Chapter 214: Strong vs. Strong! The Strongest in the Battlefield! (Bonus 17)

Time passed, reaching 11:30 PM.

The combat area of each Star Realm had gradually shrunk to the smallest area, with a maximum diameter of 10 kilometers, the combat range being only one percent of the original.

The entire melee tournament had entered the final climax stage, with major battles erupting constantly.

In fact, most battlefields now had fewer than a thousand people alive, either some super-strong experts, such as those with micro-level spiritual awareness.

Or even—Fifth-Stage experts.

Or, conversely, some with unremarkable strength and very low rankings, who had been hiding until the final stage.

In this kind of actual combat duel, hiding is not necessarily wrong.

Perhaps one could pick up scraps, kill some injured experts, and if lucky, rush into the top hundred of the battlefield.

Similarly, this is also for those top-tier geniuses to choose for themselves: whether to take the risk of fighting to the death with other super experts to strive for first place in the battlefield.

Or to stay stable until the end and compete for the other ten spots in the finals during the elimination tournament.

In the eyes of the civilization's high-level officials, such a tournament schedule seems not entirely fair, but the different results brought about by the choices made by each participant are also a tempering of their souls.

Undoubtedly, some of the top geniuses were still extremely aggressive.

Quickly, another duel between Fifth-Stage experts erupted.

"Zhu Tong and Kunale are fighting. Kunale is the number one genius of the Tianzhu Nation, and Zhu Tong is also famous. Both of them are junior students at Starfire University."

"They are classmates, but also competitors."

"The slaughter is so intense."

"Oh no!"

"Lost, Zhu Tong actually lost. Kunale's hammer technique is truly brilliant."

"Haha, Kunale is truly amazing, actually able to defeat a Fifth-Stage expert from the Xia Nation." Cheers erupted from the nearly one million spectators from the Tianzhu Nation on the spectator stand, extremely excited.

Corresponding to this were the millions of Xia Nation spectators, the atmosphere being much more oppressive.

Many spectators were very unhappy.

In a very short time, on the ten Star Realm battlefields, five battles between Fifth-Stage experts had already erupted, three of which involved Xia Nation geniuses, but all of them lost.

Jin Huguo, Tantai Feng, and Zhu Tong had all lost their Fifth-Stage duels one after another.

"Three consecutive top-tier clashes, and we couldn't win even one?" Many Xia Nation spectators felt stifled.

"Could it be that we are going to lose the championship this year?"

"Think about it from another angle; Tantai Feng is only a freshman, yet he can fight top-tier junior students from other countries; that is already very rare."

"Our Xia Nation has the most Fifth-Stage experts."

"Like the Flower Flag Nation, Ross Nation, and Tianzhu Nation, so far only two Fifth-Stage experts have emerged."

"What about us? Plus Li Yuan, Yin Man, and Yu Mingwei, who haven't fully erupted yet, there are a full six Fifth-Stage experts, accounting for one-third."

"We are already the number one power on Blue Star; isn't it expected that we account for one-third?" Numerous Xia Nation spectators were whispering, feeling quite unwilling.

"On the Star Realm battlefield where Yin Man is, no new Fifth-Stage experts have emerged yet; I estimate there won't be a Fifth-Stage battle."

"Li Yuan and Yu Mingwei both have the possibility of fighting fiercely with other Fifth-Stage experts." As time passed and the rankings became more stable, the expectations of many spectators had changed.

They hoped more to see duels between top-tier experts.

Like the Xia Nation spectators, almost all of them were following Li Yuan and Yu Mingwei.

Spectators from other countries were the same; unknowingly, the number of people following Li Yuan had already exceeded 3 million.

……

"Brother Teng Qing lost and died in battle."

"Sister Guan Shuyun didn't die, but she was injured in this melee, and her points have gradually dropped out of the top ten, but staying in the top hundred should be no problem." In the spectator area for Kunlun Martial Arts University students, everyone was discussing.

As one genius after another from Kunlun Martial Arts University was eliminated.

Li Yuan had unknowingly become the most dazzling genius alive from Kunlun Martial Arts University in the melee tournament, and the only one still in the top ten of the battlefield.

Suddenly.

"They met! They met! Li Yuan and Hoffman bumped into each other; the battle is about to begin."

"Both sides have already seen each other." A large number of Kunlun Martial Arts University students noticed this scene, their hearts in their throats.

Another Fifth-Stage battle was about to erupt.

One of them was the most dazzling genius of Kunlun Martial Arts University in decades, "Li Yuan."

