Watching his opponent charge with a hoarse and exhausted effort, Wang Qi helplessly stepped using Impermanence Step to dodge a punch. Then his fist, tracing a beautiful arc, smashed toward the opponent's face.
This punch, this move, was derived by Wang Qi from the self-referential exponent function, with the momentum swiftly rising after the fist was swung. Although the new disciple was quite capable, how could he withstand a punch based on mathematical reasoning?
After flipping his sixth opponent, Wang Qi pretended to wipe away non-existent sweat and said, "It's still a one-sided match, one-sided match, one-sided match, slightly boring indeed!"
After the Spirit Treasure Fractal Map gathered Wang Qi's Soul Power into one, his computing ability climbed another step. With Wang Qi's martial arts rooted in mathematics, a strong computational power meant a naturally strong martial prowess.
Facing such level of enemies, Wang Qi indeed only needed three punches and two kicks to dispose of them.
"Pah! You're secretly overjoyed, aren't you!" Zhen Chan spat from inside the ring, "Dare you open your mind and let everyone see what you're really thinking?"
The cheers of the Xinyue disciples enveloped Wang Qi. Suppressed for three days, they had become incredibly thirsty for such a complete victory.
And feeling the sweeping wave of support from his faction, Wang Qi's first reaction was... a bit of happiness?
This left him a bit bewildered.
His past self, the persona that was gradually fading from his memory, seemed to be a guy who didn't like fame, right?
No, that's not right, that researcher who had only small achievements was also a bit of a stupid adolescent in mentality, ignoring what others thought and even resenting it a bit.
"The guilt towards your family has given birth to your dream of making your name resound across Shenzhou, to have a splendid life. You want to prove that your family's sacrifices weren't in vain," Zhen Chan explained gently like an old man who had seen through the world. "In your bones, though, there is a pride that could make you soar like Kunpeng, indifferent to the chirping of cicadas and the learning of pigeons, or could make you vain like a peacock, cherishing feathers and seeking a good reputation. Under that obsession, it's not strange for you to lean towards the latter, but no matter which way you lean, the pride of the Phoenix is still there."
In ancient legends, the Phoenix gave birth to the peacock and the great Peng. This statement has been disproved by fossil evidence, but as a literary metaphor, it still lives on.
"I am a Seeking Dao Seeker..." Wang Qi replied within the realm of Spiritual Sense, but suddenly burst into laughter, "Alright, pursuing a good reputation and Seeking the Great Dao aren't necessarily contradictory. The Mao Ze Divine Monarch is respected even though he sought fame, and isn't the conflict between the Yuanli Master and Integral Venerable just over face?"
"Face your true heart."
With a laugh, Wang Qi fell into even deeper contemplation.
After all, I am no longer the person from my previous life.
Yes, it seems like on that day, I genuinely accepted my identity as Wang Qi, a native of Shenzhou...
The Wang Family, Wang Qi, this is me...
The Soul Stone is a thinking organ. Conversely, human thoughts can also act directly upon the Soul. As Wang Qi began to ponder life, the negative emotions and confusion gradually faded, and his Soul became increasingly lively. The Spirit Treasure Fractal Map within him trembled lightly, making his internal consolidation even more solid.
Just then, a business matter interrupted his thoughts: "What are you doing?"
Wang Qi looked up to see a Langde Immortal Institute Disciple eyeing him with hostility, while a helpless-looking referee said, "Junior Brother Wang, is it because of a miscalculation in judgment that you've actually overexerted yourself and need to rest?"
That Langde Disciple also said coldly, "If you need to rest, do it now, it saves others from saying I won unfairly."
Wang Qi did not recognize Hu Jianhao. Moreover, due to his previous distraction, he hadn't even heard the other's name clearly. Seeing such a tough attitude, he thought to himself that this man had spine, not intimidated in the slightest by his own performance.
After confirming that Wang Qi was unharmed, the referee declared the start of the match.
Hu Jianhao got into position, at the same time glaring at Wang Qi with sharp eyes: "You're strong."
"Yep, got a good eye." Wang Qi casually replied, meanwhile also keeping an eye on Hu Jianhao's every move.
"But, I have reasons I can't afford to lose; this round, I..."
It was then that the synthetic voice of the computer caught Wang Qi's attention: "Langde Immortal Institute, Ai Changyuan, Xinyue Immortal Institute, Wu Shiqin, please proceed to Field No. 9 of the 'Geng' group to prepare for your match."
Wang Qi immediately interrupted Hu Jianhao, saying, "Bro, you've got great momentum—um, let's make a deal, shall we finish this quickly? I'm quite interested in another match."
Ai Changyuan was a descendant of the Yuanli Master, and the most intriguing opponent in this Martial Arts Examination; while Wu Shiqin was one of his few good friends. From any perspective, that battle was far more interesting than the crushing defeat he was currently facing.
—Of course, it was also quite domineering to say that.
"Bastard!" Hu Jianhao was uncontrollably angry. He felt underestimated: "Is this how you regard our battle?"
"Huh?" Wang Qi asked, puzzled: "Bro, what was your name again?"
Hu Jianhao shouted furiously and lashed out in anger.
Intense radiance sprang from his body, and he transformed into something like the sun itself. Ripples of light emanated from him, spreading out, then converging into form at a distance. Hu Jianhao was executing a powerful spell that had split into seven at its realization.
"Fiery Sun Wave Qi!" Wang Qi was startled: "To achieve this extent... the theoretical foundation of this spell is... refraction? No, wait, you were just now acting as the source of light... a source of light... 'Light is a transverse wave'?"
"Hmph, somewhat knowledgeable!" the seven Hu Jianhaos said simultaneously, extending their palms. A white radiance surged between their hands, instantly turning into seven types of weapons.
"Heavenly Light Materialization Technique! Particle Wave Dual Form? But it's not yet fully integrated..." Wang Qi frowned: "To reach this level during the Qi Cultivation Stage, one cannot be mediocre. Has that idiot computer finally sent someone capable?"
"Bastard! You will pay for your arrogance!"
With Hu Jianhao's roar, the group including the avatars—a total of seven—attacked in unison. The Hu Jianhao with the sword took the lead, thrusting with his blade!
That sword move, like flowing light, swift as lightning, epitomized the essence of speed in swordsmanship!
Wang Qi swung his broadsword, its edge spreading like splashed water, becoming a dazzling light group that affected Hu Jianhao's longsword. At that moment, another Hu Jianhao with a spear moved as well, the spear jabbing in quick succession. Although his spear technique wasn't as quick as the sword move, the manner of the spear was like the Great Sun shining down, seeming to melt away all resistance.
This guy's skill in spear technique was also not to be underestimated!
Wang Qi stopped the initial form of Bai Ze's Formation Breaking Slash dead in its tracks, twining the sword light around himself for protection. Just as Wang Qi used the broadsword to block the move, Hu Jianhao swept horizontally with a heavy hammer, striking the midsection of Wang Qi's sword.
Just as Wang Qi was jolted slightly off the ground, the opponent's whip came lashing. The light-formed whip in the air coiled, creating countless traps aiming to ensnare Wang Qi right there and then.
And the other Hu Jianhaos moved into action at that moment!