The next day, the finals.
The spacious arena was already packed with people, far more than any previous match.
They were mostly here to see Gu Qingfeng.
Last night, Gu Qingfeng had become famous overnight by crushing Hu Banqing, who was at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, despite being only at the third level himself. This caused an enormous stir in the Demon Suppression Bureau.
Although Gu Qingfeng had been famous before for his consecutive victories using the Wood King Sword, most of it was infamy.
Last night's battle completely changed their perception of Gu Qingfeng.
As it turned out... he could win even without a Dark-rank Spirit Weapon!
This was terrifying. Ordinary warriors who could challenge opponents one level above them were considered geniuses, while those who could overcome two levels were legendary talents.
But what about overcoming six levels?
This went beyond the realm of legendary talent - he was simply a monster! An absolute monster!
Throughout the history of the Demon Suppression Bureau, no... throughout the entire history of the Great Yan Dynasty, such a monster had never appeared!
Many people's understanding of the Iron Cloth Shirt technique was revolutionized after watching Gu Qingfeng's fight, triggering a wave of people rushing to learn it within the Demon Suppression Bureau.
Now there were no copies of the Iron Cloth Shirt manual left in the library - they had all been borrowed.
Some people were even willing to pay high prices to purchase the secret manuals from outside sources.
"He's here! Gu Qingfeng is here!"
Someone suddenly shouted from the crowd. Everyone turned to look and saw a smiling youth approaching.
It was Gu Qingfeng.
As Gu Qingfeng walked slowly toward the arena, the crowd naturally parted to form a path, stepping back respectfully.
Their eyes were filled with awe - the look reserved for the truly powerful.
Clearly, Gu Qingfeng's ruthless treatment of Hu Banqing yesterday had made quite an impression.
At this moment, Bai Maming also appeared in the arena. Though he would normally have been the center of attention wherever he went, now no one paid him any mind - all eyes were fixed on Gu Qingfeng.
A flash of hatred crossed Bai Maming's eyes, but when his gaze fell upon the spear in his hand, his confidence surged again.
Enjoy your moment of glory while it lasts, let's see who has the last laugh.
Both parties took their positions on the stage. The official wasted no words and directly announced the start of the match.
Gu Qingfeng stood still, smiling at Bai Maming: "Brother Bai, would you prefer to go through the motions before surrendering, or just surrender directly?"
A cold light flashed in Bai Maming's eyes as he said icily: "Gu Qingfeng, don't be so arrogant! I know you think your defense is invincible, but I, Bai Maming, am no pushover.
I have created a spear technique with incredible power that can pierce through anything. If you can withstand this one strike, I'll admit defeat. How about that?"
Gu Qingfeng shrugged indifferently: "I see you want to go through the motions. Fine, come on then."
As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng pulled open his clothes to reveal his strong, fair chest, causing some female Demon Eliminators to shyly cover their eyes, though they still peeked through their fingers.
"Strike here - I'm worried you might tear my clothes."
Seeing Gu Qingfeng's arrogance, Bai Maming's face filled with rage as if he had been insulted, but inside he was actually overjoyed.
Everything was going according to Senior He Fenghua's predictions. This Gu Qingfeng was so confident in his Iron Cloth Shirt that he wouldn't make any counterattacks, instead just letting himself be attacked.
Next, he would just need to use the Yellow-grade Lower Spirit Weapon unexpectedly to easily pierce through his proud defense, and then he would become a Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator and reach the peak of his life!
The more Bai Maming thought about it, the more excited he became, feeling victory was within reach.
"Hey, you don't have some special fetish, do you? You've been staring at my chest muscles for ages without striking, and with such an excited expression."
Gu Qingfeng felt a chill as he watched Bai Maming, suddenly feeling violated.
"Nonsense!" Bai Maming snapped back to reality, his face alternating between red and white. Seeing the strange looks from the audience below, his anger burned even hotter.
Especially from the female spectators, who were practically gleaming with interest.
Feeling humiliated, Bai Maming suddenly drew his spear, performed a beautiful flourish, then pointed it at Gu Qingfeng's exposed chest and roared!
"Take my Thunder Strike!"
Whoosh!
The sharp sound of the spear cutting through the air!
This strike was fast, precise, and fierce!
Truly, first came a flash of cold light, then the spear struck like a dragon!
The audience below burst into exclamations. Although they didn't think Bai Maming could win, they couldn't help but admire his spear technique.
Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly as he watched the strike. As expected of the heir to the White Horse Silver Spear style, having practiced the spear since childhood, he did have some skill. Though not exceptional, he was still on the same level as Hu Banqing. But breaking through the Iron Cloth Shirt? What a foolish dream.
Many capable observers in the audience also noticed this issue. Although Bai Maming's spear technique was strong, it was ultimately on par with Hu Banqing's blade - it couldn't possibly harm Gu Qingfeng.
The dozen or so steps between Gu Qingfeng and Bai Maming vanished in an instant with this strike.
Just as the spear was about to strike Gu Qingfeng.
Suddenly!
Bai Maming's spear trembled violently, bursting with brilliant light!
Dazzling fire-red light erupted from the spear's body!
This sudden change caused the crowd to cry out in shock!
"A Spirit Weapon!"
"How despicable!"
The audience exploded in outrage. They never imagined that while Gu Qingfeng was restricted from using Spirit Weapons, Bai Maming would use one.
Some Yellow-rank Demon Eliminators at the judges' table had already furrowed their brows, seemingly wanting to stop the match, but the spear had already reached its target - it was too late.
The brilliant red light on Bai Maming's spear seemed to take physical form, vaguely condensing into the shape of a giant fire-red bird, with the spear tip becoming its beak, viciously pecking at Gu Qingfeng's chest.
In the next moment, Gu Qingfeng's figure was completely engulfed by the flame bird.
A vicious smile had already spread across Bai Maming's face.
I've won at last!
Clang!
A violent, crisp metallic clash rang throughout the arena!
Bai Maming felt his spear come to a complete stop, and his expression suddenly froze.
As the flames dispersed, they revealed Gu Qingfeng's completely unharmed face, still wearing that ambiguous smile.
Bai Maming stared in disbelief at Gu Qingfeng's chest muscles, where his spear remained motionless, not having pierced even the skin.
"Impossible!!!"
Bai Maming's face changed drastically.
"This is a Spirit Weapon! How can your body be harder than a Spirit Weapon!"
At the same time, He Fenghua was also shouting "impossible." He could no longer maintain his composure, his heart trembling violently.
Even as a Dark-rank Demon Eliminator in the True Qi Realm, he couldn't physically withstand a Spirit Weapon's strike without using true qi to defend.
Yet Gu Qingfeng could resist a Spirit Weapon with just his physical body?
What kind of monster was he!?
This turn of events shocked the watching crowd as well. They had originally wanted to condemn Bai Maming's despicable behavior, but were instead left dumbfounded by the fact that Gu Qingfeng had withstood a Spirit Weapon's strike.
In modern terms, it would be like seeing someone get shot by a bullet and emerge completely unscathed.
Spirit Weapons were to martial artists what guns are to modern people.
"So this is your so-called original spear technique? Just wielding a Spirit Weapon counts as creating something? You really are something else." Gu Qingfeng said with the same smile as before.
Only now, there was a hint of coldness in his laugh.