The gold-armored giant finished his explanation and took out two wooden boxes that had been prepared in advance. One was placed in front of King Pan. The other was delivered to Jiang Zhengyi. They were square, with a round opening on top just large enough to fit a hand.
The gold-armored man said, "Inside these wooden boxes are fourteen bamboo slips, each inscribed with a name. Whomever is drawn will come up to fight."
"Wait. I need to check if you’ve cheated." Jia Hei stood up, picked up one of the wooden boxes, poured all the bamboo slips out, and examined each one.
"Is Brother Wolf’s name in there?" the White-Eyed Wolf asked anxiously.
Jia Hei shot it a cold glance and silently put the bamboo slips back into the box. Then, he went to King Pan and emptied the bamboo slips from that wooden box as well.
The two wooden boxes contained twenty-eight bamboo slips in total. Their thickness, length, and width were identical, and the names were printed on them. Without looking, it would be impossible to discern what was written on them by touch alone. Cheating was thus impossible.
Elder Lin returned to his seat and shook his head at Jiang Zhengyi.
The gold-armored man said, "Since there are no problems, let the drawing begin!"
"This King will shake it first, so no one can accuse me of cheating again." King Pan sneered at Elder Lin, held the wooden box, shook it vigorously, and added, "This King will not even use his hand to draw. That way, no one can accuse this King of cheating, can they!"
Jia Hei raised an eyebrow.
This man, he’s truly petty-minded.
King Pan extended his index finger. A wisp of Battle Intent swept into the wooden box and flew out, carrying a bamboo slip. He caught the bamboo slip. Upon seeing the name on it, an inexplicable glint flashed in King Pan’s eyes, and he announced loudly, "Cheng Ming!"
Before his voice had even faded, the previously most arrogant youth in purple attire stepped forward, landing in the center of the high platform. A hint of regret surfaced on his face. He looked towards Qin Feiyang and the others, shook his head, and sighed, "I didn’t expect to be the first to appear. Truly unfortunate for all of you."
The First Prince and the others clenched their fists, their expressions frighteningly grim. As for Qin Feiyang, a faint smile played on his lips, an air of calm indifference about him, as if he hadn’t taken it to heart at all.
Jiang Zhengyi also used his Battle Intent to retrieve a bamboo slip.
It has to be Brother Wolf.
The White-Eyed Wolf stared intently at the bamboo slip, its eyes shining.
Cheng Ming is too arrogant. I want to personally send this person to hell.
"Xie Fang!" Jiang Zhengyi announced the name.
The White-Eyed Wolf immediately looked at Xie Fang with displeasure, scoffing, "Don’t get in Brother Wolf’s way. You’re not his match. If you don’t want to die, just concede."
The First Prince and his group glared furiously at it. Jia Hei’s and Elder Lin’s expressions also turned sour.
What does this beast mean? The competition hasn’t even started, and it’s already spouting such demoralizing words. Is it a spy sent by Pan County?
Xie Fang, standing beside the First Prince, also glared angrily at the White-Eyed Wolf.
This damn beast, why is it so infuriatingly punchable? I’ll deal with it after the competition!
The First Prince patted Xie Fang’s shoulder and said gravely, "Ignore it. Focus on the match. You must win!"
The first battle is crucial. If they lose, morale will inevitably suffer, and they might face a situation akin to an army collapsing like a landslide.
"Rest assured." Xie Fang smiled confidently, strode to face Cheng Ming, and cupped his fists. "Please enlighten me!"
Cheng Ming said dismissively, "Enough nonsense. Bring it on!"
Xie Fang was considered one of the top talents of Yan Province’s younger generation. Apart from his encounters with Qin Feiyang and his companions, when had he ever been subjected to such contempt? Instantly, a raging inferno of anger ignited in his heart.
BOOM!
His aura erupted, and he threw a furious punch. It was the Overlord Fist! He wanted to prove himself, to shut the White-Eyed Wolf up, and to humiliate the people from Pan County, so he attacked with his full strength from the very first move!
