At the Shenma International Sports Stadium.

On the Combat Stage.

Luo Xiu slowly stood up straight, his gaze fixed on Zeng Xin's face, his thoughts no longer on Su Shenyun. Although he had just taken a flurry of blows from Zeng Xin, Luo Xiu felt no pain, nor was he injured, despite his critical illness.

This seemingly ordinary man, Zeng Xin, felt completely different from any opponent Luo Xiu had ever faced. He lacked the aura of a Martial Artist, yet his strength was formidable.

While Luo Xiu was still pondering, Zeng Xin seized the initiative again. He shot toward Luo Xiu in a straight line with astonishing speed, throwing a punch that was artless but brutally direct.

This time, however, Luo Xiu was prepared, his mind no longer preoccupied with women.

Indeed, women only slow a man down.

With a casual extension of his hand, Luo Xiu easily caught Zeng Xin's fist in his palm.

Feeling the immense force pressing against his palm, Luo Xiu smiled. "Your strength should be above that of a Grandmaster, but below the Gathering Spirit realm."

"It's hard to imagine someone who isn't a Martial Artist could temper their Physical Body to this degree."

Zeng Xin gritted his teeth, took a step forward, and abruptly poured more power into his fist. But his formidable strength was met by a force even greater than his own. No matter how hard he pushed, his fist couldn't advance a single inch.

He looked up at Luo Xiu, his heart clenching in shock.

As a Special Ability Warrior created by the Second Generation Serum, he had always been confident in his own power, even thinking of himself as a mighty monster. Yet, it was only now that he realized what a true monster was!

He was about to retract his fist and pull away when Luo Xiu's fingers suddenly clamped down, gripping his fist so tightly he couldn't escape. The terrifying power flowing from Luo Xiu's hand began to deform Zeng Xin's fist. The bones within began to emit a series of scalp-numbing CRACKS, as if the entire fist was about to be pulverized.

Strangely, however, Zeng Xin's expression remained unchanged.

Luo Xiu watched him, squinting slightly with curiosity.

His bones are about to be shattered, yet this fellow's face is a complete mask! Could it be he feels no pain?

With this thought, Luo Xiu increased his grip once more. With a final, sharp CRACK, he completely crushed Zeng Xin's fist.

Yet Zeng Xin remained impassive, not even a flicker of his brow.

It was as if the hand wasn't his own; even though it was being crushed, he wasn't the one feeling the pain.

This is completely absurd, Luo Xiu sighed internally.

Suddenly, Luo Xiu felt a surge of heat from his palm. Looking closely, he was shocked to find Zeng Xin's entire arm beginning to glow like a red-hot iron rod, radiating a terrifying heat.

"What the...?"

Luo Xiu's eyes widened. He quickly released his grip and retreated.

He can instantly make his flesh and bone as hard as steel, and even set them on fire. What kind of martial art is this?

Then, Luo Xiu noticed that Zeng Xin's crushed hand was healing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

"Truly a monster," Luo Xiu murmured.

Ahead of him, Zeng Xin took a deep breath. His body suddenly flared with terrifying heat, and in an instant, his entire upper torso turned a glowing red, like an iron man forged in fire.

Luo Xiu shook his singed hand and began walking slowly toward him. "Flashy, but that's all there is to it. If this weren't the Combat Stage, I'd really enjoy a proper match with you."

To Luo Xiu, this Combat Stage wasn't just for fighting; it was a performance. He had no desire to entertain others like a dancer, performing for an audience. More importantly, he knew his physical condition was dire, and he simply didn't have the energy to mess around here. Therefore, he intended to end this quickly.

Zeng Xin suddenly let out a furious roar and charged at Luo Xiu like a wild bull, a wave of scorching heat rolling before him.

Luo Xiu continued walking forward, unperturbed. A flash of azure light flickered in his eyes. The moment Zeng Xin reached him, Luo Xiu took a powerful stride and threw a Straight Punch. His movement was both stylish and simple.

BOOM!

A thunderous sound shook the very Void. Zeng Xin was sent flying backward with the rolling heatwave, crashing into the sound system outside the Combat Stage and ending the match.

In the rest area, Lin Xiyue and the others, who had been holding their breath, finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

***

"I will now announce the ultimate champion of this Martial Sky Ceremony, the winner of the title of Martial Champion is... LUO XIU!"

As the referee's resounding voice fell, cheers erupted throughout the stadium like a tidal wave, rolling on and on.

Luo Xiu stepped down from the Combat Stage and looked toward Lin Xiyue in the rest area. The two exchanged a smile.

Everything was understood without words.

Luo Xiu suddenly felt a sense of liberation.

From now on, I'll keep a low profile, fish every day, and just laze around until I die.

"Mister Luo, congratulations on winning the title of Martial Champion! How are you feeling right now?"

"What are your plans for the future?"

"Mister Luo, what your fans want to know most is, will you represent Hua Country in the world competition and win gold for our nation?"

Luo Xiu ignored the reporters' questions, returning directly to the rest area and disappearing into the crowd.

After a lengthy speech by the Martial Association President, it was time for the award ceremony. The prizes were, predictably, gold, silver, and bronze medals. As for the other rewards, they would certainly not be presented in such a public venue.

Once the ceremony was over, Luo Xiu returned to the rest area. A long-haired elder holding a wooden box approached him. "Mister Luo, may I have a word with you in private?"

「A short while later.」

The old man and the young man entered an empty lounge.

Luo Xiu looked at the long-haired elder and chuckled. "I never expected you to be the Martial Association President."

The elder's face remained impassive. "I am Li Chaoqun, the current Sect Master of the Proud Sun Sect. At the Empress's invitation, I serve as the Martial Association President."

Luo Xiu's gaze fell on the wooden box. "Is this the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit?"

"Indeed," Li Chaoqun said, handing the box to Luo Xiu. "This is the prize for the Martial Champion."

Luo Xiu accepted it with both hands, overcome with a myriad of emotions.

All this trouble, all these ordeals, just for this damn fruit.

Li Chaoqun asked, "Will Mister Luo be representing Hua Country in the world competition?"

Luo Xiu shook his head with an embarrassed smile. "Frankly, the only reason I participated in the Martial Sky Ceremony was for this fruit. I've already disrupted the balance. It's better to leave the opportunity to the young people who truly need it."

"That's true," Li Chaoqun said with a faint smile.

For the Descendant of Ghost Valley to participate in the Martial Sky Ceremony, a competition for the younger generation, had indeed severely disrupted the balance—even though Luo Xiu was young himself.

Luo Xiu sat down and prepared to open the box to see the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit.

He had only ever read about it in books and had never seen one in person.

Li Chaoqun cautioned, "Once picked, the Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit can only be stored in a pear wood box from its parent tree. If exposed to sunlight, it will instantly wither and rot, becoming worthless."

Luo Xiu mused, "So the Xuan Qing Fruit really is a type of pear."

"Yes," Li Chaoqun confirmed. "The Xuan Qing Fruit is essentially a pear. My Proud Sun Sect simply has a special cultivation method."

"Remarkable," Luo Xiu said.

With that, he undid the latch and opened the box. As it opened, a uniquely refreshing and pleasant fragrance instantly filled the room.

In the next moment, however, both Luo Xiu and Li Chaoqun froze.

They stared into the box, their eyes widening in disbelief.

It was completely empty. There was nothing inside

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