Blind Spot
Chapter 308: Battle of 289 - Eight

Chapter 308: Battle of 289 - Eight

Watching this person, Li Chengyi’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, but he remained calm and said nothing.

He had only dealt with the tricky opponents Xiao Nan faced after his match, and for the rest, it was a matter to be addressed in due time.

As the competition unfolded, Chaoyu Television Station, Andu Television Station, and other self-looping city TV programs all broadcast live footage of the fierce battles.

Day by day, the tournament progressed.

In each of the five major competition areas, some participants who were clearly different from the common contenders emerged as stronger challengers.

Among them, Li Chongnan from the Southern Division, Hai Sha from the Western Division, and Chen Jiahan from Yan Bagua Gate in the Central Division were the most conspicuous.

Because their matches would never last more than ten seconds.

Chen Jiahan, as the previous champion, would simply close in for a palm strike, landing a casual blow on his opponent’s vital spot with ease. In his presence, for some reason, opponents’ movements were much slower than normal, rendering them unable to block.

Hai Sha, on the other hand, relied on sheer brute force and speed, entering the stage with a charge, controlling the opponent, and securing a quick kill.

The last, Li Chongnan, the youngest, possessed the most unfathomable strength.

She had average speed, and it didn’t seem she had demonstrated much power either, but regardless of who she faced, they couldn’t last ten seconds before involuntarily falling to the ground.

In just one week, these three individuals led their teams to sweep all opponents, breaking out of their groups and securing places directly into the finals based on accumulated points, without the need to continue with open selection.

Alongside them, sixteen other teams advanced in a similar manner.

April 25th.

The tournament entered the grand finals.

The sky, manipulated to be damp, drizzled with light rain.

In the VIP area,

Li Changgu handed Li Chengyi an envelope.

"This is an encrypted letter," he whispered.

The two sat in a VIP airship box, looking down at the arena below.

"What does it say?" Li Chengyi inquired.

He had been working with the Red Armored individual these past days, eliminating several people they thought were challenging for their disciples, and successfully advancing each of their disciples to the finals.

The Red Armored individual had been watching over the Nuclear Fission Palm Team from the Southern Division, which was now ranked first in points.

Since they were in different groups, there was no conflict of interest, and that’s why Li Chengyi and the other could cooperate and join forces for mutual benefit.

But that might change now; with the finals approaching, the foundation of their cooperation could collapse.

"It’s a hint from above," Li Changgu answered. "For the upcoming finals, we’re not allowed any foul play. The higher-ups want to enforce stricter control."

Indeed, the upper echelons of Yi Country had tacitly allowed backstage manipulation before. Of course, they sanctioned the likes of their own nationals, teams backed by nobility.

If it had been a foreign team or others without significant backing, they would have been caught and suppressed long ago.

"I understand," Li Chengyi nodded, pressing down on the encrypted letter and placing it beside him on the table.

Currently, he was pinpointing Dragon Veins while covertly eliminating competitors, assisting Li Chongnan in gaining momentum and strengthening her will and beliefs.

Five potential Dragon Veins had been preliminarily verified; with four more confirmed, he could begin the actual convergence and complete the construction of the Dragon Vein.

Stepping into the Dragon Realm was not challenging for him.

And what pleased him even more was that Li Chongnan’s Holy Spirit Technique had reached the limit of the third section and might break through to the fourth at any moment!

The technique truly lived up to its name as a demonic art, with progress so rapid it was astonishing.

"Who is Xiao Nan’s next opponent in today’s finals?" Li Chengyi asked.

"The three from the Nuclear Fission Palm Team who advanced from our division," Li Changgu answered. "They’re strong. If Xiao Nan is still at her previous level, it might be difficult..."

"No matter, I have faith in her," Li Chengyi declared.

The Holy Spirit Technique, having reached the third section, provided an amplification on par with his lesser Shadow Dragon Bloodline.

Worthy indeed of a demonic art, worthy indeed of a technique that birthed an exaggerated being like the Faceless Scholar.

At this moment, Li Chongnan’s baseline strength could reach three tons; already, she had achieved three times the limit of an ordinary person. Her speed had also entered the top tier among competition participants.

Having fought so many battles, she had encountered some troublesome opponents, but regardless of who they were, as soon as they came into contact with her within three meters, they would be instantly killed.

"Actually, we’ve already achieved our goal of making it to the finals! From here on out, every step forward is an additional victory for us," Li Changgu said.

Li Chengyi closed his eyes and took a gentle sip of his tea.

What he wanted was not just to make it into the finals...

*

*

*

Subduing Demon Vajra Sect rest area.

Hai Sha sat cross-legged on the floor, while two muscular men vigorously massaged and relaxed his muscles behind him.

"Whale Seat." Suddenly, a mosquito-like voice buzzed in his ear.

"The plan commences with the finals. Going forward, you need to coordinate with our other operatives to eliminate all obstructing contestants."

"How should they be eliminated?" Hai Sha lifted his hand, signaling the men behind him to leave.

Once they had left, he asked in a low voice.

"This so-called Battle Tournament is nothing but a gathering of commoners who have learned some so-called Combat Techniques, participating in a trashy contest. Your power has long surpassed theirs. In the finals, there are four teams under our indirect control. You need to cooperate with these four teams to dispose of the remaining contestants," the voice in his ear instructed.

"Boring," Hai Sha said indifferently.

He was a warrior who had undergone Star Demon Gene modification on Xuan Ming Island, the final victor after climbing out from the struggle of thousands.

Facing these child’s play Combat Techniques, it was simply a matter of Dimensional Reduction.

