The Supreme God of Martial Arts

Loud, rumbling cheers erupted from the packed stadium as each person from the audience rooted for their favored competitor.

It was the last round of the Outstanding Talents Exchange Games, and with the sound of a siren, the battle between Austin and Leo began.

A hush fell over the citizens as they watched the stage with bated breaths.

Not a word was said; only stares fixated on every movement the competitors were about to make.

The contenders gauged each other's power in portentous judgment as they stood with a distance of 30 feet apart.

Leo was the Violet Orchid Empire's venerated idol of all young people, whose exalted nhad already been heard of by his challenger, Austin, when he was still in Sun Sect.

Austin felt giddy at the thought, having not expected that one day, he would even be permitted to stand on the sstage as Leo.

But now, here he was, swelling with pride in his chest upon coming this far.

The ups and downs he had experienced over the years were now coming into fruition. He felt all sorts of emotions surging within him; his confidence bursting in his heart as he recalled all his hardships.

It was because of that precise reason that Austin had held his head high in equanimity, even in the face of Leo, the top young martial artist in the empire.

His foe didn't miss his blatant display of will and determination.

Leo laughed, his handsface twisting to reflect the ferociousness that lay behind his wild chortling. The day was clear, with no cold winds to help alleviate the humid heat. And yet, his clothes ruffled, dancing elegantly with a breeze produced by the aura of his energy.

"So, you're the famed dark horse," Leo grinned like a predator, his eyes shining with contempt.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time; the former rivals I've met were too weak.

None of them even deserved to be called as my opponent!" A nerve ticked in Austin's forehead in annoyance as Leo continued with his arrogant ramblings.

"You're a genius who's separated from mediocrity by nature. | seek for kids like us: people who are commended outstanding in their field.

Because, only when our kind kneels to me, am | be able to cement the reputation of the overpowering strength | possess," He started pacing around; never letting his eyes stray too far from the other male's unmoving figure.

"You exist for my glory, just like how a leaf highlights the flower's beauty," Leo continued to say.

Austin grumbled in disdain at his words, "What the hell, you're the green leaf! Your whole family's the fucking leaves." Although he might be a little riled up, Austin didn't let most of his foe's taunts sink deep into his mind. On the contrary, he couldn't help but start feeling bored with his rival's unnecessary gloating.

"I can tell by your expression that you think I'm sbragging dullard," Leo raised an eyebrow at the barely concealed dislike Austin was showing.

"Fine, | shall do what you wish and reveal my actual strength from now on. You'll learn soon that you and |, are not on the slevel." Leo took a step forward, a sudden surge of vital energy gushing out of him as he did so.

In a flash, the battle ring had filled with a force akin to a torrent of water escaping its dike.

The spectators were left in shock, having not expected that Leo had already reached the medium stage of Mysterious Realm.

Murmurs and whispers rose from the crowd, inciting a heated discussion among families and friends alike.

"My god! | never considered Leo's real strength to be at the medium stage of Mysterious Realm!" "That was awesome!" "He hid his true colors perfectly!" Songs of praises swept through the whole field.

A symphony of roaring exclamations filled with disbelief and awe. All directed at the power Leo had exhibited.

They all agreed without a doubt; he truly deserved the label of the strongest among the young martial artists in the nation.

The practitioners of the sarts and the young maidens witnessing the fight were left in a daze, helplessly afflicted with admiration for the man.

Even Emperor Arthur, the father of their own kingdom, was flabbergasted.

"The prowess of Leo has leftspeechless.

He looks around the age of 21 years, so young that | can't seem to believe he has already reached the medium stage of Mysterious Realm," he gaped in astonishment. "He is indeed a rare genius that only appears after hundreds of years! | greatly respect his competence." "Leo's truly the most excellent disciple in Peripatetic Sect for centuries, Your Majesty," the leader of Peripatetic Sect declared, his face shining with proud happiness that made the other four leaders around Emperor Arthur full of jealousy and resentment...

