blueteamnovel Chapter 344: Overtaking from Behind
Chapter 344: Overtaking from Behind
Zhao Qingwei wore a light-cyan swordswoman’s uniform. Her temperament was cool and aloof, and a sword hung at her waist.
Her Energy Level was also around Level 33. Her aura wasn’t as outwardly sharp as Qin Rui’s, but it seemed more condensed and enduring.
Tana was her usual energetic self, with wheat-colored skin and a neat ponytail. She sidled up to Xu Wuyi, her eyes shining.
"Xu Wuyi, I heard you gained a lot from the special training this time. If we run into each other in the competition later, you’d better show me what you’ve got!"
The preliminary matches were randomly assigned, so there was a good chance they would face each other. She was also very curious to see just how strong Xu Wuyi had become after being personally taught by Flame Venerable.
"Alright," Xu Wuyi said with a smile.
Tana’s Energy Level had also reached Level 32. The resources and foundation of a great West Desert Clan were not to be underestimated.
As the group was talking, a somewhat deep voice cut in.
"Everyone’s... here."
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Zeng Bonan walking over.
He still had that same simple, honest face, but his entire bearing had undergone a world-shaking transformation.
His formerly somewhat clumsy figure now gave off a feeling of being as steady as a mountain, and his steps carried a unique, heavy rhythm.
His life aura... was shockingly at the Martial Master level!
"Bonan?" Yu Peiling was the first to cry out, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
Shen Wei’s eyes widened. "Holy shit! Old Zeng, you... you made it? When did this happen?"
Qin Rui, Zhao Qingwei, and Tana also threw surprised glances his way.
Zeng Bonan had started later than the others and his talent wasn’t considered outstanding. Who would have thought he’d actually pull ahead, stepping into the Martial Master Realm even before Yu Peiling, who was stuck at her bottleneck!
No, to be precise, Zeng Bonan had always been at the bottom of the pack, not just in their little circle, but in all of Star Martial University.
After all, back when he took the college entrance exams, he had just barely scraped into Star Martial. Plus, his talent was average, he had no resources to help him, and he couldn’t get any support from a Noble Family.
Zeng Bonan scratched the back of his head, revealing his trademark simple and honest smile. But this time, the smile held a newfound confidence and steadiness it lacked before.
"I got lucky and broke through last month. It’s all thanks to switching to the Undying Golden Body. I found the right path, put in the work, and it all just fell into place."
The Undying Golden Body!
Everyone had a moment of realization. That B-Level Body Refining Technique, known for its arduous cultivation and resilience, was indeed a perfect fit for him.
"What level are you now?" Shen Wei couldn’t help but ask.
"Level 31.1," Zeng Bonan answered honestly.
Hearing this, Shen Wei’s interest was immediately piqued. "Alright! Let’s go, let’s go! Before the competition starts, let’s head over to the sparring area and trade a few blows! Let me see just how tough that Undying Golden Body of yours really is!"
Zeng Bonan glanced at the time, then looked toward Xu Wuyi and the others.
Xu Wuyi nodded. "Go ahead. There’s enough time."
The preliminaries weren’t strict about starting times anyway; many people wouldn’t even begin their matches until the afternoon.
The two walked toward the temporary sparring area at the edge of the square, their arms slung over each other’s shoulders.
The rest of the group followed, all wanting to see Zeng Bonan’s current strength.
Inside the sparring area, Shen Wei and Zeng Bonan stood facing each other.
They weren’t using weapons, just fighting bare-handed.
With a low shout, Shen Wei was the first to attack.
He was already known for his powerful and heavy-handed moves, and after advancing to the Martial Master Realm, his strength had skyrocketed. He threw a punch, his Qi and Blood surging, kicking up a heavy gust of wind pressure.
Zeng Bonan didn’t dodge or evade. Taking a deep breath, his skin instantly took on a faint, bronze-colored luster. His muscles bulged, and his entire presence seemed to grow heavier.
He met it with a punch of his own!
BAM!
