Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 202: Anomaly

"The Great Sun Chosen One actually conceded!"

"Li Pin is really lucky. While the Great Sun Chosen one couldn’t guarantee victory against him. Given his weakened state, if the Great Sun Chosen One had fought Li Pin in a life-or-death battle to the bitter end, at the very least, both could have ended up severely injured.

"But instead, the Great Sun Chosen One chose this moment to repay the life-saving debt from the Shadow Forest. They staged a fake match, exchanging just one move before the Great Sun Chosen One conceded, allowing Li Pin to escape a disaster."

"Having already fought once, he now has the right to decline any further challenges. What a great pity. This would have been the ideal opportunity to defeat Li Pin; he has already expended a significant amount of his primordial qi by using a secret art, weakening him even further."

Various discussions continuously emerged from the crowd.

Not everyone was perceptive enough to realize that Li Pin wasn't actually weaker than the Great Sun Chosen One. While some knew that Li Pin had a slight edge in a head-on confrontation because he had reached the human body’s limit, few dared to voice this opinion.

In their view, even if Li Pin relied on his near-peak human potential to pull off a victory against the Great Sun Chosen One, he’d be severely spent and weakened by the end. This could cost him dearly in his battles against a few Quasi-Martial Saints in the next round, leaving him struggling in these fights.

Therefore, the Great Sun Chosen One’s decision to concede was truly in Li Pin’s favor, as it had allowed him to avoid a grueling battle.

"The human body’s limits... Li Pin has become a Martial Saint only recently. How has he already tapped into the realm of human limits?"

A few Martial Saints whispered among themselves.

"At this rate, Li Pin has a great chance of winning the championship. A twenty-three-year-old world champion? It's hard to imagine."

"Rumor has it that the Taibai Kingdom secured an Essence-Gathering Pearl for him. This treasure can break limits and enhance the qi and blood. Depending on one's physical condition, some can increase their qi and blood limit from forty to forty-two, or even forty-three, with just one pearl. Given Li Pin's extraordinary talent, the effects of such a treasure would undoubtedly be profound."

A nearby Martial Saint joined in, " As for Li Pin winning the championship, there's no doubt he's one of the favorites. But until he faces Zhao Yushi and Song Wuya, it is hard to say for certain who’d win.

"That’s especially the case with Song Wuya here, who’s famous for killing Zhou Tianfang with a single strike of his 'Celestial Blade of Radiance' even before reaching Martial Saint. Now that he's a Martial Saint... who knows how much stronger he's become?"

Many agreed with the Martial Saint's words.

Zhao Yushi's strength was inextricably linked to her long spear. Until she made a move, no one could gauge how well it would match up against Li Pin's.

As for Song Wuya...

Even before reaching Martial Saint, he was already among the top five seeds, posing a significant threat to Cheng Yufeng, Zhao Yushi, and the Great Sun Chosen One. Now that he had become a Martial Saint, everyone would likely have considered him the favorite for the championship if it weren’t for Li Pin’s existence.

"In any case, this is destined to be the most spectacular World's Top Martial Competition in recent years. Let's give the contestants some more time; the final result will soon be revealed."

After exchanging their thoughts, the Martial Saints quickly shifted their attention back to the arena.

Li Pin had already stepped off the arena by now and was quietly observing the Great Sun Chosen One.

However, the Martial Saint from the Great Sun Divine Sect kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to Li Pin's scrutiny. When their eyes occasionally met, he maintained a kind and amicable demeanor, leaving nothing to criticize.

In the end, Li Pin had no choice but to restrain his thoughts.

Li Yunyao exclaimed with joy, "Brother, we won again! Three... No, four Martial Saints, we've already beaten half of them! Now it's just Zhao Yushi and the newly ascended Song Wuya left."

"Yes," Li Pin responded.

Even after stepping down from the stage, he still felt a lingering sense of dissatisfaction in his match against the Great Sun Chosen One.

Unfortunately, the round-robin format only allowed competitors to challenge opponents they hadn't faced before. He couldn’t challenge the Great Sun Chosen One again.

He had no choice but to shift his gaze to Zhao Yushi, who had just stepped onto the stage at the host's invitation.

Sensing Li Pin's gaze, Zhao Yushi calmly said, "Don't worry. If we are to fight, it will be when you've recovered to your best condition. We'll fight fair and square. I wouldn’t take advantage of your moment of weakness."

"Taking advantage of my moment of weakness?" Li Pin waved his hand. "You aren't taking advantage of anything challenging me now."

"Set aside your pride. It's normal to not fully recover after battling a Martial Saint of the same level for a day or two. There's no need to hold on out of pride or save face," countered Zhao Yushi, pausing for a moment. "Of course, if this is part of some bluffing tactic your tactical advisor arranged, then forget what I said."

"?"

Tuo Bafeng, pondering whom Li Pin might choose as his next opponent, looked up in confusion. Did Zhao Yushi just mention me?

Li Pin was rendered speechless. "No, this is definitely not part of any tactic..."

He waved his hand. "Fine. Go ahead and challenge whoever you want."

Zhao Yushi nodded and immediately turned her gaze to Cheng Yufeng. "Sword Saint Cheng of Divine Sword Manor, please step onto the stage."

