22: Chapter 22 Stars Fall Like Swords, Heavenly Fox Howls at the Moon to Settle the World

The atmosphere at the Jiangcheng Martial Arts University martial arts arena was frantic, bordering on madness.

The day of the Martial Arts Competition finals was busier than any previous match. The stands were packed, even the aisles were crammed, and countless teachers and students waited with bated breath, their eyes locked onto the center of the stage. Today, the champion of this year's competition would be decided, and a legend would be witnessed—would the Half-step King Xiao Chen successfully defend his title, or would the sudden newcomer Lin Zhou perform a Heaven-Defying ascent to the top?

In the VIP seats, Principal Li Xuanfeng sat centered, gazing deeply at the stage. Beside him, Zhao Kun wore a sinister smile, though a faint, undetectable nervousness hid in the depths of his eyes. The threatening phone call last night had been his secret arrangement. He was certain Lin Zhou would compromise for his teammates and forfeit. But until this moment, he hadn't seen a single sign of Lin Zhou backing down, causing a faint unease to rise in his heart.

At the entrance of the contestants' area, two figures slowly walked out.

On the left was Xiao Chen, clad in a moon-white robe, standing tall like a pine tree, surrounded by a faint King's pressure. As the previous champion and a Half-step King powerhouse, his face bore an innate arrogance; when his gaze swept the field, everyone subconsciously held their breath. In his hand, he held a slender ancient sword with a sheath engraved with stars—his famous weapon, the star sword.

On the right was Lin Zhou, still in his simple black martial attire, his expression calm and his breath steady. There were no arrogant declarations or sharp Aura, but the moment he appeared, the cheers of the crowd instantly reached a Peak. Countless people waved their arms and shouted his name, the sound waves nearly lifting the roof off the arena.

The two figures leaped simultaneously, landing in the center of the stage.

Xiao Chen looked at Lin Zhou, the corner of his mouth curling into a contemptuous arc. "Lin Zhou, you are indeed strong; reaching the finals was beyond my expectations. But the gap between a Half-step King and a master rank is an insurmountable chasm. I advise you to forfeit voluntarily to avoid humiliating yourself."

Lin Zhou looked up slightly, his eyes calm and rippleless. "Talk is useless; let our hands show the truth."

"How ungrateful!" Xiao Chen's face darkened instantly, and the pressure around him surged violently. The Half-step King's breath swept out like a tide, causing the air around the stage to twist slightly.

The audience in the stands gasped one after another, their faces showing looks of horror.

"Such strong pressure! As expected of a Half-step King!"

"Can student Lin Zhou withstand this pressure?"

"It's precarious! The strength of a Half-step King is no joke!"

Qin Yue, Su Ye, and the others also had their hearts in their throats, their fists clenched and palms soaked in sweat.

Feeling this terrifying pressure, the referee's face turned slightly pale, and he hurriedly shouted, "The final, Lin Zhou vs. Xiao Chen, let the match begin!"

Before the words had even faded, Xiao Chen moved.

Holding the star sword, his figure darted out like a ghost, his speed reaching the extreme, leaving only an afterimage in place. The star sword unsheathed with a clear chime, its blade blooming with brilliant starlight as countless tiny starbeams shot toward Lin Zhou like raindrops.

"Star Sword Style: Starfall!"

Xiao Chen's voice was cold, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Wherever the starbeams passed, the air was torn apart, making a sizzling sound with infinite power. This move seemed simple, but it contained the full-force strike of a Half-step King; even a Grandmaster at the Peak might not be able to block it.

Lin Zhou's eyes sharpened, not daring to be negligent. With a thought, the speed talent of the Celestial Fox Physique instantly erupted, his body turning into a streak of white light weaving through the dense starbeams. Those seemingly unavoidable starbeams couldn't even touch the corner of his clothes.

"Such speed!" A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Chen's eyes, but he did not panic. With a flick of his wrist, he swung the star sword again. The starlight on the blade grew even more brilliant, and the number of starbeams suddenly increased, forming a giant star-net that sealed off all of Lin Zhou's paths of retreat.

"Star Sword Style: Star Net!"

The star-net descended from the sky with world-destroying power, lunging down toward Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou's pupils constricted as he felt a lethal threat. He stopped dodging, the spirit monster power within him surging frantically as his Middle Stage King-level Physical Body power erupted fully.

"Nine-Tailed Clone!"

With a low shout, a flash of white light surrounded Lin Zhou, and nine identical Clones instantly appeared, guarding him in the center. Each Clone radiated the Aura of level 29, spirit monster power circulating as they condensed pale gold fist-Auras in their hands.

"Go together!"

At Lin Zhou's command, the nine Clones attacked simultaneously, their fist-Auras bombarding the star-net like rain.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!—"

After a series of loud explosions, the starlight on the star-net dimmed considerably but still did not break. Xiao Chen's strength was far greater than he had imagined!

