Everyone present felt a massive shock regarding the scene that had just unfolded on the stage.
Consequently, everyone was stunned.
Time seemed to have been paused at this very moment.
Just a second ago, the massive venue holding tens of thousands of people was bustling with noise and excitement.
Yet now, it had fallen into a silence so eerie it was suffocating.
Everyone's gaze was blankly converged on a single focal point.
That was Liu Yuan, who had finished the battle in just one second and was now standing calmly in the center of the stage.
And... the elite, Lin Xi, who had been blasted away by a single strike and was now lying outside the stage, completely defeated.
What... happened?
It's over?
It's... over just like that?
Almost everyone's mind went blank.
They hadn't even been able to see clearly how Liu Yuan made his move before the battle was declared over.
This gap in strength, which transcended common sense and could be called a total crushing, brought an unprecedented visual impact and mental shock to everyone present!
A long time passed.
It wasn't until the referee on the high platform barely recovered from that immense shock that he took a deep breath, raised his arm with all his might, and announced loudly:
"The winner—Liu Yuan!"
This voice was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the dead silence within the venue!
Boom—!
The emotions that had been suppressed for so long exploded completely at this moment, like a volcanic eruption!
The deafening discussions, filled with endless horror and disbelief, converged into a terrifying wave of sound that almost blew the roof off the entire stadium!
"My god! What did I just see? An instant kill! It's an instant kill!"
"That Senior Lin Xi actually... couldn't even block a single move?"
"That Liu Yuan... his strength is just too terrifying!"
...
Among the crowd.
Ju Zi and Ke Ke were both staring blankly toward the stage with their mouths agape, their beautiful eyes filled with shock.
After a moment, Ke Ke lightly nudged Ju Zi with her elbow and said in a tone between laughter and tears:
"An-another instant kill? To think we were worried about him for so long."
Hearing this, Ju Zi also shook her head with a bitter smile. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled, replaced by a growing admiration that even she hadn't noticed.
On the other side, in the second-year viewing area.
The siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen looked at each other and smiled.
"As expected of Brother Liu Yuan!"
There wasn't the slightest bit of surprise on Xiao Hongchen's face; instead, there was an excitement and fanaticism that said 'it should be so.'
He knew Liu Yuan's terror better than anyone.
An instant kill of this level was completely within his expectations.
...
In the sixth-year students' viewing area.
Ma Rulong's hands, which had been crossed over his chest, had unknowingly lowered slowly.
In his eyes, which were as sharp as a hawk's, an emotion called'shock' surfaced for the first time.
He stared fixedly at Liu Yuan on the stage, his mind frantically replaying that scene from less than a second ago.
No.
He couldn't replay it at all.
Because even he had barely been able to see Liu Yuan's movements clearly!
That was a terrifying speed that exceeded the limits of his dynamic vision!
He only saw a golden afterimage flash by, and then Lin Xi was sent flying.
What amazing explosive power and speed!
At this moment, Ma Rulong's evaluation of Liu Yuan underwent a world-shaking change.
This was no longer just a junior worth paying attention to.
He might even... become his most fearsome opponent in this competition!
...
Mingde Hall, top-floor office.
A brief silence fell in front of the spirit tool screen.
On the face of the Sun Moon Emperor, Xu Yunhan, the expression that was originally just 'interested' had been completely replaced by a deep sense of 'amazement.'
He slowly leaned back against his chair and praised sincerely:
"This... is truly extraordinary."
Beside him, even Kong Deming, who was known for being strict and fastidious, had eyes full of undisguised appreciation and shock as he scrutinized the scene.
He slowly turned his head to look at Jing Hongchen, who was grinning from ear to ear, and said in a rare, approving tone:
"You old rascal..."
"This time, you've really cultivated an extraordinary super Genius for the academy."
Hearing this evaluation from Kong Deming, which was almost a 'final verdict,' Jing Hongchen could no longer suppress his inner joy and burst into loud laughter.
"Little Yuan, this child, has really done me proud! Hahaha!"
His hearty laughter echoed throughout the entire office.
...
After Liu Yuan stepped down, the matches continued.
But clearly, with his 'one-second instant kill' serving as a brilliant example, the subsequent matches seemed somewhat dull, no matter how intense they were.
Soon, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen also took the stage one after another.
The strength of these two was also at a crushing level among their peers. Without any suspense, they each defeated their opponents and easily secured victory.
Since it was still early after the first round of the knockout matches ended,
The academy's referee panel, after a brief discussion, decided to speed up the competition proceedings and immediately begin the subsequent matches.
The second round, the third round...
The pace of the competition was breathtakingly fast.
Liu Yuan, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen were like three sharpest blades, cutting through all obstacles and advancing forcefully with a record of total victory.
Finally, when the fourth round began, the true clash of the titans started to unfold.
Xiao Hongchen and Liu Yuan still resolved their respective opponents with overwhelming force, successfully advancing.
However, Meng Hongchen's luck wasn't very good.
Her opponent was none other than the sixth-year head, Ma Rulong.
Facing this strongest Soul Engineer under the age of twenty in the academy, even the proud Meng Hongchen could only suffer a regrettable defeat in the face of the absolute gap in strength.
With this, the final four list for the fifth round was officially released.
Second Year, Liu Yuan.
Second Year, Xiao Hongchen.
Sixth Year, Ma Rulong.
Fifth Year, Mi Jia.
After a short break, the draw results for the semifinals appeared before everyone.
Liu Yuan versus Xiao Hongchen.
Ma Rulong versus Mi Jia.
When they saw these match-ups, the atmosphere of the entire venue was ignited once again!
"It's here, it's here! Liu Yuan is going to fight Xiao Hongchen!"
"Now we're in for a good show! One is hailed as the number one Genius of the second year, and the other is a super dark horse that appeared out of nowhere!"
...
On the stage.
Liu Yuan and Xiao Hongchen stood facing each other.
There was a hint of bitterness on Xiao Hongchen's face, but more than that, there was an unprecedented seriousness and Battle Intent.
"Brother Liu Yuan, I know I'm not your opponent."
"However, I still want to personally experience just how big the gap between us... really is!"
As his voice fell, the battle began.
Very quickly, the battle ended.
The entire audience only saw Xiao Hongchen summon his Three-Legged Golden Toad Spirit, his spirit tools just having reached his hands.
A golden light flashed.
The next second.
Xiao Hongchen had already slumped down in a corner of the stage, a clear handprint left on the clothes on his chest. He had a face full of bitter smiles as he slowly shook his head.
"As expected... it's like this again."
He stood up and said sincerely to Liu Yuan:
"Good luck in the finals, Brother Liu Yuan."
On the other stage, the battle between Ma Rulong and Mi Jia had also reached a conclusion.
Facing Ma Rulong's relentless and arguably destructive artillery fire, Mi Jia, who specialized in speed and assassination, never found a single chance to get close from beginning to end, eventually being blasted off the stage by violent energy beams.
The two semifinals ended almost at the same time.
The Chief Referee on the high platform took a deep breath, stepped forward, and announced the final match of this tournament to the entire venue with his incredibly resonant voice.
"The final of the Sun Moon Royal Academy Internal Selection for this All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!"
"Is about to be fought by—"
"Sixth-year head, Ma Rulong!"
"Versus—"
"Second-year, Liu Yuan!"
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