"Brother Jin, who do you think can win?" Someone couldn't help but ask.

"Win?" Jin Huguo had already returned to the spectator stand. He looked at the two figures on the huge light screen high in the sky: "Hoffman is famous; he is second only to Hamon in the Flower Flag Nation and broke through early. Logically, he should be stronger than Li Yuan, after all, Li Yuan's breakthrough time is less than three months... but Li Yuan is best at creating miracles. Perhaps this time he can create a miracle too."

……

"Dazhuang, who do you think can win?" Tantai Feng also sat in the spectator stand, watching the two sides about to fight.

"I hope Li Yuan can win." Tian Dazhuang said very rationally: "But according to common reasoning, Hoffman should be stronger."

"Hoffman is dead meat." Tantai Feng laughed.

"Why?" Tian Dazhuang was puzzled; he didn't know that Li Yuan had been confirmed for a Second-Class Martial God inheritance spot.

"Because Li Yuan lost to me before." Tantai Feng said as a matter of course: "So, as long as Li Yuan can beat Hoffman, it's equivalent to me beating Hoffman."

"So Hoffman is dead meat." Tantai Feng said seriously.

"Damn, what kind of logic is that."

……

"They encountered each other, both sides are starting to approach. This is the fourth Fifth-Stage duel for our Xia Nation in the melee tournament."

"Can he win?"

"Li Yuan has shown very strong strength; before, he easily swept away other experts."

"Li Yuan lost to Tantai Feng in the Ten-School Freshman Battle before, and even Tantai Feng has already died in battle... I always feel a bit uncertain; Yin Man is the most stable." Many Xia Nation spectators looked up at the huge light screen, their confidence a bit lacking.

There was no helping it; Li Yuan's fame wasn't great enough before, and he was so young.

……

"Hoffman should be able to win."

"Hoffman broke through a long time ago. Li Yuan only reached micro-level spiritual awareness three months ago; I'm afraid he just crossed into the Fifth-Stage. He's already very monstrous."

"Li Yuan's chances of winning are very small." This was the common thought of the vast majority of participants from countries around the world.

"Li Yuan easily wins against other Fourth-Stage participants, but facing the powerful Hoffman, he will definitely lose."

"Hoffman is comparable to Hamon. Hamon defeated Jin Huguo, so Hoffman can defeat Li Yuan." The audience from the Flower Flag Nation and Europa were very fanatical.

Hamon defeated Jin Huguo before.

Now, they naturally hope Hoffman continues this victory!

……

In the higher-level spectator space.

"Li Yuan is about to fight Hoffman."

"This is Li Yuan's first Fifth-Stage battle." More than 100,000 Source Martial Artists were staring at this battle.

Dozens of Flying Martial Artists were also very concerned; they wanted to figure out why the Star Master was so concerned about Li Yuan.

Perhaps they could find the answer in this Fifth-Stage battle.

……

The outside world was already highly anticipated.

But inside the Seventh Star Realm battlefield, Li Yuan and Hoffman clearly didn't have this self-awareness.

Although they met early, they were still a hundred meters apart, observing each other, wanting to peek at the opponent's flaws.

A Fifth-Stage duel is naturally cautious.

"Li Yuan, I didn't expect my first Fifth-Stage opponent to be you." Hoffman laughed: "Your breakthrough time is probably very short; you won't be my opponent."

"Is age a big deal? If I were as old as you, I would have gone to the Flying Star long ago and wouldn't have come to participate in the Blue Star Tournament." Li Yuan shrugged, saying indifferently.

Hoffman's expression changed slightly.

The Global University Martial Arts Tournament, also commonly known as the "Blue Star Tournament," is limited to the interior of Blue Star.

In fact, once selected for the Martial God inheritance, one will no longer participate in the Blue Star Tournament, mostly only participating in the Human Martial Arts Elite Battle, which is a duel of top-tier geniuses from multiple sessions of the seven planets.

"Hmph, then let me see how strong you, this Xia Nation genius, are." Hoffman's eyes were cold: "I hope you don't let me down."

"That's what I should say to you." Li Yuan laughed: "After all, I am the battlefield number one, and you are only battlefield number two."

"I hope you aren't too weak." Li Yuan said indifferently.

Hoffman just wanted to continue speaking.

"Stop talking nonsense." Li Yuan roared suddenly, turning into a stream of light and rushing over.

Li Yuan's speed soared to nearly 80 meters/second in the blink of an eye.

Full eruption.

