Chapter 271: Breaking the Limit

On the Dragon-Tiger Platform, Li Fei and the Chu family martial artist had been playing "hide-and-seek" for over ten minutes.

Even for a tournament match, this was quite a long time, and "hide-and-seek" was actually quite exhausting.

"Hah... hah."

The Chu family martial artist panted twice.

He had been bursting with full power to try and catch Li Fei; after a full ten-plus minutes of pursuit, his stamina and innate Qi were heavily depleted, and the Rhinoceros Dragon Shield in his hand had grown several times heavier.

One had to know that this shield weighed over three hundred jin!

If this continued, he might end up unable to even lift the shield.

Li Fei certainly had consumption as well, but firstly, the physique of a Force-Refining martial artist was stronger than that of a standard martial artist, granting better stamina; secondly, Force was more condensed and durable than innate Qi; and thirdly, he wasn't carrying a three-hundred-jin shield, so his consumption was lower than his opponent's.

Therefore, Li Fei did not fear such a war of attrition; if the martial artist who came up next didn't possess fire-attribute or metal-attribute innate Qi, he could defeat them relatively easily as well.

This was the reason Chu Bo had abandoned the attrition strategy.

Just as the martial artist on the platform hesitated over whether to continue the pursuit, a powerful aura suddenly surged over.

Both he and Li Fei instinctively turned to look, only to see a man holding a long saber emerge from the restaurant where Chu Bo was located.

High-temperature steam constantly rose from the man's body; his clothes and trousers were quickly ignited and turned to ash, revealing a full set of black protective gear underneath.

His exposed skin was dark red, covered in lines of flame runes, all emitting white steam.

The person who arrived was none other than Liu Zheng, who had consumed a Limit-Breaking Pill. His implant was the most common fire-attribute implant, 【Flame Pattern】, but the aura he radiated now felt like a living volcano about to erupt!

"This is 【Flame Pattern】? Something's not right!"

On another restaurant balcony, Zhang Zongyang, who was also watching the battle from the window, revealed a look of astonishment.

"This level of 【Flame Pattern】 is already comparable to a Dao Foundation realm expert."

Beside him, Shangguan Xiao said in a deep voice.

She herself was at the Dao Foundation realm, so her judgment was convincing enough.

These words caused the Zhang family members present to panic.

"How is that possible?!"

"Liu Zheng is clearly only at the Qi Transformation stage."

"He couldn't have suddenly broken through his realm."

"Could it be a Limit-Breaking Pill?"

Someone guessed the truth.

A pill like the Limit-Breaking Pill was naturally extremely precious; after all, having such a pill on one's person was equivalent to having an extra life in a crisis!

Even the Zhang family couldn't produce many such pills, and they hadn't expected Chu Bo to have one in his possession.

Clearly, this pill was a trump card Chu Bo had kept for himself, only to be forced out by Li Fei now.

"Damn it, he actually used a Limit-Breaking Pill!"

Someone from the Zhang family cursed.

Even Shangguan Xiao, who had always been full of confidence in Li Fei, couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

She wasn't worried about Li Fei's safety, as she had once seen Li Fei face a Dao Foundation realm expert head-on.

But at that time, Li Fei was in his "Blood Demon State." If Li Fei used such a trump card on this occasion, his identity as the Green-Faced Ghost would be exposed immediately!

After all, the Green-Faced Ghost had the lives of many officials on his hands; once exposed, even if Li Fei were a peerless genius, the Martial University wouldn't be able to protect him.

In that case, his bright future would be ruined.

Therefore, Shangguan Xiao also began to feel worried for Li Fei.

After incorporating a new implant, a Dao Foundation realm expert would receive enhancements on three levels:

One, the body receives a new reinforcement.

Two, Force is strengthened because of the integration of new innate Qi.

Three, the original implant is strengthened, delaying the aging period, while supernatural abilities are enhanced.

Now that Liu Zheng had consumed the Limit-Breaking Pill, drastically stimulating the potential of the implant in his body, it was equivalent to obtaining most of the second enhancement and the third enhancement.

In other words, he was currently equivalent to more than half a Dao Foundation realm expert!

Without exposing his true combat power, could Li Fei withstand this "half" Dao Foundation realm expert?

At this moment, even Shangguan Xiao had no certainty in her heart.

"Get down."

At the same time, Liu Zheng said to the Chu family martial artist on the platform in a hoarse voice.

Upon hearing this, the martial artist breathed a sigh of relief and turned to jump off the platform without hesitation.

This counted as a voluntary concession.

He walked toward the man who was steaming all over, feeling a bit afraid to get close.

"Give me the shield."

Liu Zheng extended his left hand toward him.

"Alright."

The martial artist handed the Rhinoceros Dragon Shield to Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng took the shield.

In this way, he held a level-five shield in his left hand and a level-four saber in his right!

Not only that, he was also wearing a level-four protective suit.

This protective suit had been taken directly off Chu Bo, and Liu Zheng had changed into it on the spot.

Liu Zheng walked toward the platform step by step; in just these few steps, the shoes on his feet were burned to ash by the high temperature!

