High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 140: Entering the Finals

Swish! Li Yuan returned to the waiting area below the stage. As for Gaurav, having been eliminated, he naturally couldn't stay in the preparation zone.

"Li Yuan, impressive!" "That was incredible." "You defeated Gaurav with a single strike." Sitting on either side of Li Yuan, Yang Hong and Wu Luo both expressed their genuine admiration, filled with respect.

They had always known there was a significant gap between themselves and Li Yuan, which was evident in the entrance competition. But it wasn't until today, after witnessing the battle between Li Yuan and Gaurav, that they truly understood just how vast that gap had become.

"Thank you." Li Yuan responded with a faint smile, feeling little joy in his heart. Defeating Gaurav was no big deal. After his insightful battle with Kimura Tatsuo and two days of dedicated training, Li Yuan no longer considered anyone except Tantai Feng as a worthy opponent.

As expected, Gaurav was strong enough but still couldn't pose a real threat to him.

"Li Yuan, Tantai Feng is watching you," Wu Luo suddenly said. "Oh?" Li Yuan turned to look at Tantai Feng sitting far away, who was sporting a self-assured smile.

"We won." "Li Yuan exploded with such force and defeated Gaurav in a single strike. He's a monster." "Such ferocity." Li Yuan didn't care much about the victory, but the entire audience was in an uproar, especially the tens of thousands of spectators from China, who felt immensely proud.

Tantai Feng won the first match, and Li Yuan won the second. To them, these were victories for China.

"Gaurav lost." "He had a great advantage but lost due to a mistake. Gaurav was useless." "He had a poor mindset." The more than 200,000 students from India watching the match were extremely disheartened.

"The people from India are fools." "I've always said, Li Yuan is the strongest." "The championship will definitely be between Li Yuan and Tantai Feng. I'm rooting for Li Yuan." Many spectators from Japan were instead praising Li Yuan.

Amid the intense discussions and cheers, the matches to determine the top eight continued. Victories were continuously achieved, but none were as fierce and intense as the battle between Li Yuan and Gaurav.

After six more brutal matches, the top eight of the ten-school freshman competition were decided: Tantai Feng, Li Yuan, Yu Ming, Guan Ying, Wu Luo, Vikram, Li Mingyue, and Kimura Tatsuo!

The final spot in the top eight went to Kimura Tatsuya, who narrowly defeated Helian Cheng from the Extreme Star Martial Arts University after a fierce battle.

"What a pity." "Just a bit more." "Helian Cheng also has mid-level fourth-rank skills and is very strong." "If he had won, China would have had seven out of the top eight spots." The tens of thousands of spectators from China felt a bit regretful and annoyed.

But realistically, this was already quite exaggerated. Even though Kimura Tatsuya barely made it into the top eight, China's martial arts geniuses still occupied six spots.

"Li Yuan! Wu Luo." "Haha, Kunlun Martial University has two spots in the top eight." "Kyoto Martial University doesn't have any." The freshmen from Kunlun Martial University were excited and joyful.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the viewing area, fueled by the intense competition, made most people feel a stronger sense of belonging to their school and country than usual. All the spectators hoped that the martial arts geniuses from their school and country would perform better.

After a ten-minute break, the matches to determine the top four continued.

"Li Yuan, good luck! I'll stop at the top eight," Wu Luo said in the preparation area with a relaxed expression. "But making it to the top eight means I beat Yang Hong."

"It feels great." "This proves that I'm the true second-best among the freshmen at Kunlun Martial University," Wu Luo said earnestly, hoping for Li Yuan's recognition.

"No confidence?" Li Yuan smiled. "Give it your all. You might just surprise Tantai Feng."

Indeed, according to the schedule, the first match of the top eight was Wu Luo versus Tantai Feng.

"Bro, don't tease me," Wu Luo shook his head. "I might not be strong enough, but I have good judgment. Besides you, none of us can beat Tantai Feng."

"What chance?" Li Yuan asked curiously.

"If he tries to show off and let us fight with our hands and feet tied," Wu Luo said matter-of-factly.

Ten minutes later, the matches for the top four officially began.

In the first match, Tantai Feng faced Wu Luo, and Tantai Feng still used dual blades. In terms of strength, Wu Luo was actually on par with Ohno Satoshi, who Tantai Feng defeated in the first match.

