Chapter 886: Star‑Heaven Martial Performance Ceremony (41)

Although the Xian Zhou people enjoy abundant blessings and their vitality is truly extraordinary, it doesn't mean they can't die. Moreover, the initial figures were only at 15% of Luan Po's progress; after ten years of tempering, Luan Po has become a complete form, and now a single punch can wield the force of over a hundred elephants.

That is enough for her to punch through a tank's frontal armor with her bare hands, to drive through an aircraft carrier's deck from a standstill, and as long as she moves deliberately she can far exceed the speed of sound. Such dense muscle and bone strength also makes her immune to all human weapons on Earth. Even if someone tries to annihilate her with a nuclear bomb, she can relocate to a safe spot beyond the bomb's reach before it even falls.

Logically, even if Bo Ti O and Luan Po fought one‑on‑one, the force of a revolver's bullet would only tickle her, and Yan Qing might not actually be that woman's opponent.

Putting combat techniques aside and considering only physical strength, perhaps only that monster Fei Xiao could compare.

———

"\"\"I'm about to go on stage right away... it feels like a dream. \"\" In the lounge, Lu Ka stared at his own hands, recalling his past experiences, and felt a bit incredulous."

"Ka Mei Li comforted him: \"Stay relaxed, contestant Lu Ka, just treat this as an ordinary points match. \""

"\"You are destined to end up in history textbooks. \""

"\"Indeed~ regardless of how the Jing Feng Shou Lei turns out, you will already be a figure of Bei Luo Bo Ge whose name will be recorded in history. \""

"\"That's what makes me feel like I'm dreaming. But actually the greatest takeaway from this Luo Fu journey is that I've come to understand something, \" Lu Ka said. \"I don't throw punches to obtain anything, nor to prove anything… I don't even punch for victory. In the instant I throw a punch, I am the happiest being in the entire galaxy, and that's all. \""

"\"I don't fully get it, but I'm still happy to witness your growth! \""

"At this moment Lu Ka finally understood... Mr. Jie Pa De, Yin Zhi, Bo Ti O, and Shi Wa Luo were all trying to tell him the same thing. After grasping this, he began to wonder whether he could be considered as having half a foot in the realm of the strong, or perhaps the so‑called "strong" is merely a state of mind."

"The two arrived at the arena, and Lu Ka could see from afar the opponent he was about to challenge."

"Only… this time it was he who felt a sense of familiarity."

"\"Hello, Mr. Lu Ka, we meet again, \" Yan Qing turned around, smiling brightly at him."

"\"... How could that be? You are… you are that… 【Leng Feng】! \""

"\"Sorry I didn't tell you my name in person; I am the Luo Fu arena‑guard swordsman Yan Qing. Lu Ka, I've been watching you these past days. While you weren't aware, I've been admiring each of your matches from the audience seats. \""

"\"I must admit, you are an extraordinary warrior—resilient, keen, and not lacking strength. More importantly, your self‑recognition—each punch you throw carries a courage indifferent to win or loss—has impressed me. I've heard about the plight of your world. I understand you need this victory. Just one step away, and you can take the name of Bei Luo Bo Ge into history together. \""

"Yan Qing's tone shifted, and his expression instantly grew serious: \"But as a Luo Fu arena‑guard swordsman, I also have what I must uphold... \""

———

Offer blessings to a beautiful world.

"\"Waaah—! Do these two have to lose one of them? I… I don't want either of them to lose the match! \""

"\"A Ku Ya's deep blue eyes were filled with tears as she frantically shook He Zhen's shoulder: 'He Zhen, think quickly—any idea that could let both of them win simultaneously? Lu Ka has walked all the way from the lower zone to here, just one step away! But I can't bear to see Yan Qing lose; that kid is good‑looking, has great swordsmanship and a kind heart. Why does it have to be these two in the finals? It's too cruel! I won't accept it!'\""

"\"You have to accept it even if you don't want to; that's the cruelty of competitive sports, \" He Zhen pried A Ku Ya's hand away. \"Besides, there's nothing I can do for you. Even your gods' powers can't affect the heavens, let alone ordinary adventurers. \""

"\"Moreover, Lu Ka reaching this point is already perfect; without the star's help, he might have been eliminated after failing to defeat a few opponents. The one who could originally win only two or three rounds has, so far, lost only to Bo Ti O—luck, strength, and personal breakthrough are all indispensable; seeing it that way, doesn't it feel much better? \""

"\"It does seem that way... \" A Ku Ya wiped the corner of her eye, \"He Zhen, do you want to take part in the Performance Ceremony? \""

"\"I absolutely don't want to! \" He Zhen rejected outright, crossing a huge "X" with his hands over his chest. \"Are you, you idiot goddess, hoping to see me get beaten? My Steal skill only lets me publicly snatch the opponent's underwear during the ceremony—but if I actually used it, I'd probably be deemed sexual harassment and expelled from the Xian Zhou, right? \""

"\"Rather than sparring with others, I'd rather peacefully do missions, earn money, drink, and live a carefree life of having food handed to me and meals served on a silver platter! \""

———

"\"I can't muster any grand, passionate pre‑battle speech, Brother Yan Qing. Thank you for guiding me when I was first lost. These past days, countless people like you have shown me the way, bringing me to this very arena. Do you remember the heroic words we shouted into the sky? \""

"\"Lu Ka took a deep breath and shouted to the heavens: 'I! Lu Ka! will definitely win! I will definitely defeat Yan Qing!'\""

"\"As Lu Ka's voice faded, even louder cheers erupted from both sides of the arena. \""

"\"The much‑anticipated Iron‑Arm Lu Ka, having endured countless perils, has finally arrived before Lord Yan Qing! Since the opening of the Performance Ceremony, 'Lu Ka challenges Yan Qing' has topped the audience's anticipation list, and now this long‑awaited dream duel is about to be shown to viewers across the entire galaxy! \""

"\"What the two didn't know was that in a corner of the arena, Jing Yuan had already taken a viewing spot, silently appreciating the battle between his beloved disciple and Lu Ka. \""

"\"Everyone standing on this arena is an outstanding warrior. You are a first‑class pugilist, just as I am a first‑class swordsman. That fact won't change because of win or loss. \""

"\"Yan Qing stood at one end of the arena, like a pine standing proudly after snow. Watching Lu Ka's ready stance, he gently pushed forward with the thumb of his right hand on his sword—\""

"\"Clang—! \""

"\"A clear, lingering sword chant, like a glacier cracking, rang from the sheath behind him! Yet before that first note faded, a continuous, crisp cascade of swords being drawn sounded like a sudden storm, all echoing across the arena at once. \""

"\"Blade light swirled, cold rays flickered, seven or eight flying swords sprang forth, encircling the arena. For a moment Lu Ka felt the surrounding air drop sharply, white frost forming visibly in the air, and in a daze he even felt as if he had returned to Bei Luo Bo Ge. \""

"\"Yan Qing stepped back a pace and saluted with one hand: 'Lu Ka, please!'\"