C286 It Was Boring!

All light had vanished.

The countless roars of explosions faded away.

Everyone could now see what was happening in the arena.

At that moment, many spectators were taken aback.

The tragic scene they had envisioned hadn't materialized. In their minds, such a catastrophic clash would surely be unbearable for the casters, Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng.

They must be on the brink of collapse!

They couldn't fathom any other outcome.

It even seemed likely that both had perished.

Indeed, the role of these elite Diamonds was to intervene at critical moments, rescuing prodigies from death in battle.

Yet, the duel between Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng was so fierce that over twenty elite Diamonds, along with several at the Half Step to War God Level, had to act. Ultimately, it took the intervention of a true War God to stabilize the situation.

This spoke volumes.

In such devastation, even the mighty could not endure!

But now, what was before their eyes?

A figure emerged from the relentless destruction.

And upon his back, he carried another figure!

In the estimation of those top entities, Chu Yi was expected to survive, but Zhao Wuheng was a different case.

After all, Zhao Wuheng had exhausted all his power.

Chu Yi, on the other hand, had clearly held back.

So they were certain Chu Yi would face no peril, but Zhao Wuheng's fate was debatable.

Yet the scene that unfolded defied their expectations.

Chu Yi was not only unscathed, but he had also shielded Zhao Wuheng amidst the chaos, bringing him out entirely unharmed.

Chu Yi's strength...

Even the gaze of those at the Diamond Level shifted when they looked at Chu Yi.

Truth be told, before this event, although the Diamond Level had recognized Chu Yi's prowess, they had never considered him a peer in battle.

Now, things had changed, as Chu Yi had demonstrated his formidable power.

He was a fearsome force, on par with those Diamond Level Great Generals.

Of course, in the minds of those Great Generals, Chu Yi was still just a peer.

They could only see him as such, for they dared not contemplate the implications of a young force like Chu Yi possessing power that exceeded their own.

"Alright, it's time to announce the results of the competition," Chu Yi said as he gently laid the unconscious Zhao Wuheng onto a nearby recliner, turning his gaze to the presiding top Diamond. As the appointed judge for this match, his presence was a testament to its significance. Typically, a battle among the younger contenders would be sufficiently overseen by an ordinary High Order Gold, but this occasion was different.

Chu Yi's demeanor was one of serene composure, devoid of any reverence, which prompted a moment of silence from the top Diamond before he gave a nod of acknowledgment. Such indifference from other prodigies would be seen as a breach of decorum, a failure to recognize their place. Despite their prestigious backgrounds, such a lapse would tarnish their reputations for life.

But Chu Yi was not just any contender. Why should he show deference? His demonstrated prowess had already equaled that of the top Diamonds. Respect, borne of age or status, was not something he sought.

"Chu Yi wins."

These four simple words resonated without causing any bewilderment. This was the only battle, out of nearly a hundred, that concluded in silence rather than cheers. Yet, the absence of applause seemed fitting to all who witnessed the event. The battle's sheer intensity left the audience in awe, struggling to grasp the magnitude of what they had just seen.

Despite the presence of many top Diamonds and even those a Half Step to War God Level safeguarding the arena, the sight of the protective barrier cracking and widening had brought the specter of death chillingly close for the first time.

Unconcerned with the lack of adulation, Chu Yi departed immediately after the match. For him, seeking out Lee Zi was far more important than basking in the crowd's adulation.

Lee Zi had made a significant recovery after just one night, thanks to the substantial resources the Fairmoor government had invested. Under normal circumstances, her recovery from such profound internal injuries—inflicted by her use of numerous potent techniques—would have taken at least a month, even with the advanced medical facilities in Redmarsh City. Despite her formidable origin and the enhancement of the Five Elements Original Combat Body, her current level was still a limiting factor.

Chu Yi, with his mastery of the immortal arts, could have healed her in a single day. Yet, without such intervention, a full recovery would typically be impossible within a month. This time, however, the Fairmoor medical center, with the government's emphasis on excellence, had employed the most sophisticated treatments available.

Thanks to those precious medicines, Lee Zi had made a significant recovery in just one day.

At this rate, she could be fully healed in six or seven days, or even four or five at the earliest.

She would be healed, not just able to move...

...

"How about it? Do you think you can take down my younger brother?"

Cage was visibly annoyed.

He hadn't even agreed to become sworn brothers yet, and here Reinhard was, already calling him 'younger brother.'