"So fast." Hoffman's expression was solemn; the physical fitness they possessed was equivalent, and the difference in the power and speed they erupted with was entirely due to their realm.

The higher the realm, the stronger the excavation of physical power.

After Fifth-Stage skills, the body gradually integrates into heaven and earth. Power doesn't seem stronger, but the air resistance received will decrease sharply, so the displayed speed will also be more exaggerated.

"Swish~"

The long spear was like a dragon; Li Yuan rushed and erupted, thrusting straight with a lightning-fast spear strike.

Mid-level thrust! The simplest spear technique, yet it contained the most terrifying power.

Simplicity is strength.

"Swish!" Hoffman drew his saber instantly; the saber light was extremely fast, suddenly touching the long spear. Terrifying power erupted from the long saber, causing the spear tip to shift instantly.

"Hoo!"

Li Yuan seemed to have expected this. The moment the spear body moved, the long spear in his hand shook, creating a sky full of spear shadows, thrusting down in succession. Hoffman followed by retreating violently, like a ghost.

"Boom!" Li Yuan followed up, the long spear whistling as he pursued and attacked.

Terrifying force erupted, causing rocks along the way to shatter, and even the ground cracked.

"Clang!" "Clang!"

"Boom! Boom boom!" In repeated terrifying clashes, Li Yuan completely occupied the upper hand. The long spear in his hand danced like rolling stars crushing down, either thrusting straight, hacking angrily, or sweeping, completely crushing Hoffman.

For a time, the two fought extremely intensely.

"Too fierce."

"His spear technique is completely different from other spear experts I've seen. It crushes layer by layer; it's truly domineering, not at all like someone who just entered the Fifth-Stage." Hoffman tried to struggle and block.

He had to admit that in just a few dozen clashes, he was being beaten by Li Yuan in frontal combat.

Li Yuan's spear was very domineering.

……

"Wow! Li Yuan is so aggressive."

"I have to change my attitude. The most dazzling freshman this year isn't Tantai Feng, it's Li Yuan!!"

"Hoffman is famous, yet he's being beaten by Li Yuan? Truly fierce."

"Li Yuan's spear technique is fierce. Is this his true strength? I like it!" The millions of Xia Nation spectators were extremely excited; many couldn't help but stand up.

"What a domineering spear technique, the intent of the stars! It really is a spear like a star." Jin Huguo's eyes had a glow: "Brother Li Yuan's strength is indeed stronger than mine."

…… "Haha, I said Hoffman is no match for Li Yuan." Tantai Feng said indifferently: "It's just a bit of a pity."

"Pity what?" Tian Dazhuang was stunned.

"At such a highly anticipated moment, it wasn't me who accomplished it." Tantai Feng felt quite regretful.

……

"Why is Hoffman so weak?"

"Or is Li Yuan too strong." The spectators from the Flower Flag Nation felt uncomfortable and full of worry.

Hoffman bragged so hard, why is he so ineffective?

……

"With just one saber, I can't fight him; my momentum is getting weaker and weaker." Hoffman's eyes were cold.

In a duel between experts, momentum is very important; sometimes it's about a kind of force.

The so-called suppressing people with force is this principle.

"If this continues, I will definitely lose."

"There's no helping it, I have to erupt." A trace of ferocity flashed in Hoffman's eyes: "I originally wanted to save it for the finals, but I'll use you as the first sacrifice."

He didn't take Li Yuan seriously before, only thinking that Li Yuan had just broken through to the Fifth-Stage not long ago, thinking he could easily solve it.

After all, normally, like these martial arts geniuses, even if their comprehension is amazing, after entering the Fifth-Stage, it's good if they can break through from Fifth-Stage Initial Tier to Mid-Tier within a year.

Not to mention a Fifth-Stage expert who just broke through?

But with Li Yuan's full eruption, his strength exceeded Hoffman's imagination, giving him a feeling that was not at all weaker than Hamon, and even more fierce and violent.

Hoo!

Hoffman jumped high again, and the battle saber in his hand flew out suddenly, shooting toward Li Yuan like a huge hidden weapon, the speed absolutely approaching the speed of sound.

"Clang!" Li Yuan shook his long spear and blasted the flying saber to the side.

A trace of doubt flashed in Li Yuan's heart.

What is Hoffman doing? Even throwing away his weapon?

"Haha, Li Yuan, very good." Hoffman retreated violently while pulling out two curved sabers from his back, smaller and more flexible.

His whole body landed on a huge rock.

