Chapter 68: A Single Move Shocks the Entire Audience

Cheng Feng’s aura suddenly grew silent, tranquil; the blade at his waist—Raikiri—crackled with lightning, like a storm coiling before it strikes. In that instant, he seemed to achieve perfect unity with his sword—man and blade as one. Reaching the pinnacle, focusing all into a single point—Thunderflash!

Jiang He felt a primal terror rise within him. Yet, remembering that Liu Shiyu was watching from the stands, he found himself unable to retreat, unwilling to evade. Even if his feelings were one-sided, to shrink back before the goddess in his heart—no man could endure such shame.

He clenched his teeth, gripped his spiritual blade, Myriad Pressures, and resolved to face his opponent head-on.

“Come on! The winner of this match… will be me!”

He tightened his hold, channeling every drop of spiritual energy into Myriad Pressures, making its slender blade glow with a dazzling grey light.

“Ahhh!”

With a roar of determination, Jiang He charged at Cheng Feng, unleashing a strike with all his might.

Below the stage, Luo Ke murmured, “Looks like the outcome will be decided.”

Thunderflash was fully charged. Cheng Feng’s cold silver eyes flashed; his entire body surged with blinding white lightning. An unstoppable aura soared, and the stone beneath his feet seemed on the verge of splitting.

With a sharp sound, he transformed into a bolt of thunder, hurtling forward, a tempest of wind and dust trailing in his wake.

Raikiri blazed in his hands—the lightning-draw cut collided headlong with Jiang He’s slash.

A tremendous clang rang across the arena.

Over thirty thousand spectators fell utterly silent, watching with unblinking eyes as the match reached its climax.

Myriad Pressures was blasted from Jiang He’s grasp, spinning wildly before embedding itself, blade-first, in distant masonry, reflecting a harsh glare beneath the sun.

Cheng Feng held his spirit blade, Raikiri’s tip pressed to Jiang He’s throat. Blood streamed across much of Jiang He’s body—likely the result of wind pressure.

The victor was clear.

Had Cheng Feng not halted in time, Jiang He’s life would have ended on the spot.

In the VIP seats, the president nodded slightly at Cheng Feng’s display. “Not bad. That level of strength is worth cultivating.”

Su Ting, momentarily stunned, also nodded her silent approval.

In the examiners’ box, the officials exchanged glances. They cared little for the match’s result; it was Cheng Feng’s demonstrated might that drew their attention.

“What incredible speed. Who is this contestant? I’ve never heard of him.”

“He’s a newcomer? Remarkable.”

“Is that a lightning-type ability?”

“Not sure. There’s nothing in his file.”

In the stands, having witnessed the power of Thunderflash, Luo Ke’s eyes shone with astonishment. “What a powerful move. When did Cheng Feng learn that?”

Gu Yan, thoughtful, agreed for once. “It’s truly impressive. If I end up facing him later, it could be dangerous.”

In that moment, high above the stadium, several dozen hovering cameras shifted and zoomed, all focusing on Cheng Feng. This image was instantly broadcast citywide, allowing hundreds of thousands to see Cheng Feng’s face clearly on their televisions.

In a shared apartment within the city, a family sat before the TV, cheerfully discussing the match’s outcome.

Xia Qingyao, surprised, stared at the screen and murmured, “Cheng Feng—so this is the real you.”

In Clearwater Apartments, Lin Xiaoqin—one of the first classmates to know Cheng Feng’s identity—watched the match eagerly, raising her little fist. “Yes! Cheng Feng won!”

No one was more astonished than the director of discipline. Seeing Cheng Feng on TV, he nearly choked on his goji berry tea, barely keeping from spraying it everywhere.

And it wasn’t just them. At Qingye First High, Cheng Feng’s classmates—all watching from home—witnessed his battle at the same moment. Shocked, they couldn’t help but burst out with exclamations.

“Holy shit!”

“It really is Cheng Feng!”

“Damn! Just damn!”

“Am I seeing things?!”

“Is this a dream? Damn it!”

…

Unlike the rest, Jiang He’s expression was utterly grim. To be defeated by Cheng Feng’s single strike, under the gaze of over thirty thousand spectators—and especially before Liu Shiyu—was a humiliation beyond bearing.

Feeling the cold edge at his throat, Jiang He gritted his teeth in hatred.

He stared at Cheng Feng, so close, for a long moment before finally lowering his gaze in silent surrender.

The host leaped onto the stage, grabbed Cheng Feng’s arm, and raised it high, announcing to the audience, “The match is over! The victor—Cheng Feng!”

“Amazing!”

“Unstoppable!”

“OHHHHHHHHHH!”

Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd, shaking the arena with their excitement.

Reporters swiveled their cameras, searching for the perfect angle.

“My brother won!” On the stands, Cheng Yi’s eyes sparkled as she jumped up in delight.

Liu Shiyu, meanwhile, rested her chin on her hand, her gaze thoughtful, pondering something she couldn’t quite express. Suddenly, inspiration flickered through her mind like lightning. The poise at the corner of her lips curved into a subtle smile.

This match had revealed something new about Cheng Feng to her.

Generally, supernaturals in this world awaken only a single ability, which they then develop in various ways. Those who awaken two or more abilities are exceedingly rare—one in ten thousand, even within the Disaster Association.

Recalling her encounters with Cheng Feng, she noted that when they’d first met, he had only awakened vampiric constitution. Then, during their first joint mission, he revealed x-ray vision; later, he even gained the power to forge weapons from blood. At the Lightspeed Sword Hall, fighting her, Cheng Feng had already learned to release spiritual energy.

Yet in the monster auction battle, he hadn’t displayed today’s speed or lightning-draw technique. This proved he hadn’t possessed these two new powers just three days before.

She remembered how eager he’d been to stab the corpse of the giant dark-web spider back then. Now, with two new abilities and astonishing combat strength, all the clues fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

She began to suspect Cheng Feng’s new awakenings might be inextricably linked to slaying monsters. Only someone who spent nearly every day with Cheng Feng—like Liu Shiyu—could notice such details.

Cheng Feng had never mentioned it, which suggested he didn’t want to explain; since that was so, Liu Shiyu saw no reason to press him. In any case, this new discovery was a good thing.

“Who would have thought…” she mused, watching Cheng Feng claim his first victory, a gentle laugh escaping her lips. “You’re almost catching up to me now. That’s wonderful.”

…

Soon, the next match began, the broadcast announcing: “Round two, contestant number eight, Gu Yan, versus number twenty… Wang Yuming.”

Meanwhile, Jiang He—battered and bloodied—was carried away on a stretcher by medical staff for treatment.