The two fists collided, unleashing a shockwave.
Shen Wei’s body swayed slightly, while Zeng Bonan stumbled back three steps—THUD, THUD, THUD—but his footing remained steady. The bronze luster on his skin merely rippled, not dissipating.
"What a tough turtle shell!" Shen Wei laughed, his attacks growing even fiercer as he unleashed a barrage of fists and kicks like a raging storm.
Zeng Bonan calmly responded. He pushed the defensive power of his Undying Golden Body to its limits, pairing it with a solid and steady Fist Technique. Though he was on the defensive, his guard was impenetrable.
Most of Shen Wei’s attacks that landed on his body only managed to stir up ripples of bronze light, failing to cause any real damage. Occasionally, Zeng Bonan would seize an opportunity to counterattack, and the heavy Fist Momentum of his blows made Shen Wei wary.
The two exchanged dozens of blows, finding themselves evenly matched, and the fight reached a stalemate.
Finally, Shen Wei landed a heavy roundhouse kick to Zeng Bonan’s side, knocking him back several meters.
Zeng Bonan’s Qi and Blood roiled, and the bronze luster on his skin had dimmed considerably. Shen Wei was also breathing heavily, having expended a great deal of energy.
"Stop! No more!" Shen Wei waved his hand. "If we keep going, we’ll be late for the main event. Damn, Old Zeng, your defense is no joke! At the same level, I bet there aren’t many who can break through that Undying Golden Body of yours."
Zeng Bonan deactivated his Cultivation Technique, his skin color returning to normal. He smiled sheepishly. "You’re the strong one, Shen Wei. Your attack power is too intense. I couldn’t have held on for much longer."
The few people watching were all filled with their own complex emotions.
Yu Peiling’s expression was complicated. She was happy for her friend, but there was also a hint of melancholy.
Qin Rui and Zhao Qingwei, on the other hand, saw Zeng Bonan in a new light. With such a solid foundation and tenacious spirit, he might very well go even further in the future.
Xu Wuyi walked up and said sincerely, "Congratulations, Bonan. This path suits you. Keep at it."
Zeng Bonan nodded emphatically. "I will."
The group returned to the meeting point, and the topic of conversation naturally shifted to the landscape of powerful competitors in this year’s youth tournament.
"The overall skill level this year is much higher than last year," Qin Rui said, his tone grave. "Just the number of known Martial Masters already exceeds previous years. Among the second-years from the Three Greats, there are probably no fewer than twenty."
Zhao Qingwei added, "Zhai Zidu from Black Stone Academy, according to the latest news, has a Life Energy Level of 34.8. His Northern Ice True Intention is approaching Minor Achievement, his attacks are sharp, and his defense is not weak either."
Tana pouted. "That pair of twins from Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy, Song Xingxian and Song Xing’an, are both just over Level 34. Their family’s Galaxy Sword Manual is a real pain."
Shen Wei cut in, "And there’s Chu Shanhe! That guy has mastered the Blood Nerve. He’s in the Martial Master Realm. His specific level is unclear, but it’s definitely not low. His skills combined with the Blood Nerve make him an absolutely tough opponent."
One after another, they listed at least seven or eight names with the strength to vie for the top ten, or even the top five. Every one of them was a Martial Master, generally between Level 33 and 35, and each had their own unique ultimate technique.
After this discussion, everyone’s gaze landed, as if by unspoken agreement, on Xu Wuyi.
Shen Wei let out a sly chuckle. "But then again, compared to our great god Xu, they’re still lacking. Old Xu, fess up. What level are you actually at now? Your power must have skyrocketed again after the special training in the West Desert, right?"
Yu Peiling, Zeng Bonan, and the others also looked at Xu Wuyi curiously. Though Qin Rui and Zhao Qingwei didn’t ask, their eyes held a probing look.
Xu Wuyi paused for a moment in thought. Deciding there was no need to hide it, he said frankly, "Level 37.9."
"..."
After a brief silence, several sharp intakes of breath could be heard.