Wu Ping lost.

A bit convinced, yet somewhat unconvinced.

He admired Lin Chen’s combat power and versatile tactics, but couldn’t shake the feeling that his defeat was rather unjust.

He felt like a strongman trapped in a swamp, full of strength but nowhere to use it, eventually being trapped to death in it.

After Lin Chen returned, Zhuang Liqun sighed, "Your approach is comprehensive in both attack and defense, able to guard against various technological weapons, making it hard for your opponents to crack."

Lin Chen said with a laugh, "There’s no other way. I’m not at a big advantage in direct confrontation, so I have to think of other tactics, just slowly dragging it out. The longer it drags on, the bigger my chances of victory."

Zhuang Liqun’s eyes shone brightly, "Your method is super stable. I feel you have a chance to fight for first place."

Lin Chen replied, "I want to aim for first place, but I’m afraid others might disagree."

Zhuang Liqun snorted coldly, "At this level of strength, everyone’s abilities are quite similar. It’s mostly up to improvisation and determination at the moment; no one can claim a guaranteed win."

"The last martial artist tournament, I faced a very strong opponent during the quarter-finals, narrowly lost. I think your current state is much steadier than mine was."

Lin Chen said with a laugh, "I’ll try my best. I’m also quite tempted by the rewards. After all, these things can’t be bought even with money. I hope to get first place, receive the rewards, and use them for another breakthrough."

Zhuang Liqun laughed, "Go for it. I was lucky to get into the top four; aiming for first is tough. Our Jinghai City is relying on you."

He paused for a moment, then turned to Yao Xuanji with a smile, "I didn’t mean you aren’t strong enough to get first, it’s just that now these people, facing you, would likely carry space shield devices, which would block your spatial jumping abilities and greatly impact your combat power."

Yao Xuanji smiled slightly, "Mr. Zhuang is too kind. Brother Chen is indeed stronger than me. I’ll do my best and see if I can just make it to the top four."

The competition continued.

Zhuang Liqun’s fourth battle.

His opponent was very strong; the two were stalemated for a long time. Eventually, Zhuang Liqun won using a desperate combat skill.

Though Zhuang Liqun won, he became extremely weak.

"Old Zhuang, are you okay?"

Lin Chen and Zhuang Liqun, having chatted so much, were now quite familiar, addressing each other more casually. Not to mention, in terms of age, Yao Xuanji is over ten thousand years old, and Lin Chen is several hundred years old, not younger than Zhuang Liqun.

Zhuang Liqun appears older in visage, hence Lin Chen calls him Old Zhuang.

Zhuang Liqun sat down with a bitter smile, "No choice; can’t win without doing this."

Lin Chen asked, "You look utterly drained. Can you recover in a day?"

Zhuang Liqun’s expression was helpless, "Recover as much as possible; fortunately, everyone is about the same. We’ll see who we draw next, and what luck favors us."

Lin Chen nodded, "Then go back to the hotel and rest first. The hotel also has a cultivation cabin and biological cabin, allowing you to recover quickly."

Zhuang Liqun nodded, "That’s also my plan."

After resting for a bit, Zhuang Liqun left the waiting area and returned to the hotel early.

The seventh round, Yao Xuanji took the stage.

As Zhuang Liqun mentioned, the opponent carried a space shield device, the greatest divine power of the God of Space was sealed, significantly impacting combat power; fortunately, other Immortal Path techniques weren’t restricted.

After a bitter struggle, using various spells and divine powers, Yao Xuanji barely won the match while being at a disadvantage in strength.

In the stands, Mo Shuyan’s expression was excited.

In the top eight, three contestants are from Jinghai City, nearly half!

This is an unprecedented achievement!

Moreover, from Lin Chen’s steady performance, he has a chance to win the crown.

The other City Lords looked at Mo Shuyan with changed eyes.

Mo Shuyan’s military style is tough, and she was transferred from the Federation, facing natural resistance initially. But Mo Shuyan has her methods; after a few open and hidden struggles, everyone realized, despite being a woman, Mo Shuyan is not easy to deal with.

The martial artist tournament has been held many times, but Jinghai City has never won the crown. The best result before was reaching the semifinals and finishing fourth, not entering the top three.

"Lord Mo, these two contestants from the Lost Ball are very strong. Surely there are many more like them there, right?"

Mo Shuyan, naturally aware of the other’s probing, smiled, "Not so much. Lin Chen in that world is a top existence, Master of a Realm; his talent is naturally extremely high, and he surpasses warriors in physical fitness, thus his cultivation progress is faster."

"If there were many like him, I’d be ecstatic, but unfortunately..."

The other City Lords subconsciously sighed in relief upon hearing Mo Shuyan’s words.

Fortunately!

If it’s an exception, then that’s good!

Everyone feared Jinghai City would continuously source talents with super cultivation talents from the Lost Ball, making Jinghai City increasingly powerful. If they had level eight martial artists, or even many level eight martial artists, who would dare challenge Jinghai City’s control over Planet 49?

Mo Shuyan, knowing their concerns, while speaking to appease them, grew increasingly certain of her plan.

Lost Ball talent introduction plan!

According to Lin Chen and others, though there are only eighteen Heaven Deities in the Heavenly God Realm, there are many saints.

These saints are immensely talented, but restricted by their cultivation system, unable to advance further.

Even so, their foundation is extremely solid, capable of matching a peak level 5 martial warrior, and if they change to the warrior system, given their foundation and cultivation talent, reaching level 6 should be a sure thing, promotion to level 7 isn’t impossible, and if a few talented anomalies arise...

After all, Jinghai City covers just a ten-thousand-mile radius, offering limited talents, whereas the Heavenly God Realm is vast, with unknown population. To achieve quasi-saint and saint status under such a stringent cultivation system, how strong must their talent be?

Introduction!

Upon returning, vigorously promote this!

Develop a series of mechanisms, bind these talents with Jinghai City, bind them with herself, making them her most capable subordinates and partners.

With their assistance, given time, perhaps she could achieve what her heart desires?

This is a heaven-sent opportunity!

Mo Shuyan turned to look at Lin Chen in the waiting area, her gaze intense, as if seeing a sparkling gemstone.

If he gets the reward, can he advance to an eighth-level martial artist?