20: Chapter 20 The Lion's Roar Shakes the Platform, the Clone Displays Its Power to Break Through the Blazing Flames

On the Martial Arts Arena of Jiangcheng Martial Arts University, the clamor of the crowd reached the heavens. As the first round of the competition concluded, the news that Lin Zhou's entire team had advanced spread through the stands like it had wings. Countless eyes focused on the tall figure in the contestant area—some filled with admiration, some with amazement, and some with shadows hidden in the dark.

In the VIP seats, Zhao Kun's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip ink. He stared fixedly at Lin Zhou, his knuckles turning white from clenching his fists, the killing intent in his heart almost overflowing. Beside him, Principal Li Xuanfeng stroked his beard, his eyes bright and full of appreciation as he watched Lin Zhou: "This boy is so young, yet possesses such Heart-Nature and strength. Jiangcheng Martial Arts University has finally produced a true Genius."

Zhao Kun's mouth twitched as he let out a cold snort. "It's just good luck; he only ran into soft targets. In the next round, when he faces Wang Teng, he will undoubtedly lose!"

Principal Li Xuanfeng gave him a faint glance but didn't respond. Some things aren't decided by words alone.

In the contestant area, Su Ye was excitedly waving his fists. "Lin Zhou, that punch just now was too cool! You blasted Chen Yun's vines into dust; it got my blood pumping!"

Liu Yiyi also looked on with eyes full of admiration. "Student Lin Zhou's speed is so fast; those vines couldn't touch you at all."

Ye Ying leaned against a pillar and spoke for a rare moment. "Wang Teng is not easy to deal with. His Blazing Lion Martial Soul has overbearing fire attacks and extremely strong defense."

Qin Yue nodded in agreement, her brows slightly furrowed. "Wang Teng is already at the Peak of the Grandmaster Late Stage, just one step away from being a Half-Step King. His famous signature move, the Blazing Lion Roar, can not only injure the Physical Body but also shatter the Divine Soul. You must be careful."

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Wang Teng not far away. At this moment, Wang Teng was surrounded by a group of lower-year students, looking high-spirited. Feeling Lin Zhou's gaze, Wang Teng turned his head, his lips curling into a provocative arc as he raised his hand in a throat-slitting gesture.

Lin Zhou's eyes remained calm, but Battle Intent surged in his heart. So what if he was at the Late Stage of the Grandmaster rank? With the Celestial Fox Physique Awakening, the Fusion of spirit monster power, and the trump card of the Nine-Tailed Clone, he didn't necessarily lack the strength to fight.

"Will the contestants for the second round please enter the stage!" The host's voice rang out again, beating against everyone's hearts like a war drum.

The matchup list for the second round had long been announced. Lin Zhou versus Wang Teng. This match was hailed as the "early final" of this Martial Arts Tournament and had attracted everyone's attention.

Two figures leapt up simultaneously, landing in the center of the martial arts stage.

Lin Zhou was dressed in black Martial Arts Attire, his figure tall and his aura steady. Wang Teng wore a fiery red Martial Arts Uniform; he was tall and sturdy, surrounded by a faint aura of flames. Just standing there, he gave off a scorching sense of pressure.

"Lin Zhou, I've heard much about you." Wang Teng grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, but his eyes were bone-chillingly cold. "Unfortunately, your legend ends here today."

"Is that so?" Lin Zhou spoke calmly. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the entire audience. "Then give it a try."

"Arrogant!" Wang Teng bellowed. The flames around him instantly surged, and the phantom of a massive Blazing Lion appeared behind him. The lion's roar shook the heavens, and waves of heat rolled out, causing the temperature of the entire stage to rise abruptly.

"Martial Soul Possession! Senior Wang Teng is getting serious!" An outburst of exclamations erupted from the stands.

The referee raised his arm and shouted in a deep voice, "Let the match begin!"

Before the words had even faded, Wang Teng shot out like an arrow from a bow. Flames enveloped his fist, carrying the power to burn mountains and boil seas as he smashed it ruthlessly toward Lin Zhou's face. The wind from the punch whistled, and the air was scorched into distortion, emitting a pungent burnt smell.

"Good timing!" A sharp light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes. Without dodging, he also threw a punch. His King-level Middle Stage Physical Body erupted with full force, spirit monster power infused into his fist, as a pale golden light collided violently with the fiery red flames.

Boom!

With a deafening roar, a blast wave swept in all directions. The defensive formations on the stage instantly lit up, blocking the scattered energy ripples.

Lin Zhou only felt a violent force travel from his fist, numbing his arm and causing his figure to retreat slightly. Wang Teng, however, stumbled back three steps, his eyes filled with shock and suspicion as he looked at Lin Zhou. "Your physical strength... how can it be so high?"

He could clearly feel that Lin Zhou's punch contained not only powerful physical strength but also a strange energy that could actually suppress his flame Martial Soul.

