C255 Powerful Strength!
Chu Yi had become overconfident!
Everyone was aware of Chu Yi's formidable abilities, recognizing him as a fearsome prodigy.
Despite the skeptics who doubted Chu Yi's capabilities and those who questioned the authenticity of the video, one undeniable fact remained.
Chu Yi's power was immense!
He was undoubtedly a terrifying, unparalleled prodigy, likely on par with those who were shoo-ins for the national competition.
Yet, for all his might, Chu Yi was still just a young man!
When faced with the fearsome strike of a government elite prodigy, even some mid-level Diamonds wouldn't take it lightly, acknowledging the need for serious consideration.
Indeed, should Chu Yi unleash his full potential, he would undoubtedly be formidable, certainly more so than the average mid-level Diamond.
But the government elite prodigy was no ordinary opponent!
Though weaker than Chu Yi, he ranked high among the 512 prodigies. In that moment, having abandoned all caution for a full-powered strike, his strength was enough to severely injure or even kill a mid-level Diamond.
Had Chu Yi been ready from the start, it might not have been much of an issue. But now...
He had been too complacent, truly too complacent!
Many onlookers seemed to have already envisioned Chu Yi's downfall!
The prodigy who could have been the national exam's top scholar, almost certain to advance to the national competition, might not even make it to the main event. The irony was staggering!
Irony upon irony...
At last, the punch was right before Chu Yi.
In the next moment, Chu Yi nonchalantly lifted his arm.
He waited until his opponent was upon him before he acted.
Chu Yi simply, lazily raised his arm!
It seemed to the crowd that Chu Yi hadn't exerted much effort at all.
Yet, in that split second, Chu Yi's fist eerily materialized in front of the government elite prodigy.
A delayed action, yet it struck first!
Defying all logic.
But that wasn't what captivated the audience.
Because in the very next instant, Chu Yi's seemingly effortless strike collided with the full force of the government elite prodigy's most powerful blow!
The entire arena seemed to be engulfed in endless waves, with shockwaves radiating outwards, even affecting the other prodigies engaged in nearby battles.
At the scene, there were no ordinary spectators; even the individuals tasked with setting up the arena were formidable in their own right. Consequently, despite the fearsome residual effects of the battle, everyone emerged unscathed.
Suddenly, a figure was sent flying, crashing down hard outside the ring. The moment felt eerily familiar, reminiscent of an earlier event that day. Lee Zi had delivered a devastating blow to her opponent, who had resorted to foul play. Now, history seemed to repeat itself, albeit under different circumstances.
Previously, the shock was due to the opponent's misconduct and Lee Zi's overwhelming strength. This time, however, the opponent was fully prepared, and it was Chu Yi who had been somewhat overconfident. Yet, the outcome was identical.
"Impossible!"
"So powerful!"
"Terrifying, truly terrifying!"
A hush fell over the crowd, followed by a surge of murmurs. The influential figures watched Chu Yi, who stood on the stage with an air of ease, their eyes filled with astonishment. Effortlessly, he had withstood a formidable strike and retaliated with an even more fearsome blow, decisively defeating his adversary. His power was beyond comprehension, a level seemingly unattainable by his peers.
The elites pondered whether they could replicate Chu Yi's feat if they were in his shoes, facing the full force of a government elite's strike. But no further words were spoken, just an ominous silence.
The prodigies in the audience stared at Chu Yi, their eyes wide with amazement. Even the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor and the Three Young Masters of Grassvale gazed upon him, their expressions filled with awe.
So incredibly strong!
So utterly terrifying!
Was this the prowess of the rumored top candidate of the national exam?
Chu Yi descended from the stage, his expression devoid of any hint of triumph. To him, it seemed, such feats were nothing out of the ordinary.
A respectful silence enveloped the onlookers. Many had previously questioned Chu Yi's merit, suspecting his success was merely a product of internet hype or connections rather than genuine ability. Yet, in the face of his undeniable talent, those doubts were now dispelled. Chu Yi's journey to this point was not just a matter of luck or networking.
But now, no one could question Chu Yi anymore...
Invincible? Not quite.
Some were well aware that in the national war, a few exceptional prodigies groomed by the elite families or in secret by the government would emerge. Their formidable abilities were believed to be on par with Chu Yi's.
Yet, those concerns were for the future. For now, in this national exam, Chu Yi's prowess seemed to be unrivaled.
"How fascinating, truly fascinating."
"I had assumed he was merely a hyped-up puppet, but it appears I was mistaken."
The Grassvale Trio.
The moniker might not impress, but there was no denying the terrifying might of these three scions of Grassvale. They were every bit as formidable as the Fairmoor Quartet.
