Chapter 120: An Effortless Advancement

Yang Feng’s assault did not falter; his fists rained down like a relentless storm, crushing against Zhao Bochao’s body.

"Bang! Bang!"

After Yang Feng landed dozens of consecutive strikes, Zhao Bochao’s body was sent flying through the air, crashing heavily onto the stage. He spat out a mouthful of blood and was unable to stand again. As Yang Feng raised his fists to strike him once more, Zhao Bochao wheezed, "I concede!"

Without sparing him another glance, Yang Feng walked off the arena with an air of arrogance.

Liu Feng pushed through the crowd and hurried toward the stage. He climbed up, gently lifted Zhao Bochao, and slowly escorted him back to the contestant area. Liu Feng quickly produced a pill for internal organ repair and had Zhao Bochao consume it. As Zhao Bochao sat cross-legged, Liu Feng placed his palms against his back, channeling his internal energy to disperse the medicinal potency.

About half an hour later, Zhao Bochao slowly opened his eyes.

"How are you feeling, Bochao?" Liu Feng asked urgently.

"I am out of immediate danger, though my body still aches," Zhao Bochao replied, his voice raspy.

"That is a relief! Though you were severely injured, this battle has pushed your cultivation to a new level. It is hard to say whether this match was a blessing or a curse for you," Liu Feng said softly as he looked at him.

"I believe this battle was a good thing. After all, a martial artist must undergo the crucible of hardship to reach the summit of strength." Although his voice was flat, his words were filled with unwavering conviction.

Hearing the resolve in Zhao Bochao’s tone, a smile appeared on Liu Feng’s face. He knew that through this combat, Zhao Bochao’s martial philosophy had become even more steadfast.

"By the way, Brother Bochao, why did your strength suddenly wane when you were launching your final attack on Yang Feng?" Zhang Liang asked with a puzzled look.

"Exactly! I found that very strange as well. One moment you had a chance at victory, and the next, the situation suddenly turned around."

Zhao Bochao said with a hint of regret, "Sigh! It is because I had exhausted all my internal energy before the breakthrough. Even though my cultivation realm increased after the breakthrough, the energy I expended could not be recovered in such a short time."

"So that was it. That Yang Feng really lucked out this time," Zhang Liang said bitterly.

"Alas, there is no helping it. Sometimes, luck plays a significant role. It simply wasn't meant to be for Brother Bochao this time," Wang Xing sighed.

Liu Feng pondered, "Even if Bochao had been at full strength, I fear he still would not have been a match for Yang Feng. I have a lingering feeling that his true strength is unfathomable."

"True, I had that same feeling," Zhao Bochao added faintly, recalling his exchange with Yang Feng.

At that moment, the City Lord announced two more numbers.

"Zhang Liang, isn't one of those your tag? Why are you still standing there like a fool?" Wang Xing jeered.

"Right! I'm going now. You brothers just wait for my good news!" With that, Zhang Liang dashed toward the arena.

"I hope the kid doesn't get beaten too badly," Wang Xing muttered to himself.

Watching Zhang Liang climb onto the stage, Liu Feng and Zhao Bochao exchanged a smile. They felt that Zhang Liang possessed a truly excellent temperament.

"Zhang Liang!"
"Wang Ming!"

Standing on the stage and seeing his opponent, Zhang Liang felt a jolt of shock. "What on earth has this guy been eating to grow like that?"

Opposite him stood a brawny youth two meters tall, eyeing Zhang Liang with utter disdain.

As the command to begin was given, Zhang Liang struck first. He swung his fists toward the hulking Wang Ming, a trail of red internal energy erupting from his knuckles as he closed the distance in an instant.

Seeing the incoming blow, a look of contempt crossed Wang Ming’s eyes. He swung his own fist to intercept.

"Bang!" A muffled thud echoed out, and Zhang Liang was knocked back five or six steps before he could steady himself.

"The kid has quite a bit of power, but he has a weakness: he’s too large and lacks agility," Zhang Liang thought to himself. Through that single collision, he had identified his opponent's flaw.

"Kid, your strength is pathetic," Wang Ming spat, his massive frame charging forward. He swung a heavy fist toward Zhang Liang’s head.

"Big guy, you have to hit me first!" Zhang Liang retorted. Relying on his agile footwork, he "slid" right under Wang Ming’s raised arm.

Wang Ming turned and swung again, but Zhang Liang leaped forward, dodging past the blow once more. Thus, the two continued—one attacking ferociously, the other dodging nimbly—until, after a short while, they had traded hundreds of blows.

"Zhang Liang has spotted the brawny youth's weakness. This match should be decided soon," Liu Feng remarked, looking relaxed as he watched the stage.

"Don't let his usual nonsense fool you; when it comes down to it, he’s quite sharp," Wang Xing said, knowing Zhang Liang well.

"I suspect Zhang Liang will launch his counterattack at any moment now," Liu Feng added.

Sure enough, moments later, the brawny youth on the stage began to pant heavily, his attacks losing much of their force.

At that moment, a sharp light flashed in Zhang Liang’s eyes. He darted forward with lightning speed, appearing right before Wang Ming, and thrust his palm toward his opponent’s face.

Seeing the incoming palm, Wang Ming hurriedly raised his fists to block. Little did he know, it was a feint.

Seeing Wang Ming commit his hands to the defense, Zhang Liang quickly dropped into a crouch, slipped to Wang Ming's midsection, and unleashed the right hook he had been preparing. A surge of violent energy roared out, slamming into Wang Ming’s abdomen.

"Bang!" With a dull thud, Wang Ming let out a roar of pain and staggered back two steps.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Liang followed up with a barrage of violent punches.

"Bang! Bang!" With Wang Ming’s stamina spent and unable to dodge, Zhang Liang landed dozens of strikes.

Wang Ming roared in frustration, but he was completely helpless.

"Bang! Bang!" The final two blows landed squarely on Wang Ming’s eyes, instantly giving him a pair of "panda eyes."

"Ah! I concede!" Wang Ming bellowed in defeat.

"Haha! An easy victory!" Zhang Liang laughed, walking off the arena with a spring in his step.

"Kid, your luck was truly something today," Wang Xing remarked as Zhang Liang returned.

"That was skill, thank you very much! I won based on my own ability," Zhang Liang said smugly.

Liu Feng looked at him and said calmly, "After all, luck is a part of skill."

"Haha! True enough," Zhang Liang laughed.

"Stop flattering yourself!" Wang Xing retorted.

While they were talking, the next battle had already begun on the stage. After another full day of combat, the final sixty-four were decided. Next would be the matches to determine the top thirty-two.