Yujiro Hanma lunged forward, his right fist whistling through the air, aimed at Ryuu Kaio's head.
"Bang!"
Ryuu Kaio crossed his arms to block, but the punch sent him flying backward, crashing heavily into the arena's stone wall. Amidst the flying debris, he managed to regain his footing, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Second move," Kaiou Retsu said softly, his expression somewhat grave.
Ryuu Kaio took a deep breath, then suddenly exploded forward, charging at Yujiro Hanma. His right leg lashed out like a whip towards Yujiro Hanma's face. Yujiro Hanma calmly and unhurriedly took a step back.
"Swish!"
Ryuu Kaio's kick tore a rip in the chest of Yujiro Hanma's black training uniform, but other than that, Yujiro Hanma was completely unharmed.
"Boring," Yujiro Hanma said, his right leg shooting out like a cannonball towards Ryuu Kaio's chin.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, Ryuu Kaio's head snapped back. The world began to spin in his eyes, a constant ringing in his ears. His legs gave out, and he collapsed directly to the ground, unable even to clench his fists and deliver a final blow.
"The match is over!" The host's trembling voice echoed through the arena. The audience was silent, some looking at the scene in disbelief.
"I didn't expect the first round of the first match to cause such an uproar! The God of Combat, Ryuu Kaio, was actually defeated in three moves by the martial artist from Neon, Yujiro Hanma!"
Their God of Combat, Ryuu Kaio, lost so easily? And in such a crushing manner, unable to even retaliate? Just how strong was that Neon fighter?
Could anyone truly defeat this monster? Could Kaioh Kaku's disciple do it? Could Kaioh Kaku do it?
"Three... three moves..." Kaiou Retsu watched as his master, Ryuu Kaio, was knocked down by Yujiro Hanma, large beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He and Baki simultaneously looked at Allen, who was leaning against the passage wall, arms crossed, and somewhat silent.
Allen looked at the fallen Ryuu Kaio in the center of the ring, a sigh in his heart. He turned to Kaiou Retsu and Baki: "Three moves."
Yujiro Hanma's strength certainly lived up to his title as the strongest creature on Earth.
Baki's pupils constricted violently. He hadn't expected Allen's judgment of the fight to be so precise. Could what he said earlier actually be true?
Kaiou Retsu was even more speechless. He had originally thought Allen was underestimating his master too much.
After all, before this competition began, no one would have imagined that Ryuu Kaio, known as the God of Combat, would be knocked down by Yujiro Hanma in just three moves.
"Next, we announce the lineup for the second match!" The host's voice reverberated through the venue. Monks once again carried a giant scroll to the front of the stage.
"Martial artist, Allen, against the giant, King Jikai!"
"Please, both contestants, enter the arena!" A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience, sweeping away the gloom of Ryuu Kaio's easy defeat in the previous match.
The spectators all wanted to see how strong China's ultimate weapon, known as the pinnacle of strength and technique, truly was, and whether he could surpass the Neon martial artist, Yujiro Hanma, from the previous match.
"It's my turn next." Allen stretched his wrists and slowly walked into the arena.
At this moment, medical personnel were lifting the unconscious Ryuu Kaio onto a stretcher.
Yujiro Hanma shook the blood from his hand, his gaze briefly meeting Allen's.
"Interesting kid." Yujiro Hanma grinned at Allen, then turned and left the arena.
Allen stood in the center of the arena, calmly watching King Jikai slowly approach from the opposite side. This giant, approximately three meters tall, made the ground tremble slightly with each step, his muscular body like a towering monument.
"Kid, are you Kaioh Kaku's disciple?" King Jikai's voice was like a muffled thunder. He looked down at Allen, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
"I will show you how big the gap is between you and Old Guo. Your technique is not enough to contend with my powerful strength."
Allen did not answer, merely nodded slightly to the host, indicating that the match could begin.
A flurry of discussions rose from the audience. In this match of vastly different body types, everyone held their breath for Allen.
The gong was struck with a "Dong!" sound.
"The match begins!" As the host announced, King Jikai roared, and his massive fist, accompanied by a whooshing sound, slammed towards Allen.
"Bang! Boom!"
A muffled thud was followed by a tremendous crash, and a powerful gust of wind spread through the center of the arena, making the audience unable to open their eyes.
When the wind pressure dissipated, King Jikai was deeply embedded in the stone wall, unconscious.
Allen patted the dust from his shoulder and commented on King Jikai's strength: "Good strength, but the technique is indeed a bit lacking. You should really work on that."
After he finished speaking, he walked directly towards the passage and left the arena.
The entire venue was silent. They hadn't even had time to see what happened, and the match was already over!
"The match is over! The winner, Allen!" The host announced, trembling!
After a brief silence, the audience erupted in deafening cheers. Although this match was between their own people, Allen's better performance meant a greater chance for China to retain the sea emperor title this time.
Kaioh Kaku sat in his wheelchair, nodding in satisfaction. As expected of a monster forged after four months of training, this terrifying performance did not surprise him too much.
While the audience hadn't clearly seen the exchange between the two, the participating fighters had seen it all!
Allen slowly walked back into the passage. As he passed, the participating fighters all cleared a path, afraid that Allen, if unhappy, might punch them into a wall. Their eyes were filled with shock and fear.
King Jikai leaned against the wall, his fingers trembling unconsciously. Ryuu Kaio's easy defeat in the previous match had made him think that the sea emperor from overseas was stronger than China's sea emperor.
But this match, with Allen's single punch, shattered the arrogance that had just risen in his heart.
"Too... too fast, I couldn't even see his movements..."
Kaiou Retsu swallowed, his voice trembling slightly: "Has Allen's strength become this terrifying...?"
Baki stared at Allen's back, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He even began to somewhat believe Allen's arrogant words that Yujiro Hanma was a step weaker than him.
One punch! Just one punch was enough to knock down the massive King Jikai! He didn't even use technique! It was pure power!
And he looked completely at ease! How terrifying was his full power now? Was Allen really stronger than that man now?
Allen stood at the exit of the passage, looking at the bright sunlight, as if what he had just done was a trivial matter.
The passage was dead silent, with only the heavy breathing of the crowd remaining. They all knew clearly that they were just there to make up the numbers in this Great Raitai Tournament.
They, who were infinitely glorious, held high status, and were revered by millions, even tens of millions, in the fighting world, were merely participants in this Great Raitai Tournament! Not even considered opponents!
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