Upon hearing Tang Liren's words, the corners of Wang Ruoxie's mouth held a faint indifferent smile.

The last blow had indeed left him at a disadvantage, but this did not mean he had no chance of contending with his opponent.

Moreover, the reason he failed to withstand that punch was due to the infusion of the National Fortune into his opponent's punch, though it was only a sliver, it greatly amplified its power.

It could only be said that he underestimated Tang Liren, not expecting him to possess such means, which was why he hadn't used his full strength.

For the battle to come, he would undoubtedly give it his all.

Without uttering a word of rebuttal, Wang Ruoxie's figure flickered forward, the sword in his hand blossoming with dazzling sword light as he slashed at Tang Liren.

"Emperor's Divine Fist, Fist Town Sheji."

Seeing Wang Ruoxie initiate an attack, Tang Liren's eyes revealed a cold smile.

His previous words were merely to showcase to the crowd his princely demeanor and magnanimity, not truly intending for Wang Ruoxie to concede voluntarily.

Tang Liren launched a punch, terrifying power converging in the air, the violent aura enveloping the entire battle platform.

Soon after, an intangible pressure spread through the air, causing the hearts of all below the platform to tremble.

At this moment, in the eyes of many, Tang Liren seemed to transform into an emperor wielding dominion over his nation.

Then, a massive golden fist seal formed, carrying with it a terrifying might, striking towards Wang Ruoxie with lethal intent.

The power of this punch was several times that of the previous one; even the most elite of Half-Step Innate practitioners might not withstand it unscathed.

"With this punch, Wang Ruoxie is bound to lose."

"He might not die, but he'll certainly be gravely injured."

In the eyes of many, this punch would undoubtedly defeat Wang Ruoxie, possibly even severely injuring him.

Even if Wang Ruoxie's physical body surpassed that of ordinary men, granting him the ability to endure this punch, he would inevitably be knocked off the battle platform, losing this contest.

At this point, facing the horrifying fist seal bearing down on him, Wang Ruoxie did not retreat. Instead, he swung his sword directly, meeting the fist seal head-on.

Endless sword qi surged forth, ultimately transforming into a blood-colored giant sword, which fell fiercely.

Having advanced his cultivation to the Seventh Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, Wang Ruoxie elevated his swordsmanship realm to the Profound Realm—although only at the entry level and not comparable to the perfection of his previous life, it still enhanced his power significantly.

Moreover, through the preceding battles, his swordsmanship realm hinted at a breakthrough, only needing a catalyst to attain the Minor Achievement in the Profound Realm.

"Boom..."

With an ear-deafening roar, the blood-colored giant sword and the golden fist seal collided violently.

Instantly, the space quivered, waves of air rolled turbulently.

In the blink of an eye, the blood-colored giant sword shattered completely, and the golden fist seal simultaneously exploded, both disappearing altogether.

The violent vigorous qi forced Wang Ruoxie back several steps, and remarkably, Tang Liren retreated half a step as well. Though it was just half a step, it left everyone incredulous.

"Unbelievable, Wang Ruoxie actually took that punch."

"While he still seems to be on the losing side, not only did he withstand that punch, but he also forced the Second Prince back by half a step."

"It seems Wang Ruoxie's power has indeed reached the Half-Step Innate level, with the Seventh Layer of Element Transformation Realm cultivation, possessing Half-Step Innate strength, is simply unimaginable."

...

The crowd was abuzz, each person shocked beyond measure.

Tang Miaoyin and Xiao Ningyue widened their beautiful eyes, their gaze shining as they looked at Wang Ruoxie. Even though they knew Wang Ruoxie's strength could not be measured by cultivation realms, they hadn't imagined that his prowess had reached such heights, even able to contend with a Half-Step Innate level.

As the Vice Sect Leader of the Celestial Sword Sect, Zhou Wenzhi was full of excitement. If Wang Ruoxie truly defeated the Second Prince and claimed the top position at the Hidden Dragon Assembly, then the glory of the Celestial Sword Sect would spread across the world.

On the dragon throne, Tang Xuanyi's eyes also revealed astonishment.

As the ruler of a nation, he was keenly aware of the power of the Emperor's Divine Fist.

Even though Tang Liren was merely a prince and couldn't wield the full power of the Emperor's Divine Fist like him, the power of that punch, while not reaching the Innate Realm, had surpassed a typical Half-Step Innate.

It could be said that among the millions present, apart from him and Elder Zhou, no one else could have taken that punch.

Yet Wang Ruoxie, with merely the Seventh Layer of Element Transformation Realm cultivation, withstood it head-on.

"Your Majesty, it seems we've indeed underestimated this young fellow, the shackles of insufficient bloodline, in his case, seem to be mere jest," Elder Zhou remarked with an ambiguous glint in his eyes.

Despite being knocked back several steps in the clash, the fact that the Second Prince retreated half a step sufficed to show that Wang Ruoxie's strength was not much inferior to the Second Prince's.

Moreover, with his eyesight at the Meridian Passage Realm, he could perceive that this was likely not Wang Ruoxie's ultimate combat power.

At that moment, many eyes were filled with anticipation. Although they still didn't have high hopes for Wang Ruoxie, this battle was sure to provide them unparalleled excitement.

"I really underestimated you; I didn't expect you had hidden strength," Tang Liren focused his gaze on Wang Ruoxie and slowly said.

"I told you, my goal is first place; even you cannot stand in my way," Wang Ruoxie retorted calmly.

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Liren's lips curled into a smile and said, "If you truly think you can contend with me with just this power, then you are indeed naive. However, now you are qualified to witness my all-out effort."

As Tang Liren's words fell, everyone's eyes twitched. The previous punch should have been the utmost limit below the Innate Realm, right?

If that was not yet his full strength, then the Second Prince's peak combat power would be terrifying—could it rival the Innate Realm?

"Could you stop uttering such meaningless drivel?"

Wang Ruoxie gazed at Tang Liren with ridicule and scoffed, "Before the Hidden Dragon Assembly began, you boasted that anyone who could take one of your moves would have the first place ceded to them; why don't you concede now?"

"Besides, after your first punch ended, you said the next move would be full strength, and now you say it's all-out; I wonder, whenever I take a punch of yours, will you find another excuse for yourself?"

He truly detested this hypocritical fellow, acting as if he was worthy of making the other go all out, as if the previous two punches were merely leniencies.

"Laughable. Had I not wished to harm you, leaving room in the previous two punches, could you still be standing there to speak?"

Upon hearing Wang Ruoxie's words, Tang Liren's expression stiffened, then turned exceedingly grim as he coldly stated, "Moreover, in those last two punches, you at most endured them, not truly withstood them; why should I concede?"

"Enough words, let us fight with strength,"

Wang Ruoxie responded coldly, uninterested in bantering further with this nauseating pretender.

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