Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1377: Chapter 1329: The Bystander Takes the Crown

”Thank you very much.” Li Tiao bowed and said. After carefully memorizing the Secret Technique, he successfully used it for the first time. His body had already adapted to the cleansing and infusion of Heaven and Earth Essence as if he were an absolute expert at Inner Qi Manifestation.

At this moment, Ma Yunlu was utterly excited. She was about to win the championship just like that, given Liaoo Hua’s miserable state now. He could barely stand by sheer willpower, unable to participate in the next round. Was she really going to win the championship like this?

For some reason, Ma Yunlu felt very uncertain at this moment. She had realized along the way that despite learning Spear Technique from Zhao Yun, her current strength was only considered slightly below average among this group.

”The second semifinal match is about to begin. Competitors, please enter the arena.” At this moment, Hua Xiong shouted from the center of the stage.

”There’s definitely no problem this time. Li Tiao’s strength can be trusted.” Liu Bei secretly transmitted his voice to a group of civil servants.

Although Ma Yunlu was momentarily dazed, she quickly urged her horse to the center, and Li Tiao followed, appearing in the arena. This time, Ma Yunlu was truly stunned.

”Uh, weren’t you seriously injured before? You’re competing again so soon?” Ma Yunlu’s words had a somewhat provocative tone, but she really wasn’t acting intentionally.

”I can’t help it; I still want the first place. Besides, minor injuries don’t matter.” Li Tiao casually said nonsense. Without Hua Tuo, he would have needed ten to fifteen days to heal those previous injuries, even if he broke through to Inner Qi Manifestation.

Li Tiao’s appearance was surprising, but no one suspected any issues. After all, Li Tiao had indeed won the previous round; at most, the spectators lamented his unfortunate luck.

”What are you skilled at?” Ma Yunlu felt it was inappropriate to fuss over an injured person, so she asked, considering she had gained so much advantage. At least she should let Li Tiao lose with some dignity.

”Actually, it’s fine with anything.” Li Tiao replied casually. ”I see you’re good at horse combat, so let’s do horse combat.”

Ma Yunlu was slightly discontented. She had given the opponent a way out, subtly hinting she was willing to go easy, offering a dignified result. Yet, the opponent was so indifferent.

Ma Yunlu had clearly seen when Li Tiao’s horse stumbled in the previous match. This time, the horse was merely an ordinary warhorse, making horse combat incredibly disadvantageous.

”You really don’t need to hesitate.” Li Tiao casually turned his head, looking at Zhao Yun. Strands of green-black Inner Qi manifested, and his Long Spear was entirely enveloped in green-black Inner Qi, making him appear sinister and cold.

This was the Secret Technique Zhao Yun gave Li Tiao, a technique that allowed Qi Refining to Gang to manifest Inner Qi externally.

However, for other Qi Refining to Gang practitioners, whether this Secret Technique could be successfully used was one thing. Moreover, channeling Heaven and Earth Essence into their bodies without reaching sufficient strength could potentially cost them their lives.

But for Li Tiao, his body was already exactly like a martial artist of Inner Qi Manifestation. Heaven and Earth Essence could no longer harm him, making the handling of this Secret Technique extremely effortless.

”You...” Ma Yunlu had seen many Inner Qi Manifestation experts and naturally understood the pressure Li Tiao was exerting now, as well as the result that was evident without battle.

”Surrender or fight?” Li Tiao asked with a slight smile on the corner of his mouth.

”Merely, Inner Qi Manifestation, fight!” Ma Yunlu suddenly urged her horse towards Li Tiao. No matter how powerful Inner Qi Manifestation was or that defeat was certain, she wouldn’t be afraid. Someday she could be like him.

The battle ended the moment Ma Yunlu charged forward. Li Tiao swung his Long Spear in Ma Yunlu’s direction, and the overwhelming Qi Force knocked Ma Yunlu off her horse, naturally halting her path to the championship in military skills.

”Defeated just like that...” Xu Ning was speechless, not knowing what to say.

”What else could have happened? Without the suppression of a large army’s Cloud Qi, facing a peak expert of Inner Qi Manifestation, it’s already fortunate to survive one move.” Huang Yueying was calm. This battle should have ended the moment Li Tiao revealed his Inner Qi.

”Shouldn’t there be a three hundred-round epic battle?” Xu Ning asked, pulling a face.

”That would just be disgraceful.” Jia Yun jumped in, stating rationally that the result was already decent. ”Yun Lu performed quite well. Facing a character of this rank, anyone would lose.”

”Inner Qi Manifestation?” Lub Su clicked his tongue and said, ”It seems the first place has already emerged.”

”Didn’t expect this; actually broke through successfully.” Hann Qiong was also misled by the strength Li Tiao demonstrated. No one noticed Li Tiao’s issue, even Zhao Yun when close, let alone Hann Qiong.

After defeating Ma Yunlu, the whole place fell silent, followed by an explosive cheer. Inner Qi Manifestation, they had the fortune to witness the emergence of a top-tier expert.

Liaoo Hua soon appeared on horseback. Seeing Li Tiao, his face was full of gloom. Among these people here, the only ones he wasn’t confident in facing were Li Tiao and Lyu Qiling; others might be beaten by experience and willpower, but not Li Tiao...

Cough, cough, Liaoo Hua might say he was just a small squad leader among the Yellow Turbans while Li Tiao was already one of the thirty-six Channel Commanders. And now this guy had broken through to Inner Qi Manifestation. How could he fight?

”Don’t worry, Yuanjian. I won’t use full strength, just like when fighting under Cloud Qi. I won’t use those methods you can’t employ.” Li Tiao said to Liaoo Hua, who was considered the most successful general among them Yellow Turbans.

”Roar!” Liaoo Hua bellowed. He had already recovered to peak condition under the treatment of Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing. Upon facing Li Tiao, he understood he would surely fail, yet showed no fear. After hearing Li Tiao, he charged forward with his spear.

But it was futile. Even without using the Secret Technique, merely the massive gaps in physical quality and Inner Qi utilization efficiency defeated Liaoo Hua easily within thirty moves.

Li Tiao, initially just a participant, unexpectedly ascended the top. However, all spectators were satisfied with this outcome. Even the female audiences intent on disrupting had no objections, as Li Tiao was already invincibly strong.

Demonstrating combat power at Inner Qi Manifestation Rank, Li Tiao atop the military skills exam, reliant on sheer physical prowess, left no room for challenge. When your punches are genuinely stronger than others, there’s nothing more to say.

”Let’s go see that sister. It would be great if that sister won earlier.” Li Yuan and others looked with helpless expressions at Ma Yunlu in the distance and then at Lyu Qiling, contemplating before heading towards Lyu Qiling—for they were comrades in the same trench.