CHAPTER 2415 THE COURAGE TO RISK IT ALL
"Why is it so strange that number 12 is clearly stronger than number 34, yet unable to win?" Watching the intense battle on the platform, Liana couldn't help but question.
"It's all about choosing the right tool for the job." Lara squinted her beautiful eyes and explained, "Take a closer look at number 34, his style is fierce and aggressive, completely showing a do-or-die attitude; even though number 12 may have superior cultivation, facing such a reckless opponent, there isn't much to be done, that's what they call the brave win in narrow escapes!"
When a platform battle turns into a fight for life and death, the stakes completely change.
In platform battles, there are always some reservations.
Winning is obviously the best outcome, but losing won't result in any significant losses.
In this state of mind, ordinary martial artists are unlikely to risk their lives in a desperate fight.
But in a fight for life and death, winning means survival and losing means death.
Both sides will unleash extraordinary strength and use any means to win.
Number 34 is prepared for a fight to the death, while number 12 still lacks that determination, fighting hesitantly and unable to fully unleash his true potential.
"Sis, judging by the current situation, aren't we going to lose the bet on number 12?" Liana frowned slightly.
Though betting is just for fun, nobody likes to lose, and she's no exception.
"Win or lose, it's all up to number 12."
Lara said meaningfully, "Before his strength runs out, if he can realize it in time, dare to fight and push himself, he still has a good chance of winning. If he continues to be tentative, then he's bound to lose!"
"It seems that being strong isn't enough, one must also have the courage to risk it all." Liana sighed.
In the audience under the platform, people were cheering and shouting words of encouragement.
Meanwhile, the battle on the platform raged on fiercely.
Number 34, a burly man, became more fierce and formidable as the fight progressed, fully displaying his strength.
On the other hand, Ulysses, number 12, exchanging injuries and risking his life in the face of the burly man's attacks, appeared somewhat at a disadvantage, being constantly restrained.
Once a martial artist loses their momentum and becomes hesitant, their strength will be greatly diminished.
Under such circumstances, the burly man almost overwhelmed Ulysses.
"Hahaha... it appears that disciples of the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance are nothing special, I must have overestimated you before!" Taunting as he ferociously attacked, the burly man mocked, "You softie like you should just surrender early, at least you can keep your sorry life. Otherwise, if you continue, you only have a dead end!"
Seeing that his continuous attacks were ineffective, he resorted to taunting words, trying to provoke Ulysses.
Seasoned fighters all know, the worst thing in battle is to be agitated, once anger clouds your mind, all techniques and skills will be distorted.
CHAPTER 2416 SELF-DESTRUCTIVE STRATEGY
At that time, some weaknesses will be exposed.
Then, he can seize the opportunity to defeat Ulysses in one stroke.
"What? Do you still want to resist to the death? I am giving you a chance to survive now. To be defeated by me is the glory of your life. Be honest and behave yourself!" the strong man continued to taunt.
Each of those harsh words increased Ulysses's blood pressure, making him grit his teeth in anger.
A surge of anger rushed to his head.
"You're asking for it!"
At this moment, Ulysses finally became angry.
However, unlike what the strong man had expected - losing control, after becoming furious, Ulysses's courage doubled, and he was no longer afraid.
He became more aggressive, and his attacks became extremely fierce.
Facing the strong man's strategy of exchanging injury for injury, he completely abandoned his concerns and began to confront the strong man head-on.
"If you hit my head, I'll stab your neck.
If you cut my chest, I'll cut off your head."
Previously, the strong man relied on his body armour to exchange injuries, but now, Ulysses was willing to risk his life, adopting a completely self-destructive strategy.
As a result, the strong man found it difficult to counter and was forced to switch to defence.
"Damn! Is this kid not afraid of death?"
The strong man's eyelids twitched, feeling secretly alarmed.
He had thought that provoking Ulysses would expose his weaknesses.
But the weaknesses exposed were too great, to the extent of complete desperation.
Although the armour could protect most of his vital parts, Ulysses's attacks were all aimed at his neck or head, leaving no room for error.
He only wanted to win the match and hadn't considered playing for real.
Now that he was being completely challenged by Ulysses, he felt a little at a loss.
"Aren't you fighting for your life? Come on! We can go down together at worst!"
Ulysses's eyes were filled with blood, constantly roaring.
His attacks were all lethal, completely ignoring his own defence.
For a while, the strong man was forced to retreat step by step, finding it difficult to defend himself.
Ulysses's strength was originally stronger than the strong man's, but he had lacked courage before and was unwilling to get injured.
Now, after being provoked, he had no more concerns.
In order to clear his own name, and that of the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance, Ulysses had completely abandoned himself.
He directly transformed into a desperate fighter, turning the situation around.
"Damn! You're a lunatic!"
"Referee! I quit! I surrender!"
