The annual tournament lasted for a total of one full day, one full night and 7 hours into the next. Today was the final round including the final rankings to be announced once it was over.

Silver, Long Zhen, Fu Wonton, Fey Luden and Yan Li had made it to the final round without using their divine marks. Of course, no one could beat these 5 maroon cloaked demons even by using their divine mark. Attempts to overpower them were futile. Each individual that were somewhat famous for their battle prowess were all defeated by them one by one.

The crowds were sure these five would battle at the end during the last round, an exciting round yet to be seen.

"Everyone, thank you all for coming here today to witness the final round amongst these ten strongest fighters," announced an old gentleman standing in the middle of the dueling platform.

"We have waited all day for this! Participant 9, Fu Wonton and Participant 1, Chu Feng to the stage!"

"I can't believe one of them is going against Chu Feng, son of the Wok City Lord!"

"Finally, we can see those maroon cloaked demons show their true abilities."

"Hmph, our city lord's son will definitely beat that youngster!"

Both Chu Feng and Fu Wonton took their steps onto the dueling platform. Chu Feng had a delicate face that was still young and tender. He carried an air of nobility, yet it was without arrogance. He was deem one with a heroic spirit, just like his father, composed but full of energy.

Facing himself towards Fu Wonton, he gave a respectful smile and a martial greeting*.

At the moment, after Chu Feng gave his greetings, everyone was shocked. Fu Wonton took off his maroon cloak and returned it into his storage ring. Although, the crowd felt surprise, they held in their desires to scream at Fu Wonton for foul play. Under his maroon cloak, was a thin looking man wearing a grey mask.

"He's so skinny! How was able to beat that giant from the Bean Clan?"

"Is everyone with the maroon cloaks wearing mask too? I was truly looking forward to see how these prodigies appeared!"

Just as the crowd begun simmering down, the other four wearing their cloaks, took theirs off too. Similarly, the crowd started making noise once more at the surprise.

"Settle down everyone!" shouted someone from afar. His voice carried throughout the stadium, silencing all down to a hush. Not to their surprise, their City Lord Chu was watching this annual tournament too. Everyone knew that the city lord was quite strict with their son but he truly doted on his one and only son.

"Please, begin."

Chu Feng took a profound glance at Fu Wonton, immediately using his star mark. In an instant, his fist reached Fu Wonton left face, ready to bash off the mask. He was curious as to who was under that mask.

To his surprise, his fist stopped barely an inch away from Fu Wonton's mask. As if there was an invisible barrier between them.

"Chu Feng, I've heard your star mark was powerful. If you can destroy my barrier, you win but if you can't, I win," stated Fu Wonton.

"Such arrogance!"

"Who dares to bet against the Chu Clan? He'll get himself killed spouting nonsense," shouted someone from the stadium.

"Which bastard raised such a presumptuous son!"

When Fu Arus heard that comment, he sat down with his head hanging between his shoulders. He already knew his son was audacious but he didn't think it was to this extent.

'I'll make sure you get the beating of a lifetime,' thought Fu Arus when he turned his head towards his son.

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'Even if you win!'

"This is the not first time someone had asked me that question, but I feel that you can actually amount to your words," smiled Chu Feng activating his star mark.

The color of his eye changed into a faint red glow while a menacing aura took shape into black mists, pouring out of his body. Hundreds of wailing ghosts appeared one by one, circling around him. He appeared as god of war, bringing out a pitch black greatsword wrapped in clean white cloth strips at the handle. Lifting it up with one hand, he gave a battle-crazy smile towards Fu Wonton.

"Let's go."

"My gosh! The legendary Asura Mark? Chu Feng carries the Asura Mark!" sputtered an elder, standing up in astonishment.

"Asura Mark?" asked one of the disciples.

"Thousands of years ago, there was buddhist god who was betrayed by his 7 brethren. Ultimately, they incurred his wrath as he traveled far and wide to kill each one. Once he finished his task, he disappeared from history. There were two others who held such legendary star mark but they couldn't handle it's wrath and died. This is the first time I've seen it but it matches with the description from the [Divine Mark Index]*."

"Does that mean… Chu Feng.."

