Chapter 99 - 94: Fu Jian Stuns Everyone!

Chapter 99: Chapter 94: Fu Jian Stuns Everyone!

Fu Jian and the others exited the Marching Battlefield! They prepared to attend the annual family banquet. They wanted to prove that the path they had chosen was the right one.

In the Fu Kingdom, today was one of the most important days of the year. For a family to thrive, it not only needed fossil-level elders holding down the fort but also a continuous supply of fresh blood. Only then could the family prosper for generations! Endless vitality!

Every year, the Fu family spent a massive amount of time and resources cultivating its youths, replenishing the family’s vital forces. Today was the time to test the results. They would see if the family’s investment would yield returns. They would also see who had wasted the family’s resources and was no longer worth cultivating, who needed to be eliminated, and who would stand out to continue receiving the family’s acknowledgment and resource support.

The Fu surname belonged to a major faction in the western region. Since the entire Fu Kingdom belonged to this single surname, how could it not be massive? Inside the imperial city, a sea of people gathered. Countless individuals wanted to witness this grand occasion with their own eyes.

"Wow! Fu Li truly lives up to his reputation as the family’s genius. Compared to last year, his strength has grown by more than just a single level!"

"Fu Jialin is even stronger!"

"Sigh... He has firmly occupied the top spot on the leaderboard for many years. Fu Li has always been the eternal runner-up."

"Do you guys think the rankings will change this year?"

"I don’t think it will change. Fu Jialin first, Fu Li second, Fu Jian third, Fu Ling’Er fourth..."

"Of course... when it comes to talent, this current batch of youths is nothing more than second best when compared to the kingdom’s historical records over the past century."

"I heard that Fu Jialin and these little guys have been working hard, trying to shake off the humiliation of being eternal runners-up..."

"I wonder if they’ll succeed."

Beneath a towering plaque, crowds of onlookers tilted their heads back, staring at the rankings displayed on it as they discussed among themselves.

"Comparing this batch to the Gold Generation in the kingdom’s history is too tough on them. Let’s just focus on Fu Jialin’s generation to see who is truly the strongest and whether the rankings will change at all."

"I think it might change. I heard that during the trial, Fu Li obtained a massive opportunity and continuously broke through two minor realms. This year... is his most likely chance to defeat Fu Jialin. I believe... he can do it!"

"Then why don’t you mention that Fu Jialin also reaped rewards? After a month of diligent study and bitter training, he’s had a breakthrough too."

"I still think Fu Jialin is stronger."

"In my opinion, Fu Li has the strength to put up a fight."

Fu Jialin and Fu Li were the most debated individuals this year. Regarding who would seize the championship and rank first on the Fu Kingdom’s youth leaderboard, the citizens all held their own opinions and argued endlessly.

As for Fu Jian, Fu Ling’Er, and the others... they were not mentioned at all. It was as if they had been completely forgotten. Even if someone brought them up occasionally, the topic would immediately be overshadowed by other discussions.

Them? In previous years, they never had the qualifications to be mentioned in the same breath as Fu Jialin or Fu Li. Besides, if one didn’t even attend the trial arranged by the family and squandered so many opportunities, was there still a possibility of progress? Impossible!

In the hearts of the Fu Kingdom’s people, only the most outstanding performers of the year, Fu Jialin and Fu Li, were the focus of everyone’s discussions. The others... could stand aside!

Looking past the ranking plaque, there was a massive martial arts arena. On the platform, the two people currently facing off were Fu Li and Fu Jian!

People generally believed that this battle lacked any suspense. Fu Li would win, and Fu Jian would lose. In past years, whenever Fu Li went up against Fu Jian, Fu Li had always held the upper hand. As for this year... Fu Jian hadn’t even participated in the wilderness trial arranged by the family. Without that intensive training, he might have become even worse.

The audience wasn’t very interested in this match. What they wanted to see was the championship battle between Fu Jialin and Fu Li. Seeing the two step onto the arena, some of the more impatient spectators began to shout.

"Fu Li, hurry up and knock this guy down! We want to see you and Fu Jialin fight for the championship!"

"Yeah, take this guy down!"

"I used to think Fu Jian was a decent person, but after the family’s recent trial, I’ve seen his true colors. They actually abandoned their captain, Fu Jialin, and let him head into the Dark Forest to train all by himself!"