But perhaps out of respect for his compatriot, Tantai Feng gave Wu Luo a lot of face, fighting him for dozens of moves before defeating him.

In the second match, Yu Ming faced Li Mingyue, another internal battle of China, with Yu Ming ultimately winning and securing a spot in the top four.

In the third match, Li Yuan faced Kimura Tatsuya.

Yes, in the crucial match for the top four, Kimura Tatsuya met Li Yuan again.

"Li Yuan-kun, your strength is impressive and worthy of my respect," Kimura Tatsuya, compared to the last time they fought, was much more calm and humble. "But please allow me to defend the honor of a warrior. I will never surrender."

"I hope you will fight with all your might," Kimura Tatsuya said earnestly.

He didn't expect to win; he knew that the probability of victory was very small, whether against Yu Ming or Guan Ying.

"Okay," Li Yuan responded lightly.

A minute later, after six rapid strikes, Li Yuan's spear pierced through Kimura Tatsuya's throat.

Kimura Tatsuya's eyes widened, and as his figure disappeared, he seemed to want to say something.

"You asked me to go all out," Li Yuan shrugged.

This was the quickest match among the top eight.

"Spiritual treasure, acquired," Li Yuan smiled. He had achieved his basic goal for this ten-school freshman competition.

Next up was to relax completely and go all out to reach the finals.

Thus, three of the top four were decided: Tantai Feng, Yu Ming, and Li Yuan.

The final spot would be decided between Guan Ying and Vikram.

However!!

Unexpectedly, Guan Ying, the top talent of Starlight University who had shown astonishing strength in the second and fourth rounds, lost in the crucial match for the top four! She lost to Vikram from India!

"Guan Ying lost?" "She was the top talent of Starlight University, yet she lost?" The entire viewing area was in an uproar.

Especially the spectators from China, who had been hoping for the best-case scenario of all four top spots being taken by China's martial arts geniuses.

They hadn't expected a dark horse to emerge at the last moment.

"He won!!" "Vikram!! Top four!!" The spectators from India went completely crazy with excitement.

Who would have thought that after Gaurav, the most promising candidate from India, lost to Li Yuan, the previously overlooked Vikram would miraculously turn the tables?

He successfully entered the top four.

The difference between being in the top four and the top eight is significant.

"Vikram, what a strong sword technique." "He also uses dual swords, but his swordsmanship is more elusive." "Another high-level fourth-rank." Li Yuan, Yu Ming, and Tantai Feng, the three winners, all focused on Vikram, who had fought his way into the top four.

They could see that Guan Ying was indeed a bit careless, but Vikram's strength was undeniably formidable, and he had been hiding his abilities until now.

Once he exploded with power, he caught Guan Ying off guard.

"He won." "Gaurav, this time, I've surpassed you." Vikram was also extremely excited. He had reached the high-level fourth-rank less than half a month ago.

But he hadn't challenged the Starry Sky Combat Network, waiting to explode in the ten-school freshman competition.

From the beginning of this competition until now, the tens of thousands of spectators from India had always been focused on Gaurav. Although Vikram also made it to the top sixteen, he received little attention.

But today, he made it to the top four.

This is the charm of martial arts competitions. Victory and defeat are unknown until the last moment.

"Entered the top four." "My next opponent is Tantai Feng." Vikram felt a surge of desire in his heart. "I am a high-level fourth-rank, and so is he."

"Though my teacher says I am definitely not his match."

"But there is always a glimmer of hope." Vikram's initial goal was to make it to the top four.

But having reached the top four, he now harbored even greater ambitions.

"This Vikram is very patient." "Impressive." In the higher viewing area, the teachers from various countries were discussing.

Undoubtedly, in the battles for the top eight, Vikram was the most eye-catching.

"Damn it." The black-robed elder 'Bhaskar' felt miserable, watching his rival, 'Nilu,' a fellow martial arts professor from India, receiving numerous congratulations.

"Why couldn't this Guan Ying be as strong as Li Yuan?" Bhaskar grumbled to himself.

The crucial top four had been decided, but the competition continued without any rest, moving directly into the real semifinals.

"The two semifinal matches will determine the two final contenders," the burly host announced excitedly. "In the first semifinal match, from Kunlun Martial University, known as the strongest defender of this competition, the martial arts genius—Li Yuan."

