My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 17 Top 4 Matches

The subsequent competition proceeded so quickly that it was breathtaking.

With the solid foundation of Hunyuan Zhuang and the powerful strength of Mangniu Jin, Liang Cheng won one battle after another. Whether it was a powerful opponent or a nimble and cunning speed-type martial artist, Liang Cheng always remained unchanged and adapted to all situations.

He would hold his ground firmly, and when the opportunity arose, he would unleash a powerful and devastating attack. His victory was steady and even somewhat "boring," but those in the know were astonished by what they saw.

This grasp of timing and precise control of power are far more valuable than dazzling moves. Yang Wei, that old fox, is really good at hiding his true abilities.

Zhao Yuan was presented as the obvious scapegoat, but Liang Cheng was actually the trump card.

As night fell, the final four were decided: Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng from Yangwei Martial Arts School, Zheng Biao from Zhennan Martial Arts School, and Liu Suifeng from Qingfeng Martial Arts School.

As soon as the martial arts competition ended, several groups of merchants came to make contact, each carrying a thicker list of gifts and promising increasingly generous terms. However, without exception, Yang Wei personally turned them all away from the guest courtyard.

"Gentlemen, the competition is still ongoing. Liang Cheng needs to focus on his preparations and put aside all worldly affairs. We can discuss them after the competition is over."

Yang Wei spoke politely, but his attitude was resolute. Making contact too early would not only disturb Liang Cheng's mind, but also cause him to lower his price unnecessarily. Once the matter was settled, Liang Cheng's value would only be higher, and he would have more options.

In the evening, Yang Wei made arrangements for Zhao Yuan, who had already taken his medication and was in a deep sleep, before leaving and calling Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng into the room.

He stared at Liang Cheng for a long time before finally saying two words, "Very good."

He then went on to explain the key points of the fight: if you are no match for the opponent tomorrow, prioritize your own safety and don't fight to the point of serious injury.

Zhou Hu and Liang Cheng accepted the order and left. After that, Zhou Hu pulled Liang Cheng aside and said, "Junior Brother Liang, don't blame Master for only valuing Junior Brother Zhao before."

He also had his reasons. The medicinal baths for us disciples all cost money. Junior Brother Zhao's father had given us over a thousand taels of silver in the past two years. In addition, Junior Brother Zhao's physique is also a factor, which is why Master values ​​him so much.

Starting today, your treatment will be improved, so I hope you won't hold a grudge and can understand your master.

"Don't worry, senior brother, I have only gratitude towards Master and no complaints whatsoever."

Yang Wei's martial arts school is the most fair and impartial in its teaching, never holding back any knowledge. Compared to other martial arts schools, it is the epitome of conscience.

"That's good." Zhou Hu said with a relieved expression.

……

On the other side, in the guest quarters of the Zhennan Martial Arts School.

Under the lamplight, Wu Tianxiong pushed a jade box in front of Zheng Biao. The lid was opened, and a pill the size of a longan, entirely red, lay quietly on the brocade, emitting a hot and slightly fishy-sweet medicinal aroma.

"Crimson Blood Explosion Pill." Wu Tianxiong's voice was deep. "After taking it, it can temporarily stimulate blood and qi, increasing strength by 30% for one hour."

Afterwards, you will experience throbbing pain in your meridians for three days, and your qi and blood will be depleted. You will need to rest for half a month to recover. Biao'er, tomorrow is the semi-final battle, and your opponent is Zhou Hu. You must win this battle; you cannot afford to lose.

Zheng Biao stared intently at the red pill, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Master, this medicine..."

"Don't worry, it's not poisonous, it's just that the effects are a bit strong." Wu Tianxiong's eyes were burning. "I want you to defeat Zhou Hu tomorrow, no matter the cost. As long as you win this match, the others will be no threat. My Zhennan Martial Arts School will be the number one in the three towns. As for your losses, I have top-quality medicines to help you recover."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Biao took a deep breath, picked up the jade box with both hands, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes: "Disciple will certainly not fail Master's expectations!"

……

The next day, the semi-finals began.

The atmosphere in the training ground was several times more somber than yesterday. Those who had made it this far were all among the best of the younger generation. The outcome of the competition was not only a matter of personal honor and disgrace, but also directly determined the allocation of resources and reputation of the martial arts school for the coming year.

In the first match, Liang Cheng faced Liu Suifeng from Qingfeng Martial Arts School. Liu Suifeng wielded a soft sword, and his swordsmanship was dense and swift. He had mastered the three qualities of "speed, accuracy, and entanglement" and was also a master of hidden strength.

In this battle, Liang Cheng maintained his original style, using defense as offense. He combined the "stability" of Hunyuan Zhuang with the "violence" of Mangniu Jin to the extreme on the stage.

