"Kasugano-kun and Julie, congratulations on making it to the finals. Cheers!"

In the restaurant, everyone sat together. Imari Nagakura excitedly raised the cup in his hand and shouted, while others also raised their drinks to express their congratulations.

"Oh... Although I expected it, I'm still a little surprised that you two made it to the finals."

"I heard that the gambling games at the tournament no longer allow bets on Kasugano-kun's victory or defeat, because almost everyone would bet on them to win."

“But you did a good job.”

Looking at Nagakura Imari and Todo Kirin, Fang Zheng also laughed.

"It's already pretty good to be able to enter the third round, but my compatibility with my opponent is just too bad."

"Yeah, it's a pity for Tomoe and Xiaoya. If they hadn't met the Deep Sea Witch in the second round, they might have been able to go further."

After defeating Ikki Kurogane and Stella, Fang Zheng and Julie advanced to the semi-finals, and then easily defeated their semi-final opponents to enter the finals - no one was surprised by this. After all, from the first battle, Fang Zheng and Julie showed an extremely powerful sense of conquest and control. Now almost everyone, including the media, believes that the championship of the Phoenix Star Martial Arts Festival is a foregone conclusion, without any doubt.

Therefore, they have even started discussing next year's Griffin Star Martial Festival and the Dragon King Star Martial Festival the year after. Of course, there is only one topic to discuss, that is, whether Fang Zheng can win the championship in both Star Martial Festivals. After all, anyone who has seen Fang Zheng fight will have an impression of his unmatched strength. But because of this, many people have begun to discuss whether Fang Zheng can become the triple champion of the Star Martial Festival.

This is quite a topic. You know, when the Star Martial Arts Festival was first held, there was only the Dragon King Star Martial Arts Festival, and the strongest students were selected at that time, and they were called "transcendents". But later, with the gradual improvement of the rules of the Star Martial Arts Festival, the Phoenix Star Martial Arts Festival for two-person competitions and the Griffin Star Martial Arts Festival for team competitions appeared, and no one could conquer all three fields at the same time.

The Phoenix Star Martial Arts Festival has a lot of variables, but the Griffin Star Martial Arts Festival has been dominated by the Paladin Team of Saint Galledovus Academy in recent years. The singles competition of the Dragon King Star Martial Arts Festival is dominated by Ophelia Landrofen, the "Lone Poison Witch" from Lewolf Black Academy, who is known as the strongest witch in history. She has won the Dragon King Star Martial Arts Festival for two consecutive years. If she wins again this time, she will achieve an unprecedented three consecutive championships.

Now that Fang Zheng's victory in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival is almost a foregone conclusion, everyone is starting to wonder whether he can handle the Paladin team in the team competition, as well as the "Lonely Witch" Ophelia.

Especially since the team competition requires five people to appear in a team. The strength of Fang Zheng and Julie has been proven, but as for the others... they are a bit weak in the follow-up.

In the second round, Tachibana and Hodaka Masa lost to the "Deep Sea Witch" Kurogane Jushizuku and "Black Shadow Killer" Arisuin Nagi from Pojun Academy. In the third round, Toudou Kirin and Nagakura Imari lost to the "Murakumo" Amagiri Ayato and "Flower Witch" Julis from Seidoukan Academy.

These two games completely exposed the weaknesses of Haoling Academy.

That is... they lack the means to deal with the witch.

Although the inherent spiritual equipment of Pojun Academy is the prototype of the Dawn Star Pattern, the inherent spiritual equipment has special abilities similar to magic and supernatural powers. For example, the "Deep Sea Witch" Kurogane Jushizuku can manipulate water, and her partner "Black Shadow Killer" Arisuin Nagi can even seal the opponent's actions by nailing weapons on the shadow.

The same is true for the defeat of Toudou Kirin and Nagakura Imari. Although Toudou Kirin was once the number one in Seidoukan Academy, the weapons used by her opponents were also very troublesome. The "Black Furnace Magic Sword", one of the four-color magic swords used by "Murakumo" Amagiri Ayato, was a pure star-lit weapon. It was rumored that this magic sword would melt if touched, and would burn the earth if stabbed. Therefore, when Toudou Kirin fought against it, the sword body did not dare to touch it.

On the other hand, Amagiri Ayato's partner, the "Flower Witch" Julis, can manipulate fire freely. Whether it is using fire to set traps, attack, defend, or even fly, there is no problem at all. She is also the top among the active witches.

This kind of unimaginable means, similar to magic and supernatural powers, does not exist in Haoling Academy. Although the Dawn Star Mark has improved the physical fitness of the students in Haoling Academy, it has not given them such extraordinary abilities.

