The crowd's cheers were overwhelmingly one-sided as Qin Yang strolled onto the arena floor, standing defiantly opposite Vulture Li.
Outside the arena, a betting ring had been set up, though the stakes remained paltry. Despite Qin Yang's astronomical odds, few bettors placed their money on his victory.
"What exactly did you say to him?" Lou Mengyu demanded of Jin Wanshan.
"I don't know," Jin Wanshan replied, feigning ignorance.
"This isn't like Qin Yang at all!" Lou Mengyu snapped. "He's always been arrogant, but when has he ever taken the initiative to provoke someone like this?"
Jin Wanshan rubbed his nose and whispered, "I just told him that if he wants to be worthy of you, this might be his chance."
Lou Mengyu froze, her thoughts scattering. Could this be for me? But...
On the arena floor, Vulture Li sneered at Qin Yang. "Boy, I can see you've got some decent breeding, but you're too damn stubborn. Why don't you hand over all your wealth? Maybe I'll go easy on you then."
His gaze shifted to Lou Mengyu. Though she'd concealed her features, her exquisite figure and ethereal aura remained unmistakable.
"Better yet, hand her over to me. I promise I won't cripple you." Vulture Li roared with laughter.
At this moment, the crowd finally noticed Lou Mengyu. After a moment of appraisal, they were instantly struck by her divine beauty.
Too... too perfect!
How could such a goddess be accompanying this mere boy?
Lou Mengyu, still angry with Jin Wanshan, furrowed her delicate brows, causing countless hearts to shatter.
Qin Yang's eyes turned cold as he spoke, "If you truly harbor such thoughts, I can guarantee I'll cripple you!"
Vulture Li's face stiffened, his eyes darkening. "It seems you won't learn until you're on your deathbed. Let me remind you - it's not too late to regret this!"
"I offer the same advice to you," Qin Yang replied calmly.
Staff members nearby began verifying the information: "Vulture Li: 9 points. Challenging Qin Yang: 0 points."
"Vulture Li's points have reached 9 again? Seems he's no longer holding back - he's aiming to become a Ten Battle Warrior!"
"Excellent! Without that Vulture Li, our chances of advancement increase..."
Someone let out a sigh of relief. Vulture Li's habit of deliberately losing when his points reached 9 was a nightmare for anyone trying to advance to Ten Battle Warrior. Once he achieved that rank, they'd have no choice but to seek out other Ten Battle Warriors for challenges.
"Are both parties ready?" the staff member inquired.
Qin Yang nodded. Vulture Li had already been warming up, his claws itching for action. He roared, "Boy, should I crush your left hand first or your right?"
Qin Yang ignored him completely, mentally calling out to the system while staring blankly at the interface.
Host: Qin Yang
Cultivation: Qi Gathering Realm - Perfect
Techniques: Yin-Yang All-Embracing Art - 8/10
Combat Skills: Breeze Brushing Willows, Mountain-Opening Fist... - 8/10
Just two more battles and I'll advance to the Qi Sea Realm! And now that I've joined the Fight Union, future progress will be a breeze.
I'll probably miss out on the Ten Battles Badge since I'll advance after two fights...
I might not get the Hundred Battles Badge either - I'll reach Zongshi Realm after ten battles...
Qin Yang began fretting, while Lou Mengyu and Jin Wanshan grew increasingly anxious beside him.
"The match has already started!" Lou Mengyu shouted.
I've decided - I'll rip off your head and use it as a piss pot! Vulture Li sneered inwardly, lunging with his clawed hand.
Ding! Technique copied: Firehawk Art. Proficiency: 9/10.
Copy: Martial Technique - Hot Eagle Claw. Proficiency automatically set to Peak. Martial Techniques 9/10.
In an instant, Qin Yang comprehended every aspect of his opponent's ability. Watching the incoming attack, his brow furrowed.
This man actually intends to kill me in a single strike?
The clawed hand aimed squarely at his throat. A direct hit would likely pierce through his neck completely.