Although Liu Suifeng's soft sword was as sharp as a venomous snake's tongue, it was always stopped by an invisible, steady aura when it touched Liang Cheng's body by about a foot, and the sword speed would involuntarily slow down by three points.

While on the defensive, Liang Cheng threw punches in the gaps, which seemed slow, but he always managed to strike at the exact moment when the soft sword's power shifted.

After thirty moves, Liu Suifeng's swordplay had become chaotic.

Seizing an opening, Liang Cheng didn't hesitate any longer and stepped in, delivering a straightforward and unadorned punch that struck Liu Suifeng squarely in the chest.

Liu Suifeng groaned and staggered back seven steps to dissipate his strength before finally managing to stand firm with his sword on the ground. A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth, and his face turned ashen.

However, he accepted his defeat wholeheartedly. If Liang Cheng had pressed his advantage earlier, he would definitely have been injured. This was the best possible outcome.

"Thank you for your concession." Liang Cheng withdrew his fist.

"Brother Liang's fist is powerful and profound, and I, Liu, am completely convinced of my defeat." Liu Suifeng smiled bitterly, clasped his hands, and simply admitted defeat.

Liang's advancement to the finals was met with thunderous cheers from the audience.

Liang Cheng stepped down from the stage and approached Yang Wei. "Master, your disciple has not failed in his mission!"

Yang Wei nodded, his mind focused on the second match: Zhou Hu versus Zheng Biao.

This is the most important thing.

The two leaped onto the arena, staring at each other. Sparks seemed to fly in the air. The moment the gong sounded, Zheng Biao let out a low growl that was not human. His skin suddenly turned an unnatural red, and his blood and qi surged like smoke.

With one step, the bluestone arena was cracked like a spiderweb as he slammed into Zhou Hu like a cannonball.

"Crimson Blood Explosion Pill?!"

On the high platform, the knowledgeable patriarch was speechless. Yang Wei, his face ashen, looked at Wu Tianxiong and couldn't help but curse, "Despicable!"

Zhou Hu's pupils contracted, and he dared not be negligent. He crossed his palms, and the soft force that touched the threshold of the Transformation Realm spread throughout his body, as if sealing it off.

"boom!!!"

The two collided directly without any fancy moves, and the shockwave exploded outwards from them, blowing the clothes of the nearby audience.

At this moment, Zheng Biao was like a mad tiger, his fists, palms, elbows, and knees, his whole body turned into weapons, his offensive was extremely violent, each strike contained the power to split stone and shatter monuments, it was a fighting style of risking his life!

Zhou Hu's expression was solemn. He brought out the "softness" and "dissipation" of the Wild Bull Force to the extreme. His body swayed like a willow catkin. He turned and dodged in the storm of attacks. His palms pressed down and guided the incoming force to his feet. The arena was constantly cracking under his feet, and stones were flying everywhere.

Zheng Biao's offensive was so fierce it was suffocating, while Zhou Hu's defense was so exquisite that it left the surrounding audience in awe.

Fifty moves, one hundred moves...

Zheng Biao's violent aura began to fluctuate erratically, and the veins beneath his crimson skin throbbed menacingly, clearly indicating that the side effects of the pill were beginning to appear.

But his eyes remained fierce. Despite enduring Zhou Hu's soft yet penetrating attack, he lunged forward and locked Zhou Hu in place with his arms like iron clamps!

"Open it!!!"

Veins bulged on his forehead; he was actually going to use brute force to tear Zhou Hu's defensive stance apart!

Zhou Hu's stance was shattered by this brute force, leaving his chest wide open. Zheng Biao's eyes flashed with bloodlust, and he pointed his fingers like knives, carrying the remaining violent force, straight into Zhou Hu's heart!

In the nick of time, Zhou Hu took a deep breath, and his chest shrank back by a third in the blink of an eye. At the same time, his left palm, like a knife, slashed hard on Zheng Biao's wrist pulse.

However, the scorching heat that penetrated his body had already entered his lungs and internal organs. Using all the force of this left palm, Zhou Hu staggered backward. He felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood. He knelt on one knee, panting heavily, and for a moment he was unable to stand up.

Zheng Biao's eyes hardened, and he was about to deliver the fatal blow when Yang Wei, sitting below the stage, immediately spoke up, "Admit defeat!"

Seeing this, the referee quickly stepped forward to stop Zheng Biao, and after a brief check, loudly announced: "Zheng Biao of Zhennan Martial Arts School wins!"

However, it was only a Pyrrhic victory. Although Zheng Biao won, his meridians were damaged and his qi and blood were deficient. Without several months of careful recuperation, his foundation may be damaged.

Wu Tianxiong remained calm in the stands, but he hadn't expected that Zheng Biao would still win so hard and at such a high price after taking the Crimson Blood Pill.

However, if Zhennan Martial Arts School can win first place after the afternoon finals and surpass Yangwei Martial Arts School, all the price will be worth it!