"The only one who poses a slight threat to you is Chen Jiahan from Yan Bagua Gate. The rest of the teams, over a dozen, are garbage. They need to be weeded out as much as possible to avoid affecting the total score. Don’t let Chen Jiahan surpass you in points," the voice continued.

"Alright," Hai Sha nonchalantly agreed.

"Once it’s done, your equipment is stashed in the usual spot. We’ll cause a commotion for you. Once you’ve got it, leave. With the equipment, no one will be a match for you."

"..." Hai Sha couldn’t be bothered to respond.

"A list of names is coming your way. Remember, if you face them, don’t kill your own people."

Soon, a series of names stealthily reached his ears.

Among them was the Nuclear Fission Palm Team.

"Pointless."

Hai Sha stood up and left the rest area, walking through the garden district within the Martial Arts Hall.

Boring opponents, a boring tournament, far too much boring trash!

He had been enduring for so long. Day in and day out, he yearned to tear apart the trash before him completely, so they would stop buzzing around him like mosquitoes.

Most of the competing martial artists had already left the garden district.

Only twenty final teams remained.

Apart from the winners of the five major competition areas, there was also a friendly exchange team from White Star.

After a few turns in the enclosed green garden, slightly quenching the flame inside his heart, Hai Sha turned around, ready to head back.

Suddenly, there was an additional person behind him.

A young man with black hair draped over his shoulders, red eyes, and a quite towering and robust build.

The other’s height was a bit shorter than his, but only slightly.

"Hello," the newcomer greeted him with a smile, "I am the master of Li Chongnan from Dragon Whisker Sect, out of curiosity, I came to see what the top martial artist of Subduing Demon Vajra Sect looks like. I hope I’m not disturbing."

He extended his hand.

Hai Sha squinted at him. He was not the fake head of the Subduing Demon Vajra Sect; initially, he was born in this school, but due to a twist of fate, he joined Star Lake and was successfully transformed into a Star Fiend.

After coming back, he killed everyone who dared to obstruct him, becoming the sect leader.

"Dragon Whisker Sect?" Hai Sha laughed, showing a mouth full of stark white teeth. "Are you here to beg for mercy? Worried I’ll kill your disciple?"

"Yes, after all, Sect Leader Hai Sha’s strength is truly formidable. I’ve told my disciple, if he encounters Sect Leader Hai Sha, he must admit defeat proactively and keep a respectful distance," Li Chengyi said earnestly.

"You’re quite sensible," Hai Sha sneered, "Since that’s the case, when we face each other, I will spare your disciple’s life."

"Thank you, Sect Leader," Li Chengyi expressed his gratitude. "Shall we shake hands on it?"

He slightly raised his hand.

Hai Sha glanced at his palm.

He reached out, and the two lightly shook hands.

He liked such self-aware fellows; if everyone in the world were like this, he wouldn’t know how many less troubles he would encounter.

"Then I’ll take my leave," Li Chengyi turned and left without any hesitation.

*

*

*

At night.

Hai Sha parted ways with two disciples who were just making up the numbers and walked alone to a barbecue bar he frequently visited.

Boom.

He pushed open the door of the shop.

Suddenly, Hai Sha felt something unusual; the place was dead silent.

Colored lights flickered and moved constantly, the spacious hall was entirely empty, not a soul in sight.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Suddenly, a very rhythmic music began to play throughout the bar.

Amidst a row of disorganized tables and chairs, a shadow slowly emerged.

Boom.

The door behind Hai Sha slammed shut on its own.

The surrounding windows also automatically closed one by one, and layers of thicker metal plates descended from above.

Bang bang bang bang!

After several sounds, the bar turned into a sealed chamber.

A thick alloy wall, more than ten centimeters thick, completely sealed Hai Sha inside.

"Who are you?" Hai Sha’s expression darkened as he looked at the conspicuous stranger.

The person’s head was a constantly rotating galaxy, like a false projection, the face entirely invisible.

Dressed in a tailored white trench coat with a silver-black metallic undershirt. Black pants, black alloy boots.

The stranger’s upper body was slightly leaning back, his extremely robust build naturally accentuating the lines, making the trench coat look a bit puffed up.

Just the aura alone was subtly oppressive and savage, as if one were facing the fear of a tyrannosaurus.

But Hai Sha didn’t care in the least.

"A sneaky move?"

He took steps forward, walking toward the stranger.

"You’re an interesting guy," he said, the corners of his mouth gradually revealing a trace of madness.

"If it were someone else, perhaps they couldn’t tell. But unfortunately..."

He stopped three meters away from the stranger, opening his arms wide like massive pythons.

"You’ve encountered me."

Rip.

The muscles on his upper body suddenly swelled, ripping the shirt to pieces and scattering them on the ground.

"You’re the guy who came looking for me during the day, aren’t you!?" Hai Sha snarled. "I can smell... your scent..."

Li Chengyi was taken aback.

He had already bathed and even sprayed different deodorizers, but he was still sniffed out, what kind of nose was this!?

"You..."

"Are you a dog?"

He looked up slightly, frowning.

"Didn’t you ask me to spare your disciple’s life?" Hai Sha didn’t mind at all, "What now? Suddenly coming to find me, wanting to kneel in secret and beg for mercy??"

His smile grew wider and more ferocious.

"I said if my disciple encounters you, he should keep a respectful distance and admit defeat," Li Chengyi raised his right hand, flexing his fingers.

"But after going back, I hoped she could win this final match and achieve a higher ranking... what to do, what to do?"

He took another step forward.

Now the two men were almost face to face, at a hand’s breadth apart.

"So I came up with a good idea..."

"As long as she doesn’t encounter you, she won’t admit defeat, and she won’t keep a respectful distance."