"He will face the fierce attacker from Starlight University, Yu Ming!"

The entire viewing area erupted in cheers, engulfed in the excitement of China's spectators.

Other countries' spectators remained relatively quiet, with some from Japan and the East Alliance starting to leave.

Because this was an internal battle for China, and their country's participants had all been eliminated.

On the stage.

"Li Yuan, I probably can't beat you," Yu Ming said calmly in a voice only the two of them could hear. "I only hope for one thing."

"What is it?" Li Yuan asked curiously.

"After you enter the finals, defeat that show-off Tantai Feng," Yu Ming said in a low voice.

Then, without waiting for Li Yuan to respond, Yu Ming launched an attack.

Boom! Yu Ming attacked Li Yuan, who stood still for a moment before holding his spear in readiness.

This battle between Li Yuan and Yu Ming was intense, similar to Li Yuan's fight with Gaurav.

Li Yuan focused solely on defense, continuing to refine his spear skills.

And Yu Ming, despite claiming he wasn't as strong as Li Yuan, fought with all his might, leaving no room for hesitation, his attacks even more intense than Gaurav's.

In the end, after over ten minutes of fierce combat, the battle provided the more than 700,000 spectators with a thrilling display of offense and defense.

Li Yuan won the battle.

Before his final strike, Li Yuan conveyed a message to Yu Ming: "Yu Ming, thank you."

This ended the battle.

The fight with Yu Ming gave Li Yuan more insights, bringing him closer to a true breakthrough.

"The finals," Li Yuan's eyes sparkled as he disappeared from the stage.

"Senior Brother won!" "He made it to the finals!" The students of Kunlun Martial University were more excited than ever.

"Yu Ming is the top talent of Starlight University, yet he was also defeated by Senior Brother." "Win the championship." "Be the champion." Many Kunlun Martial University students began to shout excitedly for the championship.

Facing strong opponents one after another, Li Yuan continued to sweep them aside and advance to the final, showcasing his immense strength.

Not only did this earn the admiration of the six freshman institutes of Kunlun Martial University, but it also instilled pride in all the freshmen.

"Defeating Gaurav and Yu Ming has proven Li Yuan's strength," Li Yang said with a smile. "I hope he can fight without pressure in the final." "Yes," Dean Xu nodded.

Li Yuan's performance had far exceeded their expectations.

Soon, the second semifinal match began between Tantai Feng and Vikram.

When Tantai Feng appeared on stage, his choice of weapon once again surprised many, including Li Yuan.

Tantai Feng still used dual blades instead of switching to a sword and shield.

"Still using dual blades?" Vikram felt insulted.

"Indian, let me teach you how to use dual blades," Tantai Feng said lightly.

This statement infuriated Vikram: "You Chinese people are too arrogant."

Although he also used dual blades, it was a weapon he had trained with since childhood, combined with his flexible techniques, maximizing his strength.

And Tantai Feng? As far as he knew, Tantai Feng's strongest weapon combination had always been a sword and shield.

"Arrogant?" "Vikram." Tantai Feng smiled slightly. "Do you know the difference between arrogance and confidence?"

Vikram was momentarily stunned.

"Strength." Tantai Feng muttered, striking a handsome pose. "When my blade cuts your throat, no one will call me arrogant."

Vikram's eyes almost spewed fire.

"You defeated my teammate." "So, you deserve my respect," Tantai Feng said lightly. "I will use my true strength to send you off."

At that moment.

"Damn it!" Vikram couldn't hold back any longer and charged at Tantai Feng with his dual blades.

Quick as lightning, he lunged at Tantai Feng, his blades raised high, ready to strike.

"Flexible blade technique?" "Too slow." Tantai Feng shook his head gently, his eyes narrowing. At the moment of contact.

Boom! Tantai Feng finally moved, his explosive speed far exceeding Vikram's. His dual blades flashed like terrifying streams of light across the sky.

Clang! Clang! Four terrifying blade lights intersected like lightning! Blood splattered!

Boom~ Vikram fell heavily to the ground, blood flowing from his neck as his body gradually dissipated.

"Only you remain, Li Yuan," Tantai Feng smiled, looking at the solemn-faced Li Yuan below the stage.

"Flowing Light Intent!" "Mental Profundity!" In the higher viewing area, the teachers were in an uproar, shocked by what they had witnessed.