Cheng Yufeng was stunned. "Me?"

What's going on!? Challenging Li Pin while he’s weakened is taking advantage of him, but challenging me isn’t?

"Initially, I thought the title of 'World Champion' would be decided between you, me, and the Great Sun Chosen One. But this season of the competition has been more impressive than I imagined. There are even stronger opponents awaiting my challenge. It's best to clear away the irrelevant people first," Zhao Yushi said calmly.

Cheng Yufeng's expression turned cold. "Irrelevant people?"

Did she just exclude me from being a worthy competitor?

He, Cheng Yufeng, the dignified Sword Saint of Divine Sword Manor, a man who cultivated unparalleled sword intent before the age of thirty, was being so blatantly underestimated by Zhao Yushi, a mere woman!?

"Zhao Yushi! Do you really think I'm afraid of you!?" He slowly stood up. "I admit, Li Pin's strength is indeed formidable. As of now, I'm still a bit weaker than him. But... just because I can't defeat Li Pin, it doesn't mean I can't defeat you! If you seek death, I'll grant your wish!"

Gripping his sword, he strode forward and leaped onto the stage, his footwork light as if riding the wind. Every move of his was brimming with grace.

It was hard to believe that this was the man who had been left with a broken sword and a crippled hand by Li Pin just a few days ago.

"Today, I, the Third Young Master of the Divine Sword Manor, will let you experience the might of my Aurora Sword!"

***

Cheng Yufeng was filled with a burning desire to fight, but his previous clash with Li Pin had taken too much out of him.

His primordial qi hadn't fully recovered, and he was wielding his sword with his left hand. His strength was not even half of what it used to be. If he pushed himself fully, he’d only manage to muster about sixty to seventy percent of his full power,

With this bit of strength left in him, he would only have a fifty-fifty chance against Yan Hongtu, Nan Lifeng, Ying Long, and others. How could he possibly contend with another Martial Saint of equal standing, someone who had placed second in the preliminaries, right behind Li Pin?

Leveraging the advantage with her long spear, Zhao Yushi was able to keep Cheng Yufeng at bay throughout the entire fight, preventing him from closing in.

After a brief stalemate, she seized an opportunity and launched a swift, dragon-like attack, shattering Cheng Yufeng's defenses in an instant. In the end, a powerful blow sent the Sword Saint of Divine Sword Manor flying, his sword hurtling through the air.

Before he could even rise, Zhao Yushi's spear was already pressed against his throat.

***

Many Martial Saints lamented, "It's a pity for Cheng Yufeng."

"With Cheng Yufeng's strength, he shouldn't have been completely overpowered by Zhao Yushi. But his fierce battle with Li Pin the day before yesterday has left him injured, and he has yet to recover fully. Facing a top contender while recovering was simply too much to ask. It's unlikely he can make it into the top three and secure a Dragon Prince slot."

"Luck is part of strength too. In past years, Cheng Yufeng could have easily won the championship with his strength. But this year... it's just bad luck."

As murmurs of discussion filled the air, Cheng Yufeng silently left the arena. At that moment, he felt a strong urge to give up.

As Zhao Yushi and Cheng Yufeng's battle concluded, the host's gaze shifted, not to Yan Hongtu, but to Song Wuya. Song Wuya was already standing upright. As a seeded competitor, he had the special privilege to choose his opponent first.

It was clear he intended to use this privilege, which surprised everyone.

Who is Song Wuya going to challenge?

Among the other seeded competitors, the Great Sun Chosen One, Cheng Yufeng, and Zhao Yushi had all fought. Now, with Song Wuya stepping up to challenge early, was he...

"If Song Wuya is eager to face his opponent, let's invite him to the arena ahead of schedule," the host's voice echoed across the stage.

As Song Wuya stepped into the arena, the host approached him and inquired, "Song Wuya, who do you wish to challenge—"

Before the host even finished speaking, Song Wuya looked at Li Pin and said, "I have already said that consolidating the Martial Saint realm would take me only a day, not the three days you mentioned."

His expression was calm. "By now, my sword is already sharpened to its peak. Is your sword still as sharp as when you slaughtered the ferocious beasts in the preliminaries?"

Li Pin looked at him. "You want to challenge me?"

"Indeed," Song Wuya confirmed.

Li Pin calmly sensed his aura. Although they were far apart, he could still discern Song Wuya’s aura clearly. "Your aura is not yet perfectly tuned. This isn't your peak state."

"Yan Hongtu made a good point. Ferocious beasts and demonic creatures never wait for you to sharpen your sword to the utmost before attacking! Furthermore, I just broke through the barrier two days ago.

"My sword is at its sharpest right now, embodying the invincible momentum of achieving the Martial Saint realm. This moment represents my strongest state for a while, so you need not worry that my incomplete state will affect my performance!"

Song Wuya continued, "Besides, even if I am not at my best... you are in no better shape."

Li Pin shook his head. "I am not."

He then paused and said, "Though I would like to see your sword at its peak, if you insist on challenging me—"

"I do insist," Song Wuya responded without hesitation.

"Then..." Li Pin slowly rose from his seat, "I accept."