Chapter 213: Who Is Number One?

The top three were decided, and the Dragon-Tiger Storm Gathering reached its ultimate climax.

The entire Wudicheng boiled with excitement over this final confrontation.

Major gambling dens in the city adjusted their odds overnight, setting new betting markets for Chen Mu, Ye Jiuzhong, and Cao Shaozu.

Bettors shouted and argued, each waving banners and cheering for their favored prodigies.

"Bet on Ye Jiuzhong! His thunder arts are ruthless and unmatched—he will take first place!"

"I back Cao Shaozu! His Thousand Blade Art has Reached Perfection; only someone extraordinary could become one of the Twelve Monthly Altar Masters of the Heavenly Alliance!"

"Chen Mu is the dark horse! He's advanced steadily, his depth unfathomable—his ranking on the Potential Dragon List is long overdue for an update!"

"…"

Supporters argued until their faces turned red, tea houses and inns buzzed all night, and countless eyes fixed on the final battle at dawn, eager for the earth-shaking clash among the three prodigies.

Yet.

When morning light bathed the square and countless spectators leaned forward in anticipation, the event's organizer announced the final rule—and left everyone stunned.

"By decree of the City Lord's Office, the method to determine first place among this year's top three is neither a round-robin nor a bye system."

The organizer's voice echoed across the arena, silencing all.

Then, after a pause, amid countless puzzled gazes, he slowly uttered four words: "It is—Compare Power!"

"Competition? You mean a match?"

"Bai Chi, it's the 'power' of aura!"

"What? Compare… power?"

"No fighting? What kind of power?"

"What kind of rule is this? I've never heard of it!"

The crowd erupted in uproar, murmurs surging like a tide.

Even Chen Mu, Ye Jiuzhong, and Cao Shaozu all showed expressions of surprise.

The organizer raised a hand, signaling silence, then explained:

"By 'Compare Power,' we mean a contest of aura and martial domain."

"This 'power' is not merely cultivation energy—it is the fused essence of a martial artist's essence, spirit, will, belief, martial Dao realm, and even latent fate and potential, forming an invisible field."

"Every martial artist possesses such a field, but few perceive it after birth; fewer still touch it. Only upon breaking through to the Primordial Stage can one condense it."

"All three of you shall ascend the central arena simultaneously. No need to exchange blows—only unleash your full 'power' and press against each other."

"The one who endures longest under the pressure of the other two's power, while maintaining the most steadfast aura of their own, shall be crowned champion of this gathering!"

…

This rule utterly exceeded everyone's expectations.

It was no longer a mere test of strength, speed, or technique—it rose to a far more mysterious level, a trial of a martial artist's comprehensive foundation and future potential.

"Hahahaha~ Fascinating! Truly fascinating!"

Ye Jiuzhong was the first to react—not disappointed, but his tiger-like eyes gleamed, his battle lust surging higher: "No fighting, only compare power? Perfect—I, Ye, shall test the power of both of you."

Cao Shaozu snorted, his gaze sharp as a blade: "Compare power? Perfect! My blade power shall cleave through all!"

Chen Mu's eyes flickered slightly; a novel sensation stirred within him.

Compare power…

This was indeed an excellent way to test one's martial foundation.

Under countless curious, expectant, or bewildered gazes, Chen Mu, Ye Jiuzhong, and Cao Shaozu stepped forward together and ascended the broad central arena.

The three sat cross-legged in a triangular formation, each only a zhang apart.

This distance allowed their qi, will, and presence to collide most directly and violently.

The entire arena fell silent; countless eyes fixed on them, awaiting this peculiar "Compare Power" duel.

"Begin!"

At the judge's command—

"Clang!"

A piercing, unmatched sharpness erupted first from Cao Shaozu.

It was not real blade qi—but more terrifying than blade qi, as if ten thousand invisible blades unsheathed at once, carrying an absolute will to cut through all, charging straight at Chen Mu and Ye Jiuzhong!

"Boom—"

Almost simultaneously, Ye Jiuzhong's body exploded with a furious, destructive thunderous power!

Though no silver lightning flashed visibly, the invisible pressure descended like divine wrath, roaring with willful force, ruthlessly meeting Cao Shaozu's blade power while also crushing toward Chen Mu.

Facing these two overwhelming assaults, Chen Mu's gaze remained calm; he shifted his intent, and a simulated flame power surged skyward.

It was not real fire, but condensed into searing heat and a roaring, dragon-like martial spirit, forming an invisible, bellowing fire dragon that charged head-on!

"Hum—"

Three utterly distinct yet equally formidable "powers" crashed violently at the center of the arena!

No dazzling lights, no deafening explosions—but the invisible collision seemed to warp space itself, making the air between them twist violently, rippling like water.

Low, soul-deep rumbles echoed continuously, striking each spectator's heart.

"Ssshh~!"

On the viewing stands, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath and stifled cries rose.

"Is this what 'power' collision looks like? So terrifying!"

"Even behind the protective array, I feel my spirit trembling!"

"They haven't moved a muscle—and yet it's more dangerous than actual combat!"

…

From atop the highest viewing platform, the senior administrators of Wudicheng also watched the battle with keen interest from afar, savoring the three utterly distinct "momentum."

"Cao Shaozu's momentum is like tempered fine steel—unparalleled in sharpness, charging forward without hesitation, deeply grasping the essence of the blade dao. A pity it's overly extreme; the rigid easily snaps," an elder commented.

"Ye Jiuchong's momentum is violent and fierce, grand and upright, with boundless potential. Yet it is too savage, lacking a touch of mellow composure," another commander said, stroking his beard.

"Chen Mu's momentum…"

An old man with the deepest eyes pondered for a moment, a glint of astonishment flashing through them. "Blazing like flames yet inwardly restrained and profound, soaring upward yet firmly rooted. Even rarer, it seems to contain an indescribable tenacity and inclusiveness. This boy's disposition is extraordinary."

The senior leaders' favored picks were not all the same, but undoubtedly, the "momentum" Chen Mu displayed surprised them the most.

Comparing momentum consumes no true qi; it tests the tenacity of will, the purity of belief, and the refinement of martial dao intent. Physical strength and stamina rank only at the very end.

Put plainly, this was a war of attrition.

……

Time slipped away in silent yet perilous clashes.

From morning to afternoon, the sky shifted from light to dark, then from dark to light again.

One day, two days…

Three full days passed, and the three on the arena were like three stone statues, utterly motionless.

The spectators in the surrounding stands changed batch after batch. Once the initial novelty of this hands-off contest wore off, it became dull and tedious. Many lost patience and left, but a great many who firmly believed they would witness history held their ground.

Until noon on the fifth day, when a sudden change erupted!