The strong man was frightened by Ulysses's madness, seeing that he was no match for him. Without any hesitation, he jumped off the ring and chose to surrender.
If they continued to fight, one slip and he would really lose his life under Ulysses's sword.
CHAPTER 2417 NOT ORDINARY PEOPLE
The burly man conceded the match decisively, so much so that even when he jumped off the stage, Ulysses, consumed by anger, was still a bit slow to react, wielding his sword fiercely as if he intended to disembowel him.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing? I've already conceded, what more do you want?!"
The burly man was so scared that he kept dodging.
Who could have imagined that the guy in front of him would go crazy, being so fierce, completely determined to go down together.
If only he had known, he wouldn't have provoked with words earlier.
The burly man's words did not stop Ulysses's attacks.
His sword continued to ruthlessly stab towards the burly man's throat, every move deadly.
*Clang!*
Seeing the burly man in danger, the referee finally stepped in.
With just two fingers, he effortlessly caught Ulysses's sword.
"Competitor number 34 concedes, the battle is over, no fighting below the stage," the referee calmly declared.
His voice was commanding, directly snapping Ulysses out of his angry haze.
The fine blood vessels in Ulysses's eyes gradually faded, and he regained his composure.
"Sorry, I got carried away just now."
Ulysses quickly sheathed his sword, bowing to show his apology, while inwardly shocked.
The referee in front of him seemed unremarkable, yet turned out to be a hidden expert.
With just two fingers, he caught the sword Ulysses had thrust with all his strength, showing how powerful he was.
Certainly, the Taoists from Dragon Tiger Mountain were not ordinary people.
"Damn! How did I come across a lunatic like you? I'm done, I'm done, what a buzzkill!"
Muttering under his breath, the burly man swiftly walked away.
"I declare, competitor number 12 is the winner!" the referee announced loudly the result of the match.
In an instant, the whole arena erupted into enthusiastic cheers.
Those who bet on Ulysses were ecstatic, overjoyed with their winnings.
"Haha... we won! Brother Ulysses won!"
When the referee announced the result, Ruby jumped up in excitement, unable to contain her joy.
Ulysses's victory not only reflected his personal honour, but also the dignity of the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance.
As a disciple of the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance, it was not necessary to always come out on top, but at the very least, one should not bring shame to the sect.
Ulysses's performance just now, was a moment of glory for the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance.
"I didn't expect Master Ulysses to be so brave, it's truly a cause for celebration." Beside him, Kieran shook his folding fan, a smile playing on his lips.
He had already concluded that as long as Ulysses dared to fight, the chances of victory were high.
It was just a matter of whether the opponent had the courage to fight to the death.
Although he didn't know what had transpired, Ulysses's sudden outburst had impressed him.
As a warrior, without the courage to sacrifice, one is destined to not go far.
CHAPTER 2418 A STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT
"Junior brother Ulysses has finally made a breakthrough, from now on, whether in state of mind or cultivation, he will reach new heights," Emerald revealed a rare smile.
Ulysses's victory brought a glow to her face as his senior sister.
"Number 12 did it, I thought he was going to lose earlier, but in the end, he turned the tables and won the match successfully, really impressive!" Lara praised with a smile from the audience seats.
Having bet on number 12, she naturally hoped for a win.
Despite the twists and turns, fortunately, the outcome was good.
"It's truly the brave who wins in a desperate encounter, once you start fighting desperately, the whole situation changes," Liana nodded in agreement.
While strength is important, courage is equally essential.
Today, she learned that lesson.
"What the hell! What's up with this bloody thing? Weren't you fierce just now, why back down all of a sudden? You're a bloody coward!"
"Damn it! Shouldn't have bet on number 34! Now my bloody underwear is gone!"
"F***! Give me my money back!"
"... "
In a match, some are joyful while others are gloomy.
Those who bet right are naturally happy while those who didn't curse and regret their decisions.
But the result is already determined, and no one can change it.
The situation on the stage is always changing rapidly, someone who seemed to have the upper hand one second could directly lose the next.
And this is the charm of the match.
Amidst applause, Ulysses returned to his seat, panting heavily despite the fatigue.
But his performance had indeed earned him some reputation.
If he can keep up his performance and win several more rounds, ultimately breaking into the A group, that would truly be a stunning achievement!
After Ulysses's match concluded, a new round quickly began.
This time, the contestants drawn by the referee were number 5 and number 19.
Contestant number 5 was a bald monk wearing tattered robes, a headband, a necklace of prayer beads, and holding a dagger.
Different from ordinary monks, this type of person was known as an ascetic monk.
Ascetic monks are a rare type, but extremely powerful.
They endure pain that ordinary people can't withstand, embrace hardships that ordinary people can't endure.
Even under various tortures, even with a knife at their neck, they can still remain unperturbed.
