On one hand, they were astonished by Deng Wu's strength, and on the other, they greatly admired Ji Hong's resilience.
As a rogue cultivator, to reach this stage and force out most of Deng Wu's strength, even in defeat, was something to be proud of.
"This kid's name is Ji Hong, he's in danger now!"
Liang Hutou frowned slightly.
Since Ling Fan had previously given Ji Hong some pointers, he hoped to see Ji Hong win.
However, things did not go as planned. Even those who didn't understand martial arts could tell that Ji Hong's defeat was becoming increasingly evident.
The main reason was the disadvantage in equipment.
Otherwise, with his incredibly powerful physique, Ji Hong could have gone toe-to-toe with peak Qi Refining Realm cultivators. Even if he lost, it wouldn't have been this embarrassing.
"He can win. This battle is far from over."
Just when everyone, including Liang Hutou, didn't have high hopes for Ji Hong, Ling Fan said calmly.
Liang Hutou's expression was shaken.
Although he didn't know why Ling Fan said that, he had absolute faith in his master's words.
The others, however, sneered, "This kid just wants to show off, deliberately saying shocking things to attract attention. This fellow is too eager for attention."
"Heh, let's see him get slapped in the face! Ji Hong is bound to lose."
Many were full of confidence, firmly believing in their own judgment.
"You little beast, aren't you going to surrender yet!"
"How powerful is martial arts, how can it be compared to the shoddy skills you imitated from lowly beasts!"
On the battle stage, Deng Wu gradually gained absolute advantage and began to toy with Ji Hong using his sword.
"Roar!"
The response was a pair of iron fists and Ji Hong's roaring cry.
I, do not allow you… to insult, them!
Ji Hong's eyes were bloodshot, filled with savage ferocity. A terrifying battle intent erupted from his body.
Driven by this intense battle intent, it was as if rivers were surging deep within Ji Hong's bloodline. His entire being exuded a dazzling red blood light from within, seeming to transform into a furnace of qi and blood.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
His eyes blazed with battle intent, his bloodline surged, and his physical strength climbed steadily.
With each punch, Deng Wu's sword strikes were shattered by his fists.
Ji Hong was actually beginning to turn the tide of the battle.
Bang!
Ji Hong leaped high, his fist radiating a brilliant blood-colored light, and smashed fiercely onto Deng Wu's sword.
This low-grade Yellow tier spirit weapon was bent into an exaggerated arc, making people worry it would snap.
Although it didn't break in the end, the immense power sent Deng Wu, sword and all, flying backward.
All the spectators were suddenly shocked, stunned by the sudden reversal of the situation.
"Damn it! You savage! I'll kill you!"
Deng Wu roared in fury, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He was the legitimate son of a top martial arts family in Star Sand City, with peak Qi Refining Realm cultivation. Now, he had been sent flying by a savage who had no martial arts inheritance and learned from beasts. This was absolutely unacceptable to him.
"Swish!"
A terrifying sword cry echoed. Deng Wu's low-grade Yellow tier spirit sword seemed to transform into a swift bolt of lightning. In an instant, the sky was filled with sword shadows, coalescing into an incredibly powerful sword qi tornado that swept towards Ji Hong.
The Deng family's ultimate secret technique, a mid-grade Yellow tier martial skill, the Gale Sword Qi Art!
Ji Hong's eyes were blood red. Seeing Deng Wu getting serious, instead of fearing, he ferociously charged forward.
With his fists blazing with crimson blood light, he seemed to be wearing blood-colored gauntlets and smashed fiercely into the sword qi tornado.
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Ji Hong was forced back more than ten steps by an overwhelming force.
Half of his foot was already off the ground, and he was just a step away from being blasted off the stage.
However, he firmly planted his body downwards, halting his retreat.
He roared to the sky, his battle intent almost solidifying, and a terrifying, illusory black shadow appeared behind him.
At the same time, his body seemed to turn into a sponge, madly absorbing the spiritual energy from the surrounding world.
Everyone clearly sensed that Ji Hong's internal strength was rapidly increasing.
This left everyone bewildered. Everything happening before their eyes clearly exceeded their understanding.
What was going on?
Boom!
After a single breath, the sword qi tornado was shattered by him.
When they looked at Ji Hong again, he was nowhere to be found.
Deng Wu's expression changed drastically.
Because a figure filled with explosive power had descended upon his head.
Bang, bang, bang!
Ji Hong descended from the sky and unleashed seven consecutive punches.
Deng Wu could still counter the first few punches, but by the third, he was reduced to passively taking hits.
By the fourth punch, his defense was completely broken, and he was hit hard.
The fifth punch landed on his chest, breaking who knows how many of his ribs.
The sixth punch landed on his abdomen, causing him to instantly curl up like a shrimp.
The final punch landed squarely on his face.
It disfigured his proud, arrogant, and smug handsome face, causing him to vomit blood and fall off the stage like a tattered sack.
Ji Hong, on the other hand, using the momentum of these seven punches, his qi and blood surged, with faint golden spots flashing, completely transforming into a furnace of qi and blood, standing tall on the battle stage.
His physique was comparable to the Profound Gang Realm!
For a moment, the entire venue fell silent!
Especially the Deng family members, who were all speechless.
Everyone was dumbfounded, their eyes filled with disbelief.
That was Deng Wu!
No one doubted Deng Wu's strength.
Because he was undoubtedly a top genius qualified to contend for a top-ten spot.
Deng Wu had held the absolute advantage and was just one step away from victory.
But for some reason, Ji Hong suddenly exploded, as if he had completely unleashed his physical potential. Not only did he defeat Deng Wu, but he also seized the opportunity to break through his bottleneck, reaching a physique comparable to the Profound Gang Realm.
In other words, Ji Hong, relying solely on his physical strength, could now contend with a true Profound Gang Realm cultivator.
With such a formidable force, who would dare to challenge him now?
Ji Hong had almost secured a top-ten seat.
"Hoo… Well done, physique of the Profound Gang Realm!"
Even with Liang Hutou's formidable strength, he couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling profoundly shocked.
Moreover, he vaguely knew why Ji Hong had suddenly exploded and turned the tables.
It must have something to do with Ling Fan!
"Master, you are truly a divine strategist. When everyone looked down on Ji Hong, only you believed he would win, and he actually did."
Liang Hutou bowed to Ling Fan.
Ling Fan smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
He had given Ji Hong a low-grade Earth tier cultivation technique, and Ji Hong's physique and powerful battle intent were particularly compatible. If he couldn't win with this, Ji Hong might as well go buy a tofu and kill himself.
"Damn it, a blind cat stumbled upon a dead mouse!"
The younger generation of the Liu family on the side couldn't help but express their frustration.
They had been expecting to see Ling Fan embarrassed.
But they never expected Deng Wu to be so useless and lose.
This made them very unhappy.
On the battle stage, the dazzling qi and blood light on Ji Hong's body gradually receded into his body, and he slowly walked off the stage.
Before descending, his gaze searched the audience. Suddenly, it fell on a certain spot, and he paused and bowed.
It seemed he was thanking someone.
Everyone was startled and quickly followed his gaze.