Heh, finally using martial arts. Not bad, that move actually produced real flames!" Evan Chu exclaimed in astonishment.
Country bumpkin! Haven't even seen this before, and you're supposed to be from one of the Five Great Families? It's a damn disgrace you're even standing on this stage!" the youth beside Evan Chu jeered.
Someone actually said that to me? Evan Chu couldn't help but laugh inwardly—he hadn't been mocked like this in ages. Who was this guy, anyway?
Who do you think you are, daring to insult a Cole? Believe me, I'll kill you later, you jerk!" Luna Chu snapped.
Evan Chu knew all about Luna Chu's explosive temper—he'd rather go three days without food than mess with this she-tyrannosaurus.
He never expected Luna Chu to stick up for him today. "Nice one, Luna!" Evan Chu chuckled.
Luna Chu, you loudmouth—think you can talk big in front of me? Just wait, I'll show you who's boss. Some people aren't yours to insult!" the youth sneered, ignoring Luna Chu completely.
Luna Chu had never been insulted like this before—being called a loudmouth girl! She was ready to explode, but Evan Chu held her back just in time.
No need to stoop to his level—he's just a mad dog. If a dog bites you, you don't bite back, right? We'll get our chance to teach him a lesson." Evan Chu's voice was quiet but clear enough for the heckler to hear.
Heh, Evan, you're pretty good at trash talk! That guy drew lot number eight—he'll be facing me next. I'll help Luna vent her anger!" Roxanne Lin said.
The youth's face turned the color of pig liver, clearly furious—if this weren't the arena, he would've thrown hands already.
Meanwhile, Hugo Gongsun and his opponent's duel was heating up, both of them finally unleashing martial arts.
Hugo Gongsun's Blazing Flame Slash packed serious power—even from this distance, Evan Chu could feel the heat. No doubt, Hugo's strength was at least sixth-level Xuanwu.
The other contestant wielded a folding fan, yet he could withstand Hugo's fierce saber strikes. Clearly, that fan was at least a mid-grade Spirit-tier weapon.
His martial arts were even stranger—like a woman dancing, the folding fan fluttered in front of him as his footsteps spun rhythmically across the stage.
If they weren't dueling right now, you'd think the fan-user was just gracefully dancing.
Evan Chu saw that every time Hugo attacked, the fan-user blocked it—or rather, the strike stopped half a foot in front of him.
"Evan, that kid's martial art is something special—a defensive type. It creates a qi wall outside the body, strong enough to block attacks from someone a whole major realm higher."
Sword Spirit Luna spoke in Evan Chu's mind just then.
"A defensive martial art? No wonder Hugo's attacks keep getting blocked. I never knew there was a technique like that—pretty rare!"
"That defensive martial art eats up a ton of stellar force. He'll be lucky to block three more of Hugo's attacks before his defense breaks—then it's game over for sure." Sword Spirit Luna declared confidently.
"Every advantage has its downside. But with Hugo Gongsun spamming his martial arts, his own stellar force must be running low too!"
As soon as Evan Chu finished speaking, Hugo Gongsun's Blazing Flame Slash struck again, this time knocking his opponent back a few steps.
It was the first time Hugo had managed to push his opponent back. He grinned, "Your stellar force must be about spent. Let's see if you can handle my next move!"
With that, Hugo twisted his saber and leapt into the air. "Try my Leap-Sky Wild Slash!"
Hugo's saber blazed with fiery red light, and a blade-qi over a foot long shot toward his opponent.
The fan-user's face twisted in panic as he shouted, "Fan-Dance Canopy!"
His folding fan burst with dazzling blue light—the result of pouring stellar force into it.
Countless fan-shadows blossomed around him, sealing him in a dense barrier. This had to be his strongest defensive move.
Evan Chu was secretly amazed—both fighters' stellar force was massive, way beyond normal sixth-level Xuanwu.
The fiery blade-qi and the fan-shadows collided instantly—no deafening boom, not even a sound.
The fan-shadows managed to halt Hugo's wild attack, while he still hung upside-down in the air, using his saber to support his body.
"Awesome! Now that's a real match between masters!" Cheers erupted from the crowd.
"That kid's defensive martial art is legit—he can block attacks like that, must be a Profound-tier technique!"
"Hugo Gongsun's been fighting him for ages—what a disgrace for the Gongsun Family!"
But just then, the fan-shadows started to slow, and Hugo's saber edged even closer to his opponent.
Evan Chu felt a twinge of worry. "Looks like his stellar force really is running out. Just like Luna said, his defense will break soon—I just hope he doesn't get seriously hurt."
"Break for me!" Hugo shouted, putting even more force behind his saber. The veins on his arms bulged—he was clearly giving it everything he had.
Victory or defeat would be decided in this moment. Neither held back, not even considering the stronger opponents they'd face next.
All they saw was each other—beating the other meant victory.
Right then, the fan-user's swirling fan-shadows finally stopped. Hugo's saber smashed down onto the folding fan.
Boom! With a thunderous crash, the fan-user was blasted five meters away, his folding fan falling to the ground.
He was sent flying five meters, and blood gushed from the webbing of his hand where he'd gripped the fan—the force had split it open.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth too. After about ten seconds, he struggled up and said, "You're stronger than me. I concede!"
Hearing that, Hugo Gongsun smiled, though it was a strained smile—he wasn't in much better shape, with his own stellar force nearly spent.
He was powerless for the next round, but for the sake of his family's honor, he'd had no choice but to go all out. He won, but it meant he'd probably only end up ranked ninth.
The crowd erupted in cheers—everyone loved that explosive final exchange.
Hugo Gongsun slowly walked to the center of the stage and raised his hands. "This round goes to Hugo Gongsun of the Gongsun Family—he qualifies for the next match!"
Jenny Sima announced the result, then continued, "Next up: Roxanne Lin versus Shangguan Wuwo..."