"I wanted to erupt in the finals, but your strength is worth my going all out." Hoffman's eyes shone: "I will use my strongest strength to defeat you."

Boom!

Hoffman was like lightning, killing his way to Li Yuan's front like a gust of wind, two silver streams of light whistling over.

"Clang!" "Clang!"

"Clang!" Li Yuan attacked with attacks, the long spear changing, blocking the opponent's curved saber attacks lightning-fast time and again.

The saber technique was continuous and surprisingly fast.

If Hoffman's single saber just now was purely fierce, then his two curved sabers now... the power of a single saber was not as good as the previous single saber, but in coordination, the power was superimposed and soared.

And his movement technique also had obvious changes, more agile and changeable, completely surpassing Li Yuan's movement technique.

"What a ghostly movement technique."

"What fast double curved sabers; this is definitely his most proficient fighting style." Li Yuan felt extremely uncomfortable and was completely suppressed for a time.

Fifth-Stage experts using any weapon can quickly reach the Fifth-Stage level, so they don't have any obvious shortcomings.

But it's just that there are no weaknesses.

Every Fifth-Stage expert has their own strongest point and most suitable weapon... only when using these weapons can their strength be fully erupted, making the fit between moves and heaven and earth higher, and the power more terrifying.

Hoffman is like this at this moment.

Now attacking with attacks, Li Yuan was completely suppressed. Although Li Yuan's spear was long, his speed was a big chunk slower than Hoffman's.

"Clang!"

A curved saber hooked the long spear, the ghostly figure approached, and the other curved saber whistled, trying to sweep across Li Yuan's neck.

Boom!

Li Yuan retreated lightning-fast, pulling his spear and retreating, but this curved saber still grazed his shoulder.

"Rip~" A terrifying bloodstain was instantly drawn, and blood splattered.

Li Yuan's mind moved, his muscles locked, immediately stopping the blood from flowing.

"Li Yuan, admit defeat." Hoffman's eyes were full of excitement: "You can't withstand my attacks."

"Is that so?" Li Yuan was injured, but he had no panic, his fighting spirit still soaring, his eyes full of excitement: "Before participating in the tournament, I kept thinking, who could force out my strongest state? Hoffman, you are the first."

"Truly very good."

"The purpose of the tournament is to talk to the strong and temper oneself." Li Yuan grinned, his long spear slanted: "Come and attack, let me try your attacks again."

"Playing god." Hoffman snorted coldly, naturally not scared by Li Yuan's words.

Boom!

The two sides were only a few dozen meters apart. Hoffman's figure darted, and in less than a second, he was whistling and approaching Li Yuan again.

Two dazzling saber lights swept across the sky.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Spear light bloomed, whistling over, easily blocking the attacks of the two saber lights.

"Drink~" Hoffman roared, his figure distorted, the saber light became hazy, and his whole body seemed to integrate into heaven and earth, the curved saber hacking toward Li Yuan with full power.

"Boom!"

"Boom! Clang!" The two collided time and again, but the situation had completely changed. No matter how Hoffman attacked fiercely, Li Yuan only erupted with dazzling spear light around his body.

The spear light was like starlight, blocking Hoffman's attacks time and again, immovable like a mountain.

Impeccable.

"How could his defense suddenly become this strong?" Hoffman was incredulous; he had already gone all out to the extreme, yet he still couldn't shake Li Yuan.

Of course, Li Yuan's spear technique had changed drastically, and in a state of single-minded defense, he was unable to pose a threat to Hoffman.

……

"Too wonderful."

"This great battle is much more intense than the previous Fifth-Stage battles."

"Evenly matched." The millions of spectators in the tournament space watched with bated breath.

At the very beginning, both sides attacked, and Li Yuan had the advantage. When Hoffman erupted, Li Yuan fell into a disadvantage.

In the end, Li Yuan finally revealed his strongest defensive posture, easily blocking Hoffman's attacks.

It's just that Li Yuan seemed to only be able to defend, unable to kill Hoffman.

……

"Li Yuan's realm should be higher."

"Hmm, being able to realize the intent of the stars to this extent, he is only one step away from Fifth-Stage Mid-Tier. Li Yuan is stronger than Tantai Feng, Jin Huguo, and Hamon; amazing."

"Li Yuan excels in defense."

"If this were a ring match where a winner must be decided, then Hoffman would undoubtedly lose... but this is a melee match. Although Li Yuan can easily defend, he has no way to force Hoffman into a fight to the death." In the higher-level spectator space, those Flying-grade martial artists easily saw this point.