Sizzle—

As Liu Zheng leaped onto the Dragon-Tiger Platform and stepped barefoot onto the Xuanwu Stone, it immediately made the sound of a red-hot soldering iron being plunged into water, and the sturdy Xuanwu Stone began to melt slowly!

Looking at Li Fei ten meters away, Liu Zheng revealed a scorching expression, raised the level-four exotic weapon in his hand, and slashed through the air from top to bottom.

Whoosh—

The next second, red flame Force surged out from the blade.

A Force-Refining martial artist at the late stage of Qi Transformation could not only project Force externally but also give it shape.

Shaping wasn't for aesthetics, but to control the flow and structure of the Force, thereby utilizing higher-level martial arts.

The Force Liu Zheng had refined was the Blazing Fierce Force, which was more ferocious than the Flame Flow Force but lacked agility, so he couldn't master Chu Bo's signature killing move, "Returning to Ash." The inspiration for this strike came from "Returning to Ash," but it was much cruder.

A huge flame blade over ten meters long appeared on the platform, slashing down toward Li Fei!

This strike was indeed crude, but it was also sufficiently brutal and powerful!

Li Fei raised his Ghost-Slaying Saber and channeled his Diamond Force with all his might.

The Wall of Diamond formed once again, blocking the giant flame blade.

Bang!!!

The Dragon-Tiger Platform shook, and a violent gust of wind swept through the entire street, blowing away hats, shattering windows, and making the restaurant flags flap wildly.

On the platform, Li Fei maintained his posture of holding the saber with one hand; his clothes and trousers were all burned to ash by the flame Force, revealing the full set of protective gear underneath.

He had blocked this strike!

The protective gear he wore was also level-four, lent to him by the Zhang family.

Relying on Diamond Force, the level-four protective gear, and his Tyrant Body, Li Fei had completely withstood Liu Zheng's strike.

This scene caused the Zhang family members in the restaurant to become collectively excited!

In reality, Li Fei had encountered more powerful attacks before; that was the strongest opponent he had fought to date—the strongest combatant under the "Beast King," Zhang Shan.

That night, Li Fei had relied on the True Blood Force he had just comprehended, plus the Tyrant Body strengthened several times over by the Blood Demon State, and a level-three protective suit, yet he still couldn't block the opponent's Dark Flame Fierce Dragon Force. (See Chapter 135 of Volume 1 for details.)

Today, his Diamond Force defense was much stronger than his True Blood Force, and the level-four protective suit was also stronger than the level-three one; the only thing inferior was the Tyrant Body. Overall, his total defense was slightly weaker than it had been back then.

But even after consuming the Limit-Breaking Pill, Liu Zheng's over-limit explosive Blazing Fierce Force was far inferior to Zhang Shan's Dark Flame Fierce Dragon Force, so he actually couldn't break through Li Fei's defense.

Crack!

Crack, crack, crack—

On the Dragon-Tiger Platform, a long crack spread from the long saber in Liu Zheng's hand all the way to Li Fei's feet!

"Is this the feeling of the Dao Foundation realm?"

Liu Zheng looked at the crack under his feet and said with a touch of intoxication.

He knew that he hadn't actually touched the Dao Foundation realm, but this feeling of power still moved him deeply.

This was the first, and also the last, time in his life he would experience such power.

"I hope you can hold on a little longer."

Liu Zheng, having failed with one strike, said to Li Fei sincerely.

At the same time, huge exclamations erupted all around.

People were shocked by that massive flame blade just now!

"So strong!"

Zhao Yi in the crowd exclaimed:

"He shouldn't be able to beat an opponent like this, right? Is he finally going to be defeated?"

She thought this, filled with anticipation.

On the platform, Liu Zheng began his charge.

Li Fei also began his charge; this was the first time he had taken the initiative to contest the distance for unleashing Force with an opponent.

Boom!!!

Two figures collided, blades striking each other with a sound like thunder.

Liu Zheng's blade force was heavy and deep; he stood his ground, while Li Fei retreated several steps.

The absolute difference in strength meant Li Fei could not withstand such a head-on collision.

This was also the reason Liu Zheng was so confident of victory; he did not need to kill Li Fei, only to knock him off the ring.

"Again!"

Liu Zheng grinned broadly, looking uncharacteristically unrestrained and arrogant.

He stepped forward, swinging his blade to strike once more.

Li Fei met the attack.

The brilliant golden light and flame force collided three times in an instant, and Li Fei retreated three times, already forced to the edge of the ring.

"It's over."

Liu Zheng thought with a hint of regret, charging for the fourth time.

This time, Li Fei did not clash with him head-on, but ran to the right, attempting to avoid the charge.

Liu Zheng's speed was currently superior to Li Fei's, and he could project his force outward.

He swung his blade horizontally, and a giant flame blade appeared once more, this time sweeping toward Li Fei!

Based on the results of the previous collisions, Li Fei would surely be swept off the ring.

Li Fei's entire body was enveloped in Golden Body force; he suddenly dropped to one knee, driving his Ghost-Slaying Blade deep into the Xuanwu Stone beneath his feet, burying half the blade.

