C273 A Battle to Uphold Justice!
The showdown between the sixth and eighth rounds was poised to be the most riveting of all.
This clash would pit the crème de la crème of prodigies against each other!
Lee Zi, a contender in the sixth round, was a seeded player, and so was her adversary.
Hence, Lee Zi's match was destined to be a formidable confrontation between two seeded players, promising an extraordinary spectacle.
In addition to this match, there was the battle in the latter half of the eighth round, the grand finale.
The final battle wasn't just notable for being the last; it was also home to another breathtaking duel in the lower bracket of the eighth group!
This time among the seeded players, three of the Fairmoor Four Young Masters had secured their spots, but one had unfortunately lost his chance.
Many regarded this young master as possessing the caliber of a seeded player, but with only sixteen slots available and perhaps falling slightly short in some areas, he missed out on the seeded player status.
Nonetheless, his strength was undeniably formidable, on par with that of a seeded player!
The face-off between him and another seeded player from the same group was garnering exceptional attention.
These two matches were unequivocally the pinnacle of today's competition.
As such, the anticipation for these encounters was palpable among the crowd.
At last, the fifth round came to a close.
Despite the round being filled with thrilling moments and the four contestants demonstrating unparalleled strength, it was overshadowed by the eagerness for the upcoming battles.
Amidst a chorus of anticipation, Lee Zi finally made her entrance.
She strode onto the stage, which had doubled in size from the previous day, now rivaling the expanse of several football fields!
This vast space was more than adequate for the combatants to unleash their full potential.
Lee Zi's opponent was none other than Young Master Lee, one of the Fairmoor Four and a bona fide seeded player.
Young Master Lee's prowess hardly needed any introduction. Once known only within Fairmoor's elite circles, his reputation now preceded him.
The duel between Lee Zi and Young Master Lee was the center of everyone's attention, even eclipsing the battles involving the other Young Masters of Fairmoor.
Countless eyes were fixed on the arena, watching the unfolding drama with bated breath.
Everyone was aware that the moment had come to see if Lee Zi's legend would continue and if the dreams of ordinary people could flourish. Everything hinged on the present!
With the announcement that the battle was about to commence, the presence of both Lee Zi and Young Master Lee began to intensify dramatically. A formidable force started to emanate, transforming the atmosphere of the arena into something beyond words. To the spectators, it seemed as though two colossal beasts had fully awakened from a deep slumber.
The immense power that filled the Martial Arts Stadium was palpable and filled the air with an eerie sense of dread. Lee Zi recognized the strength of her opponent, understanding the immense effort and power it would take to emerge victorious.
Once, Lee Zi might have dismissed such concerns, confident that her intelligence alone could bring order to chaos. But now, faced with an adversary of such formidable strength, she knew that intelligence, while crucial, was not the sole factor for success.
Lee Zi was acutely aware that without an unwavering resolve, even the most strategic use of her intellect would be in vain. This opponent was far from simple. Chu Yi had informed her that within her adversary's body lay a sealed force of immense terror. Should it be released, he could instantly ascend to a High Order Gold status or beyond, a prospect both terrifying and formidable. At that point, Young Master Lee could easily use his overwhelming power to dominate any enemy.
Taking a deep breath, Lee Zi steadied herself. Young Master Lee had not acted out of desperation but from a position of strength, believing he should not squander any more time with Lee Zi.
In a blink, Young Master Lee closed the considerable distance between them, appearing right by Lee Zi's side. The arena, while not vast, was by no means small, and he had traversed over a hundred meters in a mere moment—a display of speed that left the audience stunned.
Yet, Lee Zi had anticipated such a move. She had previously managed to overpower three High Order Diamonds with her battle body. Young Master Lee's speed, though impressive and far surpassing many of his peers, did not faze Lee Zi in the slightest.
In the next instant, Lee Zi extended her arm. Her delicate, jade-like hand exuded a sense of perfection that mirrored Lee Zi herself. Yet, this seemingly fragile and crystalline arm, which looked as though it would shatter with a mere grip, suddenly unleashed a power beyond imagination! Lee Zi's mastery over her body was unquestionably superior to Chu Yi's. Thus, her arm materialized at an angle that seemed impossible to others. The fearsome force emanating from her limb detonated in an instant, sending a horrifying surge of energy sweeping through the entire arena.
