Chapter 839: Star Sky Martial Exhibition Ceremony (II)

"How can that be? Eating anything at such a crucial moment would ruin your body‑fat ratio, right?!"

Na Ta Sha smiled faintly: "I understand, you're eager to join the Shell City representative preliminaries' finals. However, Jiepad is not easy to handle."

Lu Ka, brimming with confidence: "I've studied Jiepad's techniques carefully! Big sister, just wait and see; I will definitely defeat Mr. Jiepad and become the first fighter from Beloberg in seven hundred years qualified to compete in the starry sky!"

"……"

Two weeks later, the arena.

"Next, under the witness of the Great Guardian and the people of Beloberg, we will witness a historic showdown. Silver Mane Iron Guard Garrison Officer Jiepad Langdao will face the 'Warrior of the Molten Hammer', Iron Arm Lu Ka." Pela's voice echoed above the arena, "Please welcome the two competitors onto the stage!"

Before the start, Oleg kept reminding him of his combat habits. Lu Ka had defeated countless opponents to reach the finals, and his master Oleg was rather proud: "... Don't place too much weight on winning or losing. Making it to the finals to face Jiepad is an honor in itself, even if you can't get to that Salty Porridge Radish."

Hu Ke instantly objected: "That's not allowed! Lu Ka brother promised Hu Ke that if he wins the finals, he'll bring Hu Ke along to see the world outside!"

Lu Ka stepped onto the center of the arena, where Jiepad stood solemnly awaiting him.

Neither of them were the chatting type, so they let their fists do the talking. In fact, Lu Ka couldn't break through Jiepad's defense at all; the more he struck, the more impatient he became, and finally Jiepad seized the moment and sent him flying with a single elbow.

Lu Ka scrambled up from the ground, lowering his head regretfully: "I lost... Mr. Jiepad, you are indeed superior."

"Lu Ka, your technique and strength are flawless. Yet you care too much about winning or losing, which actually prevents you from giving your all," Jiepad said.

"But if I don't care about winning or losing, what's my purpose standing here?"

"That's a question you must answer yourself. From my own experience... the inner voice of a person is especially noisy, particularly in safe and comfortable places. Some of the most important voices in your heart can only be heard clearly during pain, unease, or danger."

"So perhaps once you leave your familiar hometown and go to the unfamiliar Luofu, you'll understand the answer."

Lu Ka suddenly doubted his hearing: "Wait, after I get to Luofu? The one who wins is you?"

"To be honest with you, I can't abandon my current duties and leave Beloberg," Jiepad shook his head. "I came this time to verify whether you have the strength to face competitors from other worlds in this martial gathering. And now, I acknowledge your ability."

——

Legend of Sword and Fairy III.

Jiepad was pretty generous, just handing over such a precious slot. Jing Tian, seeing Lu Ka land a heavy punch on Jiepad's modified music box, heard a muffled "thud" and clicked his tongue: "If Beloberg truly values rankings, they might as well let Shi Wa Luo try. After all, Shi Wa Luo is stronger than Lu Ka."

"The Martial Exhibition Ceremony, how could you possibly send a tin man?" Xue Jian gave him a cold stare, "Sending Shi Wa Luo is like having no one left in Beloberg, and Shi Wa Luo is less a person than a 'weapon'. It's like a cursed sword signing up for a tournament—doesn't that seem odd?"

"Hmm... that makes sense." Jing Tian tipped back a sip of 'Drunken Flower Spring', smiled and leaned toward Xue Jian, "Let me ask you, if I step onto the Martial Exhibition Ceremony arena, what rank do you think I'd achieve?"

"You?" Xue Jian instinctively leaned back a bit, "You... as long as you don't get eliminated in the first round, that's fine."

"You're kidding! I'm not that weak. I've beaten the Evil Sword Immortal and even someone who mastered a single move of the Heavy Tower! Surely I can make the top three on the stage!" Jing Tian muttered discontentedly.

"It's good that big brother is confident," Long Kui covered her mouth with a light laugh. "If I may say, if big brother practiced diligently every day, winning the arena wouldn't be impossible. Unfortunately, Long Kui often hears you and that demon lord drinking in the backyard at the hour of the rooster; if big brother doesn't practice swordsmanship, even stepping onto the arena might not guarantee a win."

"Now that the world is peaceful, there's no need to brandish swords and spears daily." Jing Tian sensibly capped the wine jar, leaned against the old locust tree behind him, and sighed, "... Looking back, if I used the martial arts I employed to subdue the Evil Sword Immortal, I'd be unstoppable on this Martial Exhibition Ceremony stage, even against the likes of Yan Qing Yunli..."

"Even 'Yan Qing Yunli', you can keep bragging."

Xue Jian knew that whenever this guy had two taels of yellow broth in his stomach, the usual post‑drink bragging would follow, and she mercilessly interrupted, "If you run into Yan Qing's junior, they won't let you face the ground, even if they show mercy. Also, stop taking off your pants and farting here, and get back to the room to sleep!"

——

Jiepad solemnly handed the opportunity to fight this time to Lu Ka, also hoping he would take on the mission of promoting Yarilo‑VI to the various forces of the galaxy.

"Mr. Jiepad, please don't charity me. Opportunities must be earned honestly with one's own strength!"

"You've misunderstood, Lu Ka, this isn't charity. This victory is a loan I give you; you must repay me with a win at the Martial Exhibition Ceremony." Jiepad snatched the microphone and shouted to the crowd of seated spectators, "I announce that the competitor qualified to represent Beloberg and go to the Luofu Celestial Ship for the Martial Exhibition Ceremony is—Lu Ka!"

Amid the cheers, Lu Ka also received a formal reception from Bu Luo Ni Ya, mainly discussing some news about Luofu.

"\"I've always been curious... although Yarilo‑VI has reestablished contact with the outside, we've always dealt with the company. Why suddenly join this fighting tournament in a place called 'Luofu'? \" Lu Ka asked.

"\"Not long ago, Beloberg's interstellar communication base resumed operation. A month ago, we received a severely distorted 'invitation'—the Celestial Ship Alliance sincerely invites Yarilo‑VI's warriors to attend the Martial Exhibition Ceremony."