"Wake up, Austin.

| think you should have realized the glaring truth: the fight between us is meaningless, and you will only suffer in great humiliation and defeat if you choose to continue." Leo's piercing, shrewd stare bore into Austin. Preposterous, as he looked down at his nemesis patronizingly.

"Medium stage of Mysterious Realm," Austin whispered as he broke out of his stunned reverie. He had to admit to himself once again, that Leo was a very formidable enemy.

However, despite the grand show of power, he was still resolute in standing his ground. His eyes matched Leo's glare and flashed with an unwavering resolution.

‘Throwing in the towel without a fight?" Leo shook his head at his absurd statement and shouted, "No way!" "...Huh?" Leo stopped abruptly, momentarily bewildered by his refusal to give in. "What did you say?" Leo paused, giving him the benefit of the doubt, but saw no change in his adamant behavior. He seethed as his anger flared up, taking it as a sign of challenge to his authority.

"You're clearly biting off more than you can chew!" In a split-second, a blast of dark red energy billowed from Leo, casting him in an eerie light that soon spread and enclosed the combat zone in its bloodied prison.

Nine mountain-sized fists manifested above his head, each carrying a howling, ravenous demon within its grasp accompanied by a mass of heavy, dense fog that shrouded Leo.

He was using his unique skill, the Nine-demon Bloody Fist.

His vital energy proved how frightening one's skill must be after reaching the medium stage of Mysterious Realm. His intimidating ability imparted the sense of apprehension and terror to whoever was at its mercy.

"You lousy bastard! Go to hell!" roared Leo, as he extended one of his humongous fists to attack his adversary.

Austin knew that his body wouldn't survive the mighty force packed behind the strike, and so, he dodged. He sunk his toes deep into the ground and jumped--performing an enormous leap.

With the help of the Wind-commanding Skill, he was able to back away as swiftly as a sailing arrow.

To his surprise, the speed of the oncoming charge was faster than he had imagined. It missed him by a matter of inches before it hit the ground.

A thundering sound echoed, the fist carving a deep trench where it had struck, consequently scattering rubble around the area.

"His strength's awesome," Austin mumbled in passing before he was startled with a jolt, feeling the sudden surge of vital energy inside him.

His adrenaline spiked; fueled by excitement when a thought rushed to his mind, 'I'm going to make a breakthrough!" It must have been a blessing in disguise when Austin had been incapable of furthering his skills during his self- training. Who would have thought, that he would find an escape to his slump during the battle he had been preparing for tediously.

Austin was overtaken by happiness, aiming to make sure not to miss his chance for a breakthrough.

He used the Wind-commanding Skill to its utmost power and sprinted along the space with lightning speed. His pace produced afterimages that made onlookers wallow in wonder.

"Fool! You know you can't run away from me," Leo laughed maniacally. His intoxication to his conceitedness blinded him from seeing through Austin's true intention.

He relentlessly pursued and attacked his agile form in full power, leaving a mess of scattered stones and gaping holes on the ruined battle ring.

Austin never despaired; finding that the process of his breakthrough had gone smoother under the severe onslaught of Leo's ruthless ambushes.

He persevered until an inexhaustible vital energy force began to release from his body in massive amounts.

Upon receiving the newly attained power, wind evinced around him and began to blow violently.

A reverberating boom resounded in the arena.

A cloud of dust was left in Austin's wake, almost obscuring the view of many as he lunged headfirst into near collision with one of Leo's fists.

Two golden rays shot out from his eyes, repelling his rival's ability with his tremendous vital energy force. His power kept growing as the seconds ticked by, appearing more and more to be almost of equal standing with Leo.

He had made the breakthrough to the preliminary stage of Mysterious Realm! 'What happened? Did he achieve it during our battle?" Leo mused in alarm, failing to comprehend what he had seen with his own eyes.

The bystanders cheered; thousands upon thousands under a mass hysteria after witnessing the unexpected outcof the match.

"What the hell! Austin is really a freak!" "He was at a disadvantage earlier, but then he made a breakthrough! This fight is so exciting!" Even with voices hoarse from constant shouting and yelling of words full of encouragement and support, the audience had not lost any amount of anticipation and eagerness they fostered for the battle unfolding before them.