Chapter Thirty-Three: The Declaration of Victory

The distance between the two combatants grew ever closer. Tang Tian’s calm, clear eyes began to change; it was as if a flicker of flame surged suddenly from the depths of his pupils.

At the final step, Tang Tian charged forward like a wild rhinoceros, stomping heavily. Harnessing that force, his speed abruptly increased, and he shot toward the shadow of the staff.

With a sharp exhale, his right fist, long poised and ready, swung out with explosive force.

He gathered all his strength into that punch—weighty as a thousand pounds!

A deafening clang resounded as Tang Tian’s fist collided solidly with the bronze staff! The myriad shadows cast by the staff vanished instantly, the unsettling low wind disappeared, and the barefoot youth’s spinning form, so swift moments before, seemed halted by an unseen force, frozen in place.

The stark contrast between motion and stillness unsettled the onlookers.

The barefoot youth’s face showed bewilderment; he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. Whenever he unleashed his staff technique, he had never lost—no one had ever defeated him before his strength ran out.

How could it be…? How could it be…?

Suddenly, another fist emerged from beneath his face without warning.

Flash Fist!

Bang!

The bewildered youth didn’t react at all, and the fist landed squarely on his face. He was hit as if by a charging rhinoceros, sent flying sideways.

Clang!

His bronze staff flew far away.

The entire arena was silent.

After a moment, the referee finally reacted and hurriedly announced, "Tang Tian wins!"

Tang Tian held his striking stance, exhaled deeply, and the fire in his eyes gradually faded.

The grandstands erupted in chaos.

The change had been so abrupt! Moments before, they’d thought the barefoot youth’s staff technique was flawless, powerful beyond compare. Who could have guessed that in the blink of an eye, Tang Tian would claim victory? More astonishing still, Tang Tian hadn’t employed any impressive martial skills—he’d relied solely on brute strength.

To defeat the Wild Winds Staff Technique with sheer strength alone? This… this was almost comical!

By contrast, the masters were much calmer.

"Such solid fundamentals are rare," Sima Xiangshan turned to Shen Yuan and asked, "I heard he’s trained in basic martial arts for five years?"

Shen Yuan nodded, "Yes, that’s what the rumors say."

"Seems true. His force application is perfect. In terms of muscle technique, he’s nearly at the peak. That Flash Fist was also executed beautifully. I bet Wang Zhen came here to see just that," praised Sima Xiangshan.

Shen Yuan replied honestly, "I’m not sure about that."

Ming Guang’s mouth hung open as he stared at the arena, dazed. Finally, he stammered, "Th-this…"

Wang Zhen said, "His strength is just a bit less than Amory’s, but his force technique is superior. I’ve seen them spar—ended in a draw."

Ming Guang calmed down. To tie with Amory in a fistfight...

He knew firsthand how terrifying Amory’s brute force was. Imagining Tang Tian in Amory’s place, he realized the outcome would be perfectly normal.

But to tie with Amory… that was truly monstrous!

Cai Xue stared at Tang Tian in the arena, stunned. "So powerful!"

He Xiaoqin’s eyes were fixed in awe. "Is he a beast…?"

Han Bingning was calm. She’d seen Tang Tian wrestle with the Iron Rhinoceros and wasn’t too surprised by the result. She just hadn’t expected Tang Tian to defeat his opponent with such a crude, unrefined method.

It was truly rough… truly savage!

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Tang Tian still held his strike, his face cold and fierce.

"Wow wow wow! Big brother is the best!" Little Nan Nan raised her soft, pink hand and cheered.

Suddenly, Tang Tian’s eyebrows twitched. Then, as if a fire had been lit under him, he leapt up and frantically shook his right hand.

"Ouch! That hurts… hurts so much…"

The grandstands, which had just been silenced by shock, now watched the arena in a daze as Tang Tian hopped about, his face twisted in pain.

Such a dramatic contrast!

"Ouch, it hurts!"

"Nan Nan… Bamboo Wasp King ointment…"

Once Nan Nan had applied the ointment, Tang Tian’s contorted expression finally eased. He ran to the edge of the stands, waving at Han Bingning and shouting, "Hey, girl, are you stunned by the godlike youth?"

Han Bingning: "…"

Suddenly, Tang Tian spotted Shen Yuan in the stands and immediately grew excited, waving and yelling, "Brother Yuan Yuan! Brother Yuan Yuan!"

Shen Yuan’s face flushed red. He finally understood how Han Bingning must have felt moments before. In that instant, regret filled his heart—why hadn’t he left earlier?

Tang Tian, carrying Nan Nan, bounded up to the stands in a few leaps.

In the blink of an eye, Shen Yuan found Tang Tian standing before him and felt like banging his head against the wall. Why was he still here?

"Brother Yuan Yuan! Your Soul General card is really great! Super useful!" Tang Tian said sincerely.

Shen Yuan managed a strained smile, inwardly repeating: Are you mocking me? You’re mocking me, aren’t you…?

