168: Unrivaled in the world of meridians? Before me, they are all but ants!

Two figures, like kites with severed strings, flew backward at a speed even faster than they had arrived, crashing heavily off the arena stage and falling unconscious.

"..."

The entire Martial Arena fell into a dead silence.

If the first instant-kill was considered a sneak attack...

Then this time, defeating two combined Middle Stage Meridian Opening Realm experts in a single move was a blatant display of overwhelming power!

Everyone understood now.

Before this youth in black, the so-called Meridian Opening Realm was truly no different from paper.

On the arena stage, Li Qing clapped his hands as if he had just performed a trivial task.

His gaze swept toward the preparation area once again.

"Who else?"

This time, no one dared to speak.

All the prodigies lowered their heads, avoiding his calm yet seemingly all-piercing gaze.

What a joke!

Even the Black Wind Twin Fiends were instant-killed in one move; wouldn't they just be seeking death if they went up?

For a moment, the scene fell into an unprecedentedly awkward silence.

Nearly a hundred prodigies were actually scared by one person to the point of not daring to step onto the stage!

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

From the audience seats, bursts of dissatisfied boos and angry curses erupted.

"Go up! Why aren't you going up!"

"Where is Wang Teng? Where is the Northern Plains Spear King, Wang Teng? Doesn't he claim to be invincible in the Meridian Opening Realm?"

"And the Sword Maniac Lin Yi! Doesn't his fast sword claim to be able to cut through everything?"

"And Nangong Wan'er! Isn't she the number one Genius of our Royal Capital? Why is she acting like a shrinking Turtle too?"

The audience shouted frantically, calling out the names of the top prodigies who had performed most brilliantly in this Martial Selection and were hailed as favorites to win.

Amidst the mountain-shaking, tsunami-like waves of sound...

A cold-faced young man wearing a brocade robe and holding a long silver spear slowly stood up from his seat.

The Northern Plains Spear King, Wang Teng!

He had finally stood up!

This Wang Teng was not that Wang Teng.

This was a genuine Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm Prodigy.

He was far more outstanding than the Wang Teng from Qingzhou City!

"Whoosh—!!!"

The moment they saw Wang Teng rise, the entire Martial Arena erupted into another earth-shattering cheer!

"Wang Teng! Wang Teng! Wang Teng!"

Countless audience members frantically chanted his name, their voices seemingly strong enough to overturn the very heavens!

Wang Teng hailed from the Northern Plains Prince's Mansion and was the eldest legitimate son of the Northern Plains King.

He had shown startling talent in the Dao of the spear since childhood, mastering the "Star-Chasing Spear Technique" to perfection, and found few rivals among the younger generation of the entire Great Xia Dynasty.

He was even hailed as the undisputed invincible king within the Meridian Opening Realm!

In previous matches, he had swept through the competition, invincible, with no one ever lasting more than three moves against him!

He was the undisputed favorite to win this year's Martial Selection!

At this moment, everyone placed their final hopes upon him.

They hoped that this Northern Plains Spear King could step forward and end Li Qing's myth of invincibility!

Under the gaze of hundreds of thousands of eyes...

Wang Teng, holding his silver spear, walked step by step onto that massive Obsidian arena stage.

His steps were steady and powerful.

With every step he took, the entire stage let out a slight tremor.

A domineering and sharp Spear Intent, as if it wanted to pierce the firmament, rose from him toward the sky!

Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm!

Moreover, he was a top-tier Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm expert who had already comprehended Spear Intent to a very deep level and could step into the Spirit Transformation Realm at any moment!

"What powerful Spear Intent!"

On the Viewing Platform, a flash of approval crossed the eyes of Crown Prince Xia Yuan.

"This Wang Teng is indeed a rare talent. If given enough time and resources, he may not necessarily fail to become a God of War for my Great Xia in the future."

"It's a pity."

Elder Xuan, standing to the side, let out a faint sigh.

"He has encountered Young Master Li."

Hearing this, Crown Prince Xia Yuan also nodded in deep agreement.

He was aware of some of Li Qing's actions.

Although there was no evidence, all signs pointed to those events being Li Qing's doing!

Indeed.

It was a pity.

It wasn't that you weren't excellent enough; it's just that you were born in the wrong era.

On the arena stage.

Wang Teng stood still, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, locked firmly onto Li Qing.

He didn't start throwing out harsh words the moment he came up like those before him.

He simply and calmly raised the silver spear in his hand, the tip pointing diagonally toward the ground.

"Northern Plains, Wang Teng."

He spoke slowly, his voice low yet filled with unquestionable confidence and pride.

"Please advise."

Li Qing looked at him, and in those eyes that were usually as calm as an ancient well, a hint of interest finally appeared.

Not bad.

This fellow looked much more pleasing to the eye than those pieces of trash from before.

At least he had the air of a strong person.

"Make your move."

Li Qing maintained his indifferent posture, hands clasped behind his back.

"Let me see just how much substance your so-called 'invincible in the Meridian Opening Realm' truly has."

"Good!"

A sharp light flashed in Wang Teng's eyes!

He spoke no more.

Because a true Martial Artist never needs words to prove himself!

"Buzz—!"

The silver spear in his hand suddenly vibrated!

A visible wave of silver Yuan Qi erupted with him at the center!

"Star-Chaser!"

He gave a low shout, and in that moment, he and the long spear in his hand seemed to become one!

He turned into a silver streak of light, a meteor streaking across the sky!

He shot toward Li Qing!

Fast!

Extremely fast!

Ninety-nine percent of the people present couldn't even capture his figure with their naked eyes!

He used a killing move right from the start!

They could only see a silver line flash across the massive arena stage!

In the next second...

"Clang—!!!"

A sound of clashing metal, louder and more piercing than any before it, exploded!

Wang Teng's figure had already appeared before Li Qing.

On the tip of the silver spear in his hand, a point of cold light condensed to the extreme, like the brightest star in the night sky.

It struck solidly right at the center of Li Qing's forehead!

This spear strike was his Peak blow, perfectly fusing his speed, power, and Spear Intent to their absolute limit!

He had absolute confidence that even an Early Stage Spirit Transformation Realm expert would not fare well if hit head-on by this strike!

However...

Li Qing still stood there, motionless.

He hadn't even blinked.

That deadly spear tip, capable of piercing through metal and stone, was stopped dead by an invisible force less than a millimeter from the skin of his forehead!

It could not advance an inch!

"Wh-What?!"