In other words, using the setting of DND as an analogy, the students in Haoling Academy are all warriors, and they really have no resistance when faced with the various methods of the mages.

The same was true for Julie. When facing Stella's oppression, she didn't have a particularly good way to break the situation. In the end, it was Fang Zheng who took action and killed both of them in seconds.

Therefore, everyone has basically reached a consensus now, that is, the students of Haoling Academy have advantages over the average Star Vein Generation in physical fitness and physical quality due to the influence of the Dawn Star Mark, but the lack of magical countermeasures is a fatal flaw for them.

Therefore, even if Fang Zheng himself is extremely powerful, it is not impossible for him to fail in the Griffin Star Martial Festival if his teammates are too lagging behind.

Just like the "Lone Poison Witch" of Leiwolf Black Academy, she was able to dominate the Dragon King Star Martial Festival for two consecutive years, which shows that her personal strength is unparalleled. But even so, Leiwolf Black Academy has never seen her lead a group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals to fight in the Griffin Star Martial Festival or the Phoenix Star Martial Festival.

“It feels… really hard to deal with.”

Juba put down her drink with a bitter look on her face. As a martial arts family, she was not afraid of confronting her opponent head-on, but when faced with things that were like magic and superpowers such as being able to manipulate water and pin down shadows, she really had no way to deal with them.

"I have discussed this issue with the chairman, and she will find a way."

Fang Zheng shook his head. Indeed, this competition had exposed the weaknesses of Haoling Academy, but this was not surprising. After all, who doesn't have weaknesses? Just find the weaknesses and overcome them. He had already contacted Jiujiu Sakuya, who also promised to find a way to solve this matter - after all, now that the bunny girl was arrested, Haoling Academy did lack enough excellent teachers.

Although Fang Zheng himself can make a guest appearance, but considering his status... he still needs to find a formal teacher.

Jiujiu Sakuya said that she has found a suitable candidate, so it all depends on her vision.

I hope it won’t be another traitor this time.

"But...Brother, you have to be careful in the finals."

Toudou Qilin looked at Fang Zheng worriedly and spoke in a low voice.

"That Senior Tianwu and his Black Furnace Demon Sword... are really difficult to deal with."

That's right, Fang Zheng's opponents in the finals were Amagiri Ayato and Julis, who defeated Toudou Qilin and Nagakura Imari in the third round of the semi-finals. Among them, Amagiri Ayato's Black Furnace Demon Sword was the most difficult.

After all, that sword is known as "indestructible", which is why Toudou Qilin chose to fight him, because Toudou Qilin did not use her own soul weapon, but used her favorite family heirloom sword. Therefore, even if it was cut off by the Black Furnace Demon Sword, it would not be hurt.

But Fang Zheng and Julie were different. They were using soul weapons. If they collided with the Black Furnace Devil Sword, if they were cut off by the opponent, they would also fall into a coma. At that time, it was obvious that there was only one way out, which was defeat.

"The Blackforge Demon Sword is indeed a rather tricky thing."

Fang Zheng touched his chin and then smiled slightly.

"But it's not like I don't have corresponding means."

"……?"

After hearing Fang Zheng's words, everyone was stunned for a moment, then they looked at each other, confused.

After all, the Black Furnace Demon Sword is difficult to deal with. Any contact will cut it off. For the holder of the Dawn Star Mark who uses a soul weapon, it can be regarded as a natural enemy.

After all, once their weapons were cut off, their souls would be traumatized and they would fall into a coma. In this case, how would Fang Zheng fight?

All of this will be known in the finals.

Finally, the final kicked off under the attention of everyone.

"Everyone, I have kept you waiting. The final of the Phoenix Star Martial Arts Festival is about to begin! The representatives of the Seidoukan Academy, contestants 'Kumegumo' Amagiri Ayato and 'The Witch of the Flame' Julis Eleksia von Risfit will challenge the representatives of the Kouryou Academy, contestants Kasugano and Julie Sigtuna!"

"What kind of challenge is this? It's really..."

Standing on the stage, listening to the host's words, Julis showed a dissatisfied expression. It was clearly a duel between the two sides, but the host's words made it seem as if they were challenging a strong person...

"Okay, okay, Julis, after all, what you said is not wrong..."

Amagiri Ayato next to him smiled bitterly and comforted her, saying that after all, in the eyes of most people, this was the fact.

"I know, but I'm serious this time, and so are you, Ayato!"

"I see."

Hearing what Julis said, Amagiri Ayato's eyes became firm and he nodded vigorously.

At this moment, Fang Zheng and Julie have also come on stage.

The two sides looked at each other, and then...

“The game begins!!”