This kind of terrifying willpower has surpassed the realm of ordinary humans, reaching a level that commands respect.
However, ascetic monks are not usually interested in fame and fortune, focusing solely on ascetic practices, so it was unexpected for one to appear on the stage today.
This abnormal occurrence caused whispers among all present.
CHAPTER 2419 TOO GOOD-LOOKING
"What's going on? Isn't that person a monk? Why would he participate in a martial arts competition?"
"It's said that monks disregard power and wealth, but now he's openly stepping into the ring. It's quite strange."
"Wait! I know this person, he's the defected monk, Master Zuma!"
"What? Master Zuma? Isn't he the one who went on a rampage eight years ago, wiping out an entire family in a fit of anger?"
The whole scene was in an uproar upon hearing the name Zuma.
Monks are extremely rare, and Zuma is undoubtedly an exception.
No one knows what happened to him, only the story of eight years ago when Zuma slaughtered the entire family of the leader of the Dark Sect overnight.
Since then, Zuma completely broke his vows.
Indulging in alcohol, women, wealth, and having a very violent temper, he has gained a notorious reputation.
However, due to his strong background in asceticism, few dare to provoke him.
This time, Zuma's appearance in the martial arts ring is clearly a show of dominance to make a name for himself.
Once on the platform, Zuma showed no concern for his image, taking out a jug from his waist and started drinking heartily.
He really enjoyed drinking.
Just as Zuma was drinking freely, a young man with a folding fan, elegant demeanor, and handsome looks slowly made his way to the platform.
He had the number 19 hanging from his waist.
Seeing the handsome young man, Dustin in the audience raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat intrigued.
Because he realised the beautiful young man was none other than Kieran, who was more beautiful than a woman!
Kieran not only had a stunning face, but also possessed profound cultivation, making him unpredictable.
As the young master of the Yama Fist and Blade Sect, Kieran had always been hidden by the Yama Fist and Blade Sect, keeping a low profile.
This time, entering the ring on Dragon Tiger Mountain was naturally an opportunity to make a splash.
"Wow! Number 19 is so handsome! I really like him!"
"Truly a top-quality handsome man, if I could marry him, that would be amazing!"
"Oh no, I think I'm already in love!"
"..."
Kieran's appearance caused a commotion among the female audience below.
Their eyes seemed to light up, staring fixedly at Kieran.
Some daring ones even rushed to the edge of the platform, starting to show various forms of affection.
At times, modesty and the image of a lady evaporate completely in this moment.
When a man is too good-looking, he doesn't need to do anything; just a smile, a glance, can make countless women flock to him.
CHAPTER 2420 CONTESTANT NUMBER 19
The power of good looks in action.
"Pfft! What's the use of being handsome? Just a pretty boy! A real man speaks with strength!"
"Exactly! Look at his puny arms and legs, where's the strength? If they fight, he'll probably end up with a pig's head!"
"Damn it! Trying to seduce my woman? I curse you to have 'performance issues' for life!"
Kieran's striking looks attracted countless women and stirred envy and resentment in many men.
For Kieran himself, it was a mix of joy and worry.
"Sis, that contestant number 19 is really good looking! I wonder who he is?" Lara asked excitedly.
As a woman, she couldn't help but admire beauty. Her interest wasn't a crush on Kieran but an appreciation for beautiful things.
"He looks familiar, but I haven't seen him before," Lara shook her head.
Like her sister Liana, she was amazed by Kieran's beauty.
If he were a woman, he might knock her down from her fifth position on the beauty ranking.
"This person is Yama Fist and Blade Sect's Young Master, Kieran," Gabrielle suddenly added.
Her intelligence network covered the entire world; anyone with strength and potential was on her radar.
"Young Master of Yama Fist and Blade Sect?"
Lara and her sister exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.
Yama Fist and Blade Sect was a mysterious sect, with a mix of good and evil, not as powerful as World Society but still a dominating force.
However, their reputation wasn't great; mostly involved in shady businesses like assassination.
Yet, for the right price, you could hire their experts as bodyguards.
Despite their bad reputation, no one dared to doubt their strength.
After all, they lived by the sword and had survived numerous challenges.
"One is the Young Master of Yama Fist and Blade Sect, the other a powerful ascetic monk. Who should we bet on?" Liana couldn't help but ask.
Since betting on contestant number 12 Ulysses, she started enjoying the thrill of gambling.
"The Young Master of Yama Fist and Blade Sect is indeed handsome, but in a showdown like this, it's not just about looks; you need real strength. To win, I think we should bet on the ascetic monk," Lara pondered.
In a beauty pageant, Kieran would easily beat anyone, but in a battle, the ascetic monk was likely the stronger contender.
"I suggest betting on contestant number 19 for a better chance of winning," Dustin suddenly spoke up, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
this is not Dustin we knew
