Chapter 3435: Lin Mu’s Turn

Finally, after six hours of relentless exchange, the elder could no longer continue. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily. Sweat dripped from his chin.

Blueback stepped forward, delivering a final punch that sent the exhausted elder sliding across the ring.

THUD

The referee declared the match over.

The stadium roared in shock and excitement.

Cattaleya rubbed her chin. "That man is troublesome. I do not like fighting people who refuse to stay down."

Lin Mu nodded. "His regeneration is beyond normal talents. He might be hiding even more than we have seen."

The next match was refreshing after the draining previous fight. It featured two otherworldly body cultivators whose specialties were brute force and destructive strikes.

Their fists collided like meteorites, shockwaves shook the arena, and their roars echoed over the crowd. The battle was fierce, thrilling, and filled with violent physical power. It carried on for thirty minutes before one of them found an opening and hurled the other from the platform.

Cattaleya gave an approving nod. "That was good."

Meng Bai agreed. "Better than the slow one earlier."

Lin Mu simply watched quietly, waiting for his turn.

The referee announced the last match of the round.

All eyes turned toward Lin Mu.

He stood up calmly, stretched slightly, and walked forward with relaxed steps. His robe fluttered faintly with each motion.

He entered the ring under thunderous cheers.

Even though he had not fought in the early rounds as much as Cattaleya, his One Punch streak had made him the most anticipated contestant of the day.

Cattaleya shouted from behind, "Lin Mu, try not to ruin the stage too much this time."

Lin Mu chuckled lightly and stepped into the center of the arena.

It was time.

The arena buzzed with anticipation as Lin Mu stood calmly at the center of the ring. His expression was relaxed, yet the faint gleam in his eyes revealed a brewing curiosity. After all, his streak had been impressive, but this was the semifinals.

Only the strongest remained.

A thundering set of footsteps echoed from the tunnel as Lin Mu’s opponent approached.

"Next bout. Lin Mu of the Fifth Tribulation Stage versus Eldran of the Gorilla Beastkin."

The name caught Lin Mu’s ear.

"Eldran?" Lin Mu muttered under his breath. It was not a name of the Eastern Immortal Court. Not even one used in the surrounding worlds.

It was a foreign sound, with a deep primal cadence. Something ancient or animalistic.

And sure enough, when Eldran finally stepped into view, Lin Mu’s suspicions were confirmed.

The man was massive, towering at nearly two and a half meters, his shoulders so broad that they resembled the pillars that held up palace roofs. Thick fur of brown and black covered his body in dense layers.

The visual weight of him alone suggested power. His arms hung low with heavy muscle. His chest popped like a boulder stuffed into mortal flesh. His eyes were amber, glinting with a casual savagery and intelligence.

A descendant of something far more ancient than humanity.

A beastkin, yes, but specifically...

A Gorilla Beastkin.

Lin Mu cupped his fists in greeting. "I look forward to this exchange."

Eldran mirrored him respectfully, though the earth trembled slightly when his fists came together.

"As do I, Lin Mu," Eldran rumbled. His voice vibrated the ring with a deep resonance. "I have heard the title people have given you. One Punch Man."

Lin Mu sighed. "Just a name they made up. It is not something I call myself."

Eldran laughed, a low rhythmic chuckle like a rolling drumline. "Whether you accept the title or not, it carries weight. Many have fallen from just one strike of yours. I wish to see it for myself."

Lin Mu raised a brow. "Oh? And what do you wish to compare?"

Eldran grinned, revealing sharp white teeth.

"I too am known for my punch. I am descended from the God Arm Ape, a divine beast whose punches were said to tear through mountains. My clan inherited that power. We are born for the killing blow. We end battles with a single strike. And so, Lin Mu, I propose something simple."

He lifted one finger and pointed between them.

"One punch. You use your strongest punch. I use mine. We strike once. Whoever remains standing shall be the winner."

A ripple of shock passed over the audience. Though for Lin Mu’s companions it meant another thing.

Meng Bai blinked. "That man... is done for."

Daoist Chu nodded solemnly. "Agreed."

Even Cattaleya shuddered. She had seen Lin Mu’s Mountain Collapsing Fist. She remembered the valley he destroyed with it. And he had not even been serious then.

Elyon spoke softly. "I wonder if the protective arrays can withstand this clash."

Lin Mu considered the proposal. A test of pure skill. A contest of fists. A raw, unfiltered comparison.

"...Very well," Lin Mu said with a calm nod. "I accept."

Eldran smiled gratefully. "Thank you. It is rare to meet one willing to stand in front of my blow."

They moved to opposite ends of the ring.

The referee looked nervous but raised his hand. "Begin!"

No one moved.

They simply stood there.

Gathering power.

Eldran lowered himself slightly, spreading his stance. A golden aura burst from his body, then turned darker and darker until it became a deep earthy brown that crackled like rolling thunder.

Then Eldran roared.

"HAAAAAAAA!"

His body expanded. His torso broadened. His arms thickened until they seemed almost double in girth.

And then the change became monstrous.

Eldran’s entire form shifted into the shape of an enormous fist. His arms disappeared into the transformation. His torso compressed into a knuckle-like mass. His legs bent into a curled stance, resembling a giant anchoring blow.

A hundred meter tall spectral fist hovered behind him, created from condensed immortal essence. It radiated primal strength. The air warped around it.

People gasped.

"That is the Heaven Trespassing Fist."

"I heard that technique can shatter fortified mountains."

"No one has ever taken it head on in the Tournament."

Meanwhile, Lin Mu stood perfectly still.

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