"Yes, if he can overcome the Wrath from his Asura Mark, he'll become much more powerful.."

Nodding to Chu Feng, Fu Wonton unleashed his star mark accordingly. His being was covered with a shadowy projection, slowly taking its shape into a black tortoise shell. Once his shell took shape, the other three divine beasts attempted to project themselves unannounced.

Yan Li, Long Zhen and Fey Luden masks gave off a light glow, keeping them tamed, instantly dispersing its desire to show themselves off. Cold sweats covered these three backs. It would be bad if their divine mark tried to show off again.

All of this did not go unnoticed, especially with the few sect powerhouses and the Wok City Lord. It seems the rumors that were floating about was actually true. All four of the divine marked individuals came to the tournament. Not only that, they wore a mask artifact that could actually block of their divine sense. They were unable to see their true identities.

"It c-a-an't be! The divine mark of the Black Tortoise!" screamed another elder from the stadium.

"The rumor is true then?"

"I can't believe it...then other three are here too?"

"I counted five, one of them must be a fake!"

"Hmph, shut up and watch! We'll get to see who is who then."

"Now I know why you're confident," approved Chu Feng. His body moved at high speed, swinging his giant broadsword high above Fu Wonton's tortoise shell barrier. Instantly swinging it down with tremendous strength.

"Let's see if your shell can handle my full strength!"

Fu Wonton looked up at Chu Feng swinging down the giant broadsword, smiling underneath his mask. With a thought, his barrier started spinning with incredible speed as the sword slashed down. The ultimate offense and ultimate defense clashed against each other, producing sparks of qi as their pride wouldn't allow the other to win.

**Booom

A bright light, followed by a loud bang echoed out the stadium. Clouds of dust hung around the air as the spectators, who couldn't see through the cloud, held their breath in. Even if there was no fancy movements, it was an all out strike from the famous Chu Feng. They were unsure if the newly born bearer of the Black Tortoise could handle such an attack.

As if their prayers were answered, the cloud of dust settled down. They saw a lanky masked boy standing inside a large pit, unbothered by the surprised faces. Looking across, they saw a tattered Chu Feng keeping himself up with his sword. His breath, ragged and blood dripping off him from the recoil of his full attack.

"Your body is quite sturdy," complimented Fu Wonton. He was surprised that his barrier actually took full damage and came out unscathed.

Not only that, his idea of spinning the barrier allowed him to rebound the force of Chu Feng's slash. Know this, Fu Wonton finally felt at ease of where he could relax and sleep at without worries. To be lazy and safe was something hard to find in the Ethereal Expanse.

If his father and Chu Feng knew what he was truly worried about, they would vomit blood in anger. With such defenses, how could one only think about lazing about! Then again, his father would probably shake his head in defeat if he knew this.

"Hahaha! Even so, your barrier is sturdier than my body!" exclaimed Chu Feng happily. Even though he lost, he met someone who could possibly become brothers with. Exhaling lightly, he finally lost his conscious and collapsed.

"Participant 9 has won!" exclaimed the referee in fervent excitement. Never had he seen such worthy fights during his time. Truly, the younger generation will overcome them.

Many doctors accompanied the unconscious Chu Feng, examining his injuries. One of them gave a sigh of relief, realizing his injuries weren't severe but still would take time to heal.

[Sir, your son is alright. He would be back on his feet in half month] explained the Chu Clan doctor telepathically to the Wok City Lord.

[That's good. Tell me once he wakes up] nodded Wok City Lord Chu. He turned his attention to Fu Wonton, who was getting off the stage, heading to his small group.

'So young yet very intelligent…' thought Wok City Lord Chu. At the very last moment, he saw that Fu Wonton intentionally slowed down his barrier's rotation. With that slight adjustment, it allowed Chu Feng to survive the recoil of his attack. He was filled with gratitude for this lanky masked individual.

-

Martial Greeting * - Keeping a straight palm with either hand and making a fist, touching the palm. Kind of like /=lc=\ . . . I tried e.e

Divine Mark Index* - a cumulation of all the marks known in all of Ethereal Expanse and few other worlds. No one knows who created this index but nearly every cultivator has it.