’t aim too high."

Meng Chuan cautioned himself inwardly.

...

Everything was ready, yet before setting off for the Martial Arts Competition Center, Meng Chuan was uneasy...

"Returning to United University, will Principal Yang beat me up..."

On the sofa lay a red blazing dragon suit.

Embroidered on the front was a blazing flame dragon surrounded by flames. Its scales and claws were outstretched, its dragon eyes full of spirit, and the cuffs and hem were adorned with dark red cloud patterns, exuding a domineering presence.

Meng Chuan hardened his heart, put it on, and strode out.

Why the hesitation? Because on the back was also a fire dragon, but on the dragon’s body, there was a long advertisement...

The advertisement used special materials that shone brightly under all kinds of lights or natural light...

"Impact-resistant, super wear-resistant, Hanhai’s latest Y-shaped protection clothing, exclusive equipment for combat enthusiasts. Meng Chuan’s model, conquer the arena now!"

"...You’re really not afraid of returning to school and facing Venerable Yang’s wrath."

Luo Guanyun watched from behind, shaking his head.

Meng Chuan was helpless; he had to fulfill the agreement with Hanhai regarding the "advertising operation" during the final segment...

"Perhaps not... Principal Yang isn’t such a petty person."

...

At three in the afternoon, at the Martial Arts Competition Center in Shanghai.

The first National Martial Arts Supernova Tournament’s grand finale began.

At this moment, the audience seats capable of accommodating a hundred thousand people were already full.

As the host finished warming up the event, an elder with a Yin Yang Tai Chi Diagram and a benevolent expression slowly approached.

The host excitedly announced:

"Let’s give the warmest applause to welcome the special guest of the grand finale—

one of the founders of the initial Martial Arts Association, pioneer of the Qi Blood Martial Arts Era, witness to history in Great Chu, ’Divine Motion and Unpredictable Transformation • Zhao Yingchun,’ Celestial King Zhao!"

Everyone present, even those unaware of martial arts, knew the weight of the name "Zhao Yingchun."

All the spectators rose in salute, the cameras panning across them.

Countless sincere faces, paying the utmost respect to this nearly five-hundred-year-old elder!

Zhao Yingchun raised his hand to signal everyone to sit, his voice thunderous yet gentle as a spring:

"I, the old man, have witnessed centuries of martial arts prosperity in Great Chu. Today, seeing the younger generation competing like fierce dragons in frost, my heart is gratified.

But I hope you will break barriers with sincerity; martial arts have no hierarchy, hearts do have. The victor should be humble, and the defeated are also honored."

Recently, online discussions about the two’s battle have been rampant, and he had seen quite a lot.

Thus, his words were intended to quell the escalating factional disputes.

After speaking, Zhao Yingchun entered the judges’ seat amidst the crowd’s farewells.

He gazed at the figure in the preparation area, his eyes glimmering with comforting light.

"This youngster, having reached this stage, indeed the old man didn’t misjudge."

Meng Chuan’s growth rate deeply gratified him.

From the young lad he met years ago, before his eyes had grown into a model for millions of Great Chu martial artists.

Recalling himself two years ago, when he defiantly awarded Meng Chuan the Silver Lion Medal.

Now, it seems that everything was deserved by this boy; he is worthy of it.

Meng Chuan noticed Zhao Yingchun’s gaze and greeted him from afar.

"Unexpected that Celestial King Zhao would be present, it’s been two years..."

He secretly marveled, Elder Zhao’s posture remained upright like a pine, showing no signs of old age.

Gathering his thoughts, Meng Chuan looked around the audience seats.

With the host’s enthusiasm, many were shouting his name.

Meng Chuan waved in acknowledgment one by one and spotted a familiar figure in the audience.

Zhenzhen with her hair styled in a bun, cupping her hands around her mouth, loudly calling his name.

"Meng Chuan!"

Meng Chuan grinned; this girl came, yet didn’t notify him.

In the previous round of four to two, he hadn’t seen her when battling against Zheng Chengcheng, unexpectedly she appeared for the grand finale.

Regaining his composure, he heard the host’s passionate voice:

"Let’s welcome today’s contestants onto the stage, Meng Chuan and Luo Qin! Today is a battle of dialogue between Four-sided Alliance University and the Five Great Ancient Sects—a peak showdown between Xingyi and Elephant Form. Who will ascend to the highest? Let’s wait and see!"

Up until now, it is no longer just a battle between Meng Chuan and Luo Qin.

He represents the rising new force of Four-sided Alliance University since Great Chu’s establishment.

And Luo Qin also bears the expectations of the Buddhist Path and Daoist School, a violent clash of Great Chu’s martial arts new and old eras.

"Go on, good luck."

Luo Guanyun comforted his back, gently speaking.

"Mm."

The sound waves from the audience were like tides, the cheers from ten thousand people were enough to shatter the sky.

Meng Chuan couldn’t hear clearly, only focused his mind and stepped forward.

He clenched his fists, his eyes ablaze with the spirit of battle.

This fight is the most crucial battle of karmic determination since he started practicing martial arts!