As Liu Ruyan stepped onto the stage, many guards from the City Defense Department began whispering amongst themselves.
"This young girl has such slender arms and legs, can she really do it? This concerns the martial arts of our Su City, and even our Dragon Country. Don't lose!"
"Exactly. In my opinion, even if they sent anyone else, they would probably be better than her!"
From the murmurs, it was clear that most people present did not have high hopes for Liu Ruyan. After all, judging by her appearance, she was pure and gentle, not at all like a master.
However, since it was a decision made by Xiao Yunlong, and even Liang Minghui hadn't said anything, the other leaders of the City Defense Department naturally wouldn't say much more.
Liu Ruyan stood on the arena, listening to the discussions around her. She felt a little disheartened, but she tried her best to calm herself, mentally replaying the palm techniques of the Eight Trigram Dragon Palm like a film reel.
One of the inner energy minor grandmasters from the Fusang samurai side, a fellow named Okamoto Nogiku, stepped forward at the instruction of their leader, Sasagawa No.
"The Dragon Country's young lady is truly beautiful. Honestly, such a pretty girl, I really can't bring myself to be too harsh!"
As Okamoto Nogiku stepped onto the stage, his eyes leered at Liu Ruyan, and he licked his lips, his attitude utterly lewd.
Liu Ruyan's expression darkened, and she let out a cold snort, "Can we begin?"
"Of course..." Okamoto Nogiku grinned, his face full of mocking ridicule.
However, before he could finish speaking, Liu Ruyan charged forward, her speed incredibly fast.
As an inner energy minor grandmaster, Liu Ruyan channeled her dantian's internal energy to erupt, creating a whistling wind centered around her. The momentum was quite significant.
Not only was her speed fast, but she also appeared very graceful and agile. Of course, with the augmentation of internal energy, her palm force was not weak.
Okamoto Nogiku's expression changed drastically. He immediately dropped his dismissive attitude. Seeing Liu Ruyan's palm strike, he hastily raised his hand to block.
With a sudden "bang," Okamoto Nogiku was forced back three steps!
The many guards around, including Liang Minghui and the other high-ranking officials of the City Defense Department, were all astonished by this scene. They could never have imagined that this seemingly delicate and thin young girl possessed such formidable skills.
"I was mistaken. I didn't expect you to be an inner energy master as well, and your internal energy is not weak!"
After Okamoto Nogiku stabilized himself, he grinned mockingly.
Liu Ruyan did not reply. Instead, she answered him with another swift palm strike.
"That was just carelessness. Do you really think I can't beat you?"
Okamoto Nogiku coldly sneered, his aura sinking as he unleashed a powerful surge of energy.
He clenched his fist and met Liu Ruyan's palm, throwing a punch!
Liu Ruyan let out a muffled groan, her shoulders even trembling slightly. She then retreated step by step.
Clearly, in this exchange, Okamoto Nogiku's internal energy was still considerably stronger. After all, Liu Ruyan had only recently broken through to the inner energy minor grandmaster realm, less than half a month ago.
"It looks like Miss Liu is about to be defeated!" a mid-level officer from the City Defense Department muttered, shaking his head.
"Do you even need to ask? That Fusang samurai is clearly an established inner energy minor grandmaster. His internal energy must be much more potent and robust!"
Liu Ruyan stomped her right foot firmly, finally stabilizing her retreating body. She felt her right wrist go numb and ache. Fortunately, she had seen the situation was unfavorable and retracted her hand in time, otherwise, her arm would likely have been broken.
"Little girl, do you realize how powerful I am now? You think you can contend with me with this? You're still too green. For a delicate flower like you, why are you shouting about fighting and killing? Isn't it better to be like our Fusang women, obediently lying in bed at home waiting for men to favor you!"
Okamoto Nogiku sneered mockingly, his expression becoming even more lewd.
Liu Ruyan couldn't help but get angry. She channeled her dantian's internal energy again and unleashed the Eight Trigram Dragon Palm, charging towards him.
"Still coming!" Okamoto Nogiku stamped his foot, his tall figure instantly lunging forward.
This Fusang samurai was, after all, an established inner energy minor grandmaster. Both his internal energy and combat experience were far superior to Liu Ruyan's.
Furthermore, after the tentative exchange just now, he had already roughly gauged Liu Ruyan's strength. Now, with his aura fully unleashed, he continuously employed his moves, quickly putting Liu Ruyan at a disadvantage.
Facing Okamoto Nogiku's fierce offensive, Liu Ruyan could only passively parry, no longer having the ability to counterattack. Fortunately, the Dragon Palm technique of the Eight Trigram Dragon Palm was quite agile, and relying on its nimble and graceful footwork, she managed to avoid defeat for the time being.
Jun Bufan saw this and said, "Big Brother, it looks like Sister-in-law can't hold on much longer. If this continues, she might get injured. If it's really necessary, just call for a stop and concede. I guarantee I'll win the second match!"
Xiao Yunlong's eyes were fixed on the arena. No one noticed that his right index and middle fingers were holding a leaf, as if ready to shoot it out at any moment.
