After winning a thrilling and grueling battle against the mysterious Black Shadow, Lin Chen barely had time to savor his victory before a series of piercing pains surged through his body. During that intense clash, he had sustained severe internal injuries. However, the schedule of the Martial Arts Tournament was as tight and merciless as a rolling, unstoppable giant wheel, offering not the slightest delay for his wounds.
Upon seeing Lin Chen injured, the other competitors immediately felt their eyes ignite with the flames of greed, much like hungry wolves spotting a wounded lamb. They were all eager to seize this prime opportunity to defeat Lin Chen and make a name for themselves on the martial arts stage.
In the matches that followed, every single duel Lin Chen faced was like a life-or-death struggle on the edge of a cliff. His opponents grew stronger and more ferocious by the turn, each harboring the ambition to trample him ruthlessly underfoot to display their own martial prowess.
In a crucial match, Lin Chen faced Lei Gang, who was known as the Vajra. Lei Gang possessed a massive, sturdy build resembling a moving hill, with muscles bulging so high they seemed ready to burst through his clothes. Every swing of his iron fists whipped up a violent gale, carrying a terrifying force capable of destroying everything in its path.
The moment the match bell rang, Lei Gang charged aggressively toward Lin Chen like a maddened bull. His fists descended like meteors falling from the heavens, carrying bone-chilling power and an unmatched, majestic momentum. Struggling against his internal injuries, Lin Chen fought back with great effort, his movements noticeably slower than usual. Several times, those ferocious fists brushed past his body by a hair's breadth in heart-stopping moments.
"Lin Chen, today you are destined to be my defeated opponent! Surrender obediently right now, and perhaps I can show mercy and spare your life!" Lei Gang roared in triumphant delight, his voice exploding across the arena like thunder. At the same time, his attacks grew even more ferocious and violent, every single punch imbued with the determination to kill.
The spectators broke out in a cold sweat for Lin Chen, and many shook their heads and sighed, secretly feeling that this time he had no way out.
*Humph! Wanting me, Lin Chen, to surrender? Absolute wishful thinking!* Lin Chen roared angrily in his heart. The flames of unyielding spirit burned in his eyes, and his resolute gaze seemed to tell everyone that even while heavily wounded, he would never easily bow his head.
Just as Lei Gang thought victory was firmly within his grasp and threw all his might into a heavy punch powerful enough to split mountains and shatter stones, a sharp gleam suddenly flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. With exceptionally clever footwork, he sidestepped the blow and simultaneously channeled his strength to slam a fierce punch into Lei Gang's ribs. Although the power of this punch was greatly diminished due to his injuries, it still sent Lei Gang staggering sideways with unsteady steps.
Lei Gang was instantly provoked into a rage. His offensive grew even wilder and more violent, raining fists down upon Lin Chen like a storm. As Lin Chen continuously dodged and counterattacked, every movement tugged at his internal injuries, making the pain increasingly intense. Beads of sweat as large as peas rolled continuously from his forehead, and his clothes were already soaked through.
Yet Lin Chen bit down hard on his teeth, stubbornly refusing to utter a single groan of pain. His eyes were filled with grit and resolve, as if issuing the strongest declaration of war against this endless pain and difficult predicament.
Just when everyone thought Lin Chen was about to collapse, a surging, powerful force suddenly erupted from deep within his body. This was boundless potential awakened in the desperate jaws of defeat, akin to a long-dormant dragon suddenly startling awake.
With eyes wide open and a gaze like torches, his momentum was as grand as a rainbow. Every single move carried a fiercely sharp gale, beating Lei Gang back step by step and leaving him scrambling to parry.
"How is this possible? You are clearly heavily wounded!" Lei Gang roared in disbelief, his face written all over with shock and incomprehension.
"So what if I'm injured? I can still defeat you just the same!" Lin Chen responded with supreme dominance, his firm and powerful voice echoing throughout the entire arena and lingering for a long time.
Catching a momentary opening left by Lei Gang, Lin Chen lashed out with a kick carrying the force of a thousand jun, sending Lei Gang flying several meters away. Lei Gang crashed heavily to the ground, struggling to climb back up only to find he no longer had any strength left.
"Lin Chen wins!" the referee announced excitedly in a loud voice.
The entire audience instantly erupted, with cheers and applause rising in wave after wave like a surging tide.
Lin Chen stood proudly in the center of the arena, holding his head high like an invincible battle god. He knew very well that this was merely another minor victory on his martial arts journey, and countless more difficult challenges awaited him to conquer and transcend in the future!