Chapter 987: Chapter 987

Although Tang Ming and his group of nine had an extraordinary demeanor, their formation was quite chaotic, as they casually walked forward.

In contrast, the other group of nine stood in a square formation of three rows and three columns, marching in neat steps; they were clearly well-trained soldiers.

After entering the stadium, Qin Fang assigned Tang Ming and the others their target tasks, then took out a timer and said:

"The results of this competition will also be calculated based on the time taken. The shorter the time to subdue the target, the higher the player’s score. The scoring method is the same as the previous round, distributed according to rank."

"When can we start? I’ve been getting impatient."

Zhao Tianba rubbed his hands together, eagerly shouting.

"You can start at any time. Since the target profiles differ this time, there’s no need to draw lots for the order. I’ll keep time, and you’ll take turns going on stage."

Qin Fang pointed to the platform and asked, "Who wants to go first?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Tianba jumped up onto the platform and pointed fiercely at the Seven Stars Martial Artist from the Dark Group, saying, "Get up here and face your death, boy."

The Seven Stars Martial Artist nodded slightly, stomped on the ground, and soared like a cannonball, landing steadily on the platform, clasping his fists:

"Wu Tie from the Dark Group is here to learn from your high moves."

"Haha, it turns out you’re a practitioner of cross-training martial arts."

Seeing calluses on the back of Wu Tie’s hands, Zhao Tianba smirked playfully, "The Dark Group sure knows how to give me a challenge, but a cross-training martial artist is no problem for me."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ming carefully observed the other people chosen as targets.

He then realized that all these individuals were indeed practitioners of cross-training martial arts. It seemed both major factions had the same goal: to challenge each other.

"Damn it, it’s already tough to deal with a Six-star Martial Artist without cultivation, and they’re cross-training martial artists too."

Lin Canghai cursed with a troubled expression, anxiously muttering, "If we’re defeated by these people, it’ll be a huge disgrace."

"You can’t be serious, can you?"

Tang Ming looked at Lin Canghai speechlessly, "After all, you’re someone who’s sparred with me before. Don’t you have any confidence in yourself? At least in the last round, your score was higher than Long Ao’s."

"Brother, don’t drag me into this, okay?"

Hearing this, Long Ao’s face went black. He had finished at the bottom among the four in the previous round, which made him feel quite embarrassed.

A dignified Seven-star Martial Master’s score actually came in lower than Lin Canghai and Wu Xiaoyu’s, which was something he found hard to accept.

But Wu Xiaoyu was proficient in movement technique and qinggong, and Lin Canghai had roamed overseas in North Africa before, familiar with that jungle environment. It was understandable that their scores were better than his.

"I’m just stating the fact. His score was indeed better than yours in the last round."

Tang Ming rolled his eyes at Long Ao.

"I... I will definitely raise my score this round."

Long Ao declared fiercely.

"Let’s talk when you actually do it."

Tang Ming shrugged indifferently.

At that moment, a cry of pain echoed from the platform.

The Seven Stars Martial Artist was already lying on the ground, vomiting blood and visibly incapacitated.

"What’s going on? I didn’t even see how it started, and it’s already over?"

Tang Ming shouted in bewilderment.

"Such speed." Wu Xiaoyu, who had been watching the platform intently, introduced with a grim expression:

"After the match started, the Seven Stars Martial Artist and Zhao Tianba attacked at the same time, but Zhao Tianba knocked the opponent out with a single punch. He’s a Cross Training Martial Master, so even without cultivation, his fists can shatter gold and stone. Terrifying."

"The match is over. Zhao Tianba subdued his opponent in three seconds."

Qin Fang immediately announced the result of the match.

"Three seconds, that’s just too fast!"

Lin Canghai’s mouth twitched; he had expected Zhao Tianba to at least need a few rounds to determine victory, but finishing in three seconds left others no way to surpass him.

"Brother Long, Group Leader Tang, can either of you finish a fight in three seconds?"

Wu Xiaoyu gazed at Long Ao and Tang Ming with a grim expression.

Long Ao gritted his teeth and walked towards the platform after Zhao Tianba stepped down.

"Hmph, boy, no matter how talented you are, you’ll always be trash in front of a Cross Training Martial Master."

As Zhao Tianba passed by Tang Ming, he snorted with disdain.

"Tch, getting it done in three seconds, what’s there to be proud of for a fast guy like you?"

Tang Ming sneered disdainfully.

"Fast... you bastard."

Zhao Tianba immediately fumed, reaching out to hit Tang Ming, but fortunately, others stopped him.

"Interesting! Seems like I’m not the only one who can’t stand being called that. Apparently, no man can take it."

Seeing his mere words had infuriated the arrogant Zhao Tianba, Tang Ming grinned proudly.

"I can’t be bothered to exchange verbal barbs with you. I took down my opponent in three seconds; I hope you can show me some skills I can respect."

Having gained nothing from the exchange of words, Zhao Tianba snorted coldly, pulled a long face, and returned to his seat without saying another word.

"Brother Long, do you have the confidence to subdue a Seven Stars Martial Artist in three seconds?"

Wu Xiaoyu looked anxiously at Long Ao, still holding him in higher regard.

"To be honest, I’m not very confident."

Long Ao looked seriously at Zhao Tianba’s back, "After all, I’m not a Cross Training Martial Master. Without cultivation, relying solely on physical strength to deal with a Seven Stars Martial Artist is quite difficult, especially when the opponent is also a cross-training martial artist."

"Then what should we do?" Wu Xiaoyu’s expression changed slightly, and she said discontentedly:

"No wonder Zhao Tianba, already twenty-nine, still participated in this big martial arts competition. The Ming Group must have planned this event long ago, deliberately sending a Cross Training Martial Master to give us a hard time."

Long Ao nodded, sighing helplessly, "But the competition rules state that participants must be under thirty, so we have no grounds for protest."

"Don’t worry, although we can’t do it, we have Tang Xin."

Lin Canghai didn’t seem too concerned, looking expectantly at Tang Ming, "He can definitely do it."

Long Ao and Wu Xiaoyu both looked at Tang Ming.

"Why are you looking at me?" Tang Ming touched his nose, saying oddly:

"I’m not a Cross Training Martial Master either, so I’m not very confident."

"Do you have a way to complete the task in three seconds?"

Wu Xiaoyu stared anxiously at Tang Ming.

"We’ll only know once I’m on stage."

Tang Ming shook his head and said nonchalantly, "Anyway, I’m already in the lead. Even if that big guy wins first place this round, it doesn’t matter."

"You can’t say that. Every point now affects the final overall score; we still need to do our best to compete."

Long Ao sighed, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.