"Zhao Yun's realm is only at the forty-fifth heavenly layer, but Wang Hao's is already at the forty-ninth. That's a difference of four realms."
"However, Zhao Yun is quite handsome. If this were a female lord, he might become a forbidden treasure."
"It's hard to say who will win. I don't know how strong this Martial God profession is. Judging from his weapon, he's also a close-combat profession."
...
Everyone was anticipating this battle. Zhou Yan was very confident in his hero.
Ji Minghui was also very confident in his hero and looked forward to his hero defeating the opponent.
Wang Hao, clad in black armor, wielded a massive hammer. This weapon was a blunt instrument; without considerable strength, even lifting it would be a significant challenge, let alone using it in combat.
As the battle commenced, Wang Hao looked at Zhao Yun, who wore silver armor and wielded a long spear, and declared, "I, Wang Hao, will smash you into a pulp!"
Zhao Yun pointed his spear and said, "Enough with the nonsense, behold my move!"
Zhao Yun moved like a lightning bolt, unleashing terrifying fluctuations from the outset. His spear shadows resembled dragons, releasing myriad phoenixes in flight—brilliant yet imbued with terrifying destructive power, astonishing everyone present.
Zhao Yun's famed spear technique: Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!
Furthermore, with Zhao Yun's deepening comprehension of the martial way, the power of this move grew increasingly formidable.
This was Zhao Yun's self-created ultimate skill. When executed, it was far more potent than ordinary martial skills, and its growth potential was immense; merely deepening his comprehension could continuously enhance its quality.
Currently, the power of Zhao Yun's move was no less than that of an ordinary R-grade martial skill. Given more time, this skill would undoubtedly become a top-tier skill, and it was entirely possible for it to surpass even an RRR-grade skill.
Upon sensing the power of this move, Wang Hao dared not be careless. A radiance erupted from his entire body, and the colossal hammer in his hand began to glow, magnifying several times over.
"Thunder God's Slash!"
A colossal hammer light descended forward, colliding with the myriad birds. The two streams of light engaged in a fierce confrontation.
No one had expected the two heroes to immediately unleash their most powerful skills at the start of the battle; this was exceptionally rare.
The opening move was already a climax, captivating everyone's undivided attention.
The giant hammer sought to flatten the bird shadows, but these were no ordinary birds. They were incredibly powerful, numerous, and relentlessly pecked at the hammer.
"Crack!"
With the sound of a phoenix's cry, the myriad birds coalesced into a single phoenix. Subsequently, a crack appeared on the light hammer, which then rapidly spread like a spiderweb. In an instant, it vanished into nothingness.
"Not good! Dodge quickly!" From below the platform, Ji Minghui, witnessing the phantom phoenix charge directly at Wang Hao, couldn't help but shout.
"Boom!"
With an explosion on the platform, a terrifying crimson flame completely engulfed Wang Hao.
A line of text appeared on the arena:
[Zhao Yun Wins!]
The arena's barrier dissipated. Zhao Yun stood alone, spear in hand, his silver armor still gleaming. He stood like a monument, his sword-like eyebrows surveying the surroundings with an invincible aura.
"Good!"
Someone took the lead in applauding. Zhao Yun, who had remained still, struck with lightning speed, eliminating his enemy. His strength was indeed formidable.
Zhou Yan received the rewards for this match. Though his opponent was unwilling, he didn't say much. Such were the rules; if unwilling, one simply had to defeat their opponent.
Thus, Ji Minghui approached Zhou Yan and declared, "I want to gamble for another match. Do you dare?"
Zhou Yan looked at Ji Minghui and asked, "Then what are you prepared to wager this time?"
Ji Minghui produced three items from his spatial ring and said, "See what you desire. This is the Seven-Star Spiritual Medicine, Star Spirit Flower; this is the Eight-Star Material, Dragon-Breaking Stone; and this is an S-grade Hero Summoning Token."
"I choose the Hero Summoning Token!" Zhou Yan declared without hesitation.
"Agreed. You will bring out the skill book from last time, but I have one condition: we will each swap one hero. Do you accept?" Ji Minghui challenged Zhou Yan.
"Oh, swapping a hero." Zhou Yan chuckled. He had numerous heroes in his territory, all with strengths comparable to Zhao Yun's. Did the opponent truly believe his territory only had one formidable hero like Zhao Yun?
"Do you not dare?" Ji Minghui, seeing Zhou Yan's silence, assumed he was afraid.
"Fine," Zhou Yan nodded.
Leng Yue quickly stepped forward and said to Zhou Yan, "This guy will surely send out an even stronger hero. Why did you agree? Does your territory have any other heroes stronger than this Zhao Yun?"
Zhou Yan's territory had only been established for half a year. To have heroes cultivate to the forty-something heavenly layer already astonished her. This Zhao Yun was quite strong; if a different hero were sent, they might lose.
"Don't worry, I'm not an idiot. I wouldn't make a losing trade," Zhou Yan replied with great confidence.
Upon hearing this, Leng Yue was surprised. If that was the case, Zhou Yan's territory must have heroes even stronger than Zhao Yun. Thinking of Zhou Yan's vast territory and immense wealth, she realized how superfluous her worries were.
Leng Yue stepped aside and said no more.
Zhou Yan once again ascended the platform and said to Zhao Yun, "You may return to rest first."
"Yes," Zhao Yun replied, cupping his fists.
Zhao Yun transformed into a beam of light and was teleported back by Zhou Yan.
Ji Minghui also stepped onto the platform.
The surrounding onlookers grew curious again and did not leave, all eager to see what heroes the two would summon for the next battle.
Before Ji Minghui, another hero appeared. This hero was exceptionally tall, over two meters in height, wearing only a heart-mirror armor and wielding a wolf-tooth club more than two meters long.
This individual appeared incredibly powerful, and his strength was undoubtedly not to be underestimated. His power was surely significantly greater than Wang Hao's previous opponent.
His information quickly appeared before everyone.
[Hero Name: Min Huang]
[Level: 100]
[Profession: Demon Slayer Warrior]
[Realm: Forty-eighth Heavenly Layer]
Although his realm was one layer lower than Wang Hao's, his profession was not ordinary but designated as Demon Slayer Warrior, giving the impression that this hero would be extremely difficult to deal with.
"Come, summon your hero. My wolf-tooth club, Min Huang's, is already thirsting!" Min Huang brandished his wolf-tooth club, its swing creating whistling sounds through the air.
His strength was considerable; ordinary heroes would surely not be his match. Everyone looked towards Zhou Yan, wondering what kind of hero he would summon.