Chapter Thirty: On What Grounds

The only unexpected event in the promotion round was the defeat of Yu Xingzheng from the Four Symbols Sect, a practitioner of the second stage of martial arts, at the hands of a Black Tiger Gang fighter. The latter revealed a strength he had concealed all along: he was actually a third-stage martial artist. This astonished the heads of the various training halls. Although this Black Tiger Gang fighter was indeed stronger than Yu Xingzheng, the advantage was limited; his victory was mainly due to his higher cultivation level, implying his foundation was weak. But if his foundation was poor, how could he have achieved the third stage of martial arts at such a young age?

Someone sighed, "What a pity. Chief You is still too impatient. With such talent, if your disciple spent a few more years cultivating his basic skills and fortifying his vitality, his future achievements would be much higher."

You Shahu shook his head, "The Black Tiger Gang has its own unique ways. His talent may not be as extraordinary as you all imagine..."

This was a frank admission of some shortcut method!

Li Linliu and the others frowned. In truth, everyone recalled that the Black Tiger Gang contestants this time were all martial artists who had begun cultivating true skills, none were merely practicing internal energy, but their foundations were generally mediocre and their strength not particularly remarkable. Still, even the weakest foundation was superior to ordinary strength training manuals; the enhancement from true essence tempering the body was far greater.

A third-stage martial artist has already completed muscle tempering and begun to refine the internal organs, their strength far surpassing the second stage. So, even with a mediocre foundation, he could defeat Yu Xingzheng.

Although Yu Xingzheng was a pampered heir, he possessed a second-tier foundation, had reached the second stage of martial arts, and had spent a year tempering his muscles. Aside from the third-stage martial artist, his cultivation was the highest among them.

Naturally, he was not content with such a defeat. Especially as he saw Chen Fan, idle and relaxed, having advanced to the top eight without much effort.

Throughout Chen Fan's matches, he had been as steady as a mountain, without any dramatic upheavals, never encountering a second-stage martial artist or someone like Feng Yuancheng with extraordinary internal energy. Many felt as though, "If I were in his place, I could do it too!"

Yet the truth was that Chen Fan had defeated more than one internal energy practitioner, including those who had trained in true martial skills, and especially Li Wen, an internal energy user with a first-class manual—already formidable!

But Yu Xingzheng, known as one of the two notorious heirs in Feiling County, was extremely self-centered and not one to take things lying down. Angered, he led the Four Symbols Sect disciples to the judges' platform, causing a stir among the crowd.

The Four Symbols Sect master, Gao Yi, frowned and addressed Yu Xingzheng, "Xingzheng, what are you doing?"

Yu Xingzheng stood tall, his face alive with indignation, looking at the masters, "I refuse to accept this. I fought hard and lost, and I accept that. But why should someone who got lucky in the draw advance directly to the top eight?"

He chose this moment to make a scene!

Li Linliu frowned at Yu Xingzheng, "Stop wasting time. State your request clearly."

Yu Xingzheng hesitated, looking at the handsome young man only slightly older than himself, lips twitching, "I only ask for fairness. That Chen Fan hasn't defeated any of us seven; why should he advance to the top eight? I demand Chen Fan compete fairly with us seven for the last spot!"

Li Linliu sneered and shook his head, "You're just unwilling to accept defeat."

Yu Xingzheng snorted in response.

So the authorities called Chen Fan over to clarify the matter. The old master of the Four Symbols Sect, his face tinged with embarrassment and some dissatisfaction over his disciple's early defeat, turned to Chen Fan, saying, "How about this: the seven of them fight first, select one, then that person competes with you for the last spot. You have it easiest, just waiting..."

As if Chen Fan was getting a huge advantage.

Li Linliu glanced at the Four Symbols Sect master, but before the old man could speak, he turned to Chen Fan and asked, "Are you willing?"

Sensing Li Linliu's support, Chen Fan replied decisively, "I am not willing!"

All the masters were taken aback by Chen Fan's firmness.

The Four Symbols Sect master was especially embarrassed by Chen Fan's refusal.

Li Linliu's eyes brightened at these words, and he looked at Chen Fan with admiration.

Yu Xingzheng's gaze was cold as he approached Chen Fan, towering over him, "If you're weaker, you should step aside; the stronger should advance. Why are you unwilling? Are you afraid of us?"