Bang—

The giant flame blade was severed as it swept across Li Fei's body, and Li Fei was also knocked backward by the immense impact.

He gripped the blade with both hands, carving a deep groove into the ring, and finally stopped after retreating only a meter or so.

No one knew that, in truth, if Li Fei had wanted to, he could have avoided retreating even once.

It was just that doing so would have been too shocking.

Shangguan Xiao was worried about him exposing his true combat strength, and he was also thinking about how to win this match "reasonably."

Swish!

Li Fei yanked the blade from the ground, and Liu Zheng charged over with his blade.

Turning and swinging, he swept the Ghost-Slaying Blade out; golden blade beams were unleashed like surging waves, layer upon layer, until four layers of waves stacked together and crashed into the blade in Liu Zheng's hand.

The Four-Fold Wave unleashed with force was the limit of what Li Fei could currently achieve.

Borrowing the time bought by this four-fold blade force, he twisted his waist, turned, and held his blade horizontally before his chest.

Bang!!!

The flame-wrapped blade struck heavily against the Ghost-Slaying Blade, the surging power erupting like a volcano.

Li Fei used the force to retreat; because he had adjusted his stance earlier, he first moved laterally, then retreated toward the center of the ring.

Liu Zheng turned and continued to pursue.

Another round of collisions, and Li Fei was once again forced to the edge of the ring.

But just as Liu Zheng prepared to sweep Li Fei off the ring, Li Fei repeated his previous tactic, unleashing another Four-Fold Wave, then adjusted his stance.

Liu Zheng was also an experienced expert who had been through a hundred battles; he immediately made adjustments, temporarily changing the angle of his strike.

But Li Fei had sensed this change in advance and followed suit, stepping forward half a step to block the opponent's blade with the Ghost-Slaying Blade ahead of time.

Clang—

The two blades collided again, and the Ghost-Slaying Blade slid along the opponent's blade toward the hilt; when Liu Zheng applied force a second time, he could only press downward toward Li Fei.

The Xuanwu Stone beneath Li Fei's feet cracked, but he ultimately was not forced back.

Liu Zheng could not break through Li Fei's defense, and continuing to apply force was meaningless; he voluntarily retreated a few steps, then exerted force to strike again.

Li Fei still used the Four-Fold Wave blade force to block first, then used the Ghost-Slaying Blade to actively parry Liu Zheng's blade.

After trying a few times, Liu Zheng realized that although he could hold the upper hand, he seemed unable to do anything to Li Fei for the moment.

The effect of the Limit-Breaking Pill had a time limit.

In his desperation, Liu Zheng simply threw away the Rhino-Dragon Shield he had been holding in his left hand.

He had never known how to use a shield anyway; Chu Bo had told him to carry it just in case, but now the shield was affecting his performance.

After discarding the shield, Liu Zheng switched to holding his blade with both hands, and both his speed and power increased by a notch.

Li Fei finally could not parry completely and was forced backward by the relentless strikes.

Soon, he was back at the edge of the ring.

"Get down—"

Liu Zheng swung his blade with both hands once more, shattering the Four-Fold Wave force and striking the Ghost-Slaying Blade held across Li Fei's chest, pressing the blade against Li Fei's chest.

But this time, Li Fei did not retreat.

"Hm?"

Liu Zheng wore a puzzled expression.

Just moments ago, he had relied on absolute strength to force Li Fei back time and again, but with this final strike, he felt as if he had crashed into a mountain—a Golden Body Mountain!

Before he could figure out what was happening, Li Fei suddenly kicked out with his right leg, sweeping it fiercely against his calf like a sickle.

This was the Sickle-Hook Leg that Li Fei had not used in a long time!

Such a move did not have much lethality for Liu Zheng, but Li Fei was not aiming for lethality.

The sudden, immense force caused Liu Zheng to lose his balance, his body tilting forward.

He retracted his blade, intending to retreat, but Li Fei's left hand, which had been empty, grabbed his wrist!

He exerted force, pulling backward!

Liu Zheng was startled, immediately understanding Li Fei's intent; subconsciously, he exploded with all his power, and the flame symbol on his wrist even spewed out Blazing Force.

But Li Fei suddenly let go.

It was like a tug-of-war, where one side pulls back with all their might, and the other side suddenly lets go.

Liu Zheng: "."

Wrestling between martial artists is, to a certain extent, no different from a tug-of-war, except that the changes are faster and the force is more violent, requiring precise timing; otherwise, the opponent can adjust in time.

For Li Fei, who possessed "Danger Perception," the timing of letting go was naturally perfect.

At the same time, the leg he used to hook Liu Zheng's right foot was also exerting force.

Now, Liu Zheng had completely lost his balance!

Li Fei swung his blade with his right hand to the left, striking heavily against the blade Liu Zheng held in front of him.

Bang—

With a loud crash, Liu Zheng, having lost his balance, had no time to adjust and was swept away by the blade.

The two were already at the edge of the ring, so—Liu Zheng flew off the ring.

Bang!

He landed heavily.

The winner had been decided!

There is another chapter tonight.

(End of chapter)