Chapter Sixty-Two: What the heck?! Is it over already?

Sports Center.

The fourth knockout round had begun—and ended just as quickly. Scoring four goals in succession, Cheng Feng once again dispatched his opponent in a single round. The referee, standing to the side, was no longer surprised; he was almost used to it by now.

Soon, the fifth knockout round commenced.

This time, his opponent was a young man who stepped onto the stage with evident caution. He revealed nothing of his abilities, nor did he attempt any conversation, his guard raised high.

This one has some mettle, Cheng Feng thought. It seems this battle won’t be so simple.

When the referee announced the start, the youth gripped his spirit blade with both hands, aiming it at Cheng Feng, hesitating, unwilling to take the initiative—still probing, still testing.

Cheng Feng raised his own spirit blade.

A gentle breeze stirred the sand and dust across the arena.

“Why aren’t you attacking?” Cheng Feng couldn’t help but ask.

The young man watched Cheng Feng for several seconds, as if searching for an opening; his expression was complex, poised yet unyielding. Finally, he spoke: “It appears there’s no need to fight. The outcome is already decided.”

“You’re that confident?” Cheng Feng stayed alert, wary of some peculiar ability.

Then, the youth casually tossed aside his spirit blade. Before it hit the ground, it dissolved into motes of light and vanished into the air.

Cheng Feng was taken aback.

The young man suddenly reached into his trouser pocket, setting Cheng Feng further on edge—just as he wondered if some secret weapon would appear, the youth produced a pack of cigarettes instead.

Lowering his spirit blade in confusion, Cheng Feng asked, “What are you doing?”

Without another word, the young man jumped off the stage and explained, “Isn’t it obvious? I surrender.”

“Why?” Cheng Feng pressed, frowning, waiting for an explanation.

Lighting a cigarette, the young man replied, “My superpower is heightened perception. I’m able to observe the flow of blood and the movement of muscles in my opponents, searching for weaknesses, and simulate the battle in my mind.”

“That’s impressive,” Cheng Feng admitted, surprised—he’d never heard of such an ability. “So why surrender?”

“When I faced you, in that instant, I simulated over a dozen battles with you. In every one, I was utterly defeated.”

He held the cigarette between two fingers, smoke curling around him. With his other hand in his pocket, he left the arena, a carefree figure disappearing into the crowd.

From Cheng Feng’s side, he could still hear the youth muttering under his breath: “Weird, seriously weird! How the hell did the match system pair me with a monster like this? What’s the point of even fighting?”

Cheng Feng was left speechless.

“What’s going on at Ring Four? Why aren’t they fighting?”

“What the hell, it’s already over?”

“Why did the guy just leave?”

The spectators erupted in murmurs and sighs as the match abruptly ended. Seeing the youth leave of his own accord, the referee promptly announced, “The winner—Contestant 22, Cheng Feng!”

He approached Cheng Feng, giving him a thumbs-up. “Impressive! Five straight wins without a scratch—congratulations on advancing. Head down to Area A and wait for further instructions.”

“Okay.”

Hearing he’d made it to the next stage, all Cheng Feng’s puzzlement vanished in an instant.

After leaving the ring, Liu Shiyu high-fived him. She smiled lightly, “Congratulations. Now just prepare for tomorrow’s matches—the list of those advancing should be out soon.”

“Mm.”

...

More than an hour later, the indoor elimination matches were nearly finished.

All those who had won five consecutive matches were gathered in the lobby of Area A, awaiting instructions. Cheng Feng and Liu Shiyu found a place to sit and wait.

When another contestant entered the area, Cheng Feng realized it was a familiar face.

“Luo Ke?”

Luo Ke was just as surprised. “Cheng Feng, I didn’t expect you to finish so quickly and already be here waiting.”

Cheng Feng nodded, a little taken aback. “So you entered the tournament too. Strange I didn’t run into you earlier.”

“There were too many people. I only realized you were competing after you entered the ring.”

Luo Ke came over and sat to his left. “You advanced as well—that’s great. I wonder if I’ll get a chance to face you later.”

“That’d be interesting. I’d look forward to seeing how we measure up.”

As Cheng Feng spoke, he noticed something. “By the way, your partner—the goth girl—she didn’t compete with you?”

“Gu Yan? Of course she did.” Luo Ke shrugged. “She’s still up there fighting. But for her, getting through five knockout rounds is just a formality.”

Then Luo Ke belatedly noticed Liu Shiyu sitting on Cheng Feng’s right, and was surprised. “Liu Shiyu? Haven’t you already made it into the elite ranks? Why are you competing?”

“No,” Cheng Feng explained for her. “She’s just here with me.”

Liu Shiyu added, “If I hadn’t come, he’d have gotten lost for sure.”

“I see,” Luo Ke replied with a sheepish grin.

Soon, more and more contestants who had advanced gathered in the Area A lobby.

At that moment, two staff members entered, carrying a file. They walked straight up to Cheng Feng and asked, “Contestant, are you Mr. Cheng Feng?”

Cheng Feng replied, puzzled, “Yes, that’s me. Is there a problem?”

“We suspect your personal records may not be accurate and need to verify something.”

One of the staff opened the file, questioning him, “Mr. Cheng Feng, according to our records, you joined the Disaster Association eighteen days ago and have three demon-hunting records. Is that correct?”

Cheng Feng had a vague suspicion and answered, “That’s correct.”

“Only eighteen days, still an intern, and yet you’ve won five matches in this tournament.”

The staff member’s tone was full of doubt. “The records may be incorrect. We need to review them. During this period, who was responsible for filing your battle reports?”

Cheng Feng’s profile showed he was only an eighteen-day intern, with a D-level ability rating and three action records. More importantly, he was only eighteen years old, yet possessed such remarkable strength—it was hard not to be suspicious.

Liu Shiyu was also eighteen, but she had awakened her superpower at eight, joined the Disaster Association, and honed her skills through years of grueling, inhuman training to achieve her current status.

But Cheng Feng was a complete newcomer, yet managed to win five matches in a row—unbelievable. His strength far exceeded the Association’s evaluation.

Moreover, in the system’s power-matched rounds, he’d instantly defeated his opponents in four matches, and in the last one, his opponent even surrendered—an unprecedented feat.

Every contestant who made it through the knockouts had served in the Disaster Association for at least three years—they were all seasoned demon hunters.

But Cheng Feng had only been in for eighteen days. How could that make sense? Naturally, it raised doubts.

With just an eighteen-day record, the tournament’s matching system had paired him with opponents based on his ability rating, combat record, and time in the Association.

Yet Cheng Feng’s performance had far exceeded the system’s calculations.

If Cheng Feng’s records were correct, his talent was extraordinary—unparalleled in the entire Disaster Association, perhaps impossible to find elsewhere.

The chief examiner had been watching Cheng Feng’s five matches closely. This was not the prowess of a rookie, so he sent two staff members to confirm the facts.

Before Cheng Feng could answer, Liu Shiyu spoke up, “I submitted Cheng Feng’s battle reports. Is there a problem?”

“So it was Miss Liu Shiyu. Then there’s no issue.”

The staff member, recognizing Liu Shiyu, was surprised and immediately reassured. “Sorry to have troubled you. In that case, there’s no mistake—it was our oversight.”

The two staff members departed, and Cheng Feng treated it as a minor episode, paying it little mind.

Once all the advancing contestants had assembled in Area A, the Vice President of the Disaster Association—Su Ting—stepped forward in her high heels.

“Congratulations to all who have advanced.”

PS: Thanks to Metroid and Coffee Cream for their generous support!