For the first time, Cage realized that Reinhard's talent was not only extraordinary, but his audacity was equally astounding.

But then...

Cage's expression grew more solemn.

"That killing technique from before was truly frightening."

"The sheer destructive force of it would require me to pull out all the stops just to stand a chance against it."

Cage was earnest.

His abilities far surpassed those of the seeded players. After all, to gain Reinhard's recognition and friendship, one must possess both talent and strength.

Reinhard gave a slight nod: "That strike wasn't his full potential."

Cage fell silent.

He could see that for himself.

After executing such a lethal technique and still having the energy to save others, not to mention returning unscathed, it was clear that 'having strength to spare' was an understatement.

"My younger brother is indeed my younger brother."

"His power is likely not far off from my own."

"I truly hope I can engage in a fierce battle someday..."

"To unleash all my power..."

Cage spun around, looking at Reinhard with a mix of shock and disbelief.

Others might not understand, but Cage knew all too well what Reinhard meant by a 'fierce battle.'

It meant tapping into one's deepest reserves, unleashing the most formidable power one has!

But, could it be...

Does such a formidable being truly exist on Earth?

Cage had once believed it impossible, but now...

Perhaps after the Terran Federation advances to a Third, Fourth, or even Fifth Level civilization, such a being might emerge!

Yet, within the last millennium, there surely couldn't be a monster capable of pushing Reinhard to use all his power.

But now, Reinhard had suggested otherwise...

"Is Chu Yi truly that terrifying?"

Cage harbored deep suspicions.

Reinhard merely offered a slight smile, as there were some matters he couldn't quite articulate.

Yet, Reinhard was well aware of the situation.

"Chu Yi is far more terrifying than you could ever imagine," he said.

"Even you, Cage, might not be able to push him to reveal his true strength!"

Cage felt a chill.

Could it be that even he, with all his might, was unable to compel Chu Yi to unleash his full potential?

Cage would have dismissed such claims from anyone else, even from the Sky War Gods of the Oleini region, but coming from Reinhard, he had to take them seriously.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time here."

"After witnessing such a match, the other so-called seeded player confrontations have lost their appeal..."

His statement rang true.

After seeing the clash between Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng, other battles seemed lackluster in comparison. Despite the other contenders being formidable in their own right, any of whom would have been hailed as a prodigy in a bygone era, they paled in comparison to Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng.

It was an unavoidable truth.

Chu Yi's prowess was already well-acknowledged before this battle, with many considering him the top candidate for this year's national exam.

Following this display, any doubt had been erased.

As for Zhao Wuheng...

Among the remaining fifteen seeded players, his strength was unquestionably within the top three!

Their encounter was tantamount to a national exam final, rendering subsequent fights somewhat anticlimactic.

Indeed, this proved to be the case.

In the subsequent second round of battles, the audience's enthusiasm noticeably waned.

Though both contenders were seeded players—one a member of Fairmoor's Four Young Masters and the other a top-tier government prodigy—they still fell short of Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng's standard.

Ultimately, these two seeded players showcased their peak potential, advancing to the High Order of Gold just as Young Master Lee had done before. Initially, the High Order Gold seemed extraordinary, but after witnessing Chu Yi's effortless ascension and Zhao Wuheng's foundation-driven rise to the pinnacle of Gold, their achievements seemed less impressive by comparison.

The display of ultimate essence and the unleashing of fearsome power once captivated audiences as the pinnacle of entertainment. However, these spectacles no longer seem to pique the interest of viewers today.

You claim your combat skills are terrifyingly lethal, unmatched in their ferocity?

Well then, try shattering just one of those guardian shields set up by the top twenty-plus Diamond Level protectors.

What's that?

You can't break it?

So much for your so-called peerless prowess!

Nowadays, the public and online spectators have developed their own criteria for assessing the dreadfulness of such combat skills.

Indeed, if someone can shatter the protective barrier crafted by twenty top Diamond Guardians, they would be considered powerful.

And if they could also coax out the Half Step to War Gods and shatter them too, that would place them at the pinnacle.

The ability to break through these barriers has become a basic benchmark.

In the midst of battle, the two seeded players have internally berated Chu Yi and Zhao Wuheng time and again.

They had envisioned this as their moment to dazzle, a fight that would resonate throughout the Adirang Region, immortalizing their names. Yet, despite showcasing their most prized abilities, they failed to impress the crowd.

The audience looked on with undisguised scorn.

This battle was proving to be...

Exceedingly challenging.