Inside the stadium—
On the arena—
The battle between Zhao Xuan and Alexander raged on.
Their fists continued to smash into each other with wild, violent force.
Their bodies collided again and again in a frenzy of brute strength.
Even though Zhao Xuan's physique, under the Azure Dragon Fruit's tenfold amplification, had reached an astonishing 24,000 points—
He still did not gain the upper hand in this raw, primal clash of bodies.
Not because Alexander's physique was as monstrous as Zhao Xuan's—
But because Alexander possessed Grandmaster-level Armament Haki and Supreme Grandmaster-level Iron Body.
Yes—
Iron Body.
After half an hour of brutal combat, Zhao Xuan had finally understood Alexander's true power.
The golden light on his fists came from Iron Body having already surpassed the Grandmaster realm—
Just like that "Buddha's Son" from South Asia.
But Alexander's mastery ran far deeper.
He had even developed derivative techniques of Iron Body.
His fists could harden with Iron Body the moment they were thrown—
Just like his entire body.
Which was why—
Even facing Zhao Xuan's 24,000-point physique and berserk full-force blows—
Alexander still did not fall behind.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Their fists clashed madly, creating violent explosions—
Like chains of detonating explosives.
The spectators watched with grave expressions.
The Kyushu fourth-rank students were already speechless—
But the shocking part was:
Even the seventh-rank spectators
—true high-level ability users—
looked horrified.
Because they realized:
If they, as seventh-rank powerhouses, recklessly stepped into the battlefield right now—
They might get injured.
Not light injuries—
But serious ones.
This was absurd.
They were seventh-rank lords.
Zhao Xuan and Alexander were just fourth-rank little masters.
A gap of three whole ranks.
A chasm impossible to cross.
Yet here they were—
Forced to admit:
"...Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable."
"The younger generation truly surpasses the old."
"…"
Many of the seventh- and eighth-ranks had once been National Exam geniuses themselves.
But when they compared their younger selves to Zhao Xuan and Alexander—
Their past "glory" felt worthless.
"Were we even worthy of being called geniuses?"
The thought echoed in the minds of countless high-ranked spectators.
Compared to these two monsters—
Their own brilliance was laughable.
Too far apart.
Worlds apart.
"They… they are the true prodigies.
The true monsters."
A wave of emotion swept through everyone.
The Kyushu candidates were silent, tense—
But many of them clenched their fists, eyes blazing.
Even knowing they might never reach Zhao Xuan or Alexander's level—
They still felt their fighting spirit ignite.
Because true geniuses—
never fear the strong.
…
On the arena—
The clash continued relentlessly.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In the blink of an eye—
They had exchanged at least four to five hundred punches.
Both were breathing heavily now.
But—
Zhao Xuan, empowered by the Azure Dragon Fruit, was in far better shape than Alexander.
Zhao Xuan only panted lightly—
While Alexander was gasping for air.
Yet even so—
Alexander continued punching with insane ferocity.
He fought as if stamina was meaningless.
Time flowed—
Ten minutes later—
Alexander's face had turned pale.
Sweat dripped down his forehead like rain.
His whole body was soaked.
Zhao Xuan wasn't doing much better—
His body was covered in sweat as well.
By now—
Almost all spectators understood the likely outcome.
If this continued—
Zhao Xuan would definitely win.
Alexander would inevitably fall.
"Victory is decided."
"What an absolutely blood-pumping fight…"
"Amazing—truly amazing. If they don't die young, they'll both be supreme experts in ten years."
"No—this conclusion is too early!"
An eighth-rank powerhouse suddenly spoke, face solemn:
"Alexander hasn't even used his fruit ability yet."
The moment he said this—
Everyone froze.
Their eyes widened.
"Right—his fruit ability!"
"A prodigy like him definitely has one!"
"So the battle isn't over yet!"
"Look! Look at him!"
SHUA SHUA SHUA!
Everyone stared at Alexander—
And saw a sudden transformation.
A burst of white light shone from his body.
A thick wave of life force enveloped him.
Instantly—
His heavy panting stopped.
His pale, exhausted face regained color.
His stamina and strength recovered to around 70–80% in an instant.
Even the deep cracks on his arms, caused by terrifying collisions—
Healed instantly.
WAAAH!
The entire stadium erupted in uproar.
"What—what is happening?!"
"That's life force! Why is his body suddenly overflowing with it?!"
"Could it be… divine medicine?! Did he have one in his mouth the whole time?!"
"No way! Who would waste divine medicine in a duel? That's billions worth!"
"No—wrong! Wrong! It's NOT divine medicine!"
An eighth-rank expert shook his head vigorously.
Everyone stared at him, waiting.
"Healing Fruit!"
He said in disbelief:
"Alexander from the Sun-Never-Sets Empire is a Healing Fruit user!