Following the host's order, the next moment, Amagiri Ayato raised the Black Furnace Demon Sword in his hand.

"——Use the hidden secret sword to break through the prison of the stars and release our tiger power!"

Along with Amagiri Ayato's roar, countless magic circles soon appeared out of thin air, and the black chains that bound him disappeared.

"Here it is, the performance of Amagiri, who is very familiar to all the audience! It always looks so gorgeous! Although I don't know the principle, Amagiri Ayato can release a powerful force through this move. Unfortunately, it can only last for five minutes. So - how will Kasugano deal with it?"

That's right.

Listening to the host's words, Amagiri Ayato clenched the dark magic sword and stared at Fang Zheng. He could use this move to unlock his original power to fight, but the problem was that this move could only last for five minutes. If the battle was not ended within five minutes, he would suffer a considerable backlash. The flaw of this move was discovered during the previous battle against Toudou Qilin. At that time, Toudou Qilin's sword skills were quite tricky. Even if Amagiri Ayato unlocked his original power, he could only win within five minutes. However, the subsequent backlash caused by the seal was broadcast live to everyone.

In this situation...how would that man act?

Amagiri Ayato stared at Fang Zheng, who just stood there, motioning Julie to deal with Julis. He himself stared at Amagiri Ayato without saying a word.

Can't waste time on Julie!

The previous battle between Stella and Ikki Kurogane has proved that it is unwise to waste time on Julie. The backbone of this team is only Fang Zheng. If you don’t take the opportunity of unlocking your strength to deal with him, it will be too late!

Thinking of this, Tianwu Lingdou suddenly accelerated and swung towards Fang Zheng with the pitch-black magic sword in his hand!

However, facing the attacking magic sword, Fang Zheng did not choose to fight back. Instead, he suddenly flashed back and avoided Amagiri Ayato's attack.

"Ah, everyone, please look, Kasugano chose to dodge instead of confronting head-on. Does this mean that he is also afraid of the power of the Blackforge Demon Sword? In the face of such a situation, how will Kasugano break the deadlock?"

Seeing this, everyone became excited under the host's explanation. After all, this was the first time that Fang Zheng did not choose to face the enemy head-on but chose to dodge. Was he also afraid that his weapon would be cut off by the Black Furnace Demon Sword?

For a moment, the situation seemed to be reversed. Amagiri Ayato launched a fierce attack on Fang Zheng, while Julie on the other side pinned down Julis, preventing her from going forward to support Amagiri Ayato.

Although Tianwu Lingdou's strength has been improved after being unsealed, his attacks still did not pose any threat to Fang Zheng. Even though he swung the magic sword and attacked Fang Zheng again and again, Fang Zheng just dodged the attack lightly. Not only that, his sword had not even been unsheathed.

Could it be that he was planning to hide for five minutes and then win?

Thinking of this, Tianwu Lingdou became a little anxious. Although from the previous battle, Fang Zheng did not seem to be such a despicable person, but...

"Don't let your imagination wander."

However, at this moment, Fang Zheng suddenly spoke.

"I was just thinking about how to kill you and it would be more interesting... and now, I have decided."

"What?!"

Hearing Fang Zheng's words, Tianwu Lingdou was suddenly startled.

Is he going to defeat me now that my strength has been fully unlocked?

"Take my move, Ashina Sword Technique!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Amagiri Ayato saw Fang Zheng put the knife on his waist and assumed an Iai stance.

Seeing this scene, Amagiri Ayato felt a sudden sense of alarm in his heart. You know, Iai is one of the fastest sword moves. Once Fang Zheng draws his sword, he will be in trouble!

However, in a split second, just as Amagiri Ayato's heart was filled with warning signs, a flash of cold light suddenly flashed and slashed directly at Amagiri Ayato's chest. If Amagiri Ayato had not been unsealed and fully exerted at this moment, he would not have even seen how this move was performed!

What a fast speed!

It was no longer realistic to use the Black Furnace Demon Sword to block at this moment, and Tianwu Lingdou hurriedly sheathed his sword and retreated to get out of Fang Zheng's attack range. However, at the moment Tianwu Lingdou retreated, he saw Fang Zheng sheathed his sword again. At the same time...

“Bang!”

As the gunshot rang out, the badge on Amagiri Ayato's chest suddenly shattered, and Amagiri Ayato suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, and was knocked to the ground by the sudden impact.

So, what happened?

Tianwu Lingdou staggered and raised his head, looking towards Fang Zheng. He was surprised to find that the top of Fang Zheng's sword handle had opened up at some point, revealing a small black hole - and at this moment, there was actually gunpowder smoke coming out of that hole? !

How could it be possible?!

Seeing this, Amagiri Ayato spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted completely.