CHAPTER 2564 THE UNSEEN GENIUS: TROY’S TRIUMPH
Lander never imagined he would lose, especially with the Thousand Mechanisms Box at his disposal.
But fate had other plans, and he ended up losing, with a sense of resignation and acceptance.
He had used all his tricks, only to have Troy counter each and every one.
In fact, if Troy hadn’t shown mercy in the final move, he would likely have been severely injured by now.
Troy granted him dignity, so naturally, Lander wouldn’t cause trouble.
Doing so would only invite more contempt.
"Ha..."
Seeing Lander concede, Troy exhaled deeply.
Sweat had already beaded on his forehead.
It was evident that his victory hadn't come easily.
The Golden Light Curse, Thunder Magic, Divine Talismans—he had used all his ultimate techniques, leaving no stone unturned.
If not for the final explosion of the Eight Trigrams Talismans, which allowed him to break free and quickly close in on Lander, he would have likely lost.
"Martin Clan's hidden weapons are indeed as legendary as rumored; today, I’ve truly experienced their power," Troy said sincerely.
"Hidden weapons are impressive, but ultimately, they are mere tricks compared to the Daoist arts of Dragon Tiger Mountain. I accept my defeat with genuine respect," Lander replied, cupping his fists in a gesture of respect.
As the ninth-ranked genius on the Whiz List, he naturally had his own pride.
He had initially thought the Thousand Mechanisms Box could vie for the top spot, but now it seemed he was merely dreaming.
Troy was nearly a decade older and had far superior skills and cultivation.
At this moment, he finally understood the saying, “There is always someone better, and beyond the sky, there is a greater sky.”
"I only narrowly won," Troy replied modestly.
"There's no need to say more, Master Richards. Even if we fought again, I would still be defeated," Lander said with a shake of his head. "Master Richards's skills at such a young age are boundless. I look forward to your future achievements. Farewell."
With that, Lander performed a respectful bow and left the stage.
Defeated by such a prodigious talent, he felt no shame.
"Match nine is over. Congratulations to contestant number 24 for the win!"
The referee, Jeremy, announced the result right on time, feeling a sigh of relief inwardly.
"Well done! Excellent fight!"
"Truly, a once-in-a-century talent from Dragon Tiger Mountain, living up to its reputation!"
"I can’t believe such a young person has such skill. It’s truly humbling!"
"…"
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause and discussion at Troy’s victory.
From the start, most had expected Lander to win.
With his ninth-place ranking on the Whiz List, his undefeated record, and the Thousand Mechanisms Box aiding him.
Such a master seemed to be a strong contender for the championship.
Yet no one had anticipated Troy’s concealed depth and remarkable prowess.
CHAPTER 2565 RISING STARS AND NEW HORIZONS: THE TOURNAMENT’S TURNING POINT
With the mastery of the three ultimate techniques—attack and defense seamlessly integrated—Troy had no flaws in his approach.
Even after withstanding the explosive power of the Thousand Mechanisms Box, he managed to counter with ease and deliver a decisive blow.
Such talent, skill, and composure forecast a future where Troy could potentially rival even the Grandmaster himself.
This young Taoist, not yet twenty, had become the undeniable dark horse of the tournament!
"Good job, kid," Jeremy said, unusually smiling as he gave a rare compliment.
"Uncle Master, I’ve truly given it my all. If I lose in the upcoming matches, you can’t blame me," Troy yawned and returned to his lazy demeanor.
"Just do your best," Jeremy nodded.
Defeating Lander head-on and demonstrating such formidable martial prowess was already more than enough.
As for winning the championship, it was not a pressing concern.
After all, this kid was still very young, barely eighteen this year.
Give him another ten years of honing, and not only would he surpass his Uncle Master, but he might even outshine the Grandmaster himself.
"Uncle Master, I’m a bit tired. I’m going to take a nap."
After a bow, Troy yawned again and walked off the stage.
This battle had already secured his reputation.