Tang Tian’s eyes gleamed as he continued, "I practiced them all, five martial skills. Wow, they’re amazing!"

Shen Yuan’s smile became even more forced, inwardly thinking: Would I believe that? Would I believe that? This smoke screen is too clumsy…

"Brother Yuan Yuan is awesome! Even Big Brother Stone praised your combos. Close-combat specialist! Wow wow wow!" Tang Tian exclaimed, full of excitement.

Shen Yuan’s smile was now frozen, inwardly pleading: What are you doing, what are you doing, please just leave…

"Close-combat specialist?" Sima Xiangshan heard the phrase and chimed in with interest.

"Ah, you know about it?" Tang Tian looked at Sima Xiangshan as if he’d discovered a new continent, eyes shining with excitement.

"That’s something to look forward to!" Sima Xiangshan smiled, "Perhaps we’ll face off in the tournament."

"Then I’ll definitely defeat you!" Tang Tian replied with absolute certainty.

The area fell silent. Everyone’s gaze turned odd, their looks toward Tang Tian filled with sympathy.

Han Bingning suddenly asked, "Do you know who he is?"

Tang Tian shook his head, "Nope."

Han Bingning was about to answer, but Tang Tian continued, "But as long as someone is my enemy, I will defeat them."

Han Bingning was startled, as was everyone else.

"Isn’t the point of enemies to defeat them?" Tang Tian said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Han Bingning wanted to say something, but nothing came out. She gazed at Tang Tian; his eyes were clear and calm, utterly fearless. Ming Guang, Shen Yuan, and the others slowly lost their mocking smiles, silently pondering Tang Tian’s words.

Clap, clap, clap.

The sound of applause awoke everyone from their reverie. Sima Xiangshan was the one clapping, smiling as he said, "That’s the best line I’ve ever heard."

"For that line, even if we meet in the tournament, I won’t kill you."

"I’ll cripple your true power, so you’ll be forever lost in defeat. It’ll be beautiful and fascinating."

His tone was gentle, but his words chilled everyone to the bone.

As he spoke, Sima Xiangshan’s figure drifted to the exit. He turned, gave Tang Tian a slight smile, "I’m truly looking forward to it."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Who is he?" Tang Tian asked Han Bingning, curiosity written all over his face.

"Sima Xiangshan," Han Bingning replied, glancing at Tang Tian with concern. She knew Sima Xiangshan’s temperament was peculiar—if he said it, he might really do it.

Tang Tian said, "Isn’t he the guy who got beaten up by Qianhui countless times?"

At the exit, Sima Xiangshan stumbled.

Shangguan Qianhui was Sima Xiangshan’s eternal sore spot. During those years when she was still in Starwind City, he’d lived perpetually in her shadow. He’d challenged her again and again, only to be utterly defeated each time.

That damned woman!

Scoundrel!

Sima Xiangshan’s expression twisted with rage. He suddenly turned, a chilling murderous intent swept toward Tang Tian.

Han Bingning stepped forward, her hand resting on her sword at her waist, brows lowered.

The icy, strange killing aura could advance no further!

Sima Xiangshan glared coldly at Tang Tian.

Wang Zhen suddenly spoke up, "Sima, settle it at the tournament."

All murderous intent vanished without a trace. Sima Xiangshan laughed, "Such courage! This year’s tournament finally has something to pique my interest."

He waved his hand, "Godlike youth, we’ll meet again!"

With that, he vanished.

Han Bingning relaxed slightly. Remembering Shen Yuan’s earlier embarrassment, she said, "Let’s head back to school."

Cai Xue and He Xiaoqin hurried to follow.

Wang Zhen nodded to Tang Tian, then left with Ming Guang, who looked full of admiration.

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"Tang Tian is very strong," He Xiaoqin analyzed seriously. "He doesn’t look like someone who relies on brute force, yet he can unleash such immense power. That shows his force technique is extremely good. So far, he’s used Flash Fist and Hollow Wood Post—both second-tier martial skills. Defeating an opponent with just second-tier skills is impressive. He’s our formidable rival!"

Cai Xue hung her head, thinking deeply.

He Xiaoqin noticed her odd demeanor and asked curiously, "Ah Xue, did you discover something new? Tang Tian didn’t reveal much, so my analysis stops here. Still, he’s really got something to attract so much attention! This tournament is going to be interesting!"

"Something new?" Cai Xue looked up, bewildered.

"You look strange. What are you thinking?" He Xiaoqin was even more puzzled.

"I… can I really say it?" Cai Xue asked hesitantly.

"Go on! Why wouldn’t you?" He Xiaoqin said boldly, even more curious.

Han Bingning pricked up her ears. She’d noticed Cai Xue’s oddness too, but being cold-natured, she wouldn’t speak up.

"Senior, what kind of girls do you like?" Cai Xue asked, shy and curious.

Han Bingning nearly stumbled, almost falling headlong.