He just used his fruit ability!
He is burning his own lifespan to restore stamina and injuries!"
"What?!"
"Healing Fruit?!"
"Isn't that a support-type fruit?!"
"A combatant with a Healing Fruit…"
"…my god."
Shock spread like wildfire.
Healing Fruit users were known as healers—
but they had another terrifying trait:
They could sacrifice lifespan
to instantly recover strength.
Not as extreme or damaging as forbidden limit arts—
but still deadly.
"Impressive… absolutely impressive."
"Damn it! Fighting a Healing Fruit user in a test of endurance is insane!"
"He can just burn his lifespan to recover over and over!"
"…"
Meanwhile—
On the arena—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Alexander charged again with renewed vigor.
Zhao Xuan's expression did not falter.
Instead—
He grew even more excited.
"Healing Fruit, hmm?"
"You can restore your stamina anytime by burning your lifespan?"
"Hahahahahaha—interesting! Very interesting!"
"Let's see—
whether you run out of lifespan first—
or I run out of stamina first!"
Laughing wildly—
He clashed with Alexander again.
Punch after punch after punch.
Time flowed.
Half an hour later—
"Hu… hu… hu…"
Zhao Xuan's breaths grew heavier.
Alexander, however—
used the Healing Fruit again.
This time—
only 60–70% recovery.
And—
He aged.
Zhao Xuan noticed wrinkles on Alexander's face—
Signs of rapid aging.
His lifespan was being drained away.
But Alexander didn't care.
He charged again immediately—
not giving Zhao Xuan even a second of rest.
It was clear—
He intended to drag Zhao Xuan to death.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The battle shook the entire stadium.
If not for dozens of high-rankers holding up barriers—
the stadium would've collapsed long ago.
Another 20 minutes passed—
Alexander used the Healing Fruit third time.
Only 50% recovery this time.
And more aging.
Zhao Xuan was also reaching his limit.
His breathing was rough.
His vision blurred.
If he checked his interface—
He'd see:
Spirit < 50
Physique < 600
Both nearly empty.
Yet—
Neither backed down.
Both attacked again—
madly—
relentlessly.
Time passed.
Ten more minutes.
Then—
BOOM!!!
Their fists collided—
And this time—
Alexander staggered back two steps.
Then—
His aura collapsed entirely.
"I… I… I… lost…"
At that moment—
He saw her face—
Alice.
"Alice… I'm sorry…
I couldn't avenge you…"
His eyes slowly closed.
He fell.
And—
his breath vanished instantly.
Zhao Xuan stared at him—
Then suddenly laughed.
"Hahahahahahahaha!!"
He spread his arms, laughing wildly—
unrestrained, unfiltered, victorious.
"We won! We won!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"One versus SIXTEEN!
He actually did it!"
The stadium exploded with cheers.
Everyone roared.
All eyes shifted to the foreign candidates—
their faces dark and twisted.
You insulted Kyushu?
You mocked Kyushu?
Where is your arrogance now?
Meanwhile—
On the stage—
Zhao Xuan continued laughing—
And at that moment—
The untriggered Conqueror's Haki in his mind—
loosened.
Scenes flashed through his mind—
From the high school campus till now—
Battle after battle—
Victory after victory.
A belief—
I am invincible—
took root.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!!
His Conqueror's Haki
awakened.
A terrifying aura surged out of him—
blanketing the entire stadium.
Everyone—
Fourth-ranks.
Sixth-rank assistants.
Even seventh and eighth ranks—
All felt their hearts crushed under a mountain.
The fourth-rank candidates collapsed, unable to stand.
"This—this—this—!!"
"Conqueror's Haki! This is Conqueror's Haki!"
"Only one with absolute belief in invincibility can awaken it!"
Everyone stood up instantly—
eyes wide—
faces filled with disbelief.
Their hearts surged like stormy seas.
Ding!
You experienced an evenly matched, exhilarating battle. All abilities (except swordsmanship) have undergone a qualitative leap. All proficiency +3000.
Ding!
Due to your battle with an opponent possessing Supreme Grandmaster-level Iron Body, your understanding deepens. Iron Body proficiency +3000.
A wave of exhaustion hit Zhao Xuan—
His stamina and spirit had both reached zero.
His vision went dark—
THUD!
He collapsed.
One second later—
"ZZZ… ZZZ… ZZZ…"
His loud snoring echoed across the stadium.
"Quick! Hurry!"
A seventh-rank referee shouted and mobilized the medics.
Zhao Xuan was carried off in chaos.
"Due to the arena's destruction, the National Exam is suspended for one day. It will resume tomorrow!"
With that—
Day 1 of the Kyushu National Exam officially ended.
But—
No one left.
Everyone sat frozen—
their minds replaying the insane battle over and over—
unable to calm down.
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