Barring any extraordinary misfortune, these seven individuals were almost certain to claim their spots in the national battle.
Renowned as nearly invincible in their own cities, they were now among the elite on the national stage. They might not claim to be unbeatable, but they were certainly among the very best.
"However..."
"An opponent like this makes the game interesting. All my preparations and secret weapons weren't for nothing..."
Upon hearing Young Master Kang's remarks, the other two members of the Grassvale Trio remained silent.
Of the trio, Young Master Kang was known to be wild.
If possible, they'd rather not face Chu Yi; a clash with him promised to be a grueling fight.
Despite their array of formidable secret weapons, the thought of battling Chu Yi still unsettled them.
His displayed strength was, frankly, somewhat frightening.
Naturally, they weren't about to shy away from a challenge.
But to confront Chu Yi head-on, as Young Master Kang seemed eager to do, was beyond their willingness. That was sheer madness.
"Indeed, Chu Yi has earned the right to be considered our rival."
"Of course, I must concede that without the advantages my family has provided, I might not stand a chance against Chu Yi."
Young Master Han approached with measured steps.
The Fairmoor Quartet: Young Master Liang, Young Master Han, Young Master Qi, and Young Master Wang.
The Three Young Masters of Grassvale: Young Master Kang, Young Master Li, and Young Master Zhuge.
These seven individuals were the most likely to win the championship after Chu Yi, and they certainly had the credentials for it.
Apart from a handful of legendary talents, these seven stood at the pinnacle of the younger generation within the aristocratic families.
They embodied the utmost strength among the young elite of the aristocratic families!
Like Young Master Kang, Young Master Han, one of the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor, was also obsessed with combat.
He, too, yearned to confront Chu Yi.
"How about we place a wager? If one of us defeats Chu Yi first, the other will become his junior for three years. Does that sound fair to you?"
Becoming someone's junior...
Despite their animosity towards Redmarsh, these individuals were also engaged in relentless competition with one another.
It's no overstatement to say that there was a competitive dynamic among the three cities, with each eager to outdo the others at any opportunity.
This rivalry existed not only among governments but also among the affluent families within these cities.
If given the chance, everyone would want to outmaneuver their rivals. Even as members of the Aristocratic Alliance, the drive to compete persisted.
Becoming a junior, although seemingly a light-hearted jest among the youth, actually signified something more profound!
Who were these young people?
They were the elite prodigies of their respective families, the nascent forms of future power.
Indeed, Young Master Han and Young Master Kang each represented the ultimate prodigies of Fairmoor's and Grassvale's younger generations, almost serving as the voice of their respective cities' youth!
In the future, they were poised to become the mainstays of their cities, among the few at the zenith of power!
And if they were to concede...
It would be tantamount to their respective city's aristocratic families admitting defeat.
Thus, what appeared to be a simple bet between two individuals had far-reaching and significant implications.
Young Master Kang was a warrior at heart, but he was no fool.
He had thoroughly considered the intricacies of this situation.
However, to refuse the challenge would be to acknowledge his own inferiority, effectively admitting defeat. As one of Grassvale's three most exceptional talents, his concession would also suggest that Grassvale was outclassed by Fairmoor.
Young Master Kang found the situation utterly unacceptable.
Moreover...
He was brimming with confidence in his own trump cards and abilities.
So, without a moment's doubt, Young Master Kang declared decisively, "Alright!"
That single word encapsulated his unwavering self-assurance.
"However, what if I encounter Chu Yi first and manage to defeat him? How would that be accounted for?"
His words exuded confidence.
With a slight smile, Young Master Han responded, "Then we shall adhere to the terms of our wager."
"Since you would have encountered him first, that would be your good fortune."
"And fortune is indeed an aspect of one's strength..."
In their conversation, Chu Yi was reduced to a mere pawn, easily manipulated at their whim. Despite having seen Chu Yi's capabilities, both Young Masters maintained a confidence so profound it attested to the complexity of their hidden assets.
"But do take care, lest you find yourself bested by Chu Yi..."
With those words, Young Master Han departed without a backward glance.
"Tell me, Young Master Kang, do you truly feel confident?"
Young Master Zhuge, one of the esteemed trio from Grassvale, couldn't help but express his concern.
Among the three, Young Master Zhuge was clearly the most level-headed.
With a casual smile, Young Master Kang remarked, "Just as Young Master Han mentioned, if I were without the trump card my family has provided, my odds against Chu Yi might be evenly matched, or perhaps even slightly against me."
"But now..."
Armed with those trump cards, Young Master Kang was convinced that if he couldn't triumph over Chu Yi, he would indeed have no one to blame but himself for the defeat...