"Paltry tricks!" Xiao Chen snorted coldly, swinging the star sword again as an even more terrifying power poured into the blade. The starlight on the star-net surged, instantly swallowing the fist-Auras of the nine Clones, which then dissipated like bubbles.

"Lin Zhou! Die!"

Xiao Chen leaped up, holding the star sword like a falling star, hacking down fiercely toward the top of Lin Zhou's head.

"Star Sword Style: Star Crash!"

This strike was the strongest ultimate move of the Star Sword Style, condensing all of Xiao Chen's power. The starlight on the blade was brilliant to the extreme, illuminating the entire arena; even the sun in the sky seemed to lose its luster.

The audience in the stands closed their eyes, unable to bear seeing Lin Zhou's defeat. Qin Yue and the others turned pale, crying out in alarm, "Lin Zhou!"

At this critical moment, a flash of determination crossed Lin Zhou's eyes. He looked up abruptly, his Celestial Fox Physique pushed to the limit, and the phantom of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox slowly emerged behind him, letting out a clear, long howl.

"Celestial Fox's Howl!"

Lin Zhou's voice resounded through the arena, carrying an ancient and majestic Aura.

The phantom of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox opened its mouth, and a snow-white soundwave shot out like a sharp sword, colliding violently with Xiao Chen's star sword.

"Boom—!"

After a world-shaking explosion, a terrifying energy shockwave swept in all directions. The defensive formations on the stage instantly lit up but were still shaken until they cracked inch by inch, with countless pieces of rubble flying.

The audience in the arena was forced back by the shockwave, many even slumping to the ground, their faces filled with horror.

In the VIP seats, Principal Li Xuanfeng stood up abruptly, a flash of disbelief in his eyes. Zhao Kun turned pale, staggering back a few steps and nearly falling.

As the energy shockwave gradually dissipated, the scene on the stage made everyone hold their breath.

Lin Zhou stood in place, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth and his face somewhat pale, but his gaze remained firm. The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox phantom behind him had already vanished, clearly indicating that this move had taken a massive toll on him.

As for Xiao Chen, he was kneeling on one knee, using the star sword to prop himself up, the blade covered in cracks. His face was as white as paper, blood constantly pouring from his mouth, and his eyes were filled with horror and resentment as he looked at Lin Zhou.

"I... how could I lose?" Xiao Chen muttered to himself, his voice full of despair.

He never imagined that he, a dignified Half-step King, would actually lose to a level 29 master rank Cultivator!

Lin Zhou walked forward slowly, looking at the wretched Xiao Chen, and spoke calmly: "A Half-step King is nothing more than this."

Xiao Chen's whole body trembled, he coughed up a large mouthful of blood, and completely passed out.

The arena was silent for a moment, then erupted into deafening cheers that pierced the clouds.

"Lin Zhou won! Lin Zhou won!"

"Champion! Lin Zhou is the champion!"

"Heaven-Defying! Too Heaven-Defying! Even a Half-step King was defeated by him!"

Su Ye jumped up in excitement, Liu Yiyi was moved to tears, a smile flashed in Ye Ying's eyes, and Qin Yue let out a long sigh of relief, her gaze toward Lin Zhou filled with a special light.

The referee quickly stepped onto the stage, trembling as he raised Lin Zhou's arm high, and announced loudly: "The champion of this year's Martial Arts Competition—Lin Zhou!"

The cheers erupted again, unending.

Looking at the cheering crowd below and feeling the deafening shouts, Lin Zhou felt a strong sense of achievement. He knew that from this moment on, his name would resound throughout Jiangcheng Martial Arts University and even the entire martial arts world of Jiangcheng!

Just then, Principal Li Xuanfeng walked onto the stage, holding a golden token. He looked at Lin Zhou with eyes full of praise: "Student Lin Zhou, congratulations on winning the championship. This is the entry token for the Tianwu Secret Realm; in three months, you may enter the Secret Realm to Cultivate."

Lin Zhou took the token and bowed slightly: "Thank you, Principal."

Principal Li Xuanfeng nodded and continued: "You are a Genius rarely seen in our school in a hundred years. The school will fully nurture you. I hope you will continue to work hard and create more glory!"

Just as Lin Zhou was about to express his thanks, a cold voice suddenly rang out: "Principal, Lin Zhou murdered his fellow disciples and plotted against a mentor. Such a person is not fit to be champion, let alone enter the Tianwu Secret Realm!"

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw Zhao Kun holding a Jade Slip, walking quickly onto the stage with a smug smile on his face.

"I have solid evidence here to prove Lin Zhou's crimes!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the cheers of the crowd stopped abruptly. Everyone's eyes focused on the Jade Slip in Zhao Kun's hand, their faces filled with doubt and surprise.

Lin Zhou's eyes instantly turned cold, his gaze toward Zhao Kun filled with killing intent.

The finals had concluded, but a new storm was rising!

A new crisis was quietly descending!