Although the Xianzhou people have the blessings of Abundance and their life force is incredibly defiant, it doesn't mean they cannot die. Moreover, back then, Rappa's progress was only at 15%. Now, after ten years of tempering, Rappa has reached her complete form, and she likely possesses the strength of over a hundred elephants in a single punch.

This is enough for her to punch through a tank's frontal armor with her bare hands or smash through an aircraft carrier's deck from a standstill. If she moves seriously, she can far exceed the speed of sound, and her dense muscle and bone strength make her immune to all human weapons on Earth. Even if someone tried to eliminate her with a nuclear bomb, she could quickly move to a safe location beyond the blast radius before the bomb even landed.

Logically, even if Boothill and Rappa were to duel, the power of a revolver's bullets would only be a tickle to her; Yanqing might not truly be that woman's match.

Setting aside combat techniques and considering only physical strength, perhaps only that monster Feixiao could compare, right?

—

"I'm actually about to go on stage... it feels like a dream." In the waiting room, Luka looked at his hands, recalling his previous experiences, feeling it was all somewhat unbelievable.

Camellia comforted him, "Keep a level head, contestant Luka. Just treat this as an ordinary points match."

"You are already destined to be in the history books."

"That's right~ Regardless of the outcome of the Jingfeng defense, you are already a figure whose name will go down in Belobog's history."

"That's exactly what makes me feel like I'm dreaming. But actually, the greatest gain from this trip to the Luofu was making me realize one thing," Luka said. "I don't punch to gain something, nor do I punch to prove anything... I don't even punch for victory. In the moment I throw a punch, I am the happiest person in the whole galaxy, and that's all."

"I don't quite understand, but I'm still very happy to witness your growth!"

Luka finally understood... what Mr. Gepard, Argenti, Boothill, and Svarog were trying to tell him was actually the same thing. After grasping this, he also began to wonder if he had stepped one foot into the realm of the strong. Or perhaps, being'strong' was originally a state of mind.

The two arrived at the arena, and Luka saw his upcoming opponent from a distance.

Only... this time it was his turn to find the opponent familiar.

"Hello, Mr. Luka, we meet again." Yanqing turned around, looking at him with a beaming smile.

"...How is that possible? You're... you're that... 'Cold Front'!"

"I'm sorry for not telling you my name in person. I am the Luofu Defending Swordsman, Yanqing. Mr. Luka, I have been following you all these days. I've watched every one of your matches from the audience without you noticing."

"I must admit, you are an extraordinary warrior—tenacious, sharp, and not lacking in strength. More importantly, your self-validation—every punch you throw carries the courage that disregards winning or losing, which has left a deep impression on me. I've heard about what happened to your world. I understand that you need this victory. You're just one step away from having your name go down in history alongside Belobog's."

Yanqing's tone shifted, and his expression instantly became serious: "But as the Luofu Defending Swordsman, I also have everything I must uphold."

—

God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!

"Waaaaah—! Do one of these two really have to lose? I-I-I don't want either of them to lose the match!"

Aqua's azure eyes were filled with tears as she desperately shook Kazuma's shoulders. "Kazuma, think of something! Is there any way for both of them to win? Luka came all the way here from the Underworld, and he's just one step away! But I also can't bear to see Yanqing lose. That boy is good-looking, has great swordsmanship, and a kind heart. Why do these two have to be in the finals? This is too cruel! I won't accept it!"

"Whether you accept it or not, that's the cruelty of competitive sports." Kazuma brushed off Aqua's hand. "Besides, it's useless to ask me. What can I do? Even your divine powers can't affect the Celestial Screen, let alone an ordinary Adventurer."

"Besides, it's already perfect that Luka could make it this far. If it weren't for Stelle's help, he might have been eliminated before winning more than a few matches. Someone who should have only won two or three rounds has only lost that one match to Boothill so far—luck, strength, and his own breakthrough, all were indispensable. Doesn't that make it feel a bit better?"

"It actually does..." Aqua wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Kazuma, do you want to participate in the Wardance?"

"Not at all!" Kazuma refused categorically, making a large 'X' with his hands in front of his chest. "I mean, you stupid goddess, do you want to see me go up there and get beaten up? My 'Steal' skill only allows me to publicly Steal the opponent's underwear during the Wardance—but if I actually used it, I'd probably be branded a sexual harasser and then kicked out of the Xianzhou, right?"

"Compared to competing with others, I'd rather steadily complete missions, save money, drink, and live a lazy life where everything is handed to me!"

—

"I can't give some grand pre-battle declaration, Brother Yanqing. Thank you for guiding me when I was first lost. Over these past few days, countless people like you have guided me, allowing me to reach the arena at this moment. Do you remember the bold words we shouted at the sky?"

Luka took a deep breath and shouted toward the sky: "I! Luka! Will definitely win! I will definitely defeat Yanqing!"

As Luka's voice fell, even more enthusiastic cheers erupted from both sides of the arena.

"The much-anticipated iron arm Luka has gone through countless trials and finally arrived before Master Yanqing! Since the start of the Wardance, 'Luka challenges Yanqing' has remained at the top of the audience expectation list. Now, this long-awaited dream duel is about to be presented to the audience across the entire galaxy!"

Unknown to the two, Jing Yuan had already arrived at a viewing spot in a corner of the arena, silently watching the battle between his beloved disciple and Luka.

"Everyone standing on this stage is an extraordinary warrior. You are a top-tier boxer, just as I am a top-tier swordsman. This fact will not change regardless of victory or defeat."

Yanqing stood at one end of the arena, standing proud like a green pine after a snowfall. Seeing Luka's ready stance, he gently pushed the thumb of his right hand, which was resting on his sword, forward—

"Clang—!"

A clear and long sword hum, like the cracking of a frozen river, rang out from the scabbard behind him! But before this first hum could fade, a continuous, crisp, and dense sound of unsheathing, like a gale or a sudden downpour, rang out across the arena all at once.

Sword light flowed and cold glints flickered as seven or eight flying swords emerged in response, encircling the arena. For a moment, Luka felt the temperature of the surrounding air plummet, and white frost visible to the naked eye condensed in the air; for a moment, it actually made him feel like he had returned to Belobog.

Yanqing took a step back and performed a single-handed salute: "Luka, please!"