On the central battlefield, all eyes were fixed on Chen Fan, Yuan Kun, and Shangguan Yuhai—the top three in this Four Sects Martial Arts Competition!
Yuan Kun and Shangguan Yuhai were no strangers to the spotlight. Along with Yan Hong and Li Wangsheng, they were the favorites to claim victory. Their presence in the top three was within the crowd’s expectations.
However, Chen Fan's ascent to the top ranks was unexpected yet entirely justified.
Looking back at his previous fights, he had dominated from the start. He had proved his mettle by killing Swift Blade Lin Qi—an expert at the ninth level—with one sword stroke.
Every opponent he faced next had been stronger than the last. He even bested opponents who were fan-favorite picks for the top three, Xu Jing and Yan Hong.
Given Chen Fan's impressive performance, his inclusion among the top three was a natural and expected outcome.
“This has never happened before. Throughout the history of the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition, no one with ninth-level cultivation has ever reached the top three. Chen Fan... He has made history!”
"Indeed, it's astonishing. He's already etched his name in the annals of the competition."
"Should Chen Fan clinch the championship, it would be truly groundbreaking."
“I have my doubts about his chances. You guys saw Yuan Kun and Li Wangsheng’s battle for yourselves. It was too terrifying. Their punches and slashes could shatter the stars. It's hard to see how Chen Fan could withstand such power."
“Based on what I’ve seen, I think Yuan Kun will take home the championship. He and Li Wangsheng are a tad stronger than Shangguan Yuhai and Yan Hong. That is for sure.”
“That’s right. It looks like Yuan Kun is the clear favorite for first place. Chen Fan will probably take second place and Shangguan Yuhai third, as Shangguan Yuhai is as strong as Yan Hong. Unless he ignites his illusory core, he would fare no better.”
“Yuan Kun is the commander-in-chief of Heaven’s Alliance. If he obtains the Extreme Profound Elixir, he will advance to the Core Formation realm, giving the alliance another holy disciple. How truly terrifying.”
“Hmm... how will the matchups for the top three be decided, though?”
Countless hot gazes fell on the three, eagerly awaiting their next moves.
After three intense days of competition and numerous battles, the climax was finally approaching.
Everyone understood that the upcoming matches would be the fight for the crown, and the champion would soon be revealed.
A Core Formation realm elder descended and made Yuan Kun and Shangguan Yuhai draw lots.
One would get a free pass, while the other would fight Chen Fan. The victor would fight the receiver of the free pass next.
Chen Fan got a free pass in the last round. Thus, he had to fight in this round. Rules such as these had kept the competition fair and impartial.
Shangguan Yuhai drew the lot to fight, while Yuan Kun drew the free pass.
Shangguan Yuhai and Chen Fan would fight, and the victor would fight Yuan Kun for first place.
Yuan Kun was only one final step away from winning the competition now.
The three of them had no objections to this arrangement.
Soon, Chen Fan and Shangguan Yuhai’s battle began.
“You’re Chen Fan, right? Truthfully speaking, I, along with everyone here, never imagined you to come this far. You are now even fighting for first place.
“Yan Hong and I are about equal in strength. Since you defeated Yan Hong, I’m probably no match for you, either. Even so, I can’t surrender just . I want to gauge your strength firsthand, the strength that even overpowered Yan Hong," Shangguan Yuhai admitted, as the previous fights had told him that he was the weakest among the top three.
"Very well, let's see what you've got," Chen Fan responded, standing tall and exuding a formidable aura.
“Alright!” Shangguan Yuhai did not delay any longer and immediately made his move.
Fierce winds swept, primeval force erupted, and his powers surged, rushing toward Chen Fan like crashing waves, crushing the air.
“Break!” Chen Fan thrust his spear with tremendous force.
His terrifying strength erupted like a volcano, sweeping across the sky, and it destroyed Shangguan Yuhai’s attack. The ripples of the surging force spread, crashing toward Shangguan Yuhai.
Shangguan Yuhai sensed the might of ripples, and his expression slightly changed as he realized that Chen Fan’s unparalleled strength stemmed from his remarkable physique.
“Impressive. Your physical prowess is astonishing, strong enough to kill an Illusory Core realm expert. Collapsing Sea Style!” Shangguan Yuhai roared, executing a domineering palm art.
The attack stirred the air in this space, taking shape like an ocean. It turned upside down and rolled over, violently and chaotically. The air within three steps from him exploded, rumbling like a tsunami.
This was the ultimate skill—Overturning River Collapsing Sea.
When mastered completely, its powers could cut through space and form a force field encompassing the surrounding hundred steps. Just the resultant force ripples and the explosions could destroy treasures and tear people apart.
“It’s useless,” said Chen Fan with an indifferent expression.
Be it Xu Jing, Yan Hong, Shangguan Yuhai, or Yuan Kun, they had all been blessed with remarkable luck and extraordinary encounters. That allowed them to stand out from the crowd and become the best among their peers, overwhelming those at the same level with dominating strength.
Chen Fan thrust with his hands.
Winds roared, clouds parted, and the sea churned, culminating in a torrential downpour that soon subsided.
Shangguan Yuhai, looking slightly flushed, unleashed a series of powerful techniques.
Moving Mountain, Overturning River, Collapsing Sea.
Every move was incredibly powerful, shaking the universe and possessing the power to crush Illusory Core realm experts.
“It’s time to end this.” A stern light shot out from Chen Fan’s eyes, and an invisible qi wave spread out from him. The sound of dragon-elephants hissing rang from his blood and flesh.
An ethereal image of ancient, time-traveling wild elephants materialized behind him.
Unparalleled God's Strength!
As their moves collided, Shangguan Yuhai immediately felt his vitality dwindling. His bones and tendons felt strangely soft, and he was pushed back repeatedly. Blood seeped out of the corners of his mouth as he retreated to the edge of the arena before raising his head and looking at Chen Fan in the distance.
Shangguan Yuhai promptly surrendered. “Impressive. I’m no match for you. I admit defeat.”