"There is still a gap after all. The experience is about enough!" Xiao Yunlong sighed slightly, his right index and middle fingers about to exert force.
However, at this very moment, Liu Ruyan's aura suddenly changed dramatically. A surge of incredibly powerful energy erupted within her without any warning!
At this moment, Liu Ruyan's hair flew wildly, and a strong gust of wind was stirred up around her by the immense energy.
"This is..." Xiao Yunlong was startled, and his hand movements instinctively stopped.
This sudden change also stunned everyone on the scene. However, after a moment of愣神, Xiao Yunlong understood. The reason for Liu Ruyan's sudden dramatic change was likely that, under the desperate situation where she was forced to have no means to fight back, she had forcibly activated or even mobilized the silver-white strange energy in her dantian.
Xiao Yunlong knew about that energy. It was very peculiar and very strange. With just one glance, it had repelled his internal energy back the way it came, which was incredibly overbearing.
Liu Ruyan's aura instantly soared, and she suddenly unleashed a palm strike.
Okamoto Nogiku had thought he had secured victory and was about to defeat his opponent. He was even contemplating whether to take this good opportunity to tease this Dragon Country beauty, for example, by deliberately touching her, or by taking off her clothes.
However, just as he was immersed in his lewd and evil fantasies, Liu Ruyan's incredibly powerful palm strike directly hit him.
This palm strike not only possessed terrifying power but was also incredibly fast, even surpassing the level of an inner energy minor grandmaster!
Okamoto Nogiku didn't even have time to react. With a bang, he was sent flying.
His body drew an oval arc in mid-air before he heavily crashed to the ground. He then coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, his whole body convulsing, and he didn't even have the strength to stand up.
Liu Ruyan flashed forward and arrived in front of him, raising her hand to strike him down with another palm.
Everyone watching was stunned. It was imaginable that if this palm strike landed, let alone flesh, even a stone tablet would shatter.
"I surrender, I surrender, I surrender..."
Okamoto Nogiku's face turned ashen with fear. He could only open his mouth and shout repeatedly.
Liu Ruyan's slender hand, imbued with immense power, was about to strike down. But upon hearing the opponent's cry of surrender and begging for mercy, she suddenly stopped. At this moment, her palm was less than half a centimeter away from his face.
Okamoto Nogiku had closed his eyes, resigned to his fate. Out of fear, his pants had even become wet, clearly having wet himself out of terror. Beads of sweat covered his forehead.
Gulp...
The Fusang samurai swallowed, and only then did he confirm that he was not dead.
"It was just to scare you, and you were so scared you wet your pants. What kind of Fusang samurai is this? I think you're not even as good as a dog!"
Liu Ruyan pouted and said coldly, withdrawing her hand and turning to leave.
Okamoto Nogiku said nothing. Firstly, he dared not speak. Secondly, he had lost face completely and had no courage to retort. He rolled on the spot and directly left the arena.
Looking at Liu Ruyan's slender figure, especially seeing her tease the Fusang samurai earlier, everyone present was so shocked they were speechless. They no longer dared to underestimate her.
Liu Ruyan walked off the stage and straight to Xiao Yunlong, clapping her hands and smiling, "What do you think, Yunlong? Was my performance okay just now?"
Xiao Yunlong, who had been expecting a few words of praise, instead shook his head. "If it weren't for the final burst of power, in terms of martial arts experience alone, you still have significant deficiencies. Your palm techniques are still not proficient enough. You need to continue practicing when we get back."
"Got it," Liu Ruyan mumbled, lowering her head.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yunlong chuckled and said with a hint of exasperation, "But your overall performance was quite outstanding. After all, you've been practicing martial arts for less than a month. To have such skills in such a short period is already genius."
"Really? I thought I was really that bad!" Liu Ruyan finally became happy.
Xiao Yunlong smiled and shook his head, then turned to look at Jun Bufan. "It's your turn to go on stage. Don't feel pressured. It doesn't matter if you win or lose. Just fight with all your might; consider it an opportunity to gain experience."
"Yes, Big Brother. I will go all out and strive to defeat the opponent!" Jun Bufan nodded heavily and then stepped onto the stage.
Sasagawa No looked at Kato Jiyelang and said coldly, "Okamoto Nogiku, that useless fellow, has already lost. We absolutely cannot afford to lose the second match. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Senior Sasagawa. Please rest assured, Senior Sasagawa. I will not lose. If I lose, I will commit seppuku to repay the spirit of Fusang Bushido!"
Kato Jiyelang also nodded heavily, then clenched his fists and walked onto the stage step by step in his wooden clogs.
The second round of the duel commenced!
"Dragon Country brat, I can tell that you've only just broken through to the Hua Jin Grandmaster level. Your application of Hua Jin should still be at a rudimentary stage. With this, you are definitely not my opponent. It's not too late to surrender now, otherwise, when we start fighting, I can't guarantee you'll be able to walk off this stage alive!"
As soon as Kato Jiyelang stepped onto the stage, he issued a fierce threat. His aura was strong, his attitude arrogant, and his face was filled with disdain.