Monkey D. and Noah Robe were both fierce in their previous matches, but now, in their battle against Master Taro, they were utterly helpless, unable to even touch the corner of his clothes!
Everyone couldn't help but mourn for these two unfortunate contestants. No wonder the competition had turned this match into a three-person brawl… If two against one had ended up like this, imagine if one person had to face Master Taro alone—wouldn't they be tossed around and easily squished? Well, even with two against one, they were still being casually beaten…
"I think I finally understand why Big Boss Mu Tam posted yesterday, saying that the 'Strongest in the World' title of the First World Martial Arts Tournament must truly live up to its name... If Master Taro hadn't participated, I wouldn't recognize any tournament calling itself the 'Strongest in the World'!"
"Agreed! What kind of 'Strongest in the World' tournament is it without Master Taro? Can we even recognize a 'Strongest in the World' that doesn't have him in it?"
As the match neared its end amidst the worshipful cheers from both the audience and online viewers, it was clear that Monkey D. and Noah Robe were on the brink of collapse. In their fight against the two "air people," they had been evenly matched at first, but gradually their advantage faded, and their energy dwindled. Now, they were clearly exhausted.
Objectively speaking, if we evaluate their battle with their "opponents," it was just as exciting as any other match they'd fought in the tournament. However, their opponents weren't even human—they were just avatars created by Taro's mysterious abilities!
This made them seem even more helpless.
As for Master Taro, he hadn't moved a single step. From the beginning of the match until now, he had remained standing in place, calm and composed, only occasionally moving his fingers like a puppeteer controlling his puppets. The two "air people" would mimic his movements and spar with the two failing challengers, making it look as if the air figures were engaged in a teaching battle…
"He's like the Demon King! Master Taro is the ultimate boss, so hard to beat…"
"He can just summon two small avatars and defeat the second and third strongest in the world…"
The audience roared in applause, and online viewers flooded the comments with praise.
"This… our Grandmaster is too strong… too strong… I didn't realize just how strong he really is."
At one spot in the audience, Lanton stared dumbfounded at the battle on the stage. He certainly knew the power of his own Grandmaster, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this scene unfolding.
Crash!Boom! In a small restaurant in Sayuan City, the sound of a television exploding echoed…
…
Boom!
In the end, on the arena, Monkey D. and Noah Robe were sent flying by two energy clones—yes, these were energy clones created by Taro's ability to manipulate energy, though the "concentration" and strength of the energy had been reduced to its weakest level for this match. Both contestants rolled helplessly to opposite ends of the stage.
"Is… is the match over?" The commentator, dazed, finally regained his senses and hesitantly asked.
"So… powerful… mmm…" Monkey D., lying at the edge of the stage, tried to push himself up but fell back down, sighing weakly, "I can't even see where the gap is…" After catching his breath, he chuckled and said, "But the gains from this battle have already been enormous... Right, emotionless swordsman?"
Turning his head as he lay on the ground, he saw Noah Robe, still trembling, supporting his wooden sword and unsteadily standing up again.
"You…!" Monkey D. was also shocked by his opponent's tenacity.
"Noah Robe hasn't surrendered yet! He's gotten up again!" The commentator, with professionalism, rallied and described the scene. In the close-up shot, despite his exhaustion, Noah Robe's gaze remained determined, and in his cold eyes, there seemed to be a flame burning fiercely.
"So cool!"
"Defeat is still an honor! Noah Robe, you've totally won me over!!"
"What should I do? I feel like crying…"
The sounds of voices rang out from the audience.
Among the crowd, Lanton silently shook his head, as though sighing for some unknown reason.
He couldn't accept it…
"I really want to strike the perfect blow..."
"I can't accept this..."
Noah Robe leaned on his wooden sword, moving slowly towards Taro. His arms were trembling, but his eyes remained locked onto Taro. The scene before him was already doubled in his vision, yet... yet he still wanted to swing his sword, to strike an even stronger blow... The greatest master was right before him, and if he missed this chance, he might never get another. But... he hadn't brought his best sword...
He drew closer to Taro, raising his weak arm, the wooden blade...
BANG!
Just as Noah Robe raised his sword, it shattered! After the series of battles, especially his earlier clash with Taro's energy avatar, the wooden sword finally couldn't withstand the strain and snapped in two in Noah Robe's hands.
The audience sighed in regret, and in the close-up, Noah Robe's shocked expression was visible. Some sensitive and emotional female fans had already started crying. His face was so heartbreaking to watch!
Though he lost, it was a defeat everyone had expected. Yet, the persistence and dedication Noah Robe showed as a swordsman moved everyone deeply. He deserved the loudest and most heartfelt applause!
But... some of the audience lamented, "That definitely wasn't his best sword, right? What a shame, if only the tournament allowed steel swords instead of these regulated weapons... What a pity!"
"Yeah! We didn't get to see his strongest strike, what a disappointment!"
"But there's nothing we can do. Honestly, even if he had his best sword, would it have mattered against Master Taro?"
Just as the commentator was about to announce the match's conclusion, Taro suddenly spoke, breaking his silence. Smiling, he raised his hand and made a grabbing motion towards Noah Robe.
Whoosh!
Noah Robe's broken wooden sword was immediately drawn towards Taro!
Shaking slightly, Noah Robe forced himself to focus on Taro.
There, Taro's other hand trembled, and two small, round, crimson blood droplets were expelled from his skin. Taro silently muttered an incomprehensible incantation, and a wave of magical energy formed around him. Using his own blood as ink, he began to draw a mysterious magical circle on Noah Robe's broken sword.
It was quite similar to the magic circle used by the Holy Mage to create the Phoenix, though much simpler.
"Master Taro is doing what?"
"What is this? Magic...?"
"I don't know why, but even when Master Taro does something completely unbelievable, I'm not surprised anymore..."
Taro gave a low shout: "I'll borrow your blood for a moment!" His hand, still holding the broken sword, made another grabbing motion toward the stunned Noah Robe. A bloodline flew out from Noah Robe's wound, tracing a delicate parabolic curve between the two, before it landed perfectly on the broken sword floating before Taro.
It disappeared into the mysterious magical circle!
Buzz...
A glow engulfed the wooden sword before Taro. When the light dissipated, a brand new long sword had appeared—it was a complete and perfect sword, still resembling wood, but radiating an overwhelming aura. The blade was etched with mysterious patterns that wound up the handle.
Taro clapped his hands once: "Catch it!"
With a sharp thud, the new sword flew towards the still-dazed Noah Robe.
Noah Robe, stunned, raised his hand to catch it. The moment the new sword touched his hand, he felt an extraordinary sensation, as though his blood had bonded with the blade. This feeling was addictive, unlike anything he had ever experienced! It was a sensation so profound, it was what every swordsman throughout history had sought to achieve. Noah Robe trembled as he felt a surge of heat flow from the sword into his palm, up his arm, and straight into his heart.
"Didn't you want to strike the strongest blow?" Taro smiled from across the way and said, "Go ahead, don't worry about hurting anyone. I'll be here to catch it."
Noah Robe took a deep breath.
This was incredible.
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