Free Web NovelChapter 119: Chapter 118: First Battle
Zhao Xuanqi. Zero wins, zero losses, zero victory points.
As a newcomer to the Martial Arts Arena, all of Zhao Xuanqi’s stats were zero. On the other side was his opponent.
Ma Zheng. Zero wins, zero losses, zero victory points.
According to the Martial Arts Arena’s matchmaking rules, Zhao Xuanqi, being a newcomer, was matched with an opponent who was also a newcomer. freewebnovel.cσ๓
As Zhao Xuanqi and Ge Chuanming neared the Martial Arts Arena, they saw it was surrounded by a large crowd of spectators—more than some of the other arenas nearby. It was practically packed.
The Martial Arts Association determined win probabilities and set odds based on factors like win counts and victory points. Only in matches between newcomers were the odds even. Especially since the fighting rings were now filled with a mix of talent, betting on a powerful newcomer could lead to a massive payday.
"Who’s stronger in this one? I don’t think I’ve heard of either of these guys. Anyone got any inside info?"
"I’ve never heard of this Zhao Xuanqi. But that Ma Zheng... he’s got quite an entourage. He looks imposing, and he even has a few apprentices with him. He can’t be a nobody. He’s probably a master from out of town. I’d say his odds are better."
"Ma Zheng? Is that him waiting over there? Hmm, not bad. He’s powerfully built and full of vigor—definitely looks like an expert. I’ll put my money on him, then."
"..."
Zhao Xuanqi overheard the murmurs from the betting spectators, who were all glancing toward a particular spot.
He followed their gaze and saw a man, who looked to be about thirty years old, standing beside the Martial Arts Arena.
He was about 1.85 meters tall, but his physique was so stout that from the front, he looked almost like a square.
The man had dark, bronze-colored skin, a buzz cut, and a chiseled face with a full beard. He stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed as if in meditation.
Surrounding him were several young people in their early twenties—two men and a woman. They too seemed to possess Secret Transmissions, their Qi and Blood flourishing. They were likely his disciples.
"He’s definitely no simple character," Ge Chuanming muttered. "Looks like we drew the short straw..."
Ge Chuanming took in the opponent’s situation. Having been a Boxer in the Martial Arts Arena for ten years, he had a sharp eye. He could tell this Ma Zheng was powerful, he just didn’t know to what extent.
Still, he wasn’t too worried about Zhao Xuanqi losing his first match. Anyone personally vouched for by Boss Yan had to have real skill. He was more concerned that Zhao Xuanqi might get injured, which would affect his future bouts.
If things went badly, they could always ask the Martial Arts Association to end his matches for the night. Participating Martial Artists were free to withdraw from subsequent bouts after completing a match; there was no compulsion to continue.
He was, however, quite curious just how strong Zhao Xuanqi really was. After all, even with his experienced eye, he couldn’t gauge Zhao Xuanqi’s true capabilities.
Soon, the time for fighter announcements and betting came to a close. Most of the spectators had placed their money on Ma Zheng.
"Fighters, to the arena!"
At the referee’s command, Zhao Xuanqi and Ma Zheng stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena at the same time and stood facing each other.
"Kid, let me be clear," Ma Zheng began, cracking his knuckles with a smirk. "I don’t hold back in the arena. If you can’t handle it, surrender quickly. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what happens."
"We’ll see if you can even take one palm strike from me," Zhao Xuanqi replied, his face calm.
"It’s normal for the young to be arrogant. You look about the same age as my disciples, don’t you? It’s the perfect time for a lesson. You learn from your mistakes. Let me teach you that whether in life or the Martial Dao, it’s best to be humble and discreet."
The smile on Ma Zheng’s face slowly faded, his expression turning placid.
BAM!
Suddenly, his Qi and Blood began to churn. A Qi Surge covered his body, spreading from his arms to his waist and abdomen until his entire upper body was enveloped.
His fists were especially transformed. Already abnormally large, they swelled under the cover of the Qi Surge to a size that defied the limits of an ordinary Martial Artist. Each fist became as large as a man’s head, turning a terrifying blackish-purple. Hanging at his sides, they looked like the twin war hammers of an ancient general.
Moreover, his breathing rate, Qi and Blood circulation, and muscle movements achieved a marvelous synergy.
His breathing was so loud it sounded like a bellows, clearly audible even over the din of the arena.
