Chapter 32 Fighting PT-3
Jax stumbled to his feet, shock etched on his face. How could Anos\'s power be so terrifying? It surpassed the ninth star, possibly even rivalling the tenth!
Yet, Anos\'s released energy had registered at the ninth star level. Jax\'s mind raced, seeking answers.
Was it a unique martial technique? Anos\'s mastery defied understanding.
Regret washed over Jax. If he had known, he wouldn\'t have stepped forward, inviting humiliation.
But it was too late now.
...
Anos\'s consecutive victories left the crowd stunned. Robert, underestimating Anos, hadn\'t even unleashed his martial technique full power. But Jax, the fifth-ranked Intermediate class master, had utilized his full arsenal – martial techniques and spiritual energy – yet still fell to a single punch.
The implications were clear: Anos was formidable.
Defeating Jax in one move meant Anos could potentially overwhelm even the Intermediate class\'s top-ranked master. No one could comprehend how Anos, at the Ninth Star of the Qi Building Realm, possessed such extraordinary strength.
The answer lay hidden. Anos had accessed the system store, acquiring the Attribute Exchange upgrade. This 100% power boost allowed him to transcend his Ninth Star limitations.
With his amplified strength, Anos had effortlessly sent Jax flying.
---
Sofia watched, perplexed. That punch, unmistakably at the Ninth Star of the Qi Building Realm, shouldn\'t have defeated Jax so effortlessly. Yet, if Anos possessed a higher level, it defied logic that he\'d only unleash Ninth Star energy.
In the machine test, Anos\'s exceptional control allowed him to simultaneously manage two distinct energies, unfazed by external pressures. However, in a real battle, such finesse was impossible.
Either Anos should have revealed his true, higher level or unleashed proportionate power. Sofia\'s confusion deepened.
She couldn\'t grasp Anos\'s hidden secrets, but her intrigue grew. Anos\'s enigmatic strength captivated her.
---
\'Ding... gained admiration of 31 young ladies. Scumbag Value +50,000.\'
The crowd\'s perception of Anos shifted dramatically. Previously displeased girls now gazed at him with reverence, as if beholding a deity.
On \'Horizon Down\' World, strength was the ultimate currency. The ironclad rule: might makes right. Fist size equaled argument size, and fist size equaled respect.
Anos\'s image underwent a stunning transformation. Once an ignored, insignificant figure, he now commanded awe.
By defeating Jax, the Qi Building Realm\'s ninth-star and fifth-strongest intermediate class master, Anos proclaimed his dominance.
As a newcomer to Sky Martial Court, Anos demonstrated unparalleled strength, proclaiming himself a force to be reckoned with in the Intermediate Class.
---
"Next!" Anos declared, standing nonchalantly on the stage, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. His expression betrayed no excitement, no triumph. Only a hint of boredom.
He checked his nails, his eyes scanning the sea of faces. Who would dare challenge him now?
Didn\'t they know that stepping up meant courting death?
The crowd remained frozen, awestruck by Anos\'s display of dominance. No one dared meet his gaze, no one dared breathe a word.
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Anos\'s impatient tap on the stage.
"Anyone?" he drawled, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Ethan, step up!" someone shouted. "Teach this arrogant brat a lesson!"
"That\'s right!" another voice chimed in. "As the Intermediate Class\'s top expert, you\'re the only one who can put him in his place!"
"We can\'t let the Intermediate Class lose face!" a third person urged. "If we back down now, we\'ll never hold our heads high again!"
Ethan\'s eyes locked onto Anos, his jaw clenched in determination. The crowd\'s expectations weighed heavily on his shoulders.
...
A man in the front row laughed bitterly. He, Ethan, was indeed the Intermediate Class\'s top expert, but only a Qi Building Realm 9-star. Though slightly stronger than Jax, he knew defeating him in one move was impossible.
Anos\'s voice cut through the tension, "How about this? Didn\'t you lose to the fifth? Let\'s have the top four come at me together."
The crowd gasped.
\'Ding... Acting cool successful. Scumbag Value +20,000.\'
Jaws dropped, eyes widened in shock. This guy was insufferably arrogant! Even Advanced Class members wouldn\'t dare challenge the Intermediate Class\'s top four alone.
Ethan\'s face darkened, his pride wounded. "You think you can handle all four of us?"
Anos shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not? I\'m bored waiting."
...
The top four of the Intermediate Class exchanged uneasy glances. Even as Qi Building Realm 10-star experts, taking on four 9-star opponents singly was unprecedented.
Yet, the dilemma gnawed at them: fight or retreat?
Victory was assured, but at what cost? Defeating Anos collectively would tarnish their own reputations.
Anos would exit with honor, his bravado validated.
"Inconceivable arrogance," one of them muttered.
"Unacceptable," another growled.
Their pride wrestled with reason, fueling an intense internal struggle.
...
Anos gazed down, incredulous. "You\'re not coming up even with four-to-one odds? Fine, let\'s make it the top ten versus one. Is that satisfactory?"
The crowd fell silent.
Ethan pointed at Anos, his voice ringing out. "Anos, perhaps you possess a spirit weapon or secret technique to temporarily boost your strength beyond Qi Building Realm 9-star. But taking on ten opponents alone? That\'s absurd!"
"Know your limits, young man," Ethan cautioned. "Overconfidence will be your downfall."
Anos shrugged nonchalantly. "Come on, then. I\'ll give you a chance to take me down, ten against one. Either step up or concede. Right now, I\'m the Intermediate Class\'s number one!"
The crowd erupted.
"This guy\'s lost his mind!" someone exclaimed. "He thinks he\'s above the Intermediate Class!"
"Take him down! Screw our reputation, we can\'t let him disrespect us like this!" another shouted.
"Ethan, Jax, Hitachi, go! Defend the Intermediate Class\'s dignity!" someone urged.
Ethan, Jax, and Hitachi exchanged determined glances, their faces set.
The top ten of the Intermediate Class had reached their limit, fueled by outrage and wounded pride.
...
The experts exchanged glances, then turned to Sofia, seeking her approval.
Sofia\'s expression remained indifferent. "As long as no one is killed or severely injured, proceed."
Ethan\'s face lit up with determination. "Today, I\'ll put aside my pride. Numbers will be my advantage. Your arrogance ends now, Anos!"
With that, Ethan leaped onto the stage.
"I won\'t let you hog the spotlight!" Jax shouted, following suit.
One by one, the top ten experts of the Intermediate Class stepped onto the stage, their eyes fixed on Anos.
The air thickened with tension as the crowd held its collective breath.
...
Sasha and Mia approached, fresh from their own match, and were met with a shocking sight: Anos facing off against ten opponents.
Their eyes widened in astonishment. What was happening? Since when did the rules allow ten-on-one matches?
Sofia observed Anos with intrigued curiosity, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Let\'s see what makes you so confident."
.....
A woman in a flowing white dress approached, her gaze bypassing the seductive woman as she asked, "What\'s the commotion?" Her eyes remained fixed on the Intermediate Class arena, her expression unreadable.
The seductive woman, still enthralled with Anos, smiled. "This young man from the Intermediate Class is quite fascinating. If he wins, the Sky Martial Court\'s dynamics will shift... Unfortunately, he\'s too far away; I can\'t make out his features. I wager he\'s stunning."
The woman in white raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "One against ten?" she murmured, her gaze intensifying.
...