Chapter 41: Dark Horse to the End, Rampaging Flood Blade Technique
Zhou Han walked down from the arena with a relaxed expression and sat in the competitors' area, waiting for his next opponent.
Meanwhile, the crowd watching couldn't stay calm anymore, breaking into heated discussions.
It was obvious they were suspicious of Zhou Han's performance.
"What the hell? Han Li actually lost? That's not scientific!"
"Yeah, this is way too strange. Could Zhou Han be some hidden expert?"
"Hmph! How is that possible? I think it's some kind of trick. Didn't you see that black energy earlier?"
"Right, it was really weird. Maybe that thing is the problem."
These people clearly didn't believe Zhou Han had such strength.
A guy who got in through connections— they looked down on him.
So even though Zhou Han had won, their eyes were full of doubt, coming up with all kinds of excuses to convince themselves.
Mainly because someone unknown had suddenly entered the top ten.
They simply couldn't accept it.
"Han Li just isn't good enough. Compared to the real geniuses of Azure Thunder City, he's still lacking."
"Good. Let's see how Zhou Han handles this. His next opponent is Hong Peng, a top contender for first place, and a core member of the Hong family."
"I heard his Rampaging Flood Blade Technique is incredibly powerful, already mastered to perfection. Zhou Han definitely won't be able to withstand it."
"Zhou Han must lose. I bet he can't even take three strikes."
"Three strikes? Heh, you're overestimating him. Hong Peng isn't on the same level as Han Li. Born into a great family, with abundant resources. And he's a core disciple, heavily trained."
"Stop talking, the show's starting."
At this moment, everyone quieted down, holding their breath as they watched the arena.
Zhou Han and Hong Peng were already in position.
Hong Peng was tall and burly, carrying a massive blade on his back, his eyes filled with a fierce aura.
He didn't look like a young man at all, more like a battle-hardened middle-aged warrior.
"Kid, have you ever heard of my Rampaging Flood Blade Technique? I'm not trash like Han Li."
Hong Peng drew his blade and rested it on his shoulder, speaking arrogantly.
As a genius of Azure Thunder City, he naturally had the pride to match.
He had watched Zhou Han's fight with Han Li earlier.
He was confident Zhou Han wouldn't be able to withstand his powerful blade techniques.
"Never heard of it. Is there something special about it?"
Zhou Han cooperated, a hint of curiosity on his face.
Rampaging Flood Blade Technique? What a trashy name. It sounded low-tier just from hearing it.
Probably some mediocre technique.
"Good. Then step down now. I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back. If something happens, even I won't know the consequences."
Hong Peng sneered, looking completely confident that Zhou Han was no match for him.
After all, he had already trained the Rampaging Flood Blade Technique to the third level, capable of generating blade energy that could injure enemies invisibly.
"Oh? You're that confident? Unfortunately, you won't get the chance."
Zhou Han smiled casually and checked his opponent's attributes.
[Mad Blade · Hong Peng]
Level: 39
HP: 4600
Attack: 1400
Defense: 509
Weapon: Soul-Slaying Blade
Equipment: Spirit-Refining Set
Accessory: Flame Mausoleum Ring
Technique: Rampaging Flood Blade Technique
Zhou Han still wore a relaxed smile as he drew his long sword.
His aura suddenly changed as he launched his attack.
"Eight-Direction Heaven-Cleaving Slash!"
With tremendous speed, he rushed forward, heading straight at Hong Peng.
The crowd was shocked.
Not by Zhou Han's aura, but by his boldness.
Everyone knew Hong Peng possessed immense physical strength and refined blade techniques.
Charging head-on like this was basically suicide.
"Haha! No need to watch anymore. He dares to clash head-on with Hong Peng? Where does he get the courage?"
"Seriously asking for death. Doesn't he have any sense?"
"I can already imagine Zhou Han's miserable state in a moment!"
…
Hong Peng also had a smile on his face.
If Zhou Han had kept his distance and fought with hit-and-run tactics, it might have taken a bit more time to deal with him.
But now that he dared to charge head-on, the outcome was obvious—one strike kill.
"Hmph! Foolish brat, your defeat is certain!"
"Watch this move—Flood Slash!"
"It's over!"
Hong Peng gripped the blade with both hands, veins bulging on his forehead, his face twisted from the immense force.
With a loud roar, violent blade energy burst forth instantly.
Like a raging torrent, carrying overwhelming power.
Even the spectators were deeply shocked.
They had only heard rumors before about how terrifying this move was.
Now seeing it with their own eyes, the impact was even stronger.
At the same time, they looked at Zhou Han with gloating expressions—facing such a tough opponent, even if he didn't die, he'd be severely injured.
"Boom—!"
A massive explosion rang out as Zhou Han's sword energy collided fiercely with Hong Peng's blade energy.
Huge cracks spread across the arena, leaving it in ruins.
Thick dust rose into the air, obscuring everything from view.
"Tsk… that power is insane. Zhou Han is probably crippled."
"Heh, this feels so satisfying."
"Poor guy. If he had surrendered earlier, he wouldn't have suffered like this."
Though they spoke of pity, their faces were filled with malicious delight.
However, when the dust finally settled, only one figure remained standing on the arena.
The other lay on the ground, unconscious or worse.
At first, they assumed it was Zhou Han lying there.
But soon, their eyes widened in shock.
What the hell is going on?
Zhou Han was still standing?
Then it was obvious—he had won again.
Their faces were filled with disbelief.
A genius of Azure Thunder City had been defeated by Zhou Han.
Just how strong was he?
It was beyond imagination.
The mockery in their eyes disappeared, replaced by deep awe.
"Holy shit! He was really hiding his strength! I didn't expect Zhou Han to be this strong."
"I misjudged him! I apologize for what I said earlier."
"I remember it was you who mocked Zhou Han just now. Scared now?"
"Shut up! Don't drag me into this! If Zhou Han finds out, I'm screwed!"
"The next matches are going to be interesting. I wonder if Zhou Han can keep winning."
In the following matches, Zhou Han swept through his opponents effortlessly.
No one could withstand a single strike from him.
Once his sword was drawn, someone would fall.
He completely embodied the posture of a dark horse, going all the way to the end.
These so-called geniuses of Azure Thunder City were nothing in comparison.
"Eight matches already. Just one more to go. This is way too easy."
Zhou Han muttered to himself as he watched the two fighters on the arena from his seat.
The winner between them would be his final opponent for the championship.
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