After the ninth match, the usual break began, and the stage, battered and bruised, needed repairs.
Meanwhile, the audience’s discussions continued unabated.
"I never expected Troy to have such strength. Dragon Tiger Mountain is truly impressive!" Vincent marveled.
He had not anticipated Troy’s victory. In his eyes, with the Thousand Mechanisms Box, Lander was almost guaranteed to win.
The only question was how long it would take.
Yet the final outcome far exceeded his expectations.
Who would have thought that Lander, ranked ninth on the Whiz List, would be defeated by a novice Taoist?
Such a thing was hard for anyone to believe.
"It seems Sheryl’s insight was indeed sharp!" Lara exclaimed in amazement.
Previously, Vincent had believed Lander would win, but Gabrielle had suggested Troy had a significant chance, and it turned out to be true.
"That was just a casual remark. Honestly, I’m quite surprised by the result," Gabrielle said with a smile.
She had favored Troy, simply because she believed Dragon Tiger Mountain would not send a weak contestant. But when Lander brought out the Thousand Mechanisms Box, her confidence wavered.
She hadn’t expected the situation to turn around and Troy to win.
"Now that Lander has been defeated, the remaining matches should be exciting," Lara said eagerly. "I’m looking forward to seeing who will be the ultimate victor of this tournament."
CHAPTER 2566: THE FINAL SIXTEEN
Time ticked away as the fierce competition raged on.
Without realizing it, half a day had passed. The arena, now showing signs of wear and tear, had borne witness to battle after battle of intense combat.
Finally, the top sixteen contestants were decided.
For fighters like Billy May, Abigail Robinsons, and Vincent Chambers—who were ranked among the elite in the Whiz List—their victories were nearly guaranteed, as long as they didn't face each other. Their opponents stood no chance and were swiftly overwhelmed.
Especially notable was Billy's match. His opponent didn't even bother fighting, choosing instead to surrender immediately.
It was common knowledge that sword cultivators were exceptionally deadly, and with Billy being the number one prodigy on the Whiz List, his power had reached that of a grandmaster (Note: While not specified in the original translation, this could mean Supreme/Ultimate Grandmaster). A casual swing of his sword could easily dispatch an ordinary master.
For those unfortunate enough to draw Billy as their opponent, surrender was the only logical choice to avoid risking their lives.
In martial arts tournaments like these, sometimes luck outweighed skill.
Apart from Billy and the other two, there were two more from the Whiz List who made it to the final sixteen: Elvin Carr, ranked eighth, and Cort Maine, ranked tenth.
Elvin Carr, a master of the blade, won his match in just three moves. Cort Maine, known for his mastery of various mystical arts, also easily defeated his opponent.
Including Dustin, there were six experts from the Whiz List among the top sixteen.
Had it not been for Lander's unexpected loss to Troy, there might have been another.
As for the remaining ten fighters, they were either from prestigious sects or long-established in the martial arts world, each one a formidable opponent in their own right.
Standing out among them were Father Adam from the West and the Black Diamond, George Browse.
With the top sixteen determined, it was time for a break.
The major sects seized the opportunity to recruit talented fighters, particularly Dustin, who had impressed them greatly. The three major factions extended warm invitations to him.
Dustin, however, neither accepted nor declined, opting instead to play it cool. He had ties with all three factions now, so rejecting any of them outright would be unwise. He decided to pretend nothing had happened and planned to slip away after the tournament.
As for what would happen next, he couldn't care less.
After a brief rest, it was time for the next draw.
Today, the top eight would be determined, meaning there was another round of matches to be fought.
The matches between the top sixteen would be even more intense and bloody.
"Now, will the top sixteen contestants please come up to draw your lots!"
Jeremy Richards called out, and the victorious fighters from the last round stepped onto the stage.
The drawing process remained the same—random selection, with the first facing the sixteenth, the second against the fifteenth, and so on.
As fate would have it, Dustin drew number eight again, meaning his match would be the last of the round, against the number nine contestant.