His tone was thoroughly unpleasant.

With Li Linliu backing him, Chen Fan was thoroughly dissatisfied, "I advanced to the top eight by drawing a bye, in accordance with the rules. Why should I have to compete with you losers for a spot I've already earned?"

Why didn't Yu Xingzheng protest right after the draw? Because he thought he wouldn't lose. Now that he's been defeated, he wants to snatch the last spot in the top eight—such opportunism!

Even if Chen Fan wasn't afraid of Yu Xingzheng, he would not give up his rightful position!

He had reason on his side, had displayed some skill and talent, and with Li Linliu supporting him, he had confidence.

Yu Xingzheng's face flushed, "What did you just say, you bastard? I'm a loser?"

Chen Fan glanced at him sideways, saying nothing.

Yu Xingzheng, enraged, stepped forward and stared directly at Chen Fan, his eyes sharp.

Nearly eighteen years old and standing almost two meters tall, his voice was powerful and intimidating, "I ask you, isn't this Feiling County martial arts competition meant to determine the best under eighteen? If I'm stronger than you, why shouldn't my ranking be ahead of yours?"

Chen Fan did not wish to make enemies, but that didn't mean he'd let himself be bullied, especially now that he was no longer an unknown. As a talented disciple of White Cloud Martial Hall, he now had backing; lacking backbone would only invite contempt.

He replied coldly, "By your logic, shouldn't all five hundred competitors fight each other to determine first, second, third, and fourth? Do you think there aren't strong or dissatisfied competitors among those eliminated early?"

Yu Xingzheng was briefly stunned.

Such is the nature of the competition; even strong second-stage martial artists lose in the qualifiers, but that doesn't mean they aren't strong enough for the top thirty.

Yu Xingzheng gritted his teeth, "Even so, no one should win without fighting! I refuse to accept this unless you beat me!"

Brazen and unreasonable, this notorious heir was clearly intent on making trouble.

His muscles tense, he stepped up to Chen Fan, fists raised, seemingly ready to strike.

Chen Fan sneered, showing no fear as he glanced at Yu Xingzheng and those behind him.

At this moment, Li Linliu shook his head with a smile, stepped forward, and blocked Chen Fan, addressing the crowd with a calm smile, "There's no need to discuss this further. Without rules, there is no order. Chen Fan advanced by drawing a bye; you have been eliminated. That's the reality. Since Chen Fan does not wish to grant you another chance, this matter... is settled!"

Li Linliu's voice was not loud, but it brooked no refusal.

When he stood before Chen Fan and spoke, the hall masters looked at each other, unsure what to say.

The Four Symbols Sect master, Gao Yi, frowned and glared at Yu Xingzheng.

Li Linliu himself was a sixth-stage martial artist, no less than any of the hall masters, and at just over twenty, he was a genius among geniuses; none dared provoke him lightly!

Moreover, he was clearly in the right.

Yu Xingzheng's face darkened; facing the young man before him, he clenched his fists but was powerless, glaring furiously at Chen Fan.

With Li Linliu's declaration, the disciples behind Yu Xingzheng began to murmur.

They were mostly Four Symbols Sect disciples, naturally siding with Yu Xingzheng.

Faced with Li Linliu's domineering stance, someone in the crowd spoke up, "Why should it be settled?!"

This caused all the hall masters and instructors to pause, many adopting a spectator's attitude toward Li Linliu.

Though young, Li Linliu's strength and status were exceptional; in Feiling County, no one dared offend him!

Of course, given his status, he would not lightly act against younger disciples.

"Why?"

Li Linliu's gaze sharpened; he raised his hand and gave a cold snort.

Boom!

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

All the other authorities—hall masters, gang leaders—stepped back as one, faces shocked as they looked at Li Linliu!

Centered on Li Linliu, an invisible pressure seemed to fill the air within a certain radius.

At that moment, Yu Xingzheng and his companions, along with the restless crowd, felt an overwhelming, suffocating force sweeping over them!

Everyone involuntarily stepped back, some even falling to the ground!

No one dared to breathe loudly; in an instant, the area fell silent...

Chen Fan was equally astonished; the power Li Linliu displayed had already surpassed his understanding of martial arts.

Li Linliu's sharp gaze swept the crowd, lingering on Yu Xingzheng and his group, and he spoke calmly, "Because I am Li Linliu."