CHAPTER 22 — "FINAL CLASH OF RAW STRENGTH"
The dust had barely settled from their last earth-shattering strike when the announcer screamed:
"A-Arena 1… Arena 1 is STILL GOING!! Only these two remain—Long Hao and Chen Wulian!!"
The entire crowd focused on the screen.
Even the arenas that had finished their battles turned their attention.
From Arena 2, the prince of the Ling Royal Family stood at the edge, arms folded, spear shining faintly with diamond essence.
His unblinking silver eyes were fixed directly on Long Hao.
"So he survived the Mystic's full power…"He stepped closer."…No. He's matching it."
A small shift of his aura revealed the truth:
Ling Yifan was impressed.
And impressed geniuses were dangerous.
Very dangerous.
At Arena 3, Xue'er wiped small specks of frost off her hands and stared at Long Hao's cracked screen projection, eyes wide.
"He's hurt… but he's still pushing forward."Her voice trembled."He's… insane…"
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
She wasn't just impressed.
She was scared.
Scared of how strong Long Hao could become.
But also…
Proud.
In Arena 4, Bai Qianlan finally stretched out her hand.
Moonlit aura flared.
Every remaining opponent fell to their knees, illusions overpowering them.
"Arena 4—FINISHED!!""A-All participants unconscious!""Bai Qianlan ranks first in her arena!!"
She looked up toward Arena 1.
Her cold blue eyes narrowed.
"Interesting… Long Hao."
Three Mystic geniuses.
One Divine.
All watching him.
Only two remained on the cracked stone battlefield:
Long Hao and Chen Wulian.
Both shirtless.Both bruised.Both covered in dust and blood.Both breathing hard.
Long Hao wiped blood off his lip.His calm eyes contrasted brutally with the wounds covering his body.
Chen Wulian laughed loudly, slamming his fist against his chest.
"Long Hao!!This is the BEST fight I've had in YEARS!"
Long Hao rolled his shoulders.
His expression remained emotionless.
"Focus."
Chen grinned, veins bulging with battle energy.
"My Heaven-Forged Battle Body is burning at its limit. Come at me with EVERYTHING you have."
Long Hao's eyes darkened.
"…Don't regret it."
The battlefield suddenly shifted.
A heavy silence settled before their final clash.
The air thickened.The earth trembled.Faint red cracks glowed beneath Long Hao's feet.
Chen Wulian inhaled deeply.
"Let us go all out… for the honor of the warrior path!"
Long Hao lowered into a stance.
"No holding back."
Their fists rose.
The entire crowd leaned forward as if controlled by the same string.
The announcer whispered:
"T-These two… They're going to tear the entire arena apart…"
Chen charged first.
His voice thundered:
"HEAVEN-FORGED BATTLE BODY — FULL RELEASE!"
His skin glowed molten gold.His muscles hardened like divine steel.His aura exploded upward like a volcanic eruption.
Long Hao stepped forward.
His red glow intensified.Breath steady.Eyes sharp.Posture perfect.
He whispered:
"…Void Crush."
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOM—!!!
They collided.
Their fists clashed.Shockwaves cracked the earth.Stone pillars shattered.Dust engulfed the arena.Participants outside clutched at their chests, gasping for air.
Chen's punch landed on Long Hao's ribs.
Long Hao's punch slammed into Chen's jaw.
Both men slid backward.
Then they charged again.
BAM— BAM — BAM — BAM—!!
Each strike landed with the force of a war hammer.Each step left craters behind them.Each breath was filled with killing intent and respect.
Chen's voice roared through the battlefield:
"LONG HAO—YOU ARE THE STRONGEST GOLD TALENT I HAVE EVER SEEN!"
Long Hao blocked another blow.
"You're the strongest Mystic at close range."
Chen laughed in the middle of combat.
"IT'S AN HONOR!!"
Long Hao smirked.
"Likewise."
The crowd shouted:
"This is insane!!""No children should be this strong!""They're fighting like ancient generals!!""My bones hurt just watching!!"
Even instructors nodded with satisfaction.
"These two…They will become pillars of the academy."
Both men stumbled back, bodies shaking.
Chen inhaled deeply.
"This is my FINAL punch!"
Long Hao raised his fist.
"Come."
Chen roared:
"HEAVEN-SHATTERING FIST!!!"
Long Hao whispered:
"Void Break."
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM—!!!
The arena shattered beneath them.Stone tiles exploded.Dust clouds rose like storms.Even protective barriers cracked.
The world went silent.
When the smoke cleared—
Two figures emerged.
Chen Wulian—
collapsed on the ground, chest rising and falling heavily, eyes half-open.
He smiled weakly.
"Heh…That was…magnificent…"
Standing above him—
Bruised.Bleeding.Breath ragged.But standing tall—
Long Hao.
The announcer erupted:
"LONG HAO WINS!!!THE LAST MAN STANDING OF ARENA 1!!!HE DEFEATED A MYSTIC RANK GENIUS IN PURE STRENGTH—!!!"
The crowd exploded into chaos.
"THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!!""He beat Chen Wulian—?!""He's only GOLD!!""No—no—he's a monster!!""WHO IS THIS BOY?!"
At the edge of the arena—
Ling Yifan's grip tightened on his spear.Ouyang Xue'er's eyes softened with admiration.Bai Qianlan's cold gaze warmed with interest.
Long Hao inhaled slowly.
He looked at Chen Wulian and spoke softly:
"Good fight."
Chen grinned through the pain.
"You too… brother."
The arena shook with applause.
The instructors stepped up.
The announcer shouted:
"THE FINAL RANKING ANNOUNCEMENT BEGINS NOW—!!!"
The battle was over.
But the legend of Long Hao…
Had only just begun.
[CHAPTER ENDS]