"Exactly! He’s too disloyal. If Jialin hadn’t joined Fu Li’s team, who knows how difficult it would have been for him in the jungle!" some starry-eyed young girls chimed in.

"Thank goodness Jialin saw through Fu Jian’s character and left their team. Otherwise... he might have suffered a huge loss in the future."

"Fu Jian and his group are too arrogant. They actually looked down on the trial arranged by the family."

"Fu Li, teach them a good lesson! Make them understand some manners and let them know how to respect the family!"

A wave of curses erupted from the crowd below the stage as everyone clamored for him to be beaten. Fu Jian frowned, wondering how he had provoked such public outrage when he hadn’t even done anything. He was left entirely speechless!

"Fu Jian, hurry up and make your move. I’ll give you a chance, because I’m afraid that once I strike, you won’t be able to get back up," Fu Li said. Dressed in a cyan robe, he possessed sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. His attitude toward Fu Jian was always casual and dismissive. It was as if, apart from Fu Jialin, he didn’t care for a single person among the younger generation in the Fu Kingdom!

"Then it would be disrespectful to decline!" Fu Jian cupped his hands in a salute, then looked toward where Fu Jialin was standing off the stage. "Jialin, today I will prove to you that my choice was not wrong!" With that, he turned around and locked his gaze on Fu Li.

Seeing this from below the stage, Fu Jialin snorted softly. "Hmph, obstinate and deluded!"

On the arena platform, Fu Jian spoke earnestly, "Fu Li, here I come. Be careful, because I’m afraid I might accidentally beat you to death!"

Hearing this, Fu Li crossed his arms over his chest and smiled disdainfully, a hint of arrogance in his eyes. "Bring it on!"

"Pardon my offense!" Fu Jian’s gaze sharpened. He took a step back and stomped his foot heavily. His entire body shot forward like a long arrow, moving at an incredible speed.

"So fast!"

The moment Fu Li saw Fu Jian make his move, he sensed something was wrong. He wondered, "How did this Fu Jian... suddenly become so strong?"

But there was no time for him to think. Fu Jian struck first and arrived first. In the blink of an eye, he had dashed right in front of Fu Li. A fist smashed straight toward his face.

Fu Li’s expression changed drastically. He felt an unprecedented sense of crisis and was forced to take the situation seriously.

"Demon-Suppressing Golden Bell Shield!" He activated one of his famous signature techniques, attempting to block Fu Jian’s punch.

BAM!

However... it was useless! Fu Jian’s speed was too fast, and his power was too great. By the time the Golden Bell Shield formed, Fu Jian’s fist had already smashed into Fu Li’s face.

A single punch! To be precise, an uppercut. It launched Fu Li’s body high into the air, sending him flying backward like a kite with a snapped string. Just one punch!

"How... is this possible..." Fu Li was stunned. The moment he flew backward, his mind was filled with nothing but bewilderment. He wondered how it was possible for him to lose. How did he lose just like that? He had clearly grown stronger... He clearly had the potential to fight for the championship this year... So how was he instantly defeated? This was too absurd!

In truth, it wasn’t just him. The entire audience was dumbfounded! Fu Jian had actually instantly defeated the eternal runner-up, Fu Li, with a single punch? One had to know that he had always been defeated by Fu Li in the past. What was going on? They hadn’t even recovered their senses yet. It was simply too shocking!

"Match 165, Fu Jian versus Fu Li. Fu Jian wins!" the referee slowly announced, pulling everyone’s thoughts back to reality.

Instantly, the crowd below the stage exploded in an uproar.

"He... he won?"

"He instantly defeated Fu Li?"

"Am I seeing things... just one punch? He charged up and ended it in a second?"

"Since when did Fu Jian become so powerful?"

...

"Silence!" Hearing the chaotic noise from the crowd, the referee frowned in displeasure. He reached out and pressed his hands down at the empty air. Instantly, all voices ceased abruptly. Seeing this, the old man was not surprised and continued, "You have won. You may go down and rest now to prepare for your next match."

"Can I issue a challenge to the previous champion right now?" Fu Jian did not step down from the stage immediately; instead, he made this request.

The white-haired, white-bearded old man glanced at Fu Jian and said indifferently, "As you wish!"