"A Two-star Martial Ancestor?" Qin Feiyang was surprised.
I remember the last time they fought, wasn’t Xie Fang only a Nine-Star Martial Master?
Lo Qingzhu whispered, "Before coming to Pan County, he consumed a Top Grade Vermilion Glazed Pill."
Qin Feiyang said, "Does that mean Wang Xia and Xue Yang took one as well?"
"This competition is so important, naturally, they would want to participate in their peak condition. However, those from Pan County don’t seem to take them seriously at all." Lo Qingzhu scanned Cheng Ming and the others, a hint of worry in her gaze. Because when Xie Fang unleashed his aura, Cheng Ming and his companions showed no signs of tension; instead, their eyes held a mocking glint. This indicated they were extremely confident!
Just then, Cheng Ming extended his hand, held up one finger, and stated faintly, "One move to defeat you."
"Arrogant!" Xie Fang was enraged. "I’d like to see who finishes whom in one move!"
Having consumed the Top Grade Vermilion Glazed Pill, he was now a Two-star Martial Ancestor—a far cry from his former self. Combined with the Overlord Fist, his aura was imposing and capable of spiritually overwhelming his opponent. Even if Cheng Ming were also a Two-star Martial Ancestor, Xie Fang was confident in his ability to fight him!
BOOM!
Cheng Ming also unleashed his aura—he was actually a Three Star Martial Ancestor! Immediately after, he struck out with his palm, conjuring a gust of wind that whirled with a WOOOSH! It was also a perfect Martial Arts Technique!
Xie Fang’s expression changed instantly; he paled. Fist and palm collided in a flash.
"AARGH!" Xie Fang let out a blood-curdling scream and was sent flying, spewing blood from his mouth. He flew several tens of meters before crashing heavily to the ground. BAM! A large crater formed where he landed.
How can this be?
Xie Fang stared blankly.
The opponent is actually a Three Star Martial Ancestor!
He couldn’t feel the physical pain; his heart was consumed by utter shame. He had confidently assured the First Prince, yet the result was defeat in a single move. Even if his skin were thicker, he couldn’t endure such a blow to his pride.
SWOOSH! Cheng Ming strode towards the crater, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"He’s coming to kill you! Concede quickly, or you’ll lose your life," the White-Eyed Wolf "kindly" reminded Xie Fang. But this "kindness" only deepened Xie Fang’s sense of shame.
"So what if he’s a Three Star Martial Ancestor? Even if I have to risk my life, I must win this match!" Xie Fang roared. He abruptly pushed himself up from the ground and leaped out of the crater. His eyes locked onto Cheng Ming, he advanced with an esoteric footwork pattern, charging forward resolutely. This was precisely the auxiliary Martial Arts Technique gifted to him by the First Prince. Although it was only a Middle Grade technique, with a twofold enhancement, it made his speed ten percent faster than Cheng Ming’s.
However, seeing Xie Fang’s speed, Cheng Ming’s expression remained disdainful.
"Die!" Xie Fang circled behind Cheng Ming. Without a word, his True Qi surged, and he aimed a full-force punch at Cheng Ming’s head!
"Speed without actual combat experience is useless." Cheng Ming scoffed disdainfully, lowered his head, and easily dodged the punch. Then, he spun around and thrust out a palm.
Xie Fang, unable to dodge in time, was struck in the lower abdomen. WAAARGH! He violently spewed a mouthful of blood. His entire body flew horizontally like a meteorite!
"This is the difference between those coddled in comfort and those tempered by life-and-death battles," Qin Feiyang murmured.
If his combat awareness were strong enough and his experience sufficient, even with a Middle Grade auxiliary Martial Arts Technique, defeating Cheng Ming wouldn’t be difficult. But alas. For Xie Fang, this is an eternally unattainable dream.
The White-Eyed Wolf turned to Jia Hei and chuckled, "Old fool, if you don’t tell him to concede soon, you’d better prepare to collect his corpse!"