"Inhaling like a dragon, exhaling like a pillar! This Ma Zheng has already reached the Inner Cultivation realm! He really is an expert!"
"Look at his Qi Surge, and the Form of those fists! It’s beyond reason. This is a manifestation of the body Breaking Extreme! Being able to do this means his foundation is profound, and the Secret Transmission he practices is anything but simple!"
"Looks like I bet on the right guy! This is a sure thing, a sure thing!"
"..."
Jinmen had a strong martial arts culture. Even the common folk knew a thing or two about the ways of Secret Transmissions, to say nothing of these veterans who had watched fights for years. They could tell a lot about Ma Zheng in an instant.
Inhaling like a dragon, exhaling like a pillar.
This was the classic sign of a Martial Artist reaching the first stage of Inner Cultivation. Although he hadn’t yet reached the level of Internal Organs Resonating, his Breathing Technique had already drastically improved his organ function. This provided a significant boost to his Physical Ability, putting him more than a cut above a Cross-Training Martial Artist.
One had to understand that an Inner Cultivation master in their prime could be considered the strongest in a place like Celestial Sea Prefecture. Even in Jinmen, where experts were as common as clouds, Inner Cultivation masters weren’t a dime a dozen—and that wasn’t even considering that this man’s Secret Transmission was clearly a powerful one.
Hearing the crowd’s discussion, the young disciples below the stage couldn’t help but reveal looks of vicarious pride.
They came from a city in the west where Ma Zheng was highly influential. His reputation was so great he could be called the strongest in his prefecture. Now, in his prime, he had the potential to advance even further.
Hearing that Jinmen was currently a hotbed of activity, Ma Zheng had brought his disciples here to make a name for himself and carve out a better future.
They knew Jinmen was full of experts, but in a mere D Class arena, they were confident their master would have an easy victory!
Even Ge Chuanming, watching from below the stage, found his expression changing, growing a little more solemn. freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Kid, it’s not too late to surrender. Otherwise..."
Ma Zheng continued, trying to get Zhao Xuanqi to concede. Forcing an enemy to submit without a fight was the best-case scenario—it would let him conserve his energy.
This time, however, Zhao Xuanqi didn’t let him finish.
WHOOSH!
His figure shot forward in an instant, moving like a nimble bird at extreme speed.
And as he moved...
BAM!
Qi Surge and Blood Essence activated simultaneously, covering his entire upper body. In an instant, his torso swelled to a terrifying size.
Moreover, his Breathing, Qi and Blood circulation, and other internal rhythms naturally merged with his physical movements, entering a state of "Rong." Though he had yet to truly step into Inner Cultivation, his Physical Ability was still significantly boosted.
He raised a single hand into a striking palm and thrust it violently toward Ma Zheng!
ROAR!
The palm strike tore through the air, creating a violent roar like that of a furious tiger.
Fierce Form, Tiger Monarch.
Hundred Fierce Mountain Forest!
At that moment, Ma Zheng felt as if he were seeing an enormous tiger, standing proudly atop a mountain peak, letting out a sudden roar as it pounced toward him. The sheer force of its Overbearing Fury slammed into his mind, causing his pupils to shrink to pinpoints.
’What is this?!’
He was in no mood to speak. With a sharp grunt, he swung his massive fists, like a pair of war hammers, to meet Zhao Xuanqi’s attack.
Like Ruan Yuanhe of the Primordial Saint Sect, whom Zhao Xuanqi had faced at the Guangdong Martial Arts Conference, this man used the Battlefield Hammer Technique. In fact, due to his higher realm and greater experience, Ma Zheng’s Hammer Technique was even more Firm and ferocious than Ruan Yuanhe’s!
However...
BOOM!
Hammer met palm, and a terrifying shockwave erupted. The onlookers thought they could faintly see a ripple of air expand outward from the point of impact. The sound of flesh striking flesh was enough to make their scalps tingle.
In the next moment, everyone watched, wide-eyed, as Ma Zheng’s body was sent flying by the terrifying impact. He rolled uncontrollably like a rubber ball right off the stage, crashing to the floor below.
Zhao Xuanqi, however, only swayed slightly. He channeled the massive impact force through his muscles and into the ground, dissipating it completely. He stood firm in his original spot. He glanced at Ma Zheng, who lay stiffly below the stage with blood trickling from his mouth and nose, unable to utter a single word. Then, Zhao Xuanqi turned and walked off the Martial Arts Arena.