"Your proficiency is merely 'Pure Flame' level! How dare you speak with such arrogance!"
"The Hot Eagle Claw's assault is fierce, but its traces are too heavy. You can't possibly change tactics so easily..."
"Powerful, but... your speed is far too slow!"
Qin Yang's eyes flashed with intensity as he countered with an identical Hot Eagle Claw strike. Like a hawk seizing prey, his movement was swift as lightning.
True Qi surged through his fingers, making them appear to blaze with flames.
His clawed hand shot out faster than the eye could follow. To onlookers, it was a crimson blur. Vulture Li was sent flying backward, blood spraying from his mouth.
One strike had decided the match! Victory was settled in an instant!
Vulture Li has been knocked off the arena. Defeated. Points reset to zero. Qin Yang wins. Points +1.
The staff seemed equally astonished by the result.
"Four thousand low-grade spirit stones for a few casual moves! This is the true path to wealth!" Qin Yang exclaimed excitedly.
"Vulture Li, you fucking sold out! You were throwing the match!"
"Ugh! You owe us our spirit stones!"
"Vulture Li! This enmity won't end until one of us dies!"
The crowd's fury boiled over. To their eyes, this performance reeked of deception - a transparent scheme to swindle them of their spirit stones!
Vulture Li wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze growing colder by the moment. Only he knew the truth - this brat before him possessed genuine skill.
Fortunately, the crowd blamed him for throwing the match. His reputation remained intact, at least for now.
"I challenge you again!" Vulture Li roared.
Qin Yang's smile widened as he accepted the spirit stone pouch from the staff.
"Same-rank challenges can't be refused," the staff explained. "But after three daily challenges, you can request a ceasefire. Since this is your first fight today, you must accept."
Qin Yang glanced at Vulture Li and sighed. The man had outlived his usefulness. Accepting this challenge would merely earn him more points.
Considering how easily the spirit stones came to him, Qin Yang cleared his throat and said, "Very well, I accept your challenge. But the stakes will now be eight thousand low-grade spirit stones."
"What? Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones?" Vulture Li's eyes widened. The previous four thousand had already been his entire savings—where would he possibly get another eight thousand?
The onlookers were equally stunned. Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones? That was an astronomical sum!
Vulture Li's face darkened. "I don't have any more spirit stones," he said. "But are you refusing my challenge?"
Refusal would mean Qin Yang lacked the spirit of combat, leading to immediate blacklisting by the Fight Union.
"If you can't afford it, get lost! I'll fight him!" A one-eyed, burly man stepped forward.
Vulture Li's expression turned sinister. "What's this? One-eyed Tiger, you dare challenge me?"
One-eyed Tiger roared with laughter. "I'm challenging you for your own good! If you win, fine. But if you lose again? You'll bring shame to the entire Wanshan City Fight Union!"
Vulture Li sneered. "Do you have eight thousand low-grade spirit stones?"
One-eyed Tiger's gaze casually flicked toward the corner.
Vulture Li shuddered. Could it be... someone from above had made a move?
"Kid, you can't afford to provoke this guy," One-eyed Tiger murmured. "Get out now."
Vulture Li burned with resentment, but he had no choice. Besides, he couldn't afford to provoke One-eyed Tiger either. The man rarely challenged others, and no one dared to challenge him.
As for his identity, everyone knew well. He was Wanshan City's Fight Union enforcer for the Qi Gathering Realm! Specifically tasked to handle situations like this.
In the corner, a red-clad girl observed the scene with keen interest, followed by a white-haired old man.
"Miss, since you know he's accompanied by Jin Wanshan and Lou Mengyu, why send people to harass him?" the old man asked, exasperation plain on his face.
Wu Xiaoya smiled, her provocative attire revealing daringly. "Who cares about his status or whose friend he is?" she purred. "He dares to act so arrogantly in our Fight Union? If I let him off, where would our organization's dignity go?"