Although they were both Battle Kings, there was a Two-Star difference in their Levels. Wang Zongyao had been mentally prepared, knowing he would lose to Round Dance.
The only reason he had challenged him despite knowing he would lose was because he couldn’t stomach Round Dance’s arrogant words and wanted to test him. He just never expected to lose so miserably.
It had only been a clash of auras, not a real exchange of blows, yet the other man had won by a huge margin and even injured him. Wang Zongyao was deeply struck by this. ’As expected, at the Battle King Level, a single star makes a world of difference, let alone two,’ he thought.
The experts from the West Mansion were utterly astonished to see their Chief Examiner defeated. ’Where in the world did these men in Black Robes come from? How can they be so strong? They actually defeated the Chief Examiner from the West Mansion Inner Mansion!’
All the experts from the West Mansion present knew that the Chief Examiner was at the Battle King Level!
They never expected that among this group of men in Black Robes, there would also be a Battle King—and one even stronger than the Chief Examiner!
The audience’s understanding was less direct than that of the West Mansion’s experts, but they could still tell how formidable the men in Black Robes were.
At the start of the qualification exam, they had felt Wang Zongyao’s power and knew how incredibly strong he was.
Seeing Wang Zongyao lose to one of the men in Black Robes in a mere clash of auras, didn’t that mean this man was even more powerful?
"Whoa, this year’s qualification exam is amazing! Not only did we get to see the Chief Examiner make a move, but we even saw someone stronger than him."
"Who in the world are those men in Black Robes? They’re so powerful they can even defeat someone from the West Mansion."
"I’ll be honest with you all, I’m a Battle Grandmaster. But those men in Black Robes... aside from the one who fought the Chief Examiner, who is exceptionally powerful, none of the others are weak either. I can’t discern the strength of a single one of them!"
"Powerful enough that even a Battle Grandmaster can’t discern their strength? Could the other men in Black Robes all be Battle Spirits? My heavens, what kind of Influence could dispatch over a dozen Battle Spirits and one Battle King all at once?"
"The Western Domain is the West Mansion’s territory. Now these men in Black Robes are openly opposing the West Mansion in the Western Domain and even made the Chief Examiner spit up blood. This is going to be a good show."
"I wonder why this group of men in Black Robes came to the qualification exam. Are they here to crash the event? It looked like they were talking for a long time just now, and they only started fighting because they couldn’t come to an agreement. It doesn’t seem like they’re just here to cause trouble."
Meanwhile, now that the difference in their strength was clear, Round Dance glanced at Wang Zongyao, his face full of ridicule. "Well? Lord Chief Examiner, do you now understand whether you’re qualified to block my path? Now, get out of the way."
"Heh."
Wang Zongyao gave a cold laugh. "Fengyue City is just a small city. I can’t imagine what it has that would warrant a personal visit from a Three-star Battle King."
"That is no concern of yours. Step aside," Round Dance said lightly. He then thought for a moment, seemingly not wanting to create too much enmity with the West Mansion, and his tone softened. He added, "We have no desire to make an enemy of the West Mansion. Fighting you was a last resort. As long as you step aside, we will find the person we’re looking for and leave immediately. We will even offer you a public apology on the spot so that the West Mansion does not lose face."
It had to be said, Round Dance was quite slick, offering Wang Zongyao a way to back down gracefully.
So many people were watching in Unrivaled Square, and they had all witnessed the confrontation. If Wang Zongyao were to step aside, allow Round Dance and his men to enter the arena, and let them take someone away, the West Mansion would lose all its prestige.
People would say that the West Mansion’s powerhouse was inferior, that he was scared of outsiders, and that he couldn’t even protect his own people in his own jurisdiction.
If word of this got out, how could the West Mansion continue to rule the Western Domain? How could it remain the center of power in the region?
Therefore, even if he couldn’t win, he could not yield.
He wouldn’t just be yielding the path, but the very honor of the West Mansion!
However, Round Dance’s offer to apologize on the spot after finding his target changed everything. It would preserve the West Mansion’s face, making the whole affair look like a simple misunderstanding.
If any other Chief Examiner had been in Wang Zongyao’s place, they might have immediately accepted Round Dance’s offer in the interest of preserving the greater good.
After all, if they were to fight again and the Chief Examiner was beaten half to death, it would be an even greater stain on the West Mansion’s reputation.
But would Wang Zongyao agree so readily?
No, he was extremely hesitant.
Wang Zongyao already knew the purpose of their visit: they were here for Tang Yi. If he stepped aside, Tang Yi, who was right behind him, might just wipe the floor with this group.
However, Wang Zongyao didn’t want to do that. He didn’t want Tang Yi to think the West Mansion lacked the Ability to protect him.
The great rulers of the Western Domain, unable to protect a single disciple? If word of this got out, it would be an absolute laughingstock.
Yet, the current situation was that Wang Zongyao didn’t want to yield, but he couldn’t defeat the Black Robe leader before him. Thus, he was caught in a dilemma.
And just at that moment, a clear voice came from behind Wang Zongyao. "Uncle Wang, step aside. Let them come in."
"Hm?"
Wang Zongyao looked behind him. The one who had spoken was Tang Yi.
"Uncle Wang, please step aside," Tang Yi said loudly once more. "This group is here for me. This is a private matter between us, so we’ll resolve it ourselves."
Tang Yi’s voice was so loud that not only did all the examinees on the stages hear him, but even the spectators in the farthest seats of the audience heard every word.
Instantly, another wave of discussion erupted.
"What? This group of men in Black Robes is here for the Big Waste? Did I hear that right?"
"Men in Black Robes with power comparable to a Battle King, and their only purpose is to find Tang Yi? Is this the most ridiculously contrived plot twist of all time?"
"Who on earth did Tang Yi provoke for them to send a Battle King after him? Is that really necessary? He’s just a Big Waste."
"Heh, that’s just what Tang Yi is claiming. He’s probably just shouting it to get more attention. A Battle King Powerhouse coming to find him? A private matter between them? What a joke. I don’t care if you all believe it, but I sure don’t."
"You need a Battle King and over a dozen Battle Spirits to deal with Tang Yi? A Battle Master—no, a single Battle Disciple would be enough! I don’t believe it either!"
"This..." Wang Zongyao frowned upon hearing Tang Yi’s words. He glanced in Tang Yi’s direction, and the latter simply nodded at him, his face a mask of calm confidence, as if he paid no mind to Round Dance and his men whatsoever.
This made Wang Zongyao even more hesitant.
"Heh!"
Round Dance was also taken aback to hear Tang Yi actively forsake the West Mansion’s protection and invite them in to find him.
However, he didn’t dwell on it, simply assuming Tang Yi was doing it to avoid implicating the West Mansion.
With a small smile, Round Dance said to Wang Zongyao, "You see, my lord? That’s the man we’re looking for. He said so himself. It wouldn’t be right for you to keep blocking our way, would it?"
"Hmph."
Wang Zongyao snorted coldly at Round Dance, then turned his head and called out loudly to Tang Yi, "Tang Yi, are you certain?"
"I am certain," Tang Yi called back.
Receiving the reply and seeing Tang Yi’s confident expression, Wang Zongyao lowered his head in thought.
Finally, with a dark expression, he faced Round Dance and said, "If that’s the case, then you may enter."

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