The arena was vast, and an ordinary person might take several minutes to walk its circumference. But now, it was engulfed by the terrifying shockwaves of their clash. Under such formidable power, even a standard Gold Warrior would suffer severe injuries or face obliteration. Young Master Lee was at the mid-level of the Gold Realm, while Lee Zi fared even worse, not having reached Gold but only achieving Perfection in the Silver Realm. However, the seemingly effortless collision between the two unleashed a shockwave of such magnitude. This was the hallmark of a supreme prodigy, the essence of their extraordinary power!
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that both Young Master Lee and Lee Zi, if placed in a bygone era, could dominate the prodigies of their generation. Yet, in this current age, despite their prominence, they were not the pinnacle of power. Above them loomed even more formidable presences. As the residual shockwaves threatened to spill beyond the confines of the venue, several figures emerged. This scenario had unfolded before when the seeded players and their opponents had engaged in fierce battles. Given that the weakest among these titans was on par with an ordinary Diamond Level Great General, their confrontations, even with restrained power, resulted in destruction beyond comprehension.
To guarantee absolute safety, the judges for the fourth round were not only elevated to the peak of the Diamond Level but were also accompanied by eight peak Diamond Level Great Generals at each arena. At this moment, as Lee Zi and Young Master Lee faced off in what was clearly a showdown between seeded contenders, the presence of these eight elite generals was a testament to the gravity of the situation. They stood as vigilant guardians on all sides, ready to prevent any regrettable outcomes. Although the confrontation between Lee Zi and Young Master Lee was formidable, it paled in comparison to the might of the peak Diamond Level.
Even if they both exerted their utmost strength, they might still fall short of the pinnacle of Diamond Level.
It was as though a light barrier had materialized over the entire arena, enveloping it completely.
The residual waves of battle, upon reaching the edge of the arena, were entirely obstructed by the barrier, with not even the slightest bit able to penetrate.
The first move within the arena did not surprise Young Master Lee. Lee Zi was ready, and her strength matched his expectations.
She was no longer a mere contender; she truly possessed the power to rival any seeded player!
In that instant, Young Master Lee did not hesitate and vanished from his spot.
As expected, a deep crater formed at the point of impact with Lee Zi!
The arena, constructed from special materials, came at an extraordinary cost.
But correspondingly, its durability was beyond imagination.
Yet, even so, a seemingly effortless strike from the pair had inflicted lasting damage on the arena.
It should be noted that since the previous clashes between prodigies and seeds, the arena had scarcely been disturbed!
Witnessing this, the crowd was electrified, their excitement palpable!
They were witnessing the prelude to an earth-shattering battle...
Observing the pit that had formed, a flicker of apprehension crossed Young Master Lee's eyes.
Had he not been on high alert, that blow might have harmed him.
Though not a grievous wound, it could have swayed the outcome of his ensuing fight with Lee Zi.
What a stroke of luck!
But Young Master Lee's relief was short-lived, as Lee Zi re-emerged in the next moment.
This time, she seemed utterly transformed.
A wild force swirled around her, her imposing aura nearly overwhelming Young Master Lee in an instant.
Could there be a plot afoot?
Young Master Lee had meticulously analyzed Lee Zi's prior tactics. He was certain he had unraveled her strategy.
In his view, Lee Zi had never been one to depend on sheer force.
She had managed those weaker than her with finesse, so facing an opponent stronger than herself, how could she suddenly alter her style of combat?
Thus, Young Master Lee was convinced that there was more than met the eye to Lee Zi's ferocious demeanor.
In the next moment, Young Master Lee unleashed only a fraction of his power, strategically holding back the majority in reserve. His plan was to deliver a stunning blow to Lee Zi should she attempt any sudden maneuvers.
However, the instant their powers collided, Young Master Lee came to a stark realization—he had been mistaken.
Lee Zi harbored no schemes, or perhaps the true scheme was to make him believe she did. She had tricked him into thinking she was plotting, causing him to hesitate in unleashing his full strength. In a twist of irony, he had done just that—released all his power.
As a result, Young Master Lee found himself propelled backward through the air in that fleeting moment...