CHAPTER 2567: THE UNVEILING
This time, everyone kept their drawn numbers well-hidden, not revealing a single clue.
After all, in the round of sixteen to eight, there were no weak opponents.
Exposing your number prematurely would make you an easy target.
On the other hand, if you could discover your opponent’s identity, it would be a game-changer, allowing you to craft a strategy and maximize your chances of victory.
So, after the draw, all factions began discreetly gathering information to prepare their fighters.
How much they could uncover would depend on their resourcefulness.
"The draw is complete. Contestants, please prepare quickly; the matches will begin shortly!" Jeremy's voice rang out once more, reminding everyone of the impending battles.
There was barely enough time for a short break.
"Brother Vincent, what number did you get?" Liana asked Vincent as soon as they returned to their seats.
"Not the best luck; I drew number one," Vincent replied with a faint smile.
"Number one? That means you're up first." Liana raised an eyebrow, then lowered her voice. "I'll send someone to find out who your opponent is."
"No need to trouble yourself. It doesn't matter who it is," Vincent shook his head. "Relying on tricks is a minor path. To win, you must depend on your own strength; otherwise, all preparation is meaningless."
His confidence was unwavering; he didn't care who he faced, even if it was Billy. He would fight without hesitation.
Because his goal was the championship.
And to be the champion, he had to defeat every strong opponent.
"You're right," Liana nodded, then turned to Dustin. "What about you, Dr. Rhys?"
"I got number eight again, just like last time," Dustin replied honestly.
"I mean, do you want me to find out who your opponent is?" Liana offered.
"No need. Let fate decide," Dustin responded with a light smile.
"Fair enough. With your strength, as long as you don't run into one of the Whiz List elites, you should have no trouble making it into the top eight," Liana nodded in agreement.
She had witnessed Dustin's prowess firsthand when he wiped out the vampire clan, so she was well aware of his capabilities.
As long as his luck didn't betray him, the top eight should be within reach.
After that, it would indeed be in the hands of fate.
The short break flew by, and Jeremy's voice echoed once more: "Time's up! The first match is about to begin. Will the number one and number sixteen contestants please come to the stage!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Vincent stood up without hesitation and made his way to the arena.
A few seconds later, another figure slowly rose from the waiting area—a man dressed in white, carrying a long sword on his back. He moved deliberately, each step taking him closer to the stage.
His expression was cold, his aura sharp, like an unsheathed blade, radiating a menacing energy.
This man was none other than Victor Steele, the top disciple of the Mysterious Sword Sect!
CHAPTER 2568: THE DARK HORSE part 1
Victor's entrance stirred a wave of attention across the crowd.
The Mysterious Sword Sect was an enigmatic force in the martial world. Though its disciples were few, each was extraordinarily gifted.
Especially renowned was the sect's Sword Manipulation Technique—a skill so formidable that even the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance eyed it with envy.
Every time Victor stepped into the arena, all eyes were on him.
Part of the intrigue was due to his sect's secretive nature; the other part was sheer curiosity about this fabled sword technique.
However, to the audience's disappointment, Victor had yet to reveal this legendary skill, despite advancing effortlessly to the final sixteen.
Or perhaps, none of his previous opponents had been strong enough to force him to unleash it.
But now, the situation was different.
Victor was facing Vincent, a top-tier fighter ranked fifth on the Whiz List.
With such a formidable opponent, there would be no holding back.
The two men stood on the stage, exchanging formalities with a respectful bow.
"World Society, Vincent Chambers," Vincent introduced himself with a simple clasp of his fists.
"Mysterious Sword Sect’s First Disciple, Victor Steele," Victor responded coolly.
"I’ve heard that the Mysterious Sword Sect’s Sword Manipulation Technique can decapitate an enemy from a thousand meters away. Is that true?" Vincent asked with genuine curiosity.
In a world as vast as this, there were countless marvels he had yet to witness.