"Qin Feiyang, can you make it shut up!" Jia Hei’s veins throbbed on his temples. He was already extremely agitated, and this oblivious beast chose this exact moment to provoke him.
Qin Feiyang said calmly, "Although the White-Eyed Wolf’s words are harsh, they are indeed true."
"Exactly, exactly! Why is it that old fools nowadays don’t like to hear the truth? Brother Wolf feels so wronged!" the White-Eyed Wolf said plaintively.
SLAP! Jia Hei furiously slammed his palm onto the armrest. He looked at Xie Fang, who was lying on the ground groaning weakly, and shouted, "Useless trash! Hurry up and concede!"
Concede?
Xie Fang trembled, his face filled with reluctance. If he conceded now, not only would Yan Province lose face, but he himself would never be able to hold his head high again. Especially that beast—its contempt for him would only grow. But not conceding meant only one path: death.
Between life and dignity, he ultimately chose life, abandoning his dignity. He then uttered, "I... concede!"
"HAHAHA..." King Pan burst into loud laughter. Xia Qianqian also sneered repeatedly. The three white-haired elders were also beaming. The other thirteen contestants, as well as the crowd surrounding the platform, made no effort to hide the derision on their faces.
Meanwhile, the faces of those on Yan Province’s side, including Jiang Zhengyi, were ashen.
"Is this the ’genius’ of Yan Province?"
"Truly disappointing."
"If it were me, I wouldn’t have let him participate. What an embarrassment."
Cheng Ming shook his head in disappointment, then turned to the other thirteen contestants from his side, remarking with a faint smile, "I’m afraid there will be no opportunity for any of you to fight."
"Well, it can’t be helped. Who asked Yan Province to be so incompetent?" The thirteen wore expressions of feigned regret.
Seeing them echo each other, the First Prince and the others were enraged to the extreme. They clenched their fists so tightly that their knuckles made sharp cracking sounds.
Xie Fang, clutching his abdomen and limping, walked towards Jiang Zhengyi. However, as he passed by Cheng Ming, Cheng Ming stuck out his foot and tripped him. Xie Fang immediately went sprawling, landing flat on his face.
Cheng Ming quickly said, "Oh, my apologies, my apologies! I didn’t do it on purpose. But to fall from such a light trip... you’re a bit too weak, aren’t you? Here, let me help you up." He extended his hand with a smile.
"Bastard!" The First Prince’s group, and Xie Fang himself, immediately saw red. He had already conceded, yet he was still being humiliated like this. This was truly going too far!
Qin Feiyang’s eyes narrowed slightly, a somewhat playful glint in them.
King Pan was overjoyed, practically blooming with delight. The resentment pent up in his heart for so long had finally found an outlet and was being thoroughly vented. Glancing at Qin Feiyang from the corner of his eye, he sneered inwardly,
You little beast, just wait. Your turn will come soon enough.
"Get lost!" Xie Fang roared and slapped Cheng Ming’s outstretched hand away. He scrambled to his feet, looking wretched. Swallowing his humiliation and unwillingness, he walked before Jiang Zhengyi and the other two. Not daring to meet their gazes, he lowered his head and said, "I’m sorry. Disciple was incompetent!"
Jiang Zhengyi smiled faintly. "He is a Three Star Martial Ancestor, and you are a Two-star. It’s normal to lose to him. Don’t be disheartened; you’ve already performed very well."
Performed very well?
Xie Fang gave a self-deprecating laugh.
If he took that seriously, he’d truly be beyond saving. Clearly, Jiang Zhengyi was just trying to comfort him and preserve morale.
He returned to stand behind the three elders and whispered to the Rogue Wolf, "Rogue Wolf, if you want to laugh, then laugh. Don’t hold it in until you give yourself internal injuries."
"HMPH!" The White-Eyed Wolf dismissed him disdainfully, scampered over to Jiang Zhengyi, and stared intently at the wooden box, muttering incessantly,
This time it must be Brother Wolf! It must be!

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