"That's none of your concern." Lin Zhou's figure blurred as the speed talent of the Celestial Fox Physique fully activated. He turned into an afterimage and rushed toward Wang Teng. Fists flew, spirit monster power surged, and every punch carried the sound of breaking wind, forcing Wang Teng to retreat repeatedly.

Wang Teng roared again and again, his flame Martial Soul pushed to its limit. His fists were like two small suns as they clashed head-on with Lin Zhou's. For a time, fist shadows interlaced on the stage, flames soared into the sky, and explosions sounded one after another, leaving the audience dazzled and gasping in amazement.

"So strong! Lin Zhou can actually go toe-to-toe with Senior Wang Teng without being disadvantaged!"

"Is he even human? He can actually withstand a full-force strike from a Late Stage Grandmaster!"

Su Ye and the others clenched their fists, watching the battle on stage tensely, their palms soaked in sweat.

In the VIP seats, Zhao Kun's expression grew uglier and uglier. He had originally thought Wang Teng could easily crush Lin Zhou, but now it seemed the situation had completely exceeded his expectations.

The appreciation in Principal Li Xuanfeng's eyes grew deeper. "spirit monster power, the Celestial Fox Physique... this boy really is hiding a great secret."

On the martial arts stage, the fierce battle continued. Unable to win for a long time, the anxiety in Wang Teng's heart grew. He suddenly retreated several steps, his hands quickly forming seals, as the Blazing Lion phantom behind him let out a deafening roar toward the sky.

"Blazing Lion Roar!"

A massive fiery sonic wave shot out like a cannonball, carrying the power to tear through the Divine Soul as it blasted toward Lin Zhou. Everywhere the sonic wave passed, the air vibrated violently, and the floor of the stage cracked inch by inch.

This strike was Wang Teng's strongest ultimate move, a Fusion of Martial Soul power and Divine Soul attack. Its power was boundless!

"Lin Zhou, watch out!" Qin Yue cried out in alarm.

Lin Zhou's pupils constricted suddenly as he felt a lethal threat. He didn't dare to be careless; with a thought, the spirit monster power within him surged frantically.

"Nine-Tailed Clone!"

As the low shout fell, a white light flashed around Lin Zhou. Nine Clones identical to him instantly appeared, lining up neatly in front of him. Each Clone emitted the aura of level 29, with spirit monster power flowing through them, indistinguishable from the original.

"What on earth is this?" Wang Teng's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Not just him, but the entire arena fell into a dead silence. Everyone stared dumbfoundedly at the nine Lin Zhous on the stage, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.

"Clones? They're actually Clones!"

"Nine Clones! Each has the strength of the original—how do you even fight that?"

Zhao Kun suddenly stood up from his chair, his eyes filled with horror and greed. He stared fixedly at those Clones, the killing intent in his heart growing even more intense. "The secrets on this boy must be obtained!"

Before anyone could react, Lin Zhou shouted in a deep voice, "Do it!"

The nine Clones responded simultaneously, their figures turning into afterimages as they rushed toward the fiery sonic wave. Fists flew, spirit monster power condensed, and nine pale golden fist-lights were thrown at once, colliding violently with the fiery sonic wave.

Rumble—!

After an earth-shattering explosion, the fiery sonic wave instantly shattered, turning into a sky full of sparks. Although more than half of the nine Clones dissipated, they had ultimately blocked the lethal strike.

Wang Teng's face was pale, his Martial Soul power heavily depleted, and his aura withered. He looked at Lin Zhou in front of him, his eyes filled with fear.

Lin Zhou walked forward slowly, his gaze cold. "You lost."

Before the words had finished, Lin Zhou threw a punch. spirit monster power condensed on his fist as he smashed it ruthlessly into Wang Teng's chest.

Pfft!

Wang Teng spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string. He crashed heavily outside the martial arts stage, completely losing consciousness.

The whole arena was silent for a moment, then erupted into deafening cheers. The sound waves almost flipped the entire arena.

"Lin Zhou won! Lin Zhou won!"

"Too strong! Student Lin Zhou is simply invincible!"

Su Ye jumped up in excitement, Liu Yiyi's eyes turned red with emotion, a trace of a smile flashed in Ye Ying's eyes, and Qin Yue let out a long sigh of relief, her gaze toward Lin Zhou full of wonder.

Lin Zhou slowly withdrew his fist, his gaze sweeping over the cheering crowd before finally landing on Zhao Kun in the VIP seats. Their eyes met—Zhao Kun's gaze was sinister while Lin Zhou's was cold, as if sparks were clashing in the air.

The referee quickly stepped onto the stage, raised Lin Zhou's arm, and announced loudly, "In the second round, Lin Zhou wins!"

The cheers erupted again, continuing for a long time.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the martial arts stage, reflecting Lin Zhou's tall figure. He looked up at the sky, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

The journey of the Martial Arts Tournament had only just begun.

And his goal was never as simple as just winning the championship!