Their realm was too high, at least Fifth-Stage perfection skills.

They could see that in terms of realm, Li Yuan was more brilliant, but he excelled in defense, and there was no essential gap with Hoffman.

"This battle looks like it will be a draw." Xu Yuanzhang said in a low voice.

"It's enough." Li Yang was already extremely satisfied, laughing: "How long has Li Yuan crossed into the Fifth-Stage? Less than two months, and he has already become the limit of Fifth-Stage Initial Tier."

"With this super-strong defense, he can already challenge for the top ten or even the top five." Li Yang's eyes shone.

The strength Li Yuan revealed was even stronger than he had expected before.

"Hmm, strong defense is very advantageous in the finals." Xu Yuanzhang couldn't help but nod.

……

Seventh Star Realm battlefield, in the endless mountains and forests.

Boom! Boom! Li Yuan and Hoffman were still fighting constantly.

The terrifying aftermath sounds they caused spread for several kilometers, even attracting other participants still alive on the battlefield, but when they saw the two fighting, no one dared to approach.

At least they watched from seven or eight hundred meters away.

"Swish swish swish!" Hoffman's saber light was like flowing water, pouring onto Li Yuan's spear technique defensive circle time and again, returning without success time and again.

But he was still attacking fiercely.

And Li Yuan was defending with all his might, interpreting the core mystery of the Star Spear Technique, "Star Enlightenment," to the extreme.

Body like a star!

Standing on the earth, immovable.

Gradually, Li Yuan felt a trace of inexplicable fluctuation.

"Star Enlightenment, Enlightenment!"

"Star dust, blooming is that streak of micro-light; when the light gathers, it is like a star." Li Yuan performed his spear technique time and again, fighting frantically with Hoffman.

Fighting tragically with experts of the same level like this is something Li Yuan hadn't experienced for a long time.

Hoffman's saber technique touched Li Yuan's repeated spear technique pondering.

"Starlight!"

"Light!" Li Yuan finally grasped the flash of inspiration in his heart, thoroughly understanding the key to the third layer of "Star Intent," "Brother Xing He Convergence."

Suddenly.

"Boom!" The long spear in Li Yuan's hand changed suddenly, the spear light flickering, becoming more brilliant and dazzling, from streaks of starlight to streaks of star river crossing the sky.

Star Intent—Brother Xing He!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The terrifying spear technique bloomed and erupted, one spear after another, like a star river reversing, with infinite power, instantly turning from defense to attack, fiercely impacting Hoffman.

"Clang!"

The first spear collision made Hoffman's expression change; he could clearly feel that Li Yuan's spear technique had changed, becoming faster and containing stronger power... this was an obvious transformation.

Followed by the second spear, third spear, fourth spear... the terrifying power contained in the spear technique completely crushed him.

The two sides were no longer on the same level.

"Retreat!"

"Escape!" This thought flashed through Hoffman's mind instantly, and his figure retreated violently, attempting to flee into the distance.

He no longer had any intention of killing Li Yuan.

Boom!

But as he dodged and retreated, Li Yuan's explosive speed was even faster. His figure lunged forward, his speed soaring to directly exceed 80 meters per second, and his long spear whistled as it thrust over once again.

Clang, clang, clang! Clang! After several more lightning-fast collisions.

"Rip~" With one spear strike, one of Hoffman's arms was sent flying, fresh blood splattering.

Whoosh~

Another spear thrust out like lightning.

"Puchi!"

The spear tip grazed directly across Hoffman's neck, flashing and disappearing in an instant, not even allowing blood to flow out.

Whoosh!

Li Yuan had already swept dozens of meters away, pausing for only a moment before immediately walking toward the distance.

The outcome was decided!

Over there, Hoffman tried to grip his own neck, but blood overflowed. He opened his mouth, yet could not make a sound.

Clang~ Clang~ The final blade dropped to the ground.

Thud~

Hoffman's corpse fell heavily to the ground!

This battle ultimately ended in Li Yuan's victory, also announcing the birth of the strongest person in the Seventh Star Realm.

……

"Spear like a galaxy!"

"This! This! Incredible!"

"He's only a freshman, right? It seems he's only eighteen and a half years old, and his spear technique has already reached this level?"

"Fifth-Stage Mid-Tier!! A freshman student, able to reach this level?" In that higher-level spectator space, the dozens of Flying-grade martial artists from all over the world and the thousands of top-tier Source martial artists were all amazed by it.

(End of chapter)