"Jialin, today I formally challenge you. I will prove that my choice was not wrong!" Fu Jian said with a sonorous and forceful tone. "Do you accept?"

Fu Jialin lowered his eyelids. "Childish. Do you think that just because you defeated Fu Li, you can compete with me? You’re still too green! Since that’s the case... then... as you wish. I’ll show you just how foolish you truly are!"

Fu Jialin’s body shot up from the ground as he leapt onto the arena platform.

"Match 166, Fu Jian challenges the champion, Fu Jialin. Begin!" the referee declared.

"Please enlighten me!"

"Bring it on!"

The two cupped their hands in a salute and immediately launched their attacks. There was no redundant dialogue. They went straight to blows.

BOOM!

It was still Fu Jian who took the initiative to attack. Clasping his hands together, he used his body as a spear and charged forward to kill.

"Heh... the same old trick. It’s the Talisman King Hand again. Just like before, you haven’t made a single bit of progress!"

BOOM!

"Grapple!" Fu Jialin turned his palm into a claw, wanting to grab Fu Jian’s hands, break the tip of his spear, and seize hold of that long spear. In the past, whenever he used this move against Fu Jian, he had a hundred percent success rate. Fu Jialin didn’t think there would be any surprises. Even though Fu Jian seemed a bit stronger now, he still felt it was absolutely foolproof.

However... when Fu Jian closed in on his body, and when Fu Jian revealed that eerie smile... Fu Jialin’s heart trembled.

"Jialin, I’m no longer the person I used to be..."

SWISH!

Fu Jian’s body executed a magnificent spin. Like a slippery loach, he bypassed Fu Jialin with a unique posture. He lifted his back leg. A divine dragon swinging its tail! It was fast, accurate, and ruthless!

BAM!

Fu Jialin saw an iron-like leg sweeping toward his face. He hastily raised his arms to block.

RUMBLE!

Boundless power. Fu Jialin felt as though his arms had been smashed by a mountain; it was completely irresistible. He wondered, "How... did he get so strong?"

THUD!

In the blink of an eye, his entire body was sent flying sideways! He crashed below the stage! Instant defeat!

...

Once again, it only took a single move to finish off Fu Jialin!

This time... everyone both on and off the stage was completely dumbfounded. The area descended into dead silence! It was as if they had just seen a ghost.

"I! I... are my eyes playing tricks on me? Fu Jialin was defeated by Fu Jian in a single move?"

"That’s right... it seems so..."

"Fu Jialin actually lost?"

"And he was defeated in one move?"

"Oh my god..."

"How... how is he so strong?"

"When did he become this strong?"

If they could somewhat accept Fu Jian instantly defeating Fu Li earlier, then right now... everyone found this completely unacceptable.

Even the referee on the stage was stunned. He could sense that Fu Jian was stronger than Fu Jialin, but who would have known he was this much stronger? An instant kill? This was way too fast! He had thought the two would fight for at least half an hour before a victor emerged.

"Match 166, Fu Jialin versus Fu Jian. Fu Jian... wins!!!"

"This year’s champion... Fu Jian!"

"Fu Jian!"

"Fu Jian!"

...

One person, two people... three people... Soon, the entire venue was chanting Fu Jian’s name. It signified that the mantle of a legend had transferred from Fu Jialin’s hands onto Fu Jian. Everyone thought that after defeating Fu Jialin, Fu Jian would be very proud and overjoyed... But in reality, he was very calm, as if he had already known the outcome all along.

Fu Jian waved his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "I came here today solely to prove one thing: my choice was not wrong. The Divine War Game truly allows people to rapidly become stronger. The Marching Battlefield will be the hope for the rise of our Fu Kingdom.

"Don’t you all want to know why I’m so strong? It’s all because of the Divine War Game in the Void God Realm. I sincerely recommend... that everyone go give it a try. Play it for just five minutes, and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with that legendary game just like I did, and you’ll rapidly become stronger just like me."

"Today, I can finally give this game a proper recommendation. I refuse to believe that, after reaching this point, you’ll all still think the game is a scam and a waste of ambition!" Fu Jian thought to himself.

He spared no effort in introducing the Divine War Game on stage. If Su Tan knew this guy was advertising the Divine War Game so vigorously, he would definitely be very gratified.