"You’ll find out soon enough," Victor replied, his tone flat, as if he didn’t consider Vincent a real threat.
"Oh?" Vincent raised an eyebrow, then smiled calmly. "Very well. I look forward to seeing what you can do."
Was this young man overly confident? Or simply naive?
"The Mysterious Sword Sect’s Victor versus the World Society’s Vincent—who do you think will win?"
"Is that even a question? Of course, it’s Vincent! Do you think his fifth place on the Whiz List is for show? He earned that with real blood and sweat!"
"I’ve heard Vincent’s skills have nearly reached the level of a Grandmaster (Note: this could possibly mean Supreme/Ultimate Grandmaster), and combined with the World Society’s secret techniques, a mere Victor Steele shouldn’t pose much of a challenge."
"Don’t be so sure! From what I’ve heard, Victor’s skills are nothing to scoff at, and with that rumored Sword Manipulation Technique as his trump card, he might just be able to go toe-to-toe with Vincent."
"Exactly! In arena combat, the tide can turn in an instant. Until the very last moment, no one can be certain of the outcome. You all said Lander would win his match, but look what happened—despite using every trick in the book, he still lost to Troy."
"…"
As the two warriors squared off on the stage, the audience buzzed with debate.
Some were convinced of Vincent’s victory, while others believed Victor might just be the dark horse of the tournament.
CHAPTER 2569: THE DARK HORSE part 2
The debate over who would emerge victorious continued, with each side firmly convinced of their chosen champion's strength. Yet, no one could sway the other.
"Both fighters are ready! Let the first match of the top sixteen begin!" Jeremy's voice rang out, signaling the start of the battle.
The once noisy arena quickly fell silent, as all eyes locked onto the stage, eager to witness the clash between two of the most formidable warriors.
"Please, go ahead," Vincent said, extending one hand in a gesture of invitation, his expression confident and unyielding.
"Hmph!" Victor did not stand on ceremony. With a quick step, his figure blurred, transforming into a shadow as he charged forward. He unleashed a powerful punch aimed directly at Vincent.
The sheer force behind his attack was like thunder, resonating with an overwhelming might.
Many knew of Victor's extraordinary swordsmanship, but few realized that his martial arts prowess was equally exceptional. In fact, some of his earlier opponents hadn't even earned the right to see him draw his sword.
"You're going for a punch-off?" Vincent smirked, standing his ground without flinching, and countered with a punch of his own.
"Bang!"
Their fists collided in mid-air, producing a thunderous explosion.
The shockwave of energy rippled outward, scattering in all directions.
While Vincent remained rooted to the spot, Victor was forced back several steps, his arm momentarily numb.
It was evident that in terms of raw power and cultivation, Victor was at a slight disadvantage.
"Hmm?" Victor frowned as he glanced down at his arm, his fingers twitching involuntarily.
The exchange had revealed a hidden weakness—he wasn't as strong as Vincent in pure strength.
However, the outcome of a duel wasn't determined by strength alone; it also relied on technique and lethal moves.
"Wind Thunder Fist!" Victor wasted no time. His energy surged, flooding into his fists as he launched another assault.
His fists moved like lightning, striking with insane speed, unleashing hundreds of punches in an instant. The air was filled with the illusion of countless fist shadows, overwhelming the senses.
"Interesting," Vincent remarked, still standing his ground. He mirrored Victor's technique, his fists moving with equal speed, creating a barrage of fist shadows that collided with Victor's.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang…"
The sound of their blows crashing together echoed like a string of firecrackers, with energy waves rippling continuously through the air.
As the battle intensified, their movements became faster, their strikes more ferocious, and the commotion they caused grew louder.
The audience below could no longer discern the two fighters' movements. All they could see were countless fist shadows, filling the arena like a storm, making it impossible to tell who was who.
This brutal and straightforward exchange of punches was a spectacle unlike anything they had ever seen.
Neither fighter retreated; they exchanged blow for blow, embodying a relentless, iron-blooded determination.
